Timing system and device and method for making the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016299474-A1
Application number	US-201615184656-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 16, 2016
Priority date	Nov 1, 2011
Publication date	Oct 13, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A timing device that includes an anode layer, a cathode layer and an electrolyte attached to a base layer. The anode layer and the cathode layer are placed adjacent to one another along an axis of the timing device. Upon activation of the timing device the anode layer is depleted away from the cathode layer until the timing device is fully expired. Once the timing device is expired, a change is seen indicating that the timing device has expired. In some embodiments, a color change indicates that the timing device has expired. In some embodiments, as the timing device expires electronically readable information is uncovered.

First claim

1 . A timing device comprising:
a. a first timing component; and b. a second timing component, wherein the first timing component and the second timing component are independently activated and wherein the second timing component is automatically activated by the ambient temperature reaching a predefined temperature.

2 . The timing device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first timing component and the second timing component are an electrochemical timing device and comprise;
a. an anode layer; b. a cathode layer; c. a base layer; d. an electrolyte attached to the base layer; and e. a means for activating the timing device.

3 . The timing device of claim 2 , wherein the anode layer comprises Al and the cathode layer comprises Cu.

4 . The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the first timing component is temperature independent.

5 . The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the second timing component is sensitive to temperature.

6 . The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the second timing component is not activated until a certain temperature is reached.

7 . The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the second timing component undergoes a change in appearance when the predefined temperature is reached.

8 . The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the first timing component undergoes a chance in appearance as the timing device expires.

9 . The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the timing device comprises a two-dimensional barcode and is electronically readable.

10 . The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the timing device is coupled to an additional object.

11 . A timing system comprising:
a. a plurality of timing devices, each timing device comprising:
i. a first timing component; and
ii. a second timing component, wherein the second timing component is automatically activated by the ambient temperature reaching a predefined temperature;
wherein each timing device is configured to measure a different, discrete period of time.

12 . The timing system of claim 11 , wherein each timing device is depleted after activation in order to show a passage of time.

13 . The timing system of claim 12 , wherein the first timing component undergoes a change in appearance as one of the plurality of timing devices is depleted.

14 . The timing system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of timing devices is arranged in a sequential pattern.

15 . The timing system of claim 11 , wherein each timing device remains dormant until a previous timing device is expired.

16 . The timing system of claim 11 , wherein each timing device is configured to measure a thirty-day time period.

17 . The timing system of claim 11 , wherein the first timing component and the second timing component are independently activated.

18 . The timing system of claim 17 , wherein the second timing component is activated when a certain temperature is reached.

19 . The timing system of claim 18 , wherein the second timing component is configured to indicate exposure to a temperature in five minute intervals.

20 . The timing system of claim 11 , wherein the timing system is coupled to an additional object.

21 - 23 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Vision Works Ip Corp

Inventors

• Braunberger Alfred S

Classifications

• G04F13/04 Primary

  using electrochemical means · CPC title

• G01K11/12

  using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance · CPC title

• G01K11/00

  Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00 · CPC title

• G04F13/02

  using optical means · CPC title

• G04F8/00

  Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by electromechanical means · CPC title