Timing system and device and method for making the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9298167-B2
Application number	US-201213717303-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 17, 2012
Priority date	Dec 23, 2011
Publication date	Mar 29, 2016
Grant date	Mar 29, 2016

Abstract

A timing device comprises an electrochemical timing structure and a mechanism that enables the timing device to be manually programmed to expire at a plurality of different time periods. In some embodiments, the mechanism is used to adjust the timing device to add a duration of time to an expiration time of the timing device. Alternatively the mechanism is used in order to subtract a duration of time from an expiration time of the timing device.

First claim

I claim:

1. An adjustable timing device, comprising:
a. an electrochemical timing structure; and
b. a mechanism that changes an external characteristic of the timing device and that is manually adjustable by one of adding a component to the timing structure or subtracting a component from the timing structure in order to adjust an expiration time of the timing device,
wherein after activation, a depletion of the timing device is viewed through a lens.

2. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is external to the timing device.

3. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism regulates a current flow within the timing device.

4. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is adjusted in order to increase the expiration time of the timing device.

5. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is adjusted in order to decrease the expiration time of the timing device.

6. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the timing device is removed in order to adjust the expiration time of the timing device.

7. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a group of parallel resistors.

8. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein the electrochemical timing structure comprises:
a. an anode;
b. a cathode;
c. a base;
d. an electrolyte; and
e. a means of activating the timing device.

9. The timing device of claim 1 , wherein a visual change is seen as the timing device expires.

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

11. The timing device of claim 1 , further comprising a scale for indicating the time of expiration of the timing device.

12. A timing system, comprising:
a. an anode layer;
b. a cathode layer;
c. an electrolyte; and
d. a manually adjustable mechanism that changes an external characteristic of the timing system by one of adding a component to the timing system or subtracting a component from the timing system and that regulates an electron current flow from the anode layer to the cathode layer,
wherein after activation, a depletion of the timing system is viewed through a lens.

13. The timing system of claim 12 , wherein the mechanism is external to the timing system.

14. The timing system of claim 13 , wherein adjusting the mechanism increases the rate of the flow of electrons from the anode layer to the cathode layer.

15. The timing system of claim 13 , wherein adjusting the mechanism decreases the rate of the flow of electrons from the anode layer to the cathode layer.

16. The timing device of claim 13 , wherein a portion of the timing system is removed in order to adjust the flow of electrons from the anode layer to the cathode layer.

17. The timing system of claim 12 , wherein the timing system comprises a group of parallel resistors.

18. The timing system of claim 12 , wherein a visual change is seen as the timing device expires.

19. The timing system of claim 12 , wherein the timing device is coupled to an additional object.

20. The timing system of claim 12 , further comprising a scale for indicating the time of expiration of the timing device.

21. A method of using an adjustable timing device, comprising:
a. programming an expiration time of the timing device by changing an external characteristic of the timing device by one of adding a component to the timing device or subtracting a component from the timing device; and
b. activating the timing device, wherein after activation, a depletion of the timing device is viewed through a lens.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein programming the timing device comprises adding a duration of time to the expiration time of the timing device.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein programming the timing device comprises subtracting a duration of time from the expiration time of the timing device.

Assignees

• Vision Works Ip Corp

Inventors

• Braunberger Alfred S

Classifications

• G04F1/02

  by consuming prefixed quantities of materials, e.g. by burning candle · CPC title

• G04F13/04 Primary

  using electrochemical means · CPC title

• G04F1/00

  Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers · CPC title