Timing system and device and method for making the same
AssigneeVision Works IP Corporation
InventorAlfred S. Braunberger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A timing device for indicating the passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device and system, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention, comprise an electrochemical component which generates a visual and/or audio indication of the passage of time. The timing device further comprises a compensating element, such as a varistor, a thermistor and/or combinations thereof. The compensating element regulates the response of the device with respect to changes in temperature. The timing device is configured to indicate the passage of a single duration of time or comprises zones that are activated in a range of prescribed times and individually or collectively indicate the passage of time or the passage of a range of times.
Claims22
A timing device for monitoring an age of an item within a refrigerator, comprising:
- a. a strip comprising a plurality of independent reactive zones that separately change color at different times after the device is activated and that are arranged to collectively indicate a total passage of time;
- and
- b. a means for activating the device.
An electrochemical timing system for monitoring an age of an item, comprising:
- a. an indicator, which indicates the passing of a plurality of time periods, each time period indicated by an independent color change;
- b. an activation mechanism to activate the indicator, wherein the activation mechanism initiates the beginning of each of the plurality of time periods at the same time;
- and
- c. a means for attaching the system to an additional article.
A method of making a timing system, comprising:
- a. providing a substrate;
- b. forming independent areas of a reactive medium on the substrate, the different independent areas being capable of representing a different time period to indicate passage of a range of times;
- and
- c. forming an activating means configured to activate the independent areas of the reactive medium by contact,
- wherein the independent areas are activated at the same time to indicate the passage of a range of times.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.