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.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the co-pending U.S. provisional patent application, Application No. 61/580,132, filed on Dec. 23, 2011, and entitled “TIMING SYSTEM AND DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME,” which is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to timing systems and visual indicators and devices and methods for making the same. More specifically, the invention relates to systems and devices for methods of indicating and/or recording; the passage of a duration of time. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Galvanic cells, or Voltaic cells derive electrical energy from chemical reactions taking place within the cell. They generally consist of two different metals and an electrolyte. When the dissimilar metals come in contact with a common electrolyte, a potential difference is created between the metals. Once an electron path is provided, external to the cell itself, electrons flow from the anode to the cathode. Electrons flow from the anode to the cathode, depleting atoms of electrons, causing the remaining atoms to become ions. 
         [0004]    These cells are more generally referred to within the public domain as batteries and are more predominantly used as a means of storing electrical energy. 
         [0005]    However, some applications of these cells, like certain timing systems, temperature indicators and visual indicators, capitalize on other attributes inherent to these cells. One particular attribute of interest is the transformation of molecules within the anode from atom to ion and the subsequent change in optical properties. The optical properties of the anode change from opaque to transparent as atoms become ions. 
         [0006]    The change in optical properties is relied upon within certain timing systems, temperature indicators and visual indicators, also referred to as time dependent color changing labels. Within these applications anode material consists of a thin metal film which has been deposited by evaporation or sputter or similar technique and configured on the same plane as a cathode such that when an electrolyte is introduced, anode atoms begin to deplete themselves of electrons and transform into ions, beginning at a point closest to the cathode. As depletion continues an ion rich transparent region begins to expand in a direction away from the cathode. 
         [0007]    As the optical properties of the anode change from opaque to transparent backgrounds that used to lay hidden become visible. The expansion of the transparent region reveals various colors, text and/or patterns which have been printed just behind the anode. Progression of the transparent region indicates that increasing intervals of time have expired based on the appearance of colors text and/or patterns. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, timing devices are manufactured with an internal regulator configured for regulating the current flow of electrons within the timing device in order to control an expiration time period of the timing device. However, these timing devices are typically manufactured to expire at a set expiration time. Consequently, a consumer must choose a fixed time interval or duration before purchasing and using the device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    In one aspect, an adjustable timing device comprises an electrochemical timing structure and a mechanism manually adjustable in order to adjust an expiration time of the timing device. In some embodiments, the mechanism is external to the timing device. In some embodiments, the mechanism regulates a current flow within the timing device. In further embodiments, the mechanism is adjusted in order to increase the expiration time of the timing device. In still further embodiments, the mechanism is adjusted in order to decrease the expiration time of the timing device. In some embodiments, a portion of the timing device is removed in order to adjust the expiration time of the timing device. In further embodiments, the mechanism comprises a group of parallel resistors. In some embodiments, the electrochemical timing structure comprises an anode, a cathode, a base, an electrolyte, and a means of activating the timing device. In some embodiments, a visual change is seen as the timing device expires. In some embodiments, the timing device is coupled to an additional object. In some embodiments, the timing device further comprises a scale for indicating the time of expiration of the timing device. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, a timing system comprises an anode layer, a cathode layer, an electrolyte, and a manually adjustable mechanism that regulates an electron current flow from the anode layer to the cathode layer. In some embodiments, the mechanism is external to the timing system. In some embodiments, adjusting the mechanism increases the rate of the flow of electrons from the anode layer to the cathode layer. In further embodiments, adjusting the mechanism decreases the rate of the flow of electrons from the anode layer to the cathode layer. In some embodiments, a portion of the timing system is removed in order to adjust the flow of electrons from the anode layer to the cathode layer. In further embodiments, the timing system comprises a group of parallel resistors. In some embodiments, a visual change is seen as the timing device expires. In further embodiments, the timing device is coupled to an additional object. In some embodiments, the timing system further comprises a scale for indicating the time of expiration of the timing device. 
         [0012]    In a further aspect, a method of using an adjustable timing device comprises programming an expiration time of the timing device by changing an external characteristic of the timing device and activating the timing device. In some embodiments, programming the timing device comprises adding a duration of time to the expiration time of the timing device. In further embodiments, programming the timing device comprises subtracting a duration of time from the expiration time of the timing device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a timing device in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-section view of a reactive region of a timing device in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an exploded view of a timing device and system in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a timing device and system in an assembled configuration in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates a timing device and system in an assembled configuration in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an exploded view of a timing device and system in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a component of a timing device and system in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5C  illustrates a timing device and system in an assembled configuration in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method of using an adjustable timing device in accordance with some embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    The description below concerns several embodiments of the presently claimed invention. The discussion references the illustrated preferred embodiment. However, the scope of the presently claimed invention is not limited to either the illustrated embodiment, nor is it limited to those discussed, to the contrary, the scope should be interpreted as broadly as possible based on the language of the Claims section of this document. 
         [0023]    This disclosure provides several embodiments of the presently claimed invention. It is contemplated that any features from any embodiment can be combined with any features from any other embodiment. In this fashion, hybrid configurations of the illustrated embodiments are well within the scope of the presently claimed invention. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a timing device is depicted therein. The timing device  100  comprises an anode  101  and a cathode  113  which have been deposited on a substrate  115 , and a quantity of electrolyte (not shown). In some embodiments, the anode  101  and the cathode  113  are thin-film deposited onto the substrate  115 . However, the anode  101  and the cathode  113  are able to be attached to the substrate  115  by any appropriate method as known in the art. Upon activation of the timing device  100 , the anode  101  is depleted longitudinally away from and perpendicular to the cathode  113 , as demonstrated by the arrow. The anode  101  is depleted as electrons travel from the anode  101  to the cathode. Depletion of the anode  101  occurs at a point nearest to the cathode  113  first and progresses longitudinally away from and perpendicular to the cathode  113 . Depletion of the anode  101  occurs at an initial rate which lessens as the anode  101  depletes away from the cathode  113 . In some embodiments, the timing device comprises multiple anode depletion patterns  102  printed or deposited onto the substrate  115  that are uncovered as the depletion of the anode  101  progresses. In some embodiments, as the anode  101  is depleted, a top layer becomes transparent. In some embodiment, the anode  101  comprises aluminum (Al) and the cathode  113  comprises copper (Cu). 
         [0025]    The timing device  100  comprises a means to activate the device. In some embodiments, the timing device  100  comprises a protective reservoir which contains a small amount of electrolyte (not shown) molded to the cathode layer and protruding outward. The timing device is activated when a consumer applies pressure to the protrusion thereby braking the barrier and depositing the small quantity of electrolyte into contact with the dissimilar metals and activating the timing device. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, as the timing device expires a visual change is seen. For example, in some embodiments a color change or change in transparency is seen as the anode layer of the timing device is depleted. 
         [0027]    Timing devices such as described above and that are electrochemically based rely on a electron flow through a path external to the cell itself. By influencing the flow of the electrons, the depletion rate and the amount of time which must transpire before the cell expires and a color change is seen may be influenced. One way to influence the flow of the electrons is by adjusting a total resistance to the flow of electrons within the timing device. Creating a larger resistance within the cell results in a slower rate of electron flow within the device and consequently a slower depletion rate of the anode layer and a longer time period before the timing device expires. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-section view of a reactive region  200  of a timing device with a mechanism for adjusting an expiration time period of the timing device in accordance with some embodiments. The reactive region  200  of the timing device reacts to produce a visual change and indicate a passage of time, as described above. In some embodiments, the timing device also includes a lens and a base. 
         [0029]    The reactive region comprises an anode layer  203  a cathode layer  201  and an electrolyte  205  in order to create an electrochemical timing structure. As described above, when the anode layer  203  is placed in communication with the cathode layer  201  and the electrolyte  205 , the anode layer  203  begins to deplete in order to indicate a passage of time. In some embodiments, the electrochemical timing device further includes the electrical connections  211  and  213  which enable a current to flow between the anode layer  203  and the cathode layer  201 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the reactive region  200  further includes an adjustment mechanism  207  for regulating the electron flow from the anode layer  203  to the cathode layer  201 . In this manner, the mechanism  207  is able to control the rate at which the anode layer  203  is depleted and the expiration time of the timing device. In some embodiments, the mechanism is external to the reactive region  200  of the timing device and is adjustable. Particularly, by manipulating and/or adjusting the mechanism,  207  the rate at which electrons flow from the anode layer  203  to the cathode layer  201  the expiration of the anode layer  203  is able to be controlled and the timing device is able to be programmed to expire at a desired time period. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an exploded view of a timing device and system in accordance with some embodiments. The timing device  300  comprises a base  311 , an anode layer  301 , a quantity of electrolyte (not shown), and one or more cathode structures  313  introduced throughout the timing device  300 . As described above, when the timing device  300  is activated, the anode layer  301  is depleted along the timing device  300 . In some embodiments, as the anode layer  301  is depleted, a color change is seen and/or a symbol is uncovered. In some embodiments, the anode layer  301 , the base  311 , and the cathode structures  313  are attached by a platted through hole type method. However, as will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the anode layer  301 , the base  311 , and the cathode structures  313  are able to be attached by any appropriate method. In some embodiments, the depletion of the anode layer  301  is able to be viewed through a lens of the timing device  300 . 
         [0031]    As further shown in  FIG. 3A , the timing device  300  comprises an adjustment mechanism  330  for adjusting the flow of electrons from the anode layer  301  to the one or more cathode structures  313  and consequently adjusting an expiration rate and time of the timing device  300 . As described above, by increasing or slowing the rate of the electron current flow from the anode layer  301  to the one or more cathode structures  313 , the depletion rate of the timing device  300  is able to be increased or decreased, respectfully. In this manner, the adjustment mechanism  330  is used to program the timing device  300  to expire at a certain time. 
         [0032]    The adjustment mechanism  330  comprises a first tape  335  and a second tape  333 . In some embodiments, the first tape  335  comprises a metal tape with a high resistive value and the second tape  333  comprises a metal tape with a low resistive value. For example, in some embodiments, the first tape  335  comprises a carbon tape and the second tape  333  comprises a copper tape. In an assembled configuration, the second tape  333  completely covers the first tape  335 . The second tape  333  and the first tape  335  interact in order create a total resistance (R T ) within the timing device  300  and at the first resistance, the timing device is configured to expire at a first expiration time. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the second tape  333  comprises one or more perforations  337 . In these embodiments, one or more sections of the second tape  333  are able to be removed by lifting the second tape  333  and tearing it off at a perforation  337 . When a section of the second tape  333  is removed, the total resistance of the timing device  300  is increased because more of the high resistivity first tape  335  is utilized. Thus, by changing the ratio of the high resistivity first tape  335  to the low resistivity second tape  333  the total resistance of the timing device  300  is changed and the timing device  300  is able to be programmed to expire at a certain time. Particularly, the expiration time of the timing device  300  is able to be adjusted to the desired expiration time by removing one or more sections of the second tape  333  and changing the total resistance and a rate of electron current flow within the timing device  300 . 
         [0033]    As described above, removing one or more sections of the second tape  333  increases the resistivity of the timing device  300  and increases the expiration time period of the timing device  300 . However, as will be apparent to someone to ordinary skill in the art, the timing device  300  is able to be configured so that removing one or more sections of the second tape  333  decreases the total resistance of the timing device  300  and decreases the expiration time period of the timing device  300 . Further, the timing device  300  is able to be configured so that adding one or more sections of the second tape  333  increases or decreases the total resistance of the timing device  300  and increases or decreases the expiration time period of the timing device  300 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 3A , in some embodiments, the timing device  300  comprises a scale  340  in order to indicate how much time is being added or subtracted when using the adjustment mechanism  330  of the timing devise. In some embodiments, the timing device  300  is coupled to an additional object. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a timing device  300  in an assembled configuration in accordance with some embodiments. As described above, one or more sections of the tape  333  on a surface of the timing device  300  are removed in order to adjust and/or program the expiration time of the timing device  300 . Particularly, the second tape  333  is able to be easily pulled back and torn at a perforation  337  in order to adjust the expiration time of the timing device  300  to a time as indicated by the scale  340 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  illustrates a timing device and system in an assembled configuration in accordance with some embodiments. The timing device  400  is similar to the timing device  300  as described above and comprises a base, an anode layer, a quantity of electrolyte, and one or more cathode structures introduced throughout the timing device  400 . As described above, when the timing device  400  is activated, the anode layer is depleted along the timing device. In some embodiments, as the anode layer is depleted, a color change is seen and/or a symbol is uncovered. In further embodiments, the depletion of the anode layer is able to be viewed through a lens of the timing device  400 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the second tape  433  comprises one or more adjustment sections  431 . In these embodiments, the total resistance of the timing device  400  is adjusted by filling in one of the one or more adjustment sections  431  with a lead pencil  440 . Since lead is a conductive metal, the total resistance of the timing device is changed when more or less lead is added to the second tape  433 . Consequently, the one or more adjustment sections  431  are able to be filled in order to adjust the expiration time of the timing device  400  to a time as indicated by the scale  440 . In some embodiments, the timing device  400  is coupled to an additional object. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an exploded view of a timing device and system in accordance with some embodiments. The timing device  500  comprises a base  511 , an anode layer  501 , a quantity of electrolyte (not shown), and one or more cathode structures  513  introduced throughout the timing device  500 . As described above, when the timing device  500  is activated, the anode layer  501  is depleted along the timing device  500 . In some embodiments, as the anode layer  501  is depleted, a color change is seen and/or a symbol is uncovered. In some embodiments, the anode layer  501 , the base  511 , and the cathode structures  513  are attached by a platted through hole type method. However, as will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the anode layer  501 , the base  511 , and the cathode structures  513  are able to be attached by any appropriate method. In some embodiments, the depletion of the anode layer  501  is able to be viewed through a lens of the timing device  500 . 
         [0038]    As further shown in  FIG. 5A , the timing device  500  comprises an adjustment mechanism  530  for adjusting the flow of electrons from the anode layer  501  to the one or more cathode structures  513  and consequently adjusting an expiration rate and time of the timing device. As described above, by increasing or slowing the rate of the electron current flow from the anode layer  501  to the one or more cathode structures  513 , the depletion rate of the timing device is able to be increased or decreased, respectfully. In this manner, the adjustment mechanism  530  is able to be used to program the timing device  500  to expire at a certain time. 
         [0039]    The adjustment mechanism  530  comprises a cover  533  and a resistor sheet  535  with one or more parallel resistors  539 . The cover also comprises one or more perforations or chads  543  which are configured to overlap and cover the one or more resistors when the timing device  500  is in an assembled configuration. The total resistance (R T ) of the timing device  500  is the product of the parallel resistors such that R T =(1/(1R 1 )+1/(1R 2 )+1/(1R 3 )+ . . . 1/(1R N )). In an assembled configuration, when one of the one or more perforations or chads  543  is punched out, the corresponding parallel resistor  539  is severed. When a parallel resistor is severed, there is one less parallel resistor affecting the total resistance of the timing device and the total resistance is less. Consequently, the total resistance and expiration time of the timing device  500  is able to be adjusted to a desired expiration time period by punching out the appropriate number of chads  543  and changing the total resistance of the timing device  500 . In some embodiments, the one or more chads  543  are punched out using a pencil, pen top, paper clip or other appropriately sized object. As further shown in  FIG. 5A , the timing device further comprises a scale  540  in order to indicate how much time is being added or subtracted when using the adjustment mechanism  530  of the timing devise. In some embodiments, the timing device  500  is coupled to an additional object. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5B  illustrates the resistor sheet  535  as described above. As shown in  FIG. 5B , when a chad  543  is punched out the path of the one or more resistors  539  is severed and/or punched out. Although  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show three parallel resistors  539 , as will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the timing device  500  is able to comprise any appropriate number of parallel resistors  539 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 5C  illustrates a timing device  500  in an assembled configuration in accordance with some embodiments. As described above, one or more of the chads  543  on a surface of the timing device  500  are punched out in order to adjust and/or program the expiration time of the timing device  500 . Particularly, by punching out one or more of the chads  543  a parallel resistor is severed and the total resistance of the timing device is changed in order to adjust the expiration time of the timing device  500  to a time as indicated by the scale  540 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method of using an adjustable timing device in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 6 , in the step  604 , an expiration time of the timing device is programmed by changing an external characteristic of the timing device. In some embodiments, programming the timing device comprises adding a duration of time to the expiration time of the timing device. In some embodiments, programming the timing device comprises subtracting a duration of time from the expiration time of the timing device. 
         [0043]    In use, a timing device and system is able to be programmed to expire at a variety of different time periods. By incorporating an external adjustment mechanism within a timing device, the timing device is able to be customized for a variety of different tasks. Particularly, this allows the user to decide how to precisely use the timing device without being stuck to a pre-determined time interval. In this manner, the time device is customizable for many different uses and tasks. Accordingly, the presently claimed invention as described herein has many advantages. 
         [0044]    The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. As such, references, herein, to specific embodiments and details thereof are not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.