WO2015111058A1

WO2015111058A1 - Elapsed time indicator

Info

Publication number: WO2015111058A1
Application number: PCT/IL2015/050085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ashkan AGHAJANI
Original assignee: Leket Innovation Ltd.
Priority date: 2014-01-27
Filing date: 2015-01-26
Publication date: 2015-07-30
Also published as: IL230670A0

Abstract

An elapsed time indicator comprises a liquid chamber retaining a liquid induced transport agent and applied to a housing element mounted on a triggering member, a diverter, and an element through which a visible time indication associated with the transport agent is viewable. The diverter urges the transport agent, relative to the housing element, to a first position following a user initiated movement and to a second position within a predetermined duration. In another embodiment, the elapsed time indicator comprises an annular collar, a compressible band applied to an inner face of the collar, a collar connected support element mountable on a triggering member, and an aperture formed in the collar through which a visible time indication is viewable. The band is compressible following transmission of a force initiated by the triggering member to assume, relative to the collar, a first position and a second position within a predetermined duration.

Description

ELAPSED TIME INDICATOR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of elapsed time indicators. More particularly, the invention relates to a liquid based elapsed time indicator.

Background of the Invention

Various preparations such as shampoos have to be mixed, or have to remain on a bodily portion such as the hair or skin, for a predetermined mixing time or usage time ranging from 2-15 minutes in order to achieve the intended results. One taking a shower does not always have access to a watch in order to carefully time the mixing operation.

Many liquid based elapsed time indicators are known from the prior art, including US 2,714,927, US 2,984,064, US 3,025,665, and FR 2 795 533. Two different fluids, including one that is viscous, are retained in a visible cavity provided with a support structure, so that one of the fluids descends at a predetermined speed within the cavity to indicate an elapsed time following shaking of the cavity.

These prior art elapsed time indicators are self contained devices that are supported independently and externally from a member adapted to trigger an action that is desired to be timed. It would be desirable, for added convenience and lowered costs, to mount the elapsed time indicator on the triggering member itself.

US 5,457,665 discloses an elapsed time indicator that is mounted in a transparent portion of a cap for a bottle having a filter which should be replaced after the passage of at least 30 days, as demonstrated by the elapsed time indicator. Due to the lengthy time period to be monitored, there are means for releasably holding the visible indicator in a stationary position until it is desired to initiate a timing operation, further adding to the cost of the apparatus.

US 6,805,072 discloses a container having a stationary ring and a rotative ring disposed near the top portion of a bottle. The stationary ring is labeled incrementally with time periods, and the rotative ring indicative of a start time is moved until an arrow is aligned with the actual time that the container was filled. This arrangement is difficult to manipulate and is not always reliable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid based elapsed time indicator that is mounted on a container of a preparation that is needed to be mixed for a predetermined period time prior to use, for convenient timing of the mixing operation.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an elapsed time indicator that provides an accurate time indication on the order of minutes. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an elapsed time indicator that can be inexpensively manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a liquid based elapsed time indicator, comprising a housing element mountable on a member for triggering an action that is desired to be timed, a self contained liquid chamber applied to said housing element and which retains a liquid induced transport agent, a diverter, and an element through which a visible time indication associated with said transport agent is viewable, wherein said diverter is configured to urge said transport agent to assume a first position relative to said housing element following a user initiated movement and to assume a second position relative to said housing element in response to anticipated behavior of said transport agent after being maintained in said first position, wherein said elapsed time indicator is configured to ensure that said transport agent will change its position from said first position to said second position within a predetermined duration.

In one embodiment, the diverter comprises a partition element for dividing the liquid chamber into first and second spaced tracks, and a plurality of baffle elements cooperating with said first track for retarding passage of the transport agent through said first track. The second track is unobstructed by the plurality of baffle elements.

A liquid medium with which the transport agent is mixable is also retained within the liquid chamber, the transport agent being gravitationally displaceable through the liquid medium after being mixed therewith. The transport agent is displaceable between first and second ends of the first track within the predetermined duration and is displaceable between first and second ends of the second track within a time period significantly less than the predetermined duration.

In one embodiment, the housing element is rotatably mounted in the action triggering member, and wherein the transport agent is a liquid and the diverter is a partition element which divides the liquid chamber into first and second regions, all the liquid being positionable within said first region following selective rotation of the housing element and being sequentially gravitationally dischargeable to said second region within the predetermined duration to provide the visible indication when said first chamber is completely emptied.

In one embodiment, the transport agent is a liquid and the diverter is an elastically depressible, liquid retainable bulb, the elapsed time indicator further comprising a tube extending from said bulb and into which the retained liquid is dischargeable to provide the visible indication following application of a force to said bulb.

In one aspect, the action triggering member is an emulsion container and the triggered action is the mixing of two compounds contained within said container.

The present invention is also directed to an elapsed time indicator, comprising an annular collar; a compressible band which is applied to an inner face of said collar; a support element connected to said collar which is configured to be mounted on a member for triggering an action that is desired to be timed; and an aperture formed in said collar through which a visible time indication associated with said band is viewable, wherein said band is compressible following transmission thereto of a force initiated by an actuator of said action triggering member so as to assume a first position relative to said collar and to assume a second position relative to said collar in response to anticipated behavior of said band after being maintained in said first position, wherein said elapsed time indicator is configured to ensure that said band will change its position from said first position to said second position within a predetermined duration.

In one aspect, the band is hollow and contains viscoelastic material within its interior. In one aspect, the band is hollow and contains a dynamic load responsive mechanism within its interior. The dynamic load responsive mechanism may comprise a spring and a force regulator.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings :

- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a two-tracked elapsed time indicator, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

- Fig. 2 is a front view of the indicator of Fig. V,

- Figs. 3 and 4 are a perspective view of a two-tracked elapsed time indicator, according to two embodiments of the invention, respectively;

- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a rotatable elapsed time indicator, according to another embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 6 is a side view of the indicator of Fig. 5;

- Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an elapsed time indicator provided with an elastically depressible, liquid retainable bulb;

- Fig. 8 is a side view of the indicator of Fig. 7;

- Fig. 9 is a front view of an emulsion container to which is mounted the indicator of Fig. 7;

- Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an elapsed time indicator configured as an annular collar; and

- Fig. 11 is a front view of an emulsion container on which is mounted the indicator of Fig. 10. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention is a novel elapsed time indicator that is mountable on the container of a preparation that has to be mixed or otherwise agitated prior to use. The elapsed time indicator may be configured by a sticker which is adhesively attached to the container, attached by other means to the container such as pins or pegs, or alternatively is integrally formed with the container.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate an elapsed time indicator 10, according to one embodiment of the invention. A liquid chamber 7 containing a liquid that constitutes the medium for facilitating the elapsed time indication, e.g. a viscous liquid such as oil, is delimited by a housing 5 shown to be rectangular, but which may be configured in many different ways as well such as with a round or triangular periphery, and by a transparent or translucent panel (not shown) attached or fused to the exteriorly facing edges of housing 5, through which a user is able to view an elapsed time indication. A similar panel may in abutment with the interiorly facing edges of housing 5. Housing 5 may be rigid, such as made of a plastic or metallic material, or alternatively may be slightly flexible.

Elapsed time indicator 10 comprises a partition element 8 that divides hquid chamber 7 into two tracks- (a) a first, relatively slow passage track 11 through which a transport agent flows in a first direction through the liquid medium between end 12 and end 13, for a predetermined duration to provide the elapsed time indication, and (b) a second, relatively fast passage track 17 through which the transport agent speedily flows in a second direction, generally opposite to the first direction, through the hquid medium in preparation for an additional time indication operation. Opposed ends 12 and 13 of liquid chamber 7 may be curved in order to direct the transport agent to a desired track.

The transport agent has a different density than the liquid medium, and the difference in density between them induces the displacement of the transport agent within the liquid medium following agitation of the preparation. The transport agent may be another liquid immiscible in the liquid medium, an air bubble, or a solid object such as a plastic or metallic ball.

Partition element 8 is generally straight as shown, but may also be curved. To slow the passage of the transport agent within track 11, partition element 8 is provided with baffle elements 14 extending obliquely for a hmited length towards housing wall 3 and liquid chamber end 13. There are also baffle elements 16 that extend obliquely from housing wall 3 for a limited length towards partition element 8 and liquid chamber end 13, to define a gap G between corresponding baffle elements 14 and 16. The transport agent when passing through track 11 may contact one of the baffle elements 14 and 16, causing its displacement to be retarded. The predetermined duration for transport agent displacement between the two ends of the liquid chamber is defined by the combination of various parameters including, but not limited to, viscosity of the liquid medium, density of the liquid medium, transport agent type, density of the transport agent, the dimension of the gap between corresponding baffle elements, width of the first track, and length of the first track.

In use, the transport agent is properly mixed with the liquid medium after shaking or inverting the container to which the elapsed time indicator is mounted, to initiate a gravity-actuated timing operation. It will be appreciated that the user need not perform any additional actions in order to initiate a timing operation since the emulsion within the container, e.g. a shampoo, has to be mixed for the predetermined duration prior to use in order to be effective. The user then views, through the housing panel, the displacement of the transport agent within the first track, and receives an indication that the predetermined duration has elapsed when the transport agent completes its displacement between the two ends of the liquid chamber. When the emulsion is once again mixed, the transport agent is displaced quickly within the second track, in order to perform another timing operation, for a time period significantly less than the predetermined duration since it is not subjected to interference by the baffle elements. In elapsed time indicator 20 of Fig. 3 and elapsed time indicator 30 of Fig. 4 are shown different configurations of the two tracks.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of the invention wherein elapsed time indicator 40 is rotatable. A liquid chamber 47 is partially filled with a liquid that constitutes the medium for facilitating the elapsed time indication is delimited by a housing 45 shown to be rectangular, but which may be configured in many different ways as well such as with a round or triangular periphery, by a transparent or translucent panel (not shown) attached or fused to the exteriorly facing edges of housing 45, through which a user is able to view an elapsed time indication, and by an inner face 49 mountable on an emulsion container. One or more elements 53 protruding from inner face 49 in a direction away from the panel, e.g. flexible elements, are rotatably mounted, for example by a snap fit, within an aperture formed within the outer wall of the emulsion container, to permit rotation of housing 45. Elements 53 preferably protrude from a central region of inner face 49. Housing 45 may be rigid, such as made of a plastic or metallic material, or alternatively may be slightly flexible.

A partition element 42 is fixed to inner face 49, to divide liquid chamber 47 into two regions 54 and 55, e.g. having the same area. Partition element 42, which is straight with slightly enlarged terminal ends or may be configured in any other desired fashion, is slightly separated from opposed housing side walls 46 and 47, to enable passage of the time indicating liquid between a partition element terminal end and a housing side wall.

After housing 45 has been suitably positioned to allow all liquid within chamber 47 to be received within a first liquid chamber region, the housing is manually rotated to a starting position at which the first region is located above the second region, allowing the liquid to be gravitationally discharged from the first to second chamber. The predetermined duration for the first region to be emptied is dependent upon a combination of various parameters including, but not limited to, viscosity of the liquid, volume of the liquid, and the dimension of the gap between a partition element terminal end and a housing side wall. The user then views, through the housing panel, the flow of liquid, and receives an indication that the predetermined duration has elapsed when the first chamber is completely emptied.

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of the invention wherein elapsed time indicator 60 comprises an elastically depressible, liquid retainable bulb 62, a transparent or translucent tube 64 upwardly extending from bulb 62, a plate 67 mountable onto an emulsion container, e.g. an elliptical plate, formed with a recess in which the bulb and tube are partially seated and secured, and a securing element 69 for attaching tube 64 to plate 67. After bulb 62 is depressed by a user, the liquid retained therewithin, which is generally a viscous liquid, is discharged into tube 64 and is visible. The user then views the downward return flow of liquid into bulb 62, and receives an indication that the predetermined duration has elapsed when the tube is completely emptied. Alternatively, tube 64 may be laterally spaced from bulb 62, and the discharged liquid is returned to the bulb as a result of a pressure differential, e.g. under the influence of sub- atmospheric pressure.

Fig. 9 illustrates an emulsion container 15 to the main body 19 of which elapsed time indicator 60 has been flushly mounted. It will be appreciated that other elapsed time indicator described hereinabove may be mounted in similar fashion.

Fig. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein elapsed time indicator 70 comprises an annular collar 71 to the inner face of which is applied a compressible band 74. Band 74 may contain viscoelastic material within its interior, or alternatively is compressible by means of a spring and a force regulator. Collar 71 is formed with an aperture 75, e.g. square as shown, through which the colored band or viscoelastic material may be viewed. Indicia 77 are applied to the outer surface of collar 71 and adjacent to an edge of aperture 75, to indicate a current height of the upper edge 76 of band 74.

The annular configuration of elapsed time indicator 70 facilitates mounting on emulsion container 83, as shown in Fig. 11. Collar 71 is configured to surround throat portion 88 of cap 89 while integrally formed annular support surface 79 provided underneath, and having a larger diameter than, collar 71 is adapted to be positioned on top of shoulder 86 of container 83. Support surface 79 may be flexible in order to conform to the shape of a curvilinear shoulder 86. Throat portion 88 is introduced within the interior of collar 71 after support surface 79 is positioned on top of shoulder 86. Alternatively, container 83 may be formed integrally with collar 71.

In use, when depressing cap 89 downwardly in order to discharge an emulsion or any other preparation from container 83, a support element (not shown) of cap 89 extending radially outwardly from throat portion 88 contacts upper band edge 76 and causes band 74 to become compressed as a result of the reaction of the viscoelastic material. One of the indicia 77 indicates the starting depth of upper band edge 76. Since the reaction time of the viscoelastic material or of the spring to return to the original starting position is known, the user receives an indication that the predetermined duration has elapsed when upper band edge 76 returns to the original starting position. The user need not perform any additional actions in order to initiate a timing operation since the emulsion within the container 83 has to be mixed for the predetermined duration prior to use in order to be effective, for added user convenience.

While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried out with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A liquid based elapsed time indicator, comprising:

a) a housing element mountable on a member for triggering an action that is desired to be timed;

b) a self contained liquid chamber applied to said housing element and which retains a liquid induced transport agent;

c) a diverter; and

d) an element through which a visible time indication associated with said transport agent is viewable,

wherein said diverter is configured to urge said transport agent to assume a first position relative to said housing element following a user initiated movement and to assume a second position relative to said housing element in response to anticipated behavior of said transport agent after being maintained in said first position,

wherein said elapsed time indicator is configured to ensure that said transport agent will change its position from said first position to said second position within a predetermined duration.

2. The elapsed time indicator according to claim 1, wherein the diverter comprises a partition element for dividing the liquid chamber into first and second spaced tracks, and a plurality of baffle elements cooperating with said first track for retarding passage of the transport agent through said first track.

3. The elapsed time indicator according to claim 2, wherein a liquid medium with which the transport agent is mixable is also retained within the liquid chamber, the transport agent being gravitationally displaceable through the liquid medium after being mixed therewith.

4. The elapsed time indicator according to claim 3, wherein the second track is unobstructed by the plurality of baffle elements.

5. The elapsed time indicator according to claim 4, wherein the transport agent is displaceable between first and second ends of the first track within the predetermined duration and is displaceable between first and second ends of the second track within a time period significantly less than the predetermined duration.

6. The elapsed time indicator according to claim 1, wherein the housing element is rotatably mounted in the action triggering member, and wherein the transport agent is a liquid and the diverter is a partition element which divides the liquid chamber into first and second regions, all the liquid being positionable within said first region following selective rotation of the housing element and being sequentially gravitationally dischargeable to said second region within the predetermined duration to provide the visible indication when said first chamber is completely emptied.

7. The elapsed time indicator according to claim 1, wherein the transport agent is a liquid and the diverter is an elastically depressible, liquid retainable bulb, the elapsed time indicator further comprising a tube extending from said bulb and into which the retained liquid is dischargeable to provide the visible indication following application of a force to said bulb.

8. The elapsed time indicator according to claim 1, wherein the action triggering member is an emulsion container and the triggered action is the mixing of two compounds contained within said container.

9. An elapsed time indicator, comprising:

a) an annular collar;

b) a compressible band which is applied to an inner face of said collar;

c) a support element connected to said collar which is configured to be mounted on a member for triggering an action that is desired to be timed; and d) an aperture formed in said collar through which a visible time indication associated with said band is viewable,

wherein said band is compressible following transmission thereto of a force initiated by an actuator of said action triggering member so as to assume a first position relative to said collar and to assume a second position relative to said collar in response to anticipated behavior of said band after being maintained in said first position, wherein said elapsed time indicator is configured to ensure that said band will change its position from said first position to said second position within a predetermined duration.

10. The elapsed time indicator according to claim 9, wherein the band is hollow and contains viscoelastic material within its interior.

11. The elapsed time indicator according to claim 9, wherein the band is hollow and contains a dynamic load responsive mechanism within its interior.

12. The elapsed time indicator according to claim 11, wherein the dynamic load responsive mechanism comprises a spring and a force regulator.