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Warning device and method

a technology of warning device and warning method, which is applied in the field of warning device, can solve the problems of second expiration mechanism, extremely problematic, and people forgetting to check the printed expiration date, and achieve the effect of low cost and simple device operation

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-11-16
VARON ABRAHAM
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022] The device is very low cost, thus the device can be disposed of with the disposed product or packaging. The device is also extremely simple to use: it operates automatically. No special user activation or setup whatsoever is required. Rather, the device is factory set for its specific product.
[0027] Preferably, the device is designed for the life span of the related product, so that battery replacement will not be needed.
[0028] As mentioned before, the use of audible tones (beeps, melody, voice) as a signal can be replaced with light, i.e. using a visual signal instead of a sound signal. For example, this can be a constant light or a biking light. This solution maintains the same low cost and functional simplicity of the device. This solution is good for people with hearing difficulties, as well as for people who prefer a silent device. The operation is based on the same principle: when the consumer opens the product packaging or attempts to use the product (medicine, food), blinking lights appear, indicating whether the product has expired (e.g., blinking red light) or not expired (e.g., blinking green light). It is also possible to combine both a visual and an audible indication for the same product.

Problems solved by technology

The second expiration mechanism, which is measured from the time of opening the package, is extremely problematic at present, because there is no indication of the point in time when the product expires (unlike the printed expiration date).
It is also likely that people forget to check the printed expiration date.
The result may be inefficient treatment, consumption of spoiled products, direct damage to consumers, and damage to manufacturers in terms of reputation and possible law suits.

Method used

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  • Warning device and method
  • Warning device and method

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0094] A device with expiration alert from first opening, based on FIG. 3 flow chart [0095] a. Aug. 1, 2004: The consumer buys eyes drops, instructions are to use within a month from first opening. [0096] b. Aug. 2, 2004: User A opens the bottle for the first time. 3 beep sounds declare the first opening. As long as user A uses the product, the cap provides a single beep sound each 5 seconds. When closing the cap on the bottle, the sound stops. [0097] c. Aug. 10, 2004: User B finds the eye drops in the medicine closet, and wants to use it. She doesn't know when it was first opened. User B opens the cap. Since 30 days has not passed yet, there is NO alert. There is only a single beep sound each 5 seconds. User B now knows that the product has not expired, thus she uses the eye drops. When closing the cap on the bottle, the sound stops. [0098] d. Aug. 22, 2004: User A needs to use the product again. It's been quite a long time and user A cannot remember whether a month has passed sinc...

example 2

[0101] A device with expiration alert from manufacturing date, based on FIG. 5 flow chart. [0102] a. August 2004: The consumer buys a bottle with Paracetamol tablets, instructions are to use by December 2005. [0103] b. September, 2004: User A opens the bottle for the first time. As long as user A uses the product, the cap provides a voice message each 5 seconds: “ok to use”“ok to use” . . . etc. He takes a pill. When closing the cap on the bottle, the voice stops. [0104] c. March, 2005: User B finds the Paracetamol in the medicine closet, and wants to use it. She opens the cap. There is a voice message each 5 seconds: “ok to use”. User B now knows that the product has not expired, thus she takes a pill. When closing the cap on the bottle, the voice stops. [0105] d. February, 2006: User A needs to use the product again. He opens the cap. He hears a continuous voice message saying “EXPIRED . . . EXPIRED . . . EXPIRED”. He doesn't use the product. When closing the cap on the bottle, th...

example 3

[0108] A device with dual expiration alert: from first opening, and from manufacturing, based on FIG. 8 flow chart [0109] a. Aug. 1, 2004: The consumer buys nose drops, instructions are to use within a month from first opening, and the general expiration date is Aug. 1, 2005. [0110] b. Sep. 1, 2004: User A opens the bottle for the first time. 3 beep sounds declare the first opening. As long as user A uses the product, the cap provides a short 3 seconds melody tunes each 6 seconds. In addition, the cap provides a green light. When closing the cap on the bottle, the tunes stop, and the light turns off [0111] c. Sep. 5, 2004: User B finds the nose drops in the medicine closet, and wants to use it. She doesn't know when it was first opened. User B opens the cap. Since 30 days has not passed yet, AND since the general expiration date from manufacturing has not passed yet, there is NO alert. There is only that combination of a melody and a green light. User B now knows that the product ha...

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PUM

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Abstract

A warning device for attachment to packaging of a product which has an expiration date, the device including timer means for counting passage of a pre-set period of time, according to a timing program tailored to the product, to the expiration date, and for providing a signal at the expiration date, and an indicator arranged to receive the signal and to provide an indication to differentiate a pre-expiration date period from a post-expiration date period, and a switch coupled to the packaging and arranged to activate the indicator when a person attempts to use the product.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to warning devices. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Many medicines and food products have an expiration date printed on packaging, which is the last date on which the product is recommended for use. These products are defined herein as products with a “single expiration date”. [0003] Also, there are products whose expiration date is based on two expiration mechanisms: the first one is the printed expiration date as mentioned before, and the second one is a time limit starting from the first time of opening the seal or of using the product. These products are defined herein as products with a “double expiration date”. Examples of these products include: eye drops—to be used within one month from first opening, nose drops—to be used within one month from first opening, certain salad dressings—to be used within 6 weeks from first opening. [0004] The second expiration mechanism, which is measured from the time of opening the...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G04F1/00A61GB65D51/24B65D79/02G04B47/00G04F10/00G08B
CPCB65D79/02B65D51/24
Inventor VARON, ABRAHAM
Owner VARON ABRAHAM