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  Visual indicator chronograph and the use of the sameUSPTO Application #: 20080025154Title: Visual indicator chronograph and the use of the same Abstract: A timer indicator or chronograph is described. The chronograph functions according to chromatographic principles to develop a perceptible visual image or pattern on an indicator panel or display area, which serves as a means to monitor the relative amount of time that elapses. The chronograph includes a self-contained reservoir for an activating agent, which once activated creates a mobile front that traverses the indicator panel substrate from the reservoir to a distal end at a predetermined rate. The chronograph may be used as a stand-alone device or may be incorporated as part of various articles or products, for instance, as either a training aid or as a dryness indicator. Methods for using and making the chronograph are also described. (end of abstract) Agent: Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah, WI, US Inventors: John Gavin MacDonald, Kelly D. Arehart USPTO Applicaton #: 20080025154 - Class: 368089000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Horology: Time Measuring Systems Or Devices, Time Interval The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080025154. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/000,234 entitled "Visual Indicator Chronograph and the Use of the Same" filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 30, 2004 and claims priority thereto. The entirety of application Ser. No. 11/000,234 is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a device that incorporates a visually detectable indicator for monitoring the passage of time. More particularly, the invention describes a chronograph that uses visual cues and chromatographic development to mark the passage of time and to serve as a training tool. BACKGROUND [0003] In the realm of time monitoring devices and methods, one conventionally uses either a mechanical, electronic, or digital device which ticks off the seconds, minutes, and hours. To correctly use such devices or techniques, however, requires the user to have an understanding of the concept of time and to be able to interpret the meaning of abstract symbols. The ability to process the meaning of numbers on a digital clock or positions of clock hands, requires a relatively high level of cognitive functionality. To young children, for instance, who have yet to develop such a requisite level of cognitive function or an appreciation of the concept of time keeping, visual indicators of time are a better tool with which one can use to train and condition them. A visual indicator that changes its appearance gradually will allow the children to gain an appreciation for how time passes. [0004] Examples of traditional techniques for measuring the passage of time by sight and the relative positions of markers have included the sun dial and the hour glass. The sun dial relies on the presence of the sun, a moving source of light, to cast a shadow. This feature, however, limits its applicability for nighttime or indoor uses. In the hour glass, sand gradually drains through from a full part of the glass to an empty part at a predetermined rate. Like the sundial, the hour glass also is limited as a training aid, because it can be easily reset and disrupted during the course of its run. A curtailed run of the hour glass does not help a child to fully develop the concept of time keeping and can have a negative impact on the conditioning or training processes. It is time, therefore, to update the concept of keeping time visually. [0005] Numerous devices are known which provide a visual indication of the passage of a prearranged amount of time. Such time indicators are useful, for example when attached to perishables items for indicating the length of time the items have been on the wholesaler's or retailer's shelf. Thus, foods and other perishable items, such as photographic materials can be provided with indicators which evidence a visual change after activation and the passage of a predetermined period of time. [0006] A need exists for a timer which is inexpensive and can clearly, relatively accurately and quickly indicate the passing of selected periods of time progressively, which can be adapted as a training tool. An ideal timer would be one where disruption is minimized and development can be tailored to almost any kind of application. The timer should also be easy to use and activated only when desired with a start mechanism, like in a stopwatch or chronometer. The visual timing mechanism should be simple and universal for all ages to use and understandable across all linguistic or cultural groups. [0007] The present invention addresses the aforementioned need for a new type of visual time indicator that does not rely on external environmental conditions or stimuli for development, nor can it be disrupted inadvertently or without significant effort on the part of the user. The invention also lessens the need to have an initial appreciation of the concept of time, which makes it useful for young children or those with diminished mental capacities. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention pertains, in part, to the development of a timing mechanism embodied in a device that is simple and can be appropriate for use by all age groups. According to one aspect of the invention, the device embodies a design concept adapted to reliably keep time. The device uses a visual indicator to signify the passage of time. In particular, the invention relates to an indicator that will show the relative amount of time that has elapsed from the initial activation of the indicator. The state of the indicator can be quickly and easily assessed by the progression of a visually perceptible change, either in color or design pattern, along different areas of the indicator. The device can be adapted to a host of potential uses which may have need of a timing element that can manifest on a display area for monitoring the relative progression of elapsed time. [0009] In general, the device includes an indicator panel or display area on a substrate that is enclosed in an envelope or other packaging. As used herein, the term "indicator panel" or "indicator display" refers to any surface, shape or geometric configuration upon which a visual mechanism may be displayed or manifested such that one may observe the progress over time of either a colorant or mobile front. The display device may encompass a variety of surfaces or shapes. For instance, the basic indicator panel may be a flat, essentially two-dimensional surface. Alternatively, the indicator panel may have a three-dimensional curved surface, or be part of a shaped article or geometric form. The envelope is at least partially transparent to permit the user to observe the indicator area. On the indicator panel is situated either a design or some other visual configuration having a number of visually distinct sections or zones arrayed spatially relative to each other. The device further includes at least a self-contained reservoir that is in controlled communication with the indicator panel and the envelope enclosing the indicator panel. The system as a whole can be referred to as a chromatogram, since the indicator panel functions analogous to the absorbent column or strip of material containing the stratographically differentiated constituents separated from a solution of mixture by chromatography. [0010] The reservoir contains an activating agent. The activating agent, once triggered or released from the reservoir interacts with the indicator panel. The activating agent generates a mobile front in or on the indicator panel, which passes along the indicator panel carrying along with it colorant from each of the visually distinct sections. Each of the visually distinct sections may be arrayed either adjacent to one another or spaced apart. Each section may be either monochromatic or multi-chromatic. Desirably, each section is monochromatic and of a different, contrasting color from its neighbor. Each visually distinct section may have colorant initially set up as a line or design pattern with a width that can expand and grow in area, even filling up the section and becoming more visually conspicuous, as the mobile front passes through. [0011] As the mobile front progresses, it triggers the movement of the colorant from each section, which can be carried along either to the boundary of or into an adjacent section. The indicator panel in certain embodiments may be configured to either allow colorant from adjacent sections to bleed into or mix together. Alternatively, so-called "gates" in the indicator panel material can control either the rate or direction of elution of colorant from one section into another. The gates can be designed to stop one colorant or a set of colorants from traveling outside of its own section, hence color development may be confined within each section and not affect neighboring sections, even as the activating agent continues to travel through adjacent sections. [0012] The indicator panel can take the form of either a substantially two-dimensional visual presentation or be part of a three-dimensional shaped surface or article. The display area of the chronograph can be of a size that ranges from an object that one is capable of holding within an average person's hand (e.g., linearly on the scale of about 2 or 3-12 inches or larger (about 4 or 5 cm to .ltoreq.20-30.5 cm)) to an object as large as a billboard (i.e., on the scale of one or two meters to several meters). The active portion of the indicator panel can be composed of materials selected from a group of cellulose or cellulose-polymer-based materials (e.g., a strip of wicking material), a gel, a plastic/polymer film, chromatographic separation materials, inorganic particles or oxides (e.g., SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3), or combinations of such materials. The reservoir may contain either a liquid or gaseous fluid. The liquid may be either water, a thixotropic material, an alcohol, or non-flammable solvent, or other organic species. For instance, the liquid can be a surfactant, a fatty acid, or an aliphatic alcohol. The gas may be either air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, a reducing gas, an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen, helium, argon), a moist gas (i.e., includes water vapor), or a mixture thereof. [0013] A frangible seal is located between the reservoir and the indicator panel. When the frangible seal is ruptured, the timing element becomes activated, establishing communication between the reservoir contents and the indicator panel. Once activated, the activating agent enters or reacts with the indicator, proceeds along, either on a surface of or within the indicator panel at a predetermined rate. The rate at which the activating agent transgresses the indicator panel is likely to be expressed, for instance, on the order of either minutes, hours, or days, per unit of distance. The device may further include a negative feedback interference agent adapted to disrupt development of the timing element manifested on the face of the indicator panel. The negative feedback interference agent modifies the usual development and appearance of the indicator panel. Preferably, the indicator panel is finely tuned so as to graphically show when the interference occurred. In other words, at the time the negative interference is first introduced to the indicator panel, a mark, such as a chemical signature, or a point or line, will appear on the display, beyond which the activating agent development is either stopped or disrupted. [0014] In another aspect, the present invention pertains to a method for providing a positive feedback to reinforce and condition an activity, the method comprises: providing a timed indicator device, such as described herein, activating the reservoir containing the activation agent, which forms a mobile front that travels across the panel at a controlled or predetermined rate, and conveying a feedback when the mobile front contacts or reacts with the display or indicator panel having a set of visually distinct or colored sections arrayed spatially relative to each other thereon. The visually distinct sections can either develop, such as to either change color or hue, or be carried along with the mobile front from one section to another. [0015] Alternatively, the invention describes a method for providing a timer. The method includes providing a indicator comprising a design having a number of visually distinct sections arrayed spatially relative to each other on a display panel, and having at least a self-contained reservoir containing an activating agent; rupturing a frangible seal situated between said display panel and said reservoir to allow communication between said display panel and said reservoir; observing development of a mobile front across said display panel as the mobile front progresses from said reservoir to a distal end of said display panel over a predetermined time period. [0016] Further, the indicator device can be used to as a timer for an activity or event that occurs progressively over time. For instance the device can be employed to monitor the duration for which an article or garment, such as a wound dressing or adult care products, has been applied or used. That is, a caregiver has the convenience to know at a quick glance of the visual indicator panel, for example, for how long an article has been on the patient, or whether the patient may require changing. [0017] A method for using the timer may includes the steps of providing an indicator of the present invention, rupturing the frangible seal situated between the display panel and the reservoir to allow communication between the display panel and the reservoir, and observing development of a visually perceptible change over the display panel as the mobile front progresses from the reservoir to a distal end of the display panel over a predetermined time period. [0018] The invention also provides a method for using the indicator to monitor duration of dryness. The method includes: providing a indicator, as described, having a set of colored zones arrayed spatially relative to each other, and having a self-contained reservoir for activating a timing element that manifests on an indicator panel; activating the timing element at a T.sub.0; developing the timing element over a predetermined time period; and reading the indicator at a time T.sub.x. [0019] Additionally, we describe instructing how to use an indicator of the present invention to a user of an article that requires the monitoring for dryness. The instruction may include relating information about providing an indicator having a set of colored zones arrayed spatially relative to each other, and having a self-contained reservoir for activating a timing element that manifests on an indicator panel; activating said timing element at a T.sub.0; developing the timing element over a predetermined time period; and reading said indicator at a time T.sub.x. The instruction may further include relating about stopping the timing element development over the course of said predetermined time period by means of interaction with an insult or contact from an alternate moisture source. [0020] Another application for the basic device can be as a training aid for conveying a positive feedback to reinforce maintenance of dryness in children's training pants. The indicator device on a training aid has a timing element which manifests itself on the indicator panel over a period of time in which the training aid remains active, through the development of the visual pattern or design over the course of the predetermined time period, hence providing a positive feedback signal. The positive feedback signal development is stopped when either the pattern on the indicator panel is interrupted or altered by the introduction of an alternate source of moisture or wetness, or when moisture is detected. The development of different colors, according to an embodiment, can appeal to children and enhance their willingness to use the training aid. [0021] In another aspect, the invention relates to an assembly or kit having a chronograph with an indicator panel as described herein, and other component items that may have time-dependent or time-influenced functionality or use. The indicator can be either a stand alone article in the assembly or incorporated as part of a component of the kit assembly. Continue reading... Full patent description for Visual indicator chronograph and the use of the same Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Visual indicator chronograph and the use of the same patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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