Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
  • G04F1/00—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers
  • G04F1/04—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers by movement or acceleration due to gravity
  • G04F1/06—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers by movement or acceleration due to gravity by flowing-away of a prefixed quantity of fine-granular or liquid materials, e.g. sand-glass, water-clock
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
  • G04F13/00—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by means not provided for in groups G04F5/00 - G04F10/00
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
  • G04F1/00—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
  • G04F13/00—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by means not provided for in groups G04F5/00 - G04F10/00
  • G04F13/06—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by means not provided for in groups G04F5/00 - G04F10/00 using fluidic means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • G07C1/00—Registering, indicating or recording the time of events or elapsed time, e.g. time-recorders for work people
  • G07C1/30—Parking meters

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a timer for visibly indicating elapsed time and more particularly to a timer for visibly indicating elapsed time in such a manner that, once the timer has been started, it cannot be reset, slowed or otherwise tampered with.
• the timer according to the invention is capable of a wide variety of different applications, but is particularly useful as a substitute for existing parking meters.
• a number of prior proposals have been made for substitute parking meters.
• One example being a timer comprising a case containing a piece of porous sheet material and a reservoir of liquid arranged so that when the liquid reservoir is opened liquid soaks into the paper.
• the liquid and/or paper being coloured or impregnated with a dye so that the passage of the liquid up or down the paper leaves a visible trace.
• the device functions as a timer because the rate of progress of the liquid up or down the paper is dependent upon time.
• a timer comprising a lamination containing a piece of porous wick material, and a reservoir of liquid, said liquid and/or said porous wick being such that when the reservoir is opened and the liquid released it soaks into the porous wick to thereby create a visible trace of the liquid on or in the porous wick; a face part of the lamination being transparent such that said visible trace can be seen; said wick material having imposed thereon or positioned adjacent thereto a series of markings which cover the time range over which the timer is to be used.
• the porous wick is paper or a substrate at least partially coated with a porous plastics material (e.g. methylhydr ⁇ xyethyulcellulose) or plaster of paris.
• a porous plastics material e.g. methylhydr ⁇ xyethyulcellulose
• plaster of paris e.g. methylhydr ⁇ xyethyulcellulose
• the porous wick is encased in a layer of impervious material for example a polypropylene or polyester film.
• a layer of impervious material for example a polypropylene or polyester film.
• Across the bottom section of one of the laminated films is an opening through the film and above this is a band of aluminium foil or a line of hot melt adhesive which is bonded to the film.
• the lamination has attached to the back thereof a third laminate which is sealed around its edges thus forming a cavity between the laminates. This cavity has sealed therein a volume of fluid.
• the paper wick is preferably pre-coated on the back side with a solution consisting of a viscosity correction agent and a dye. Operation of the preferred timer device is described below. Further aspect of the invention which should be considered in all its novel aspect will become apparent from the following description.
• Figure 1 shows a front view of a preferred example of timer ticket
• Figure 2 shows a rear view of the ticket shown in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 shows a section on the lines A-A through the ticket shown in Figure 1;
• Figure 4 shows a section on the lines B-B through the ticket shown in Figure 1.
• timer device will be described with reference to the production of a parking meter coupon and it is to be appreciated that the same technology can be utilised in other situations.
• the coupon consists of a porous paper wick 1 encased in layers of impervious film material, front and back 2 and 3 respectively.
• This covering film material can be a hot melt glue coated or co-extruded polyester film.
• the layers of film 2 and 3 are laminated together around their periphery. Across the bottom section of the film 3 there is an opening through the centre film and above this is a band of aluminium foil, polyester strip or hot melt trace 4 which is bonded by a hot melt glue to the centre film 3 on the wick side.
• a third film 5 Attached to the back of the centre film 3 is a third film 5 that is sealed around its edges thus forming a cavity between the laminated films 3 and 5. Within this cavity is sealed a volume of fluid 6.
• the paper wick element 1 is pre-coated on its back surface facing film 3 with a solution consisting of a viscosity correction agent and a dye.
• a solution consisting of a viscosity correction agent and a dye.
• the specification for the materials that have been found in the applicant's trials and experiments to be most suitable are; a) Front film 2 - clear co-extruded or hot melt adhesive coated polyester film of 12 micron thickness .
• Middle film 3 - aluminium metallized polyester film or co-laminated aluminium foil between polypropylene or polyethylene films to provide necessary water vapour impermeability and high bond strength.
• the viscosity correction agent used on the surface of the element 1 or wick is material such as an aqueous solution of high molecular weight fraction ° gelatine with coloured dye such as rhodamine impregnated part way into the thickness of the paper wick, d) Aluminium foil 4 - standard commercial 15 micron aluminium foil, with a lacquer coating or hot melt glue coating to prevent water vapour transmission through any pin holes. e) Fluid 6 an aqueous solution of calcium chloride and potassium chloride to give the required freezing point depression, viscosity correction agent solubility and hindered gelling properties. f) Back film 5 - aluminium metallized polyester film of 25 micron thickness or similar vapour barrier film to provide necessary water vapour impermeability. The ticket when laminated together is activated by rupturing, pulling, puncturing or positively breaking a seal which is ruptured by movement associated with the generally flexible timer.
• This rupturing allows the fluid 6 to flow through the slit or holes in the film.
• VGA viscosity correcting agent
• VCA viscosity variation of the fluid
• the elapsed time is indicated by the fluid front passing a height indication nark that is printed on the film, ticket or paper wick 2.
• the fluid will continue on past the height mark and hence gives an indication of the time passed the expiry time or in this case ' ime over parked' .
• the top flap of the ticket is designed to be folded over a car window and hung on the drivers side window.
• a method of manufacturing the ticket requires the blotting paper to be coated with the VCA and dye solution, using a direct reverse roller coating printing operation or similar.
• the paper may be heated to 160-170 * C for a controlled time to modify the VCA's soluability to that required to give a constant viscosity of the fluid as it travels up the paper. This modification is similar to that used in the photographic industry for the hardening of gelatine used in films.
• the paper wick elements can be cut from a roll of treated paper, then positioned on the film 3.
• the film 3 is heated to make the adhesive coating slightly tacky, then the wicks are positioned on the film. This film is then passed between heated rollers or over a heated plate where the top film 2 is laminated to the centre film.
• the lamination passes through cold soft rubber rollers to 'set' the adhesive.
• the forming of the back pouch on the ticket, lamination and filling with the fluid, is an adaption of standard liquid sachet forming equipment.
• the preferred version above has been designed to produce particular elapsed times and it is envisaged that by minor modifications and variations the ticket can be designed to provide for differing elapsed times to suit particular users requirements.

Landscapes

• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)
• Cookers (AREA)
• Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
• Measurement Of Unknown Time Intervals (AREA)
• Surgical Instruments (AREA)
• Cosmetics (AREA)
• Photographic Developing Apparatuses (AREA)
• Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)
• Curtains And Furnishings For Windows Or Doors (AREA)
• Time Recorders, Dirve Recorders, Access Control (AREA)
• Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)
• Earth Drilling (AREA)
• Steering Control In Accordance With Driving Conditions (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=19922970

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (13)

Families Citing this family (9)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 1989
  • 1989-09-20 NZ NZ230716A patent/NZ230716A/xx unknown
• 1990
  • 1990-09-19 ZA ZA907503A patent/ZA907503B/xx unknown
  • 1990-09-19 IE IE339390A patent/IE903393A1/en unknown
  • 1990-09-20 AT AT90913775T patent/ATE132283T1/de active
  • 1990-09-20 CA CA002066603A patent/CA2066603A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1990-09-20 CN CN90108845A patent/CN1028259C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1990-09-20 EP EP90913775A patent/EP0493436B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1990-09-20 KR KR1019920700652A patent/KR920704202A/ko not_active Ceased
  • 1990-09-20 DE DE69024497T patent/DE69024497D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1990-09-20 BR BR909007670A patent/BR9007670A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1990-09-20 JP JP2512789A patent/JPH05500713A/ja active Pending
  • 1990-09-20 WO PCT/AU1990/000433 patent/WO1991004520A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1990-09-20 AU AU64099/90A patent/AU649413B2/en not_active Ceased

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