Warning device and method

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.

1 . A warning device for attachment to packaging of a product which has an expiration date, the device comprising: 
 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;    an indicator arranged to receive said 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 said indicator when a person attempts to use the product.    
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said timer means includes timer means for counting a factory pre-set period of time from a manufacturing date until the expiration date.  
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said timer means includes timer means for counting a pre-set period of time from a date of first use until the expiration date.  
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a trigger to cause said timer means to start a countdown from a date of first opening the product.  
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein an indication signal is provided during a post-expiration date period, and no signal is provided during a pre-expiration date period.  
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein an indication signal is provided during said pre-expiration date period, and no signal is provided during said post-expiration date period.  
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein one kind of indication signal is provided during said pre-expiration date period, and another kind of signal is provided during said post-expiration date period.  
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said timer means and said indicator are electronic means.  
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said indicator provides an audible indication.  
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said indicator provides a visual indication.  
   
   
       11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 1 , and comprising: 
 a printed circuit board (PCB) with a chip-on-board having a dedicated timing program for providing signals in accordance with the timing program;    an in-factory activated trigger for activating a timing countdown from date of manufacture;    an automatically activated switch for activating said indicator whenever the product is used; and    an internal power source for powering the device.    
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 3  and comprising: 
 a printed circuit board (PCB) with a chip-on-board having a dedicated timing program for providing signals in accordance with the timing program;    an automatically activated trigger for activating a timing countdown from the product's first use;    an automatically activated switch for activating said indicator each time the product is used; and    an internal power source for powering the device.    
   
   
       16 . A method for providing a warning for a product which has an expiration date, the method comprising: 
 coupling to the product packaging 
 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  
 an indicator for providing an indication to differentiate a pre-expiration date period from a post-expiration date period;  
   triggering said timer means to automatically begin counting passage of said pre-set period of time, and    automatically activating said indicator each time the product is used to differentiate pre-expiration from post-expiration.    
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said pre-set period of time is a factory defined product expiration time from manufacturing date.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said pre-set period of time is a product expiration time from a first opening of the product packaging.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said pre-set period of time is a factory defined product expiration time from manufacturing date, or a product expiration time from a first opening of the product packaging, whatever happens first.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the indicator provides a special signal at a time of a first opening, which acts as tamper evidence.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said indicator provides a signal which starts automatically when said product is used, and stops automatically when said product is put away.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said indicator provides a signal which starts automatically when said product is used, and stops automatically after a pre-set signal time.