US5528228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Protective device for storage and transport containers
Assignee: Wilk Patent Development Corp
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Filing: 1994-09-08
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Granted: 1996-06-18
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Expires: 2014-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A protective device for storage and transport containers comprises a sensor for detecting orientation, an attachment element for securing the sensor to a container, and an alarm operatively coupled to the sensor for generating a cognizable alert signal upon detection by the sensor that the container is in an orientation other than a predetermined preferred orientation. The alarm may include an electroacoustic transducer and means for reproducing a voice message. A timer operatively connected to the sensor measures a time interval during which the container is in an orientation other than the preferred orientation. A memory is operatively connected to the timer for automatically storing the time interval in encoded form. A mechanism and/or circuit may be operatively connected to the timer and the memory for deactivating the timer and for locking the memory to ensure integrity of contents of the memory upon an opening of the container. The device may also include a detector for measuring temperature. The alarm is operatively connected to the detector for generating a cognizable indicator signal upon measurement of a temperature beyond a pre-established threshold. The timer is operatively connected to the temperature detector for measuring a time period during which the container is in a temperature range beyond the threshold, while the memory is operatively connected to the timer for automatically storing the time period in encoded form.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter J. Wilk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:35
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for obtaining information pertaining to shipment histories for post-shipment determination of treatment of a container package during shipment, comprising: sensing means for detecting a temperature, impact or mis-orientation physical condition of a container; attachment means for securing said sensing means to the container; timing means operatively connected to said sensing means for measuring a time interval during which the container has a predetermined type of said physical condition; and memory means operatively connected to said timing means for automatically storing said time interval in encoded form.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for obtaining information pertaining to shipment histories for post-shipment determination of treatment of a container package during shipment, comprising: sensing means for detecting a temperature, impact or mis-orientation physical condition of a container; attachment means for securing said sensing means to the container; timing means operatively connected to said sensing means for measuring a time interval during which the container has a predetermined type of said physical condition; and memory means operatively connected to said timing means for automatically storing said time interval in encoded form.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said physical condition is orientation, further comprising alarm means operatively coupled to said sensing means for generating a cognizable alert signal upon detection by said sensing means that the container is in an orientation other than a predetermined preferred orientation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device defined in claim 2 wherein said alarm means further includes means for reproducing a voice message.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said physical condition is temperature, further comprising alarm means operatively connected to said sensing means for generating a cognizable indicator signal upon measurement of a temperature beyond a pre-established threshold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device defined in claim 4 wherein said alarm means further includes means for reproducing a voice message.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said physical condition is orientation, said timing means measuring a time interval during which the container is in an orientation other than a preferred orientation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device defined in claim 1 wherein said physical condition is temperature, said timing means measuring a time period during which the container is in a temperature range beyond a predetermined threshold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device defined in claim 1, further comprising additional sensing means for measuring impacts on the container, said memory means being operatively connected to said additional sensing means and said timing means for recording times at which the container experiences impacts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The device defined in claim 1, further comprising detection means for detecting an opening of the container, also comprising deactivation means operatively connected to said timing means and said memory means and said detection means for deactivating said timing means and for locking said memory means to ensure integrity of contents of said memory means upon detection by said detection means of an opening of the container.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for obtaining information pertaining to shipment histories for post-shipment determination of treatment of a container package during shipment, comprising the steps of: automatically detecting a temperature, impact or mis-orientation physical condition of a container; automatically measuring a time interval during which the container has a predetermined type of said physical condition; and automatically storing said time interval in encoded form.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for obtaining information pertaining to shipment histories for post-shipment determination of treatment of a container package during shipment, comprising the steps of: automatically detecting a temperature, impact or mis-orientation physical condition of a container; automatically measuring a time interval during which the container has a predetermined type of said physical condition; and automatically storing said time interval in encoded form.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method defined in claim 10 wherein said physical condition is orientation, further comprising the step of generating a cognizable alert signal upon a detection that the container is in an orientation other than a predetermined preferred orientation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method defined in claim 11 wherein said step of generating includes the step of reproducing a voice message.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method defined in claim 10 wherein said physical condition is temperature, further comprising the step of generating a cognizable indicator signal upon a detection of a temperature beyond a pre-established threshold.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method defined in claim 13 wherein said step of generating includes the step of reproducing a voice message.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method defined in claim 10 wherein said physical condition is orientation, said step of measuring including the step of measuring a time interval during which the container is in an orientation other than a preferred orientation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method defined in claim 10 wherein said physical condition is temperature, said step of measuring including the step of measuring a time period during which the container is in a temperature range beyond a predetermined threshold.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 10, further comprising the steps of automatically measuring impacts on the container and automatically recording times at which the container experiences impacts.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-06-18 | 1999-12-18 | 2000-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-18 | 2003-12-18 | 2004-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-18 | 2007-12-18 | 2008-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |