An elapsed time indicator comprises a porous element, an electrical source, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller is configured to receive electrical power from the electrical source and cause a fluid to be received by the porous element in response to expiry of a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may be associated with an item such as a perishable item with which the elapsed time indicator is to be associated or to which the elapsed time indicator is to be attached. The predetermined time period may comprise a lifetime or a shelf-life of the item or a predetermined proportion of a lifetime or a shelf-life of the item.

The present invention relates to a time indicator, and more specifically to a time indicator which can indicate times in a multiple manner, thereby enabling a user to be aware of both an effective period and a period having elapsed after the effective period and to rapidly check whether the time indicator is operating.

An elapsed time indicator comprises a reservoir of a fluid, a porous sheet element and a fluid port located between the reservoir and the porous sheet element. The porous sheet element defines a predetermined area which is separated from the fluid port by a predetermined lateral distance. The fluid is selectively provided from the reservoir to the porous sheet element through the fluid port whereupon the porous sheet element transmits the fluid laterally through the porous sheet element at a predetermined rate away from the fluid port until the fluid impregnates the predetermined area of the porous sheet element so as to cause the predetermined area of the porous sheet element to become transparent or more transparent after expiry of a predetermined time period.

An elapsed time indicator comprises a reservoir of a fluid, a porous sheet element and a fluid port located between the reservoir and the porous sheet element. The porous sheet element defines a predetermined area which is separated from the fluid port by a predetermined lateral distance. The fluid is selectively provided from the reservoir to the porous sheet element through the fluid port whereupon the porous sheet element transmits the fluid laterally through the porous sheet element at a predetermined rate away from the fluid port until the fluid impregnates the predetermined area of the porous sheet element so as to cause the predetermined area of the porous sheet element to become transparent or more transparent after expiry of a predetermined time period.

An indication device is provided. The indication device includes an elongated fluid chamber containing at least one electrically conductive liquid driven by a pump for conductive liquids and an immiscible, relatively non-conductive fluid. At least one segment of at least one fluid is used as an indicator. This segment is driven by the pump along adjacent indices of an indicator visible to an observer using a meniscus location sensor and a feedback controller so as to e.g indicate a quantity to the observer

Provided is a time measuring device, including a strip of absorbent material, which is sheathed by an air-tight material, wherein the sheath includes in the lower half at least one hole, and wherein a dye is applied on up to 90% of the surface of the strip. Embodiments of the invention also relate to a method for the use thereof.

A single use disposable elapsed time indicator and methods for using same include an indicator that can have a flexible chamber for holding an aqueous medium and a slot with a viewing window and a longitudinal axis. The slot is connected to the chamber via a passage having a breakable seal therein. An absorbable material is located within and at a first end of the slot that swells upon exposure to the aqueous medium. A graded scale is also included along the longitudinal axis of the slot to indicate periods of elapsed time. The absorbable material is configured to expand from the first end of the slot toward an opposing end of the slot along the longitudinal axis and thereby mark elapsed time on the graded scale.

A fluid-based game timer system for use with turn-based games. The fluid-based game timer system includes a reservoir for holding a volume of fluid (such as beer), a constant flow tank to regulate the flow of the fluid through the system and to keep the flow constant or near constant, and a control assembly to direct the flow of the fluid into a particular player's cup during his/her turn.

A fluid-based game timer system for use with turn-based games. The fluid-based game timer system includes a reservoir for holding a volume of fluid (such as beer), a constant flow tank to regulate the flow of the fluid through the system and to keep the flow constant or near constant, and a control assembly to direct the flow of the fluid into a particular player's cup during his/her turn.