Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Analyzer – structured indicator – or manipulative laboratory... – Means for analyzing gas sample
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-30
2001-09-04
Warden, Jill (Department: 1743)
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Analyzer, structured indicator, or manipulative laboratory...
Means for analyzing gas sample
C422S051000, C422S086000, C422S051000, C422S051000, C436S164000, C436S170000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06284198
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a self-appearing warning sign device and a method for the manufacture of a self-appearing warning sign device which will function as a colorimetric dosimeter for visual or electronic detection or which will function as a warning label or tag as to the presence of a specific polluting toxic gas/vapor in the ambient environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous warning signs and labels exist to warn of the presence of hazards in the surrounding environment. All of these warning signs and labels are displayed by a user with prior knowledge of the existence of the hazard so as to warn and alert others. For example, a warning sign having a flame shape or the word “FLAMMABLE” can be displayed by the user next to flammable substances to warn others of the existence of these substances.
Colorimetric dosimeter devices have been developed for measuring the concentration levels of gaseous hazards or pollutants in the ambient atmosphere surrounding the dosimeter. Colorimetric dosimeters are also available commercially as portable devices or badges. The conventional dosimeter badge contains a color-forming reagent impregnated in paper, which reacts by changing color in the presence of a particular gastapor. The intensity of the color change is proportional to the concentration of the reactive gas/vapor and the time of exposure. This relationship allows the observer to compare the received color to a standard color to determine the real exposure. However, the conventional dosimeter badge does not, by itself, function as a warning sign or a warning label.
In the present invention, the user has knowledge of the potential existence of the hazard but the warning sign appears only when the targeted hazard starts to exist even in very small quantities, not dangerous to health, allowing the user to take corrective measures As the amount of the targeted hazard increases in the surrounding environment, the color and intensity of the warning sign increases in a direct proportional manner to the concentration of the hazard. This feature gives the self-appearing warning sign dosimetric properties enabling the user to estimate or accurately measure, in real time, the amount of hazard in the surrounding environment. The self-appearing warning sign of the present invention is a base for light-weight and low-cost colorimetric dosimeters suitable as disposable devices or warning labels. The device made upon the present invention is scratchproof and virtually waterproof suitable for harsh indoor and outdoor industrial environments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general objective of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a self-appearing warning sign, method and arrangements for manufacturing in such a way that the visualization of the hazard will allow immediate, on-site, real-time visual warning of the presence of the hazard(s).
Another objective of the present invention is to provide the said method and arrangement in such a way that the visualization of the hazard will allow on-site, immediate, real-time measurements by visual observation or electronic means.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a fast-acting and universally usable method and arrangements warning for the presence and measuring the concentration of highly toxic substances at parts per billion levels.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and arrangements for visually warning of the presence and measuring the concentration of the targeted toxic substance in a simple manner clearly visible and understandable to the layman.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing and arrangements for the self-appearing warning sign to allow warning the presence of, and measuring the concentration of the targeted toxic substance at low cost, and therefore enabling thousands of workers at industrial plants to use it on a daily basis without significant financial or economical consequences.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and arrangements for warning of the presence and measuring the concentration of the targeted toxic substances under extreme environmental and harsh industrial conditions.
In accordance with these objectives and others which will become apparent hereinafter, a general feature of the present invention resides and is briefly stated as a self-appearing warning sign and a method and arrangements for manufacturing of the device which will visually warn and calorimetrically measure the presence and the concentration of certain toxic gases and vapors in the surrounding environments. More particularly, the invention relates to a self-appearing warning sign, label or parts of warning signs and labels. The warning sign appears when a certain level of a possible contaminant exceeds a preset, predetermined and pre-adjusted value. The invention utilizes a flat indicating layer, applied on inert, transparent or opaque flat surfaces. The said flat indicating layer, composed of a chemical or a mixture of chemical ingredients is capable of changing color in a reversible or irreversible manner in the presence of the targeted hazard or contaminant. In the present invention only part of the said indicating layer is in contact with the surrounding atmosphere. This part is shaped and configured to resemble well known warning symbols, for example: an exclamation point inside a triangle, a flame shape, “ACID”, “CORROSIVE”, “COMBUSTIBLE”, “PEROXIDE”, “DANGER”, “FLAMMABLE”, “PHOSGENE”, “HYDRAZINE”, “TDI”, etc. As a result of said reaction the said part forms a warning sign by the color contrast between the configured part of the layer and the background.
In accordance with these features, the said indicating layer is covered with a screen(s) permeable or semi-permeable to light, gas and vapor diffusion. The said screen(s) is constructed in a manner to allow visual observance and/or electronic measurement of the color developed on the said indicating layer, yet not allowing liquid droplets and solid particles from contacting the said indicating layer. Another function of the said screen is to act as a windbreaker, considerably reducing the effect of the surrounding air velocity on the measurement process.
Another feature of the invention is that all of the various parts of the arrangements are mounted in a small and light weight housing which can be worn near the breathing zone of a person without disturbing or affecting his or her job activities.
Yet another feature of the invention is that all of the various members of the arrangements of the said warning sign are constructed from low-cost materials suitable for disposable applications, thereby allowing for more frequent use, hence promoting high-standards of safety and industrial hygiene practices.
For the warning sign to be visibly responsive to the presence of a targeted toxic gaseous substance at very low concentration levels the said indicating layer must form a raised surface having a thickness of at least 5 microns but not more than 500 microns with the raised surface defining a coating formed by any conventional coating or printing process.
In one arrangement the said indicating layer is coated or printed in a shape of a predetermined warning symbol on the surface of a chemically inert substrate having color equal or similar to the color of the unreacted indicating layer.
In another arrangement, for the shape of the warning sign to appear in the presence of the targeted toxic substance, the said indicating layer is superimposed with a clear inert material impermeable to gases and vapors, having an opening in the shape of the said warning sign.
Still another arrangement for the warning sign to appear in the presence of the targeted toxic substance is to coat or print a transparent material impermeable to gases and vapors on the surface of the said screen in this way covering a part of the indicating layer which has the predetermined shape of the said warning symbol.
REFERENCES:
pat
Kirollos Kirollos Salama
Mihaylov Gueorgui Milev
Cross LaToya
K&M Environmental Inc.
Warden Jill
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