U.S. patent application number 13/032736 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-16 for method and apparatus for a drop indicator.
This patent application is currently assigned to INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE. Invention is credited to Chang Chi-Sheng, Yang Feng-Yu, Pan Sheau-Shi.
Application Number | 20110139060 13/032736 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40720275 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110139060 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sheau-Shi; Pan ; et
al. |
June 16, 2011 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A DROP INDICATOR
Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for a
drop indicator having a magnet installed therein. The drop
indicator according to the invention is used to determine whether a
product has ever been dropped or impacted, either in delivery or in
use, by inspecting changes in the original condition of the magnet
caused by the interaction between the magnetic force and the
acceleration of gravity, inertia force, and colliding force, etc.
generated upon collision. Take a cell phone or a PDA, for example,
changes in the indicative material of the drop indicator will help
decide whether the faulty product has ever been dropped or impacted
in delivery or in use, so that liability can be determined.
Inventors: |
Sheau-Shi; Pan; (Hsinchu
City, TW) ; Chi-Sheng; Chang; (Taoyuan County,
TW) ; Feng-Yu; Yang; (Hsinchu City, TW) |
Assignee: |
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH
INSTITUTE
Hsinchu
TW
AFA PAPER PRODUCT CO., LTD.
Taipei County
TW
|
Family ID: |
40720275 |
Appl. No.: |
13/032736 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12153299 |
May 16, 2008 |
7918179 |
|
|
13032736 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
116/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01P 15/06 20130101;
G01D 7/005 20130101; G01P 1/127 20130101; G01P 15/038 20130101;
G01P 15/036 20130101; G01P 15/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
116/203 |
International
Class: |
G01L 5/00 20060101
G01L005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 28, 2007 |
TW |
96150733 |
Claims
1. A drop indicator comprising: a housing; a chamber having at
least one first opening, with an indicative material filling the
chamber disposed inside the housing; at least one first seal
element placed upon the first opening to keep the indicative
material en-sealed in the chamber; where the first opening of the
chamber forms a first step portion indented inwardly, so as to
allow the first seal element to be mounted on the step portion via
magnetic force; when the drop indicator is impacted, the first seal
element and the indicative material will be released from the
chamber and scattered inside the housing.
2. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is
made of a transparent plastic material.
3. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicative
material is a fluorescent powder.
4. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicative
material comprises a plurality of colored granules.
5. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first seal
element is a magnetic body.
6. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
second opening of the chamber with a second seal element placed
upon the second opening.
7. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second
opening of the chamber forms a second step portion indented
inwardly, so as to allow the second seal element to be mounted on
the second step portion via magnetic force.
8. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second
seal element is a magnetic body.
9. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the chamber is
a plastic material and both the first seal element and the second
seal element are magnetic bodies.
10. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the chamber
is a metallic material and both the first seal element and the
second seal element are magnetic bodies.
11. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the chamber
is a magnetic body and both the first seal element and the second
seal element are metallic materials.
12. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the chamber
is a magnetic body and both the first seal element and the second
seal element are magnetic bodies.
13. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein an adhesive
means is provided on the exterior surface of the housing.
14. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 13, wherein the adhesive
means comprises a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive
substance.
15. A drop indicator comprising: a housing; a chamber comprising a
first chamber and a second chamber formed in perpendicular to each
other, wherein the first chamber comprises a first opening and a
second opening and the second chamber comprises a third opening and
a fourth opening, with an indicative material filling the chamber
disposed inside the housing; a first seal element, a second seal
element, a third seal element, and a fourth seal element are placed
upon the first opening, the second opening, the third opening, and
the fourth opening, respectively, to keep the indicative material
en-sealed in the chamber; where the first opening, the second
opening, the third opening, and the fourth opening respectively
form an inwardly indented first step portion, second step portion,
third step portion, and fourth step portion, so as to allow the
first seal element, the second seal element, the third seal
element, and the fourth seal element to be mounted on the first
step portion, the second step portion, the third step portion, and
the fourth step portion respectively via magnetic force; when the
drop indicator is impacted, the seal element will be departed and
the indicative material will be released from the chamber and
scattered inside the housing.
16. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 15, wherein the housing
is made of a transparent plastic material.
17. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 15, wherein the
indicative material is a fluorescent powder.
18. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 15, wherein the
indicative material comprises a plurality of granules.
19. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first
seal element, the second seal element, the third seal element, and
the fourth seal element are magnetic bodies.
20. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 15, wherein the chamber
is a plastic material, and the first seal element, the second seal
element, the third seal element, and the fourth seal element are
magnetic bodies.
21. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 15, wherein the chamber
is a metallic material, and the first seal element, the second seal
element, the third seal element, and the fourth seal element are
magnetic bodies.
22. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 15, wherein the chamber
is a magnetic body, and the first seal element, the second seal
element, the third seal element, and the fourth seal element are
metallic materials.
23. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 15, wherein the chamber
is a magnetic body, and the first seal element, the second seal
element, the third seal element, and the fourth seal element are
magnetic bodies.
24. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 15, wherein an adhesive
means is provided on the exterior surface of the housing.
25. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 24, wherein the adhesive
means comprises a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive
substance.
26. A drop indicator comprising: a chamber that is hollow, whose
interior wall is provided with an annular portion whose center
forms a hollow portion filled with an indicative material, wherein
the annular portion comprises a first end and a second end; a
seventh seal element closing the first end of the annular portion
via magnetic force; and a third transparent element sealing the
first end of the chamber so as to form a sealed space.
27. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 26, wherein the third
transparent element is an acrylic material.
28. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 26, wherein the chamber
is a metallic material and the seventh seal element is a magnetic
body.
29. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 26, further comprising
an eighth seal element closing the second end of the annular
portion via magnetic force and a fourth transparent element sealing
the second end of the chamber so as to form a sealed space.
30. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 29, wherein the annular
portion is a plastic material and both the seventh seal element and
the eighth seal element are magnetic bodies.
31. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 29, wherein the annular
portion is a plastic material and either the seventh seal element
or the eighth seal element is a magnetic body.
32. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 29, wherein the annular
portion is a metallic material and both the seventh seal element
and the eighth seal element are magnetic bodies.
33. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 29, wherein the annular
portion is a metallic material and either the seventh seal element
or the eighth seal element is a magnetic body.
34. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 29, wherein the annular
portion is a magnetic body and both the seventh seal element and
the eighth seal element are magnetic bodies.
35. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 29, wherein the annular
portion is a magnetic body and either the seventh seal element or
the eighth seal element is a magnetic body.
36. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 29, wherein the annular
portion is a magnetic body and both the seventh seal element and
the eighth seal element are metallic materials.
37. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 29, wherein the fourth
transparent element is an acrylic material.
38. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 26, wherein an adhesive
means is provided on the exterior surface of the chamber.
39. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 38, wherein the adhesive
means comprises a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive
substance.
40. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 26, wherein the
indicative material is a fluorescent powder.
41. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 26, wherein the
indicative material comprises a plurality of granules.
42. A drop indicator comprising: a chamber that is hollow and
contains a partition dividing the chamber into a first chamber and
a second chamber respectively filled with an indicative material,
wherein the first chamber comprises a first outlet and the second
chamber comprises a second outlet; a ninth seal element closing the
first outlet via magnetic force; a tenth seal element closing the
second outlet via magnetic force; and a housing containing the
chamber.
43. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 42, wherein the
partition is a magnetic body and both the ninth seal element and
the tenth seal element are metallic materials.
44. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 42, wherein the
partition is a metallic material and both the ninth seal element
and the tenth seal element are magnetic bodies.
45. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 42, wherein an adhesive
means is provided on the exterior surface of the housing.
46. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 45, wherein the adhesive
means comprises a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive
substance.
47. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 42, wherein the
indicative material is a fluorescent powder.
48. The drop indicator as claimed in claim 42, wherein the
indicative material comprises a plurality of granules.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No.
12/153,299, filed May 16, 2008, now pending. The patent application
identified above is incorporated here by reference in its entirety
to provide continuity of disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for
a drop indicator, especially a drop indicator capable of telling
whether a product has ever been impacted, either in delivery or in
use, by showing changes in the indicative material of the drop
indicator.
[0003] In response to the market demand for compact, highly
capable, and impressive-looking electronic products, product
designers have made impact-related-damage prevention one of the
necessary things to be considered when planning the design. The
emphasis on impact-related-damage prevention has also become one of
the most important gain items in the mechanical design of the
products. To highlight the emphasis, the product designs are
largely verified by simulated calculations and experimental
results, through which repeated modifications of the mechanical
design are made or additional shockproof materials are added in
order to satisfy the desired specifications. Nonetheless, whenever
the product is dropped accidentally or intentionally in delivery or
under warranty, causing defects in the product without external
damage or proof of damage, it is always the proprietor of business
that is made liable for the defects and the subsequent warranty
costs, which are never attributable to the consumer or whoever who
really causes the accident.
[0004] Take cell phones or PDAs, for example. Usually, it is very
difficult to work out whether a product has ever been dropped or
impacted during the period starting from the goods being packaged
and delivered from the manufacturer to the end users to the
discovery of defects in the product by end users upon opening the
package. To overcome the problem, various techniques have been
developed to help identify whether such products as cell phones or
PDAs have been dropped or impacted. Sensors, for instance, are
usually used to serve the above purpose, comprising capacitive
sensors, cantilever reed sensors, coiled electromagnetic sensors,
accelerator/inertial sensors, magnetic/magnetrorestrictive sensors,
spring mass sensors, piezoelectric sensors, and liquid pressure
sensors, etc.
[0005] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,794, coils are used to generate
magnetic fields, which vary upon shock impact. As a result, current
signals are sent out to indicate that an impact has occurred.
[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,724, a rotatable magnetic bar or its
equivalents are disposed between the magnets. The rotatable body
will revolve when dropped or impacted, which will cause changes in
the magnetic fields. As a result, current signals are sent out to
indicate that an impact has occurred.
[0007] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,751, a device for showing receipt of
predetermined shock employs two different substances having an
interfacial barrier therebetween such that the interfacial barrier
is broken when a predetermined acceleration is received.
[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,930, a tamper-indicating device are
configured with hollow volumes into which powders, micro-particles,
liquids, gels, or combinations thereof are sealed. The choice, the
amount, and the location of these materials can produce a visible,
band pattern to provide each body member with a unique fingerprint
identifier.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,479 describes a target whose lid will
open up when shot in the air, allowing colored powders to be
released to indicate that the target has been shot.
[0010] Besides, in Taiwanese patent No. I255342, a reed mechanism
is installed in the corner of the cell phone. The string plate
device comprises two spring plates, one of which will be disengaged
when impacted or dropped, resulting in the break of circuit
indicating that a shock or impact has occurred.
[0011] Finally, Shock Watch Company has made a shock indicator
designated with model number MAG2000. The shock indicator is mostly
attached to the outside of the package containing the delivered
products or machines. The structure of the shock indicator includes
a box divided into two chambers with a magnet fixed at the center
of one chamber and a movable metal in the other chamber. The
magnetic field is in perpendicular to the collision direction.
Capitalizing on the fact that magnet attracts metal, the shock
indicator allows the metal to move along the collision direction
when dropped or impacted, so as to indicate whether the product has
ever been dropped or impacted when in delivery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The primary goal of the invention is to provide a drop
indicator capable of telling whether a faulty product has ever been
impacted or dropped, either in delivery or in use, by showing
changes in the indicative material of the drop indicator.
[0013] The secondary goal of the invention is to allow examination
of the condition of the consumptive electronic products. The
invention, by being installed in the consumptive electronic
products, helps decide whether a product has ever been dropped when
in use, so that liabilities can be attributed to the manufacturer
or the consumer.
[0014] To achieve the goals, the first embodiment of the drop
indicator comprises a housing, a chamber, and at least one first
seal element. The chamber is disposed inside the housing and has at
least one first opening. The first seal element is used to seal the
first opening. In this embodiment, the number of the opening
determines the number of the seal element. For example, this
embodiment comprises a second opening and a second element. The
second opening and the first opening are disposed at the opposite
ends of the hollow portion of the chamber. The chamber is filled
with an indicative material, and the first seal element keeps the
indicative material en-sealed in the chamber. In the event that the
drop indicator is impacted, the first seal element and the
indicative material will be released from the chamber and scattered
inside the housing, helping determine whether a product has ever
been impacted or dropped when in delivery. The indicative material
comprises fluorescent powders or a plurality of colored granules,
whose brightness facilitates observation.
[0015] While the fluorescent powders are used as the indicative
material and discharged or released from the chamber, scattered all
over the interior of the housing, the powders will no longer go
back to their original conditions in that they will be adhered to
the housing. On the other hand, if other kinds of granules are used
as the indicative material and released from the chamber, scattered
all over the interior of the housing, the granules can be recycled
in that they will not be adhered to the housing.
[0016] The magnetic arrangement between the chamber and the first,
or the second, seal element is subject to the type of the
embodiment provided, comprising: the chamber is a plastic material
and both the first seal element and the second seal element are
magnetic bodies; the chamber is a metallic material and both the
first seal element and the second seal element are magnetic bodies;
the chamber is a magnetic body and both the first seal element and
the second seal element are metallic materials; or the chamber is a
magnetic body and both the first seal element and the second seal
element are magnetic bodies.
[0017] The second embodiment of the present invention differs from
the first embodiment in that the second embodiment allows impact
detection in four directions, whereas the first embodiment allows
impact detection in two directions. Namely, the second embodiment
comprises a chamber having a first chamber and a second chamber
formed in perpendicular to each other, with an indicative material
filling each of the chambers. A first seal element, a second seal
element, a third seal element, and a fourth seal element are used,
respectively, to seal the first and the second openings of the
first chamber and the third and the fourth openings of the second
chamber to keep the indicative materials en-sealed en-sealed in the
chambers. When the drop indicator is impacted or dropped, the
magnetic element and the indicative material will be released from
the chamber and scattered inside the housing, so as to indicate
whether a product has ever been impacted or dropped either in
delivery or in use.
[0018] The second embodiment of the present invention allows impact
detection in four directions. Therefore, the equivalent structure
of the present invention allows impact detection in three, or more
than four, directions.
[0019] The magnetic arrangement between the chamber and the first,
the second, the third or the fourth seal element is subject to the
type of the embodiment provided, comprising: the chamber is a
plastic material, whereas the first seal element, the second seal
element, the third seal element, and the fourth seal element are
magnetic bodies; the chamber is a metallic material, whereas the
first seal element, the second seal element, the third seal
element, and the fourth seal element are magnetic bodies; the
chamber is a magnetic body, whereas the first seal element, the
second seal element, the third seal element, and the fourth seal
element are metallic materials; or the chamber is a magnetic body,
whereas the first seal element, the second seal element, the third
seal element, and the fourth seal element are magnetic bodies.
[0020] The third embodiment of the drop indicator is circular in
form, comprising a first element and a second element combining
each other forming a third space containing a third element. The
first element comprises a hollow first joint portion and a first
outer end. The second element comprises a hollow second joint
portion and a second outer end, allowing the first element to join
the second element to form a third space allowing the third element
to be held within the third space. The third element comprises a
hollow portion filled with an indicative material. The indicative
material comprises fluorescent powders or a plurality of granules
that may be colored.
[0021] When the drop indicator is impacted or dropped, the
indicative material inside the third element will be released into
the first element or the third element, allowing the observer to
examine whether the product has ever been impacted or dropped.
[0022] The magnetic arrangement between the third element and the
fifth, or the sixth, seal element is subject to the type of the
embodiment provided, comprising: the third element is a plastic
body and both the fifth seal element and the sixth seal element are
magnetic bodies; the third element is a metallic material and both
the fifth seal element and the sixth seal element are magnetic
bodies; the third element is a magnetic body and both the fifth
seal element and the sixth seal element are metallic materials; or
the third element is a magnetic body and both the fifth seal
element and the sixth seal element are magnetic bodies.
[0023] The fourth embodiment of the drop indicator comprises a
chamber, a seventh seal element, and a third transparent element.
The interior wall of the hollow chamber is provided with an annular
portion. The annular portion in one type of the embodiment
comprises a first end allowing the seventh seal element to seal it.
The annular portion in another type of the embodiment comprises a
first end and a second end, allowing the seventh seal element and
the eighth seal element to seal the first end and the second end of
the annular portion, respectively. The eighth seal element is used
to keep the indicative material sealed in the annular portion. The
center of the annular portion forms a hollow portion filled with an
indicative material comprising fluorescent powders or a plurality
of granules.
[0024] The magnetic arrangement between the annular portion and the
seventh, or the eighth, seal element is subject to the type of the
embodiment provided, comprising: the annular portion is a plastic
material and both the seventh seal element and the eighth seal
element are magnetic bodies; the annular portion is a metallic
material and both the seventh seal element and the eighth seal
element are magnetic bodies; the annular portion is a magnetic body
and both the seventh seal element and the eighth seal element are
magnetic bodies; or the annular portion is a magnetic body and both
the seventh seal element and the eighth seal element are metallic
materials.
[0025] The structure of the fifth embodiment of the drop indicator
is, basically, identical with that of the fourth embodiment of the
drop indicator, the difference being that the annular portion and
the chamber in the fourth embodiment are monolithically formed
whereas the annular portion and the chamber in the fifth embodiment
are separately formed.
[0026] The sixth embodiment of the drop indicator comprises a
hollow chamber containing a partition dividing the chamber into a
first chamber and a second chamber respectively filled with an
indicative material. This embodiment uses a ninth seal element to
seal the first outlet of the first chamber and a tenth seal element
to seal the second outlet of the second chamber so as to keep the
indicative materials sealed in the first chamber and the second
chamber, respectively. A transparent covering material can be used
to cover the chamber except for the first outlet and the second
outlet, so as to allow direct observation of the indicative
material. The indicative material comprises fluorescent powders or
a plurality of granules.
[0027] The magnetic arrangement between the partition and the
ninth, or the tenth, seal element is subject to the type of the
embodiment provided, comprising: the partition is a magnetic body
and both the ninth seal element and the tenth seal element are
metallic materials; the partition is a metallic material and both
the ninth seal element and the tenth seal element are magnetic
bodies; or the partition is a magnetic body and both the ninth seal
element and the tenth seal element are magnetic bodies.
[0028] The seventh embodiment of the drop indicator comprises a
chamber, a plurality of seal elements, and a housing. The hollow
chamber contains a magnetic body in the center thereof. The space
between the magnetic body and the chamber is divided into a
plurality of third chambers, each of which is filled with an
indicative material and comprises a third outlet. The indicative
material in each of the third chambers can be different, comprising
fluorescent powders or colored granules. This embodiment comprises
a plurality of seal elements for closing each of the third outlets,
respectively, wherein the magnetic attraction between the magnetic
body and the seal element enables each of the seal elements to seal
its corresponding third outlet.
[0029] The magnetic arrangement between the chamber and the seal
element is subject to the type of the embodiment provided,
comprising: the chamber is a magnetic body and the seal element is
a metallic material; the chamber is a metallic material and the
seal element is a magnetic body; the chamber is a magnetic body and
the seal element is a magnetic body; the chamber is a metallic
material and the seal element is a metallic material; the chamber
is a plastic material and the seal element is a metallic material;
or the chamber is a plastic material and the seal element is a
magnetic body.
[0030] The chamber is held within the housing whose exterior
surface is provided with an adhesive means. The adhesive means
comprises a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive substance, so
as to allow the drop indicator to be adhered to the product.
[0031] This embodiment allows impact detection in multiple
directions. Types of the chambers with five, or more than five,
chambers can be provided if necessary, for purposes of allowing
impact detection in multiple directions.
[0032] The structure of the eighth embodiment of the drop indicator
is similar to that of the seventh embodiment of the drop indicator,
the difference being that the chamber in the eighth embodiment
becomes circular in form and allows impact detection in four
directions.
[0033] The method for dropping indicating according to the present
invention includes a drop indicator is attached on a product, the
drop indicator includes a chamber, the chamber containing an
indicative material adhered to a product; a seal element seal the
chamber opening; and the collision impact on the chamber indicated
by the release of the indicative material from the chamber when the
seal element is moved and released from the opening of the chamber
wherein the chamber disposed inside a housing.
[0034] The indicative material comprises fluorescent powders or
colored granules.
[0035] The magnetic arrangement between the chamber and the seal
element is subject to the type of the embodiment provided,
comprising: the chamber is a magnetic body and the seal element is
a metallic material; the chamber is a metallic material and the
seal element is a magnetic body; the chamber is a magnetic body and
the seal element is a magnetic body; or the chamber is a plastic
material and the seal element is a magnetic body.
[0036] The present invention allows the inference of whether a
faulty product, such as a cell phone or a PDA, has ever been
dropped or impacted in delivery or in use by inspecting changes in
the indicative material of the drop indicator.
[0037] The present invention is used to determine whether a product
has ever been dropped when in use by inspecting changes in the
original condition of the magnet caused by the interaction between
the magnetic force and the acceleration of gravity, inertia force,
and colliding force, etc. generated upon collision.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of the drop indicator
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows a partial sectional view of the
three-dimensional drop indicator according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the drop indicator
according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the drop indicator
according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the sectioned drop
indicator according to the third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0043] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the assembled drop
indicator according to the third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0044] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the drop indicator
according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the drop indicator
according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 9 shows an aerial view of the drop indicator according
to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 10 shows a side view of the drop indicator according to
the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 11 shows an aerial view of the drop indicator according
to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 12 shows an aerial view of the drop indicator according
to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0050] The examples given below serve as the preferred embodiments
of the present invention only. The examples should not be construed
as a limitation on the actual applicable scope of the invention,
and as such, all modifications and alterations without departing
from the spirits of the invention and appended claims, including
other embodiments, shall remain within the protected scope and
claims of the invention.
[0051] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a sectional view of the drop
indicator and a partial sectional view of the three-dimensional
drop indicator, respectively, according to the first embodiment of
the present invention. The first embodiment of the drop indicator
comprises a housing 10, a chamber 20, and at least one first seal
element 30. The chamber 20 is disposed inside the housing 10, which
can be a sealed space, and has at least one first opening 21. The
first seal element 30 is used to seal the first opening 21.
Therefore, the number of the first opening 21 determines the number
of the first seal element 30. The chamber 20 is filled with an
indicative material 40, and the first seal element 30 keeps the
indicative material 40 sealed in the hollow portion 23 of the
chamber 20. When the drop indicator is impacted, the first seal
element 30 and the indicative material 40 will be released from the
chamber 20 and scattered inside the housing 10, helping determine
whether a product has ever been impacted or dropped when in
delivery.
[0052] The housing 10 is made of a transparent plastic material,
which facilitates observation of changes therein, such as the
release of the indicative material 40 or the shifting of the first
seal element 30, etc. Therefore, this embodiment allows impact
detection in two directions.
[0053] The indicative material 40 comprises fluorescent powders or
a plurality of colored granules, whose brightness facilitates
observation. Further, while the fluorescent powders are used as the
indicative material 40 and discharged or released from the chamber
20, scattered all over the interior of the housing 10, the powders
will no longer go back to their original conditions in that they
will be adhered to the housing 10. On the other hand, if other
kinds of granules are used as the indicative material 40 and
released from the chamber 20, scattered all over the interior of
the housing 10, the granules can be recycled in that they will not
be adhered to the housing 10.
[0054] The invention further comprises a second opening 22 of the
chamber 20, with a second seal element 31 placed upon the second
opening 22 for closing the second opening 22. Therefore, the first
embodiment of the chamber 20 can have two openings, so as to allow
impact detection in two directions.
[0055] The first opening 21 of the chamber 20 forms a first step
portion 211 indented inwardly to allow the first seal element 30 to
be mounted on the first step portion 211; the second opening 22 of
the chamber 20 forms a second step portion 221 indented inwardly to
allow the second seal element 31 to be mounted on the second step
portion 221, so that the first seal element 30 and the second seal
element 31 can be secured and not prone to shifting.
[0056] According to one type of the embodiment, both the first seal
element 30 and the second seal element 31 are magnetic bodies. To
attain the same magnetic effect as the preceding example does, the
arrangements of the constituent materials among the first seal
element 30, the second seal element 31, and the chamber 20 can be
made as follows: the chamber 20 is a plastic material and both the
first seal element 30 and the second seal element 31 are magnetic
bodies; the chamber 20 is a metallic material and both the first
seal element 30 and the second seal element 31 are magnetic bodies;
the chamber 20 is a magnetic body and both the first seal element
30 and the second seal element 31 are metallic materials; or the
chamber 20 is a magnetic body and both the first seal element 30
and the second seal element 31 are magnetic bodies. With regard to
the seal elements illustrated above, the pairing arrangement of the
seal elements disposed opposite each other can also be made in such
a way that while one seal element is a magnetic body, the other one
is a metallic material. In addition, the magnetic arrangement
between the chamber 20 and the first 30, or the second 31, seal
element shall be in compliance with the type of the embodiment
provided.
[0057] For example, when the chamber 20 is a plastic material, both
the first seal element 30 and the second seal element 31 are
magnetic bodies. That way, when the first seal element 30 and the
second seal element 31 are disposed at the opposite ends of the
chamber 20, the magnetic line of force between the two magnetic
bodies will be in parallel to that between the first seal element
30 and the second element 31. Other embodiments are of similar
nature.
[0058] To allow the drop indicator to be adhered to the exterior
surface of the product, an adhesive means 11 is provided on the
exterior surface of the housing 10. The adhesive means 11 comprises
equivalent structures of a double-sided adhesive tape or an
adhesive substance.
[0059] The drop indicator according to the present invention uses a
chamber 20 with two side openings 21, 22 and a hollow interior to
hold such indicative material 40 as fluorescent powders or colored
granules inside the hollow portion 23 of the chamber 20. Two
magnets with the same magnetic force serve as the respective seal
elements 30, 31 of the two side openings 21, 22. The attraction
between the two magnets will keep the fluorescent powders from
being released from the hollow portion 23 of the chamber 20 to the
outside world. The chamber 20, then, is put inside a plastic
housing 10. The drop indicator according to the present invention
is installed inside a product. When the product is dropped or
impacted, the interaction between the acceleration of gravity,
inertia force, and colliding force, etc. generated upon collision
and the magnetic force generated by the magnets installed inside
the device will cause the magnets at the two side openings 21, 22
to release from the chamber 20 and fall into the housing 10,
leading to the discharge of the fluorescent powders from the hollow
portion 23 of the chamber 20 to the plastic housing 10. At this
moment, given that the fluorescent powders will not go back to
their original conditions, whether the product has ever been
dropped or impacted can be identified by visually observing the
condition of the plastic housing 10, regardless of whether the
magnets are returned to their original positions. Liabilities can
be determined as a result.
[0060] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the drop indicator
according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In
this embodiment, the drop indicator comprises a housing 10 and a
chamber 20 contained therein. The housing 10 can be a sealed space.
Inside the chamber 20, a first chamber 24 and a second chamber 25
are formed in perpendicular to each other. The first chamber 24 and
the second chamber 25 can be in communication with each other, or
not, and each of the chambers 20 is filled with an indicative
material 40. The first chamber 24 comprises a first opening 241 and
a second opening 242. The second chamber 25 comprises a third
opening 251 and a fourth opening 252. The first opening 241, the
second opening 242, the third opening 251, and the fourth opening
252 are all in communication with the interior of the housing 10.
The first opening 241, the second opening 242, the third opening
251, and the fourth opening 252 correspond to a first seal element
30, a second seal element, 31, a third seal element 32, and a
fourth seal element 33, respectively. The first seal element 30,
the second seal element 31, the third seal element 32, and the
fourth seal element 33 are placed upon the first opening 241, the
second opening 242, the third opening 251, and the fourth opening
252, respectively, to keep the indicative material 40 en-sealed in
the chamber 20. In the event that the drop indicator is impacted or
dropped, the seal elements 30, 31, 32, 33 and the indicative
material 40 will be released from the chamber 20 and scattered
inside the housing 10, helping determine whether a product has ever
been impacted or dropped when in delivery or in use. The second
embodiment of the present invention allows impact detection in four
directions. Therefore, the equivalent structure of the present
invention allows impact detection in three, or more than four,
directions.
[0061] The housing 10 is made of a transparent plastic material,
which facilitates observation of changes therein, such as the
release of the indicative material 40 or the shifting of the first
seal element 30, etc. Therefore, this embodiment allows impact
detection in multiple directions.
[0062] The indicative material 40 comprises fluorescent powders or
a plurality of colored granules, whose brightness facilitates
observation.
[0063] In the second embodiment of the present invention, the first
opening 241, the second opening 242, the third opening 251, and the
fourth opening 252 of the chamber 20 respectively form an inwardly
indented first step portion 243, second step portion 244, third
step portion 253, and fourth step portion 254, so as to allow the
first seal element 30, the second seal element 31, the third seal
element 32, and the fourth seal element 33 to be mounted on the
first step portion 243, the second step portion 244, the third step
portion 253, and the fourth step portion 254, respectively. That
way, the first seal element 30, the second seal element 31, the
third seal element 32, and the fourth seal element 33 can be
secured and not prone to shifting.
[0064] According to one type of the embodiment, the first seal
element 30, the second seal element 31, the third seal element 32,
and the fourth seal element 33 can be magnetic bodies or metallic
materials. To attain the same magnetic effect as the preceding
example does, the arrangements of the constituent materials among
the first seal element 30, the second seal element 31, the third
seal element 32, the fourth seal element 33, and the chamber 20 can
be made as follows: the chamber 20 is a plastic material, whereas
the first seal element 30, the second seal element 31, the third
seal element 32, and the fourth seal element 33 are magnetic
bodies; the chamber 20 is a metallic material, whereas the first
seal element 30, the second seal element 31, the third seal element
32, and the fourth seal element 33 are magnetic bodies; the chamber
20 is a magnetic body, whereas the first seal element 30, the
second seal element 31, the third seal element 32, and the fourth
seal element 33 are metallic materials; the chamber 20 is a
non-magnetic body, whereas the first seal element 30, the second
seal element 31, the third seal element 32, and the fourth seal
element 33 are magnetic bodies; or the chamber 20 is a magnetic
body, whereas the first seal element 30, the second seal element
31, the third seal element 32, and the fourth seal element 33 are
magnetic bodies. With regard to the seal elements illustrated
above, the pairing arrangement of the seal elements disposed
opposite each other can also be made in such a way that while one
seal element is a magnetic body, the other one is a metallic
material. In addition, the magnetic arrangement between the chamber
20 and the first 30, the second 31, the third 32, or the fourth 33
seal element shall be in compliance with the type of the embodiment
provided.
[0065] To allow the drop indicator to be adhered to the exterior
surface of the product, an adhesive means 26 is provided on the
exterior surface of the housing 10. The adhesive means 26 comprises
equivalent structures of a double-sided adhesive tape or an
adhesive substance.
[0066] FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 show an exploded view of the drop
indicator, an exploded view of the sectioned drop indicator, and a
sectional view of the assembled drop indicator, respectively,
according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this
embodiment, the drop indicator is circular in form, comprising a
first element 51, a second element 52, a third element 53, a fifth
seal element 54, and a sixth seal element 55, with the first
element 51 and the second element 52 screwing each other forming a
third space 56 containing the third element 53. The first element
51 comprises a hollow first joint portion 511 and a first outer end
512, the first joint portion 511 being next to a first space 513.
The second element 52 comprises a hollow second joint portion 521
and a second outer end 522, the second joint portion 521 being next
to a second space 523, allowing the first element 51 to join the
second element 52 to form the third space 56 containing the third
element 53. Since the first joint portion 511 is a female threaded
portion and the second joint portion 521 is a male threaded
portion, both are able to screwing each other.
[0067] The third element 53 comprises a hollow portion 531 filled
with an indicative material 57 whose discharge or release from the
third element 53 helps determine whether a product has ever been
impacted or dropped. The indicative material 57 comprises
fluorescent powders or a plurality of granules that may be
colored
[0068] The fifth seal element 54 is used to seal the first end 532
of the hollow portion 531 of the third element 53. The sixth seal
element 55 is used to seal the second end 533 of the hollow portion
531 of the third element 53. Therefore, the indicative material 57
is en-sealed in the hollow portion 531 of the third element 53.
When the drop indicator is impacted or dropped, causing the fifth
or the sixth seal element 54, 55 to be released from the hollow
portion 531 of the third element 53, the indicative material 57
will be discharged into the third space 56, allowing the observer
to examine whether the product has ever been impacted or
dropped.
[0069] The first outer end 512 of the first element 51 is provided
with a first transparent element 518 made of an acrylic material.
The second outer end 522 of the second element 52 is provided with
a second transparent element 525 made of an acrylic material. With
the drop indicator adhered to the product throughout delivery, the
observer is able to work out whether the product has ever been
impacted or dropped during delivery by looking through the
transparent elements 518, 525 to examine whether the indicative
material 57 has ever been discharged or the seal elements 54, 55
been shifted.
[0070] According to one type of the embodiment, both the fifth seal
element 54 and the sixth seal element 55 are magnetic bodies or
metallic materials. To attain the same magnetic effect as the
preceding example does, the arrangements of the constituent
materials among the fifth seal element 54, the sixth seal element
55, and the chamber can be made as follows: the third element 53 is
a plastic body and both the fifth seal element 54 and the sixth
seal element 55 are magnetic bodies; the third element 53 is a
metallic material and both the fifth seal element 54 and the sixth
seal element 55 are magnetic bodies; the third element 53 is a
magnetic body and both the fifth seal element 54 and the sixth seal
element 55 are metallic materials; or the third element 53 is a
magnetic body and both the fifth seal element 54 and the sixth seal
element 55 are magnetic bodies. With regard to the seal elements
illustrated above, the pairing arrangement of the seal elements
disposed opposite each other can also be made in such a way that
while one seal element is a magnetic body, the other one is a
metallic material. In addition, the magnetic arrangement between
the third element 53 and the fifth 54, or the sixth 55, seal
element shall be in compliance with the type of the embodiment
provided.
[0071] An adhesive means is provided on the exterior surface of the
first element 51 or the second element 52. The adhesive means
comprises a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive substance,
allowing the drop indicator to be adhered to the product.
[0072] The first element 51 or the second element 52 is made of a
transparent plastic material, which facilitates observation of
changes within the drop indicator.
[0073] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the hollow
portion 531 of the third element 53 comprises a fifth opening 534
and a sixth opening 535 respectively forming an inwardly indented
fifth step portion 536 and sixth step portion 537, so as to allow
the fifth seal element 54 and the sixth seal element 55 to be
mounted on the fifth step portion 536 and the sixth step portion
537, respectively. Such a design gives warning in two directions,
concerning object shifting, by having the fifth and the sixth seal
elements 54, 55 mounted on the fifth step portion 536 and the sixth
step portion 537, respectively.
[0074] The first space 513 of the first element 51 comprises a
first hollow portion 514 next to a third hollow portion 515,
whereas the second space 523 of the second element 52 comprises a
second hollow portion 524. Such a design provides space for the
fifth and the sixth seal elements 54, 55 to shift around when the
third element 53 is mounted on the third space 56. The design also
facilitates observation of changes of the indicative material
57.
[0075] The first outer end 512 of the first element 51 comprises a
seventh opening 516 forming a seventh step portion 517 indented
inwardly, allowing the first transparent element 518 to be mounted
on the seventh step portion 517. The second outer end 522 of the
second element 52 comprises an eighth opening 526 forming an eighth
step portion 527 indented inwardly, allowing the second transparent
element 525 to be mounted on the eighth step portion 527.
Therefore, through the installation of the first transparent
element 518 and the second transparent element 525, which serve as
windows, this embodiment provides the observer easy access to
examine the conditions inside the drop indicator.
[0076] This embodiment uses the first element 51 to screwing the
second element 52 to form the third space 56 in the hollow portion
in between, so as to hold the third element 53 within the third
space 56. The fifth seal element 54 and the sixth seal element 55
are also used to keep the indicative material 57 en-sealed in the
hollow portion 531 of the third element 53. When the product is
impacted or dropped, the fifth seal element 54 or the sixth seal
element 55 inside the drop indicator will be released from the
third element 53, causing the discharge of the indicative material
57, and therefore providing clues with regard to whether the
product has ever been impacted or dropped.
[0077] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the drop indicator
according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The
fourth embodiment of the drop indicator comprises a chamber 60, a
seventh seal element 61, and a third transparent element 62. The
chamber 60 is hollow whose interior wall is provided with an
annular portion 601. The annular portion 601 in one type of the
embodiment comprises a first end 602 sealed by the seventh seal
element 61. The annular portion 601 in another type of the
embodiment comprises a first end 602 and a second end 603, allowing
the seventh seal element 61 and the eighth seal element 62 to seal
the first end 602 and the second end 603 of the annular portion
601, respectively. The center of the annular portion 601 forms a
hollow portion 604 filled with an indicative material 63 comprising
fluorescent powders or a plurality of granules. The indicative
material 63 is used to show that an impact has occurred through
changes thereof.
[0078] The third transparent element 62 seals the first end 605 of
the chamber 60 and forms a sealed space, allowing the observer to
inspect whether the indicative material 63 inside the chamber 60
has ever been discharged so as to determine whether the product has
ever been impacted or dropped. The third transparent element 62 is
an acrylic material.
[0079] The present invention comprises an eighth seal element 64
closing the second end 603 of the annular portion 601 and a fourth
transparent element 65 sealing the second end 606 of the chamber 60
and thus forming a sealed space. As described above, the eighth
seal element 64 is used to keep the indicative material 63
en-sealed in the annular portion 601, whereas the fourth
transparent element 65 is used to provide the observer another
window to inspect changes within the chamber 60. The fourth
transparent element 65 is an acrylic material.
[0080] According to one type of the embodiment, both the seventh
seal element 61 and the eighth seal element 64 are magnetic bodies
or metallic materials. To attain the same magnetic effect as the
preceding example does, the arrangements of the constituent
materials among the seventh seal element 61, the eighth seal
element 64, and the chamber 60 can be made as follows: the annular
portion 601 is a plastic material and both the seventh seal element
61 and the eighth seal element 64 are magnetic bodies; the annular
portion 601 is a metallic material and both the seventh seal
element 61 and the eighth seal element 64 are magnetic bodies; the
annular portion 601 is a magnetic body and both the seventh seal
element 61 and the eighth seal element 64 are magnetic bodies; the
annular portion 601 is a magnetic body and both the seventh seal
element 61 and the eighth seal element 64 are metallic materials;
or the annular portion 601 is a non-magnetic body with the seventh
seal element 61 being a magnetic body and the eighth seal element
64 being a metallic material. With regard to the seal elements
illustrated above, the pairing arrangement of the seal elements
disposed opposite each other can also be made in such a way that
while one seal element is a magnetic body, the other one is a
metallic material. In addition, the magnetic arrangement between
the annular portion 601 and the seventh 61, or the eighth 64, seal
element shall be in compliance with the type of the embodiment
provided.
[0081] An adhesive means is provided on the exterior surface of the
chamber 60. The adhesive means comprises a double-sided adhesive
tape or an adhesive substance, allowing the drop indicator to be
adhered to the product.
[0082] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the drop indicator
according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The
structure of the fifth embodiment of the drop indicator is,
basically, identical with that of the fourth embodiment of the drop
indicator, the difference being that the annular portion 601 and
the chamber 60 in the fourth embodiment are monolithically formed
whereas the annular portion 67 and the chamber 66 in the fifth
embodiment are separately formed.
[0083] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 respectively show an aerial view and a
side view of the drop indicator according to the sixth embodiment
of the present invention. The sixth embodiment of the drop
indicator comprises a chamber 70, a ninth seal element 71, a tenth
seal element 72, and a housing 73. The chamber 70 is hollow and
contains a partition 74 dividing the chamber 70 into a first
chamber 701 and a second chamber 702 respectively filled with an
indicative material 75, wherein the first chamber 701 comprises a
first outlet 703 and the second chamber 702 comprises a second
outlet 704. Both the first outlet 703 and the second outlet 704
provide access for the indicative material 75. The ninth seal
element 71 is used to seal the first outlet 703 and the tenth seal
element 72 is used to seal the second outlet 704 so as to keep the
indicative materials 75 en-sealed in the first chamber 701 and the
second chamber 702, respectively. As FIG. 9 shows, a transparent
covering material 76 can be used to cover the chamber 70 except for
the first outlet 703 and the second outlet 704, so as to allow
direct observation of the indicative material 75.
[0084] The indicative material 75 comprises fluorescent powders or
a plurality of colored granules.
[0085] The chamber 70 is disposed inside a housing 73 made of a
transparent material, facilitating observation of changes within
the chamber 70.
[0086] According to one type of the embodiment, both the ninth seal
element 71 and the tenth seal element 72 are magnetic bodies or
metallic materials. To attain the same magnetic effect as the
preceding example does, the arrangements of the constituent
materials among the ninth seal element 71, the tenth seal element
72, and the partition 74 can be made as follows: the partition 74
is a magnetic body and both the ninth seal element 71 and the tenth
seal element 72 are metallic materials; the partition 74 is a
metallic material and both the ninth seal element 71 and the tenth
seal element 72 are magnetic bodies; or the partition 74 is a
magnetic body and both the ninth seal element 71 and the tenth seal
element 72 are magnetic bodies. With regard to the seal elements
illustrated above, the pairing arrangement of the seal elements
disposed opposite each other can also be made in such a way that
while one seal element is a magnetic body, the other one is a
metallic material. In addition, the magnetic arrangement between
the partition 74 and the ninth 71, or the tenth 72, seal element
shall be in compliance with the type of the embodiment
provided.
[0087] An adhesive means 77 is provided on the exterior surface of
the housing 73. The adhesive means 77 comprises a double-sided
adhesive tape or an adhesive substance, allowing the drop indicator
to be adhered to the product.
[0088] FIG. 11 shows an aerial view of the drop indicator according
to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The seventh
embodiment of the drop indicator comprises a chamber 80, a
plurality of seal elements 81, and a housing 82. The chamber 80 is
hollow and contains a magnetic body 83 in the center thereof. The
space between the magnetic body 83 and the chamber 80 is divided
into a plurality of third chambers 801, each of which is filled
with an indicative material 84 and comprises a third outlet 802.
The plurality of seal elements 81 are used to seal each of the
third outlets 802, respectively, wherein the magnetic attraction
between the magnetic body 83 and the seal element 81 enables each
of the seal elements 81 to seal its corresponding third outlet 802.
The indicative material 84 comprises fluorescent powders or a
plurality of colored granules.
[0089] According to one type of the embodiment, the seal element 81
is a magnetic body or a metallic material. To attain the same
magnetic effect as the preceding example does, the arrangements of
the constituent materials between the seal element 81 and the
chamber 80 can be made as follows: the chamber 80 is a magnetic
body and the seal element 81 is a metallic material; the chamber 80
is a metallic material and the seal element 81 is a magnetic body;
the chamber 80 is a magnetic body and the seal element 81 is a
magnetic body; the chamber 80 is a plastic material or a
non-magnetic body and the seal element 81 is a metallic material or
a magnetic body; or the chamber 80 is a plastic material or a
non-magnetic body and the seal element corresponding to the seal
element 81 is a magnetic body With regard to the seal elements
illustrated above, the pairing arrangement of the seal elements
disposed opposite each other can also be made in such a way that
while one seal element is a magnetic body, the other one is a
metallic material. In addition, the magnetic arrangement between
the chamber 80 and the seal element 81 shall be in compliance with
the type of the embodiment provided.
[0090] The chamber 80 is held within the housing 82 whose exterior
surface is provided with an adhesive means. The adhesive means
comprises a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive substance,
allowing the drop indicator to be adhered to the product.
[0091] This embodiment allows impact detection in multiple
directions. Types of the chambers with five, or more than five,
chambers can be provided if necessary, for purposes of allowing
impact detection in multiple directions.
[0092] FIG. 12 shows an aerial view of the drop indicator according
to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of
the eighth embodiment of the drop indicator is similar to that of
the seventh embodiment of the drop indicator, the difference being
that the chamber 80 in the eighth embodiment is rectangular in form
and allows impact detection in four directions.
[0093] The method for dropping indicating according to the present
invention includes a drop indicator is attached on a product, the
drop indicator comprises a chamber containing an indicative
material adhered to a product; a seal element seal the chamber
opening; and the collision impact on the chamber indicated by the
release of the indicative material from the chamber when the seal
element is shifted and released from the opening of the chamber.
Where in the chamber disposed inside a housing.
[0094] The indicative material comprises fluorescent powders or
colored granules.
[0095] According to one type of the embodiment, the seal element is
a magnetic body or a metallic material. To attain the same magnetic
effect as the preceding example does, the arrangements of the
constituent materials between the seal element and the chamber can
be made as follows: the chamber is a magnetic body and the seal
element is a metallic material; the chamber is a metallic material
and the seal element is a magnetic body; the chamber is a magnetic
body and the seal element is a magnetic body; or the chamber is a
plastic material and the seal element is a magnetic body. With
regard to the seal elements illustrated above, the pairing
arrangement of the seal elements disposed opposite each other can
also be made in such a way that while one seal element is a
magnetic body, the other one is a metallic material. In addition,
the magnetic arrangement between the chamber and the seal element
shall be in compliance with the type of the embodiment provided
[0096] Namely, according to the present invention, drop indicators
are installed in newly released products, such as cell phones or
PDAs. If the cell phone or PDA has ever been dropped in delivery,
upon sale, or in use, the release of the indicative material or the
seal element in the drop indicator will help determine whether the
faulty product has ever been dropped or impacted when the product
is returned for repair.
[0097] In conclusion, the present invention provides a chamber
filled with indicative materials such as fluorescent powders. A
seal element is used to seal the chamber opening through magnetic
force. When impact occurs, the seal element will be released from
the opening, leading to the discharge of the fluorescent powders
from the chamber and the dispersion of such powders in the housing.
Therefore, the observer is able to decide whether the product has
ever been impacted or dropped. In view of the foregoing, the
present invention meets the requirements for patentability, and a
patent application is filed pursuant to the law.
[0098] With detailed description of the preferred embodiments of
the present invention, those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that various modifications and changes can be applied to
the embodiments of the invention as hereinbefore described without
departing from its scope, defined in and by the appended claims. In
addition, the embodiments should not be construed as a limitation
on the implementation of applicable description of the
invention.
* * * * *