Abstract
A climate control container maintains herbs fresh for extended periods of time. The container includes a container part with a cylindrical wall attached to a base forming an internal volume for herbs. A top, climate control part connects to the cylindrical wall of the container part. A layering system is placed in an upper portion of the internal volume that includes plates in a top-down vertical arrangement. The plates are formed with unique respective patterns of through-holes to limit air movement. A top cover part makes an air-tight connection to the cylindrical wall and/or the top, climate control part. Air-tight connecting the top, climate control part to the container part with the layering system and to the top cover part effects an air lock sealing the internal volume to air flow in or out and controls air flow through the vertical arrangement to limit air turbulence.
Claims
1. A climate control container constructed to maintain herbs fresh for extended periods of time, the container comprising: a container part configured with a cylindrical wall arising up from a cylindrical base to for an internal volume for receiving and storing herbs; a top, climate control part configured for detachable air-tight connection to an upper portion of the cylindrical wall of the container part; a layering system configured for removeable placement in an upper portion of the internal volume of the container part, the layering system comprising a plurality of plates in a top-down vertical arrangement, the plates formed with unique respective patterns of through-holes to limit air movement through the vertical arrangement in both up and down directions; and a top cover part for detachable, air-tight connection to an upper portion of the internal volume of the container part and/or the top, climate control part; wherein air-tight connecting the top, climate control part to the container part, with the layering system placed in the upper portion of the internal volume and air-tight connecting the top cover part to the top, climate control part effects an air lock system that seals the internal volume preventing air flow in or out while also controlling air flow through the vertical arrangement to limit air turbulence within the internal volume.
2. The climate control container of claim 1, wherein the top, climate control part is further configured with a receiving section for receiving the layering system and wherein the layering system is formed with a seating portion to facilitate placement of the layering system in or upon the receiving section.
3. The climate control container of claim 1, further comprising a humidifier pack arranged in the internal volume.
4. The climate control container of claim 3, wherein the humidifier pack is arranged in the top, climate control part.
5. The climate control container of claim 4, wherein the humidifier pack is arranged on or above the layering system and the layering system on the top, climate control part.
6. The climate control container of claim 4, wherein the layering system includes a rack or grate element arranged at the system's vertical top and the humidifier pack is arranged on the rack or grate above the layering system on the top, climate control part.
7. The climate control container of claim 4, wherein the layering system includes a cone element below the bottom-most plate, wherein a diameter the cone decreases with its vertical descending extent into the internal volume, and wherein a tip of the cone includes an opening through which all air communicates between the layering system and the internal volume.
8. The climate control container of claim 7, wherein the opening in the tip varies between 35-80 mm in diameter.
9. The climate control container of claim 8, wherein the opening in the tip is 45 mm in diameter.
10. The climate control container of claim 1, wherein the plate through holes vary in diameter, length or width between 35-80 mm.
11. The climate control container of claim 10, wherein the plate through holes are 45 mm in diameter, length or width.
12. The climate control container of claim 1, wherein the top cover part includes a hex element that is turned with a hex wrench to assist in opening or closing the top cover and air-tight seal the top cover to the upper portion of the internal volume of the top, climate control part.
13. The climate control container of claim 1, wherein the base of the container part is non-planar, including a bottom surface that rises up as a curvature to an apex around the midline of base center, upon which the herb may be arranged.
14. The climate control container of claim 1, wherein an O-ring or gasket is included between the top cover and the top, climate control part, to support air-tight seal when detachably connected.
15. The climate control container of claim 1, wherein the herb is marijuana.
16. The climate control container of claim 1, further comprising one or more semi-circular, partial disk-like portions or side fins extending radially from an inner, side cylindrical surface of the bottom, container part.
17. The climate control container of claim 1, wherein the top, climate control part includes a downwardly extending circular rim arranged with screw-like threads and the bottom container part includes a circular slot at a top rim that is arranged with screw-like threads that complement those of the top, climate control part to effect and air-tight connection when the top, climate control part and the bottom container part are screwed together.
18. The climate control container of claim 1, the top cover part includes a downwardly extending circular rim arranged with screw-like threads and the top, climate control part includes a circular slot at a top rim arranged with screw-like threads that complement those of the top cover part to effect and air-tight connection when the top cover part and the top, climate control part are screwed together.
19. The climate control container of claim 18, wherein an O-ring or gasket is included between the top cover part and the top, climate control part, to support air-tight seal when they are detachably connected.
20. The climate control container of claim 19, wherein the O-ring or gasket is adhesively or physically attached to the bottom rim of the top cover part or the top, climate control part.
21. The climate control container of claim 17, wherein the O-ring or gasket is adhesively or physically attached to the bottom rim of the climate control part or in the circular slot in the bottom, container part.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 is a reproduction of a permeable container presented in FIG. 1 of the PRIOR ART '243 application;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a reproduction of a container assembly presented in FIG. 13 of the PRIOR ART '585 patent;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a reproduction of an absorbent storage insert for a container cap presented in FIG. 1 of the PRIOR ART '137 patent;
[0040] FIGS. 4A and 4B are reproductions of bottle inserts presented in FIGS. 63 and 64 of the PRIOR ART '557 application;
[0041] FIGS. 5A and 5B are reproductions of a medicine container presented in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the PRIOR ART '442 application;
[0042] FIG. 6 is a reproduction of a package presented in FIG. 11 of the PRIOR ART '130 patent;
[0043] FIG. 7 is a reproduction of a container presented in FIG. 2 of the PRIOR ART '241 patent;
[0044] FIGS. 8A and 8B are reproductions of a permeable container presented in FIG. 1 of the PRIOR ART '083 patent;
[0045] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C are reproductions of a desiccant container presented in FIGS. 1, 2 3 of the PRIOR ART '735 application;
[0046] FIG. 10 is a reproduction of a transparent enclosure presented in FIG. 5C of the PRIOR ART '508 application;
[0047] FIG. 11 is a reproduction of a cover assembly presented in FIG. 2 of the PRIOR ART WO '507 application;
[0048] FIG. 12 is a reproduction of a wide mouth mason jar presented in the PRIOR ART NPP non-patent literature;
[0049] FIG. 13 is a reproduction of a humidity control airtight stash container presented in the B001BN4 container PRIOR ART non-patent literature;
[0050] FIG. 14 illustrates a front, elevational, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the inventive climate control jar of the invention;
[0051] FIG. 15 illustrates a separated, front, elevational, cross-sectional view to highlight the top, climate control part, and the bottom, container part of the climate control jar of FIG. 14;
[0052] FIG. 16 illustrates a top, front side, exploded perspective view of the climate control jar of FIG. 14;
[0053] FIG. 17 illustrates an upper, front perspective view of the inventive climate control jar;
[0054] FIG. 18 illustrates a lower, front perspective view of the inventive climate control jar;
[0055] FIG. 19 illustrates perspective, exploded view of a set of 7 plate-like layers of the layering system of the climate control part;
[0056] FIG. 20 illustrates top plan views of each of the plate-like layers of the 7 layering system of FIG. 6; and
[0057] FIG. 21 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional, perspective cut-away view of the top, cover part and the top, climate control part and layering system of the inventive climate control jar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0058] The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention will be made in reference to the accompanying drawings, the scope of which are described in the accompanying claims.
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 14-21, the inventive climate control jar 10 comprises a top, climate control part 100, a top cover part 150 and a bottom, container part 200. By its construction, the inventive climate control jar 10, includes two main systems for humidity control and for air distribution. The humidity control system, controls humidity of the environment in the bottom container part 200, and the airlock function of the top cover 150, which, once locked, prevents air from entering the internal volume of the container 200 (or air present therein from exiting). Preferably, the top, climate control part 100 includes a layering system 105 to control and exchange air between the top, climate control part 100 and the bottom, container part 200 slowly, so such air movement does not change the level of potency or change the structure of the marijuana or other herbs stored in the bottom, container part 200. Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 16, a humidifier pack 110 may be inserted and arranged on a grate 108 that is part of the top, climate control part. The humidifier pack 110 is thereby stored in an internal volume of the container part 200 the inventive climate control jar 10, when assembled as a unit, to control and maintain the humidity of the internal volume of the container part 200 (and the marijuana or other herbs stored therein, as illustrated in FIG. 14).
[0060] As illustrated in FIGS. 19, 20 and 21, the layering system 105 is maintained in the top, climate control part 100, and includes plate-like separators 106 that function to define layers with air flow openings patterned so that the layering system operates as a baffle to prevent the air from moving quickly (and directly) through the layers. Please note, however, that while the layering system 105 is arranged in the container part 200 upon assembly of the top, climate control part 100 with the bottom, container part 200 as a complete storage unit, the layering system also might be arranged as part of the bottom, container part 200, without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention. The layering system 105 may include from 4 to 10 layers, preferably includes 6-8 layers, most preferably includes 7 layers, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 21.
[0061] As illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15 and 21, the bottom 115 of the top, climate control part 100 may be shaped like a pyramid, or a cone that includes an opening 118 for limited fluid (e.g., air) communication at the very bottom tip. The size of the opening 118 is preferably 45 mm in diameter but may vary from 35-80 mm in diameter, so air moving down through the layering system 105 can be exchanged with the interior volume of the bottom, container part 200. As viewed from the side, the bottom, container part 200, to which the top, climate control part 100 attaches, has a bottom surface that preferably, is not planar, but preferably rises up as a mound-like curvature 210 arising out of a central part of a bottom surface 202 of the bottom, container part. The mound-like curvature rises to an apex 210 at a central midline 215, as illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15. Side-fins 220 preferably are a series of semi-circular, partial disk-like portions, extending radially from the inner side cylindrical surface 204 of the interior of the bottom, container part 200. Preferably there are a series of four groupings of 3 side-fins located around the interior periphery 204 of the bottom, container part 200. Consequently, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the herb is dropped into the bottom of container part 200, the elevated center 210 and side-fins 220 raise the herb to provides a superior ventilation and presentation inside the container part 200, when the stored marijuana is viewed from above.
[0062] FIGS. 14, 15, 17 and 18 highlight the top, climate control part 100, of climate control jar 10 with the with top cover 150 attached. When the top cover 150 is removed to access the internal volume of the top, climate control part 100, and as illustrated in FIGS. 14-16 and 21, the grate 108 overlying the layering system 105 is accessible, allowing a humidifier pack 110 (62% humidity for marijuana) to be placed on the grate 108, positioned on top of the layering system 105, to maintain the humidity of the air inside the climate control jar 10. The top cover 150 detachably connects and closes the top, climate control part 100 to assure that no air is allowed in or out once the top cover 150 is closed.
[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 21, the top cover 150 includes a lower ring-like rim 149 extending down from the cover for insertion into a circular channel 160 in the top, climate part 100. The circular channel 160 is configured to receive the ring-like rim 149 resulting in a substantially airtight fit between the two. Preferably, an outer surface of the lower ring-like rim 149 is configured with screw threads 151 and an inner surface of the circular channel 160 is configured with complementary screw threads 161 enabling the releasable connection between the top cover 150 and the top, climate control part 100. Preferably, a gasket or O-ring 155 is positioned in the circular channel 160 in the top, climate control part 100. The O-ring 155, the lower most edge of the ring-like rim 149 of the top, cover part 150 abuts and creates a seal with the circular channel 160 in the top, climate part 100, when the top cover part 150 and top, climate control part 100 are assembled as a closed unit. The gasket or O-ring 155 forms the air-tight seal when the unit is assembled for storage. Alternatively, the gasket or O-ring 155, rather than being arranged in the circular channel 160, is instead affixed to the bottom surface of the ring-like rim 149 of top, cover part 150, and forms an air-tight seal when the ring-like rim 149 of the top, cover 150 is inserted into the circular channel 160 and turned. The gasket or O-ring 155 may be affixed to the bottom surface of the ring-like rim 149 of top cover 150, by various means known in the art, such as, by the use of an adhesive, or by a physical attachment by, for example inserting the O-ring in a complementary groove (not shown) at the bottom of the ring-like rim 149 of the top cover 150.
[0064] As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 16, when a user opens the inventive climate control jar 10 by removing the top cover 150 and removing the top, climate control part 100 from the bottom, container part 200, an inner circular slot 230 can be seen at the very top surface of the bottom part 200. A ring-like rim 235 is formed at the lower periphery of the top, climate control part 100, which is inserted into the inner circular slot 230 and rotated to effect closure. To that end, an outer side surface of the lower ring-like rim 235 is provided with screw-like threads 236 and an inner side surface of the slot 230 is provided with complementary screw threads 231 for receiving the screw threads 236 and creating an airtight seal when the top part 100 is rotationally closed upon the bottom part 200. Preferably, there is arranged proximate a bottom of the slot 230 an O-ring or gasket 240 so that when a bottom-most edge of the circular rim 235 of the top, climate control part 100 contacts the gasket or O-ring 240, an airtight seal is created preventing air from entering or leaving the jar 10 (once it is closed). Alternatively, as described with regard to the top cover 150, the gasket or O-ring 240, rather than being arranged in the slot 230 in the bottom part 200, may be instead affixed to the bottom surface of the circular rim 235, which is inserted into the slot 230 to form an air-tight seal when the circular rim is inserted and turned. In an alternative embodiment a combination of an O-ring and a gasket may be employed at either the top cover 150 or bottom part 200 for an even better seal.
[0065] As should be understood from FIGS. 15, 17, 18 and 21, to close the jar, the user will turn (preferably clockwise) to screw down the top, climate control part 100 (with the top cover 150 attached) into the bottom part 200 of the jar, so that it abuts against gasket or O-ring 240 and prevent the air from coming in or out of the inventive climate control jar 10. As such, this inventive jar 10 provides a dual air-lock system, where the first one is where the top cover 150 connects to the top, climate control part 100, and the second is where the top, climate control part 100 connects to the bottom part 200 of the jar, as explained above.
[0066] The upper airlock system is closed by rotating the top cover 150, preferably by hand thereby pressing the gasket or O-ring 155 between the top cover 150 and the top, climate control part 100 to form an air-tight seal. In a preferred embodiment, to more easily close and seal the top cover 150 against the top, climate control part 100, and to assist in opening the top cover 150, a closing mechanism is provided, which includes a hex key opening 152, which is closed at its bottom, on the top surface of the top cover 150, preferably towards the edge of the cover 150. A complimentary hex key (also known as an Allen key) (not shown), may also be provided. Using the closing mechanism and hex key opening 152, the hex key is used to assist the user to tighten the top cover 150, and to open the top cover 150 so that it can be more easily unscrewed to break the seal and separate the top, cover part 150 from the top, climate control part 100. Users may also twist the top cover 150 with their hands to open and close the top cover 150 and the top, climate control part 100 with or without the assistance of the hex key and hex key opening 152.
[0067] FIGS. 17 and 18 show the inventive jar 10 in a closed state, to illustrate outer profile of the jar 10 and highlight its structure, and how the bottom surface of the bottom, container part 200 extends upwards.
[0068] FIGS. 19 and 20 highlight the functional operation of the layering system 105, comprising preferably 7 layers of air separator plates 106. More or less air separator plates 106 may be used to either increase or decrease the exchange of air. The differing air separator plates 106 function as different floors, with a different positions and different air opening patterns. In this way, the inside air (once the inventive climate control jar 10 is assembled into a closed unit) is constricted inside of the top, climate control part 100, contained within the upper portion of the bottom, container part 200. Consequently, the inside air must traverse a tortuous path through each of the air pattern openings 107 in each of the layered air separator plates 106. Accordingly, the air is exchanged very slowly between the top, climate control part 100, and the bottom, container part 200. This air flow is ideal for herbs such as marijuana, the storage of which requires air flow to be controlled so that the humidified air exchanged in jar 10 fills up slowly and is not overwhelmed. Marijuana is preferably humified at 62% internal humidity, whereas tobacco products, such as cigars and loose tobacco are best maintained at 55% humidity, as well known by those skilled in the art.
[0069] FIG. 20 in particular illustrates the structure of the layered air separator plates 106. The first and seventh layers 106 have one pattern of (cross-like) openings 107, the second and fourth layers 106 comprise 4 sets of parallel line arrangements of the openings 107, the sixth layer 106 has four sections with multiple openings 107 and the third and fifth layers elements 106 have 5 vertical and horizontal lines of openings 107, in the exemplary embodiment. Preferably, the cross-like arrangements of the openings 107 of the first and seventh layer elements 106 should pose the greatest challenge for air to pass through. That is, in this arrangement, the humidified air shall pass through the openings 107 in a very tight sequence so that it is harder to exchange the air from floor to floor (sequentially layered, plate-like elements 106). The openings 107 in the different layers 106, preferably are not aligned between adjacent layers. The openings 107 are preferably 45 mm in diameter but may vary from 35-80 mm in diameter.
[0070] The exemplary sixth element or layer (floor) 106 has an air opening pattern that is readily distinguishable than those of layers 1 to 5 and 7. In layer 6, the openings 107 are in an arrangement where they can operate in the aggregate like a vortex for the air to bounce and stream through the many openings, functionally driving or pushing the air through the seventh element or layer and out of the bottom opening of the pyramidal system 105 (See FIGS. 20 and 21). That is where at the very tip of this up-side-down pyramidal (or conical) shape another opening 118 is located.
[0071] The humidifier pack 110 is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 in the top, climate control part 100, is placed on a grate 108, above the layering system 105. For storage of marijuana, a particular humidifier pack 110 is selected which maintains the level of humidity inside of the jar 10 at a humidity level of approximately 55%-70%, preferably at a humidity level of 60% to 64%, and most preferably at a humidity of 62%, which is ideal for storage of Marijuana. The humidifier pack 110 may also include a minute amount of mildew or mold protector, as known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, such that at a preferred 60% or 62% humidity level, the Marijuana can stay locked in the jar 10 for up to a year, and be fresh as the day it was locked, at the one-year date.
[0072] Moreover, storing marijuana in the inventive jar over a temperature range of 68? F. to 72? F., preferably at 70? F., will not damage the marijuana. And by use of the jar's airlock system, a burping procedure may be implemented that further supports maintaining the stored marijuana fresh, which will be welcomed by the commercial industry. A procedure called burping may be used with the inventive jar by opening the top cover of the jar or multiple storage jars in a commercial facility, at a regular interval, such as every 30 days, 60 days or every 3 months, and resetting the air lock system to allow the stored marijuana to breathe. This procedure resets and restarts storage time, such that the layering system will bring a fresh supply of air into the stored marijuana in the bottom part slowly (see below for more details on the layering system). This feature combined with the hydrating function provided by humidifier pack prevents the marijuana from losing water weight while stored in the inventive jar(s) 10.
[0073] The foregoing description of various and preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for purposes of illustration only, and it is understood that numerous modifications, variations and alterations may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.
