Humidity controlling cap device

Abstract

A humidity controlling cap device utilizing a base member forming a recess and being detachable to a container. A carrier element having moisture regulating material lies in the recess and an air circulating cover encloses the carrier element within the recess.

Claims

1. A humidity controlling cap device for a container including a compartment and an opening thereto comprising: a base member, said base member possessing a first portion dimensioned to overlap the opening to the container compartment and a second portion extending from said first portion, said second portion of said base member including a coupling for attaching said base member to the container, said first portion of said base member further comprising a surface oriented to face the compartment of the container, said surface of said first portion of said base member further including wall forming a recess; a carrier element, said carrier element including a plate, a first moisture pervious bag completely enclosing and containing an aggregation of moisture regulating material, said bag being placed against and supported by said plate; a second moisture pervious bag completely enclosing and containing an aggregation of moisture regulating material, said bag being placed against and supported by said plate; a cover, said cover including a fastening surface engaging said wall of said base member and being capable of enclosing said recess of said base member, said cover including plurality of apertures providing direct communication between the container compartment and said recess of said base member, each of said apertures being crescent shaped to induce turbulent airflow between said first and second moisture pervious bags in said recess of said base member and the compartment of the container to allow said moisture regulating material contained in said first and second bags to maintain a certain level of humidity in the container compartment.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said fastening surface of said cover comprises a screw thread.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the device of the present application.

(2) FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the device of the present application.

(3) FIG. 3 is an exploded view indicating the employment of the device of the present application with a jar.

(4) FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of FIG. 4 partially depicting the cover and the airflow pattern within and out from the recess formed by the base member.

(6) For a better understanding of the application, reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which should be taken in conjunction with the prior described drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) Various aspects of the present application will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior delineated drawings.

(8) The device of the present application as a whole is indicated by reference character 10. Device 10 is formed with a base member 12 which includes a first portion 14 having an outer surface 16. Base member 12 is also formed with a second portion 18, FIG. 2, that includes a coupling 20, depicted in FIG. 4 and partially shown in FIG. 2, for attaching base member 12 to a container 22, FIG. 3. As revealed in FIGS. 2 and 3, base member 12 is in the form of a conventional cap and engages a threaded top 24 of container 22. Thus, coupling 20 of base member 12 would be constructed as a complimentary thread for connection to the threaded surface of top 24 of container 22. Container 22 is also necessarily formed with a compartment 26 that holds stored items 28 such as tobacco, confectionaries, and the like. Such stored items 28 necessarily require a steady or constant humidity level. Moreover, base member is sized to overlap the opening 30 to container 22. Base member 12 also includes an inner surface 32 that is oriented to face compartment 28 of container 22 when base member is fitted to the threaded top of container 22. Further, base member 12 is also formed with a wall 34 which abuts inner surface 32 of base member 12, FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. Wall 34 serves to create a recess 36 in base member 12.

(9) Device 10 also entails a carrier element 38, best depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. Carrier element 38 is constructed with a plate 40 that supports aggregations of moisture regulating material 42 and 44. Moisture pervious bags 46 and 48 enclose aggregations of moisture regulating material 42 and 44, respectively. Aggregations 42 and 44 of moisture regulating material may take the form of a salt associated with water, which is best described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,178.

(10) A cover 50 is also found in device 10 and is used to enclose recess 36 of base member 12. Cover 50 is provided with a fastening surface 52 such as a thread, depicted in FIG. 5. Cover 50 is also fashioned with a plurality of apertures 54 which provide communication between container compartment 28 and recess 36 of base member 12. Each of the plurality of apertures possesses a curved edge portion and is depicted in FIG. 2 as being crescent shaped. Plurality of apertures 54 induce the swirling, circular, or turbulent airflow between recess 36 and compartment 28 of container 22 when base member is fastened thereto. Swirling lines 56 of FIG. 5 illustrate such movement of air or gas between recess 36 and compartment 28. Thus, the moisture regulating quality of aggregations of moisture regulating material 42 and 44 acts upon the stored item 28 within compartment 26 of container 22 when base member 12 is fastened to threaded top of container 22, to maintain a level humidity environment.

(11) In operation, the user places carrier element 38, having plate 40 holding aggregations of moisture regulating material 42 and 44, within recess 36 of base member 12. Cover 50 is then positioned over recess 36 to confine carrier element 38 within recess 36. Base member 12 is then fastened to threaded top 24 of container 22 with stored item 28 located within compartment 26 of container 22. The moisture regulating effect of carrier element 38 then takes place due to the plurality of apertures 54 found in cover 50 which is used to enclose recess 36. Cover 50 may be easily removed to replenish carrier element 38 as needed.

(12) While in the foregoing embodiments of the application have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the application it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the application.