HUMIDITY CONTROL CONTAINER

Abstract

A humidity control container may include a container enclosure having an enclosure interior. An enclosure lid may be supported by the container enclosure. The enclosure lid may be selectively deployable in a closed lid position and an open lid position on the container enclosure. The enclosure lid may form a substantially airtight seal with the container enclosure in the closed lid position. At least one humidity pack compartment may be supported by the enclosure lid. The humidity pack compartment may be suitably sized and configured to contain at least one humidity pack. The humidity pack in the humidity pack compartment may be disposed in air communication with the enclosure interior of the container enclosure when the enclosure lid is deployed in the closed lid position on the container enclosure.

Claims

1. A method of preserving a humidity-sensitive substance in a humidity control container, the method comprising: placing at least one humidity pack into a humidity pack compartment supported by an enclosure lid of the humidity control container, wherein the humidity pack compartment is configured to maintain air communication with an enclosure interior of the humidity control container; placing the humidity-sensitive substance into the enclosure interior; closing the enclosure lid to form a substantially airtight seal between the enclosure lid and a container enclosure of the humidity control container; and maintaining the humidity-sensitive substance in the enclosure interior such that moisture from the humidity pack is transferred into the enclosure interior, thereby preserving freshness of the humidity-sensitive substance.

2. A humidity control container for preserving a humidity-sensitive substance, the container comprising: a container enclosure defining an enclosure interior; an enclosure lid supported by the container enclosure and selectively deployable between a closed lid position and an open lid position, the enclosure lid forming a substantially airtight seal with the container enclosure in the closed lid position; and at least one humidity pack compartment supported by the enclosure lid and configured to receive at least one humidity pack in air communication with the enclosure interior when the enclosure lid is in the closed lid position.

3. A humidity control container for preserving a humidity-sensitive substance, the container comprising: a container enclosure having a bottom enclosure panel, a front enclosure panel, a rear enclosure panel, and a pair of side enclosure panels joined to define an enclosure interior; an enclosure lid pivotally coupled to the container enclosure and selectively deployable between a closed lid position, in which the enclosure lid forms a substantially airtight seal with the container enclosure, and an open lid position, in which the enclosure interior is accessible; and at least one moisture-porous humidity pack compartment supported on an interior lid surface of the enclosure lid and configured to contain at least one humidity pack in air communication with the enclosure interior when the enclosure lid is in the closed lid position.

4. The humidity control container of claim 3, wherein the enclosure lid is pivotally coupled to the container enclosure by at least one hinge disposed along a rear edge of the enclosure lid.

5. The humidity control container of claim 3, wherein the humidity pack compartment is positioned substantially at or near a geometric center of the interior lid surface.

6. The humidity control container of claim 3, wherein the humidity pack compartment comprises a fabric, mesh, or netting material configured to allow moisture to pass from the at least one humidity pack into the enclosure interior.

7. The humidity control container of claim 3, further comprising at least one enclosure partition disposed in the enclosure interior to divide the enclosure interior into at least two compartments.

8. The humidity control container of claim 7, wherein the at least one enclosure partition is removably mounted to allow reconfiguration of the enclosure interior.

9. The humidity control container of claim 3, wherein at least one of the bottom enclosure panel, the front enclosure panel, the rear enclosure panel, or the side enclosure panels is fabricated from a material different from a material of at least one other panel, the material or materials selected from wood, metal, plastic, fiberboard, or composites thereof.

10. The humidity control container of claim 9, wherein the material or materials include distinct varieties of wood selected from maple, cherry, mahogany, or combinations thereof.

11. The humidity control container of claim 3, wherein the container enclosure is substantially rectangular such that each panel is joined along respective edges to define the enclosure interior.

12. The humidity control container of claim 3, wherein the enclosure lid comprises an exterior lid surface configured to receive at least one logo, brand, or decorative marking.

13. The humidity control container of claim 3, further comprising at least one humidity pack opening in the humidity pack compartment for placement or removal of the at least one humidity pack.

14. The humidity control container of claim 13, wherein the humidity pack opening is disposed between a bottom compartment panel and a side compartment panel of the humidity pack compartment such that, in the closed lid position, the at least one humidity pack remains in air communication with the enclosure interior.

15. The humidity control container of claim 3, wherein the humidity-sensitive substance comprises Cannabis.

16. The humidity control container of claim 3, wherein the humidity pack compartment is dimensioned to hold a plurality of humidity packs simultaneously.

17. The humidity control container of claim 3, wherein the enclosure lid and the container enclosure form the substantially airtight seal by virtue of a continuous gasket disposed around a rim of at least one of the enclosure lid or the container enclosure.

18. The humidity control container of claim 3, wherein the bottom enclosure panel, the front enclosure panel, the rear enclosure panel, and the side enclosure panels are each joined at a respective edge to form a rectangular prism defining the enclosure interior.

19. The humidity control container of claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to secure the enclosure lid in the closed lid position.

20. The humidity control container of claim 3, further comprising a lid stop or support adapted to maintain the enclosure lid at a fixed angle in the open lid position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

[0065] FIG. 1 presents a front perspective view illustrating a humidity control container in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, with the enclosure lid deployed in the closed lid position on the container enclosure;

[0066] FIG. 2 presents a rear perspective view of the humidity control container in the closed lid position illustrated in FIG. 1, with an enlarged sectional view of the rear enclosure panel of the container enclosure illustrating three different materials forming the rear enclosure panel;

[0067] FIG. 3 presents a top view of the humidity control container;

[0068] FIG. 4 presents a rear view of the humidity control container;

[0069] FIG. 5 presents a top rear perspective view of the humidity control container with the enclosure lid deployed in the open lid position on the container enclosure and a humidity pack container on the interior lid surface of the enclosure lid, and further illustrating a single enclosure partition dividing the enclosure interior into two enclosure compartments;

[0070] FIG. 6 presents a top view of the humidity control container illustrated in FIG. 5;

[0071] FIG. 7 presents a top front perspective view of the humidity control container illustrated in FIG. 5, more particularly illustrating an enlarged perspective view of the humidity pack container;

[0072] FIG. 8 presents an exploded top front perspective view of the humidity control container illustrated in FIG. 5, more particularly illustrating typical placement of a humidity pack in the humidity pack compartment through the humidity pack opening;

[0073] FIG. 9 presents a top rear perspective view of the humidity control container in the open lid position, with two intersecting enclosure partitions dividing the enclosure interior into four enclosure compartments; and

[0074] FIG. 10 presents a top view of the humidity control container illustrated in FIG. 9, with a moisture-sensitive substance in one of the enclosure compartments.

[0075] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments, unless the claims state otherwise. As used herein, the word exemplary or illustrative means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or illustrative is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, left, rear, right, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. As used throughout the specification and claims, the term comprising can also encompass the terms consisting essentially of and consisting of. The term about has the meaning reasonably ascribed to it by a person skilled in the art when used in conjunction with a stated numerical value or range, i.e., denoting from the exact stated value or range to somewhat more or somewhat less than the stated value or range, from a deviation of from 0% with respect to the stated value or range to up to and including 10% of the stated value or range in either direction.

[0077] Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a humidity control container which can be used to preserve and store humidity-sensitive substances such as Cannabis to maintain optimal freshness of the substances prior to consumption.

[0078] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-10, a humidity control container 100 is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown for instance in FIG. 1, the humidity control container 100 may include a container enclosure 102 having an enclosure interior 146 (FIG. 5). An enclosure lid 154 may be supported by the container enclosure 102. The enclosure lid 154 may be selectively deployable in a closed lid position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, and an open lid position, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-10, on the container enclosure 102. In the closed lid position, the enclosure lid 154 may form a substantially airtight seal with the container enclosure 102.

[0079] As illustrated in FIGS. 5-10, at least one moisture-porous humidity pack compartment 180 may be supported by the enclosure lid 154. The humidity pack compartment 180 may be suitably sized and configured to contain at least one humidity pack 194 (FIG. 8). When the enclosure lid 154 is deployed in the closed lid position on the container enclosure 102, the humidity pack 194 in the humidity pack compartment 180 may be disposed in air communication with the enclosure interior 146 of the container enclosure 102. Accordingly, humidity from the humidity pack 194 may waft from the humidity pack compartment 180 into the enclosure interior 146 of the container enclosure 102 to maintain optimum moisture of at least one moisture-sensitive substance 198 (FIG. 10) contained in the enclosure interior. The enclosure lid 154 may be periodically deployed from the closed lid position to the open lid position to facilitate access and removal of the moisture-sensitive substance 198 from the enclosure interior 146 and returned to the closed lid position to restore the humidity of the enclosure interior 146 for continued storage of the substance 198.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the enclosure lid 154 may have an interior lid surface 164. The interior lid surface 164 of the enclosure lid 154 may form an enclosure ceiling in the enclosure interior 146 in the closed lid position. The humidity pack compartment 180 may be supported by the interior lid surface 164 of the enclosure lid 154. The humidity pack compartment 180 may be supported by the interior lid surface 164 of the enclosure lid 154 substantially at the geometric center of the enclosure lid 154.

[0081] In some embodiments, at least one lid hinge 168 may pivotally attach the enclosure lid 154 to the container enclosure 102. The lid hinge 168 may facilitate pivotal or hinged deployment of the enclosure lid 154 in the closed lid position and the open lid position.

[0082] As illustrated in FIGS. 5-10, in some embodiments, at least one enclosure partition 148 may be disposed in the enclosure interior 146 of the container enclosure 102. The enclosure partition 148 may divide the enclosure interior 146 into at least two enclosure compartments 150. For example and without limitation, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, in some embodiments, a single enclosure partition 148 may divide the enclosure interior 146 into two enclosure compartments 150. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, in some embodiments, a pair of intersecting enclosure partitions 148 may divide the enclosure interior 146 into four enclosure compartments 150. In various applications, any desired number of the enclosure partitions 148 may be provided in the enclosure interior 146 to form the corresponding desired number of enclosure compartments 150. The enclosure partitions 148 may be fixedly or removably deployable in the enclosure interior 146, typically according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0083] In some embodiments, the container enclosure 102 may include a bottom enclosure panel 104. A front enclosure panel 114, a rear enclosure panel 136 and a pair of side enclosure panels 124 may extend from the bottom enclosure panel 104. In the closed lid position, the enclosure lid 154 may rest on the front enclosure panel 114, the rear enclosure panel 136 and the side enclosure panels 124.

[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, at least one of the bottom enclosure panel 104, the front enclosure panel 114, the rear enclosure panel 136 and the side enclosure panels 124 may be fabricated of different materials 172, 174, 176. The different materials 172, 174, 176 may include a first material 172, a second material 174 and a third material 176 which may be included in the corresponding bottom enclosure panel 104, front enclosure panel 114, rear enclosure panel 136 and/or side enclosure panel 124 in any combination. In some embodiments, at least one of the first material 172, the second material 174 and the third material 176 may include wood. For example and without limitation, the first material 172, the second material 174 and the third material 176 may include a first wood, a second wood and a third wood, respectively. The first material 172, the second material 174 and the third material 176 may include maple, cherry and mahogany, respectively, in any combination. The first material 172, the second material 174 and the third material 176 may be selected according to the aesthetic tastes of the user to impart various colors and/or appearances to the humidity control container 100, as well as the imperviousness of the material or materials 172, 174, 176 to moisture. Non-limiting examples of materials which may be suitable for one or more of the materials 172, 174, 176 may include but are not limited to wood, metal, plastic, cardboard, fiberboard, composite materials and combinations thereof.

[0085] In some embodiments, each of the bottom enclosure panel 104, the front enclosure panel 114, the rear enclosure panel 136 and the side enclosure panels 124 may be square or rectangular. Accordingly, the bottom enclosure panel 104 may have a front bottom panel edge 106, a rear bottom panel edge 108 and a pair of side bottom panel edges 110. The front enclosure panel 114 may have a bottom front panel edge 116 which extends along the front bottom panel edge 106 of the bottom enclosure panel 104, a top front panel edge 118 and a pair of side front panel edges 120. The rear enclosure panel 136 may have a bottom rear panel edge 138 which extends along the rear bottom panel edge 108 of the bottom enclosure panel 104, a top rear panel edge 140 and a pair of side rear panel edges 142. Each side enclosure panel 124 may have a bottom side panel edge 126 which extends along a corresponding side bottom panel edge 110 of the bottom enclosure panel 104, a top side panel edge 128, a front side panel edge 130 which extends along a corresponding side front panel edge 120 of the front enclosure panel 114 and a rear side panel edge 132 which extends along a corresponding side rear panel edge 142 of the rear enclosure panel 136.

[0086] In some embodiments, the enclosure lid 154 may have a rear lid edge 156, a front lid edge 158 and a pair of side lid edges 160. The lid hinges 168 may pivotally attach the rear lid edge 156 of the enclosure lid 154 to the top rear panel edge 140 of the rear enclosure panel 136. In the closed lid position of the enclosure lid 154, the rear lid edge 156 may engage the top rear panel edge 140 of the rear enclosure panel 136; the front lid edge 158 may engage the top front panel edge 118 of the front enclosure panel 114; and the side lid edges 160 may engage the top side panel edges 128 of the respective side enclosure panels 124. In alternative embodiments, the container enclosure 102 and the enclosure lid 154 may have alternative shapes such as circular, oval or elliptical, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal or any other polygonal or non-polygonal shape.

[0087] In some embodiments, at least one of the bottom enclosure panel 104, the front enclosure panel 114, the rear enclosure panel 136 and the side enclosure panels 124 may have an exterior panel surface 144. At least one logo (not illustrated) may be applied to the exterior panel surface 144 of at least one of the bottom enclosure panel 104, the front enclosure panel 114, the rear enclosure panel 136 and the side enclosure panels 124.

[0088] In some embodiments, the enclosure lid 154 may have an exterior lid surface 166. At least one logo (not illustrated) may be applied to the exterior lid surface 166 of the enclosure lid 154.

[0089] In some embodiments, the humidity pack compartment 180 may be fabricated of a moisture-porous material such as fabric, netting or meshwork. As illustrated in FIGS. 5-10, in some embodiments, the humidity pack compartment 180 may have a rear compartment panel 182, a front compartment panel 184, a first side compartment panel 186, a second side compartment panel 188 and a bottom compartment panel 190. The rear compartment panel 182, the front compartment panel 184, the first side compartment panel 186 and the second side compartment panel 188 may be disposed proximate the rear lid edge 156, the front lid edge 158 and the side lid edges 160, respectively, of the enclosure lid 154. The rear compartment panel 182, the front compartment panel 184, the first side compartment panel 186 and the second side compartment panel 188 of the humidity pack compartment 180 may be disposed substantially equidistant from the rear lid edge 156, the front lid edge 158 and the side lid edges 160, respectively, of the enclosure lid 154. In alternative embodiments, the humidity pack compartment 180 may have alternative shapes such as circular, oval or elliptical, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal or any other polygonal or non-polygonal shape, and may or may not match the corresponding shape of the container enclosure 102 and the enclosure lid 154. For example and without limitation, in some embodiments, the humidity pack compartment 180 may include at least one bag, pouch or the like.

[0090] At least one humidity pack opening 192 may be provided in the humidity pack compartment 180. The humidity pack opening 192 may facilitate placement and removal of the humidity pack 194 with respect to the interior of the humidity pack compartment 180. The humidity pack opening 192 may additionally facilitate wafting of moisture from the humidity pack 194 to the enclosure interior 146 of the container enclosure 102.

[0091] In some embodiments, the humidity pack opening 192 may be disposed between the bottom compartment panel 190 and the first side compartment panel 186 of the humidity pack compartment 180, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The humidity pack opening 192 may maintain air communication between the humidity pack 194 in the humidity pack compartment 180 and the enclosure interior 146 of the container enclosure 102 when the enclosure lid 154 is disposed in the closed lid position on the container enclosure 102. In some embodiments, at least one humidity pack opening 192 may be provided in all or any combination of the rear compartment panel 182, the front compartment panel 184, the first side compartment panel 186, the second side compartment panel 188 and the bottom compartment panel 110 of the humidity pack compartment 180.

[0092] In typical application, the humidity control container 100 may be used to store at least one moisture-sensitive substance 198 (FIG. 10) in such a manner as to maintain the moisture and freshness of the substance 198 until consumption or use of the substance 198. In some applications, the substance 198 may include Cannabis. In other applications, the substance 198 may additionally or alternatively include other substances a certain moisture level of which is required to be retained to maintain the freshness of the substance 198.

[0093] The enclosure lid 154 may initially be deployed to the open lid position on the container enclosure 102. As illustrated in FIG. 8, a fresh humidity pack 194 may be placed in the humidity pack compartment 180. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the moisture-sensitive substance 198 may be placed in one of the enclosure compartments 150 in the enclosure interior 146. In some embodiments, a selected quantity of the same or different substances 198 may be placed in the enclosure compartments 150. The enclosure lid 154 may then be returned to the closed lid position on the container enclosure 102, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

[0094] As the substance 198 remains stored in the enclosure interior 146, moisture may emanate or waft from the humidity pack 194 typically through the humidity pack opening 192 in the humidity pack compartment 180 and into the enclosure interior 146. Due to the typically central location of the humidity pack compartment 180 on the enclosure lid 154 as well as the typically porous nature of the material which may be used to fabricate the humidity pack compartment 180, the moisture may homogenously fill the enclosure interior 146 from all directions of the humidity pack compartment 180 such that the entire volume of the enclosure interior 146 receives a uniform quantity of the moisture. Accordingly, the moisture level of the substance 198 may reach equilibrium with the moisture in the enclosure interior 146 to maintain the necessary uniform moisture and freshness of the substance 198 prior to use.

[0095] When consumption or use of the substance 198 is desired, the enclosure lid 154 may be deployed from the closed lid position to the open lid position on the container enclosure 102. A portion or the entire quantity of the substance 198 may be removed from the enclosure interior 146 for use. The enclosure lid 154 may be deployed back to the closed lid position such that additional moisture emanates or wafts from the humidity pack compartment 180 into the enclosure interior 146. Additional portions of the substance 198 may subsequently be retrieved from the enclosure interior 146 in similar manner.

[0096] After prolonged use of the humidity control container 100, the humidity pack 194 may eventually become depleted of moisture. Accordingly, the enclosure lid 154 can be opened on the container enclosure 102, the depleted humidity pack 194 removed from the humidity pack compartment 180 typically through the humidity pack opening 192 and a replacement humidity pack 194 placed in the humidity pack compartment 180 for continued use of the humidity control container 100.

[0097] Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.