U.S. patent application number 14/265585 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-05 for desiccant container.
The applicant listed for this patent is Patrick GWEN. Invention is credited to Patrick GWEN.
Application Number | 20150314942 14/265585 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54328117 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150314942 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GWEN; Patrick |
November 5, 2015 |
DESICCANT CONTAINER
Abstract
The container for storing a desiccant material includes a
flexible housing having a front panel, a back panel, a sealed end,
and an opened end. The side edges of the front panel attach to side
edges of the back panel so as to form a sleeve. An insert member
mounted within the sleeve forms a first chamber and a second
chamber. The desiccant material is stored in the first chamber, and
water absorbed from the atmosphere is collected in the second
chamber. A drain connects the first chamber and the second chamber
through the insert member. The top of the first chamber can have a
lid member and vapor permeable membrane for exposing the desiccant
material of the first chamber to the atmosphere. A retractable hook
in the lid member supports the container when hanging. The
container is foldable and flexible for convenient storage for
re-use or disposal.
Inventors: |
GWEN; Patrick; (Houston,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GWEN; Patrick |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54328117 |
Appl. No.: |
14/265585 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/204 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 53/0407 20130101;
B01D 53/261 20130101; B65D 25/06 20130101; B01D 2253/112 20130101;
B01D 2253/102 20130101; B65D 25/22 20130101; B01D 2259/40084
20130101; B01D 2259/4508 20130101; B65D 41/005 20130101; B65D 25/38
20130101; B65D 81/266 20130101; B01D 2258/06 20130101; B01D
2251/608 20130101; B01D 2257/80 20130101; B01D 2251/404 20130101;
B01D 2253/106 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/26 20060101
B65D081/26; B65D 41/00 20060101 B65D041/00; B65D 25/38 20060101
B65D025/38; B65D 25/06 20060101 B65D025/06; B65D 25/22 20060101
B65D025/22 |
Claims
1. A container for storing a desiccant material, said container
comprising: a flexible housing having a front panel, a back panel,
a sealed end, and a opened end, wherein side edges of said front
panel attach to side edges of said back panel so as to form a
sleeve, said sealed end at a bottom of said sleeve, said opened end
at a top of said sleeve, said sealed end being made integral with
said front panel and said back panel at a bottom of said sleeve; an
insert member mounted within said sleeve so as to form a first
chamber and a second chamber within said sleeve, said insert member
having a cross-section corresponding to a cross-section of said
sleeve, said first chamber being comprised of a top portion of said
sleeve, said opened end, and a top surface of said insert member,
said second chamber being comprised of a bottom portion of said
sleeve, said sealed end, and a bottom surface of said insert
member; a drain means between said first chamber and said second
chamber for fluid connection from said first chamber to said second
chamber; a vapor permeable membrane placed across said opened end
of said flexible housing, covering said first chamber at a top
portion of said sleeve, a lid member mounted within a top portion
of said sleeve opposite said insert member and over said vapor
permeable membrane, said lid member having a cross-section
corresponding to a cross-section of said sleeve, said lid member
having an upper surface facing outward from said first chamber and
a lower surface facing into said first chamber; and a hanging means
extendable from said upper surface so as to support said flexible
housing in a suspended position
2. The container, according to claim 1, wherein said insert member
is in sealing engagement to said sleeve, said first chamber being
sealed from said second chamber.
3. The container, according to claim 1, wherein said insert member
is friction fit within said sleeve.
4. The container, according to claim 1, wherein said insert member
is removably mounted with adjustable positioning with said
sleeve.
5. The container, according to claim 1, wherein said top surface of
said insert member has a rimmed edge facing said first chamber.
6. The container, according to claim 1, wherein said drain means
comprises an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being on said top
surface of said insert member, said outlet being on said bottom
surface of said insert member.
7. The container, according to claim 6, wherein said inlet is
comprised of a perforated plate on said top surface.
8. The container, according to claim 6, wherein said outlet is
comprised of a collection chamber in fluid connection with said
perforated plate, and a tubular member in fluid connection with
said collection chamber and extending downward from said bottom
surface of said insert member into said second chamber.
9. The container, according to claim 1, wherein said drain means
has one way flow direction from said first chamber to said second
chamber.
10. The container, according to claim 9, wherein said tubular
member has a length to reduce backflow into said first chamber when
inverted.
11. The container, according to claim 1, wherein said lid member is
in sealing engagement to said sleeve, said top portion of said
sleeve being sealed.
12. The container, according to claim 1, said lower surface having
a rimmed border extending downward into said first chamber.
13. The container, according to claim 1, wherein said hanging means
is comprised of a hook element, having a first position extending
upward from said upper surface of said lid member and a second
position retracted into said first chamber.
14. The container, according to claim 13, wherein said hook element
pivots between said first position and said second position through
a slot in said lid member.
15. The container, according to claim 1, further comprising a tab
member extending downward from said lower surface of said lid
member.
16. A container for storing a desiccant material, said container
comprising: a flexible housing having a front panel, a back panel,
a sealed end, and a opened end, wherein side edges of said front
panel attach to side edges of said back panel so as to form a
sleeve, said sealed end at a bottom of said sleeve, said opened end
at a top of said sleeve, said sealed end being made integral with
said front panel and said back panel at a bottom of said sleeve; an
insert member mounted within said sleeve so as to form a first
chamber and a second chamber within said sleeve, said insert member
having a cross-section corresponding to a cross-section of said
sleeve, said first chamber being comprised of a top portion of said
sleeve, said opened end, and a top surface of said insert member,
said second chamber being comprised of a bottom portion of said
sleeve, said sealed end, and a bottom surface of said insert
member; a drain means between said first chamber and said second
chamber for fluid connection from said first chamber to said second
chamber; a lid member mounted within a top portion of said sleeve
opposite said insert member and over said vapor permeable membrane,
said lid member having a cross-section corresponding to a
cross-section of said sleeve, said lid member having an upper
surface facing outward from said first chamber and a lower surface
facing into said first chamber a vapor permeable membrane covering
said lower surface of said lid member and said first chamber, and a
hanging means extendable from said upper surface so as to support
said flexible housing in a suspended position.
17. The container, according to claim 16, wherein said insert
member is in sealing engagement to said sleeve, said top portion of
said sleeve being sealed.
18. The container, according to claim 17, said lid member being
comprised of a slotted plate, said lower surface having a rimmed
border extending downward into said first chamber.
19. The container, according to claim 16, wherein said hanging
means is comprised of a hook element, having a first position
extending upward from said upper surface of said lid member and a
second position retracted into said first chamber, and wherein said
hook element pivots between said first position and said second
position through a slot in said lid member and a slot in said vapor
permeable membrane.
20. The container, according to claim 16, further comprising a tab
member extending downward from said lower surface of said lid
member.
Description
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to a container for storing a
desiccant material. More particularly, the present invention
relates to desiccant container with a chamber to store the
desiccant material and a separate chamber to hold water collected
by the desiccant material. Even more particularly, the present
invention relates to a desiccant container that is flexible and
collapsible.
[0006] 2. Description of Related Art Including Information
Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98
[0007] Hygroscopic substances can absorb water and water vapor to
maintain a dry environment. A desiccant or desiccant material is a
well known hygroscopic substance used to absorb water and water
vapor in enclosed spaces. For a small space, such as a medicine
bottle, a packet of silica gel absorbs moisture to maintain the
integrity of pills stored in the bottle. For a large space, such as
a basement room of a house, a package of calcium sulfate can be
suspended in the air within the room to reduce humidity in the
atmosphere of the room. Other desiccants include activated
charcoal, and calcium chloride.
[0008] The basic container for desiccant includes a housing and a
vapor permeable membrane. The housing and membrane hold the
desiccant in place, while the membrane exposes the desiccant to
moisture in the atmosphere. The desiccant collects water, while
remaining contained in the housing. The housing allows placement of
the desiccant in various locations within the room or other
enclosed space. There are known containers, such as jars to set
upon counters and pouches to hang from a horizontal closet rod.
[0009] Many simple versions of a desiccant container are known.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,592,162, issued to Luce on Apr. 8, 1952, discloses
a hanging container for desiccant material suspended in the air.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,142,830, issued to Esposito et al on Jul. 28, 1964,
describes a container with an indicator for saturation of the
desiccant material inside the container. The container is a
traditional model for setting on a counter or shelf. Various
specialized containers are disclosed for limited applications, such
as air flow through a motor vehicle air conditioning system and
coatings for packaging.
[0010] More recent publications related to specialized desiccant
containers. U.S. Publication No. 20130269293, published for Dowling
on Oct. 17, 2013, describes a container for protein powder in a
sealed jar. U.S. Publication No. 20130213828, published for
Chatterjee et al on Aug. 22, 2013, discloses another specialized
pill bottle with an attached structure to hold desiccant
material.
[0011] Every desiccant container must still account for the
collection of water. Some desiccants absorb and expand in volume,
so the volume of the housing must accommodate this transformation
of the desiccant. Other desiccants condense the water vapor into
water and require a separate housing to store the water. The
condensed water must be funneled away so that the desiccant can
continue to collect. Furthermore, disposable desiccant can be
expensive with purchasing new containers every time. For re-useable
desiccant containers, the ability to maintain the capacity of the
desiccant to absorb and removal of the water from the container are
important considerations. The storage of a desiccant container for
limited seasonal use can also affect the structure and form of the
container.
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of a desiccant container to house desiccant in a
flexible pouch.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of a desiccant container with separate compartments for
desiccant and water storage.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of a desiccant container with a drainage connection to a
water storage compartment.
[0015] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an embodiment of a desiccant container that is
reuseable.
[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of a desiccant container that is collapsible.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of a desiccant container with a collapsible permeable
membrane.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of a desiccant container with removable perforated
opening.
[0019] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
embodiment of a desiccant container with an attachment for hanging
the container.
[0020] These and other objectives and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached
specifications and appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Embodiments of the container for storing a desiccant
material include a container comprising a flexible housing, an
insert member, a drain means, a lid member, a vapor permeable
membrane, and a hanging means. The flexible housing has a front
panel, a back panel, a sealed end, and an opened end. The side
edges of the front panel attach to side edges of the back panel so
as to form a sleeve. There is the sealed end at a bottom of the
sleeve and the opened end at a top of the sleeve so that the
flexible housing a foldable and collapsible pouch or bag. The
insert member is placed within the sleeve to define a first chamber
and a second chamber within the sleeve. The first chamber stores
the desiccant material, and the second chamber holds water
collected by the desiccant material from the atmosphere.
[0022] The insert member generally separates the first and second
chambers in sealed engagement to the sleeve. The insert member has
an adjustable position within the sleeve to set different relative
sizes of the first and second chamber. The desiccant material is
prevented from spilling into the second chamber, and the water in
the second chamber is prevented from leaking into the first
chamber. The insert member can be formed by semi-rigid or rigid
material.
[0023] A drain means in the insert member forms the fluid
connection between the first chamber and the second chamber so that
the water collected by the desiccant material in the first chamber
is separated into the second chamber for storage. In some
embodiments, the drain means comprises an inlet and an outlet. The
inlet on the top surface of the insert member can be a perforated
plate on the top surface, which retains the desiccant material in
the first chamber. The outlet can be comprised of a collection
chamber and a tubular member. The collection chamber maintains
fluid connection with the perforated plate to channel any water
into the tubular member. Water flows through the tubular member
into the second chamber. There is a one way flow direction from the
first chamber to the second chamber to prevent backflow of water
into the desiccant material.
[0024] Embodiments of the top of the first chamber include a vapor
permeable membrane and a lid member. The vapor permeable membrane
is placed across the opened end of the sleeve to cover the first
chamber. The lid member is also mounted within a top portion of the
sleeve to cover and seal the first chamber. In some embodiments,
the membrane is separate from the lid member and can fold into the
first chamber with greater surface area to expose the desiccant
material. In other embodiments, the membrane is more integral with
the lid member and covers the lower surface of the lid member. The
lid member can be formed by semi-rigid or rigid material. The lid
member is in sealing engagement to the sleeve with a compatible
cross-section for sealing the flexible housing.
[0025] There can also be a hanging means for suspending the
container in a hanging position, such as hanging from a closet rod.
Embodiments of the hanging means include a hook element pivotable
between a first position and a second position. The first position
extends upward from the lid member to allow for hanging the
container. The second position retracts downward into the first
chamber. There can also be a tab member extending downward from the
lower surface of the lid member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is front elevation view of an embodiment of the
container for storing a desiccant material, according to the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is perspective view of an embodiment of the container
for storing a desiccant material, according to the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the
container for storing a desiccant material, according to the
present invention.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the container
for storing a desiccant material, showing the upper surface of the
lid member.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the
container for storing a desiccant material, according to the
present amendment.
[0031] FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of an embodiment of the
container for storing a desiccant material, according to the
present amendment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, embodiments of the present invention
include a container 10 for storing a desiccant material. The
container 10 includes a flexible housing 12, an insert member 14, a
drain means 16, a vapor permeable membrane 18, a lid member 20, and
a hanging means 22. The flexible housing 12 has a front panel 30, a
back panel 32, a sealed end 34, and an opened end 36. The side
edges 38 of the front panel 30 attach to side edges 40 of the back
panel 32 so as to form a sleeve 42. The sealed end 34 can be made
integral with the front panel 30 and the back panel 32 at a bottom
of the sleeve 42. The sealed end 34 can also be made from the same
material as the front panel 30 and the back panel 32. A different
thickness can be used for the sealed end 34 as well. The sealed end
34 is at a bottom of the sleeve 42, and the opened end 36 is at a
top of the sleeve 42 so that the flexible housing 12 is like a
pouch or bag. The flexible housing 12 is foldable, flexible and
collapsible for storage and expanding to hold different amounts of
desiccant material and collected water. The side edges 38 of the
front panel 30 and the side edges 40 of the back panel 32 are
affixed together by a heat seal, adhesive, or other sealing
method.
[0033] In the present invention, there is the insert member 14
placed within the sleeve 42 so as to form a first chamber 44 and a
second chamber 46 within the sleeve 42. The first chamber 44 holds
the desiccant material, and the second chamber 46 holds water
collected by the desiccant material. FIGS. 2 and 6 show the insert
member 14 having a cross-section 48 corresponding to a
cross-section 50 of the sleeve 42. The insert member 14 can be
comprised of semi-rigid or rigid material. The insert member 14 can
hold the shape of the cross-section of the sleeve 42. There is a
sealing engagement of the insert member 14 to the sleeve 42 so that
the first chamber 44 is separated from the second chamber 46. The
sealed end 34 and the insert member 14 with compatible
cross-sections hold the volume of the second chamber 46. The
desiccant material remains separate from collected water in the
second chamber 46. The insert member 14 can be removably mounted
with adjustable positioning within the sleeve 42 so that the
relative sizes of the first chamber 44 and the second chamber 46
can be modified according to user preferences. The amount of
desiccant material and the amount of space needed to store the
collected water can be set by the user. With the cross-sections of
the insert member 14 and the sleeve 42 being compatible, the insert
member 14 can be friction fit to the sleeve 42. With the
cooperative cross-sections, the insert member 14 can be removably
or permanently attached to the sleeve 42 by friction fit or other
means. An adhesive or heat seal can more permanently attach the
insert member 14. Other embodiments may include a different kind of
attachment to set the first chamber 44 and the second chamber
46.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the first chamber 44 is formed by a
top portion 52 of the sleeve 42, the opened end 36, and a top
surface 54 of the insert member 14. The second chamber 46 is formed
by a bottom portion 56 of the sleeve 42, the sealed end 34, and a
bottom surface 58 of the insert member 14. The size of the chambers
44, 46 can be changed according to placement of the insert member
14 within the sleeve 42. In some embodiments, the insert member 14
can have the top surface 54 with a rimmed edge 60 facing the first
chamber 44. The rimmed edge 60 prevents desiccant material in the
first chamber 44 from falling into the second chamber 46 along the
front panel 30 and back panel 32. There is separation to isolate
the desiccant material away from the collected water.
[0035] Embodiments in FIGS. 1-3 and 6 show embodiments of the drain
means 16 in the insert member 14. The drain means 16 is placed
between the first chamber 44 and the second chamber 46 for fluid
connection from the first chamber 44 to the second chamber 46.
Water collected by the desiccant material must be removed from the
first chamber 44 to the second chamber 46 through the drain means
16. The embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 and 6 show the drain means 16
comprised of an inlet 62 and an outlet 64. The inlet 62 is on the
top surface 54 of the insert member 14. FIGS. 2 and 6 show the
inlet 62 as a perforated plate 66 with holes for water flow through
the drain means 16. The outlet 64 is on an opposite side of the
insert member 14, extending from the bottom surface 58 of the
insert member 14. The embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3 show the outlet
64 comprised of a collection chamber 68 in fluid connection with
the perforated plate 66, and a tubular member 70 in fluid
connection with the collection chamber 68. The tubular member 70
extends downward from the bottom surface 58 of the insert member 14
into the second chamber 46. FIG. 3 shows a variation with a bent
tubular member 70' in another embodiment.
[0036] The present invention includes the drain means 16 as having
a one way flow direction from the first chamber 44 to the second
chamber 46. There is no backflow of the water from the second
chamber 46 into the desiccant material in the first chamber 44. In
some embodiments, the inlet 62 can include a one-way valve. In the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the tubular member 70 has a length
extended into the second chamber 46. When inverted, the open end of
the tubular member 70 rises about the water level so that water
cannot flow back through the tubular member 70 and into the first
chamber 44. Only a small amount of water already in the tubular
member 70 may be subject to back flow into the first chamber 44.
Similarly, the bent tubular member 70' of FIG. 3 is another
prevention of backflow.
[0037] FIGS. 1-2, 4-6 and 3 also show different embodiments of the
vapor permeable membrane 18. The membrane 18 is placed across the
opened end 36 of the flexible housing 12, covering the first
chamber 44 at a top portion 52 of the sleeve 42. In FIG. 3, the
membrane 18 is flexible and foldable with a cross-section greater
than a cross-section 50 of the sleeve 42. The membrane 18 in FIG. 3
must be folded and tucked in a collapsed configuration. The
membrane 18 remains affixed to the front panel 30 and the back
panel 32, similar to the sealed end 34. The membrane 18 exposes the
desiccant material in the first chamber 44 to the atmosphere. The
greater cross-section increases the amount of desiccant material
exposed through the opened end 36 of the sleeve 42. The membrane 18
in FIG. 3 can extend into the desiccant material for more
absorption of water vapor in the atmosphere. The alternate
embodiments of FIGS. 1-2 and 4-6 show the vapor permeable membrane
18 covering the lower surface 76 of the lid member 20 and the first
chamber 40. This embodiment of the membrane 18 is a layer on the
lid member 20 with a cross-section 78 corresponding to a
cross-section 72 of the lid member 20. The membrane 18 still faces
the desiccant material in the first chamber 44, and the lid member
20 covers the membrane 18 over the first chamber 44.
[0038] The embodiments of the lid member 20 in FIGS. 1-6 all show
the lid member 20 mounted within a top portion 52 of the sleeve
opposite the insert member 14 and over the vapor permeable membrane
18. The lid member 20 can be comprised of semi-rigid or rigid
material. The lid member 20 can hold the shape of the cross-section
of the sleeve 42. The cross-section 72 of the lid member 20
corresponds to a cross-section 50 of the sleeve 42, analogous to
the cross-section 52 of the insert member 14 fitting into the
sleeve 42. The lid member 20 and the insert member 14 with
compatible cross-sections hold the volume of the first chamber 44.
There is sealing engagement to the sleeve 42 so that the first
chamber 44 is sealed with the desiccant material inside. With the
cooperative cross-sections, the lid member 20 can be removably
attached to the opened end 36 by friction fit or other means. An
adhesive or heat seal can more permanently attach the lid member
20. A friction fit closure would be a more temporary attachment for
re-use and refill of the flexible housing 12. Embodiments of the
lid member 20 have an upper surface 74 facing outward from the
first chamber 44 and a lower surface 76 facing into the first
chamber 44. The lid member 20 is vapor permeable so that atmosphere
passes through to the membrane 18. FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 show the lid
member 20 as a slotted plate 80 with grating for passage of air.
The membrane 18 is partially visible through the slotted plate 80
in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6. The embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 and 6 show the
lower surface 76 having a rimmed border 82 extending downward into
the first chamber 44. The insert member 14 and the lid member 20
hold the desiccant material in the bottom and top of the first
chamber 44, respectively.
[0039] FIGS. 1-6 show embodiments with the hanging means 22
extendable from the upper surface 74 of the lid member 20 so as to
support the flexible housing 12 in a suspended position. The
container can be suspended on a closet rod or other horizontal bar.
In embodiments of the present invention, the hanging means 22 can
be comprised of a hook element 84, having a first position
extending upward from the upper surface 74 of the lid member 20 and
a second position retracted into the first chamber 44. The hook
element 84 pivots between the first position and the second
position through a slot 86 in the lid member 20, as shown in FIGS.
2, 4 and 6. FIGS. 1-3 and 6 also show a tab member 88 extending
downward from the rimmed border 82 of the lid member 20. The tab
member 88 supports the alignment of the back panel 32 along the lid
member 20.
[0040] The container of the present invention is used to hold
desiccant material is a first chamber with means for separating
collected water from moisture in the air from the desiccant
material. A second chamber is formed to hold the water separate
from the desiccant material in the first chamber. The insert member
defines these two chambers. The container is assembled by placing
the insert member into the sleeve in order to define the two
chambers. Desiccant material is filled into the first chamber from
the opened end of the sleeve, and then the lid member is secured on
the opened end to seal the desiccant material in the first chamber.
A drain between the first and second chambers separates the water
from the first chamber. There is a vapor permeable membrane between
the lid member and the first chamber so that desiccant material is
exposed to the atmosphere through the membrane and the lid
member.
[0041] Embodiments of the desiccant container of the present
invention form a specialized pouch. The flexible housing remains
squeezable and deformable, while retaining sufficient structure to
hold the desiccant material in the first chamber. The flexible
housing can be collapsed when there is no desiccant material within
the first chamber. The separate compartments for desiccant and
water storage are also maintained, even though the flexible housing
is collapsible. The insert member and lid member keep a
cross-section of the sleeve stable enough to hold desiccant
material and water. The semi-rigid or rigid construction of the
insert member and lid member hold the volume of the first and
second chambers. The compatible cross-sections allow for the
sealing engagement of the insert member and lid member within the
sleeve. Beyond the formation of two chambers, the interface between
the two chambers includes a drainage connection. The one way flow
of water characterizes the fluid connection from the first chamber
with the desiccant to the second chamber for water collection. The
particular drainage connection includes a perforated plate in fluid
connection with a collection chamber and tubular member as the
outlet. The tubular member reduces backflow and insures one way
flow across the drainage connection. The tubular member extends
into the second chamber so that water level in the second chamber
is below the opening of the tubular member when inverted.
Alternatively, the tubular member is bent so that backflow is
prevented even without being inverted. The back flow is reduced by
this outlet structure.
[0042] The embodiments of the desiccant container can be reuseable.
After assembling the container and after the second chamber is
filled with water, the entire container is disposable. The
container and desiccant material can have a one-use only
embodiment. Alternatively, the container can be disassembled. The
lid member can be detached, so that the desiccant material can be
replaced. Also, the insert member can be removed so that the water
can be removed from the second chamber by inverting the container.
The entire container can be reloaded for another use. With multiple
uses, there is a need to store the container. The flexible housing
is collapsible, along with some embodiments of the vapor permeable
membrane. The folded version of the membrane can also be flattened.
The other embodiment of the membrane is attached to the lid member,
so the membrane is stored with the lid member without requiring any
additional space.
[0043] The lid member can also have a hanging means for placement
of the container. The hook element extends and retracts so that the
container can be placed with or without hanging. For storage
purposes, the container can be stacked with the hook element in the
retracted position. There is no hook element permanently extended
to complicate storing and inadvertent damage to the container.
[0044] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is
illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the
details of the illustrated structures, construction and method can
be made without departing from the true spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *