CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE BOX FOR MEMORABILIA

Abstract

An atmosphere-controlled system and box for prolonged storage and display of various items, such as memorabilia. Specifically, the oxygen levels and moisture/humidity may be controlled within the box disclosed herein. This helps limit/prevent deterioration and harm to any items that are stored within the box.

Description

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to a controlled atmosphere system for displaying memorabilia. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a controlled atmosphere system including a box for storing and displaying memorabilia, such as shoes.

BACKGROUND

Display cases/boxes are configured to various types of items for a variety of purposes. For example, sports fans often put sporting equipment and/or apparel associated with their favorite teams in display cases/boxes. Examples of the types of sports memorabilia that are often found in display cases/boxes include balls, bats, shoes, pucks, jerseys, photographs, ticket stubs, programs, and any other items that have a connection to a sports team, sporting event, or athlete. Other types of items include pictures, cards, writings, or other types of documents for a wide variety of purposes.

Since the types of memorabilia contained within display cases/boxes may vary widely, corresponding display cases/boxes are designed to take various forms, shapes, and sizes to fit particular types of memorabilia items. Some display cases are designed to be mounted on walls, while other display cases may simply rest on a flat surface, such as a desk or bookcase. However, the current options for display cases/boxes for holding various types of memorabilia are limited.

Most collectors of shoes (e.g. basketball shoes) are not able to visually display their collections without taking the shoes out of their boxes. Each time shoes are removed from their boxes, the shoes risk being damaged or deteriorated, which could greatly decrease their value. Most existing display cases/boxes are not the correct size or shape for displaying shoes. Shoes that are placed in existing display cases/boxes typically deteriorate and change in color (e.g. from white to yellow) due to the exposure to oxygen and humidity. Consequently, there is a need for atmosphere-controlled boxes for prolonged storage and display of various items, such as memorabilia.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An atmosphere-controlled system and box are provided for prolonged storage and display of various items, such as memorabilia. Specifically, the oxygen levels and moisture/humidity may be controlled within the box disclosed herein. This helps limit/prevent deterioration and harm to any items that are stored within the box. As a result, the integrity and value of the items are preserved/increased.

In one embodiment, the atmosphere-controlled system for storing and displaying an item includes a box having a housing defining an opening; a lid removably attached over the opening on the box; a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the interior of the opening of the box by way of a vacuum valve, wherein the vacuum pump is configured to remove oxygen from the interior of the opening in the box.

In some embodiments, the lid includes one or more mechanical seals for creating a tighter seal of the lid over the opening of the box.

In some embodiments, the vacuum pump removes oxygen from the interior of the box through the attachment of a wall fitting in an aperture on one or more sides of the box.

In one embodiment, the system may also include one or more gauges, such as a moisture/humidity meter and/or vacuum meter to help determine moisture/humidity levels and pressure levels, respectively.

The box may further include a compartment for storing desiccant, such as silica gel packets, therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the invention and therefore do not limit its scope because the inventive concepts lend themselves to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary controlled-atmosphere system including a box according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the box does not include an item therein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the system illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the box includes shoes therein as an item of memorabilia.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the box illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the present disclosure may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed and defined herein. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the various embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Directional terms, such as “top”. “bottom”, “front”. “back”, “inwards” “upwards”, “downwards”, “perpendicular”, “parallel” and “laterally” are used in following detailed description for the purpose of providing relative reference only, and are not intended to suggest any limitations on how any article is to be positioned during use, or to be mounted in an assembly or relative to an environment.

REPRESENTATIVE COMPONENT LIST

The following component list is provided as a convenience to the reader. The disclosed technology is not limited to only these representative components that are recited below for purposes of example and convenience for the reader.

• • 10 system
  • 12 item (e.g. shoe)
  • 14 housing
  • 16 first side wall
  • 18 second side wall
  • 26 hollow opening
  • 28 removable lid
  • 30 mechanical seal
  • 34 wall fitting
  • 36 vacuum pump
  • 38 vacuum valve
  • 40 first gauge (e.g. moisture/humidity meter)
  • 42 second gauge (e.g. vacuum meter)
  • 44 stand
  • 46 compartment
  • 50 box

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary controlled-atmosphere system 10 including a box 50 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The box 50 is configured for prolonged storage of an item 12, such as a shoe 12, as shown in FIG. 2. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that other types of items may be stored in other embodiments of the box 50 disclosed in this embodiment and in other boxes and/or cases herein. Non-limiting examples of other items 12 that may be used herein include balls, bats, shoes, helmets, pucks, jerseys, trophies, photographs, ticket stubs, programs, and any other items that have a connection to a sports team, sporting event, or athlete, pictures, cards, writings, and other types of documents or personal items.

The box 50 is adapted for being mounted on a wall or for resting against a flat vertical surface. In an embodiment, a bracket may be used to mount the box 50 to a wall.

The box 50 disclosed herein may have various shapes, sizes, and/or configurations depending on the item to be stored therein. For example, the box 50 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is shaped and configured to hold different types and sizes of shoes. As a result, the box 50 may resemble a shoebox in some embodiments.

In one embodiment, the box 50 includes at least a partially transparent housing 14 configured to store and display an item 12. The dimensions of the housing 14 vary depending on the type of item to be stored therein. For example, the housing 14 of the box 50 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 includes a length of about 15 inches, a width of about 7.5 inches, and a depth of about 10 inches. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the dimensions of the box 50 may vary in other embodiments. The housing 14 may be made from a variety of materials capable of being at least partially transparent, such as clear acrylic or plastic, which allows for the item 12 to be displayed.

As best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the housing 14 is substantially rectangular having a first side wall 16, a second side wall 18, a front wall 20, a rear wall 22, and a bottom 24 defining a hollow opening 26 in the box 50. In other embodiments, the housing 14 may have other shapes, such as a square, circle, polygon, and the like. In an embodiment, the first side wall 16, the second side wall 18, the front wall 20, and the rear wall are transparent. In other embodiments, one or more parts of the housing 14 may be transparent.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the system 10 also includes a removable lid 28 that covers the opening 26 of the box 50. The lid 28 may be made from any suitable material, such as clear acrylic or plastic. Once an item 12, such as a shoe is inserted into the opening 26 of the box 50, the lid 28 is used to seal the opening 26. In some embodiments, the lid 28 also includes one or more mechanical seals 30, such as a gasket, O-ring, plug, piece of rubber, or the like to create a tighter seal of the item 12 in the box 50. As best seen in FIG. 1 and as a non-limiting example, one or more seals 30 are attached to the inside of the lid 28 for creating a tighter seal of the opening 28 and preventing outside airflow into the opening 28. In another embodiment, one or more seals 30 are positioned on the housing 14 and/or the lid 28.

As best seen in FIG. 1, and as a non-limiting example, the box 50 includes an aperture located on a lower corner of the first side wall 16. The aperture is configured to selectively receive a wall fitting 34. The wall fitting 34 fits into the aperture such that no air enters the inside of the opening 26. In other embodiments, the aperture may be located in other positions on the first side wall 16 or on other portions of the housing 14, such as the second side wall 18 or the front wall 20.

As best seen in FIG. 1, and as a non-limiting example, the wall fitting 34 is adapted for coupling with a vacuum pump 36 so that the vacuum pump 36 is in fluid communication with the interior of the opening 26 by way of a vacuum valve 38. The vacuum pump 36 and the vacuum valve 38 are configured to evacuate normal, oxygen-rich air from the interior of the opening 26 in the box 50. As a result, the change in pressure causes a partial vacuum within the box 50. This results in a better seal of the item 12 within the opening 26 of the box 50. Vacuum pump 36 is situated in-line with vacuum valve 38, wall fitting 34 and vacuum meter 42 in the embodiment of FIG. 1. In actual practice, vacuum pump 36 may be situated closer to wall fitting 34 than illustrated.

The vacuum pump 36 may be manually operated by an individual by hand or foot or may be controlled automatically by a computer or machine. The vacuum valve 38 may be actuated manually, pneumatically, electrically, or electromagnetically.

The removal of oxygen gas from the interior of the opening 26 of the box 50 strengthens the seal when the lid 28 covers the item 12 in the box 50. The removal of oxygen also reduces the moisture/humidity inside the box 50. As a result, the item 12 (e.g. shoe) can be protected from deterioration and avoid its value from being diminished.

In an embodiment, a first gauge 40, such as a moisture/humidity meter 40 may be positioned within the interior of the opening 26 of the box 50. Thus, an operator of the system 10 may select a desired moisture content range for controlling humidity within the box 50 as desired depending on the particular item 12 being stored. The first gauge 40 may be in electrical communication with the vacuum pump 36.

As best seen in FIG. 1 and as a non-limiting example, the system 10 also includes a second gauge 42, such as a vacuum meter 42, positioned on a portion of the vacuum pump 36. In an embodiment, the second gauge 42 is positioned between the vacuum valve 38 and the wall fitting 34. In other embodiments, the second gauge 42 is positioned in other locations on the vacuum pump 36. The second gauge 42 is configured to measure the pressure differential in the interior of the opening 26 of the box 50.

In an alternative embodiment, a box may include exactly one gauge. In another alternative embodiment, a box may include more than two gauges.

As best seen in FIG. 1 and as a non-limiting example, the box 50 may also include a stand 44 positioned inside the opening 26. In an embodiment, the stand 44 is connected to the interior of the rear wall. The stand 44 may be positioned on other portions of the box 50 in other embodiments. The stand 44 is configured to receive and/or support the item 12 within the box 50. As a result, the stand 44 helps the item 12 be retained and displayed in a desired position within the interior of the opening 26 of the box 50. The stand 44 may be made from a variety of suitable materials, such as gas impermeable plastics, acrylic, glass, aluminum, metal foils, and any other material or combinations of materials that could be hermetically sealed.

In an alternative embodiment, an item 12 may be positioned directly inside the opening 26 of the box 50 without the use of a stand.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 and as a non-limiting example, the box 50 may also include a compartment 46 for storing a desiccant, such as silica gel packets, or the like. Desiccants may be used to absorb moisture from the air by physical adsorption or by chemical reaction, and thus reduce the humidity in the sealed box 50.

It is to be understood that the various embodiments described in this specification and as illustrated in the attached drawings are simply exemplary embodiments illustrating the inventive concepts as defined in the claims. As a result, it is to be understood that the various embodiments described and illustrated may be combined to from the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. It should be noted that this disclosure can be practiced in other ways than those specifically illustrated and described without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. An atmosphere-controlled system for storing and displaying an item, the system comprising: a box that includes a housing that defines an opening;a lid removably attached over the opening on the box, where the lid includes a seal;a vacuum valve configured to direct the flow of oxygen from the interior of the opening of the box; anda vacuum pump in fluid communication with the interior of the opening in the box by way of the vacuum valve, wherein the vacuum pump is configured to remove oxygen from the interior of the opening of the box.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the vacuum pump is situated in-line with the opening of the box.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein vacuum pump creates a partial vacuum in the box to increase the sealing properties of the seal.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein a humidity meter is situated in the box to measure the humidity within the box.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the humidity meter is in electrical communication with the vacuum pump to control the humidity within the box.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein a vacuum meter is situated is positioned between the vacuum valve and a wall fitting of the box.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the vacuum meter measures the pressure differential in the interior of the opening of the box.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the interior of the box includes a compartment for holding a desiccant to absorb humidity in the interior of the box.