The subject matter of the present disclosure refers generally to storage containers, and, more particularly, to containers that are designed for high-humidity environments.
Humidity is one of the biggest dangers to items that are placed in storage. As moisture builds up within a storage area, pests may become attracted to the storage area and damage the items within. Further, mold and mildew can start to form on items in as little as 7-9 days if the relative humidity is greater than 85%. This may cause the materials to rot and decay over time, ruining the items placed in the storage area. Storage of material in coastal environments, such as at docks and marinas, is particularly plagued by high humidity due to the higher humidity of the environment, and the warm temperatures in addition to the high relative humidity of the air promotes even quicker growth of mold and mildew. In locations that are exposed to salt water, storage is further complicated by the presence of the salt, which can be highly corrosive to metals, particularly in humid conditions.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system that can be used in highly corrosive and humid environments that removes humidity from a storage area.
A system designed for storing materials in a high humidity environment is provided. The system is designed to remove humidity from a storage area so that items are not damaged by said humidity over time. In one aspect, the system removes humidity from the air within a cavity by sucking humidified air through an internal channel of the lid and distributing the humidified air to a dehumidifier where it is dehumidified. In another aspect, the system creates a seal between the lid and the body that prevents water from entering the cavity and damaging materials. Generally, the system is a storage container designed to protect materials within its cavity from water damage. Implementations of the present principles may include storage containers that may be used in humid and/or corrosive environments to protect their contents from damage. Such storage boxes may be used, for example, to provide convenient storage on a dock, improving the appearance of the dock by removing clutter. The storage boxes may also provide security for the owner’s belongings, using the electric actuator to hold the lid closed when not in use. In some locations, for example where a marina’s rules require on-dock storage, a storage box may be used to comply with such rules.
The system generally comprises a body, lid, and dehumidifier contained within the body. Intake fans are designed to pull humidified air from the cavity of the body and push said humidified air through internal channels and conduits that guide said air to the dehumidifier. The body and lid may furthermore be secured to one another, using powerful actuators to hold a lid of the container against a body of the container, and the body may be secured to a surface using anchors. Additionally, an emergency release switch positioned within the container may prevent users from being trapped inside the cavity. The dehumidifier may be powered by shore power, by integrated solar panels, and/or by any other appropriate source of electric power. The lid of a storage box may be powered or unpowered in its opening and closing. In the case of powered lids, automatic opening and closing functionality may be provided using an electric actuator that may be controlled wirelessly, or by a control on the storage box itself.
The foregoing summary has outlined some features of the system and method of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the pertinent art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Additional features that form the subject of the claims will be described hereinafter. Those skilled in the pertinent art should appreciate that they can readily utilize these features for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purpose of the system and method disclosed herein. Those skilled in the pertinent art should also realize that such equivalent designs or modifications do not depart from the scope of the system and method of the present disclosure. For instance, although the present embodiments are described with particular focus on use in a dock, marina, or similar shore or marine environment, one with skill in the art will understand that the system may be used to provide storage in any appropriate environment without departing from the inventive subject matter described herein.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features, including method steps, of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with/or in the context of other particular aspects of the embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, a system “comprising” components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components. Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).
As illustrated in
The electrical components of the system 100 are powered by the power supply 122. The power supply 122 may be any source of power that provides the system 100 with electricity. In one preferred embodiment, the system 100 may comprise of multiple power supplies 122 that may provide power to the system 100 in different circumstances. For instance, the system 100 may be directly plugged into a stationary power source at the power interface 108, which may provide power to the system 100 so long as it remains in one place. In a preferred embodiment, the stationary power source may be a stationary power outlet. However, the system 100 may also be connected to a mobile power source so that the system 100 may receive power even when it is not receiving power from a stationary power source.
In a preferred embodiment, the lid 104 may include a solar panel 106 on its top surface, which may provide electrical power to the system 100. The lid 104 may include a recessed portion, to accommodate the thickness of the solar panel 106, allowing the solar panel 106 to be flush with the surface of the lid 104. The material of the system 100 may include, for example, reinforced plastic or fiber glass. The surfaces may be reinforced with, for example, wood or metal supports that add rigidity to the surface. In other preferred embodiment, the system 100 may be capable of using multiple types of power supplies 122. For instance, as illustrated in
The lid 104 and body 102 may contact each other at a lid edge 202 and body edge 301, respectively. As illustrate in
The lid 104 may include a hinge 230 and structural features to ensure a repeatable, effortless seal. As illustrated in
In a third configuration, a third body edge 432 and third lid edge 434 may have complementary curved surfaces, forming a concave interface. This configuration may be particularly useful for preventing theft by limiting the amount of space for a crowbar to wedge between the body 102 and the lid 104. For instance, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
In embodiments comprising a solar panel, the solar panel 106 may be connected to the interior space via the charging interface 210. The charging interface 210 may include connection points for the solar panel 106, positioned at the back of the solar panel 106 and penetrating the top surface of the lid 104. This charging interface 210 may, in turn, be connected to the charging controller 212, which may regulate charge and prevent battery overcharge and drainage, and then to battery 214. The battery 214 may also, or alternatively, be powered by a stationary power source via the power interface 108, as illustrated in
The actuator controller 216 powers actuators of the system 100 that lift and shut the lid 104. The actuator controller 216 may trigger the raising and lowering of the lid 104 in accordance with a computer readable signal received by said actuator controller from a wired/wireless interface. In a preferred embodiment, the wired/wireless interface is a wireless remote control or fob configured to send a computer readable signal to a communication device, such as an antenna, of the actuator interface. Thus, a user holding said wireless remote control or fob can trigger the actuator controller 216 from anywhere within wireless range. Alternatively, or in addition, the wired/wireless interface may be a wired controller comprising a switch. For instance, wired controller secured to the exterior of the system 100 may be used to open and close the lid 104 via manipulation of the switch. In some preferred embodiments, the wired/wireless interface may include security measures, such as a keypad for the entry of an identification code, a biometric scanner for scanning fingerprints, or a physical key, which may ensure that only an authorized user will have access to the interior of the system 100.
The light controllers 218, 224 control the various lighting 316 of the system 100. The interior light controller 218 controls the lighting 316 of the lid 104 and/or within the cavity of the body 102 whereas the exterior light controller 224 controls the intensity of exterior lighting 316 of the system 100. These light controllers 218, 224 may turn lighting 316 on or off, by dim or brighten lighting 316, and/or control coloring of the lighting 316. For instance, the system 100 may cause the lighting 316 to emit a strong red light in a way that helps a fisherman see without crippling their night vision. Lighting 316 within the cavity is preferably turned on by the system 100 when the lid 104 is opened. This may be accomplished by way of a switch that closes when the lid 104 is in an open position. Although shown as a set of individual lights, in
In some preferred embodiments, sensors may be used to help the light controllers to make decisions on how to manage lighting 316 of the system 100. For instance, a tilt sensor of the lid 104 may be used to collect orientation data so that the system 100 may determine the position of the lid 104 and turn on lighting 316 (such as light emitting diodes (LEDs)) within the lid 104 or body 102 based on the position. In some preferred embodiments, sensors may be used to collect light data so that the system may determine the amount of ambient light (or other environmental factors) within the surrounding environment and adjust the amount of light the exterior lighting 316 produces. Therefore, the interior light controller 218 and exterior light controller 224 may adjust the lighting 316 of the system 100 to best fit the needs of a user at a given time depending on whether the system 100 is currently being used and environmental factors affecting the user and system 100.
The dehumidifier interface 226 may control the operation of the dehumidifier 306 contained within the cavity of the body 102. These interfaces may be implemented as any appropriate device, such as a button, switch, dial, toggle, or any assortment of devices. The dehumidifier controller 228 provides power to the dehumidifier 306 in the system 100 and may further include sensors to measure the internal humidity. Thus, in some preferred embodiments, the system 100 may include a humidistat and/or hygrometer. Intake fans 206 draw air from the cavity of the body 102 and into an internal channel of the lid 104, wherein the internal channel is configured to guide air from the intake fans 206 to an air outlet 208. The air outlet 208 is configured to mate with the air inlet 308 of the conduit 302 when the lid 104 is in a closed position.
In a preferred embodiment, the control panel 221 of the lid 104 includes manual controls that may be used to control various operations of the system 100. In some preferred embodiments, an emergency release interface 222 may be used to trigger the actuator controller 216 to lift the lid 104, providing a person trapped within the system 100 the ability to cause the system 100 to raise the lid 104 so that they might exit. In other preferred embodiments, a display of the control panel may display a user interface, which a user may manipulate to control the various features of the system 100. For instance, a user may control light settings, humidity settings, etc. via the control panel. Therefore, some embodiments of the system 100 may comprise a control panel that acts as the controls for the various components of the system 100.
As illustrated in
The lid 104 may connect to the body 102 via a hinge 230, which is preferable located on the body 102 in the position depicted in
A conduit 302 having an air inlet 308 mates with the air outlet 208 of the lid 104. Air moves from the lid 104, into the conduit 302, via the air outlet 208 and the air inlet 308. The interior of the conduit 302, as shown by a cut-away 304 signified by a dashed line, comprises a dehumidifier 306, which operates to extract moisture from the air that passes through the conduit 302. The dehumidified air exits the conduit 302 by way of vents 310. As illustrated in
Due to the operation of the intake fans 206 in the lid 104, air may circulate through the system 100 until the humidity level of the air has dropped below a specified threshold. Once the humidity level has reached said threshold, the intake fans 206 may reduce speed, or stop entirely, and the dehumidifier 306 may shut off until it is determined that the humidity level has once again risen above the threshold. In a preferred embodiment, the dehumidifier 306 may operate by a Peltier process, but it should be understood that any appropriate dehumidification mechanism may be used without departing from the inventive subject matter described herein. In some cases, moisture that collects at the dehumidifier 306 may drip down to the bottom of the system 100 and may exit the system 100 via one or more drainage holes 318. In other preferred embodiments, moisture may be actively removed from the system 100, for example using a pump.
As illustrated in
The cavity of the body 102 may further be configured according to a user’s needs. Attachment points may be provided on the interior surface, where any appropriate accessory may be mounted. For example, such accessories may include shelves, boxes, and other storage subdivisions. Electrical outlets may also be provided, to allow charging of devices within the system 100, such as radios, flashlights, mobile computing devices, and other personal electrical or electronic devices. In some cases, cold storage may be provided, with the inclusion of a refrigeration unit, which may take up part or all the body 102. Further, as illustrated in
In some preferred embodiments, as illustrated in
The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flow depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. It will be readily understood to those skilled in the art that various other changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and method stages which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this inventive subject matter can be made without departing from the principles and scope of the inventive subject matter.
This application is a continuation of U.S. Application No. 17/525,408, filed on Nov. 12, 2021, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/113,435, filed on Nov. 13, 2020, and the contents of these applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63113435 | Nov 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17525408 | Nov 2021 | US |
Child | 17962946 | US |