Patent Application
20230174287
Some implementations relate generally to containers for herbs or plant material, and, more particularly, to a humidity-controlled container that includes a magnet to releasably secure a humidity pack to the inside of the lid of the container.
Use of humidity packs in storage containers for plant material such as herbs or tobacco is common. However, the humidity packs in some conventional containers can come into direct contact with the plant material stored in the container and possibly affect flavor or other attributes of the plant material.
Embodiments were conceived in light of the above-mentioned problems and limitations, among other things. The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventor(s), to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Some implementations can include a humidity-controlled container comprising a bottom container, a top lid configured to fit onto the bottom container, where at least a portion of the top lid is formed of a material a magnet is attracted to. The humidity-controlled container can also include a magnet and a container seal disposed where the top lid meets a top lip of the bottom container.
The humidity-controlled container can further include a replaceable humidity pack that is releasably secured to the top lid using the magnet. In some implementations, the replaceable humidity pack includes a two-way replaceable humidity pack.
In some implementations, the magnet is a neodymium magnet. In some implementations, the top lid is formed from a material such as a metal that magnets are attracted to. In some implementations, the top lid is formed from a nonmagnetic material and includes a magnetic portion affixed to an area of the top lid where the magnet will be attracted to such that the replaceable humidity pack can be releasably secured to the top lid.
In some implementations, the magnet is encased in silicone. In some implementations, the silicone encasing the magnet is a food grade or food safe material. In some implementations, the magnet is encased in a food grade or food safe material.
In operation, plant material such as herbs or tobacco or other material 112 is placed into the bottom container 104. The humidity pack 106 is releasably secured to the top lid 102 using the magnet 108. The top lid 102 is then fit onto (e.g., fit over) the bottom container 104 such that a top edge of the bottom container 104 engages the container seal 110 in the top lid to create an airtight (or nearly airtight) seal to keep the plant material 112 moist and fresh for a longer period of time than in a container without an airtight seal and/or humidity pack.
The humidity pack 106 can include a “two-way” humidity pack, meaning it can remove or add humidity. These packs are designed to achieve a specified humidity percentage, with a common humidity level being 62% (although 58% or other humidity percentages are sometimes used). An example of a commercially available humidity pack includes the packs manufactured by Boveda.
The magnet 108 can be a neodymium magnet or the like.
The top lid 102 can be formed from material such as a metal that magnets are attracted to or can be formed from a nonmagnetic material and have a magnetic portion affixed to an area (e.g., near the center of the top lid 102) where the magnet will be attracted to such that the humidity pack 106 can be releasably secured to the top lid 102.
In some implementations, the magnet 108 can be encased in a silicone (e.g., a high grip silicon) or other elastomeric material for easier handling. The material encasing the magnet 108 can be a food grade or food safe material.
While some example implementations have been described in terms of a general embodiment with several specific example modifications, it is recognized that other modifications and variations of the embodiments described above are within the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter. Applicant intends to embrace any and all such modifications, variations and embodiments.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63/244,790, entitled “HUMIDITY-CONTROLLED CONTAINER,” filed on Sep. 16, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63244790 | Sep 2021 | US |
