FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to containers and/or other similar consumer goods, and in particular, to a system and associated method for an apparatus for preservation of articles stored therein.
BACKGROUND
Certain articles of value are susceptible to decay and deterioration due to light, temperature, dirt (particulate contamination), mold, humidity, hydrolysis due to moisture in the air, and oxidation with exposure to oxygen. For instance, shoes that have inherent monetary and/or personal value such as Nike Air Force 1s can include plastic materials, color configurations and adhesives that can deteriorate over time due to environmental factors. Other articles of monetary or personal value that are also susceptible to degradation due to environmental factors include collectible cards of various subjects, postage stamps, clothing, electronics, media including tapes, photography film, documents.
It is with these observations in mind, among others, that various aspects of the present disclosure were conceived and developed.
SUMMARY
Aspects of the present novel disclosure may take the form of an apparatus including at least one container. The at least one container is configured to maintain an internal atmospheric composition and includes an interior cavity in communication with an opening configured to receive an article. The apparatus further includes an access door that provides access to the interior cavity along the opening of the at least one container, the access door including a sealing mechanism that couples the access door along the opening such that the sealing mechanism prevents permeation of air from an external environment into the interior cavity. The apparatus further includes an inlet valve coupled to the interior cavity of the container and configured to provide one-way fluid flow of a selected gas into the interior cavity to reach and maintain the internal atmospheric composition and preserve the article. The apparatus further includes an outlet valve coupled to the interior cavity that establishes one-way fluid flow communication from the interior cavity to the external environment that further contributes to maintaining the internal atmospheric composition.
In some examples, the apparatus is configured to: receive an article within the interior cavity of the container through the airtight seal provided collectively by the opening and the access door, assume a sealed configuration wherein the opening is closed or sealed via the access door, establish one-way fluid flow of air from the internal cavity to the external environment by engaging (opening) the outlet valve, receive a selected gas to within the interior cavity through the inlet valve such that undesired components including oil, oxygen, moisture, and the like are purged from the interior cavity through the outlet valve by pressure from the incoming selected gas, and form the internal atmospheric composition whereby the interior cavity is limited or devoid of the undesired components. In some examples, canisters of the selected gas include a predetermined amount of the selected (compressed) gas so as to fill the entire interior cavity, thereby flushing or purging the interior cavity of the previous air composition. Once the necessary or desired amount of inlet gas is transferred through the inlet valve, the inlet valve and the outlet valve can be shut or closed.
Aspects of the present novel disclosure may take the form of a method of making an apparatus that preserves an article, comprising the steps of: forming at least one container configured to maintain an internal atmospheric composition, the at least one container including an interior cavity in communication with an opening configured to receive an article; forming an access door along the opening of the at least one container that provides air-tight access to the interior cavity; coupling an inlet valve to the interior cavity that provides one-way fluid flow of a selected gas into the interior cavity; and coupling an outlet valve to the interior cavity that provides one-way fluid flow communication from the interior cavity to the external environment.
These examples and features, along with many others, are discussed in greater detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration showing a container including an outer container for preservation of articles;
FIGS. 2A and 2B are a series of illustrations showing front, side, and rear views of the container of FIG. 1 in a first “pillow” configuration;
FIGS. 3A-3C are a series of illustrations showing front, side, and rear views of the container of FIGS. 2A and 2B filled with an inert gas and including an article;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are a series of illustrations showing operation of an inlet valve with a canister of the container of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 5A-5E are a series of illustrations showing operation of an outlet valve of the container of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 6A-6D are a series of illustrations showing the container of FIG. 1 in a second “box” configuration;
FIG. 7 is an illustration showing an exploded view of the container of FIGS. 6A-6D;
FIGS. 8A-8C are a series of illustrations showing an access door of the container of FIG. 7 in respective closed and open configurations;
FIG. 9A is an illustration showing an inlet valve of the container of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9B is an illustration showing an outlet valve of the container of FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a graphical representation showing color change results for an article having been exposed to high temperature, humidity and direct UV light with and without the container of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 11 is a process flow showing a method of protecting an article using the container of FIG. 1.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the view of the drawings. The headings used in the figures do not limit the scope of the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present technology may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, the present technology may employ various types of materials, gases, valves, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions. In addition, the present technology may be practiced in conjunction with any number of applications, and the apparatus described is merely one exemplary application for the technology.
Various representative implementations of the present technology may be used to store, preserve, and protect footwear, for example, sneakers or sports shoes. In addition, embodiments may be applicable for housing and storing any other collectable items that contain oxygen and/or moisture-sensitive materials, such as comic books, figurines, dolls, sports cards, game playing cards, books, documents, photographs, and the like. Embodiments of the present technology may protect and preserve items by preventing decay and deterioration of the item due to light, temperature, dirt, mold, humidity, hydrolysis due to moisture in the air, and oxidation with exposure to air.
Referring now to FIG. 1, in an exemplary embodiment of the present technology, an apparatus as described herein may take the form of at least one container 100 that defines an interior cavity 102 in communication with an opening 146 formed by a container body 104. In general, the container 100 receives at least one article 10 within the interior cavity 102 for preservation of the article 10. In one embodiment, the container 100 includes an access door 106 that provides access to the interior cavity 102 along the opening 146 of the container 100. The access door 106 includes a sealing mechanism 160 that couples the access door 106 along the opening 146 such that the container 100 is impermeable to ambient air (i.e., airtight). The sealing mechanism 160 can include, without limitation, a zipper arrangement, or other such airtight sealing component. The container 100 includes an atmospheric control mechanism 110 to maintain an internal atmospheric composition that preserves the article 10 or otherwise prevents degradation of the article 10 due to various factors. In some embodiments, the container body 104 can include a plurality of container walls (or container panels) arranged to form the interior cavity 102 of the container 100.
In a first example shown in FIGS. 2A-5B, the container 100 can take the form of a pillow-like configuration constructed using two container walls. In another example shown in FIGS. 6A-9B, a container 200 may have a cube or otherwise box-like shape configuration with six container walls. Further, in some embodiments, the container 100 (and/or 200) can include an outer container 180 that receives and at least partially encapsulates the container 100.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, the atmospheric control mechanism 110 of the container 100 includes an inlet valve 112 coupled to the interior cavity 102 that enables one-way fluid flow of a selected gas into the interior cavity 102. The selected gas can be applied to maintain the internal atmospheric composition of the interior cavity 102 such that the internal atmospheric composition of the interior cavity 102 of the container 100 is free from various contaminants including dust, oxygen, water, atmospheric moisture (humidity), reactive oxygen species, airborne chemical pollutants and/or airborne chemicals not conducive to the longevity or preservation of the article 10 to be protected, as further described herein. The inlet valve 112 can be a one-way valve that engages with an external canister 120 that provides the selected gas to accommodate one-way fluid flow communication of the selected gas from the external canister 120 into the interior cavity 102. As shown, the inlet valve 112 can engage with the external canister 120 through an inflator device 122 that propels the selected gas from the external canister 120 into the interior cavity 102 or otherwise establishes an “airtight” connection between the external canister 120 and the interior cavity 102. Further, the atmospheric control mechanism 110 of the container 100 includes an outlet valve 114 coupled to the interior cavity 102 that establishes one-way fluid flow communication from the interior cavity 102 to the external environment to purge the interior cavity 102 of air that includes contaminants such as dust, oxygen, water, atmospheric moisture (humidity), reactive oxygen species, airborne chemical pollutants and/or airborne chemicals not conducive to the longevity or preservation of the article 10 to be protected. In an operation which will be described in greater detail below, the outlet valve 114 can be configured for manual or automatic release (e.g., can “open” to release air when an air pressure within the interior cavity 102 meets and/or exceeds a predetermined threshold value). Collectively, the atmospheric control mechanism 110 of the container 100 maintains the internal atmospheric composition of the interior cavity 102 such that the internal atmospheric composition of the interior cavity 102 of the container 100 is free from various contaminants including dust, oxygen, water, atmospheric moisture (humidity), reactive oxygen species, airborne chemical pollutants and/or airborne chemicals not conducive to the longevity or preservation of the article 10 to be protected.
With reference to FIGS. 2A-3C, the container body 104 of the container 100 includes at least a front panel 142 and a rear panel 144 that collectively encapsulate the interior cavity 102. In the example shown, the front panel 142 and the rear panel 144 can be of a flexible material to enable the container 100 to accommodate articles of varying shapes and sizes. As illustrated, the front panel 142 can include the atmospheric control mechanism 110 including the inlet valve 112 and the outlet valve 114. The front panel 142 can also provide the opening 146 of the interior cavity 102 including the access door 106 that provides access to the interior cavity 102 along the opening 146 of the container 100. The access door 106 includes the sealing mechanism 160 that couples the access door 106 along the opening 146 to prevent permeation of ambient air (i.e., airtight) such that air cannot enter or leave the interior cavity 102 through the access door 106 when the access door 106 is sealed. In the example shown, the sealing mechanism 160 includes an airtight zipper 162, although various other embodiments of the sealing mechanism 160 are contemplated including a gasket, a press-seal mechanism, and/or an adhesive mechanism. As illustrated, the rear panel 144 can include a transparent portion 164 that enables viewing of the article 10 encapsulated within the interior cavity 102. Further, the container body 104 can include a handle 148 for ease of transport and handling of the container 100. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the container 100 can inflate upon introduction of the selected gas into the interior cavity 102. As shown, when inflated, the container 100 can provide cushioning to prevent the article 10 within the interior cavity 102 from being crushed.
In addition, the container body 104 of the container 100 can be formed using a material that is impenetrable by air, such as plastic, metal, and the like. In one embodiment, the container body 104 can be formed using a flexible material that provides a moveable structure and shape. For example, the container body 104 can be formed using flexible PVC, rubber, TPU, silicon, and the like, and can further be lined with one or more insulating and/or sealing materials such as BoPET (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate) (e.g., Mylar). The container body 104 can also be formed using a woven fiber material such as cotton, polyester and/or nylon that can be coated with a sealing material to provide airtight resistance to chemicals, temperature, ozone, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, mold, mildew, and abrasion.
In some embodiments, a material used to form the container body 104 can be opaque, in particular the front panel 142 and in some embodiments a portion of the rear panel 144. In other embodiments, a material used to form the transparent portion 164 of the container body 104 can be transparent or translucent and can include an UV blocking property. For example, the UV blocking property can be integrated within the material or can include a film having a UV blocking property that can adhere to the container body 104.
The container 100 can further include the outer container 180 that forms an outer layer 182 configured to surround the container 100. In other words, the container 100 can be disposed within (e.g., nested within) the outer container 180. The outer layer 182 can have a similar overall shape as the container 100 but may have larger dimensions than the container 100 to allow the container 100 to fit within the outer layer 182. In some embodiments, the outer layer 182 can be of a rigid material, or can be of a flexible material. In the embodiment of the container 100 being of a flexible material, it can be advantageous for the outer layer 182 to be of a rigid material to prevent crushing of the container 100 and/or article 10 enclosed. In some embodiments, the outer layer 182 can include at least one removable panel (not visible, see removable panel 284 of FIGS. 6C and 6D) that can be completely or partially removable from the remaining portions of the outer layer 182. For example, the removable panel may connect to other portions of the outer layer 182 using any suitable fastener, such as Velcro, pins, buttons, snaps, slide fasteners, buckles, zippers, hooks and eyes, ties, or any combination thereof. The outer layer 182 can include any suitable material that provides light/UV shielding, abrasion resistance, and/or desirable aesthetics. For example, the outer layer 182 may comprise a nylon material, polyester material, cotton material, or the like.
The outer layer 182 can further include a first aperture 186 adapted to accommodate the inlet valve 112 and a second aperture 188 adapted to accommodate the outlet valve 114. For example, when the container 100 is placed inside the outer layer 182, the inlet valve 112 can extend through the first aperture 186 and the outlet valve 114 can extend through the second aperture 188.
With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the atmospheric control mechanism 110 of the container 100 includes the inlet valve 112 coupled to the interior cavity 102 that enables one-way fluid flow of the selected gas into the interior cavity 102. The inlet valve 112 can be a one-way valve that couples with the external canister 120 that provides the selected gas to accommodate one-way fluid flow communication of the selected gas from the external canister 120 into the interior cavity 102. For example, the inlet valve 112 can be a one-way valve such as a Schrader valve, a Presta valve and/or a Dunlop valve. In some embodiments, the external canister 120 can indirectly couple with the inlet valve 112 by the inflator device 122 that propels the contents of the external canister 120 into the interior cavity 102 through the inlet valve or otherwise establishes an “airtight” connection between the external canister 120 and the inlet valve 112. The inlet valve 112 can be configured to allow the selected gas to enter the interior cavity 102 when the inlet valve 112 is directly or indirectly coupled with the external canister 120, and can further be configured to prevent ambient air from an external environment from entering the interior cavity 102 and to prevent expulsion of gas from the interior cavity 102 out of the inlet valve 112.
The selected gas can be selected to maintain the internal atmospheric composition such that the internal atmospheric composition of the interior cavity 102 of the container 100 is free from various contaminants including dust, oxygen, water, atmospheric moisture (humidity), reactive oxygen species, airborne chemical pollutants and/or airborne chemicals not conducive to the longevity or preservation of the article 10 to be protected. In a primary embodiment, the selected gas includes at least one inert gas (e.g., a non-reactive gas). For example, the selected gas can include noble gases such as argon and/or other inert gases such as purified nitrogen. The selected gas is devoid of moisture or oils to prevent moisture and/or oil-related degradation or contamination of the article 10. In some embodiments, an amount of the selected gas within the external canister 120 can be sized such that, when released, the external canister 120 provides an equal or greater volume of the selected gas than a volumetric capacity of the interior cavity 102 of the container 100. In one example, the external canister 120 can include 6.5 g of the selected gas, which can be more than enough to fill the entire interior cavity 102 if the inflated dimensions of the container 100 are 343 mm by 251 mm by 130 mm. As such, the external canister 120 can flush or purge the interior cavity 102 and the majority of the internal atmospheric composition within the interior cavity 102 will be left with the selected gas.
Further, with reference to FIGS. 5A-5E, the atmospheric control mechanism 110 of the container 100 includes the outlet valve 114 coupled to the interior cavity 102 that establishes one-way fluid flow communication from the interior cavity 102 to the external environment to purge the interior cavity 102 of air that includes contaminants such as dust, oxygen, water, atmospheric moisture (humidity), reactive oxygen species, airborne chemical pollutants and/or airborne chemicals not conducive to the longevity or preservation of the article 10 to be protected. As such, the outlet valve 114 further contributes to maintaining the internal atmospheric composition. In particular, the outlet valve 114 can assume a first “closed” configuration (FIG. 5B) that prevents intake of air from the external environment into the interior cavity 102 and prevents expulsion of pressurized air from the interior cavity 102 when an air pressure within the interior cavity 102 is below a predetermined threshold value. Further, the outlet valve 114 can be configured to release pressurized air within the interior cavity 102 and in some embodiments can include a relief mechanism 116 (FIG. 5E) that opens the outlet valve 114 to a second “venting” configuration (FIG. 5D) when an air pressure within the interior cavity 102 meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold value. The outlet valve 114 can also be configured for manual operation such that a user can “toggle” the outlet valve 114 between the first “closed” configuration and the second “venting” configuration as needed to purge the interior cavity 102 of air that includes contaminants. In some embodiments, the outlet valve 114 can be configured for modulation of a flow rate of air being expelled through the outlet valve 114 by constricting or dilating a venting path through the outlet valve 114 until a desired flow rate is reached. For example, an intermediate “constricted venting” configuration is shown in FIG. 5C where an indicator 118 of the outlet valve 114 shows an intermediate position between the “closed” configuration of FIG. 5B and the “venting” configuration of FIG. 5D, resulting in an intermediate flow rate. Further, in some embodiments, the relief mechanism 116 of the outlet valve 114 can be configured for manual adjustment such that a user can set and/or modulate the predetermined threshold value at which the relief mechanism 116 opens and/or closes the outlet valve 114.
During operation of the atmospheric control mechanism 110, the selected gas enters the interior cavity 102 of the container 100 through the inlet valve 112, which increases an air pressure within the interior cavity 102. The outlet valve 114 can be in the first “closed” configuration until the air pressure reaches a predetermined threshold, at which the relief mechanism 116 of the outlet valve 114 activates and the outlet valve 114 assumes the second “venting” configuration. In another aspect, the outlet valve 114 can be manually transitioned between the first “closed” configuration and the second “venting” configuration prior to or during introduction of the selected gas into the interior cavity 102. Pressurized air, including air that includes contaminants mentioned above, exits the interior cavity 102 through the outlet valve 114 when the outlet valve is in the second “venting” configuration. When the outlet valve 114 is in the second “venting” configuration, the outlet valve 114 purges air that includes contaminants from the interior cavity 102 as the interior cavity 102 is filled with the selected gas (e.g., the force of the selected gas entering the interior cavity 102 at the inlet valve 112 displaces the air within the interior cavity 102 and forces the air out of the outlet valve 114).
The dilution and venting of the oxygen and/or humidity components in the captured air reduces the oxygen and moisture levels within the interior cavity and continues to do so as long as the selected gas is being forced into the interior cavity 102. Once the external canister 120 is separated from the inlet valve 112, gas dispensing stops and the inlet valve 112 seals itself to provide an internal atmospheric composition that is both dry and inert inside the interior cavity 102. Once the excess internal pressure of the interior cavity 102 is equalized through venting at the outlet valve 114, the outlet valve 114 seals itself to prevent external air from entering the interior cavity 102. The result of this air and moisture purging, the airtight nature of the container 100, and the opaque nature of the outer container 180 is that the contents of the container 100 are mostly or completely free of oxygen and water and are also shielded from visible and UV light. In some embodiments, the container 100 can include desiccant materials or modules thereof, and can in some embodiments include pockets (not visible, see pocket 299 of FIG. 9B) to hold such modules as an added method of protection from moisture. Further, the container 100 can include modules of oxygen scavenging materials able to consume any remaining oxygen in the container 100 after the initial purging.
With reference to FIGS. 6A-8C, a container 200 can include aspects of the container 100, however a container body 204 of the container 200 can be of a box-like configuration that can include a rigid material such as metal or plastic. Similar to that of the container 100, the container 200 defines an interior cavity 202 in communication with an opening 246 formed by the container body 204 and can receive the article 10 therein for preservation of the article 10. In a primary embodiment, the container 200 includes an access door 206 that provides access to the interior cavity 202 along the opening 246 of the container 200. The access door 206 includes a sealing mechanism 260 that couples the access door 206 along the opening 246 to prevent permeation of ambient air into the interior cavity 202 of the container 200 (i.e., airtight). In another aspect, the container 200 can include an atmospheric control mechanism 210 to maintain an internal atmospheric composition that preserves the article 10 or otherwise prevents degradation of the article 10 due to various factors. The container body 204 can include a plurality of container walls (or container panels) arranged to form the interior cavity 202 of the container 200. Further, in some embodiments, the container 200 can include an outer container 280 that receives and at least partially encapsulates the container 200; in some embodiments the outer container 280 can be of an opaque material to provide additional shielding against UV radiation.
With additional reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the atmospheric control mechanism 210 of the container 200 includes an inlet valve 212 coupled to the interior cavity 202 that enables one-way fluid flow of a selected gas into the interior cavity 202. The selected gas can be selected to maintain the internal atmospheric composition of the interior cavity 202 such that the internal atmospheric composition of the interior cavity 202 of the container 200 is free from various contaminants including dust, oxygen, water, atmospheric moisture (humidity), reactive oxygen species, airborne chemical pollutants and/or airborne chemicals not conducive to the longevity or preservation of the article 10 to be protected. Similar to that of the inlet valve 112 described above with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the inlet valve 212 can be a one-way valve that engages with an external canister 220 that provides the selected gas to accommodate one-way fluid flow communication of the selected gas from the external canister 220 into the interior cavity 202. As shown, the inlet valve 212 can couple with the external canister 220 through an inflator device 222 that propels the selected gas from the external canister 220 into the interior cavity 202 or otherwise establishes an “airtight” connection between the external canister 220 and the interior cavity 202. Further, the atmospheric control mechanism 210 of the container 200 includes an outlet valve 214 coupled to the interior cavity 202 that establishes one-way fluid flow communication from the interior cavity 202 to the external environment to purge the interior cavity 202 of air that includes contaminants such as dust, oxygen, water, atmospheric moisture (humidity), reactive oxygen species, airborne chemical pollutants and/or airborne chemicals not conducive to the longevity or preservation of the article 10 to be protected. Similar to that of the outlet valve 114 described above with respect to FIGS. 5A-5E, the outlet valve 214 can be configured for manual or automatic release (e.g., can “open” to release air when an air pressure within the interior cavity 202 meets and/or exceeds a predetermined threshold value). Collectively, the atmospheric control mechanism 210 of the container 200 maintains the internal atmospheric composition of the interior cavity 202 such that the internal atmospheric composition of the interior cavity 202 of the container 200 is free from various contaminants including dust, oxygen, water, atmospheric moisture (humidity), reactive oxygen species, airborne chemical pollutants and/or airborne chemicals not conducive to the longevity or preservation of the article 10 to be protected.
With reference to FIGS. 8A-8C, the container body 204 of the container 200 includes at least a top panel 242, a plurality of side panels 248 and a bottom panel 244 that collectively encapsulate the interior cavity 202. In the example shown, the top panel 242 forms the access door 206 and is configured for partial or complete removal from the remainder of the container body 204 to provide access to the interior cavity 202 therein. In the example shown, while the plurality of side panels 248 and a bottom panel 244 can be formed from a rigid material, the top panel 242 can include a flexible material that forms the access door 206 that provides access to the interior cavity 202 along the opening 246 of the container 200. Alternatively, the top panel 242 can include a rigid material. The access door 206 includes the sealing mechanism 260 that couples the access door 206 along the opening 246 to ensure that the interior cavity 202 of the container 200 is airtight when the access door 206 is closed. For example, the sealing mechanism 260 of the container 200 and/or the access door 206 can include an airtight zipper 262, although various other embodiments of the sealing mechanism 260 are contemplated including a press-seal mechanism, an adhesive mechanism, rubber fittings or gaskets to prevent ambient air from the external environment from entering the container 200. As illustrated, the top panel 242 can include a first transparent portion 264 that enables viewing of the article 10 encapsulated within the interior cavity 202. Further, in some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of side panels 248 can include a second transparent portion 249 that enables viewing of the article 10 encapsulated within the interior cavity 202. As illustrated, the plurality of side panels 248 can include the atmospheric control mechanism 210 including the inlet valve 212 and the outlet valve 214. The plurality of side panels 248 can also collectively form the opening 246 of the interior cavity 202 that couples with the access door 206 formed by the top panel 242.
In addition, the container body 204 of the container 200 can be formed using a material that is impenetrable by air, such as plastic, metal, and the like. In one embodiment, the container body 204 can be formed using a flexible material that provides a moveable structure and shape. For example, the container body 204 can be formed using flexible PVC, rubber, TPU, silicon, and the like, and can further be lined with one or more insulating and/or sealing materials such as BoPET (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate) (e.g., Mylar). The container body 204 can also be formed using a woven fiber material such as cotton, polyester and/or nylon that can be coated with a sealing material to provide airtight resistance to chemicals, temperature, ozone, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, mold, mildew, and abrasion.
In some embodiments, a material used to form the side panels 248 and the bottom panel 244 of the container body 204 can be opaque. Further, a material used to form the first transparent portion 264 and the second transparent portion 249 of the container body 204 (e.g, of the top panel 242) can be transparent or translucent and can include a UV blocking property. For example, the UV blocking property can be integrated within the material or can include a film having a UV blocking property that can adhere to the container body 204.
In operation, similar to that of the atmospheric control mechanism 110 described above with reference to FIGS. 4A-5D, during operation of the atmospheric control mechanism 210, the selected gas enters the interior cavity 202 of the container 200 through the inlet valve 212, which increases an air pressure within the interior cavity 202. The outlet valve 214 can be in a first “closed” configuration until the air pressure reaches a predetermined threshold, at which a relief mechanism of the outlet valve 214 activates and the outlet valve 214 assumes the second “venting” configuration. In another aspect, the outlet valve 214 can be manually transitioned between the first “closed” configuration and the second “venting” configuration prior to or during introduction of the selected gas into the interior cavity 202. Pressurized air, including air that includes contaminants mentioned above, exits the interior cavity 202 through the outlet valve 214 when the outlet valve 214 is in the second “venting” configuration. When the outlet valve 214 is in the second “venting” configuration, the outlet valve 214 purges air that includes contaminants from the interior cavity 202 as the interior cavity 202 is filled with the selected gas (e.g., the force of the selected gas entering the interior cavity 202 at the inlet valve 212 displaces the air within the interior cavity 202 and forces the air out of the outlet valve 214).
The dilution and venting of the oxygen and/or humidity components in the captured air reduces the oxygen and moisture levels within the interior cavity 202 and continues to do so as long as the inlet gas is being forced in from the external canister 220 through the inlet valve 212, with an intermediate connection therebetween optionally provided by the inflator device 222. Once the external canister 220 is separated from the inlet valve 212, gas dispensing stops and the inlet valve 212 seals itself to provide an internal atmospheric composition that is both dry and inert inside the interior cavity 202. Once the excess internal pressure of the interior cavity 202 is equalized through venting at the outlet valve 214, the outlet valve 214 seals itself to prevent external air from entering the interior cavity 202. The result of this air and moisture purging provided by the atmospheric control mechanism 210, in addition to the airtight nature of the container 200, and the opaque nature of the outer container 280 is that the contents of the container 200 are mostly or completely free of contaminants such as oxygen and water and are also shielded from visible and UV light. In some embodiments, the container 200 can include desiccant materials or modules thereof as an added method of protection from moisture. Further, the container 200 can include modules of oxygen scavenging materials able to consume any remaining oxygen in the apparatus after the initial purging.
With reference to FIGS. 6A-7, the container 200 can further include the outer container 280 that forms an outer layer 282 configured to surround the container 200. In other words, the container 200 can be disposed within (e.g., nested within) the outer container 280 as shown in the sequence of FIGS. 6A-6D and in the exploded view of FIG. 7. The outer layer 282 can have a similar overall shape as the container 200 but may have larger dimensions than the container 200 to allow the container 200 to fit within the outer layer 282. For example, in the case of the container 200 having a box-shaped configuration having four side panels 248, the top panel 242 and the bottom panel 244, the outer layer 282 can include six panels including four outer side panels 292, an outer top panel 294 and an outer bottom panel 296 arranged to receive the container 200. In some embodiments, the outer layer 282 can be of a rigid material such as metal or plastic, but can alternatively be of a flexible material such as woven fiber, flexible plastic, and/or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the outer layer 282 can include at least one removable panel 284 that can be completely or partially removable from the remaining portions of the outer layer 282, as shown in the sequence of FIGS. 6A-6D. For example, the removable panel 284 may connect to other portions of the outer layer 282 using any suitable fastener, such as Velcro, pins, buttons, snaps, slide fasteners, buckles, zippers, hooks and eyes, ties, or any combination thereof. The outer layer 282 can include any suitable material that provides light/UV shielding, abrasion resistance, and/or desirable aesthetics. For example, the outer layer 282 may comprise a nylon material, polyester material, cotton material, or the like.
The outer layer 282 can further include a first aperture (not visible, see first aperture 186 of FIG. 1) adapted to accommodate the inlet valve 212 and a second aperture 288 adapted to accommodate the outlet valve 214. For example, when the container 200 is placed inside the outer layer 282, the inlet valve 212 can extend through the first aperture and the outlet valve 214 can extend through the second aperture 288. Further, the outer layer 282 can include an outer handle 298 for ease of transport and handling of the container 200.
In various embodiments, as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 7 and as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the container 200 (and/or the container 100 of FIGS. 1-3C) can include a pocket 299 along the interior cavity 202 of the container 200, on an exterior surface of the container 200, and/or on an exterior surface of the outer layer 282. For example, the pocket 299 can be attached to any wall of the container 200 or the outer layer 282. In various embodiments, the pocket 299 can include a mesh material or any other material suitable for securing various items, such as shoelaces, documents, and the like. In some embodiments, the pocket 299 can include desiccant materials or modules thereof, and can further include modules of oxygen scavenging materials able to consume any remaining oxygen in the interior cavity 202 after the initial purging.
With reference to FIG. 10, the ability of the container 100 to protect articles from environmental changes was examined via accelerated environmental testing in a QSUN chamber. Xenon arc exposure was employed per ASTM G155-21, cycle 12 for 400 hours. Experimentation results are provided with respect to a pair of Nike Air Force 1 shoes that were exposed to four separate 100 hour cycles of high temperature, humidity and direct UV light, with one being unshielded and another being stored within the container 100 during exposure. A color configuration of each respective shoe was examined with respect to their original color configuration across four 100 hour intervals. As visible within the plot of FIG. 10, color degradation for the exposed shoe was significantly higher than that of the shielded shoe that was stored within the container 100. Color evaluations were performed with a spectrophotometer per ASTM D2244-21 every 100 hours until completion. Cycle 12 of ASTM G155-21 employs 0.35 W/(m2 nm) @ 340 nm, cycling through 18 hours of light to 6 hours of dark with the chamber air temperature and relative humidity at 30% RH 47° C. and 90% RH and 35° C., respectively for the light and dark cycles.
As such, the container 100 and/or 200 can create an environment that is free of oxygen and water and is shielded from visible and ultraviolet light. In addition, the container 100 and/or 200 prevents degradation of articles stored therein by preventing oxidation (chemical breakdown of the material via a reaction with the oxygen in the air), hydrolysis (chemical breakdown of the polymer structures via a reaction with water in the air), photo-degradation (breakdown of the polymer structures due to ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation), and photo-oxidation (breakdown of the polymer chemical structures due to light-activated oxidation of the chemical bonds). Furthermore, the container 100 and/or 200 is able to maintain a desired internal atmospheric composition and hold the pressure during a purging process. In some embodiments, the article 10 is a shoe such as a Nike Air Force 1 shoe. The internal atmospheric composition associated with the selected gas reduces a change in the color configuration of the article 10 over time. The article 10 can include a sole made of plastic or rubber material (e.g., a polyurethane material that covers a midsole of the shoe) that can degrade over time, and the container 100 or 200 encloses the shoe within the interior cavity and protects the shoe from the external environment. In particular, the internal atmospheric composition associated with the selected gas reduces a change in the integrity of the sole of the shoe over time. Further, the article 10 can include a shoe that includes an adhesive that couples various components of the shoe that can also degrade over time, and the container 100 or 200 encloses the shoe within the interior cavity and protects the shoe from the external environment. The internal atmospheric composition associated with the selected gas reduces a change in the adhesive properties of the adhesive of the shoe over time. Note that while various embodiments herein are described with respect to a shoe being the article 10, the article 10 can include other items of value that can be protected by the container 100 and/or 200 can include but are not limited to clothing, official documents such as government-issued certificates (e.g., birth certificates, social security cards, passports) and certificates of authenticity, jewelry, watches, electronic items (e.g., game cartridges, compact discs, tapes, gaming systems, computing components, cameras), cards (e.g., Pokémon cards, baseball cards), books, figurines, photography and film materials (e.g., developed and/or undeveloped photographic film).
FIG. 11 shows a method 300 of protecting an article using the container 100 and/or 200. Block 310 of the method 300 includes opening the access door of the container. Block 320 includes placing the article inside the interior cavity of the container. Block 330 includes sealing the access door of the container by the sealing mechanism. Block 340 includes opening the outlet valve to the venting configuration. Block 350 includes coupling the external canister with the inlet valve. Block 360 includes filling the interior cavity of the container with the selected gas of the external canister. Note that block 340 can be performed automatically after block 360 by the relief mechanism of the outlet valve. Block 370 includes purging excess air and contaminants from the interior cavity of the container through the outlet valve. Note that block 370 is resultant of introducing the selected gas into the internal container at block 360. Block 380 includes closing the outlet valve to the closed configuration and/or closing the inlet valve.
The particular implementations shown and described are illustrative of the technology and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present technology in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional manufacturing, connection, preparation, and other functional aspects of the apparatus may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecters and points of contact shown in the various figures are intended to represent exemplary physical relationships between the various elements. Many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system.
In the foregoing description, the technology has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the present technology as set forth. The description and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be determined by the generic embodiments described and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the specific examples described above. For example, the steps recited in any method or process embodiment may be executed in any appropriate order and are not limited to the explicit order presented in the specific examples. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any system embodiment may be combined in a variety of permutations to produce substantially the same result as the present technology and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the specific examples.
Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments. Any benefit, advantage, solution to problems or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced, however, is not to be construed as a critical, required or essential feature or component.
The present technology has been described above with reference to an exemplary embodiment. However, changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the present technology. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology.
Patent Application
20220396417
