Patent Application
20240067433
The present disclosure relates to a rehydration device, and more specifically to a rehydration device that maintains a predetermined humidity level within an enclosed environment by using a hemp cloth.
Perishable items typically require a specific humidity level to keep their moisture intact and increase shelf life. Examples of such items include, but are not limited to, tobacco products (e.g., cigars), food products, medicines, herbs, and the like. Conventionally, such items are placed inside a humidor that maintains humidity level inside the humidor.
Typically, a humidor includes one or more humidity control products (or humidifiers) that release moisture to maintain humidity inside the humidor. For instance, cigar boxes conventionally use humidity control products to maintain moisture level of cigars and preserve the cigars for a long duration.
Conventional humidors use silica beads or crystal gels to release moisture in the humidor to control the humidity level. Since silica beads and crystal gels deteriorate over time, the conventional humidors are single-use products that lose their moisture content over time. In addition, conventional humidors are made from materials that are non-biodegradable, and hazardous to the environment.
Thus, there is a need for a rechargeable and an environment-friendly humidity control device.
The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.
The present disclosure is directed towards a rehydration device that may be placed in a storage container containing one or more items (e.g., a cigar box containing cigars). The rehydration device may help maintain a predefined humidity level in the container. The rehydration device may include two parts, e.g., a first part and a second part, that may be rotatably coupled with each other via a hinge. The rehydration device may further include a locking mechanism to lock the first part and the second part in a closed position. In some aspects, the first part and the second part may enclose a hemp fabric, when the first and the second parts lock in the closed position. The hemp fabric may be configured to release water vapors to maintain the predefined humidity level in the storage container. In some aspects, the first part and the second part may include one or more openings to enable the release of the water vapors from the hemp fabric to the storage container.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the rehydration device may be a unified piece made of biodegradable plastic. Further, the rehydration device may be rechargeable by using water. In other words, the hemp fabric may be re-hydrated multiple times, to maintain a predefined moisture level in the fabric. In one or more aspects, the hemp fabric may be anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, to enable the use of the hemp fabric multiple times, with minimal deterioration.
In one or more aspects, the rehydration device may include one or more retention components, placed in interior portions of the first part and the second part, to secure the hemp fabric inside the rehydration device. The retention components may include, for example, securing pins or barbs. The rehydration device encloses the hemp fabric in an enclosed inner portion formed by the first part and the second part, thereby minimizing direct contact of the hemp fabric (containing the moisture) with the one or more items such as, for example, cigars, loose leaf tobacco, or other smokable media placed in the storage container.
The present disclosure offers various advantages over conventional humidity control devices. For instance, the rehydration device is rechargeable by using water, and hence may be used multiple times. Further, the hemp fabric enclosed in the rehydration device is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, and hence has a long shelf life. In addition, the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of the hemp fabric may mitigate contamination of the one or more items placed in the storage container. Moreover, the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of the hemp rehydration device may also mitigate cross-contamination of biological matter from one quantity of smokable media to a second quantity. Furthermore, the rehydration device may be constructed from environment-friendly biodegradable plastic, such as hemp-based plastic material.
These and other advantages of the present disclosure are provided in detail herein.
The disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the disclosure are shown, and not intended to be limiting.
The rehydration device 100 may include a first part 102 having a mirrored
In one or more aspects, the storage bin (or storage device) may include a cigar box (or a cigar humidor) or a box to store tobacco products. In other aspects, the storage device may be used to control relative humidity for other dry goods. For example, the rehydration device 100 may be used in enclosed areas that store food products, spices, medicines, herbs, clothing, apparel, sports equipment, artwork, electronic items, musical instruments, printing inks or paints, and the like.
In some aspects, the storage device may include one or more compartments to place the one or more items and the rehydration device 100. The rehydration device 100 may be removably attached to the storage device using retention or support means (not shown) in the one or more compartments. Retention or support means may include, for example, tape, a strap, a hook and loop fastener, a retaining clip, a snap, removable adhesive, or other retention or support means. Alternatively, the rehydration device 100 may be placed near or on the one or more items. In other aspects, the rehydration device 100 may be affixed on a lid or cover of the storage device.
In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the rehydration device 100 may be a unified structure (e.g., the rehydration device 100 is constructed as a single unit having injection molded features that can include one or more integrated hinges). In other aspects, the rehydration device 100 may include multiple pieces coupled with each other, where an integrated hinge is not included as an integral portion of the rehydration device, and the interlocking halves of the device fit together with via snap feature (not shown in
In another preferred embodiment, the rehydration device 100 is composed of a bio-based resin such as hemp bio-composite or hemp plasticized materials made from moldable bioplastic.
Further, the rehydration device 100 may be of any shape, for example a hemispherical shape or a drop-like shape (as shown in
In accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure, the rehydration device 100 may be of any size. In one or more aspects, the width of the rehydration device 100 may be approximately one inch and the length may be approximately one inch in diameter (e.g., 1. inch, 1.2 inches, 1.25 inches, etc.). In other aspects, the width and/or length of the rehydration device 100 may be greater or less than one inch. The size of the rehydration device 100 may be based on the size of the storage device, so that the rehydration device 100 can easily fit inside the storage device. For example, a tear-shaped device as shown in
In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the rehydration device 100 may include a first part 102 disposed in connection with a second part 104 via one or more hinges 116. The first part 102 and the second part 104 may have similar characteristics, e.g., shape, size, material, etc. The first part 102 and the second part 104 may act as a cover of the rehydration device 100. In some aspects, the first part 102 and the second part 104 may be made of biodegradable plastic.
The first part 102 may include a body portion that includes a first interior portion 106 and a first exterior portion 108. Similarly, the second part 104 may include a body portion that includes a second interior portion 110 and a second exterior portion 112. In one or more aspects, the first part 102 and the second part 104 may be hinged together at first peripheral portions 114a and 114b, via the hinge 116. The first part 102 and the second part 104 may be configured to rotate about the hinge 116 as the hinge(s) 116 flex and deform such that the first part 102 seals against a matching surface 118b disposed on the second part 104. Specifically, the first part 102 and the second part 104 may be coupled together by a vertical hinge 116. In some aspects, the hinge 116 may be made of any suitable material, such as biodegradable plastic, polymer, metal, and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge 116 may be made of the same material as the first part 102 and the second part 104, e.g., biodegradable plastic, and may be injection molded to be integral with the first part 102 and the second part 104 such that the respective parts 102 and 104 are joined by the hinge 116 at one or more hinge connection points.
In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the first part 102 and the second part 104 may include a locking mechanism, including, for example, a fin connection, a pin connection, an alignment bar, or other locking means. In some aspects, the locking mechanism may be located at second peripheral portions 118a, 118b of the first part 102 and the second part 104. In particular, the locking mechanism may include a plurality of fins 120 (or pins 120) located at the second peripheral portion 118b of the second part 104. Further, the locking mechanism may include a plurality of holes 122 corresponding to the plurality of fins 120, located at the second peripheral portion 118a of the first part 102. In particular, the plurality of holes 122 may be configured to receive the plurality of fins 120 to lock the first part 102 with the second part 104, when the first part 102 and the second part 104 rotate about the hinge 116 to secure the rehydration device 100 in a closed position. In other aspects, the plurality of fins 120 may be located at the second peripheral portion 118a, and the plurality of holes 122 may be located at the second peripheral portion 118b. The plurality of fins 120 may be equal to the plurality of holes 122. In an example embodiment, the second peripheral portion 118b may include five fins, and the second peripheral portion 118a may include 5 holes.
In some aspects, the plurality of fins 120 may be placed in an equidistant arrangement. Alternatively, the plurality of fins 120 may be placed at varied distances from each other. Similarly, the corresponding plurality of holes 122 may be placed at equal or varied distances from each other.
In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, the first part 102 and the second part 104 may be configured to enclose a piece of fabric 124, as shown in
In one or more aspects, the hemp fabric 124 may be configured to control the humidity level of the storage device (in which the rehydration device 100 is placed) or maintain a predetermined humidity level in the storage device. In particular, the hemp fabric 124 may be configured to maintain the predetermined humidity level by releasing moisture or water vapors in the storage device.
In some aspects, the rehydration device 100 may include multiple layers of hemp fabric 124 to retain more moisture level, thereby maintaining the predetermined humidity level for a longer time duration. Similarly, the rehydration device 100 may include multiple folds of the hemp fabric 124 to retain more moisture level. In some aspects, the number of hemp fabric layers or folds may be based on the application area of the rehydration device 100 or based on the type of the one or more items that are placed in the storage device.
In some aspects, the hemp fabric 124 may retain absorb and moisture when water is added to the hemp fabric 124 (e.g., when the hemp fabric 124 is hydrated). In accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure, the hemp fabric 124 may be re-hydrated by adding more water at a predetermined frequency to maintain the predetermined humidity. Thus, the rehydration device 100 is rechargeable. In other words, the rehydration device 100 may be re-used multiple times, by adding water to the hemp fabric 124 to replenish the fabric moisture.
In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, the hemp fabric 124 may be square in shape. In other aspects, the hemp fabric 124 may be of any other shape including, but not limited to, circular, triangular, hexagonal, and the like. The shape of the hemp fabric 124 may be based on the shape of the rehydration device 100.
In some aspects, the hemp fabric 124 may be of any size. For instance, the size of the hemp fabric 124 may be 70% of the rehydration device size (such as 0.7 inch). The size of the hemp fabric 124 may be based on the rehydration device size.
In accordance with further embodiments of the present disclosure, the rehydration device 100 may include one or more retention components (first retention components 126 and second retention components 128) to retain the hemp fabric 124 in the rehydration device 100. In particular, each of the first interior portion 106 and the second interior portion 110 may include the one or more retention components 126, 128 to retain/hold the hemp fabric 124, and prevent movement of the hemp fabric 124 in the rehydration device 100. The one or more retention components 126, 128 may include, but are not limited to, barbs, securing pins, and the like.
In accordance with an aspect, the one or more retention components 126, 128 may include securing pins. Each of the securing pins may include a proximate end and a distal end. The distal ends may be engaged with the first interior portion 106 and the second interior portion 110. The proximate ends may be engaged with the hemp fabric 124 to secure the hemp fabric 124 inside the rehydration device 100. In some aspects, each proximate end may include a spike to secure the hemp fabric 124. In other words, each securing pin may include a protruding spike or a needle. In one or more aspects, the length and thickness of the proximate end and the distal end may be the same. In other aspects, the length and thickness of the proximate end and the distal end may be different. In some aspects, the length of the proximate end may be greater than the length of the distal end. For example, the length of the proximate end (e.g., the length of the spike) may be 60%-75% of the length of the securing pin. Such proportion of the length may allow robust securing of the hemp fabric 124 inside the rehydration device 100.
In some aspects, the first interior portion 106 may include the one or more retention components 126 that may be arranged in a predetermined pattern. For instance, the first interior portion 106 may include three retention components 126 (e.g., three securing pins), as shown in
In further aspects of the present disclosure, the second interior portion 110 may include the one or more retention components 128 that may be arranged in a predetermined pattern. In particular, the one or more retention components 128 may be arranged based on the arrangement of the one or more retention components 126. Alternatively, the one or more retention components 126 may be arranged based on the arrangement of the one or more retention components 128. For instance, the second interior portion 110 may include a single retention component, as shown in
In some aspects, the number of the one or more retention components 126 may be different from the one or more retention components 128. In other aspects, the number of the one or more retention components 126 may be same as the one or more retention components 128.
In some aspects, the first exterior portion 108 and the second exterior portion 112 may be configured to separate the hemp fabric 124 from the one or more items placed in the storage device. In other words, the first exterior portion 108 and the second exterior portion 112 prevent touching of the hemp fabric 124 with the one or more items, thereby preventing damage of the one or more items, which may be caused due to water content in the hemp fabric 124. Similarly, the separation prevents damage of the hemp fabric 124.
In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of fins 120 may be engaged with the plurality of holes 122 to lock or close the rehydration device 100, as described above in conjunction with
In some aspects, the through-holes 302 may be located on the body portions of a first part 304 and a second part 306 of the rehydration device 300. The first part 304 and the second part 306 may be coupled vertically via a hinge 308. Specifically, the hinge 308 may be located at a first peripheral portion 310a of the first part 304, and a first peripheral portion 310b of the second part 306.
At the opposite end of the hinge 308, the first part 304 and the second part 306 may be secured in an airtight manner, without any gap, by using a protrusion 312 and a cavity 314. In some aspects, as shown in
A personal ordinarily skilled in the art may appreciate that since the rehydration device 300 includes the through-holes 302 to release water vapors out of the rehydration device 300, fins/pins and holes may not be required at the second peripheral portions 316a, 316b to create a gap (e.g., the gap 202 shown in
In some aspects, the through-holes 302 may be located on the body portions of both the first part 304 and the second part 306, in a predetermined pattern. For instance, the through-holes 302 may be placed in a linear pattern, a circular pattern, or any other pattern. In some aspects, the through-holes 302 may be equally spaced from each other. In one or more aspects, the predetermined pattern may be selected based on the shape of the rehydration device 300. Similarly, the number of through-holes 302 may be selected based on the shape and size of the rehydration device 300. In further aspects, the number of through-holes 302 on the first part 304 may be same as the number of through-holes 302 on the second part 306. Similarly, the pattern of placement of through-holes 302 in the first part 304 may be same as the pattern in the second part 306. Alternatively, the number or pattern of the through-holes 302 on the first part 304 may be different from the number or pattern of the through-holes 302 in the second part 306.
In some aspects, the number of through-holes 302, and the pattern of arranging the through-holes 302, may be based on the application area of the rehydration device 300.
In one or more aspects, the rehydration device 300 may include one or more retention components 318 to secure the hemp fabric inside the rehydration device 300. The one or more retention components 318 may be same as the one or more retention components 126, 128 described above.
In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, the top part 402 and the bottom part 404 may include a locking mechanism that may be same as the locking mechanism described in
In some aspects, the plurality of fins 408 may be engaged with the plurality of holes 410 to lock or close the rehydration device 400. In particular, in the closed position (e.g., when the plurality of fins 408 are engaged in the plurality of holes 410), a gap (similar to the gap 202, shown in
In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, the top part 402 and the bottom part 404 may enclose a hemp fabric 412 (same as the hemp fabric 124 of
In some aspects, the rehydration device 500 may include a set of through-holes 510. The set of through-holes 510 may be same as the through-holes 302, shown in
In some aspects, the top part 502 and the bottom part 504 may enclose a hemp fabric 512. In particular, the hemp fabric 512 may be arranged in the bottom part 504. In further aspects of the present disclosure, the hemp fabric 512 may be enclosed by using one or more retention components 514a, 514b, as described in conjunction with above figures.
In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, which illustrate specific implementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognize such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
It should also be understood that the word “example” as used herein is intended to be non-exclusionary and non-limiting in nature. More particularly, the word “example” as used herein indicates one among several examples, and it should be understood that no undue emphasis or preference is being directed to the particular example being described.
With regard to the processes, devices, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed devices and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.
All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc., should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.
