KR101019376B1 - Dehumidifying product - Google Patents

Abstract

The dehumidification product comprises a tray 2 formed of two cavities with a fold line 8 between the cavities. The upper cavity 4 contains a solvent and the lower cavity 6 is for the collection of liquids. The cavity for the solvent is closed by a vapor permeable liquid impermeable membrane. The liquid collection cavity is closed by the same membrane or a different membrane if a liquid impermeable membrane is provided. One or more passageways for liquids may be provided between the cavities. The product may be folded about the fold line 8 to constitute it in a compact containment configuration with the cavities in a face to face relationship.

Dehumidification products, fold lines, cavities, trays, solvents, membranes

Description

Dehumidification products {DEHUMIDIFYING PRODUCT}

The present invention relates to products and methods for absorbing water vapor, for example but not limited to dehumidifying air in confined spaces.

Moisture or water vapor in the air is undesirable because water vapor can often interfere with the storage of moisture sensitive materials such as foodstuffs, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, household items and clothing or adversely affect the operation of moisture sensitive equipment. This problem can occur in areas with particularly high humidity levels, such as countries with high temperature and high humidity.

Therefore, it is often desirable to dehumidify the air. Conventional methods of dehumidifying air include the use of mechanical refrigeration units and moisture absorbing materials such as silica gel.

Typically, a method of employing a refrigeration device involves cooling the air to a predetermined temperature below its dew point, whereby water condenses from the air and drains the water. Thereafter, the air can be reheated to the predetermined warmer temperature. Techniques involving absorbent materials can include a continuous operating system such that water is absorbed by the absorbent in a first cycle and then heat is absorbed from the absorbent by applying heat in a second cycle.

Suitably, these techniques have various disadvantages because they usually require large heavy equipment, such as compressors, fans and heaters, interconnected by a network of pipes so that water vapor is continuously absorbed from the air. Typically, these systems are not suitable for operation in limited or limited space. Moreover, the costs associated with such systems may make it impossible to use their equipment in a home environment.

In an attempt to overcome the shortcomings associated with using the aforementioned systems in limited or limited space, alternative techniques have been developed that include exposing air to absorbent materials. In order to dehumidify air in limited or confined spaces, especially in home environments, compact portable devices have been employed that include sealed vapor permeable containers containing absorbent material.

Although absorbent materials such as silica gel can be employed in these devices, silica gel typically absorbs up to 30% of the weight of water, so absorbents with a larger capacity for water vapor absorption in order to increase the lifetime and improve the efficiency of the device. It is necessary to adopt. Suitably, absorbent solubilizers which can absorb 4 to 5 times the weight of water, such as calcium chloride, have been employed in such devices. Upon absorption of water vapor, the solubilizer dissolves to form a liquid.

Although these devices somehow solve the problem associated with absorbing water vapor in limited or confined spaces, especially in home environments, such devices are bulky and lack design aesthetics.

According to a first aspect, the invention comprises two combined cavities having a fold line between the cavities, one cavity containing the solvent and the other cavity for the collection of liquid, the cavity for said solvent being A dehumidifying product that is closed by a vapor permeable membrane, wherein the product faces away from the operating configuration in which water vapor can be absorbed by the solubilizer and liquid can pass from the cavity for the solubilizer into the liquid collection cavity. In a relationship, there is provided a dehumidifying product that can be folded about a fold line such that the product is reconstructed into a containment configuration that is substantially incapable of absorbing water vapor.

Preferably, the membrane of the cavity for the solvent is liquid impermeable to ensure that the liquid is only passed into the liquid collection cavity.

Preferably, it is substantially impossible for the product to absorb water vapor when in a containment configuration. This may be due to external action such as, for example, plastic wrapping, but is preferably due to the product itself, for example, to blockage of the membrane by the liquid collection cavity in the containment configuration.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid collection cavity is sealed with a vapor impermeable liquid impermeable membrane to act as a barrier to vapor and liquid. Thus, it may for example be a metal foil or a vapor- and liquid impermeable plastic film. However, the vapor permeable membrane that closes the cavity for the solvent is preferably liquid impermeable and the same material may also be used to close the liquid collection cavity. Vapor permeable liquid impermeable membranes can be relatively expensive but manufacturing costs can be reduced by using a single membrane covering both cavities.

Preferably, the article is generally arranged side by side with the membrane of the cavity for the dissolving agent and the portion of the liquid collecting cavity in confrontation with the membrane in the containment configuration (eg, the membrane of the liquid collecting cavity when such a membrane is provided). It has an operating configuration that is on the same plane. Preferably, this operating configuration is a rest configuration of the product. The containment configuration may also be a rest arrangement (eg, when the product is bistable). However, it is not necessary to provide a means for holding the product in such an arrangement to prevent the product from being opened.

Preferably, the cavity is in face to face contact when in a containment configuration.

Preferably, the solvent is in contact with the membrane of each cavity at least in the operating configuration. Preferably, the cavity is filled or slightly overfilled by the solvent such that the membrane is thereby somewhat strained.

Preferably, the membrane, or the membranes, are fixed in place by adhesive or heat sealing. Heat sealing is preferred. The article is preferably formed with a rim or flange around its periphery to provide a flat band against which the membrane (s) can be joined. The portion of the rim or flange most spaced from the fold line may be formed in a structure that allows the dehumidification product to be suspended from one end of the product, preferably with the liquid collection cavity at the bottom of the cavity for the solvent. . This structure can be an opening for receiving a wall hook, for example. Alternatively, and preferably this may itself be a hook structure.

The fold line is preferably formed of a material forming the cavity. In other words, it is preferred that no additional individual parts exist. Preferably, the fold lines are constituted by ribs between the cavities, the ribs being preferably formed by adjacent walls of each cavity with the web of material connecting therebetween. The material may be thin enough and / or flexible to form folds without any additional means, or preferably it is thinner than the material at other sites. If desired, it may be molded into thin folds in the form of "scores" (either from the molding process or by individual scoring processes).

Suitably one or more passages are provided which may be covered by the liquid permeable membrane but preferably open, to allow liquid to pass from the cavity for the solvent to the liquid collection cavity.

A suitable method of providing one or more passageways between the cavities is to provide a heat seal of the membrane (s) in the area between them (eg the web described above) but leave the seal incompletely. Thus, there may be a zone or zones that remain unsealed.

This configuration is such that liquid can flow from the cavity for the solvent but the solvent is retained within the cavity. Incomplete sealing can be accomplished by selective absence of the adhesive or by selective avoidance of the heat seal or by molding the recess or recesses as required.

Preferably, the solubilizer absorbs at least the self weight of water at 25 ° C.

Preferably, the solubilizer forms a liquid or gel upon absorption of water vapor. Preferred solubilizers include calcium chloride and / or magnesium chloride because they exhibit an acceptable water absorption capacity as well as being relatively corrosion resistant.

Suitably the desiccant as defined above may comprise other active agents selected from binders such as starch, perfume and antimicrobial agents or combinations thereof.

Preferably, the cavity is a plastic material, preferably a thermoplastic material such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and polypropylene. Preferably, they are formed by a molding press, preferably from a sheet of plastic material (for example by vacuum forming) or from a polymer material in a molten state (for example by injection molding).

Many suitable vapor permeable liquid impermeable membranes are commercially available and / or described in the literature. Preferably, the material is selected to allow at least 500 g, more preferably at least 1,000 g, most preferably at least 2,000 g water vapor / m ² / day. Suitable membranes can be polyethylene, polypropylene, polyesters and polyamides. One example is a polyethylene material sold under the trade name TYVEK.

Preferably, the dehumidification product is configured to be able to remain in its containment state without the assistance of individual parts such as retention bands or complex secondary packaging. This may be done by inherent properties or by mechanical devices such as co-molded hooks and eyes.

In the containment configuration, the surface of the external product is preferably printed with trademarks, graphics, instructions, and the like, for example.

Preferably, the surface comprises two major surface portions formed by the flat bottom wall of the cavity. Preferably they are parallel to each other in the containment configuration. Preferably, both surfaces are printed.

Preferably, no printed secondary packaging is provided. However, it is desirable that the dehumidification product can be wrapped in vapor- and liquid impermeable packaging up to the point of sale to have maximum shelf life and / or practicality for the customer. Such packaging may be a transparent plastic film.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of absorbing water vapor from a location, preferably an enclosed location, comprising: a) reconstituting the dehumidification product of the first aspect into its operating configuration, and b) dehumidifying the product. A method is provided that includes the steps of placing in an arbitrary order.

The invention is now illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the dehumidification product of the present invention in its use arrangement;

2 is a side cross-sectional view of the product of FIG. 1;

3 is a front view of the product of FIG. 1 in its storage configuration;

4 is a side view of the product of FIG. 1 in its storage configuration;

5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment in its storage configuration;

6 is a side view of the product of FIG. 5 partially open;

7 is a perspective view of the product of FIG. 5 in its use arrangement;

The dehumidification product shown in FIG. 1 comprises a tray 2 of self-supporting thermoplastic sheet material. As shown in FIG. 1, the tray is elliptical in front view. The tray has two identical cavities 4, 6. The cavities are separated by fold line 8. The fold line 8 is in the form of a rib, which is formed by adjacent sidewalls 10, 12 of two cavities connected by a web 14.

As a result of the product being generally oval in front view and having a fold line between its two cavities, each cavity is semi-elliptical in front view.

The tray 2 has a rim 16 extending around its perimeter. At its upper end the rim is wider and formed of hooks 18 for suspension.

Each cavity is formed by a flat bottom wall 19.

A single membrane 20 is secured in place at the top of the tray to close the cavity. The membrane is a vapor permeable liquid impermeable membrane sold under the trade name TYVEK. Sealing is performed around the entire rim 16, but at the fold line the sealing on the web 14 is only intermittent.                 

The upper cavity 4 is completely filled with calcium chloride as a solvent such that substantially the entire surface of the membrane on the upper cavity is in contact with calcium chloride.

After manufacture, the product can be folded against the fold line 8 in the compact containment state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this state, the product resembles the shell of a bivalve. Any tendency to open before being required is suppressed by mechanical means on the device, or even by releasable adhesion points between the contact parts. However, preferably this is not done. Preferably, the product is held in its containment state by packaging.

With respect to packaging, it will be appreciated that the flat bottom wall of the cavity provides an area for advertising and informational purposes. Thus, they may be printed. What is additionally required, however, is a low cost transparent plastic film of vapor impermeability to the product to keep it in good condition before sale. Thus, no expensive wasteful printed secondary packaging is needed.

Once the product has been purchased and opened from its containment, it adopts the operating state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and is suspended in place with the membrane generally in the vertical plane and the liquid collection cavity at the lowest level. Water vapor passes through the membrane 20 and is absorbed by the dissolving agent in the upper cavity 4. After significant absorption of the water vapor, liquid is formed by the dissolving agent and can flow through the passageway remaining between the web 14 and the membrane 20 by intermittent sealing between the web and the membrane. Thus, liquid is collected in the lower cavity 6. However, due to its particulate properties and the small size of the passageway, the solubility cannot fall into the lower cavity 6 even at the start of use when dry.

In Figs. 5 to 7 showing the second embodiment, reference numerals correspond to those used in Figs. The embodiments are similar, but the embodiments of FIGS. 5-7 have the following substantial differences:

No fold 8 is formed by the side walls of the cavity. Rather, each cavity has a flange, the flange encounters the hinge.

The cavity is asymmetrical. The liquid collection cavity 6 is considerably deeper than the cavity 4 for the solvent.

The cavity 4 for the solvent is covered by the vapor permeable liquid impermeable membrane 20 ', while the liquid collection cavity is covered by the vapor- and liquid impermeable membrane 20 ".

Claims (9)

Two joined cavities with fold lines between the cavities, one cavity for accommodating the solvent, the other cavity for collecting liquid, and the cavity for the solvent is by means of a vapor permeable membrane In a dehumidifying product that is closed, The product is capable of absorbing water vapor from an operating configuration in which water vapor can be absorbed by the solubilizer and liquid can be passed from the cavity for the solubility to the liquid collection cavity. A dehumidification product that can be folded around a fold line so as to be reconfigured into a free containment configuration. The dehumidifying product of claim 1, wherein the liquid collection cavity is closed by a liquid impermeable membrane. 3. The dehumidifying product of claim 2, wherein a single sheet of vapor permeable liquid impermeable membrane closes both cavities. 4. The dehumidifying product according to claim 2 or 3, wherein in the operational configuration of the dehumidifying product, the membrane of the cavity for the solvent and the membrane of the liquid collecting cavity are on the same plane. 4. The dehumidifying product according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bottom wall of each cavity is flat and the outwardly directed side surface in the stored state of the at least one bottom wall is printed. The web of claim 1 wherein a web is provided between the cavities and the vapor permeable membrane retains at least one passageway between the vapor permeable membrane and the web to allow liquid to flow from the cavity for the solubilizer to the liquid collection cavity. A dehumidification product secured to the web for the purpose of In a method of absorbing water vapor from an enclosed place, Reconfiguring the dehumidifying product according to claim 1 from its containment configuration to its operating configuration, and Positioning the product in the enclosed location in any order. 3. The vapor permeable membrane and liquid impermeable membrane of claim 2, wherein a web is provided between the cavities, and the vapor permeable membrane and the liquid impermeable membrane allow the liquid to flow from the cavity for the solvent to the liquid collection cavity. A dehumidification product secured to the web to leave at least one passageway between the web and the web. 4. The web of claim 3 wherein a web is provided between the cavities and at least one single sheet of the vapor permeable liquid impermeable membrane allows the liquid to flow from the cavity for the solvent to the liquid collection cavity. A dehumidification product secured to the web to leave a passage of the.

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