US2532066A - Containing unit - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 28, 1950 Filed Aug. 10, 1946 F; o. JOHNSON CONTAINING UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 N [1206222 0]? 1? fiea engt f 0. c/fiZZS'OfL F. O. JOHNSON CONTAINING UNIT Nov. 28,. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 10. 1946 Patented Nov. 28, 1950 CONTAINING UNIT Frederick 0. Johnson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application August 10, 1946, Serial No. 689,786

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an improved breathing means for controlling the humidity of a container. More specifically it relates to an improved breathing device for keeping a container and a long-term storage unit substantially dehumidified over long periods of time.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved breathing means for a container adapted to contain objects that must be kept free of moisture.

It is another object to provide an improved breathing means for an outdoor storage unit, said breathing means being efiective to keep the interior of said unit substantially free of moisture over long periods of time and through all types of atmospheric changes.

A further object is to provide an improved inexpensive storage unit that will keep articles free of moisture over long periods of time and that does not require extensive service and upkeep.

Another object is to provide a breathing means for an enclosure containing objects which must be kept dry, said breathing means including a chamber which has a volume at least equal to the maximum change in volume of the air within the enclosure due to atmospheric conditions.

Another object is to provide a breathing unit for an enclosure containing objects which must be kept dry, said breathing unit including a chamber which retains dry air that has expanded from the enclosure into said chamber, and from which the dry air may be drawn upon contraction of the air within the enclosure due to atmospheric changes.

Another object is to provide an improved breathing unit for a container, said breathing unit including a passage which is adapted to contain dry and moist air, and having means within said unit for minimizing turbulance of the air within said passage, thereby eliminating substantial mixing of the moist air with the dry air which will initially be drawn into the container upon contraction of the air therein due to atmospheric changes.

A still further object is to provide an improved breathing means for a container, said breathing means being effective to dehumidify the air as it enters the container, said means also including a chamber which will collect and substantially retained the dehumidified air from the general atmosphere as it leaves said container due to atmospheric changes.

Other objects will become more readily apparent upon an examination of the following specification when read in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view in cross-section through a container showing an improved type of breathing means.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of an outdoor type of storage unit having portions broken away to show relevant parts of the invention.

Referring particularly to Figures 1, 2, and 3, a container is generally designated by the reference character IE1. The container in includes a cylindrical body H which is closed. at its lower end by means. of a bottom portion 92, thereby forming a containing chamber I2. The phantom lines indicated by the reference character I3 represent an object contained within the chamber l2.

The upper portion of the cylindrical body II is closed by a combined cover and breathing unit generally indicated by the reference character [4. The cover or breathing unit l4 consists of a pair of upper and lower annular plate members l5. The lower plate member 5 is integrally formed with a vertically extending cylindrical band which extends beyond the upper surface of the upper plate member I5 and is suitably connected to said plate in sealing engagement by means of brazing welding orother conventional methods. A breathing chamber I1 is formed between the upper and lower plate members l5. A vertically extending ribbon-like element [8 is spirally wound within the chamber I l and forms a labyrinth passage E9 of relativel small cross-sectional area. As best shown in Figure 2, the passage !9 is extremely long and tortuous, this feature being of prime importance as will presently appear. The upper and lower ends of the element It are connected to the upper and lower plates l5 in sealing engagement so that air passing through this passage will have to follow all the convolutions of the spiral.

Centrally located and at one end of the passage [9 is a breathing tube or conduit 20 which extends vertically through and beyond the plate member 55. The conduit 29) includes openings 2| in communication withthe passage [9. The conduit 26 is in communication with the atmosphere by means of openings 22. A weather. cap 23 is suitably fastened over the upper end of the conduit 20.

As best shown in Figure 2 the maximum peripheral end of the passage I9 is provided with a plurality of peripherally extending slots 24. The slots 24 are immediately adjacent to a mass of desiccant material 25 which is compacted between the outer peripheral surface of the element l8 and the inner surface of the cylindrical band I6. Apair of annularly extending shelves 26 are provided for retaining the desiccant material 25 in a compacted form. As best shown in Figure 3 the lower plate member [5 is provided with a plurality of slots 27, said slots serving to place the chamber I2 and the chamber IT in communication with. one another.

As indicated in Figure 4 an outdoor storage unit is generaly designated by the reference character 3!). The storage unit 3-!) includes a horizontal concrete base 3| which is imbedded in the earth 32. A plurality of enclosures 33 are fastened in the concrete base 3| and these enclosures are constructed of wire meshsprayed with concrete. They are then suitably finished with a water-proof coating, thus providing an inexpensive: and readily assembled construction. Each enclosure 33 is provided with a containing chamber 34. The containers l previously described are suitably supported within the chamber 34 by means of transverse supports 35. Each enclosure is charged with sufiicient desiccant to sufficiently dry the contained air and objects stored therein.

In order to keep the enclosures 33 dehumidified, a pair of breathing units 35* are provided. Each breathing unit 39 consists of a pair of casings 4t and M suitably connected for communication with one another by means of a conduit 22. The casing 40- is provided with a dehydrating chamber 43 A plurality of trays -4 are connected within the casing ea in av staggered manner to form a circuitous path through which the incoming and outgoing air must follow. Each tray contains desiccant material indicated by 45.

The casing i includes a breathing chamber 66 provided with a plurality of horizontally extending baill'es connected to the casing M in a staggered manner to provide a circuitous path for incoming and outgoing air. A breathing tube 49 is connected to the casing 44 to provide for communication of the chamber 46 with the atmosphere.

In operation the article it is placed within the containing chamber #2 and the container is closed by means of the combined cover and breathing unit. The article or object to be stored is generally provided with a desiccant bag (not shown) or is sprayed with a desiccant to effect initial drying of the air within the chamber 12. But for the breathing conduit 22 the chamber i2 is thus hermetically sealed.

As th air within the container l0 contracts due to atmospheric changes, the air that is contained within the passage I9 is forced through thev desiccant and into the chamber E2. The air thus having passed through the desiccant is substantially dried or dehumidified. Thus the air surrounding the article to be stored is free of moisture and corrosion or damage to the article is avoided. The air which has entered the charm her [2 is, of course, immediately displaced with outside air which still contains substantial moisture.

As the dry air within the chamber l2 expands. due to atmospheric change, the reverse cycle takes place- Some of the dry air leaves the chamber i2 and reenters the passage l9, thereby forcing some of the moisture laden air back intothe outside atmosphere. The passage I9 is constructed so that it has a predetermined volume which is of prime importance. It can readily be computed what the maximum change in the volume of air within the chamber l2 might be under varying atmospheric conditions. Therefore depending upon the contemplated use of the container; the maximum changes'are, anticipated and the combinedcover and breathing unit M is provided with a passage which will have a volume at least equal to the maximum change in the volume of the air within the chamber I2.

Therefore, despite a maximum expansion of the air within the chamber l2 due to atmospheric conditions, the dry air leaving said chamber Will be retained in the passage l9. Thus when the, cycle. is again reversed it is the dry air which will reenter the chamber l2. At no time will the dry air escape from the passage 19 in any sufficient quantity, nor will moist air reenter the container. Thus, of course, the desiccant willbe usable; over great lengths of time without replacement or service. Since, because of" the volume of the passage IS, the dry air is retained. in the. passage, any moisture which might enter the desiccant after the initial cycle would havetoenter by diifusion only.

During the stage of: the cycle. when dryair is within: the passage lit. the long and; labyrinth shape of the passage i9 is especially' efiective; The narrow cross-sectional area of. the. passage with: respect to its length: will decrease the rate at which moisture might be carried to the desiccant by difiusion.

Assuming a stage in the cycle wherein. the passage IQ is only partially filled with. dry air, that is, air' which has previously passed through the desiccant, the remaining portion of the passage is then of course filled With air that has entered from the outside and has ahigh moisture content. It is now, of course, extremely desirable to prevent the dry air and the" moist air from mixing at the point of separation. In order to. prevent such mixing due to the turbulencecaused by convection currents, the long passage of narrow cross-section is especially efiective. The narrowness and extent of the passage minimizes any turbulence in the air and thus mixing of the dry with the moist air is substantially prevented.

Thus it can readily'be seen that a container of this type can be used for long periods of time Without replacing the desiccant and withoutextensive' maintenance. The maximum volume of the air developed within the container is of course dependent upon the size of the article to be stored and the change in the atmosphere. Since these conditions can generally be readily anticipated, the size of the combined cover and breathing unit can be predetermined.

The principles incorporated in the container can, of course, be incorporated in shipping containers or any other type of enclosure where it is desired to keep articles dry for long periods of time. It is readily adaptable to warehouses, building construction, etc.

The container to is especially adaptable to the outdoor type of storage unit indicated in Figure 4. The storage unit 30 is extremely simple to manufacture and requires very little upkeep; Since this type of construction can be placed in any outdoor area, articles may be kept dry over long periods of time in an inexpensive and eflicient manner. The outdoor storage unit 33 and the breathing unit 39 are similar in principle to the breathing unit t4. As the pressure within the enclosures 33 decreases, the incoming air passes through the circuitous passage 48 of the breathing chamber 46. The air thereupon passes over the desiccant in the dehydrating chamber 43. Upon the air within the enclosures 33 expanding, due to atmospheric changes, the reverse process takes place. The casings 4| are so constructed that the minimum volume of each casing M is equal to one-half the total maximum change of the volume of the air in the space surrounding the containers I0. In other words, the combined volume of both the casings 41' is at least equal to the maximum change in the air which might be developed within the enclosures due to atmospheric expansion. The chamber 46 is provided with the circuitous passage, similar to the spiral labyrinth 19 of the container. The effect of the circuitous passage 48 is similar to the passage 19 and the unit functions in a like manner since the same principles are utilized. It is an adaptation of the same principle to a difierent type of construction. The dry air is retained in the passage 48 and is redrawn into the enclosures upon changes in the atmosphere. Since each container I0 is provided with its own breathing units 14, which combinedly functions with the breathing units 39, double assurance is provided that the objects within the containers will not be exposed to moisture. It is, of course, adequate to store any conventional type of container or object within the enclosures 33, and the breathing units 39 are suificient to control the moisture content.

It can be seen that the objects of the invention have been fully achieved, and it must be understood that modifications may be made which do not depart from the spirit of the invention as disclosed nor as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a storage unit having a casing for containing an object, a breathing system for said casing including a chamber in communication with the atmosphere and with said casing, said chamber being formed with a continuous labyrinth passage of narrow crosssection relative to its length, the volume of said continuous passage being at least equal to the maximum change in the volume of air developed within said casing due to atmospheric changes,

' and a dehydrating means associated with said chamber and with said casing, said dehydrating means including a desiccant material between said casing and said passage.

2. In combination with a container, a combined cover and breathing unit for said container comprising a pair of spaced elements connected to form a chamber, a spirally wound element positioned between said spaced elements to form a continuous labyrinth passage in communication with said container, the volume of said passage being at least equal to the maximum change in the volume of the air developed within said casing due to atmospheric changes, a desiccant material at one end of said passage, and a conduit at the other end of said passage, said conduit being in communication with said passage and the atmosphere.

3. In combination with a storage unit having a casing for containing objects to be stored, a breathing unit comprising a first chamber having a plurality of desiccant filled trays arranged to provide a circuitous air passage, a conduit in communication with said first chamber and said casing, and a second chamber in communication with said first chamber, said second chamber having a labyrinth passage in communication with the atmosphere, the volume of said first chamber being at least equal to the maximum change in the volume of air developed within the casing due to atmospheric changes.

4. In combination with a storage unit having a casing for containing objects to be stored, a breathing unit comprising a first chamber having a plurality of desiccant filled trays arranged to provide a circuitous air passage, a conduit in communication with said first chamber and said casing, a second chamber in communication with said first chamber, said second chamber having a labyrinth passage in communication with the atmosphere, the volume of said first chamber being at least equal to the maximum change in the volume of air developed within the casing due to atmospheric changes, and a desiccant element within said casing.

FREDERICK O'. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,806,292 Hunt May 19, 1931 1,841,691 Wilson Jan. 19, 1932 2,150,859 Gibson Mar. 14, 1939 2,279,961 Whittaker Apr. 14, 1942 2,317,882 Boesel Apr. 27, 1943 2,362,796 Boesel Nov. 14, 1944 2,364,378 Levinsen Dec. 5, 1944 2,428,426 Lindsay Oct. 7, 1947

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