Reusable moisture removal pad and method

Abstract

A reusable moisture removal mat includes a main mat body having a front layer of liquid permeable material and a rear layer opposite the front layer, the front and rear layers permanently sealed together about a perimeter to define and enclose an interior cavity therein; a structurally unattached periphery; an array of individually sealed silica compartments disposed within the interior cavity and each individually sealed silica compartment containing dry silica therein; and a shackle fastener disposed on an outer surface of the rear layer of the main cushion body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to removing moisture from electronic devices, firearms, and other moisture sensitive items, and more particularly to a reusable moisture removal pad and method. Background Art

[0002] It is well known that electronic devices, firearms, and other such moisture-sensitive items that are exposed to moisture may experience damage to the structure, integrity, functionality, and quality of components within the device, particularly any electronic components therein. The cost of moisture exposure can be considerable because it requires replacement of the electronic device, for example, and is often a significant inconvenience to the user because contact information, photos, text messages, videos, and other media stored on the device may be unrecoverable. If the data and information is recoverable, it can be a very expensive and inconvenient process for the user. One study found that 40% of all cell phone insurance claims were the result of water damage. Yet, most cell phone insurance policies do not cover water damage.

[0003] Existing solutions include placing a water-filled phone in a container with rice. bags or silica packets. Although rice is generally more readily available to the average consumer, it is not very practical because rice does not drain moisture as effectively as other materials. In addition, rice is considered one of the coarsest particles and therefore leaves particle deposits on the phone and within i / o ports, connectors, and crevices. Therefore, cleaning the phone after handling is extremely troublesome. Most consumers do not have readily available silica packets at their disposal in the event of an emergency. Therefore, when such an event occurs, the individual's phone may not be restored by the time the individual orders and receives the silica packet or attempts to locate a retail store that sells the silica packet.

[0004] Other solutions include plastic, disposable, single-use bags. However, these solutions only provide a single use and are expensive considering their limited single-use applications. They are also cumbersome because after a single use, the consumer needs to purchase another single-use bag for another emergency, which reduces the likelihood that the bag will be readily available when moisture removal is needed in a subsequent emergency.

[0005] For example, a known similar reference, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0145783A1 of Forker (hereinafter referred to as "Forker") discloses a device and method for removing moisture from a portable electronic device. Forker describes an airtight, sealable container that is divided into a compartment for the device and a compartment for desiccant silica gel by a barrier that is permeable to air and moisture. The silica gel is provided in a separate container and is selectively dispensed into the desiccant compartment by the user when it is desired to use it. Unfortunately, the device and method described in Forker have several disadvantages. Due to the arrangement of the desiccant compartment adjacent to the unilateral side of the device compartment, the removal efficiency of the fluid from the device is low, and therefore a longer time is required to dry the device. In addition, as described above, it is very troublesome to require consumers to purchase additional desiccant so that the device can be used again in subsequent emergencies. However, all known methods and devices for removing moisture from electronic devices using desiccant require and teach obtaining new unused desiccant for subsequent situations in which moisture needs to be removed. In fact, Falkter explicitly states that "desiccant has a limited ability to absorb moisture, and once a desiccant is saturated with moisture, it is generally impractical to recycle it." Therefore, it is generally known in the field of desiccant drying to avoid reusing desiccant materials that have been used to absorb moisture. Therefore, existing solutions instruct consumers to dispose of used desiccant materials and obtain new, unused desiccant for subsequent drying situations. This is a disadvantage of using desiccant to remove moisture from electronic devices. Specifically, it is cumbersome and greatly reduces the likelihood that the desiccant material will be readily available when moisture removal is needed in a subsequent emergency situation.

[0006] Existing solutions also require a hermetically sealed container. Fochter also teaches by explaining that the hermetic seal "ensures that the desiccant absorbs water only from the portable electronic device and not from the general environment." That is, the manufacture and design of the fasteners used to seal the container in a hermetic manner are more complex and expensive. Other known devices for removing moisture from electronic devices involve relatively complex and expensive devices that typically require the use of a vacuum pump.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to overcome the problems of the prior art as described above. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention provides a reusable moisture removal pad and method, however, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, as various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of protection of equivalents of the claims. In addition, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

[0009] In view of the above and other objects, there is provided in accordance with the present invention a reusable moisture removing pad having a main pad body having a front layer of liquid permeable material and a rear layer opposite the front layer, the front and rear layers being permanently sealed together about a perimeter to define and enclose an interior cavity therein, the main pad body having a structurally unattached perimeter edge, having an array of individually sealed silica cells disposed within the interior cavity, each silica cell containing dry silica therein, and having a hook and loop fastener disposed on an outer surface of the rear layer of the main pad body.

[0010] According to another feature of the present invention, the front layer and the back layer are sealed around the perimeter using stitches, and the stitches are located near the bottom edge of the main pad body, the upper edge of the main pad body opposite to the bottom edge of the main pad body, the first side edge of the main pad body, and the second side edge of the main pad body opposite to the first side edge of the main pad body, wherein the bottom edge, the upper edge, and the first and second side edges define a continuous periphery of the main pad body.

[0011] According to another feature, embodiments of the invention include a pad having an area of ​​completely liquid permeable material defined and enclosed by stitching.

[0012] According to another feature of the invention, the array of individually sealed silica cells occupies at least 85% of the area defined and enclosed by the sutures.

[0013] According to an additional feature of the invention, the array of individually sealed silica cells occupies at least 85% of the total volume of the interior cavity.

[0014] According to another feature, embodiments of the invention also include an array of individually sealed silica cells having at least two horizontally aligned rows of individually sealed silica cells and at least two vertically aligned columns of individually sealed silica cells.

[0015] According to another feature of the invention, each of the horizontally and vertically aligned individually sealed silica cells is individually sealed by a liner of liquid permeable material and disposed within the interior cavity.

[0016] According to an additional feature of the present invention, each of the horizontally and vertically aligned individually sealed silica compartments are maintained at an offset distance of at least 6 mm using a liner that forms a plurality of flexible joints within the interior cavity.

[0017] According to another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes a liner of liquid permeable material coupled to an inner surface of at least one of the front layer and the rear layer to individually seal each of the individually sealed silica compartments in the array and disposed within the interior cavity.

[0018] According to an additional feature of the invention, each of the individually sealed silica compartments in the array is maintained at an offset distance of at least 6 mm using a liner that forms a plurality of flexible joints between at least two of the individually sealed silica compartments in the array within the interior cavity.

[0019] Although the present invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a reusable moisture removal pad and method, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, as various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Furthermore, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

[0020] Other features considered to be characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, which may be implemented in various forms. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but only as the basis for the claims and as a representative basis to teach those of ordinary skill in the art to variously adopt the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. In addition, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but are intended to provide an understandable description of the present invention. Although this specification ends with claims that define the features of the present invention that are considered novel, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood by considering the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same figure numbers apply forward. The figures in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0021] Before disclosing and describing the present invention, it should be understood that the terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the term "one" or "an" is defined as one or more than one. As used herein, the term "multiple" is defined as two or more than two. As used herein, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. As used herein, the term "including" and / or "having" are defined as including (comprising) (i.e., open language). As used herein, the term "connection" is defined as connecting, but not necessarily directly connected, and not necessarily mechanically connected. The term "providing" is defined in this article in its broadest sense, for example, bringing / entering physical existence, making available, and / or providing to someone or something in whole or in multiple parts at one time or over a period of time. Similarly, for the purpose of description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "back", "right", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives relate to the present invention as oriented as shown in the figure, and should not be interpreted as limiting any feature to a specific orientation, because the orientation can be changed based on the user's device viewing angle. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

[0022] As used herein, the terms "about" or "approximately" apply to all numerical values, whether or not expressly stated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one skilled in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many cases, these terms may include numbers rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term "longitudinal" should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to the elongated direction of the pad, or from the bottom edge to the upper edge or top edge of the body of the pad. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent identical or functionally similar elements throughout the individual views and which, together with the following detailed description, are incorporated into and form a part of this specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages of all according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a moisture removal pad according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an outer layer, an inner layer, and an intermediate layer of a main pad body;

[0025] Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 A front elevation view and partial cross-sectional and transparent views of a dried silica array in a moisture removal pad;

[0026] Figure 3 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 A rear elevation view of a moisture removal pad;

[0027] Figure 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of removing moisture from a device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 is a top plan view of a front layer of a moisture removal pad according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 is a top plan view of a rear layer of a moisture removal pad according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0030] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a carrying case having two moisture removal pads coupled to a top cover in the carrying case according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Although the specification concludes with claims defining the invention's believed novel features, it is believed that the invention will be better understood by considering the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals apply forwardly. It should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the present invention differs from previously known moisture removal devices in at least one respect in that the present invention is intentionally designed without any cavities or holes for receiving an electronic device or other device from which moisture is to be removed. In other words, in Figures 1 to 3 The moisture removal pad 100 depicted in FIG. 1 lacks a receiving cavity and is formed as a single enclosed and sealed pad having a front layer 104 and a back layer 106. Although Figures 1 to 3 Several advantageous features of the present invention are shown, but as will be described below, the present invention can be configured in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, as well as different numbers and functions of components. However, Figure 1 The moisture removal pad 100 depicted in FIG. 1 may include a main pad body 102 having an overall dimension (length x width) of 12 x 12 inches. In other applications, such as when the pads 704a-704b are used with a carrying case 700, the carrying case 700 is operably configured to accommodate and retain, for example, a plurality of firearms and other similar equipment that require moisture removal in the lower housing 702 of the carrying case 700 (e.g., Figure 7 ), the pad may have a rectangular shape and have dimensions of 24 x 12 inches. Although the main pad body 102 may have alternative dimensions to accommodate devices of alternative sizes and / or shapes.

[0032] The moisture removal pad 100 can be used in conjunction with a variety of devices (e.g., electronics, firearms, boots, etc.) simply by, for example, rolling up the device within the main pad body, rather than inserting the device into a receiving cavity. In addition, the present invention includes a hook and loop assembly that allows any existing case or container (e.g., tool box, fishing tackle, gun stocks, etc.) to be retrofitted with the present invention to provide moisture removal by attaching the hook and loop fastener 116 to the interior surface of the case or container.

[0033] Beneficially, the present invention is portable and reusable, making it possible to place or modify it on any kind of box or container for a greater breadth and range of uses. Embodiments of the present invention provide a main pad body 102 that is operably configured to partially cover a device by placing the device flat on the main pad body, rolling up the main pad body, and possibly securing the device in the main pad body using a hook and loop configuration. The exemplary directional flow of moisture (represented by arrows 120) from an electronic device (e.g., device 122) through a gas permeable liner to dry silica beneficially wicks and removes any excess moisture located on or within device 122. Testing has shown that the materials used for layers 104, 106 and the liner produce a structure that transfers nearly all of the moisture absorbed by pad 100 to dry silica (which may include silica gel).

[0034] The main pad body 102 includes a front layer 104 and a back layer 106 opposite the front layer 104. In a preferred embodiment, the front layer 104 and the back layer 106 are nylon fabrics or other similar material compositions having liquid permeable properties or materials (e.g., synthetic thermoplastic linear polyamide or other similar materials). In other words, the front layer 104 is configured to allow moisture to be transferred or transmitted therethrough, i.e., it is not impermeable. Even further, the front layer 104 and / or the back layer 106 may have properties of wicking moisture and / or removing moisture.

[0035] The front layer 104 and the back layer 106 are permanently sealed together so that they jointly or individually form a uniform and unitary structure having a bottom edge 108, an upper edge 110 opposite the bottom edge 108, a first side edge 200 and a second side edge 202. In other words, and with reference to Figure 6, the front layer 104 and the back layer 106 are sealed around the perimeter (e.g., perimeter), wherein the stitching 602 is located proximal to (i.e., at or near 0.5 inches) the bottom edge 108 of the main pad body 102, the upper edge 110 of the main pad body 102, the first side edge 200 of the main pad body 102, and the second side edge 202 of the main pad body 102. It can also be seen that the bottom edge 108, the upper edge 110, and the first side edge 200 and the second side edge 202 define a continuous perimeter of the main pad body 102. The area 606 enclosed by the stitching and / or perimeter preferably has the same liquid permeable properties or materials. The perimeter of the main pad body 102 is "free" or "structurally unattached", that is, the outer edge of the main pad body 102 is not permanently (e.g., stitching) or semi-permanently (e.g., using selectively removable fasteners) to any other structure (e.g., forming the other side of the bag).

[0036] The front layer 104 and the back layer 106 are permanently sealed together around a perimeter (e.g., perimeter 600) to define and enclose an interior cavity 112 therein. Figure 1 to Figure 2 , the interior cavity 112 beneficially has an array 114 of individually sealed silica compartments 124a-124n arranged within the interior cavity 112, and each compartment contains dry silica therein. Each compartment may be permanently sealed on all sides. As used herein, the term "permanently sealed" is intended to indicate that at least two objects are joined together so as to prevent them from separating during normal use (e.g., sutures, permanent adhesive materials, etc.), wherein any separation of the at least two objects constitutes a violation of the pad 100 for its normal, intended operational use.

[0037] The front layer 104 and the back layer 106 can be considered to be permanently sealed together along the entire outer perimeter, sometimes on their edges or sides 108, 110, 200, 202, respectively, so as to permanently seal the array 114 of dry silica 114 therein. In other words, the permanent seal extends continuously along the entire outer perimeter so as to prevent access to the array 114 of silica within the interior cavity 112 and prevent the array 114 of silica from being removed from the interior cavity 112. This permanent sealing feature is the basis for the reusability of the inventive moisture removal pad 100 of the present invention, and this permanent sealing feature distinguishes the present invention from existing moisture removal systems. Unexpectedly, the applicants of the present invention have discovered that the dry silica can be reused to remove moisture from electronic devices in multiple separate situations.

[0038] exist Figure 2In the exemplary embodiment shown, the array 114 of dry silica includes rectangular compartments 124a-124n (wherein "n" refers to any number greater than 1) that contain dry silica. In alternative embodiments, the compartments 124a-124n can be other shapes, such as circular, square or other polygonal shapes. Preferably, the compartments 124a-124n are encapsulated by a material that is also capable of being liquid-permeable. The array of individually sealed silica compartments 114 beneficially constitutes at least 85% of the interior cavity 112, but preferably 95%, to maximize exposure to dry silica. In other words, the array of individually sealed silica compartments 124a-124n occupies at least 85% of the area 606 defined and encapsulated by the stitches and that is completely liquid-permeable material, thereby effectively removing moisture from the device on the pad 100 or the device encapsulated by the pad 100. The compartments 124a-124n may also be considered "embedded," i.e., completely surrounded and enclosed within the main pad body 102 so as to be neither accessible nor visible from the outside environment. This provides a sleek design that allows the moisture removal pad 100 to be used as an everyday carrying case on an everyday basis, which advantageously increases the probability that the moisture removal pad 100 will be immediately available to the user for its intended operational use as a moisture removal device when an emergency situation arises where the user's equipment (e.g., electronic equipment, firearm, etc.) is exposed to moisture.

[0039] In one embodiment, the compartments 124a-124n can be arranged to be vertically aligned with each other. In other words, the array 114 of individually sealed silica compartments 124a-124n consists of at least two rows of individually sealed silica compartments aligned horizontally and at least two columns of individually sealed silica compartments aligned vertically. This feature is Figure 1 to Figure 2 1 and 12. Preferably, the pad 100 includes three rows and three columns, but this may vary depending on the design application. Each of the horizontally and vertically aligned individually sealed silica compartments 124a-124n in the array 114 may also be individually sealed by a liner 126 of liquid permeable material to maintain the sealed silica compartments 124a-124n in a stable position for repeated use. In alternative embodiments, the compartments 124a-124n may be arranged to be aligned relative to each other in other configurations, such as horizontally aligned. Advantageously, by dividing the sealed silica compartments 124a-124n into separate, independent sub-compartments, the dry silica may dry more quickly after a single use, allowing the pad 100 to be subsequently used again, as will be referenced below. Figure 4 The flowchart depicted in FIG. 1 is described in more detail.

[0040] The liner 126 preferably extends substantially the entire inner diameter or length and width of the internal channel 114 (i.e., + / - 95%). Each of the horizontally and vertically aligned individually sealed silica cells 124a-124n is held at an offset distance 204 of at least 6 mm using the liner 126, which forms a plurality of flexible joints (e.g., joints 128) within the internal cavity 112, thereby enabling the pad to flex and conform to different sizes and shapes of devices from which it is desired to remove moisture. In other words, each of the individually sealed silica cells 124a-124n in the array is held at an offset distance (e.g., distance 204) of at least 6 mm and no more than 30 mm using the liner 126, which forms a plurality of flexible joints within the internal cavity 112 between at least two of the individually sealed silica cells 124a-124n in the array 114. Preferably, the individually sealed silica cells 124a-124n are offset from each other by a uniform distance along the rows or columns to ensure flexibility of the pad body 102. In other words, each of these joints may be parallel to each other to ensure flexibility of the pad body 102.

[0041] In one embodiment, the back layer 106 of the main pad body 102 can be considered to be a mirror image of the front layer 104 having the same features and layers, except that it is arranged opposite the front layer 104. Each compartment 124a-124n can be considered to be permanently sealed along the entire outer perimeter of its compartment so as to permanently seal the desiccant silica therein. In other words, the permanent seal extends continuously along the entire outer perimeter to prevent access to the desiccant silica within the compartment and to prevent removal of the desiccant silica from the compartment.

[0042] The compartments 124a-124n can be arranged to be vertically aligned with each other. In alternative embodiments, the compartments 124a-124n can be arranged to be aligned with each other in other configurations, such as horizontal alignment. Advantageously, by dividing the dry silica into separate compartments, the dry silica can dry more quickly after a single use, so that the pad 100 can be subsequently used again, as will be described below with reference to Figure 4 In one embodiment, the compartments 124a-124n can be formed by sewing the compartment panels to the liner 126.

[0043] Now refer to Figure 3, the side edges 200, 202 may be considered as opposing side edges 200, 202. The side edges 200, 202 may be oriented parallel to each other and perpendicular to the bottom edge 108. In one embodiment, the front layer 104 and the back layer 106 are sewn together at the side edges 200, 202. In yet another embodiment, the front layer 104 and the back layer 106 are formed as a continuous panel that is sewn together at the side edges 200, 202 to form the main pad body 102 and is simultaneously folded to be continuous at the bottom edge 108 and the upper edge 110 of the main pad body 102. In yet another embodiment, the front layer 104 and the back layer 106, the side edges 200, 202, and the bottom edge 108 and the upper edge 110 may be arranged in other orientations and configurations.

[0044] Advantageously, the main pad body 102 is operably configured to enclose or surround a device (e.g., a phone, a firearm, etc.) by placing the device flat on the outer surface of the front layer 104 of the main pad body 102 and rolling the main pad body 102 around the device until the main pad body 102 forms a retaining channel around the device, i.e., the device is disposed within the retaining channel after the main pad body is folded. The main pad body 102 can be secured in place around the device in a non-airtight manner via a hook and loop configuration 116 disposed on the outer surface 118 of the rear layer 106 of the main pad body 102. In other embodiments, a hook and loop fastener 116 is disposed on the outer surface of the rear layer 106 of the main pad body 102 and is used to attach the pad body 102 in a flat or planar configuration to an external structure (wherein the device is placed or pressed against the external structure).

[0045] When folded, the retention channel is sized to receive a standard sized smartphone therein. A standard sized smartphone has a size range of approximately 5-6 inches long, 3-3.5 inches wide, and 0.3-0.4 inches thick. In one embodiment, the retention channel can be sized to receive a standard sized smartphone therein with a tight fit. As used herein, the term "tight fit" is intended to indicate the tight fit of a standard sized smartphone when the smartphone is disposed within the retention channel. Advantageously, the tight fit feature provides for more efficient and rapid moisture removal from an electronic device disposed within the tight fit retention channel. For example, as in Figure 1(which depicts the device lying flat on the main pad body 102 rather than being arranged in a holding channel), the electronic device is immediately adjacent to the front layer 104, and more specifically, is almost immediately adjacent to (within about 25 mm) the array of dry silica 114 within the corresponding compartment, except for one or more relatively thin permeable inner layers 126 arranged between the device and the dry silica 114. Moreover, through the close-fitting dimensions of the holding channel, fluid moisture is less likely to travel from the external environment into the holding channel and undesirably saturate the dry silica, which is more preferably retained for absorbing moisture from the device. Unlike the known prior art, the present invention allows a wider variety of devices to be used with the moisture removal pad 100, such as devices of different shapes, forms, sizes, etc. Although the moisture removal pad 100 can be used by rolling up the main pad body 102 to form a holding channel, wherein the device is arranged in the holding channel, the moisture removal pad 100 can also be used when lying on a generally flat surface and remaining flat.

[0046] The front layer 104 may be a fluid permeable material operably configured to be disposed between the device and the desiccant silica array 114 to allow moisture to flow from the device 122 to the desiccant silica 114. In one embodiment, the gas permeable liner 126 may be a continuous liner layer that extends continuously within the interior channel 112. In another embodiment, the gas permeable liner 126 may be a discontinuous liner layer but still overlaps the desiccant silica filled cells 124a-124n to allow moisture to flow from the electronic device through the gas permeable liner 126.

[0047] In one embodiment, the gas permeable and / or liquid permeable liner 126 may be made of a polyester fabric, such as, for example, a peach skin polyester liner. In another embodiment, the permeable liner 126 may be made of a nylon material. In yet another embodiment, the permeable liner 126 may be made of other gas permeable and / or liquid permeable materials and fabrics. In another embodiment, the permeable liner 126 allows moisture to pass through, but does not absorb moisture itself. In other embodiments, the gas permeable liner may have other properties.

[0048] In one embodiment, the layers 104, 106 may be nonwoven fabrics. Nonwoven fabrics are fabric-like materials that are typically made of long fibers that are bonded together by chemical, mechanical, thermal or solvent treatments rather than by weaving together. In another embodiment, the nonwoven fabric may be a known nonwoven fabric, such as felt or a nonwoven polymer-based composite material. In other embodiments, the outer layer may be made of other fabrics and materials.

[0049] In one embodiment, the main pad body 102 may also include a buffer layer, such as a sponge or soft foam material. The buffer layer may be disposed between one of the layers (preferably the front layer 104) and the dry silica filled compartments 124a-124n. The buffer layer may provide an additional moisture barrier to prevent moisture from the external environment from reaching the dry silica unless it is depressed (in which case it may become more porous), and may also provide a soft protective barrier to prevent damage to electronic devices disposed within the moisture removal pad 100.

[0050] Now refer to Figure 4 The flowchart depicted and combined Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 5 to 7 Describe the process of the present invention. Figure 4 A specific order of performing process steps is shown, but the order of performing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in some embodiments. Moreover, in some embodiments, two or more blocks shown in succession may be performed simultaneously or with partial concurrence. For simplicity, Figure 4 Some steps may also be omitted.

[0051] The process may begin at step 400 and may proceed immediately to step 402, where a moisture removing pad 100 is provided. In step 404, a user may place a device flat on the main pad body 102. In step 406, a user may enclose the device within the moisture removing pad 100 in a non-airtight manner by rolling or partially folding the main pad body 102 to form a retaining channel, with the device disposed within the retaining channel. The main pad body 102 may be secured in place around the device using a hook and loop arrangement 116 disposed on an outer surface of the back layer 106 of the main pad body 102. In a preferred embodiment, the hook and loop arrangement 116 is disposed adjacent to the upper edge 110 of the main pad body 102, where "adjacent" is defined as at or near the upper edge 110 (i.e., within 5% to 30% of the upper edge 110). Beneficially, the hook and loop connection configuration 116 can be used to secure the main pad body 102 in place around the device (i.e., forming a retaining channel in which the device is arranged) and to secure the moisture removal pad 100 to a surface, for example, to the inner wall of a safe; the inner wall of a tool box, the inner wall of a fishing tackle box, etc.

[0052] In step 408, as discussed above, moisture is automatically removed from the device in a bidirectional flow of moisture from the device to the dry silica 114. The user may wait several hours to allow the moisture to be completely removed.

[0053] In step 412, after the moisture has been removed in step 410, the user can actively dry the desiccant silica 114. In one embodiment, the user can dry the desiccant silica 114 by directing heated air from an electronic drying device (such as a hair dryer) to the moisture removal pad 100. Specifically, the heated air can cause the moisture within the desiccant silica 114 to evaporate. In one embodiment, the main pad body 102 can lie flat during step 412 to allow moisture vapor to escape into the external environment. The heated air can be directed to the desiccant silica 114 for many minutes until the desiccant silica 114 is dry.

[0054] In step 414, the user is asked whether the user desires that the moisture removal pad 100 be reused to remove moisture from a device (the same device or another device). If the answer is "yes", e.g., the device is wet again, the process moves to step 404 and repeats, i.e., the pad 100 can be reusable. If the answer is "no", e.g., the device is not wet again, the process ends at step 416.

[0055] Various modifications and additions may be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the above embodiments refer to particular features, the scope of the present disclosure also includes embodiments with different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above features.

Claims

1. A reusable moisture removal pad comprising: A main pad body, the main pad body comprising: a front layer of liquid permeable material and a rear layer opposite said front layer, said front layer and said rear layer being permanently sealed together about a perimeter to define and enclose an interior cavity in said primary pad body; Peripheral edges not attached to the structure; an array of individually sealed silica compartments disposed within the interior cavity and each silica compartment containing dry silica therein; as well as A hook and loop fastener is disposed on an outer surface of the rear layer of the main pad body.

2. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 1, wherein: The front layer and the back layer are sealed around the perimeter using stitches, and the stitches are located proximal to the bottom edge of the main pad body, the upper edge of the main pad body opposite to the bottom edge of the main pad body, the first side edge of the main pad body, and the second side edge of the main pad body opposite to the first side edge of the main pad body, and the bottom edge, the upper edge, and the first and second side edges define a continuous perimeter of the main pad body.

3. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 2, wherein: The pad also includes: The area defined and enclosed by the seams and entirely of the liquid permeable material.

4. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 3, wherein: The array of individually sealed silica compartments occupies at least 85% of the area defined and enclosed by the suture.

5. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 1, wherein: The array of individually sealed silica compartments occupies at least 85% of the total volume of the interior cavity.

6. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 1, wherein: The array of individually sealed silica compartments further comprises: At least two rows of individually sealed silica cells are aligned horizontally and at least two columns of individually sealed silica cells are aligned vertically.

7. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 6, wherein: Each of the horizontally aligned individually sealed silica cells and the vertically aligned individually sealed silica cells are individually sealed by a liner of liquid permeable material and disposed within the interior cavity.

8. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 8, wherein: Each of the horizontally aligned individually sealed silica cells and the vertically aligned individually sealed silica cells are maintained at an offset distance of at least 6 mm using the liner, the liner forming a plurality of flexible joints within the interior cavity.

9. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 1, further comprising: A liner of liquid permeable material is coupled to an inner surface of at least one of the front layer and the back layer to individually seal each of the individually sealed silica cells in the array and is disposed within the interior cavity.

10. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 9, wherein: Each of the individually sealed silica compartments in the array is held at an offset distance of at least 6 mm by the liner, the liner forming a plurality of flexible joints within the interior cavity between at least two of the individually sealed silica compartments in the array.

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