Reusable moisture removal pad and method

Abstract

1. A reusable moisture removal pad comprising: a main pad body having a front layer of a liquid permeable material, and a back layer opposite the front layer, the front and back layers being permanently sealed together around their outer edges to define and encapsulate an internal cavity within the front and back layers; a structurally non-contacting periphery; an array of individually sealed silica compartments disposed within the internal cavity, each of the silica compartments containing dry silica within the internal cavity; and a hook-and-loop fastener disposed on an exterior surface of the back layer of the main pad body.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] It is well known that electronic devices, firearms, and other such moisture-sensitive items exposed to moisture can suffer adverse effects on the structure, integrity, functionality, and quality of components within the device, particularly any electronic components within the device. Exposure to moisture can be very costly, requiring replacement of the electronic device, in addition to significant inconvenience to the user, as, for example, contact information, photos, text messages, videos, and other media stored on the device can often become unrecoverable. Even if the data and information is recoverable, it is likely to be a very expensive and inconvenient process for the user. One study found that 40% of all cell phone insurance claims are the result of water damage. Yet, most cell phone insurance policies do not address water damage.

[0003] Existing solutions include placing the moisture-filled cell phone in a Ziploc® bag with rice or silica packets. Although rice is generally more readily available to the typical consumer, it is less practical as rice does not work as efficiently to extract moisture as other materials. Furthermore, rice is considered to be one of the grittiest grains and therefore leaves grain deposits on the phone as well as in I / O ports, connectors, and crevices. Thus, cleaning the cell phone after the process is extremely troublesome. Most consumers do not have readily available silica packets at their disposal when an emergency occurs. Thus, when an emergency occurs, an individual's cell phone may be unrecoverable by the time the individual orders and receives silica packets or attempts to track down a retailer that sells silica packets.

[0004] Other solutions include plastic bags, disposable bags, and single-use bags. Yet, these solutions are only provided for a single use and are expensive given their limited single-use application. These solutions are also cumbersome as after a single use, consumers are required to purchase another single-use bag for another emergency, reducing the likelihood that a bag will be readily available when needed to remove moisture in a subsequent emergency.

[0005] For example, one known similar reference, Forker, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0145783(A1) (hereinafter "Forker"), discloses an apparatus and method for removing moisture from a portable electronic device. Forker describes a hermetically sealable container divided by an air and moisture permeable barrier into a compartment for the device and a compartment for a desiccant silica gel. The silica gel is provided in a separate container and is selectively dispensed by the user into the desiccant compartment when desired for use. Unfortunately, the apparatus and method described in Forker suffers from several shortcomings. Due to the nature of the desiccant compartment being adjacent to one side of the device compartment, removal of fluid from the device is less efficient, thus requiring a longer time to dry the device. Furthermore, as discussed above, it is very onerous to require the consumer to purchase additional desiccant in order to make the device usable again for subsequent emergency situations. However, all known methods and apparatus for utilizing desiccants to remove moisture from electronic devices require and teach the availability of new, unused desiccant for subsequent occasions requiring moisture removal. In fact, Forker clearly states that "desiccant has a finite capacity to absorb moisture, and once the desiccant is saturated with moisture, it is usually not practical to recycle the desiccant." Thus, it is commonly known in the art of drying with desiccant to avoid reusing desiccant materials that have already been used to absorb moisture. Thus, existing solutions instruct consumers to dispose of used desiccant materials and obtain new, unused desiccant for subsequent drying occasions. This is a disadvantage of using desiccant to remove moisture from electronic devices. In particular, it is cumbersome and greatly reduces the likelihood that desiccant materials will be readily available when moisture removal is required in a subsequent emergency.

[0006] Existing solutions also require a hermetically sealed container. Forker teaches as well by explaining that the hermetic seal "ensures that the desiccant only absorbs water from the portable electronic device and not from the general environment." That said, fasteners to hermetically seal the container are more complicated and expensive to manufacture and design. Other known devices used to remove moisture from electronic devices include relatively complicated and expensive devices that typically require the use of a vacuum pump.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0145783(A1) Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention provides a reusable moisture removal pad and method, but is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

[0010] With the foregoing and other objects in mind, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a reusable moisture removal pad comprising a main pad body having a front layer of a liquid permeable material, and a back layer opposite the front layer, the front and back layers being permanently sealed together about their outer edges to define and encapsulate an internal cavity within the front and back layers, the main pad body having a structurally non-contacting periphery, the main pad body having an array of individually sealed silica compartments disposed within the internal cavity, each of the silica compartments containing dry silica within the internal cavity, and a hook and loop fastener disposed on an exterior surface of the back layer of the main pad body.

[0011] In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the front and back layers are sealed around their outer edges with stitches proximate a bottom edge of the main pad body, a top edge of the main pad body opposite the bottom edge of the main pad body, a first side edge of the main pad body, and a second side edge of the main pad body opposite the first side edge of the main pad body, the bottom edge, top edge, and first and second side edges defining a continuous perimeter of the main pad body.

[0012] In another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a pad having an area defined and surrounded by stitching and constructed entirely of liquid permeable material.

[0013] According to a further feature of the invention, the array of individually sealed silica compartments occupies at least 85% of the area defined and enclosed by the stitches.

[0014] According to an additional feature of the invention, the array of individually sealed silica compartments occupies at least 85% of the total volume of the interior cavity.

[0015] In another feature, embodiments of the present invention also include the array of individually sealed silica compartments having at least two rows with individually sealed silica compartments aligned horizontally and at least two columns with individually sealed silica compartments aligned vertically.

[0016] In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, horizontally and vertically aligned individually sealed silica compartments are each individually sealed by an inner liner of a liquid permeable material and disposed within the interior cavity.

[0017] According to an additional feature of the present invention, each of the horizontally and vertically aligned individually sealed silica compartments is maintained at an offset distance of at least 6 mm within the internal cavity by the internal liner forming a plurality of flexible joints.

[0018] In another feature, embodiments of the invention also include an inner liner of a liquid-permeable material coupled to an inner surface of at least one of the front layer and the back layer and disposed within the interior cavity to individually seal each of the individually sealed silica compartments in the array.

[0019] 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 by an internal liner forming a plurality of flexible joints within an internal cavity between at least two of the individually sealed silica compartments in the array.

[0020] 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, since various modifications and structural changes may be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

[0021] Other features believed to be characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. Where necessary, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, but it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the present invention in various ways in substantially any appropriately detailed structure. Furthermore, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims that define the features of the present invention that are deemed novel, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the depicted figures in which similar reference numbers are repeated. The figures in the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0022] Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms "a" or "an" as used herein are defined as one or more than one. The term "plurality" as used herein is defined as two or more than two. The term "another" as used herein is defined as at least a second or more. The terms "including" and / or "having" as used herein are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term "coupled" as used herein is defined as connected, but not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term "providing" is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., to come into physical existence, to make available, and / or to provide to someone or something, either immediately or over a period of time, in whole or in parts. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "rear," "right," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof are understood in the present invention as oriented in the figures and should not be construed as limiting any feature to be in a particular orientation, as said orientation may change based on the viewpoint of a user of the device. 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.

[0023] As used herein, the terms "about" or "approximately" apply to all numerical values, whether or not expressly indicated. These terms generally represent a range of numbers that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term "longitudinal" should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to the stretched direction of the pad or in a direction from the bottom edge to the top or uppermost edge of the body of the pad.

[0024] The accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate drawings, and which, together with the following detailed description, are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, further illustrate various embodiments and all serve to explain various principles and advantages of the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a moisture removal pad illustrating the outer, inner and middle layers of the pad body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a front view, partial cross-sectional view, and perspective view of an array of dry silica in the moisture removal pad of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 2 is a rear view of the moisture removal pad of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of removing moisture from a device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a top view of a front layer of a moisture removal pad according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a top view of a backing layer of a moisture removal pad according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrying case with two moisture removal pads coupled to a top lid according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention believed to be novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the depicted figures in which like reference numerals are repeated. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. The present invention differs in at least one manner from previously known moisture removal devices in that the present invention, as illustrated in the figures, is purposely designed without any cavity or opening for receiving electronic or other devices from which moisture needs to be removed. Stated differently, the moisture removal pad 100 depicted in Figures 1-3 is formed in a single enclosed and sealed pad with a front layer 104 and a back layer 106 without a receiving cavity. Although Figures 1-3 show several advantageous features of the invention, as will be described below, the invention may be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, as well as various numbers and functions of components. The moisture removal pad 100 depicted in FIG. 1 may still include a main pad body 102 having overall dimensions (length×width) in cm (inches) by 12×12 inches. In other applications, when the pads 704a-b are utilized with a carrying case 700 configured for use in storing and holding, for example, multiple firearms and other similar devices within the lower shell 702 of the carrying case 700 requiring moisture removal (as depicted in FIG. 7), the pads may be rectangular and have dimensions of 24×12 inches. However, the main pad body 102 may have alternative dimensions to accommodate devices of alternative sizes and / or shapes.

[0027] The moisture removal pad 100 may be used with a variety of devices (e.g., electronic devices, firearms, boots, etc.) by, for example, simply wrapping the device in the body of the pad as opposed to inserting the device into a receiving cavity. Additionally, the present invention includes a hook-and-loop component that allows any existing case or container (e.g., tool boxes, fishing tackle, gun safes, etc.) to be attached with the present invention by affixing the hook-and-loop fasteners 116 to the inside surface of the case or container to provide moisture removal.

[0028] Beneficially, the present invention is portable and reusable so that it can be placed or attached to any of a variety of cases or containers for greater breadth and scope of use. An embodiment of the present invention provides a main pad body 102 configured to be used to partially cover a device by laying the device flat on the pad body, wrapping the pad body, and, in some cases, securing the device into the pad body using a hook-and-loop configuration. An exemplary directional flow of moisture (represented by arrows 120) from an electronic device (e.g., device 122), through the breathable inner liner, and into the dry silica beneficially wicks and removes any excess moisture placed on or within the device 122. Tests have shown that the materials utilized for layers 104, 106, and the inner liner create a structure that transfers substantially all moisture absorption by the pad 100 to the dry silica (which may include silica gel).

[0029] 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 and back layers 104, 106 are made of woven nylon or other equivalent material constructions (e.g., synthetic thermoplastic linear polyamide or other equivalent materials) having liquid permeable properties or materials. In other words, the front layer 104 is configured to allow moisture to be transferred or transported through the front layer 104, i.e., the front layer 104 is not impermeable. Moreover, the front layer 104 and / or the back layer 106 may be moisture absorbing and / or moisture removing.

[0030] The front and back layers 104, 106 are permanently sealed together such that they collectively or individually form a uniform and monolithic structure having a bottom edge 108, a top edge 110 opposite the bottom edge 108, a first side edge 200, and a second side edge 202. Stated differently, and with reference to Figure 6, the front and back layers 104, 106 are sealed around their outer edges (e.g., outer edges) with stitches 602 near (i.e., at or near, i.e., within 0.5 inches) of the bottom edge 108 of the main pad body 102, the top 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. The bottom edge 108, the top edge 110, and the first and second side edges 200, 202 may also be considered to define a continuous perimeter of the main pad body 102. The stitching and / or perimeter bounded area 606 are preferably of the same liquid permeable nature or material. The perimeter of the main pad body 102 is "loose" or "structurally unattached", meaning that the outer edges of the main pad body 102 are not permanent (e.g., stitched) or semi-permanent (e.g., have selectively removable fasteners) to any other structure (e.g., another side forming a pocket).

[0031] The front and back layers 104, 106 are permanently sealed together around the outer edges (e.g., outer edge 600) to define and encase the interior cavity 112 therein. With reference to FIGS. 1-2, the interior cavity 112 beneficially has an array 114 of individually sealed silica compartments 124a-n disposed therein, each housing dry silica within the interior cavity. Each of the compartments may be permanently sealed within the compartment on all sides. As used herein, the term "permanently sealed" is intended to indicate that the at least two things are bonded together (e.g., by stitching, a permanent adhesive material, etc.) such that the at least two things do not come apart during normal use, and any coming apart of the at least two things would be tantamount to destruction of the pad 100 due to normal intended operational use of the pad 100.

[0032] The front and back layers 104, 106 may be considered to be permanently sealed together along their entire outer periphery, sometimes on their edges or sides 108, 110, 200, 202, respectively, to permanently seal the array 114 of dry silica therein. In other words, the permanent seal extends continuously along the entire outer periphery to prevent access to and removal of the array 114 of dry silica from within the interior cavity 112. This permanently sealed feature is the basis for the reusability of the novel moisture removal pad 100 of the present invention, which distinguishes it from existing moisture removal systems. Unexpectedly, the applicants of the present invention have discovered that dry silica can be reused to remove moisture from electronic devices on multiple separate occasions.

[0033] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the array 114 of dry silica is composed of rectangular compartments 124a-n (where "n" represents any number greater than one) that house dry silica. In alternative embodiments, the compartments 124a-n may be other shapes, such as circles, squares, or other polygons. The compartments 124a-n are preferably encapsulated by a material that also allows liquid permeability. The array 114 of individually sealed silica compartments beneficially occupies at least 85% of the interior cavity 112 to maximize exposure to the dry silica, but preferably occupies 95%. In other words, the array 114 of individually sealed silica compartments 124a-n occupies at least 85% of the area 606 defined and surrounded by the stitches and is composed entirely of a liquid permeable material, thereby effectively removing moisture from the pad 100 or from the device surrounded by the pad 100. The compartments 124a-n may also be considered to be "embedded" within the main pad body 102, i.e., fully enclosed and surrounded, such that they are not accessible or visible from the outside environment. This provides a smart design that allows the moisture removal pad 100 to be usable on an everyday basis as an everyday carrying case, 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 device (e.g., electronic device, firearm, etc.) is exposed to moisture.

[0034] In one embodiment, the compartments 124a-n may be arranged to be vertically aligned with each other. Stated differently, the array 114 of the individually sealed silica compartments 124a-n is made up of at least two rows with horizontally aligned individually sealed silica compartments and at least two columns with vertically aligned individually sealed silica compartments. This feature is best illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, where the pad 100 preferably includes three rows and three columns, although this may vary depending on the design application. Each of the horizontally and vertically aligned individually sealed silica compartments 124a-n in the array 114 may also be individually sealed by an inner liner 126 of a liquid permeable material to keep the sealed silica compartments 124a-n in a stable position for repeated use. In alternative embodiments, the compartments 124a-n may be arranged to be aligned with each other in other configurations relative to each other, such as horizontal alignment. Advantageously, by dividing the sealed silica compartment 124a-n into separate independent sub-compartments, the dry silica can be dried more quickly after a single use such that the pad 100 can then be reused, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to the flow chart depicted in FIG. 4.

[0035] Preferably, the inner liner 126 extends substantially the entire (i.e., + / - 95%) inner diameter or length and width of the inner channel 114. Each of the horizontally and vertically aligned individually sealed silica compartments 124a-n is maintained within the inner cavity 112 at an offset distance 204 of at least 6 mm by the inner liner 126 forming multiple flexible joints (e.g., joints 128), which allows the pad to be flexible and conform to devices of different sizes and shapes that are eager to remove moisture. In other words, each of the individually sealed silica compartments 124a-n in the array is maintained at an offset distance (e.g., distance 204) of at least 6 mm and no more than 30 mm by the inner liner 126 forming multiple flexible joints within the inner cavity 112 between at least two of the individually sealed silica compartments 124a-n in the array 114. The individually sealed silica compartments 124a-n are preferably offset at a uniform distance from each other along a row or column to ensure flexibility of the pad body 102. In other words, each of the joints may be parallel to each other to ensure flexibility of the pad body 102.

[0036] In one embodiment, the back layer 106 of the pad body 102 may be considered to be a mirror image of the front layer 104, having the same features and layers, except that it is disposed on the opposite side of the front layer 104. Each of the compartments 124a-n may be considered to be permanently sealed along the entire outer periphery of the respective compartment so as to permanently seal the dry silica therein. In other words, the permanent seal extends continuously along the entire outer periphery so as to prevent access to and removal of the dry silica from within the compartment.

[0037] The compartments 124a-n may be arranged to be vertically aligned with one another. In alternative embodiments, the compartments 124a-n may be arranged to be aligned with one another in other configurations relative to one another, such as, for example, horizontal alignment. Advantageously, by dividing the dry silica into separate compartments, the dry silica may be dried more quickly after a single use such that the pad 100 may then be reused, as described in more detail below with reference to the flow chart depicted in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the compartments 124a-n may be formed by stitching compartment panels to the inner liner 126.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 3, the side edges 200, 202 may be considered to be opposite the side edges 200, 202. The side edges 200, 202 may be oriented parallel to one another and perpendicular to the bottom edge 108. In one embodiment, the front and back layers 104, 106 are sewn together at the side edges 200, 202. In yet another embodiment, the front and back layers 104, 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 folded simultaneously to be continuous at the bottom edge 108 and top edge 110 of the pad body 102. In still other embodiments, the front and back layers 104, 106, the side edges 200, 202, and the bottom and top edges 108, 110 may be provided in other orientations and configurations.

[0039] Beneficially, the main pad body 102 is configured so that it can be used to enclose or surround a device (e.g., a phone, a firearm, etc.) by laying the device flat on the outer surface of the front layer 104 of the main pad body 102 and wrapping the main pad body 102 around the device until the main pad body 102 forms a retention channel around the device, i.e., until the device is disposed within the retention channel after folding. The main pad body 102 may be secured in place around the device in a non-hermetically sealable manner via a hook-and-loop arrangement 116 disposed on the outer surface 118 of the back layer 106 of the main pad body 102. In other embodiments, the hook-and-loop fastener 116 is disposed on the outer surface of the back layer 106 of the main pad body 102 and is used to affix the pad body 102 in a flat or planar arrangement to an external structure (on which the device is placed or pressed).

[0040] When folded, the retention channel is sized to receive a standard size smartphone therein. A standard size smartphone has a range of dimensions of about 5-6 inches in length, about 3-3.5 inches in width, and about 0.3-0.4 inches in thickness. In one embodiment, the retention channel may be sized to support a standard size smartphone within the retention channel in a snug fit. As used herein, the term "snug fit" is intended to indicate a tight fit of the standard size smartphone when the standard size smartphone is placed within the retention channel. Advantageously, the snug feature provides for more efficient and faster removal of moisture from an electronic device placed within the snug fit retention channel. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 1 (which depicts the device lying flat on the main pad body 102 as opposed to being disposed within a retention channel), the electronic device is immediately adjacent to the front layer 104, and more particularly, is approximately immediately adjacent (within approximately 25 mm) to the array of dry silica 114 in each compartment, with the exception that one or more relatively thin permeable inner layers 126 are disposed between the device and the dry silica 114. Also, by sizing the retention channels to be a close fit, fluid moisture is less likely to make its way into the retention channels from the outside environment, undesirably saturating the dry silica, which is more preferably left to absorb moisture from the device. Unlike known prior art, the present invention allows a greater variety of devices, e.g., different shapes, forms, sizes, etc., to be used with the moisture removal pad 100. The moisture removal pad 100 may be used by rolling the main pad body 102 to form a retention channel into which the device is placed, although the moisture removal pad 100 may also be used while lying flat and remaining flat on a substantially flat surface.

[0041] The front layer 104 may be a fluid permeable material configured to be operable to be disposed between the devices 122 disposed in the dry silica 114 and the dry silica array 114 to allow for the flow of moisture from the devices 122 disposed in the dry silica 114. In one embodiment, the breathable inner liner 126 may be a continuous liner layer that extends continuously within the interior channel 112. In another embodiment, the breathable inner liner 126 may be a discontinuous liner layer that still overlaps the dry silica filled compartments 124a-n to allow for the flow of moisture from the electronic devices through the dry silica filled compartments 124a-n.

[0042] In one embodiment, the breathable and / or liquid permeable inner liner 126 may be made of a polyester fabric, such as, for example, a peach skin polyester lining. In a further embodiment, the permeable inner liner 126 may be made of a nylon material. In yet other embodiments, the permeable inner liner 126 may be made of other breathable and / or liquid permeable materials and fabrics. In another embodiment, the permeable inner liner 126 allows moisture to pass through it, but does not itself absorb moisture. In other embodiments, the breathable inner liner may have other properties.

[0043] In one embodiment, layers 104, 106 may be made of nonwoven fabrics. Nonwoven fabrics are woven materials typically made from long fibers that are not woven together but are instead bound together by chemical, mechanical, heat, or solvent processes. In further embodiments, the nonwoven fabrics may be any known nonwoven fabric, such as, for example, felt or nonwoven polymer-based composites. In other embodiments, the outer layers may be made of other fabrics and materials.

[0044] In one embodiment, the main pad body 102 may also include a cushioning layer, such as a sponge or soft foam material. The cushioning layer may be disposed between one of the layers, preferably the front layer 104, and the dry silica filled compartments 124a-n. The cushioning layer may provide an additional moisture barrier to prevent moisture from the outside environment from reaching the dry silica unless compressed (in which case it may become more permeable), and may also provide a soft protective barrier to prevent adverse effects on electronic devices disposed within the moisture removal pad 100.

[0045] The novel process will now be described with reference to the flow chart depicted in FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7. Although FIG. 4 shows a particular order for performing the steps of the process, the order for performing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in a particular embodiment. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Also, certain steps may be omitted in FIG. 4 for the sake of brevity.

[0046] The process may begin at step 400 and proceed immediately to step 402, where the moisture removal pad 100 is placed. At step 404, the user may lay the device flat on the main pad body 102. At step 406, the user may enclose the device in a non-hermetically sealable manner within the moisture removal pad 100 by rolling or partially folding the main pad body 102 to form a retention channel, where the device is placed within the retention channel. The main pad body 102 may be secured in place around the device using a hook-and-loop arrangement 116 disposed on the 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 near the top edge 110 of the main pad body 102, with "near" being defined as at or near the top edge 110, i.e., within 5% to 30% of the top edge 110. Beneficially, the hook-and-loop connection arrangement 116 can be used to secure the main pad body 102 in place around a device (i.e., to form a retention channel within which the device is placed) and to secure the moisture removal pad 100 to a surface, such as, for example, the interior wall of a storage unit, the interior wall of a tool box, the interior wall of a fishing tackle box, etc.

[0047] In step 408, moisture is automatically removed from the device with bidirectional flow of moisture from the device to the dry silica 114, as discussed above. The user may wait several hours to allow the moisture to be completely removed.

[0048] In step 412, after the moisture is removed in step 410, the user can actively dry the dried silica 114. In one embodiment, the user can dry the dried silica 114 by directing heated air from an electronic drying device, such as a hair dryer, at the moisture removal pad 100. In particular, the heated air can evaporate the moisture within the dried silica 114. In one embodiment, the main pad body 102 can be laid flat in step 412 to allow moisture vapor to escape to the outside environment. The heated air can be directed at the dried silica 114 for many minutes until the dried silica 114 is dry.

[0049] At step 414, the user is asked whether he or she desires the moisture removal pad 100 to be reused to remove moisture from a device, either the same device or a different device. If the answer is yes, e.g., the device has become re-moistened, the process moves to step 404 and repeats, i.e., the pad 100 may be reused. If the answer is no, e.g., the device has not become re-moistened, the process ends at step 416.

[0050] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above set forth certain features, the scope of the present disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the features described above.

Claims

1. a front layer of a liquid permeable material and a back layer opposite said front layer, said front and back layers being permanently sealed together about their outer edges to define and encapsulate an interior cavity within said front and back layers; A peripheral area that is not structurally connected; an array of individually sealed silica compartments disposed within said internal cavity, each containing dry silica within said internal cavity; a hook-and-loop fastener disposed on an outer surface of the back layer of the main pad body; A main pad body having A reusable moisture removal pad.

2. 2. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 1, wherein the front and back layers are sealed around their outer edges with stitches proximate a bottom edge of the main pad body, a top edge of the main pad body opposite the bottom edge of the main pad body, a first side edge of the main pad body, and a second side edge of the main pad body opposite the first side edge of the main pad body, the bottom edge, top edge, and the first and second side edges defining a continuous perimeter of the main pad body.

3. The pad is the area defined and surrounded by said stitching and comprised entirely of liquid permeable material; 3. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 2, further comprising:

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

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

6. said array of individually sealed silica compartments comprising: At least two rows with individually sealed silica compartments arranged horizontally and at least two columns with individually sealed silica compartments arranged vertically.

10. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 1 further comprising:

7. 7. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 6, wherein each of said horizontally and vertically aligned individually sealed silica compartments is individually sealed by an inner liner of liquid permeable material and disposed within said inner cavity.

8. 9. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 8, wherein each of the horizontally and vertically aligned individually sealed silica compartments is maintained within the internal cavity at an offset distance of at least 6 mm by the internal liner forming a plurality of flexible joints.

9. an inner liner of a liquid-permeable material coupled to an inner surface of at least one of the front and back layers and disposed within the interior cavity to individually seal each of the individually sealed silica compartments in the array; 10. The reusable moisture removal pad of claim 1 further comprising:

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

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