Portable Humidity Control Device with Removable Membrane Compartment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current humidity control devices for portable storage containers are not convenient for carrying in pockets or purses, are often disposable and wasteful, and do not allow for easy replacement or reuse of humidity control materials, making it difficult to maintain optimal humidity levels for consumables like tobacco and cannabis.

Innovation Solution

A portable humidity control device with a separate compartment for humidity control materials, covered by a semi-permeable membrane lid, allowing for easy insertion and replacement of materials, and a design that allows the device to be carried in small spaces while maintaining optimal humidity levels within the main container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If current portable humidity control devices are used, then humidity control function is provided, but the device is not convenient for carrying in pockets or purses and cannot be easily replaced or reused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of carrying and replacing humidity control materialsVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The humidity control device is divided into separate components: a removable humidity control material compartment, a lid with semi-permeable membrane, and a container body. This segmentation allows the humidity control materials to be easily replaced while keeping the container structure intact, improving convenience without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The humidity control materials are extracted into a separate removable compartment that can be taken out and replaced independently from the container. This extraction allows users to easily replace depleted humidity materials without discarding the entire device, enhancing reusability and convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If disposable humidity control devices are used, then humidity control function is provided, but waste is generated and materials cannot be reused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity control functionVSAvoidwaste of humidity control materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding the entire device when humidity materials are depleted, the design allows recovery and reuse of the container structure while only replacing the consumable humidity control materials in the removable compartment. This significantly reduces waste while maintaining reliable humidity control function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The design applies the disposable principle selectively to only the humidity control materials (which are inexpensive and consumable) while making the container structure permanent and reusable. This resolves the contradiction by allowing easy replacement of short-living materials without making the entire device disposable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a separate compartment for humidity control materials is added, then easy replacement and reuse of materials is enabled, but device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of replacement and reuse of humidity control materialsVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separate compartment for humidity control materials is implemented as a distinct removable unit within the container. This segmentation enables easy replacement of materials while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple and modular, balancing adaptability with structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device provides a convenient, reusable, and environmentally friendly solution for maintaining optimal humidity levels in portable storage containers, ensuring the freshness of consumables and reducing waste by allowing for easy replacement of humidity control materials.

Implementation Method 1

a first removable lid for the separate compartment which has an opening covered by a semi-permeable membrane permitting water vapor to flow from the separate compartment into the body of the container device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS10123563B2Portable humidity control device with a separate compartment for humidity control materials

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 JACKSON MARLINE

AI summary

A humidity control device designed to fit inside a pocket, purse, or other small enclosure which contains a space to store materials in the humidity control device. The humidity control device is designed with a separate compartment within the space into which humidity control materials can be placed. The separate compartment within the humidity control device is designed with a lid which has an opening covered by a semi-permeable membrane which permits water vapor to travel from the separate compartment into the body of the humidity control device, thereby permitting materials which require some constant level of humidity to retain their ideal properties while being transported in the humidity control device.