HYDRATION CONTAINER

Abstract

A hydration container includes a hydration regulator, and an impermeable main body, lid, and sealing structure. The main body includes a main cavity for storage of one or more items or substances. The main body and lid engage via threads. A hydration regulator regulates the moisture level within the main cavity, and is fixed to an upper inner lid surface. The sealing structure includes a seal aperture, and can be fixed to the upper inner lid surface or the hydration regulator with the seal aperture exposing at least a portion of the hydration regulator. A hydration container can optionally include a grinding element and/or a hydration seal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

This application is related to, claims the priority benefit of, and incorporates by reference in its entirety, United States Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/813,480, entitled “A Glass Jar with a Humidifier for Keeping Herbs Moist with Familiar Labels Hiding its Contents,” and filed on Apr. 18, 2013 by Inventor, James Peter Morrissette.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers are devices having cavities in which one or more items or substances may be stored. Hydration devices can be used to introduce water vapor into a target environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a hydration container for maintaining a desired hydration level within the container.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, such a container can include a main body, a lid, a hydration regulator, and a sealing structure.

In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, main body can be formed of a first impermeable material defining a continuous first body portion having a main cavity therein, and a continuous second body portion terminating at a cylindrical body portion, having main body threads, and defining a main body aperture connected to the main cavity.

In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a lid can be formed of at least one of the first impermeable material and a second impermeable material defining a continuous lid portion having an upper inner lid surface, and a cylindrical terminal lid portion having lid threads.

In a further exemplary aspect of the present invention, a hydration regulator can be formed at least in part of a permeable material defining a regulator cavity having a hydration material therein, with the regulator being fixed to the upper inner lid surface.

In still another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a sealing structure can be formed of at least one of the first impermeable material, the second impermeable material, and a third impermeable material defining an seal aperture, and can be fixed to one of the upper inner lid surface and the hydration regulator such that the seal aperture exposes at least a portion of the permeable material of the hydration regulator.

In still a further exemplary aspect of the present invention, when such a lid is engaged with the main body via engagement between the lid and main body threads, the sealing structure can be disposed between the upper inner lid surface and the cylindrical body portion such that an air-tight seal is formed and the at least a portion of the permeable material of the hydration regulator is exposed to the main cavity via the seal aperture.

In additional exemplary aspects of the present invention, a hydration container can optionally include one or more of a grinding element having at least one element aperture, and a hydration seal disposed over the seal aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a basic embodiment of the present invention in which a hydration container 100 can include a main body 110; a lid 120; a hydration regulator 130; and a sealing structure 140.

FIG. 2 illustrates a hydration container 100 having an optional grinding element 150 and an optional hydration seal 160.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hydration container for maintaining a desired hydration level within said container, such a hydration container having a plurality of embodiments, which are described, and are to be broadly interpreted, via the disclosure herein.

It should be noted that this disclosure includes a plurality of elements and/or aspects, and such elements and/or aspects need not necessarily be interpreted as being conjunctively required by one or more embodiments of the present invention. Rather, all combinations of the one or more elements and/or aspects can enable a separate embodiment of the present invention, which may be claimed with particularity in this or any future filed applications. Moreover, any particular materials, structures, and/or sizes disclosed herein, whether expressly or implicity, are to be construed strictly as illustrative and enabling, and not necessarily limiting. Therefore, it is expressly set forth that such materials, structures, and/or sizes independently or in any combination of one of more thereof, are merely illustratively representative of one or more embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as necessary in a strict sense.

Further, to the extent the same element or limitation is defined differently anywhere within this disclosure, whether expressly or implicitly, the broader definition is to take absolute precedence, with the distinctions encompassed by the narrower definition to be strictly construed as optional.

Illustratively, perceived benefits of the present invention can include functional utility, whether expressly or implicitly stated herein, or apparent herefrom. However, it is expressly set forth that these benefits are not intended as exclusive. Therefore, any explicit, implicit, or apparent benefit from the disclosure herein is expressly deemed as applicable to the present invention.

The present invention provides a hydration container, which can be used to store one or more items or substances at a desired hydration level.

FIG. 1 illustrates a basic exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a hydration container 100 for maintaining a desired hydration level within the container can include a main body 110; a lid 120; a hydration regulator 130; and a sealing structure 140.

In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, main body 110 can include a continuous first body portion 111 having a main cavity 112 therein, and a continuous second body portion 113 terminating at a cylindrical body portion 114. In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, cylindrical body portion 114 can include at least one main body thread 115, and further, can define main body aperture 116, which can be connected to main cavity 112. Notably, main body 110 can be formed of any one or combination of materials that are functionally compatible with the present invention, such as, for example and not in limitation, glass, metal, plastic, rubber, wood, a man-made material, a naturally-occurring material, etc. Further, main body 110 can be provided, in whole or in part, in any one or more desired size and/or shape, such as cylindrical, parallelepiped, any symmetrical or asymmetrical shape, etc., with the only requirement being that main body includes a cylindrical body portion 114 having a size that is functionally compatible with cylindrical terminal lid portion 123 (described infra), such that engagement therebetween can be effectuated.

In a further exemplary aspect of the present invention, lid 120 can include a continuous lid portion 121 having an upper inner lid surface 122 and a cylindrical terminal lid portion 123 having at least one lid thread 124. Notably, a lid thread 124 and a main body thread 115 can be respectively provided on the inside or outside of cylindrical body portion 114 and cylindrical terminal lid portion 123, insofar as the same are cooperatively and sealably engagable with each other. Also notably, threads 124, 115 can be provided in any size and/or length; and for example and not in limitation, can be structured the same as, or similar to, a thread structure used in prescription bottles/tops. Moreover, lid 120 can be formed of any one or combination of materials that are functionally compatible with the present invention, such as, for example and not in limitation, glass, metal, plastic, rubber, wood, a man-made material, a naturally-occurring material, etc. Further, lid 120 can be provided, in whole or in part, in any one or more desired sizes and/or shapes, such as cylindrical, parallelepiped, any symmetrical or asymmetrical shape, etc., with the only requirement being that lid 120 includes a cylindrical terminal lid portion 123 having a size that is functionally compatible with cylindrical body portion 114, such that engagement therebetween can be effectuated.

In yet another exemplary aspect of the present invention, hydration regulator 130 can be formed at least in part of any permeable material, such that hydration regulator 130 envelopes, and allows moisture to transfer to and/or from, a hydration material (not shown). Notably, according to the present invention any suitable hydration material can be utilized, including but not limited to, any known, obvious, or apparent material or combination of materials, such as those utilized with cigar humidors, which can include a propylene glycol and deionized water solution. Further, hydration regulator 130 and/or hydration material can include any express, implicit, or apparent regulator aspect and/or hydration material aspect in light of the prior art; including U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,178, entitled “Humidity Control Device” by Saari et al., which notably, can provide 2-way and specific-leveled hydration control, and is incorporated by reference in its entirety hereby.

In still yet another exemplary aspect of the present invention, hydration regulator 130 can be fixed to upper inner lid surface 122 via any suitable manner that is functionally compatible with the present invention. For example, and not in limitation, hydration regulator 130 can be fixed via an adhesive, static friction, thread engagement, etc. Further, hydration regulator 130 can be fixed to upper lid surface 122 via positional retention, as sealing structure 140 can be fixed to the upper lid surface (described infra) with hydration regulator disposed therebetween.

In a further exemplary aspect of the present invention, sealing structure 140 can be formed of any suitable impermeable material or materials and provided in any desired size and/or shape that are functionally consistent with the present invention, with such material or materials defining an seal aperture 141, such as for example and not in limitation, rubber, plastic, silicon, o-ring, flat washer, etc. In yet a further exemplary aspect of the present invention, sealing structure 140 can be can be fixed to upper inner lid surface 122 and/or a hydration regulator 130 in any manner functionally compatible with the present invention (such as, for example and not in limitation, via an adhesive, static friction, thread engagement, pin, formed therein, integrally formed therein, etc.), such that seal aperture 141 exposes at least a portion of the permeable material of hydration regulator 130, which allows hydration regulator to regulate the hydration level with main cavity 112 when lid 120 is engaged with main body 110 via lid threads 124 and main body threads 115. Accordingly, when lid 120 is engaged with main body 110 via respective engagement between lid and main body threads 124, 115, sealing structure 140 is disposed between upper inner lid surface 122 and cylindrical body portion 114, such that an air-tight seal therebetween is created.

In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, hydration container 100 can additionally include an optional grinding element 150. As illustrated in FIG. 2, optional grinding element 150 can include at least one element aperture 151, which can be flat or angled, for assisting in grinding of a material and allowing such ground material to pass therethrough and enter main cavity 112. As illustrated, grinding element 150 can be provided with a size, whether length, width, and/or diameter, that is greater than an inside diameter of cylindrical body portion 114, such that the grinding element can be positioned thereover. Further, such a size can additionally be smaller than an outside diameter of cylindrical body portion 114, such that the grinding element can be conveniently stored between lid 120 and main body 110 when engaged together. Moreover, grinding element 150 can include one or more portions that are flat, concave, and/or convex. For example, grinding element 150 can include a flat peripheral portion for engagement with cylindrical body portion 114, and a convex portion extending into main cavity 112, such that positional retention of grinding element is effectuated.

In still another exemplary aspect of the present invention, hydration container 100 can additionally include a hydration seal 160, which can be formed of any one or more impermeable materials, as defined herein and functionally compatible herewith. Referring to FIG. 2, hydration seal 160 can be sized to have a diameter less than an inner diameter of lid 120, but of sufficient size to cover any exposed portion of hydration regulator 130. Accordingly, hydration seal 160 can preserve the hydration effectiveness of hydration regulator 130 when such preservation is desired. Notably, hydration seal 160 can be provided with a diameter of sufficient size to engage lid threads 124, and with such engagement effectuate a sealing function.

It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the manner of making and using the claimed invention has been adequately disclosed in the above-written description of the exemplary embodiments and aspects.

It should be understood, however, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific embodiments, aspects, arrangement, and components shown and described above, but may be susceptible to numerous variations within the scope of the invention. For example, while main body 110 and lid 120 are illustratively shown as being engagable via complementarily sized threads, such engagement can alternatively be effectuated by any known or apparent structure, such as a clamp, magnetic, or frictional structure.

Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative and enabling, rather than a restrictive, sense.

Accordingly, it will be understood that the above description of the embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hydration container for maintaining a desired hydration level within said container, said container comprising:

a main body formed of a first impermeable material defining a continuous first body portion having a main cavity therein, and a continuous second body portion terminating at a cylindrical body portion, having at least one main body thread, and defining a main body aperture exposing the main cavity;

a lid formed of at least one of the first impermeable material and a second impermeable material defining a continuous lid portion having an upper inner lid surface, and a cylindrical terminal lid portion having at least one lid thread;

a hydration regulator formed at least in part of a permeable material defining a regulator cavity having a hydration material therein, said hydration regulator being fixed to the upper inner lid surface; and

a sealing structure, formed of at least one of the first impermeable material, the second impermeable material, and a third impermeable material defining an seal aperture, and being fixed to one of the upper inner lid surface and said hydration regulator such that the seal aperture exposes at least a portion of the permeable material of said hydration regulator;

wherein when said lid is engaged with said main body via engagement between the at least one lid thread and the at least one main body thread, said sealing structure is disposed between the upper inner lid surface and the cylindrical body portion such that an air-tight seal is formed and the at least a portion of the permeable material of said hydration regulator is exposed to the main cavity via the seal aperture.

2. The hydration container of claim 1, further comprising a grinding element having at least one element aperture.

3. The hydration container of claim 2, wherein said grinding element is sized to have at least one of an element length, an element width, and an element diameter that is greater than an inside diameter of the cylindrical body portion.

4. The hydration container of claim 3, wherein the element length and element width are less than an outside diameter of the cylindrical body portion.

5. The hydration container of claim 3, wherein the element length and element width are equal to an outside diameter of the cylindrical body portion.

6. The hydration container of claim 3, wherein the element diameter is less than an outside diameter of the cylindrical body portion.

7. The hydration container of claim 3, wherein the element diameter is equal to an outside diameter of the cylindrical body portion.

8. The hydration container of claim 1, further comprising an impermeable hydration seal disposed over the seal aperture.

9. The hydration container of claim 8, wherein said hydration seal is configured to engage the lid threads.