Rehydration Device

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/823,399, filed on Aug. 30, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The present application claims subject matter disclosed but not claimed in the parent application.

The present disclosure relates to a rehydration device, and more specifically to a rehydration device that maintains a predetermined humidity level within an enclosed environment by using a hemp cloth.

Perishable items typically require a specific humidity level to keep their moisture intact and increase shelf life. Examples of such items include, but are not limited to, tobacco products (e.g., cigars), food products, medicines, herbs, and the like. Conventionally, such items are placed inside a humidor that maintains humidity level inside the humidor.

Typically, a humidor includes one or more humidity control products (or humidifiers) that release moisture to maintain humidity inside the humidor. For instance, cigar boxes conventionally use humidity control products to maintain moisture level of cigars and preserve the cigars for a long duration.

Conventional humidors use silica beads or crystal gels to release moisture in the humidor to control the humidity level. Since silica beads and crystal gels deteriorate over time, the conventional humidors are single-use products that lose their moisture content over time. In addition, conventional humidors are made from materials that are non-biodegradable, and hazardous to the environment.

Thus, there is a need for a rechargeable and an environment-friendly humidity control device.

The present disclosure is directed towards a rehydration device that may be placed in a storage container containing one or more items (e.g., a cigar box containing cigars). The rehydration device may help maintain a predefined humidity level in the container. The rehydration device may include two parts, e.g., a first part and a second part, that may be rotatably coupled with each other via a hinge. The rehydration device may further include a locking mechanism to lock the first part and the second part in a closed position. In some aspects, the first part and the second part may enclose a hemp fabric, when the first and the second parts lock in the closed position. The hemp fabric may be configured to release water vapors to maintain the predefined humidity level in the storage container. In some aspects, the first part and the second part may include one or more openings to enable the release of the water vapors from the hemp fabric to the storage container.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, the rehydration device may be a unified piece made of biodegradable plastic. Further, the rehydration device may be rechargeable by using water. In other words, the hemp fabric may be re-hydrated multiple times, to maintain a predefined moisture level in the fabric. In one or more aspects, the hemp fabric may be anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, to enable the use of the hemp fabric multiple times, with minimal deterioration.

In one or more aspects, the rehydration device may include one or more retention components, placed in interior portions of the first part and the second part, to secure the hemp fabric inside the rehydration device. The retention components may include, for example, securing pins or barbs. The rehydration device encloses the hemp fabric in an enclosed inner portion formed by the first part and the second part, thereby minimizing direct contact of the hemp fabric (containing the moisture) with the one or more items such as, for example, cigars, loose leaf tobacco, or other smokable media placed in the storage container.

The present disclosure offers various advantages over conventional humidity control devices. For instance, the rehydration device is rechargeable by using water, and hence may be used multiple times. Further, the hemp fabric enclosed in the rehydration device is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, and hence has a long shelf life. In addition, the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of the hemp fabric may mitigate contamination of the one or more items placed in the storage container. Moreover, the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of the hemp rehydration device may also mitigate cross-contamination of biological matter from one quantity of smokable media to a second quantity. Furthermore, the rehydration device may be constructed from environment-friendly biodegradable plastic, such as hemp-based plastic material.

These and other advantages of the present disclosure are provided in detail herein.

The disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the disclosure are shown, and not intended to be limiting.

The rehydration devicemay include a first parthaving a mirrored

depict a first view of an example rehydration device, in accordance with the present disclosure. In particular,depict an open position of the rehydration device. In accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure, the rehydration devicemay be placed inside a sealable or non-sealable enclosed storage container (not shown) in conjunction with smokable media to maintain a level of humidity inside the storage bin, and thus, to rehydrate or maintain hydration of the smokable media. Specifically, the rehydration devicemay configured to maintain a moisture level of one or more items (not shown) that are placed in the storage bin, such as cigars, tobacco, or other material. In some aspects, the rehydration devicemay be placed in a proximity of the one or more items.

In one or more aspects, the storage bin (or storage device) may include a cigar box (or a cigar humidor) or a box to store tobacco products. In other aspects, the storage device may be used to control relative humidity for other dry goods. For example, the rehydration devicemay be used in enclosed areas that store food products, spices, medicines, herbs, clothing, apparel, sports equipment, artwork, electronic items, musical instruments, printing inks or paints, and the like.

In some aspects, the storage device may include one or more compartments to place the one or more items and the rehydration device. The rehydration devicemay be removably attached to the storage device using retention or support means (not shown) in the one or more compartments. Retention or support means may include, for example, tape, a strap, a hook and loop fastener, a retaining clip, a snap, removable adhesive, or other retention or support means. Alternatively, the rehydration devicemay be placed near or on the one or more items. In other aspects, the rehydration devicemay be affixed on a lid or cover of the storage device.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the rehydration devicemay be a unified structure (e.g., the rehydration deviceis constructed as a single unit having injection molded features that can include one or more integrated hinges). In other aspects, the rehydration devicemay include multiple pieces coupled with each other, where an integrated hinge is not included as an integral portion of the rehydration device, and the interlocking halves of the device fit together with via snap feature (not shown in) that may provide a re-openable closure of the two rehydration devicehalves (e.g., the first portionand the second portion, respectively. In an example embodiment, the rehydration devicemay be fabricated using any known manufacturing technique, including injection molding, die stamping, vacuum forming, or other one or more other methods for forming plasticized materials. The rehydration devicemay be constructed of materials that can include a thermoplastic material or a thermoset material. Example construction materials can include, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, or other similar materials. In other aspects, the devicemay be constructed of metallic sheets that are die stamped to form the body of the device.

In another preferred embodiment, the rehydration deviceis composed of a bio-based resin such as hemp biocomposite or hemp plasticized materials made from moldable bioplastic.

Further, the rehydration devicemay be of any shape, for example a hemispherical shape or a drop-like shape (as shown in). In other aspects, the rehydration devicemay be of any other shape such as circular, square, rectangular, prism, triangular, hexagonal, tubular, and the like. The shape of the rehydration devicemay be based on the shape of the storage device in which the rehydration deviceis to be placed.

In accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure, the rehydration devicemay be of any size. In one or more aspects, the width of the rehydration devicemay be approximately one inch and the length may be approximately one inch in diameter (e.g., 1. inch, 1.2 inches, 1.25 inches, etc.). In other aspects, the width and/or length of the rehydration devicemay be greater or less than one inch. The size of the rehydration devicemay be based on the size of the storage device, so that the rehydration devicecan easily fit inside the storage device. For example, a tear-shaped device as shown inmay be used inside of (in one or more interior portions of) cylindrical storage devices, in rectangular storage devices, or other shapes having an interior portion suited for the shape and dimensions of the device. In another example, the rehydration devicemay include a generally rectangular or square form (not shown in), where the devicemay lay flat or generally flat on a base of the storage device (base not shown in) such that a shallow cavity portion can enclose the hydration devicewhile allowing the storage device lid (not shown in) to close securely, making an airtight (or generally air-sealed) closure. Other shapes are possible and such shapes are contemplated herein.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the rehydration devicemay include a first partdisposed in connection with a second partvia one or more hinges. The first partand the second partmay have similar characteristics, e.g., shape, size, material, etc. The first partand the second partmay act as a cover of the rehydration device. In some aspects, the first partand the second partmay be made of biodegradable plastic.

The first partmay include a body portion that includes a first interior portionand a first exterior portion. Similarly, the second partmay include a body portion that includes a second interior portionand a second exterior portion. In one or more aspects, the first partand the second partmay be hinged together at first peripheral portionsand, via the hinge. The first partand the second partmay be configured to rotate about the hingeas the hinge(s)flex and deform such that the first partseals against a matching surfacedisposed on the second part. Specifically, the first partand the second partmay be coupled together by a vertical hinge. In some aspects, the hingemay be made of any suitable material, such as biodegradable plastic, polymer, metal, and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the hingemay be made of the same material as the first partand the second part, e.g., biodegradable plastic, and may be injection molded to be integral with the first partand the second partsuch that the respective partsandare joined by the hingeat one or more hinge connection points.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the first partand the second partmay include a locking mechanism, including, for example, a fin connection, a pin connection, an alignment bar, or other locking means. In some aspects, the locking mechanism may be located at second peripheral portions,of the first partand the second part. In particular, the locking mechanism may include a plurality of fins(or pins) located at the second peripheral portionof the second part. Further, the locking mechanism may include a plurality of holescorresponding to the plurality of fins, located at the second peripheral portionof the first part. In particular, the plurality of holesmay be configured to receive the plurality of finsto lock the first partwith the second part, when the first partand the second partrotate about the hingeto secure the rehydration devicein a closed position. In other aspects, the plurality of finsmay be located at the second peripheral portion, and the plurality of holesmay be located at the second peripheral portion. The plurality of finsmay be equal to the plurality of holes. In an example embodiment, the second peripheral portionmay include five fins, and the second peripheral portionmay include 5 holes.

In some aspects, the plurality of finsmay be placed in an equidistant arrangement. Alternatively, the plurality of finsmay be placed at varied distances from each other. Similarly, the corresponding plurality of holesmay be placed at equal or varied distances from each other.

In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, the first partand the second partmay be configured to enclose a piece of fabric, as shown in. The fabricmay be a woven hemp fabric that may be made by using fibers from the stalks ofplant. The hemp fabricmay be hydrophilic, with moisture content ranging from 5 to 10% of weight. In particular, the hemp fabricmay absorb and retain water, however the hemp fabricmay not absorb considerable amount of water (e.g., as compared to cotton). The hemp fabricmay have more tensile strength and be more flexible than cotton. Further, the hemp fabricmay be biodegradable, and hence environment friendly fabric. In addition, the hemp fabricmay be anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.

In one or more aspects, the hemp fabricmay be configured to control the humidity level of the storage device (in which the rehydration deviceis placed) or maintain a predetermined humidity level in the storage device. In particular, the hemp fabricmay be configured to maintain the predetermined humidity level by releasing moisture or water vapors in the storage device.

In some aspects, the rehydration devicemay include multiple layers of hemp fabricto retain more moisture level, thereby maintaining the predetermined humidity level for a longer time duration. Similarly, the rehydration devicemay include multiple folds of the hemp fabricto retain more moisture level. In some aspects, the number of hemp fabric layers or folds may be based on the application area of the rehydration device, or based on the type of the one or more items that are placed in the storage device.

In some aspects, the hemp fabricmay retain absorb and moisture when water is added to the hemp fabric(e.g., when the hemp fabricis hydrated). In accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure, the hemp fabricmay be re-hydrated by adding more water at a predetermined frequency to maintain the predetermined humidity. Thus, the rehydration deviceis rechargeable. In other words, the rehydration devicemay be re-used multiple times, by adding water to the hemp fabricto replenish the fabric moisture.

In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, the hemp fabricmay be square in shape. In other aspects, the hemp fabricmay be of any other shape including, but not limited to, circular, triangular, hexagonal, and the like. The shape of the hemp fabricmay be based on the shape of the rehydration device.

In some aspects, the hemp fabricmay be of any size. For instance, the size of the hemp fabricmay be 70% of the rehydration device size (such as 0.7 inch). The size of the hemp fabricmay be based on the rehydration device size.

In accordance with further embodiments of the present disclosure, the rehydration devicemay include one or more retention components (first retention componentsand second retention components) to retain the hemp fabricin the rehydration device. In particular, each of the first interior portionand the second interior portionmay include the one or more retention components,to retain/hold the hemp fabric, and prevent movement of the hemp fabricin the rehydration device. The one or more retention components,may include, but are not limited to, barbs, securing pins, and the like.

In accordance with an aspect, the one or more retention components,may include securing pins. Each of the securing pins may include a proximate end and a distal end. The distal ends may be engaged with the first interior portionand the second interior portion. The proximate ends may be engaged with the hemp fabricto secure the hemp fabricinside the rehydration device. In some aspects, each proximate end may include a spike to secure the hemp fabric. In other words, each securing pin may include a protruding spike or a needle. In one or more aspects, the length and thickness of the proximate end and the distal end may be the same. In other aspects, the length and thickness of the proximate end and the distal end may be different. In some aspects, the length of the proximate end may be greater than the length of the distal end. For example, the length of the proximate end (e.g., the length of the spike) may be 60%-75% of the length of the securing pin. Such proportion of the length may allow robust securing of the hemp fabricinside the rehydration device.

In some aspects, the first interior portionmay include the one or more retention componentsthat may be arranged in a predetermined pattern. For instance, the first interior portionmay include three retention components(e.g., three securing pins), as shown in. The retention componentsmay be arranged in a triangular pattern (or any other pattern). In some aspects, the retention componentsmay be placed at an equal distance (predetermined distance) from each other. In other aspects, there may be more or less number of retention components in the first interior portion. For instance, there may be six retention components, which may be arranged in a concentric circles or triangles. In other aspects, the first interior portionmay include a single retention component that may be placed at a center position or any other position.

In further aspects of the present disclosure, the second interior portionmay include the one or more retention componentsthat may be arranged in a predetermined pattern. In particular, the one or more retention componentsmay be arranged based on the arrangement of the one or more retention components. Alternatively, the one or more retention componentsmay be arranged based on the arrangement of the one or more retention components. For instance, the second interior portionmay include a single retention component, as shown in, that may be placed at a center position (or any other position) of the second interior portion. The single retention component may be placed such that the one or more retention components(such as the three retention componentsshown in) may surround the single retention component of the second interior portion, to hold or retain the hemp fabric.

In some aspects, the number of the one or more retention componentsmay be different from the one or more retention components. In other aspects, the number of the one or more retention componentsmay be same as the one or more retention components.

In some aspects, the first exterior portionand the second exterior portionmay be configured to separate the hemp fabricfrom the one or more items placed in the storage device. In other words, the first exterior portionand the second exterior portionprevent touching of the hemp fabricwith the one or more items, thereby preventing damage of the one or more items, which may be caused due to water content in the hemp fabric. Similarly, the separation prevents damage of the hemp fabric.

depicts a second view of the rehydration device, in accordance with the present disclosure. Specifically,depicts a view of the rehydration devicein a closed position.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of finsmay be engaged with the plurality of holesto lock or close the rehydration device, as described above in conjunction with. The rehydration devicein the closed position is shown in. In some aspects, in the closed position of the rehydration device(e.g., when the plurality of finsare engaged in the plurality of holes), a gap(or an opening) may exist between the respective second peripheral portionsand. The gapmay allow water vapors from the hemp fabricto release from the rehydration device, into the storage device in which the rehydration devicemay be placed. The release of the water vapors helps maintain a predetermined humidity level in the storage device.

depicts another example rehydration devicewith through-holes, in accordance with the present disclosure.illustrates the rehydration devicethat includes the set of through-holesinstead of the gap. The through-holesmay be configured to allow the flow of the water vapor (e.g., the water vapors that are released from a hemp fabric placed inside the rehydration device) out of the rehydration device, to maintain the predetermined humidity level in the storage device.

In some aspects, the through-holesmay be located on the body portions of a first partand a second partof the rehydration device. The first partand the second partmay be coupled vertically via a hinge. Specifically, the hingemay be located at a first peripheral portionof the first part, and a first peripheral portionof the second part.

At the opposite end of the hinge, the first partand the second partmay be secured in an airtight manner, without any gap, by using a protrusionand a cavity. In some aspects, as shown in, the protrusionmay be formed in a second peripheral portionof the first part, and the cavitymay be formed in a second peripheral portionof the second part. Alternatively, the protrusionmay be formed in the second peripheral portion, and the cavitymay be formed in the second peripheral portion, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In further aspects of the present disclosure, the first partand the second partmay be secured in the airtight manner by other fastening means, for example a snap lock.

A personal ordinarily skilled in the art may appreciate that since the rehydration deviceincludes the through-holesto release water vapors out of the rehydration device, fins/pins and holes may not be required at the second peripheral portions,to create a gap (e.g., the gapshown in).

In some aspects, the through-holesmay be located on the body portions of both the first partand the second part, in a predetermined pattern. For instance, the through-holesmay be placed in a linear pattern, a circular pattern, or any other pattern. In some aspects, the through-holesmay be equally spaced from each other. In one or more aspects, the predetermined pattern may be selected based on the shape of the rehydration device. Similarly, the number of through-holesmay be selected based on the shape and size of the rehydration device. In further aspects, the number of through-holeson the first partmay be same as the number of through-holeson the second part. Similarly, the pattern of placement of through-holesin the first partmay be same as the pattern in the second part. Alternatively, the number or pattern of the through-holeson the first partmay be different from the number or pattern of the through-holesin the second part.

In some aspects, the number of through-holes, and the pattern of arranging the through-holes, may be based on the application area of the rehydration device.

In one or more aspects, the rehydration devicemay include one or more retention componentsto secure the hemp fabric inside the rehydration device. The one or more retention componentsmay be same as the one or more retention components,described above.

depicts another example rehydration devicewith a horizontal hinge mechanism, in accordance with the present disclosure. In some aspects, the rehydration devicemay include a top partand a bottom part. In this aspect, the top partand the bottom partmay be coupled together via a horizontal hinge. The horizontal hingemay be same as the vertical hingedescribed in conjunction with. In some aspects, the top partand the bottom partmay have same heights. In other aspects, the top partand the bottom partmay have different heights.

In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, the top partand the bottom partmay include a locking mechanism that may be same as the locking mechanism described in. For example, the locking mechanism may include a plurality of finsand a plurality of holes. In some aspects, the top partmay include the plurality of fins, and the bottom partmay include the plurality of holes. Alternatively, the top partmay include the plurality of holes, and the bottom partmay include the plurality of fins. The details of the locking mechanism may be understood in conjunction with.

In some aspects, the plurality of finsmay be engaged with the plurality of holesto lock or close the rehydration device. In particular, in the closed position (e.g., when the plurality of finsare engaged in the plurality of holes), a gap (similar to the gap, shown in) may be created along the edges of the top partand the bottom part. The gap may allow water vapors to flow out of the rehydration device.

In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, the top partand the bottom partmay enclose a hemp fabric(same as the hemp fabricof). In some aspects, the hemp fabricmay be arranged in the bottom part. In further aspects of the present disclosure, the hemp fabricmay be enclosed by using one or more retention components,(same as the retention components,of). In some aspects, the top partmay include the one or more retention components, and the bottom partmay include the one or more retention components. For instance, the bottom partmay include three securing pins and the top partmay include one securing pin, or vice versa.

depicts another example rehydration device, in accordance with the present disclosure. In particular, the rehydration devicemay be a “pull-up” kind of device that may include a top partand a bottom partremovably coupled with each other. Specifically, the top partmay be placed over the bottom part, without any hinge mechanism. In particular, in a closed position of the rehydration device, the top partmay be coupled with the bottom part, in an air-tight manner, by using protrusionsand cavities, formed along the edges of the top partand the bottom part, as shown in.