Humidity control system for musical instrument

• US 6,209,717 B1
• Filed: 11/03/1997
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GWW Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: GWW, Inc.
• Inventors: Flynn, Timothy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSTER, JIMMY G
• Application Number:
  US08/963,330
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 206/14, 206/314, 206/204, 206/205, 206/213.5, 84/453, 312/31, 312/31.01-31.06, 312/31.1-31.3
• US Class Current: 206/204
• CPC Class Codes: G10G 7/005 Carrying cases for musical instruments interior fittings for luggage A45C13/02

Abstract

A humidity control system for a musical instrument case includes at least two compartments venting into the inside of the case. At least one of these compartments is fitted for a desiccant pouch, with at least one compartment alternatively used and fitted for a humidifier. The use of more than two compartments (e.g., more than one humidifier or desiccant) may be occasioned by an extreme local atmosphere or an exceptionally large instrument or both. A hygrometer and a thermometer are preferably provided with the case to enable a musician to easily ascertain the environmental conditions inside the case. The musician then adds either the desiccant pouch or activates the humidifier in the appropriate compartment of the carrying case, as necessary. The compartments can be built into the case or fastened using conventional fasteners such as adhesive or snaps.

Claims

1. A storage apparatus for a musical instrument, comprising:

carrying means for carrying said musical instrument;

humidity control means attached on an inside of said carrying means for controlling humidity inside said carrying means;

temperature measuring means connected to said carrying means for measuring a temperature inside said carrying means; and

humidity measuring means connected to said carrying means for measuring humidity inside said carrying means.

2. A storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said humidity control means includes only one compartment containing a salt compound selected from the group consisting of calcium nitrate, sodium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, sodium dichromate, and potassium carbonate.

3. A storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said humidity control means includes first compartment means for containing a humidifier and second compartment means for containing a desiccant.

4. A storage apparatus for a musical instrument comprising:

a) a musical instrument carrying case; and

b) a humidity control unit attached to an inner portion of said musical instrument carrying case, said humidity control unit including;

i) a first compartment capable of holding a humidifier, and

ii) a second compartment capable of holding a packaged desiccant;

c) at least one humidifier that is capable of being inserted within said compartment;

d) at least one packaged desiccant that is a compound that is capable of absorbing moisture from the internal environment of said storage apparatus, said packaged desiccant being held in a container which does not prevent said compound from removing moisture from the interior of said musical instrument carrying case and is a mixture of silica gel and activated carbon, such that the silica gel comprises at least 40% of said mixture; and

wherein said at least one humidifier and said at least one packaged desiccant can be inserted and removed from said first and second compartment respectively by a person to maintain a stable and desired relative humidity inside said musical instrument carrying case.

5. The storage apparatus of claim 4 wherein said activated carbon is generated from the shells of coconuts.

6. A storage apparatus for a musical instrument comprising:

a) a musical instrument carrying case; and

b) a humidity control unit attached to an inner portion of said musical instrument carrying case, said humidity control unit including;

i) a first compartment capable of holding a humidifier, and

ii) a second compartment capable of holding a packaged desiccant;

c) at least one humidifier that is capable of being inserted within said compartment;

d) at least one packaged desiccant that is a compound that is capable of absorbing moisture from the internal environment of said storage apparatus, said packaged desiccant being held in a container which does not prevent said compound from removing moisture from the interior of said musical instrument carrying case;

e) a thermometer provided within said musical instrument carrying case such that said thermometer is capable of being read by said person while said musical instrument carrying case is closed and monitors an internal temperature within said musical instrument carrying case; and

wherein said at least one humidifier and said at least one packaged desiccant can be inserted and removed from said first and second compartment respectively by a person to maintain a stable and desired relative humidity inside said musical instrument carrying case.

7. A storage apparatus for a musical instrument comprising:

a) a musical instrument carrying case; and

b) a humidity control unit attached to an inner portion of said musical instrument carrying case, said humidity control unit including;

i) a first compartment capable of holding a humidifier, and

ii) a second compartment capable of holding a packaged desiccant;

c) at least one humidifier that is capable of being inserted within said compartment;

d) at least one packaged desiccant that is a compound that is capable of absorbing moisture from the internal environment of said storage apparatus, said packaged desiccant being held in a container which does not prevent said compound from removing moisture from the interior of said musical instrument carrying case;

e) a thermometer provided within said musical instrument carrying case such that said thermometer is capable of being read by said person while said musical instrument carrying case is open and monitors an internal temperature within said musical instrument carrying case; and

wherein said at least one humidifier and said at least one packaged desiccant can be inserted and removed from said first and second compartment respectively by a person to maintain a stable and desired relative humidity inside said musical instrument carrying case.