Humidity control device

• US 7,501,011 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2004
• Issued: 03/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Multisorb Technologies Incorporated (FGI Equity LLC)
• Original Assignee: Multisorb Technologies Incorporated (FGI Equity LLC)
• Inventors: Patrone, Louis, Powers, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): LAWRENCE JR, FRANK M
• Application Number:
  US10/984,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20060097223A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,582 Days
• Field of Search: 961/08, 96118-120, 961/47, 252/194, 252/188.28, 206/204, 95/91
• US Class Current: 96/118
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/104 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/80 Water
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/28 Selection of materials for use as drying agents
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/043 Carbonates or bicarbonates, e.g. limestone, dolomite, aragonite
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/045 containing sulfur, e.g. sulfates, thiosulfates, gypsum
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/046 containing halogens, e.g. halides
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/103 comprising silica
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/20 comprising free carbon; comprising carbon obtained by carbonising processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28014 characterised by their form
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/2803 Sorbents comprising a binder, e.g. for forming aggregated, agglomerated or granulated products
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28042 Shaped bodies; Monolithic structures
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/2805 Sorbents inside a permeable or porous casing, e.g. inside a container, bag or membrane
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3035 Compressing
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3042 Use of binding agents; addition of materials ameliorating the mechanical properties of the produced sorbent
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3078 Thermal treatment, e.g. calcining or pyrolizing
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3204 Inorganic carriers, supports or substrates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3208 Polymeric carriers, supports or substrates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3212 consisting of a polymer obtained by reactions otherwise than involving only carbon to carbon unsaturated bonds
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3236 containing metal, other than zeolites, e.g. oxides, hydroxides, sulphides or salts
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3293 Coatings on a core, the core being particle or fiber shaped, e.g. encapsulated particles, coated fibers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2220/42 : Materials comprising a mixture of inorganic materials materials coated or impregnated on a carrier B01J20/32
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2220/46 : Materials comprising a mixture of inorganic and organic materials materials coated or impregnated on a carrier B01J20/32
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2220/4843 : Algae, aquatic plants or sea vegetals, e.g. seeweeds, eelgrass

Abstract

A device for controlling relative humidity in an environment with a solidified humectant composition. The solidified humectant composition is made from a humectant salt, water, and a carrier. The solidified humectant may be formed into a tablet with the aid of a binder, or it may be contained within a thermoformed felt material, a sachet, or a water permeable canister. In a preferred embodiment, the sachet is made of a micro-perforated polyester/paper/polyethylene material. Preferred humectant salts include CaCl₂, K₂CO₃, LiCl₂, NaCl, K₂SO₄, and combinations thereof. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the use of one or more of: an antimicrobial agent, activated carbon, a volatile organic, a moisture adsorber and an oxygen absorber, in combination with the solidified humectant salt.

Claims

1. A device for controlling relative humidity in an environment comprising:

a water vapor-permeable container in the form of a sachet comprising a micro-perforated polyester/paper/polyethylene material; and

a solidified humectant composition within the container, the solidified humectant composition comprising;

a humectant salt,

water, and

a carrier.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the humectant salt is selected from the group consisting of CaCl₂, K₂CO₃, LiCl, NaCl, K₂SO₄, and combinations thereof.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising an antimicrobial agent in the container.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the carrier is selected from the group consisting of cellulose, silica gel, clay, carbohydrate or protein gelling agent, hydrocolloid gum, and hydrophilic polymers.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the solidified humectant composition further comprises activated carbon.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the solidified humectant composition further comprises an oxygen absorber.

7. The device of claim 1 comprising a binder selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrollidone, a thermoplastic resin, a wax, and combinations thereof and wherein the carrier is selected from the group consisting of cellulose, silica gel, clay, carbohydrate or protein gelling agent, hydrocolloid gum, and hydrophilic polymers.