US20150291338A1

US20150291338A1 - Desiccant container structure

Info

Publication number: US20150291338A1
Application number: US14/251,656
Authority: US
Inventors: Erik Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-04-14
Filing date: 2014-04-14
Publication date: 2015-10-15

Abstract

A desiccant container structure includes a main body, a lid, and a desiccant storing element having at least a viewing portion made of a transparent material. The main body is formed with a plurality of through holes and an accommodation space for accommodating an object. The desiccant storing element is formed with a storing chamber for accommodating a desiccant and communicating with the main body through the plurality of through holes. The desiccant in the desiccant storing element is capable of absorbing moisture from the accommodation space through the plurality of through holes for maintaining the object in a dry state, and a state of the desiccant is capable of being viewed directly through the transparent viewing portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a container, and more particularly to a desiccant container structure capable of providing high moisture-proof effect.
2. Related Art
Referring to FIG. 9 showing a conventional container for storing a test strip, the conventional container includes a container body 1 forming an accommodation space 10 therein, and a cover 11. The test strip is preserved in the accommodation space 10 which is sealed by covering the cover 11 onto the container body 1 for preventing from being affected by moisture and causing ineffectiveness of the test strip. However, even though the container body 1 can be sealed by the cover 11, the accommodation space 10 still remains air therein where moisture and dust will affect the nature of the test strip and render the test strip ineffective. As a result, in order to keep the test strip in a dry state, a traditional way is to provide desiccants in the accommodation space 10 so as to absorb the moisture in the accommodation space 10 and maintain a dry state therein. However, the desiccants placed directly in the accommodation space 10 not only occupy the limited space of the container body 1 for storing objects or test strips, but also arise a safety problem that children are easily to get the desiccants in the container body 1 and to eat mistakenly. Besides, the cover 11 tends to be deformed after used for a period of time and forms gaps with the container body 1, whereas outside air leaks in the accommodation space 10 and renders the test strip ineffective.
On the other hand, because the desiccants are placed inside the container body 1, users have to open the cover 11 to identify the state of the desiccant, such as color or change of the appearance, but each time of the opening of the cover 11 will let the moisture from outside go in and thus seriously affect the lifespan of the desiccants. Moreover, quality or nature of objects or test strips stored in the container body 1 are to be changed because of the moisture from the opening of the cover 11 or because of the ineffectiveness of the desiccants.
Therefore, it is imperative to improve the conventional container and overcome the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a desiccant container structure for separately storing objects and a desiccant, and for preventing the objects from being affected by moisture.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a desiccant container structure which allows users to directly identify a state of the desiccant outside the descant container structure.
To achieve the above objects, the desiccant container structure comprises a main body forming an accommodation space therein for accommodating at least one object, the main body having a side portion formed with a plurality of through holes. A lid is intended to cover one end of the main body so as to seal the accommodation space. A desiccant storing element is detachably mounted to the main body, and has a storing chamber and at least a viewing portion made of a transparent material. The storing chamber is formed in the desiccant storing element for accommodating a desiccant and communicating with the main body through the plurality of through holes.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the at least a viewing portion extends around the desiccant storing element to form a peripheral surface of the desiccant storing element.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a projecting rim is formed on an upper portion of the desiccant storing element, the lid is further connected to a ring portion being mounted to an upper portion of the main body with a gap formed between the main body and the ring portion, the ring portion has a recess formed on an inner periphery thereof in the gap, and the projecting rim is capable of being embedded in the recess.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the desiccant storing element has a height that is greater than that of the main body.
With the above-mentioned structure, the desiccant in the desiccant storing element is capable of absorbing moisture from the accommodation space through the plurality of through holes for maintaining the object in a dry state, and a state of the desiccant is capable of being viewed through the transparent viewing portion. In this manner, the object in the accommodation space and the desiccant in the storing chamber are separately stored for making more space for the accommodation space and for preventing children from obtaining the desiccant. Furthermore, users are able to replace the desiccant when the color or the appearance of the desiccant is abnormal, and consumers are able to be aware that the object stored in the desiccant container structure is affected by moisture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a desiccant container structure in accordance with a preferable embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembly view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a desiccant container structure of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an assembly view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic partial perspective view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a desiccant is disposed in a desiccant storing element of the desiccant container structure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a test strip that is placed in the desiccant container structure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the desiccant container structure stored with a plurality of the test strips; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a conventional container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A desiccant container structure 100 of the present invention is intended to preserve objects and ensure that the objects being preserved are not affected and damaged by moisture. The objects to be preserved can be, such as, for example, test strips, electronic components, electrical instruments, or food.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the desiccant container structure 100 comprises a main body 2, a lid 3 and a desiccant storing element 4. The main body 2 forms an accommodation space 23 therein, with one end of the main body 2 open widely, for accommodating at least one object, such as a test strip 6 in this embodiment. The main body 2 has a side portion formed with a plurality of through holes 20, wherein the side portion of the main body 2 corresponds to a bottom of the main body 2, but is not limited thereby.
The lid 3 is removably connected to one end of the main body 2 and is capable of covering the accommodation space 23 under manually control so as to make the accommodation space 23 become a sealing space. The lid 3 comprises the tab portion 31 extending out of the lid 3 for being manipulated to open the lid 3. In this embodiment, the lid 3 is further hingedly connected with a ring portion 32 that is mounted to an upper portion of the main body 2 where a gap 320 is formed between the main body 2 and the ring portion 32. The ring portion 32 has a recess 321 formed on an inner periphery thereof in the gap 320 for allowing mounting of the desiccant storing element 4.
Referring to FIG. 1 in combination with FIGS. 3 and 6, the desiccant storing element 4 is detachably mounted to the main body 2, and has a storing chamber 40 (shown in FIG. 3) and at least a viewing portion 41 made of a transparent material. The storing chamber 40 is formed in the desiccant storing element 4 for accommodating a desiccant 5 and communicating with the main body 2 through the plurality of through holes 20. More specifically, the desiccant storing element 4 has a height that is greater than that of the main body 2 so as to form the storing chamber 40 in between the desiccant storing element 4 and the main body 2 (shown in FIG. 2). In this preferable embodiment, the viewing portion 41 extends around the desiccant storing element 4 to form a peripheral surface of the desiccant storing element 4. Furthermore, a projecting rim 43 is formed on an upper portion of the desiccant storing element 4. In this manner, the projecting rim 43 is capable of being embedded in the recess 321 when the desiccant storing element 4 is mounted to the main body 2 from a bottom to a top of the main body 2.
The desiccant 5 for use can be a desiccant pack, or desiccant powder or desiccant beads that are coated or spread on the storing chamber 40 (shown in FIG. 6). Alternatively, the desiccant 5 is further coated on an inner wall of the desiccant storing element 4.
In use, the desiccant storing element 4 is mounted to the main body 2, and then put one or multiple the test strips 6 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) in the accommodation space 23. Finally, cover the lid 3 to seal the accommodation space 23 for preserving the test strip 6 in a dry state.
As described above, the desiccant 5 in the desiccant storing element 40 is capable of absorbing moisture from the accommodation space 23 through the plurality of through holes 20 so as to maintain the test strip 6 in a dry state. Furthermore, the desiccant 5 is capable of being viewed through the transparent viewing portion 41. That is, the transparent viewing portion 41 is allowed for users or consumers to see a state of the desiccant 5 directly from outside the desiccant container structure 100, whereby users are able to replace the desiccant 5 when the color or the appearance of the desiccant 5 is abnormal, and consumers are able to be aware that the test strip 6 or an object stored in the desiccant container structure 100 is affected by moisture.
Referring to FIGS. 3-7 illustrating the desiccant container structure 100 of a second embodiment of the present invention, the lid 3 is separately provided without being connected to the ring portion 32 as described in the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, a bottom portion of the main body 2 is formed with threads 21 where the desiccant storing element 4 is formed with corresponding threads 42 for being screwed with the main body 2. Furthermore, the bottom portion of the main body 2 is formed with a limiting bump 22 which prevents the desiccant storing element 4 from being unscrewed by children. Likewise, the lid 3 is capable of covering the accommodation space 23 and to be opened by pulling upward the tab portion 31.
In another embodiment, the desiccant storing element 4 is formed with a plurality of the viewing portions 41, wherein each has a rectangular shape and is spaced apart from each other. Alternatively, the viewing portions 41 are integrally formed with the desiccant storing element 4. In this manner, users can see the desiccant 5 from any portion of the transparent viewing portion 41. It is noted that certain types of objects preserved in the desiccant container structure 100 are not allowed for viewing by opening the desiccant container structure 100 in order to prevent moisture from leaking into the accommodation space 23. As a result, when the desiccant container structure 1 is placed on a display shelf, consumers can easily directly identify a state of the desiccant 5 from the viewing portion 41. If the desiccant 5 is not in a normal condition, such us color of the desiccant is abnormal, consumers can infer that the object inside is affected by moisture and quality thereof is affected as well. Therefore, consumers can decide not to buy the object in that desiccant container structure 100, whereby avoiding unnecessary purchase disputes.
Accordingly, the desiccant container structure 100 of the present invention utilizes the desiccant storing element 4 to accommodate the desiccant 5 that is disposed away from the accommodation space 23, whereby saving more space for the accommodation space 23 to store objects or test strips. Particularly, the viewing portion 41 is transparent for allowing users to view instantly directly from outside the desiccant container structure 100 without opening the lid 3. When users see a state of the desiccant 5 is abnormal, the desiccant 5 can be replaced in time before getting into a worse condition, without opening the lid 3, so as to prevent the objects inside from being affected by moisture and to improve moisture-proof effect.
It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the claims. Thus the present examples and embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative, and not restrictive, of the invention defined by the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A desiccant container structure, comprising:

a main body forming an accommodation space therein for accommodating at least one object, and the main body having a side portion formed with a plurality of through holes;

a lid intended to cover one end of the main body so as to seal the accommodation space; and

a desiccant storing element detachably mounted to the main body, and having a storing chamber and at least a viewing portion made of a transparent material, the storing chamber formed in the desiccant storing element for accommodating a desiccant and communicating with the main body through the plurality of through holes;

wherein the desiccant in the desiccant storing element is capable of absorbing moisture from the accommodation space through the plurality of through holes for maintaining the object in a dry state, and a state of the desiccant is capable of being viewed through the transparent viewing portion.

2. The desiccant container structure of claim 1, wherein the at least a viewing portion extends around the desiccant storing element to form a peripheral surface of the desiccant storing element.

3. The desiccant container structure of claim 1, wherein the desiccant storing element has a plurality of the viewing portions that are spaced apart from each other.

4. The desiccant container structure of claim 1, wherein the desiccant storing element and the at least a viewing portion are integrally formed together and made of the transparent material, wherein the desiccant is capable of being viewed from the desiccant storing element.

5. The desiccant container structure of claim 1, wherein the desiccant storing element has a peripheral surface extending to the lid so as to surround the main body.

6. The desiccant container structure of claim 5, wherein a projecting rim is formed on an upper portion of the desiccant storing element, the lid is further connected to a ring portion being mounted to an upper portion of the main body with a gap formed between the main body and the ring portion, the ring portion has a recess formed on an inner periphery thereof in the gap, and the projecting rim is capable of being embedded in the recess.

7. The desiccant container structure of claim 1, wherein the desiccant is coated on the storing chamber.

8. The desiccant container structure of claim 1, wherein the desiccant storing element has a height that is greater than that of the main body.

9. The desiccant container structure of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a tab portion extending out of the lid for being manipulated to open the lid.

10. The desiccant container structure of claim 1, wherein the transparent viewing portion is allowed for users or consumers to see the state of the desiccant directly from outside the desiccant container structure, whereby users are able to replace the desiccant when the color or the appearance of the desiccant is abnormal, and consumers are able to be aware that the object stored in the desiccant container structure is affected by moisture.