Special receptacle or package – With moisture absorbent
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-03
2001-04-03
Foster, Jim (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
With moisture absorbent
C206S213100, C206S314000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209717
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to articles for containing, storing, and transporting musical instruments which are capable of providing a humidity-controlled atmosphere, and specifically, to a humidity control system included as a component of a musical instrument carrying case.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The environment in which a musical instrument is stored affects the reliability, sound, condition, and lifespan of that instrument. Musical instruments are typically stored in containers that are designed to be both easily portable and protective against environmental hazards such as wind, rain, dust, sand, and sun. However, conventional instrument cases are not built with the capability to protect instruments from the ongoing hazards of temperature and humidity, either high or low.
The presence or absence of atmospheric humidity, in particular, can affect the is lifespan and sound of many musical instruments, among them stringed, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. According to
Making Musical Instruments
by Irving Sloane, all instruments, stringed instruments in particular, are best built in a dry atmosphere. For example, a fiddle constructed in an atmosphere of about 65% relative humidity is likely to crack if moved to an area of 20% or less relative humidity. Since the converse does not hold true, instrument makers generally build instruments in a relatively dry environment, typically about 40%-45% relative humidity. In this way, they enable the instruments they construct to survive the normal extremes of humidity that a given instrument might encounter over time.
Though this type of precaution is taken in construction, the presence or absence of humidity, whether in the form of excessive moisture or of extreme dryness, can cause swelling, splits, cracks, checking, movement in glue joints, and distortion of woods or other materials in a given instrument. Any of these problems can damage or destroy an instrument. Potentially the most damaging situation in which an instrument, susceptible to changes in humidity, can be put is in an excessively humid atmosphere, coupled with rapid changes in temperature. This situation can easily cause permanent damage to an instrument, and often occurs when an instrument is transported from one location to another.
Though the prior art has in some ways recognized these problems, the solutions provided, as seen below, do not go far enough in an effort to protect valuable musical instrument from the depredations of temperature and humidity.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,630 (to Kirck) discloses a portable, self-enclosed reed case that maintains an environment most conducive to the reeds used in woodwind instruments. Kirck is silent regarding protecting the instruments themselves.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,075 (to White) discloses a musical instrument case cover that includes foam and plastic materials that retard the effects of the environment encountered outside the case itself The case provides protection for about five hours in extreme conditions and for about twenty-four hours in less extreme conditions. An important drawback to the White invention is that it seeks to maintain the ambient conditions prevailing at the time the case is closed. Thus, if the ambient conditions, at the time of closure, consist of extreme moisture and heat, these conditions are preserved within the case.
From the above, it appears that a long-felt need in the field has been for a device capable of allowing a musical instrument owners to consistently control and monitor the ambient temperature and humidity of the atmosphere in which the store, transport, or carry their instruments. Such a device would preferably allow the owner to control the atmospheric challenges of humidity and temperature generally encountered, thereby protecting the instrument for an extended period.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an improved storage case for musical instruments is disclosed, which provides a humidity control system for a musical instrument carrying case. The invention includes at least two compartments venting into an inside portion of the case where a stored instrument is placed. Of these compartments, at least one is fitted for a desiccant pouch, likewise at least one of the other compartments is fitted for a humidifier. The number of compartments can vary by the size of the instrument or the needs an owner may have for protecting their instrument in a given local environment, typically two compartments are used, with one for the desiccant and one for the humidifier. Once the owner or caretaker determines the atmospheric conditions inside the case, a desiccant pouch can be added, or the humidifier engaged, in the appropriate compartment(s), as necessary.
The storage case of the present invention is typically used to maintain a constant relative humidity range between 45% and 55% but can be altered according to the needs of the instrument owner. These storage conditions work to maintain and protect the physical integrity of the instrument when stored, transported, or moved in the disclosed carrying case, thereby extending the lifespan and performance quality of the instruments so protected.
In one embodiment of the invention, a hygrometer is provided within the case in order to measure relative humidity.
In another embodiment a thermometer may be supplied to measure temperature within the carrying case.
In another embodiment of the invention, both the thermometer and the hygrometer are present as a part of the invention disclosed herein. These devices are preferably provided to enable the owner or caretaker of an instrument too easily to ascertain the environmental conditions in which the instrument in question has been placed. While both the thermometer and the hygrometer monitor the interior atmosphere of the instrument carrying case when it is sealed, the information provided by these devices may alternately be read only when the carrying case is open or the gauges may be constructed so that they can be read from the outside of the carrying case when it is closed.
In another embodiment of the invention disclosed herein at least one handle is securely attached to the exterior of said carrying case, to provide an ease in carrying said case.
In yet another embodiment of the invention the compartments adapted for the insertion of either the desiccant pouch or the humidifier are themselves releasably attached to the interior of the case by a fastening means. In this embodiment the compartments still vent into the interior of the carrying case, but said compartment(s) could be removed from the carrying case dependent upon the desires of the case owner. For this embodiment the fastening means could include Velcro, snaps, straps, adhesive, screws, bolts, & pegs.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a storage apparatus for a musical instrument includes carrying means for carrying the musical instrument, and humidity control means attached on an inside of the carrying means for controlling humidity inside the carrying means.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a humidity control unit for a musical instrument carrying case includes control means attachable on an inside of the carrying case for controlling humidity inside the carrying case, and attachment means for attaching the control means to the carrying case.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3719033 (1973-03-01), Den Boer
patent: 3721152 (1973-03-01), Von Meyer
patent: 4192773 (1980-03-01), Yoshikawa et al.
patent: 4263951 (1981-04-01), Siegel
patent: 4428892 (1984-01-01), Berliner
patent: 4649793 (1987-03-01), Blackshear et al.
patent: 4674630 (1987-06-01), Kirck
patent: 5219075 (1993-06-01), White
patent: 5607051 (1997-03-01), Espinosa
patent: 5803247 (1998-09-01), Holmes et al.
patent: 5934773 (1999-08-01), Ferrell
patent: 5936178 (1999-08-01), Saari
Brown, Pinnisi & Michaels P.C.
Foster Jim
GWW, Inc.
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