Container with integrated desiccant closure

Abstract

A containment vessel is disclosed that generally includes a container body with an interior containment volume and a lid closure having a substantially enclosed cavity configured to hold a desiccant material therein. The integrated desiccant lid closure generally has an interiorly disposed surface with a plurality of openings for exposing the desiccant material to the internal atmosphere of the container while retaining the desiccant material within the lid enclosure. The container body and the lid closure may be adapted to conform to a substantially matched polygonal shape, such as that of a prism. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve moisture control for stored food products. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide for the long-term storage of tea sachets.

1 . A containment vessel comprising: 
 a container body having an interior containment volume;    a lid closure having a substantially enclosed cavity, said lid closure suitably adapted for receiving a desiccant material disposed within said cavity, said lid closure comprising an interiorly disposed engagement surface with respect to said container body and at least one opening in said interiorly disposed surface of said lid closure, said opening suitably configured to at least partially expose said desiccant material to the internal atmosphere of said containment vessel while substantially retaining the disposition of said desiccant material within said lid closure cavity;    said container body comprising a first substantially polygonal shape; and    said lid closure comprising a second substantially polygonal shape, wherein said lid closure is suitably configured for engagement with said container body to provide a substantially sealed interior containment volume.    
     
     
         2 . The containment vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said first polygonal shape is substantially similar to said second polygonal shape.  
     
     
         3 . The containment vessel of  claim 2 , wherein said first and second polygonal shape comprise a triangular shape.  
     
     
         4 . The containment vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said desiccant material comprises at least one of silica gel, a clay desiccant, montmorillonite, vermiculite, activated alumina, a molecular sieve, DRIERITE, and ZORB-IT.  
     
     
         5 . The containment vessel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said container body and said lid closure are manufactured from pressed-metal.  
     
     
         6 . The containment vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the interior containment volume of said container body is suitably configured for receiving tea sachets.  
     
     
         7 . The containment vessel of  claim 6 , wherein said tea sachets comprise at least one of a shape, volume and planar projection substantially matched to at least one dimension of said container body.  
     
     
         8 . A container body suitably adapted for use as a containment vessel, said container body comprising: 
 an interior containment volume;    said container body suitably configured for engagement with a lid closure, said lid closure having a substantially enclosed cavity suitably adapted for receiving a desiccant material disposed within said cavity, said lid closure comprising an interiorly disposed engagement surface with respect to said container body and at least one opening in said interiorly disposed surface of said lid closure, said opening suitably configured to at least partially expose said desiccant material to the internal atmosphere of said containment vessel while substantially retaining the disposition of said desiccant material within said lid closure cavity.    
     
     
         9 . The container body of  claim 8 , wherein said container body comprises a polygonal shape.  
     
     
         10 . The container body of  claim 9 , wherein said polygonal shape comprises a triangular shape.  
     
     
         11 . The container body of  claim 9 , wherein said container body is from pressed-metal.  
     
     
         12 . The container body of  claim 9 , wherein the interior containment volume of said container body is suitably configured for receiving tea sachets.  
     
     
         13 . The container body of  claim 9 , wherein said tea sachets comprise at least one of a shape, volume and planar projection substantially matched to at least one dimension of said container body.  
     
     
         14 . A lid closure suitably adapted for use with a container body, said lid closure comprising: 
 a substantially enclosed cavity, said lid closure suitably adapted for receiving a desiccant material disposed within said cavity;    an interiorly disposed engagement surface with respect to said container body and at least one opening in said interiorly disposed surface of said lid closure, said opening suitably configured to at least partially expose said desiccant material to the internal atmosphere of said container body while substantially retaining the disposition of said desiccant material within said lid closure cavity; and    wherein said lid closure is suitably configured for engagement with said container body to provide a substantially sealed interior containment volume.    
     
     
         15 . The lid closure of  claim 14 , wherein said lid closure comprises a substantially polygonal shape.  
     
     
         16 . The lid closure of  claim 15 , wherein said polygonal shape comprises a triangular shape.  
     
     
         17 . The lid closure of  claim 14 , wherein said desiccant material comprises at least one of silica gel, a clay desiccant, montmorillonite, vermiculite, activated alumina, a molecular sieve, DRIERITE, and ZORB-IT.  
     
     
         18 . The lid closure of  claim 14 , wherein said lid closure is fabricated from pressed-metal.  
     
     
         19 . The lid closure of  claim 14 , wherein the interior containment volume of said container body is suitably configured for receiving tea sachets.  
     
     
         20 . The lid closure of  claim 19 , wherein said tea sachets comprise at least one of a shape, volume and planar projection substantially matched to at least one dimension of said container body.