Controlled humidity container

Abstract

This invention relates to a container for an item, in which the item is selected from the group consisting of musical instruments, furniture and antiques, which container comprises a flexible, gas impermeable material adapted to be disposed around the item or a substantial portion thereof; sealing means for forming the material into a substantially sealed bag around the item or a substantial portion thereof, said sealed bag defining a chamber having an enclosed atmosphere; and means for controlling the humidity of the enclosed atmosphere. The container is particularly useful for musical instruments, especially keyboard instruments. A preservation system for an item and a method for preserving an item which utilize such a container are also disclosed.

1 . A container for an item, in which the item is selected from the group consisting of musical instruments, furniture and antiques, which container comprises a flexible, gas impermeable material adapted to be disposed around the item or a substantial portion thereof; sealing means for forming the material into a substantially sealed bag around the item or a substantial portion thereof, said sealed bag defining a chamber having an enclosed atmosphere; and means for controlling the humidity of the enclosed atmosphere.  
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1  in which the flexible, gas impermeable material is adapted to define a space for receiving the item or a substantial portion thereof.  
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 1  in which the flexible, gas impermeable material is a plastics material or a fabric treated with a plastics material.  
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 1  in which the sealing means comprises a fastener selected from a zipper, a velcro strip or lacing.  
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 1  in which the means for controlling the humidity of the enclosed atmosphere comprises a material capable of absorbing and desorbing moisture.  
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 1  which further include a hygrometer.  
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 1  which further includes a sealable access opening.  
     
     
         8 . A container according to  claim 1  which further includes a heater.  
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 1  which further includes means for monitoring the temperature of the enclosed atmosphere.  
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 1  which further includes a warning or alarm system.  
     
     
         11 . A container according to  claim 1  which is shaped to correspond to the shape of the item or a case in which the item is located.  
     
     
         12 . A container according to  claim 1  in which the item is a musical instrument.  
     
     
         13 . A container according to  claim 1  in which the item is a keyboard instrument.  
     
     
         14 . A preservation system for an item, in which the item is selected from the group consisting of musical instruments, furniture and antiques, which system comprises a container according to  claim 1  and the item to be disposed within the chamber.  
     
     
         15 . A method for preserving an item, in which the item is selected from the group consisting of musical instruments, furniture and antiques, which method comprises selecting a container according to  claim 1;  disposing the flexible, gas impermeable material around the item or a substantial portion thereof; utilizing the sealing means to form a substantially sealed bag around the item or a substantial portion thereof; and utilizing the humidity control means to control the humidity of the enclosed atmosphere.  
     
     
         16 . A container for use in the method for preserving an item according to  claim 15 .  
     
     
         17 . A container according to  claim 2  in which the flexible, gas impermeable material is a plastics material or a fabric treated with a plastics material.  
     
     
         18 . A container according to  claim 2  in which the sealing means comprises a fastener selected from a zipper, a velcro strip or lacing.  
     
     
         19 . A container according to  claim 2  in which the means for controlling the humidity of the enclosed atmosphere comprises a material capable of absorbing and desorbing moisture.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising providing means for measuring the humidity of the enclosed atmosphere.