Storage device utilizing zeolites to control gaseous content

Abstract

A storage device for the preservation of oxidizable materials includes a storage chamber enclosing a storage space adapted to receive oxidizable materials for storage therein. The storage device also includes a zeolite chamber having a zeolite therein, the zeolite chamber allowing at least one selected gas to pass therethrough while inhibiting at least oxygen from passing therethrough. The zeolite chamber is in fluid communication with the storage chamber such that the at least one selected gas allowed to pass through the zeolite chamber flows into the storage chamber. An air mover feeds gases to the zeolite chamber, and the level of oxygen within the storage chamber is reduced relative to the level of oxygen in the atmosphere.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A storage device for the preservation of oxidizable materials comprising: 
 a storage chamber enclosing a storage space adapted to receive oxidizable materials for storage therein;    a zeolite chamber having a zeolite therein, said zeolite chamber allowing at least one selected gas to pass therethrough while inhibiting at least oxygen from passing therethrough, said zeolite chamber in fluid communication with said storage chamber such that the at least one selected gas allowed to pass through said zeolite chamber flows into said storage chamber;    an air mover for feeding gases to said zeolite chamber; and    wherein the level of oxygen within said storage chamber is reduced relative to the level of oxygen in the atmosphere.    
     
     
         2 . The storage device of  claim 1  wherein said zeolite chamber employs pressure swing absorption in order to allow the at least one selected gas to pass therethrough while inhibiting at least oxygen from passing therethrough.  
     
     
         3 . The storage device of  claim 1  further comprising a cooling element for cooling the temperature within said storage chamber below that of the ambient temperature surrounding said storage device.  
     
     
         4 . The storage device of  claim 3  wherein said cooling element cools the temperature within said storage chamber to a temperature within a range from about 15° F. to about 20° F. below normal room temperature.  
     
     
         5 . The storage device of  claim 3  wherein said cooling element comprises a piezoelectric or Peltier module.  
     
     
         6 . The storage device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one selected gas allowed to pass through said zeolite chamber comprises nitrogen.  
     
     
         7 . The storage device of  claim 6  wherein the zeolite within said zeolite chamber has an affinity for nitrogen.  
     
     
         8 . The storage device of  claim 1  wherein said zeolite chamber comprises a vent for venting oxygen to the atmosphere.  
     
     
         9 . The storage device of  claim 1  further comprising a flow controller valve which, in conjunction with said air mover, selectively maintains a positive pressure within said zeolite chamber.  
     
     
         10 . The storage device of  claim 9  wherein said flow controller valve comprises a needle valve.  
     
     
         11 . The storage device of  claim 9  further comprising a gauge to indicate a level of positive pressure within said zeolite chamber.  
     
     
         12 . The storage device of  claim 1  further comprising a moisture separator or filter to remove moisture from gases entering said zeolite chamber.  
     
     
         13 . The storage device of  claim 1  wherein said air mover draws the gases for feeding to said zeolite chamber from the atmosphere.  
     
     
         14 . The storage device of  claim 13  wherein said storage chamber includes a vent to allow gases present therein, including oxygen introduced when said storage chamber is opened to access objects therein, to be forced out by substantially oxygen free gases passed through said zeolite chamber.  
     
     
         15 . The storage device of  claim 14  wherein the vent of said storage chamber comprises a seal around a door of said storage chamber which allows gases to escape there around.  
     
     
         16 . The storage device of  claim 1  wherein the level of oxygen within said storage chamber is maintained in a range of about 2% to about 8%.  
     
     
         17 . The storage device of  claim 16  wherein the level of oxygen within said storage chamber is maintained in a range of about 4% to about 6%.  
     
     
         18 . The storage device of  claim 1  wherein said air mover comprises a compressor.  
     
     
         19 . A storage device for the preservation of oxidizable materials comprising: 
 a storage chamber enclosing a storage space adapted to receive oxidizable materials for storage therein;    a zeolite chamber having a zeolite with an affinity for nitrogen therein, said zeolite chamber employing pressure swing absorption to allow at least nitrogen to pass therethrough while inhibiting at least oxygen from passing therethrough, said zeolite chamber in fluid communication with said storage chamber such that the at least nitrogen allowed to pass through said zeolite chamber flows into said storage chamber;    a compressor for feeding gases to said zeolite chamber;    a piezoelectric or Peltier module cooling element for cooling the temperature within said storage chamber below that of the ambient temperature surrounding said storage device; and    wherein the level of oxygen within said storage chamber is reduced relative to the level of oxygen in the atmosphere.    
     
     
         20 . The storage device of  claim 19  wherein said zeolite chamber comprises a vent for venting oxygen to the atmosphere.  
     
     
         21 . The storage device of  claim 19  further comprising a flow controller valve which, in conjunction with said compressor, selectively maintains a positive pressure within said zeolite chamber.  
     
     
         22 . The storage device of  claim 21  wherein said flow controller valve comprises a needle valve.  
     
     
         23 . The storage device of  claim 21  further comprising a gauge to indicate a level of positive pressure within said zeolite chamber.  
     
     
         24 . The storage device of  claim 19  further comprising a moisture separator or filter to remove moisture from gases entering said zeolite chamber.  
     
     
         25 . The storage device of  claim 19  wherein said cooling element cools the temperature within said storage chamber to a temperature within a range from about 15° F. to about 20° F. below normal room temperature.  
     
     
         26 . The storage device of  claim 19  wherein said compressor draws the gases for feeding to said zeolite chamber from the atmosphere.  
     
     
         27 . The storage device of  claim 26  wherein said storage chamber includes a vent to allow gases present therein, including oxygen introduced when said storage chamber is opened to access objects therein, to be forced out by substantially oxygen free gases passed through said zeolite chamber.  
     
     
         28 . The storage device of  claim 27  wherein the vent of said storage chamber comprises a seal around a door of said storage chamber which allows gases to escape therearound.  
     
     
         29 . The storage device of  claim 19  wherein the level of oxygen within said storage chamber is maintained in a range of about 2% to about 8%.  
     
     
         30 . The storage device of  claim 29  wherein the level of oxygen within said storage chamber is maintained in a range of about 4% to about 6%.  
     
     
         31 . A method for storing and preserving oxidizable materials, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a storage chamber enclosing a storage space adapted to receive oxidizable materials for storage therein;    forcing at least one selected gas to pass through a zeolite chamber having a zeolite therein and into the storage chamber while inhibiting at least oxygen from passing through the zeolite chamber; and    maintaining the level of oxygen within the storage chamber at a level which is reduced relative to the level of oxygen in the atmosphere.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein said forcing step comprises the step of employing pressure swing absorption in order to force at least one selected gas to pass through a zeolite chamber having a zeolite therein and into the storage chamber while inhibiting at least oxygen from passing through the zeolite chamber.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising the step of cooling the temperature within the storage chamber below that of the ambient temperature surrounding the storage chamber.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein said cooling step comprises that step of cooling the temperature within the storage chamber to a temperature within a range from about 15° F. to about 20° F. below normal room temperature.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33  wherein said cooling step comprises that step of providing a piezoelectric or Peltier module for cooling the temperature within the storage chamber below that of the ambient temperature surrounding the storage chamber.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising the step of venting the oxygen inhibited from passing through the zeolite chamber to the atmosphere.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising the step of maintaining a positive pressure within the zeolite chamber.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the at least one selected gas forced to pass through the zeolite chamber comprises nitrogen.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 31  wherein said maintaining the level of oxygen step comprises the step of maintaining the level of oxygen within the storage chamber within a range of from about 2% to about 8%.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein said maintaining the level of oxygen step comprises the step of maintaining the level of oxygen within the storage chamber within a range of from about 4% to about 6%.  
     
     
         41 . A refrigerator which includes a storage chamber enclosing a storage space adapted to receive oxidizable materials for storage therein, said refrigerator comprising: 
 a zeolite chamber having a zeolite therein, said zeolite chamber allowing at least one selected gas to pass therethrough while inhibiting at least oxygen from passing therethrough, said zeolite chamber in fluid communication with the storage space such that the at least one selected gas allowed to pass through said zeolite chamber flows into the storage space;    an air mover for feeding gases to said zeolite chamber; and    wherein the level of oxygen within the storage space is reduced relative to the level of oxygen in the atmosphere.    
     
     
         42 . The refrigerator of  claim 41  wherein said zeolite chamber employs pressure swing absorption in order to allow the at least one selected gas to pass therethrough while inhibiting at least oxygen from passing therethrough.  
     
     
         43 . The refrigerator of  claim 41  wherein said air mover comprises a compressor.