Apparatus and method for removing moisture from portable electronic devices

Abstract

An apparatus and method are disclosed for rapid, low cost, and safe removal of trapped moisture from portable electronic devices. An airtight, sealable container is divided by an air and moisture permeable barrier into a compartment for the device and a compartment for desiccant. The method includes placing the device and desiccant into the compartments, sealing the container, and waiting for the desiccant to absorb the moisture. In preferred embodiments, the sealable container is made from plastic or glass, is disposable or reusable, and includes electrical, chemical, or other means for heating the device and/or mechanical means for forcing air between the compartments. Embodiments include silica gel or other descant in bulk or in pre-measured packets, pre-loaded in the container or stored in a separate, airtight container. Some embodiments include scoops or other means for measuring and dispensing desired desiccant quantities, and guidelines on optimal desiccant quantities and waiting times.

1 . An apparatus for removing moisture from a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising a sealable container with an airtight seal, the sealable container including:
 a first inner compartment that is able to contain the electronic device;   a second inner compartment that is able to contain a quantity of desiccant; and   a divider separating the first inner compartment and the second inner compartment, the divider permitting the exchange of air and moisture but not the exchange of desiccant.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealable container is made from at least one of plastic, glass, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, rubber, and synthetic rubber. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealable container is disposable. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealable container is re-sealable and reusable. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a quantity of desiccant. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the desiccant is contained in packets that are air-permeable and moisture-permeable. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the desiccant is in bulk form. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , also comprising an airtight, sealable desiccant storage container that stores the desiccant while not in use and prevents exposure of the desiccant to ambient moisture. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second inner compartment of the sealable container contains a pre-measured quantity of desiccant adequate for removing moisture from a portable electronic device. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising means to measure desired quantities of desiccant and insert a desired quantity of desiccant into the second inner compartment of the sealable container. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the desiccant is silica gel. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for warming a portable electronic device while it is in the first compartment, so as to accelerate the removal of moisture from the portable electronic device. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the means for warming the portable electronic device includes an electrical source of heat. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the means for warming the portable electronic device includes a chemical source of heat. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for stimulating movement of air within and between the first and second inner compartments of the sealable container, so as to accelerate the removal of moisture from the portable electronic device. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the means for stimulating movement of air within and between the first and second inner compartments includes at least one additional compartment separated from the first and second inner compartments by a divider that permits the passage of air and moisture, the at least one additional compartment being located such that an increase of air pressure in the at least one additional compartment, due to at least one of mechanical compression, a mechanical air pump, and other pressure raising means, causes air to necessarily pass between the first and second compartments. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising documentation containing information regarding at least one of recommended quantities of desiccant to be used for drying portable electronic devices and recommended drying times for portable electronic devices. 
   
   
       18 . A method for removing moisture from a portable electronic device, the method comprising:
 providing a quantity of desiccant, the quantity being sufficient to absorb essentially all of the moisture from the at least one portable electronic device,   providing a sealable container with an airtight seal, the sealable container including a first inner compartment that is able to contain the electronic device, a second inner compartment that is able to contain the quantity of desiccant, and a divider between the first inner compartment and the second inner compartment that permits the exchange of air and moisture but does not permit the exchange of desiccant;   placing the portable electronic device into the first inner compartment of the sealable container;   placing the quantity of desiccant into the second inner compartment of the sealable container;   closing the airtight seal of the sealable container; and   waiting an amount of time sufficient to allow the desiccant to absorb essentially all of the moisture contained in the at least one portable electronic device.   
   
   
       19 . A method for removing moisture from at least one portable electronic device, the method comprising:
 providing a sealable container with an airtight seal, the sealable container including a first inner compartment that is able to contain the electronic device, a second inner compartment that contains a quantity of desiccant, and a divider between the first inner compartment and the second inner compartment that permits the exchange of air and moisture but does not permit the exchange of desiccant;   placing the at least one portable electronic device into the first inner compartment of the sealable container;   closing the airtight seal of the sealable container;   waiting an amount of time sufficient to allow the desiccant to absorb essentially all of the moisture contained in the at least one portable electronic device; and   removing the at least one portable electronic device from the sealable container.