BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure generally relates to desiccant products having improved humidity absorption properties.

Description of the Related Art

Desiccants including pellets or crystals of a humidity attracting material, such as silica or calcium chloride are commonly used for long-term storage of dry, shelf-stable foods, such as chips and powders. Freshly prepared foods typically include a higher moisture content than dry, shelf stable foods. Thus, when a freshly prepared food is enclosed in a container to maintain an optimal temperature, trapped moisture expelled from the food can increase the humidity within the container, leading to condensation on and around the food. Therefore, desiccant products with an increased absorptive capacity are needed for storage of freshly prepared foods, as well as other purposes.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein provide desiccant products, which have improved humidity absorption properties. The desiccant products may be included with another product (e.g., a prepared food) in an enclosed, moisture- containing container, to protect the other product from condensation. Additional embodiments described herein include methods of using the desiccant products, and methods of forming the desiccant products.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a desiccant product for use in an enclosed moisture-containing container having contents susceptible to damage from said moisture may be summarized as including: a humidity absorbent medium formed of an absorbent substrate treated with a non-particulate humidity attracting material; and a wrapper encapsulating the humidity absorbent medium, the wrapper configured to allow water vapor to pass in and out of the wrapper while isolating any aqueous solution formed within the wrapper from an external environment of the desiccant product.

The absorbent substrate may be treated with the humidity attracting material in a quantity sufficient to cause the absorbent substrate to be completely saturated with moisture contained within the container and to expel at least some aqueous solution into an interior of the wrapper. The wrapper may function to isolate the aqueous solution from the external environment of the desiccant product, to prevent impairment (e.g., dampening) of the contents of the container.

The absorbent substrate of the humidity absorbent medium may include a structure with entrained air that supports the humidity attracting material in a finely dispersed manner the absorbent substrate with the humidity attracting material highly exposed to an environment within the wrapper.

The absorbent substrate of the humidity absorbent medium may include a material selected from at least one of coffee filter paper, cotton, cotton cloth, sawdust, clay, paper, paperboard, paper products, absorbent polymers, super absorbent polymers, corn starch, absorbents that form a gel, activated charcoal, all absorbent minerals such as lava rock, porous materials that provide space for the dried deliquescent salt to occupy, cellulose, foam, sponges, diatomaceous earth, woven or loose fibers, entrained air materials and various starch and cellulosic materials for the purpose of supporting the humidity attracting material and absorbing moisture from the enclosed moisture-containing container. In particular embodiments, the absorbent substrate of the humidity absorbent medium consists of one of coffee filter paper, cotton, cotton cloth, and porous rocks.

The absorbent substrate of the humidity absorbent medium may include a material selected from at least two of coffee filter paper, cotton, cotton cloth, sawdust, clay, paper, paperboard, paper products, absorbent polymers, super absorbent polymers, corn starch, absorbents that form a gel, activated charcoal, all absorbent minerals such as lava rock, porous materials that provide space for the dried deliquescent salt to occupy, cellulose, foam, sponges, diatomaceous earth, woven or loose fibers, entrained air materials and various starch and cellulosic materials for the purpose of supporting the humidity attracting material and absorbing moisture from the enclosed moisture-containing container. In particular embodiments, the absorbent substrate of the humidity absorbent medium consists of one of coffee filter paper, cotton, cotton cloth, and porous rocks.

The humidity attracting material of the humidity absorbent medium may include at least one of a hygroscopic compound, a hygroscopic salt, a deliquescent compound, a deliquescent salt, a hydrophilic compound, a desiccant, and a humectant. In particular embodiments, the humidity attracting material of the humidity absorbent medium consists of calcium chloride.

Molecules of the humidity attracting material may be finely distributed throughout an entirety of the absorbent substrate of the humidity absorbent medium. In some embodiments, the absorbent substrate of the humidity absorbent medium may be substantially uniformly treated with the humidity attracting material. In some embodiments, the humidity absorbent medium may be entrained with air to allow enhanced exposure of the humidity attracting material to an environment within the wrapper. In some embodiments, the humidity absorbent medium may have a high surface area to volume ratio to allow enhanced exposure of the humidity attracting material to an environment within the wrapper.

The absorbent substrate may be treated with the humidity attracting material in a quantity sufficient to cause the absorbent substrate to be partially saturated with the moisture contained within the container.

In some embodiments, the desiccant product may further include a supplemental absorbent substrate distinct from the humidity absorbent medium. The supplemental absorbent substrate may be provided within the wrapper with the humidity absorbent medium to absorb at least a portion of aqueous solution to increase the absorption capacity in the event that the capacity of the humidity absorbent medium becomes over saturated. The supplemental absorbent substrate may be selected from: coffee filter paper, cotton, cotton cloth, sawdust, diatomaceous earth, clay, paper, paperboard, paper products, absorbent polymers, super absorbent polymers, corn starch, absorbents that form a gel, activated charcoal, all absorbent minerals such as lava rock, porous materials that provide space for the dried deliquescent salt to occupy, cellulose, foam, sponges, woven or loose fibers, entrained air materials and various starch and cellulosic materials. In certain embodiments, the supplemental absorbent substrate consists of one of cotton, cotton paper, and cotton cloth.

The supplemental absorbent substrate may be a substrate that is not treated with a humidity attracting material. Additionally, the supplemental absorbent substrate and the absorbent substrate of the humidity absorbent medium may be the same material. In other embodiments, the untreated supplemental absorbent substrate and the absorbent substrate of the humidity absorbent medium may be different materials.

The absorbent substrate may be treated with the humidity attracting material in a quantity sufficient to cause the absorbent substrate to be completely saturated with a first portion of the moisture contained within the container, and a supplemental absorbent substrate may be included in the desiccant product at a quantity that is sufficient to become partially saturated with a second portion of the moisture contained within the container.

The absorbent substrate may be treated with the humidity attracting material in a quantity sufficient to cause the absorbent substrate to be completely saturated with a first portion of the moisture contained within the container, and a supplemental absorbent substrate may be included in the desiccant product at a quantity that is sufficient to become completely saturated with a second portion of the moisture contained within the container, such that an aqueous solution forms within the wrapper isolated from other contents of the enclosed moisture-containing container.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a desiccant product that is capable of raising a temperature within an enclosed moisture-containing container. For example, the desiccant product for use in an enclosed moisture-containing container may include an absorbent substrate treated with a hygroscopic salt solution and dried to form a humidity absorbent medium having molecules of the hygroscopic salt dispersed throughout a volume of the humidity absorbent medium, wherein the humidity absorbent medium is configured to raise a temperature within the container via an exothermic reaction between the dispersed molecules of the hygroscopic salt supported by the absorbent substrate and moisture in the container, whereby relative humidity is lowered within the container to reduce the likelihood of detrimental condensation onto contents within the container. Furthermore, heat released from the exothermic reaction of the hygroscopic salt may be desirable for certain applications such as for the delivery of hot or warm foods or other applications wherein a lower relative humidity and an elevated temperature may be desired. Notably, as air temperature increases (via the exothermic reaction between the dispersed molecules of the hygroscopic salt supported by the absorbent substrate and moisture in the container), the amount of moisture, i.e. , water vapor, that the air can hold also increases. Thus, for a given amount of water vapor, an increase in air temperature will decrease the relative humidity, because the warmer air can hold more water vapor. As a result, the likelihood of detrimental condensation is reduced.

The desiccant product may further include a supplemental absorbent substrate that is untreated with the hygroscopic salt solution and distinct from the humidity absorbent medium. The supplemental substrate may be provided within a wrapper with the humidity absorbent medium to absorb at least a portion of aqueous solution in the event that the capacity of the humidity absorbent medium becomes over saturated. Additionally, the wrapper may be configured to allow water vapor to pass in and out of the wrapper while isolating any aqueous solution formed within the wrapper from an external environment of the desiccant product.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a product including a desiccant product as previously described, with the desiccant product received within an enclosed moisture-containing container.

In some embodiments, the humidity absorbent medium may become partially or completely saturated when exposed to humidity in the moisture-containing container, and an aqueous solution may form within the wrapper such that the aqueous solution is isolated from other contents of the enclosed moisture-containing container. For example, the product may be configured such that a ratio of a volume of the humidity absorbent medium to a volume of an interior of the enclosed moisture-containing container is such that, through exposure to humidity within the enclosed moisture-containing container, the humidity absorbent medium becomes completely saturated and an aqueous solution forms within the wrapper isolated from other contents of the enclosed moisture-containing container. As another example, the product may be configured such that a ratio of a volume of the humidity absorbent medium to a volume of an interior of the enclosed moisture-containing container is such that, through exposure to humidity within the enclosed moisture- containing container, the humidity absorbent medium only becomes partially saturated.

In some embodiments, the moisture-containing container is ventless for sanitary purposes and to assist in retaining heat and moisture within the enclosed moisture-containing container. Ventless containers may be desirable for food transport to protect the food from pathogens that would be capable of passing through vents of a vented container. In some embodiments, the desiccant product is configured to remove humidity at a speed and a volume such that prepared foods received in the enclosed moisture-containing container are protected from condensation when delivered via the enclosed moisture-containing container.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides methods of using the desiccant products described herein.

For example, the methods provided herein include a method of desiccation, the method including placing a desiccant product as previously described in an enclosed moisture containing container having contents susceptible to damage from said moisture. In some embodiments, the desiccant product used in the method of desiccation includes: a humidity absorbent medium formed of an absorbent substrate treated with a non particulate humidity attracting material; and a wrapper encapsulating the humidity absorbent medium, the wrapper configured to allow water vapor to pass in and out of the wrapper while isolating any aqueous solution formed within the wrapper from an external environment of the desiccant product. In some embodiments, the absorbent substrate is treated with the humidity attracting material in a quantity sufficient to cause the absorbent substrate to be completely saturated with the moisture contained within the container and to expel at least some aqueous solution into an interior of the wrapper, whereby the wrapper isolates the aqueous solution from the external environment of the desiccant product to prevent impairment of the contents of the container.

Additionally, the methods provided herein include a method of heating and reducing moisture-induced damage to a food product that is susceptible to moisture-induced damage. The method may include placing a desiccant product with the food product in an enclosed moisture containing container, the desiccant product including: a humidity absorbent medium formed of an absorbent substrate treated with a non-particulate humidity attracting material; and a wrapper encapsulating the humidity absorbent medium, the wrapper configured to allow water vapor to pass in and out of the wrapper while isolating any aqueous solution formed within the wrapper from an external environment of the desiccant product. The non-particulate humidity attracting material may include a hygroscopic salt that undergoes an exothermic reaction in the presence of moisture, thereby heating the food product.

The methods provided herein include a method of desiccation, the method including: obtaining a desiccant product comprising a humidity absorbent medium formed of an absorbent substrate treated with a non particulate humidity attracting material, and a wrapper encapsulating the humidity absorbent medium, the wrapper configured to allow water vapor to pass in and out of the wrapper while isolating any aqueous solution formed within the wrapper from an external environment of the desiccant product; and placing the desiccant product in an enclosed moisture containing container having contents susceptible to damage from said moisture.

In some embodiments, the method further includes allowing the absorbent substrate to be completely saturated with the moisture contained within the container such that the desiccant product expels at least some aqueous solution into an interior of the wrapper, whereby the wrapper isolates the aqueous solution from the external environment of the desiccant product to prevent impairment of the contents of the container.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides methods of forming desiccant products described herein. The methods provided herein include: obtaining an absorbent substrate; saturating the absorbent substrate with a hygroscopic salt solution; drying the absorbent substrate to form a humidity absorbent medium having molecules of the hygroscopic salt dispersed throughout a volume of the humidity absorbent medium; and encapsulating the humidity absorbent medium in a wrapper that is configured to allow water vapor to pass in and out of the wrapper while isolating any aqueous solution formed within the wrapper from an external environment of the desiccant product.

In some embodiments, saturating the absorbent substrate with the hygroscopic salt solution and drying the absorbent substrate to form the humidity absorbent medium may include saturating the absorbent substrate with the hygroscopic salt solution in a volume and a concentration sufficient to cause the humidity absorbent medium to be completely saturated with moisture contained within a moisture-containing container having contents susceptible to damage by said moisture and to expel at least some aqueous solution into an interior of the wrapper during use of the desiccant product, whereby the wrapper isolates the aqueous solution from an external environment of the desiccant product to prevent impairment of the contents of the container.

In some embodiments, saturating the absorbent substrate with the hygroscopic salt solution and drying the absorbent substrate to form the humidity absorbent medium includes saturating the absorbent substrate with the hygroscopic salt solution in a volume and a concentration sufficient to cause the humidity absorbent medium to become partially saturated with moisture contained within a moisture-containing container having contents susceptible to damage by said moisture.

In some embodiments, the method of forming a desiccant product may further include encapsulating a supplemental absorbent substrate in the wrapper that is untreated with the hygroscopic salt solution and distinct from the humidity absorbent medium. The supplemental absorbent substrate may be encapsulated within the wrapper with the humidity absorbent medium to absorb at least a portion of aqueous solution in the event that the capacity of the humidity absorbent medium becomes over saturated.

In some embodiments, the humidity attracting material is encapsulated within the wrapper in an amount that is sufficient to maintain a desired amount of humidity within the container. For example, an amount of the humidity attracting material may be chosen so that the humidity attracting material becomes saturated and thereby maintains a stable level of relative humidity within the container that is lower than the previous relative humidity within the contain prior to the humidity attracting material becoming saturated. The amount of the humidity attracting material sufficient to maintain a desired relative humidity may be chosen relative to the volume of the container and the expected amount of moisture in the container prior to the desiccant product absorbing a portion of the moisture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.”

In the present description, any concentration range, percentage range, ratio range, or integer range is to be understood to include the value of any integer within the recited range and, when appropriate, fractions thereof (such as one tenth and one hundredth of an integer), unless otherwise indicated. Also, any number range recited herein relating to any physical feature, such as size, mass, or thickness, are to be understood to include any integer within the recited range, unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, the terms "about" and "approximately" mean ± 20%, ± 10%, ± 5% or ± 1% of the indicated range, value, or structure, unless otherwise indicated.

It should be understood that the terms "a" and "an" as used herein refer to "one or more" of the enumerated components. The use of the alternative (e.g., "or") should be understood to mean either one, both, or any combination thereof of the alternatives.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

As previously described, the desiccant product for use in an enclosed moisture-containing container having contents susceptible to damage from said moisture may include: a humidity absorbent medium formed of an absorbent substrate treated with a non-particulate humidity attracting material; and a wrapper encapsulating the humidity absorbent medium, the wrapper configured to allow water vapor to pass in and out of the wrapper while isolating any aqueous solution formed within the wrapper from an external environment of the desiccant product.

Examples of materials that may be used as an absorbent substrate include: coffee filter paper, cotton, cotton cloth, sawdust, clay, paper, paperboard, paper products, absorbent polymers, super absorbent polymers, corn starch, absorbents that form a gel, activated charcoal, all absorbent minerals such as lava rock, porous materials that provide space for the dried deliquescent salt to occupy, cellulose, foam, sponges, diatomaceous earth, woven or loose fibers, entrained air materials and various starch and cellulosic materials for the purpose of supporting the humidity attracting material and absorbing moisture from the enclosed moisture-containing container. The absorbent substrate may include at least one or at least two different absorbent substrate materials. For example, the absorbent substrate may include coffee filter paper and cotton. The absorbent substrate may include a structure with entrained air that supports the humidity attracting material. The structure may be, for example, a porous sponge structure or a loosely woven cloth.

The wrapper may be formed from a material that is capable of allowing humidity to enter the wrapper but is also capable of isolating aqueous solution from the external environment. Examples of materials suitable for use as a wrapper include flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers such as TYVEK® (E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DE), and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene such as GORE-TEX® (W. L. Gore & Associates, Newark, DE). The wrapper may be formed of one or more materials, and may include one or more layers of distinct materials or different regions of distinct materials, including, for example, various plastic materials.

As an example, the wrapper may include an adhesive plastic film for securing the desiccant product to a surface, such as, for example, an interior surface of an enclosed moisture-containing container within which the desiccant product is put to use.

The humidity attracting material of the humidity absorbent medium may include at least one of a hygroscopic compound, a hygroscopic salt, a deliquescent compound, a deliquescent salt, a hydrophilic compound, a desiccant, and a humectant.

Examples of hygroscopic salts include calcium chloride, sodium acetate, and potassium acetate. In particular embodiments, the humidity attracting material of the humidity absorbent medium consists of calcium chloride.

In some embodiments, molecules of the humidity attracting material are finely distributed throughout an entirety of the absorbent substrate of the humidity absorbent medium. For example, an absorbent substrate may be saturated with a solution of a hygroscopic salt solution and then dried, such that the hygroscopic salt is finely distributed throughout the absorbent substrate.

In some embodiments, the humidity absorbent medium is entrained with air to allow enhanced exposure of the humidity attracting material to an environment within the wrapper. For example, the humidity absorbent medium may include a porous material such a porous sponge or loosely woven textile that is capable of allowing humid air to flow into the humidity absorbent medium and contact the humidity attracting material. In some embodiments, the humidity absorbent medium has a high surface area to volume ratio to allow enhanced exposure of the humidity attracting material to an environment within the wrapper.

A supplemental absorbent substrate may be provided in the desiccant product, to absorb at least a portion of aqueous solution in the event that the capacity of the humidity absorbent medium becomes over saturated. Examples of materials that may be used as a supplemental absorbent substrate include coffee filter paper, cotton, cotton cloth, sawdust, diatomaceous earth, clay, paper, paperboard, paper products, absorbent polymers, super absorbent polymers, corn starch, absorbents that form a gel, activated charcoal, all absorbent minerals such as lava rock, porous materials that provide space for the dried deliquescent salt to occupy, cellulose, foam, sponges, woven or loose fibers, entrained air materials and various starch and cellulosic materials. The supplemental substrate may include at least one or at least two different supplemental absorbent substrate materials. For example, the supplemental substrate may include coffee filter paper and cotton. In certain embodiments, the supplemental absorbent substrate consists of one of cotton, cotton paper, and cotton cloth.

The supplemental absorbent substrate may be a substrate that is not treated with a humidity attracting material.

The supplemental absorbent substrate may be of the same material as the absorbent substrate. For example, the desiccant product may include an absorbent cotton substrate treated with a humidity attracting material, and a supplemental absorbent cotton substrate that is not treated with the humidity attracting material. Alternatively, the supplemental absorbent substrate may be of a different material than the absorbent substrate.

In certain embodiments, the desiccant product is capable of raising a temperature within an enclosed moisture-containing container. In such embodiments, the humidity attracting material may be a hygroscopic salt that is capable of reacting with the moisture in the container to form an exothermic reaction. Calcium chloride is an example of a hygroscopic salt that is capable of reacting exothermically with the trapped moisture within the container.

As previously described, the present disclosure also provides a product including a desiccant product, with the desiccant product received within an enclosed moisture-containing container.

The moisture-containing container may include an environment between 0 and 100% relative humidity (RH), or a humid environment of at least 10% RH, at least 20% RH, at least 30% RH, at least 40% RH, at least 50% RH, at least 60% RH, at least 70% RH, at least 80% RH, at least 85% RH, at least 90% RH, or at least 95% RH. Additionally, the product may be configured such that a ratio of a volume of the humidity absorbent medium to a volume of an interior of the enclosed moisture-containing container allows for complete saturation or partial saturation by the humidity absorbent medium, upon exposure to a humid environment within the enclosed moisture-containing container.

When prepared foods are enclosed within a container (e.g., when transported for delivery), moisture may be expelled from the food and trapped within the container, and the expelled moisture may condense onto the food causing the food to become soggy. For example, the container used to transport the food may be ventless for sanitary purposes and to assist in retaining heat and moisture within the enclosed moisture-containing container, and thus may allow for trapping of moisture expelled from the food. However, the products described herein may be used to protect enclosed, prepared foods from condensation. In some embodiments, the desiccant product is configured to remove humidity at a speed and a volume such that prepared foods received in the enclosed moisture-containing container are protected from condensation when delivered via the enclosed moisture-containing container. In other instances, the desiccant product may be used for other purposes than protecting prepared foods, such as protecting other goods from moisture damage during storage or shipping.

As previously described, present disclosure also provides methods of using the desiccant products. The methods include methods of desiccation. The methods include use of desiccation products as described herein, to protect products that are susceptible to damage from moisture. For example, the desiccant product may be placed into an enclosed moisture containing container having contents susceptible to damage from said moisture.

As previously described, the present disclosure also provides methods of forming the desiccant products. Forming a desiccant product may include obtaining an absorbent substrate; saturating the absorbent substrate with a hygroscopic salt solution. In some embodiments, the absorbent substrate is saturated with a high concentration hygroscopic salt solution, to allow for a high concentration of the hygroscopic salt in the hygroscopic salt-coated absorbent medium upon drying the solution. In some embodiments, the absorbent substrate is saturated with the hygroscopic salt solution in a volume and a concentration sufficient to, once added to a moisture-containing container, cause the humidity absorbent medium to: (i) become completely saturated with moisture contained within the moisture-containing container having contents susceptible to damage by said moisture; and (ii) expel at least some portion of the aqueous solution into an interior of the wrapper during use of the desiccant product, whereby the wrapper isolates the aqueous solution from an external environment of the desiccant product to prevent impairment of the contents of the container.

In some embodiments, the hygroscopic salt-coated absorbent medium includes a concentration of the hygroscopic salt of at least 0.1 %, at least 0.5%, at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, or at least 70% by weight (dry weight). In some embodiments, the hygroscopic salt-coated absorbent medium includes a concentration of the hygroscopic salt within a range of 0.1 %-99.9%, 0.5%-95%, 1 %-50%, 30%-95%, 30%-70%, or 70%-95% by weight (dry weight).

Next, forming the desiccant product may include drying or curing the absorbent substrate to form a humidity absorbent medium having molecules of the hygroscopic salt dispersed throughout a volume of the humidity absorbent medium.

Additionally, forming the desiccant product may include encapsulating the humidity absorbent medium in a wrapper that is configured to allow water vapor to pass in and out of the wrapper while isolating any aqueous solution formed within the wrapper from an external environment of the desiccant product. Forming the desiccant product may further include encapsulating a supplemental absorbent substrate in the wrapper that is untreated with the hygroscopic salt solution and distinct from the humidity absorbent medium.

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1

HUMIDITY ABSORPTION OF CALCIUM CHLORIDE CRYSTALS VERSUS CALCIUM CHLORIDE SOLUTION ABSORBED AND DRIED INTO SPONGES

Example 1 demonstrates the surprisingly improved absorptive capacity of calcium chloride absorbed and dried into sponges (sample 1 ) as compared to calcium chloride pellets (sample 2).

For sample 1 , a plastic foam sponge weighting 0.12 grams was immersed in a high concentration calcium chloride solution and was then dried, yielding a total weight of 1 .27 grams for the combined sponge and calcium chloride. The dry weight of calcium chloride present in the sponge was calculated by subtracting the weight of the sponge material (0.12 grams) from the total weight (1.27 grams), indicating a total weight of dried calcium chloride of 1.15.

After exposure for approximately 20 hours of at or near 100% relative humidity (RH), the combined weight of the sponge, calcium chloride, and absorbed humidity was 3.24 grams. The weight of the absorbed humidity was calculated by subtracting the original weight of the sponge and calcium chloride (1.15 grams) from the combined weight (3.24 grams), indicating an absorbed humidity weight of 1.97.

The absorptive capacity for sample 1 was measured by dividing the mass of water absorbed by the mass of the calcium chloride of the coated sponge, and multiplying the resulting value by 100. For sample 1, the percentage of absorption was calculated to be 171.3% (1.97 grams of water/1.15 grams of calcium chloride X 100).

For sample 2, calcium chloride pellets at a total weight of 4.01 grams were exposed to relative humidity (hereafter RFI) that was at or near 100% RFI for a period of approximately 20 hours. Next, the moisture collected by the pellets was weighed. Over the approximately 20 hour period, the calcium chloride absorbed 1.75 grams of water as humidity from its enclosure. The percentage of absorption was calculated by dividing the mass of water absorbed by the mass of the calcium chloride pellets, and multiplying the resulting value by 100. For sample 2, the percentage absorption was 43.6% (1.75 grams of water/4.01 grams of calcium chloride X 100).

Conclusion: Sample 1 (calcium chloride in a plastic sponge matrix) had a surprisingly higher capacity for humidity absorption than sample 2 (calcium chloride pellets). In fact, the data demonstrates that when calcium chloride is dispersed throughout a matrix such as plastic sponge, the calcium chloride will absorb approximately 4 times as much humidity in a 20-hour period (171.3% / 43.6% = 3.93). EXAMPLE 2

HUMIDITY ABSORPTION OF CALCIUM CHLORIDE CRYSTALS VERSUS CALCIUM CHLORIDE SOLUTION ABSORBED AND DRIED INTO CLOTH

Example 2 demonstrates the surprisingly improved absorptive capacity of calcium chloride absorbed and dried into loosely woven cloth (sample 3) as compared to calcium chloride pellets (sample 2).

To prepare sample 3, loosely woven cotton cloth (0.23 grams) was immersed in a high concentration calcium chloride solution and then dried, yielding combined weight of 0.38 grams. The dry weight of calcium chloride present in the loosely woven cloth was calculated by subtracting the weight of the loosely woven cloth (0.23) from the combined weight (0.38 grams), indicating a calcium chloride dry weight of 0.15 grams.

The cotton cloth/calcium chloride matrix was exposed to a relative humidity (RH) at or near 100% for a period of time of approximately 20 hours (specifically, 22 hours), and at which point it weighed 7.67 grams. The mass of water absorbed was calculated by subtracting the combined weight of cotton cloth/calcium chloride prior to humidity exposure from the combined weight following 22 hours of humidity exposure to humidity (7.67 grams- 0.38 grams = 7.29 grams), indicating an absorbed humidity weight of 7.29 grams. Next, the percentage of moisture absorption was calculated by dividing the mass of water absorbed by the mass of calcium chloride of the treated cotton cloth. For sample 3, the percentage of moisture absorption was 4,860% (7.28 grams of water absorbed as humidity/0.15 grams of calcium chloride = 4,860% absorption).

Conclusion: In similar periods of time (20 hours for sample 2, versus 22 hours for sample 3), sample 3 (calcium chloride in a loosely woven cotton matrix) absorbed 4,860% of its weight of humidity, while sample 2 (calcium chloride pellets) absorbed 43.6% of its weight in humidity. Thus, this data demonstrates that when calcium chloride is dispersed throughout a matrix such as a loosely woven cloth, the calcium chloride will absorb more than 100 times as much humidity in an approximately 20-hour period (4,860% / 43.6% = 111.4).

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/023,040, filed May 11, 2020, is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

Moreover, it is appreciated that features and aspects of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.