Gas and liquid contact apparatus – Fluid distribution – Pumping
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-15
2001-09-04
Bushey, C. Scott (Department: 1724)
Gas and liquid contact apparatus
Fluid distribution
Pumping
C261S107000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283458
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to an evaporative humidifier device, and, more particularly, to an evaporator device utilizing a liquid absorbing element to provide humidification.
Evaporator devices are used extensively to enhance personal comfort by increasing the level of humidity in an enclosed environment. They can function additionally to provide cooling in many hot, dry regions. One well known type of evaporative humidifier employs liquid absorbing wick elements that produce by capillary action liquid flow from a reservoir to wick portions disposed in a path of airflow provided by an electrical blower. Operating efficiency of such humidifiers is significantly diminished by dirt particles which accumulate and contaminate the wick element employed. Consequently, maintenance of operation efficiency requires frequent replacement of contaminated wick elements. Such replacement typically entails undesirable human contact with contaminated portions of the filter elements.
The object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a portable humidifier in which sanitary replacement of filter elements is facilitated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a portable humidifier including a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air flow path therebetween; a retainer disposed in the housing; and an air permeable, liquid absorbent cartridge element replaceably retained by the retainer and having a handle to facilitate removal from the housing. Also included is a blower disposed in the housing and activatable to produce air flow through the air flow path and a liquid supply for supplying liquid to the cartridge element. The handle allows replacement of a cartridge element without unsanitary contact with contaminated portions thereof.
According to yet another feature of the invention, the cartridge element is rhombic with a front surface, a rear surface, a top surface, a bottom surface and first and second side surfaces. The rhombic form provides efficient humidification.
According to another feature of the invention, the retainer includes first and second spaced apart and substantially vertical retainer elements receiving, respectively, the first and second side surfaces of the cartridge element. This arrangement allows desirable positioning of the element with a lower portion thereof in a liquid supply reservoir at the bottom of the housing.
According to still another feature of the invention, the handle is secured to the top surface. This feature facilitates handling of the cartridge element during replacement.
According to a further feature of the invention, the handle includes a channel portion received by the top surface and marginal portions of the front and rear surfaces. The channel portion facilitates securement of the handle to the element.
According to yet another feature of the invention, the handle includes a gripping portion projecting upwardly from the channel portion. The gripping portion is easily gripped during the replacement process.
According to additional features of the invention, the channel portion extends over substantially the entire length of the top surface and is secured thereto with an adhesive substance. This feature provides a secure attachment of the handle to the cartridge element.
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patent: 6149138 (2000-11-01), Birdsell
patent: 141528 (1903-05-01), None
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Chan Thomas S.
Cox Paul
Bushey C. Scott
Honeywell International , Inc.
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