Electric resistance heating devices – Heating devices – Vaporizer
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-13
2001-10-09
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Electric resistance heating devices
Heating devices
Vaporizer
C261S079200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301433
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to humidifiers; more specifically to a humidifier advantageously providing an illuminated output mist.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Humidity producing devices such as humidifiers and vaporizers provide moist air to a room by atomizing or evaporating water. This may be done to make a room more comfortable and to provide a healthier environment.
Ultrasonic humidifiers are known in the art; one such humidifier is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,425 to Matsuoka, et al. Such humidifiers apply ultrasonic energy to a water supply to atomize the water. The atomized water and water vapor is exhausted from the humidifier as a fog or mist using a fan; the fog or mist evaporates into the surrounding air. Such humidifiers often include a switch or detector which shuts down the operation of the humidifier when the water is used up.
Typically, the output of an ultrasonic humidifier is an exhaust of visible mist. It may be possible to detect when the water in such a humidifier has been consumed and the humidifier has ceased operation by the absence of such a mist. However, since such humidifiers are substantially silent, it may be difficult for a user to detect when the humidifier has ceased operation. Furthermore, it may be possible to make such humidifiers more attractive and more interesting and fun to use.
Therefore, there exists a need for an ultrasonic humidifier which provides an attractive exhaust stream. Furthermore, there exists a need for an ultrasonic humidifier where a user may easily detect when the humidifier has ceased operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides for a preferably ultrasonic humidifier providing a mist and including a light source providing a beam of light illuminating the mist. A lamp produces light that is directed into the mist. The mist reflects the light and glows.
A translucent cylinder guiding the light may have a shaped end or lens for focusing the beam of light, and the shaped end or lens may be angled to direct the beam of light into the mist.
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Choi Charles Y.
Montagnino James G.
Fastovsky Leonid
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.
Sunbeam Products Inc.
Walberg Teresa
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