Gas and liquid contact apparatus – With external supply or removal of heat – Automatic control of heat supply or heat effect
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-24
2001-04-24
Bushey, C. Scott (Department: 1724)
Gas and liquid contact apparatus
With external supply or removal of heat
Automatic control of heat supply or heat effect
C261S030000, C261S142000, C261SDIG006, C096S224000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220579
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to humidifiers or vaporizers. More specifically, this invention is directed to a warm mist humidifier for use in domestic applications.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various types of humidifier devices are used to provide moisture to indoor air. Included among such humidifiers are ultrasonic humidifiers, steam humidifiers or vaporizers, warm mist humidifiers and evaporative humidifiers. The beneficial effects of these humidifiers are numerous and include: protection to the respiratory system of the user, reducing dryness and irritation in the user's nose and throat, reduction in static electricity, and protection of wood furniture, paneling and fabrics.
The warm mist type humidifiers have been effectively used to achieve very high humidification levels. Conventional humidifiers of the warm mist type usually produce a warm mist (rather than steam produced by the steam vaporization type humidifiers) into the environment to be humidified. Typical warm mist humidifiers employ an electric heater coil, which is in direct contact with water, for converting water contained in a reservoir into vapor. Additionally, the humidifiers may employ a float switch for activating or deactivating the heating coil based on the water level sensed by the float switch. The vapor in the humidifiers will rise through a vapor passage and mix with air drawn from an electric blower. Alternatively, the vapor can be produced in combination with a vaporized medicament for the treatment of colds, coughs, or other disorders of the respiratory system.
The conventional warm mist humidifier constructed as described above has many disadvantages. For example, minerals in the water are easily deposited on the surface of the heating coil which is made of a metal such as stainless steel or graphite. As a result, the electrical conductivity of the surface of the coil can deteriorate and it is often difficult to clean the stain on the surface of the coil. A float switch typically found in the conventional warm mist humidifier for activating or deactivating the heating coil according to the sensed water can easily deteriorate since it floats on water and is in direct contact with water. Additionally, moist on the heating coil or the float switch can attract potentially harmful microorganisms, thereby creating a higher amount of bacteria count in the mist.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages with the prior art device, it is the object of the present invention to provide a warm mist humidifier which has the same advantages as the aforementioned prior art humidifier, yet allows the humidifier to have a durable heating assembly that is easy to maintain.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a warm mist humidifier which automatically shuts off the heating assembly when the water level in a water tank is low without having to come in contact with water or to remove the water tank.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a warm mist humidifier that eliminates the potentially harmful microorganisms in the water.
The above objects are achieved by a warm mist humidifier with an air blower comprising: a base unit having an energizing circuit; a water tank having a pressure sensor and disposed on the base unit for supplying water to said base unit; a reservoir in the base unit for receiving water from the water tank; a heating assembly disposed in the base unit for vaporizing water received from the reservoir when the heating assembly is activated by the energizing circuit; and a tank switch for activating or deactivating the energizing circuit, wherein the tank switch is responsive to a change of position of the water tank relative to the base unit in response to the water in the water tank. In particular, the heating assembly in the humidifier consists of a boiler cavity, a heating coil fixedly mounted underneath the boiler cavity, an insulative outer housing mounted on the boiler cavity, and a removable cover covering the insulative outer housing.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reference to the following Description of the Preferred Embodiment when read in light of the attached drawings.
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Armstrong, Westerman Hattori, McLeland & Naughton
Bushey C. Scott
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