EP2767774A1

EP2767774A1 - Portable humidifier

Info

Publication number: EP2767774A1
Application number: EP14154633.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Chan-Ju Chung
Original assignee: Amazing Grace Co Ltd
Current assignee: Amazing Grace Co Ltd
Priority date: 2013-02-18
Filing date: 2014-02-11
Publication date: 2014-08-20
Also published as: KR20130007210U; US20140232022A1; KR200470848Y1

Abstract

The present device deploys a portable humidifier (1) of utilizing mineral water bottles or thermos containing mineral water.

The present device is characterized by having an ultrasonic vibrator (10), a circuit part (11) to generate ultrasonic waves, USB connector (12) to supply electric power in connection to the circuit part (11), and a water-supply bottle joint (21), which the said ultrasonic vibrator (10) and circuit part (11) are installed at the inside of and connects a mineral water bottle or a thermo, and a main body (2) in which a water-supply part can be installed and spray holes (22) are formed, but
the said water supply part consists of a circular filter (31), which supplies moisture by contacting its top with the bottom of the ultrasonic vibrator (10), and a support pipe (33), at the top of which a flange part (32) is formed for insertion/connection to a raised spot formed on the inner bottom of the main body, while accommodating the circular filter (31),
a through hole (35) is drilled into the support pipe (33) to connect an auxiliary water-supply filter (4) or a large and short circular filter by forming a stopper, the said ultrasonic vibrator (10) forms many perforated micro-holes (10a) to pass the moisture supplied from the circular filter (31) contacted with the bottom and spray it at the same time, and
in order to make the appearance beautiful, lighting LED (11a) might be installed at the said circuit part (11), and ornamental caps (5) and ornamental auxiliary materials (6) might be installed at the top of the said main body (2).

Description

[Technical Field]

The present device relates to a portable humidifier which utilizes mineral water. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable humidifier, which is connected for application to mineral water bottles or portable thermos easi ly purchased at convenience stores or marts so that it may control the humidity using portable and sanitary water, and which can not only improve the structure but also provide the ornamental effect and convenience for continual humidification by stably supplying the water even when the bottle size is changed.

[Background Technology]

In general, in winter, moisture is supplied indoors to prevent indoor air from being dry since dry air causes respiratory diseases, which is hazardous to health.
The supply methods of the said moisture may be classified into the natural evaporation method of the water contained in a bowl, the vaporization method based on water heat-up, the spray method based on an ultrasonic vibrator, and the ventilation method based on air blow.
Out of the devices of humidifying air with the various methods as mentioned above, widely used is the ultrasonic humidifier which is the most convenient to use and is excellent in the aspects of function and performance.
The ultrasonic humidifier is composed of a vibrator (spraying device), a main body which an electrical circuit is built in, a water supply part installed on one top side of the main body, and an injection pipe from which atomized water is sprayed. The said water supply part is equipped with a passage to move water to the side of the vibrator and an inlet to fill water to an appropriate level, and at the inlet, a rest groove is formed so that the opening of a water bottle may be positioned. The supply and atomization processes of water are as follows: In case the water bottle opening is inserted into the rest groove of the water bottle on one top side of the main body, the bump of the rest groove opens the valve installed at the opening of water bottle by pushing it into the bottle inside. At this time, the water in the bottle falls into the insertion groove and then moves to the vibrator through the inlet. The moisture atomized by the vibrator disperses into indoor air through a spray pipe.
Since the conventional ultrasonic humidifier mentioned above has a structure with a large-capacity water bottle installed at the top of the main body to supply water for a long period of time, the total size of the humidifier is so large that it has had disadvantages that it not only occupies a large utility space but also is inconvenient to store and move.
Since the stagnant water in the large-capacity water bottle stays for a long time, bacteria breed easily, which requires frequent washing. Because the structure is very difficult to wash, however, it has had a problem that it is impossible to maintain cleanliness.
In order to solve such a problem, proposed was a mineral-water humidifier which directly utilizes the mineral water easily purchased at marts or convenience stores.
Some of the said mineral water humidifiers have a structure in which the connection hole of the mineral water bottle is simply changed so that the mineral water bottle may be inserted upside down into the bottle rest part of ordinary ultrasonic humidifiers. They may be always used cleanly due to frequent replacement of the water with mineral water bottles containing fresh clean water. Since the size of the main body is large again, however, it has been inconvenient to store and carry them (Refer to Patent References 1 through 3.)
In addition, one of mineral water humidifiers is composed, without erecting the mineral water bottle upside down, of an ultrasonic vibrator, a water supply pump, a water supply filter, a water supply pipe, and a ventilation fan to supply humidified air indoors. This mineral water humidifier is also no equipped with a separate water supply tank and utilizes new mineral water bottles. Thus, it was said that the said humidifier is very easy to use, carry and store since its structure is simple, its production cost is low, and it is easy to insert the water bottle. In its actual application, however, its structure has been complicated, its manufacturing cost has been high, and it has been difficult to use. Especially, it has had an inconvenience that depending on the size of mineral water bottles, it is necessary to selectively use the humidifier with parts suitable to the structure of the mineral water bottles to be installed (Refer to Patent Reference 4).

[Prior Technology References]

[Patent References]

(Patent Reference 1) Korean Registered Utility Model No. 20-0270028 (Public Notification: March 27, 2002)
(Patent Reference 2) Korean Registered Utility Model No. 20-0271923 (Public Notification: April 12, 2002)
(Patent Reference 3) Korean Registered Utility Model No. 20-0446559 (Public Notification: November 12, 2009)
(Patent Reference 4) Korean Disclosed Patent No. 10-2009-0092928 (Disclosure: September 2, 2009)

[Summary of the Invention]

[Tasks to be Solved]

Thus, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a potable humidifier which solves the conventional problems described above. The said humidifier simplifies the size and structure for good portability but at the same time can be easily connection to mineral water bottles or clean water-containing thermos readily purchasable at marts or convenience stores. The said humidifier stably supplies even the water contained in large mineral water bottles to the ultrasonic vibrator through an easy replacement with easily-detachable/attachable band-type auxiliary water-supply filters or circular filters with an appropriate length and provides convenience for continual humidification and easier use by improving the connection structure of the auxiliary water-supply filters and circular filters. It also enhances the ornamental effect through lighting LED, ornamental caps, and ornamental auxiliary materials.
In addition, this device aims at providing a portable humidifier with a simple structure by improving the vibrator so that the moisture supplied from the water-supply filter may be directly drawn in for atomization.

[Method of Solution for Task]

The characteristics of the technical structure are as follows: The said portable humidifier designed to meet the said purposes of this device consists of the ultrasonic vibrator, the circuit part to generate ultrasonic waves, USB connector to supply the power source in connection to the circuit part, and the main bodywhich the ultrasonic vibrator and circuit part are connected to the inside of, has the water-supply bottle connecting portion ofr connecting mineral water bottles and thermos, wherein a water-supply part may be installed at, and atomization holes are formed at the top of. The said water-supply part consists of a circular filter to supply moisture in connection to the lower top side of the ultrasonic vibrator and a support pipe at whose top a flange part is formed for insertion/connection to a raised spot formed at the inner bottom of the main body, accommodating the circular filter. The said ultrasonic vibrator passes the moisture supplied from the circular filter at the bottom and also has many perforated micro-pores for atomization.
In addition, the technical structure is characteristic in that the portable humidifier to accomplish the purposes of this device forms the first and second joints in order to use both a mineral water bottle and a thermo, and it forms a through tube at the support pipe for connection to the band-type auxiliary filter in order to supply moisture with ease despite the change in size of mineral water bottles or forms a stopper on the support pipe for convenience of replacing the circular filter, large or small.
In addition, the technical structure is characteristic in that the portable humidifier to accomplish the purposes of this device provides an ornamental lighting effect by installing LED's, attaches various types of ornamental caps to the top cover, enhances the ornamental effect by combining with the ornamental caps the ornamental auxiliary materials which embrace mineral water bottles with fabric or semi-transparent film, and always enables a stable operation by providing an auxiliary support.

[Effects of Invention]

Since the portable humidifier constructed and operated, as mentioned above, according to the present invention has a structure in which the moisture supplied from the circular filter is atomized through micro-pores of the ultrasonic vibrator to humidify air, it may be conveniently installed for use with any mineral water bottles purchased with ease. Its structure is simple, it is convenient and simple to carry, and it is easily connected to mineral water bottles or portable thermos easily purchased at convenience stores or marts so that the humidity may be controlled through sanitary water. It is also convenient to use since all the mineral water bottles become compatible despite difference in their sizes, as the moisture is transferred by tightly joining the wick-type or band-type auxiliary filter and the circular filter with the elastic force of a spring.
In addition, in case of using the stopper formed on the support pipe, if a circular filter with a length suitable to the size of mineral water bottles is selected out of prepared circular filters, small or large, and inserted into the present device, it is possible to adhere the circular filter to the ultrasonic vibrator while preventing the fall-off, which enables a smooth humidification and makes the circular filter replacement easy.
In addition, it is very convenient to use the present device since it may improve the effects of lighting ornament and outside ornament by lighting LED, various types of ornamental caps connected to the top cover, and the ornamental auxiliary materials embracing mineral water bottles and it may also maintain the erect posture by using the heavy-weight support.
Accordingly, the invention provides a portable humidifier as set out in claim 1. Preferred features of the invnetion are set out in claims 2 to 10.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

Figure 1 shows the disassembled perspective drawing of a portable humidifier prepared in compliance with the present invention.
Figures 2a and 2b show the partial expanded cross sections for the bound state of the water supply part of a portable humidifier prepared in compliance with the present invention.
Figure 3 shows the disassembled perspective drawing for the water supply part in other examples of the portable humidifier prepared in compliance with the present invention.
Figure 4 shows the partial expanded drawing for installed states of the water supply part of Figure 3 and the lighting LED.
Figure 5 shows the cross sections for comparison in size between the circular filter inserted for connection to the support pipe of the water supply part in Figure 3 and a mineral water bottle.
Figure 6 shows the disassembled perspective drawing for combined state of the ornamental cap with the top cover in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 shows the perspective drawing for combined state of the ornamental auxiliary materials inserted into the ornamental caps installed at the top cover and the support inserted into the bottom of the mineral water bottle to maintain the erect posture.

[Detailed Contents for Implementation of Device]

Hereunder, the portable humidifier according to the present invention is explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
An embodiment of the portable humidifier of the present device (1) has a renovated structure, as shown in attached Figures 1 and 2a, conveniently used in connection to 250mℓ or 500mℓ mineral water bottles or portable thermos easily purchasable at convenience stores or marts.
First of all, this device has installed an ultrasonic vibrator (10) and a circuit part (11) generating ultrasonic waves, and it utilizes ordinary elements composed of a main body (2) which forms a connecting portion (a joint) (21) in combination with a water supply part (3), USB connector (12) which supplies electricity to the circuit part (11) installed at the main body (2), and a spray holes (22) which spray atomized moisture particles with the ultrasonic vibrator (10) in connection to the said main body (2).
One of key technologies for the present device is that the said ultrasonic vibrator (10) has many perforated micro-pores (10a) formed in circular formations on a thin metal plate so that the top of a circular filter (31), which absorbs moisture with the bottom immersed in a mineral water bottle or a thermo, may spray the moisture at the atomized state toward the top while drawing in/passing the moisture, which is supplied when the bottom is contacted, with the pressure action created by up/down vibration. The number of perforated micro-pores (10a) is around the range of 100 to 300.
Thus, the ultrasonic vibrator (10) with the said micro-pores (10a) has a simpler structure than the conventional ultrasonic vibrator which sprays the water supplied to the top, and so it may improve the portability by minimizing the size.
Another key technology of the present device is to improve the structures of the water-supply bottle connecting portion (21) of the main body (2) and the water supply part (3) in order to provide humidification by easily connecting them to mineral water bottles or portable thermos conveniently purchased and continuously supplying moisture despite the change in size of mineral water capacity.
In other words, as one of the said key technologies, the water-supply bott le connecting portion (21) of the main body (2) consists, as shown in Figure 2a, of a first connecting portion (21a) that a mineral water bottle is screw-connected to on inside the main body and a second connecting portion (21b) that a thermo is screw-connected to outside the main body, and so it is possible to conveniently select whether a mineral water bottle or a thermo is used.
Next, as another key technology, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b as the first Example of the water-supply part (3), the water supply part (3) utilizes the basic structure composed of the circular filter (31), which supplies moisture in connection to the top circumference at the bottom of the ultrasonic vibrator (10), and the support pipe (33), at the top of which the flange (32) part is formed for insertion/connection to the raised spot (23) formed at the inner bottom of the main body (2), accommodating the circular filter (31). However, the bottom of the said support pipe (33) is closed to prevent the accommodated circular filter (31) and a spring (34) from falling out. While adherence is maintained between the top of the circular filter (31) and the bottom of the ultrasonic vibrator (10) by elastic force of the said spring (34), a through hole (35) is formed around the lower circumferential surface of the support pipe (33) to continuously supply moisture to the circular filter (31) in case of using a mineral water bottle with a large height. The spring (34) raises the bottom surface of the circular filter (31) to supply moisture by adhering its top surface to the bottom of the circular filter (31) accommodated into the support pipe (33) after the band-type auxiliary water-supply filter is inserted into the through hole (35).
The said band-type auxiliary water-supply filter (4) is made of materials with good moisture absorption and mobility such as fabric or non-woven fabric. Since it is flexible, even when the said auxiliary filter (4) fabricated with a length suitable to the height of 500mℓ mineral water bottle is used for 250mℓ mineral water bottle with a lower height, it continues to transfer moisture to the circular filter (31) at the state that the bottom is naturally underlain or folded on the floor. The moisture delivered to the circular filter (31) is supplied to the ultrasonic vibrator (10) and then sprayed.
Thus, if the said flexible band-type auxiliary water-supply filter (4) is easily inserted into/fixed to the through hole (35) of the support pipe (33) by the elastic force of the spring (34), it provides the convenience of being used regardless of the size of mineral water bottles since it can continuously supply moisture to the circular filter (31).
Next, as one of the said key technologies, as shown in Figures 3 through 5 as the second Example of the said water supply part (3), the water supply part (3) utilizes a basic structure composed of the circular filter (31), which supplies moisture with its top circumference in contact with the bottom of the ultrasonic vibrator (10), and the support pipe (33), at the top of which the flange (32) part is formed for inserted into/combination with the raised spot (23) formed at the inner bottom of the main body (2), accommodating the circular filter (31). However, the bottom of the said support pipe (33) expands and opens the entrance, for example by increasing the circumference of he support pipe, so that the circular filter (31) may be easily inserted. A least one stopper (36) is formed around the circumference of the support (33) so that the top of the circular filter (31) may maintain the adhered state at the bottom of the ultrasonic vibrator (10) when inserted into the support pipe while preventing it from falling out of the support pipe by its weight.
In other words, the said stopper (36) is formed to support the bottom so that the top tip may vary elastically around the circumference of the support pipe (33). The tip of the stopper (36), as shown in Figure 4, plays a role of fixing or adhering the top of the circular filter (31) to the ultrasonic vibrator (31) while preventing the circular filter from falling out by compressing the outside of the circular filter (31) introduced into the support pipe (33).
And elastic force acts on the tip of the said stopper (36), which plays a role of the raised spot to prevent the circular filter (31) from falling (descending) by its own weight. In case it pushes the circular filter (31) toward the top of the support pipe (33) for replacement of the circular filter (31), the tip naturally opens up to make the replacement easy.
Thus, in case the stopper (36) is formed on the said support pipe(33), the replacement of the circular filter (31) gets easy and convenient through the simple operation of introducing the circular filter (31) suitable to the size of mineral water bottles from the bottom of the support pipe (33) and then discharging it to the top, as shown in Figure 5.
In addition, the present device may improve atmosphere and enhance a sense of beauty through display of continuous or flickering light by installing the lighting LED (11a) at the circuit part (11), as shown in Figure 4, and irradiating the light to the mineral water bottle.
In addition, the present device may enhance the ornamental effect of appearance by screw-connecting, as shown in Figure 6, various shapes of ornamental caps (5) to the main body (2) and combining, as shown in Figure 7, the ornamental auxiliary materials (6) made of fabric or semi-transparent film with these ornamental caps (5).
In addition, in case the present device uses up the mineral water contained in a mineral water bottle, as shown in Figure 7, it may tumble, not maintaining the erect posture, even to a little shock due to its own heavy weight. Thus, in order to prevent this, the present device contains the heavy-weight support (7) at the top of which the insertion home (71) is formed for insertion/connection to the bottom of mineral water bottles.
Though the present device is described and diagramed as explained above in desirable Examples, it is not limited to the structures and operations explained and diagramed above as they are. Thus, since the persons active in the business may understand that the said Examples can be transformed and modified appropriately, it should be considered that appropriate changes, modifications, and equivalents belong to the scope of the present device.

Claims

A portable humidifier (1), which comprises
an ultrasonic vibrator (10) to generate ultrasonic waves;
a main body (2), inside which the said ultrasonic vibrator (10) is installed, the main body includinga liquid holder connecting portion suitable for (21) connect ion to a liquid holder, and having a spray hole (22) formed in a top port ion thereof;
a water-supply part (3) comprising a filter (31), which supplies moisture via a top portion thereof that is adhered to a bottom portion of the ultrasonic vibrator (10) and
a support pipe (33) configured to accommodate the filter; wherein a flange part is formed at a top region of the support pipe for connection to a ridge portion (23) formed at an inner portion of the main body (2); and
wherein the said ultrasonic vibrator (10) comprises perforated micro-pores and is configured to pass the moisture supplied from the filter (31) and atomise it at the same time.
A portable humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the filter (31) is configured to be in contact with a bottom portion of the liquid holder.
A portable humidifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid holder is a mineral water bottle or a vacuum flask.
A portable humidifier according to any preceding claim,
wherein the liquid holder connecting portion (21) comprises a first connecting portion (21a) formed on the inner circumference thereof and configured to be suitable for screw-connecting a mineral water bottle inside the main body,
and the second connecting portion (21b) formed on the outer circumference of the liquid holder connecting portion and configured to be suitable for screw-connecting a vacuum flask outside the main body
A portable humidifier according to any preceding claim,
wherein the support pipe (33) of the said water-supply part (3) comprises a closed bottom end, accommodates the filter (31) and a spring (34), wherein the spring is configured to support the filter (31) with elastic force;
and further comprise a through hole (35) at a lower circumferential surface of the support pipe wherein a band-type water-supply filter (4) is inserted into the through hole (35) and is adhered to the bottom of the filter (31) by the spring (34) in order to supply moisture.
A portable humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein the bottom end of the support pipe (33) of the said water supply part (3) is open to introduce the filter (31) into the support pipe;
further wherein a stopper (36) for supporting the filter (31) is formed around the circumference of the support pipe (33) and configured to vary its top tip elastically to provide a force in a radial direction of the support pipe;
wherein an outer surface of the filter (31) is compressed with the tip of the stopper, and the top of the filter (31) adheres to the ultrasonic vibrator (10), while the filter (31) is prevented from falling out of the support pipe.
LED (11a) is installed in the main body (2) to irradiate the liquid holder.
A portable humidifier according to any preceding claim, wherein an ornamental cap (5) is screw-connected to the top of the said main body (2), and an ornamental auxiliary materials (6) made of fabric or semi-transparent film are combined with the ornamental cap (5) to enhance the appearance.
A portable humidifier according to any preceding claim, further comprising a heavy-weight support (7) at the top of which an insertion groove (71) is formed to insert/connect the bottom of the mineral water bottle to which the said humidifier (1) is installed.
A portable humidifier according to any preceding claim, further comprising a USB connector (12) to supply electricity with connection to a circuit part.
A portable humidifier according to any preceding claim, further wherein the ultrasonic vibrator comprises 100 to 300 perforated micro-pores.