GB2070966A

GB2070966A - Improved humidifier

Info

Publication number: GB2070966A
Application number: GB8008332A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: HUMIDIFIER GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: HUMIDIFIER GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 1980-03-12
Filing date: 1980-03-12
Publication date: 1981-09-16

Abstract

A humidifier (e.g. for a cigar cabinet or showcase) comprises a base (1) incorporating an electrical heating element, a pair of open- topped reservoirs (4) (5) disposed side-by-side on the base to define a gap (6) between, an absorbent pad (8) bridging across said gap and entering into each said reservoir, and an air permeable cover (12) removable from the base and locatable over said reservoirs and said bridging pad. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved humidifier This invention relates to an improved humidifier designed for modifying the humidity of the atmosphere in a cabinet (e.g. a showcase for museum exhibits or cigars).

To prevent deterioration of certain articles during storage it is important to store them in an atmosphere whose relative humidity is within a fairly closely defined range. For example, in the case of cigars, an atmosphere of between 60 to 70% relative humidity is desirable. Where the ambient air is drier than the gas for optimum storage should be, it is known to moisten the gas in the storage cabinet using a warmed reservoir of water located at or near the bottom of the cabinet.

This invention relates to an improved freestanding self-containing humidifier which can be located in an existing storage cabinet with no, or at most a minimum of, modification of the cabinet and will then act to raise the humidity of the gas in the cabinet.

According to the invention a humidifier comprises a base incorporating an electrical heating element, a pair of open-topped reservoirs disposed side-by-side on the base to define a gap between, an absorbent pad bridging across said gap and entering into each said reservoir, and an air permeable cover removable from the base and locatable over said reservoirs and said bridging pad.

Preferably the reservoirs have inner side walls (that define the outer limits of said gap) which are higher than the outer side walls thereof, so that the bridging pad is made to form into a generally arch-shaped configuration with the central curved span of the pad being supported on the higher inner side walls of the reservoirs.

Suitably the reservoirs are linked together by a tube so that there is free communication for water between the reservoirs, thus ensuring uniform levels of water in each reservoir, when the base is horizontal.

The cover can be of perforated metal sheet and can be removed from the base by slidable engagement of edges of the cover with the outer side walls of the reservoirs or with a casing surrounding the reservoirs.

Suitably each end of the humidifier is open so that gas in the cabinet can flow into the gap below the level of the central span of the bridging pad, and exit through the central span of the pad and its overlying cover.

An electrical heater adapted to run off mains voltage is preferred and wattages in the range 30 to 200 watts would be typical.

One embodiment of humidifier in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the humidifier, and Figure 2 is a section on the line ll-ll of Fig.

1.

The humidifier illustrated is some 60 cms long (24 inches), some 1 2.5 cms wide (5 inches) and some 9.5 cms high (34 inches). A base 1 incorporates an electrical resistance heater (not shown) of 100 watts powered by a mains cable 2. An indicator light 3 shows when the heater is energised.

Resting on the upper surface of the base 1 are a linked pair of reservoirs 4 and 5 which together define therebetween a gap 6. A tube 7 links the reservoirs together.

The inner walls 4a and 5a of the reservoirs are higher than the outer walls 4b and 5b and a pad 8 of paper-based absorbent material (of about 5mm thickness) extends the entire length of the reservoirs its outer edges 9 dipping into the reservoirs and its central span 10 closing the top of the gap 6 and resting on the higher walls 4a and 5a.

A shallow perimeter wall 11 surrounds the base 1 and receives the linked reservoirs and pad. Its opposite long edges provided runners in which outer edges of a perforated cover 1 2 locate. An air inlet 1 3 is provided above the wall 11 at each end of the humidifier.

Each reservoir is designed to receive about 2 litre of water (1 litre in all), this water being drawn into the central span 10 of the pad 8 by normal capillary action. With the heater energised, convection flows cause gas currents in the directions of the arrows shown in Fig. 1.

The reservoirs are removable for cleaning and of course the pad can be replaced simply by sliding the cover 1 2 off (or almost off) the wall 11.

The base 1 can incorporate a thermal cutout (to avoid overheating) and/or a thermostat or simmerstat to control temperature of the water. A humidistat to monitor the humidity in a storage cabinet can be linked to the humidifier if required.

The wall 11 can be dispensed with by mounting the reservoirs in a fixed manner on the base 1 and ensuring the cover 1 2 makes its sliding engagement directly with the outer walls 4b and 5b.

The sizing of the humidifier described above is particularly suitable for use in a cigar showcase.

1. A humidifier comprising a base incorporating an electrical heating element, a pair of open-topped reservoirs disposed side-by-side on the base to define a gap therebetween, an absorbent pad bridging across said gap and entering into each said reservoir, and an air permeable cover removable from the base and locatable over said reservoirs and said bridging pad.

2. A humidifier as claimed in claim 1, in

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improved humidifier This invention relates to an improved humidifier designed for modifying the humidity of the atmosphere in a cabinet (e.g. a showcase for museum exhibits or cigars). To prevent deterioration of certain articles during storage it is important to store them in an atmosphere whose relative humidity is within a fairly closely defined range. For example, in the case of cigars, an atmosphere of between 60 to 70% relative humidity is desirable. Where the ambient air is drier than the gas for optimum storage should be, it is known to moisten the gas in the storage cabinet using a warmed reservoir of water located at or near the bottom of the cabinet. This invention relates to an improved freestanding self-containing humidifier which can be located in an existing storage cabinet with no, or at most a minimum of, modification of the cabinet and will then act to raise the humidity of the gas in the cabinet. According to the invention a humidifier comprises a base incorporating an electrical heating element, a pair of open-topped reservoirs disposed side-by-side on the base to define a gap between, an absorbent pad bridging across said gap and entering into each said reservoir, and an air permeable cover removable from the base and locatable over said reservoirs and said bridging pad. Preferably the reservoirs have inner side walls (that define the outer limits of said gap) which are higher than the outer side walls thereof, so that the bridging pad is made to form into a generally arch-shaped configuration with the central curved span of the pad being supported on the higher inner side walls of the reservoirs. Suitably the reservoirs are linked together by a tube so that there is free communication for water between the reservoirs, thus ensuring uniform levels of water in each reservoir, when the base is horizontal. The cover can be of perforated metal sheet and can be removed from the base by slidable engagement of edges of the cover with the outer side walls of the reservoirs or with a casing surrounding the reservoirs. Suitably each end of the humidifier is open so that gas in the cabinet can flow into the gap below the level of the central span of the bridging pad, and exit through the central span of the pad and its overlying cover. An electrical heater adapted to run off mains voltage is preferred and wattages in the range 30 to 200 watts would be typical. One embodiment of humidifier in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the humidifier, and Figure 2 is a section on the line ll-ll of Fig. 1. The humidifier illustrated is some 60 cms long (24 inches), some 1 2.5 cms wide (5 inches) and some 9.5 cms high (34 inches). A base 1 incorporates an electrical resistance heater (not shown) of 100 watts powered by a mains cable 2. An indicator light 3 shows when the heater is energised. Resting on the upper surface of the base 1 are a linked pair of reservoirs 4 and 5 which together define therebetween a gap 6. A tube 7 links the reservoirs together. The inner walls 4a and 5a of the reservoirs are higher than the outer walls 4b and 5b and a pad 8 of paper-based absorbent material (of about 5mm thickness) extends the entire length of the reservoirs its outer edges 9 dipping into the reservoirs and its central span 10 closing the top of the gap 6 and resting on the higher walls 4a and 5a. A shallow perimeter wall 11 surrounds the base 1 and receives the linked reservoirs and pad. Its opposite long edges provided runners in which outer edges of a perforated cover 1 2 locate. An air inlet 1 3 is provided above the wall 11 at each end of the humidifier. Each reservoir is designed to receive about 2 litre of water (1 litre in all), this water being drawn into the central span 10 of the pad 8 by normal capillary action. With the heater energised, convection flows cause gas currents in the directions of the arrows shown in Fig. 1. The reservoirs are removable for cleaning and of course the pad can be replaced simply by sliding the cover 1 2 off (or almost off) the wall 11. The base 1 can incorporate a thermal cutout (to avoid overheating) and/or a thermostat or simmerstat to control temperature of the water. A humidistat to monitor the humidity in a storage cabinet can be linked to the humidifier if required. The wall 11 can be dispensed with by mounting the reservoirs in a fixed manner on the base 1 and ensuring the cover 1 2 makes its sliding engagement directly with the outer walls 4b and 5b. The sizing of the humidifier described above is particularly suitable for use in a cigar showcase. CLAIMS

2. A humidifier as claimed in claim 1, in which the reservoirs have inner side walls which are higher than the outer side walls thereof, so that the bridging pad is made to form into a generally arch-shaped configuration with the central curved span of the pad being supported on the higher inner side walls of the reservoirs.

3. A humidifier as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the reservoirs are linked together by a tube so that there is free communication for water between the reservoirs.

4. A humidifier as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cover is of perforated metal sheet and is removed from the base by slidable engagement of edges of the cover with the outer side walls of the reservoirs or with a casing surrounding the reservoirs.

5. A humidifier as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each end of the humidifier is open so that gas in the cabinet can flow into the gap below the level of the central span of the bridging pad, and exit through the central span of the pad and its overlying cover.

6. A humidifier as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the heater is adapted to run off mains voltage and has a wattage rating in the range 30 to 200 watts.

7. A humidifier substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.