GB2484076A

GB2484076A - Humidifier

Info

Publication number: GB2484076A
Application number: GB1016260.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Amanda Hayes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-09-28
Filing date: 2010-09-28
Publication date: 2012-04-04
Also published as: GB201016260D0

Abstract

A humidifier comprises a reservoir 104 containing a fluid (water) and an electrically powered heating means 106, 108 located beneath the reservoir that is used to heat the fluid to generate steam, and wherein an upper portion of the reservoir comprises a funnel shaped aperture 100. The heating means may comprise an induction plate 106 heated by an induction coil 108 which prevent limescale build-up or may be electrical element. The funnel aperture enables water to be poured into the reservoir and its shape enables condensation to run back into the reservoir. The funnel also comprises a plurality of holes 120 through which the steam exits and reduces the pressure of the steam and reducing its temperature. The holes may adjusted to selectively open or close some or all of the holes. Adjustment may be a cover or lid lifted or turned. Power may be provided by a mains power supply cable 118 or a battery or other renewable or non-renewable power supply. The humidifier may be used for children with respiratory difficulties such as croup.

Description

Humidifier adapted for children

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to room humidifiers for treating respiratory difficulty.

[2] Humidifiers are known in the art, for example GB 2195250 to Frost discloses a medical vaporizer which is provided with a heating element, an absorbent ceramic block and a central aperture. Heating element heats the block to drive pharmaceutically efficacious liquid from the block and hence from the aperture. The invention provides an air-lift via a passage driven by the vapour at the aperture and raises the same to the upper portions of a treatment space.

[3] Similarly US 2010071692 to Porges discloses an apparatus for providing humidification in a breathing assistance system comprising a first container at least partially defining a first volume for housing an absorbent material, a second container at least partially defining a second volume for holding a liquid, and one or more fluid passageways for communicating the liquid from the second volume to the absorbent material in the first volume.

[4] Furthermore, US 2010065051 to Potharaju discloses a blower unit for use as part of an integrated blower and humidification system. The blower unit has an outer casing, which encloses and forms part of the blower unit, the casing including an air inlet vent. The blower unit further includes a humidifier compartment for receiving a humidifier unit with a separate gas inlet and outlet, the compartment having a heater base for heating the contents of the humidifier unit. The compartment also has a blower inlet port which aligns with the humidifier unit inlet in use, the blower providing a gas path through the casing between the inlet vent and the inlet port. The blower unit also includes a fan for providing a pressurized gas stream along the gas path, and a power supply unit for powering the fan. The gas path is routed over the power supply unit in order to provide a cooling air flow.

[5] It is known in the art to use induction to assist in vaporization. IWO 2007101298 to Cheng et. al. discloses a humidifier including: a container to receive water; a heating element formed of a ferrous material; a heating unit including an induction coil; and a control circuit. The control circuit applies an alternating current to the coil if the metal inductance of the coil and heating circuit is within a predetermined range, and a gap separating the heating element from the induction coil, wherein the heating element is heated by an electromagnetic coupling with the induction coil.

Brief Srunary of the Invention [6) It can be seen from the forgoing that there is a prevalent need to provide humidifiers to ease respiratory problems such as croup and the like. In particular, it would be advantageous to have a humidifier which is adapted to use for children, that is, provides steam quickly and is safe to use. It would be further advantageous to have a humidifier which does not accumulate lirnescale.

[71 It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a humidifier adapted for use for children.

[8] To this end, a steam vaporizer is disclosed comprising: a reservoir; a heating means beneath said reservoir; a power supply; and a funnel shaped aperture to the top end of said reservoir. In the preferred embodiment, the heating means comprises an induction coil and induction plate.

[9] An advantage of the present invention is that it heats water into steam quickly using the induction ring. A further advantage is that the funnel shaped aperture is both spill proof and drip proof. A yet further advantage is that it can be set to turn off automatically after use. A still further advantage is that since there is no coil in the water reservoir, limescale build-up is reduced.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [10] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [11] Figure 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention; and [12] Figure 2 shows a cross section of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[13] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a steam vaporizer is disclosed comprising: a reservoir; a heating means beneath said reservoir; a power supply; and a funnel shaped aperture to the top end of said reservoir. In the preferred embodiment, the heating means comprises an induction coil and induction plate.

[14] Figures 1 and 2 show the preferred embodiment of the invention wherein funnel shaped aperture 100 sits at the top of reservoir 104. Beneath the reservoir is induction plate 106, and beneath that is induction coil 108. The apparatus is housed in housing 102.

[15) The funnel shaped aperture is so shaped to enable water to be easily poured into the reservoir without a need for great accuracy. A further advantage of the shape is that any condensation near the steam holes or aperture will automatically run down the funnel and back into the reservoir rather than being spilled or wasted. A still further advantage of the funnel shape is that it far reduces the possibility of spillage should the device be overturned, increasing safety around young children.

[16) The funnel shaped aperture preferably further comprises a multiplicity of steam holes 120 as shown which enable the steam to exit therefrom, as well as from the funnel shaped aperture. An advantage of this is that the holes reduce the pressure of the steam, thereby reducing the temperature at which steam is emitted.

[17] The reservoir may comprise any waterproof material and may contain any amount of water. It will be appreciated that the more water is contained, the longer the device can operate for.

[18) The heating means is preferably an induction coil and induction plate which cooperate as known in the art to provide fast and efficient heating to the water in the reservoir.

Alternatively the heating means may be an electrical element or any other heating means. An advantage of the induction coil and plate is that it is fast and efficient, no electrical element is exposed, and limescale buildup is reduced.

[19) The apparatus is preferably controlled by a PCB 116 in the housing. The PCB may be cooled by fan 114 and vents 112. The apparatus may comprise controls 110 for controlling functions such as power, time and temperature. A power supply cable 118 may be provided for connecting the apparatus to a mains power supply, or alternatively a battery or other renewable or nonrenewable power supply may be provided. The PCB, fan, vents, controls and power supply are preferably located as shown in the figure for ease of design and manufacture although alternatively they may be located anywhere in the apparatus.

[20] The housing is preferably shaped as shown although it may be any shape. preferably the housing comprises at least two parts which unscrew otherwise are removed from each other to provide access to the components, in particular to enable cleaning of the reservoir. When the housing is opened, the reservoir may be removable for this purpose.

[21] In one embodiment, it may be possible to selectively open and close some or all steam holes. The means for adjusting the number of steam holes in use may be a cover or lid which may lift or turn or operate in any way to open or close some or all steam holes. An advantage of being able to adjust the number of steam holes is that steam can be released over a larger or smaller area. Furthermore, opening more steam holes reduces the pressure of steam in the device, therefore steam is produced at a lower temperature. Conversely, closing steam holes increases the pressure of,the steam in the device, producing steam at a higher temperature.

Claims

Claims 1. A steam vaporizer comprising: a reservoir; a heating means beneath said reservoir; a power supply; and a funnel shaped aperture to the top end of said reservoir.
2. The steam vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said heating means comprises an induction coil and induction plate.
3. The steam vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said funnel shaped aperture further comprises a multiplicity of steam holes.
4. The steam vaporizer of claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the number of steam holes.