US1961711A - Humidifier and sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

June 5, 1934. E. c. ROSENOW 1,961,711

HUMIDIFIER AN-D STERILIZER Original Filed Sept. 24, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet l l l il l ll 1 l Li MALL-L- fltiorz wys June 5, 1934. c. ROSENOW 1,961,711

HUMIDIFIER AND STERILI ZER Original Filed Sept. 24, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J1me 1934- E. c. ROSENOW HUMIDIFIER AND STERILIZER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Sept. 24, 192'! 7/ fig. 17 7 70a l 7/ 7 /a 700 7 7M June 5, 1934. E. c. ROSENOW HUMIDIFIER AND STERILIZER Original Filed Sept. 24, 1'92? 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 wig Patented June 5, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application September 24, 1927, Serial No. 221,822 itenewed September 19, 1932 34 Claims.

This invention relates to an air humidifying, cleansing and sterilizing device, and while the invention may have various applications, it is particularly designed for use in connection with a radiator such as the heating radiators commonly used in dwellings and other buildings. The problem of having an adequate amount of moisture in rooms occupied by people has lately been receiving a great deal of attention from building and heating engineers and moisture supplying devices are now specified by architects and engineers in many buildings. Such a device for humidifying the air should be one that requires little or noattention to keep it in proper operating condition and one 5 which will supply an adequate amount of moisture and at the same time be neat and inconspicuous in the building. The device should also be applicable to the various types of heating radiators which are now commercially made and installed. 0 It is an object of this invention therefore, toprovide a very simple, neat and eflicient device for humidifying, cleansing and sterilizing the air of a room and one which is inconspicuous and easily made and installed.

It is another object of the invention to provide a humidifying device comprising a receptacle for containing liquid, preferably having dissolved therein a non-volatile sterilizing and disinfecting substance, together with a plurality of sheets of 0 absorbent material having portions disposed in said liquid and extending in a vertical direction beyond said receptacle and laterally beyond the sides thereof.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a humidifying device comprising a receptacle adapted to contain liquid and an evaporating unit comprising sets of spaced sheets of absorbent material, the sheets of each set being disposed in intersecting planes and intersecting each other, 0 whereby the same may be collapsed into flat form, one set of said sheets having portions adapted to be disposed in said receptacle.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an air humidifying, cleansing and sterilizing 5 device used in combination with a radiator, which radiator comprises a section having a chamber extending longitudinally thereof, said device comprising an elongated comparatively narrow pan extending longitudinally of said chamber substan- 0 tially centrally thereof and supported by said radiator and a plurality of spaced sheets of absorbent material having reduced lower portions extending into said pan, said sheets extending above and beyond the sides of said pan and being 5 substantially the width of said radiator section,

spaced transverse sheets intersecting said sheets being also preferably provided.

It is still further an object of the invention to provide an air humidifying device comprising an evaporating element formed of screen or sheets of foraminous material preferably of metal, having sheets of absorbent fabric material disposed at either side thereof and secured thereto.

It is another object of the invention to provide a means for humidifying, sterilizing and cleansing air in which moisture is drawn from a liquid con-- taining receptacle and distributed over absorbent surfaces in a direction vertically of said receptacle and at the sides thereof, whereby an open-work structure is provided by said surfaces through which the air passes.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:--

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of one type of radiator section with the device of the invention applied thereto, some parts of the radiator and device being broken away and others shown in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a partial horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a top view of the radiating unit used,

showing the same in partially collapsed posi tion;

Fig.5 is a View in front elevation of another type of radiator with the device of the invention applied thereto, some parts of the radiator and device being broken away and others shown in vertical section;

Fig. 6 is a partial horizontal section taken on line 66 of Fig. 5, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 5 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a partial view similar to Fig. 5 showing a modification;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on line 99 of Fig. 8 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a face view of an evaporating sheet used.

Fig. 11 is a face view of another evaporating sheet used;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view partly in vertical section illustrating the structure of the evaporating sheets;

Fig. 13 is a section taken on line 13-13 of Fig.

11, as indicated by the arrows, Figs. 12 and 13 being shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section showing an arrangement of the evaporating sheets used;

Fig. 15 is a view in front elevation of the radiator with a modified form of the device applied thereto, portions of the device being broken away and other portions shown in vertical section;

Fig. 16 is a vertical section taken on line 16-16 of Fig. 15 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 17 is a side view of an evaporating unit used, the same being shown as partially collapsed;

Fig. 18 is a face view of one portion of said unit;

Fig. 19 is a face View of another portion of said unit;

Fig. 20 is a transverse vertical section of a modified form of the device shown on the radiator;

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a View in end elevation of another type of radiator with the device of the invention applied thereto, said device and a portion of the radiator being shown in vertical section;

Fig. 23 is a vertical section taken on line 2323 of Fig. 22 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 24 is a horizontal section taken on line 2424 of Fig. 23 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 25 is a face View of an evaporating sheet used; and

Fig. 26 is a face view of a co-operating evaporating sheet used.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 to 4, a type of radiator is shown comprising a casing 30 having front, rear and end walls comprising a substantially rectangular chamber which is open at its bottom, said casing being formed with or provided with legs 30a disposed at the corners thereof. The heating unit in said radiator comprises the pipes or conduits 31 through which the heating medium which is usually steam or hot water passes, said pipes extending longitudinally of said chamber in casing 30 adjacent the bottom thereof. The said pipes have intimately secured thereto a multipicity of spaced plates 32 which are of some good conducting material such as copper, said plates extending transversely between the sides of the casing 30. The casing 30 is provided with the top portion 3% extending downwardly at its front and then provided with the rearwardly curved portion 300 extending to the rear wall of the casing and forming a deflecting plate for directing the air rising through the casing due to the heating elements outward at the opening 3002 at the upper portion of the casing between the top member and the top of the front wall.

In accordance with the present invention, an elongated comparatively narrow pan or receptacle 33 is provided which extends longitudinally of the chamber of the radiator casing and is supported at its ends on small angle brackets 34 secured to the end wa ls of said casing, said pan being adapted to contain a certain amount of liquid such as water, and said liquid has in solution therein a non-volatile sterilizing and disinfecting substance such as potassium permanganate. Water may be supplied to the pan 33 by a pipe 35 connected to the supply of water for the building which may be controlled by a valve 38. The water from pipe 35 is delivered through a valve 37 adapted to be closed by the downward movement of the end of a lever 38 pivoted to a small bracket 39, the end of said lever being connected to a plunger of said valve. The lever 38 has attached to its longer arm a float 40, whereby a constant level of water may be automatically maintained in the pan 33. Said pan also has provided therein an overflow pipe 41 which may be vertically adjusted and the lowor end of which projects through the pan 33 and is in alinement with a drain conduit 42. The pan 33 has disposed therein and extending longitudinally thereof a helix or a coiled wire spring 43 and said spring has disposed between the convolutions thereof a multiplicity of spaced evaporating sheets or members 44. The membars 44 extending transversely with respect to the pan 33 and have reduced portions at their lower ends substantially fitting in the pan 33, which portions are shown as having openings or notches 44a at their bottoms and while said openings or notches may be of various shapes, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated they are shown as triangular. The sheets 44 extend above pan 33 and outwardly beyond the sides thereof so as to be of a width substantially the same as casing 30. Said sheets 44 support sheets 45 of similar material, said sheets 45 extendhig longitudinally with respect to the pan 33. The sheets 44 and 45 are shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11. It will be seen that sheets 44 have slots 44bin their upper edges into which extend the sheets 45, said latter sheets having the slots 45a in their lower edges which embrace the sheets 44. While the sheets 44 and 45 could be variously constructed, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated they are shown as including the foraminous sheet or screen 46 preferably of metal, which has disposed against each side thereof the absorbent sheets 45b. The sheets 452) are secured to the sheets 46 and may be secured in any desired manner. In practice it has been found sufiicient to merely coat the screen 46 with some adhesive which is insoluble in water, such as shellac, then place the sheets 45!) against the same and pass the three through pressing rollers. A quite rigid and durable absorbent sheet is thus produced. The sheets 4 and 45 are provided with pressed out portions 440 and 450 preferably arranged in rows as shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 13 and these sheets may be also bent into corrugated form shown in Fig. 14. A deflecting member 47 is provided, secured to the bottom of pan 33 and extending downward into the chamber of casing 30, said member being of triangu ar shape in cross section, terminating an edge at its lower end.

In the operation of the device described, the heating medium will be supplied to the radiator in the usual manner and the circulation of air is caused up through the chamber of casing 36. The air being heated by plates 32, rises and passes out through the opening 30d at the top of the radiator. The pan 33 being provided with liquid as shown, through pipe 35, this liquid is drawn up into the sheets 44 and 45 by the absorbent capillary action of said sheets. The moisture is thus drawn above and laterally of the pan 33, and a wide distributing surface is secured. As the air passes upwardly between sheets 44 45, the moisture in these sheets is carried off by the air and thus diffused into the atmosphere of the room. The projections 44c and 45c interfere somewhat with the air and give a more or less turbulent action, thus causing more effective contact of the particles with the surfaces of the members 44 and 45. As the air passes over the iii sheets, dust particles and germs carried thereby contact the sheets and adhere thereto. This cleansing of the air of the dust and germs is caused not only by the natural adhesion of the same to the wet surfaces of said sheets, but is also aided by electrical action. The particles of dust and lint and other articles in the air acquire a certain electric charge. The surfaces of the sheets 44 and 45 are kept at a neutral potential by the liquid in pan 33 and the contact of the same with the grounded metal parts of the radiator. There is therefore an attraction between said sheets and the dust, lint and other particles. The charge of the particles from the air is immediately lost when engaging the wet sheets, so that the capacity of the sheets for attracting the particles is continuous and unlimited. Any germs or bacteria coming in contact with the said sheets are destroyed by the action of the substance in solution therein. Said substance also has an oxidizing action and tends to keep the water in the pan fresh and sanitary. The air is thus eifectively humidified, cleaned and sterilized. The sheets 4% and 45 form a unit which can be removed from the pan 33 and this unit can be collapsed into substantially one plane as indicated in Fig. 4, so that in shipping it will require very little space. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, two of these units are used, both being of substantially the same size and engaging at their ends. It is obvious that the unit can be made to include as many of the sheets 44 as desired and that difierent numbers of units can be used.

With an arrangement as above described it is easily possible to maintain, during all sorts of weather throughout the heating season, a healthful, relative humidity of from about 40 to per cent in double windowed buildings in particularly cold climates, and from about 25 to 35 per cent in single windowed buildings mostly in use in milder climates. This wide range in function is obtained by bringing the requisite large area of moist surface, in the form of parallel vertical sheets or fins into the currents of air produced by the heated radiators or other heating units, thus evaporating water continuously proportional to the amount of heat radiated, and inversely proportional to the amount of moisture already in the air. The surfaces of the wet fins remain cool even under the stress of heat and in consequence water is not forced into the air by heating it to high temperatures, thereby avoiding over humidification. By simply increaslng or diminishing the number of evaporating fins, as high a degree of humidification as the construction of a given building will permit, may be readily maintained. My humidifying system is readily adaptable to a wide range of climates, to a wide range of desired humidity, to houses or other buildings of different types of construction, to new buildings well insulated or old ones poorly insulated, to single and double windowed houses, and other buildings. There are no moving parts required in connection with the functioning of the moisture ladened absorbent members. They function silently and automatically at all times.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7 the invention is shown as applied to a well known type of radiator. This radiator comprises a plurality of assembled units 59 having the openings 50a affording communication between the units, said units as is wel known, being hollow and containing the heating medium. A pan 51 is provided of comparatively narrow and elongated shape, which pan is disposed within the openings 5012 at the center of the units 59. Water is supplied to the pan 51 by pipe 52 which is provided with a valve and float as already described in connection with the structure shown in 1 and 2, the float being indicated as 53. Said pan also has an overflow pipe 54 alined with the drain pipe 55. The pan 5]. has a coiled member or spring 55 disposed therein and evaporating units are provided, having transverse sheets 57 with lower portions disposed in said pan and held between the convolutions of said member 56. Sheets 58 are pro vided, secured to and intersecting the sheets 57. The pan. 51 is supported upon spaced rods 59 ex tending downwardly therefrom to the bottom por tion of the radiator and having platedike brackets 60 secured at their upper ends on which the pan rests.

In the operation of the device shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 the air heated the radiator units rises and will between the sheets 5'? and 58. The liquid in tank 51 which will be the same as already described for pan 33, will be drawn into the sheets 57 and 58 and will be evaporated and carried by the air into the atmosphere of the room. The particles of the dust, lint and germs carried in the air will be trapped by the sheets 57 and 58 as above described. The units comprising sheets 57 and 58 can have different numbers of sheets 5'? therein and it will be seen that said un' can be collapsed the same as the units comprising sheets 44 and 45. It is pointed out that the lower edges of the sheets 44 and 45 as well as sheets 57 and 58 are inclined downwardly toward the central lower portion of said sheets. Should any moisture collect on the sheets or the lower edge thereof, it will run down the inclined edge and thus be returned to the pan or tank and will not drip from said sheets.

In Figs. 8 and 9 the invention is shown applied to the same type of radiator as shown in Figs. 5 and '7, but the pan or receptacle 61 used is disposed at one side of the radiator, being supported upon brackets 62 carried on the upper ends of rods 53, which, like the rods 59 extend downwardly centrally of the radiator and are secured to the lower portion thereof. The pan 61 will be provided with a water supply pipe disposed as described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 and will also have the overflow pipe 64 therein whereby liquid can be maintained in said receptacle. The evaporating units are used in the receptacle, each comprising a plurality of transverse sheets 65 of absorbent material, which sheets may be of the structure shown in Figs. 12 and 13, said sheets extending above and beyond the side of receptacle 61 and between units of the radiator. The lower edges of these sheets are inclined downwardly as shown in Fig. 9 so that any liquid or moisture can run down the same into receptacle 61. The sheets also have the sheets 66 carried thereon and extending therebetween, which latter extend longitudinally of the receptacle 6i.

will be of metal and is shown as having the inclined surfaces with a plurality of elongated slots 67a therein. The plate 67 is reversely bent at its bottom and then again reversely bent to form a hook which engages over the outer top edge of receptacle 61. The receptacle and sheets 65 and 66 are thus effectively obscured and yet the air can pass upwardly about the radiator and between The receptacle is covered at its 3 front side by a grill or plate 67 which preferably the sheets 65 and 66 so that said air will be humidified, cleaned and sterilized as above described.

In Figs. 15 and 16 the invention is also shown as applied to a radiator of the type shown in Figs. 5, 'Z, 8 and 9, and in this embodiment the pan or receptacle 68 extends along and is supported on top of the radiator units 69 and substantially centrally thereof. The receptacle has em sheets 76 of absorbent material which are substantially of the shape or" sheets .4 already described, and have reduced lower portions disposed in receptacle, said portions having the openings 79c at their bottoms. The sheets 70 extend above beyond the sides of the receptacle 68 and have their lower edges inclined downwardly towards said receptacle. The sheets 7-2 are provided with slots 79b at their side por" with slots Tile in the lower portions trec-f. Longitudinally extending sheets '21 received in the slots vet and 760 which lat ieets l o have slots "Ila one edge which e ibrace the sheets '79 so that the sheets are assembled as sh wn in Fi s. 15 and 16. A unit formed wl can be collapsed as shown in requires no member receptacle to hold as they are held the sheets "16 in in spaced relatio 71 disposed slots 700. The casing extends over the pan 68 and sheets vc and comprises a front side plate 72 illustrated as reversely bent inwardly at itslower edge to form a fold or bead which rests on the side of the radiator units 69. The plate 72 is provided with a plurality of spaced vertically extending elongated slots 72a. as shown in Fig. 15. A rear side 73 provided which. preferably will be integral w h end walls 73a of the casing, which latter formed to rest on the end portions 69:: of the radiator. The rear and walls extend downwardly to a point adjacent the bottom of the. radiator and direct the upwardiy about the radiator through the casing as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 16. The walls '72 and '73 support a top plate 74 which may be lifted to access to the receptacle 68 and sheets 70 and l 1. Water will be suppned to receptacle 68 through the pipe 75 connected to the regular water supply and the level of water in the tan a will be automatically regulated by means of the float 76 as already described in connection with Fig. 1. An overflow pipe 2"! is also shown connected to the dra 11 pipe '78.

As above indicated, the ir rising about the radiator due to the heat of the units 69 will pass upwardly and be directed by the casing forwardly through and about the sheets '78 and 71 and will pass out through the slots 72a in plates 72. The air will effectively engage the sheets 76 as well as the horizontal sheets 71 which sheets will be thoroughly saturated by drawing moisture from receptacle 68.

In 29 applied to the and 21 the invention is shown same type of radiator as shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the receptacle 79 shown being supported on top of the radiator. Said receptacle has transverse sheets 80 of absorbent material therein having substantially the shape of the sheets 70. Sheets 80, however, are provided with slots at their upper edges in which are disposed the longitudinally extending vertical sheets 81 which have slots in their lower edges embracing sheets 89. A casing is provided, including similar front and rear walls 82 reversely bent at their lower ends to fit and be supported on the sides of the radiator units 83 and these plates support the top plate 84 which is provided with a multiplicity of holes 840.. Receptacle 79 will be supplied with liquid by the pipe 85 as already described and will have an overflow and drain pipe 86.

In the operation of the device shown in Figs. 20 and 21 the air will pass upwardly from the radiator between plates 82 and will pass out through the openings in the top plate 84. The air will pass in contact with and between the sheets 80 and 81 and will be humidified, cleansed and sterilized by the liquid on said sheets.

It will be noted that the combined horizontal cross sectional area of the passageway between the pan 33, of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the front casing wall and that of the passageway between said pan and the rear casing wall is considerably greater than the horizontal cross sectional area of said pan, thus affording ample space for the upflowing currents of heated air between the projecting ends of the absorbent sheets 44. Passageways of similar relative large area are provided in the respective constructions shown in Figs. 15 and 26. In another mode of statement it will be noted that in each of said three constructions, the front wall portion and the rear wall portion of the casing are spaced from the front and rear sides of the water pan a distance substantially as great as the width of the water pan thereby providing for the free passage of the air currents. Preferably also the effective areas of the air outlets in the upper portions of the casings of said constructions are made substantially as great as the aggregate horizontal cross sectional areas of the passageways at the sides of the water pans so as not to retard or interfere with the free flow of the air currents between the absorbent members.

In Figs. 22 to 26 the invention is shown applied to a different type of radiator. ator comprises a rectangular casing 8'7 having inlet and outlet conduits 88 and 89 respectively for the heating medium, which may be liquid or steam, said conduits being connected by a multiplicity of small conduits 90 having secured thereto radiating plates 91. The casing 8'? may be secured to some convenient frame or support such as the angle members 87a shown. A fan 93 is provided in the rear of members 90 and 91, illustrated as driven by a motor air is blown through the members 90 and 91, which air is heated and carries the heat from said members into the room. A receptacle 92 is provided, which extends across the upper part of the casing 87 at the front thereof, and has side portions 92a projecting forwardly therefrom. The tank 92 may conveniently be supported by small plate brackets 93b secured to the sides thereof and to the sides of the casing 87. The tank 92 receives therein the tab portions 94a of vertically disposed sheets 94 of absorbent material, the shape of which is shown in Fig. 25. The sheets 94 have slots at their front portions in which are received horizontally extending sheets 95 which have the slots 95a therein, which also embrace the rear portions of the sheets 94, the sheets then being assembled as shown in Figs. 22 and 23, forming a multiplicity of openings or passages in front of the casing 87. The sheets at their lower ends are received between the convolutions of holding members 96 shown in the form of coiled springs, disposed in a pan or receptacle 97 located in front of the casing 87 at the lower portion thereof and supported on brackets 98 secured to said casing. Each sheet 94 in- This radieludes" an upper rearward tab 94a hooked over the adjacent edge of the receptacle 92 and arranged in said receptacle. Pan 92 and the sheets 94 and 95 are covered by an imperforate sheet 951) having a downwardly bent rear portion 950 disposed inside of and against the rear wall of pan 92 and having downwardly bent side portions 95d disposed in and against the outer side of the extensions 92a of the pan. Sheet 95b is substantially in contact with the tops of sheets 94 and forms an efiective cover for said sheets and pan 92. The end sheets 94 have their upper edges reversely bent to form hook portions 940 by means of which the sheets are partially supported and which also retain the sheets 94 and 95 in proper position. The pans 92 and 9'7 will be provided with liquid through the pipe 99 shown as having the valve 100 therein and a determined level of liquid will be maintained in each of said pans by the floats 161 as already described. Overflow pipes 192 are adjustably supported in pans 92 and 97 and are connected to a drain pipe 103.

In operation of the device shown in Figs. 22 to 26, the heated air will pass between the sheets a 9i and 95 as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 22.

The moisture will be drawn from the tank 92 by the sheets 94 and passed downwardly by said sheets and be communicated to the sheets 95. Moisture will also be drawn upwardly in the sheets 94 from the tank 97 and communicated to the sheets 95. The air coming in contact with these saturated sheets will be humidified and par ticles of dust, lint or other matter therein, as well as germs and bacteria, will be trapped on the absorbent sheets. The liquid will contain in solution some non-volatile disinfecting and sterilizing substance, preferably of an oxidizing nature, so that the germs and bacteria will be killed and the sheets and liquid will be kept in fresh and sanitary condition. The absorbent sheets used in the device in the various forms shown, can, of course, be replaced after a certain amount of use.

From the above description it is seen that applicant has provided a very efficient device for humidifying, cleansing and sterilizing the air of a room and one which can be conveniently applied to the various types of radiators now in common use. The device is automatic in operation. and needs little or no attention for maintenance. The liquid is drawn from the liquid receptacle and distributed over a wide area of the absorbent sheets, so that the desired amount of moisture can be distributed to the room and the air is effectively washed and cleansed. The number of the sheets of the absorbent material used can be conveniently varied as desired. The sheets are formed into convenient units which may conveniently be replaced and these units are constructed and arranged for convenient shipment. It will be understood that where the absorbent sheets are interlocked together, the use of the coil spring or other holding means to hold the vertical sheets is unnecessary. The holding means or said interlocking structure may be interchangeably used. By having a non-volatile substance in solution in the water, the air in the room. is humidified and kept clean and pure without any objectionable odors being diffused in the atmosphere or imparted thereto. The device has been amply demonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful and efficient.

It is to be understood that suitable bactericidal, disinfectant or germicidal agents may be used with the water when water is employed. In the appended claims I have used the term water in a broad sense as including ordinary water, water having any of the agents just mentioned, or any other suitable liquid.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which, generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the type described, the combination of a set of absorbent members arranged on edge in spaced relation to each other, .another absorbent member arranged on edge in crossed relation to said first named absorbent members and releasably connected therewith, and container means for holding a supply of water into which at least one of said absorbent members extends for taking water therefrom by capillary attraction, the connection between said absorbent members being effective for transferring water by capillary attraction from the absorbent member extending into said container means to the other absorbent members.

2. In a device of the type described, the combination of a set of absorbent sheets arranged on edge in spaced relation to each other, another absorbent sheet arranged on edge in crossed relation to said first named absorbent sheets and connected therewith, and container means for holding a supply of water into which at least one of said absorbent sheets extends for taking water therefrom by capillary attraction, said first named absorbent sheets being closely fitted to said cross positioned absorbent sheet by notched engagement therewith for transferring water by capillary attraction from the absorbent sheet extending into said container means to the other absorbent sheets.

3. In a device of the type described, the combination of a receptacle adapted to hold water, a plurality of absorbent members in spaced relation to each other supported on edge in said receptacle and projecting above said receptacle for taking moisture by capillary attraction therefrom,

and aplurality of absorbent sheets supported on edge across said first named absorbent members and having releasable engagement with said first named absorbent members in spaced relation to each other by notched connections therewith effective for transferring moisture by capillary at traction from said first named absorbent members to said absorbent sheets.

4. A device for humidifying, cleansing, and sterilizing the air in a room having in combination, a receptacle adapted to hold water, a plurality of spaced sheets of absorbent material projecting above and beyond the sides of said receptacle and having portions extending downwardly into said receptacle, means for holding said sheets in spaced relation in said receptacle, and other 1 sheets of absorbent material disposed in planes at an angle to said first named sheets and located beyond the sides of said receptacle.

5'. In combination with a radiator structure ineluding a space in which a circulation of air is caused by the heat of the radiator, areceptacle disposed within said space and adapted to hold water, a plurality of spaced substantially vertically disposed sheets of absorbent material having reduced portions disposed in said receptacle and extending above and at one side of said receptacle, and means for holding said sheets in spaced relation whereby said sheets are disposed in the current of air passing through said space.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5 and a plurality of spaced sheets of absorbent material disposed in planes at an angle to the planes of said first mentioned sheets and extending therebetween to form a plurality of passages for the air between said sheets.

'7. A device for humidifying, cleansing and sterilizing the air or" a room having in combination, means for producing a circulation of air, a pan open to the path of said air, adapted to hold water, and a plurality of spaced sheets of absorbent material having portions disposed in said pan and extending above and beyond the side of said pan, said sheets having downwardly inclined lower edges extending to said first mentioned portion whereby any moisture or liquid on said sheets will run down said edge and into said pan and whereby air will pass between and contact with the extensions of said sheets.

8. The structure set forth in claim '7, and means for maintaining said sheets in spaced relation, each of said sheets adjacent the bottom thereof being cut out whereby liquid can pass freely between said sheets.

9. A device for humidifying, cleansing and sterilizing the air of a room having in combination, means for producing a circulation of air, a receptacle open to the path or" said air and adapted to hold Water, a plurality of spaced sheets of absorbent material extending transversely of said receptacle, each of said sheets having a portion extending into said receptacle, said sheets extending above and beyond the side of said receptacle, a plurality of spaced sheets supported on said first mentioned sheets and extending in planes at an angle thereto between said firsu mentioned sheets and located at the side of said receptacle forming a plurality of passages, and a member in said receptacle receiving said first mentioned sheets and holding the same in spaced relation whereby said air can pass at the s'de of said receptacle and through said passages.

19.111 combination with a radiator section having means enclosing a space extending longitudinally of said section, an elongated receptacle disposed within said space and extending longitudinally of said section, a plurality of spaced sheets of absorbent material having portions disposed in said receptacle and extending above and beyond the side of said receptacle, and means for holding, said sheets in spaced relation, whereby the air passing through said enclosed space passes between said sheets.

11'. In combination with a radiator section having means forming a chamber extending longitudinally of said section, a receptacle adapted to contain water and of considerably less width than sa d chamber and extending longitudinally of said radiator section in said chamber in substantially centered position transversely of the chamber, absorbent means extending downwardly into said receptacle for taking moisture by capillary attraction therefrom and comprising a plurality of absorbent sheets arranged on edge and extending transversely of the receptacle above and outwardly beyond the sides of the receptacle, and means for hold ng said sheets in spaced relation to each other for permitting the air passing through the chamber to pass between said sheets at both sides of the receptacle.

12.111 combination with a radiator section having means forming a chamber extending longitudinally of said section, an elongated receptacle disposed with'n said chamber and extending longitudinally of said section, a plurality of spaced absorbent sheets having porticns disposed in said receptacle for taking moisture by capillary attraction therefrom and extending above and beyond the side of the receptacle, an absorbent sheet connected with the transversely extending portions of said first named absorbent sheets at points transversely beyond the side of the receptacle so as to take moisture by capillary attraction therefrom, and means for holding said first named absorbent sheets in spaced relation to each other for permitting the air passing through said chamber to pass between said sheets.

13. A moisture contaning unit for an air humidifying and cleansing device comprising sets of stiff spaced sheets of absorbent material, the sheets of each set being arranged in parallel relation and the sheets of the different sets being d'sposed in intersecting planes, the sheets of said sets being fitted together and adapted to be collapsed into substantially one plane, the sheets of one set having reduced porions adapted to be disposed in a liquid containing receptacle for taking moisture by capillary attraction therefrom.

14. The structure et forth in claim 13, said sheets being provided with a plurality of projections forming recesses on the opposite s'des of said sheets whereby a corrugated effect is produced.

15. A moisture containing sheet for a device for humidifying, cleansing and sterilizing the air of a room comprising a foraminous sheet and sheets of fabric material disposed at each side thereof and secured thereto.

16. A moisture containing sheet for a device for humidifying, cleansing and sterilizing t air of a room comprising a metal screen and sheets of absorbent material disposed against each side of said screen and secured thereto by a mo'sture-proof adhesive.

17. A moisture carrying unit for a device for humidifying, cleansing and sterilizing the air of a room comprising spaced sheets of absorbent material having reduced portions adapted to be received in a liquid conta'ning receptacle, said sheets having spaced slots at their upper ends, a plurality of spaced sheets disposed in said slots and extending substantially at right angles to said first mentioned sheets, and also having slots at one edge embracing said first mentioned sheets, whereby said units may be collapsed into substantially one plane.

18. A humidifying device having in combina-- tion a receptacle adapted to hold water, a plurality of spaced sheets of absorbent material having portions disposed in said receptacle and projecting beyond the side thereof, said sheets ex-- tending vertically from said receptacle, a plurality of spaced sheets of absorbent material tending substantially at right angles to said first mentioned sheets and embracing the same, forming a multiplicity of air passages, means in said receptacle for holding said first mentioned sheets in properly spaced relation, and means for main-- taining a level of liquid in said receptacle.

19. A humidifier having in combination, an

elongated receptacle adapted to have a supply of std-u liquid therein; a plurality of spaced absorbent sheets having portions disposed in said receptacle to extend into said liquid and having other portions extending transversely beyond the sides of said receptacle, and a sheet of absorbent material supported by the transversely extending portions of said first mentioned sheets, whereby acirculation of air may take place between and against said outwardly disposed sheet portions at the side.

20. A device of the character described, co r-- prising a casing having front and rear walls, a heating means at the lower portion of said casing between said walls, said casing having an opening at its upper front side, an elongated re ceptacle within said casing and of considerably less width than the casing, said receptacle extending longitudinally between said front and rear walls and being disposed between said heating means and said opening, and a plurality of spaced apart sheets of absorbent material within said casing and having their lower portions disposed in said receptacle, said sheets extending transversely of the receptacle and projecting thereabove and beyond the sides thereof.

21. In a device of the type described, the combination of an elongated heater means, a receptacle adapted to contain water and of consi erably less width than said heater means and located above said heater means, absorbent means comprising a plurality of absorbent sheet members supported on edge transversely of the receptacle at spaced intervals therealong and extending above and transversely beyond the sides of the receptacle and extending downwardly into the receptacle for taking moisture by capillary attraction therefrom, and easing means defining passageways leading upwardly past said receptacle between said absorbent sheets and continuously upwardly out of the casing means of an aggregate horizontal cross sectional size considerably greater than the horizontal cross sectional size of said receptacle,

22. In a device of the type described, the cornbination of an elongated heater means, a receptacle adapted to contain water and of considerably less width than said heater means and located above said heater means, absorbent means extending downwardly into the receptacle for taking moisture by capillary attraction therefrom and comprising a plurality of absorbent sheet members supported on edge transversely of the receptacle at spaced intervals therealong and extending at one side at least of the receptacle above and transversely beyond the side of the receptacle, and casing means comprising a wall portion spaced from the receptacle a distance substantially as great as the width of the receptacle and providing a substantially clear passageway for the free movement of SJlGfil'llS of air upwardly past the receptacle between said spaced absorbent sheets and continuously upwardly out of the easing means.

23. In a device of the type described, the combination of an elongated heater means, a receptacle adapted to contain water and of considerably less width than said heater means and located above said heater means, absorbent means comprising a plurality of absorbent sheet members supported on edge transversely of the receptacle at spaced intervals along the receptacle and extending at both sides of the receptacle above and outwardly beyond the sides of the receptacle and extending downwardly into the receptacle for taking moisture by capillary attraction therefrom, and casing means providing a housing about said receptacle furnishing substantially clear sageways for the movement of stream s of air upwardly past said receptacle at both sides thereof and continuously upwardly out of said casing means through an outlet port in the front wall of the casing means at its upper end and of substantially as great effective size as the aggregate horizontal cross sectional size of the passageways opposite said receptacle.

2a. In a device of the type described, the combination of an elongated heater means, a housing over said heater means and having an air in" let in its lower end portion and an air outlet in its upper end portion, a receptacle adapted to contain water located in said housing above said heater means and between said air inlet and said air outlet, the size of said "eceptacle being such and the receptacle being so located within said housing that space is provided between the receptacle and the inner surface of the housing for the passage of upilowing currents of heated absorbent means extending downwardly into the receptacle for taking moisture by capillary attraction therefrom and comprising a plurality of absorbent sheet members supported on transversely of the receptacle at spaced intervals theretial distance beyond the receptacle into space for effectively moistening the air flowing upward ly therebetween.

25. In a device of the type described, the combination of a receptacle adapted to contain water, means for forcing a stream of air across said receptacle above the water, and absorbent means extending downwardly into said receptacle for taking water by capillary attraction therefrom and comprising a plurality of absorbent members arranged in spaced relation to each other in said stream of air above said receptacle for permitting the air to pass between said members.

26. In a device of the type described, the com-- bination of a receptacle adapted to hold a supply of water, a fan adjacent to said receptacle for forcing a stream of air across the receptacle above the water, and a plurality of absorbent members in sheet form extending downwardly on edge into said receptacle for taking moisture by capillary attraction from the receptacle and arranged in spaced relation to each other in the path of said stream of air with their edges directed toward the fan for permitting the air to pass between said absorbent members.

27. In a device of the type described, the coil ination of a receptacle adapted to hold a supply of water, a plurality of absorbent members extending downwardly from said receptacle in spaced relation to each other along said receptacle, means for feeding water to said absorbent members from said receptacle, and means for forcing a stream of air below the receptacle transversely thereof between said absorbent members.

28. In a device of the type described, the cornbination of a receptacle adapted to hold a sup ply of water, a plurality of absorbent members extending downwardly from said receptacle in spaced relation to each other along said receptacle, means for feeding water to said absorbent members from said receptacle, a second receptacle adapted to hold water located below said first named receptacle with the lower end portions of said absorbent members extending downwardly into said second receptacle, and a fan for forcing a stream of air below said first named receptacle transversely thereof between said absorbent members.

29. In a device of the type described, the 00111- bination of a receptacle adapted to hold a sup ply of water, a plurality of absorbent members extending downwardly from said receptacle in spaced relation to each other along said receptacle, and means for feeding water by capillary attraction to said absorbent members from said receptacle.

3%. In a device of the type described, the combination of a receptacle adapted to hold a supply of water, a plurality of absorbent sheets having downwardly extending tabs formed at one edge at the upper end portions of the sheets and extending downwardly into said receptacle for suspending the sheets below the receptacle in spaced relation to each other along the receptacle and for taking water by capillary attraction from the receptacle, and means for forcing a stream of air below the receptacle transversely thereof between said absorbent sheets.

31. In a device of the type described, the combination of a receptacle adapted to hold a supply of water, a plurality of absorbent members extending downwardly from said receptacle in spaced relation to each other along said receptacle, means for feeding water to said absorbent members from said receptacle, other absorbent members extending substantially horizontally between said first named absorbent members and having such connection therewith as to take water by capillary attraction therefrom, and means for forcing a stream of air below the receptacle transversely thereof through the openings between said absorbent members.

32. In a device of the type described, the com-- bination of a receptacle adapted to hold a sup ply of water, a plurality of absorbent sheets having downwardly extending tabs formed at one edge at the upper end portions of the sheets and extending downwardly into said receptacle for suspending the sheets below the receptacle in spaced relation to each other along the receptacle for taking water by capillary attraction from the receptacle, other absorbent sheets extending substantially horizontally between said first named absorbent sheets and having notched engagement therewith for taking water by capillary attraction therefrom, and means for forcing a stream of air below the receptacle transversely thereof through the openings between said absorbent sheets.

33. In a humidifier adapted to be secured in a casing above a radiator, having air fins, the combination of a water pan, wicking sheets mounted in substantially the same planes as the radiator fins, wicking legs supporting the said wicking sheets, said wicking legs depending in said water pan.

34. In a humidifier adapted to be secured in a casing above a radiator having air fins, the combination of a water pan, wicking sheets mounted in substantially the same planes as the radiator fins, wlcking legs supporting the wicking sheets, said wicking legs depending in said Water pan, and means to adjust the water level in the water pan.

EDWARD C. ROSENOW.

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