US20110163464A1 - Natural evaporation type humidifier - Google Patents

Natural evaporation type humidifier Download PDF

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Publication number
US20110163464A1
US20110163464A1 US13/064,332 US201113064332A US2011163464A1 US 20110163464 A1 US20110163464 A1 US 20110163464A1 US 201113064332 A US201113064332 A US 201113064332A US 2011163464 A1 US2011163464 A1 US 2011163464A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
water
section
sheet
supply section
opening
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Abandoned
Application number
US13/064,332
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English (en)
Inventor
Kouta Hamada
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mikuni Corp
Original Assignee
Mikuni Corp
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Assigned to MIKUNI CORPORATION reassignment MIKUNI CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HAMADA, KOUTA
Publication of US20110163464A1 publication Critical patent/US20110163464A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F6/00—Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification
    • F24F6/02—Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification by evaporation of water in the air
    • F24F6/04—Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification by evaporation of water in the air using stationary unheated wet elements
    • F24F6/043—Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification by evaporation of water in the air using stationary unheated wet elements with self-sucking action, e.g. wicks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H3/00—Other air-treating devices
    • B60H3/02—Moistening ; Devices influencing humidity levels, i.e. humidity control
    • B60H3/022—Moistening ; Devices influencing humidity levels, i.e. humidity control for only humidifying the air

Definitions

  • the embodiments relate to a natural evaporation type humidifier to humidify space therearound as naturally evaporating water absorbed by a sheet-like member having a capillary structure to absorb water with capillarity.
  • a portable humidifier as downsizing the natural evaporation type humidifier to be capable of being accommodated in a case having a liquid reservoir portion as discussed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-321184.
  • a sheet-like humidifying element having water absorbability is accommodated in a state of being folded.
  • the humidifying element of which portions are connected respectively to an opened section and another section of a case is to be in an expanded state from the folded state as a result of opening the case. Accordingly, water absorbed from the water reservoir in the case is evaporated through the expanded humidifying element.
  • a portable natural evaporation type humidifier it is possible to humidify the space around a user including in one's home, for example. Accordingly, drying of the skin and throat can be prevented by humidifying even when ambient air dries as a result of heating or cooling.
  • the portable natural evaporation type humidifier it is possible to increase the humidity of a space around a user, even when it may be difficult to set a usual non-portable humidifier or to change the setting of an installed humidifier on one's own at an office or somewhere else.
  • the humidifier to be portable, further downsizing is required.
  • further downsizing is required.
  • the natural evaporation type humidifier of Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-321184 is configured so that the humidifying element for evaporating water is immersed in water in a relatively large area thereof so as to ensure the water absorbing amount.
  • the case having the water reservoir to accommodate the humidifying element becomes large, which reduces portability.
  • the humidifying element essentially gets dirty with relatively long-term usage, it is required to be cleaned.
  • the humidifying element is connected to the case so as to be folded and expanded in association with opening and closing of the case as described above. Therefore, even though the humidifying element is connected to the case in a detachably attachable manner, there has been a problem of demanding cleaning caused by requirement of complicated operation of detaching and attaching of the humidifying element from and to the case.
  • a natural evaporation type humidifier to humidify space therearound includes a sheet-like member with a capillary structure capable of absorbing water with capillarity by absorbing water to the sheet-like member above a water surface and naturally evaporating water from the sheet-like member as immersing a part of the sheet-like member in reserved water; a section of one end side of the sheet-like member is a water-supply section to supply water to a section of the sheet-like member above the section of the one end side by being folded along plural folding lines and being immersed in the reserved water; the section above the section of the one end side is a humidifying section to naturally evaporate water absorbed with capillarity; and a folding portion being moderately folded along a curved folding line which is continued from a folding line of the water-supply section is arranged at the humidifying section of the sheet-like member to be in an expanded state while the section of the one end side is supported.
  • the sheet-like member may include the water-supply section to supply water to the humidifying section and the humidifying section to perform humidifying as evaporating water which is supplied from the water-supply section.
  • the water-supply section to be immersed in water is in a folded state, a large-area section of the sheet-like member can be the water-supply section as being compactly immersed in water. That is, even being compactly shaped, the part of the sheet-like member having a relatively large area can be operated as the water-supply section. Accordingly, it is possible to provide high water-supply performance to the water-supply section.
  • the humidifying section is shaped to be expanded against the water-supply section, the area of the humidifying section to evaporate water can be sufficiently ensured. Further, since a sufficient water-supply amount can be ensured even with the compactly-formed water-supply section as described above, water can be supplied by the amount corresponding to the water evaporation amount at the humidifying section having a large area. Accordingly, even being compactly shaped, sufficient humidifying performance can be obtained for private use. Further, since the evaporation type humidifier can be downsized, placing area can be lessened to increase possible placing locations.
  • the natural evaporation type humidifier is compactly shaped as a whole, it can be easily carried. For example, it is easily possible to change the placing location within a building.
  • the sheet-like member When in a non-used state, that is, in an unwet state, the sheet-like member can be carried or sent folded and enclosed in a flat bag such as an envelope. That is, although it is not possible to use the sheet-like member while being carried, the sheet-like member is extremely easy to transport to a new placing location.
  • the reservoir to reserve water for supplying water to the water-supply section is also easily carried in a state when water is not in the reservoir. In this manner, carrying can be easily performed in an unwet state. For example, it is extremely easy to bring home or to bring to an office after buying a product at a shop.
  • the folding line denotes a portion at which a crease of the sheet-like member is formed.
  • the folding line may be formed by pressing the sheet-like member along the line to be the folding line (i.e., forming a groove by pressing), by thinly scraping along the line (i.e., forming a groove by scraping), by forming a previously-creased line along the line, by forming a line of perforation, or by aligning plural slits longer than each hole of perforation in line. That is, it is required to be in a state of enabling easy folding along the folding line.
  • the humidifying section being the sheet-like member continuing to the water-supply section is essentially in a state of being curved at a section continuing to the folding line of the water-supply section.
  • the humidifying section By forming the folding line at the humidifying section as continuing to the folding line of the water-supply section so that the humidifying section is to be folded in a prearranged manner, the humidifying section can be prevented from being widely expanded to be relatively compact.
  • adjacent planes respectively between the folding lines are contacted as the humidifying section being folded, water evaporation is disturbed and the evaporation amount of water is decreased.
  • curving the folding line the above contact between the planes can be prevented even in the state of being folded. Further, since moderate folding can be performed, it is possible to prevent the humidifying section from occupying large volume as being expanded. Accordingly, a placing location can be easily ensured.
  • the humidifying section is to be naturally in a moderately folded state only by simply folding the water-supply section. For example, in the case that placing is performed by a user as folding the sheet-like member by oneself, the user can easily place the natural evaporation type humidifier.
  • the folding line of the water-supply section may be linear, and the curved folding line of the humidifying section may be constituted with a slit as cutting the sheet-like member.
  • the entire water-supply section may be flat-shaped without being expanded at the folded portion by linearly forming the folding line of the water-supply section.
  • the curved folding line of the humidifying section continued from the linear folding line of the above water-supply section may be constituted with a slit as cutting the sheet-like member
  • the humidifying section may be moderately folded along the slit having stress exerted to the slit being the folding line of the humidifying section only by folding the water-supply section along the folding line.
  • the natural evaporation type humidifier can be easily assembled.
  • the slit is opened to some extent. Accordingly, wind can pass through the humidifying section being sheet-shaped and the evaporation rate at the humidifying section can be improved.
  • the entire sheet-like member may be packed in an envelope-shaped thin bag as being folded having some of the folding lines of the humidifying section formed linear respectively continuing from the linear folding line of the water-supply section.
  • the above includes the folding line of the humidifying section being linear in part.
  • the slit may be formed to be slit-shaped without reaching the side edge of the end portion of the humidifying section side.
  • the folding line of the humidifying section is formed to be a slit from a position being apart for a certain distance from the folding line of the water-supply section while a portion thereof continuously connected to the folding line of the water-supply section is formed as the above folding line other than the slit.
  • plural cutout sections and/or slits may be formed at the humidifying section of the sheet-like member toward the one end side from a side edge of the other end side.
  • the sheet-like member of the humidifying section may be in a separated state owing to the cutout sections and slits, wind can pass through the humidifying section being sheet-shaped and evaporation rate at the humidifying section can be improved.
  • the shape expanding from the lower side to the upper side of the humidifying section can be variously designed owing to the above curved folding lines and shapes, numbers and layout of the cutout sections and slits, so that design flexibility can be improved.
  • the sheet-like member may be formed to be a shape spreading as being apart from a center section side of the sheet-like member by forming bilateral side ridges of the sheet-like member approximately radially toward the outer side against the center section; an end section at the center section side being the section of the one end side of the sheet-like member may be folded along the plural folding lines approximately in the radial direction; and the sheet-like member may be supported at the water-supply section or the vicinity of the water-supply section being the one end side and has hardness enabling the humidifying section to perform self-standing while in a state of being wet.
  • the sheet-like member may be formed to be a shape spreading as being apart from the center section side, it is possible to shape the humidifying section further spreading compared to the water-supply section being the center section side. Accordingly, a sufficient area of the humidifying section to evaporate water can be ensured even while being compactly shaped.
  • the center section of the sheet-like member denotes the center section in the radial direction of the folding lines formed approximately along the radial direction as being the center section of the radially expanding sheet-like member in the radial direction.
  • the center section denotes the center in shape, the barycenter or the like of the sheet-like member, it is also possible to include the center in shape, the barycenter or the vicinity thereof.
  • the center section of the sheet-like member may not include a part of the sheet-like member.
  • the sheet-shaped member may be formed as a shape having no member at the radial center section as the above, for example.
  • the sheet-like member may be formed to be a shape having the center section cut out and spreading from the center section radially in the direction toward an approximate entire circumference or some of the entire circumference.
  • the sheet-like member may be formed to be a shape expanding radially in the above state of having the center section cut out, humidifying performance can be improved as ensuring large area as the humidifying section.
  • the sheet-like member may be formed as expanding close to the entire circumference for ensuring the area of the humidifying section and enabling to design the shape of the humidifying section expanding from the lower side toward the upper side, for example. Accordingly, it is possible to design a preferable shape such as a shape of a bunch of flowers and a bouquet-like shape.
  • a preferable shape such as a shape of a bunch of flowers and a bouquet-like shape.
  • the sheet-like member even when the sheet-like member is formed as expanding toward the entire circumference against the center, there exist bilateral side ridges. That is, not being simply shaped to have a hole at the center section, the sheet-like member has a slit or a cutout section reaching the hole of the center section from the side edge.
  • a water reservoir to reserve water in which the water-supply section is immersed may be further provided;
  • the water reservoir may include a reservoir body of which the upper side is opened and a cover to close the opening as being fit detachably attachable with an upper part of the reservoir body, the cover having a slit-shaped opening through which the folded water-supply section of the sheet-like member is inserted; and pull-out resistance is generated at the water-supply section against the opening of the cover with urging force exerted by the water-supply section as expanding from the folded state in a direction to widen the opening while most of the opening is closed when the water-supply section is inserted to the opening.
  • the cover may be fit with the reservoir to reserve water in which the water-supply section is immersed and the water-supply section may be inserted to the slit-shaped opening of the cover. Therefore, even in the event that the sheet-like member and the water-supply reservoir are toppled, water spilling is restricted as water leaks only through the slit-shaped opening of the cover. Since the water-supply section is inserted to the slit-shaped opening, water spilling is further restricted.
  • the water-supply section inserted to the opening exerts force in the direction of expanding of the folded water-supply section, pull-out resistance is exerted at the water-supply section which is inserted to the slit-shaped opening. Accordingly, the sheet-like member is prevented from being easily detached from the reservoir. Further, even when the reservoir and the sheet-like member are toppled as described above, the water-supply section is not detached from the slit-shaped opening. Accordingly, the opening is kept closed with the water-supply section, so that the spilling amount of water is significantly restricted.
  • the water-supply section may be maintained in a folded state as being inserted through a slit-shaped hole of a fold-retaining member and put in a reservoir an having upper side opened while reserving water.
  • the water-supply section may be inserted to a slit-shaped hole of the fold-retaining member, the water-supply section in a folded state can be prevented from being expanded.
  • the fold-retaining member has a larger specific gravity than that of water, the humidifying section can be stably maintained in an erected state as the fold-retaining member being a weight.
  • the water-supply section can be maintained in a folded state even without the dedicated reservoir to reserve water, a reservoir to reserve water is freely selectable.
  • reservoir selection becomes flexible instead of decreasing placing location flexibility.
  • the sheet-like member can be cleaned as the fold-retaining member remains attached.
  • a natural evaporation type humidifier can obtain sufficient water-supply performance and sufficient humidifying performance associated therewith as being sufficiently downsized, so that usability of the natural evaporation type humidifier can be improved.
  • FIG. 1 is a plane view illustrating a sheet-like member to be a natural evaporation type humidifier according to an embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of usage of the natural evaporation type humidifier according to the embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view for usage of the sheet-like member according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating another usage example of a natural evaporation type humidifier according to an embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is an explanatory perspective view of a sheet-like member and a fold-retaining member for another usage example of a natural evaporation type humidifier according to an embodiment
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a usage example of FIG. 5 of the natural evaporation type humidifier according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 is a plane view illustrating a sheet-like member of a natural evaporation type humidifier in a developed state according to an embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the natural evaporation type humidifier.
  • FIG. 3 is an explanatory view for the folding procedure of the sheet-like member.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a modified example of the natural evaporation type humidifier.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state of attaching a fold-retaining member as another modified example.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a natural evaporation type humidifier with the above fold-retaining member.
  • the natural evaporation type humidifier of the present embodiment includes a sheet-like member 1 having a capillary structure capable of absorbing water with capillarity and a reservoir 20 to reserve water to be evaporated as being absorbed by the sheet-like member 1 .
  • the reservoir 20 is usable as long as water can be basically reserved therein and a later-mentioned water-supply section of the sheet-like member 1 can be immersed in the reserved water.
  • the sheet-like member 1 can be distributed separately as well, the sheet-like member 1 may be regarded as a natural evaporation type humidifier.
  • bilateral side ridges 9 , 10 of the sheet-like member 1 are formed approximately radially toward the outer side against an imaginary center section 8 which positions outside the sheet-like member 1 . Accordingly, the sheet-like member 1 is formed to be a shape spreading as being apart from the center section 8 .
  • the sheet-like member 1 is formed to be a shape having the center section 8 of the sheet-like member 1 cut out and spreading from the cut-out center section 8 radially in the direction toward an approximately entire circumference or some of the entire circumference.
  • the sheet-like member 1 is shaped as radially spreading in a state of being close to the entire circumference although not being the entire circumference.
  • the sheet-like member 1 is exemplarily made of nonwoven fabric. However, it is also possible to be made of paper or woven fabric, for example.
  • the sheet-like member 1 is required to have hardness sufficient to be self-standing in a state that a lower end section (i.e., a later-mentioned water-supply section 2 or the vicinity of the water-supply section 2 of a humidifying section 3 ) is supported when being used as illustrated in FIG. 2 . Further, it is required to have a capillary structure as described above.
  • the nonwoven fabric having antibacterial and antifungal actions is formed of material containing an antibacterial and antifungal agent of organic system or nonorganic system such as metal particles, and the like.
  • the sheet-like member 1 is constituted with thick portions finely grid-shaped in a matrix manner and thin portions thinner than the thick portions located between the grids to be a shape having asperity at the surface thereof. Accordingly, it becomes possible to increase surface area and to increase an evaporation rate.
  • the thin portions can increase the evaporation rate per unit volume and the thick portions can ensure the hardness for self-standing as described above even through the sheet-like member 1 is thinned as a whole.
  • the natural evaporation type humidifier is formed by folding the sheet-like member 1 .
  • the sheet-like member 1 is folded along plural folding lines 4 approximately in the radial direction and an end section at the center section 8 side being one end section side is immersed in the reserved water to be the water-supply section 2 for supplying water to a portion positioning above the one end section (i.e., the later-mentioned humidifying section 3 ) of the sheet-like member 1 .
  • the end section at the center side denotes the circumference of the cut-out section in a state that the above center section 8 is cut out.
  • each folding line 4 is shaped to have plural short slits formed in line, that is, to be a shape like a broken-line, as being illustrated by broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 3 .
  • the folding line 4 may be a previously-creased line, a line having a groove-shaped structure, or a line of perforation on which holes are formed in line, as long as the line enables prompt folding thereat.
  • the plural folding lines 4 at the end section of the center side being the water-supply section 2 of the sheet-like member 1 are formed radially from the center section 8 which is cut out as described above while being formed respectively in a linear manner.
  • the respective folding lines 4 mutually having intervals are not necessarily to be in the radial direction against one center point.
  • Extended lines of all of the folding lines 4 toward the center side do not necessarily intersect approximately at one point.
  • the respective folding lines 4 radially against one point being the center.
  • the extended lines of the respective folding lines 4 not being directed to be concentrated to one point on purpose are deviated respectively from the radial direction against one point, for example, in order to provide a natural impression yet being an artificial object.
  • each distance between the adjacent folding lines 4 is not the same among the folding lines 4 to be different. It is also possible that the distances are even at some of distances among the folding lines 4 .
  • the respective folding lines 4 are radially arranged, the extended lines of all of the folding lines 4 do not necessarily pass through one point being the center. Therefore, the distances among the folding lines 4 cannot be measured in the same conditions.
  • the respective folding lines 4 are arranged mutually having intervals while being arranged radially against the center section 8 .
  • lengths of the respective folding lines 4 differ from one another. However, it is also possible that the lengths of some of the folding lines 4 are the same. Further, ends at the outer circumference side of the folding lines 4 are not necessarily arranged on a single circle. The deviation is formed on purpose to appear as a natural shape yet being an artificial object as described above.
  • the boundary between the water-supply section 2 and the humidifying section 3 is not clearly defined in the sheet-like member 1 .
  • the water-supply section 2 is defined as the area in which adjacent planes are capable of being approximately contacted among the planes respectively between the folding lines 4 by folding at the folding lines 4 .
  • the humidifying section 3 is defined as the area thereabove, that is, the area which includes an area having adjacent planes separated.
  • water-supply section 2 is not necessarily immersed entirely in the water. It is only required that at least some of the lower side of the water-supply section 2 is immersed in the water.
  • the water-supply section 2 is formed by performing folding at the folding lines 4 formed of the above broken-line-shaped slits as alternately repeating mountain fold and valley fold viewing from one face side of the sheet-like member 1 . That is, when one folding line 4 is folded to be a mountain fold, the adjacent folding line 4 is to be a valley fold. Further, the folding line 4 adjacent to the folding line 4 being a valley fold is to be a mountain fold. In FIG. 3 , the folding lines 4 labeled mountain with an “M” are folded to be mountain fold and the folding lines 4 labeled valley with a star are folded to be valley fold.
  • the water-supply section 2 is thin-plate-shaped. Since the folding lines 4 are arranged being irregularly not being regularly as described above, the bilateral side ridges thereof has protruded portions and recessed portions not to be in a state of aligned creases.
  • the cut-out side of the center section 8 of the above sheet-like member 1 is to be the lower end of the water-supply section 2 .
  • the cut-out section is not shaped like a circle or a regular polygonal. However, at the side edge of the sheet-like member 1 of the cut-out section side, end portions between the respective folding lines 4 at the cut-out side are approximately formed straight as an exemplary manner. Further, when the water-supply section 2 is formed by folding the end section of the sheet-like member 1 at the center section 8 side as described above, vertical positions of the end portions of the respective folding lines 4 are approximately aligned while the widths therebetween mutually differ.
  • the lower ends of the respective folding lines 4 do not deviate vertically very much, it is possible to prevent a part thereof from being in a state of not absorbing water as leaving from the water surface. Further, by forming the water-supply section 2 as repeating mountain fold and valley fold at a dozen to dozens of the folding lines 4 , the water-supply section 2 can be extremely compact. In addition, a relatively wide area of the sheet-like member 1 can be immersed in the water as the water-supply section 2 .
  • the water-supply section 2 is provided with water-supply capacity to sufficiently supply water to the humidifying section 3 which has a wider area.
  • the water-supply section 2 is compactly formed, an opening area of the reservoir 20 to reserve water in which the water-supply section 2 is immersed can be compact. Accordingly, the reservoir 20 can be compactly formed as well.
  • a folding line 5 connected to the folding line 4 of the water-supply section 2 is formed in a curved manner.
  • the folding line 5 is a strip of a slit-shaped cut line. Accordingly, the sheet is actually not in a continued state on the folding line 5 as not in a folded state of the continued sheet.
  • the sheet direction is largely varied at the position of the folding line 5 to be in a folded state in appearance.
  • the portion constituted with the cut line is the folding line 5 , and then, the folding line 5 and the surrounding portion thereof are a folding portion at which the sheet is moderately folded.
  • the folding line 5 does not reach a side edge 11 at the outer circumferential side (i.e., an outer edge) of the humidifying section 3 , so that the outer edge side of the folding line 5 is not in a cut state.
  • the folding line 5 may be plural slits formed on one line (i.e., one curved line), may be a line of perforation, or may be a groove.
  • the water-supply section 2 When the straight-line-shaped folding line 4 of the water-supply section 2 is folded, the water-supply section 2 can be completely folded. However, since the folding line 5 is curved, the folding line 5 of the humidifying section 3 is in a moderately folded state (e.g., 160 degrees or less) not in a state that two planes arranged to sandwich the folding line 5 are mutually contacted as being folded by 180 degrees at the folding line 5 .
  • a moderately folded state e.g. 160 degrees or less
  • the humidifying section 3 is in a moderately folded state at the folding line 5 being a cut line.
  • a curved state, length and a protruded direction of the curved portion of each folding line 5 can be arbitrarily determined. It is also possible to be arc-shaped having a different curvature radius for each folding line 5 . At that time, by respectively setting the curved state and length differently, a natural shape can be obtained yet being an artificial object.
  • a cut line to be the folding line 5 is formed respectively to all of the folding lines 4 of the water-supply section 2 .
  • a later-mentioned cutout section 6 is arranged without arranging the folding line 5 . Accordingly, some of the folding lines 4 (as illustrated by numeral 4 a in FIGS. 1 and 3 ) reach the side edge of the cutout section 6 side.
  • the folding line 4 a is formed to be a straight line from the side edge of the center section 8 side to the side edge 11 of the outer circumferential side.
  • the entire sheet-like member 1 is folded linearly at this portion.
  • approximately four strips (e.g., three to six strips approximately) of such folding lines 4 a not having the curved folding line 5 connected respectively thereto are arranged to one sheet-like member 1 .
  • the sheet-like member 1 is packed in an envelope-shaped flat bag.
  • the entire sheet-like member 1 can be folded to be flat as well as the water-supply section 2 .
  • the area of the sheet-like member 1 to be packed in a bag can be significantly reduced and thickness thereof can be lessened as not to be in a thickened state of being expanded even if being folded.
  • the folding line 4 a is provided with a small round hole 4 b to be easily distinguishable from other folding lines 4 by viewing.
  • plural cutout sections 6 and/or slits 7 are formed toward the center section 8 side from the side edge 11 at the outer circumferential side being opposite to the center section 8 .
  • both of the cutout sections 6 and the slits 7 are formed.
  • the natural evaporation type humidifying section (without including the reservoir 20 ) constituted with the sheet-like member 1 is designed to be portrayed as a bouquet.
  • portions of the humidifying section 3 between the cutout sections 6 and the slits 7 can be shaped to be portrayed as leafs and petals.
  • a design of a bouquet including a general bunch of flowers.
  • various shapes can be obtained in accordance with shapes of the above cutout sections 6 and slits 7 .
  • shape of portraying flames or splashes For example, it is also possible to obtain a more specific shape such as an animal, a vehicle and a face.
  • the cutout section 6 is shaped by cutting out a plane from the sheet-like member 1 and the slit 7 is shaped by cutting a line. It is preferable that the cutout sections 6 and slits 7 are shaped to be curved.
  • the cutout sections 6 cause decrease of area of the sheet-like member 1 .
  • the area can be increased by widening the radially-expanding section of the sheet-like member 1 as close to the entire circumference as possible or heightening the humidifying section 3 .
  • the humidifying section 3 is naturally folded at the folding lines 5 to be a shape illustrated in FIG. 2 .
  • the water-supply section 2 ends up to be expanded after being released.
  • the water-supply section 2 is immersed in water as being maintained in a folded state by utilizing the reservoir 20 .
  • the reservoir 20 includes, for example, a box-shaped reservoir body 21 of which an upper side is opened and a cover 22 to close the opening of the reservoir body 21 by being fitted with the upper portion of the reservoir body 21 as being detachably attachable.
  • the box-shaped reservoir body 21 having the upper portion thereof opened is made of clear resin, for example. Accordingly, the amount of reserved water as being poured to the inside thereof can be recognized from the outside.
  • the cover 22 is a thin box-shaped member (i.e., being thin in the vertical height) of which lower side is opened.
  • the cover 22 closes the opening of the reservoir body 21 as the opening at the lower side being fitted to the opening portion of the upper part of the reservoir body 21 .
  • the fitting is performed relatively tightly. Accordingly, even when the reservoir 20 is toppled, the cover 22 is not to be uncoupled from the reservoir body 21 to cause little water leakage from the fitting portion between the reservoir body 21 and the cover 22 .
  • the cover 22 is detachably attachable against the reservoir body 21 .
  • the cover 22 is in a state of being fixed to the reservoir body 21 by adhesion and the like. In this case, water pouring is performed through a later-mentioned opening 23 of the cover 22 .
  • the opening 23 which has a laterally long slit-shape, is arranged at a member constituting the upper face of the cover 22 .
  • the slit-shaped opening 23 has thickness to enable the water-supply section 2 to be inserted therethrough after being folded with alternate mountain fold and valley fold at the folding lines 4 of the water-supply section 2 of the sheet-like member 1 as describe above.
  • the water-supply section 2 is contacted to bilateral side edge portions of the slit as being slightly expanded. Even if the water-supply section 2 does not reach the bottom of the reservoir body 21 , the water-supply section 2 is supported to the opening 23 of the cover 22 .
  • it is preferable that the water-supply section 2 is inserted through the opening 23 until the lower end of the water-supply section 2 contacts to the bottom of the reservoir body 21 .
  • elastic force is exerted in the expanding direction of the folded water-supply section 2 from a compressed state.
  • the elastic force i.e., urging force
  • the above friction force causes pull-out resistance force of the water-supply section 2 against the cover 22 .
  • the water-supply section 2 is prevented from being pulled-out through the opening 23 as the humidifying section 3 moves to be toppled.
  • the sheet-like member 1 has hardness to maintain a self-standing state in which the humidifying section 3 is erected as the water-supply section 2 or the humidifying section 3 at the vicinity thereof being supported.
  • the boundary between the water-supply section 2 and the humidifying section 3 not being clearly defined may be substantially at the lower end portion of the humidifying section 3 , that is, the portion right above the water-supply section 2 may be at the height position of the slit-shaped opening 23 .
  • the water-supply section 2 When the height position of the upper end portion of the water-supply section 2 is at the height position of the opening 23 , the water-supply section 2 is not entirely immersed in the water poured into the reservoir 20 and the upper portion of the water-supply section 2 is to be above the water surface.
  • the opening 23 is closed in part with the water-supply section 2 and a part of the opening 23 is slightly opened in actuality. Even when the reservoir 20 and the sheet-like member 1 are jointly toppled, the water-supply section 2 of the sheet-like member 1 remains inserted through the opening 23 owing to the above pull-out resistance. Accordingly, the opening 23 is maintained as being closed in part, thereby suppressing water leakage from the opening 23 . Even if there is slight leakage of water, the upper face of a location for placing the natural evaporation type humidifier can be prevented from being flooded.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a modified example of the reservoir 20 of the natural evaporation type humidifier.
  • the sheet-like member 1 in FIG. 4 is completely the same as the sheet-like member 1 of the above embodiment and the description thereof will not be repeated.
  • the reservoir 20 is box-shaped in the above embodiment.
  • a reservoir 30 of FIG. 4 has a cylindrical shape as being changed therefrom.
  • a reservoir body 31 and a cover 32 are configured to be similar to the reservoir 20 of FIG. 2 .
  • the cover 32 also has a slit-shaped opening 33 as being similar to the slit-shaped opening 23 in the above embodiment.
  • the reservoir 30 of the modified example illustrated in FIG. 4 has the approximately same diameter as that of a can or a plastic bottle for drinking. Accordingly, for example, the reservoir 30 is sized to be capable of being held by a cup holder 70 in an automobile and the like. In this manner, the natural evaporation type humidifier of the modified example can be easily mounted on an automobile with the cup holder 70 . That is, the natural evaporation type humidifier of the modified example can be mounted on a vehicle without a special attaching device as long as the cup holder 70 is provided.
  • the reservoir 30 basically receives modification only as being cylindrically-shaped, the natural evaporation type humidifier therewith can be used in a usual building not in an automobile as being similar to the natural evaporation type humidifier with the reservoir 20 of the above embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a natural evaporation type humidifier constituted with the sheet-like member 1 being similar to the above embodiment.
  • the dedicated reservoir 20 , 30 is not provided.
  • the opening 23 , 33 is formed at the cover 22 , 32 .
  • the water-supply section 2 can be maintained in the folded state as the folded water-supply section 2 of the sheet-like member 1 being inserted through the opening 23 , 33 .
  • a fold-retaining member 40 with a slit 43 shaped similarly to the opening 23 , 33 of the above reservoir 20 , 30 the water-supply section 2 can be maintained in the folded state.
  • the fold-retaining member 40 is a ring-shaped member having the slit 43 , that is, a hole.
  • the fold-retaining member 40 is the ring-shaped member not being circular as being elongated corresponding to the shape of the slit 43 .
  • a reservoir 50 capable of reserving water such as various types of eating utensils like cups and bowls, various types of vases and jugs can be used for the usual reservoir 50 simply having the upper side opened as illustrated in FIG. 6 . Accordingly, any reservoir can be used therefor. In this case, when the sheet-like member 1 and the fold-retaining member 40 are to be used as a set, the reservoir 20 , 30 is unnecessary.
  • the sheet-like member 1 can be cleaned after being pulled out from the reservoir 20 , 30 .
  • the sheet-like member 1 can be cleaned simply by being taken out from the reservoir 50 . It is also possible to clean the sheet-like member 1 after being taken out from the reservoir 50 and removing the fold-retaining member 40 . In this manner, even when dirty, the sheet-like member 1 can be easily cleaned.
  • the water-supply section 2 since the water-supply section 2 is in the folded state, it is possible to supply a large amount of water to the humidifying section 3 in a state of being compactly formed by folding a section of the sheet-like member having a relatively large area. Accordingly, a sufficient amount of water can be supplied even if the area of the humidifying section 3 is enlarged. Further, since the humidifying section 3 is moderately folded at plural positions, it is possible to obtain high evaporation performance as sufficiently evaporating water while relatively reducing occupying space thereof even though the area of the humidifying section 3 is enlarged.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air Humidification (AREA)
US13/064,332 2008-09-18 2011-03-18 Natural evaporation type humidifier Abandoned US20110163464A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2008-239273 2008-09-18
JP2008239273 2008-09-18
PCT/JP2009/004604 WO2010032438A1 (ja) 2008-09-18 2009-09-15 自然蒸発式加湿器

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/JP2009/004604 Continuation WO2010032438A1 (ja) 2008-09-18 2009-09-15 自然蒸発式加湿器

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US20110163464A1 true US20110163464A1 (en) 2011-07-07

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US (1) US20110163464A1 (ja)
EP (1) EP2336658A4 (ja)
JP (1) JP5537430B2 (ja)
KR (1) KR20110056547A (ja)
CN (1) CN102159900B (ja)
WO (1) WO2010032438A1 (ja)

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US20150150345A1 (en) * 2013-11-29 2015-06-04 Anthony S. Roccograndi Decorative and Anti-Microbial Combined Greeting Card, Fan, and Candle Extinguisher
CN104848459A (zh) * 2014-02-14 2015-08-19 张恺 自然蒸发方式家用加湿器的解决方案
US20150292760A1 (en) * 2014-04-04 2015-10-15 David Anstice Humidifier, Evaporative, No Electricity
US20170074531A1 (en) * 2015-09-16 2017-03-16 Damon Keith Debusk Humidity Delivery Method and Apparatus

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JP2013068385A (ja) * 2011-09-26 2013-04-18 Mikuni Corp 自然蒸発式加湿器
JP5852946B2 (ja) * 2012-10-18 2016-02-03 邦明 辰己 加湿器
JP2014115073A (ja) * 2012-11-15 2014-06-26 Taisei Shiki Insatsu Kk ペーパー加湿器
JP6052069B2 (ja) * 2013-06-11 2016-12-27 王子ホールディングス株式会社 蒸散紙およびその製造方法
JP6312964B2 (ja) * 2013-06-25 2018-04-18 株式会社ミクニ シート状部材及び自然蒸発式加湿器
NL2011639C2 (nl) * 2013-10-18 2015-04-23 Stichting Innovatie Glastuinbouw Passieve luchtbevochtiger.
KR20170001752U (ko) 2015-11-11 2017-05-19 주식회사 이티엔커머스 시트형 가습기
KR200483547Y1 (ko) 2015-12-09 2017-05-26 주식회사 이티엔커머스 자연 증발 가습기
KR101960399B1 (ko) 2017-05-11 2019-03-21 (주)다나티앤씨 친환경 가습기
KR20170002875U (ko) 2017-07-07 2017-08-11 주식회사 이티엔커머스 시트형 가습기
CN111089377A (zh) * 2020-02-20 2020-05-01 成都中邦智能科技有限责任公司 静音式正压蒸发加湿器
CN111121205A (zh) * 2020-03-06 2020-05-08 成都中邦智能科技有限责任公司 异形滤芯及其在蒸发式加湿器中的应用

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CN104848459A (zh) * 2014-02-14 2015-08-19 张恺 自然蒸发方式家用加湿器的解决方案
US20150292760A1 (en) * 2014-04-04 2015-10-15 David Anstice Humidifier, Evaporative, No Electricity
US20170074531A1 (en) * 2015-09-16 2017-03-16 Damon Keith Debusk Humidity Delivery Method and Apparatus
US10126007B2 (en) * 2015-09-16 2018-11-13 Damon Keith Debusk Humidity delivery method and apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR20110056547A (ko) 2011-05-30
EP2336658A1 (en) 2011-06-22
CN102159900A (zh) 2011-08-17
CN102159900B (zh) 2013-10-09
JP5537430B2 (ja) 2014-07-02
WO2010032438A1 (ja) 2010-03-25
EP2336658A4 (en) 2014-01-22
JPWO2010032438A1 (ja) 2012-02-02

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