US20140232022A1

US20140232022A1 - Portable Humidifier

Info

Publication number: US20140232022A1
Application number: US14/146,121
Authority: US
Inventors: Chan-Ju CHUNG
Original assignee: AMAZING GRACE Co Ltd
Current assignee: AMAZING GRACE Co Ltd
Priority date: 2013-02-18
Filing date: 2014-01-02
Publication date: 2014-08-21
Also published as: KR20130007210U; KR200470848Y1; EP2767774A1

Abstract

The present device deploys a portable humidifier of utilizing mineral water bottles or thermos containing mineral water, including an ultrasonic vibrator, a circuit part to generate ultrasonic waves, USB connector to supply electric power in connection to the circuit part, and a water-supply bottle join, and a main body in which a water-supply part can be installed and spray holes are formed, but the water supply part consists of a circular filter, and a support pipe, while accommodating the circular filter, a through hole is drilled on the support pipe to connect an auxiliary water-supply filter or a large and short circular filter by forming a stopper, in order to make the appearance beautiful, lighting LED is installed at the said circuit part, and ornamental caps and ornamental auxiliary materials are installed at the top of the said main body.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVICE

In general, in winter, moisture is supplied indoors to prevent indoor air from being dry since dry air causes respiratory diseases, which is hazardous to health.
The supply methods of the said moisture may be classified into the natural evaporation method of the water contained in a bowl, the vaporization method based on water heat-up, the spray method based on an ultrasonic vibrator, and the ventilation method based on air blow.
Out of the devices of humidifying air with the various methods as mentioned above, widely used is the ultrasonic humidifier which is the most convenient to use and is excellent in the aspects of function and performance.
The ultrasonic humidifier is composed of a vibrator (spraying device), a main body which an electrical circuit is built in, a water supply part installed on one top side of the main body, and an injection pipe from which atomized water is sprayed. The said water supply part is equipped with a passage to move water to the side of the vibrator and an inlet to fill water to an appropriate level, and at the inlet, a rest groove is formed so that the opening of a water bottle may be positioned. The supply and atomization processes of water are as follows: In case the water bottle opening is inserted into the rest groove of the water bottle on one top side of the main body, the bump of the rest groove opens the valve installed at the opening of water bottle by pushing it into the bottle inside. At this time, the water in the bottle falls into the insertion groove and then moves to the vibrator through the inlet. The moisture atomized by the vibrator disperses into indoor air through a spray pipe.
Since the conventional ultrasonic humidifier mentioned above has a structure with a large-capacity water bottle installed at the top of the main body to supply water for a long period of time, the total size of the humidifier is so large that it has had disadvantages that it not only occupies a large utility space but also is inconvenient to store and move.
Since the stagnant water in the large-capacity water bottle stays for a long time, bacteria breed easily, which requires frequent washing. Because the structure is very difficult to wash, however, it has had a problem that it is impossible to maintain cleanness.
In order to solve such a problem, proposed was a mineral-water humidifier which directly utilizes the mineral water easily purchased at marts or convenience stores.
Some of the said mineral water humidifiers have a structure in which the tie hole of the mineral water bottle is simply changed so that the mineral water bottle may be inserted upside down into the bottle rest part of ordinary ultrasonic humidifiers. They may be always used cleanly due to frequent replacement of the water with mineral water bottles containing fresh clean water. Since the size of the main body is large again, however, it has been inconvenient to store and carry them (Refer to Patent References 1 through 3.)
In addition, one of mineral water humidifiers is composed, without erecting the mineral water bottle upside down, of an ultrasonic vibrator, a water supply pump, a water supply filter, a water supply pipe, and a ventilation fan to supply humidified air to indoor. The mineral water humidifier is not also equipped with a separate water supply tank and utilizes new mineral water bottles. Thus, it is said that the said humidifier is very easy to use, carry and store since its structure is simple, its production cost is low, and it is easy to insert the water bottle. In its actual application, however, its structure has been complicated, its manufacturing cost has been high, and it has been difficult to use. Especially, it has had an inconvenience that depending on the size of mineral water bottles, it is necessary to selectively use the humidifier with parts suitable to its structure installed (Refer to Patent Reference 4).

PRIOR TECHNOLOGY REFERENCES

Patent References

(Patent Reference 1) Korean Registered Utility Model No. 20-0270028 (Public Notification: Mar. 27, 2002)
(Patent Reference 2) Korean Registered Utility Model No. 20-0271923 (Public Notification: Apr. 12, 2002)
(Patent Reference 3) Korean Registered Utility Model No. 20-0446559 (Public Notification: Nov. 12, 2009)
(Patent Reference 4) Korean Disclosed Patent No. 10-2009-0092928 (Disclosure: Sep. 2, 2009)

CONTENTS OF DEVICE

Tasks to be Solved

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

Method of Solution for Task

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

Effects of Device

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the disassembled perspective drawing of the portable humidifier prepared in compliance with the present device.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show the partial expanded cross sections for the bound state of the water supply part of the portable humidifier prepared in compliance with the present device.

FIG. 3 shows the disassembled perspective drawing for the water supply part in other examples of the portable humidifier prepared in compliance with the present device.

FIG. 4 shows the partial expanded drawing for installed states of the water supply part of FIG. 3 and the lighting LED.

FIG. 5 shows the cross sections for comparison in size between the circular filter inserted for connection to the support pipe of the water supply part in FIG. 3 and a mineral water bottle.

FIG. 6 shows the disassembled perspective drawing for combined state of the ornamental cap with the top cover of the present device.

FIG. 7 shows the perspective drawing for combined state of the ornamental auxiliary materials inserted into the ornamental caps installed at the top cover of the present device and the support inserted into the bottom of the mineral water bottle to maintain the erect posture.

DETAILED CONTENTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF DEVICE

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


Description of Symbol Number

1: Humidifier

10: Ultrasonic Vibrator

11: Circuit Part

12: USB Connector

2: Main Body

21: Joint of Water Supply Bottle

22: Atomization Hole

23: Raised Spot

3: Water Supply Part

31: Circular Filter

32: Flange

33: Support Pipe

34: Spring	35: Through Tube
36: Stopper	4: Auxiliary Water Supply Filter
5: Ornamental Cap	6: Ornamental Auxiliary Materials
7: Support	71: Insertion Home\

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable humidifier, comprising;

an ultrasonic vibrator,

a circuit part to generate ultrasonic waves,

an USB connector to supply electricity with connection to the circuit part, and

a main body which the ultrasonic vibrator and the circuit part are installed inside, the main body including a water-supply bottle joint for connection to mineral water bottles or thermos, which can install the water-supply part, and which a spray hole is formed at the top;

wherein the water-supply part consists of the circular filter, which supplies moisture with the top in contact with the bottom of the ultrasonic vibrator, and the support pipe, at the top of which a flange part is formed for insertion and connection to the raised sot formed at the inner bottom of the main body, while accommodating the circular filter, and;

wherein the ultrasonic vibrator has many perforated micro-pores so that the micro-pores pass the moisture supplied from the circular filter contacted at the bottom and spray it at the same time.

2. The portable humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the water-supply bottle joint formed at the main body is composed of the first joint, a mineral water bottle is screw-connected to inside the main body, and the second joint, and a thermos is screw-connected to outside the main body.

3. The portable humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the support pipe of the water-supply part forms the through tube at the bottom circumference, accommodating the spring supporting with elastic force the circular filter accommodated at a closed bottom, and in order to supply moisture, the band-type water-supply filter is inserted into the through tube and is adhered to the bottom of the circular filter by the spring.

4. The portable humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the support pipe of the water supply part is transpierced to introduce the circular filter, the stopper for support of the bottom is formed so that the top tip varies elastically around the circumference of the support pipe, and the top of the circular filter adheres to the ultrasonic vibrator, while preventing the circular filter from falling, by compressing the outside of the circular filter which the tip of the stopper is introduced to.

5. The portable humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the lighting LED is installed at the circuit part to irradiate the mineral water bottle.

6. The portable humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the ornamental cap is screw-connected to the top of the main body, and the ornamental auxiliary materials made of fabric or semi-transparent film are combined with the ornamental cap to enhance the appearance.

7. The portable humidifier according to claim 1, the portable humidifier further comprising a heavy-weight support at the top of which the insertion home is formed to insert and connect the bottom of the mineral water bottle to which the humidifier is installed.