US3420509A

US3420509A - Humidifier

Info

Publication number: US3420509A
Application number: US536204A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lawrence Katzman; Edward Briggin
Original assignee: Kaz Manufacturing Co Inc
Current assignee: Kaz Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority date: 1966-02-01
Filing date: 1966-02-01
Publication date: 1969-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 1986-01-07
Also published as: DE1604224B2; NL6701492A; DE1604224A1

Description

Jan. 7, 1969 KATzMAN ETAL HUMIDIFIER Filed Feb. l. 1966 l F/G. 4

United States Patent O 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A humidifier comprising a bowl-shaped container having an integral upper wall. A substantially horizontal top is integral with the upper wall, a U-shaped portion integral with the top and forms in conjunction with the top and the upper wall a wind tunnel space. An inwardly extending horizontal peripheral flange inwardly of the top and below the top is integrally connected to the U-shaped portion and defines a main central opening for the container. A vapor-producing head is adapted to be disposed on either an adapter plate or on the flange itself. The container also has a second opening therein above the first opening and extends through the top.

This invention relates to a vaporizer or humidifier of the type for spraying vapor for treatment of various medical disorders as well as for benefically increasing the humidity of a room or other enclosure.

In the past various types of vaporizers and humidiers have been produced for delivering vapor to the atmosphere. One type of vaporizer employed electrode heating means for heating water in a bowl to form steam. This type of vaporizer is disclosed in our pending application, Ser. No. 372,349, filed June 3, 1964, now Patent No. 3,319,046, for Electrode and Heating Chamber for Vaporizer.

Another form of vaporizer or humidifier employed the concept of providing cold vapor through the use of a vapor producing head having impeller means for delivering a very fine spray outwardly at a controlled speed from a receptacle. The cold vapor type of humidifier is disclosed in the application, Ser. No. 377,731, filed June 24, 1964, now Patent No. 3,283,478 for Humidifier, in the names of Lawrence Katzman, Edward Briggin, Edward M. Stolarz and Anthony N. DElia.

It is the concept of the present invention to provide a humidifier that may selectively utilize with the same bowl the electrode type Vapor producing head and the impeller type vapor producing head.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of an adapter used in conjunction with a vaporizer for supporting a vapor-producing head in an optimum relative position with respect to the container.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a humidifier in which the container is provided with a main opening for receiving a vapor-producing head and a second opening serving to permit influx of air into the container when employing an electrode type of vaporproducing head and for permitting the exhaust of a cold vapor when employing an impeller type vapor-producing head.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a humidifier employing an electrode type of vaporproducing head which has a built-in night light.

Still further objects and features of the present invention reside in the provision of a humidifier that is simple to manufacture so as to be capable of fbeing readily mass produced out of various conventional and easily obtainable material, that is strong and durable and which is safe to operate.

Patented Jan. 7, 1969 ICC These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the present invention, which will become apparent as the following description proceeds are attained by this humidifier, a preferred embodiment of which iS illustrated in the accompanying drawing, by way of example only, wherein:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a humidifier embodying the impeller type of vapor-producing head;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional detail view illustrating the manner in which the impeller type of vapor-producing head is supported on the container;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view with parts in section, showing the manner in which the vapor-producing head is supported on an adapter, which is seated on the flange of the container;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing in further detail the relative position of the electrode type vapor-producing head, the adapter plate and the container;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 4 with parts being broken away to show details of construction;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional detail View taken along the plane of line 6-6 in FIG. 5; and,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken along the plane of line 7-7 in FIG. 6.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 generally designates a humidifier which employs two main parts, a container 12 and a vapor-produ-cing head 14.

The vapor-producing head 14 includes an impeller similar to the impeller disclosed in the copending application Ser. No. 377,731, filed June 24, 1964, for Humidifier- The bowl 12 is of a novel configuration so as to provide for a bottom dish-shaped portion 10 integral with the handle 18 and an upwardly inwardly sloping upper portion 20, a top 22. The container 12 further has a substantially U-shaped portion 24 integrally formed with the top, which terminates in an arcuate inwardly and downwardly extending portion 26 terminating in a peripheral flange 28 which denes a central opening 30 in the container 12. The U-shaped portion and the upper side wall 20 defined therebetween a wind tunnel 32. The top 22 is provided with an opening 32 therein in the form of an elongated slot.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the vapor-producing head 14 is designed to sit directly on the peripheral flange 28 so that the impeller thereof, not shown, is at an optimum height for most efliciently imparting circular motion to the water in the container 12 and to thereby permit the cold vapor formed by the impeller to be directed out of the opening 32.

It is the concept of the present invention to provide another important element of the invention, an adapter plate, generally indicated 40. This adapter plate is provided for permitting the utilization of an electrode type vaporproducing head 44, which is generally as disclosed in our co-pending application Ser. No. 372,349. This vapor-producing head has a heating chamber 46 open to flow of fluid from the container 12 so that the electrodes 48 connected through the electric cord 50 to a suitable source of electrical power may heat the fluid in the heating chamber 46 and thence direct steam out of the opening 52 in the vapor-producing head 44. However, the adapter plate 40 serves to permit the utilization of the vapor-producing head 44 with the container 12 by employing a peripheral flange 54 capable of sitting on the flange 28 and having a stepped portion 56 for providing for a flange 58 at a height for allowing the heating chamber 46 to sit within the container 12. Detents 60 for properly seating the cap portion 62 of the vapor-producing head 44 are provided 3 as a part of the stepped portion. The cap 62 basically ts on the detents 60 which is raised above the flange 54 and the ange 58 serves to sit and space the vapor-producing head 44 in an optimum position.

One of the features of the vapor-producing head 44 is that the cover 64 of the cap 62 is provided with a central opening 66 therein for receiving a night light generally indicated at 68. The night light includes a bulb 70. The bulb 70 has an exterior case 72 of suitable plastic material which completely closes the opening 60 in a Waterproof manner and a pair of depending

metal contacts

74 and 76, which extend downwardly therefrom. A peripheral flange 78 prevents the bulb 70 from passing upwardly through the cover plate 64 while the contacts engage a pair of plates 80 and 82 secured to the

terminals

84 and 86 of the electrodes 48. In this manner, current passes to the night light 68 when connected to a suitable source of electrical power.

What is claimed is:

1. A humidier comprising a container having a bowlshaped lower portion, an upper wall integral with said lower portion, a substantially horizontal top integral with the upper wall, a U-shaped portion integral with said top and forming in conjunction with said top and upper wall a wind tunnel space, an arcuately inwardly and downwardly extending portion integrally connected directly with said U-shaped portion intermediate said top and the bottom of said U-shaped portion, and an inwardly-extending horizontal peripheral flange inwardly of said top and below said top integrally connected to said arcuate portion and defining a main central opening for said container, said container having a second opening therein above said first opening and extending through said top, a vaporpr0ducing head including first means for converting liquid water into vapor, said head seating on said flange.

2. A humidier according to claim 1, including an adapter plate of lesser diameter than said top and disposed on said ilange between said head and said flange, said adapter plate including a step and detents for supporting said head.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,802,654 4/ 1931 Katzman 219-272 2,030,453 2/ 1936 Kresser 261-91 2,847,734 8/ 1958 Tauben 21--118 X 3,020,385 2/ 1962 Conlin et al. 219--272 3,098,926 7/1963 Katzman 219-275 3,283,478 11/1966 Katzman et al 261--91 X RONALD R. WEAVER, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R.