Patent ID: 7073781
Filing Date: 2006-07-11
Classification: A61L,C02F,F24F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for humidifying air in rooms, the apparatus comprising: a reservoir containing water; an evaporation chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir and receiving water from the reservoir, a first portion of the water in the evaporation chamber evaporates and becomes water vapor, which travels into ambient air, and a remaining portion of the water in the evaporation chamber does not evaporate and flows into a collection container in fluid communication with the reservoir such that the remaining portion of the water flows from the collection container to the reservoir; at least one of a wick and an evaporative pad in the evaporative chamber which receives at least a portion of the water; a fan that forces ambient air through the evaporation chamber to regulate a rate of evaporation of the water from the at least one of the wick and the evaporative pad; and a source of ultraviolet radiation which irradiates the remaining portion of the water before the remaining portion of the water returns to the reservoir, helping to inhibit the ability of various micro-organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, and other organisms which are present in the remaining portion of the water to subsequently reproduce.