Abstract:
A method of coupling the upper and lower section of a humidifier container used to humidify oxygen gas, using magnetic coupling means. A series of corresponding magnets around the container, located externally to the device or internally, secure the lower part or vessel to the upper part or cap. Using magnets opposing an attracted metal may he used in lieu of corresponding magnet to magnet attraction which requires the poles of the magnets be oriented with their poles to attract each other.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a humidifier container used to humidify gasses, such as oxygen and more particularly, to the method of coupling the upper and lower components of the container. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention herein is directed at a humidifier container used to humidify gasses, most commonly oxygen. The container most commonly holds distilled water in order to humidify the incoming gas when dispensed. It is common practice for medication and other fluids to be mixed as a fluid to humidify the dispensed gas as well. 
   The invention is directed to the manner in which the lower part of the device, which holds the fluid, is attached to the upper part which receives the dry gas and dispenses the humidified gas. 
   Currently all devices manufactured for this purpose, utilize a threaded upper section (cap) and a lower section (container vessel or cup). The lower section is turned and tightened with threaded sections to seal the lower section (container vessel or cup) to the upper part of the device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed at the manner of coupling the upper and lower section of a humidifier container using magnetic coupling means. A series of corresponding magnets around the perimeter of the device secure the lower part to the upper part. Using magnets opposing an attracted metal may be used as well in place of corresponding magnet to magnet attraction which requires the poles of the magnets be oriented with their poles to attract each other. 
   This method removes the necessity for a threaded section on either of the parts. The magnetic sections around the perimeter can be placed either inside, along the sealing edge section or on the outside of the device. Locating the magnets on the outside of the device allows ease of alignment visually. 
   This has three basic benefits: 
   1) Ease of mating the lower part to the upper part with minimal force or precise threading/mating. 
   2) Ease of removal. The current method (threading) may be over tightened leading to difficulty in disassembling the device. 
   3) Eliminates the need for a pressure relief valve currently used on threaded type devices. Should a blockage of the dispensed gas flow exist, current devices have a pressure relief valve fitted on the device to relieve the excess pressure. Using magnetic force to couple the parts of the device has the advantage of the pressure breaking the seal and relieving the excess pressure without the need for the relief valve. The excess pressure overcomes the magnetic coupling force and the excess pressure is vented at the seal. Once the blockage is removed and the gas is allowed to flow freely from the device, the magnetically sealed device reseats itself and normal operation resumes. 
   The “magnetic fastener” or fastening means can be configured with a single upper and lower fastener in the form of a ring or by magnetizing one part and having the other manufactured from a metal. However, using multiple points allows for easier disassembly by turning one part of the device so that the magnetic fasteners no longer line up with each other and the magnetic force is broken. Given the typical sizes of the devices, it was found that four or more magnet points seem to work the best. Preferably, six “magnetic fastener” points should be positioned equally at 60 degrees points on center. This is useful since the sections can he aligned without regard to a “front” or “back”. If needed alignment could be necessitated by orienting the “magnetic fasteners” in such a way that misalignment would be impossible. 
   In addition, the “magnetic fasteners” can be varied by size. The size of the magnetic mating surfaces will vary dependent upon the size, weight and volume of the humidifier device. It will also vary in size if magnet pairs are used versus magnet against corresponding attracted metal sections. 
   Shape is also a consideration. The magnetic attractors can vary in shape to conform to the device to maximize magnetic force or adapt to conform to various shapes of the device. 
   There are three main types of magnets: 
   a) Permanent magnets: These are permanent in the sense that once they are magnetized, they retain a level of magnetism. Different types of permanent magnets have different characteristics or properties concerning how easily they can be demagnetized, how strong they can be, how their strength varies with temperature, and so on. There are four classes of permanent magnets; a) Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB or NIB), b) Samarium Cobalt (SmCo), c) Alnico, and d) Ceramic or Ferrite. 
   Permanent magnets can be manufactured in almost any shape. Round bars, rectangular bars, disks, rectangles, multi-fingered rings etc., or just about any custom shapes needed. Some are cast into a mold and require grinding to achieve final dimensions. Others start as a powder which is pressed into a mold or pressure bonded or sintered. 
   Temporary magnets are those which act like a permanent magnet when they are within a strong magnetic field, but lose their magnetism when the magnetic field disappears. Examples would be paperclips, nails, and pieces of iron. These may be used in conjunction with a permanent magnet as one of the components of the “magnetic fastener”. 
   Electromagnets: An electromagnet is a tightly wound helical coil of wire, usually with an iron core, which acts like a permanent magnet when current is flowing in the wire. The strength and polarity of the magnetic field created by the electromagnet are adjustable by changing the magnitude of the current flowing through the wire and by changing the direction of the current flow. This could be utilized but would require an external source for power. 
   Magnet polarity are typically Bi-polar or Unidirectional. 
   Magnets strength is rated in value of Gauss. The gauss of the magnet can be changed to suit the application. Permanent ceramic magnets were used in one of the prototypes, rare earth magnets in another. Rare earth magnets are much stronger by weight and volume than ceramic magnets but are more expensive. Typically a rare earth magnet would be smaller and exhibit the same gauss rating of a corresponding larger ceramic magnet. 
   Rare earth magnets have negative oxidation and temperature concerns. 
   A permanent magnet will retain its magnetism unless it is affected by a strong outside magnetic or electrical force, or elevated temperatures. If they are not exposed to any of these conditions, permanent magnets will lose magnetism on their own, however this degradation is very slow, on the order of one percentage point every ten years. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings: 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention depicting external generally round magnets for the coupling of the upper and lower sections; 
       FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  depicting the upper and lower sections coupled; 
       FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional view of the  FIG. 1B ; 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention depicting external generally rectangular or square magnets for the coupling of the upper and lower sections; 
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  depicting the upper and lower sections coupled; 
       FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional view of the  FIG. 2B ; 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective exploded view of still another embodiment of the present invention depicting internally generally round magnets for the coupling of the upper and lower sections; 
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  depicting the upper and lower sections coupled; 
       FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional view of the  FIG. 3B ; 
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective exploded view of still another embodiment depicting internally generally rectangular or square magnets for the coupling of the upper and lower sections; 
       FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A  depicting the upper and lower sections coupled; 
       FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view of the  FIG. 4B ; 
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective exploded view of still another embodiment using a ring or segmented ring of magnets for coupling the upper and lower sections; 
       FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A  depicting the upper and lower sections coupled; 
       FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view of the  FIG. 5B ; 
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective exploded view similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  depicting an added locking tab and guide feature for facilitating the coupling of the upper and lower sections; 
       FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6A  depicting the upper and lower sections coupled; and 
       FIG. 6C  is a cross-sectional view of the  FIG. 6B . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, various embodiments of the present invention are disclosed, which is a humidifier container used for humidifying a gas, such as oxygen, being utilized by a patient, and which has been specially modified with a magnetic coupling means for joining the cap and vessel of the container, the container in combination with the inventive coupling means being depicted generally as  10 . 
   The present invention includes a humidifier container used for humidifying a gas, which is constructed with two primary components, a vessel or cup  12  and a cap or cover  14 . This container  10  is modified or is provided with means  10  for coupling the cap  14  to the vessel  12  using magnetically attractive forces. 
   There are several configurations and embodiments contemplated for providing this feature. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1C  and  2 A- 2 C, one configuration is a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets  16  around an external perimeter of the cap  14  with a corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets  16  around an external perimeter of the vessel. In this embodiment, the plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets  16  around the external perimeter of the cap  14  are aligned with the corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets  16  around the external perimeter of the vessel  12  and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between the cap  14  and the vessel  12  during operation of the humidifying container. 
   In another embodiment, the means for coupling the cap  14  to the vessel  12  using magnetically attractive forces comprises a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets  16  around an external perimeter of said cap  14  and a corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart metal members  20  around an external perimeter of the vessel  12 . The plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets  16  around the external perimeter of the cap  16  are aligned with the corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart metal members  20  around the external perimeter of the vessel  12  and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between the cap  14  and the vessel  12  during operation of said humidifying container. 
   Alternatively, the magnets  16  may be on the vessel  12  side and the corresponding metal members  20  may be on the cap  14  side. In this embodiment, the humidifier container includes means for coupling the cap  14  to the vessel  12  using magnetically attractive forces configured with a plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members  20  around an external perimeter of the cap  14  and a corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets  16  around an external perimeter of the vessel  12 . In this embodiment, the plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members  20  around the external perimeter of the cap  14  are aligned with the corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets  16  around the external perimeter of the vessel and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between the cap  14  and the vessel  12  during operation of said humidifying container. 
   Another variant is depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3C  and  4 A- 4 C, where the means for coupling the cap  14  to the vessel  12  using magnetically attractive forces comprises a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets  18  around an internal perimeter of the cap  14  and a corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets  18  around an internal perimeter of the vessel  12 . In this embodiment, the plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets  18  around the internal perimeter of the cap  14  are aligned with the corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets  18  around the internal perimeter of the vessel  12  and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between the cap  14  and the vessel  12  during operation of said humidifying container. 
   Another variant for the humidifier container includes means for coupling the cap  14  to the vessel  12  using magnetically attractive forces configured with a plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members  22  around an internal perimeter of the cap  14  and a corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets  18  around an internal perimeter of the vessel  12 . In this variant, the plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members  22  around the internal perimeter of the cap  12  are aligned with the corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets  18  around the internal perimeter of the vessel  12  and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between the cap  14  and the vessel  14  during operation of said humidifying container. 
   Another variant of the humidifier container  12  includes means for coupling the cap  14  to the vessel  12  using magnetically attractive forces comprising a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets  18  around an internal perimeter of the cap  14  and a corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart metal members  22  around an internal perimeter of the vessel  12 . In this variant, the plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets  18  around the internal perimeter of the cap  14  are aligned with the corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart metal members  22  around the internal perimeter of the vessel  12  and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between the cap  14  and the vessel  12  during operation of said humidifying container. 
   In the various embodiments discussed above, the humidifier container coupling means for the cap  14  to the vessel  12  using magnetically attractive forces can include various combinations of magnet  16 , 18  to magnet  16 , 18  coupling means or magnet  16 , 18  to metal member  20 , 22  coupling means. These magnets  16 , 18  and metal members  20 , 22  can be shaped as desired, however, it is contemplated that round-shaped magnets  16 , 18  or metal members  20 , 22  or rectangular-shaped magnets  16 , 18  or metal members  20 , 22  in cross-section are preferred. 
     FIGS. 5A-5C  depict still another embodiment of the present invention using a ring or segmented ring of magnets  24  for coupling the upper and lower sections  14 , 12 . As in the above embodiments, magnet  24  may instead be aligned with corresponding metal members  26 . A solid ring may be molded within the respective upper and lower sections or segmented spaced-apart rings magnets/metal members  24 , 26  may be placed and configured to seal the upper and lower sections  14 , 12 . Although not depicted, it is understood that an external ring or segmented ring configuration is contemplated as within the scope of the invention, although the preferred embodiment is one similar to that depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5C . 
   It should be understood that the drawings,  FIGS. 5A-5C , are conceptual only and the ring sections or segments depicted may preferably include unequal magnetic/non-magnetic sections, with the fastening sections slightly smaller and the spacing area slightly larger. The fastening sections would be slightly smaller allowing for a complete decoupling rotation position where as with equal sections there would always be some attraction between the sections as the surfaces are rotated about, attracting the coupling to the next fastening position. The ring assembly design also benefits from a thin vinyl (or other material) membrane (not shown) allowing for a better seal and uniform casting. In production, this will help to overcome any small abnormalities on the mating surfaces therein giving a uniform seal. 
     FIGS. 6A-6C  depict an added feature to facilitate the guiding and coupling of the upper and lower sections  14 , 12 , no matter which configuration described above for magnetically coupling the container, using a tab  28   a  and slot  28   b  at a predetermined location around the perimeter of the coupling joint. Of course, it is understood that in the drawings, an example of having the slot  28   b  on the cover  14  side and mating tab  28   a  on the vessel  12  side is merely an example. The tab  28   a  may be located on the cover  14  side and the mating slot may be located on the vessel  12  side. This feature further serves as interlocking means for the cap  14  and vessel  12 . The internal magnets depicted show one example of the use of the tab/slot feature. It is understood that this feature is applicable to any external magnet coupling configuration as well as any ring configuration depicted in the drawings and discussed in the written description above. 
   It should also be understood that although this specification describes a method of coupling a humidifier container using magnetic coupling means in lieu of a threaded means, the scope of the invention is intended to cover the use of magnetic coupling means in almost any circumstance where it would be beneficial to substitute a threaded connection with a magnetic coupling. 
   It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of one or more embodiments of this invention and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.