Patent Publication Number: US-2017363308-A1

Title: Convertible humidifier

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a non-provisional patent application of pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/704,143, filed Sep. 21, 2012, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a convertible humidifier that is configured to humidify an area from the floor or an elevated space, such as a tabletop or desk. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Humidifiers provide humidity to a room or a given area near the humidifier. Typically, humidifiers are designed to be placed in one particular type of place. For example, humidifiers that are designed to be placed on a floor have a set height to provide humidity from the ground to the desired level. Likewise, humidifiers that are designed to be placed on an elevated surface, such as a table or desk, have a different height than a floor humidifier to provide humidity from the elevated surface to a desired level. However, floor humidifiers and humidifiers for elevated surfaces cannot readily exchange locations and provide humidity at a desired level. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide one humidifier that can be used at multiple locations and still provide humidity at a desired level. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a humidifier that can be used on an elevated surface, such as a tabletop or desk, and on the floor. A detachable extending portion allows the humidifier to be converted from a tabletop or desktop humidifier into a floor standing humidifier. The detachable extending portion allows the humidity produced by the humidifier to be released at an increased height that puts the moisturizing mist where a user needs it for use throughout a room. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a convertible humidifier includes a base portion that produces mist, a control panel that controls the production of the mist by the base portion, a reservoir detachably connectable to the base portion, which holds water to be used by the base portion to produce the mist, and a nozzle configured to direct the mist. The reservoir includes a pass-through connection that allows the mist produced by the base portion to be directed to an opening on a top surface of the reservoir, the nozzle is detachably connected to the opening on the top surface in a first operation mode, and the nozzle is detachably connected to an extending portion, which is detachably connected to the opening on the top surface, in a second operation mode. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, an embodiment of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the present invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practice and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, method, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front plan view of the base portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the base portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the control panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a front plan view of the reservoir according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side plan view of the reservoir according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the reservoir according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is another bottom plan view of the reservoir according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a front plan view of the nozzle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a side plan view of the nozzle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a front plan view of the convertible humidifier in a first operation mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the convertible humidifier in a second operation mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a front plan view of the convertible humidifier in the second operation mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a front plan view of the extending portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the reservoir according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom plan view of the base portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a bottom perspective view of the tank cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of the tank cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is another perspective view of the tank cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the base portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic of the electronics housed in the base portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments of the present invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein. 
     Accordingly, while example embodiments of the invention are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments of the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments of the invention are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” if used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a convertible humidifier that can be used on an elevated surface, such as a tabletop or desk, and on the floor. A detachable extending portion allows the humidifier to be converted from a tabletop or desktop humidifier into a floor standing humidifier. The detachable extending portion allows the humidity produced by the humidifier to be released at an increased height that puts the moisturizing mist where a user needs it for use throughout a room. 
       FIGS. 10, 11, and 12  show views of a convertible humidifier  10  in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The convertible humidifier  10  includes a base portion  20 , a control panel  60 , a reservoir  30 , a detachable extending portion  40 , and a nozzle  50 . In the present embodiment, the base portion  20  includes the control panel  60 . However, the control panel  60  may be included in the reservoir  30  or be a separate unit, such as a wired or wireless remote control. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, as show in  FIGS. 1, 2, 15, 19, and 20 , the base portion  20  houses electronics  200  used by the convertible humidifier  10  that produce mist and the electronics  200  used by the control panel to control the production of mist. The base portion  20  is connected to a power source (not shown) to provide power to the electronic components  200  of the convertible humidifier  10 . According to this embodiment, the base portion  20  produces mist by ultrasonic nebulization, but any other known mist producing method may also be used. 
     As also shown in  FIGS. 2, 15, and 19 , the base portion  20  includes the control panel  60  and a mist producing unit  27 . The base portion  20  may also include a humidistat  80  for determining the ambient humidity in the surrounding environment, a water sensor  90  for determining whether water is present in the reservoir  30  of the convertible humidifier  10 , an air outlet  160  that assists in the flow of mist from the base portion  20 , and/or a speaker  100  for providing audible information. The base portion  20  may also include an engaging member  25  which makes contact with a movable membrane  125  of a tank cap  120 , as discussed below. 
     The air outlet  160  may include a fan  180  that assists in the control of the flow of mist from the base portion  20  and through the reservoir  30 . The fan of the air outlet  160  may be controlled by the control panel  60 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , the electronics  200  housed in the base portion  20  may include a processor  170  and a memory  175 . The processor  170  and memory  175  are electronically connected to the mist producing unit  27 , the control panel  60 , humidistat  80 , water sensor  90 , speaker  100 , and fan  180 . The processor  170  and memory  175  control the operation of the convertible humidifier  10  and execute the various functions of the convertible humidifier  10 , as discussed below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , control panel  60  is used for operation of the convertible humidifier  10 . The control panel  60  may include a display  70  for the displaying of information about the convertible humidifier  10  and one or more buttons  75  for operation of the convertible humidifier  10 . Functions of the one or more buttons  75  include the ability to turn on and turn off the convertible humidifier  10 , delay the start of the convertible humidifier  10 , automatically turn off the convertible humidifier  10 , control the output level of mist of the convertible humidifier  10 , set a relative humidity level desired, and dim the display  70 . 
     A delay start function allows programming of the convertible humidifier  10  to turn on automatically. By using the one or more buttons  75  on the control panel  60 , a user may enter the time, which may be displayed on the display  70 . Once the delay start time is entered, the convertible humidifier  10  may provide acknowledgement of the entry by, for example, flashing the delay start time on the display  70 , beeping from a speaker  100  that is provided in the base portion  20 , or both. The display  70  may also show a countdown time until the convertible humidifier  10  turns on. 
     An automatic turn off (auto-off) function allows programming of the convertible humidifier  10  to turn off automatically. By using the one or more buttons  75  on the control panel  60 , a user may enter the time, which may be displayed on the display  70 . Once the auto-off time is entered, the convertible humidifier  10  may provide acknowledgement of the entry by, for example, flashing the auto-off time on the display  70 , beeping from a speaker  100  that is provided in the base portion  20 , or both. The display  70  may also show a countdown time until the convertible humidifier  10  turns off. The delay start function and auto-off function may also be used in conjunction with one another. 
     A mist output function allows programming of the output level of mist of the convertible humidifier  10 . By using the one or more buttons  75  on the control panel  60 , a user increase and decrease the amount of mist produced by the convertible humidifier  10 . The air outlet  160  increases the air flow from the base portion  20  as the desired output level of mist increases. The air flow from air outlet  160  allows the mist produced by the base portion to be direct through the reservoir  30 . 
     The convertible humidifier  10  may have a low setting, a medium setting, a high setting, a supreme setting, and a turbo setting, which can be set by using the one or more buttons  75 . In one embodiment of the present invention the turbo setting may have a default operational setting where the convertible humidifier  10  outputs mist at the highest level for a predetermined period of time, and then output mist at the next highest level (supreme setting) after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. Further, the default operational setting may prevent the use of the highest level (turbo setting) for a predetermined period of time. 
     A relative humidity level function allows programming of the convertible humidifier  10  to turn off and turn on automatically to maintain a predetermined humidity. By using the one or more buttons  75  on the control panel  60 , a user may enter a desired humidity level, which may be displayed on the display  70 . Once the desired humidity level is entered, the convertible humidifier  10  may provide acknowledgement of the entry by, for example, flashing the desired humidity level on the display  70 , beeping from a speaker  100  that is provided in the base portion  20 , or both. The display  70  may also alternate between showing the ambient humidity in the surrounding environment and the desired humidity level. The humidistat  80  is used to determine the ambient humidity in the surrounding environment of the convertible humidifier  10 . The ambient humidity determined by the humidistat  80  is compared with the desired humidity level. If the ambient humidity and the desired humidity are about the same, the convertible humidifier automatically turns off. When the ambient humidity and the desired humidity differ by a predetermined amount, the convertible humidifier  10  automatically turns on. 
     A dim function allows the display  70  of the convertible humidifier  10  to be turned off and turned on during operation of the convertible humidifier  10 . By using the one or more buttons  75  on the control panel  60 , a user may press a dim function button to turn off the display  70 , and may press any of the one or more buttons  75  to turn on the display  70 . 
     An automatic safety shut-off function allows for the convertible humidifier  10  to automatically turn the mist production off when the water sensor  90  determines that there is no water present. The convertible humidifier  10  may also turn off completely when the water sensor  90  determines that there is no water present. If the water sensor  90  determines that there is no water present, the display  70  may also indicate that there is no water present. The speaker  100  may also provide audible information about the waterless state of the reservoir  30  by beeping. 
       FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 14  show views of the reservoir  30  of the convertible humidifier  10  in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The reservoir  30  holds water used by the base portion  20  to produce mist, and the reservoir  30  is detachable from the base portion  20 . The reservoir  30  includes a tank  110 , the tank cap  120 , and a pass-through connection  130 . The tank  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , of reservoir  30  holds the water for use by the base portion  20  to produce mist. Tank cap  120  is removable from the tank  110  and allows for easy filling of water into the tank  110 . Tank cap  120  may also be used in supplying base portion  20  with water when reservoir  30  is connected to base portion  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the tank cap  120  may include a movable membrane  125  that when contacted to the engaging member  25  of base portion  20  allows water to from the tank  110  to the base portion  20 . The moveable membrane  125  may be kept in a sealed position by a spring  126  or other retaining method when the reservoir  30  is not connected to the base portion  20 . When the reservoir  30  is connected to the base portion  20 , the spring  126  comes in contact with the engaging member  25  of the base portion  20  and the movable membrane  125  opens to allow the flow of water to the base portion  20 . 
     As showing in  FIG. 18 , a detachable filter  140  may also be removably connected to tank cap  120  to filter the water used by the base portion  20  in production of mist. The detachable filter  140  may be a permanent filter or a replaceable filter. The detachable filter  140  may also be an antibacterial filter, a demineralization, an antibacterial and demineralization filter, or any other known water type filters. 
     The reservoir  30  may also be provided with a handle  160   a  on a top surface  35 . The handle  160   a  may be used to assist in attaching and detaching of the reservoir  30  from the base portion  20  to ensure a good connection between the reservoir  30  and the base portion  20 . As show in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the handle  160   a  may also be built into the top surface  35  of the reservoir  30  and hingedly connect with the reservoir  30  in order to be stored on the top surface  35  when not in use. A handle  160   b  may also be provided on a bottom surface  36  of the reservoir  30 . Handle  160   b  may be used when filling the tank  110  with water. 
     As also shown in  FIGS. 6, 7, and 14 , the reservoir  30  includes the pass-through connection  130 . The pass-through connection  130  allows the mist produced by the base portion  20  to be directed (flow) through the reservoir  30  to opening  150  on the top surface  35  of the reservoir  30  where the mist exits the convertible humidifier  10 . A fan provided in air outlet  160  assists in the flow of mist produced in the base portion  30  through the pass-through connection  130 . When the convertible humidifier  10  is in the second operation mode, the flow of mist continues through the extending portion  40 .  FIG. 13  shows a view of extending portion  40 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a first operation mode in which nozzle  50  is connected to opening  150  on the top surface  35 . When in the first operation mode, the convertible humidifier  10  may be used on elevated surfaces, such as a tabletop or a desktop, to provide mist at a user desired location and level. Nozzle  50  is removable from the opening  150 . When in the first operational mode, mist produce in the base portion  20  is directed through pass-through connection  130  and out of nozzle  50 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show a second operation mode in which extending portion  40  is connected to opening  150  on the top surface  35  and nozzle  50  is connected to extending portion  40 . When in the second operation mode, the convertible humidifier  10  may be used on lower surfaces, such as a floor, while being able to provide mist at a user desired location and level. The same nozzle  50  from the first operation mode may be used with the extending portion  40 . When in the second operational mode, mist produce in the base portion  20  is directed through pass-through connection  130 , through extending portion  40 , and out of nozzle  50 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , nozzle  50  is configured to direct the mist to a desired location. Once the nozzle  50  is detachably connected to the opening  150  in a first operation mode or to the extending portion  40  in the second operation mode, a plurality of movable nozzle openings  55  may be configured to direct the flow of mist in a plurality of directions. The moveable nozzle openings  55  may be configured to direct mist in substantially the same direction, as shown in  FIG. 9 . The moveable nozzle openings  55  may be configured to direct mist in a plurality of different directions, as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the electronics  200  determines when the convertible humidifier  10  is in the first mode or when in the second mode by, for example, detecting the connection of the extending portion  40  to the reservoir  30 . When the second mode, the mist output may increase to the turbo setting automatically. In an alternative embodiment, the mist output may remain at the current mist output setting until a user manual sets the mist output function after the convertible humidifier  10  is detected to be in the second mode. In another embodiment of the present invention, the detection of the ambient humidity by the humidistat  80  is adjusted, when the electronics  200  detects the convertible humidifier  10  is in the second mode, in order to compensate for the increased distance of the mist output from the humidistat  80 . 
     The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.