Patent Publication Number: US-9845962-B2

Title: Portable air treatment system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to air treatment systems and, more particularly, to a readily transportable system that is usable to cause a fluid to become entrained as a mist and/or vapor in air in a surrounding environment. 
     Background Art 
     Myriad “portable” humidifiers have been developed and are commercially available. For purposes of simplicity, the term “humidifier” will be used hereinbelow to identify apparatus that cause any fluid, and preferably water, to be entrained in an atmosphere as a mist and/or vapor. 
     Most portable humidifiers are designed to treat a single room with a volume typical for a room in a residence. The units are small enough to be lifted and transported from one location to the next. They commonly have a receptacle for a supply of water. The receptacle may be fixed in a housing or separable as a unit to facilitate filling. 
     There are many environments outside of the home that individuals may be required to occupy that are uncomfortably or excessively dry. For example, travelers staying in hotels and motels are exposed to conditions dictated by the facilities&#39; management. Particularly in winter months during which rooms are treated with relatively dry heated air, the atmospheric conditions may be uncomfortable. For people with chronic conditions requiring humidified air, this can be a particular problem. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,360 discloses a humidifying apparatus that is characterized as a “travel humidifier” and designed to be used in a conventional sink. The size and shape are dictated by overall sink geometry and changing water levels therein. As a result, this particular design may be required to be large enough that it is not practical for use as a humidifier that a traveler may transport in his or her luggage. 
     Other types of “travel humidifiers” have been devised. In an attempt to make these units practically transportable, they have generally been simply downsized with the basic operation and layout of components corresponding to a traditional room humidifier. Thus, the user thereof is required to transport a unit including the components that treat the air and potentially additionally the container that cooperates with the unit and holds a supply of water. Because these humidifiers still may take up a substantial amount of space and commonly have a boxy shape, a traveler may opt not to bring along this type of humidifier in the interest of maximizing luggage space usable for other objects. Luggage space becomes even more significant as airlines place restrictions on luggage size and charge fees for luggage handling. 
     There remains a need to make available a humidifier that is usable conveniently at different sites in a home and business and that also lends itself to convenient transportation, as when an individual is traveling on public transportation, particularly when the traveling involves the use of luggage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one form, the invention is directed to the combination of: a) an apparatus with a main body and an operating assembly on the main body configured to cause fluid from a supply to be processed so as to become entrained in air in a surrounding atmosphere, wherein the main body has an elongate finger with a length and a free end; and b) a container defining a receptacle for a supply of fluid. The container has an entry opening that is dimensioned to allow the elongate finger on the main body to be directed, free end first, through the entry opening to allow a portion of the length of the elongate finger at the free end to be immersed in a supply of fluid in the receptacle. The combination further includes structure cooperating between the apparatus and container to support the main body and container in an operative relationship wherein a portion of the length of the elongate finger at the free end is immersed in a supply of water in the receptacle to be processed by the apparatus. 
     In one form, the operating assembly has a fluid converting assembly that is configured to process fluid so that fluid is entrained in the surrounding atmosphere as at least one of: a) a mist; and b) a vapor. 
     In one form, the container is configured to be grasped and held in a hand of a user to facilitate lifting and transportation of the container. 
     In one form, the finger has a length extending along a first line. The main body and container are in the operative relationship with the first line extending through a range of different angles relative to the container. 
     In one form, the container is a drinking glass with an open top region at which the entry opening is formed. 
     In one form, the operating assembly has a wicking material through which fluid is directed lengthwise of the finger from a supply to the fluid converting assembly. 
     In one form, the main body has an enlarged head. The enlarged head is configured so that with the finger advanced through the entry opening in the container, a part of the container abuts to the enlarged head to block the main body in its operative relationship with the container. 
     In one form, the container has a bottom wall with an upwardly facing surface bounding the fluid receptacle. The apparatus and container are configured so that with the main body and container in the operative relationship, the free end of the finger is in spaced relationship with the upwardly facing surface on the bottom container wall. 
     In one form, the container has a bottom wall with an upwardly facing surface bounding the water receptacle. The apparatus and container are configured so that with the main body and container in the operative relationship, the free end of the finger is abutted to the upwardly facing surface on the bottom container wall. 
     In one form, the main body has an outer surface that tapers to the free end of the finger and tapers smoothly away from the free end of the finger to and along at least a portion of the enlarged head. 
     In one form, the invention is provided in combination with a supply of fluid in the container receptacle. 
     In one form, the operating assembly has a wicking material through which fluid is directed lengthwise of the finger from a supply to the fluid converting assembly. The apparatus further includes a biasing assembly configured to urge the wicking material lengthwise of the finger towards the fluid converting assembly. 
     In one form, the finger has a slot formed therethrough defining a communication path for fluid in the container receptacle to the wicking material. 
     In one form, the apparatus has an on state and an off state. The apparatus further includes a shutoff assembly configured to: a) sense that a supply of fluid in the container receptacle is at or below a first level with the main body and container in the operative relationship; and b) cause the apparatus to change from the on state to the off state as an incident of the shutoff assembly sensing that a supply of fluid is at or below the first level. 
     In one form, the main body has a funnel-shaped surface that directs fluid processed by the water converting assembly out of and away from the apparatus. 
     In one form, the main body has a top and bottom. The funnel-shaped surface is at the top of the main body. 
     In one form, the structure cooperating between the apparatus and container consists of at least nominally matching tapered surfaces, one each on the apparatus and container. 
     In one form, the invention is directed to the above apparatus, apart from the container. 
     In one form, the invention is directed to a method of processing fluid to generate one of: a) a mist; and b) a vapor to be entrained in a surrounding atmosphere. The method includes the steps of: obtaining the apparatus described above; obtaining a container having an entry opening into a receptacle in which there is a supply of fluid; directing the finger into the receptacle so that: a) a portion of the length of the elongate finger at the free end is immersed in the fluid; and b) the finger is freely movable within the receptacle; and operating the apparatus with the portion of the length of the elongate finger immersed in the fluid. 
     In one form, the method further includes the step of operating the apparatus with the main body and container in a plurality of different relationships. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of an air treatment system, according to the invention, including an apparatus for processing a fluid and a container for a supply of the fluid; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic representation showing further details of an operating assembly on the apparatus in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of an optional shutoff assembly on the apparatus in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one exemplary form of apparatus as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the apparatus from the same perspective as in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view as in  FIGS. 4 and 5  with parts of a casing removed to expose certain components on an operating assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a further enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged, perspective view of an upper casing part on the apparatus in  FIGS. 4-7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged, perspective view of a lower casing part that is joinable with the casing part in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevation view of an upper portion of the apparatus in  FIGS. 4-10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an elevation view of the apparatus in  FIGS. 4-11  with the main body thereon in operative relationship to a container in the form of a drinking glass with a supply of fluid therein; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of the apparatus in  FIGS. 4-12  with the main body thereon in operative relationship to a modified form of container; 
         FIG. 14  shows the components in  FIG. 13  from a different perspective; 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view of the components in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the components taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view showing cooperating structure on the apparatus in  FIGS. 4-16  and a further modified form of container; and 
         FIG. 18  is a flow diagram representation of a method for processing fluid to generate one of: a) a mist; and b) a vapor to be entrained in a surrounding atmosphere, according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , an air treatment system, according to the present invention, is shown in schematic form at  10 . The system  10  consists of an apparatus at  12  and a container at  14  for use in conjunction with the apparatus  12 . The apparatus  12  has a main body  16  and an operating assembly at  18  on the main body  16  that is configured to cause fluid from a supply  20  in the container  14  to be processed so as to become entrained in air in a surrounding atmosphere. The main body  16  has an elongate finger  22  with a length and a free end  24 . 
     The container  14  defines a receptacle  26  for the fluid supply  20 . The container  14  has an entry opening  28  that is dimensioned to allow the elongate finger  22  to be directed, free end first, through the entry opening  28 , normally in a generally downward direction, to allow at least a portion of the length of the elongate finger  22 , extending way from the free end  24  thereof, to be immersed in the fluid supply  20  in the receptacle  26 . 
     Structure  30 ,  32  is provided respectively on the main body  16  and container  14  and cooperates to support the main body  16  and container  14  in an operative relationship wherein at least a portion of the length of the elongate finger  22  is immersed in the fluid in the supply  20  in the receptacle  26  to be processed by the apparatus  12 . 
     The schematic showing of components in  FIG. 1  is intended to encompass virtually a limitless number of different component configurations and their interactions. For the most part, the precise configuration of each such component is not critical to the present invention. Critical aspects thereof will be highlighted below with respect to specific embodiments. 
     As just one example, the precise nature of the processed fluid is not critical, though the same will generally be water. 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , the operating assembly  18  includes a fluid converting assembly  34  that is configured to process fluid from the supply  20  so that the fluid becomes entrained in the surrounding atmosphere as at least one of: a) a mist; and b) a vapor. The schematic showing in  FIG. 2  is intended to encompass all conventional structures utilized to process a fluid, such as water, to generate a mist and/or vapor, and variations thereof that would cause similar processing. 
     As shown in schematic form in  FIG. 3 , the apparatus  12  may include a shutoff assembly  36  that is operated in response to the level of fluid in the receptacle  26 . More specifically, the apparatus  12  is caused to be changed from an “on” state into an “off” state in response to sensing that the fluid in the receptacle  26  is at or below a first level with the main body  16  and container  14  in their operative relationship. Myriad different constructions are contemplated within the generic showing of the shutoff assembly  36  in  FIG. 3 . 
     Specific forms of the system  10  and the components thereof will now be described, with the understanding that these specific forms are exemplary in nature only and should not be viewed as limiting given the broader concepts contemplated within the schematic showing in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     As seen in the exemplary form for the apparatus  12  in  FIGS. 4-17 , the main body  16  has an enlarged head  38  at its top region that blends smoothly into the reduced diameter elongate finger  22  that terminates at the bottom free end  24 . The free end  24  has a generally rounded shape. The head  38  has an overall “barrel” shape. 
     As depicted, the main body  16  has a substantially cylindrical outer cross-sectional configuration taken orthogonally to a central axis  40  over substantially its entire axial extent. While this shape is not required, it provides a smooth, streamlined outer surface  42 . This shape is convenient to handle and can be slid conveniently into receptacles for storage and does not tend to hang up on foreign objects in use and during handling and transportation thereof. In the depicted embodiment, the outer surface  42  at the finger  22  tapers slightly from the head  38  to the free end  24  to facilitate its use, as described hereinbelow. 
     The main body  16  includes separate casing parts  44 ,  46  that meet at a parting line  48  at the head  38 . Diametrically opposite, L-shaped slots  50  are provided on an upwardly opening cup-shaped insert  52  secured to the casing part  44 . The slots  50  cooperate, one each, with a pair of alignable projections  54  (one shown in  FIG. 9 ). With the casing parts  44 ,  46  initially separated, the projections  54  can be aligned with the slots  50 , whereupon the casing parts  44 ,  46  can be moved axially towards each other to direct the projections  54  into the slots  50 . This relative movement continues until an upper annular edge  56  on the casing part  46  abuts an oppositely facing annular edge  58  on the insert  52 , whereupon the parts can be relatively turned to lock the projections  54  in circumferentially extending portions  60  of each slot  50  to thereby releasably secure the casing parts  44 ,  46  together. The casing parts  44 ,  46  can be separated by reversing the connecting steps described above. 
     Alignable indicia  62 ,  64  are respectively provided on the casing parts  44 ,  46  to facilitate alignment of the slots  50  and projections  54  and to give a visual indication that the casing parts  44 ,  46  are in a secured angular relationship with respect to the axis  40 . 
     The casing parts  44 ,  46 , once connected, cooperatively bound a chamber  66  within which the operating assembly  18  resides. The operating assembly  18  is supported cooperatively by the casing parts  44 ,  46  and the insert  52  captively held therebetween. The operating assembly  18  is shown partially in schematic form, as in  FIG. 5 , to avoid discussion of details that are not critical to understanding the present invention. 
     Briefly, the operating assembly  18  utilizes a conventional-type nebulizer membrane  68  to make up the fluid converting assembly  34 . Through known electronic components on the operating assembly  18 , electric current is used to produce high-frequency vibrations that break up the fluid into tiny particles that become suspended in the surrounding atmosphere. As noted above, the details of the structure for effecting the vibration of the membrane  68  are not significant. Components capable of accomplishing this are shown generally at  70  on a printed circuit board  72 , and further schematically in  FIG. 5 . 
     The operating assembly  18  is connected to a power supply  74 . The power supply  74  may be self-contained, as by using batteries. As depicted, the power supply  74  is connected to the operating assembly  18  through a cord  76  that has an end plug  78 . The plug  78  might be one that can be inserted directly into a household power receptacle. Alternatively, the plug  78  may be a USB connector that is connected through an adaptor  80  to the power supply  74 . 
     As noted above, the invention contemplates, without limitation, use of other types of structure to make up the fluid converting assembly  34  that processes the fluid to create the fluid particles. 
     Fluid/water is delivered to the membrane  68  from the supply  20  through a wicking component  82 . The wicking component  82  is made from a suitable material, such as cotton, that also filters fluid passed therethrough to avoid delivery of contaminants to the membrane  68 . As depicted, the wicking component  82  has an elongate cylindrical shape with a central axis  84  concentric with the axis  40  of the main body  16 . 
     The insert  52  has an integrally formed sleeve  86  which surrounds an upper region of the wicking component  82  to maintain its concentric alignment with the main body  16 . The sleeve  86  also stabilizes the top surface  88  of the wicking component  82  that is placed facially against the membrane  68 . 
     The bottom of the wicking component  82  fits into a sleeve  90  that closely surrounds the bottom of the wicking component  82  to maintain its shape. The bottom of the wicking component  82  is biased upwardly by a coil spring  92  interposed between the bottom surface  93  of the wicking component  82  and an upwardly facing surface  94  at the bottom of the finger  22  and bounding part of the chamber  66 . The spring  92  makes up a biasing assembly that may have other configurations, so long as the wicking component  82  is caused to be urged upwardly towards the membrane  68 . 
     The membrane  68  is held by, or embedded in, a rubber ring  96  which seats in a cup-shaped support  98 . With the insert  52  assembled on the casing part  44 , the sleeve  86  extends through the PC board  72  and bears against the support  98  so that the rubber ring  96  is captive between the support  98  and a downwardly facing annular edge  100  defined at the top region of the casing part  44 . The support  98  closely surrounds a depending annular skirt  102  formed on the casing part  44 , thereby to cause the support  98  to be stabilized. 
     A slot  104  is formed through a wall  106  on the finger  22  bounding the chamber  66 . The slot  104  extends axially to admit fluid into the chamber  66  to saturate the material on the wicking component  82 . The axial extent of the slot and its circumferential width control the volume of fluid that is admitted into the chamber  66  with the finger  22  immersed in fluid. 
     With the finger  22  immersed in fluid in the supply  20 , the fluid communicates through the slot  104  to the wicking component  82  and is caused to move upwardly through the wicking component  82  eventually into contact with the membrane  68 . The vibrating membrane  68  generates fluid mist or vapor that discharges upwardly from the top of the casing part  44 . The casing part  44  defines a funnel-shaped guide surface  108  that diverges away from the edge  100  that bears on the rubber ring  96 . The configuration of the surface  108  causes the entrained fluid to disperse upwardly and radially outwardly, as indicated by the arrows  110  in  FIG. 10 . 
     The container  14  may take many different forms. In its simplest form, the container  14 , as seen in  FIG. 12 , is in the form of a conventional drinking glass that may be maintained on a suitable support as the apparatus is operated. The drinking glass  14  has an open top region at  112  at which the entry opening  28  is formed, bounded by an annular edge  114 . 
     In  FIG. 12 , the main body  16  and container/glass  14  are in their operative relationship. The free end  24  of the finger  22  bears against an upwardly facing surface  116  on a bottom wall  118  of the container/glass  14 . The finger  22  wedges at a juncture between the bottom wall surface  116  and an annular surface  120  defined by a peripheral wall  122  extending around the receptacle  26  in which the fluid in the supply  20  is retained up to the level L in  FIG. 12 . 
     With this particular container/glass configuration, the head  38  bears on the edge  114  so that the finger  22  and head  38  cooperate with the container/glass  14  to stably support the apparatus  12  with the central axis  40  at an angle a to a vertical line L 1 . The angular arrangement allows the user to controllably direct the discharging fluid particles towards an area where they are more strategically entrained relative to the user&#39;s location. While the invention contemplates that the axis  40  might be vertically situated, this arrangement might result in the delivery of a significant volume of the entrained particles above the user location where they may not be efficiently or effectively utilized. 
     By simply changing the drinking glass  14  to one with a different size and/or shape, the manner in which the apparatus  12  interacts therewith through the various components that engage and make up the structures  30 ,  32 , described above, and its precise operating orientation, may be changed. 
     The weight distribution of components on the apparatus  12  is also such that the apparatus  12  might be supported substantially entirely by the finger  22  that bridges between two locations on a drinking glass, such as the drinking glass  14 , but lower in height. 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 13-16 , a container  14 ′ may be custom designed for the apparatus  12 . In this embodiment, the container  14 ′ is made with a main body  124  that bounds the fluid receptacle  26 ′ and a cap  126  that is fit thereto. The cap  126  has an annular seating surface  128  making up the structure  32 , described above, that cooperates with an annular surface portion  130  on the main body  124 , that makes up the structure  30 , described above. The seating surface  128  and surface portion  130  are complementarily tapered and shaped so that as the finger  22  is directed downwardly into the receptacle  26 ′, the seating surface  128  and surface portion  130  are guided into a final relationship wherein they interact to maintain the main body  16  in a desired angular orientation relative to the container  14 ′. As seen most clearly in  FIG. 16 , with this configuration, the axis  40  resides at approximately  10 ° to vertical. Any angle may be built into the design. 
     In this embodiment, the main body  18  is supported entirely by the cooperating seating surface  128  and surface portion  130  with the free end  24  of the finger  22  spaced above the bottom wall surface  116 ′ that faces upwardly on the container  14 ′. 
     In  FIG. 17  a variation of the receptacle  14 ′ is shown at  14 ″, wherein the annular seating surface  128 ″ is defined so that the surface portion  130  may bear thereagainst to allow the apparatus  12  to be supported by the receptacle  14 ″ but to be pivotable guidingly oppositely, as shown by the arrows  132 , thereby to change the angular orientation of the axis  40 . 
     While the dimensions and precise configuration of the apparatus  12  and container  14 ,  14 ′,  14 ″ may vary, ideally each of the apparatus  12  and container  14 ,  14 ′,  14 ″ is made so that it can be readily grasped in the hand of a user to facilitate lifting and transportation of the container. For example, ideally the diameter of the enlarged head  38  is such that it can be readily fit in the palm of a user&#39;s hand and grasped by the fingers on the same hand. A diameter of 1½-2½inches for the enlarged head  38  is convenient, but should not be viewed as limiting. The overall length of the apparatus may be in the range of 4-7 inches. Again, this is only a desired range and the length could be substantially less or greater than the lower and upper limits of this range. 
     Many other features can be incorporated into the inventive structure. As one example, electrodes  134 , making up the aforementioned shutoff assembly, may each extend lengthwise through the portion of the chamber  66  defined by the finger  22  to a free end  136  in the vicinity of the slot  104  through which fluid is communicated from the supply  20  to the wicking component  82 . With the main body  16  and container  14 ,  14 ′,  14 ″ in operative relationship and the fluid at or above a first level, both electrode ends  136  are exposed to the fluid and complete a circuit through the PC board  72  to which they are connected. When the fluid is below the first level, one of the electrode ends  136  is not immersed in the fluid, or both electrode ends  136  are not immersed in the fluid, whereby the operating circuit is interrupted. The operating assembly  18  is configured so that once this occurs, the apparatus  12  changes from an “on” state to an “off” state. The shutoff assembly  36  prevents operation of the apparatus  12  without fluid present and alerts a user to add fluid to the supply  20 . 
     Further, the circuit with which the electrodes  134  are associated may be configured so that circuit continuity is broken once the casing parts  44 ,  46  are turned relative to each other preparatory to effecting their separation. This is made possible by incorporating contacts  138  on the casing part  46 , electrically connected to the electrodes  134 , that engage contacts  140  on the casing part  44  with the casing parts  44 ,  46  turned to be secured together. 
     The overall configuration of the apparatus  12 , including the elongate finger  22 , allows the apparatus  12  to be used in association with any container that holds a supply of fluid and has an entry opening. The finger  22  acts as a simple probe that can be directed into the fluid and potentially even held by a user without requiring interaction with the particular container. Its rounded free end  24  and tapering shape facilitates finger introduction, The entry opening has a diameter substantially greater than a diameter of the finger  22  in the region adjacent its free end, whereby a substantial length of the finger  22  can be directed into the container without interference. The relationship of the apparatus  12  and container can be maintained simply by the weight of the apparatus  12  or through a frictional fit. Regardless of the precise configuration of the apparatus and container, a method as shown in flow diagram form in  FIG. 18  can be carried out. 
     As shown at block  150 , an apparatus as described above is obtained. 
     As shown at block  152 , a container of fluid is obtained. The container may be a normal drinking glass, a container customized for the apparatus, or may even be a pool of fluid that allows use of the apparatus without interaction with the container. For example, a user may manually suspend the apparatus with the finger projected into the fluid supply. 
     As shown at block  154 , the finger is directed into the fluid in a receptacle so that: a) a portion of the length of the elongate finger at the free end is immersed in the fluid; and b) the finger is freely movable within the receptacle. This free movement may be a guided pivoting movement. Alternatively, the finger may be movable vertically relative to the receptacle to be separated from the container. “Freely movable” is intended to encompass structure wherein the apparatus is not fixedly secured to a container. 
     The apparatus is then operated, as indicated at block  156 . 
     The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.