Patent Publication Number: US-9423141-B2

Title: Console humidifier

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to portable humidifiers, and more particularly to a console humidifier having a self supporting water tank(s). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional home humidifiers can include a water reservoir or tank for supplying a continuous feed of water to a wick element. The wick element can be made of a honeycomb or other suitable form, having only an end portion positioned in the water reservoir. A wicking action causes water to travel up through the wick element, saturating the wicking element. 
     An air blower is used to blow a stream of air across the wick element. The air blower is positioned adjacent to the wick element, to draw outside air across the wick element. The air stream travels across the wick element, transferring moister from the wick element into the air stream as water vapor. This moistened air is then discharged from the humidifier. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure provide a console humidifier. The console humidifier includes a humidification unit having front, back, top, and bottom portions defining an interior space. A reservoir is positioned at the bottom portion of the humidification unit, in the interior space. The reservoir includes a centrally located air inlet and a water tank interface extending through the back portion of the humidification unit. The humidification unit farther includes an air outlet through which air may exit the interior space of humidification unit. 
     A wick element is included, having a first end and a second end, where the first end is removeably positionable in the reservoir about the air inlet. The wick element can include a closed loop side wall defining an open channel between the first end and the second end. A sealing cap can be removeably positionable on the second end of the wick element, the sealing cap closing the open channel at the second end of the wick element 
     At least one water tank is included with the humidifier. The at least one water tank includes a bottom end having a pair of support members defining a recess portion there between. The water tank is removeably positionable on the water tank interface with the water tank interface located in the recess portion of the water tank. When positioned on the water tank interface, the support members of the water tank carry the load of the water tank. The water tank can include a valve located in the recess portion. The water tank interface actuates the valve into an open position when the water tank is positioned on the water tank interface. The valve can be a spring loaded valve, biased in the closed position. 
     A fan assemble is located in the interior space of the humidification unit, interposed between the air outlet and the wick element. A control panel is used to energizing the motor of fan assembly, where an air flow control can be actuated from an “off” position to an “on” position, for example, to a low, medium, high position. The motor rotates the fans to create airflow through the interior space of the humidification unit. The rotation of the fans draws air in through the air inlet in the water reservoir base. The air is drawn into the open center channel of the wick element. The sealing cap prevents the air flow from exiting the wick element through the second end, instead drawing the air flow though the side wall of the wick element. As air the air flow passes through the side wall of the wick element, moisture is absorbed from the wick element into the air flow. The fan assembly discharges the moisten air thought the grill openings at the top of the humidification unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will he more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front perspective view of the console humidifier of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side sectional view of the console humidifier of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a bottom view of the console humidifier of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a rear perspective view of the console humidifier of the present disclosure without the water tanks; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a front perspective view of a water tank for use with the console humidifier of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a spring loaded valve for use in the water tank of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a rear view of the console humidifier of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a front perspective sectional view of the console humidifier of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a front perspective sectional view of the console humidifier of the present disclosure with a wick element; 
         FIG. 10  depicts a wick element for use in the console humidifier of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  depicts a front perspective sectional view of the console humidifier of the present disclosure with a sealed wick element; and 
         FIG. 12  depicts a sealed wick element for use in the console humidifier of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a console humidifier  10  of the present disclosure. The console humidifier  10  includes a water reservoir base  12  on which a humidification unit  14  is mounted. Water tanks  16  and  18  are positioned adjacent to a back surface  19  of the humidification unit  14 , in fluid engagement with the water reservoir base  12 . 
     A top portion  20  of the humidification unit  14  includes a control panel  22 . The control panel  22  is mounted in a fixed compartment between a pair of discharge grill openings  24  and  26  defining air outlets. The control panel  22  functions similar to prior art humidifiers, controlling the discharged airflow from the humidification unit  14 . The discharge grill openings  24  and  26  can include a plurality of movable louvers which can be adjusted to control the direction and/or volume of the discharged airflow from the humidification unit  14 . A power cord  15 , fitted with a power plug  17 , extends from humidification unit  14 , supplying electrical power from a household electrical receptacle to the console humidifier  10 . 
     A door  30 , including a handle  32 , is rotatably mounted to a front portion  34  of the humidification unit  14 . The door  30  can be opened to allow access to an interior space of the humidification unit  14 . Referring also to  FIG. 2 , the door  30  can be rotatably mounted  36  to the water reservoir base  12 . In this manner, the door  30  can be opened by being rotated downwardly, with respect to water reservoir base  12 , to allow access to the interior space of the humidification unit  14 . The door  30  can include curved guide tracks  38  positioned on opposite sides of the door  30 . The curved guide tracks  38  engage guide pins  40  mounted to an interior surface  42  of the humidification unit  14 . The combination of curved guide tracks  38  and guide pins  40  define a rotational path of the door  30 , and substantially prevent an over rotation of the door  30  with respect to the water reservoir base  12  when opening. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the water reservoir base  12  includes a plurality of feet  42  for supporting the humidification unit  14  at a spaced distance from a support surface. An air inlet  44  is provided in a bottom surface  46  of the water reservoir base  12 . The plurality of feet  42  provide spacing between a bottom of the water reservoir base  13  and the support surface to provide an air flow path to the air inlet  44 . The air inlet  44  allows for outside air to be drawn into the humidifier unit  14 . The water reservoir base  12  further includes a pair of water tank interface  48  and  50  extending outwardly there from, through the back surface  19  of the humidification unit  14 . The water tank interfaces  48  and  50  include an upwardly extending outer wall  52  to define a fluid path.  54  into water reservoir base  12 . Each of the water tank interface  48  and  50  each include an upwardly extending stem  58  and  60  for actuating a valve on the water tanks  16  and  18 , as will discussing in more detail below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the water tanks  16  and  18  each include a handle  70  positioned at a top end  72  thereof. The handle  70  can be integrally molded and formed with the water tank  16 ,  18 . A front wall  74  of the water tank  16 ,  18  includes a fill opening  76  over which a fill cap  78  is attached. The fill cap  78  can be threadably attached to the fill opening  76 , sealing the fill opening  76 . A sealing ring (not shown) can be positioned between the fill cap  78  and fill opening  76 . 
     A bottom end  80  of the water tank  16 ,  18  includes a central recess  82 , such that a pair of support members  84  and  86  defined about the recess  82 . The support members  84  and  86  support the water tank  16 ,  18  in a vertical orientation when positioned on the water tank interface  48 ,  50  of the water reservoir base  12 . A valve  88  is located in the recess  82 , though the bottom end  80  of the water tank  16 ,  18 . The valve  88  can be a spring biased valve, where the spring  90  biases the valve  88  into a closed position. (See  FIG. 6 ). When the water tank  16 ,  18  is positioned on the water tank interface  48 ,  50  of the water reservoir base  12  the upwardly extending stem  58 ,  60  engages the valve  88 , force the spring  90  upward so that the valve  88  is opened. In this manner, the water from the water tank  16 ,  18  can be discharged though the valve  88 , through the water tank interface  48 ,  50 , into the water reservoir base  12 . The water will continue to be discharge from water tank  16 ,  18  into the water reservoir base  12  until the water level in the water tank interface  48 ,  50  reaches a level to prevent air from entering the water tank  1   6 ,  18  through the valve  88 , at which point the discharge of water from the water tank  16 ,  18  will halt. When the water level in the water tank interface  48 ,  50  decreases sufficiently to allow air to enter the water tank  16 ,  18  thought the valve  88 , water will again be discharged from the water tank  16 ,  18  into the water reservoir base  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the water tanks  16 ,  18  are positioned on the water tank interfaces  48 ,  50 , such that the water tank interfaces  48 ,  50  are located within the recesses  88 , aligned with the valves  88 . The support members  84 ,  86  of the water tanks  16 ,  18  extend downward, about the water tank interface  48 ,  50 , contacting the support surface, such, as a floor. In this manner; substantially all of the weight of the water tank  16 ,  18  is supported by the support members  84 ,  86 . The downward force imparted by the water tank  16 ,  18  onto the water tank interface  48 ,  50  is substantially limited to the force imparted by the spring  90  in the valves  88  onto the stems  58 ,  60  in the water tank interfaces  48 ,  50 . However, the water tank interfaces  48 ,  50  can include a support member  92  to support any load imparted to the water tank interface  48 ,  50  by the water tank  16 ,  18 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the back surface  19  of the humidification unit  14  can include indented portions  96 ,  98 . The indented portions  96 ,  98  are sized to receive the fill caps  78  therein. In this manner, when the water tanks  16 ,  18  are positioned on the water tank interfaces  48 ,  50  the front wall  74  of the water tank  16 ,  18  will be substantially flush with the back surface  19  of the humidification unit  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the humidification unit  14  includes a fan assembly  100  mounted at a top portion  102  of the humidification unit  14 . The fan assembly  100  includes a motor  104  and a pair of fans  106  and  108  mounted thereto. Operation of the fan assembly  100  is controlled by the control panel  22 . 
     The water reservoir base  12  has a raised outer wall  110  and a raised inner wall  112 , about the air inlet  44 . In this manner, a water reservoir  114  is defined about the air inlet  44 , where the water reservoir  114  is in fluid communication with the water tank interfaces  48 ,  50 . 
     A wick element  116  is positioned below the fan assembly  100 , where a first end  118  of the wick element  116  is positioned in the water reservoir  114  and a second end  120  of the wick. 
     element  116  is positioned below, proximal, to the fan assembly  100 . A open cap  122  can be positioned about the second end  120  of the wick element  116 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 10 , the wick element  116  can be in the form of a closed loop  124 , having a side wall  125  defining an open center channel  126  for an air path there through. In such a configuration, the first end  118  of the wick element  116  is positioned in the water reservoir  114 , about the air inlet  44 , defining an air flow path through the air inlet  44 , the open center channel  126  of the wick element  116 , to the fan assembly  110 . 
     The wick element  116  can be formed of a suitable sheet-like absorbent and capillary wick material, as described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,533. As disclosed in that patent, the unitary web of non-woven, fibrous and absorbent wicking media maintain its shape and physical properties when in contact with water for extended periods of time. This material has been selected because it has sufficient absorption capacity as well as sufficient capillary action such that with only the first end  118  of the wick element  116  is submerged below the predetermined level of water within the water reservoir  114 , the wick element  116  will absorb water and will wick the water vertically by capillary action along the entire height of the wick element  116  so that same is substantially uniformly wetted throughout. 
     In operation, to fill the water reservoir  114  with water the water tanks  16 ,  18  are removed from the water reservoir base  12  by grasping each handle  70  and lifting the water tanks  16   18  off the water reservoir base  12 . Once removed, the water tank  16 ,  18  is laid down with the fill cap  78  facing upward. The fill cap  78  is removed, unscrewed, to expose the fill opening  76 . Water can be poured into the water tank  16 ,  18  through the fill opening  76 , or filled using a faucet. Once filled, the fill cap  78  is re-installed to seal the fill opening  76 . 
     The filled water tanks  16 ,  18  arc repositioned on water tank interfaces  48 ,  50 , such that the water tank interfaces  48 ,  50  is positioned with the recesses  88 , aligned with the valves  88 . The support members  84 ,  86  of the water tanks  16 ,  18  extend downward, about the water tank interfaces  48 ,  50 , contacting the support surface, such as a floor. 
     When the water tanks  16 ,  18  are positioned on the water tank interfaces  48 ,  50  of the water reservoir base  12  the upwardly extending stems  58 ,  60  engages the valves  88 , forcing the spring  90  upward so that the valves  88  are opened. In this manner, the water from the water tanks  16 ,  18  can be discharged though the valve  88 , through the water tank interface  48 ,  50 , into the water reservoir base  12 . The water will continue to be discharge from water tanks  16 ,  18  into the water reservoir base  12  until the water level in the water tank interfaces  48 ,  50  reaches a level to prevent air from entering the water tanks  16 ,  18  through the valves  88 , at which point the discharge of water from the water tanks  16 ,  18  Will halt. When the water level in the water tank interfaces  48 ,  50  decreases sufficiently to allow air to enter the water tanks  16 ,  18  thought the valve  88 , water will again be discharged from the water tanks  16 ,  18  into the water reservoir base  12 . The wicking element  116  will absorb and allow sufficient water to flow up into the wicking element  116  from the water reservoir  114 . 
     To operate the console humidifier  10 , the control panel  22  can be used to control the air flow. The control panel is used to energizing the motor  104  of fan assembly  100 , where an air flow control can be actuated from an “off” position to an “on” position, for example, to a low, medium, high position. The motor  104  rotates the fans  106  and  108  to create airflow through the interior space of the humidification unit  14 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the rotation of the fans  106  and  108  draws air in through the air inlet  44  in the water reservoir base  12 . The air is drawn in thought the open center channel  126  of the wick element  116 . As the air flow passes through the open center channel  126  of wick element  11 . 6 , moisture is absorbed from the wick element  116  into the air flow. The fan assembly  100  discharges the moisten air thought the grill openings  24  and  26  at the top of the humidification unit  114 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , in another embodiment, the wick element  116  is positioned below the fan assembly  100 , where a first cud  118  of the wick element  116  is positioned in the water reservoir  114  and a second end  120  of the wick element  116  is positioned below, proximal, to the fan assembly  100 . The wick element  116  can be in the form of a closed loop  124 , having an open center channel  126  defining an air path there through. In such a configuration, the first end  118  of the wick element  116  is positioned in the water reservoir  114 , about the air inlet  44 , defining an air flow path through the air inlet  44  into the open center channel  126 . 
     A sealing cap  130  can be positioned about the second end  120  of the wick element  116  The sealing cap  130  includes a sealing portion  132  which is positioned over the second end portion  120  of the open center channel  126 . The sealing portion  132  seals the second end portion  120  of the open center channel  126 , preventing air flow from exiting the wick element  116  through the second end  120 . 
     To operate the console humidifier  10 , the control panel  22  can be used to control the air flow. The control panel is used to energizing the motor  104  of fan assembly  100 , where an air flow control can be actuated from an “off” position to an “on” position, for example, to a low, medium, high position. The motor  104  rotates the fans  106  and  108  to create airflow through the humidification unit  14 . As the sealing cap  130  is positioned over second end  120  of the wick element  116 , the air flow is drawn though the side wall  134  of the wick element  116 . 
     In this manner, the rotation of the fans  106  and  108  drawing in air through the air inlet  44  in the water reservoir base  12 . The air is drawn in to the open center channel  126  of the wick element  116 . The sealing cap  130  prevents the air flow from exiting the wick element  116  through the second end  120 , instead drawing the air flow though the side wall  134  of the wick element  134 . As the air flow passes through the side wall  134  of the wick element  116 , moisture is absorbed from the wick element  116  into the air flow. The fan assembly  100  discharges the moisten air thought the grill openings  24  and  26  at the top of the humidification unit  114 . 
     All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.