Patent ID: 12208200

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the present disclosure. Spatially relative terms, such as “lower,” “upper” and the like may be used to describe an element and/or feature's relationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example, illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the exemplary steam inhaler in use and/or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Further, the term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,FIGS.1and2illustrate an exemplary steam inhaler100according to the present disclosure, the steam inhaler configured to heat a liquid, such as water, to generate steam, and control the direction of steam flow to the area of a user's nose and mouth. The steam inhaler100generally comprises a lower housing assembly102, an upper housing assembly104removably mounted to the lower housing assembly102, and a water reservoir106removably mounted to the lower housing assembly102. As will be described in detail below, the lower housing assembly102includes a housing108for housing a lower steam assembly110, a means for generating water pressure such as a pump112(for example, a peristaltic pump or an air pump), a blower114, and a power source116. The upper housing assembly104includes a housing118for housing an upper steam assembly120and an extendable scented pad receptacle or drawer122, and further includes a steam nozzle124and a mask126releasably fitted onto the steam nozzle. The removable water reservoir106includes a filter130mounted within the water reservoir for filtering water to be delivered to the lower steam assembly110via the pump112.

With reference toFIGS.2-4, the exemplary lower steam assembly110includes a lower steam chamber housing140having a lower housing part142and an upper housing part144. The lower housing part142has mounted therein a heater assembly148and defines a lower steam chamber150directly above the heater assembly. Suitable examples of heater assemblies may include, but not be limited to, standard resistance wire, positive temperature coefficient (PTC) or ceramic heater technologies and the like, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the depicted embodiment, the heater assembly148includes a heater plate156, a heating element158for heating the heater plate, and a gasket160. The heater plate156is exposed within the lower steam chamber150and defines a lower surface of the lower steam chamber. The heating element158, in the form of a PTC heater, is frictionally secured within a slot or recess164defined in the heater plate156. The heating element158is connected through a suitable lead168to the power source116. The gasket160surrounds the heating plate156and is interposed between the heating plate and an inner wall surface of the lower housing part142. A bottom plate170is secured to the lower housing part142to maintain the heater assembly148within the lower housing part. InFIG.6, an inner surface of the lower housing part142that defines the lower steam chamber150is obliquely oriented relative to the heater plate156, which ensures that incoming water contacts the heater plate156regardless of an upright or relined use position of the steam inhaler100. For example, at least a portion of the inner surface of the lower housing part142can be angled such that water is directly onto the heater plate156at any angle of operation of the steam inhaler100from vertical to 120 degrees to accommodate a user in a reclined position. In the depicted, the inner surface of the lower housing part142is shaped such that the lower steam chamber150is substantially frustoconical shaped in cross-section.

The lower steam assembly110further includes a removable heater barrier180provided in the lower steam chamber housing140substantially at an interface between the lower and upper housing parts142,144. The heater barrier180is sized to cover the lower steam chamber150and includes steam ports182for directing steam from the lower steam chamber150of the lower housing part142and into the upper housing part, and a gripping member186. As indicated, the lower and upper housing assemblies102,104are removably coupled to one another, and with the lower housing assembly102removed, a user can remove the heater barrier180to provide direct access the heater plate156, allowing the heater plate to be cleaned of any debris or contaminants.

InFIGS.3and4, a water inlet tube190is mounted within a receiving boss192provided on the lower housing part142. The inlet tube190is in fluid communication with a channel (not visible) defined by the lower housing part142, the channel delivering water onto the heating plate170that is delivered from the water reservoir106via the pump112. A support flange196of the lower housing part has mounted thereto a kill switch or pin200operable to disconnect power to the heater assembly148, for example, upon detection of a temperature of the heater assembly that exceeds a predetermined temperature. The support flange196further includes a valve seat202, having fresh air openings, for mounting a valve202, the operation of the valve to be described hereafter. The support flange196is shaped and sized to essentially close off the lower housing assembly102.

FIGS.2and5-8depict the upper steam assembly120removably mounted to the lower steam assembly110. The upper steam assembly120includes an upper steam chamber housing210and a fitting212connected to the upper steam chamber housing210. The upper steam chamber housing210is releasably mounted to the lower steam chamber housing140, for example, by engagement between connectors216provided on an outer surface of the upper housing part142of the lower steam chamber housing140and connectors218provided on an inner surface of an outer wall224of the upper steam chamber housing210. Although, it should be appreciated that alternative manners for releasably mounting the lower and upper steam chamber housings are contemplated. The upper steam chamber housing210includes an inner wall226spaced from the outer wall224, and an upper seal228is fitted within the upper steam chamber housing210between the outer and inner walls. In assembly, the upper housing part142is fitted between the outer and inner walls224,226and engages the upper seal228, with the inner wall226received in the upper housing part142. The inner wall226defines an upper steam chamber240of the upper steam assembly120. The inner wall226is fitted within the upper housing part144of the lower steam chamber housing140such that the upper steam chamber240is in fluid communication with the lower steam chamber150. It should be appreciated that the steam ports182of the heater barrier180direct steam from the lower steam chamber150into the upper steam chamber240.

The fitting212is mounted to the upper steam chamber housing210. According to the present disclosure, the fitting212has a steam conduit section250, a separate nozzle conduit section252, and a separate fresh air conduit section254. In the depicted aspect, the fitting212is a one-piece, unitary part; although, this is not required, and the conduit sections can be separate components assembled together. The steam conduit section250includes an inlet portion260and an outlet portion262. The inlet portion260is fitted in an opening264in the upper steam chamber housing210and is extended from the upper steam chamber240to the outlet portion262in fluid communication with an exterior vent opening268. The steam conduit section250is shaped to create a straight, linear flow of the steam from the upper steam chamber240toward the exterior vent opening262. The nozzle conduit section252includes an inlet portion270and an outlet portion272. The inlet portion270is at a location downstream of the upper steam chamber240and upstream of the exterior vent opening262. As shown, the nozzle conduit section252is extended obliquely upwardly from the steam conduit section250to the outlet portion272. The outlet portion272of the nozzle conduit section252is connected to the steam nozzle124. The fresh air conduit section254includes an inlet portion280and an outlet portion282, and is extended obliquely downwardly from the steam conduit section250. The inlet portion280is connected to the upper steam chamber housing210, for example, by a boss286provided on a support flange288extended from the upper steam chamber housing210. The support flange288can be shaped similar to the support flange196, and is shaped and sized to essentially close off the upper housing assembly104. In assembly, the inlet portion280of the fresh air conduit section254is aligned with the valve204provided on the valve seat202of the support flange196. It should be appreciated that movement of the valve204from a closed position to an open position allows fresh air to flow through the openings in the valve seat202and into the fresh air conduit section254. The outlet portion282of the fresh air conduit section254is provided at least partially within the steam conduit section250at a location downstream of the nozzle conduit section252and upstream of the exterior vent opening. InFIGS.6and8, the outlet portion282of the fresh air conduit section is shaped (for example, coved upward) to inject fresh air in-line with the flow of steam through the steam conduit section, thereby preventing the creation of turbulent flow within the steam conduit section250. It should be appreciated that the fresh air directed into the fresh air conduit section254is air that has a temperature substantially lower than a temperature of the steam generated in the lower steam assembly110, and the lower temperature or cooler air can be from an exterior of the steam inhaler100or from an interior of the steam inhaler.

Therefore, with the exemplary fitting212, steam flows freely from the lower steam chamber150into the upper steam chamber240, and through the steam conduit section250toward the exterior vent opening268. A suction provided at the steam nozzle124redirects the steam into the nozzle conduit section252, through the steam nozzle and into the mask126releasably fitted onto the steam nozzle. With the valve204in the open position, fresh air is able to flow into the fresh air conduit which directs additional, cooling fresh air into the steam conduit section250to reduce a temperature of the steam exiting the exterior vent opening268.

As indicated previously, the lower housing assembly102includes the housing108for housing the blower114and the power source116. The blower114is adapted to generate a flow of fresh air within the housing108. This flow of fresh air can slightly pressurize the interior of the housing108moving the valve204away from the valve seat202. However, it should be appreciated that alternative manner for moving the valve to its open position is contemplated. With the valve204in the open position fresh air is allowed to flow into the inlet portion280of the fresh air conduit section254. Further, inFIG.2, the power source116is a rechargeable battery mounted in the lower housing assembly102, and secured between the water reservoir106and the lower steam chamber housing140. An electrical connector290(i.e., a DC jack) is provided on the lower housing assembly102allowing the steam inhaler100to be operated as a corded device as the batteries recharge in the background. A power button292for the steam inhaler100is further operably mounted to the lower housing assembly102.

InFIGS.7-9, the upper housing assembly104includes the housing118defined by first and second housing parts302,304. The first and second housing parts when connected together, for example, via screws threaded into bosses (only bosses310on the second housing part304are visible), define the exterior vent opening268. The steam nozzle124is fastened to the housing118at the location of the outlet portion272of the nozzle conduit section252. A closure member, for example the depicted slider314, is movably mounted within a guide316defined by the housing118between an open position where the exterior vent opening268is open and a closed position where the exterior vent opening is closed. This slider314can be solid, as shown, or have holes or a geometry to better control the steam and temperature in the facemask area. In addition, the upper housing assembly includes an extendable scented pad drawer320configured to releasably hold a scented pad322allowing for customized personal scents to the steam flowing into the mask126. More particularly, the drawer320includes a receptacle326having an opening328sized to receive the scented pad322. In the depicted aspect, a guide finger332extends from the receptacle236and is configured to be movably received in a second guide336provided on the housing118. The guide finger332can be formed with a bump or protrusion340that moves along the second guide336, and the second guide336can be formed with catch342which cooperates with the protrusion340to maintain the drawer in a closed condition. The drawer can be moved between an open condition where the scented pad322can be placed into and out of the receptacle opening328, and the closed position. To allow scent to mix with the steam flowing into the mask, the steam nozzle124includes a bore350formed therein for directing scented air from within the housing118through the steam nozzle124and into the mask126. In the depicted aspect, the drawer320includes a pair of receptacles326for a pair of scented pads322; although this is not required.

With reference toFIGS.2and10-13, the removable water reservoir106includes a container360having a side wall362and a bottom wall364. The side wall362can be an inner side wall with the container360having an outer side wall368. The bottom wall364includes a mount for the filter130. In the depicted aspect, the mount is defined by a stem366extended upwardly from the bottom wall364, and the filter130includes a base370adapted to accommodate the stem. By way of example, the base370can have a cylindrical shaped sleeve372extended therefrom for receiving stem. Alternatively, the base can include an opening or bore for receiving the stem. The filter base370includes a water permeable top plate376and a water permeable bottom plate378connected to the top plate. The bottom plate378is substantially U-shaped in cross-section so as to define a gap between the top and bottom plates. A first filtration media382(e.g., a first sheet of felt, mesh or media with one or more holes) is secured immediately beneath the top plate376and a second filtration media384(e.g., a second sheet of felt, mesh or media with one or more holes) is secured atop the bottom plate378. Between the first filtration media382and the second filtration media384, additional filtering media (e.g. a demineralization media) can be added for treating the water flowing through the filter130. It is understood that different filtering configurations with different combination of media can be used. To secure the filter130within the water reservoir106, the filter is slid onto the stem366, and feet388provided on the bottom plate378space the bottom plate378from the bottom wall364. Further, in the present embodiment the base370is sized slighter smaller than an inner dimension of the container360, and the first filtration media382extends from the base370for engagement with the side wall362of the container360, which substantially prevents water seepage between the side wall362and the base370.

In the depicted aspect of the water reservoir106, the bottom wall364of the container360includes a water outlet390, which is positioned such that any practical orientation during use of the steam inhaler100results in any remaining water in the reservoir106collecting in the area around the outlet390, and therefore, accessible to a first water channel394. A bottom support392secured beneath the container360includes the first water channel394in fluid communication with the outlet390. The stem366includes a second water channel398in fluid communication with the first water channel394. The container360is releasably mounted to a cover400, that is secured and maintained within the lower housing assembly102, for example, by engagement between connectors406provided on an outer surface of the side wall362of the container306and connectors408provided on an inner surface of an outer wall414of the cover40. Although, it should be appreciated that alternative manners for releasably mounting the container360and cover400are contemplated. A top wall416of the cover400includes a recessed portion418having a third water channel424and a first vent tube426which allows air to enter the container360when water is expelled. The third water channel is in fluid communication with the second water channel398of the stem366. A cap430is fitted within the recessed portion418to cover the third water channel424. The cap includes a water outlet conduit or tube432in fluid communication with the third water channel424and a second vent tube436fitted over the first vent tube. Further depicted inFIGS.11-13is an upper seal438fitted within the cover400for engagement with the side wall362of the container360and a seal ring440mounted on the stem366for engagement with an inner surface of a boss444depending from the top wall416of the cover.

In use, with the filter130properly positioned within the container360, water poured into the container initially flows through the filter to fill the gap between the filter base370and the bottom wall364of the container360. The pump112mounted within the lower housing assembly102is adapted to pressurize the water reservoir106to deliver filtered water from the water reservoir to the lower steam chamber150. Upon pressurization of the container360via the pump112, filtered water is forced to flow through the water outlet390, through the first water channel394, through the second water channel398, through the third water channel424and into the outlet tube432. The outlet tube432is fluidly connected to the pump112, and the pump is fluidly connected to the inlet tube190of the lower steam assembly110. At least one of the first and second vent tubes426,436can be adapted to open when pressure in the container360exceeds a predetermined pressure and/or when the steam inhaler is turned off

As is evident from the foregoing, the exemplary steam inhaler100is adapted to generate steam by dripping water from the water reservoir106onto the heater plate156of the heater assembly148located in the lower steam chamber150. The removable water reservoir106with the demineralization in-line filter130provided therein is located beneath the lower steam assembly110, and the pump112is provided to deliver water droplets to the lower steam chamber150. The steam inhaler100can be corded or cordless, is easy to hold, and because the lower steam chamber150is substantially frustoconical shaped in cross-section (seeFIG.6) the steam inhaler100can operate from upright to reclined positions, with incoming water maintaining contact with the heater plate156. The inner wall226of the upper steam housing210that defines the upper steam chamber240can also be tapered relative to the heater plate156to further facilitate this feature. The exemplary fitting212fluidly connects the lower steam chamber150to the mask126and the exterior vent opening268. The exterior vent opening268in fluid communication with the fitting212is adapted to exhaust steam out of a top of the steam inhaler when a user is not inhaling within the mask. A stream of cooler fresh air is added to steam existing the exterior vent opening268via the fresh air conduit section254of the fitting212to lower the temperature of the steam as it exits the steam inhaler. With the shape of the fitting212, when the user wearing the mask126inhales the steam diverts into the nozzle conduit section252of the fitting212and into the mask. However, some portion of the steam flowing through the fitting212can be diverted to the mask when a user is not inhaling to create a sense of warmth. This can be predetermined by the part geometry, or adjustable, through means such as the sliding cover314. The geometry of the fitting212is such that it allows the steam to vent freely out the exterior vent opening268. The Y-connection to the nozzle conduit section252comes from the side which allows steam to naturally bypass the inlet portion270of the nozzle conduit section252and only enter the inlet portion270if there is a lower pressure (i.e. suction) created when the user inhales.

It should be appreciated that the above steam diversion technique provided by the fitting212can prevent burning of a user's face with steam. In addition, to prevent excessive temperatures at the exterior vent opening268which may burn a user's hand if they inadvertently put their hand too close to the exterior vent opening268, a stream of cooler fresh air is added to the vent output to lower the temperature of the steam as it exits the steam inhaler100. The outlet portion282of the fresh air conduit section254of the fitting212is adapted to inject the fresh air “in-line” with the flow of the exiting steam (i.e. aligned with the vent axis). The in-line injection of fresh air prevents any obstruction to the steam or turbulence created by the fresh air at the injection point which can block the steam and send it into the mask126. This cooler fresh air can also be directed to provide cooling to internal components in the steam inhaler100to maintain appropriate and safe operating temperatures. The slider314allows the user to completely close the exterior vent opening268so that all the steam is diverted out the mask.

In addition, because minerals from tap water can cause mineral build-up on the heater plate156, the present steam inhaler100provides the filter130in the removable water reservoir106. As indicated above, the lower steam chamber150is appropriately shaped (e.g., substantially frustoconical shaped in cross-section) to enable use of the steam inhaler100in any position (i.e., an upright to reclined position) by ensuring that the water will remain in contact with heater plate156when the steam inhaler100is horizontal or vertical. The steam inhaler100is further designed such that the upper housing assembly104can separate from the lower housing assembly102to allow access to the lower steam chamber150and heater assembly148(via the removable heater barrier180) for easy cleaning.

It will be appreciated that the above-disclosed embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.