Patent EP0707179A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0707179A2
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EP
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Humidifier assembly
Assignee: Japan Gore Tex Inc
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Filing: 1995-10-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2015-10-12
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides an assembly of humidification elements (10) for use in a humidifier unit. The elements consist of porous polymeric membranes (1,2) and support materials formed into planar envelope-type or hollow tubular configurations which are treated with a water- and oil repellent organic polymer in such a way that at least a portion of the structure forming the pores is coated with the organic polymer, yet the pore volume and air permeability of the porous materials are only minimally affected. Assemblies having spiral-wound, folded, and parallel arrangements of elements are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Sadakatsu Hamasaki
- 👤 Yoshihiko Shibata
- 👤 Yoichi Shimizu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:41
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F6/00; F24F6/02; F24F6/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
An assembly for a humidifier unit, said assembly having at least one humidification element, each said element having an interior region, a porous wall enclosing and defining said interior region, an outer surface, and having at least one port which provides access to said interior region for passage of air or water, said element sealed at its edges, ends, and ports to prevent leakage; each said humidification element comprising a porous water-vapor permeation layer of porous polymeric material, said water-vapor permeation material having a structure defining interconnected pores and passageways wherein at least a portion of said structure is coated with a water- and oil-repellent organic polymer, and wherein the porosity, of said water-vapor permeation material is substantially maintained; each said element disposed in said assembly so that water, on one side of said wall, and air, on the opposite side of said wall, fully contact the porous surface of said wall on their respective sides.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 1, wherein each said element has essentially a planar envelope form, the planar length and width dimensions greater than the thickness dimension; each said element further comprising a core layer of porous material selected from the group consisting of nonwoven fabric, knit fabric, woven fabric or mesh of synthetic polymers, said porous core material having continuous interconnected pores and passageways throughout whereby liquid water can penetrate to fill the pore volume of the layer; said porous water-vapor permeation layer of porous polymeric material being laminated to the opposed planar surfaces of said porous core layer, said element having at least one port which provides access to said core layer for passage of water, and said element sealed at its edges, ends, and water ports to prevent leakage of water; said element disposed in said assembly so that said outer surface is spaced apart from an adjacent outer surface so as to form a gap between said surfaces for passage of air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 2, wherein the water- and oil-repellent organic polymer is an aqueous latex in which particles of an organic polymer having recurring pendant perfluorinated organic side chains are present and in which the particles have an average size between 0.01 and 0.5 micrometers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 3, wherein the organic polymer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers derived from fluoroalkyl acrylates, fluoroalkyl methacrylates, fluoroalkyl aryl urethanes, fluoroalkyl allyl urethanes, fluoroalkyl maleic acid esters, fluoroalkyl urethane acrylates, fluoroalkyl acrylamides, and fluoroalkyl sulfonamide acrylates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 2, wherein the porous water-vapor permeation material comprises porous expanded polytertrafluoroethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 3, wherein the porous water-vapor permeation material comprises porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 4, wherein the porous water-vapor permeation material comprises porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 1, wherein each said element has essentially a hollow tubular form.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 8, wherein the water- and oil-repellent organic polymer is an aqueous latex in which particles of an organic polymer having recurring pendant perfluorinated organic side chains are present and in which the particles have an average size between 0.01 and 0.5 micrometers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 9, wherein the organic polymer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers derived from fluoroalkyl acrylates, fluoroalkyl methacrylates, fluoroalkyl aryl urethanes, fluoroalkyl allyl urethanes, fluoroalkyl maleic acid esters, fluoroalkyl urethane acrylates, fluoroalkyl acrylamides, and fluoroalkyl sulfonamide acrylates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 8, wherein the porous water-vapor permeation material comprises porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 9, wherein the porous water-vapor permeation material comprises porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 10, wherein the porous water-vapor permeation material comprises porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 1 wherein said element is disposed in a spiral configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 1 wherein said element is disposed in a folded configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 1 wherein a plurality of said elements is disposed in essentially parallel relationship.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
125 words
The assembly for a humidifier unit as recited in Claim 2, wherein a plurality of said elements is disposed in essentially parallel relationship, each said element having, on each planar surface facing an adjacent element, at least one port accessing said interior region for passage of water, said ports being in linear alignment throughout said assembly; said assembly further comprising a plurality of flat plates, each said plate having an opening therethrough for passage of water, said plates interposed between said ported element surfaces with said openings in alignment with said ports, said plates tightly bonded to each adjacent element surface, thereby forming a seal around each said port, and providing a unitary sub-assembly of joined elements and plates to facilitate installation in said assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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