US5210818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leak proof humidifier
Assignee: Kaz Inc
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Filing: 1991-12-23
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Granted: 1993-05-11
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Expires: 2011-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A humidifier including a base defining a reservoir adapted to retain water to be evaporated and a cavity adapted to receive leakage; an evaporator for inducing evaporation of water retained by the reservoir; a tank removably supported by the base and having a bottom wall defining a discharge opening communicating with the reservoir and an inlet opening communicating with the cavity; and wall means surrounding the inlet opening and extending from the tank into the cavity. Liquid in the cavity produces a seal that prevents undesirable leakage from the inlet opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Jui-Shang Wang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:50
CPC Classifications
F; F22; F22B; F22B1/00; F22B1/28; F22B1/284; F24; F24F; F24F6/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A humidifier comprising: base means defining a reservoir; humidifier means for inducing dispersal of water retained by said reservoir; a tank removably supported by said base means and having a bottom wall defining discharge opening means communicating with said reservoir and adapted to provide a controlled discharge of liquid from said tank to said reservoir so as to maintain a given liquid level therein; said bottom wall further defining an inlet opening for filling said tank; a removable cap closing said inlet opening; and leakage control means comprising a cavity communicating with said inlet opening and said reservoir, and wall means enclosing said inlet opening and projecting downwardly from said bottom wall into said cavity, said wall means having a lower periphery disposed entirely below a predetermined level not substantially above said given level so as to form with liquid in said cavity a liquid seal that prevents leakage flowing between said cap and said tank from substantially increasing the liquid level in said reservoir above said given level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A humidifier comprising: base means defining a reservoir; humidifier means for inducing dispersal of water retained by said reservoir; a tank removably supported by said base means and having a bottom wall defining discharge opening means communicating with said reservoir and adapted to provide a controlled discharge of liquid from said tank to said reservoir so as to maintain a given liquid level therein; said bottom wall further defining an inlet opening for filling said tank; a removable cap closing said inlet opening; and leakage control means comprising a cavity communicating with said inlet opening and said reservoir, and wall means enclosing said inlet opening and projecting downwardly from said bottom wall into said cavity, said wall means having a lower periphery disposed entirely below a predetermined level not substantially above said given level so as to form with liquid in said cavity a liquid seal that prevents leakage flowing between said cap and said tank from substantially increasing the liquid level in said reservoir above said given level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A humidifier according to claim 1 including a valve mounted in said discharge opening means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A humidifier according to claim 2 wherein said discharge opening means comprises annular skirt means projecting downwardly into said reservoir.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A humidifier according to claim 1 wherein said discharge opening means and said inlet opening are defined in different regions of said bottom wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
143 words
A humidifier comprising: base means defining a reservoir for retaining liquid; humidifier means for inducing dispersal of liquid retained by said reservoir; a tank comprising a vessel having an open end and a lid permanently sealed in said open end along a joint lying in said reservoir below a given plane and forming a bottom wall for said vessel, said tank being removably supported by said base means; and a liquid discharge opening means defined in said bottom wall, communicating with said reservoir and adapted to provide a controlled discharge of liquid from said tank to said reservoir so as to maintain a given liquid level therein, and wherein said given plane is at substantially said given level such that liquid in said reservoir at the level of said plane creates a liquid seal that prevents leakage between said tank and said lid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
A humidifier comprising: base means defining a reservoir for retaining liquid; humidifier means for inducing dispersal of liquid retained by said reservoir; a tank comprising a vessel having an open end and a lid permanently sealed in said open end along a joint lying in said reservoir below a given plane and forming a bottom wall for said vessel, said tank being removably supported by said base means; and a liquid discharge opening means defined in said bottom wall, communicating with said reservoir and adapted to provide a controlled discharge of liquid from said tank to said reservoir so as to maintain a given liquid level therein, and wherein said given plane is at substantially said given level such that liquid in said reservoir at the level of said plane creates a liquid seal that prevents leakage between said tank and said lid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A humidifier according to claim 5 wherein said given plane is below said given level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
A humidifier comprising: base means defining a reservoir; humidifier means for inducing dispersal of water retained by said reservoir; a tank removably supported by said base means and having a bottom wall having an inlet opening defined by a tube projecting downwardly into said reservoir, said tube having a threaded lower interior portion; discharge means providing a controlled discharge of liquid from said tank to said reservoir so as to maintain a given liquid level therein; and a removable cap closing said inlet opening and having a threaded exterior portion engaged with said lower interior portion said tube and said cap defining an annular space having a lowermost portion lying at substantially said given level such that liquid in said reservoir at substantially said given level forms a liquid seal that prevents leakage through said annular space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
137 words
A humidifier comprising: base means defining a reservoir; humidifier means for inducing dispersal of water retained by said reservoir; a tank removably supported by said base means and having a bottom wall having an inlet opening defined by a tube projecting downwardly into said reservoir, said tube having a threaded lower interior portion; discharge means providing a controlled discharge of liquid from said tank to said reservoir so as to maintain a given liquid level therein; and a removable cap closing said inlet opening and having a threaded exterior portion engaged with said lower interior portion said tube and said cap defining an annular space having a lowermost portion lying at substantially said given level such that liquid in said reservoir at substantially said given level forms a liquid seal that prevents leakage through said annular space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A humidifier according to claim 7 wherein said cap comprises a closure portion closing said inlet opening and gripping surfaces projecting transverse to said closure portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A humidifier according to claim 8 wherein said gripping surfaces are defined by ribs projecting outwardly from said closure portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A humidifier according to claim 7 wherein said tank comprises a vessel with an open bottom, and a lid permanently sealed in said open bottom; and said tube projects downwardly from said lid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-10 | 1996-11-09 | 1997-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-10 | 2000-11-09 | 2001-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-10 | 2004-11-09 | 2005-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |