US5318731A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Humidifier
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1993-06-17
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Granted: 1994-06-07
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Expires: 2013-06-17
Abstract
Abstract In a humidifier, its humidifier body is formed as follows: A plurality of ribs 3 made of a flexible material are fixedly adhered to the inner surface 1a of a tubular film structure 1 made of a moisture permeable film 2 in such a manner that the ribs are extended in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the tubular film structure, and the tubular film structures 1 and spacer boards 4 adapted to form spaces outside the tubular film structures into which air is supplied, are alternately laid one on another. Whereby, it is provided a humidifier which is excellent in water supply characteristic, high in humidification, and low in air resistance.
Inventors
- 👤 Hisao Yokoya
- 👤 Kenzo Takahashi
- 👤 Shigeo Makimura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:32
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F6/00; F24F6/02; F24F6/04; F24F3/00; F24F3/12; F24F3/14; F24F2003/1435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A humidifier comprising: a tubular film structure made of a moisture permeable film for supplying water thereinto so that air supplied to the outer surface of said tubular film structure is allowed to contain steam passed through said moisture permeable film; a plurality of ribs made of a flexible material which is fixedly adhered to an inner surface of said tubular film structure in such a manner that said ribs are extended in parallel with a longitudinal axis of said tubular film structure; and a plurality of spacer boards for defining spaces outside said tubular film structure into which air is supplied; wherein said tubular film structures and said spacer boards are alternately laid One On another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A humidifier comprising: a tubular film structure made of a moisture permeable film for supplying water thereinto so that air supplied to the outer surface of said tubular film structure is allowed to contain steam passed through said moisture permeable film; a plurality of ribs made of a flexible material which is fixedly adhered to an inner surface of said tubular film structure in such a manner that said ribs are extended in parallel with a longitudinal axis of said tubular film structure; and a plurality of spacer boards for defining spaces outside said tubular film structure into which air is supplied; wherein said tubular film structures and said spacer boards are alternately laid One On another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A humidifier as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ribs are formed integral with said tubular film structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
148 words
A humidifier comprising: a tubular film structure made of a moisture permeable film for supplying water thereinto so that air supplied to the outer surface of said tubular film structure is allowed to contain steam passed through said moisture permeable film; a plurality of ribs made of a flexible material which is fixedly adhered to substantially half of an inner surface of said tubular film structure in such a manner that said ribs are extended in parallel with a longitudinal axis of said tubular film structure; and a plurality of spacer boards for defining spaces outside said tubular film structure into which air is supplied, said spacer boards being placed on an outer surface of said tubular film structure; wherein said tubular film structures and said spacer boards are alternately laid one on another, and spirally wound with said ribs set closer to the center of the spiral.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
148 words
A humidifier comprising: a tubular film structure made of a moisture permeable film for supplying water thereinto so that air supplied to the outer surface of said tubular film structure is allowed to contain steam passed through said moisture permeable film; a plurality of ribs made of a flexible material which is fixedly adhered to substantially half of an inner surface of said tubular film structure in such a manner that said ribs are extended in parallel with a longitudinal axis of said tubular film structure; and a plurality of spacer boards for defining spaces outside said tubular film structure into which air is supplied, said spacer boards being placed on an outer surface of said tubular film structure; wherein said tubular film structures and said spacer boards are alternately laid one on another, and spirally wound with said ribs set closer to the center of the spiral.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A humidifier as claimed in claim 3, wherein said spacer board is fixedly adhered to a part of the outer surface of said tubular film structure to the inner surface of which part said ribs have been fixedly adhered.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A humidifier as claimed in claim 3, wherein said moisture permeable film is a non-porous moisture permeable film material, and said humidifier further comprising a pipe-shaped porous hollow member which inhibits passage of water and permits passage of air, said hollow member being inserted into said tubular film structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A humidifier as claimed in claim 3, wherein said ribs are fixedly adhered to whole inner surface of the tubular film structure in such a manner that they are arranged substantially at equal intervals and in parallel with the longitudinal axis thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A humidifier as claimed in claim 3 wherein said ribs are formed integral with said tubular film structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1997-06-06 | 1997-12-06 | 1998-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-06 | 2001-12-06 | 2002-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-06 | 2005-12-06 | 2006-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |