US5374381A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Evaporative element for a humidifier and method of making the same
Assignee: RPS Products Inc
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Filing: 1993-11-19
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Granted: 1994-12-20
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Expires: 2013-11-19
Abstract
Abstract An evaporative element or cartridge especially useful in humidifiers comprises a plurality of stacked slit and expanded wicking paper layers, and means for supporting the wicking paper. The supporting means may comprise a layer of slit and expanded metal sandwiched in between the stacked wicking paper layers. The stacked wicking paper and metal layers are held together with an adhesive. Alternatively, the supporting means may comprise a rigid frame on the side edges of the stacked wicking paper layers, the frame having prongs engaging the wicking paper layers. Each layer of stacked wicking paper is staggered with respect to adjoining layers. The wicking paper has superior capillary rise of 79 to 112 mm/min.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard P. Schuld
- 👤 Daniel E. Schuld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:03
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01F; B01F23/00; B01F23/20; B01F23/21; B01F23/215; F; F24; F24F; F24F6/00; F24F6/02; F24F6/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/41; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1003; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24149; Y10T428/24165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
An evaporative element for a humidifier or the like, comprising: a plurality of stacked layers of slit and expanded wicking paper; at least one layer of perforated, substantially rigid material juxtaposed to at least one of said layers of wicking paper for supporting said layers of wicking paper; and adhesive means for bonding said layers of paper together and for bonding said rigid material layer to said paper layers, forming a laminated evaporative element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
An evaporative element for a humidifier or the like, comprising: a plurality of stacked layers of slit and expanded wicking paper; at least one layer of perforated, substantially rigid material juxtaposed to at least one of said layers of wicking paper for supporting said layers of wicking paper; and adhesive means for bonding said layers of paper together and for bonding said rigid material layer to said paper layers, forming a laminated evaporative element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
An evaporative element as in claim 1, wherein each of said layers of slit and expanded wicking paper comprises a lattice of bridges and strings defining said multiplicity of openings, at least a portion of said layers of wicking paper being staggered in relation to adjoining layers of said wicking paper so that the openings in the respective adjoining layers are staggered in relation to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
An evaporative element as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of layers of wicking paper comprises a first layer of wicking paper having bridges and strings defining said openings in said first layer and a second layer of wicking paper have bridges and strings defining said openings in said second layer, and wherein the openings of said first layer are substantially smaller than the openings in said second layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An evaporative element as in claim 3, wherein said plurality of layers of wicking paper comprises alternating first and second layers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An evaporative element as in claim 1, wherein said at least one perforated rigid material layer comprises a layer of slit and expanded metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An evaporative element as in claim 1, comprising plural layers of said perforated rigid material, and wherein at least one layer of said layers of wicking paper being sandwiched in between said rigid material layers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An evaporative element as in claim 6, wherein said plural layers of perforated rigid material comprise slit and expanded metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An evaporative element as in claim 1, wherein said rigid material layer is sandwiched between said layers of wicking paper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
An evaporative element as in claim 1, wherein said layer of rigid material comprises a slit and expanded metal lattice of bridges and strings forming openings therebetween, said openings comprising the perforations in said perforated rigid material layer, said bridges being about 1/8 inch wide, and said openings being about 1/2 inch long by about 1/4 inch wide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An evaporative element as in claim 1, wherein said wicking paper has a Frazier permeability of at least 30 cfm/ft 2 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An evaporative element as in claim 1, wherein said wicking paper has a capillary rise of at least 79 millimeters per minute.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
An evaporative element for a humidifier, comprising: a multiplicity of layers of slit and expanded wicking paper, each said layer having a lattice of bridges and strings defining openings therein, each said layer of wicking paper being stacked one to the other, the openings in each layer being staggered in relation to adjoining layers, said wicking paper having a capillary rise of at least 79 mm per minute; at least one layer of slit and expanded metal sandwiched between said multiplicity of layers of slit and expanded wicking paper; and means for holding together said layers of wicking paper and said layer of metal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
104 words
An evaporative element for a humidifier, comprising: a multiplicity of layers of slit and expanded wicking paper, each said layer having a lattice of bridges and strings defining openings therein, each said layer of wicking paper being stacked one to the other, the openings in each layer being staggered in relation to adjoining layers, said wicking paper having a capillary rise of at least 79 mm per minute; at least one layer of slit and expanded metal sandwiched between said multiplicity of layers of slit and expanded wicking paper; and means for holding together said layers of wicking paper and said layer of metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
An evaporative element as in claim 12, comprising plural layers of slit and expanded metal, and wherein at least one of said layers of wicking paper is sandwiched between said plural layers of slit and expanded metal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
An evaporative element for a humidifier comprising: a plurality of stacked layers of slit and expanded wicking paper; and at least one layer of slit and expanded metal sandwiched between said layers of wicking paper.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
An evaporative element for a humidifier comprising: a plurality of stacked layers of slit and expanded wicking paper; and at least one layer of slit and expanded metal sandwiched between said layers of wicking paper.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of making a humidifier wicking element, comprising the steps of slitting and expanding a plurality of sheets of wicking paper, stacking the layers of wicking paper, slitting and expanding at least one layer of metal foil, placing the layer of metal foil juxtaposed to the layers of wicking paper, and laminating the paper and metal layers together into a composite wicking element.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of making a humidifier wicking element, comprising the steps of slitting and expanding a plurality of sheets of wicking paper, stacking the layers of wicking paper, slitting and expanding at least one layer of metal foil, placing the layer of metal foil juxtaposed to the layers of wicking paper, and laminating the paper and metal layers together into a composite wicking element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 15, wherein an adhesive is used in laminating the paper and metal layers together.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein a plurality of layers of metal foil are slit and expanded and juxtaposed to the paper layers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 17 wherein at least one layer of the slit and expanded paper is sandwiched between the layers of metal foil.
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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) | 1997-12-19 | 1998-06-20 | 1998-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-19 | 2002-06-20 | 2002-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-19 | 2006-06-20 | 2006-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |