US5800741A — Evaporative humidifier having wick filter with co…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 37 words

A filter for use with an evaporative humidifier comprising: a filter made of a water absorbant material, and a color change indicator on a surface of said filter for providing indication when said filter should be replaced.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 37 words

A filter for use with an evaporative humidifier comprising: a filter made of a water absorbant material, and a color change indicator on a surface of said filter for providing indication when said filter should be replaced.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 27 words

The filter as recited in claim 1, wherein said color change indicator is in the form of a painted strip on an inner surface of said filter.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

The filter as recited in claim 2, wherein said filter is formed of a cellulose or cotton material.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 76 words

The filter as recited in claim 3, wherein said color change indicator strip comprises a combination of at least two dyes wherein at least one of the dyes is substantive to the filter material while at least one of the dyes remains soluble in water, whereby exposure of the wick filter to water over a prolonged period of time causes dissolution or diffusion of one dye element thereby causing a color change in said indicator strip.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 34 words

The filter as recited in claim 4, wherein said dyes have differential substantiveness to the filter material, one dye being substantive to the filter material and the other dye remaining slightly soluble in water.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 28 words

The filter as recited in claim 5, wherein a first substantive dye includes Direct Red dye, and a second slightly water soluble non-substantive dye includes Acid Blue dye.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

The filter as recited in claim 6, wherein the dyes are Acid Blue 83 (C.I. 42660) and Direct Red 23 (C.I. 29160).

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 53 words

The filter as recited in claim 7, wherein said filter further includes a permeable support structure on an outer surface of said filter and is integral with the filter structure, said filter and permeable support structure forming a cylindrical shape in which the permeable support is on an outer surface of said cylinder.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 37 words

The filter as recited in claim 8, wherein said support comprises an expanded support frame bonded to said outer cylindrical surface of the wick filter and whereby the filter comprising a filter made of an expanded material.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 15 words

The filter as recited in claim 9, wherein said support frame is formed of aluminum.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 127 words

A filter for use with an evaporative humidifier comprising: a wick filter structure made of a water absorbing material with a permeable support structure on an outer surface of said wick filter which is integral with the wick filter structure, the wick filter and permeable support structure forming a cylindrical shape in which the permeable support is on an outer surface of said cylinder, wherein, said support comprises an expandable mesh support frame bonded to said outer cylindrical surface of the wick filter, said support frame is formed of aluminum, said wick filter material is formed of an expanded cotton or cellulose, and said wick filter further includes a color change indicator disposed on a surface thereof for providing indication when said wick filter should be replaced.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 127 words

A filter for use with an evaporative humidifier comprising: a wick filter structure made of a water absorbing material with a permeable support structure on an outer surface of said wick filter which is integral with the wick filter structure, the wick filter and permeable support structure forming a cylindrical shape in which the permeable support is on an outer surface of said cylinder, wherein, said support comprises an expandable mesh support frame bonded to said outer cylindrical surface of the wick filter, said support frame is formed of aluminum, said wick filter material is formed of an expanded cotton or cellulose, and said wick filter further includes a color change indicator disposed on a surface thereof for providing indication when said wick filter should be replaced.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 76 words

The evaporative humidifier as recited in claim 11 wherein, said color change indicator comprises a combination of at least two dyes wherein at least one of the dyes is substantive to the filter material while at least one of the dyes remains soluble in water, whereby exposure of the wick filter to water over a prolonged period of time causes dissolution or diffusion of one dye element thereby causing a color change in said indicator strip.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 15 words

The filter, as recited in claim 11, wherein said wick filter material includes an algicide.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 137 words

A evaporative humidifier comprising: a. a base including a portion defining a reservoir for holding water, b. a housing mounted on said base over said reservoir said housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, c. a cylindrically shaped wick filter seated in said reservoir and extending into said housing, said cylindrically shaped wick filter having an open end and a sidewall, and d. a fan inside said housing for drawing air into said housing through said air inlet then into said cylindrically shaped wick filter through said open end, then out through said sidewall of said cylindrically shaped wick filter and then out of said housing through said air outlet, wherein said wick filter further includes a color change indicator disposed on said wick filter for providing indication when said wick filter should be replaced.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 137 words

A evaporative humidifier comprising: a. a base including a portion defining a reservoir for holding water, b. a housing mounted on said base over said reservoir said housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, c. a cylindrically shaped wick filter seated in said reservoir and extending into said housing, said cylindrically shaped wick filter having an open end and a sidewall, and d. a fan inside said housing for drawing air into said housing through said air inlet then into said cylindrically shaped wick filter through said open end, then out through said sidewall of said cylindrically shaped wick filter and then out of said housing through said air outlet, wherein said wick filter further includes a color change indicator disposed on said wick filter for providing indication when said wick filter should be replaced.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 30 words

The evaporative humidifier as recited in claim 14 wherein said wick filter further includes an inner cylindrically shaped sidewall, the inner surface of said sidewall including said color change indicator.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 25 words

The evaporative humidifier as recited in claim 15, wherein said color change indicator is in the form of a painted strip on said inner surface.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 20 words

The evaporative humidifier as recited in claim 16, wherein said wick filter is formed of a cellulose or cotton material.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 75 words

The evaporative humidifier as recited in claim 17, wherein said color change indicator strip comprises a combination of at least two dyes wherein at least one of the dyes is substantive to cellulose while at least one of the dyes remains soluble in water whereby exposure of the wick filter to water over a prolonged period of time causes dissolution or diffusion of one dye element thereby causing a color change in said indicator strip.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 30 words

The evaporative humidifier as recited in claim 18, wherein said dyes have differential substantiveness to cellulose, one being substantive to the cellulose and the other remaining slightly soluble in water.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 32 words

The evaporative humidifier as recited in claim 19, wherein a first cellulose substantive dye includes Direct Red dye, and a second slightly water soluble non-substantive to cellulose dye includes Acid Blue dye.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 23 words

The evaporative humidifier as recited in claim 20, wherein the dyes are Acid Blue 83 (C.I. 42660) and Direct Red 23 (C.I. 29160).

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 194 words

An evaporative humidifier comprising: a. a base including a portion defining a reservoir for holding water, b. a housing mounted on said base over said reservoir, said housing including a cylindrically shaped sidewall having an air inlet and an air outlet, c. a cylindrically shaped wick filter seated in said reservoir and extending into said housing, said cylindrically shaped wick filter having an open end an a sidewall, d. a permeable support structure formed on an outer surface of said wick filter and which is integral with the wick filter, e. a fan inside said housing for drawing air into said housing through said air inlet then into the area inside the sidewall of said cylindrically shaped wick filter through said open end, then out through said sidewall of said cylindrically shaped wick filter and then out of said housing through said air outlet, f. a deflector for deflecting the air drawn in down into said cylindrically shaped wick filter, and g. a pair of removable water supply tanks positioned adjacent opposite sides of the humidifier housing and having curved recesses which conform to the curvature of the cylindrically shaped sidewall of the housing.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 194 words

An evaporative humidifier comprising: a. a base including a portion defining a reservoir for holding water, b. a housing mounted on said base over said reservoir, said housing including a cylindrically shaped sidewall having an air inlet and an air outlet, c. a cylindrically shaped wick filter seated in said reservoir and extending into said housing, said cylindrically shaped wick filter having an open end an a sidewall, d. a permeable support structure formed on an outer surface of said wick filter and which is integral with the wick filter, e. a fan inside said housing for drawing air into said housing through said air inlet then into the area inside the sidewall of said cylindrically shaped wick filter through said open end, then out through said sidewall of said cylindrically shaped wick filter and then out of said housing through said air outlet, f. a deflector for deflecting the air drawn in down into said cylindrically shaped wick filter, and g. a pair of removable water supply tanks positioned adjacent opposite sides of the humidifier housing and having curved recesses which conform to the curvature of the cylindrically shaped sidewall of the housing.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 212 words

An evaporative humidifier comprising: a. a base including a portion defining a reservoir for holding water, b. a housing mounted on said base over said reservoir, said housing including a cylindrically shaped sidewall having an air inlet and an air outlet, c. a cylindrically shaped wick filter seated in said reservoir and extending into said housing, said cylindrically shaped wick filter having an open end an a sidewall, d. a permeable support structure formed an outer surface of said wick filter and which is integral with the wick filter, e. a color change indicator disposed on said wick for providing indication when said wick filter should be replaced, f. a fan inside said housing for drawing air into said housing through said air inlet then into the area inside the sidewall of said cylindrically shaped wick filter through said open end, then out through said sidewall of said cylindrically shaped wick filter and then out of said housing through said air outlet, g. a deflector for deflecting the air drawn in down into said cylindrically shaped wick filter, and h. a pair of removable water supply tanks positioned adjacent opposite sides of the humidifier housing and having curved recesses which conform to the curvature of the cylindrically shaped sidewall of the housing.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 212 words

An evaporative humidifier comprising: a. a base including a portion defining a reservoir for holding water, b. a housing mounted on said base over said reservoir, said housing including a cylindrically shaped sidewall having an air inlet and an air outlet, c. a cylindrically shaped wick filter seated in said reservoir and extending into said housing, said cylindrically shaped wick filter having an open end an a sidewall, d. a permeable support structure formed an outer surface of said wick filter and which is integral with the wick filter, e. a color change indicator disposed on said wick for providing indication when said wick filter should be replaced, f. a fan inside said housing for drawing air into said housing through said air inlet then into the area inside the sidewall of said cylindrically shaped wick filter through said open end, then out through said sidewall of said cylindrically shaped wick filter and then out of said housing through said air outlet, g. a deflector for deflecting the air drawn in down into said cylindrically shaped wick filter, and h. a pair of removable water supply tanks positioned adjacent opposite sides of the humidifier housing and having curved recesses which conform to the curvature of the cylindrically shaped sidewall of the housing.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-08-31	2002-03-02	2002-09-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-08-31	2006-03-02	2006-09-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-08-31	2010-03-02	2010-09-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Evaporative humidifier having wick filter with color change indicator

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