U.S. patent application number 12/322748 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for alkaline humidifier.
Invention is credited to Devaraj Thiruppathi, Prakash Thiruppathi.
Application Number | 20100200398 12/322748 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42539493 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100200398 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thiruppathi; Devaraj ; et
al. |
August 12, 2010 |
Alkaline humidifier
Abstract
An alkaline humidifier for humidifying the environment with
alkaline water ions, wherein water contained in a water tank and
allowed to drain into the electrolysis unit where water is ionized
into, negative alkaline water and positive acidic water and stored
in respective reservoirs whereby the acidic water stored in the
acidic reservoir is emptied at a later time and the alkaline water
stored in the alkaline reservoir is allowed to drain into an
evaporation cavity where it is vaporized by a heating element
whereby humidifying the surrounding environment.
Inventors: |
Thiruppathi; Devaraj;
(Columbus, GA) ; Thiruppathi; Prakash; (Columbus,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Devaraj Thiruppathi
7219 Stone Creek Lane
Columbus
GA
31909
US
|
Family ID: |
42539493 |
Appl. No.: |
12/322748 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
204/274 ;
204/242 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 1/4618 20130101;
C02F 2103/026 20130101; F24F 2006/006 20130101; C02F 1/32 20130101;
C02F 2001/46185 20130101; C02F 2201/4617 20130101; F24F 6/00
20130101; C02F 2001/4619 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
204/274 ;
204/242 |
International
Class: |
C25B 9/00 20060101
C25B009/00 |
Claims
1) A humidifier comprising: a) a water tank; b) an electrolysis
unit through electrolysis means ionizes water into alkaline water
and acidic water; c) an alkaline reservoir; d) a humidification
means to increase humidity into the surrounding environment;
2) The humidifier of claim 1, further comprising an acidic
reservoir;
3) The humidifier of claim 2, wherein said acidic reservoir
containing acidic water is removed by removable means;
4) The humidifier of claim 3, wherein said removable means is an
acidic pipe;
5) The humidifier of claim 4, wherein said alkaline reservoir
through an alkaline water supply means has a valve assembly to
supply alkaline water for evaporation;
6) The humidifier of claim 5, wherein said humidification means
includes a heating element whereby evaporating the alkaline water
to have vapor communication between an evaporation cavity and the
surrounding environment;
7) The humidifier of claim 6, wherein said water tank through
regulation means supplies water into said electrolysis unit by a
tank opening regulator;
8) The humidifier of claim 7, further comprising an ultra-violet
light in the germicidal range;
9) The humidifier of claim 8, wherein said alkaline reservoir
containing alkaline water is removed by removable means through an
alkaline pipe;
10) The humidifier of claim 9, further comprising an water tank cap
filter which removes any impurities out of water and stored in said
water tank and a face hose and a hydration mask for direct
hydration of skin.
11) A humidifier comprising: a) an electrolysis unit through
electrolysis means ionizes water into alkaline water and acidic
water; b) an alkaline reservoir; c) a humidification means to
increase humidity into the surrounding environment;
12) The humidifier of claim 11, further comprising a water
tank;
13) The humidifier of claim 12, further comprising an acidic
reservoir where through removable means acidic water is removed
through a acidic pipe
14) The humidifier of claim 13, wherein said alkaline reservoir
through an alkaline water supply means has a valve assembly to
supply alkaline water for evaporation by said humidification means
which includes a heating element whereby evaporating the alkaline
water to have vapor communication between an evaporation cavity and
the surrounding environment;
15) The humidifier of claim 14, wherein said water tank through
regulation means supplies water into said electrolysis unit by a
tank opening regulator;
16) The humidifier of claim 15, further comprising an ultra-violet
light in the germicidal range and an water tank cap filter which
removes any impurities out of water, a face hose and a hydration
mask for direct hydration of skin;
17) The humidifier of claim 16, wherein said alkaline reservoir
containing alkaline water is removed by removable means through an
alkaline pipe.
18) A humidifier comprising a water tank which through regulation
means supplies water into an electrolysis unit by a tank opening
regulator wherein said electrolysis unit through electrolysis means
ionizes water into alkaline water and acidic water wherein the
acidic water is stored in an acidic reservoir where through
removable means acidic water is removed through an acidic pipe; and
the alkaline water is stored in an alkaline reservoir and through
an alkaline water supply means having a valve assembly to supply
alkaline water for evaporation by a humidification means which
includes a heating element for evaporating the alkaline water to
have vapor communication between an evaporation cavity and a vapor
chamber whereby a fan expel the alkaline vapor into the surrounding
environment;
19) The humidifier of claim 18, further comprising an ultra-violet
light in the germicidal range located adjacent to said alkaline
reservoir and an water tank cap filter threaded onto said water
tank which removes any impurities out of water and stored in said
water tank and a face hose and a hydration mask for direct
hydration of skin;
20) The humidifier of claim 19, wherein said alkaline reservoir
containing alkaline water is removed by removable means through an
alkaline pipe.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to humidifiers, particularly
alkaline humidifier. The invention relates to a humidifier
producing ionized water through electrolysis of water, producing
hydroxyl ion OH.sup.- enriched alkaline water and producing
hydrogen ion H.sup.+ enriched acidic water, wherein the alkaline
water is vaporized with a negative charge to humidify the air and
the acidic water is stored and later drained from humidifier.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A wide variety of methods have been utilized for
conditioning the air by increasing the air humidity. Maintaining a
proper humidity level in a home is important during periods of dry
weather, winter and the summer so that the relative humidity within
the home is comfortable.
[0003] Humidifiers vaporizes water and expel the vapor into the
surrounding environment whereby increasing the moisture in the air.
There are several types of humidifiers and they come in different
shapes and sizes. There are small portable units to humidify small
rooms and large console units to humidify entire homes and
buildings. Humidifiers are well known in the art and they include
ultrasonic, steam, warm air and evaporation type humidifiers. These
types of humidifiers typically include a housing with an inlet and
outlet, a tank for holding water and a fan to create airflow. The
tank is usually removable and holds the water, which can be
refilled. Water is usually transferred form the tank to base
reservoirs through a value assembly located at the bottom of tank.
When the tank is placed on the humidifier unit the valve opens and
allows water to flow into the reservoir. As water flows from tank
to the reservoir, air simultaneously is drawn into tank through the
valve by a vacuum created from the exiting water. When the water
level in the reservoir rises to such a degree that the valve
opening becomes covered with water, a hydrostatic balance is
reached and the flow of water ceases. As water is vaporized, the
reservoir level drops disturbing the balance and resulting in the
continued flow of water from the tank. This controlled flow cycle
ensures that the humidification device will have a supply of water
with which to vaporize, as well as, limiting the amount of water
such that no water spills over the edge of the base reservoir.
There are many different concepts in humidifiers from utilization
of ultraviolet light, having different types of filtration to
having aesthetic appearance of the vapor mist. The invention
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,781 B2 to Mulvanancy et al.
utilizes ultraviolet radiation to sterilize the water from
microorganism. The invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,452
B2 to Rotering et al. has a reverse osmosis filter to trap small
particles. The invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,473 et
al. has a heated cartridge for delivering humidified respiratory
gases to patients.
[0004] Humidifiers primary goal is to provide moisture to the
environment, but there is not a humidifier, which provides humidity
to the air by alkaline water vapor ions. This not only increases
humidity in the air but also aids in the health benefits associated
with alkaline water. The air with negatively charged alkaline water
molecule has beneficial effects in removing particulate
contaminants such as smoking particles or pollens from the air by
transferring charges to such particles. The charged particles are
electrically attracted to nearby surfaces that are electrically
neutral or oppositely charged and are then deposited against
surfaces, therefore purifying the air, similar to air ionizers,
whereas alkaline humidifier also adds humidity to the air.
Additionally, air with a high content of negative ions, alkaline
vapor, is believed to have beneficial physiological effects on
persons who breaths the air. This happens by increasing absorption
and therefore hydrating and moistening the skin due to the
microionization of the water molecule. Acidic water which are
positively charged ions have a multitude of health hazards due to
the acidification of air. Free radicals damage the mucous membrane
in the lung, as well as skin, therefore it is not beneficial to
vaporize. Thus it is desirable to provide a humidifier with an
electrolysis unit, which transforms regular water to ionized water,
which is then separated into alkaline and acidic water, wherein the
negatively charged alkaline water is vaporized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is an alkaline humidifier, which
through electrolysis, disperses alkaline water ions, which are
negatively charged, into the air to increase the healthy alkaline
humidity in the air. Water treated by electrolysis to increase its
reduction potential is the best solution to the problem of
providing a safe source of free electron to block the oxidation of
normal tissues by free oxygen radicals. The alkaline water ions
(OF) can donate its free election to the oxygen radical, whereby
reducing damage to normal cell from oxidation process. Lung tissue
and skin are directly exposed to this damage and this damage can be
reduced by the antioxidant nature of the alkaline water ion vapors.
Through electrolysis, reduced or alkaline water not only gains an
excess amount of electrons but the cluster of water (H.sub.2O) seem
to reduce in size from about 10 to 13 molecule per cluster to about
5 to 6 molecule per cluster increasing absorption. Therefore this
microionization of the water hydrates and moistens the skin and
reduces wrinkles in skin whereby having anti-ageing effects. This
reduced cluster size also reduces the boiling point of ionized
water for faster vaporization. Ordinary tap water is placed in a
water tank through an opening located at the top of the water tank
and a tank bottom opening allows water to flow from the water tank
into an electrolysis unit through gravitation force where tap water
is broken down into smaller clusters and then separated into
alkaline and acidic concentrations, which are then drained into
separate holding reservoirs. The reservoir containing the alkaline
water is vaporized and the reservoir containing the acidic water is
held in the reservoir and removed when full. The acidic water can
be used as a sterilizing agent, ideal for the following; cleaning
food, kitchen utensils, treating minor wounds, athletes foot, minor
burns, insect bites, scratches and much more.
[0006] The electrolysis unit through electrolysis process produces
alkaline and acidic water. The electrolysis unit is equipped with a
platinum-coated titanium electrode where electrolysis takes place.
As a direct electric potential is applied between the electrode,
the hydroxyl ions OH.sup.- being present in water due to
electrolytic dissociation of water molecule will donate electrons
to the anode at the anode-water interface and are thereby oxidized
to form oxygen gas which is then removed away from the system. As a
result, the H.sup.+ concentration is enhanced at the anode-water
interface so that H.sup.+ enriched acidic water is resulted at the
anode-water interface. At the cathode-water interface, on the other
hand, H.sup.+ accepts electron from the cathode and is reduced to
hydrogen to from hydrogen gas, which is similarly eliminated from
the system. As a result, the OH.sup.- concentration is increased
whereby OH.sup.- enriched alkaline water is generated at the
cathode side. After electrolysis, alkaline water comes out of the
cathodic side and acidic water comes out of the anodic side and
deposited into its respective reservoirs. The alkaline reservoir
holding the alkaline water solution will be vaporized. The alkaline
reservoir sits in a base defining a water supply cavity and
supported on the base is a valve actuating stem which interacts
with a valve assembly located at bottom of the alkaline reservoir
whereby having a discharge opening in communication with the water
supply cavity and adapted to maintain a given level of liquid in
water supply cavity; and an electrically energized heater
projecting into the water supply cavity to induce evaporation of
the alkaline water and a vapor chamber where the alkaline water
vapor ions are blown out through an exhaust grill opening by a fan
to the surrounding environment. The acidic reservoir holding the
acidic water solution can be a removable reservoir from the
humidifier or removed through a drainage pipe and used for cleaning
and treating minor wounds. Another embodiment of the alkaline
humidifier is to add a facial hose attached to the exhaust grill
whereby allowing direct vapor application to the face. The
microionization of the alkaline water molecule increases the
absorption therefore reduces wrinkles on the skin.
[0007] Therefore, in accordance with the present invention the
alkaline humidifier through an electrolysis process ionizes tap
water and vaporizes the negative alkaline water to humidify the
surrounding environment. The alkaline humidifier has many
beneficial effects such as reducing oxidation therefore biological
molecules, in particular the lung and skin, are less susceptible to
infection and disease. Ionized alkaline water gives up an extra
electron and reduces the free radical oxygen, rendering it
harmless. Ionized alkaline water is more readily absorbed by the
body than untreated tap water. Ionized alkaline water quickly
permeates the body and blocks the oxidation of biological molecules
by donating its abundant electrons to active oxygen, enabling
biological molecules to replace themselves naturally without damage
caused by oxidation that can cause diseases. Also ionized alkaline
water also has a lower boiling point therefore ionized water is
vaporized faster then untreated tap water. These and other objects,
features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description. It should be
understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific
examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention,
are given by way of illustrations only, since various changes and
modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying
drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not
limitative of the present invention, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the alkaline
humidifier;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the alkaline
humidifier;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the alkaline humidifier
taken along line A-A' in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of water tank in closed
position;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of water tank in open
position;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a plan view tank cap;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the alkaline humidifier
without the water tank;
[0016] FIG. 8 is an illustrative view of the electrolysis unit;
[0017] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the electrolysis unit;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the alkaline humidifier
with water tank cap filter and ultraviolet light;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the alkaline humidifier
with the facial hose and an alkaline pipe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Referring now to the drawings wherein the depictions are for
purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present
invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same. FIG. 1
is a front view of an alkaline humidifier 80 of the present
invention. The alkaline humidifier 80 will take on a tower like
structure to utilize gravity to perform the electrolysis of water.
FIG. 1 depicts a water tank 10 located on topside of humidifier
where a tank cap 4 is removable and threaded onto the water tank
10. The tank cap 4 has a tank cap opening 6 which balances the
pressure within the water tank 10 whereby allows the water to drain
out of water tank 10. On the bottom side of water tank 10 is a tank
opening regulator 8 which allows water to drain out of water tank
10 and into an electrolysis unit 20 as depicted in FIG. 3. The
water tank 10 is removable and is removed from alkaline humidifier
80 to fill with water and then inserted back on to a top base 28,
which supports the water tank 10. FIG. 4 depicts the water tank 10
in a closed position of the tank opening regulator 8, whereby
stopping the water flow. FIG. 5 depicts the water tank 10 in an
open position of the tank opening regulator 8, whereby allowing the
water to flow through a tank bottom opening 2, which respectively
inserted into an electrolysis opening 26 as depicted in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the tank cap 4 with the tank cap opening 6
extending all the way through the tank cap 4 to balance the
pressure within the water tank 10 to allow the water to flow freely
into the electrolysis unit 20 when the tank opening regulator 8 is
in the open position. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of humidifier
with the water tank 10 removed, whereby exposing the top base 28
and a top base opening 29 where the electrolysis opening 26 fits
tightly into and where the tank bottom opening 2 is inserted. An
electrolysis control switch 57 is turned on to send power to the
electrolysis unit 20 to perform electrolysis of water as water
flows by gravitational force into the electrolysis unit 20 and the
water is electrolyzed and separated into ionic water, which is
alkaline water with a negative OH.sup.- ion and an acidic water
with a positive H.sup.+ ion and flows out of the electrolysis unit
20 respectively through an acidic tube 24 corresponding to the
collection of acidic water side and an alkaline tube 22
corresponding to the collection of alkaline water side. The ionized
water respectively flows from the acidic tube 24 into an acidic
reservoir 60 and from the alkaline tube 22 into an alkaline
reservoir 34. The acidic water held in the acidic reservoir 60 is
removed through an acidic pipe 62. The acidic pipe 62 has a pipe
valve 64, which controls the flow of acidic water out of the acidic
reservoir 60. The flow of water out of the acidic reservoir 60 is
aided by an acidic pressure opening 66 located on top of the acidic
reservoir 60, which balances the pressure whereby allowing the
water the flow out. The alkaline reservoir 34, holding the alkaline
water, has a bottom base 30 containing an alkaline reservoir
opening 36, which contains a valve assembly 38 extending into a
water supply cavity 40. A valve actuator stem 32 of the water
supply cavity 40 opens the valve assembly 38 to provide liquid
communication between the alkaline reservoir opening 36 and the
water supply cavity 40. The construction of the valve assembly is
typical of those of the prior art. As alkaline water flows from the
alkaline reservoir 34 into the water supply cavity 40, air
simultaneously is drawn into the alkaline reservoir 34 through the
valve assembly 38 by a vacuum, which is created from the exiting
water. When the alkaline water level in the water supply cavity 40
rises to such a predetermined water level 44 and the valve assembly
38 becomes covered with water, a hydrostatic balance is reached and
the flow of water ceases. When a humidifier control switch 56 is
turned on to vaporize alkaline water by heating a heating element
48 and as alkaline water is vaporized and the alkaline water in the
water supply cavity 40 drops below the predetermined water level 44
disturbing the balance and resulting in the continued flow of
alkaline water from the alkaline reservoir 34. This controlled flow
cycle ensures that the alkaline humidifier 80 will have a supply of
alkaline water with which to vaporize, as well as, limiting the
amount of alkaline water such that no alkaline water spills over
the edge water supply cavity 40.
[0021] A portion of the heating element 48, held by a heating
element holder 46, extends into an evaporation cavity 42 and
evaporates the alkaline water and then the ionized alkaline vapor
flows upwards into a vapor chamber 50, where the ionized alkaline
vapor is expelled out of the vapor chamber 50 by a fan 54 through
an exhaust grill 52 which provides vapor communication between the
evaporation cavity 42 and the surrounding environment.
[0022] FIG. 8 is construction of the electrolysis unit 20, typical
of those of the prior art. FIG. 8 is an illustrative view of a
typical electrolysis unit where a cathode 16 and an anode 18 are
platinum coated titanium and as a direct electric potential is
applied between the electrodes through a cathode power connector 19
connected to the cathode 16 and an anode power connector 11
connected to the anode 18, therefore water is subjected to
electrolysis, creating an alkaline water flow and an acidic water
flow which is separated by a membrane 17.
[0023] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the electrolysis unit 20,
which will be described by way of an example, which includes an
electrolysis cover 12 made of rigid plastics and is pressure
resistant. Located on the electrolysis cover 12 is the electrolysis
opening 26, cathode power connector 19 and anode power connector
11. As water is electrolyzed and flows through the electrolysis
unit 20, the acidic water flows out of an acidic cavity 14
connected to the acidic tube 24 and the alkaline water flows out of
an alkaline cavity 15 connected to the alkaline tube 22 protruding
out of a fastening cover 13. The anode 18, the membrane 17 and
cathode 16 are recessed within the electrolysis cover 12 and
respectively connected to an anode terminal 23 and a cathode
terminal 21 which is respectively connected to the anode power
connector 11 and cathode power connector 19 for electrical
connection to a DC power source.
[0024] FIG. 10 is another embodiment of alkaline humidifier 80 with
a water tank cap filter 72 and an ultraviolet light 78 to kill
microorganisms. The water tank cap filter 72 is threaded onto water
tank 10 and a filter tube 74 extend out of water tank cap filter 72
at one end and connects to the nozzle of water faucet (not shown).
Tap water is forced through the water tank cap filter 72 by water
pressure from faucet and filter out of a filter tube 76 and into
water tank 10. The ultraviolet light 78 is placed adjacent to the
alkaline reservoir 34 to radiate the alkaline water to kill
microorganisms. When the humidifier control switch 56 is turned on
it also activates the ultraviolet light 78.
[0025] FIG. 11 is yet another embodiment of alkaline humidifier 80
with a face hose 71 which attaches to the exhaust grill 52 at one
end and attaches to a face hydration mask 73 at the other end for
targeted spot alkaline vapor hydration to the face to reduce
wrinkles and to obtain an anti-ageing effect. FIG. 11 also depicts
an alkaline pipe 75 for the removal of the ionized water in the
alkaline reservoir 34.
* * * * *