Michael Francis Docherty

US Patent:

6945519, Sep 20, 2005

Filed:

Sep 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/670624

Inventors:

Kenneth R. Parker - Delray Beach FL, US
Michael E. Docherty - Boca Raton FL, US
Gabriel S. Kohn - Boca Raton FL, US

Assignee:

Sunbeam Products, Inc. - Boca Raton FL

International Classification:

B01F003/04

US Classification:

261 26, 261 96, 261 99, 261105, 261DIG 46

Abstract:

A humidifier has a first sealable reservoir feeding water to a second reservoir communicating with ambient atmosphere. A blower is adapted to blow a stream of air through the humidifier to ambient atmosphere, such that the stream of air picks up water vapor from any water that may be in the second reservoir. A feeder valve feeds a quickly-evaporable quantity of water from the first reservoir into the second reservoir. The quickly-evaporable quantity of water in the second reservoir is substantially smaller than the water capacity of the first reservoir. A dry-out mechanism shuts off the feeder valve upon a user command and continues to run the blower at least until the quickly-evaporable quantity of water has evaporated to an extent effective in inhibiting the growth of microorganisms in the microorganism-vulnerable reservoir.