Humidifier with float activated water level responsive turn off

Abstract

A humidifier including a base defining a reservoir for retaining a liquid volume having an upper surface; a humidification unit removably mounted on the base and having an electrically energized humidifier adapted to induce dispersion of liquid retained by the reservoir, and a switch adapted in an active condition to energize the humidifier and in an inactive condition to cause deenergization thereof; and an actuator retained by the base and adapted for movement between activating and inactivating positions with respect to the switch, the actuator adapted in its activating positions to actuate the switch into its active condition and in its inactivating positions to actuate the switch into its inactive condition and wherein both given changes in the level of the upper surface and movement of the humidification unit relative to the base produce the controlling movement of the .[.actuator.]. .Iadd.switch.Iaddend.. Mounting of a switch on a removable humidification unit and an actuator for the switch in a base supporting the unit facilitates desired shut-off in response to either an inadequate water supply or removal of the unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.comprising: a base .[.means.]. defining a reservoir for retaining a liquid volume having an upper surface;   a humidification unit removably mounted on said base .[.means.]. and comprising an electrically energized humidifier .[.means.]. adapted to induced dispersion of liquid retained by said reservoir, a flow passage including a receiving end communicating with said reservoir and a discharge end for discharging dispersed liquid received therefrom, and .Iadd.a .Iaddend.switch .[.means.]. adapted in an active condition to energize said humidifier .[.means.]. and in an inactive condition to cause deenergization thereof; .[.and.].   an actuator .[.means.]. retained by said base .[.means.]. and adapted for movement between activating and inactivating positions with respect to said switch .[.means.]., said actuator .[.means.]. adapted in said activating positions to actuate said switch .[.means.]. into said active condition and in said inactivating positions to actuate said switch .[.means.]. into said inactive condition and wherein both given changes in the level of said upper surface and movement of said humidification unit relative to said base .[.means.]. produce said movement of said .[.actuator means.]. .Iadd.switch; and   a guide for guiding movement of said actuator between said activating and inactivating positions.Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim 1 wherein said humidifier .[.means.]. comprises a blower .[.means.]. adapted to produce air flow through said passage between said receiving end and said discharge end. 
     
     
       3. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim 2 including .Iadd.a .Iaddend.wick .[.means.]. having supply portions disposed in said resorvoir below said upper surface and evaporation portions disposed to intercept and transmit said air flow. 
     
     
       4. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim 3 wherein said wick .[.means.]. is adapted to provide by capillary action a liquid flow from said supply portions to said evaporation portions. 
     
     
       5. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim 4 wherein said actuator .[.means.]. comprises .Iadd.a .Iaddend.float .[.means.]. having a buoyant lower end disposed in said reservoir and adapted to be moved by changes in the level of said upper surface, and an upper end adapted to engage and actuate said switch .[.means.]., said float .[.means.]. being moved into its activating position by levels of said upper surface above a predetermined level and into its inactivating positions by levels of said upper surface below said predetermined level. .[.6. A humidifier according to claim 5 including guide means for guiding movement of said float 
     
     
        means..]. 7. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim .[.6.]. .Iadd.5 .Iaddend.wherein said switch .[.means.]. comprises an electrical switch operated into said active condition by engagement with 
     
     
        said upper end of said float .[.means.].. 8. A humidifier .[.apparatus.]. according to claim 2 wherein said actuator .[.means.]. comprises .Iadd.a .Iaddend.float .[.means.]. having a buoyant lower end disposed in said reservoir and adapted to be moved by changes in the level of said upper surface, and an upper end adapted to engage and actuate said switch .[.means.]., said float .[.means.]. being moved into its activating position by levels of said upper surface above a predetermined level and into its inactivating positions by levels of said upper surface below said predetermined level. .[.9. A humidifier according to claim 8 including 
     
     
        guide means for guiding movement of said float means..]. 10. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim .[.9.]. .Iadd.8 .Iaddend.wherein said switch .[.means.]. comprises an electrical switch operated into said active condition by engagement with said upper end of 
     
     
        said float .[.means.].. 11. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim 1 wherein said actuator .[.means.]. comprises .Iadd.a .Iaddend.float .[.means.]. having a buoyant lower end disposed in said reservoir and adapted to be moved by changes in the level of said upper surface, and an upper end adapted to engage and actuate said switch .[.means.]., said float .[.means.]. being moved into its activating position by levels of said upper surface above a predetermined level and into its inactivating positions by levels of said upper surface below said predetermined level. .[.12. A humidifier according to claim 11 including 
     
     
        guide means for guiding movement of said float means..]. 13. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim .[.12.]. .Iadd.11 .Iaddend.wherein said switch .[.means.]. comprises an electrical switch operated into said active condition by engagement with said upper end of 
     
     
        said float .[.means.].. 14. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim 1 including a liquid supply tank removably mounted on said base .[.means.]. and juxtaposed with said humidification unit, said supply tank adapted to provide controlled liquid flow into said 
     
     
        reservoir. 15. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim 14 wherein said humidifier .[.means.]. comprises a blower .[.means.]. adapted to produce air flow through said passage between said receiving end and 
     
     
        said discharge end. 16. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim 15 including .Iadd.a .Iaddend.wick .[.means.]. having supply portions disposed in said reservoir below said upper surface and evaporation portions disposed to intercept and transmit said air flow. 
     
     
            A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim 16 wherein said wick .[.means.]. is adapted to provide by capillary action a liquid 
     
     
        flow from said supply portions to said evaporation portions. 18. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim 17 wherein said actuator .[.means.]., comprises .Iadd.a .Iaddend.float .[.means.]. having a buoyant lower end disposed in said reservoir and adapted to be moved by changes in the level of said upper surface, and an upper end adapted to engage and actuate said switch .[.means.]., said float .[.means.]. being moved into its activating position by levels of said upper surface above a predetermined level and into its inactivating positions by levels of said 
     
     
        upper surface below said predetermined level. .[.19.  A humidifier according to claim 18 including guide means for guiding movement of said 
     
     
        float means..]. 20. A humidifier .Iadd.apparatus .Iaddend.according to claim .[.19.]. .Iadd.18 .Iaddend.wherein said switch .[.means.]. comprises an electrical switch operated into said active condition by engagement with said upper end of said float .[.means.]..