Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Backaround of the Invention
The present invention relates to a humidiPier with a
floating wick element that operates with a closed air flow path
within the humidifier for discharging air with increased humidity
from the humidifier.
Humidifiers are typically used during the winter heating
season to increase the humidity levels within heated rooms that
normally tend to have a low moisture contact as the result of
being filled with heated outside air. Among the problems
associated with low relative humidity include discomfort to the
occupants of the rooms, drying out of furniture and plants,
excessive static electricity, and numerous other problems.
In our prior co-pending patent application Serial No.
156,598 filed February 17, 1988, now U.S. Patent No. ~ ,5~3 , we
have disclosed some of the varieties of types of humidifiers that
have been developed including centrifugal pump/evaporative filter
humidifiers, air blown wicking/evaporative element humidifiers;
motor driven belt pad or wicking element humidifiers; and other
types. We have also disclosed some of the long standing problems
associated with all of the above described types of humidifiers.
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131~6~9
As disclosed in part in our prior co-pending patent
applications Serial No. 156,598 filsd February 17, 1988, now V.S.
Patent No. ~ the present invention relates to a humidifier
which maintains a constant evaporative area of a wicking element
independently floatable on water within a reservoir tank, which
is part of a closed air flow path including a fixedly mounted fan
for discharging air within increased humidity from the
humidifier. The humidifier of the present invention requires no
float control valves, pumps, rotary drives, rotary belts or any
other type of mechanical drive member except the fan. The wick
element collects both soluble and insoluble mineral deposits, and
the wicking element may be readily and periodically removed from
the humidifier for cleaning or replacement, thus, preventing
accumulations of solid particles or insoluble mineral deposits in
the humidifier, except within the wicking element.
The present invention is the commercial embodiment of
our above described humidifier, which retains all of the features
and advantages of our prior designs, while substantially
improving and simplifying the construction and operation o~ our
humidifier, all of which will become apparent in the description
that is to follow.
SummarY of the Inventlon
Among the several objects and advantages of the present
invention may be noted:
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the provision of a new and improved room humidifier
which overcomes all of the previously known deficiencies of prior
art devices, while providing substantially improved designs in
the actual construction of the herein disclosed humidifiers;
the provision of the aforementioned humidifier which
includes independent floatable wick elements having a constant
evaporative surface above the water, regardless of the water
level, while also enabling air to be drawn into and passed
through the floating wick element in a simplified flow path or
versatile duct structure within the humidifier;
the provision of the aforementioned humidifier which
pro~ides an outside air flow path that enables a fixedly mounted
fan to draw air downwardly into the humidifier and into contact
with the wicking element, with the wick element also heing a part
of an extensible and collapsible closed air flow path, thereby
permitting air to be drawn through the wicking element and up
into the extensible and collapsible closed air flow path, for
discharge from the humidifier with increased humidity;
the provision of the aforementioned humidifier in which
the fixedly mounted fan is constructed to be part of both the
outside air flow path and collapsible closed air flow path, while
also substantially sealing the air flow paths from each other;
the provision of the aforementioned humidifier wherein
the wick element is contained within a supporting housing
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slidably mounted relative to opposing walls of the housing, to
establish the aforementioned extensible and collapsible closed
air flow path, while also enabling the supportin~ housing to be
removed from the hu~idifier for changing or replacsment of the
wick element(s);
the provision of the aforementioned humidifier which
incorporates a splash guard to prevent splashing of water during
the filling or use of the humidifier; and
the provision of the aforementioned humidifier which is
of low cost, is reliable in operation, has a minimum number of
moving parts, requires a minimum amount of service, is quiet and
reliable in operation, and is otherwise well adapted for the
purposes intended.
Briefly stated, a humidifier o~ the present invention
includes a water reservoir tank for holding a supply of water. A
fan is mounted in fixed position relative to an upper end of the
reservoir tank. At least one freely and independently floatable
wick element extends across the reservoir tank and is in
operative association with the water~ The wick element includes
an evaporative surface which extends a substantially uniform and
predetermined amount above the water as the water level in the
tank rises and falls to provide a constant evaporative area for
the wick element. An extensible and collapsible closed air flow
path is provided between the wick element and the fan, and an
l 31~669
outside air flow path extends within the reservoir tank as well,
and communicates between substantially open upper areas of the
tank and a part of the constant evaporative area of the wick
element, which extends outside of the closed air flow path. The
fan operates above the closed air flow path so as to be in air
flow communication with the outside air flow path, such that when
the fan is operated to draw air from the outside into the outside
air flow path for contact with the constant evaporative area of
the wick element, the fan also draws air with increased humidity
throu~h the constant evaporative area and upwardly through the
closed flow path means for discharge from the humidifier into the
surrounding atmosphere.
Preferably, a pair of spaced and independently floatable
wick elements each contained within a supporting housing are
provided and are slidably mounted relative to opposing walls of
the reservoir tank. The supporting housings are spaced from each
other and include an upper wall panel extending between the
opposing walls and also being slidably mounted with respect
thereto so as to define the extensible and collapsible air flow
path between the slidable upper wall panels of the spaced
supporting housings and interengaged opposing walls of the
reservoir tank. The reservoir tank includes louvers along an
upper transverse top and at least partially along an upper area
of the walls of the reservoir tank, which communicates with the
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fan above the closed air flow path. ~he outside air flow path
extends outside of the slidable wall panels and interengaged
opposing walls of the reservoir tank, enabling air to be drawn
therein by the fan for contact with the wicking elements and for
subsequent withdraw through the extensible and collapsible air
flow path for discharge from the humidifier.
The reservoir tank is generally rectangularly-shaped
with two opposiny pairs of longer and smaller side walls, with
the supporting housings containing the wick elements extending
between the smaller pair of side walls. The upper wall panels
including the supporting housings have aligned tracks on opposite
sides thereof for complementary engagement with corresponding
aligned grooves provided in the smaller pair of opposed side
walls of the reservoir tank for cooperation with each supporting
housing. Each supporting housing comprises an open-ended
rectangular-shaped housing with the upper wall panel thereof
being centrally located and extending vertically upwardly from
each supporting housing.
Each supporting housing further includes a splash guard
centrally positioned relative to and supported by each supporting
housing and upper wall panel, and extending transversely from
each respective upper wall panel of the supporting housing and
extending towards one of the longer side walls of the reservoir
tank, to prevent splashing of water from the reservoir tank
131~69
during pouring of water therein or during use thereof. Each
supporting housing is mounted on a floatable base in order to
position the wick elements contained therein, with the constant
evaporative area relative to water within the reservoir tank, as
described above. Each wick element i~ preferably a cartridge
which may be readily removed from the supporting housing when the
latter is slidably removed from the reservoir tank. Each wick
element also preferably comprises a core of sheet wicking
material with air passageways therethrough enabling water to be
retained by the sheet wicking material, but allowing ~he water to
be removed therefrom as increased humidity is included in air
passing through the air passageways.
The fan is fixedly mounted to and supported within the
fan housing and having open areas above the extensible and
collapsible air flow path for air communication with the closed
air flow path. The fan housing also includes elongated sealing
gaskets on opposite sides thereof for sliding sealing engaqement
with the upper wall panels of the supporting housing to maintain
the integrity of the closed air flow path.
Brief DescriPtion of the Drawinqs
In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front
elevational view of a humidifier with floating wick assembly
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention;
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FIG. 2 is a top plan v.iew of the humidifier sho~m in
FIG. 1 of the drawings;
FIG. 3 is a vertical end sectional view of the
humidifier shown in FIGS. 1-2 of the drawings;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the humidifier
shown in FIG. l of the drawings with the decorative front panels
removed;
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the humidifier of the
present invention with the top louvered panel raised ~o permit a
user to pour water within the reservoir tank or compartment
thereof:
FIG. 6 is a front diagrammatic illustration depicting
the manner in which outside air is drawn into the humidifier for
contact with the floating wick assemhly and the removal of air
with increased humidity from the humidifier, all the ~oregoing
being accomplished by the use of the single fan mounted in the
humidifier;
FIG. 7 is a top perspective view illustrating the manner
in which the floating wick assembly may be insertsd and/or
removed from the humidifier for replacement or cleaning thereof;
and
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the humidifier
of the present invention illustrating the various components and
elements used in the construction and operation thereof.
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Corresponding reference numerals will be used throughout
the several figures of the drawings.
Brief Description of Preferred Embodiments
As described above, the present invention is a new and
improved commercial embodiment of the constructions disclosed in
our prior aforementioned patent applications, and incorporates
featuras disclosed in such prior constructions in a new and
improved system with new improved components, as will become
apparent from the description that follows.
Referring now to the drawings, a portable room
humidifier of the present invention is indicated in its entirety
by reference character 1. A humidifier 1 includes a reservoir
tank 3 for holding a supply of water W (see FIG. 6), with the
reservoir tank 3 mounted on casters 5 such that the humidifier 1
may be rolled to any location that may be desired. As best seen
in FIGS. 1 and 5 of the drawings, a cabinet-like enclosure 7 with
various hardware, such as drawer pulls and the like as may be
desired, extends around the reservoir tank 3. The cabin~t-like
enclosure 7, and the reservoir tank 3 may be formed together as a
molded unit, or attached to one another, or may be formed as
separate shells, one within the other, as may be desired.
The reservoir tank 3, including the cabinet like
enclosure 7, is illustrated in the drawings as being generally
rectangular-shaped with two opposing pairs of longer and smaller
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side walls generally designated L and S respectively. As best
seen in FIGS. 4-5 and 8 of the drawings, the longer side wall L
at the rear of the humidifier includes spaced louvers 9, 9 at
opposite ends thereof, to allow outside air to ~e drawn into the
humidifier. The louvers 9, 9 may be formed as integral louvered
sections incorporated within the reservoir tank, including the
cabinet-like enclosure 7, in a well known manner. In this same
rear longer wall L of the reservoir tank 3, integral spaced hinge
elements 11, 11 may also be provided in order facilitate the
mounting of a louvered top 13. As shown in FIG. 5 of the
drawings, the louvered top 13 may be pivotally moved to an open
position to enable user of the humidifier l to pour water into
the reservoir tank 3, according to operating instructions. Both
the spaced louvers 9, 9 in rear longer wall L and the louvered
top 13 enable outside air to be drawn into the humidifier 1, as
will be described in detail below.
Although the operaking components of the humidifier 1,
now to be described are relatively of simple construction and
operation, they are uniquely constructed and structurally
interrelated to one another in a new and improved way to provide
humidifier 1 with economical and low maintenance operation that
also provides increased relative humidity, all of which will be
described in detail below.
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131~69
The principal opera~ing components of ~he humidifier 1
include, as best seen the exploded perspective view of FIG. 8, a
flQating wick assembly 15 and a fan assembly 17, both of which
are mounted with respect to the reservoir tank 3, as will be
descxibed below.
In the humidifier illustrated in the drawings, there are
two floating wick assemblies 15, 15 contained within the
reservoir tank, although it is conceivable the humidifier 1 could
be modified tD provide only a single floating wick assembly 15,
if desired. In the preferred embodiment, each of the two
floating wick assemblies 15, 15, contained within the reservoir
tank 3, includes a floatable base ~9 that is sized relative to
the other floatable base 19 and the interior of the reservoir
tank 3 to enahle the floatable bases 19, 19 to rise or fall,
dependent on the level of the water W within the reservoir tank.
As illustrated in the drawings, each floatable base 19 includes a
flat or planar median portion 21, having opposite sides which are
integrally connected to opposite, enclosed float sections 23, 23.
Resting upon the median portion 21 intermediate the
float sections 23, 23 of each floatable base 19 is an open-ended
rectangular-shaped supporting housing 25 that is suitably
configured to be received therein. The open ended, rectangularly
shaped supporting housing 25 is constructed to receive the wick
cartridge 27 therein, prior to the supporting housing being
mounted as described above with respect to the floatable base 19.
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Each wick cartridge 27 includes a wick element or core
fo~med of suitable sheet-like, absorbent capillary wick material,
as is described in detail in our co-pending patent application
Serial No. 156,598, filed February 17, 1988, now U.S. Patent
No. 4~z~533. For purposes of the present invention, it is
suf f icient to note that the cartridge or core 27 has sheet
wicking material with air passages therethrough ~or enabling
water to be first retained by the sheet wicking material and then
removed as increased humidified air passing through the air
passageways. It has been discovered that wicking cartridges or
cores constructed as described our aforementioned co-pending
patent application enables same to be totally saturated with
water, through its capillary action, within a relatively short
period of time, for example about 30 minutes.
To facilitate cleaning and/or replacement of the
cartridges 27, each of the supporting housings 25 include a
generally vertically extending upper wall panel 29 integrally
formed and centrally located relative to the upper surface 31 of
each open ended, rectangularly shaped supporting housings 25.
Thus, it will be understood that a user may simply grasp the
upper wall panel 29, integrally associated with the supporting
housings 25, to facilitate insertion and/or removal of the
supporting housing 25 and the wick cartridge 27 mounted therein,
for cleaning and/or replacement thereof. In addition, the upper
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wall panel 29 of each supporting housing 25 cooperates with
spaced elongated walls L, L to provide an extensible and
collapsible closed air flow path between the floata~le wick
cartridges 27, 27 of each floatable wick assembly 15 and a
fixedly mounted fan at the upper end of the reservoir 3, to be
described hereafter. More specifically, opposite vertically
extending edges o~ tha generally vertically extending upper wall
panel 29, and continuing along the outer surfacss of the spaced
vertically extending wall sections 33, 33 of the supporting
housings 25 include male track elements 35, 35, on opposite sides
thereof. As best seen in FIG. 7, the opposite longer walls L, L
of the rectangularly-shaped reservoir tank 3 include
corresponding aligned grooves 37, 37 in the spaced longer walls
L, L for receiving the male track elements 35, 35 of each
supporting housing 25, in complementary slidable engagement
therewith. As a result, each supporting housing 25 and integral
upper wall panel 29 associated therewith are suitably configured
and dimensioned relative to the interior of the reservoir tanX 3
such that the opposite male tracks 35, 35 of each supporting
housing 25 are slidably received within the generally vertically
extending aligned grooves 37, 37 provided in the spaced longer
walls L, L of the rectangular-shaped reservoir tank 3.
The water level of the water W within the reservoir tank
3 not only causes the floatable wick assemblies 15, 15 to rise or
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fall with the wa~er level, but the slidable interengagement of
the opposite male track elements 35, 35 o~ each supporting
housing 25, will slidably engage the cooperating aligned grooves
37, 37 of the oppositely positioned and spaced longer walls L, L
of the rectangular-shaped reservoir tank 3, in order to provide
the extensible and collapsible closed air flow path C, as best
seen in FIGS. 4 and 6 of the drawings.
The fixedly mounted fan 17 is mounted in the upper end
of the reservoir tank 3 within ~he confines of the extensible and
collapsible closed air path C, as also bes~ seen in FIGS. 4 and 6
of the drawings, to draw air upwardly from the spaced floating
wick assemblies 15, 15 up into the extensible and ollapsible
closed air path C, below the fixedly mounted ~an 17, and also
thereabove, establishing the venturi ~ including the extensible
and collapsible closed air path C.
As best seen in FIG. 8 of the drawings, the fixedly
mounted fan 17 includes a fan housing 39 including spaced
laterally outwardly extending flanges 41, 41 which overlie the
upper ends of the spaced longer walls L, L, as shown in FIG. 2 of
the drawings, for mounting the fan housing 39 relative to the
reservoir tank 3. The fan housing 39 includes spaced closed
sides 43, 43 extending below and connected to the laterally
outwardly extending flanges 41, 41, and spaced an opposed open
sides 45, 45. An elongated air sealing gasket 47 is attached to
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each of the closed sides ~3, 43 such that the elongated air
sealing gaskets 47, 47 slidably engage the upper wall panels 29,
29 of each supporting housing, so as to maintain the integrity of
the extensible and collapsible closed air flow path C. The
slidable and sealed engagement with the spaced gaskets 47, 47 and
the upper wall panels 29, 29 of each supporting housing 25 is
best seen in FIG. 4 of the drawings.
When the fan housing 39 is ~ixedly mounted relative to
the reservoir tank 3, the spaced open sides 45, 45 are positioned
for air flow communication with the louv~red top 13 and the
spaced louvered wall sections 9, 9 on the rear longer wall L of
the reservoir tank 3, as part of the outside air flow path O on
opposite sides thereof, within the reservoir tank 3, to be
discussed further in detail below.
An integrally formed and connected spider element 49
extends within the fan housing 39 for fixedly mounting the fan
motor 51 thereto by suitable fasteners as will be appreciated.
The fan motor 51 includes a plurality of fan blades 53 mounted
thereto in a well known manner. It will be understood that
various types of fan motors and blades of various configurations
may be mounted within the fan housing 39, as will be
appreciated. For operating the fan motor 51 and associated fan
blades 53, suitable controls 54, attached to one of the laterally
outwardly extending flanges 41 of the fan housing 39, are
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1315669
provided. A fan guard 56 is also attached to the laterally
outwardly extending flanges 41, 41 of the fan housing 39 for
safety purposes, as will be apparent. The fan guard 56 also has
spaced louvered areas therein in order tha~ the fan motor 51 and
associated fan blades 53 will draw air upwardly in the extensible
and collapsible closed air flow path C, as well as above the fan
motor 51 and associated fan blades 53, within the venturi V
thereabove, to discharge air with increased humidity from the
humidi~ier 1 into the surrounding atmosphere.
Reference is now made to FIGSo 4~7 for a description of
the operation of the humidifier 1. A homeowner or other user can
li~t the pivotally mounted louvered top or cover 13 from the open
upper end of the humidifier 1, exposing the reservoir tank 3.
Water is then poured into the reservoir tank to a predetermined
fill level (see FIG. 1). This filling operation may be carried
out by pouring water from a bucket into the reservoir tank 3. In
order to prevent water from splashing from the reservoir tank 3
through the spaced louvered areas 9, 9 in the rear longer wall L
a splash guard 58 is provided for each supporting housing 25.
Each splash guard 58 extends transversely from a respective upper
wall panel 29 and extends towards one of the shorter side walls S
of the reservoir tank 3, so as to prevent water from splashing
out through the spaced upper louvers 9, 9 in the rear longer wall
L of the reservoir tank 3, as will be appreciated. Following the
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filling of the reservoir tank 3 to the appropriate ~ill level,
the humidifier control 54 are operated so as to energize the fan
51 with associated fan blades 53, and the louvered top or cover
18 is then pivotally returned ahove the top of the reservoir tank
3.
When the water level of the water W is at its full mark
relatively high within the reservoir tank 3, the floating wick
assemblies 15, 15 will be in generally near, but spaced proximity
relative to the undersurface of the fan blades 53, and the
extensible-collapsible closed air path C will be in its collapsed
position, substantially as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. As
previously noted, the spaced floating wick assemblies 15, 15 are
so constructed that they will, at all times, float with the
supply of water W contained, within the reservoir tank 3, such
that a uniform water level is maintained in operative association
with the lower portion of the wicX cartridges 27, 27. This
maintains the lower regions of the wick cartridges or elements
27, 27 in contact with the water W. This ensures that the wick
cartridges or elements 27, 27 will absorb water W from the water
supply and, through capillary action, will allow the water W to
move vertically within the absorptive sheet wicking material
constituting the wick cartridges or elements 27, 27, for
substantially uniform wicking of the wick cartridges or elements
27, 27.
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Operation of the fan 51 and associated fan blades 53
draws room air downwardly into the reservoir tank 3 via the
louvared cover or top 13, and the spaced louvered sections 9, 9
of the longer rear wall L, since the open sides 45, ~5 of the fan
motor housing 39 enable the fan 51 and associated fan blades 53
to establish an air flow communication path therebetween.
It will be further noted that as outside air is drawn
into the reservoir tank 3, it will be drawn therein on opposite
sides outside of the extensible and collapsible closed air flow
path C. As previously noted, because æpaced supporting housings
25, including the up~er wall panels 29 have male track elements
35, 35 on opposite sides thereof which slidingly engage within
the aligned grooves 37, 37 in the spaced longer walls I" L, the
area within the slidable upper wall panels 29, 29 and
interengaged spaced longer walls L, L define the extensible and
collapsible closed air flow path C. At the same time, the area
between the slidable wall panels 29, 29 of each supporting
housing 25 and-the shorter side walls S, S of the reservoir tank
3, provide spaced outside air flow paths O, O on opposite sides
of the extensible and collapsible closed air flow path C.
Air in the outside air flow paths O, O will be drawn
into air flow engagement with exposed areas of the cartridges or
elements 27, 27 that extend outside of the extensible and
collapsible closed air flow path C, as best seen in FIG. 6 of the
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drawings. As air is drawn into the ~xtensible and collapsible
closed air flow path C through the spaced wick cartridges or
elements 27, ~7, air with increased moisture content, will be
drawn through the wick cartridge or elements 27, 27, then through
the extensible and collapsible closed air flow path C, and
finally discharged upwardly through ~he venturi V into
surrounding atmosphere from the humidifier 1. As a result,
increased moisture content air is discharged into a room by the
humidifier 1 so as to increase the relative humidity within the
room containing the humidifier 1.
It will be noted that a constant evaporative area of the
wick cartridges or elements 27, 27, which extends a substantially
uniform and predetermined amount above the water W, will
continuously expose the constant evaporative area to air flow, as
the water level in the reservoir tank 3 rises and falls~ This
provides a constant evaporative area ~or the wick cartridges or
elements 27, 27. It will further be noted that the fixedly
mounted fan 17 serves both the outside air flow path O, O on
opposite sides, as well as the extensible and collapsible closed
air flow path C therebetween, as a result of the slidable
interengagement between the supporting housings 25, 25 and the
spaced longer walls L, L of the reservoir tank 3. The open sides
45, 45 in the fan housing 39 enables the fan 51 and associated
blades 53 to draw air downwardly from the louvered top or cover
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13 and the spaced upper louvered areas 9, 9 of the lonyer rear
wall L, without inter~ering with either the ven~uri V above the
fan 51 and associated fan blades 53/ or the extensible and
collapsible closed air flow path C below the fan 51 and
associated fan blades 53. Thus, the fan 51 and associated fan
blades 53 serve both the outside air flow path o, 0 on opposite
sides of the extensible and collapsible closed air flow path C,
without any interference of the air flow established in such
paths.
From the foregoing, it will be noted that there are many
advantages derived from the humidifier with floating wick
assembly of the present invention. First, as noted above, since
the fan 51, and associated fan blades 53, is the only powered or
movable element of the humidifie~ 51, there is no requirement for
motor powered pumps, rotary belts or rotary evaporative disks.
Further, the fan 51 and as~ociated fan blade 53 draws air within
the outside air flow paths 0, 0, as well as exhaust air through
the venturi V, including the extensible and collapsible closed
air flow path C. Further, it will be noted that by providing the
floating wick assemblies 15, 15, the wick cartridges or elements
27, 27 thereof will rise and fall with the water level within the
reservoir tank 3, such that a substantial uniform and
predetermined amount of each wicking element extends above the
water level and constitutes a constant evaporative area for the
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wicking cartridges or elements 27, 27. This insures that the
wetted surface area of the wicking elements 27, 27 remain
substantially constant, regardless of the rise and fall of the
water W within the reservoir tank 3. Further, the above
described construction of the supporting housings 25, 25, with
wicking elements 27, 27 carried thereby, permits the wicked
cartridges or elements 27, 27 to be readily r~moved from the
floating wick assemblies 15, 15 for cleaning or replacement, as
desired.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the other
objects of this invention are achieved and other advantage
results obtained.
As various changes could be made in the above
constructions without departing from the scope of the invention,
it is intended that all matter obtained in the above description
or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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