US20170336086A1

US20170336086A1 - Liquid container for gas humidification and gas humidification method

Info

Publication number: US20170336086A1
Application number: US15/157,827
Authority: US
Inventors: Shu-Chi Lin; Hsin-Wei Chen; Wen-Bin Shen
Original assignee: Apex Medical Corp
Current assignee: Wellell Inc
Priority date: 2016-05-18
Filing date: 2016-05-18
Publication date: 2017-11-23

Abstract

A liquid container for gas humidification comprises: a first component provided with a gas inlet; a second component connected with the first component and defining a liquid receiving space; a baffle member; and a gas exhaust structure including a first opening and a second opening communicated with each other; wherein the first component includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the baffle member defining a first space, the second portion and the baffle member defining a second space, the first opening of the gas exhaust structure being arranged in the second space; and wherein the first portion and the second portion of the first component respectively include a first guide structure and a second guide structure, the first guide structure being configured to direct gas to the liquid receiving space, and the second guide structure being configured to direct the gas away from the liquid receiving space and into the gas exhaust structure via the first opening.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a liquid storage device and more particularly to a liquid container for gas humidification to be used in conjunction with a pressurized gas supplier and a humidification method thereof.

2. Description of Related Art

Sleep apnea is a common respiration disorder which causes repeated respiration cessation of patients during sleep because of airway collapse which results in airway obstruction and blocks the flow of air into the lungs. Patients with sleep apnea generally use a respiratory therapy device to alleviate the sleep-disordered breathing events.
Among known therapies, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy has been proven to be an effective approach for some respiratory conditions. Briefly, the CPAP therapy uses a blower to provide pressurized air passing through a mask worn by a patient during sleep and into the respiratory tract to support the airway and prevent collapse, thereby enabling the patient to breathe smoothly during sleep and maintaining quality sleep.
To avoid excessive dryness of the airway resulted from continuous supply of gas thereto, many commercially available respiratory therapy devices are provided with a humidifier to humidify the gas outputted from the blower before delivery to patients. Many gas humidifiers consist of a liquid container and a humidification means, such as a heating means or an ultrasonic atomization means. For example, a heater plate may be provided at the bottom of the liquid container to heat the liquid contained therein and produce vapor. Pressurized gas enters the humidification chamber from the inlet of the liquid container, moves along a flow path defined in the liquid container and becomes humidified at the same time, and then leaves the liquid container from the outlet and then moves through a hose and a respiratory mask and into the patient's respiratory tract.
Although there are already many humidifiers available commercially, they are not fully satisfactory in terms of use and operation. In particular, the design of existing liquid container needs significant improvement to overcome the problems such as poor humidification efficiency, operation noise that affects sleep, complicated structures and high production costs. Therefore, there is a need to address the aforesaid problems and other aspects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present disclosure to provide a liquid container for gas humidification, which comprises: a first component provided with a gas inlet; a second component connected with the first component and defining a liquid receiving space; a baffle member; and a gas exhaust structure including a first opening and a second opening communicated with each other; wherein the first component includes a first portion in proximity to the gas inlet and a second portion distal from the gas inlet, the first portion and the baffle member defining a first space, the second portion and the baffle member defining a second space, the baffle member being arranged between the first space and the second space, the first opening of the gas exhaust structure being arranged in the second space; and wherein the first portion of the first component includes a first guide structure configured to direct gas to the liquid receiving space, and the second portion of the first component includes a second guide structure configured to direct the gas away from the liquid receiving space, such that the gas enters the gas exhaust structure from the first opening of the gas exhaust structure and leaves the liquid container for gas humidification from the second opening of the gas exhaust structure.
In the liquid container for gas humidification, the first opening of the gas exhaust structure may be an upward-facing opening, and the periphery of the first opening may have a curvature corresponding to that of the second portion of the first component; for example, the vertical distance between each point of the periphery of the first opening and the second portion of the first component is the same or equal.
With the structural design of the liquid container for gas humidification, in a humidification state, the second space has a humidity greater than that of the first space.
The gas exhaust structure may be an L-shaped pipe, and the first opening and the second opening are formed at two ends of the L-shaped pipe. For example, the L-shaped pipe may have a longer section extending downwardly from the second space and a shorter section protruded outwardly from the second component, and the second opening is preferably configured at a level lower than that of the gas inlet of the first component.
The liquid container for gas humidification may further comprise a partition board arranged between the first and second components, wherein the first component includes a first baffle structure, and the partition board includes a second baffle structure, such that the baffle member is defined by the first baffle structure and the second baffle structure collectively.
Furthermore, for the liquid container for gas humidification, the first component and/or the second component may be provided with a recognition structure, and the second opening of the gas exhaust structure may be provided with an elbow to change the gas output direction.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a gas humidification method, comprising: (A) introducing a flow of gas from a gas inlet of a liquid container into a space with low humidity; (B) deflecting the flow of gas to agitate liquid in the liquid container with the flow of gas; (C) deflecting the flow of gas into a space with high humidity; and (D) enabling the flow of gas to leave the liquid container via a gas exhaust structure from a gas outlet lower than the gas inlet.
The gas humidification method is preferably performed by using the aforesaid liquid container for gas humidification, and step (B) may comprise: deflecting the flow of gas introduced from the gas inlet to enable the flow of gas to move toward and agitate the liquid in the liquid container and then to pass through the liquid at a direction parallel to liquid surface.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a humidifier assembly, comprising a container body, a gas inlet structure, a gas exhaust structure and a partitioning structure, wherein the gas inlet structure is formed at an upper portion of the container body, the gas exhaust structure is formed at a lower portion of the container body, and the partitioning structure is arranged in the container body and between the gas inlet structure and the gas exhaust structure.
In the aforesaid embodiment, the partitioning structure may divide the internal space of the humidifier assembly into two spaces, including for example a space with low humidity close to the gas inlet structure and a space with high humidity close to the gas exhaust structure. In addition, in this embodiment, the gas inlet structure and the gas exhaust structure are respectively arranged at the upper portion and lower portion of the container body, thereby defining a top-down flow path between the gas inlet structure and the gas exhaust structure during the gas humidification process.
In addition, the partitioning structure may provide other functions. For example, the partitioning structure may accommodate therein supplemental liquid, such as water, and act as a supplemental liquid container. For example, the partitioning structure may be composed of multiple parts that collectively define an internal reservoir space or may be a one-piece container defining an internal reservoir space, and a liquid outlet structure may be extended from at least one side thereof to output supplemental liquid. Accordingly, when the liquid receiving space contains insufficient liquid, the partitioning structure may supply additional liquid supplement in an automated or controlled manner.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general descriptions and the following detailed descriptions are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the subject matter can be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view showing main elements of a liquid container for gas humidification according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled view showing main elements of a liquid container for gas humidification according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an assembled view from a different perspective showing main elements of a liquid container for gas humidification according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a first component of a liquid container for gas humidification;

FIG. 5 illustrates the first component of the liquid container for gas humidification from a different perspective;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a liquid container for gas humidification according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a liquid container for gas humidification according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying figures to improve understanding of concepts as presented herein. Since various aspects and embodiments are merely exemplary and not limiting, after reading the present disclosure, skilled artisans appreciate that other aspects and embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Other features and benefits of any one or more of the embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed description and the claims.
The use of “a,” “an” or “one” is employed to describe elements described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. Accordingly, this description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. In addition, as used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, an element, structure, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such element, structure, article, or apparatus.
As illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a liquid container for gas humidification 1 useful for humidifying gas to increase humidity of the gas. Examples of the gas may include air, pure gas or gas mixture. Different humidification styles may be employed by the embodiment, including but not limited to heating or ultrasonic atomization.
The liquid container for gas humidification 1 mainly comprises a first component 10, a second component 20, a baffle member 30 and a gas exhaust structure 40, which are described in detail below.
Refer also to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The first component 10, such as a first cover, mainly serves to define a gas flow path. The first component 10 is formed thereon with a gas inlet 11 which may be connected with a pressurized gas supplier, such as a blower, to receive pressurized gas in need of humidification. The first component 10 includes a first portion 13 in proximity to the gas inlet 11 and a second portion 15 distal from the gas inlet 11. After a flow of gas enters the liquid container for gas humidification 1 from the gas inlet 11, the flow of gas is guided by the internal curved surface of the first portion 13 to move toward the second portion 15. If the second component 20, such as a second cover, is loaded with liquid, the gas will move from a first space S1 defined by the first portion 13 and the baffle member 30 to a second space S2 defined by the second portion 15 and the baffle member 30. During the movement process, the gas is directed by the first guide structure 131 (e.g. internal curved surface) of the first portion 13 to move toward the liquid receiving space LS and therefore downwardly hit the liquid contained in the second component 20 to effectuate physical atomization of the liquid, which is beneficial to increase the humidity in the liquid container for gas humidification 1. Moreover, because the baffle member 30 is arranged between the first space S1 and the second space S2, when the flow of gas enters the second space S2 from the first space S1, it is forced through a narrower channel defined by the baffle member 30 and the liquid surface, during which, according to the formula that flow rate is equal to area of flow times the velocity of flow (Q=AV), the flow of gas passes through the channel defined by the baffle member 30 and the liquid surface at a higher velocity, so as to enhance the agitation of liquid surface and result in physical atomization of the liquid while shortening the duration of the gas staying in the liquid container for gas humidification 1 and increasing the gas humidification efficiency. After that, the flow of gas passes through the baffle member 30 and enters the second space S2 defined by the second portion 15 and the baffle member 30.
By the structural design of the first portion 13, the baffle member 30 and the second portion 15, vapor generated by a heater plate or other humidification means and vapor produced by the foregoing physical atomization are primarily present in the second space S2, so that the humidity of the second space S2 is greater than that of the first space S1. This design enables pressurized gas to rapidly pass through the low humidity area, such as the first space S1 and the narrower channel between the baffle member 30 and the liquid surface, which shortens the time the flow of gas stays in the container, and enables the pressurized gas to carry abundant vapor with it in the high humidity second space S2 before leaving the container, thereby providing the advantage of significant enhancement of humidification efficiency. After passing through the baffle member 30, the pressurized gas will be guided by the second guide structure 151 (e.g. internal curved surface) of the second portion 15 to move away from the liquid receiving space LS, such as moving toward the top of the second portion 15. When moving along a path defined by the internal curved surface of the second portion 15, the flow of gas is mixed with vapor and at the same time directed toward the first opening 41 in the second space S2 and into the gas exhaust structure 40; after that, the flow of gas leaves the liquid container for gas humidification 1 and moves toward patient's respiratory tract.
In one embodiment, the first component 10 is configured as a structure with two sides arcuated and a middle section recessed, as illustrated by FIG. 4. The two arcuate portions have substantially the same shapes to respectively act as the first guide structure 131 and the second guide structure 151, both having a substantially reverse U-shaped cross section with a cross-sectional height gradually decreased from the gas inlet 11, as can be observed from FIG. 2 to FIG. 4. Therefore, when the gas enters the space defined by the first component 10 via the gas inlet 11, the gas will move along the longitudinal direction of the first guide structure 131 and gradually and smoothly change the flow direction in response to the internal curved surface and then move downwardly. After passing through the baffle member 30, the flow of gas is guided by the second guide structure 151 to smoothly change the flow direction and move upwardly and at the same time progress from the space with a smaller reverse U-shaped cross-sectional area to the space with a greater cross-sectional area. When the gas arrives at the top of the second guide structure 151, the flow direction will be gradually reversed in a top-down manner, allowing the gas to enter the gas exhaust structure 40 and then leave the liquid container for gas humidification 1. With the above-described structural design, the flow of gas may move along a smooth path defined by the two guide structures 131, 151; for example, after entering the gas inlet 11, the flow of gas moves substantially linearly away from the gas inlet 11, then becomes deflected by the first guide structure 131 to move toward the second component 20 and then toward the second portion 15, and then becomes deflected by the second guide structure 151 to gradually change the flow direction by first moving upward to the top of the second guide structure 151 and then downward to enter the gas exhaust structure 40. The aforesaid structural design of the top cover, without employing overly complicated flow channels, can form a smooth sinuous gas flow path to achieve the purposes of high humidification performance, i.e. achieving higher humidity within shorter period, and reduced noise during gas humidification.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second component 20 may be connected with the first component 10 by, for example, integration as one piece or a connection structure. For example, the first component 10 may be provided with a slot and the second component 20 may be provided with a corresponding protrusion to fasten the first component 10 with the second component 20. The second component 20 is primarily configured to define a liquid receiving space LS for holding liquid for humidification, such as water, normal saline or other medicated liquids. The bottom of the second component 20 may be provided with a heater plate as a vaporization means, which heats the liquid contained in the second component 20 during operation to produce vapor. In one embodiment, the first component 10 is a top cover and the second component 20 is a bottom cover, and they can be assembled to form the liquid container for gas humidification 1. The top cover has a gas inlet 11 from which pressurized gas enters the liquid container 1, and the bottom cover is formed with a gas outlet in communication with a respiratory mask via a hose. The bottom cover may be made of a heat-resistant plastic through integrated molding, and the bottom portion has a thickness greater than other portions, such that during operation the heater plate can directly heat the bottom portion.
A chamber defined by the first component 10 and the second component 20 is further equipped with a baffle member 30 as a barrier obstructing gas passage from the first portion 13 of the first component 10 to the second portion 15 and dividing the internal space of the first component 10 into two major portions, wherein the first portion 13 and the baffle member 30 define the first space S1, and the second portion 15 and the baffle member 30 define the second space S2.
The baffle member 30 may be configured as a structure protruding or extending downwardly from the inner side of the first component 10, or as an independent element arranged between the first component 10 and the second component 20. With the presence of the baffle member 30, when pressurized gas enters from the gas inlet 11 into the first space S1 and moves toward the second space S2, it will be obstructed and prevented from leaving directly via the gas exhaust structure 40, which avoids insufficient humidification of gas. As illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, during operation, the gas is introduced from the gas inlet 11 into the first space S1, which has low humidity, and moves along the internal curved surface of the first portion 13, passing the narrow channel between the baffle member 30 and the liquid surface and then arriving at the second space S2, which has high humidity, then moving along the internal curved surface of the second portion 15 and carrying vapor in the container and eventually leaving the liquid container for gas humidification 1 from the gas exhaust structure 40.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, in one embodiment, a partition board 50 is disposed between the first component 10 and the second component 20. The partition board 50 may be provided with a second baffle structure 51 corresponding to the first baffle structure 17 of the first component 10 for together defining the baffle member 30.
The ensure airtightness after assembly, washers 80 can be mounted to the upper and lower sides of the partition board 50, and corresponding grooves can be formed at the first component 10 and/or the second component 20. For example, the washers 80 may increase the friction between the partition board 50 and the second component 20 to prevent the partition board 50 and the second component 20 from separation when a user opens the first component 10 to load liquid to the liquid receiving space LS.
The gas exhaust structure 40 is a gas communicating structure and includes a first opening 41 and a second opening 43 communicated with each other. The two openings define therebetween a gas passage by which the humidified gas can be exhausted out of the liquid container for gas humidification 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, the gas exhaust structure 40 may be a pipe having one portion vertically extending upward from the area close to the bottom of the second component 20, such that the first opening 41 is arranged higher than the second component 20 and located within the second space S2, and having the other portion horizontally extending outward from the area close to the bottom of the second component 20, such that the second opening 43 is arranged outside the second component 20. The gas exhaust structure 40 and the second component 20 can be integrally formed but not limited thereto.
In one embodiment, the gas exhaust structure 40 is an L-shaped pipe, with the first opening 41 and the second opening 43 arranged at two ends of the L-shaped pipe, wherein the first opening 41 is an upward-facing opening, i.e. an opening facing the first component 10, positioned above the second component 20 and slightly below the first component 10 and within the second space S2 defined by the second portion 15 of the first component 10. Accordingly, after the flow of gas is guided in the second space S2 by the second guide structure 151, it will gradually move upward to the area around the top of the second portion 15 and change its direction and move downward and enter the gas exhaust structure 40 from the first opening 41.
As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in one embodiment, the periphery of the first opening 41 of the gas exhaust structure 40 has a curvature corresponding to that of the second portion 15 of the first component 10, such as the periphery of the first opening 41 being configured as a curved shape or cut as an arc shape, such that the vertical distance from each point on the periphery of the first opening 41 to the second portion 15 of the first component 10 is the same or equal, thereby allowing the humidified gas around the first opening 41 to enter the gas exhaust structure 40 from its periphery in a uniform and even way and prevent uneven or non-uniform entry only from a certain portion of the first opening 41. In other words, maintaining a constant vertical height between the first opening 41 and the second portion 15 enables the humidified gas in the second space S2 to enter the gas exhaust structure 40 via the first opening 41 at a stable flow rate and humidity, not only ensuring the stability of gas flow in the second space S2 but also maintaining uniform humidity distribution in the second space S2.
By configuring the gas inlet 11 at a higher position and the gas outlet (second opening 43) at a lower position, when the liquid container for gas humidification 1 is placed at a position higher than or at the same level as the user, the connection hose between the liquid container 1 and the respiratory mask can work without or with only limited bending, preventing the problems associated to intermittent gas supply or broken hose of conventional liquid containers with a gas outlet arranged at the upper portion wherein the hose needs to be bent downwardly during use. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an elbow 60 may be provided at the second opening 43 of the gas exhaust structure 40 such as by rotatable fitting to allow users to change the gas output direction of the liquid container 1 easily and also alleviate the problem of discontinued gas supply.
To allow easy operation by users at night time, the first component 10 and/or second component 20 can be provided with recognition structures 12, 22, such as bumps or notches for indication, such that users may locate the positions of different elements or structures of the liquid container for gas humidification 1 by touching. Moreover, the recognition structures 12, 22 may be configured as braille marks or include embossment structures arranged in an identifiable way to meet different needs of different users.
Refer now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The liquid container for gas humidification 1 can be combined with a base 2, which may comprise a blower and a heater plate unit, to perform gas humidification operation. To ensure tight assembly, the liquid container 1 and the base 2 can be respectively provided with corresponding fastening structures. In addition, the base 2 may include a magnetic sensor. When a magnetic element of the liquid container 1 is within a sensible area, the magnetic sensor transmits a signal to a control unit to unlock the device to allow manipulation of operation of the base 2. This safety design avoids dangers caused by unintentional operation of the base 2.
During operation, the heater plate of the base 2 heats the bottom of the second component 20, such that the liquid received in the liquid receiving space LS is vaporized to increase the humidity in the chambers of the first component 10 and the second component 20. Pressurized gas provided by the base 2 enters the liquid container for gas humidification 1 from the gas inlet 11 and arrives at the first space S1, which is a space with low humidity. In the first space S1, the flow of gas, under the influence of the first guide structure 131, changes the flow direction and moves away from the gas inlet 11 and moves downwardly to the second space S2. With the curved surface of the first guide structure 131, pressurized gas may hit the liquid surface at a high velocity, not only facilitating vapor formation from the liquid but also increasing the humidity of the gas. After that, the gas passes through the narrow channel between the baffle member 30 and liquid surface at a higher velocity along the inner curved surface between the first portion 13 and the second portion 15 and at the same time agitates the liquid surface, not only shortening the duration of the gas staying in the liquid container 1 but also promoting physical atomization to facilitate gas humidification. After passing through the baffle member 30, the flow of gas enters a high humidity second space S2 which is distal from the gas inlet 11.
In the second space S2, the gas is directed by the curved surface of the second guide structure 151 to move away from the liquid surface and at the same time carry along abundant vapor in the second space S2 and gradually move toward the top of the second portion 15. Due to the reverse U-shaped structure of the second portion 15 similar to that of the first portion 13, when the gas reaches the top, it is turned top-down to move downward and enter the gas exhaust structure 40 from the first opening 41 located in the second space S2 and leave the liquid container for gas humidification 1 from the second opening 43 of the gas exhaust structure 40 and move toward the patient's respiratory tract.
Accordingly, during operation, gas entering the liquid container for gas humidification 1 from the gas inlet 11 will be subject to a first directional change in the low humidity first space S1 to move toward the liquid surface at a high velocity and pass through the baffle member 30 at an even higher velocity and arrive at the second space S2; after that, the gas will be subject to a second directional change to pass through the high humidity environment and get effectively humidified, followed by a third directional change to enter the gas exhaust structure 40. Therefore, without using complicated deflection boards, the present disclosure can employ the design of the first component 10, the second component 20, the baffle member 30 and the gas exhaust structure 40 with relatively simple structures to achieve the purposes of high humidification efficiency (shorter gas flow path and higher flow velocity of gas in the space with low humidity) as well as high humidification degree (the gas turning multiple times in the space with high humidity and moving along a sinuous path).
Furthermore, in one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the baffle member 30 may be replaced by a partitioning structure, or the baffle member 30 may be present as a partitioning structure, so as to provide the gas flow obstruction and space partitioning functions at the same time. For example, the partitioning structure 30 may divide the chamber in the liquid container for gas humidification 1, which is configured as a humidifier assembly in this embodiment, into a space with low humidity S1 in proximity to the gas inlet structure, such as the gas inlet 11, and a space with high humidity S2 in proximity to the gas exhaust structure 40.
In this embodiment, the gas inlet structure is formed at the upper part of the container body, the gas exhaust structure is formed at the lower part of the container body, and the partitioning structure is arranged in the container body and between the gas inlet structure and the gas exhaust structure. Thus, the container body defines therein a gas flow path. During operation, the gas inlet structure and the gas exhaust structure are located at different sides with respect to the liquid surface, such that the gas enters the container from the upper part thereof and leaves after humidification from the lower part of the container for delivery to the user. This design improves the problems associated to discontinued gas supply or hose bending of conventional liquid containers with a gas outlet arranged at the upper part.
In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the partitioning structure 30, in addition to providing a function of space division, can be configured therein with a reservoir space 53, such that the partitioning structure 30 can also serve as a supplemental liquid container. For example, the partitioning structure 30 may be composed of parts, such as numerals 17 and 51, collectively defining an internal reservoir space 53. Therefore, the parts can be separated and then assembled before and after liquid loading respectively. Also, the partitioning structure 30 may be a one-piece container which defines therein a reservoir space 53.
In one embodiment, a water discharge structure, such as a valve hole, an opening, a tube or the like, can be disposed at the partitioning structure 30, so as to achieve the purpose of liquid supply in an automated or controlled manner. For example, an outlet pipe 55 may be extended from the bottom of the partitioning structure 30 downwardly in the container body. When the liquid container for gas humidification 1, such as a humidifier assembly, holds a sufficient amount of liquid, the liquid level is higher than the opening at the bottom end of the outlet pipe 55 and the outlet pipe 55 is submerged by the liquid. Meanwhile, due to the balanced air pressure, the liquid amount or liquid level in the partitioning structure 30 is maintained constant substantially and no liquid supply occurs. On the other hand, when the liquid in the liquid container for gas humidification 1 is vaporized during the gas humidification process and decreased such that the liquid level lowers to a certain height making the bottom opening of the outlet pipe 55 higher than the liquid level in the container 1, the liquid will flow from the reservoir space 53 to the liquid receiving space LS until the opening is closed by the liquid again.
The above-mentioned liquid supplement design can achieve the purpose of automatic liquid supply in the liquid container for gas humidification 1 and maintain a substantially constant amount of liquid therein. Undoubtedly, a skilled person can determine the configuration, such as the position of the outlet pipe 55, pipe diameter or pipe length, of the liquid discharge structure according to the amount of liquid to be received in the liquid receiving space LS, and two or more identical or different liquid discharge structures can be arranged to the partitioning structure 30 if needed.
As mentioned above, in the present disclosure, different elements or structures may be formed as one piece or individually and separately formed and then assembled together. For example, suitable molds may be used to make any part of the liquid container or the liquid storage device, such as using extrusion molding, injection molding or other molding processes known to a person skilled in the art. Furthermore, the liquid container or the humidification device described in the present disclosure may be made of various materials, such different plastic materials, or materials commonly used for medical grade products.
The foregoing detailed description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or the application and uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the term “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over others.
Moreover, while at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary one or more embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subject matter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient guide for implementing the described one or more embodiments. Also, various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by the claims, which include known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents at the time of filing this patent application.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid container for gas humidification, comprising:

a first component provided with a gas inlet;

a second component connected with the first component and defining a liquid receiving space;

a baffle member; and

a gas exhaust structure including a first opening and a second opening communicated with each other;

wherein the first component includes a first portion in proximity to the gas inlet and a second portion distal from the gas inlet, the first portion and the baffle member defining a first space, the second portion and the baffle member defining a second space, the baffle member being arranged between the first space and the second space, and the first opening of the gas exhaust structure being arranged in the second space;

and wherein the first portion of the first component includes a first guide structure configured to direct gas to the liquid receiving space, and the second portion of the first component includes a second guide structure configured to direct the gas away from the liquid receiving space, such that the gas enters the gas exhaust structure from the first opening of the gas exhaust structure and leaves the liquid container for gas humidification from the second opening of the gas exhaust structure.

2. The liquid container for gas humidification of claim 1, wherein the first opening of the gas exhaust structure is an upward-facing opening.

3. The liquid container for gas humidification of claim 2, wherein the first opening of the gas exhaust structure has a periphery with a curvature corresponding to that of the second portion of the first component.

4. The liquid container for gas humidification of claim 3, wherein a vertical distance between each point of the periphery of the first opening of the gas exhaust structure and the second portion of the first component is equal.

5. The liquid container for gas humidification of claim 1, wherein, in a humidification state, a humidity of the second space is greater than that of the first space.

6. The liquid container for gas humidification of claim 1, wherein the gas exhaust structure is an L-shaped pipe, and the first opening and the second opening are formed at two ends of the L-shaped pipe respectively.

7. The liquid container for gas humidification of claim 6, wherein the L-shaped pipe extends downwardly from the second space and protrudes outwardly from the second component.

8. The liquid container for gas humidification of claim 6, wherein the second opening of the L-shaped pipe is arranged lower than the gas inlet of the first component.

9. The liquid container for gas humidification of claim 1, further comprising a partition board arranged between the first component and the second component, wherein the first component includes a first baffle structure, the partition board includes a second baffle structure, and the first baffle structure and the second baffle structure together define the baffle member.

10. The liquid container for gas humidification of claim 1, wherein the first component and the second component individually include a recognition structure.

11. The liquid container for gas humidification of claim 1, further comprising an elbow rotatably fitted to the second opening of the gas exhaust structure.

12. A gas humidification method comprising the following steps:

(A) introducing a flow of gas from a gas inlet of a liquid container into a space with low humidity;

(B) deflecting the flow of gas to agitate liquid in the liquid container with the flow of gas;

(C) deflecting the flow of gas into a space with high humidity; and

(D) enabling the flow of gas to leave the liquid container via a gas exhaust structure from a gas outlet lower than the gas inlet.

13. The gas humidification method of claim 12, wherein step (B) comprises: deflecting the flow of gas introduced from the gas inlet to enable the flow of gas to move toward and agitate the liquid in the liquid container and then to pass through the liquid at a direction parallel to liquid surface.

14. The gas humidification method of claim 12, wherein the gas exhaust structure is an L-shaped pipe including a first opening in the space with high humidity, and wherein a vertical distance between each point of a periphery of the first opening and the liquid container is equal.

15. A humidifier assembly, comprising a container body, a gas inlet structure, a gas exhaust structure and a partitioning structure, wherein the gas inlet structure is formed at an upper portion of the container body, the gas exhaust structure is formed at a lower portion of the container body, and the partitioning structure is arranged in the container body and between the gas inlet structure and the gas exhaust structure.

16. The humidifier assembly of claim 15, wherein the gas exhaust structure includes a first opening and a second opening communicated with each other and respectively arranged inside and outside of the container body, and wherein the second opening is arranged lower than the gas inlet structure.

17. The humidifier assembly of claim 16, wherein the partitioning structure divides a space inside the container body into a space with low humidity close to the gas inlet structure and a space with high humidity close to the gas exhaust structure, and wherein the first opening of the gas exhaust structure is arranged in the space with high humidity.

18. The humidifier assembly of claim 17, wherein the second opening and the gas inlet structure are located at opposite sides of liquid surface during operation of the liquid container.

19. The humidifier assembly of claim 15, wherein the partitioning structure contains a reservoir space.

20. The humidifier assembly of claim 19, wherein the partitioning structure includes a bottom from which an outlet pipe is extended in the container body.