Water dispenser abstract
An appliance is provided with a water dispenser. A fan or heater
assembly, a hair dryer assembly, and a brush assembly are disclosed.
Each of these assemblies includes a water dispenser incorporated
therein.
Water dispenser claims
16. A fan or heater assembly, comprising: a water tank that contains
water; a blower portion having air outlets through which air from
the blower portion is directed into the environment, the blower
portion further including water outlets fluidly coupled to the water
tank for dispensing water into the environment; and a humidifier
portion fluidly coupled to the water tank, the humidifier portion
having a fan that is separate from the blower portion, and mist
outlets through which mist is directed into the environment, with
the mist outlets being separate from the water outlets.
17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the blower portion has a
housing that houses a motor and a blower, and wherein the water
outlets are provided on the housing.
18. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the blower portion includes
a heater.
19. The assembly of claim 16 further including a pump that delivers
water from the water tank to the water outlet.
20. A fan or heater assembly, comprising: a water tank that contains
water; a blower portion having air outlets through which air from
the blower portion is directed into the environment, the blower
portion further including a motor, a blower, and water outlets fluidly
coupled to the water tank for dispensing water into the environment;
a pump that delivers water from the water tank to the water outlet;
a humidifier portion fluidly coupled to the water tank, the humidifier
portion having a fan that is separate from the blower portion, and
mist outlets through which mist is directed into the environment,
with the mist outlets being separate from the water outlets.
Water dispenser description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to various appliances, and
in particular, to appliances having a built-in water dispenser that
dispenses water to enhance the use of the appliance.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Numerous conventional appliances are are readily available
in the marketplace. Fans and heaters are provided to improve comfort
and the living environment inside homes. Hair dryers and brushes
are provided to help individuals style their hair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides an appliance that has a water
dispenser. In one embodiment of the present invention, a fan or
heater assembly has a base portion, a blower portion that blows
air into the environment, a water tank that contains water, and
water outlets fluidly coupled to the water tank for dispensing water
into the environment.
[0006] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
a hair dryer assembly has a handle portion, a blower portion that
blows air into the environment, a water tank, a plurality of nozzles
fluidly coupled to the water tank, and a pump system that delivers
water from the water tank to the nozzles for dispensing water into
the environment.
[0007] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention,
a brush assembly has a handle portion, and a water spray portion
secured to the handle portion, the water spray portion having a
tube with nozzles provided about the body. The brush assembly also
has a water tank that is fluidly coupled to the nozzles, a pump
system that delivers water from the water tank to the nozzles for
dispensing water into the environment, and a brush portion that
is coupled to the tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heater assembly
of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the humidifier portion of
the heater assembly of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hair dryer assembly according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the hair dryer assembly
of FIG. 4.
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the hair dryer
assembly of FIG. 4.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a brush assembly according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIGS. 8 and 9 are two different exploded perspective view
of the brush assembly of FIG. 7.
[0016] FIG. 10 illustrates the brush assembly of FIG. 7 in use
with a different brush head.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The following detailed description is of the best presently
contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description
is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the
purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the
invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended
claims.
[0018] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one embodiment of a heater assembly
20 according to the present invention. The heater assembly 20 has
a base portion 22 a blower portion 24 and a humidifier portion
26. The base portion 22 houses the circuit board, power system,
and other electronics for the heater assembly 20. The circuit board,
power system and electronics can be the same as for any of the conventional
heater assemblies that are currently available in the marketplace,
and will not be described in further detail. A power cord 28 extends
from the base portion 22 to provide power from an external power
source. A control panel 29 can be provided on a side wall 34 of
the blower portion 24 for controlling the operation of the assembly
20.
[0019] The blower portion 24 has a heater 30 that is housed inside
a housing that is made up of two side walls 32 34 and a front wall
36 that are attached together to form a hollow interior space that
receives and holds the heater 30. Air inlets 38 are provided in
the side walls 32 34 through which air can be drawn for use by
the heater 30. Air outlets 40 are provided in the front wall 36
through which heated air can be ejected. In addition, water outlets
44 are provided in the front wall 36 through which water can be
ejected.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 2-3 the humidifier portion 26 can be
any conventional humdifier that is provided at the top of the walls
32 34 36. The humidifier portion 26 includes the components of
a conventional humidifier, including a housing 261 that houses a
filter 262 a water tank 263 a motor (not shown) and a blower or
fan 264. A mist section 265 is provided above the housing 261 and
has mist outlets 266 through which cool or warm mist can be introduced
into the environment. The motor can be retained in either the mist
section 265 or the housing 261. A control panel 267 can be provided
on either the mist section 265 or the housing 261 to allow for control
of the humidifier separate from control for the heater 30. In addition,
a power cord 268 extends from the housing 261 to allow power to
be provided separately to the humidifier and the heater 30. Alternatively,
wiring (not shown) can extend through the blower portion 24 to couple
the circuit board and electronics in the base portion 22 to the
motor in the humidifier portion 26.
[0021] A pump 42 is provided in the housing 261 of the humidifier
portion 26. The pump 42 can be embodied in the form of any conventional
negative-pressure pump, and functions to deliver water from the
water tank 263 to at least one water tube 46 which extends from
the humidifier portion 26 into the interior of the blower portion
24. Each water tube 46 is fluidly coupled to a corresponding water
conduit 48 that is located at a position that is adjacent to the
front wall 36. Water outlets 50 are provided on the conduit(s) 48
at locations adjacent to the water outlets 44.
[0022] In use, a user can turn on the heater 30 by controlling
the control panel 29 such as by turning on one or more switches.
The heater 30 emits warm air through the air and water outlets 40.
In one embodiment, the blower portion 24 rotates in a reciprocal
manner about the fixed base portion 22 to disperse the heat. If
the user desires to provide a less dry (i.e., slightly more humid)
environment, the user can turn on the humidifier by controlling
the control panel 267 on the mist section 265. The user can additionally
(and optionally) actuate the pump 42 (by pressing) to cause water
to be pumped from the water tank 50 via the tube(s) 46 and conduit(s)
48 and ejected through the water outlets 50 and 44. Thus, the user
can operate the heater 30 and the humidifier portion 26 separately
and independently from each other. In other words, the user can
operate the humidifier portion 26 alone, the heater 30 alone, or
both the heater 30 and the humidifier portion 26.
[0023] Even though FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a heater assembly 20 the
heater 30 can be a conventional cooling fan, in which case the blower
portion 24 would be blowing cool air as opposed to warm air. The
construction, structure and features of conventional blower portions
used for fan assemblies are well-known to those skilled in the art.
[0024] In addition, although the humidifier portion 26 is illustrated
as being provided above the blower portion 24 it is also possible
to position the humidifier portion 26 below the blower portion 24
or to one side of either of the side walls 32 or 34.
[0025] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate one embodiment of a hair dryer assembly
100 according to the present invention. The hair dryer assembly
100 has a handle portion 102 a blower portion 104 and a water tank
106.
[0026] The handle portion 102 houses the electronics 108 for a
conventional hair dryer. A power cord 110 extends from the handle
portion 102 to supply external power to the hair dryer assembly
100. Switches 112 are provided on the handle portion 102 for controlling
the hair dryer 100 including turning the hair dryer 100 on and
off.
[0027] The blower portion 104 has a generally cylindrical housing
120 having an open rear end 122 and an open front end 124. A fan
system 126 a heater 136 and a pump system are housed inside the
housing 120. The fan system 126 is positioned adjacent the opening
in the rear end 122 and includes a fan 130 carried on a shaft 132
extending from a motor 134 in a conventional manner well-known in
the art. A heater 136 is positioned in front of the fan 130. The
water tank 106 is positioned above the heater 136 through an opening
138 cut out of the housing 120. The water tank 106 has a water inlet
140 through which water can be introduced. A cover 128 blocks and
secures the inlet 140. The pump system includes a sprayer 142 which
is fluidly connected with the interior of the water tank 106 by
a first tubing 144. The sprayer 142 is positioned between the heater
136 and the fan 130 adjacent the handle portion 102 and is coupled
to a pump 146 that has a pump button 147 extending through the housing
120 for actuation and control by the user. The pump system further
includes a spray mount 150 positioned adjacent the front end 124
and in front of the heater 136. A second tubing 148 extends below
the heater 136 and fluidly connects the sprayer 142 and an internal
conduit 152 provided in the spray mount 150. The internal conduit
152 is fluidly connected to a plurality of nozzles 154 through which
water can be ejected. The pump 146 can be embodied in the form of
any conventional negative-pressure pump, and functions to deliver
water from the water tank 106 (via the tubings 144 and 148) to the
spray mount 150.
[0028] The hair dryer assembly 100 can be used in the following
manner. First, a switch 112 can be actuated to turn on the fan system
126 and the heater 136. The fan system 126 draws air through the
opened rear end 122 and the fan 130 generates a flow of air that
is directed towards the heater 136 and the front end 124 of the
housing 120. The heater 136 generates heat to warm up the air that
passes through the heater 136 from the fan 130 to the front end
124. The warmed air is blown out through the open front end 124.
When the user desires to wet his or her hair, the user presses on
the pump button 147 which creates negative pressure to draw water
from the water tank 106 through the first tubing 144 to the sprayer
142 and pump 146 where the negative pressure further delivers the
water through the second tubing 148 to the nozzles 154 (via the
internal conduit 152 in the spray mount 150), where the water is
ejected and sprayed. The water in the water tank 106 can be replenished
by removing the cover 128 at the inlet 140 of the water tank 106.
[0029] FIGS. 7-10 illustrate one embodiment of a brush assembly
200 according to the present invention. The brush assembly 200 can
be used as a conventional brush. The brush assembly 200 has a handle
portion 202 a water tank 204 a water spray portion 206 and a
brush portion BP1.
[0030] The handle portion 202 has an elongated housing 208 which
houses the electronics (not shown) to power a heating element 209.
A power cord 210 extends from the housing 208 to supply external
power to the brush assembly 200. A switch 211 can be provided on
the housing 208 for turning the heating element 209 on and off.
If the brush assembly 200 is used as a conventional brush without
the need for electrical power, the electronics, the heating element
209 the power cord 210 and the switch 211 can be omitted.
[0031] The housing 208 defines a cut-out region 212 which is adapted
to receive the removable water tank 204. The water tank 204 can
be fitted into the cut-out region 212 with the housing 208 the
cut-out region 212 and the water tank 204 configured so that the
entire handle portion 202 (with the water tank 204 attached thereto)
has an ergonomically and aesthetically pleasing overall configuration.
Aligned ridges (e.g., see 218 219) can be provided on the housing
208 and the water tank 204 to secure the water tank 204 in the cut-out
region 212. An opening 214 is provided at a front wall 216 of the
housing 208. The water tank 204 has a cover 213 that closes the
opening in the water tank 204 through which water is introduced.
[0032] A pump system 215 is provided in the water tank 204 to pump
water from the inside of the water tank 204 to the water spray portion
206. A pump button 220 extends from the pump system 215 for the
user to actuate the pump system 215.
[0033] The water spray portion 206 is fixedly secured to the brush
portion BP1. The water spray portion 206 has an elongate tube 230
having a plurality of nozzles 232 provided in spaced-apart manner
about the tube 230. A spray conduit 234 extends from one end of
the tube 230 and is adapted to be fitted into the opening 214 in
the front wall 216 of the housing 208 and through a water outlet
236 at one end of the water tank 204. A locking ring 235 can be
provided on the conduit 234 to secure the conduit 234 at the opening
214.
[0034] The brush portion BP1 has a board 240 on which a plurality
of bristles 242 are provided. The brush portion BP1 can be a brush
portion for a conventional brush. The board 240 can assume any shape
or size, and FIG. 7 illustrates the board 240 as having a generally
oval shape. A slot 244 is provided along an edge of the board 240
and is adapted to receive, retain and expose a portion of the tube
230. In particular, the tube 230 is fixedly secured to board 240
at the location of the slot 244. The slot 244 also exposes a portion
of the tube 230 (as best shown in FIG. 7) and some nozzles 232.
Thus, water emitted through the nozzles 232 can exit through the
slot 244.
[0035] The same handle portion 202 (and the water tank 204 carried
thereon) can be used with a different brush portion, such as brush
portion BP2 shown in FIG. 10. The brush portion BP2 can be a conventional
curling brush, and has a tubular body 250 that defines an internal
bore. The body 250 has at least one elongated slit 252 provided
along the length thereof. A plurality of the nozzles 232 from the
tube 230 are positioned along the slit 252. A plurality of bristles
254 are provided about the body 250. The tube 230 is adapted to
be inserted into, and fixedly retained inside, the bore of the body
250.
[0036] To use the brush assembly 200 with brush portion BP1 the
user grips the handle portion 202 to comb his or her hair, and if
the user desires to spray a little water to his or her hair, the
user presses the pump button 220 which causes water from the water
tank 204 to be delivered via the outlet 236 and the conduit 234
to the tube 230 and ejected through the nozzles 232. If a heating
element 209 is provided, the user can turn on the switch 211 to
turn on the heating element 209 which will warm up the water retained
inside the water tank 204 so that the ejected water can be warm.
[0037] To use the brush assembly 200 with brush portion BP2 the
user grips the handle portion 202 to comb his or her hair, and if
the user desires to spray a little water to his or her hair, the
user presses the pump button 220 which causes water from the water
tank 204 to be delivered via the outlet 236 and the conduit 234
to the tube 230 and ejected through the nozzles 232 and the slit
252. If a heating element 209 is provided, the user can turn on
the switch 211 to turn on the heating element 209 which will warm
up the water retained inside the water tank 204 so that the ejected
water can be warm.
[0038] While the description above refers to particular embodiments
of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications
may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. |