Display case humidifier

Dec. 16, 1947.

2,432,736

F. ELKINS

DISPLAY CASE HUMIDIFIER

Filed Oct. 25, 1945

Sheets-Sheet 1

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A't'tos-ne.y

Dec. 16, 1947. _F elkins 2,432,736

DISPLAY CASE HUMIDIFIER Filed Oct. 25, 1945 · 2 Sheets-Sheet 2

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Patented Dec. 16, 1947

2,432,736

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,432,736 DISPLAY CASE HUMIDIFIER Frank Elkins, Philadelphia, Pa. Application October 25, 1945, Serial No. 624,479

Claims.

This invention relates to display cases for cigars and the like and more particularly to an improved means for maintaining the interior of the case in a humid state necessary for preserving in proper condition the cigars or other such goods displayed in the case.

Among the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive humidifying system for display cases which is adapted for ready and convenient installation therein, which is relatively inconspicuous and occupies a minimum of space in the case and which insures uniform and constant distribution of moisture throughout the interior of the case.

More particularly, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a humidifier for display cases which is constructed of simple pipe sections adapted to be cut into suitable lengths and assembled to fit within the interior of cigar cases of any size and shape, the assembled sections providing for a wide distribution of moisture derived from water introduced into the pipe system, as desired, at a single convenient point.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent hereinafter, it being understood that the present invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as described in detail hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawings and as finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which are illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the humidifier of the present invention installed within a display case such as is conventionally used for displaying cigars;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of a part of a humidifying system as viewed upwardly from the horizontal plane of the line 2—2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view showing the component elements of one section of the humidifying system;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view of a corner connection between a pair of sections as taken on the line 4—4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5—5 of Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6—6 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, it will be observed that the humidifier apparatus of the present invention, as installed within the display case 10, essentially consists of a system of interconnected (CI. 299—20) humidifying conduits 11, 12, 13 and 14 commonly disposed in a substantially horizontal plane adjacent the top of the case, the conduits being supported in their elevated position by a plurality 5 of vertically extending standards 15 respectively disposed in the several corners of the display case. It will be understood, of course, that the interconnected humidifying conduits may be of any required number to provide a shape to the 10 assembly which corresponds generally to the shape of the case. Thus, while in the arrangement as illustrated, four such conduits are assembled into· substantially rectangular form, any other polygonal form may be obtained by employ15 ing the requisite number of interconnected conduits, the present invention being not limited, of course, to the shape of the conduit system.

Each of the humidifying conduits of the system consists of three separate elements as shown in 20 Figure 3, namely, an outer member 16 of tubular form slotted along its entire length, as at IT, an inner tubular member 18 provided along one side thereof with a series of longitudinally spaced apertures 19, and an intermediate pad 20 of porous 25 material, such as sponge rubber, felt or water absorbent material. Each of the outer members 16 is provided at its opposite ends with annular flanges 21, while each of the inner members i 8 is likewise provided at its opposite extremities with ³⁰ flanges 22, it being noted that for each conduit assembly the inner· perforated member 18 is somewhat longer than its associated outer slotted member 16, this for a purpose which will be apparent hereinafter.

³⁵ In the assembly of the associated elements 16, 18 and 20, as shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 6, the member 16 is disposed with its longitudinally extending slot IT presently downwardly and in longitudinal registry with the perforations 19 40 of the inner member 18, the water absorbent pad 20 being interposed between the concentrically arranged tubular members 16 and 18 in the region of the registering slot IT and perforations 19.

Adjoining assemblies of the elements 16, 18 and ⁴⁵ 20 are secured together by suitable corner fittings 23 generally in the shape of elbows having opposite externally threaded ends 24—24 adapted respectively to be fitted with flanged clamping rings 25 embracing opposite ends of each assembly. ⁶⁰ As most clearly appears in Figures 2 and 4, the flange 26 of the clamping ring 25 engages the end flange of the external slotted member 16 of the conduit assembly and draws it toward the end of the elbow fitting 23 when the clamping ring is 55 threaded onto the latter. Suitable washers 2T

2,432, and 28 are respectively interposed between the flanges 21 and 22 of the concentric members 18 and 18 and between the flange 22 and the elbow, in consequence of which a secure joint is obtained between the assembled parts to insure free and 5 continuous communication throughout the full circuit of the interconnected internal apertured members 18. Thus, water passing through the fittings 23 can only flow into the interior of the members 18 for discharge therefrom downwardly 10 by way of the perforations 19 to thereby moisten the pads 20 disposed between the perforations 19 and the bottom slots 17 of the external members 16.

It will be understood, of course, that the hu- 15 midifying system consisting of the several interconnected assemblies of the elements 16, 18 and 28· provides a continuous circuit for the flow of water through the interiors of the interconnected perforated members 18 with the result that the 20 several water absorbent pads 20 of the system are constantly and uniformly moistened by the water discharged through the perforations 19. These uniformly moistened pads 20 then give up the moisture accumulated therein through the slots 25 17 of the members 16, these slots being in such free communication with the interior of the display case as to provide for constant wide-spread and uniform humidification of its interior.

In order to provide the conduit system with its 30 necessary supply of water, any one or more of the elbow fittings 23 may be provided in its top side with an opening 29 through which water may be delivered into the system in sufficient quantity and at periodic intervals, as required, to main- 35 tain the several pads 20 in thoroughly moistened condition. Preferably, in order to facilitate such introduction of water into the system, the opening 29 may be internally threaded for acceptance of a funnel element 30. 40

To support the interconnected sections of the conduit system in desired elevated position within the display case, it is preferred to employ standards, such as 15, the upper ends of which are threadedly fitted into suitable sockets 31 ⁴⁵formed in the bottom sides of each of the elbow fittings 23. Of course, any other suitable arrangement may be employed for supporting the system in position within the display case.

It will be understood, of course, that the pres- ⁵⁰ent invention is susceptible of various changes

736 which may be made from time to time without departing from the general principles or real spirit thereof, and it is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly as well as specifically as indicated by the appended claims.