Heating element for a humidifier

A humidifying apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a tray for holding water, the tray disposed in proximity to the housing;
• and
• a heating element, the heating element positioned at least partially within the tray, the heating element including a mounting portion, a leg portion and a foot portion, the mounting portion being coupled to the housing, the leg portion having an upper end and a lower end, the mounting portion being coupled to the upper end of the leg portion, the leg portion extending substantially vertically downward from the mounting portion, the foot portion being coupled to the lower end of the leg portion and extending substantially horizontally therefrom, the foot portion including an upper surface, a lower surface and a perimeter viewed from above the foot portion, the foot portion being shaped such that a line from the upper surface to the lower surface must pass through the perimeter of the heating element.

A humidifying apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a tray for holding water, the tray disposed in proximity to the housing;
• and
• a heating element, the heating element positioned at least partially within the tray, the heating element including a mounting portion, a leg portion and a foot portion, the mounting portion being coupled to the housing, the leg portion having an upper end and a lower end, the mounting portion being coupled to the upper end of the leg portion, the leg portion extending substantially vertically downward from the mounting portion, the foot portion being coupled to the lower end of the leg portion and extending substantially horizontally therefrom, the foot portion including a bottom surface and a perimeter when viewed from above, the bottom surface including a nadir, the bottom surface being at least one of curved and slanted upward from the nadir to the perimeter of the heating element.

A heating element for use in a humidifying apparatus comprising:

• a mounting portion,
• a leg portion, the leg portion having an upper end and a lower end, the mounting portion being coupled to the upper end of the leg portion, the leg portion extending substantially vertically downward from the mounting portion;
• and
• a foot portion, the foot portion being coupled to the lower end of the leg portion and extending substantially horizontally therefrom, the leg portion being elongated and separating the mounting portion and the foot portion.

A heating element for use in a humidifying apparatus comprising:

• a mounting portion;
• a leg portion, the leg portion having an upper end and a lower end, the mounting portion being coupled to the upper end of the leg portion, the leg portion extending substantially vertically downward from the mounting portion;
• and
• a foot portion, the foot portion being coupled to the lower end of the leg portion and extending substantially horizontally therefrom, the foot portion including an upper surface, a lower surface and a perimeter viewed from above, the foot portion being shaped such that a line from the upper surface to the lower surface must pass through the perimeter of the heating element.

A heating element for use in a humidifying apparatus comprising:

• a mounting portion;
• a leg portion, the leg portion having an upper end and a lower end, the mounting portion being coupled to the upper end of the leg portion, the leg portion extending substantially vertically downward from the mounting portion into the water;
• and
• a foot portion, the foot portion being coupled to the lower end of the leg portion and extending substantially horizontally therefrom in the water, the foot portion including a bottom surface and a perimeter when viewed from above, the bottom surface including a nadir, the bottom surface being at least one of curved and slanted upward from the nadir to the perimeter of the heating element.