# US 7,607,430 B2 · Magnetically coupled humidifier container components > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,430 B2 - Document ID: US7607430B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/736,664 - Filed: 2007-04-18 - Published: 2008-10-23 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2007-04-18 - Assignees: Hana Consulting, Inc. - Inventors: Mitchell G. Davis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607430B2 ## CPC - H01F 7/0263: {Closures, bags, bands, engagement devices with male and female parts} - H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES ## Abstract A method of coupling the upper and lower section of a humidifier container used to humidify oxygen gas, using magnetic coupling means. A series of corresponding magnets around the container, located externally to the device or internally, secure the lower part or vessel to the upper part or cap. Using magnets opposing an attracted metal may he used in lieu of corresponding magnet to magnet attraction which requires the poles of the magnets be oriented with their poles to attract each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of coupling and securing a cap to a vessel of a humidifier container used for humidifying a gas, the method comprising: providing a vessel and a cap, which comprises a humidifying container; and providing means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces, wherein said coupling means comprises a plurality of spaced-apart magnets around a perimeter of said cap or said vessel, and wherein said magnetically attractive forces of said coupling means are weakened for easier disassembly of said humidifier container when said cap or said vessel is turned relative to the other of said cap or said vessel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises: a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around an external perimeter of said cap; and a corresponding plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around an external perimeter of said vessel, wherein said plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around said external perimeter of said cap are aligned with said corresponding plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around said external perimeter of said vessel and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between said cap and said vessel during operation of said humidifying container. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises: a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around an external perimeter of said cap; and a corresponding plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members around an external perimeter of said vessel, wherein said plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around said external perimeter of said cap are aligned with said corresponding plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members around said external perimeter of said vessel and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between said cap and said vessel during operation of said humidifying container. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises: a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around an external perimeter of said vessel; and a corresponding plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members around an external perimeter of said cap, wherein said plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around said external perimeter of said vessel are aligned with said corresponding plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members around said external perimeter of said cap and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between said cap and said vessel during operation of said humidifying container. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises: a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around an internal perimeter of said cap; and a corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets around an internal perimeter of said vessel, wherein said plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around said internal perimeter of said cap are aligned with said corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets around said internal perimeter of said vessel and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between said cap and said vessel during operation of said humidifying container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises: a plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members around an internal perimeter of said cap; and a corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets around an internal perimeter of said vessel, wherein said plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members around said internal perimeter of said cap are aligned with said corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets around said internal perimeter of said vessel and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between said cap and said vessel during operation of said humidifying container. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises: a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around an internal perimeter of said cap; and a corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart metal members around an internal perimeter of said vessel, wherein said plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around said internal perimeter of said cap are aligned with said corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart metal members around said internal perimeter of said vessel and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between said cap and said vessel during operation of said humidifying container. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises one of: a mating internal magnetic ring or a plurality of mating spaced-apart magnetic segments forming said internal ring on each of said upper and lower sections of said humidifier container, and a mating internal magnetic ring or a plurality of mating spaced-apart magnetic segments forming said internal ring on one of said upper and lower sections of said humidifier container with a corresponding internal metal member ring or a plurality of corresponding mating metal member segments on the other of said upper and lower sections of said humidifier container. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising means for interlocking said cap to said vessel of said humidifier container, wherein said interlocking means comprises a mating tab and a slot, wherein said mating tab is configured to engage said slot when said cap and said vessel are magnetically coupled. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein pressure within said vessel and said cap is relieved when said pressure at least partially and at least transiently overcomes the magnetically attractive forces of said coupling means. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises four or more spaced-apart magnets around said perimeter of said cap or said vessel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein said coupling means comprises six spaced-apart magnets around said perimeter of said cap or said vessel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein said plurality of spaced-apart magnets are equally spaced around said perimeter of said cap or said vessel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said humidifier container holds water in said vessel and receives dry gas and dispenses humidified gas through said cap. ### Claim 15 A humidifier container used for humidifying a gas comprising: a cap; a vessel; and means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces wherein said coupling means comprises a plurality of spaced-apart magnets around a perimeter of said cap or said vessel, and wherein said magnetically attractive forces of said coupling means are weakened for easier disassembly of said humidifier container when said cap or said vessel is turned relative to the other of said cap or said vessel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The humidifier container according to claim 15, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises: a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around an external perimeter of said cap; and a corresponding plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around an external perimeter of said vessel, wherein said plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around said external perimeter of said cap are aligned with said corresponding plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around said external perimeter of said vessel and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between said cap and said vessel during operation of said humidifying container. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The humidifier container according to claim 15, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises: a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets round an external perimeter of said cap; and a corresponding plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members around an external perimeter of said vessel, wherein said plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around said external perimeter of said cap are aligned with said corresponding plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members around said external perimeter of said vessel and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between said cap and said vessel during operation of said humidifying container. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The humidifier container according to claim 15, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises: a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around an external perimeter of said vessel; and a corresponding plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members around an external perimeter of said cap, wherein said plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around said external perimeter of said vessel are aligned with said corresponding plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members around said external perimeter of said cap and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between said cap and said vessel during operation of said humidifying container. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The humidifier container according to claim 15, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises: a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets round an internal perimeter of said cap; and a corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets round an internal perimeter of said vessel, wherein said plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around said internal perimeter of said cap are aligned with said corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets around said internal perimeter of said vessel and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between said cap and said vessel during operation of said humidifying container. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The humidifier container according to claim 15, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises: a plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members around an internal perimeter of said cap; and a corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets Mound an internal perimeter of said vessel, wherein said plurality of radially spaced-apart metal members round said internal perimeter of said cap are aligned with said corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart magnets around said internal perimeter of said vessel and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between said cap and said vessel during operation of said humidifying container. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The humidifier container according to claim 15, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises: a plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets round an internal perimeter of said cap; and a corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart metal members around an internal perimeter of said vessel, wherein said plurality of radially spaced-apart magnets around said internal perimeter of said cap are aligned with said corresponding plurality of radially-spaced apart metal members around said internal perimeter of said vessel and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between said cap and said vessel during operation of said humidifying container. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The humidifier container according to claim 15, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces comprises one of: a mating internal magnetic ring or a plurality of mating spaced-apart magnetic segments forming said internal ring on each of said upper and lower sections of said humidifier container, and a mating internal magnetic ring or a plurality of mating spaced-apart magnetic segments forming said internal ring on one of said upper and lower sections of said humidifier container with a corresponding internal metal member ring or a plurality of corresponding mating metal member segments on the other of said upper and lower sections of said humidifier container. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The humidifier container according to claim 15, further comprising means for interlocking said cap to said vessel of said humidifier container, wherein said interlocking means comprises a mating tab and a slot, wherein said mating tab is configured to engage said slot when said cap and said vessel are magnetically coupled. ### Claim 24 (depends on 15) The humidifier container of claim 15, wherein pressure within said vessel and said cap is relieved when said pressure at least partially and at least transiently overcomes the magnetically attractive forces of said coupling means. ### Claim 25 (depends on 15) The humidifier container of claim 15, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel comprises four or more spaced-apart magnets around said perimeter of said cap or said vessel. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The humidifier container of claim 25, wherein said means for coupling said cap to said vessel comprises six spaced-apart magnets around said perimeter of said cap or said vessel. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The humidifier container of claim 25, wherein said plurality of spaced-apart magnets are equally spaced around said perimeter of said cap or said vessel. ### Claim 28 (depends on 15) The humidifier container of claim 15, wherein said humidifier container holds water in said vessel and receives dry gas and dispenses humidified gas through said cap. ### Claim 29 A humidifier container used for humidifying a gas comprising: a cap; a vessel; and means for coupling said cap to said vessel using magnetically attractive forces; wherein said means for coupling comprises: a plurality of spaced-apart magnets around a perimeter of said cap; and a corresponding plurality of spaced-apart magnets around a perimeter of said vessel, wherein said plurality of spaced-apart magnets around said perimeter of said cap are attracted to said corresponding plurality of spaced-apart magnets around said perimeter of said vessel and configured so as to provide a secure engagement between said cap and said vessel during operation of said humidifying container.