# US 8,770,557 B2 · Humidifier with improved heated scent mechanism > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,557 B2 - Document ID: US8770557B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/315,638 - Filed: 2011-12-09 - Published: 2012-08-23 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2010-12-10 - Assignees: Helen of Troy Limited - Applicants: Christopher S. Kanel - Inventors: Christopher S. Kanel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770557B2 ## CPC - A61L 9/035: {emanating multiple odours} - A61L 9/015: using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone (A61L9/20 takes precedence {; evaporation in general B01B1/005}) - F24F 6/025: {using electrical heating means (F24F6/105 takes precedence)} - A61L 2209/11: Apparatus for controlling air treatment - A61L 2209/133: Replaceable cartridges, refills - A61L 2209/15: Supporting means, e.g. stands, hooks, holes for hanging - A61L 2209/212: Use of ozone, e.g. generated by UV radiation or electrical discharge - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) ## Abstract A portable appliance includes a humidifier and a heated scent mechanism. The heated scent mechanism includes a scent generator that harvests excess heat produced by a liquid heating chamber, or heat produced as a byproduct of motor operation. The humidifier may be controllable such that the appliance can serve as either a humidifier or air-freshener, individually or simultaneously. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A humidifier comprising: a reservoir configured to hold water; humidifier equipment in fluid communications with the reservoir to generate humidified air using water held in the reservoir, the humidifier equipment comprising a heat source; an enclosure at least partially enclosing the heat source; and a holder configured to hold a scent-releasing element, the holder thermally coupled to the enclosure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1 wherein the holder contacts the enclosure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1 wherein the heat source is a heating element configured to heat water from the reservoir. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1 wherein the heat source is a motor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1 wherein the holder comprises a first surface that faces a corresponding second surface of the enclosure, and the holder is configured to hold the scent-releasing element in contact with the first surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The humidifier of claim 5 wherein the first surface contacts the second surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1 further comprising an adjustable exposure mechanism to control exposure of the scent-releasing element disposed within the holder. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is provided by a first housing, the first housing having an opening, the humidifier equipment comprises a heating element, and the enclosure comprises an inner cap coupled to a top portion of the heating element and to a heating chamber enclosing a longitudinal length of the heating element, the humidifier further comprising a second housing coupled to the inner cap and configured to be removably disposed over the opening of the first housing, wherein the holder includes a slot disposed in the second housing, and a surface of the slot contacts a surface of the inner cap to thermally couple the slot with heat generated from the heating element via conduction through the enclosure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The humidifier of claim 8 wherein the inner cap has a thermal conductivity that exceeds a thermal conductivity of the second housing. ### Claim 10 A method for generating a scent using heat from a humidifier, the humidifier comprising humidifying equipment having a heat source, wherein the humidifying equipment is in fluid communication with a reservoir configured to generate humidified air using the water held in said reservoir, the method comprising: utilizing heat from the heat source to heat a scent-releasing element by positioning the scent-releasing element at a location that is in thermal communication with the heat source. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising utilizing a slot configured to hold the scent-releasing element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising positioning the slot so that the slot directly contacts an enclosure of the heat source, the enclosure at least partially enclosing the heat source. ### Claim 13 A holder for a scent-releasing element of a humidifier, the scent holder comprising: a slot comprising a first surface and configured to removably hold a scent-releasing element in contact with the first surface, wherein the slot is further configured for placement in the humidifier so that the first surface contacts an enclosure of a heat source in the humidifier; an adjustable exposure mechanism for adjustably controlling exposure of the scent-releasing element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The holder of claim 13 wherein the holder comprises a plurality of slots configured to removably hold a corresponding plurality of scent-releasing elements. ### Claim 15 A humidifier comprising: a reservoir configured to hold water; humidifier equipment in fluid communication with the reservoir to generate humidified air using water held in the reservoir; and a holder configured to hold a scent-releasing element, the holder having a slot comprising a first surface and configured to removably hold a scent-releasing element in contact with the first surface, wherein the slot is further configured for placement in the humidifier so that the first surface contacts an enclosure of a heat source in the humidifier. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The humidifier of claim 15 further comprising an adjustable exposure mechanism to control exposure of the scent-releasing element disposed within the holder. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The humidifier of claim 15 wherein the heat source is a motor.