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US-20260126207-A1 - HUMIDIFYING AND FILTERING FLOOR REGISTER WITH CHILD-SAFE DESIGN FOR HVAC SYSTEMS

US20260126207A1US 20260126207 A1US20260126207 A1US 20260126207A1US-20260126207-A1

Abstract

The disclosure is a humidifying and filtering floor register for HVAC systems, designed to passively improve air quality as air flows through duct openings. It features a main body with a central water reservoir for optimal airflow, a filter to capture dust and allergens, and a top grille with an integrated funnel for easy refilling without removing the unit. Child-safe snap features secure the grille, and the design supports additional accessories like booster fans and sensors. This modular, low-maintenance solution enhances indoor air quality, benefiting homes with children and eco-conscious users.

Inventors

  • Johan Van Hulle

Assignees

  • PLATSUN INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20250830

Claims (14)

  1. 1 . A humidifying and filtering floor register apparatus that provides a room with additional air filtration, the apparatus comprising: a frame; a water reservoir; a filter; and a wicking humidifier element; wherein the filter and wicking humidifier element is in proximity to the water reservoir such that when the water reservoir is at a sufficient fullness; wherein the water in the water reservoir wets the filter and wicking humidifier element; wherein airflow passing through parts of the filter and wicking humidifier element are exposed to the filter and wicking humidifier element and add humidity in the airflow.
  2. 2 . The floor register apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filter and wicking humidifier element is configured to filter and trap contaminants in the airflow.
  3. 3 . The floor register apparatus of claim 1 further comprises a grill and a funnel to aid in directing water to the reservoir for refilling.
  4. 4 . The floor register apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least part of the floor register is configured to fix the register securely to the side of the floor register opening.
  5. 5 . The floor register apparatus of claim 1 , whereby the funnel feature is further configured for deformation of the filter and wicking humidifier element into the water reservoir.
  6. 6 . The floor register apparatus of claim 1 whereby the funnel element is equipped with an indicator showing the maximum level of water that can safely be added to the reservoir.
  7. 7 . The floor register apparatus of claim 1 incorporates air flow controls to direct the air flow between a humidified section of the floor register and a section that is not humidified.
  8. 8 . The floor register apparatus of claim 1 whereby the wicking filters are available providing filtration.
  9. 9 . The floor register apparatus of claim 1 whereby the air flow is directed by a plurality of directing elements to different portions of the wicking filter.
  10. 10 . The floor register apparatus of claim 1 whereby the wicking filters are available in different humidification intensities.
  11. 11 . The floor register apparatus of claim 1 whereby the top register grate element clicks in place to prevent children from opening the register grate.
  12. 12 . The floor register apparatus of claim 1 whereby additional additives can be used in the reservoir to enhance the smell of the airflow, to impede growth of bacteria, mould, or to provide a more controlled release of humidity into the airflow.
  13. 13 . The floor register apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a booster fan to increase airflow through the floor register.
  14. 14 . The floor register apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an additional or standalone heating or cooling element or sensor.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/717,333, entitled “HUMIDIFYING AND FILTERING FLOOR REGISTER WITH CHILD-SAFE DESIGN FOR HVAC SYSTEMS”, filed on Nov. 7, 2024, of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND Modern homes in North America are frequently heated and cooled using HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems. Many of these HVAC systems use a centralized forced air system to utilize the efficiency of central cooling and heating units. These systems use a network of ducting to distribute the heated or cooled air to different rooms of the household. While some centralized HVAC systems have centralized systems to increase the humidity inside a house, they operate on the whole house at once, and are generally unable to add humidity to specific areas of a house that may require additional humidification. Further, the current systems have only a centralized filter to trap dust and allergens, making per room filtration selection impossible. SUMMARY The disclosure is a humidifying and filtering floor register for HVAC systems, designed to passively improve air quality as air flows through duct openings. The disclosure features a main body with a central water reservoir permitting optimal airflow, a filter to capture dust and allergens, and a top grille with an integrated spout for easy refilling without removing the unit. Child-safe snap features secure the grille, and the design supports additional accessories like booster fans and sensors. This modular, low-maintenance solution enhances indoor air quality, benefiting homes with children and eco-conscious users. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 Is a perspective view of the floor register showing the top cover grille detached. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the vent register, showing the position of the central water reservoir within the duct. FIG. 3 is a top-down perspective view of the floor register. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the unit showing top grille, the evaporating filter and the base with integrated reservoir. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the top-refill function of the reservoir through the spout. FIG. 6 is a cross-section highlighting the interaction between the water reservoir, the evaporator filter, and airflow. FIG. 7 is a sectional side view showing the floor register installed above a booster fan accessory within the duct boot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following descriptions, the present disclosure will be explained with reference to various example embodiments; nevertheless, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present disclosure to any specific example, environment, application, or particular implementation described herein. Therefore, descriptions of these example embodiments are only provided for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present disclosure. The disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The various features or aspects discussed herein can also be combined in additional combinations and embodiments, whether or not explicitly discussed herein, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. FIG. 1 shows a partially exploded view of the air duct humidifier and filter arrangement. The filter and floor insertable element 101 is shown. This element sits in the opening in the floor that is the air duct. Typically, the air flow is up from the bottom of the duct below the insertable element 101 and passes by the reservoir 102. The top grill and funnel component (shown as 404 in FIG. 4) sits in side the top cavity of element 101 and provides mechanical protection of both the reservoir and the filter, while permitting airflow. FIG. 2 shows an end view of the installed device inside an air duct cavity 201. FIG. 3 shows a top isometric view of the top grill and funnel arrangement. An additional feature of this element is shown with the MAX line indicating the maximum water level to which the reservoir should be filled. FIG. 4 is a partially exploded isometric view of the air duct humidifier and filter. The top grill and funnel is indicated as element 404 and the funnel is indicated as element 405 directing water to the center portion of the reservoir. Element 408 is the top grill system that provides for mechanical protection preventing large objects from entering the reservoir or duct system. The top grill is constructed with reinforcements to permit a larger weight, such as that of a person, to be supported without breaking. Additional features on the top grill 409 provide centering alignment so that the top grill does not move out of position with respect to the reservoir and filter 401. These alignment features mate with features 411 and similar features on the reservoir and filter 401. Further, elements 411 provide a reten