A floating humidifier module that sits and operates on water in its tank
A small ultrasonic humidifier assembly designed to float on the water inside its own tank. The floating body holds an ultrasonic vibrator, draws water through an inflow hole, produces mist, and channels the mist out via a guide pipe while a detachable cover and humidifier case secure the unit in the open-top tank. It’s aimed at consumer/home and institutional use where spill control and protection from foreign objects are priorities.
(57) What the patent covered
The main independent claim covered an ultrasonic humidifier arranged as a floating body that sits in an open-top water tank, where the floating body has a water inflow hole and internal space, an ultrasonic vibrator inserted into that inflow hole to make mist from the tank water, a humidifier case detachably coupled to the floating body, a cover that closes the tank top with a through-hole exposing the top of the humidifier case, and a guide pipe on top of the inflow hole with a side guide hole to direct the generated mist out.
The distinctive part: A humidifier design that combines a floating ultrasonic module placed in an open-top tank with a guide pipe and removable cover to limit abrupt water discharge and block foreign objects if the float tips or the tank is jostled.
Novelty 3/5. Floating ultrasonic modules and tank-mounted nebulizers were known, but this arrangement emphasized spill-mitigation features (cover, guide pipe and a specific inflow-hole-mounted vibrator) as an incremental improvement rather than a wholly new mechanism.
Making it
Injection-molded plastic tank, cover and floating body; stamped or machined metal ultrasonic vibrator assembly with potting; simple snap or screw assembly of humidifier case; insertion of vibrator into the inflow hole and hand assembly of guide pipe and seals.
Materials: ABS or polypropylene for tank and cover, Injection-molded plastic (e.g., PE/PP) for floating body, Stainless steel or titanium ultrasonic transducer housing, Silicone gaskets/seals, Plastic guide pipe (PP or PVC)
Manufacturability 4/5. Parts are mostly molded plastics plus a small ultrasonic transducer subassembly; moderate assembly steps but no exotic tooling beyond common injection molds and a small electronics assembly line.
Is anyone buying?
Comparable products are on sale; this exact design wasn't found. DIY-friendly mist-maker modules and small ultrasonic diffusers are sold in the US; several listings emphasize floating-compatible or water-tank diffusion concepts but exact floating-tank humidifier designs are not common in current US retail listings.
- Ultrasonic Mist Maker Module (USB powered) · SIQMA Storenot listed in USD on product page
- Modular DIY Ultrasonic Mist Makers (The House of Hydro) · The House of Hydrovaries by kit
- Levoit OasisMist Ultrasonic Humidifier (US sale, not tank-floating design) · Levoit / US retailersee listing (USD varies by model/retailer)
This demand check was run with a web search in the week of Oct 5, 2026. Listings change often, so treat it as a starting point for your own research.
Who buys it: homeowners, daycare/hospital facilities, device makers supplying humidifier modules
Before you make it
We didn't find any related continuation or divisional patents still in force, although that doesn't rule out design patents, trademarks or unrelated patents covering the same product.
Practical issues include meeting electrical safety and water-splash certifications, potential biofouling/cleaning burdens, and a crowded market for small ultrasonic humidifiers; patent lapsed so check other active patents before product decisions.
Owners occasionally revive lapsed patents (about 1.5% are), and this page is a research lead rather than legal advice, so get a freedom-to-operate opinion before you manufacture anything.