Gas separation: apparatus – Solid sorbent apparatus
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-12
2001-02-20
Simmons, David A. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation: apparatus
Solid sorbent apparatus
C096S147000, C055S467000, C055S517000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190440
ABSTRACT:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a container assembly containing an adsorbent material. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a container having a large surface area for enabling gases or liquids to pass through the adsorbent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A large amount of effort has been spent to control water and air pollution and has resulted in a number of devices and materials being produced. Noxious vapors and gases are a typical example of sources of air pollution which can make breathing difficult and unpleasant. To effectively clean air in large areas, mechanical filters and electronic cleaners are often used. These devices include air exchange filtration systems or electronically charged fields and plates to collect and remove particulate matter. The mechanical filters and electronic devices can be expensive to produce and require continuous maintenance thereby limiting their use. A further disadvantage of electronic air cleaners is that some of the devices produce ozone which is itself an air pollutant. Household odors such as cooking odors, pet odors and bathroom odors can be difficult to control. Numerous devices are presently on the market designed for deodorizing and freshening the air. These products are produced in many forms including, mist, blocks, liquids, powders and aerosol sprays. These products are generally effective for masking odors, but do not eliminate the odors or remove contaminants from the air.
Other solutions have been proposed to purify and freshen the air. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,737,532 discloses an air purifying and deodorizing device for use in refrigerators, toilets and sick rooms. A metallic container having a perforated surface and an adsorbent deodorizing material is placed within the area to be purified. The disclosed deodorizing material is a charcoal combined with other ingredients having germicidal qualities.
A further example of an air and water purifying device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,975 to Purnell et al. This device is a canister having a perforated side wall and closed ends for containing a zeolite material. The canister has a limited number of openings for the exchange of air and water which limits its utility and effectiveness.
Accordingly, there is a continuing need in the industry for improved devices for purifying air and water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a container for adsorbing contaminants from air or water, also acting as a desiccant. The invention is further directed to the combination of a housing having at least one permeable wall where the housing supports the container.
Accordingly, a primary aspect of the invention is to provide a method container for adsorbing odors and moisture from air and contaminants from water which is convenient and easy to use.
A further aspect of the invention is to provide a container enclosing an adsorbent material where the container has a porous inner and a porous outer surface.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a container enclosing an adsorbent material having an axial passage through the container for the passage of air or water through an adsorbent contained within the container.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a container enclosing an adsorbent material where the container has a large number of openings to allow the passage of air or water through the adsorbent.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method for removing odors and moisture from the air using an adsorbent in a container.
These and other aspects of the invention are basically attained by providing a device for removing contaminants from air or water where the device comprises an outer wall having a generally cylindrical shape with open first and second ends and a plurality of spaced apart open slots extending in a circumferential direction around the outer wall. The slots are of sufficient size to allow air or water to pass readily through the outer wall. An inner wall is mounted concentric with the outer wall and spaced therefrom to define an axial passage. The inner wall has a generally cylindrical shape with first and second open ends and a plurality of spaced apart open slots extending in a circumferential direction around the inner wall and being of sufficient size to allow the passage of air or water. An annular space is formed between the inner and outer walls and contains a particulate adsorbent material capable of removing contaminants from air or water. First and second end caps close the ends of the outer wall and the annular space. The end caps include a central opening aligned with the axial passage of the inner wall to allow the flow of air or water through the axial passage. In embodiments of the invention, the adsorbent material is a natural or synthetic zeolite.
The objects and advantages of the invention are further attained by providing an air purifying device for removing contaminants from the air comprising a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, first and second end walls and a first and second support adjacent the end walls. A contaminant adsorbing container is positioned within the housing and supported by the first and second supports at the ends of the container. The supports space the container a distance from the top, bottom and rear walls of the housing to allow air circulation around the container. The container comprises a cylindrical outer wall having open ends and a plurality of spaced apart open slots extending in a circumferential direction around the outer wall where the slots are sufficient size to allow air to pass through the outer wall. A concentric inner wall is positioned within the outer wall to form an annular space between the walls. The inner wall defines an axial passage for the flow of air and includes, a plurality of spaced apart open slots extending in a circumferential direction around the inner wall. The slots in the inner wall are of sufficient size to allow air to pass through the inner wall. End caps are attached to the outer wall to close the annular space. The end caps include a central opening aligned with the axial passage of the inner wall to allow the flow of air through the container. An adsorbent material such as a zeolite is contained within the annular passage.
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description which discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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Hopkins Robert A.
Roylance Abrams Berdo & Goodman L.L.P.
Simmons David A.
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