Gas separation – Combined or convertible
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-22
2001-01-16
Simmons, David A. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation
Combined or convertible
C055S467000, C055S471000, C055S482000, C055S486000, C055S511000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174340
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to room air cleaners and filtering apparatus for filtering air in a room, and, more particularly, to room air filtering apparatuses with removable filter panels.
2. Description of Related Art
Room air cleaners and room air filtering apparatus are widely used in homes and offices. It is desirable to slowly pass unfiltered air through filtering material in order to maximize the filtering effect. However, it is also desirable that the air be filtered as quickly as possible in order to minimize the time needed to filter the air in a given room and minimize the size of the room air filtering apparatus. A solution to these conflicting goals is to provide a large surface area for the filtering material through which the unfiltered air travels.
In order to increase the surface area of the filtering material without unduly adding to the size of the filtering device, multi-sided filtering units and circular filtering units have been devised. In these units, the entire perimeter of the filtering device houses filtering material, thereby, maximizing the area of the filtering material in relation to the size of the filtering device.
One such filtering device is described in connection with U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,390 to Burnett et al. In this device, each of the four sides of the filtering device houses one or two frames holding the filtering media. The structure of the filtering device and the containers for the filtering media are somewhat complex to manufacture and require the users to change the filter material. Therefore, this device is relatively expensive to manufacture and operate.
Similarly, with present-day circular filters, the filtering media is housed in a cylindrical container, much like a carburetor air filter. These units also are expensive due to the complexity in constructing the unit to receive replaceable filters. Additionally, the cost of the filter media is relatively high, especially if odor adsorbents are included. The consumer is also given very little choice in filtering materials since the high cost of manufacturing requires high volume production levels of selected products.
Therefore, a need has arisen in the industry for an apparatus and method for filtering air using a multi-sided air filter with a reduced cost of construction and operation using washable filter materials. There is also a need for apparatuses to be easy to construct, use, and maintain. It is also highly desirable that the room filtering apparatus be aesthetically pleasing to the eye and not an eyesore and to have decorative features that are useful as well.
The room filtering apparatus should allow for maximum airflow through the filtering element, particularly, for electrostatic self-charging filter materials to permit proper operation and maximum filtering efficiency. The room filtering apparatus should be designed for easy and unobtrusive placement in the room.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A room air filter apparatus includes a multi-sided housing having longitudinally spaced first and second ends, a plurality of sides between the first and second ends, and a plenum inside the housing. Each of the sides has an empty space framed by outer edges of the housing side. A fan is mounted to the housing and is operably disposed, preferably, within the plenum to draw air from the plenum and to exhaust the air outside of the housing. Filter panels are mounted on the sides. Each of the panels is removably attached to outer surfaces of the edges and filter material is mounted in the panels to cover the empty spaces. Attachment devices are used to removably attach the filter panels to the sides and hold the filter panels against the outer surfaces of the edges. Magnets mounted on edges or the panels may be used as attachment devices as well as other devices for clipping the panels onto the outer surfaces of the edges of the housing. The filter material is preferably a self-charging electrostatic washable material.
One embodiment of the present invention includes a lamp mounted to and outside of the housing, preferably, on top of the housing. Another embodiment has a ceiling fan assembly including a ceiling fan motor mounted to and, preferably, below the housing and the room filter includes a ceiling mount for mounting and suspending the housing from a ceiling. The room filter apparatus can be sized and adapted for use in a car and include an automobile power cord with a cigarette lighter adapter connected to the fan to power the fan.
In a more particular embodiment, the panels have a filter frame with sidewalls between an open front end and an open back end. The filter frame has a channel with channel wall elements extending generally perpendicular to and inwardly of the sidewalls such that the channel opens inwardly of the sidewalls. A grill and a first sheet of the filter material behind the grill are peripherally disposed within the channel. The filter material is a preferably self-charging electrostatic washable material such as woven polypropylene.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the light of the following description and accompanying drawings.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The room air filter apparatus of the present invention has the advantages of being easily and inexpensively constructed and operated. The washable filter materials that may be used in the present invention allows for reduced costs of operation and maintenance. The invention is also more efficient and effective because of the ease of the filter materials that may be washed and/or changed. The room filtering apparatus of the present invention is also aesthetically pleasing to the eye and not an eyesore with decorative features that are useful as well. As part of a lamp assembly or a ceiling fan, it is unobtrusive and provides additional use around the room.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 350191 (1994-08-01), Tsuji
patent: D. 402356 (1998-12-01), Hodge
patent: 2347334 (1944-04-01), Schmieg
patent: 3812370 (1974-05-01), LaViolette
patent: 4676721 (1987-06-01), Hardee
patent: 4749390 (1988-06-01), Burnett et al.
patent: 5266090 (1993-11-01), Burnett
patent: 5525145 (1996-06-01), Hodge
patent: 5641343 (1997-06-01), Frey
patent: 5690719 (1997-11-01), Hodge
patent: 5837020 (1998-11-01), Cartellone
patent: 438532 (1925-03-01), None
patent: 8800812 (1989-10-01), None
“http://www.lightingcenterinc.com/pix7.htm”, The Lighting Center, Inc., Internet Web Page.
“http://www.etropolis.com/ipn/ipnreces.htm”, IPN Lighting Recessed Lighting Trims, Dec. 8, 1997, Internet Web Page.
Hopkins Robert A.
Rosen Steven J.
Simmons David A.
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