METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COMBATING SICK BUILDING SYNDROME
Methods and apparatus for combating sick building syndrome include a plenum that is at least partially bounded by fabric comprising at least one naturally occurring botanically based, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric and preferably a fan for introducing air into the plenum for passage outwardly through the fabric thereby to cleanse the air of microbes contributing to sick building syndrome.
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to maintenance and improvements of internal environments within buildings and more specifically relates to methods and apparatus for combating “Sick Building Syndrome” (“SBS”).
2. Description of the Sick Building Syndrome Problem and Prior Art Approaches to the Problem
Current design of buildings seeks to maximize energy efficiency and comfort for the building inhabitants using centralized heating and cooling systems. As a result, buildings now being built are becoming increasingly airtight, relative to buildings of prior years. Combined with the use of inexpensive building materials such as particle board, drywall and acoustical tile used as ceiling tiles, the modern design and construction approach has fostered a series of ailments affecting people living and working in these building environments. These ailments have been collectively termed Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).
Sick buildings are characterized by poor air circulation and imbalance in humidity which together allow build-up of biological and chemical contaminants.
The adverse impact, both economically and on public health, is significant: The United States Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that $61 billion dollars are lost in medical costs and worker absenteeism annually.
It is further estimated that if ventilation and lighting were improved in commercial buildings in the United States, there would be somewhere between 16 million and 37 million fewer cases of influenza or the common cold each year, and an 8% to 25% decrease in symptoms for the 53 million persons that suffer from allergies and the 16 million persons who are asthmatic in the United States, and further that there would be a 20% to 50% reduction in so-called “Sick Building Syndrome Health Symptoms”.
SBS health symptoms have been reported to be most prevalent in persons suffering from allergies and asthmatics, whose sensitivity is often greatest to even low levels of indoor airborne biological contaminants that include microbes, especially molds. Since allergies are estimated to affect at least 1 person in every 6 of the population of the United States, build-up of these indoor contaminants is clearly of great concern.
While studies have shown that locations with SBS may have high levels of both airborne molds and bacteria, most researchers have devoted their efforts to the study of the molds and their effects due to the ease of identification of molds, the dramatic levels of spore release and responsiveness of molds to remediation by increasing air flow and decreasing humidity. Spore release by molds can amount to as high as approximately 300,000 spores per gram of mold mass.
The current consensus among environmental microbiologists is that elevated levels of at least 3 genera of airborne molds, namely penicillium, aspergillus and alternaria, can produce symptoms of SBS. These species, together with cladosporium, are believed to constitute greater than 90% of the viable mold flora in ambient air in a variety of environments, with up to a 50% increase in airborne alternaria and cladosporium occurring in Fall and Winter. Elevated levels of airborne staphylococci as well as aerosolized water contaminated by legionella or gram-negative bacteria and their products have also been linked with SBS. Collectively, these bacteria comprise the dominant species in ambient air and are important agents for a wide range of infectious respiratory, gastro-intestinal and cutaneous human diseases.
Products currently on the market and promoted to remove such airborne contaminants are primarily focused against allergens and work to trap them in electrostatically-charged filters, which require periodic replacement or cleaning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one of its aspects, this invention provides a series of unique modular, adaptable and esthetically pleasing units for retrofitting tightly sealed buildings to combat Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). The units utilize fabric to capture airborne molds and bacteria responsible for SBS and, in some embodiments, also work to diffuse and balance indoor light levels. Measured reductions in indoor mold levels from ambient air using modular units according to the invention within a one month operational period ranged from 71% to 83%.
In another one of its aspects, as illustrated generally in
The fabric is preferably secured to the frame by Velcro; the air impermeable member is preferably fiberboard; the frame preferably has four members, two of which are preferably spaced apart lateral members, with the remaining two being bottom and top members; the unit preferably further includes a bracing member extending between and affixed to both the bottom and top members; the frame is preferably rectangular.
In the unit illustrated generally in
In another one of its aspects, as illustrated generally in
In still another one of its aspects, as illustrated generally in
The unit is preferably mountable against a vertical wall by an upper portion of the frame preferably hanging on at least one member protruding from the wall with a second side of the frame being substantially flush with the wall so that air blown into the open interior by the fan escapes from the frame interior by passing through the fabric. The air permeable, preferably naturally occurring botanically based fabric preferably comprises multiple fabric layers and is preferably secured to the frame by Velcro. The frame preferably has four members with two of those members being spaced apart upstanding lateral members and the remaining members being bottom and top members. The frame is preferably rectangular, with the bottom and top frame members having edges, preferably defining top and bottom portions of the first side of the frame periphery, that may be curved. When curved, the edges are preferably in the form of an “S-curve”; the curved edges are preferably tangent to the upstanding members at juncture therewith, and edges of the bottom and top members are preferably parallel, all as shown generally in
In still yet another aspect of the invention, as illustrated generally in
In still another one of its aspects, as illustrated generally in
The unit further optionally includes at least one solar cell positionable to receive solar energy through the window, connected to and powering the fan. The air permeable fabric is preferably secured to the frame by Velcro; the frame preferably has four members; the frame is preferably rectangular; the vertically supporting member is preferably a cable and the downwardly facing surfaces of portions of the frame that are parallel to the window are preferably parallel with one another. Optimally, multiple layers of the antimicrobial fabric, constructed to be easily removable and in the form of replaceable modular assemblies, as illustrated generally in
In still another one of its aspects, as illustrated generally in
In still another one of its many aspects, as illustrated generally in
First and second horizontally oriented support members are preferably associated with respective ones of the rectangles and are preferably positionable on a floor or other surface to provide vertical support for the apparatus. These support members respectively preferably extend transversely between lower extremities of the first and second members of the respective pairs of upstanding members associated with the respective rectangle.
A plurality of vertically spaced apart pairs of parallel bracing members associated with respective ones of the rectangles connect respective ones of the upstanding first and second members of the respective pairs of upstanding member and lie along respective sides of the rectangle extending transversely away from the front. Uppermost lateral members associated with respective ones of the rectangles extend between and preferably slidably engage uppermost correspondingly positioned pairs of the horizontally extending parallel bracing members associated with respective rectangle.
Pluralities of lower lateral members below the uppermost lateral members associated with respective ones of the rectangles extend between and preferably slideably engage vertically corresponding positioned pairs of the preferably horizontally extending preferably parallel bracing members associated with the respective rectangle.
Air permeable, preferably naturally occurring botanically based antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric is connected to at least one of the uppermost lateral members and extends downwardly always along and preferably between at least the vertically adjacent pairs of lower lateral members associated with respective rectangle(s). The lateral members are preferably movably positionable along the parallel bracing members, between front and rear, to cause fabric connected thereto and extending therefrom to conform to selected contours, with at least a portion of such contour preferably approximating the shape of the upper surface of an airfoil, so that the fabric assumes such contour in response to air blowing against the fabric. Optionally, a fan may be provided, desirably to blow air upwardly along the fabric.
In still yet another one of its many aspects, as illustrated generally in
In still yet another one of its many aspects, as illustrated in generally in
Referring generally to the drawings and specifically to
An air impermeable member designated generally 16 is secured about the periphery of frame 12 on a remaining or second side 32 of frame 12. Air impermeable member 16 covers the periphery of frame 12 on second side 32 of frame 12 completely about the frame periphery. At least one aperture 18 is formed in frame 12. Aperture 18 is adapted to house a fan 20 therein. Fan 20 is depicted schematically in
Fan 20, being housed in aperture 18, serves to blow air from outside of frame 12 into the interior of frame 12 for subsequent passage of substantially all air blown into the frame interior, outwardly through fabric 14.
In viewing
Still referring to
Frame 12 further includes a bracing member 42 that is preferably upstanding and extends between and is affixed both to bottom member 40 and to top member 38 of frame 12. Bracing member 42 is preferably affixed to both top member 38 and bottom member 40 by screws, or by suitable adhesive, or by other mechanical fastening means. Similarly, frame 12 of unit 10 is preferably assembled from particle board or wood using adhesive or screws or other mechanical means to secure the parts of frame 12 together in the manner indicated by arrows Ar in
The air permeable, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric 14, preferably comprising a naturally occurring antimicrobial botanical compound, is preferably secured about the edges of frame 12 that face fabric 14 when fabric 14 and frame 12 are oriented in the position illustrated in
When unit 10 is assembled by putting the parts of frame 12 in place as indicated by arrows Ar, including by positioning motor 20 within aperture 18, and by attaching fabric 14 to the facing edges of frame 12 using the preferable Velcro, other than for the presence of upstanding bracing member 42, the interior of frame 12 is open.
Upstanding bracing member 42 is of width substantially less than the width of the top and bottom 38 and 40 of frame 12, where width is considered in the direction indicated by arrow W in
As further apparent from
From the foregoing description of the structure illustrated in
Still referring generally to the drawings and specifically to
Still referring generally to the drawings and specifically to
Similarly to the apparatus illustrated in
Fan 20B, being housed in aperture 18B, serves to blow air from outside of frame 12B into the interior of frame 12B for subsequent passage of substantially all air that is blown into the frame interior, outwardly through fabric 14B and 14BB.
As with
The remaining or second side 32B of frame 12B may be open as illustrated, or may be covered with one or more layers of air permeable, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric.
Still referring to
Frame 12B further preferably includes first and second diagonal bracing cables 44 and 46, each of which extend from a lower interior corner of frame 12B, defined by juncture of bottom 40B and upstanding side member 34B or 36B, to a diagonally opposite upper corner, defined by juncture of top 38B with either upstanding side member 36B or upstanding side member 34B. Diagonal bracing cables 44 and 46 are secured in place, desirably by connecting with eyes driven into the wood or particle board construction, at a location close to if not exactly at the line of juncture between the top and bottom members 22B, 24B and the respective side members 34B, 36B. The eyes and the particular securement of diagonal bracing cables 44 and 46 to frame 12B have not been illustrated in
Unlike the unit illustrated in
Hanging cable 48 and the unnumbered screws and collars that connect hanging cable 48 to the remainder of the structure may also and optionally be positioned to maintain the frame 12B slightly away from the wall on which unit 10B is mounted. This is desirable if the remaining or second side 32B of frame 12B is covered with one or more layers of air permeable, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric, preferably comprising a naturally occurring antimicrobial botanical compound. Unit 10B, using hanging cable 48, can be mounted against any reasonably imperforate wall surface; provision of hanging cable 48 permits unit 10B to be mounted essentially flush against the surface of the wall on which unit 10B is mounted. Molly bolts, hooks or the like, driven into a wall may be used to hang unit 10B on the wall.
While unit 10B has been illustrated with two thicknesses of air permeable, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric 14B and 14BB, a single fabric thickness may be used, depending on the amount of air moved by fan 20B as selected in specifying fan 20B. While one or more layers of air permeable, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric, preferably comprising a naturally occurring antimicrobial botanical compound, 14B, 14BB may be used on the front and rear surfaces of frame 12B, an aesthetically pleasing, air permeable fabric lacking antimicrobial and morbidity-inducing properties may be used as the outermost fabric 14BB to enhance the aesthetics of unit 10B.
Similarly to the unit illustrated in
The air permeable, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric 14B is preferably secured about the edges of frame 12B that face fabric 14B when fabric 14B and frame 12B are oriented in the position illustrated in
Similarly to the apparatus illustrated in
As also apparent from
Similarly to the apparatus illustrated in
Still referring generally to the drawings and specifically to
In apparatus 10C illustrated in
Still referring generally to the drawings and specifically to
Unit 10D illustrated in
As respecting operation of unit 10D, the information and description as provided above as respecting units 10, 10A, 10B and 10C illustrated in
Still referring generally to the drawings and specifically to
In
Each modular fabric panel preferably includes two layers of fabric, one on either side of fabric panel frame 56. Modular fabric panels 54 may be dimensioned such that when mounted on frame 12E there is some overlap of the upper and lower panels by the middle panel as illustrated in
As respecting the operation of unit 10E and the components thereof, the information and disclosure as set forth above with respect to the apparatus illustrated in
Still referring generally to the drawings and specifically to
As further illustrated in the left-hand portion of
Unit support frame 70 preferably includes an inner member designated generally 72 and an outer member designated generally 74 as shown in the left-hand portion of
Solar cells 64 are preferably positioned in facing contact with window 58 to receive sunlight and thereby generate electricity. Solar cells 64 are connected by wires, not shown in the drawings, to fans 20F so that fans 20F are driven by solar energy received through window 58, such that batteries may not be required for fans 20F.
In one preferable implementation of the invention as illustrated in
Still referring generally to the drawings and specifically to
As further illustrated in
Still referring generally to the drawings and specifically to
Continuing to refer to the drawings,
With respect to
Referring to
Extending laterally between pairs of bracing members 110 and being a part of frame 102 are lateral members 112. In
Further provided as a portion of frame 102 are cross-braces 114 desirably located at the top of pairs of second upstanding members 108 to increase lateral stability.
A given pair of first and second upstanding members 106, 108 can serve as parts of two adjacent upstanding portions 118 of frame 102 where frame 102 may comprise a number of such adjacent upstanding portions such as five such portions as illustrated in
There may optionally be provided first and second horizontally-oriented support members that are positionable on a floor or other surface to provide vertical support for upstanding portion 118 illustrated in
As further illustrated in
A plurality of lateral members 112 extend between and preferably slideably engage the vertically correspondingly positioned pairs 110′, 110″ of the horizontally-extending parallel bracing members 110. One such lateral member is indicated as 112 in
Air permeable, antimicrobial, preferably botanically based, morbidity-inducing fabric, provided in the form of a strip 14-1 as illustrated in
Optionally, a fixed horizontal brace illustrated as 124 may be provided at the bottom of
Referring to
With respect to array 100A illustrated in
Referring to
As further illustrated in
One hundred percent (100%) cotton yarns and 100% cotton woven and knitted fabrics are desirably used to provide the air permeable, botanically based antimicrobial, morbidity inducing fabrics for the apparatus and practice of the methods of the invention. These fabrics are desirably treated using eugenol to impart antimicrobial microorganism morbidity-inducing properties to them.
Specifically, eugenol at 5 or 10 grams per liter may be mixed with polyvinyl alcohol at 5 or 10 grams per liter and 100 grams per liter glyoxal. The material to liquor ratio should be kept at either 1:10 or 1:20 by adding water to make up the difference between the liquor weight and that required by the liquor ratio calculation. The liquor ratio is calculated by weighing the fabric prior to treatment. The solution is desirably applied to the fabric by patting, such as by through the use of a Werner Mathis padder, and the fabric is then dried desirably in a through air oven at 80-85° C. for about four minutes. Thereafter, the fabric is cured, desirably in a through air oven, at a temperature ranging from 120-140° C. for from about three to about five minutes. With this approach, wet pick up, namely the amount of solution contained in the fabric after padding, amounts to about 65% of the weight of the dried fabric.
Another approach is to utilize instead a solution of eugenol and water, leaving out the polyvinyl alcohol and the glyoxal; the amount of eugenol may also be varied, as may be the liquor ratio and the wet pick up, with a suitable botanically based, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric resulting.
The fabric may also be made by knitting antimicrobial yarn into a 1×1 rib knit fabric. Plain knit fabric may also be used, but is not as tear-resistant as is rib knit fabric. Accordingly, plain knit fabric may be more difficult to install, whereas the heavier construction of the rib knit fabric eliminates many fabric tearing issues.
Fabrics, whether knit, woven or non-woven, made from different fiber types, including rayon, polyester, nylon and wool, may be used as the antimicrobial fabric.
Natural antimicrobials may be attached to the fabric using different methods. One additional method of attaching a natural antimicrobial botanically based, morbidity-inducing substance is to incorporate clove powder into polypropylene filaments during extrusion of the filaments, by mixing the clove powder with the polypropylene pellets to be extruded. This method incorporates the antimicrobial clove powder into the polypropylene filaments, which may then be knitted or woven into fabrics for use in the apparatus and methods of the invention. Using this method, mixing of the clove powder and the polypropylene pellets must be such that the mix is reasonably uniform. A non-uniform mix results in an undesirable inconsistent blend of clove powder and polypropylene along the length of the resulting polypropylene-clove filaments.
Applying natural botanically-based antimicrobials to other forms of fabrics, such as braided and non-woven, non-knit fabrics is also within the scope of the invention.
The eugenol approach described above for application of natural botanically based, antimicrobials to fabric may also be applied to yarns or fibers, since the fiber does not change its structure during fabric production processes.
Suitable antimicrobials have resulted using fabric knitted from yarns containing recycled fibers. The fiber content of these yarns was about 69% cotton, 29% acrylic, and 2% other materials. These recycled fibers had previously been dyed and had undergone several processing treatments as well as shredding during recycling. Reduction of SBS attained using these fabrics indicates that dyeing does not affect the efficacy of the treatment that produces antimicrobial properties in the fabric.
Claims
1) A modular unit for improving indoor air quality, comprising:
- a) a frame surrounding an open interior and defining the outer periphery of the unit;
- b) air permeable, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric, comprising a naturally occurring antimicrobial botanical compound, secured about the frame periphery on a first side of the frame and covering the open interior on a first side of the frame;
- c) an air impermeable member secured about and covering the frame periphery on a remaining side of the frame;
- d) at least one aperture formed in the frame and being adapted to house a fan therein;
- e) a fan housed in the aperture for blowing air from outside the frame into the frame interior for subsequent passage of air blown into the frame interior outwardly through the fabric.
2) A modular unit for improving indoor air quality, comprising:
- a) a frame having an open center and defining the outer periphery of the unit, the frame including a pair of parallel spaced apart lateral members connected by at least one tensioning cable and at least one aperture opening into the open center;
- b) air permeable, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric comprising a naturally occurring antimicrobial botanical compound secured about the frame periphery on a first side of the frame and covering the open center;
- c) the frame periphery on a remaining side of the frame being adapted to fit against a wall;
- d) a fan mounted in the aperture for blowing air from outside the frame into the frame interior, for subsequent air passage outwardly through the fabric;
- e) the cable(s) being adapted to connect to one or more cable gripping devices mounted in a wall so upon connection to the cable gripping devices the cable pulls the remaining side of the frame against the wall thereby closing the unit interior so that air may enter the unit interior only by action of the fan.
3) A modular unit for improving indoor air quality, comprising:
- a) a frame surrounding an open interior and defining an outer periphery of the unit;
- b) air permeable, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric comprising a naturally occurring antimicrobial botanical compound secured about the periphery on a first side of the frame and covering the open interior on the first side of the frame;
- c) at least one aperture formed in the frame;
- d) a fan mounted in the aperture for blowing air from outside the frame into the frame interior, for subsequent air passage outwardly through the fabric;
- e) the unit being mountable against a vertical wall by a portion of the frame hanging on at least one member protruding from the wall, with a second side of the frame being flush with the wall so that air blown into the open interior of the frame by the fan escapes from the frame interior by passing through the fabric.
4) A modular unit for improving indoor air quality, comprising:
- a) a frame surrounding an open interior and defining the outer periphery of the unit;
- b) air permeable, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric comprising a naturally occurring antimicrobial botanical compound secured about the frame periphery on a first side of the frame and covering the open interior on the first side of the frame;
- c) a pair of apertures each formed in the frame, one aperture in an upper extremity of the frame and the other aperture in a lower extremity of the frame;
- d) at least one fan mounted on the frame and extending into the open interior, aligned with one of the apertures, for drawing air from outside the frame into the frame interior through the aligned aperture, for subsequent air passage from the frame interior outwardly through the fabric;
- e) the frame being mountable against a vertically extending wall by an upper portion of the frame hanging on at least one member protruding from the wall, with a second side of the frame being substantially flush with the wall so that air drawn into the open interior of the frame by the fan escapes by passing through the fabric.
5) A modular unit for improving indoor air quality, comprising:
- a) a horizontal frame surrounding an open interior and defining a portion of the outer periphery of a filter portion of the unit having an outwardly facing upwardly elongated surface;
- b) air permeable, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric comprising a naturally occurring antimicrobial botanical compound secured around the frame periphery on a downwardly facing side of the frame and covering the open interior on the downwardly facing side of the frame;
- c) porous light-reflective fabric secured about the frame periphery on the upwardly facing side of the frame and covering the frame periphery on the upwardly facing side of the frame;
- d) at least one fan mounted in the frame for blowing air from outside the frame into the frame interior, for subsequent passage of air blown into the frame interior, outwardly through the air permeable fabric.
- e) an exterior portion of the frame outer periphery being planar for facingly contacting a portion of a window;
- f) at least one member extending upwardly from the frame for upwardly supporting the frame about a pivotal connection at a position remote from the planar portion of the frame to permit weight of the frame to urge the frame against the portion of the window and maintain the frame in a horizontal plane;
- g) at least one solar cell positionable to receive solar energy through the window, connected to and powering the fan.
6) A modular unit for improving indoor air quality, comprising:
- a) a frame surrounding an open interior and defining the outer periphery of the unit;
- b) air permeable, antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric comprising a naturally occurring antimicrobial botanical compound secured about the frame periphery on an upper side of the frame and covering the open interior on the upper side of the frame;
- c) porous reflective non-woven fabric secured about the frame periphery on the remaining side of the frame and covering the frame periphery on the remaining side of the frame;
- d) at least one aperture formed in the frame being adapted to house a fan therein;
- e) a fan mounted in the aperture for blowing air into the frame interior for subsequent passage of that air outwardly through the air permeable fabric.
- f) struts extending from the frame, for supporting the unit by suspension thereof from the struts in mid-air within a room in a building.
7) Apparatus for combating sick building syndrome, comprising:
- a) a plenum at least partially bounded by fabric comprising at least one naturally occurring anti-bacterial substance exhibiting microorganism morbidity inducing properties; and
- b) a fan for introducing air into the plenum for passage outwardly through the fabric.
8) Apparatus for combating sick building syndrome, comprising:
- a) fabric comprising at least one naturally occurring substance exhibiting microorganism morbidity inducing properties; and
- b) a frame adapted for affixation of the fabric thereacross; and
- c) a fan for blowing air through a portion of the fabric affixed across the frame.
9) Apparatus of claim 7 wherein the naturally occurring anti-bacterial substance is botanically based.
10) A method for combating sick building syndrome, comprising:
- a) providing a plenum that is at least partially bounded by fabric including at least one naturally occurring substance exhibiting microorganism morbidity inducing properties; and
- b) introducing air into the plenum for passage outwardly through the fabric.
11) A method for combating sick building syndrome, comprising:
- a) providing a fabric comprising at least one naturally occurring substance exhibiting microorganism morbidity inducing properties, affixed across a frame; and
- b) blowing air through a portion of the fabric affixed across the frame.
12) The method of claim 11 wherein the naturally occurring substance exhibiting microorganism morbidity inducing properties is clove oil.
13) The method of claim 11 wherein the naturally occurring substance exhibiting microorganism morbidity inducing properties is eugenol.
14) Apparatus of claim 7 wherein the naturally occurring substance exhibiting microorganism morbidity inducing properties is clove oil.
15) Apparatus of claim 7 wherein the naturally occurring substance exhibiting microorganism morbidity inducing properties is eugenol.
16) Apparatus for improving indoor air quality, comprising:
- a) vertically upstanding members positioned at the corners of an imaginary rectangle, one edge of the rectangle being considered the front;
- b) one pair of members having a first member at the right front of the rectangle and the second member at the right rear of the rectangle and a second pair of members having a first member at the left front of the rectangle and a second member at the left rear of the rectangle;
- c) a plurality of vertically spaced apart bracing members connecting respective ones of the upstanding first and second members of the respective pairs of upstanding members along respective sides of the rectangle;
- d) lateral members extending between vertically correspondingly positioned pairs of the horizontally extending parallel bracing members;
- e) air permeable, botanically based antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric connected to and extending between vertically adjacent pairs of lateral members;
- f) the lateral members being movably positionable along the parallel bracing members, between front and rear, to cause the fabric portions connected thereto and extending therebetween to conform to selected contours, a portion of or all of which may approximate the upper surface of an airfoil, in response to air blowing thereagainst.
17) Apparatus for improving indoor air quality, comprising:
- a) vertically upstanding members positioned at the corners of an imaginary rectangle, one edge of the rectangle being considered the front;
- b) one pair of members having a first member at the right front of the rectangle and the second member at the right rear of the rectangle and a second pair of members having a first member at the left front of the rectangle and a second member at the left rear of the rectangle;
- c) a plurality of vertically spaced apart bracing members connecting respective ones of the upstanding first and second members of the respective pairs of upstanding members along respective sides of the rectangle;
- d) air permeable, botanically based antimicrobial, morbidity-inducing fabric connected to and extending between the vertically spaced apart bracing members.
18) The modular unit for improving indoor air quality of claim 1 wherein the fabric is an antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric made according to a process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution consisting of between about 5 and about 15 grams of eugenol per liter of solution, between about 5 and about 10 grams of polyvinyl alcohol per liter of solution and about 100 grams per liter of glyoxal per liter of solution;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to the fabric to achieve about 65 percent by weight solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric at between about 80° and about 85° C. for about 4 minutes;
- d) curing the fabric at between about 120° C. and about 140° C. for between about 3 and about 5 minutes.
19) The modular unit for improving indoor air quality of claim 2 wherein the fabric is an antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric made according to a process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution consisting of between about 5 and about 15 grams of eugenol per liter of solution, between about 5 and about 10 grams of polyvinyl alcohol per liter of solution and about 100 grams per liter of glyoxal per liter of solution;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to the fabric to achieve about 65 percent by weight solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric at between about 80° and about 85° C. for about 4 minutes;
- d) curing the fabric at between about 120° C. and about 140° C. for between about 3 and about 5 minutes.
20) The modular unit for improving indoor air quality of claim 3 wherein the fabric is an antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric made according to a process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution consisting of between about 5 and about 15 grams of eugenol per liter of solution, between about 5 and about 10 grams of polyvinyl alcohol per liter of solution and about 100 grams per liter of glyoxal per liter of solution;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to the fabric to achieve about 65 percent by weight solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric at between about 80° and about 85° C. for about 4 minutes;
- d) curing the fabric at between about 120° C. and about 140° C. for between about 3 and about 5 minutes.
21) The modular unit for improving indoor air quality of claim 4 wherein the fabric is an antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric made according to a process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution consisting of between about 5 and about 15 grams of eugenol per liter of solution, between about 5 and about 10 grams of polyvinyl alcohol per liter of solution and about 100 grams per liter of glyoxal per liter of solution;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to the fabric to achieve about 65 percent by weight solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric at between about 80° and about 85° C. for about 4 minutes;
- d) curing the fabric at between about 120° C. and about 140° C. for between about 3 and about 5 minutes.
22) The modular unit for improving indoor air quality of claim 5 wherein the fabric is an antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric made according to a process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution consisting of between about 5 and about 15 grams of eugenol per liter of solution, between about 5 and about 10 grams of polyvinyl alcohol per liter of solution and about 100 grams per liter of glyoxal per liter of solution;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to the fabric to achieve about 65 percent by weight solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric at between about 80° and about 85° C. for about 4 minutes;
- d) curing the fabric at between about 120° C. and about 140° C. for between about 3 and about 5 minutes.
23) The modular unit for improving indoor air quality of claim 6 wherein the fabric is an antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric made according to a process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution consisting of between about 5 and about 15 grams of eugenol per liter of solution, between about 5 and about 10 grams of polyvinyl alcohol per liter of solution and about 100 grams per liter of glyoxal per liter of solution;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to the fabric to achieve about 65 percent by weight solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric at between about 80° and about 85° C. for about 4 minutes;
- d) curing the fabric at between about 120° C. and about 140° C. for between about 3 and about 5 minutes.
24) The modular unit for improving indoor air quality of claim 1 wherein the fabric is an antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric made according to a process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution of a naturally occurring substance having antimicrobial properties;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to fabric to achieve a desired amount of solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric; and
- d) curing the fabric.
25) Apparatus of claim 7 wherein the fabric is an antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric made according to a process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution consisting of between about 5 and about 15 grams of eugenol per liter of solution, between about 5 and about 10 grams of polyvinyl alcohol per liter of solution and about 100 grams per liter of glyoxal per liter of solution;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to the fabric to achieve about 65 percent by weight solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric at between about 80° and about 85° C. for about 4 minutes;
- d) curing the fabric at between about 120° C. and about 140° C. for between about 3 and about 5 minutes.
26) Apparatus of claim 8 wherein the fabric is an antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric made according to a process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution consisting of between about 5 and about 15 grams of eugenol per liter of solution, between about 5 and about 10 grams of polyvinyl alcohol per liter of solution and about 100 grams per liter of glyoxal per liter of solution;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to the fabric to achieve about 65 percent by weight solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric at between about 80° and about 85° C. for about 4 minutes;
- d) curing the fabric at between about 120° C. and about 140° C. for between about 3 and about 5 minutes.
27) Apparatus of claim 16 wherein the fabric is an antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric made according to a process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution consisting of between about 5 and about 15 grams of eugenol per liter of solution, between about 5 and about 10 grams of polyvinyl alcohol per liter of solution and about 100 grams per liter of glyoxal per liter of solution;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to the fabric to achieve about 65 percent by weight solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric at between about 80° and about 85° C. for about 4 minutes;
- d) curing the fabric at between about 120° C. and about 140° C. for between about 3 and about 5 minutes.
28) Apparatus of claim 17 wherein the fabric is an antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric made according to a process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution consisting of between about 5 and about 15 grams of eugenol per liter of solution, between about 5 and about 10 grams of polyvinyl alcohol per liter of solution and about 100 grams per liter of glyoxal per liter of solution;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to the fabric to achieve about 65 percent by weight solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric at between about 80° and about 85° C. for about 4 minutes;
- d) curing the fabric at between about 120° C. and about 140° C. for between about 3 and about 5 minutes.
29) Apparatus of claim 7 wherein the fabric is an antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric made according to a process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution of a naturally occurring substance having antimicrobial properties;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to fabric to achieve a desired amount of solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric; and
- d) curing the fabric.
30) Apparatus of claim 16 wherein the fabric is an antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric made according to a process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution of a naturally occurring substance having antimicrobial properties;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to fabric to achieve a desired amount of solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric; and
- d) curing the fabric.
31) The method of claim 10 wherein the step of providing the fabric further comprises
- a) preparing an aqueous solution consisting of between about 5 and about 15 grams of eugenol per liter of solution, between about 5 and about 10 grams of polyvinyl alcohol per liter of solution and about 100 grams per liter of glyoxal per liter of solution;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to the fabric to achieve about 65 percent by weight solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric at between about 80° and about 85° C. for about 4 minutes;
- d) curing the fabric at between about 120° C. and about 140° C. for between about 3 and about 5 minutes.
32) The method of claim 11 wherein the step of providing the fabric further comprises
- a) preparing an aqueous solution consisting of between about 5 and about 15 grams of eugenol per liter of solution, between about 5 and about 10 grams of polyvinyl alcohol per liter of solution and about 100 grams per liter of glyoxal per liter of solution;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to the fabric to achieve about 65 percent by weight solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric at between about 80° and about 85° C. for about 4 minutes;
- d) curing the fabric at between about 120° C. and about 140° C. for between about 3 and about 5 minutes.
33) The method of claim 10 wherein the step of providing the fabric further comprises
- a) preparing an aqueous solution of a naturally occurring substance having antimicrobial properties;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to fabric to achieve a desired amount of solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric; and
- d) curing the fabric.
34) A process for preparing antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric for improving indoor air quality, comprising:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution consisting of between about 5 and about 15 grams of eugenol per liter of solution, between about 5 and about 10 grams of polyvinyl alcohol per liter of solution and about 100 grams per liter of glyoxal per liter of solution;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to the fabric to achieve about 65 percent by weight solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric at between about 80° and about 85° C. for about 4 minutes;
- d) curing the fabric at between about 120° C. and about 140° C. for between about 3 and about 5 minutes.
35) A process for preparing antimicrobial, biocidal cotton and/or rayon fabric for improving indoor air quality, comprising:
- a) preparing an aqueous solution of a naturally occurring substance having antimicrobial properties;
- b) applying the aqueous solution to fabric to achieve a desired amount of solution pickup;
- c) drying the fabric; and
- d) curing the fabric.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 15, 2010
Publication Date: Aug 18, 2011
Applicant: PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY (Philadelphia, PA)
Inventors: Alexander A. Messinger (Ardmore, PA), Diana R. Cundell (Philadelphia, PA), Brian R. George (Pottstown, PA)
Application Number: 12/705,843
International Classification: F24F 13/20 (20060101);