AIR PURIFIER IN A FURNITURE ARTICLE
A room air purifier has a body with a frame at least partially defining an interior chamber and an opening to the chamber. A purification mechanism in the chamber includes one or more filters and one or more blowers. A panel is configured to removably mount to the body and cover the opening to the chamber. A base mounted to the body, and each leg of a set of legs is mounted to the base. A nonwoven fabric portion covers at least part of the body. The blower when activated generates an inflow through the nonwoven fabric portion and a filter, and an outflow though the body, all while hidden from view in what to an observer looks like an article of furniture.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/299,561, filed Mar. 12, 2019, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDAir purifying devices incorporated into decorative articles or into articles of furniture are known. Such devices typically use filters or ultraviolet light or ion injectors to purify the air surrounding the device. Yet there are continual issues in manufacture, operation, function, and ornamental appearance that remain unresolved.
BRIEF SUMMARYOne aspect of the disclosure is directed to a room air purifier, comprising a body at least partially defining an interior chamber and an opening to the interior chamber, the body having a plurality of sides, a top removably coupled to the body, and a purification mechanism provided within the interior chamber, the purification mechanism comprising at least one filter and at least one blower, wherein the purification mechanism is configured to generate an inflow through at least a first portion of a first side of the plurality of sides and at least a second portion of a second side of the plurality of sides and wherein an outflow to an exterior of the body flows through at least a portion of the top.
Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a room air purifier, comprising a body at least partially defining an interior chamber, the body having an upper portion, a bottom portion that defines a base, and a plurality of sides extending from the base, a top removably mounted to the upper portion of the body, and a purification mechanism provided within the interior chamber including at least one filter and at least one blower, wherein the purification mechanism is configured to generate an inflow through at least two sides of the plurality of sides and an outflow to an exterior of the body at the upper portion of the body.
In the drawings:
The present disclosure relates to various aspects of an air purifier that are unobtrusive in a distinctly ornamental appearance of an article of furniture, yet also include distinctly improved functional features hidden in the ornamental appearance. Such features relate to intelligent control, automatically switchable configurations, easily convertible arrangements, and amplified filtration by at least a nonwoven portion of a fabric covering, among other things.
The top 12 may be configured to attach to the body 14 in any one of several well-known ways, including, but not limited to nesting in a socket on the body 14, resting on a shoulder on the body 14, snap-fitting to the body 14, latching to the body 14, or being hinged to the body 14. Further, the top 12 may have an electrical connection (not shown) coupled to the user interface 28 on a side 26 that will engage another electrical connection (not shown) on the body 14 that is coupled to the purification mechanism 22, or that is on the purification mechanism 22 for direct coupling when the top 12 is attached to the body 14. It will be understood that a user interface 28 on the top 12 is optional, and that the horizontal cross sectional shape of the top 12 and the body 14 need not be square. For example, if two opposing sides of 26 of the top 12 are longer than the other two opposing sides 26 of the top, the horizontal cross sectional shape will be generally rectangular. Within the scope of the invention, the horizontal cross sectional shape can be any shape consistent with being an ornamental article of furniture. For, example, the horizontal cross sectional shape may be triangular where two sides are intersected by a hypotenuse, such as a corner cabinet where the two sides are disposed against the walls at a corner, and the hypotenuse is exposed to view. In another example, the hypotenuse need not necessarily be straight; it may be circular, curved, or arcuate to accentuate other features in the article.
The body 14 will preferably have a horizontal cross sectional shape similar to the top 12. Though it will be understood that the body 14 may have any horizontal cross sectional shape, regardless of the horizontal cross sectional shape of the top, so long as the top 12 effectively covers the opening 21 of the chamber 20. The body 14 includes a frame 30 with openings configured to allow the inflow A and the outflow B through vertical sides 31 to fluidly communicate with the purification mechanism 22. The frame 30 is preferably covered completely with a fabric 32 that is adapted to act as pre-filter for the inflow A. The frame 30 can include structures such as ribs, contoured protrusions, or other supporting structures such that the fabric can be configured into predetermined patterns or shapes when the air purifier 10 is activated. Alternatively, one or more openings (not shown) not covered in fabric can be provided between the top 12 and the body 14 that are configured to allow the inflow A and the outflow B through vertical sides 31 to fluidly communicate with the purification mechanism 22.
The fabric 32 will preferably be knitted to have a greater porosity than a woven fabric, and preferably wherein the porosity is such that no more than 250 pascals of pressure drop will occur across the fabric with an air inflow A of 300 cubic feet per minute (CFM) or 0.142 cubic meters per second (m3/s). Furthermore, the inflow A need not necessarily by on a side different from the outflow B. The inflow A may be in one portion of a given side, and the outflow B may be in another portion of the given side; the inflow A may be on a side opposite from the outflow B; and there may be multiple inflows A as well as multiple outflows B.
A bezel 34 is provided between the top 12 and the body 14. The bezel 34 may be configured as an adapter to enable different tops 12 to attach to different bodies 14. As well, the bezel 34 may be a decorative feature to enhance the ornamental appearance of the air purifier 10. In this respect, the bezel 34 may be formed of a different material than either the top 12 or the body 14, and it may have a different texture or color than either the top 12 or the body 14. Further, it will be understood that a user interface (not shown) can be provided on the bezel 34.
The base 16 is preferably formed of a material similar to the top 12, i.e., a polymer, either molded, injected, or assembled, though other materials such as wood or metal are within the scope of the invention. The base 16 can include receptacles or sockets 40 to receive the set of legs 18. Preferably, each socket 40 will project at an angle generally outwardly away from a central axis 41. The number of sockets 40 will generally equal the number of legs 18 in the set. The base is preferably adapted to be permanently affixed to the body 14 and to have a footprint that is no larger than that of the body 14. Alternatively, the set of legs 18 can directly attach to the base 16 without sockets 40.
Each leg 18 is attached to the socket in any one of various well known ways, such as bolting, screwing, bayonet fixture, or snap or press fit. The legs 18 may be formed of wood, polymer, or composite materials, and will preferably have a tapered shape. Each leg 18 will have an elastomeric cap 42 at its terminal end to absorb vibrations and minimize noise from the air purifier 10. The legs 18 may also be covered by a hydrographic sleeve 44, with or without texture. The number of legs 18 will typically be four, though more or fewer are within the scope of the invention, so long as the number of legs is adequate to support the air purifier 10 on a surface.
At least one PM sensor 92 or a gas or VOC sensor 94 can be in communication with the independent blowers 86, 88 to adjust the speed of one or more independent blower 86, 88 based on input from the at least one PM sensor 92 or the VOC sensor 94. By way of non-limiting example, the at least one PM sensor 92 or the VOC sensor 94 are illustrated between the fabric 32 and the first and second filters 80, 82. It is contemplated that the location of the at least one PM sensor 92 or the VOC sensor 94 can be at any location on or in the air purifier 10. By way of further non-limiting example, the plenum 90 in turn may include a PM sensor 93 or a VOC sensor 95 in addition to or as an alternative to the at least one PM sensor 92 or VOC sensor 94.
It is further contemplated that any number or type of sensors can be in communication with the independent blowers 86, 88. Sensor types can include, but are not limited to, odor sensors, motion sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, optical sensors, or aural sensors.
The connector 87 is illustrated as connecting the power panel 62 of the air purifier 10 to the docking station 85, however, it is contemplated that connector 87 can couple to any portion of the air purifier 10 that permits the flow of electricity to the docking station 85. Optionally, the docking station 85 can include a protrusion 89 that extends into the access area 81.
The front opening 210 is bounded by a jamb 260 in the recess 240 that is configured to receive an open frame 300 by friction fit. Additionally or alternatively, hooks or detented latches can be used to secure the open frame 300. A tab 310 on the frame 300 enables the frame to be removed from and replaced on the jamb 260. A fabric cover 320 is attached to the frame 300 in any one of several well know ways such that it preferably can be movable with the frame 300 as a unit. The fabric cover 320 and the frame 300 are configured such that portion of the fabric cover 320 extends over the recess 240 to create the impression of an infinity background. The fabric cover 320 is adapted to act as pre-filter for the inflow A. The fabric cover 320 will preferably be knitted to have a greater porosity than a woven fabric, and preferably wherein the porosity is such that no more than 250 pascals of pressure drop will occur across the fabric with an air inflow A of 300 CFM. Moreover, the position of the jamb 260 in the recess 240 preferably defines what appears to the casual observer as an infinity background for the fabric cover 320 when the frame 300 is mounted to the jamb 260.
A filter 800 is configured to be mounted within the frame 300 to provide a designed filer function to the inflow A. Because the filter 800 is changeable, different types of filters may be used, such as particulate filters or gaseous filters of varying capacities.
The purification mechanism 220 includes a single blower 410 that generates airflow in a channel 420 in fluid communication with the plurality of openings 255 in the top 250. The blower 410 draws the inflow A through the pre-filter of the fabric cover 320, the open frame 300 and the filter 800, and exhausts the filtered outflow B trough the channel 420 and the plurality of openings 255. It will be appreciated that the blower 410 may be controlled by a variable speed controller (not shown) to adjust the speed of the inflow A, and the outflow B. As well, a single blower may be replaced by more than one blower, and more than one filter to accommodate different filtering functions, such as particulate and gaseous filtering.
A user interface 500 may be disposed on a tab 510 depending from the body 140 over the recess 240 so that it appears to float over the infinity background. The user interface 500 may be any type of display from individual coded lights to a fully integrated text and graphic display. It will be appreciated that visibility and aesthetics may be enhanced by lighting provided to the recess 240.
Each leg 180 is attached to the socket in any one of various well known ways, such as bolting, screwing, bayonet fixture, or snap or press fit. The legs 180 may be formed of wood, polymer, or composite materials, and will preferably have a tapered shape. Each leg 180 will have an elastomeric cap 195 at its terminal end to absorb vibrations and minimize noise from the air purifier 100. The legs 180 may also be covered by a hydrographic sleeve 198, with or without texture. The number of legs 180 will typically be four, though more or fewer are within the scope of the invention, so long as the number of legs is adequate to support the air purifier 100 on a surface.
To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various aspects of the present disclosure may be used in combination with each other as desired. Thus, the various features of the different aspects may be mixed and matched as desired to form new aspects, whether or not the new aspects are expressly described.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been specifically described in connection with certain specific aspects thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure which is defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. A room air purifier, comprising:
- a body at least partially defining an interior chamber and an opening to the interior chamber, the body having a plurality of sides;
- a top coupled to the body; and
- a purification mechanism provided within the interior chamber, the purification mechanism comprising at least one filter and at least one blower, wherein the purification mechanism is configured to generate an inflow through at least a first portion of a first side of the plurality of sides and at least a second portion of a second side of the plurality of sides and wherein an outflow to an exterior of the body flows through at least a portion of the top.
22. The room air purifier of claim 21, wherein the top includes four sides and is removably mounted to the body in any one of four positions.
23. The room air purifier of claim 21, wherein the top includes an upper surface configured to be a tabletop.
24. The room air purifier of claim 21, wherein the body further comprises a bezel provided between the top and the plurality of sides.
25. The room air purifier of claim 24, further comprising a power panel or a user interface located at the bezel.
26. The room air purifier of claim 21, wherein the at least a portion of the top defines at least a portion of one or more openings.
27. The room air purifier of claim 21, wherein the first portion of the first side and the second portion of the second side include a plurality of openings, fluidly coupling the exterior of the body to the interior chamber of the room air purifier.
28. The room air purifier of claim 27 wherein each of the plurality of sides of the body includes an air intake portion and a solid portion.
29. The room air purifier of claim 21, wherein the at least one filter comprises a first filter configured to absorb particulates and a second filter configured to absorb gases.
30. The room air purifier of claim 29, further comprising a particulate matter sensor and a volatile organic compounds sensor.
31. The room air purifier of claim 21, wherein a horizontal cross-sectional shape of the body is a square with rounded corners.
32. A room air purifier, comprising:
- a body at least partially defining an interior chamber, the body having an upper portion, a bottom portion that defines a base, and a plurality of sides extending from the base; and
- a purification mechanism provided within the interior chamber including at least one filter and at least one blower, wherein the purification mechanism is configured to generate an inflow through at least two sides of the plurality of sides and an outflow to an exterior of the body at the upper portion of the body.
33. The room air purifier of claim 32, further comprising a top removably mounted to the upper portion of the body.
34. The room air purifier of claim 33, wherein the top is configured to be removably mounted on a shoulder of the upper portion of the body.
35. The room air purifier of claim 33, wherein the body further comprises a bezel provided between the top and the plurality of sides.
36. The room air purifier of claim 35, further comprising a power panel or a user interface located at the bezel.
37. The room air purifier of claim 33, wherein the top removably mounts to the body in any one of four positions and/or the top includes an upper surface configured to be a tabletop.
38. The room air purifier of claim 32, wherein the at least one filter comprises a first filter configured to absorb particulates and a second filter configured to absorb gases.
39. The room air purifier of claim 36, further comprising a particulate matter sensor and a volatile organic compounds sensor.
40. The room air purifier of claim 32, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the body is a rounded square.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 31, 2021
Publication Date: Dec 16, 2021
Inventors: Jeffrey A. Scholten (Ada, MI), Derek Everett Smith (Grand Rapids, MI), Adam Brown (Holland, MI)
Application Number: 17/462,521