Impeller Within Or Proximate To Space Encompassed By Separating Media Patents (Class 55/471)
  • Patent number: 7309369
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter module in the form of a hollow body with at least one chamber. The walls of the hollow body are made of a non-metallic material that can be comminuted and/or disintegrated in a recycling process. The material is a paper product, such as cardboard, paper or paperboard, or a fibrous material, such as wood or pressboard material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Brain Flash-Patententwicklungs GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Eder
  • Patent number: 7309365
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including an electric blower for generating suction air, a collecting unit for collecting dust contained in the suction air, a dust removing unit for removing dust adhered to the collecting unit, and a dust removing stop unit for stopping an operation of the dust removing unit. The dust removing stop unit stops the operation of the dust removing unit in response to a user's selection or an operation mode of the vacuum cleaner, thereby saving a power consumption of the dust removing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yuasa, Akihito Ito, Takafumi Ishibashi, Kazuhisa Morishita
  • Patent number: 7309386
    Abstract: A portable air cleaner having a vertical orientation with a small footprint that uses an electrostatic precipitator to remove small particles from the air in combination with forced air for increased air flow and improved particle removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Guolian Wu, Andrew D. Litch
  • Publication number: 20070272082
    Abstract: A system for periodically or continuously monitoring the condition of a filter includes a filter having a peripheral frame and a flexible interior filtering region, a fixed support structure for receiving the filter and maintaining the perimeter of the filter frame in a generally fixed position while allowing the interior filtering region to flex in response to flow through the filter, and a force measuring device mounted on the downstream side of the filter adjacent the interior filtering region in a fixed position relative to the supporting structure, whereby as the interior filtering region flexes in response to flow through the filter, the interior filtering region exerts a force on the force measuring device that increases with the degree of clogging of the filter. A method of monitoring the condition of a filter is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventor: Ronald C. Johansson
  • Publication number: 20070272081
    Abstract: An air filter monitoring system for indicating when to clean or replace a flexible air filter includes an air filter having a peripheral frame and an interior filtering region, a fixed support structure for receiving the air filter and maintaining the perimeter of the filter frame in a generally fixed position while allowing the interior filtering region to flex in response to air flow through the filter, and a filter change indicator having a predetermined bias force. The filter change indicator is arranged to contact the interior filtering region of the filter, wherein when the predetermined bias force is reached, the filter change indicator is activated to notify a user to clean or replace the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventor: Ronald C. Johansson
  • Patent number: 7300485
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a rigid housing having a plurality of sides removably engaged with the electronic device and a plurality of passageways for effectively channeling air through first and second directions. The apparatus further includes at least one rotary fan moving in a selected radial path situated along one of the sides, a disposable electrostatic filter bifurcating the passageways wherein the contaminants are trapped and a power supply source electrically coupled to the fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventors: Franklin R. Moore, Andrew J. Collins
  • Patent number: 7294181
    Abstract: A system and method for providing filtered and pressurized air into a vehicle cab, enclosure or other interior enclosed environment is described, in which a filtered positive pressure air unit comprises a sealed box, a HEPA filter, a blower, a magnahelic, power source and ductwork. Dirty air is drawn by the blower through the hose and ductwork to the HEPA filter where a certain percentage of impurities of a certain size or larger are removed. Clean air is discharged at a sufficiently high rate to create a positive pressure inside the interior enclosed environment, keeping clean air in, and dirty air out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Marcor Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7291205
    Abstract: An air cleaner eliminates moisture laden in air, thus preventing the moisture from being added to a dust collecting filter and, for example, a deodorizing filter, therefore preventing performance of the dust collecting filter and the deodorizing filter from being deteriorated. The air cleaner includes a cabinet having an air inlet port and an air outlet port, a blowing unit provided in the cabinet to circulate air from the air inlet port to the air outlet port, and a filtering unit provided between the air inlet port and the air outlet port to filter the air drawn into the cabinet. The filtering unit includes a dehumidifying filter to adsorb moisture laden in the air, a dust collecting filter to collect dust laden in the air, and a deodorizing filter to remove an odor from the air. In this case, the dehumidifying filter is placed nearer to the air inlet port in comparison with both the dust collecting filter and the deodorizing filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Euy Sung Chu
  • Patent number: 7276100
    Abstract: An air purifying device is provided for removing airborne particles. The device includes a housing including an air inlet and an air outlet. A fan is positioned within the housing for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet and expelling air through the air outlet. A filter assembly is positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the fan. The filter assembly includes a frame and a filter element mounted to the frame. The device also includes a hanger and an elongate hanger support that removably extends within the hanger. Either the hanger or the elongate hanger support is coupled to the frame while the other is coupled to the housing. The hanger can include a channel or a pair of opposed legs configured to form a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Huehn, Yani Deros, Stephen Bourque
  • Patent number: 7264644
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for mounting a filtration housing for solid filtration media. One aspect of the invention includes a method for mounting an air circulation component to an air circulation system, wherein the air circulation component includes a center of gravity. The method includes providing a notch associated with an air circulation component wherein the notch includes a contact surface; providing a guide associated with the air circulation system, wherein the guide includes a load bearing surface; and positioning the air circulation component with respect to the air circulation system such that a portion of the contact surface is adjacent to a portion of the load bearing surface, wherein the adjacent surfaces comprise a contact angle that is substantially coplanar with a center of gravity of the air circulation component, and wherein a portion of the weight of the air circulation component transferred between the surfaces causes a sealing pressure against a portion of the air circulation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Purafil, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Nicholas, James Aaron Nicholas
  • Patent number: 7258728
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning air, and a method for cleaning air using the apparatus, includes a housing including an air inlet through which air to be cleaned flows into the housing and an air outlet through which air that has been cleaned is exhausted from the housing, the housing isolating an interior thereof from external surroundings. A first filtering unit is disposed adjacent to the air inlet and includes a plurality of first filters for removing a first group of contaminants from the air to be cleaned. Each of the plurality of first filters is disposed substantially parallel to each other. A fan for drawing the air to be cleaned into the housing from the external surroundings is disposed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Su Lim, Yo-Han Ahn, Suk-Hee Im, Sun-Wook Park
  • Patent number: 7258714
    Abstract: A filter housing includes an inlet for receiving airflow, a cavity for receiving a filter and an airflow passage between the inlet and the filter. At least one vane is positioned in the airflow passage for partitioning the airflow passage into a plurality of ducts. Each vane has a non-linear shape in the direction of flow through the airflow passage. This helps to reduce acoustic emissions from the machine since sound waves emitted by the fan and/or motor are caused to bounce off the vanes, which allows the vanes to absorb some of the sound energy. The filter housing can form part of a vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Lloyd Genn, Richard Anthony Mason
  • Patent number: 7241326
    Abstract: An air purifier including: a filter which removes contaminants from air passing therethrough; a fan which generates a flow force to pass air through the filter; and a rotating body rotatably mounted in the air purifier and defining a flow path around the fan, a discharge direction of the flow path being varied by rotation of the rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Oh Han, Jin Baek Kim, Weon Seok Choi, Jai Kwon Lee
  • Patent number: 7201787
    Abstract: An air cleaner and method of controlling an operation of the same is disclosed. The air cleaner includes a cabinet having an inlet and an outlet; a filter assembly removing dust and smell particles from a room air; a fan; a sensor assembly sensing the composition of the room air; a supplier assembly providing at least one of insufficient components of the room air to a cleaned air; and a controller controlling the supplier assembly on the basis of data regarding the composition of the room air. In another aspect, the method of controlling the operation of the air cleaner includes steps of sensing a room air; measuring insufficient components of the room air and the amount thereof; and providing at least one of the insufficient components of the room air to a cleaned air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ho Seon Choi, Ju-Yeon Lee
  • Patent number: 7195660
    Abstract: A travel pillow has one or more air filters and a body with a soft material coupled to the one or more air filters. The air filters can be powered by a power source located within the pillow. The one or more air filters can have an air intake and an air outflow in communication with an exterior surface of the body. The air filters may be an electrostatic precipitator filter or use a filtering material to clean the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Brookstone Purchasing, Inc.
    Inventors: Baird M. Little, Steven H. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7153347
    Abstract: The present invention provides device and method for controlling air cleaning operation, in which an air conditioner with an air cleaner is made to clean air effectively proper to different pollutants. The device includes a memory having a plurality of operation modes set and stored therein for controlling operation of a fan proper to characteristics of air pollution sources, first means for selecting one of the plurality of operation modes stored in the memory, and a controlling part for controlling the fan according to a control program of the operation mode. The method includes the steps of selecting one of a plurality of operation modes, changing setting of an operation time period of the selected operation mode, reading the selected operation mode from the memory, and changing the operation time period of the operation mode to the set value, and controlling the fan according to the value of the changed operation time period and the value of the operation mode read from the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Wook Kang, Jae Keun Lee, Ju Ho Ock
  • Patent number: 7118613
    Abstract: A control unit for controlling operation of a fuel-fired burner includes a housing having an air inlet which is open to an interior chamber of the housing. An air pump is positioned in the interior chamber of the housing and has an air inlet which is open to the interior chamber of the housing. The air pump generates reduced air pressure in the interior chamber which draws air into the housing and into the pump's inlet. This flow of air cools an electronic controller along with other components position in the housing. The air pump may be operated to draw air from the interior chamber of the housing and supplies the air to a combustion chamber of the fuel-fired burner to facilitate operation of the burner. An associated method of advancing air to a fuel-fired burner is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilbur H. Crawley, Randall J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7118608
    Abstract: A self-powered, personally wearable air purifier includes a sequence of packed bed filter media packets having filter media therein of specifically targeted types that will absorb those ambient air pollutants that have been identified as being particularly dangerous to human health. A HEPA filter is included for the removal of particulate matter that will have adhered thereto many of such pollutants. Media types can be selected to meet different environmental circumstances, including normal highway or city center air, or terrorist attacks of chemical, biological or “dirty bomb” types as on a battlefield or similar environments. Shoulder straps and a chest strap are provided for wearing the apparatus on a user's back, or other means such as a shoulder pouch can also be employed. Emergency substitution of filter media using thermal insulation from the clothing of the user is available upon depletion of the normal media material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: William S. Lovell
  • Patent number: 7115158
    Abstract: A ceiling fan that incorporates into its blades both a system for air purification by removing dust and other particulate pollutants from the air in a room through ionization of the air stream passing over an ionizer grid and also a system for heating and cooling the air stream passing over the blades. The device provides a room conditioner for efficiently heating or cooling and maintaining a room at a temperature comfortable to the user. The device also provides negative ion generation through the use of the ionizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen Ray Landrum
  • Patent number: 7093718
    Abstract: A booster 8 extending in an internal area 53 of a sieve 7 is attached to the outer circumferential face of a rotating shaft 6. The booster 8 has four blades 82, which are radially extended from the outer circumferential face of the rotating shaft 6 and are arranged at preset angles (for example, 90 degrees) to form a pi shape from the front view. The booster 8 has multiple (for example, two) cross-shaped radial members 81 that are arranged radially at a little angle (for example, 3 degrees) and are located on both ends of the rotating shaft 6 via a preset space, the blades 82 that are set in and fixed to the respective ends of each of the radial members 81 and are inclined at a preset angle to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 6, and sheet-like scrapers 83 that are attached to the blades 82 to be a little projected outward in the radial direction. The end of each scraper 83 faces the inner circumferential face of the sieve 7 across a little gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Tsukasa Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Kato, Teruo Inoue
  • Patent number: 7083659
    Abstract: The combined light source and air purifier unit includes a body (11) and a centrifugal fan (12) with rearwardly facing blades (20) run at low speed and mounted by the body with its axis upright and a central intake (17) through which air containing contaminants is drawn from a target zone (80) below the unit. A light source (14) mounted within a peripheral projecting skirt (75) is located radially outside the intake (17) of the centrifugal fan (12) so as not to obstruct the flow of intake air. A filter (13) extends circumferentially around the fan (12) and an air discharge (60) includes a smoothly curved flow deflecting means (62) provided by the body (11) to deflect air flowing outwardly from the fan in an upwards direction at about 45° or less to the vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventors: Glenda Joyce, Steven John Joyce, Brett Alan Saraghi, Jeremy Wynne-Jones
  • Patent number: 7025798
    Abstract: A personal tabletop-type air cleaner is provided which is user-friendly and can improve smoke sucking efficiency in a simple configuration. The disclosed personal tabletop-type air cleaner has a front opening portion to suck air containing smoke of a cigarette, a blower to forcedly feed air having been sucked into the front opening portions in a centrifugal manner, a pair of right and left peripheral opening portions each being placed in a fringe portion on the right and the left at a front of the air cleaner and forming an air curtain by emitting air fed forcedly from the blower ahead of the front of the air cleaner, a dust collecting filter being placed between the front opening portion and the blower to remove cigarette odor, and a deodorizing filter being placed between the blower and each peripheral opening portion making up the pair of right and left peripheral opening portions to remove cigarette odor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: O-DEN Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyomu Endo
  • Patent number: 7014672
    Abstract: According to the present invention, in a carrying system comprising a carrying vehicle and a manufacturing apparatus the interior of which is kept cleaner than a surrounding environment, manufactured articles to be transferred are prevented from being contaminated by foreign matter or the like attached to transfer ports. A carrying vehicle includes a running unit 14 that runs along a predetermined carrying path, a cleaning unit 12 that supplies cleaned air, a housing section 13 to which the cleaned air is supplied and in which manufactured articles are housed, a transfer port 11 which is formed in a side of a housing and through which a manufactured article is loaded into or unloaded from the housing section 13, and an air injecting section 19A that blows out air toward the transfer port 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignees: Advanced Display Inc., Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishihara, Takao Shimizu, Takashi Nakao, Ryosuke Tahara, Hidetoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7001156
    Abstract: An improved structure of an air inflation device is disclosed. External air is drawn to the motor and cylinder to provide rapid cooling so that the efficiency of the motor is maintained. In the present invention, a plurality of air filters is used to filter air. Thereby the air inflation device is useful and practical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 6997975
    Abstract: A universal pan or pot lid is disclosed, absorbing and filtering steam and smell with the optional aid of a sucking fan. This lid preferably of transparent material is provided with a filter changing color when it is saturated and arranged in a burn proof ergonomic knob that can be detached from the lid flat allowing an easy cleaning and washing of all its components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Roberto Stefanoni
  • Patent number: 6994522
    Abstract: A fan blade includes a shaft base and plural wind guiders formed integral with the shaft base. The wind guiders are fixed spaced apart equidistantly on the peripheral edge of the shaft base. Each wind guider is formed integral with one or more than one netted portions, and each netted portion is fixed with non-woven cloth having sticky material fixed thereon. The sticky surface of the non-woven cloth is applied with activated carbon, or fragrant material able to give out fragrance or material able to remove bad smell in air. The fan blade has functions of filtering dust in air and giving out fragrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventors: Chang Chin-Chih, Huang Chen-Lung
  • Patent number: 6979359
    Abstract: Portable, rapidly deployable filter unit for use in air filtering methods providing high efficiency filtration of airborne toxins. The filter unit includes a fan section and a filter section that are releasably attachable at their respective lateral ends permitting the filter unit to be reconfigurable to properly handle a variety of threat scenarios involving protecting the occupant(s) and equipment in an enclosure against an airborne release of toxic chemical, biological, or radiological agents that threaten to contaminate the air supply, or, alternatively, for decontaminating the air of an isolation room occupied by contaminated or contagiously ill persons or materials and protecting the occupants or equipment located outside the isolation room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Peter J. Laiti
  • Patent number: 6974489
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for protecting electronic devices against excessive heat build-up and particulate infiltration while implementing EMC shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Edward Behrens, Matthew Allen Butterbaugh, Don A. Gilliland, Maurice Francis Holahan, Paul Daniel Pederson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6962619
    Abstract: An air decontamination system that cleans air which has been contaminated by a terrorist attack or other means of contamination. The air is drawn into the system, cleaned through the use of filters, and exits the system into an enclosed area where people have gathered to await passage of the danger. The unit is easily turned on and off via a switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventors: Richard DeRosa, Robert Hockenberry
  • Patent number: 6953491
    Abstract: A portable, light-weight exhaust fan that can be easily and quickly carried to and set up in a localized area to safely, efficiently and substantially remove airborne materials thereby overcoming the above and other drawbacks of conventional exhaust fans. Exhaust fans in accordance with aspects of the present invention may be used to ventilate a localized area such as an enclosed room and may be placed in any aperture such as a window or doorway to remove substantially all airborne material from the air passing therethrough, and to exhaust filtered air directly or indirectly to the surrounding environment. An exhaust fan constructed such that air traveling along an exhaust path through the fan is prevented from contacting components of the fan that can be damaged by exposure to the airborne materials. This enables the exhaust fan to efficiently remove airborne materials from a localized area while preventing the same materials from adversely affecting the operation of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: Michael E. Goyetche
  • Patent number: 6949131
    Abstract: A compact ventilator with high efficiency thermal exchanger and a conveniently exchangeable air filter. The conveniently exchangeable filter enables a ventilator with thermal exchanger to be easily and regularly maintained and serviced, thereby enhancing its practical utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventor: Kui Wong Yeung
  • Patent number: 6945868
    Abstract: A camouflaged outdoor fan system includes a housing, a fan inserted into the housing, and a camouflaged lid removably connected to the housing. The housing is buried in the ground, or in alternative embodiment, mounted to the underside of a deck, the fan is inserted into the housing, and the camouflaged lid is placed over the fan to hide the fan and housing from view. The fan is operable to generate and propel an air stream out of the housing that can be used for cooling purposes. The system also may include optional features, such as a water-misting device, a heater, motion detectors, an evaporative cooling assembly, a temperature switch, a humidity switch, a rain gauge switch, a wind sensor switch, a dc power source, solar cells, or a remote control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: James Cameron Gautney
  • Patent number: 6929684
    Abstract: An air cleaning apparatus includes an air cleaning unit moved in a vertical direction to clean room air, allowing the room air to be effectively and uniformly cleaned in a short period of time. The air cleaning apparatus includes a longitudinal cabinet to stand on a support surface. An air cleaning unit is installed in the cabinet to move in the vertical direction, and is provided with a blowing unit and a filtering unit to clean air. An elevating unit is provided at at least one of the cabinet and the air cleaning unit to move the air cleaning unit in the vertical direction. The air cleaning apparatus also includes upper and lower sensors, and a control unit. The upper and lower sensors are provided on upper and lower portions of the cabinet, respectively, to sense air pollution levels of upper and lower parts of a room. The control unit controls the air cleaning unit so that the air cleaning unit moves upward or downward, according to data obtained from the upper and lower sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Eui Chang, Kyung Ho Chai
  • Patent number: 6929671
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination air purifier and wind generator. The combination air purifier and wind generator includes a wind-receiving unit installed on a central shaft for driving an electric generator mounted in a housing, and an air purifier. The wind-receiving unit includes a governor fixed to an upper end of the central shaft, a spherical blower installed in the middle of the central shaft, and planar magnetic rotary plates installed at a lower end of the central shaft for receiving both artificial and natural winds. Lower magnets are attached to the top of the housing while upper magnets having the same polarity as the lower magnets are attached to the bottoms of the magnetic rotary plates to face the lower magnets. The air purifier includes two air inlets; one air outlet; a copper net, a silver net and a hard charcoal/zeolite net disposed within the air purifier for purifying air introduced thereinto; and a blower interposed between the silver net and the hard charcoal/zeolite net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventors: Eung-Pil Kim, Kwang-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 6926762
    Abstract: An air cleaning apparatus includes an air cleaning unit at its upper and lower portions thereof which are independently operated to effectively and uniformly clean room air in a short period of time. The air cleaning apparatus includes a cabinet provided with first and second air cleaning units. The first and second air cleaning units are connected to each other, and are provided with a blowing unit and a filtering unit. First and second sensors are provided on the cabinet in such a way as to be spaced apart from each other, and to sense air pollution levels at opposite sides of a room. The air cleaning apparatus also includes a control unit. The control unit controls the first and second air cleaning units so that both the first and second air cleaning units are operated or either of the first and second air cleaning units is operated, according to data obtained from first and second sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Chul Kim, Jai-Kwon Lee
  • Patent number: 6913637
    Abstract: An air purifier includes a main body defining an air passage therein to allow sucked air to pass therethrough prior to being discharged, and a first filter installed in the main body to be switched between a closed state and an open state. The first filter removes contaminants from the sucked air in the closed state, and allows the sucked air to pass through the air passage in the open state. The air purifier may include a main body to suck and discharge air, with a bypass passage formed in the main body so that the bypass passage is opened or closed by a door, and a first filter installed in the main body. The sucked air passes through the first filter prior to being discharged when the door is closed, and passes through the bypass passage prior to being discharged when the door is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 6911060
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor standing treatment device that has a front panel and a mainframe assembly adapted to be removably attachable to the front panel. The mainframe assembly has an integrally molded latching mechanism having a latch and one or more L shaped guides configured to cooperate with one or more pairs stops for limiting lateral movement of the latch. The latch is adapted to engage a portion of the front panel for securely attaching the front panel to the mainframe assembly. The air purifier may also have a cavity positioned along a bottom edge of a back housing to house an electrical cord provided with the air purifier. Additionally, the air purifier may also have an elongated slot positioned at the apex of the mainframe assembly for allowing one or two handed carrying of the air purifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Kaylan, Guolian Wu, Armando Luisi, Andrew D. Litch, Paul B. Allard
  • Patent number: 6878177
    Abstract: A controlled atmosphere incubator having an interior chamber adapted to be heated and humidified. An easily accessed blower is located within the gaseous environment of the incubator chamber and includes a HEPA filter and VOC filter readily replaceable by the user from within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Thermo Forma, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lohr, Raquel Wager
  • Patent number: 6863704
    Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Pillion, Anthony V. Cruz, Matt R. Ragland
  • Patent number: 6849100
    Abstract: A fresh air duct is configured to direct fresh air filtered by an air conditioning system towards a clean room downstream from the fresh air duct, the fresh air having a first level of particle density. A separate particle filter in the fresh air duct, located downstream from the air conditioning system and upstream from the clean room, is configured to further filter the fresh air to provide filtered fresh air having a second level of particle density therein that is less than the first level. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Su Lim, Suk-Hee Im, Jung-Sung Hwang
  • Patent number: 6824582
    Abstract: An air induction system for an engine to remove contaminants from intake air prior to delivery to the engine. The system includes a filter formed of a filter media arranged in a generally annular shape for placement around a portion of the engine to receive intake air from an annular region surrounding the engine. A filter mount is engageable with an outer surface of the engine and configured for supporting the filter at an installed position wherein the filter is in spaced relation from the outer surface of the engine. The filter is constructed for easy installation and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Westar Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Wilson
  • Patent number: 6821310
    Abstract: A method and a device for air filtration, whereby air is drawn from the surroundings of a house through air filters including at least a portion of the wall of the house and is blown out to the surroundings in cleaned condition. Air is drawn through at least two different parallel coupled filter units, which clean the air in a corresponding number of ways. Predetermined fractions of total drawn-in air passes through the respective different filter units and thus are subjected to corresponding cleaning by the different filter units being adjusted to each other with respect to pressure drop. The differently cleaned fractions are mixed before exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Clair Finance AB
    Inventor: Anders Hedström
  • Patent number: 6818035
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a window mounted biological and chemical contamination filter system consisting of a window mounted fan system connected to one or more standard biological and chemical gas mask cartridges affixed to the portion of the window unit extending out to the outside of the window where it is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventor: Harry V. McGahey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6797044
    Abstract: An air filter device is installed on an exhaust device. The air filter device includes a filter net and one or more ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs). The filter net is disposed at an air passageway of the exhaust device. The UV LED is disposed on the exhaust device and located at one side of the filter net to irradiate UV light toward the filter net, hence accomplishing filtering and sterilizing effects to the air passing through the exhaust device and thus improving the quality of indoor air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventors: Chieh Ou Yang, Wei Ou Yang
  • Publication number: 20040168416
    Abstract: An air purifying device is provided for removing airborne particles. The device includes a housing including an air inlet and an air outlet. A fan is positioned within the housing for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet and expelling air through the air outlet. A filter assembly is positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the fan. The filter assembly includes a frame and a filter element mounted to the frame. The device also includes a hanger and an elongate hanger support that removably extends within the hanger. Either the hanger or the elongate hanger support is coupled to the frame while the other is coupled to the housing. The hanger can include a channel or a pair of opposed legs configured to form a gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Barry Huehn, Yani Deros, Stephen Bourque
  • Publication number: 20040163542
    Abstract: Fresh and clean air in a forest, which contains abundant anion and phytoncide molecules, relaxes stress and anxiety and helps the metabolism of human body. An apparatus is disclosed in the present invention, which removes the dust particles, chemicals, smelly compounds, etc. in the air. The apparatus further disperses anions and phytoncide molecules in the air to generate an air condition resembling the air environment in a forest, which is fresh, clean and containing substantial amount of anions and phytoncide molecules. The apparatus of the present invention is also very concise and can be used in a small space, such as in an office, a vehicle, etc. The present invention also discloses the design for building the apparatus, which can generate air condition resembling the air environment of a forest, in a compact manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Chang Gung Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 6770109
    Abstract: A substrate transport container having a carrier box including a container body and a door hermetically sealably covering an opening provided in the front of the container body. Partitions form a circulating flow path in the carrier box. The circulating flow path has a flow path in which air flows toward substrates and a flow path in which air flows toward a fan. A substrate carrying section is disposed in the flow path in which air flows toward the substrates to carry the substrates in such a way that the principal surfaces of the substrates are approximately parallel to the flow path in which air flows toward the substrates. A particle removing filter and a gaseous impurity trapping filter are placed on the upstream side of the substrate carrying section in the flow path in which air flows toward the substrates. A fan motor for driving the fan is incorporated in the carrier box to form an air current for circulating through the circulating flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Tanaka, Kazuo Okubo, Yoko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6758876
    Abstract: A method of using a substrate transport pod is provided, which is suitable for manufacturing semiconductor devices with copper wiring and low dielectric insulating film having dielectric constants of less than 3. The method is based on loading the substrates into a pod from an atmosphere of a first process, and circulating a gaseous atmosphere through interior of the pod in such a way to selectively remove at least one contaminant including moisture, particulate substances or chemical substances, and to expose the substrates to a controlled atmosphere intermittently or continually while the substrates are held in the pod before they are unloaded from the pod and introduced into a second process. For a pod that is used to house the substrates for the purpose of retaining or transporting, the pod has a pod main body and a door that provides a hermetic sealing seal, and the pod is made primarily of a materiel that has moisture absorption factor of less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Yoko Suzuki, Akira Tanaka, Takashi Kishi
  • Publication number: 20040118093
    Abstract: An air cleaning apparatus includes a blowing unit and a filtering unit which are easily removed from and installed in a cabinet, allowing the air cleaning apparatus to be easily cleaned. The cabinet included in the air cleaning apparatus may be used as a table. The cabinet is provided with a top panel of a predetermined area, is opened at a bottom thereof, and is provided on at least one side wall thereof with an air outlet port. A fan casing is installed in the cabinet to be drawn out from the cabinet in a horizontal direction. A blowing fan is installed in the fan casing to move air to the air outlet port. A filter casing is installed under the fan casing to be drawn out from the cabinet in the horizontal direction, and at least one filter is installed in the filter casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Eui Chang, In A. Chae, Jin Soon Park
  • Patent number: 6746502
    Abstract: An electronics assembly includes a chassis and a panel mounted on the chassis. The panel has an air filter on a surface of the panel which is retained in position on the panel by one or more retaining elements (80), for example plastics rivets, that can be operated to allow release of the air filter from the panel. The air filter can be changed very quickly during maintenance of the assembly without the need to switch the assembly off during changing of the air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew John Yair, John David Schnabel, Sean Conor Wrycraft, Stephen Paul Haworth