Abstract: A frame assembly for releasably maintaining an air filter. In some embodiments, the frame assembly includes a thermoformed body integrally forming a base, opposing side walls, opposing end walls, and at least one closure sub-assembly. The frame assembly is configured to releasable retain an air filter relative to the base via the closure sub-assembly. In other embodiments, the frame assembly defines, in a flat state, foldable side and end panels at the perimeter edges of a central grid panel; the frame assembly can be transitioned to a final state for receiving an air filter by folding the panels. The frame assemblies of the present disclosure are re-usable, allowing a user to replace a “used” air filter with a “new” air filter.

Abstract: A nestable framed pleated air filter, including a non-self-supporting, compressible, pleated air filter media with a plurality of oppositely-facing pleats and with a plurality of upstream pleat tips and downstream pleat tips and downstream pleat valleys, the pleated air filter media further including a plurality of bridging filaments that are bonded to at least some of the upstream pleat tips. The filter includes a frame with sidewalls that are angled so that the framed pleated air filter is nestable.

Abstract: An air filter including a visually uniform filter life indicator (30), the air filter (1) comprising: a conformable, unframed air filter media (10) that is installable on at least a portion of an upstream face (11) of a filter-support layer of an air-handling system, wherein the conformable, unframed air filter media comprises at least one passivated area (20) that provides a visually uniform filter life indicator of the air filter. Filter life indicators are used in order that aspects of the filtration performance of an air filter can be monitored.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to air filter use indicators capable of indicating the degree of use of an air filter.

Abstract: Spunbonded electret webs comprising polylactic acid fibers, in which at least some of the polylactic acid fibers are meltspun, drawn, charged fibers that include charging additive; and, methods of making such fibers and webs.

Abstract: A filtration medium including a polymeric netting of polymeric ribbons and polymeric strands. Each of the polymeric ribbons and strands has a length and width, with the length being the longest dimension and the width being the shortest dimension. The polymeric ribbons have a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least three to one or five to one a major surface that is intermittently bonded to a polymeric strand, and a height typically greater than the height of the one polymeric strand. A filter including the filtration medium and a method useful for making the polymeric netting are also disclosed.

Abstract: A room air purifier comprises housing (9), air filter (100), RFID reader (143), RFID tag (120), and a wireless communication unit (142). A method is how to operating the room air purifier.

Abstract: Air filters are disclosed. The air filters include filtration media comprising a first surface (104) comprising a first region (106) proximate a first end (110) of the filtration media and a second region (108) proximate a second end (112) of the filtration media. The second region (108) is configured to provide a zone including either a densified zone of the filtration media or a support layer (114) adjacent to the filtration media. Also an air conditioning unit with the air filters is disclosed. And also a method of manufacturing the air filters is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid. The apparatus includes at least a preheat zone, an expansion zone, and an expanded zone comprising a plurality of trim heaters, at least one fluid flow-distribution sheet, and an outlet. The apparatus may be used for delivering the heated fluid onto a moving fluid-permeable substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid. The apparatus includes at least a preheat zone, an expansion zone, and an expanded zone comprising a plurality of trim heaters, at least one fluid flow-distribution sheet, and an outlet. The apparatus may be used for delivering the heated fluid onto a moving fluid-permeable substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid. The apparatus includes at least a preheat zone, an expansion zone, and an expanded zone comprising a plurality of trim heaters, at least one fluid flow-distribution sheet, and an outlet. The apparatus may be used for delivering the heated fluid onto a moving fluid-permeable substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to air filter frames. In some embodiments, the air filter frames are nestable. Nestable air filter frames of the type described herein offer significantly reduced shipping volume, and thus shipping costs, while also providing cost-effective manufacturing. Some embodiments relate to an air filter frame including a single strip of framing material forming at least two of the four major frame segments and the frame corner between the two major frame segments. In some embodiments, a single strip of framing material forms at least three of the four major frame segments and two of the frame corners.

Abstract: A conformable, unframed, non-self-supporting pleated air filter, comprising: a conformable, unframed, non-self-supporting, pleated air filter media with an upstream face and a downstream face, wherein the conformable, unframed, non-self-supporting, pleated air filter media comprises a plurality of oppositely-facing pleats with a pleat direction and with a plurality of upstream pleat tips and upstream pleat valleys and downstream pleat tips and downstream pleat valleys, the pleated air filter media further comprising a plurality of bridging filaments on the downstream face of the pleated air filter media.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating a replacement status of an HVAC air filter. Outdoor weather data (e.g., outdoor temperature information), is obtained. A Total Runtime Value of the HVAC system is determined based upon the obtained outdoor weather data. Finally, a replacement status of the air filter is estimated as a function of a comparison of the Total Runtime Value with a Baseline Value. By correlating air filter replacement status with an estimated runtime of the HVAC system, a credible predictor of air filter usage is provided. By estimating fan runtime based on easily-obtained outdoor weather data, the methods are readily implemented with any existing HVAC system and do not require installation of sensors or other mechanical or electrical components to the HVAC system.

Abstract: A flat-fold respirator is made from a stiff filtration panel joined to the remainder of the respirator through at least one line of demarcation. The panel contains a porous monocomponent monolayer nonwoven web that contains charged intermingled continuous monocomponent polymeric fibers of the same polymeric composition and that has sufficient basis weight or inter-fiber bonding so that the web exhibits a Gurley Stiffness greater than 200 mg and the respirator exhibits less than 20 mm H2O pressure drop. The respirator may be formed without requiring additional stiffening layers, bicomponent fibers, or other reinforcement and can be flat-folded for storage. Scrap from the manufacturing process may be recycled to make additional stiff filtration panel web.

Abstract: An air quality indicator for indicating high fine particle levels in an environment of interest. The indicator includes a frame maintaining first and second air filter media. The first air filter medium differs from the second air filter medium at least in terms of a change in visual appearance (e.g., color) when subjected to air flow containing fine particles.

Abstract: A non-woven electret fibrous web for electrostatic adsorption and odor elimination and the preparation process thereof. In certain exemplary embodiments, the non-woven electret fibrous web includes a multiplicity of electret fibers, at least one of a plurality of photo-catalytic fibers or a plurality of multi-component fibers; and optionally, at least one of a plurality of chemically-active particulates, a plurality of carbon-based fibers, or a plurality of mono-component thermoplastic fibers. In other exemplary embodiments, carding and cross-lapping or air-laying processes are disclosed for making nonwoven fibrous webs including electret fibers and one or more of photocatalytic fibers, chemically-active particulates, multi-component fibers, mono-component thermoplastic fibers, or carbon-based fibers.

Abstract: A flat-fold respirator is made from a stiff filtration panel joined to the remainder of the respirator through at least one line of demarcation. The panel contains a porous monocomponent monolayer nonwoven web that contains charged intermingled continuous monocomponent polymeric fibers of the same polymeric composition and that has sufficient basis weight or inter-fiber bonding so that the web exhibits a Gurley Stiffness greater than 200 mg and the respirator exhibits less than 20 mm H2O pressure drop. The respirator may be formed without requiring additional stiffening layers, bicomponent fibers, or other reinforcement and can be flat-folded for storage. Scrap from the manufacturing process may be recycled to make additional stiff filtration panel web.