ADJUSTABLE AIR FILTER
The present disclosure relates to air filters. More particularly, it relates to adjustably sized air filter systems useable in window opening. Some exemplary window air filter assemblies include two u-shaped frame members that can be coupled to form an adjustable frame assembly; and a filter media assembly that is attachable to the frame assembly and that includes an adjustable length media. The window filter assemblies are capable of moving between a collapsed state to an expanded state.
The present disclosure relates to air filters. More particularly, it relates to adjustably sized air filter systems useable in a window opening.
BACKGROUNDWindows are available in a large variety of sizes and can include vertically or horizontally operable sashes to provide air flow between an exterior and an interior of a building structure. Occupants of a building structure often desire opening windows to let fresh air into an interior of a home, business, or otherwise enclosed space. However, in many locations, such as highly populated areas of China, the outside air is more contaminated than the indoor air. Novel filtering solutions are needed to let the fresh aspects of the outdoor air in without letting in the pollution or contaminants. Outdoor contaminants may include larger particles such as pollen, dust, and mold spores and smaller particles such as those forming PM2.5, bacteria, and viruses. Gaseous outdoor pollutants such as odors, NOx, SO2, ozone, and others may also be of concern in some locations.
SUMMARYThe inventors of the present disclosure realized that a need exists for a window filter that protects users from outside air quality contaminants, allows fresh air get into the home through windows, can be easily installed and used by consumers, is versatile to fit most window sizes, and has minimal impact on lighting and visibility. The inventors of the present disclosure invented and discovered apparatuses and methods that address at least some of these goals.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a window air filter assembly, comprising: first and second u-shaped frame members that can be coupled to form an adjustable frame assembly; and a filter media assembly that is attachable to the frame assembly and that includes an adjustable length filter media; wherein the window filter assembly is expandable from a collapsed state to an expanded state.
In some embodiments, the first and second u-shaped frame members are telescopically coupled.
In some embodiments, the first and second u-shaped frame members are in a spring-loaded engagement with one another.
In some embodiments, the first and second u-shaped frame members include at least one of a detent, notch, or other mechanism to selectively lock the adjustable window air filter assembly in a desired length or orientation.
In some embodiments, the first and second u-shaped frame members are frictionally secured to one another.
In some embodiments, the first and second u-shaped frame members are identical but asymmetric.
In some embodiments, the frame assembly is made of at least one of plastic, metal, paper, wood, and/or cardboard.
Some embodiments further include an adjustable element that assists in retaining the adjustable air filter within a window.
In some embodiments, the adjustable element is at least one of a spring-loaded end member, rubber materials, or a gripping structure.
In some embodiments, the filter media is held in place in or on the frame assembly by at least one of open tubes, pockets, partial loops, adhesive strips, hook and loop connection means, and/or a loop-engaging fastener material.
Some embodiments further include a spring-loaded engagement with one another to provide continuous dimensional adjustability.
In some embodiments, the filter media is at least one of an extended surface area media, pleated, corrugated, and/or a high surface area media.
In some embodiments, the filter media is self-supporting.
In some embodiments, the filter media has an electrostatic charge.
In some embodiments, the filter media includes at least one of porous foam, a nonwoven, paper, and/or fiberglass.
In some embodiments, the filter media is wire-backed. In some embodiments, the window filter assembly can self-retain the shape of the selected expanded and/or collapsed state.
In some embodiments, the window filter assembly can be adjusted to fit windows of various sizes.
In some embodiments, the window filter assembly has a size that can be adjusted to fit in a partially open window.
In some embodiments, the air filter media is replaceable and/or removable.
In some embodiments, the air filter media can be replaced by at least one of (a) through an open length along one side of the first or second u-shaped frame members; (b) by insertion from one of the major faces of the adjustable air filter; and/or (c) through one of the major ends.
In some embodiments, the filter media is pleated.
In some embodiments, the filter media has an elastic or elongating structure.
In some embodiments, the filter media includes at least one of elastic filaments, extruded elastic filaments, and/or elastic netting.
In some embodiments, the assembly further includes elongated pleat tip supports.
In some embodiments, the filter media is corrugated.
In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a restraining strap or component.
The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventions described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. The scope of this disclosure, however, may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth or shown herein.
One embodiment of an adjustable window air filter assembly 20, in accordance with principles of the present disclosure, is shown in
With additional reference to
With particular reference to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the filter frame 240 is spring-loaded for both adjustability and ease of installation and removal.
The pleated filter media assembly 30 is optionally replaceable. With additional reference to
One embodiment of a filter media assembly 30 is shown in
As discussed more specifically below, the pleated filter media assemblies can consist of the filter media or web 32 alone or can include one or more additional components or structures applied or assembled to the filter media 32 so long as the resultant filter media assembly 30 can at least be transitioned from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition without damaging a structural integrity of the filter media assembly 30, and optionally can be repeatedly transitioned between the collapsed and expanded conditions without damaging a structural integrity of the filter media assembly 30.
The filter media 32 of the assembly 30 can be self-supporting or non-self-supporting. As used herein, the term “self-supporting filter media or web” can describe at least one of the following conditions: (1) a filter media or web that is deformation resistant without requiring stiffening layers, adhesive or other reinforcement in the filter media web; or (2) the filter media generally maintains its shape when subjected to an airstream as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,169,202 to Kubokawa, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference; or (3) a web or media having sufficient coherency and strength so as to be drapable and handleable without substantial tearing or rupture. As used herein, the term “non-self-supporting” can denote an air filter media that is not capable, in the absence of a support frame and/or a support grill, of withstanding the forces encountered due to typical air flow.
For example, where the pleated filter media assembly 30 consists of the pleated filter media 32 alone, the filter media or web 32 can be self-supporting or non-self-supporting. Where the pleated filter media assembly 30 consists of the pleated filter media or web 32 and a support structure, the pleated filter media 32 can be non-self-supporting with the addition supporting structure rendering the pleated filter media assembly 30, as a whole, to be self-supporting. For example, the filter media 32 can be wire-backed.
The particular filter media 132, 232, 332 selected for the filter media assemblies 130, 230, 330 can be any desired filter media. Some exemplary filter media may be particularly suited to have particular desired characteristics. In some embodiments, the filter media assembly 30 (and, accordingly, filter media assemblies 130, 230, 330) is constructed from moisture-resistant materials. In some embodiments, the filter media may optionally include additional layers or features to specifically block or repel water, such as rain. In some embodiments, an electrostatic charge is optionally imparted into or on to material(s) of the filter media 32. An electrostatically charged media 32 may be used, of which many grades are available, and many of which offer high efficiency with low pressure drop. Thus, in some embodiments, the filter media 32 can be an electret nonwoven web. Electric charge can be imparted to the filter media 32 in a variety of ways as is well known in the art, for example by hydrocharging, corona charging, etc. (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,947,142 (mentioned above)). In other embodiments, the filter media 32 is not electrostatically charged. Additional multi-functional media grades, which incorporate activated carbon or other materials for purifying gas-phase pollutants, may also be incorporated into the filter structure. In some embodiments, the filter media 32 can be constructed, for example, from nonwoven fibrous media formed of thermoplastics or thermosetting materials such as polypropylene, linear polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride. Other suitable, non-limiting materials for the filter media include porous foams, nonwovens, papers, fiberglass, or the like. In some embodiments, the filter media 32 comprises a filter media that attracts and captures dust, allergens such as pollen and mold spores, and fine particle pollution from the outdoor air.
Other nonwoven webs useful with the filter media 32 can be a high loft spunbond web, such as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,162,153 to Fox et al., the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, the filter media 32 can be a low loft spunbond web, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,947,142 to Fox et al., the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. In yet other embodiments, nonwoven webs useful with the filter media 32 are generated by other techniques and/or have other characteristics, such as the meltblown nonwoven webs disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,858,297 to Shah et al. (mentioned above). Other non-limiting example of useful nonwoven web formats include bi-modal fiber diameter meltblown media such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,858,163, the entire teaching of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present adjustable air filters 20 are useful in protecting users from outside air quality contaminants. An electrostatically charged media 32 may be used, of which many grades are available, and many of which offer high efficiency with low pressure drop. Additional multi-functional media grades, which incorporate activated carbon or other materials for purifying gas-phase pollutants, may also be incorporated into the filter media assembly 30. By incorporating an extended surface area and by covering moderate portion of the window, in combination with using a low pressure drop web enabled by the electrostatic charging, a reasonably low pressure drop can be achieved for the filter, which should help provide moderate airflow through the filter. A pleated structure can provide a significantly lower airflow resistance than a flat sheet for the same filter perimeter dimensions and allow fresh air get into the home or building structure through at least partially open windows.
Aspects of the materials and construction of the pleated filter media assembly 130, 230, 330 are akin to filter media assembly 30 and are such that the filter media assemblies 130, 230, 330 can, in some embodiments, be repeatedly transitioned between an expanded condition as in
The terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.
All references mentioned herein are incorporated in their entirety.
Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.
The recitation of all numerical ranges by endpoint is meant to include all numbers subsumed within the range (i.e., the range 1 to 10 includes, for example, 1, 1.5, 3.33, and 10).
All references mentioned herein are incorporated herein in their entirety.
Those having skill in the art will appreciate that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments and implementations without departing from the underlying principles thereof. Further, various modifications and alterations of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the present application should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A window air filter assembly, comprising:
- first and second u-shaped frame members that can be coupled to form an adjustable frame assembly; and
- a filter media assembly that is attachable to the frame assembly and that includes an adjustable length filter media;
- wherein the window filter assembly is expandable from a collapsed state to an expanded state.
2. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second u-shaped frame members are telescopically coupled.
3. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second u-shaped frame members are in a spring-loaded engagement with one another.
4. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second u-shaped frame members include at least one of a detent, notch, or other mechanism to selectively lock the adjustable window air filter assembly in a desired length or orientation.
5. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second u-shaped frame members are frictionally secured to one another.
6. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second u-shaped frame members are identical but asymmetric.
7. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame assembly is made of at least one of plastic, metal, paper, wood, and/or cardboard.
8. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, further including an adjustable element that assists in retaining the adjustable air filter within a window.
9. The window air filter assembly of claim 8, wherein the adjustable element is at least one of a spring-loaded end member, rubber materials, or a gripping structure.
10. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter media is held in place in or on the frame assembly by at least one of open tubes, pockets, partial loops, adhesive strips, hook and loop connection means, and/or a loop-engaging fastener material.
11. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, further including a spring-loaded engagement with one another to provide continuous dimensional adjustability
12. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter media is at least one of an extended surface area media, pleated, corrugated, and/or a high surface area media.
13. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter media is self-supporting.
14. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter media has an electrostatic charge.
15. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter media includes at least one of porous foam, a nonwoven, paper, and/or fiberglass.
16. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter media is wire-backed.
17. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the window filter assembly can self-retain the shape of the selected expanded and/or collapsed state.
18. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the window filter assembly can be adjusted to fit windows of various sizes.
19. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the window filter assembly has a size that can be adjusted to fit in a partially open window.
20. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the air filter media is replaceable and/or removable.
21. The window air filter assembly of claim 20, wherein the air filter media can be replaced by at least one of (a) through an open length along one side of the first or second u-shaped frame members; (b) by insertion from one of the major faces of the adjustable air filter; and/or (c) through one of the major ends.
22. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter media is pleated.
23. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter media has an elastic or elongating structure.
24. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter media includes at least one of elastic filaments, extruded elastic filaments, and/or elastic netting.
25. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, further including elongated pleat tip supports.
26. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter media is corrugated.
27. The window air filter assembly of claim 1, further including a restraining strap or component.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 24, 2015
Publication Date: Aug 24, 2017
Inventors: Andrew R. Fox (Oakdale, MN), Weilai Jiang (Shanghai), Bryan L. Gerhardt (Woodbury, MN), Nicolas A. Echeverri (Woodbury, MN)
Application Number: 15/503,945