Having Air Inlet Separate From Access Opening Patents (Class 454/57)
  • Patent number: 11969382
    Abstract: Systems and methods of reducing airborne contaminants, such as airborne microorganisms, including bacterial, viral, and fungal microbes, in an indoor space are disclosed. The method includes positioning a portable photo-catalytic oxidation system proximate a source of contaminants in the indoor space and activating the photo-catalytic oxidation system to circulate air through the photo-catalytic oxidation system at a rate ranging from approximately 16 to approximately 24 air exchanges per hour in the indoor space. The photo-catalytic oxidation system is configured to oxidize contaminates in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ZENTOX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joe D. Phillips, Stephen P. Axtell
  • Patent number: 11554395
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a safety cabinet that allows a clearer observation of contamination of an operation stage surface. In order to realize the object, the safety cabinet is configured to include an operation space including an operation stage; a front panel formed in a front surface of the operation space; an operation opening provided in a lower portion of the front panel; a suction port that is provided in the vicinity of the operation opening on a front side of the operation stage to lead downward; and an air circulation path through which air suctioned from the suction port flows along a lower portion, a back surface, and an upper portion of the operation space, in which the operation stage is made of a transparent material, and a light source is provided to irradiate the operation stage with a light from a side of the operation stage, which is opposite to the operation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 11519950
    Abstract: A burn-in chamber is provided, configured to provide the required temperature for a device under test (DUT), including a side wall, a guiding plate, an air flow plate, a partition assembly, and a fan. The air flow plate has a ventilation structure, and the guiding plate is located between the side wall and the air flow plate. The partition assembly is disposed on both sides of the air flow plate. The partition assembly and the air flow plate together form an accommodating space for accommodating the DUT. The partition assembly forms a return channel with respect to the other side of the accommodating space with the side wall. When the fan is active, air from the accommodating space passes through the air flow plate and is guided to the return channel via the guiding plate, and air is returned to the accommodating space through the return channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: ACCTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hsu-Cheng Huang, Teng-Jung Chang, Hong-Yu Hu
  • Patent number: 11260385
    Abstract: Laminar air flow workstation, comprising: a working chamber (1) comprising a work table (2), an air circulation system (3) comprising first heating means (4), and configured to circulate heated air in the workstation and direct a heated and temperature controlled air flow towards the work table (2), wherein the working chamber comprises a front handling opening (6) in fluid connection with the surroundings (7), and configured such that the work table (2) can be accessed from the surroundings (7). Also disclosed are the use of the workstation for handling and/or microscopy of biological materials, such as tissue, embryos, and stem cells, as well as the use of the workstation for microbiological safety workstation in accordance with ISO/EN 12469.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Kivex Biotec A/S
    Inventors: Niels Stengaard Hansen, Thomas Grau-Andersen, Torben Henning Ingemannsen
  • Patent number: 11209497
    Abstract: A tester apparatus is provided. Slot assemblies are removably mounted to a frame. Each slot assembly allows for individual heating and temperature control of a respective cartridge that is inserted into the slot assembly. A closed loop air path is defined by the frame and a heater and cooler are located in the closed loop air path to cool or heat the cartridge with air. Individual cartridges can be inserted or be removed while other cartridges are in various stages of being tested or in various stages of temperature ramps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Aehr Test Systems
    Inventors: Jovan Jovanovic, Kenneth W. Deboe, Steven C. Steps
  • Patent number: 10830462
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the risk of contamination in a clean air device in which a safety cabinet and clean booths are coupled. To achieve this, a clean air device in which a cabinet and clean booths are coupled, is configured such that the cabinet is equipped with: a work space which is formed on the inner side of a front shutter; and a circulation path which is formed from the lower surface, side surfaces, rear surface of the work space, and an outside portion of the cabinet so as to exhaust the air flowing into the work space. Pass boxes connected to the clean booths are provided to a portion of the side surfaces of the work space. Each of the pass boxes is formed by a pass box coupling inner surface, the outside of which has a space formed by a pass box coupling outer surface. The space communicates with the circulation path. The bottom of the pass box coupling outer surface is provided with a pass box coupling outer surface slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kaneko, Hirotoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 10807131
    Abstract: In a laboratory hood system having a housing with an access window opening into an interior work chamber for performing laboratory processes, and an air circulation system for creating an air flow from the laboratory environment inwardly through the access window into the work chamber for preventing hazardous materials from escaping into the laboratory environment through the access window, one or more air intake control devices are disposed in a selected location or locations at the access window to overcome any tendency for air turbulence to occur. The air intake control device has an air flow channel extending from an air intake opening to the laboratory environment to an air discharge opening to the work chamber, with a constriction in the channel for causing a venturi-effect increase in air velocity while flowing through the channel to promote non-turbulent air flow entering the work chamber at the selected location or locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Kewaunee Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt P. Rindoks, Michael Pinkney Vaughn
  • Patent number: 10357810
    Abstract: The present invention provides a steady flow structure and a ventilation apparatus having the steady flow structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: E3 GREEN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hongzheng Ruan, Guangye Tang
  • Patent number: 9968956
    Abstract: By setting a robot installing area at a higher pressure than an adjacent painting area, there is formed an air flow which flows from the robot installing area into the painting area. With this, in a painting facility in which a painting object is painted by paint spraying from a sprayer while displacing the painting object held to an arm leading end portion of a painting robot relative to the sprayer by an action of the painting robot, adhesion of paint to the painting robot and to a painting area lateral wall is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Taikisha Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomotaka Miwa
  • Patent number: 9285792
    Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for sampling air at multiple locations in a controlled environment. The system includes one or more air sampling devices configured to monitor and test a volume of air within a controlled environment. A control center including a programmable logic controller (PLC) is configured to monitor and control the one or more air sampling devices. One or more touch panel displays are connected to the control center and provide a human-computer interface between the control center and users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Veltek Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Churchvara, Mark Phillips
  • Patent number: 8628388
    Abstract: A laboratory bench-top fume hood comprises an enclosure containing a working chamber with a frontal opening for manual access and airflow into the chamber. A plenum behind the working chamber is connectable to an air extraction system. An apertured, curved baffle plate separates the working chamber from the plenum, and is convex from the plenum side, improving airflow and increasing usable volume of the working chamber. Slots in the baffle plate may be fitted with guide vanes extending into the plenum. A slot adjacent a roof of the working chamber is effective for creating evenly-distributed air flows. The roof may be curved to encourage an airflow to follow the roof profile to the baffle plate. Sidewalls of the working chamber may bow outwardly but converge towards the opening. The baffle plate may comprise a set of separately dismountable panels, to aid cleaning and provide access to the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: A1 Envirosciences Limited
    Inventor: Sean Patrick Codling
  • Publication number: 20130143477
    Abstract: A safety cabinet adaptable for a variation in body height of a worker using the safety cabinet, that is, a safety cabinet which prevents various bacteria from proceeding from the outside of the safety cabinet into a working space of the safety cabinet and prevents bacteria or virus from proceeding from the working space to the outside of the safety cabinet irrespective of a change in opening area of a front opening, is provided. A flow velocity of a clean air supplied into the working space and a flow velocity of the air flowing through the front opening are set at respective velocities predetermined to keep a physical isolation for preventing the contamination in accordance with a size of the front opening. Further, in the safety cabinet, the size of the front opening communicating with the working space under the front surface shutter is adjustable between 200 mm and 300 m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8430940
    Abstract: A system for ridding the working area of a nail salon work station of fumes and nail dust. The system is self-contained within the particular work station and has a vacuum system that draws air in from the area surrounding and proximate the working area to remove the fumes and dust. A fan draws that air into a chamber containing a bag-type, particulate filter that filters out the nail dust. Downstream of the bag-type filter is a fume filter that receives the air from the bag-type filter, having been pressurized by the fan, and provides a filter of the fumes. The air, now having passed through a particulate filter and a fume filter is exhausted into the room at a location remote from the working area. The bag-type filter is inexpensive and readily replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: Huan Trong Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20120156978
    Abstract: A clean worktable includes a support body, a work platform, a bellows, a front workspace, and a second workspace. The work platform and the bellows are positioned on the support body. The front workspace is opposite to the back workspace. The work platform has a first region in the front workspace and a second region in the back workspace. The bellows provides airflow to the first region and the second region for removing dust and the clean worktable enables two workers to function simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FU TAI HUA INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: PENG KUANG, ZENG-QUN CHENG
  • Patent number: 8079359
    Abstract: A hood device for grill comprises a hood, a telescoping tubing, a filter assembly, a grease cup, and an external fan. The hood partially covers a grill at a first elevated vertical position and collects smokes from the grill. The telescoping tubing extends from the hood and is configured for ventilating, and telescoping between the first and second positions. The filter assembly is disposed at a lower end of the telescoping tubing, and comprises filter with concentric and cylindrical layers. The grease cup is for collecting grease from the filter. The fan is for building up an ascending air current inside the telescoping tubing. A velocity of the ascending air current is determined according to the first elevated vertical position, a ratio of a diameter of the hood to a diameter of the grill, and a surface temperature of the grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph K Chung
  • Publication number: 20110281514
    Abstract: A biological safety cabinet with several air flow directional control enhancements. A perforated air intake grille within the work chamber inwardly adjacent the user access opening has a forwardly facing make-up air intake surface and a rearwardly facing internal air intake surface angled in converging relation to promote a physical division between intake of ambient air and internal air into the cabinet's air recirculation system. An aerodynamic user arm rest is affixed to a support stand to extend alongside the access opening at a spacing outwardly from the housing to assist in directing make-up air to the ambient air intake opening without cross-contamination between the arm rest and the work chamber. An air transmission grille above the work chamber has a horizontal main extent terminating at a spacing from the sash and an upwardly angled extent adjacent the sash to direct increased laminar air flow downwardly along the sash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Kewaunee Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Kenneth Haugen, Arturo Ramos, Kurt P. Rindoks
  • Patent number: 7980927
    Abstract: A fume hood is described for use in removing material from, or inserting material into, the opening of a container. The fume hood enclosure has a floor with an opening for insertion of the upper end of the container into the enclosure. The floor includes a circumferential groove around the opening, preferably in a raised shoulder. An annular flexible membrane having an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening is placed in axial alignment over the opening and the groove. A vacuum is drawn on the groove through a vacuum port to pull the section of the membrane above the groove into the groove, holding the membrane securely in place during use. If desired, a retainer can be placed in the groove above the membrane to prevent movement of the membrane in the event of a loss of vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Flow Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Price
  • Publication number: 20110021128
    Abstract: Exhaust capture and containment are enhanced by means of automatic or manual side skirts, a sensitive breach detector based on interference effects, a combination of vertical and horizontal edge jets, and/or corner jets that are directed to the center diagonally from corners. Associated control functions are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: OY HALTON GROUP LTD.
    Inventors: Andrey Livchak, Derek W. Schrock, Rick Bagwell, Darrin W. Beardslee
  • Publication number: 20100216382
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing coolant fluid to a device, the apparatus includes a heat exchanger having a hot side and a cold side. The cold side is in fluid communication with a chilled fluid supply and adapted to receive a first fluid from the chilled fluid supply in a first inlet and return the first fluid from the cold side to the chilled fluid supply. The cold side and the chilled fluid supply form a first fluid circuit. The apparatus further includes a second fluid circuit in fluid communication with the hot side, means for introducing a second fluid within the second fluid circuit and integral thereto, a pump integral to the second fluid circuit and adapted to transmit a second fluid within the second fluid circuit and means for controlling a rate of flow of the second fluid within the second fluid circuit. The device is within the second fluid circuit and the means for controlling the rate of flow operates in the absence of internal recirculation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: CANNON DESIGN, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald G. Williams, Andrew D. Hager
  • Patent number: 7717774
    Abstract: An arrangement for the sterile, aseptic production and/or filling of pharmaceutical products contains a housing which, with the exception of an inlet and an outlet with a clearly defined cross-section, is closed in an airtight manner. Through the air inlet air is forced via a filter into the interior of the housing. The air passes out of the housing through the air outlet or channels. The size of the cross-section of the air outlet and the performance of the ventilating device are matched in such a way that within the interior of the housing there is a laminar unidirectional or combined airflow and a constant overpressure with respect to the pressure outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: inova pharma systems GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Rothbauer, Mark Walter Diehl, Wolfgang Boeck
  • Patent number: 7585368
    Abstract: A simply-constructed paint-spraying platform comprises: a platform body comprising a top wall, a ventilation part, a bottom wall, two support plates, and a backing plate. When in use, the paint-spraying platform is expanded, and the article to be painted is hung on the first and second hooking holes or placed on the backing palate for spraying paint by using a spray gun. Therefore, the advantages including easy carriage, good ventilation, low cost, and enhanced steadiness can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Hua Yan Top Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi Kuang Lin, Jing-Yuan Chang
  • Publication number: 20090215376
    Abstract: A laboratory bench-top fume hood comprises an enclosure containing a working chamber with a frontal opening for manual access and airflow into the chamber. A plenum behind the working chamber is connectable to an air extraction system. An apertured, curved baffle plate separates the working chamber from the plenum, and is convex from the plenum side, improving airflow and increasing usable volume of the working chamber. Slots in the baffle plate may be fitted with guide vanes extending into the plenum. A slot adjacent a roof of the working chamber is effective for creating evenly-distributed air flows. The roof may be curved to encourage an airflow to follow the roof profile to the baffle plate. Sidewalls of the working chamber may bow outwardly but converge towards the opening. The baffle plate may comprise a set of separately dismountable panels, to aid cleaning and provide access to the plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: A1 ENVIROSCIENCES LIMITED
    Inventor: Sean Patrick CODLING
  • Patent number: 7569037
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying an atomized liquid solution upon a person, comprising a spray enclosure booth; an exhaust vent located below an anticipated user's facial area zone, the exhaust vent disposed within the bottom tray or a lower area of at least one wall or a lower area of a door and configured for exhausting ambient atomized liquid solution from the spray enclosure booth; a rigid conduit support defining a central air flow conduit connected to a bottom tray and pneumatically connected to an exhaust vent and providing structural integrity to the enclosure booth; an atomizing spray head assembly movably connected to the rigid conduit support and physically supported by the rigid conduit support; and an exhaust system configured to exhaust ambient atomized liquid solution from the spray enclosure booth by drawing atomized solution into the exhaust vent then through and out of the rigid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventor: Paul Spivak
  • Patent number: 7527664
    Abstract: A system for machining workpieces (12) and separating the chips from the workpieces (12) includes a plurality of workstations (14) detachably interconnected by a housing (16) and arranged along a processing path (A). A coolant and filtration device (56) extends through the workstations (14) and is adaptable for separating the chips from the workpieces (12). A mist collection device (54) is cooperable with the workstations (14) and the coolant and filtration device (56) for removing mist generated by the workstations (14) while machining the workpieces (12). The workstations (14) are interconnected with the mist collection device (54) and the coolant and filtration device (56) to form a single machining module (10) of various dimensions and configurations to be adaptable for various manufacturing environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Durr Ecoclean, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Jackson
  • Publication number: 20090061751
    Abstract: The invention concerns an isolation chamber for isolating substances from the ambient while simultaneously maintaining aseptic conditions within the isolation chamber and protecting the operator from potent compounds. The isolation chamber comprises a first container surrounding and defining an isolation space of holding the substances and a second container surrounding the first container. Preferably, the pressure of the isolation space is lower than the pressure of the barrier space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Robert H. Polsky
  • Publication number: 20080278040
    Abstract: A biosafety cabinet has an air bypass system. The air bypass system reduces air noise and static pressure in the biosafety cabinet, and continues a supply of air to the blower, when the view screen or door is fully closed by providing an alternate path for the air entering the cabinet. The air bypass system further includes an armrest provided on the door sill. The armrest may have perforations on the front and rear surfaces of the armrest to allow the air to travel under the armrest, through an air inlet. The air bypass system additionally blocks germicidal light generated inside the biosafety cabinet from escaping when the view screen or door is fully closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Larry A. McCarthy, Robert E. Lloyd, D. Aaron Johnson, Robert A. Thibeault, Martin S. Rogers, Ronald W. Gingras
  • Patent number: 7276097
    Abstract: A load-lock system includes a load-lock chamber arranged between a storage port which stores a substrate and a process chamber which processes the substrate in a process space maintained at a pressure lower than that in the storage port, and a dehumidifying unit which forms a dehumidified environment in the load-lock chamber. A system preferably includes another chamber between said storage port and said load-lock chamber, wherein said dehumidifying unit dehumidifies said another chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryo Edo
  • Publication number: 20070184769
    Abstract: An improved bio-safety cabinet having a microprocessor control system for the monitoring and control of the inflow, downflow and outflow of air, for creation of a performance envelope within the work chamber wherein all contaminated areas are under negative pressure or surrounded by negative pressure and the work chamber is continuously bathed in clean air, ensuring the microbiological work is protected form contamination in normal room air. Improved decontamination and other safety measures for a bio-safety cabinet are also proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventor: Xiang Qian Lin
  • Publication number: 20070149103
    Abstract: A full air-exchanging safety cabinet is provided, comprising a cabinet body having an accommodating space, an air inlet, an air vent and an experiment operation entrance, an air-feeding blower provided at the air inlet side of the cabinet body, a first air filter for filtering air introduced by the air-feeding blower, an experiment operation zone located under the cabinet body and provided with a working platform, a plurality of slits disposed at opposite sides of the experiment operation zone, a glass plate provided at an outer side of the experiment operation entrance of the cabinet body, a second air filter provided at an upper portion of the cabinet body, a speed and pressure monitoring device located at the air vent side of the cabinet body and connected to the second air filter, and an exhaust system connected to the speed and pressure monitoring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Chung-Hsien Lu, Hao-Ting Zhao, Yu-Ren Shu, Jia-Hung Huang, Shen-Kun Chang
  • Patent number: 7090709
    Abstract: A safety cabinet which can prevent contaminated air from leaking from a working space through the periphery of a front shutter, and which can prevent outside air from entering the working space has a peripheral structure part surrounding the working space formed with air suction ports in a part opposed to the inner surface of the front shutter connected to a negative pressure passage formed outside of the working space. The negative pressure passage guides air sucked through the air suction ports from the inside and the outside of the working space, toward a filter for purification of the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Ono
  • Patent number: 7073442
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing are shown and described. Various embodiments of the invention allow for more precise and controlled delivery of heat to achieve interlayer drying; isolation of the working region from the outside for reasons of cleanliness and in connection with the vapors of organic solvents; better control of the temperature of the working region; better accuracy in the flowrates of binder fluid dispensed; matching of delivered flowrates for multiple dispensers; verification of delivered flowrate or drops; provision for easier changeover of the machine from one powder to another; cleanability; and other needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: AFBS, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Fedor, Christopher M. Gaylo, Peter A. Materna
  • Patent number: 7048625
    Abstract: A substantially cubic work space extends from an upper opening to the interior of a housing. A substantially cubic lower space extends from a lower opening to the interior of the housing. A front cover covering the upper opening is provided on the front of the work space. The front cover is, for example, a transparent resin sheet bent and protruding from the upper opening to the interior of the work space, and is held, by a horizontal rod, in the form of the letter L in cross-section. A clean bench having a simple structure, easily installed, and being capable of achieving a high level of cleanliness even if installed in a relatively unclean environment can thus be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yuichi Anezaki, Teruo Igarashi, Shigehito Seki
  • Patent number: 7022151
    Abstract: A safety cabinet which can prevent contaminated air from leaking from a working space through the periphery of a front shutter, and which can prevent outside air from entering the working space has a peripheral structure part surrounding the working space formed with air suction ports in a part opposed to the inner surface of the front shutter connected to a negative pressure passage formed outside of the working space. The negative pressure passage guides air sucked through the air suction ports from the inside and the outside of the working space, toward a filter for purification of the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Ono
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040023613
    Abstract: The invention concerns a safety work bench with a work space, enclosed by a housing, and a ventilation system for the ventilation of this work space. The safety work bench also comprises an ozone generator which feeds ozone into the ventilation system so as to decontaminate the safety work bench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Walter Gluck, Gerd Ross
  • Patent number: 6659857
    Abstract: The present invention relates to controlled airflow and air distribution within a laboratory safety enclosure and in particular, to turbulence-free airflow within a laboratory fume hood. The fume hood of the present invention has a work chamber and an access opening having an upper edge. A horizontal air deflector structure is positioned adjacent to the upper edge of the access opening to divert a portion of air entering the access opening upwardly within the chamber, whereby the diverted air eliminates an airflow eddy current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Flow Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond F. Ryan, Alexy Y. Kolesnikov
  • Patent number: 6626971
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for separating at least two physical areas (1, 2) and for reducing the transmission of air-borne particles between said physical areas so as to protect persons and/or products (26) from said air-borne particles. The persons is located at least partly in the first physical area (1) and the products (26) in the second physical area (2) and at least one flat jet (13) of purified air is used to separate the two areas. The invention is characterized in that at least one low-turbulence displacement air stream (14) of purified air is generated at least in the second physical area (2) near the at least one air jet (13) and said at least one displacement air stream is directed primarily in the same direction as the at least one air jet (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Axiva GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainald Forbert, Lothar Gail, Ekkehard Eigenherr
  • Patent number: 6623538
    Abstract: A compact, portable, lightweight, low power consuming, convenient, versatile and sterile laminar airflow device, useful in obtaining a workspace substantially devoid of airborne particulate contaminants, said device having a body (C) divided into an upper and lower chambers; the upper chamber housing one or more pre-filtration members (B), a motor (T) driving a fan (S), and one or more filters (U) located below the motor; and the lower chamber provided with a slideable front panel (M), a removable platform (X) located at the lower portion of the chamber and a perforated plane (N) placed on the removable platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Rajesh Thakur, Anil Sood, Paramvir Singh Ahuja
  • Patent number: 6582292
    Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening and an airfoil disposed proximate an edge portion of the opening to direct airflow through the opening and into the workspace. The airfoil is automatically raised from a down position to an up position when the sash is raised to a predetermined height. In addition, the airfoil may be automatically raised when the velocity of the airflow into the access opening decreases below a predetermined value. Once raised, the airfoil may be automatically or manually lowered to the down position. In one embodiment, the airfoil includes one or more fins having an angled portion that extends downwardly below the work surface of the fume hood when the airfoil is in the down position, thereby reducing the possibility of a potential spill when the technician removes an item from the workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Fisher Hamilton, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Bastian
  • Patent number: 6506109
    Abstract: A fume hood includes a top, bottom sidewalls, front panel and a back panel that define an enclosed workspace. The fume hood also includes a movable sash for opening and closing an access opening. The fume hood also includes an air chamber having an inlet in the front panel. The air chamber includes a baffle system that evenly distributes the inlet air as the air travels through the air chamber. An unimpeded flow of air is discharged downward and away from the breathing zone of the technician and proximate to the sash to reduce the forward momentum of air trying to escape the fume hood. The fume hood provides a safe environment for the technician to work by enabling the fumes to stay contained in the fume hood under all working conditions. The air passes through the air chamber when the movable sash is positioned at a minimum height above the bottom of the fume hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Fisher Hamilton, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Bastian, Jon Zboralski, Thomas A. Grall
  • Patent number: 6461233
    Abstract: A low air volume exhaust hood is based on the concept of zone laminar flow through the hood as the hood sash is raised to different levels. Laminar flow is achieved through a plurality of plenum zones constructed at the rear of the cabinet. Preferably the zones are created by utilizing different sized openings in a rear baffle of the cabinet which presents the plenum chamber. Alternatively, distinct independent plenums may be formed and coupled with a common exhaust structure. By utilizing laminar flow which is directed through different zones corresponding to different open positions of the sash, a lower volume of air can be moved through the hood while achieving desired levels of evacuation. Performance of the hood is further enhanced by a novel air foil design at the floor of the hood which promotes a sweeping flow of air across the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Labconco Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gilkison, Larry G. Hambleton, Gary P. Roepke, Yu Rich Ma, Kermit W. Dyer
  • Patent number: 6428408
    Abstract: A fume hood is provided having an adequate level of safety while reducing the amount of air exhausted from the hood. A displacement flow fume hood works on the principal of a displacement flow which displaces the volume currently present in the hood using a push-pull system. The displacement flow includes a plurality of air supplies which provide fresh air, preferably having laminar flow, to the fume hood. The displacement flow fume hood also includes an air exhaust which pulls air from the work chamber in a minimally turbulent manner. As the displacement flow produces a substantially consistent and minimally turbulent flow in the hood, inconsistent flow patterns associated with contaminant escape from the hood are minimized. The displacement flow fume hood largely reduces the need to exhaust large amounts of air from the hood. It has been shown that exhaust air flow reductions of up to 70% are possible without a decrease in the hood's containment performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Geoffrey C. Bell, Helmut E. Feustel, Darryl J. Dickerhoff
  • Patent number: 6368206
    Abstract: A biological safety cabinet is provided that includes a frame. The frame defines a protected work area and encloses the work area on all but one side. A sash is coupled to the frame that at least partially encloses the side that is not enclosed by the frame. A blower is coupled to the frame generally above the work area. The blower is adapted to circulate air through the work area to make the work area a negative pressure area so that harmful materials are confined. A sash grill is coupled to the frame generally below the sash that has a curved top surface. The curved sash grill provides a superior and less turbulent air-flow into the work area, thereby better containing any harmful materials. The curved sash grill is perforated, and the curvature and perforations of the sash grill compensate for partial blockage by such things as the user's arms and other objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Labconco Corporation
    Inventors: Jim Hunter, Kevin Gilkison, Larry Nelson, Burt Rhea, Jerry O'Dell, Greg Krueger, Gary Roepke, Gerhard W. Knutson, Mary Ellen Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6364762
    Abstract: An atmospheric transport module is provided. The module includes an enclosed housing having a top region, a central region, a bottom region, and a load cell region. A blower is located in the top region of the enclosed housing and is configured to generate a flow of air downward into the central region. A shelf in the load cell region defines a separation between the central region and the bottom region of the enclosed housing. The shelf is at least partially spaced apart from a wall of the load cell region to thereby define a slot behind the shelf. A perforated sheet is configured to extend horizontally from the shelf and further define the separation between the central region and the bottom region. In this example, air flow generated by the blower is restricted from freely flowing through the perforated sheet and is partially caused to be redirected toward the shelf of the load cell, through the slot and into the bottom region of the enclosure housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Farro F. Kaveh, David E. Jacob, Dean Jay Larson, Martin R. Maraschin
  • Patent number: 6350194
    Abstract: A laboratory fume hood apparatus and method for containing contaminated air within the confines of the fume hood which includes a generally rectangular housing having a vertically movable door for providing an opening to the interior of the fume hood. A contoured air foil on the bottom of the door, an adjacent sill, openings in the door, a bypass slot formed in the housing and an air directing wall portion within the housing combine to provide a flow of outside air downwardly along the interior surface of the door and then directly toward an exhaust plenum located at the rear wall of the interior cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Kewaunee Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Haugen, Michael Sirkus
  • Patent number: 6272767
    Abstract: An environmental test chamber comprises a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a partition. The first chamber receives one or more electronic components to be tested. The first chamber includes an exhaust area through which air is introduced to the first chamber and an intake area from which air is evacuated from the first chamber. The exhaust area and intake area are both fitted with a panel having a plurality of apertures. The size and/or the distance between the apertures is varied to provide a uniform airflow through the first chamber, thereby insuring that each electrical component housed within the first chamber experiences the desired temperature and humidity conditions. An air intake assembly is provided which draws air into a control panel chamber housing the electrical circuitry necessary to operate the environmental test chamber, and transports the air into the second chamber to thereby permit both the control panel chamber and the second chamber to receive ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Envirotronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwayne D. Botruff, Gregory J. Langfeldt
  • Patent number: 6217437
    Abstract: A work station includes a pressure cabinet and a work surface forming the top of the pressure cabinet. The work surface is perforated along at least a portion of the work surface. A pressure inducing assembly is located within the cabinet below the work surface to draw air into the cabinet. A plenum is coupled to the pressure cabinet. An air chamber is mounted on the plenum and receives air passing from the cabinet through the air plenum to the air chamber. The air chamber then guides the air towards the work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Lab Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Murray, Thomas Darby, Eric Dietrich
  • Patent number: 6207119
    Abstract: A sealed system for handling, manipulating and formulating materials in an isolated environment which includes an isolation system for performing operations on the materials, an accessory for receiving, performing a procedure, and providing items, and a sealing device interconnecting the isolation system and the accessory. The isolation system has an interior at least partially defined by a plurality of walls and a transfer port positioned on one of the walls for transferring items into and out of the isolation system. The accessory is selectively coupled to the transfer port and has an interior accessed by an opening. The sealing device includes a trough of predetermined configuration and a blade of corresponding configuration. The trough has a sealing substance disposed therein, and the blade and the trough each surround one of the transfer port and the opening. The blade is sealingly mounted to a mounting member which is sealingly mounted to the accessory to seal the interior of the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Diccianni, Eric Anthony Diccianni
  • Patent number: 6116249
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing dust produced by the treating of human or animal nails. An air current produced by a fan is directed through an adjustable conduit towards the nails being treated. A funnel attached to a second adjustable conduit leading to a filter is positioned beyond the nails so that dust particles are entrained by the air current and carried into the funnel and to the filter. The fan is of sufficient power to cause very fine dust particles to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Donald Edward Tuffery
  • Patent number: RE40276
    Abstract: A biological safety cabinet is provided that includes a frame. The frame defines a protected work area and encloses the work area on all but one side. A sash is coupled to the frame that at least partially encloses the side that is not enclosed by the frame. A blower is coupled to the frame generally above the work area. The blower is adapted to circulate air through the work area to make the work area a negative pressure area so that harmful materials are confined. A sash grill is coupled to the frame generally below the sash that has a curved top surface. The curved sash grill provides a superior and less turbulent air-flow into the work area, thereby better containing any harmful materials. The curved sash grill is perforated, and the curvature and perforations of the sash grill compensate for partial blockage by such things as the user's arms and other objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Labconco Corporation
    Inventors: Jim Hunter, Kevin Gilkison, Larry Nelson, Burt Rhea, Jerry O'Dell, Greg Krueger, Gary Roepke, Gerhard W. Knutson, Mary Ellen Kennedy