Upright Or Multichambered Casing Patents (Class 55/472)
  • Patent number: 6461508
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for separating dirt or dust from an airflow, comprising a collector (32) having an outer wall (32a) forming an air-rotational surface, an inner wall (34a), an airflow inlet for introducing the airflow substantially tangentially to the outer wall (32a), an airflow outlet for removing air from the collector (32), and at least one fin or baffle (30) positioned within the collector (32), characterized in that the or each fin or baffle (30) is located on the inner wall (34a) of the collector (32) and projects outwardly therefrom. The presence of the fins or baffles (30) on the inner wall (34a) discourages re-entrainment of dirt and dust particles remaining within the separation apparatus after the airflow therethrough has been discontinued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Notetry Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Walter McRae Thomson
  • Patent number: 6447586
    Abstract: An air treatment appliance having an external body at least partially constructed of a translucent material. An air inlet and an air outlet in the external body permit airflow through the device. A fan inside the body is operable to draw in air through the air inlet and to expel it through the air outlet and the air may be passed through a filter mechanism in the device. At least some components of the interior of the air treatment appliance having a condition capable of visibly changing during an operation of the appliance, such as the filter mechanism and the fan, are visible from the exterior through the translucent material of the external body such that the condition is visible from the exterior of the external body through the translucent material. The translucent material may be clear, colored, or a predetermined combination of colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Campbell
  • Patent number: 6419720
    Abstract: A modular powder recovery apparatus includes a base unit, one or more cartridge filters, and a wrapper that at least partially encloses the cartridge filters. The wrapper is designed to allow additional wrappers to be vertically stacked thereon to increase the overall height of the wrapper, thus permitting additional filter capacity without changing the base unit. A modular cartridge assembly is provided to facilitate color change operations. A fan cone is provided in the base unit to permit fan wheel size changes without requiring structural modifications to the base unit housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Stephens, Donald L. Urig
  • Publication number: 20020088213
    Abstract: An air treatment appliance for treating surrounding air, comprising a body. A spider-mount mounted to the body has a motor mounted thereto in cantilever fashion. A fan attached to the motor may be a radial fan, and is operable to draw in surrounding air and cause it to flow through the appliance. A grommet between the motor and the spider-mount dampens vibrations from the motor. A filtering mechanism in the path of the airflow helps filter out undesirable material from the surrounding air. A radial airflow guide downstream from the fan efficiently guides the airflow to be expelled in a predetermined direction. The motor is at least partially accommodated by the spider-mount and the fan. The apparatus results in reduced noise and vibration during operation of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Anne Margaret McSweeney, James Jacob Morton, Dan Roger Maxwell, Guolian Wu, Murray Malone Mallard, Christopher Paul Campbell
  • Publication number: 20020088209
    Abstract: A dirt cup assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a dirt cup having a dust collection chamber, a first inlet duct, and a second inlet duct spaced from the first inlet duct. A dirt cup lid can be removably secured to the dirt cup, or can be associated with the vacuum cleaner upper assembly. The dirt cup lid includes a center portion extending over the dust collection chamber, a first wall portion extending over the first inlet duct, and a second wall portion extending over the second inlet duct. A filter assembly is removably positioned within the dust collection chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Paul D. Stephens, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Charles J. Thur
  • Publication number: 20020073664
    Abstract: An air treatment appliance having an external body with a movable portion and a main portion. An air inlet and an air outlet in the external body permit airflow through the device. A fan inside the body is operable to draw in air through the air inlet and to expel it through the air outlet, and the air may be passed through a filter mechanism in the device. An access mechanism permits convenient access to the filter mechanism and other components in the external body. The device is at least partially disabled when the movable portion is moved relative to the main portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Campbell, Jay F. Perkins
  • Patent number: 6402815
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for purifying contaminated air using mixed liquid are disclosed. The invention includes an air inlet structure for taking in contaminated air, an air purifying compartment connected to the air inlet structure at one end for purifying contaminated air, and an air outlet structure connected to the air purifying compartment at another end for discharging purified air to the outside. The invention uses mixed liquid in its air purifying method. The invention includes a method that uses centrifugal force to form a mixed liquid filter, a method that takes in contaminated air, a method that purifies the contaminated air, and a method that discharges purified air to the outside. The invention can achieve a high degree of economic efficiency and a high degree of purification efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Cheolsoo Son
  • Patent number: 6398829
    Abstract: A mobile debris collection machine with an improved filter system includes a chassis, wheels for supporting the chassis, a debris collection device on the chassis, a debris container on the chassis, and a vacuum system on the chassis for moving dust and debris from the debris collector to the container. The vacuum system includes a dust and debris inlet, a vacuum fan, a dust and debris conduit extending from the inlet to a deflector which directs dust and debris from the inlet toward an area adjacent the vacuum chamber which is positioned above the debris container. There is a first filter stage upstream of the vacuum fan and attached thereto for rotation with the fan. There are a plurality of second filter stages, each downstream of the vacuum fan with the air flow from the vacuum fan being generally equally divided between the plurality of second filter stages. There is an air outlet for each second filter stage and a diffuser mounted in connection with each air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Kevin L. Shinler, Michael L. Blehert
  • Patent number: 6361590
    Abstract: A portable air cleaner including a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air flow path therebetween, a centrifugal blower retained within the air flow path and operable to draw air through the inlet and a filter retained within the housing and disposed to transmit air circulating in the air flow path out of the outlet. Also included is a conveyor surrounding the blower and defining a scroll shaped passage having one end disposed to receive air from the blower and an opposite end disposed to discharge air into the filter, the conveyor being shaped and arranged to obstruct all rectilinear paths between the blower and the opposite end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Duane L. Gilbert, Jr., Stephen M. Gatchell
  • Patent number: 6344065
    Abstract: A vertical air blowing fan having an air filter is described. The vertical fan has an elongated housing provided with a foot support for maintaining the housing upright. The housing is provided with an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening. A cylindrical fan is provided in the housing for drawing ambient air in the inlet opening and out through the outlet opening in a substantially tangential path inside the housing to create a substantial airflow in an area outside the housing. A filter retention member secures a filter frame curved over and against the air inlet opening. The air filter membrane is removably engageable across the opening. The filter membrane is capable of holding its shape when held in position. The filter membrane is retained outwardly curved tight against the air inlet opening of the housing wall whereby the filter delineates a convex shape against the air being drawn into the inlet opening to resist deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Paul Boulva
  • Patent number: 6344064
    Abstract: An improved two-stage separator uses reusable containers for collecting particles separated by each separation stage. The reusable containers are constructed such that a user empties both reusable containers by the actions required to empty just one of the reusable containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Publication number: 20020011052
    Abstract: A cyclone dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner includes a hollow cylindrical cyclone body having an open upper end through which air and contaminants are drawn in and a dust discharge port located proximate a lower end of the cyclone body. The dust discharge port receives contaminants that have been separated from the air by centrifugal force and discharged from the cyclone body. The apparatus further includes a dust receptacle connected to the cyclone body for collecting the contaminants discharged from the cyclone body through the dust discharge port. A base member is connected to and closes the lower end of the cyclone body and the dust receptacle, and a cover is removably connected to the upper end of the cyclone body and the dust receptacle. The cover has an air intake channel for drawing in outside air and contaminants into the cyclone body and an air discharge channel for discharging clean air from the cyclone body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Jang-keun Oh, Jong-dal Kim
  • Publication number: 20010029728
    Abstract: An air purifier (10) is provided having a housing (11) having a grilled air inlet (12), a grilled air outlet (13), and a control panel (14). The air purifier (10) also includes a pre-filter (16), a main filter (17), a blower (18) and a controller (19), all mounted within the housing (11). The controller (19) has a central processing unit having a permanent memory for storing the program instructions for operation and control of the air purifier, a working memory, and a non-volatile memory for the permanent storage of programs and counters. The controller is programmable so as to control the operation of the blower according to time and speed parameters entered into memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Arthur Massey, Larry S. Bias, Francisco J. Carbajal
  • Patent number: 6296680
    Abstract: An apparatus into which particulate material contents of rupturable bags may be charged for further handling including a hopper having an inlet into which the material may be charged, producing portions of settling and airborne particles of the material, and an outlet through which the settling portion of the material may be discharged, a first filtering unit having an inlet communicating with the hopper inlet, a second filter unit having an inlet communicating with an outlet of the first filter unit and means for producing an air flow from the hopper inlet and sequentially through the first and second filter units whereby the portion of airborne particles of the material is drawn by the air stream through the filter units for removing the airborne particles therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: The Young Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Reiner, Richard W. Ambs
  • Publication number: 20010018865
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a dirt collecting system including a latch to seal a positively pressurized dirt cup. The latch also serves to secure the dirt cup to the cleaner housing when in the closed position. The dirt cup is formed with a first dirt collecting chamber and a second dirt collecting chamber separated by an apertured wall. An inlet opening is formed in the dirt cup and communicates with the first dirt collecting chamber for inputting a stream of dirt laden air into the first dirt collecting chamber. An exhaust opening is formed in the second dirt collecting chamber for allowing the filtered air stream to exit the dirt cup. The aperture wall includes a pre-filter for filtering coarse particles from a stream of dirt laden and depositing the coarse particles in the first dirt collecting chamber. A filter member is positioned within the second dirt collecting chamber and communicates with the exhaust port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Greg A. Bilek, Nick M. Bosyj, John C. Porter
  • Patent number: 6214073
    Abstract: A smoke exhauster includes a housing having a top panel, and a plate secured to the top panel of the housing by a number of fasteners. One or more fan devices are secured to the plate, and a fan casing is secured to the plate for enclosing the fan devices. The plate and the fan casing may be disengaged from the housing for allowing the fan devices and the fan casing to be easily cleaned. An air passage is formed between the top panel of the housing and the plate. A filter device is disposed in the air passage for filtering the exhausted gas drawn through the air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: Chao Cheng Chiang, Chi Shyong Chiang
  • Patent number: 6210469
    Abstract: A filter arrangement includes a housing having first and second stage regions of filtering. The air flows through an inlet and into a first chamber having a cross-sectional area larger than the inlet. The air expands and particles drop to the bottom of the chamber. The air then passes through the first stage filter media. Additional particles are trapped by the filter media and dropped to the bottom of the first chamber. The air then flows into a second chamber and then through a second stage filter arrangement. Additional particles are removed in the second stage filter arrangement. The air is then exhausted. One preferred application is in a shop-vacuum. Methods of cleaning air and changing out the filters are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Tokar
  • Patent number: 6206955
    Abstract: An improved vacuum cleaner apparatus having at least three stages of dust collection with a path partially submerged in water and provided with a separation labyrinth. The apparatus is subdivided into two parts, an upper one which includes the support body of a suction motor unit, and a lower one which includes the labyrinth. The lower one provides an intermediate washable filter. The support body is housed in an opening coated by an acoustic insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: W.S. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Silvano Pietrobon
  • Patent number: 6156085
    Abstract: A portable air cleaner comprising a cylindrical filter element mounted on a circular base and encased by a cylindrical cover. A centrifugal fan mounted within the cover draws unpurified air into inlet openings disposed in the base and the side wall of the cover, and through the filter element. The resulting purified air is drawn into the centrifugal fan and forced radially outward therefrom. An air deflector dish redirects the purified air through the exhaust openings disposed on the top surface of the cylindrical cover. Such an exhaust flow which is perpendicular to and spaced from the inlet flow results in an improved efficiency in purifying the entire volume of air within a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Honeywell Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Chiu, Stephen Gatchell, Jui-Shang Wang
  • Patent number: 6113663
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a dual filter assembly includes a filter cage, a primary filter disposed on the filter cage, and a secondary filter disposed downstream of the primary filter. A float valve between the primary filter and the secondary filter inhibits liquid from coming into contact with the secondary filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Shop Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Li H. Liu
  • Patent number: 6110248
    Abstract: A dual filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes an annular inner filter mountable on a filter cage of the vacuum cleaner. The inner filter has a lower end and a retaining ring is attached to the lower end. An annular outer filter is removably mounted surrounding the inner filter, with a lower end of the outer filter supported by the retaining ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Shop Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Li H. Liu
  • Patent number: 6099607
    Abstract: An adjustably directable clean air delivery supply assembly which provides clean air for use in weather protected environments. This assembly is, doorway passable and rollably positioned, to be utilized where activities require very clean air per strict specifications. When located, the device can quickly be unfolded and positioned for operation to produce clean air in the desired direction at minimal-eddy producing airflow. Surrounding unfiltered air is drawn in just above floor level through a pre-filter into a airtight lower hollow housing, which contains an interior powered air moving assembly, and discharged upwardly into the tower hollow housing which is supported on top of the lower hollow housing. Secured to the tower hollow housing is an adjustable telescoping height and rotatable positioning structural tube, which receives and directs the air upwardly through a self-sealing bellows into the top final filter hood assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: William J. Haslebacher
  • Patent number: 6063154
    Abstract: There is provided an integrated exclusion filter and pressurizing device which prevents leakage of unfiltered fluid across the interface area between a rotating filtering apparatus and non-rotating bulkhead. The exclusion filter utilized is of the type which utilizes Boundary Layer Momentum Transfer methodology to achieve filtration, and which includes a cylindrical stack of substantially flat annular plates. A pressurizing device is utilized downstream from the exclusion filter to repressurize filtered fluid and direct the filtered fluid toward the interface area. Either all the filtered fluid or only a portion may be repressurized, and some of the filtered fluid may be directed toward the bulkhead itself to aid pressurization by creating a local stagnation region. The pressurizing device may utilize flow diverting vanes in a housing, including blowers, pumps, compressors, and fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco A. Davila, Edward C. Fontana, Daniel M. Kolides, Joyce E. Lingousky
  • Patent number: 6022389
    Abstract: A system which reduces the transmission of noxious fumes into the surrounding air during the application of a heated liquid roofing product on a roof. A mobile tanker or kettle contains a supply of the heated liquid. The air space within the tanker or vessel above the liquid product communicates with a mobile filtration unit by a first duct. A rooftop carrier for the liquid product has a fume collection hood which communicates with the filtration unit by a second duct. A blower in the filtration unit creates negative pressure which draws the noxious fumes from the tanker or vessel and carrier through the ducts and into and through the filtration unit. The filtration unit has a series of airtight chambers mounted on a mobile truck bed, each containing a different type of filtering medium to remove various components of the noxious fumes as the fumes move through the filtration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Simon Roofing & Sheet Metal Corp.
    Inventors: Anthony R. Vross, Robert G. Gabelmann, Jeffrey J. Sipos
  • Patent number: 6013119
    Abstract: An improved filter system and method for filtering the gaseous environment of an incubator in which volatile organic compounds and particulate material are filtered from the gaseous environment. A filter is provided which includes a first filter medium to filter volatile organic compounds and a second filter medium to filter solid particulate material. A pump may be provided which draws a gas stream from the gaseous environment of the incubator and passes it through the filter. The pump and filter may be contained within a filter unit which may be used either internally or externally of the incubator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Genx International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Cecchi, Jacques Cohen, Brian Dale
  • Patent number: 6001145
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air purification apparatus substantially comprising a suction part, a ventilator housing with one or several ventilators and one or more air filters disposed before or after the ventilator, wherein a housing implemented with a base comprises modular function parts disposed tower-like one above the other, one engaging the other in sealing fit and readily detachable one from the other and at least one pivoted lever disposed pivotably on the lateral portion of the housing by means of a pivot receptor in the direction of the arrow and extending over all parts of the housing from the outside and clamping them together. The air purification apparatus additionally fastenable on the ceiling is usable in particular as spot suction, as ventilation or overpressure or as clean-air purification apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Clinix GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Hammes
  • Patent number: 5997619
    Abstract: A self contained air purification system includes an upright enclosed housing defining a germicidal chamber. A primary filter having a normally upstanding longitudinal axis has outer and inner peripheral surfaces, an interior plenum, and is supported on a base member. The housing has air inlets proximate the filter and air exhaust louvers in an upper member. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation lamps are disposed in the germicidal chamber, and a resiliently mounted fan overlies the primary filter for drawing unclean air from the environment into and through the air inlets, through the primary filter, through the plenum and then into the germicidal chamber in a vortex-shaped whirling mass air stream flowing in a protracted course around and past the irradiation lamps for maximized exposure to the lamps, a purified air stream being discharged, after a final filtration, through the air exhaust louvers, then is returned to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: NQ Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell P. Knuth, William F. Carey
  • Patent number: 5984991
    Abstract: A high-efficiency air filtering apparatus for cleaning and circulating air in a closed room is in the shape of a vertical cylinder and includes a semi-cylindrical housing and a semi-cylindrical filtering chamber, both enclosing a centrifugal blower configured to suck filtered air out of the apparatus through the filter and to blow it into the room. The apparatus is characterized by that the filtering chamber contains a closely pleated filter sheet of HEPA-filter which is covered on top and bottom by flat panels and is air-tightly pressed onto the semi-cylindrical housing, thus making the apparatus completely air tight. The filtering chamber is urged onto the contour of the filtering chamber and is releasably fastened to the top and bottom of the housing, permitting replacement of the filter after clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Appliance Development Corp.
    Inventor: Dov Z. Glucksman
  • Patent number: 5984541
    Abstract: A resist processing system comprising a resist processing chamber 11, an air filter 14 and an air intake unit 15 for introducing air into the processing chamber 11 through the air filter 14, the air filter 14 having a housing 18 and a diffusion scrubber 19 separating a first space and a second space within the housing 18, the first space having a liquid inlet port 21A and a liquid outlet port 21B for passing a liquid therethrough, the second space having an air inlet port 20A and an air outlet port 20B for passing the air from the air intake unit therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 5984990
    Abstract: This invention pertains to equipment used in the custom fitting of golf clubs and in particular to a dustfree workbench for use by a golfsmith for customizing golf clubs having shafts manufactured from graphite, titanium or beryllium. The workbench includes a filtration system particularly designed for removal of the extremely fine particles generated in the cutting of golf club shafts, and characterized by the use of a series of high efficiency filters that the dust-laden air is passed through before being returned to the room. Grates placed within the upper surface of the workbench prevent larger items from passing therethrough and include dampeners for purposes of flow regulation. The filter assembly comprises a plurality of filter elements with various micron rating filters, referred to as coarse and fine, and assembled in order of decreasing porosity and placed in series and upstream of the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Kevin McDonald
  • Patent number: 5948127
    Abstract: A cyclone dust collector wherein the interior of a cyclone body is divided into an upper space and a lower space by a partition member provided with a plurality of cylindrical filters, a suction port is so provided as to communicate with the lower space, a common discharge port is so provided as to communicate with the upper space, a collected dust recovery box is fixed to the lower end of the cyclone body, and a discharge blower is connected to the discharge port of the cyclone body. The dust collector is further provided with backwashing stop valves capable of opening and closing upper end portions of the filters and having backwashing nozzles, stop valve driving mechanisms adapted to open and close the stop valves, compressed air hoses connected to the backwashing nozzles of the stop valves, and backwashing electromagnetic valves for controlling the supply and cutoff of backwashing compressed air to the compressed air hoses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute
    Inventors: Susumu Minakawa, Takao Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 5931988
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter cabinet defining an interior. A filter component is suspended within the filter cabinet interior. The filter component includes an outer frame having first and second rigid frame sections. The first and second rigid frame sections are pivotable, relative to each other about a pivot arrangement, such as a hinge. The first and second frame sections hold filter bags, such that the filter bags are suspended from the frame in the cabinet interior. Methods of changing a filter bag in a cabinet air filter assembly are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. LeBlanc, Joseph C. Tokar, Daniel T. Risch
  • Patent number: 5908494
    Abstract: A liquid spray air purification apparatus utilizing at least two liquid migration eliminator members for providing effective containment of substantially all of the spray liquid employed in the system to within a segregated spray liquid loop so as to prevent spray liquid from interfering with the operation of electrical and other auxiliary components within the apparatus and to minimize spray liquid loss from the recirculation cycle. The segregated spray liquid loop is formed by a liquid spray chamber, a spray liquid sump and recirculation means interconnecting the sump and the liquid spray chamber. Auxiliary components include a particulate filter, fan means, germicidal ultraviolet light means, dehumidification means, heating means and a compressor. The apparatus is designed for use in efficiently improving interior environmental air quality within homes, offices, hospitals and the like, and is adaptable for use in motorized vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Earth First Air Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Ross, Carl J. Ross, Timothy Wandell, Jeffrey S. Ross
  • Patent number: 5893939
    Abstract: An air purifier, an air filter and a method of manufacturing an air filter for an air purifier are provided. The air purifier includes a base assembly, a filter assembly and a grill. A fan is mounted to the base assembly, and draws air through the filter assembly. The base and filter assemblies include adjoining walls having openings which are substantially smaller in area than the areas of the adjoining walls and area through which air is drawn in through the filter assembly. A resilient gasket having a passage approximately the size of these openings is positioned between the adjoining walls. The filter assembly is drawn towards the base assembly when the fan is operated, thereby enhancing the seal formed by the gasket against the adjoining walls. Unfiltered air is accordingly unlikely to bypass the filter assembly. The air filter is manufactured in an efficient manner through the use of a back plate having oblique end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Holmes Products Corp.
    Inventors: William Rakocy, Johnson Hsu, Neville R. Glenn
  • Patent number: 5871557
    Abstract: A mist collector cartridge for collecting airborne liquids, and more particularly, a filter media having vertically oriented interconnected pleats treated with a low surface energy material to facilitate agglomeration and drainage of liquid which accumulates on the inner and outer surface of the filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Tokar, Mervin E. Wright, Timothy H. Grape, James A. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 5858040
    Abstract: A microfiltrated clean air supply system for providing a highly filtered supply of clean air suitable for aseptic packaging (for example, class 100 or better) in a filling machine is provided. In an embodiment, the clean air supply system includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A first plurality of filters are arranged in order of increasing collection efficiency within the housing adjacent the inlet. Similarly a second plurality of filters are arranged within the housing near the outlet. The second plurality of filters are also arranged in order of increasing collection efficiency. The clean air supply system also includes a chamber located between the first plurality of filters and the second plurality of filters. The chamber includes a wall separating the chamber from the second plurality of filters. A blower is arranged in the chamber between the first and second plurality of filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SA
    Inventor: David J. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5855634
    Abstract: A filter retainer for a vacuum cleaner includes a filter cage having several ribs. At the bottom of the filter cage is a lip which includes a plurality of notches. A cylindrical filter having open ends is slid over the filter cage. A cap is placed at the bottom of the filter in order to hold the filter to the filter cage. The cap has a pair of ramps which engage notches on the rim of the filter cage. As the cap is rotated, the cap is pushed towards the filter so that a lip on the cap engages a bottom of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Shop Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Berfield
  • Patent number: 5843197
    Abstract: A particulate removal apparatus for use in soldering operations having a housing with an inlet opening formed therein and an interior cavity, a filter positioned within the housing for removing particles from air passing therethrough, an impeller positioned within the interior cavity of the housing, and a motor positioned within the interior cavity of the housing and positioned between the impeller and the filter. The impeller has backward inclined impeller blades. The impeller pulls air through the inlet opening and directs the air toward a wall of the interior cavity. The impeller blades generally surround the interior opening. The filter is a HEPA filter positioned within a framework within the housing. The HEPA filter is arranged in an accordion-style folded configuration within the framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Bryan Rossnagel
  • Patent number: 5843213
    Abstract: A moisture control unit is made up of a housing and a moisture absorption rotor is rotatably supported in the housing. A fan is provided in an exterior wall of the housing and it feeds air into the housing. A heater is contained within the housing adjacent the rotor to evaporate moisture therefrom and a heat exchanger is also provided in the housing. The heat exchanger has a first passageway through which a portion of the air from the fan flows to absorb moisture from the rotor and a second passageway through which moisture-laden air flows from the rotor, the first and second passageways being in heat exchange relationship with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Kankyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Fujimura
  • Patent number: 5840092
    Abstract: An air treatment system having a relatively large capacity yet a relatively small footprint and low sound level. The air treatment system includes a housing defining adjacent vertically extending inlet and outlet chambers. A blower is mounted within the inlet chamber to move air through the system. A generally planar filter is contained within the outlet chamber and is spaced apart from the rear wall of the housing to define a plenum. The rear wall of the housing is curved so that the plenum is tapered to provide uniform pressure over the face of the filter. The system is adapted to rest upon the floor or mount either vertically or horizontal to a wall. Additionally, the system includes a control mechanism that allows the system to run at full speed for a predetermined period of time and then automatically return to its previous speed level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley G. Rick, John F. O'Connor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5833727
    Abstract: An air filtering module for supplying air comprising a module housing having a rear plenum portion and a front frame portion united together. The plenum portion has a rear air inlet opening. The frame portion has a planar front air outlet opening and has a continuous outer perimeter wall extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the air outlet opening. A replaceable air filter cartridge and a fan assembly are mounted in the module housing. A perimeter barrier gasket is permanently united to the outer perimeter wall. A plurality of perimeter connecting structures permit mechanical fastening of the outer perimeter walls of adjacent module housings together in an array of modules in a manner compressing the barrier gasket to block air flow between the module housings. The module housings are easily separated from a fastened condition without damage to the perimeter barrier gasket for reconfiguration of an assembly of module housings reusing the barrier gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Darrell L. Skarsten
  • Patent number: 5820643
    Abstract: A dust filter bag (1) for a vacuum cleaner (3), with a retaining plate (H). The bag is constructed of a solid paper material, such as cardboard for example, to which a dust bag (12) is joined, for example adhesively, with a closure flap (13) turned towards the inside (15) of the dust bag (12), hinged on the retaining plate (H), which closure flap (13) is openable against a spring action and, in closed condition, keeps closed an opening (O) in the retaining plate (H). To make the dust filter bag simpler in construction and more advantageous as regards use, a band-like spring element (F) is attached to the closure flap (13) in such a way that, in the closed condition (FIG. 4), there is formed a clearance (Y) between a band end (E--E) and a hinge axis (14), lying outside of the band, of the closure flap (13), where the hinge axis (14) is provided turned towards the inside (15) of the dust bag (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventors: Paul Lienenluke, Stefan Kraut-Reinkober
  • Patent number: 5817158
    Abstract: A device for separating foreign material from air. An inlet conduit is mounted to a receptacle for receiving air and foreign material. A perforated tube is mounted within the inlet conduit and extends along the length thereof. An inner wall surrounds the perforated tube and forms a side air outlet through which a portion of the air within the passage formed by the tube may escape via a pump. The pump is operable to force the air and foreign material into the perforated tube so that the kinetic energy of the foreign material is sufficiently great to prevent the foreign material from adhering to the tube immediately adjacent the side air outlet. In a version of the preferred embodiment, a pair of pumps are in fluid communication with the perforated tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Air Equipment & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Cox
  • Patent number: 5785723
    Abstract: An inflatable blanket heater draws room air into the unit through a filtered intake by an electrically-powered blower. The air is compressed by the blower and warmed by an electric heater in the unit. The warmed air is forced through an outlet filter that removes air particles down to 0.2-micron. The filtered warmed air is delivered to a convective (inflatable) heating blanket by an air delivery hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Respiratory Support Products
    Inventors: Anthony V. Beran, Gordon Y. Shigezawa
  • Patent number: 5772710
    Abstract: An air treating system filters and dehumidifies contaminated air within an industrial plant. The air treating system includes a prefilter, a filter, a blower and an evaporator. A self-contained filtering unit directly communicates with a flume which receives fluid carrying contaminated particles from a machining center. Multiple self-contained filter and dehumidifier units are coupled with a single air conditioning compressor and condenser unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Larry A. Bauer, Bruce B. Atkinson, Bruce A. Mazor, Anthony J. Coronati, Steven C. Hokky
  • Patent number: 5762664
    Abstract: A mobile vessel which reduces the transmission of noxious fumes into the surrounding atmosphere emanating from material contained in a material chamber in the vessel, such as bituminous roofing material. An air plenum extends along the vessel beneath a filtration unit and receives noxious fumes from the material chamber and from an outside source through ducts. Ambient air is mixed with the fumes for cooling the fumes upstream from the filtration unit. A heater and stirrer are located within the material chamber for uniformly heating the material. A power operated ram and heated breaker bars move and break a solidified key of the material for subsequent discharge into the material chamber. A blower creates a negative pressure in the air plenum and filtration unit for moving the fumes and ambient cooling air therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: National Tool and Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony R. Vross, Jeffrey J. Sipos, James J. Simon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5759217
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a fluid compressor, the filter assembly including a first filter housing having a sealing boundary and a fluid inlet; a filter element supported on the sealing boundary, the filter element having a filter media made integral with a first side seal member, a second side seal member, and a bottom seal; a second filter housing seated on the filter element, the second filter housing having a filter loading member for loading the side seal members to cause the bottom seal to sealingly engage the sealing boundary; and clamp members for maintaining loading on the side seal members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Anthony W. Joy
  • Patent number: 5753002
    Abstract: A high-efficiency air filtering apparatus for cleaning and circulating air in a closed room is in the shape of a vertical cylinder and includes a semi-cylindrical housing and a semi-cylindrical filtering chamber, both enclosing a centrifugal blower configured to suck filtered air out of the apparatus through the filter and to blow it into the room. The apparatus is characterized by that the filtering chamber contains a closely pleated filter sheet of HEPA-filter which is covered on top and bottom by flat panels and is air-tightly pressed onto the semi-cylindrical housing, thus making the apparatus completely air tight. The filtering chamber is urged onto the contour of the filtering chamber and is releasably fastened to the top and bottom of the housing, permitting replacement of the filter after clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Appliance Development Corp.
    Inventor: Dov Glucksman
  • Patent number: 5753000
    Abstract: A portable air cleaner having a cylindrical filter element mounted on a circular base and encased by a cylindrical cover. A centrifugal fan mounted within the cover draws unpurified air into inlet openings disposed in the base and the side wall of the cover, and through the filter element. The resulting purified air is drawn into the centrifugal fan and forced radially outward therefrom. An air deflector dish redirects the purified air through the exhaust openings disposed on the top surface of the cylindrical cover. Such an exhaust flow which is perpendicular to and spaced from the inlet flow results in an improved efficiency in purifying the entire volume of air within a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Honeywell Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Chiu, Stephen Gatchell, Jui-Shang Wang
  • Patent number: 5746795
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cyclonic air cleaning device having a self cleaning, replaceable cartridge filter. The device essentially includes a barrel having a vortex tube concentrically positioned therein and a cylindrical, pleated filter cartridge concentrically positioned within the vortex tube, and a cone portion removably attached to and extending downwardly from the bottom of the barrel. The cone funnels debris to a collection receptacle securely attached to the bottom thereof. The filter is held in place by an upper plate fixedly secured to the vortex tube, a lower plate, and a T-bar extending centrally through the two plates and filter. A wing nut engages the bottom end of the T-bar in abutting relation to the bottom plate to hold the filter in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: Robert Witter