Abstract: A clean air system a fan and a filter assembly for producing a flow of clean air and for discharging the clean air from an outlet towards a clean area. A Coanda effect device is located adjacent to the filter assembly about the whole or part of its periphery, and induces movement of air away from the flow of clean air. Any potentially contaminated air must thus overcome the outward flow of air in order to reach the clean area, thereby reducing the likelihood of contamination of the clean area.

Abstract: A combined air filter and diffuser for attachment beneath an air discharge duct discharging blown air into a room of a building. The air filter is configured to abut and be flushly mounted to the ceiling immediately below the duct. The filter has a housing including a track disposed to receive a flat air filter element so that the filter element lies horizontally proximate the ceiling. The housing has a slidably removable closure exposing the filter element for removal, which is accomplished by sliding the filter element horizontally from the housing. The housing includes a diffuser having pivotally mounted fins disposed immediately below the filter element. The housing mounts to the ceiling by receiving fasteners through small opening formed in an upper, horizontal wall of the housing.

Abstract: An air cleaning system having a forced negative pressure generating function is provided for defining a space in a room for utilizing the space as a smoking area or the like in which contaminated air such as smoke is prevented from flowing out of the space and is cleaned. The air cleaning system having a forced negative pressure generating function has an air curtain producing unit having a blow-out port for producing air curtains to surround a predetermined space, an air sucking unit having a suction port open to the predetermined space defined by the air curtains for sucking air in the predetermined space, an air exhausting unit having an exhaust port open to the outside of the predetermined space for exhausting air sucked by the air sucking means to the outside of the predetermined space, an air cleaner unit interposed between the exhaust port and the suction port, and an air cleaner body supported by a plurality of stems for accommodating the components.

Abstract: In an apparatus for extruding plastic into a length of parison in the form of a vertically oriented hollow tube, molding a container from the parison and for filling the container with liquid product, the apparatus having a extruder, with a parison head, for forming the parison, a hot knife for cutting the parison to a selected length with concomitant release of plastic particulates, gripping apparatus for maintaining an opening at a top of the cut parison, a sealer for sealing a bottom of the cut parison, vacuum apparatus for molding the container with a temporary top opening, an extendable and retractable nozzle for filling the molded container through the temporary top opening with the liquid product and a sealer for sealing the filled container, the improvement including an outer shroud for surrounding the extruder, including the parison head, with H.E.P.A.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a gaming table or other surfaces for removing and filtering indoor airborne fumes and particles at their point of origin. A laminar exhaust air flow is created across the table surface. The laminar exhaust is drawn by vacuum through air intakes positioned at the table surface and ported through exhaust ducts for filtering and discharge.

Abstract: A portable isolation enclosure apparatus for safely removing material from the walls of a building structure while isolating the portion of the walls from which the material is being removed. The apparatus includes an booth with an open top, a plurality of side walls, and at least one open side disposed between two of the side walls. The apparatus is positioned against the wall such that an area of the wall is isolated from the ambient environment and is disposed in the open side of the booth such that a worker located inside the booth can access the area of the wall. A frame is adjustably attached to the booth so as to extend above the top of the booth a desired distance. A vacuum filter system is provided for drawing air from outside the booth into the interior of the booth, filtering the air along with any airborne contaminants, and then exhausting clean air to the environment.

Abstract: An improved fume exhauster includes a housing forming therein a receiving space in which a suction and filtration unit is disposed. Fastened to the lower portion of the receiving space of the housing is a bottom plate having a fume sucking hole and a plurality of air exit holes arranged at a predetermined interval along left, right and front edges thereof. The fume is sucked in through the fume sucking hole of the bottom plate and is subsequently filtered by a filtration member. The filtered fume (clean air) is caused to pass through the air exit holes to form an air curtain under the fume exhauster. The air curtain acts to prevent the dissipation of the fume so as to reinforce the sucking and exhausting effect of the fume exhauster.

Abstract: A device for filtering air comprising a filter housing having an air inlet for directing flow of air drawn into the housing from atmosphere and an air outlet for directing flow of air exhausted from the housing to atmosphere, the air drawn into the housing carrying air contaminants therewith. A plurality of cylindrical filter stacks having substantially parallel longitudinal axes are disposed in the housing. The filter stacks have outer cylindrical filter walls and inner passages extending therethrough along the longitudinal axes. The filter stacks are capable of filtering the air drawn into the housing by trapping the air contaminants in the filter walls when air is drawn through the filter walls into the inner passages.

Abstract: A localized clean air system for operating theaters and a method of supplying clean air to a localized region in such situations. A fan is connected to a delivery head, which has an outlet for directing inlet clean air to the localized region in a particular pattern. A streamlined body is positioned in the outlet so that, in use, the clean air flows around the body and is modified thereby to form, immediately downstream of the body, an inner region of low velocity air encircled by an outer region of higher velocity air. Preferably, the streamlined body is symmetrical about its axis and is aligned with the clean air flow, for instance by being centrally positioned in the air outlet. The streamlined body preferably comprises a rounded head and a tapered tail. A diffuser is disposed in the clean air flow upstream of the streamlined body to minimize turbulence in the air flow.

Abstract: A space surrounded by screens to provide a stable negative pressure preventing contaminated air from flowing out of the space and cleaning the contaminated air before discharged from the space. Air ports and fans are provided in the screen.

Abstract: A clean room diffuser panel for positioning below a ceiling grid mounted filter element. The diffuser panel is perforated throughout its area with increased size and density of perforations in a peripheral region to provide increased airflow beneath the ceiling grid. The peripheral regions are further angled or provided with directional vanes to create a lateral airflow beneath the ceiling grid.

Abstract: A down draft air re-circulating filtration system for auto body shops and the like companies a filtration unit intaking air from the floor and having a series of three filters removing particles greater than about 1 micron and a fabric ducting distributing the filtered air at a multiplicity of points just under the ceiling to create a "blanket" of filtered air under positive pressure that settles towards the floor and the filtration unit intake.

Abstract: A load chamber of a load lock is provided with a vertical air curtain which isolates the load chamber from the general clean room environment. Horizontal air flows generated in the load chamber bathe wafers held horizontally in the chamber with filtered air. These horizontal air flows are captured by the air curtain and recirculated to filters which provide horizontal and vertical air flows in the load chamber. If desired, the vertical and horizontal flows may be driven by the air supply mechanism of the clean room itself.

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating an enclosure from external pollution includes a tube (2) with one end opening out into the enclosure and with its opposite end (5) being open. At least one slot (6) is provided in the inside wall of said tube in the vicinity of its opening (5), the slot being disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said tube and sloping towards the opening. The slot is fed with gas so as to blow a continuous sheet of gas into the tube. At least one porous plate is disposed on the inside wall of said tube between the slot (6) and the opening (5), and the plate is fed with a gas which forms a small flow of gas suitable for overcoming the pressure reduction formed by the sheet of gas leaving from said slot (6). The enclosure is maintained at a pressure which is slightly higher than its surroundings so as to create a flow of gas running along said tube (2) and deflecting the sheet or sheets of gas leaving the slot (6) towards the opening (5).

Abstract: The installation according to the invention includes a cabinet for storing objects, apparatus for processing these objects, apparatus for transferring these objects between the storage cabinet and processing apparatus for the same, constituted by mobile containers and fixed containers fixed to the processing apparatus. The mobile containers can be coupled to the cabinet and to the fixed containers in order to carry out the transfer of the object to be processed. The installation also includes apparatus for ventilating the interior of the installation in order to permanently subject the objects to a very clean gas flow. This apparatus can be constituted by fans, by internal filters, or by an external pressurized ultraclean gas source.

Abstract: A facial air cleaner adapted to remove airborne particles in the vicinity of a person's face prior to insertion of contact lenses to eliminate the airborne particles from being deposited on the contact lenses during insertion. The cleaner is an enclosed unit which has an air inlet driven by an electric fan and conduit connected to the inlet adapted to provide a pattern of high and low velocity air flow through outlets arranged to surround the face and gently flood the hand holding the lens with cleaned air while a lens is being inserted.

Abstract: A clean air cabinet is disclosed including a cabinet shell defining a cabinet interior. Internal walls including a ceiling, back wall and floor are disposed within the interior and define a work area. A first plenum connects a blower outlet with air passages formed through the ceiling. A first high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is disposed within the first plenum. A second air plenum connects air passages formed in the floor with a blower inlet. A third plenum connects air passages formed in the work area back wall with an exhaust opening formed through the cabinet shell. A second HEPA filter is disposed within the third plenum.

Abstract: In a method of mixing two or more gas flows, the gas flows are passed through an array of at least three parallel adjacent guide conduits so as to emerge from said conduits into a mixing zone as a corresponding array of parallel adjacent streams flowing in the same direction. The gas flows are distributed alternatingly in said conduits so that each said stream has, as each of its neighbors, a gas stream from a different said gas flow. To improve mixing and shorten the required length of the mixing zone, the streams derived from the respective gas flows have different velocities at their emergence from the guide conduits into the mixing zone.

Abstract: A compact wafer carrier for storing spaced semiconductor wafers in parallel with each other, is provided for fabrication processes of a semiconductor device requiring a high particulate contamination control. The wafer carrier has an air cleaning device, including a secondary battery as a power source, a motor fan, and a particulate air filter, and a storing chamber directly connected to the air cleaning device for storing the wafers. The storing chamber has a first opening for receiving the filtered air flow, and a second opening for loading and unloading the wafers, both openings facing each other. As a result, the major part of the filtered air flows in a laminated stream passing along the surfaces of the wafers stored with a fairy high speed, serving to protect the wafers from the intrusion of the particles contained in the environmental air, and removing the particles originally adhered to the surfaces of the wafers.

Abstract: A sealed portable isolation enclosure for use in removing asbestos material from ceiling or other elevated asbestos-containing structures including a booth and an adjustable ceiling-contacting plenum for accommodating ceiling of various heights. Disposed between the booth and the plenum is a flexible transparent film for enclosing and sealing the spaced formed therebetween regardless of the elevation of the plenum relative to the booth. The enclosure is equipped with EPA approved vacuum and ventilation systems for filtering and ventilating the contaminated air therein. A disposable bag-trap door system is provided for the disposal of the asbestos-containing materials. In addition, the enclosure may also include a shower system within the enclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the containment of dust within a bulk cargo container such as a ship or barge hold. A horizontal stream of ambient air is directed across the hatch opening by a plurality of interconnected air curtain modules which captures fugitive dust along its path. A plurality of interconnected dust collector modules withdraw the entrained dust particles at an opposite side of the hatch opening and exhaust the filtered air stream therefrom and deposit the filter cake back into the hold. The clean exhaust air from the dust collector modules may be used to form a vertical air curtain to deflect crosswinds.

Abstract: A clean room having provision for supplying filtered air vertically therethrough under substantially laminar flow conditions is disclosed, and which includes a filter bank comprising a supporting latticework composed of a plurality of interconnected members which define rectangular open areas, and a plurality of high efficiency air filters positioned on the supporting latticework. The interconnected members of the latticework include a plurality of parallel, laterally spaced apart lengthwise members, and a plurality of cross members extending laterally between the lengthwise members, and with the ends of the cross members abutting an intermediate length of the lengthwise members. In one embodiment, each of the members of the latticework includes an integral, upwardly extending post, which is adapted to be engaged by a retainer for interconnecting the members, and also by a support bracket for supporting the latticework from an overhead ceiling.

Abstract: A clean room having provision for supplying filtered air vertically therethrough under substantially laminar flow conditions is disclosed, and which is characterized by the substantial absence of migration of dust or dirt particles laterally through the room. The clean room includes a filter bank comprising a supporting latticework composed of a plurality of interconnected members which define rectangular open areas, and a plurality of high efficiency air filters positioned on the supporting latticework. Each of the members of the latticework has a generally V-shaped outline in cross section with the angular extent of the V-shaped outline being adapted to provide a substantially laminar flow therealong, and so as eliminate any substantial turbulence below the members of the latticework. Such turbulence has been found to entrain dust or dirt particles and move the same laterally through the room, and the elimination of such turbulence effectively eliminates the lateral migration problem.

Abstract: An adjustable damper or air flow control valve for clean room systems, laminar flow benches, filter diffusers, fan/filter units and the like includes a fixed plate defining a plurality of rows of apertures. The plate is fabricated from an aluminum-clad fiberboard. A movable, foam plate is positioned on the fixed plate. The foam plate is fabricated from a cross linked polyethylene foam and also defines a plurality of apertures. The foam conforms to the fiberboard plate and prevents cross flow between adjacent apertures. Relative movement between the two plates moves the apertures into and out of alignment to control the flow of air to a filter.

Abstract: A filter device on electrical switch cabinets, housings for electronic systems and like equipment to be maintained free of dust and impurities while being ventilated during operation includes a labyrinth filter disposed in a travel path of ventilating air upstream of an air intake opening of the equipment to be ventilated, the labyrinth filter having means for effecting a plurality of changes in direction of flow of the ventilating air therethrough so as to function in a manner similar to that of a mechanical labyrinth seal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing obnoxious fumes and particulate laden air from a work area above a table or desk for the treatment of human nails. The removed air is filtered in a unit removed from the table or desk to remove particulate 3 microns and larger in size and the fume laden air is diffused into the environment at a location remote from the work area and in a concentration sufficiently low to avoid discomfort to those present in the area.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing particulates from objects comprises a cleaning chamber which is open on at least one side to receive the object, a curtain of air which covers the opening to the cleaning chamber, and two converging air streams within the cleaning chamber, which converging air streams create turbulence in the vicinity of the object and dislodge particulates from it. The air curtain acts as a barrier to prevent such dislodged particulates from escaping into the surrounding environment. The air streams and the air curtain are recirculated and HEPA filtered to trap the dislodged particulates.

Abstract: A smoke-free working area is described in connection with a table having a recirculating air system. The table base comprises a sealed air chamber pressurized by a motor and filter system. Openings located on the surface of the table allow air to be dispensed at a controlled rate which travels up and is collected by a network of air ducts that support a canopy. A return path for the air is fed through a hollow support member that is connected at one end to the air ducts and at the other end to the motor and filter assembly thereby completing the flow path. Smoke and other pollutants are carried into the system and filtered in a continuous fashion, thereby providing a continuous smoke-free environment for other persons located adjacent the smoke-free table area.

Abstract: A clean room is disclosed which has a capability of being divided into separate work areas of predetermined size, and with the separate work areas being effectively isolated from each other to prevent cross contamination. The clean room comprises a filter bank composed of a supporting latticework and a plurality of filters, with the latticework being supported by tie rods which extend through the latticework. A plurality of wall panels are supported below the latticework, and are attached directy to the tie rods so that the weight of the wall panels is not borne directly by the tie rods and by the latticework. Also, the latticework and wall panels are effectively isolated from external vibrations, by means of a flexible sealing strip between the periphery of the latticework and the bounding side walls of the clean room, and by the fact that the wall panels are free of any connection with the floor of the clean room.

Abstract: An air curtain (1) established in a free air space (2) by allowing partly a first air current to pass one or a plurality of nozzles and to form one or a plurality of directed narrow air jets and partly a second air current by means of co-ejection to form a surface layer for the air curtain facing towards the free air space or space. Means (6) are provided to be able to form an air circulation in the air space in a direction counter to that of the air circulation (24, 25) which the surface layer for the air curtain tends to give the air in the air space (2). The free air space can be limited by ceiling, floor and walls in the machine hall, where one or several machines (22, 23) or other devices during operation emit air with high humidity and high temperature. In such an application the air curtain is established from the ceiling and directed downwards to act adjacent to the machines (22, 23). The second air current is wholly or partly extracted from available inter-roof air (12 ) and/or available outdoor air.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for confining the pollution in an area with the aid of a gaseous jet. The gaseous jet is formed by a transition zone and a full jet development zone, the transition zone having a dart. The latter is given a length equal to the range of the jet and the first gaseous jet is controlled by a second gaseous jet on the opposite side of the area compared with the first jet.Application to the confinement of areas containing toxic or radioactive products.

Abstract: A heat zoning apparatus which comprises air filtering and smoke detecting as well as heat zoning control primarily for residential applications wherein more than a one story building is occupied with a single zone heating system. Embodiments for various mounting and configurations are disclosed as well as smoke detection and inhabitant warning and life saving devices.

Abstract: A sterile air trolley introduces sterile air into a zone adjacent all outermost boundaries of an upper part of a casing which extends laterally outboard of all sides of a lower part of a casing. The sterile air so introduced is without or free of any contaminated ambient air being entrained by the air so being emitted from the trolley and so introduced into the zone.

Abstract: An air circulator and air filtration device for a room or other enclosed space supported in the corner thereof intermediate the floor and ceiling and including an upwardly opening top air inlet and a downwardly opening bottom air inlet with each inlet including a filter assembly and a pair of discharge outlets for discharging air horizontally in a path generally parallel to and adjacent the walls which intersect to form the corner in which the air circulator is mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for neutralizing static electric charges are disclosed, which include a cooperating pair of laterally spaced apart electrodes disposed so as to be in a flow path of a moving airstream. A relatively high positive DC voltage is applied to one electrode, and a relatively high negative DC voltage is applied to the other electrode. As a result, the electrodes generates free positive and negative ions, which are carried away by the airstream and delivered directly to the manufacturing area, where they are attracted to opposite static charges. Thus the ions act to neutralize static charges of either polarity, and the excess ions will eventually be attracted to each other or to ground, leaving no static in the area. In a preferred embodiment, the electrodes are mounted immediately downstream of a HEPA filter bank which removes essentially all particulate matter and dust before the ions are generated in the airstream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting and conditioning a zone, such as an operating field, from a space. The zone is bounded relative to the environment on at least one side thereof, by a curtain which is comprised of a substantially laminar stream from an essentially sterile gas such as air, and within said zone is fed preferably substantially continuously, some essentially sterile conditioned gas, in such a location, with such a speed and along such a direction that said curtain will not be disturbed.

Abstract: An auxiliary air fume hood provided with an improved airflow system for controlling the passage of air through an auxiliary air housing and orienting the flow of air in front of the face of the hood. The hood is designed to capture the auxiliary air through the face of the hood when the temperature of said air is as much as 20.degree. F. higher than the room air temperature.

Abstract: A helmet 1 adapted for use by hay fever sufferers is shaped to fit over the head and face of the wearer and has filtered air supplied to its interior by way of an air supply duct 5 from portable filter means remote from the helmet and adapted to be carried by the wearer. The filter means removes pollen, dust and such airborne matter from the air supplied to the helmet. The filter means comprises disposable filters 9, a battery operated electric motor 8 and a fan 7 driven by the motor which draws air from the atmosphere through the filters and supplies it to the air supply duct 5. The battery 13 energizing the motor is in a separate box 14 from a box 6 containing the filters, motor and fan. Both boxes are adapted to be attached to a belt to be worn by the helmet wearer. There may alternatively be just one pack. The helmet has supports 4 which seat on the wearer's shoulders.

Abstract: A module for providing a work area in which one or several people can perform tasks requiring ultra-high efficiency air filtration. The work area is bounded above by a filter module through which a vertical laminar flow of air occurs from one or more HEPA filters. From the perimeter of the module flows a curtain of air in an enclosing and substantially parallel relationship to the laminar flow air to extend the laminar air zone to the floor. The air curtain also passes through a HEPA filter prior to discharge. The angular direction of the air curtain is adjustably controlled by a unique nozzle structure so that when the air curtain contacts the floor turbulence is substantially eliminated and a sweeping action away from the work area is effected. Separate blower systems supply air for the laminar flow air and the enclosing air curtain at differential velocities.

Abstract: There is described a method for protecting and conditioning a zone, such as an operating field, from a space. Said zone is bounded relative to the environment on at least one side thereof, by a curtain which is comprised of a substantially laminar stream from an essentially sterile gas such as air, and within said zone is fed preferably substantially continuously, some essentially sterile conditioned gas, in such a location, with such a speed and along such a direction that said curtain will not be disturbed.There is also described a device for the working of this method and a method for sterilizing a gas stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (1) for control of airborne particulates in enclosed spaces, wherein air is made to flow in parallel airstreams (F), with velocities of the streams selectively graded across the work space (W), so that the integrity of the air flow pattern is better preserved while encountering obstructing objects (6) that lie in its path; and so that any particle introduced into a stream remains entrained and airborne over a longer distance along the clean-to-dirty axis (X). The velocity gradient is achieved by a filtering device (1) comprising a plurality of pleats (25) each pleat having a different surface area.

Abstract: A combination magnetic disk storage device and filter system for internally recirculating filtered air and reducing foreign particle contamination in the shroud area of a magnetic disk unit. The storage device and system having an air filter placed between an enclosed fixed disk and a removable disk received in a disk cartridge. By spinning the disks for a predetermined time prior to using the disk drive unit, the disks coact with the filter in circulating and filtering the air in the disk housing and the disk enclosures to substantially reduce the particle count to prevent read-write head crashes.

Abstract: A laminar flow clean air enclosure has at least two spaced apart side walls and a planar filter extending between the side walls to define a work area. A transition duct couples air between the outlet of a blower and an entrance region near one end of the filter inlet to expand air leaving the blower outlet without introducing turbulence. A plenum chamber in communication with the entrance region and substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the filter inlet is formed so as to provide air at constant velocity to substantially the entire cross section of the filter inlet. As a result, the velocity of the air leaving the blower outlet is gradually reduced without turbulence to the desired exit velocity for the air leaving the filter. A perforated screen having a planar central region and an angled peripheral region covers the filter outlet.

Abstract: A cleaning arrangement for a pleated filter includes opposite blower and suction heads parallel to the pleats that move in tandem to effect cleaning. In the preferred embodiment, the heads have air slots that are effectively as wide as a single pleat, the blower slot extends substantially across the entire filter, and the suction slot has two sections that each extend halfway across the filter with the sections being respectively operative as the heads move back and forth.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a prefabricated knockdown clean room which may be readily assembled without tools in a minimum of time. The apparatus includes a plurality of building segments which cooperate with each other in assembled relationship and certain of such segments include means for moving air under pressure through a filter media which removes substantially all micro-organisms from the air within the apparatus to supply Class 100 air to a restricted area.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recycling industrial air. Air contaminated by particulates is removed from the area of machinery, transported to dust collectors, and filtered. A small portion of the filtered air is discharged to the outside atmosphere while a substantial portion is recycled to the area of the machinery. Significant savings of energy are realized while less particulates are exhausted with the air into the atmosphere as contaminants.

Abstract: A laboratory bench assembly having work stations which are retractable into the interior of the bench to provide a clear and unobstructed bench space when not in use; an air flow is created within said bench by a blower, the air flow carrying dust particles from each work station through a conduit into a cartridge-type filter which traps and collects the dust particles; a jet shoots a blast of high pressure air into said filter for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: A laboratory hood has a housing that is horizontally elongated and that is provided with an exhaust that withdraws gas from inside the housing through the back wall thereof. A horizontally elongated diffuser chamber of the same length as the housing is subdivided by a horizontal partition into a pair of vertically spaced compartments communicating through a full-length slot that is formed by the partition. An intake blower pressurizes the top compartment through a relatively narrow conduit and a wide conduit whose width is equal to the full length of the chamber and housing extends between the lower compartment and the top wall of the housing so that air fed to the upper compartment can diffuse through the slot and then pass down through the wide conduit to issue as a broad curtain in the hood. The front wall of the conduit is planar to direct a portion of its air straight down and the rear wall of the conduit is downwardly and forwardly convexly curved to direct part of the air backwardly.

Abstract: A safety enclosure is disclosed which provides a portable self-contained ultra clean enclosed space environment, with easy access to the interior of the enclosure and which can be operated at relative positive, zero or negative pressure, depending on the usage conditions required so as to provide biological protection for an animal handler or investigator, to reduce contamination of the material inside the enclosure, and to prevent escape of noxious material to the outside.

Abstract: A sealed portable isolation enclosure for use in removing asbestos material from ceiling or other elevated asbestos-containing structures including a booth and an adjustable ceiling-contacting plenum for accommodating ceiling of various heights. Disposed between the booth and the plenum is a flexible transparent film for enclosing and sealing the spaced formed therebetween regardless of the elevation of the plenum relative to the booth. The enclosure is equipped with EPA approved vacuum and ventilation systems for filtering and ventilating the contamainated air therein. A disposable bagtrap door system is provided for the disposal of the asbestos-containing materials. In addition, the enclosure may also include a shower system within the enclosure.