Portable room air purifier

• US 6,053,968 A
• Filed: 10/14/1998
• Issued: 04/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bob C. Miller
• Original Assignee: Bob C. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Bob C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Simmons, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, MINH CHAU THI
• Application Number:
  US09/172,319
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 96/16, 96/223, 96/224, 422/121, 422/24, 219/724, 250/438
• US Class Current: 96/224
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/22 using UV light

Abstract

A portable room air filter includes a rigid housing having an essentially-hollow reflective interior chamber. The interior chamber is bounded at one end by an air exhaust port, and by a removable HEPA filter element in fluid communication with an air intake port at an opposite, second end. The air purifier includes a germicidal ultraviolet light source mounted within the interior chamber, and a fan assembly draws air through the purifier. Baffling constructions prevent escape of ambient ultraviolet light, while ensuring free airflow through the purifier. Separate power switches control the fan assembly and ultraviolet light source. The purifier includes an interlock switch that disables the fan and ultraviolet light source when the purifier is opened. A status indicator provides visual feedback regarding the state of the ultraviolet light source. The purifier is lightweight and includes a grasping handle to facilitate movement of the purifier as needed.

Claims

1. A lightweight, portable room air purification device comprising:

a multi-part cylindrical housing assembly having an upper portion and a lower portion, operable when in a joined orientation, having an ultraviolet purification section and a particle filtration section;

said ultraviolet purification section including an internal reflective chamber, an air exhaust port at a first end, an air intake port at a second end, and ultraviolet light for irradiation of said internal reflective chamber, said air exhaust port constructed and arranged to transfer air from within said reflective chamber in an arc measuring substantially three hundred sixty degrees with respect to a central axis of said housing assembly, and said air intake port constructed and arranged to transfer air into said reflective chamber through an arc measuring substantially three hundred sixty degrees with respect to said central axis of said housing assembly;

said particle filtration section including a HEPA filtration device releasably positioned between said reflective chamber and said air intake means for retention of particulate matter therein, said HEPA filtration device being irradiated by said ultraviolet light source during use;

an air circulation assembly defined by an electrically operated motor and fan in fluid communication with said housing assembly for maintaining air flow therethrough;

first and second baffling means each respectively juxtaposed with one of said ports and operative to provide ultraviolet light dispersion for destruction of airborne organisms, and to prevent UV light from being visible outside of said housing, said first baffling means including a blocking shell extending from a lower circumferential edge of said upper portion, and a substantially-U-shaped flange extending from an upper circumferential edge of said lower portion, said blocking shell and flange constructed and arranged in a nested relationship effective to block UV radiation passage therethrough, said second baffling means including a blocking wall that extends radially within said housing chamber, and a contoured blocking trough constructed and arranged to cooperate in a nested arrangement with said blocking wall effective to prevent UV radiation passage therethrough; and

a safety interlock device constructed and arranged so as to prevent operation of the device when said housing assembly is in a disassembled orientation.

2. The room air purification device of claim 1, further including:

means for indicating operational status of said ultraviolet light source, said means for indicating disposed within said housing.

3. A lightweight, portable room air purifier comprising:

a cylindrical housing assembly having an upper portion and a lower portion, operable when in a joined orientation, said assembly including a first piece and a second piece, said housing assembly having an interior including an ultraviolet purification section and a particle filtration section;

said particle filtration section further including a HEPA filtration device releasably positioned between said reflective chamber and said air intake means for retention of particulate matter therein;

said ultraviolet purification section including an internal reflective chamber having an entrance and an exit; and

a source of ultraviolet light for irradiation of said internal reflective chamber and said HEPA filtration device;

said housing assembly having a first end including an air intake port in fluid communication with said chamber entrance; and

air exhaust port in fluid communication with said chamber exit, said air intake port constructed and arranged to transfer air into said reflective chamber through an arc measuring substantially three hundred sixty degrees with respect to said central axis of said housing assembly, and said air exhaust port constructed and arranged to transfer air from within said reflective chamber in an arc measuring substantially three hundred sixty degrees with respect to a central axis of said housing assembly;

an air circulation assembly defined by an electrically operated motor and fan in fluid communication with said housing assembly for maintaining air flow therethrough;

first and second baffling means respectively juxtaposed with said air inlet means and said air exhaust means and operative to provide ultraviolet light dispersion for destruction and removal of airborne particles;

said first baffling means including a blocking shell extending from a lower circumferential edge of said upper portion, and a substantially-U-shaped flange extending from an upper circumferential edge of said lower portion, said blocking shell and flange constructed and arranged in a nested relationship effective to block UV radiation passage therethrough;

said second baffling means including a blocking wall that extends radially within said housing chamber, and a contoured blocking trough constructed and arranged to cooperate in a nested arrangement with said blocking wall effective to prevent UV radiation passage therethrough;

an interlock device electrically connecting said housing first piece and said second piece, said switch preventing operation of said ultraviolet light source and said fan while said first piece is separated from said second piece;

an ultraviolet light source use indicator disposed within said housing;

a power switch for operating said ultraviolet light source; and

a power switch for operating said circulation assembly;

whereby a compact air purifier simultaneously provides improved safety features and increased airflow.

4. The room air purification device of claim 3 further including at least one reflective panel disposed within said housing.

5. The room air purification device of claim 4 further including an airflow deflector to direct discharged air away from a support surface on which said housing assembly is placed during use.

6. The room air purification device of claim 4 further including a grasping handle extending from said housing.

7. The room air purification device of claim 4 further including an activated charcoal filter element constructed and arranged to remove odor from air flowing through said air exhaust means.