Air purifier

• US 6,503,458 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2000
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William D. Ogle
• Original Assignee: William D. Ogle
• Inventors: Ogle, William D
• Primary Examiner(s): JASTRZAB, KRISANNE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US09/531,809
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 422/120, 422/121, 422/122, 422/5, 422/186.07
• US Class Current: 422/121
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/16 using physical phenomena
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/22 using UV light
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/40 by ozonisation for sterilisation F24F8/26

Abstract

A device for purifying air within a room. The device includes a housing having a plurality of air inlet ports and a plurality of air outlet ports. An ultraviolet ray generator is positioned within the housing along with a fan for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet ports. A passageway leading from the air inlet ports and encircling the ultraviolet ray generator to the air outlet ports provides a path for air drawn into the housing. The ultraviolet rays produced by the generator kill bacteria, germs and viruses in the air passing thereby through the passageway and the passageway maximizes a distance traveled by the air through the housing and thereby maximizing exposure of the air to the ultraviolet rays. The device also generates ozone for neutralizing undesirable odors, such as stale tobacco smoke and mildew in the air drawn into the housing. First and second filter elements are positioned on opposing sides of the passageway for trapping small particles within the air drawn through said air inlet ports. The second filter element may be scented for providing a desired scent to air passing therethrough. An aperture is located in the housing adjacent the ultraviolet ray tube and further includes a viewing lens positioned to cover the aperture and thereby allow a person to look safely therethrough to determine if the ultraviolet ray tube is operating.

Claims

1. A device for purifying air within a room, said device consisting of:

a) a housing having a plurality of air inlet ports and a plurality of air outlet ports, said housing including a hollow base member having said air inlet ports positioned thereon, a top side and an elongated cabinet connecting said base and said top side with said top side overhanging said cabinet, with said air outlet ports located in said elongated cabinet adjacent to and below the overhanging top side, each of said air inlet ports having a polyester screen for aiding in preventing large particles in the air from entering said housing;

b) means for generating ultraviolet rays and ozone positioned within said housing;

c) means for drawing air into said housing through said air inlet ports being a motorized blower for forcing air through said housing;

d) a passageway leading from said air inlet ports and encircling said generating means to said air outlet ports providing a path for air drawn into said housing by said drawing means, the air making a single pass by and around said generating means, whereby the ultraviolet rays produced by said generating means purify the air passing thereby through said passageway, while ozone produced by the generating means neutralizes undesirable odors in the air drawn through said housing, said passageway maximizing a distance traveled by the air through said housing and exposure of the air to said ultraviolet rays and ozone;

e) a first filter element being a high efficiency filter pad and positioned within said base between said air drawing means and said air inlet ports for trapping small particles within the air drawn through said air inlet ports, said first filter element filter pad being planar in shape and oriented at an isosceles angle to the horizontal so that air entering the inlet ports pass through the inlet filter pad and turn upwardly;

f) said generating means being a single ultraviolet lamp assembly comprising an elongated chassis mounted vertically within said housing, a lamp holder positioned in said chassis, an ultraviolet ray tube positioned in said lamp holder, an electric circuit, a starter electrically connected via said electric circuit to said lamp holder, a ballast electrically connected via said electric circuit to said lamp holder, a switch on said housing electrically connected via said electric circuit between said ballast and said air drawing means, and a plug on an electric cord electrically connected to said electric circuit to engage with a wall socket to receive electricity therefrom;

g) a second filter element positioned in said housing adjacent said top side member between said passageway and said outlet ports for further filtering air which has passed through said passageway, said second filter element being planar and oriented at an isosceles angle with respect to the horizontal so that air passing through said second filter element makes a right angle turn to exit through said outlet ports, and said second filter element being scented for providing a desired scent to air passing therethrough, the scent being one of potpourri, cherry, strawberry, lemon, lime, peppermint and vanilla;

h) said housing having an aperture located adjacent said ultraviolet ray tube and further including a viewing lens of blue/green borosilicate glass positioned to cover said aperture and thereby allow a person to look safely therethrough to determine if said ultraviolet ray tube is operating when said switch is turned on, a removable back panel for selectively replacing said ultraviolet ray tube, said top side having a flat top plate for retaining articles placed thereupon, and said base further including a bottom access opening for selectively replacing said high efficiency filter pad.