Thermochromic filter apparatus for computer

• US 6,800,106 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2003
• Issued: 10/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Loretta I. Vancooney, William K. Cogar Sr
• Original Assignee: Loretta I. Vancooney, William K. Cogar Sr
• Inventors: Cogar, William K. Sr., VanCooney, Loretta I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spitzer, Robert H.
• Application Number:
  US10/374,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20040163367A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 553/851, 553/856, 554/90, 555/11, 555/27, 555/28, 96/17, 96/26, 964/16, 964/17, 964/20, 361/684-688
• US Class Current: 55/385.6
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2265/04 Permanent measures for connecting different parts of the filter, e.g. welding, glueing or moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2279/45 for electronic devices, e.g. computers, hard-discs, mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/448 by temperature measuring

Abstract

A filter apparatus includes a filter panel having inner and outer surfaces and a configuration for completely covering a computer housing ventilation opening. The filter apparatus includes an adhesive layer permanently adhered to the inner surface of the filter panel. A thermochromic region is positioned on the outer surface of the filter panel which changes color as temperature increases. The thermochromic region includes an ink layer and a wax layer positioned atop the ink layer. The wax layer includes a thermochromic dye having a color different from the color of the ink layer. The color of the thermochromic dye blocks the color of the ink layer at an ambient temperature and is transparent to allow the ink layer color to be seen at an activation temperature. Therefore, the filter apparatus provides an indication when the filter is full and heat is building within the housing as a result.

Claims

1. A filter apparatus for use on a computer of a type having heat generating electronics positioned in a housing with an air intake opening, the opening being positioned to receive air into said housing upon operation of a fan situated therein, said filter apparatus comprising:

a filter panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, said filter panel having a configuration for completely covering said opening;

a layer of adhesive permanently adhered to said inner surface of said filter panel along a peripheral edge thereof for removably adhering said filter panel to an outer surface of said housing at a position covering said opening, whereby all air received through said opening passes through said filter panel; and

a thermochromic region positioned on said outer surface of said filter panel, said thermochromic region including an ink layer having a first color and a wax having a thermochromic dye therein positioned atop said ink layer, said thermochromic dye having a second color different from said first color at room temperature so as to block said first color, said wax and thermochromic dye changing to a transparent state at an activation temperature, whereby said first color is visible at said activation temperature.

2. The filter apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a liner having a configuration complementary to a configuration of said layer of adhesive, said liner being treated so as to lightly adhere to said layer of adhesive for removal prior to adherence of said filter panel to said housing.

3. The filter apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said filter panel is a permanently charged electrostatic filter having a plurality of polyester fibers for generating an electric charge as air passes over said fibers, whereby to attract dust particles to said fibers.

4. The filter apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said ink layer and wax of said thermochromic region are in the form of alphanumeric or graphical indicia.

5. The filter apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said layer of adhesive includes a thermal adhesive characterized by a tackiness that is inversely proportional to temperature, whereby adherence of said layer of adhesive to said outer surface of said housing diminishes as the temperature of said outer surface increases.

6. The filter apparatus as in claim 1 wherein:

said wax melts as the temperature increases such that said wax and said thermochromic dye become a transparent ink at said activation temperature.

7. The filter apparatus as in claim 6 wherein the change of said thermochromic dye from said second color to said transparent state is reversible.

8. The filter apparatus as in claim 6 wherein the change of said thermochromic dye from said second color to said transparent state is irreversible.

9. The filter apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the change of said thermochromic dye from said second color to said transparent state is irreversible.

10. A filter apparatus for use on a computer of a type having heat generating electronics positioned in a housing with an air intake opening, the opening being positioned to receive air into said housing upon operation of a fan situated therein, said filter apparatus comprising:

an electrostatic filter panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, said filter panel having a configuration for completely covering said opening, said filter having a plurality of permanently charged polyester fibers for generating an electric charge as air passes over said fibers, whereby to attract dust;

a layer of adhesive permanently adhered to said inner surface of said filter panel along a peripheral edge thereof for removably adhering said filter panel to an outer surface of said housing at a position covering said opening, whereby all air received through said opening passes through said filter panel; and

a plurality of thermochromic regions spaced apart on said outer surface of said filter panel, each thermochromic region comprising;

an ink layer having a first color;

a leucodye having a wax layer with a thermochromic dye therein, said wax layer being positioned atop said ink layer, said thermochromic dye having a second color different from said first color at room temperature so as to block said first color, said wax layer and thermochromic dye becoming transparent at an activation temperature such that said first color is visible at said activation temperature.

11. The filter apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising a liner having a configuration complementary to a configuration of said layer of adhesive, said liner being treated so as to lightly adhere to said layer of adhesive for removal prior to adherence of said filter panel to said housing.

12. The filter apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said ink layer and wax of said thermochromic region are in the form of alphanumeric or graphical indicia.

13. The filter apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said layer of adhesive includes a thermal adhesive characterized by a tackiness that is inversely proportional to temperature, whereby adherence of said layer of adhesive to said outer surface of said housing diminishes as the temperature of said outer surface increases.

14. The filter apparatus as in claim 13 wherein the change of said thermochromic dye from said second color to said transparent state is reversible.

15. The filter apparatus as in claim 13 wherein the change of said thermochromic dye from said second color to said transparent state is irreversible.

16. The filter apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said ink layer and wax of said thermochromic region are in the form of alphanumeric or graphical indicia.

17. The filter apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the change of said thermochromic dye from said second color to said transparent state is reversible.

18. The filter apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the change of said thermochromic dye from said second color to said transparent state is irreversible.