Air filtration device

• US 6,328,791 B1
• Filed: 05/03/2000
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands Incorporated (Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co.)
• Original Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex Incorporated (Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co.)
• Inventors: Cruz, Anthony V., Pillion, Lawrence M., Ragland, Matt R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hopkins, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US09/563,821
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 554/67, 554/71, 554/90, 554/95, 555/03, 55D/IG.34, 964/18, 964/24
• US Class Current: 96/418
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2265/026 with means for avoiding false mounting
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2273/30 Means for generating a circulation of a fluid in a filtration system, e.g. using a pump or a fan
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0043 containing fixed gas displacement elements or cores
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/103 Curved filtering elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/42 Auxiliary equipment or operation thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/4254 Allowing or improving visual supervision, e.g. lamps, transparent parts, windows
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/0071 with means for purifying supplied air perfuming or deodorising means F24F1/008
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/39 Monitoring filter performance
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/10 by separation, e.g. by filtering
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/108 using dry filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/158 using active carbon
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/80 Self-contained air purifiers

Abstract

An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.

Claims

1. An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air and configured for operational association with a generally vertically oriented surface, said air filtration device comprising:

a housing defining an air flow path therethrough and having a front surface, at least one side surface and a rear surface;

at least one air inlet formed in said front surface of said housing;

at least one air outlet formed in said housing intermediate said front surface and said rear surface, for cooperation of said air outlet with a generally vertical surface to which said air filtration device is associated for enhanced dispersion of filtered air expelled through said air outlet;

a generally planar filter supported in said air flow path and being selectively removable from said housing, said filter including a notch formed therein for directing insertion of said filter in a correct orientation with respect to said air flow path; and

an impeller for moving air through said housing along said air flow path from said at least one air inlet to said at least one air outlet, said impeller being supported within said housing.

2. An air filtration device according to claim 1 wherein said air outlet is formed on said at least one side surface and said air flow path is defined from said air inlet on said front surface through said filter, through said impeller and outwardly through said air outlet.

3. An air filtration device according to claim 1 and further comprising a bumper member attached to said rear surface of said housing for abutment with a generally vertical surface to which said air filtration device is associated.

4. An air filtration device according to claim 3 wherein said bumper member is formed from resilient material for enhanced noise reduction when said air filtration device is in operation.

5. An air filtration device according to claim 1 and further comprising a locating surface formed on said housing corresponding with said notch in said filter to orient said filter in said housing.

6. An air filtration device according to claim 1 wherein said housing includes an icon formed on said housing at a position corresponding with said notch formed in said filter when said filter is inserted in said housing for enhanced visual indication of proper filter orientation.

7. An air filtration device according to claim 1 wherein said air filtration device includes an electric motor for driving said impeller and a pair of electric prongs extending outwardly from said rear surface for operational engagement with an electrical wall outlet for supplying electric power to said electric motor.

8. An air filtration device according to claim 7 wherein said pair of electrical prongs are configured with each prong in said pair having substantially the same dimensions, so that said air filtration device may be connected to an electrical outlet without regard to the dimensional differences between the socket openings.

9. An air filtration device according to claim 1 and further comprising an indicator for providing an indication that said filter should be changed, said indicator providing information after a predetermined period of operation of said air filtration device has passed.

10. An air filtration device according to claim 9 wherein said impeller is driven electrically and said indicator includes an electric timer circuit operationally associated with said impeller for determining when a predetermined time of impeller operation has passed.

11. An air filtration device according to claim 10 and further comprising a lamp mounted to said housing for illumination when said impeller is in operation, said lamp being in electrical communication with said electric timer circuit and configured to provide pulsating illumination when a predetermined time of impeller operation has passed.

12. An air filtration device according to claim 11 and further comprising a reset switch in electrical communication with said electric timer circuit to selectively reset said electric timer circuit to a zero operational time setting.

13. An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, and configured for operational association with a generally vertically oriented surface, said air filtration device comprising:

a housing for abutting attachment to an electrical outlet, said housing defining an air flow path therethrough and having a front surface, at least one side surface and rear surface;

at least one air inlet formed in said housing;

at least one air outlet formed in said housing intermediate said front surface and said rear surface;

a generally planar filter supported in said air flow path and being selectively removable from said housing, said filter including a notch formed therein for directing insertion of said filter in a correct orientation with respect to said air flow path;

an electrically driven impeller for moving air through said housing along said air flow path from said at least one air inlet to said at least one air outlet, said impeller being supported within said housing;

a pair of electric prongs extending outwardly from said rear surface for operational engagement with an electrical wall outlet for supplying electric power to said impeller; and

a bumper member attached to said rear surface of said housing for abutment with a generally vertical surface to which said resilient bumper member may abut for orienting said device with respect to said vertical surface.

14. An air filtration device according to claim 13 wherein said bumper member is formed from resilient material for enhanced noise reduction when said air filtration device is in operation.

15. An air filtration device according to claim 13 wherein said air inlet is formed on said front surface of said housing and said air flow path is defined from said air inlet on said front surface through said filter, through said impeller and outwardly through said air outlet.

16. An air filtration device according to claim 13 wherein said housing includes an icon formed at a position corresponding with said notch in said filter when said filter is inserted in said housing for enhanced visual indication of proper filter orientation.

17. An air filtration device according to claim 13 and further comprising a locating surface formed on said housing corresponding with said notch in said filter to orient said filter in said housing.

18. An air filtration device according to claim 13 wherein said pair of electrical prongs are configured with each prong in said pair having substantially the same dimensions, so that said air filtration device may be connected to an electrical outlet without regard to the dimensional differences between the socket openings.

19. An air filtration device according to claim 13 and further comprising an indicator for providing an indication that said filter should be changed, said indicator providing information after a predetermined period of operation of said air filtration device has passed.

20. An air filtration device according to claim 19 wherein said impeller is driven electrically and said indicator includes an electric timer circuit operationally engaged with said impeller for determining when a predetermined time of impeller operation has passed.

21. An air filtration device according to claim 20 and further comprising a lamp mounted to said housing for illumination when said impeller is in operation, said lamp being in electrical communication with said electric timer circuit and configured to provide pulsating illumination when a predetermined time of impeller operation has passed.

22. An air filtration device according to claim 21 and further comprising a reset switch in electrical communication with said electric timer circuit to selectively reset said electric timer circuit to a zero operational time setting.

23. An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, and configured for operational association with a generally vertically oriented surface, said air filtration device comprising:

a housing for abutting attachment to an electrical outlet, said housing defining an air flow path therethrough and having a front surface, a curved side surface and a rear surface;

at least one air inlet formed in said front surface of said housing;

a series of vents forming an air outlet formed in said side surface, for cooperation with a generally vertical surface to which said air filtration device is associated for enhanced dispersion of filtered air expelled through said vents;

a filter supported within said housing intermediate said at least one air inlet and said vents, said filter being formed as a generally planar member selectively removable from said housing and including a notch formed therein for directing insertion of said filter in a correct orientation with respect to said air flow path;

an electrically driven impeller for moving air through said housing along said air flow path from said at least one air inlet to said vents, said impeller being rotatably supported within said housing;

a pair of electric prongs extending outwardly from said rear surface for operational engagement with an electrical wall outlet for supplying electric power to said impeller; and

a bumper member attached to said rear surface of said housing for abutment with a generally vertical surface to which said bumper member may abut for orienting said device with respect to said vertical surface.

24. An air filtration device according to claim 23 wherein said bumper member is formed from resilient material for enhanced noise reduction when said air filtration device is in operation.

25. An air filtration device according to claim 23 and further comprising a locating surface formed on said housing corresponding with said notch in said filter to orient said filter in said housing.

26. An air filtration device according to claim 23 wherein said pair of electrical prongs are configured with each prong in said pair having substantially the same dimensions, so that said air filtration device may be connected to an electrical outlet without regard to the dimensional differences between the socket openings.

27. An air filtration device according to claim 23 and further comprising an indicator for providing an indication that said filter should be changed, said indicator including an electric timer circuit operationally engaged with said impeller for determining when a predetermined time of impeller operation has passed.

28. An air filtration device according to claim 27 and further comprising a lamp mounted to said housing for illumination when said impeller is in operation, said lamp being in electrical communication with said electric timer circuit and configured to provide pulsating illumination when a predetermined time of impeller operation has passed.

29. An air filtration device according to claim 27 and further comprising a reset switch in electrical communication with said electric timer circuit to selectively reset said electric timer circuit to a zero operational time setting.

30. An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air and expulsion of filtered air, said air filtration device comprising:

a housing defining an air flow path therethrough and including a movable door, which is supported by at least one hinge;

an air inlet formed in said housing;

an air outlet formed in said housing in spaced relation to said air inlet, at least one of said air inlet and said air outlet formed in said door;

a filter located in said air flow path;

an impeller for moving air through said housing along said air flow path from said air inlet to said air outlet;

a motor for driving said impeller; and

a pair of electric prongs extending outwardly from said housing for operational engagement with an electrical wall outlet for supplying electric power to said motor.

32. An air filtration device according to claim 30 further comprising an inlet grill supported by said door.

31. An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air and expulsion of filtered air, said air filtration device comprising:

a housing defining an air flow path therethrough and including a movable door;

an air inlet formed in said housing;

an air outlet formed in said housing in spaced relation to said air inlet, at least one of said air inlet and air outlet formed in said door;

a filter located in said air flow path;

a baffle plate supported intermediate said air inlet and said air outlet, wherein said filter is located intermediate said baffle plate and said door to filter air entering through said at least one air inlet;

an impeller for moving air through said housing along said air flow path from said air inlet to said air outlet;

a motor for driving said impeller; and

a pair of electric prongs extending outwardly from said housing for operational engagement with an electrical wall outlet for supplying electric power to said motor.

33. An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air and expulsion of filtered air, said air filtration device comprising:

a housing defining an air flow path therethrough and having a front surface, at least one side surface and a rear surface;

at least one air inlet formed in said housing;

at least one air outlet formed in said housing in spaced relation to said air inlet;

an impeller for moving air through said housing along said air flow path from said at least one air inlet to said at least one air outlet, said impeller including a plurality of vanes defining a basket-like structure supported for rotation around a central inside area, and said vanes draw air into said central inside area and expel the air radially outwardly from said basket-like structure;

a substantially planar filter located in said air flow path intermediate said at least one air inlet and said impeller;

a motor for driving said impeller; and

a pair of electric prongs extending outwardly from said rear surface for operational engagement with an electrical wall outlet for supplying electric power to said motor.

34. An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air and expulsion of filtered air, said air filtration device comprising:

a housing defining an air flow path therethrough and having a front surface, at least one side surface and a rear surface;

at least one air inlet formed in said housing;

at least one air outlet formed in said housing in spaced relation to said air inlet;

a baffle plate positioned intermediate said at least one air inlet and said at least one air outlet;

an impeller for moving air through said housing along said air flow path from said at least one said inlet to said at least one air outlet;

a substantially planar filter located in said air flow path intermediate said at least one air inlet and said impeller;

a motor for driving said impeller; and

a pair of electric prongs extending outwardly from said rear surface for operational engagement with an electrical wall outlet for supplying electric power to said motor.

35. An air filtration device according to claim 34 wherein said impeller is rotatably supported by said baffle plate.

36. An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air and configured for operational association with a generally vertically oriented surface, said air filtration device comprising:

a housing defining an air flow path therethrough and having a front surface, at least one curved side surface and a rear surface;

at least one air inlet formed in said front surface of said housing;

at least one air outlet formed as a series of vents along said curvature of said side surface intermediate said front surface and said rear surface for cooperation of said air outlet with a generally vertical surface to which said air filtration device is associated for enhanced dispersion of filtered air expelled through said air outlet;

a filter supported in said air flow path; and

an impeller for moving air through said housing along said air flow path from said at least one air inlet to said at least one air outlet, said impeller being supported within said housing, said air outlet being formed on said at least one side surface and said air flow path being defined from said air inlet on said front surface through said filter, through said impeller and outwardly through said air outlet, said air outlet being formed as a series of vents along said curvature of said side surface.