Air filtering system

• US 6,660,060 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2002
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Applica Consumer Products Incorporated (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: HP Intellectual Corp.
• Inventors: Chasen, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOPKINS, ROBERT A
• Application Number:
  US10/045,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20030126986A1
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 962/22, 963/97, 554/82, 554/86, 261/115, 95/1, 421/3, 421/7, 422/81
• US Class Current: 95/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/16 using physical phenomena
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0036 by adsorption or absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0038 with means for influencing the odor, e.g. deodorizing substances
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/46 automatic

Abstract

An air deodorizing assembly including a frame having a liquid reservoir; a filter element connected to the frame; and a switch actuator connected to the frame. The switch actuator is adapted to cause an open electrical path to close when the frame is located proximate the open electrical path.

Claims

1. An air deodorizing assembly comprising:

a frame comprising a liquid deodorizer reservoir;

a filter element connected to the frame; and

a switch actuator connected to the frame, wherein the switch actuator is adapted to cause an open electrical path to close when the frame is located proximate the open electrical path.

2. An air filter assembly as in claim 1 wherein the filter element comprises a two-stage filter assembly.

3. An air filter assembly as in claim 1 wherein the switch actuator comprises a magnet connected to the frame.

4. An air filter assembly as in claim 1 wherein the switch actuator comprises a conductor located on the frame.

5. An air filter assembly as in claim 1 further comprising deodorizer liquid located in the liquid deodorizer reservoir.

6. An air filter assembly as in claim 5 wherein the frame comprises an outlet from the liquid reservoir, the outlet being adapted to be connected to a pump.

7. A system for deodorizing air comprising:

a housing;

a fan connected to the housing;

a removable combined air filter and liquid deodorizer cartridge connected to the fan; and

an electrical circuit, connected to an electrical power supply, for supplying electrical power to the fan,

wherein the cartridge and the electrical circuit form a switch in the electrical circuit which is closed by presence of the cartridge at a predetermined position in the housing, wherein the switch is open when the cartridge is not located at the predetermined position in the housing, and wherein operation of the fan is dependent upon the switch being closed such that proper positioning of the cartridge in the housing at the predetermined position is required in order to allow the fan to operate.

8. A system for deodorizing air as in claim 7 wherein the electrical circuit further comprises a switch which is adapted to be connected to a toilet bowl seat.

9. A system for deodorizing air as in claim 7 wherein the removable cartridge comprises a deodorizing liquid reservoir having liquid deodorizer therein.

10. A system for deodorizing air as in claim 9 further comprising a pump connected to the liquid reservoir, the pump being adapted to spray deodorizing liquid from the reservoir into an air path of the removable cartridge.

11. A system for deodorizing air as in claim 7 wherein the switch comprises a magnet on a frame of the removable cartridge and a reed switch in the electrical circuit.

12. A system for deodorizing air as in claim 7 wherein the switch comprises a conductor on a frame of the removable cartridge and the electrical contacts in the electrical circuit which are contacted by the conductor when the cartridge is positioned at the predetermined position.

13. A system for deodorizing air as in claim 7 further comprising a battery, the battery forming the electrical power supply.

14. A method of operating an air deodorizing system comprising steps of:

inserting a removable combined air filter and liquid deodorizer reservoir cartridge into a housing of the air deodorizing system; and

closing an open electrical path of an electrical circuit to a fan of the air deodorizing system when the cartridge is inserted into the housing in a predetermined position, the predetermined position comprising a magnet on the cartridge being located proximate a reed switch of the electrical circuit.

15. A method as in claim 14 wherein the step of inserting the removable cartridge into the housing comprises connecting an outlet from the liquid deodorizer reservoir of the cartridge to a deodorizer delivery system of the air filtering system.

16. A method as in claim 14 further comprising moving a toilet seat of a toilet to move a second switch of the electrical circuit to a closed position.

17. A method of operating an air deodorizing system comprising steps of:

inserting a removable combined air filter and liquid deodorizer reservoir cartridge into a housing of the air deodorizing system; and

closing an open electrical path in an electrical circuit to a fan of the air deodorizing system when the cartridge is inserted into the housing in a predetermined position, the predetermined position comprising an electrical conductor on the cartridge contacting a pair of electrical contacts of the electrical circuit to close the open electrical path between the contacts.

18. A method as in claim 17 wherein the step of inserting the removable cartridge into the housing comprises connecting an outlet from the liquid deodorizer reservoir of the cartridge to a deodorizer delivery system of the air filtering system.

19. A method as in claim 17 further comprising moving a toilet seat of a toilet to move a second switch of the electrical circuit to a closed position.