U.S. patent application number 11/599975 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-22 for apparatus and method for deodorizing confined air spaces which utilize baking soda.
Invention is credited to Charles Michael Hardy, Frank Andrej Kvietok, Jeffrey Doanld Painter, Paul Stiros.
Application Number | 20070065332 11/599975 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25106178 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070065332 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stiros; Paul ; et
al. |
March 22, 2007 |
Apparatus and method for deodorizing confined air spaces which
utilize baking soda
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for removing malodor from the air,
particularly from confined spaces are disclosed. Such devices and
methods are useful for example for storing and preserving food in
closed compartments such as refrigerators. The apparatus and
methods utilize baking soda as the odor removing substance, either
alone, or in combination with another odor removing substance,
which may include activated carbon. In one embodiment, the
apparatus has a detachable cartridge member which contains baking
soda. In one version of this embodiment, the detachable cartridge
member is used with an air moving member that draws air through the
detachable cartridge member. In one embodiment, the method involves
using a detachable cartridge member with an air moving member in
one confined space, and using another cartridge member without the
air moving member in another compartment of the confined space. In
another embodiment, may also be used for emitting a scent, or other
substance (including, but not limited to insecticides, air
fresheners, deodorants, aromacology, aromatherapy, or any other
odor that acts to condition, modify, or otherwise charge the
atmosphere or to modify the environment) into the air.
Inventors: |
Stiros; Paul; (Cincinnati,
OH) ; Painter; Jeffrey Doanld; (Loveland, OH)
; Kvietok; Frank Andrej; (Cincinnati, OH) ; Hardy;
Charles Michael; (Norwood, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
WINTON HILL BUSINESS CENTER - BOX 161
6110 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Family ID: |
25106178 |
Appl. No.: |
11/599975 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09775999 |
Feb 2, 2001 |
|
|
|
11599975 |
Nov 15, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
422/5 ;
422/122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/0478 20130101;
A61L 9/122 20130101; A63F 2003/0489 20130101; A61L 9/014 20130101;
A61L 9/048 20130101; A61L 9/16 20130101; A63F 3/06 20130101; A61L
9/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/005 ;
422/122 |
International
Class: |
A61L 9/00 20060101
A61L009/00 |
Claims
1. An air deodorizing assembly, comprising: a filter member having
a filter medium through which air can pass, the filter medium being
adapted to remove malodor from the air passing therethrough; and an
air moving member having a body with a filter support portion, an
air inlet, an air outlet, an airflow path extending between the air
inlet and the air outlet, the filter support portion having the air
inlet therein and being configured to removeably support the filter
member adjacent to the air inlet, the air moving member having a
fan positioned to move air into the air inlet, along the airflow
path and out the air outlet, the filter member engaging the filter
support portion with the air inlet being intermediate the filter
member and the air outlet so the air passes through the filter
medium before entering the body through the air inlet.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the filter support portion has a
curved shape that corresponds to at least a portion of the filter
member.
3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the filter support portion has a
geometric shape that corresponds to at least a portion of the
filter member.
4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the filter support portion has a
curved concave shape that corresponds to at least a portion of the
filter member having a curved convex shape.
5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the filter support portion has a
curved configuration that, with the force of gravity, substantially
centers the filter member relative to the inlet.
6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the filter member sits atop the
filter support portion, the filter support portion has a curved
area that receives the filter member and provides resistance to
lateral movement of the filter member relative to the filter
support portion.
7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the air outlet is a first air
outlet oriented to direct a first portion of filtered air flow in a
first direction away from the air inlet, and the body having a
second air outlet oriented to direct a second portion of the
filtered air flow in a second direction away from the air
inlet.
8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the fan is battery powered.
9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the filter member is a
replaceable cartridge.
10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein filter support portion is
defines an upper surface of the body that engages the filter
member.
11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the filter member is a passive
filter member.
12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the fan is positioned in the
body so movement of the fan is visible through the air outlet.
13. An air deodorizing device, comprising: a passive filter member
having a first air inlet, a first air outlet and a filter medium
through which air can pass intermediate the first air inlet and
first air outlet, the filter medium being adapted to remove malodor
from the air passing therethrough; and; an air moving member having
a body with a filter support portion having a second air inlet and
configured to removeably support the filter member adjacent to the
second air inlet, the body having a second air outlet and an air
flow path between the second air inlet and the second air outlet, a
fan coupled to the body and positioned to move air into the second
air inlet, along the airflow path and out the second air outlet,
the filter member being supportable with the first air outlet
immediately adjacent to the second air inlet with the second air
inlet being intermediate the first air outlet and the second air
outlet so air flow entering the second air inlet is filtered air
that has passed through the filter medium.
14. The air deodorizing device of claim 13 wherein the filter
support portion has a geometric shape that corresponds to at least
a portion of the filter member
15. The air deodorizing device of claim 13 wherein the filter
support portion has a curved concave shape that corresponds to at
least a portion of the filter member having a curved convex
shape.
16. The air deodorizing device of claim 13 wherein the filter
support portion has a concave portion that removeably receives at
least a portion of the filter member therein.
17. The air deodorizing device of claim 13 wherein the fan is
battery powered.
18. The air deodorizing device of claim 13 wherein the filter
member is a replaceable cartridge.
19. The air deodorizing device of claim 13 wherein filter support
portion defines an upper surface of the body that engages the
filter member.
20. The air deodorizing device of claim 13 wherein the filter
member sits atop the filter support portion, the filter support
portion has a curved area that receives the filter member and
provides resistance to lateral movement of the filter member
relative to the filter support portion.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 09/775,999 filed Feb. 2, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates an apparatus and method for
removing malodor from the air. Such devices and methods are useful
for example for storing and preserving food in closed compartments
such as refrigerators.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Nowadays, refrigerators have become a common appliance in
virtually every household and typically are used for storage and
preservation of food, in particular of fresh food such as fruits,
vegetables, dairy products, and the like. It is desirable to keep
the food items fresh as long as possible in the refrigerator.
[0004] It is a well known problem that many food items tend to
release malodors into the air which are then captured in the
limited air space in a refrigerator. Not only are these malodors
unpleasant and offensive to the user of the refrigerator, they can
also have a negative impact on the quality of other foods in the
refrigerator. For example, it is known that some foods emit strong
odors (e.g. fish, boiled eggs, onions, etc.) and that these odors
can transfer to other nearby foods and hurt the taste and freshness
of those foods. A common example is transfer of odors into an open
container of orange juice or of milk resulting in a noticeable
degradation in their taste. It is also well known that malodors
from some vegetables (onions, garlic) can transfer to other foods
stored within a vegetable drawer. This problem is aggravated when
the vegetable drawer is sealed such that there is very little air
exchange with the larger compartment of the refrigerator (herein
referred to as the "fresh food compartment") and when vegetables
have been cut or are stored without any outer wrapping. This
problem of odor transfer is particularly acute in the case of ice
cubes where odors from the fresh food compartment of the
refrigerator can be transferred to the ice in the freezer
compartment of the refrigerator. This is especially true in the
case of refrigerators in which there is air exchange between the
fresh food and freezer compartments, and especially in the case of
refrigerators with built-in ice-makers.
[0005] A common attempt to solve this odor contamination problem is
the use of an opened box of baking soda, especially in the
refrigerators. However, this static method is not very effective,
because the bulk of the baking soda is not exposed to the
contaminated air, and the air movement around the baking soda is
minimal. In addition, there is the possibility that an opened box
of baking soda could be tipped over, creating a mess in the
refrigerator.
[0006] The ARM & HAMMER .RTM. Division of the Church &
Dwight Co., Inc. of Princeton, N.J., U.S.A. has also recently
introduced a product known as FRIDGE-n-FREEZER.TM. FLOW-THRU
FRESHENER.TM. that attempts to address some of these problems. The
FRIDGE-n-FREEZER.TM. FLOW-THRU FRESHENER.TM., as shown in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,624,366, is essentially a box of baking soda that has
openings on the sides to increase the amount of surface area of the
box through which the baking soda is exposed. The baking soda is
contained in the box by a "cloth filter" nonwoven material that is
positioned between the baking soda and the openings in the box.
This product, however, suffers from the disadvantages that the
baking soda is still packed so densely in the box that air is
unable to flow through the baking soda, or be drawn through the
baking soda, and this product must rely on air convection and
diffusion to bring malodors adjacent to the openings on the
box.
[0007] There also exist in the art devices for deodorizing confined
spaces such as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,548 and
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,959. However, these devices as such fail to
be capable of deodorizing those complexly structured confined
spaces which comprise portions which are not reached by normal air
convection. In these portions which include, for example, drawers
for fresh fruits and vegetables in a refrigerator, malodors may be
trapped and hence may not be reached by deodorizing devices placed
in the main compartment.
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an apparatus and a method for deodorizing confined spaces
which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method
for removing malodor from the air, particularly within confined air
spaces. The apparatus may utilize baking soda alone, or with
another odor removing substance, which may include, but is not
limited to, activated carbon.
[0010] In one non-limiting aspect, the present invention provides
an air deodorizing device comprising a detachable cartridge member.
The air deodorizing device has an air flow path from an air inlet
to an air outlet. The cartridge member comprises a filter member
and is arranged with the filter element in interaction with the air
flowing along the air flow path. The air deodorizing device further
comprises an air moving member for moving air along the air flow
path.
[0011] In another non-limiting aspect, the present invention
provides an apparatus for deodorizing air in confined spaces
comprising a first filter member, a second filter member, and an
air moving member wherein both the first filter member and the
second filter member are attachable to the air moving member.
[0012] In another non-limiting aspect, the present invention
provides a method for deodorizing air in confined spaces comprising
the steps of:
[0013] (a) providing a first filter member;
[0014] (b) providing a second filter member;
[0015] (c) positioning the first filter member inside the confined
space;
[0016] (d) positioning the second filter member inside the confined
space independent from the position of the first filter member;
and
[0017] (e) removing malodor molecules from the air of the confined
space using the first filter member and the second filter
member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention with a cartridge member in place
thereon.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG.
1 with the cartridge removed.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cartridge member used in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cartridge member.
[0022] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of
the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a side view of the cartridge shown in the
preceding figures which is partially opened to show the filter
medium.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-section of the filter medium
shown in FIG. 6.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the
device of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 8.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a side view of another alternative embodiment of
the device of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 11 is an end view of the device shown in FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The apparatus and method for deodorizing air in confined
spaces of the present invention is suitable for use in various
confined spaces, including, but not limited to, refrigerators,
closets, clothes dressers, and the like.
[0030] The apparatus of the present invention can be provided in
any suitable configuration. An apparatus useful in the present
invention may comprise a passive filter member, a forced air filter
member, or combinations of one or more passive filter members and
one or more forced air filter members. The apparatus of the present
invention preferably comprises at least one passive filter member
which can be used with an air moving member and which can be
detachable from an air moving member and used separately. This
greatly enhances the flexibility of the use of the apparatus of the
present invention. The filter members of the apparatus of the
present invention can have any size and shape as long as they can
be used with the air moving member and can also be of the same
shape and/or of the same size.
[0031] The term "passive filter member" as used herein refers to
those filter members which only rely on air convection and on
diffusion to bring malodors within reach of the filter media in the
member. The term "forced air filter member" as used herein refers
to those filter members which are associated with a forced air
moving member which draws air into the device past or through a
filter member containing a filter media and increases air flow past
or through the filter media above that which is achieved through
normal air convection in the confined space. As used within this
disclosure, a forced air filter member consists of a filter member
and an air moving member. A filter member suitable for the forced
air filter member may be a passive filter member according to the
above definition.
[0032] One non-limiting embodiment of the apparatus or air
deodorizing device (or simply "the device") of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus 20 comprises an air
moving member 22 and one or more passive filter members, such as
filter member 24. The filter member 24 is associated with the air
moving member 22. That is, the filter member 24 is used together
with the air moving member 22. The filter member 24 is preferably
in contact with the air moving member 22, and may be temporarily
attached thereto, or held in contact therewith. In the embodiment
shown, the air moving member 22 serves as a base for the filter
member 24. The air moving member 22 has an air flow path from one
or more air inlets 26 to one or more air outlets 28. (There may,
for example, be another air outlet 28 on the opposite side of the
air moving member from the air outlet 28 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.)
The filter member in this embodiment comprises a cartridge member
(or simply "cartridge") 24 and is arranged with the filter element
in interaction with the air flowing along the air flow path. In
this embodiment, the cartridge member 24 housing the filter element
is detachable from the air moving member 22.
[0033] The term "detachable" as used herein refers to members which
can be easily removed, in particular where no tools such as screw
drivers are needed. Preferably, no excessive forces are needed for
detaching the cartridge member 24. In addition, the cartridge
member 24 is preferably directly accessible from outside the air
moving member (or other device) 22, and the cartridge member 24 can
be removed without opening doors or the like, by holding the air
moving member 22 of the present invention in one hand and by
removing the cartridge member 24 with the other hand, or by simply
lifting the cartridge member 24 off the air moving member 22.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cartridge member 24 has a top
portion 30 and a bottom portion 32. The cartridge member (i.e., the
filter member) 24 may also comprise one or more air inlets 34, one
or more air outlets 36, and an air flow path through the filter
member from the air inlets to the air outlets. The filter member 24
in this embodiment sits on the top portion of the air moving member
so that the outlets 36 on the bottom portion 32 of the filter
member 24 is at least partially in alignment with the air inlets 26
on the air moving device 22. In this embodiment, a filter element
(or "filter") 40 is disposed in the filter member 24 so that it
comes into contact with the air flowing along the air flow path.
The filter element 40 may be arranged as a flow by filter or as a
flow through filter. If the filter element 40 is arranged as a flow
through filter, the filter element, and the filter medium are
preferably sufficiently pervious to air so that air can be conveyed
through the filter member. The filter member 24 may comprise a
support for the filter medium, for example, in the form of a foam,
a nonwoven material or a woven material.
[0035] The deodorization of the air in the air deodorizing device
of the present invention is enhanced by increasing the air flow
through the filter member by means of an air moving member. To
improve the malodor removal performance and to simplify the
mechanical construction of the air deodorizing device of the
present invention, the filter member and the air moving member are
preferably arranged such that substantially all air drawn in by the
air moving member is forced to flow through the filter member
before it penetrates the air inlet of the air moving member. In
other words, the air inlet of the cartridge member is preferably in
communication with the air inlet of the air moving member. In this
setup, only one air path connection is needed between the filter
member and the air moving member and hence complexity is decreased.
Furthermore, withdrawal of the cartridge member is greatly
simplified if only one connection has to be disengaged. Any
disengageable air flow connection may of course comprise sealing
members to improve air flow performance. Any such connection may
further comprise a mechanical engaging members to stabilize the
connection.
[0036] The component portions of the embodiment of the apparatus 20
shown in FIG. 1 will now be examined in greater detail.
[0037] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the air moving member shown 22
in FIGS. 1 and 2. The air moving member 22 comprises a main housing
42 into which two air outlet fixtures 44 are installed. The main
housing 42 is sized to contain all of the elements described below.
An air inlet member 43 is joined to the main housing 42 to form the
top of the air moving member 22. In this embodiment, the filter
member 24 will be placed on top of the air inlet member 43 so that
air is drawn through the filter member 24 via a suction force. The
air can be drawn by a wide variety of suitable air moving members
such as, for example, fans and blowers. One suitable air moving
member to deliver this suction force is a centrifugal fan 46. The
centrifugal fan 46 is contained in a small chamber 48 which helps
to maximize the air flow, allowing air to be drawn in near the
center of the impeller and expelled perpendicular to the entry
direction and through the air outlets 28 of the air moving member
22. The air outlet fixtures 44 are preferably positioned in the
main housing 42 such that the rotation of the fan 46 is visible
through these outlets. This allows a means of confirming that the
fan 46 is operating. Preferably, the air moving member moves at
least about 100 mL of air per second through the air inlet into the
device, more preferably at least about 200 mL/s most preferably at
least about 300 mL/s. A suitable member for driving the fan is a
small motor, for example a DC motor available from Mabuchi Motor
Co., LTD., Japan, under the designation of RF-330TK.
[0038] The motor is controlled by a circuit board 52. The air
moving members of the present invention are preferably powered
electrically. Many electrical power sources could be used,
including domestic AC electrical power or power from a static power
supply. Alternatively, and preferably, electrical power may be
supplied by means of a battery, preferably a dry alkaline cell
battery, or a rechargeable battery. In this example, power for the
motor is supplied by means of a battery 54, preferably a 1.5 V dry
alkaline cell battery, or a rechargeable battery, which is
connected to the circuit board by two battery contacts 56. The
battery is held into the device by a battery door 58 onto which is
adhered a small piece of foam 60 which helps to maintain a tight
fit of the battery into the device. The circuit board also contains
circuitry controlling a light emitting diode (LED) 62 which is
described in greater detail below.
[0039] In this example of the device of the present invention, the
battery, fan, motor, and circuitry are designed to require very low
power draw, enabling the device 20 to run continuously for a long
period of time. Preferably, this embodiment of the device 20
continuously draws less than 20 mA, more preferably less than 10
mA, and most preferably less than 8 mA. To require infrequent
battery replacement, the replaceable power supply of this
embodiment preferably is designed to last at least one month, more
preferably at least two months, yet more preferably at least three
months, most preferably at least four months.
[0040] To facilitate ease of use to the user of the device, an
indicator is preferred to announce the approaching need to replace
the battery. An indicator could be audible, such as a buzzer or
whistle; or visual such as a blinking light or raised flag for
example. In this example, the indicator is a blinking light
emitting diode (LED) 62 which blinks a few dozen times per minute
when the voltage of the replaceable power unit falls below about
0.9 V. The LED of this example operates at 3.0 V, much higher than
the voltage supplied by the replaceable battery. To enable the
operation of this LED, a permanent 3.0 V lithium cell is mounted to
the circuit board to power this circuit. The lithium cell is
expected to last the lifetime of the device, approximately five
years.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one non-limiting
example of a filter member 24. This example of a filter member 24
is in the form of a cartridge. The cartridge enables the filter
medium to be conveniently handled without the filter medium from
spilling out and/or coming into contact with articles in the spaces
within which the filter member is placed. The filter member of the
present invention comprises an air inlet 34, an air outlet 36, and
air flow path through the filter member 24 from the air inlet to
the air outlet.
[0042] The filter member 24 contains a filter element or filter 40.
The filter element 40 can be in any suitable configuration,
including, but not limited to, disc-shaped, oval,
parallelepiped-shaped, rectangular, cube-shaped, cuboid-shaped,
cylindrical-shaped, pyramid-shaped, spherical-shaped,
irregularly-shaped, or other configuration. In the embodiment shown
in the drawings, the filter element 40 is in the general shape of a
sphere, a cylinder, or in the shape of several disks of various
diameters and thicknesses such that when the disks are placed atop
one another they approach the shape of a sphere or a portion
thereof.
[0043] The filter medium is disposed in the filter member 24 of the
present invention such that it comes into contact with the air
flowing along the air flow path. The filter element 40 may comprise
a support for the filter medium, for example, in the form of a
honeycomb, a foam, a nonwoven web or a woven web, or an open-pore
reticulate structure, such as a foam or a mesh.
[0044] Deodorization of the air to remove malodors in the device of
the present invention may be achieved by a filter medium that
neutralizes the odors, that absorbs the malodor molecules, and/or
that adsorbs the molecules constituting a malodor onto a surface of
a filter medium. The term "adsorption" is well defined in the art
and refers to the adherence of molecules to surfaces which
effectively reduces the mobility of these molecules to the two
dimensions of the surface. Those molecules remaining in the air
will then diffuse so that further molecules come into contact with
the surface and subsequently will be adsorbed. Consequently, most
of the malodor molecules will travel into the proximity of one of
the surfaces at some point in time so that finally most of the
malodor will be removed from the air.
[0045] A filter medium suitable to be used in the filter member(s)
of the present invention may comprise sodium bicarbonate (i.e.,
baking soda) alone, or baking soda with another odor removing
substance. Other odor removing substances may include, but are not
limited to activated carbon, cyclodextrin, zeolites, alumina,
silicates, carbonates, ozone, acid-treated media, base-treated
media, metals (such as silver and platinum), doped media, any other
known odor removing substance, and combinations thereof. Activated
carbon is known to be a very effective filter medium for adsorption
of odors due to its high specific surface area. The filter member
24 of the present invention may further comprise agents supported
on the filter element 40 to specifically attack certain malodors
such as those comprising S atoms or N atoms. Additionally, or
alternatively, the filter member of the present invention may
comprise a filter medium capable of removing ethylene from the air,
such as a filter medium comprising potassium permanganate.
[0046] If activated carbon is used, the filter member(s) of the
present invention preferably comprise at least about 2 grams, more
preferably at least about 5 grams, and most preferably at least
about 10 grams of activated carbon. Preferably, the filter members
of the present invention comprise less than about 100 grams, more
preferably less than about 50 grams, yet more preferably less than
about 40 grams, and most preferably less than about 30 grams of
activated carbon. A wide variety of activated carbon based filter
media is known in the art. Suitable forms of supported activated
carbon are the reticulated polyurethane foam products which are
commercially available from Helsa-Werke, Helmut Sandler GmbH &
Co. KG, Germany, under the designations Helsa-tech 8126, 8139,
5600, and 5615.
[0047] The filter medium can be arranged in any suitable manner to
form the filter element 40. Several non-limiting examples are as
follows. The filter medium may be provided in a loose form (such as
granules, pellets, or other form) within the filter member 24.
Preferably, if the filter medium is provided in loose form, there
is (but need not be) some type of containment component that
prevents the filter medium from leaking or falling out of the
filter member 24. The filter medium can be provided either on a
supporting component, in a supporting component, or both on and in
a supporting component. In one non-limiting example, the supporting
component could be a pervious material, such as a pervious piece of
foam. The filter medium could be provided in the form of particles,
or some other form, that is disposed on or within the piece of
foam, or other pervious material. Alternatively, or additionally,
the filter medium could be integrally formed with such a supporting
material. One non-limiting example of this would be for baking soda
to be included in the composition that is used to form a pervious
foam material. The filter medium can be provided in one or more
containers that comprise the filter element 40. These container(s)
can comprise boxes, bags (such as tea bag-type elements), sachets,
or other containers. These containers may be made of a porous
material, or may have holes or apertures therein to facilitate air
flow. The filter media may be provided in and/or on flat or
corrugated or textured filter elements (which may resemble, but are
not required to resemble, furnace filters (permanent or
disposable)). These containers or filter elements, if there is more
than one of each, can be arranged in any suitable relationship to
each other, including, but not limited to stacked, side-by-side,
with or without space therebetween. The examples of types of filter
elements described above can also be combined in any manner to
produce yet other filter elements.
[0048] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-section of one non-limiting
example of a filter element (or "filter") 40 suitable for use in
the embodiment of the filter member 24 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6.
The filter element 40 shown in FIG. 7 combines several of the types
of filter elements described above. (It should be understood,
however, that this is primarily for the purposes of illustration of
the various different types of filter elements, and it is not
necessary that a filter element comprise all of these
components.)
[0049] The filter element 40 shown in FIG. 7 comprises several
disks 70 which can have the filter media (such as baking soda,
activated carbon, or both) thereon and/or therein. The disks 70 can
be made of any material suitable for this purpose. If it is desired
to allow air to flow through the filter element 40, the disks
should be pervious to air flow. In the embodiment shown, the disks
70 are comprised of a porous foam that is pervious to air flow. The
disks 70 are placed atop one another. Additional filter media, such
as baking soda, activated carbon, or both, can be placed on top of
the stack of disks 70, below the stack of disks, or on the sides of
the stack of disks (e.g., wrapped around the stack of disks). These
filter media can be arranged in a virtually unlimited number of
combinations of different manners (e.g., different spatial
relationships and different types of filter media).
[0050] For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, a container,
such as a sachet or small pervious bag of baking soda 72 can be
placed on top of the disks 70. The sachet 72 shown in FIG. 7
comprises a pair of porous side walls 74 having baking soda 76
therebetween. The baking soda 76 can be in any suitable form,
including, but not limited to powder or granules. The container 72
can have the baking soda disposed therein in sufficient thickness
that air is unable to flow through the container 72 as a result of
action of the fan, and the baking soda 76 can only serve to
deodorize air that moves past the container 72. Preferably,
however, the container of baking soda 72 has the baking soda
disposed therein (whether it be by distributing the baking soda in
a sufficiently thin layer, by placing portions of the baking soda
into separate compartments, or by some other mechanism) such that
air pulled in by the fan will flow through the container of baking
soda 72 without an excessive drop in pressure (or air flow
rate).
[0051] The disks 70 can have baking soda and/or activated carbon
affixed thereto. Around the stack of disks 70 is wrapped a first
wrapping (or if there is no other wrapping, "the wrapping"), such
as a piece of nonwoven material 78. The first wrapping 78 can have
any suitable filter media thereon. In one non-limiting example, the
first wrapping 78 can have baking soda on the inside portion
thereof. In another non-limiting example, the first wrapping 78 can
support potassium permanganate for ethylene removal. To prevent
spillage of any filter media particles, this entire assembly may be
contained in a second wrapping, such as a piece of woven nylon 80.
In one embodiment, the nylon is stretched to a point such that the
average pore size of the nylon is less than about 0.5 mm.sup.2. In
another non-limiting example, a larger sachet with baking soda
therein could be wrapped around the stack of disks 70. This larger
sachet can be used as a replacement for the first and/or second
wrappings, or in addition to the first and/or second wrappings.
[0052] Additional filter media can also be located below this
assembly. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, media such
as baking soda granules 82, or another sachet can be provided
underneath the filter to provide additional odor removal capacity.
In other non-limiting embodiments, instead of comprising a stack of
disks, the filter element could comprise arrangements of one or
more containers (including, but not limited to a stack or row of
containers, with or without space therebetween) containing baking
soda. Numerous other embodiments are possible. It should also be
understood that the filter element 40 of the present invention need
not comprise all the elements described herein (which are shown
merely to illustrate some of the possible variations), but may
instead comprise only one, or more, of these elements.
[0053] Confined spaces often have complex structures so that normal
air convection does not reach every corner of the confined space.
Such complex structures for example include separate compartments
such as drawers or hollow elements inside the confined space.
Therefore, it is insufficient to deodorize such confined spaces
with only a single device, even a forced air device having a
fan.
[0054] In accordance with one aspect of the method of the present
invention, it is possible to also deodorize those portions of the
confined space which are not sufficiently accessible to normal air
convection. This is achieved by utilizing more than one filter
member whereby each of those filter members can be positioned
independent of each other whereby one of the filter members
optionally may be used while connected to an air moving member.
[0055] A confined space for which one aspect of the method of the
present invention is particularly suitable comprises a compartment
which is within the confined space but which is separated from the
remainder of the confined space. In this case, one of the filter
members may be placed in the separate compartment and another
filter element may be placed in the remainder of the confined
space. With the method of the present invention it is therefore
possible to deodorize all compartments in a confined space such as
a refrigerator (which has enclosed compartments for vegetables,
meats, etc.), a closet (which has shoe storage closets, clothes
storage containers, etc.), or the like. In particular when the
separate compartments differ in size, it may be beneficial to place
a forced air filter member in the larger compartment and a passive
filter member in the smaller compartment.
[0056] A forced air device will enable removal of more malodors to
happen more quickly than a passive device by increasing the rate of
air contact with the adsorbing media. As such, a forced air device
as described above is suitable for use in the large area of a
confined space (e.g. the fresh food compartment of a refrigerator,
a closet, etc.) as it has the ability to move the relatively large
volume of air in these spaces, typically 50 to 800 liters, through
or past the filter media. A passive device is suitable for use in
the smaller compartments within a confined space (vegetable
drawers, shoe storage containers, etc.) where diffusion alone is
effective at moving air to the filter media, and where the air is
not accessible to the forced air device.
[0057] The apparatus of the present invention is used by inserting
a battery in the air moving member 22 (if one is not already
therein), and placing the air moving member 22 along with a
cartridge member 24 in a confined space to be deodorized. The
cartridge member 24 may be placed directly on top of the air moving
device 22, and will remain held in place thereon by gravitational
forces and the surface topology of the interfacing parts of the
cartridge member and the air moving member. For instance, as shown
in the drawings, the interfacing parts of the cartridge member 24
and the air moving member 22 may match each other such as if each
has a complementary hemispherical design. The forced air filter
apparatus 20 is preferably placed in one of the larger confined
spaces to be deodorized, such as in the interior of a
refrigerator.
[0058] A second (and third, fourth, etc.) cartridge member 24 may
be placed in one of the smaller confined spaces to be deodorized,
such as in one or more of the drawers of the refrigerator, and used
as a passive filter. Alternatively, one or more of the cartridge
members 24 could be placed in one of the larger confined spaces to
be deodorized and used as a passive filter, and the entire
apparatus could be placed in the larger confined space to be
deodorized. In addition, the cartridge members can be placed in
other confined spaces to be deodorized, which other spaces are
independent of the location in which the apparatus is placed. For
example, the apparatus could be placed in a refrigerator, and the
additional cartridge members could be placed in dresser drawers, or
any other confined spaces.
[0059] When the cartridge member 24 on the air moving member 22 is
exhausted, the cartridge member 24 can simply be lifted off the air
moving member 22, and replaced with a fresh cartridge 24. The
cartridge members 24 in the other confined spaces can similarly be
replaced with fresh cartridges when they are exhausted.
[0060] The present invention can provide several benefits,
especially in confined spaces such as refrigerators, including, but
not limited to: removing malodor from said confined spaces;
removing ethylene from said confined spaces; maintaining the fresh
odor of said confined spaces; reducing the transfer of airborne
bacteria in said confined spaces; maintaining the freshness of food
items; improving the quality of food items; maintaining the fresh
taste of food items; preventing the transfer of odors between two
food items; extending the useful life of food items; keeping food
items fresh over a longer period of time; reducing spoilage of food
items; reducing the incidence of freezer burn of food items in a
freezer compartment; maintaining the fresh taste and/or odor of ice
cubes (preferably ice cubes made by an automatic ice maker);
increasing the cooling efficiency of a refrigerator; preventing or
reducing the formation of ice crystals on ice cream in an opened or
partially-sealed box stored in a freezer compartment; and
combinations thereof. The present invention further relates to the
use of said apparatus to achieve said benefits (i.e. technical
effects).
[0061] The apparatus can be provided in the form of a package or
kit which comprises: (a) an apparatus selected from the group
consisting of a passive filter member, a forced air filter member,
and combinations thereof; (b) optionally, a package containing said
apparatus; and (c) optionally informational indicia, including
printed matter such as a set of instructions, in association with
said apparatus or the package to communicate said benefits to a
consumer.
[0062] The apparatus is optionally, but preferably contained in a
package that protects the apparatus during shipment and/or makes
the apparatus easier to display in a retail store or more appealing
to consumers. The optional package can be any number of suitable
packages, including but not limited to: cardboard boxes,
bubble-wrap films, thermo-form plastic packaging, expanded cellular
polystyrene (e.g. STYROFOAM.TM.), and the like.
[0063] The apparatus may also be provided with optional
informational indicia which communicates the benefits (i.e.
technical effects) of the apparatus to consumers. Without the
informational indicia, consumers who otherwise might not use the
apparatus (e.g. because they were not aware of the potential
benefits/technical effects derived from using the apparatus), will
use the apparatus to obtain the benefits, such as preserving the
quality of food, and the like.
[0064] Informational indicia can be provided in association with
the apparatus itself or, when the present article comprises a
package, in association with the package. As used in this context,
the phrase "in association with" means the informational indicia
(e.g., a set of instructions) are either directly printed on the
apparatus itself (or package itself) or presented in a different
manner including, but not limited to, a video tape, a brochure,
print advertisement, electronic advertisement, and/or verbal
communication, so as to communicate the set of instructions to a
consumer of the article of manufacture. Informational indicia can
include, but is not limited to: a set of instructions that direct a
consumer how the steps need to be carried out (such as the methods
of use described herein) to obtain the communicated benefits;
diagrams, pictures, and/or logos which communicate the benefits and
steps which need to be carried out to obtain the benefits; and the
like.
[0065] Numerous other embodiments of the apparatus and method of
the present invention are possible. A couple of non-limiting
examples are described below.
[0066] FIGS. 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment of the device
of the present invention. In FIGS. 8 and 9, a device 820 is
provided which comprises at least one air inlet 834, air outlets
828 on each side of the base 822 and a removable and replaceable
filter member 824. The filter member 824 is placed onto the base
822 such that air flow from a fan draws air through the top of the
filter member 824 and through the air outlets 828 on the base
822.
[0067] In this example, the filter member 824 contains a filter
element and a battery. The filter element is designed to exhibit
the same useful lifetime as that of battery so that both may be
replaced as a single unit. The filter member 824 contains two metal
contacts allowing an electrical current to flow from the battery to
the base 822. The filter element of the device can be the same
system as described in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The filter
element can be shaped such that a battery, such as a 1.5 volt dry
alkaline "D" battery, fits inside a void in the filter element.
[0068] Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the base 822
contains a fan, motor and a circuit board which controls the motor
and an LED (not shown) which blinks to indicate the upcoming need
to replace the filter member 824 containing the battery and filter
medium. Further, the base 822 also contains metal contacts allowing
current to flow from the battery (contained in the filter assembly)
to the motor.
[0069] FIGS. 10 and 11 show another alternative embodiment of the
device of the present invention. In FIGS. 10 and 11, a device 1020
is provided which comprises an air inlet 1090 on each side of the
base 1022, multiple air outlets 1092, and a removable and
replaceable filter element member 1024. The filter member 1024 is
placed onto the base 1022 such that air flow from a fan draws air
through the air inlets 1090 in the base 1022, through the filter
medium inside the filter member 1024, and out through the air
outlets 1092 in the filter member 1024.
[0070] In this example, the filter member contains a filter element
and a battery. The filter element is designed to exhibit the same
useful lifetime as that of battery so that both may be replaced as
a single unit. The filter member contains two metal contacts (not
shown) allowing an electrical current to flow from the battery 1054
to the base. The filter element of the device can utilize the same
system as described in the example of FIG. 1. The filter element is
shaped such that air is forced from the base into the bottom and
middle of the filter element and then must travel outward through
the filter element to flow through the air outlets 1092. Further,
this filter element is shaped such that a 1.5 volt dry alkaline "D"
battery fits inside a void in the filter element.
[0071] In this example, the base 1022 may contain multiple fans and
motors to provide more air flow through the filter assembly.
Because of the filter housing geometry, the best performance with
this device is obtained by using two centrifugal fans, powered by
one or two motors. The base contains a circuit board which controls
the motors and an LED (not shown) which blinks to indicate the need
to replace the filter member containing the batter and filter
medium. Further, the base 1022 may also contain metal contacts
allowing current to flow from the battery 1054 (contained in the
filter assembly) to the motors. Optionally, the base 1022 may be
designed to contain the replaceable battery, eliminating the
battery from the filter unit.
[0072] The present invention may also be used for emitting a scent,
or other substance (including, but not limited to insecticides, air
fresheners, deodorants, aromacology, aromatherapy, or any other
odor that acts to condition, modify, or otherwise charge the
atmosphere or to modify the environment) into the air. For example,
it is possible to use the device for emitting a scent into the air
either with or without including the technology described herein to
remove malodors from the air. To illustrate this, it is possible to
replace the filter element with scent-containing media, or
alternatively to add scent-containing media to any of the filter
elements described herein. Scent-containing media can include, but
is not limited to scented gels, scented beads, scented cellulose,
scented activated carbon, or other scent-containing media.
[0073] Such a use of the present invention may, but need not
include baking soda. The device described herein can be used for
emitting a scent or substance in any of the manners specified
herein for use in removing malodors from the air. For example, a
first emitting member could be used for emitting a substance with
the air moving member, and a second emitting member could be used
independently of the first emitting member and air moving member to
passively emit the same or different substance into the air. The
device can be provided to consumers in the form of a kit which
contains air deodorizing media, substance emitting media, or both.
Consumers can also use these various types of cartridges
interchangeably with the air moving member or separately from the
air moving member.
[0074] When the device is used for emitting substances, it will
operate in the same manner as described above when it is used for
deodorizing confined spaces. Thus, for example, a cartridge 24 with
emitting media contained therein can be placed on top of the air
moving member 22, and air will be drawn into the cartridge past or
through the emitting media, and will be emitted through the air
outlets 28 of the air moving member. When the device is used for
emitting substances, it is possible to effectively use the device
for emitting substances in even larger confined spaces, such as in
a room, or a closet.
[0075] The disclosure of all patents, patent applications (and any
patents which issue thereon, as well as any corresponding published
foreign patent applications), and publications mentioned throughout
this description are hereby incorporated by reference herein. It is
expressly not admitted, however, that any of the documents
incorporated by reference herein teach or disclose the present
invention.
[0076] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *