Abstract
A method and apparatus for wet filtering machine exhaust is disclosed.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for wet filtering machine exhaust comprising: a.
a plurality of filter sticks secured in a filter, wherein said filter
sticks are constructed to filter machine exhaust; b. a fluid mixture
delivery container for delivering a fluid mixture to the filter
sticks; and c. a positioning attachment for attaching the filter
to a machine with the plurality of filter sticks in the line of
flow of the machine exhaust.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid mixture delivery
container includes a removable lid.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an adsorbent pad
atop the filter sticks for controlling the flow of fluid mixture
to the filter sticks.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the fluid mixture delivery
container includes a removable lid.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filter includes a removable
lid beneath the filter sticks for accessing the filter sticks.
6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the filter includes a removable
lid beneath the filter sticks for accessing the filter sticks.
7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the filter includes a removable
lid beneath the filter sticks for accessing the filter sticks.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid mixture delivery
container includes an ethereal oil mixture.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the ethereal oil mixture includes
natural ethereal oil, water, and an emulsifier.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the ethereal oil mixture is scented.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the fluid mixture delivery
container includes a removable lid and oil mixture including natural
ethereal oil, water, and an emulsifier.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the oil mixture is scented.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment is a hook and
loop attachment.
13. A method for wet filtering machine exhaust comprising positioning
a plurality of filter sticks in the line of flow of machine exhaust,
delivering a fluid mixture to the filter sticks, and disposing of
pollutants from the machine exhaust collected on the filter sticks.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said disposing of pollutants
includes washing the filter sticks.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein said disposing of pollutants
includes discarding one or more filter sticks.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein the fluid mixture includes ethereal
oil.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the fluid mixture includes natural
ethereal oil, water, and an emulsifier.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the fluid mixture is scented.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein the fluid mixture includes natural
ethereal oil, water, and an emulsifier.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the fluid mixture is scented.
21. The method of claim 15 wherein the fluid mixture includes natural
ethereal oil, water, and an emulsifier.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the fluid mixture is scented.
23. An apparatus for providing a desired smell into the environment
comprising: a. one or more fluid conduction sticks; b. a scented
fluid mixture conducted along said one or more sticks; and c. a
fluid delivery container for delivering the scented fluid mixture
to the sticks.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the fluid delivery container
is refillable.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the scented fluid mixture
comprises ethereal oil.
26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the scented fluid mixture
comprises natural ethereal oil, water, and emulsifier.
27. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the scented fluid mixture
comprises ethereal oil.
28. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the scented fluid mixture
comprises natural ethereal oil, water, and emulsifier.
29. The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising a fan attached
behind said one or more sticks for blowing said smell into the ambient
air.
30. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a fan attached
behind said one or more sticks for blowing said smell into the ambient
air.
31. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising a fan attached
behind said one or more sticks for blowing said smell into the ambient
air.
32. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising a fan attached
behind said one or more sticks for blowing said smell into the ambient
air.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application
Ser. No. 09/569,819, filed May 12, 2000, which is relied on and
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to the wet filtering of machine
exhaust. In particular, there is a need for a filter device for
filtering pollutive airflow from machines. Further, there is a need
to eliminate adverse smells associated with machine exhaust.
[0003] Accordingly, the present invention provides a wet filter
apparatus and method for filtering machine exhaust, and providing
a more desirable scent to users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides an apparatus and method for
filtering machine exhaust to reduce health-risks to users and internal
damage to machines.
[0005] The present invention further provides an apparatus and
method for filtering machine exhuast that can be used by machine
users that are non-technicians.
[0006] An aspect of the present invention is a wet filtering apparatus
and method for limiting the expulsion of pollutants and particulate
matter from machines into the ambient air.
[0007] A further aspect of the present invention is the conducting
of natural ethereal oils along a foam filter stick to remove air
pollutants from machine exhaust.
[0008] A further aspect of the present invention is to provide
desirable scented natural ethereal oils to control adverse smells
from machine exhaust.
[0009] A further aspect of the present invention is to provide
a filter device that does not require a receiving receptacle for
downward flowing filtering fluid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter apparatus in an
embodiment of the present invention illustrating the filter housing
in this embodiment without filter sticks;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a partial top perspective view of filter sticks
in the filtering section of a filter apparatus in an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side partial elevational view of filter sticks
in the filtering section of a filter apparatus in an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side partial elevational cut-away view of a
filter apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention showing
a security ring and a filter stick's relationship therewith;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a security ring of the
filter apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a filter stick of a filter
apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is top cross-sectional view of filter sticks in the
filtering section and the associated filtration of polluted air
in a filter apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of an oil container
containing oil in a filter apparatus in an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a transparent perspective view of a filter apparatus
in an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the top base plate of a filter
apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention illustrating
the top base plate including the upper portions of a plurality of
filter sticks; and
[0020] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the bottom of a filter apparatus
in an embodiment of the present invention illustrating the bottom
of the apparatus including the lower portions of a plurality of
filter sticks.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method
for wet filtering machine exhaust, and optionally (or alternatively)
delivering a desired scent to the ambient air, from a variety of
machines.
[0022] Although the present invention is described with regard
to filtration of office machine exhaust in the preferred embodiment,
those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present
invention is adaptable to variety of machines in which undesired
gases, spores, bacteria, and particulate pollutants are desirably
filtered from entering the ambient air. Exemplary embodiments include
filters of the invention attachable to or in: (a) kitchen extractor
hoods for filtering spores from cooking steam; (b) humidifiers for
filtering spores in the moist air spread to the environment from
the humidifier; (c) radiators; (d) vacuum cleaners for filtering
bacteria, dust, and spores; (e) ventilators and ventilation systems
for filtering air to and from air conditioners, central heat and
air systems, and the like; (f) welding smoke filtration systems;
and (g) industrial filters, such as cement and lime factories, and
the like, wherein dust filtration is desirable. In each of these
embodiments a scented fluid, such as ethereal oil, may be used for
wet filtration to generate desired smells into the air. Further,
fluid mixtures used in the present invention may include bactericides
or other chemicals for killing undesired pathogens.
[0023] Other embodiments of the invention also do not require a
filtration function, as the present invention may be adapted for
simply generating desirable smells, wherein scented fluid is conducted
along a filter medium and the scent evaporates or is spread mechanically,
such as by a small fan, into the ambient air. Accordingly, the size,
positioning, filter housing shape, attachment means, number and
size of filter sticks, and the like, can be adapted to the particular
machine and intended use of the wet filter apparatus of the present
invention.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, a filter apparatus
includes three main parts: (i) a housing with filter sticks; (ii)
two oil containers, one for delivering oil along the filter sticks
and the other for receiving the delivered oil; and (iii) a wide
range of ethereal oils provided with desired scents.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, a filter housing (3) of the filter
apparatus of the present invention is disclosed. Preferably the
housing is of rectangular shape with two side walls (62), a top
wall (64), and a bottom wall (65). The housing preferably comprises
heat-resistant plastic, which is able to withstand a temperature
of 60.degree. to 90.degree. Celsius, and preferably at least 90.degree.
Celsius. Although the external appearance of the housing is preferably
rectangular, the housing may be square, rectangular, round, or custom-shaped
based on the exhaust opening of a machine which the filter apparatus
covers.
[0026] Adjacent to each of the upper top and bottom walls are preferably
two oil container holding areas (110). Each of the holding areas
preferably includes a back wall (27). A catch opening (25) is preferably
provided along each of the back walls (27) for receiving a catch
from the oil container. A locking projection (20) is further preferably
provided along the bottom face of each of the holding areas for
locking the respective oil containers in place. At the base of the
upper holding area a holding area base plate (69) is provided with
a plurality of housing filter stick openings (30). Similarly, the
bottom holding area is enclosed by a base plate (67) with a plurality
of housing filter stick openings (30).
[0027] Each filter stick opening (30) of base plate (69) has a
corresponding filter stick opening in parallel base plate (67).
The filtering section (4), the area between parallel base plates
(67) and (69), preferably comprises a plurality of filter sticks
(50) for conducting oil from the openings (30) in base plate (69)
to the corresponding openings (30) in base plate (67).
[0028] In each of the side walls (62) an air outflow opening (60)
is provided. In order to preclude the fundamental overheating of
a machine, an oblong exhaust slit is preferably located on the left
and right side of the housing. The exhaust slits preferably prevent
excess pressure in the filter itself, since, as a result of them,
the backed up or excessively produced air quantities have the possibility
of being able to exit on both sides.
[0029] Preferably, one or more brackets (40) attach a side wall
(62) to an office machine. The filter apparatus is preferably secured
with filtering section (4) placed in front of the exhaust of the
office machine. As a result of the different sizes of various ventilators,
the exhaust openings of machines are of different sizes as well.
In other words, the housing of a filter must be adjusted to the
size of the exhaust openings, in order to receive the original air
quantity flow of the machine. Otherwise, an overheating of the internal
chamber of the machine could result.
[0030] The attachment bracket (40) may be a single bracket or a
plurality of brackets on any one or more of the walls of the housing,
depending on the machine to which the filter apparatus is attached.
Housing attachments, in any form, are primarily based on the respective
type of machine to which the housing is to be applied. As a result,
the attachment bracket contemplates a variety of attachment means,
including plastic brackets, click systems, gluing, or Velcro tape.
[0031] In an alternative embodiment, the bracket may be replaced
by other attachment means, preferably hook and loop Velcro material.
The Velcro material may be placed on the housing as one or more
strips to the back walls of the filter and attached to the desired
machine at the corresponding Velcro locations.
[0032] In another embodiment, receiving channels may be provided
on the desired machine, and raised bracket areas on the back walls
of the filter, preferably one area on each of the top and bottom
on the back walls can slide sideways, e.g. left to right, into the
brackets provided on the machine.
[0033] Preferably, in right side wall (62) an upper and lower oil
container opening (70) is provided for insertion and removal of
the oil containers.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 8, an oil container (10) filled with oil
(5) is disclosed. The oil container preferably includes a bottom
face, a left and right face, and a front and back face. The top
of the container is preferably open for filling the container with
oil out of the filter housing. When placed in the filter housing,
a container is either closed by top wall (64) or base plate (67),
depending on whether the container is an upper or lower container.
In an alternative embodiment an oil filling device may be integrated
with the housing and an upper oil container without removing the
container from the housing.
[0035] The bottom face of the oil container preferably includes
a plurality of oil flow openings (16). An oil pad (15) preferably
covers the openings to slow and control the flow of oil (5) to the
openings (16). In the preferred embodiment, the bottom third is
filled by the pad (15), which is preferably a rubber foam pad.
[0036] On the back face of the oil container, a catch (12) is preferably
attached. The front face of the oil container preferably includes
a grip rail (11) for sliding the oil container in and out of the
filter housing. A viewing glass (13) is also preferably provided
on the front face of the oil container for a user to examine the
remaining oil level.
[0037] The bottom of the oil container preferably includes one
or more locking clips to secure the oil container at the locking
clip projection (20) of the housing.
[0038] Preferably, the locking clips also receive a rubber closure
for closing the flow openings (16). The rubber closure preferably
slides between the locking clips (14) and can be inserted or removed
as needed to prevent or allow the flow of oil from the openings.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 8 an oil container (10) filled
with oil and without closure (18) is inserted through upper opening
(70) into the upper container holding area (110) of the filter housing
(3). The oil container catch (12) connects into catch opening (25).
Locking clips (14) preferably connect to one or more locking projections
(20) by a click locking system to prevent the containers from falling
out. The plurality of flow openings (16) are adjacent to filter
stick openings (30).
[0040] The second oil container (10) initially does not contain
oil and includes rubber closure (18) to close the plurality of flow
openings (16). The second oil container is inserted into lower holding
area (110) of the housing. The open top of the lower oil container
is preferably adjacent to the plurality of filter stick openings
in base plate (67) of the housing.
[0041] Preferably oil (5) in the upper oil container slowly flows
through the pad (15) to and through the oil flow openings (16) and
into the filter stick openings (30). Gravity causes the oil to flow
(90) downward along the plurality of filter sticks (50). The oil
continues to flow downward to the filter stick openings (30) in
base plate (67). The oil subsequently drips off into the lower oil
container.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 7 exhaust (120) from an office machine
blows through the filtering section of the filter apparatus. Ozone
particulates, and other pollutants contact the oil along filter
sticks (50) and are removed from the exhaust. Filtered air (125)
flows out of the filtering section (4) and into the ambient air
from the filter apparatus.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 6, the filters sticks (50) are preferably
round, perpendicularly standing foam rubber rods of approx. 5-6
mm in diameter and a perforated plastic surface which are perpendicular
and staggered to one another. In alternative embodiments the filter
sticks may be of various shapes including oval, square, rectangular,
triangular, and other shapes.
[0044] The filter sticks, or foam rubber rods, are preferably a
fixed component and are attached to the housing at the corresponding
filter stick openings in base plates (67) and (69). The filter sticks
are also preferably perpendicular in order to enable the automatic
flow of oil by gravity. The filter sticks are further preferably
staggered, in order to force the outflowing air quantities to flow
around the foam rubber rods. The distance from one foam rubber rod
to another preferably is no greater than 2 mm. The foam rubber rods
may be preferably filled but can also be hollow.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 a security ring (130) is provided
in the preferred embodiment to maintain the distance between the
filter sticks. The filter sticks are preferably maintained perpendicular
to base plates (67) and (69), and parallel to one another.
[0046] The foam rubber material of the filter sticks preferably
prevents a rapid flow of oil from the full upper oil container into
the lower empty oil container. In addition, the individual foam
rubber rod is preferably mechanically strengthened internally by
the perforated plastic surface (simultaneously a mechanical protection
against external damage, such as during cleaning). The perforation
permanently allows low moisture on the external surface of the rods.
As a result of this surface moisture, microscopically small particles
which are located in the exhaust flowing out of a machine by means
of ventilators are preferably captured and deposited on the external
cover of the foam rubber rods (the finest toner particles, oil residues,
silicones, oils of all types, as well as dust and environmental
air pollution).
[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, around these filter sticks there are
light channels (101) and (102) along the respective length of base
plates (67) and (69). The channels prevent possible outflow of the
ethereal oil during a change of the oil containers.
[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the oil (5) is natural ethereal
oil including water and an emulsifier, which may have a desired
scent. As the pollutants are removed by the oil flowing along the
filter sticks, the desired scent from the ethereal oil is mixture
provided into the air by the warm air from the exhaust of an office
machine. Accordingly, both filtration and a desirable scent are
achieved by the filter apparatus.
[0049] In the preferred embodiment of a method of the present invention,
an oil container is filled with ethereal oil of a desirable scent
and placed in the upper oil container holding area. A second, empty
oil container is placed into the lower container holding area. Each
of these oil containers preferably comprises heat-resistant and
acid-resistant and mechanically solid plastic.
[0050] The internal construction of each container, full or empty,
is preferably the same. In order to prevent the oil which is contained
in the container from being able to flow out too quickly, the lower
part of the interior side of the container is designed with a foam
rubber pad (along the entire length and over all openings into which
the foam rubber rods lock). This foam rubber pad preferably fills
approximately the lower third of the entire container and will draw
the ethereal oil, but only slowly allow it to pass through to the
foam rubber rods.
[0051] In the preferred embodiment, once the upper oil container
is essentially empty, and the lower container has received the flowing
oil, the containers may be switched. Preferably the closure on the
lower container is removed, opening the oil flow openings, and the
lower container is inserted into the upper container holding area.
The closure is inserted at the base of the empty upper container,
thereby closing the oil openings, and the empty container is inserted
into the lower holding area. Preferably, this process may be repeated
for up to three months, depending on the rate of loss of the ethereal
oil mixture.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment of a filter
apparatus of the present invention is shown. In the embodiment of
FIG. 9, the capillary effect allows an oil mixture to flow back
up the filter sticks (150), eliminating the need for a lower oil
receiving container (110) (FIG. 1). Further, in the alternative
embodiment, the need for air flow openings (60) is also eliminated.
[0053] With continuing reference to FIG. 9, a filter apparatus
(200) of an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. Preferably
the housing is of rectangular shape with two sidewalls (262), a
top lid (264), and a bottom lid (265). The housing preferably comprises
heat-resistant plastic which is able to withstand a temperature
of at least 60.degree. to 90.degree. C., and preferably at least
90.degree. C. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that the housing may also be custom-shaped to accommodate the exhaust
opening of any desired machine which the filter apparatus (200)
is intended to cover.
[0054] Between each of the sidewalls (262), a filtering section
(204) is provided. A filter medium, preferably a plurality of foam
filter sticks (150), is housed within the filtering area (204).
The filtering area (204) is on at least one face exposed to the
ambient atmosphere, and the opposite face of filtering section (204)
is positioned in the line of machine exhaust, such that exhaust
air to be filtered flows through the filtering section (204).
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, each of the filter sticks (150)
is held in place by top base plate (240). The upper portions, or
tops (230), of the filter sticks (150) are secured within appropriately
sized holes in the plate (240). Those of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that the holes in plate (240) secure the filter
sticks in a desired position and that any holding mechanism along
the length of the plurality of filter sticks (150) may be used in
alternative embodiments. Exemplary securing means may include wires,
rods, one or more holding plates in different locations along the
length of the filter sticks, and the like.
[0056] Plate (240) forms the bottom of the upper holding area (203)
of the filter apparatus (200). Within holding area (203) an absorbent
pad (207), preferably rubber foam, rests atop the filter sticks
(150).
[0057] An oil container (210) fits on top of pad (207) within holding
area (203). At least one hole (211) is provided in oil container
(210) to allow an oil mixture within the container (210) to flow
through the hole (211) onto pad (207) and into filter sticks (150).
[0058] A top lid (264) is provided with locking ridges (266) to
snap onto the top of the filter apparatus (200) and enclose holding
area (203).
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 1 1, below filtering area (204)
the lower portion of the filter apparatus (200) includes lower surrounding
wall (209). Lower wall (209) preferably includes a wall in front
of the lower portion of the filtering sticks (150), a wall behind
the lower portion of filtering sticks (150), and shares common sidewalls
with walls (262).
[0060] Viewing filter apparatus (200) from the bottom, as shown
in FIG. 11, the lower portions of the filter sticks (150) extend
between surrounding wall (209). The lower portions of the filter
sticks (150) may omit being secured in a base plate. While a base
plate may be provided to secure the bottom portions (231) of the
filter sticks (150), the present embodiment alternatively provides
a bottom lid (265) with locking ridges (267) that snap behind wall
(209) to close the bottom of the filter apparatus (200) and catch
any fluid flow.
[0061] Referring again to FIG. 9, a filtering fluid, preferably
an ethereal oil and water mixture, flows through hole (211) in oil
container (210) to pad (207). Those of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that oil container (210) may be shaped to slant
the oil flow toward one or more holes that allow the oil to pass
to pad (207). Pad (207) helps distribute and control the rate of
oil flow to the tops (230) of filter sticks (150). Gravity causes
the oil to flow downward along the plurality of filter sticks (150).
The oil continues to flow downward through filtering area (204)
until reaching the bottom portion (231) of each of the filter sticks
(150).
[0062] In the present embodiment of the invention, the bottoms
(231) of the filter sticks (150) may touch the bottom lid (265)
when it is secured in the filter apparatus (200). The collecting
oil mixture at the bottom portions (231) of the filter sticks (150)
and on the inside of lid (265) may be drawn back up the filter sticks
(150) through the capillary effect. Accordingly, the filter sticks
(150) maintain a continuous wetness for filtering machine exhaust.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, and with continuing reference to FIG.
9, the filter sticks (150) in the filtering apparatus (200) are
arranged in the line of flow of desired machine exhaust. Pollutants
and particulates contact the oil along the filter sticks (150) and
are removed from the exhaust. Filtered air (125) (FIG. 7) flows
out of the filtering section (204) into the ambient air from the
filter apparatus.
[0064] In a further embodiment, the filter sticks are preferably
washable. The filter apparatus may be removed from the machine and
washed with a cleansing agent, such as water, to remove the pollutants
which build-up on the filter sticks.
[0065] In an alternative embodiment, the filter housing may be
discarded, and a filter apparatus with fresh filter sticks may be
attached at desired filter-changing intervals for the office machine.
[0066] In other embodiments, the filter apparatus of the present
invention may be used for delivering desired scents into the ambient
air without concern for filtering, such as attachment to or incorporation
in a blowing machine, fan or the like, where polluted exhaust is
not present, but a favorable scent is desired. Embodiments of the
present invention for scent delivery include use with heating and
cooling vents, such as in buildings and motor vehicles. Further,
the apparatus of the present invention may be shaped into aesthetically
desired shapes or decorated with colors, prints, and the like, to
serve as a decorative scent delivery system.
[0067] Ethereal oils have very good properties for controlled flow,
filtering and providing desired scents into the ambient air. Preferably
lime-free normal water and an emulsifier may be added to natural
ethereal oil to achieve desired flow rates and filtering reactions.
Natural ethereal oil, such as available from Kneipp Werke, Wiirzburg,
Germany, is preferred in the present invention. Those of ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that the ratio of oil and water
mixture is determined based on parameters such as humidity, temperature,
evaporation rate, scent of oil, rate of exhaust flow, and type of
filter sticks. The natural ethereal oil mixture also advantageously
kills germs which could result from the water in the oil mixture.
[0068] While the invention has been described with reference to
the structures and methods disclosed, it is not confined to the
details set forth but is intended to cover such modifications or
changes as may fall within the scope of the following claims.
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