GB2359766A

GB2359766A - Portable air purifier for filtering cigarette smoke

Info

Publication number: GB2359766A
Application number: GB0004807A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen John Adams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-01
Filing date: 2000-03-01
Publication date: 2001-09-05
Also published as: GB0004807D0

Description

1 LOCALIZED AIR PURIFIER This invention relates to a localized air

purifier.

2359766 The smoking of tobacco products, with the use of cigarettes, cigars and pipes for example, creates smoke-polluted atmosphere in the vicinity of the smoker. This can have a detrimental impact, with possible damage to health due to passive smoking.

According to the present invention, there is a localized air purifier, operational in close proximity to potential sources of smoke pollution. Smoke-polluted air can then be drawn into the device close to source, before it is processed internally and exhaled in less polluted form.

The units are compact and self contained, with consequent mobility and flexibility of placement to enhance effectiveness.

The main body of the device might be made from durable plastic material, although any other suitable substance can be used. Such design flexibility applies for various aspects of the purifier, in order to maximize its efficiency and effectiveness, and to suit consumer requirements.

Localized air purifiers can be installed in various places where there is a risk of atmospheric pollution due to the smoking of tobacco products. In public places for instance, they could be installed in public houses, cafes and restaurants for example.

Within a given venue, a number of devices might be placed in strategic positions to maximize their overall operational impact and the purifier can be used independently or in conjunction with other devices such as fans and extractors.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows a localized air purifier in perspective; Figure 2 comprises a cross- section of the device; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the purifier as shown in Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing, the localized air purifier 10 comprises a unit, which in Figure 1 is shown as a device of suitable size and roughly cylindrical in shape. When in operation air is drawn into the purifier through inlet vents 12 and exhaled in less polluted form. through outlet vents 14. In this particular case the localized air purifier is shown together with an ashtray 15.

In Figure 2 the purifier is illustrated in cross-section. As shown in this cross-section, a fan 16 is driven by an electric motor 17. There is an electrical switching mechanism 2 18 with an on/off switch 19. The electric motor 17 is driven by electrical power supplied at low voltage by batteries 20. Electrical contacts 21 and 22 and other internal electrical components (not shown), transmit the electrical power supplied.

In order to supply electrical power over time periods of adequate length on a sustained basis, the batteries 20 must have sufficient durability. In this context there is the option that they can be recharged from the Mains electricity supply. In this event the Mains power would be supplied through a suitable transformer and electrical charging device 23, with entry into the localized air purifier via an electrical input system 24.

There is the option that the purifier can be operational with electrical power supplied directly from the Mains electricity supply. 1n this case the Mains electrical power would be supplied through a suitable transformer and electrical input system (not shown), and this would override the battery-powered option referred to.

Significantly a localized air purifier operating directly from the Mains electrical supply would not be self-contained, as there would be a Mains power lead running from it when operational. As a result there may be special considerations in term of location and fixing. For example, whilst such a situation might be suitable for wall mounted device, it may not be chosen for location on a free-standing table for instance, where there may be health and safety issues (In the latter case the Mains power cable leading from the device could be safety hazard).

Technical details of the fan 16, electric motor 17, electrical switching mechanism 18, on/off switch 19, electrical contacts 21 and 22, and other internal electrical components do not form part of this application. This is also the case for technical details of the batteries 20, the transformer and electrical charging device 23, the electrical input system 24, and for any of the electrical and mechanical components involved in this invention.

However, it is noteworthy, that for all the components concerned, there is the need to use items of sufficient quality to ensure that the localized air purifier is reliable, efficient and effective throughout.

Referring to Figure 2, when the localized air purifier is operating, air is drawn into and then upwards within the device through inlet vents 12. In Figure 3 ten of these inlet vents 12, together with one outlet vent 14, are shown in plan. These vents comprise an outer part of the top inner casing of the localized air purifier 25, and they radiate with roughly vertically aligned channels, between this and the top outer casing of the unit 26.

Notably the actual design and the number of inlet and outlet vents included in the localized air purifier, may not be precisely as described here. Ultimately this will 3 be related to the need for operational efficiency and effectiveness and to design considerations linked to consumer requirements.

Referring to Figure 2, after the air has been drawn upwards along the inlet vents 12, it is then drawn downwards into a funnel 27, which is set within the top inner casing of the purifier 25. The air then passes through a renewable air filter 28 and an exit hole 29 in the base of the fiannel, before it re-enters the external atmosphere via the outlet vent 14.

Air passing through the localized air purifier in this way, is treated by the renewable air filter and it becomes less polluted. Details of this filter do not form part of this application, although significantly it will need to be of sufficient calibre to ensure that the purification process can be effective, possibly over long periods, on a sustained and economical basis. There also needs to be provision for the easy replacement of this renewable air filter, although details of this are not included in this application.

In Figure 3 there is a view in plan of the renewable air filter 28 shown located within the funnel 27. The exit hole 29 in the flumel. base can also be seen in plan through the filter, together with a plan view of the inner section of the fan 16. In addition there is a view from above of the on/off switch 19 Regarding switching methods, there are various options and although details do not form part of this application, mention is made of an interesting example, as follows:

Referring to Figure 2, the top outer casing of the device 26, might slide down over the top inner casing 25, to be in contact with the base of the unit 30. This would cause the closure of the switch 19, and the purifier would be switched off. In this situation the inlet vents 12 would be covered and the device will be non-operational in any event. When the top outer casing 26 is raised, as in Figure 2, the switch 19 is in an open position, the inlet and outlet vents 12 and 14 are exposed and the unit is operational.

Concerning the design of the main body of the localized air purifier, there are various options. As already mentioned there is the possibility of the use of different materials of manufacture. There may also be variations in terms of shape, size and colour, for instance, and opportunities for various forms of advertising. The inclusion of an advertising logo in a prominent position is an example.

Regarding the location the device in a particular venue, there are various possibilities. Details do not form part of this application, although there is mention in brief of the following possibilities:

In Figure 1 the localized air purifier 10 is shown together with an ashtray 15 and in this particular case, the two items might be designed and produced as a combined unit. (The purifier could be detachable, however, to suit user requirements). An arrangement of this kind might be ideal for use in a number of situations, with 4 location on various surfaces, such as; shelves, tabletops and bar and counter surfaces. The localized air purifier might also be located upon such surfaces as a separate unit.

The device could also be mounted on suitable wall surfaces and there is the possibility that it could be hung from ceilings. (In each of these cases, there may be increased opportunity for the unit to be powered directly from the Mains electricity supply, as previously referred to).

Whatever the chosen arrangement, there will need to be adequate ancillary mounting equipment to ensure that the localized air purifier is securely fixed in place. There will also need to be the capacity for easy removal when required (for the recharging of the batteries and for cleaning purposes for example). Details of various forms of ancillary mounting equipment are not part of this application.

As previously mentioned, within a given venue, there is the possibility that more than one of the devices might be placed in strategic positions to maximize their overall operational impact. The localized air purifier may be used independently in a particular environment, or in conjunction with other devices such as fans and extractors.

Finally there is the acknowledgement, that a range of air purification systems such as fans and extractors already exist, together with other devices in the form of air fresheners and the like. However, the current invention as described herein, specifically in terms of its form and localized usage, is believed to be sufficiently original to merit this application.

Claims

A localized air purifier comprising a device, which can draw in air from the surrounding atmosphere and after internal processing, exhale this air in less polluted form.
2. A localized air purifier, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the device is compact and self-contained, with consequent mobility and flexibility of placement to enhance effectiveness.
3.

A localized air purifier, as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the unit may be powered from within by batteries, with the option that the batteries can be recharged from the Mains electricity supply.
A localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the device can operate with electrical power supplied directly from the Mains electricity supply. In this event the Mains power would override the battery- powered option referred to.
A localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the unit can be located in close proximity to potential sources of smoke pollution. Smokepolluted air can then be processed close to source, before it can circulate in a wider atmospheric field.
6. A localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the device contains a renewable air filter which is easily replaceable.
7.

A localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1, wherein there is design flexibility to maximize efficiency and effectiveness, and to suit particular requirements.
A localized air purifier as claimed in Claim I, wherein for a given venue, more than one of the units can be placed in strategic positions to maximize their overall operational impact.
A localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 7, wherein the purifier may be used independently, or in conjunction with other devices such as fans and extractors.
10. A localized air purifier substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1- 3 of the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. A portable localized air purifier comprising a device, which can draw in air from the surrounding atmosphere and after internal processing, exhale this air in less polluted form. In order to carry out this function the purifier contains within a housing, a rotating fan which is driven by an electrically powered motor and a cleansing medium in the form of a renewable air filter.

2. A portable localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the device is compact and may be self-contained, with consequent mobility and flexibility of placement to enhance effectiveness.

3. A portable localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1, or Claim 2 wherein the unit can be located in close proximity to potential sources of smoke pollution. Smoke - polluted air can therefore be processed close to source, before it can circulate in a wider atmospheric field.

4.

A portable localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2, or Claim 3, wherein the device can be designed specifically for more personal portable use. It could then be carried conveniently by individuals to be used to reduce the harmful consequences of smoke pollution, as and when required.

A portable localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the device contains electrical batteries which can be easily be recharged from the mains supply.

6. A portable localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the device can operate with electrical power supplied directly from the Mains electricity supply. In this event the Mains power would override the battery- powered option referred to.

7. A portable localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cleansing medium in the form of a renewable air filter is easily replaceable.

8. A portable localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 4, wherein there is design flexibility to maximize efficiency and effectiveness, and to suit consumer requirements in the market place. This applies to the device itself and in relation to ancilliary items such as apparatus for fixed mounting and accessories such as cases and staps for purifiers designed f6r more personal portable use.

A portable localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1 wherein items of sufficient quality will be used to ensure reliability, efficiency and effectiveness; with the use of existing items and technology given appropriate authority and suitability.

0 10. A portable localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1, wherein for a given venue, more than one of the units can be placed in strategic positions to maximize their overall operational impact.
11. A portable localized air purifier as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 10, wherein the purifier may be used independently, or in conjunction with other devices such as fans and extractors.
12. A localized air purifier substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1- 3 of the accompanying drawing.

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