WO2008034052A1

WO2008034052A1 - Disposable grill and filter assembly for a compact air purifier

Info

Publication number: WO2008034052A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/078482
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carl Triplett; Christopher J. Wolpert; Kevin Hafer; David Bowers
Original assignee: The Dial Corporation
Priority date: 2006-09-15
Filing date: 2007-09-14
Publication date: 2008-03-20
Also published as: WO2008034055A1; WO2008034049A1; WO2008034053A1

Abstract

Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention generally provide a disposable grill and filter assembly for a compact air purifier. An exemplary compact air purifier comprises a rotatable compact air purifier comprising one or more of an air cleaning module, an airflow module, an air intake panel, an air output panel, and a vapor-dispensing module configured to add one or more fragrances or anosmic agents to the air from the airflow module and/or the air cleaning module. In exemplary embodiments, an air cleaning module is attached to or comprises the same module as an air intake panel. Thus, the user of the air purifier would replace the air cleaning module by simply replacing the entire removable air intake panel that the air cleaning module is attached to, or the common module.

Description

DISPOSABLE GRILL AND FILTER ASSEMBLY FOR A COMPACT AIR PURIFIER

Field of Invention This application generally relates to a disposable grill and filter assembly for a compact air purifier.

Background of the Invention

In recent years there has been an increased emphasis on improving the quality of the air or "air health" of living spaces. This has resulted in a corresponding increase in the popularity of consumer air freshening systems for use in private homes. It is often convenient to use an available receptacle (e.g., a conventional household electrical outlet) as a source of electrical power for systems configured to achieve some type of environment- altering effect, such as air freshening or air purification. In certain instances, these systems may be coupled to a receptacle to liberate floor or table space; however, conventional attachment methods for engaging a device directly to an outlet may substantially cover and render useless an adjoining outlet. Moreover, if there is little space adjacent to the outlet, many air purification and air freshening devices may not fit in the space and, therefore, may not be used. It would therefore be desirable to provide an air freshening and/or air purification device that may be rotated about an axis to allow the device to fit into smaller spaces and not cover adjoining outlets.

It may also be desirable to provide the user with an indication of when a filter or disposable device that contains an air freshening agent may need to be replaced. Filters that remove air-bom contaminants can become clogged with dirt, dust, hair, and other contaminants and need to be periodically replaced in order for the air freshening or purification system to function properly. Further, devices that contain a liquid, gel or other agents used to freshen the air may need to be replaced in order for maximum air freshening to occur. It would therefore be desirable to provide an air freshening and/or purification device that includes an end-of-use indicator to remind the user to change the filter or air freshening agent.

Summary of the Invention

In various representative aspects, the present invention provides a disposable grill and filter assembly for a compact air purifier. Exemplary features generally include a housing with a stationary base coupled to a rotatable body that substantially surrounds the stationary base and rotates around an axis of the stationary base, and a device disposed within the rotatable body configured to take air in, purify the air, and return purified air as output to the environment. In general, the device may include an air cleaning module and an airflow module. In accordance with a further embodiment, the air purification device may also include an optional vapor-dispensing module configured to add one or more fragrances to the purified air.

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, a compact air purifier in accordance with the present invention comprises an air intake panel configured to allow air to enter the air purifier. In exemplary embodiments, an air cleaning module is attached to or comprises the same module as an air intake panel. Thus, the user of the air purifier would replace the air cleaning module by simply replacing the entire removable air intake panel that the air cleaning module is attached to, or the common module.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures in which like numerals denote like elements and:

FIGS. la-Id illustrate various rotatable compact air purifiers in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a plug pattern and a receptacle pattern in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates receptacle patterns in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 4 illustrates an air purifier in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a body portion of a rotatable compact air purifier in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an air cleaning module of a rotatable compact air purifier in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates various airflow modules in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; FIGS. 8a-8b illustrate various air intake panel and air cleaning module configurations in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 9a-9b illustrate various air output panel and vapor-dispensing module configurations in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 10 illustrates a base portion having stop locations in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1 1 illustrates a rotatable compact air purifier in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of a rotatable compact air purifier in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 13a-13b illustrates rear perspectives of two rotatable compact air purifiers in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments of the invention only, and are not intended to limit the scope or applicability of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description is intended to provide convenient illustrations for implementing various embodiments of the invention. As will become apparent, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

For the sake of brevity, functional embodiments of the apparatus and systems (and components of the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical connections between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system.

Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention generally provide a disposable grill and filter assembly for a rotatable compact air purifier. An air purifier, in various embodiments, may include any device, component, or combination of components suitably configured to scrub, purify, filter, sanitize, add a fragrance, scent, or other vapor, or otherwise process incoming air to produce cleaner air as an output. An air purifier, in various embodiments, may be configured to rotate about an axis, and/or may be configured to provide a "plug through" receptacle pattern when occupying a receptacle pattern on a surface.

An exemplary compact air purifier comprises a base portion and a body portion configured to rotate about an axis defined by the base portion. In exemplary embodiments, the body portion defines an airflow path therethrough. For example, an airflow module draws air into the body portion through an air intake panel and across an air cleaning module. A vapor-dispensing module then disperses a fragrance, anosmic agent, scent, or other vapor into the air being pushed out the body portion by the airflow module through an air output panel. Turning now to the figures, and with specific reference to FIGS. Ia- Id, an exemplary rotatable compact air purifier 100 in accordance with this invention comprises a substantially stationary base portion 102 and a body portion 104 configured to rotate about an axis 106 defined by stationary base portion 102. As shown in FIGS. Ia- Id, body portion 104 in accordance with this invention may or may not surround, or substantially surround, base portion 102. Air purifier, as used herein, includes any system for air fragrancing, air masking (e.g., with anosmic agents) and/or air purifying.

Base portion 102 is configured to be attached to a surface 108. While any surface, indoor or outdoor, is within the scope of this invention, exemplary surfaces include walls, ceilings, floors, mirrors, windows, cabinets and appliances. Base portion 102 may be attached to surface 108 via adhesives, bolts, dowels, hooks, sleeves, brackets, clips, suction or other means known in the art or hereafter devised. The attachment may be permanent or temporary, and the attachment may include a coupling, thereby allowing base portion 102 and surface 108 to be extended away from each other or closer to each other. An exemplary coupling may be adjustable or fixed. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, base portion 202 is attached to surface

208 using plug patterns and receptacle patterns. For example, in some embodiments base portion 202 comprises a plug pattern 210 configured to interface with a receptacle pattern 212 on surface 208. In some embodiments, base portion 202 comprises more than one plug pattern 210. While any plug pattern operative to provide power to compact air purifier 100 is contemplated by this invention, exemplary plug patterns include telephone plugs (e.g., RJl 1), internet plugs (e.g., 8P8C), electrical plugs (e.g., 110-volt AC, 120-volt AC, 220-volt AC, 240-volt AC, polar, non-polar, 2 prong, 3 prong, duplex, quadplex, power strip, GFI), cable plugs (e.g., coaxial), and other plugs (e.g., USB, IEEE 1394, DVI, VGA, S-Video, 6- volt DC cigarette lighter, 12-volt DC cigarette lighter). Exemplary receptacle patterns 212 are shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, receptacle pattern 212 provides power to the compact air purifier. In other embodiments, the compact air purifier is powered by one or more batteries. As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, body portion 404 is configured to have a less conspicuous profile. For example, the horizontal cross-sectional profile ratio (thickness divided by the length) may asymptotically approach 0 at the edges 414 of body portion 404 and about 0.50 - 0.70 at the longitudinal center 416 of body portion 404. Therefore, body portion 404 is close to surface 408 at edges 414 of body portion 404 giving the perception of a less conspicuous air purifier. In some embodiments, the small size and shape at the edges, top, and/or bottom of body portion 404 allow access to a second receptacle pattern on surface 408 or allow the air purifier to fit into smaller spaces.

While any material is suitable for use in the body portion, exemplary materials include ceramic, cermet, composite, glass, rubber, plastic, silicone, and metal. Such exemplary materials may be opaque, transparent, or semi-transparent.

As shown in FIG. 5, body portion 504 comprises one or more of an air cleaning module 520, an airflow module 530, an air intake panel 540, an air output panel 550, a receptacle pattern 560, and a vapor-dispensing module 570 configured to add one or more fragrances or anosmic agents to the air from the airflow module and/or the air cleaning module. In one exemplary embodiment, body portion 504 defines an airflow path therethrough. For example, airflow module 530 draws air into body portion 504 through air intake panel 540 and across air cleaning module 520. Vapor-dispensing module 570 then disperses a fragrance, anosmic agent, scent, or other vapor into the air being pushed out body portion 504 by airflow module 530 through air output panel 550. An air cleaning module in accordance with this invention is any device suited for removing contaminants from the air within any physical or fictitious boundary. Exemplary contaminants include microbes (e.g., bacterium, viruses, and the like), allergens (e.g., pollen, dander, lint, dust, smog, mold, smoke, and the like), and/or malodors (e.g., chemical odors, microorganism odors, and the like) ranging in size from about 0.01 to about 100 microns in diameter or more. In exemplary embodiments, contaminants as small as 3 microns in diameter are filtered out at 60% or greater efficiency and the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), a function of airflow and efficiency, is greater than about 6. Air cleaning module 520 may compπse, for example, one or more of a liquid or solid filter, such as an activated carbon filter, charcoal filter, particle filter, and electrostatic filter In accordance with a representative embodiment of the invention, the filter may be a fiber filter such as, for example, a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter In other embodiments, the filter may be a FILTRETE® filter (available from 3M Corporation of St Paul, Minnesota) In yet another representative embodiment of the invention, the filter may be a microbial filter configured to filter airborne bacterium and/or viruses

Pore size of an exemplary filter is in the range of about 5 to 100 cells/inch Carbon content of an exemplary filter is in the range of about 0 01 to 1 0 g/sq in Filter thickness of an exemplary filter is m the range of about 0 05 to 0 5 mch

In another exemplary embodiment, air cleamng module 520 compπses one or more chemical absorbents to puπfy air Examples of chemical absorbents include, but are not limited to, carbon, activated charcoal, baking soda, and/or the like In yet another exemplary embodiment, air cleaning module 520 incorporates ultraviolet, ozonation, and/or ionization technologies to puπfy air

In addition, more than one an- cleamng module may be used Air cleamng module 520 may compπse multiple layers, each having different properties and may either be flexible or πgid, planar or non-planar In some embodiments, air cleaning module 520 is an activated, layered and non-woven carbon filter In general, any technique, process, device, and/or component, now known or otherwise hereafter descπbed in the art, for removmg contaminants from the air is within the scope of this mvention

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG 6, an- cleamng module 620 is configured to conform to an airflow module 630 such that the distance d between a substantial portion of a surface 622 of an- cleamng module 620 and the inlet 632 of airflow module 630 is uniform For example, air cleaning module 620 may be configured to be non-planar In this manner, the distance ά the air travels from air cleamng module 620 to inlet 632 of airflow module 630 is uniform, regardless of whether the air enters at the center 624 or peπphery 626 of air cleamng module 620 This configuration maximizes the efficiency of airflow module 630 as well as air cleaning module 620 In some embodiments, as shown in FIG 6, air cleaning module 620 is non-planar to increase the effective surface area thereof For example, air cleaning module 620 may be configured to have waves 628 In some embodiments, air cleaning module 620 is disposable Airflow module 530 in accordance with this invention is any device configured to push, pull, draw or otherwise facilitate the movement of air. An exemplary airflow module is an impeller, blower or fan and may comprise any fan configuration including axial, centrifugal, cross flow and hybrids thereof. Generally, axial fans move air entering parallel to the shaft in a direction parallel to the shaft about which the blades rotate; centrifugal fans move air entering parallel to the shaft in a direction perpendicular to the shaft; and cross flow fans move air entering perpendicular to the shaft in another direction perpendicular to the shaft. The fan blades may be forward curved, backward curved, or radial and may or may not project from the center hub area outward to the edge of the fan (e.g., a hamster wheel configuration). The height of each of the fan blades, i.e., the height parallel to the shaft, may increase, decrease, and/or remain uniform from the center hub area outward to the edge of the fan. Moreover, the fan blades may or may not require a hoop-like structure at the edge of the fan to connect to the blades and may or may not be supported by a back plate perpendicular to the shaft. In general, airflow module 530 may be any device now known or later contemplated capable of causing air to move. Exemplary fan blades are shown in FIG. 7.

In another embodiment, airflow module 530 comprises ionization technology configured to create an active air flow through the air purifier via an electric field. In yet another embodiment, airflow module 530 comprises a pump suitably configured to cause the air to flow through the air purifier.

Air intake panel 540 in accordance with this invention is any device suited for allowing air to enter the air purifier. Similarly, air output panel 550 in accordance with this invention is any device suited for allowing air to exit the air purifier. Air intake panel 540 and air output panel 550 may comprise one or more vents, slats and/or other aperture(s). Panels 540 and 550 may further comprise a mesh or screen. Panels 540 and 550 may also prevent users from damaging the inner components of the air purifier or injuring themselves by touching electrical or moving components within the air purifier housing. In some embodiments, air intake panel 540 is configured to support various inner components of the air purifier, for example, air cleaning module 520. Similarly, air output panel 550 may be configured to support various inner components of the air purifier, for example, vapor- dispensing module 570.

While any material is suitable for use in panels 540 and 550, exemplary materials include ceramic, cermet, composite, glass, rubber, plastic, silicone, and metal, and may be opaque, transparent, or semi-transparent Alternatively, or in addition, panel 540 and/or 550 may add decorative effects to the air purifier, or be otherwise configured to make the air purifier less conspicuous For example, the air purifier may be configured to resemble a decorative item, such as a flower, or a common household item, such as a plug or switch pattern

As alluded to above, air intake panel 540 may be configured to support or conceal air cleaning module 520 In some embodiments, as shown in FIG 8a, air mtake panel 840 is removably attached to body portion 804 Air mtake panel 840 may be removably attached to body portion 804 in any number of ways In one exemplary embodiment, air intake panel 840 compπses one or more panel locking πbs and body portion 804 composes one or more corresponding body locking πbs In this embodiment, the panel locking πbs engage the body locking πbs to attach air intake panel 840 to body portion 804 Generally, air intake panel 840 may be removably attached to body portion 804 m any manner known in the art or hereafter devised mcludmg, adhesives, bolts, dowels, hooks, sleeves, brackets, clips, suction and magnetism Air intake panel 840 may be completely, as descπbed above, or partially removably attached to body portion 804 For example, air mtake panel 840 may be hmgedly attached along an axis of body portion 804

Air intake panel 840 being removably attached to body portion 804 provides access to air cleamng module 820 for example, for cleaning or replacement In some embodiments, air cleaning module 820 is replaceable In accordance with exemplary embodiments, air cleaning module 820 has a notch, or is otherwise keyed to body portion 804 to ensure proper oπentation of air cleaning module 820 with respect to body portion 804 For example, air cleamng module 820 may have a notch and body portion 804 may have a corresponding groove to ensure proper oπentation In other embodiments, as shown in FIG 8b, air intake panel 840 is attached to air cleaning module 820 by glue or another type of adhesive or mechanical fastening mechanism 822, and together are removably attached to body portion 804 for cleaning or replacement Generally, air mtake panel 840 may be attached to air cleamng module 820 in any manner known m the art or hereafter devised mcludmg, adhesives, bolts, dowels, hooks, sleeves, brackets, clips, suction and magnetism Accordingly, the user of the air puπfier would replace air cleaning module 820 by simply replacing the entire removable air intake panel 840 that air cleaning module 820 is attached to This eliminates the hassle of the consumer having to remove air mtake panel 840, remove a used air cleaning module 820 and replace it with a properly oriented new air cleaning module 820, and replace air intake panel 840. Attachment to body portion 804, of the entire removable air intake panel 840 that air cleaning module 820 is attached to, can be accomplished using the same approaches described above with reference to attachment of air intake panel 840 to body portion 804. The entire removable air intake panel 840 that air cleaning module 820 is attached to may be keyed to body portion 804 to ensure proper orientation thereof with respect to body portion 804.

In yet other embodiments, air intake panel 840 and air cleaning module 820 are the same module. For example, a single element may be suited for both allowing air to enter the air purifier and for removing contaminants from the air within any physical or fictitious boundary. Again, attachment to body portion 804, of the single element, can be accomplished using the same approaches described above with reference to attachment of air intake panel 840 to body portion 804. Additionally, the single element may be keyed to body portion 804 to ensure proper orientation thereof with respect to body portion 804. In some embodiments, whether air cleaning module 820 is or is not attached to air intake panel 840, or comprises the same module as air intake panel 840, air cleaning module 820 may be configured to respond to specific characteristic contaminants in the air. For example, air cleaning module 820 may be configured to respond to carbon monoxide and ethanols or contaminants commonly associated with physical or fictitious boundaries, such as bathrooms, kitchens and exercise rooms.

In some embodiments, air output panel 550 may be removably attached to body portion 504. In some embodiments, air output panel 550 is configured to direct air in a desired direction. For example, it may be configured to direct air away from the surface upon which the ah" purifier is positioned. Alternatively, it may be configured to direct air toward the surface upon which the air purifier is positioned so as to use the surface to assist in dispersing the air.

Receptacle pattern 560 in accordance with this invention may be any receptacle pattern, including those that interface with the plug patterns listed above. As a non-limiting example, receptacle pattern 560 is advantageous in embodiments occupying a receptacle pattern on the surface that provides power to the compact air purifier as is acts as a "plug through" receptacle pattern, thus making available an otherwise occupied power source.

Vapor-dispensing module 570 in accordance with this invention may be any device suited for storing and/or dispersing a fragrance, anosmic agent, scent, or other vapor into the air In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, vapor-dispensing module 570 compπses a reservoir or other device, such as an emanator pad, to store and/or disperse a fragrance, anosmic agent, scent, or other vapor, in liquid, gel or solid form In some embodiments, vapor-dispensmg module 570 comprises a heatmg element Air output panel 550 may be configured to support or conceal vapor-dispensmg module 570 In some embodiments, as shown in FIG 9a, air output panel 950 is removably attached to body portion 904 This configuration provides access to vapor-dispensmg module 970 for example, for cleamng or replacement In other embodiments, as shown in FIG 9b, air output panel 950 is attached to vapor-dispensing module 970 by glue or another type of adhesive or mechanical fastening mechanism 972, and together are removably attached to body portion 904 for cleaning or replacement Accordingly, the user of the air purifier would replace vapor-dispensmg module 970 by simply replacing the entire removable air output panel 950 that vapor-dispensmg module 970 is attached to In yet other embodiments, air output panel 950 and vapor-dispensing module 970 are the same module

The amount of fragrance, anosmic agent, scent, or other vapor dispensed by vapor- dispensmg module 570 m exemplary embodiments may be regulated utilizing a controller The controller may compose a control lever in communication with vapor-dispensing module 570 and may be any device, component, or combmation of components, whether now known or otherwise hereafter described in the art, that are capable of controlling the rate at which additives, fragrances, anosmic agents, scents, or other vapors are dispersed into the air

In operation of one embodiment of the air purifier, airflow module 530 is configured to move air through, around, or across vapor-dispensmg module 570 such that the air is fragranced before bemg puπfied by the cleamng module 520 In this embodiment, air cleamng module 520 may be configured in a manner that will not substantially filter out any fragrance added to the air In operation of another embodiment of the air purifier, airflow module 530 is configured to move puπfied air through, around, or across vapor-dispensmg module 570 such that the air is fragranced after being puπfied by air cleaning module 520 In operation of yet another embodiment of the air puπfier, it may comprise a plurality of vapor-dispensing modules 570

In accordance with vaπous embodiments, and with momentary reference back to FIGS la-Id, body portion 104 is configured to rotate about an axis 106 defined by stationary base portion 102. Body portion 104 being rotatable allows access to a second receptacle pattern on surface 108 or allows air purifier 100 to fit into smaller spaces. With momentary reference to FIG. 2, body portion 104 being rotatable may be especially advantageous since plug pattern 210 may be polar. Polar plug patterns are those having a prong larger than, or otherwise different from, another, thereby necessitating a particular orientation for plug pattern 210 to interface properly with receptacle pattern 212.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. Ic, stationary base portion 102 extends through body portion 104. In some embodiments, stationary base portion 102 may comprise any component of air purifier 100 so as to maintain the uprightness thereof while body portion 104 rotates about axis 106 defined by stationary base portion 102. For example, stationary base portion 102 may comprise an end-of-use indicator that provides the user with a visual indication that air cleaning module 520 or vapor-dispensing module 570 needs to be replaced. The indicator may comprise words and/or numbers visible and readable by the user because base portion 102 extends through body portion 104 and does not rotate with body portion 104. Notwithstanding this non-limiting example, it is not necessary that stationary base portion 102 extend through body portion 104.

In some embodiments, a first stop location on stationary base portion 102 interacts with a second stop location on rotatable body portion 104 to prevent it from rotating substantially freely about axis of rotation 106. In an exemplary embodiment, body portion 104 rotates -90 degrees counter-clockwise and +180 degrees clockwise and can be used at any degree of rotation within that range. "Soft stops," or temporary stops, are provided at 0 and +90 degrees clockwise. "Solid stops," or permanent stops, are provided at -90 and +180 degrees clockwise.

In an exemplary embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 10, base portion 1002 comprises "soft stop" apertures 1080 at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees from the top center that engage a stop member 1090 on body portion 1004 located at 180 degrees from the top center. Base portion 1002 further comprises "solid stop" tabs 1095 at 0 and 270 degrees from the top center that engage stop member 1090. In this exemplary embodiment, a spring may be used to connect body portion 1004 to base portion 1002. When stop member 1090 meets apertures 1080, the force the spring places on body portion 1004 forces stop member 1090 to enter apertures 1080. The user can "unlock" stop member 1090 from apertures 1080 by simply pulling body portion 1004 away from base portion 1002 and rotating it so that stop member 1090 is no longer aligned with apertures 1080. In an alternative embodiment, the permanent stops may be eliminated in favor of additional temporary stops. In another alternative embodiment, the temporary stops may be eliminated in favor of additional permanent stops. Any number or placement of temporary stops or permanent stops may be used within the scope of the present invention. In one representative aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, rotatable body portion 104 may be configured to rotate three-hundred and sixty degrees around receptacle pattern 212. Accordingly, exemplary air purifiers may be suitably configured for proper function when attached, for example, "upside-down," "side ways," and/or "right side- up" (or any intermediate rotational conformation) with respect to orientation of receptacle pattern 212.

Finally, an air purifier in accordance with this invention may further comprise one or more of a light (e.g., a night-light), an end-of-use indicator (e.g., LED/timer circuit, electromechanical device, or color change time strip.), and an audible effect device (e.g., to play soothing sounds like beaches, waterfalls, wildlife, raindrops). An end-of-use indicator provides the user with a visual and/or audible indication that air cleaning module 520 needs to be replaced. In accordance with this exemplary embodiment, the end-of-use indicator may be activated after a set period of time passes. Specifically, the end-of-use indicator may comprise a timer that is activated when power from an outlet (or other power source) is delivered to the air purifier. The timer counts down a pre-programmed time period and activates the end-of-use indicator after that time peπod has elapsed. For example, if the end-of-use indicator is set for thirty days, the end-of- use indicator is activated thirty days after the air purifier is connected to an outlet. Vaπous visual and/or audible devices may be used as end-of-use indicators. Examples include, but are not limited to, LEDs, other light sources, audible alarms, and color changing time strips. Alternatively, or additionally, an end-of-use indicator provides the user with an indication that vapor-dispensing module 570 needs to be replaced in a manner similar to that described above.

One or more of any element of body portion 504, including air cleaning module 520, airflow module 530, and vapor-dispensmg module 570, may be partially or completely, activated and/or deactivated, manually or automatically using any device now known or later contemplated. For example, compact air purifier 100 may compπse one or more of a manual switch, an air contaminant sensor, a motion sensor, a light sensor, and a timing device. For example, airflow module 530 may be activated when motion or light is sensed. In embodiments having one or more sensors, compact air purifier 100 may comprise a plurality of air cleaning modules 520, airflow modules 530, and/or vapor-dispensing modules 570, each configured to respond to a different stimulus. For example, purifier 100 may comprise different air cleaning modules 520 configured to respond to light and dark. Alternatively, or additionally, purifier 100 may comprise different vapor-dispensing modules 570 configured to respond to carbon monoxide and ethanols. Each module may function alone or in combination in response to a detected stimulus.

Exemplary embodiments are shown in FIGS. 11-13. FIG. 11 shows an air purifier 1100 having a plug pattern 1110, an air intake panel 1140, an air output panel 1150, and a receptacle pattern 1160. FIG. 12 shows an air purifier 1200 having an air cleaning module 1220, an airflow module 1230, an air intake panel 1240, an air output panel 1250, a receptacle pattern 1260, and a vapor-dispensing module 1270. FIGS. 13a and 13b depict an air purifier 1300 and how, in certain embodiments, body portion 1304 may or may not surround, or substantially surround, base portion 1302. It should be understood that the foregoing description is of exemplary embodiments of the invention only, and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown. Various modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the elements set forth herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is

1 An air purifier comprising a housmg having a base portion coupled to a body portion, the base portion comprising a plug pattern, the body portion comprising an air cleamng module, an airflow module, and an air intake panel, wherein the air intake panel is attached to the air cleamng module and together, are removably attached to the body portion

2 The air purifier of claim 1 wherein the air intake panel is removably attached to the air cleamng module

3 The air purifier of claim 1 wherem the air intake panel is fixedly attached to the air cleaning module

4 The air purifier of claim 3 wherem the air cleaning module is a filter

5 The air puπfier of claim 3 wherem the airflow module is a centrifugal fan

6 The air puπfier of claim 3 wherein the air intake panel fixedly attached to the air cleamng module is disposable

7 The air puπfier of claim 1 wherem the air mtake panel and the air cleamng module compπse the same element

8 An air purifier compπsmg a housing having a base portion coupled to a body portion, the base portion compπsing a plug pattern, the body portion compπsing an air cleamng module, an airflow module, an air intake panel compπsing one or more panel locking πbs, and one or more body locking ribs, wherein the panel locking ribs engage the body locking ribs to attach said air intake panel to said body portion; and wherein the air intake panel is attached to the air cleaning module and together, are removably attached to the body portion.

9. The air purifier of claim 8 wherein the air intake panel fixedly attached to the air cleaning module comprises a disposable element.

10. The air purifier of claim 9 wherein the disposable element is configured to respond to specific characteristic contaminants in the air.

11. An air purifier comprising: a housing having a base portion coupled to a body portion; the base portion comprising a plug pattern; the body portion comprising: an air cleaning module comprising one or more notches; an airflow module; an air intake panel; and one ore more grooves, wherein the air intake panel is attached to the air cleaning module and together, are removably attached to the body portion; and wherein the notches engage the grooves to ensure proper orientation of the air intake panel fixedly attached to the air cleaning module.