WO2019012043A1

WO2019012043A1 - Portable air treatment device

Info

Publication number: WO2019012043A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/068939
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johan WENNERSTRÖM
Original assignee: Blueair Ab
Priority date: 2017-07-14
Filing date: 2018-07-12
Publication date: 2019-01-17
Also published as: SE1750927A1; SE540939C2; CN110869090B; CN110869090A; EP3651864C0; EP3651864B1; EP3651864A1

Abstract

The invention according to the present invention relates to a portable air treatment device (100). The device comprises: a casing (120) comprising a rigid support portion (122) and a soft portion (124), the soft portion being arranged at the rigid portion to form an enclosed space (125) within the casing, the casing further comprising an inlet (126) arranged at the support portion for allowing air to enter the enclosed space, and an outlet (128) arranged at the support portion for allowing air to exit the enclosed space; an air treatment section (140) arranged at the inlet, being operable to treat a flow of air drawn from the outside of the enclosed space into the enclosed space through the inlet and out of the enclosed space through the outlet, the air treatment section comprising an air moving means (142) for generating the flow of air and a filtering means (144) arranged within the enclosed space so that the flow of air passes through the filtering means.

Description

PORTABLE AIR TREATMENT DEVICE

Field of the invention

The present invention generally related to the field of air treatment devices, In particular, the present invention relates to portable air treatment devices.

Technical background

Different types of air treatment devices are frequently used for cleaning air from pollutants. Air pollution levels are increasing all over the world, especially in urban areas. In larger cities where traffic congestions sometimes may severely reduce the quality of the air, people often feel a need for air purification to protect themselves from inhaling smog or other forms of aerial pollutions.

Since many people have to spend time outdoors, there are some solutions proposed to the problem of hazardous pollutions in the air. For example, there are personal respiratory masks having filters to remove pollutions. While respiratory masks provide portable air filtering, one drawback is that they may not be very effective as the filter size may only be small.

Another drawback of such respiratory masks is that they may not be used on small kids or people with breathing disabilities that find the restrictions of the flow of the air by the respiratory mask filters difficult.

Hence, there is a need for improved portable air purification.

Summary

It would be advantageous to achieve a portable air treatment device at least alleviating the above mentioned drawbacks. To better address one or more of these concerns a portable air treatment device as defined in the independent claim is provided. Preferable embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Hence, according to an aspect, a portable air treatment device is provided. The portable air treatment device comprises a casing comprising a rigid support portion and a soft portion. The soft portion is arranged at the rigid portion to form an enclosed space within the casing. The casing further comprises an inlet arranged at the support portion for allowing air to enter the enclosed space, and an outlet arranged at the support portion for allowing air to exit the enclosed space. The portable air treatment device comprises an air treatment section arranged at the inlet, being operable to treat a flow of air drawn from the outside of the enclosed space into the enclosed space through the inlet and out of the enclosed space through the outlet. The air treatment section comprises an air moving means for generating the flow of air and a filtering means arranged within the enclosed space so that the flow of air passes through the filtering means.

The rigid portion is adapted to support the structure of the portable air treatment device, which allows for having less rigid portions of the casing. For example, the rigid portion allows for having the soft portion. In this way, the air treatment device is lighter, and thereby more portable.

The soft portion and the rigid portion form an enclosure through which air flows in through the inlet and out through the outlet. In this way, the flow of air is controlled and treated by the air treatment section. The inlet and outlet allow for a flow of air through the enclosed section.

The outlet also allows for directing clean air to a preferred area.

Having a soft portion allows for having a smaller and lighter air treatment device. The soft portion can be folded and thereby it is easier to store the air treatment device when not in use.

The air treatment section is adapted to remove hazardous particles and gaseous compounds from the air flowing through the casing or the enclosed section. Particles and/or gases are removed from the air flow by means of the filtering means, thereby providing cleaner air at the outlet of the casing than at the inlet.

The air moving means is arranged to move air in through the inlet and out through the outlet of the casing, thereby creating an air flow that passes through the filtering means before exiting the casing. The air movement means is adapted to move enough air into the enclosed section or the casing to fill it with air or at least partly inflate it, causing air to exit the through the outlet.

Having the air moving means at the inlet allows for the air moving means to push air into the enclosed space, i.e. air does not need to be present in the enclosed space when starting to use the device. This allows for using a soft portion, i.e. it does not have to be air filled or provide a space by itself for air to flow though. Rather, space in the casing for air to flow is created by inflating the soft portion. The soft portion does not have to be fully inflated for air to flow, it is sufficient that the soft portion is partly inflated for air to move.

With this portable air treatment device, air treatment can be used even when moving or being outdoors since it is relatively light weight and portable.

It has been realized that by having a rigid part and a soft portion in the casing of the air treatment device, the weight and size of the air treatment device is decreased. Having a lower weight or a smaller size allows the air treatment device to be portable. In this way. A relatively large filter may be used in the device, allowing for better filtering, lower maintenance and improved ease of use, as compared to a respiratory mask.

In the present specification, the term "portable" is to be interpreted as movable or easy movable by a person. The air treatment device is relatively easily carried by a person.

The "enclosed section" of the casing is to be understood as that the air substantially does not pass through the enclosed section at other sections than at the inlet or at the outlet. The "rigid portion" is harder or more rigid than the soft portion, and sufficiently rigid to support the air treatment section, the inlet, the outlet and the enclosed section.

The "soft portion" is soft and relatively thin, i.e. made of an elastic material that allows it to be flexible and extend or inflate when filled with air, while maintaining a low weight.

With "filtering means" it is meant any means for filtering air, i.e. means for removing particles or pollutants from air flowing through the filtering means.

According to an embodiment the soft portion is bag-shaped and extends from the rigid portion.

The soft portion forms in this form an enclosed space with the support portion, thereby enclosing air and, as described above, cause it to flow out of the enclosed space through the outlet.

The size of the enclosed space is partly determined by how large the soft portion is, or how much it extends from the rigid portion. Having a large bag-shaped soft portion allows for having a larger air treatment section, and allows for treating more air with the air treatment device.

According to an embodiment the soft portion comprises at least one of dense vowed textile, plastic film, paper, nonwoven fiber media, or a combination thereof.

The material is relatively air-tight so that air does not exit through the soft portion, but is contained within the enclosed space. This allows for filling the enclosed space with air, which allows the filtering means to extend, and air flows through better and can be more efficiently filtered.

According to an embodiment the casing comprises means for opening and closing the enclosed space.

The means for opening and closing the enclosed space is sufficiently air tight to keep a substantial amount of air within the casing or the enclosed space. The means for opening and closing the enclosed space is used to access the inside of the enclosed space. The means for opening and closing the enclosed space may be used to access the air filtering means, for example, for maintenance, changing filtering means or to clean the air treatment device.

According to an embodiment the device further comprises a tube attached to the outlet. The tube is attached so that air exiting the casing enters into the tube at an end of the tube. The tube is used to direct air exiting the casing.

Alternatively, or in combination with a tube attached to the outlet, a tube is attached to the inlet. This allows for arranging the air treatment device within a space where clean air is desired, and to draw air from outside the space with the tube attached to the inlet.

According to an embodiment the tube is connectable to a respiratory mask, a stroller, baby carriage, a baby crib or a small tent. An end of the tube is connectable to at least one of the devices listed above, and another end of the tube is attached to the outlet. This allows for directing the treated air, i.e. the air passing through the air treatment device, to another device or area where clean air is desired.

In this way, clean air can be distributed, for example, to a respiratory mask, making it easier for a user to breathe as the air is filtered without the user having to move the air with their breath.

The air treatment device may be configured to be arranged at a human body, for example through a belt clip, a harness, a sling, a handle or another means so that a person may easily carry it.

This also allows for moving clean air into spaces previously difficult, for example, a stroller, a baby carrier, a baby crib, a small tent or similar. In this way, small children, which may be unable to not use respiratory masks, can also receive treated air. According to an embodiment the air treatment section further comprises an ionizing unit arranged at the inlet of the casing to charge particles in the air flowing into the enclosed space.

The ionizing unit charges particles so that they can be filtered out of the air flowing through the air treatment device more efficiently. Having the ionizing unit charge particles at the inlet of the casing allows for having a relatively large filter within the enclosed space or casing to filter out the charged particles.

Further, the size of the filter needed is decreased as charged particles are more efficiently filtered from the air flow.

According to an embodiment the ionizing unit comprises a collector electrode arranged around the inlet of the casing and an emitter electrode arranged at the center of the inlet.

The collector electrode is in this way be arranged so that all air passing through the inlet passes the collector electrode, which allows for more efficient charging of the particles in the air flow.

Having the emitter electrode arranged at the center of the inlet means that the maximum distance to the collector electrode is minimized, which leads to a more efficient charging of the air flow.

According to an embodiment the ionizing unit is arranged upstream from the filtering means.

This is advantageous, for example, in that the ionizing unit charges particles flowing by in the air flow, which may increase the likelihood for the particles to be subsequently trapped by the filtering means.

According to an embodiment the device further comprises a power source for supplying power to the air treatment section. The power source is adapted to supply power to the ionizing unit and/or to the air moving means. The power source may, for example, be a battery, a power bank, or another power source suitable for moving. The power source is connectable to the air treatment section, the air moving means or the ionizing unit, for example, by a cable. In this way, the air treatment device does not need to be plugged in to an electrical outlet, but is portable or movable. The capacity if the power source may be chosen such that it allows the air treatment device to be used for 1 day, 2 days or another amount of days.

According to an embodiment the air moving means comprises a fan arranged at the inlet of the casing. Having the air moving means arranged at the inlet of the casing allows for air to flow into the enclosed space, thereby filling it with air.

As the enclosed space is filled with air, it will be at least partly inflated. The inflation provides space for the filtering means to filter the air. Once the enclosed space is inflated, the air moved into the enclosed space by the air moving means will cause air to exit the enclosed space at the outlet.

The means for generating the air flow may be arranged on any side of the ionizing unit.

According to an embodiment the filtering means comprises particulate matter filter media, molecule filtration media, or a combination thereof. In this way, a relatively large filter area is achieved, while keeping the device light weight.

According to an embodiment the filtering means comprises a bag filter or a pleated filter. In this way, a relatively large filter area is achieved, while keeping the device light weight.

According to an embodiment the filtering means is arranged to extend along the inside of the soft portion. The filtering means extends in

substantially the same direction as the soft portion relative to the rigid portion. This allows for having a relatively large filtering means relative to the size of the casing and the support portion.

According to an embodiment the filtering means encloses the inlet. By enclosing the inlet, it is meant that the filtering means is arranged so that all air flowing through the inlet also flow through the filtering means. This allows for a more efficient filtering of the air flowing in through the inlet as

substantially all air passes the filter. Further objectives of, features of and advantages with the present invention will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, on which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable air treatment device according to an embodiment;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portable air treatment device mounted on a stroller, according to an embodiment;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portable air treatment device mounted to a respiratory mask, according to an embodiment;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a portable air treatment device according to one embodiment, viewed form a side. All figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

Detailed description of embodiments

A portable air treatment device 100 according to an embodiment is shown in Figure 1 .

The portable air treatment device 100 comprises a casing 120 and an air treatment section 140. The casing comprises a rigid support portion 122 and a soft portion 124. The soft portion 124 is arranged at the rigid portion 122 to form an enclosed space 125 within the casing. The air treatment device comprises a tube 160 for directing treated air exiting the air treatment device through the outlet 128.

Further details of the air treatment section 140 will be described with reference to Figure 4.

An example of a use of the portable air treatment device is shown in Figure 2. The portable air treatment device 100 is mounted on a stroller 200. The tube 180 guiding treated air is arranged to direct air into the hood 210 of the stroller 200. The hood 210 may, for example, be enclosed by a blanket 215, a net, or another fabric or material to enclose the space of the hood 210. In this way, a child in the stroller receives a flow of treated air, which has less pollutants or hazardous substances than the air outside of the hood.

Another example of a use of the portable air treatment device is shown in Figure 3. The air treatment device 100 is connected to a respiratory mask 300. The respiratory mask has an opening 310 to which the tube 160 of the air treatment device 100 is connected. Treated air exiting the air treatment device 100 is in this way guided via the tube 160 and served to a person wearing the respiratory mask 300. The respiratory mask 300 may be any type of respiratory mask adapted to connect to a tube of an air treatment device.

An air treatment device will now be described with reference to Figure

4. Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a portable air treatment device 100.

The air treatment device comprises a casing having a rigid support portion 122 and a soft portion 124. The air treatment device also comprises an air treatment section 140.

The rigid support portion 122 is substantially flat and extends in a plane. In some examples the rigid support portion 122 is curved, but sufficiently flat to support the air treatment device 100. The rigid support portion 122 is in this example oval, but may be rectangular, or have another shape. The rigid support portion 122 is sufficiently large to have an inlet 126 and an outlet 128, and to support an air treatment device 140. The rigid support portion 122 is sufficiently rigid for supporting the air treatment device without bending or flexing. The rigid support portion 122 comprises, for example, rigid and elastic plastics, metals or another rigid material. Preferably, the material of the rigid support portion is not heavy, to keep the weight of the portable air treatment device low.

The soft portion 124 is bag-shaped and extends orthogonally from a plane along the rigid portion. The soft portion may be formed from two sheets of material molded or sewn together to form a bag, which is arranged around the ages of the rigid portion.

The soft portion 124 comprises a soft or flexible material, for example, comprise a dense vowed textile, plastic film, paper, nonwoven fiber media, or a combination thereof. The soft portion 124 is air-tight to keep air in the enclosed space. The soft portion comprises a flexible plastic material or another air-tight and flexible material.

The casing 120 further comprising an inlet 126 arranged at the support portion 122 for allowing air to enter the enclosed space 125, and an outlet 128 arranged at the support portion 122 for allowing air to exit the enclosed space. The inlet 126 and the outlet 128 may, for example, be circular, oval or rectangular holes in the rigid support portion 122. The inlet 126 and the outlet 128 are arranged next to each other at the rigid support portion 122, but are not overlapping.

The air treatment section 140 comprises an air moving means 142 and a filtering means 144. The air moving means 142 is in this example a fan arranged in the inlet 126 of the casing 120. The fan has an axis perpendicular to a plane of along the rigid support portion 122 and is centered in the inlet 126. The fan has paddles which rotate around the axis of the fan to move air.

The filtering means 144 is arranged within the enclosed space 125 of the casing 120. The filtering means 144 is in this example arranged at the inlet 126 to enclose the inlet 126. The filtering means 144 may also be arranged in other ways within the enclosed space 125 so that air F flowing through the enclosed space 125 flows through the filtering means. The filtering means may comprise a particulate matter filter media, molecule filtration media, or a combination thereof. The filtering means may comprise a bag filter or a pleated filter.

In this embodiment, the air treatment section 140 comprises an ionizing unit 146, which is omitted in some embodiments. The ionizing unit charges particles in the flow of air F so that they are more easily filtered by the filtering means 144.

The ionizing unit 146 comprises an emitting electrode 148 arranged at the center of the inlet and a collecting electrode 147 arranged around the inlet of the casing. The emitting electrode 148 is arranged on a support portion 149 to be in the center of the inlet. The support portion 149 is arranged on the rigid portion of the casing on two sides of the inlet. The support portion 149 is elongated and sufficiently long to extend across the diameter of or across the inlet 126.

The ionizing unit is arranged at the inlet 126 of the casing 120. The ionizing unit 146 is in this example arranged downstream from the air moving means 142 also arranged at the inlet 126. However, the ionizing unit 146 may alternatively be arranged upstream from the air moving means 142.

The tube 160 is arranged at the outlet 128 of the air treatment device 100. The tube 160 is elongated and flexible to provide for directing air exiting the air treatment device 100. The tube 160 comprises a plastic tube or another tube suitable for directing the flow of air F. In some embodiments the tube has reinforcing elements to keep it in place once directed, such as metal wires embedded in the tube.

The air moving means 142 moves air in to the casing and the enclosed space through the inlet. The soft portion 124 is thereby inflated. When the soft portion 124, i.e. the enclosed space 125 is filled with air, air will start flowing out through outlet 128, creating a flow F of air between the inlet 126 and the outlet 128. The air flow F passes the through or by the ionizing unit 146 when entering the enclosed space. The ionizing unit 142 ionizes particles in the air flow F. The filtering means 144 thereafter removes particles from the air flow F.

The tube 160 directs the flow of air F exiting the casing 120 through the outlet 128 to a desired location or device, for example, a stroller 200 as described with reference to Figure 2, or a respiratory mask 300 as described with reference to Figure 3. Other devices envisaged are a baby carriage, a baby crib or a small tent.

The air treatment section, the ionizing unit and the air moving means are in this example powered by a power source 180. The power source 180 may be a battery or a power bank, or another portable power source, such as a small solar panel. The air treatment section, the ionizing unit and the air moving means are be connected to the power source 180 by means of one or more cables.

The speed of the air moving means, i.e. how much air it moves during a given time period, may be adjusted via an adjustment means such as a regulator (not shown in figures).

The casing 120 comprises means 129 for opening and closing the enclosed space 125. The means 129 is in this example a zipper. The zipper is arranged along the soft portion and to provide access to the inside of the enclosed space. The means 129 may for example be used for changing or maintaining the filtering means 144, the ionizing unit 140 or the air moving means 142. The means 129 is re-closeable.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The skilled person understands that many modifications, variations and alterations are conceivable within the scope as defined in the appended claims.

Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be

understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1 . A portable air treatment device (100), comprising:

a casing (120) comprising a rigid support portion (122) and a soft portion (124), the soft portion being arranged at the rigid portion to form an enclosed space (125) within the casing, the casing further comprising an inlet (126) arranged at the support portion for allowing air to enter the enclosed space, and an outlet (128) arranged at the support portion for allowing air to exit the enclosed space;

an air treatment section (140) arranged at the inlet, being operable to treat a flow of air drawn from the outside of the enclosed space into the enclosed space through the inlet and out of the enclosed space through the outlet, the air treatment section comprising:

an air moving means (142) for generating the flow of air;

a filtering means (144) arranged within the enclosed space so that the flow of air passes through the filtering means.

2. The portable air treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the soft portion (124) is bag-shaped and extends from the rigid portion.

3. The portable air treatment device according to any preceding claims, wherein the soft portion comprises at least one of dense vowed textile, plastic film, paper, nonwoven fiber media, or a combination thereof.

4. The portable air treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the casing (140) comprises means (129) for opening and closing the enclosed space.

5. The portable air treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device further comprises a tube (160) attached to the outlet.

6. The portable air treatment device according to claim 5, wherein the tube is connectable to a facemask (300), a stroller (200), a baby carriage, a baby crib or a small tent.

7. The portable air treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the air treatment section (140) further comprises an ionizing unit (146) arranged at the inlet of the casing to charge particles in the air flowing into the enclosed space.

8. The portable air treatment device according to claim 7, wherein the ionizing unit (146) comprises:

a collector electrode (147) arranged around the inlet of the casing; and an emitter electrode (148) arranged at the center of the inlet.

9. The portable air treatment device according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the ionizing unit (146) is arranged upstream from the filtering means.

10. The portable air treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device further comprises a power source (180) for supplying power to the air treatment section.

1 1 . The portable air treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the air moving means (142) comprises a fan arranged at the inlet of the casing.

12. The portable air treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtering means (144) comprises particulate matter filter media, molecule filtration media, or a combination thereof.

13. The portable air treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtering means comprises a bag filter or a pleated filter.

14. The portable air treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtering means is arranged to extend along the inside of the soft portion.

15. The portable air treatment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtering means encloses the inlet.