Filter Table

Abstract

A decontaminating filter table for decontaminating exhaled or ambient air is provided. The table includes an input air grille; a first air trough in fluidic connection with the input air grille; a second air trough in fluidic connection with the first air trough; and a HEPA filter for filtering the decontaminated air. The table also includes an air mover for drawing the exhaled air through the first and second air troughs and through the HEPA filter. In addition, the table includes a scrubber for decontaminating the exhaled air and a visual/audio indicator for monitoring air flow through the first and second troughs.

Claims

1. A decontaminating filter table for decontaminating exhaled or ambient air, comprising: an input air grille; a first air trough in fluidic connection with the input air grille; a second air trough in fluidic connection with the first air trough; a filter for filtering the decontaminated air; and an air mover for drawing the exhaled air through the first and second air troughs and through the filter.

2. The decontaminating filter table as in claim 1 wherein the filter comprises a HEPA filter.

3. The decontaminating filter table as in claim 1 wherein the filter comprises an activated carbon filter.

4. The decontaminating filter table as in claim 1 further comprising a scrubber for decontaminating the exhaled air.

5. The decontaminating filter table as in claim 4 wherein the scrubber comprises sterilizing agents.

6. The decontaminating filter table as in claim 4 wherein the scrubber comprises sterilizing infrared light.

7. The decontaminating filter table as in claim 4 wherein the scrubber comprises a microwave generator.

8. The decontaminating filter table as in claim 4 wherein the scrubber comprises an activated carbon filter.

9. The decontaminating filter table as in claim 1 further comprising a visual/audio indicator for monitoring air flow through the first and second troughs.

10. The decontaminating filter table as in claim 9 wherein the visual/audio indicator comprises a micro total analysis system for detecting, recording, and reporting detected pathogens.

11. A scrubber filter table for decontaminating exhaled or ambient air, comprising: an input air grille; a first air trough in fluidic connection with the input air grille; a second air trough in fluidic connection with the first air trough; a filter for filtering the decontaminated air, wherein the filter comprises: a HEPA filter; an activated carbon filter; an air mover for drawing the exhaled air through the first and second air troughs and through the filter; a scrubber for decontaminating the exhaled air, wherein the scrubber comprises: an activated filter; sterilizing agents; and sterilizing infrared light.

12. The scrubber filter table as in claim 11 wherein the scrubber comprises a microwave generator.

13. The scrubber filter table as in claim 11 further comprising a visual/audio indicator for monitoring air flow through the first and second troughs.

14. The scrubber filter table as in claim 11 wherein the visual/audio indicator comprises a micro total analysis system for detecting, recording, and reporting detected pathogens.

15. A decontaminating scrubber filter table for decontaminating exhaled or ambient air, comprising: an input air grille; a first air trough in fluidic connection with the input air grille; a second air trough in fluidic connection with the first air trough; a filter for filtering the decontaminated air, wherein the filter comprises: a HEPA filter; an air mover for drawing the exhaled air through the first and second air troughs and through the filter; a scrubber for decontaminating the exhaled air, wherein the scrubber comprises: an activated carbon filter; sterilizing agents; sterilizing infrared light; and a visual/audio indicator for monitoring air flow through the first and second troughs, wherein the visual/audio indicator comprises a micro total analysis system for detecting, recording, and reporting detected pathogens.

16. A decontaminating scrubber filter table as in claim 15 wherein the scrubber further comprises a negative ion generator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a top view of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a partial pictorial view of the sectional view of the invention shown in FIG. 1 along the cutting plane line B;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the sectional view of the invention shown in FIG. 1 along the cutting plane line B;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a side view of the sectional view of the invention shown in FIG. 4 along the cutting plane line A;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a top pictorial view of the invention shown in FIG. 1; and

[0022] FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following brief definition of terms shall apply throughout the application:

[0024] The term “comprising” means including but not limited to, and should be interpreted in the manner it is typically used in the patent context;

[0025] The phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” and the like generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present invention (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment);

[0026] If the specification describes something as “exemplary” or an “example,” it should be understood that refers to a non-exclusive example; and

[0027] If the specification states a component or feature “may,” “can,” “could,” “should,” “preferably,” “possibly,” “typically,” “optionally,” “for example,” or “might” (or other such language) be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or to have the characteristic.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown a top view of the present invention 10. Shown in FIG. 1 is base unit 12, table top grill 16 where exhaled air is drawn into a trough (shown in FIG. 2), and table top 14. It will be understood that table top grill 16 may be any suitable grill and may include preliminary air and/or sediment filtering.

[0029] Referring also to FIG. 2 there is shown a partial pictorial view of the sectional view of the invention shown in FIG. 1 along the cutting plane line B. Shown in FIG. 2 is table top trough 14A and base unit trough 12A. Exhaled air is drawn into base unit trough 12A via table top trough 14A. FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the sectional view of the invention shown in FIG. 1 along the cutting plane line B. The table top trough is typically offset from the base unit trough to help prevent sediment from entering the base trough unit. It will be understood that base unit trough 12A will normally have a removeable cover (not shown) for maintenance access to the base unit trough 12A.

[0030] Referring also to FIG. 4 there is shown a front view of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. Shown in FIG. 4 is exhaust filter 41 and air mover 42. Air mover 42 may be any suitable air mover for creating a suitable air suction, or negative air pressure at, and above the table top grill 16. Exhaust filter 41 may be any suitable filter, such as a HEPA filter and/or a carbon filter for filtering the captured exhaust before the captured air is released back into the environment.

[0031] Referring also to FIG. 5 there is shown a side view of the sectional view of the invention shown in FIG. 4 along the cutting plane line A. Referring also to FIG. 6 there is shown a top pictorial view of the invention shown in FIG. 1. Shown in FIG. 6 is air flow 62 captured by negative air pressure or suction through table top grill 16 created by air mover 42 shown in FIG. 4. Air flow, containing contaminants, is routed through base unit trough 12A via table top trough 14A to exhaust filter 41. Before exhausting air flow 62 though exhaust filter 41 the contaminated air may be routed through scrubber 61. Removeable end plate 68 may be removed to add table extensions and/or access table top trough 14A for maintenance.

[0032] Still referring to FIG. 6 scrubber may include decontamination and/or sterilizing agents and or mechanisms such as UV or infrared light, and/or aerosolized propylene glycol for mixing with and decontaminating the contaminated air flow 62. It will be appreciated that as little as 0.5 mg. of propylene glycol per liter can almost completely sterilize an atmosphere containing hundreds of thousands of bacteria (such as Staphylococcus albus) per cubic foot. Moreover, this action occurs within a space of 15 seconds or less. Triethylene glycol, which is even less active than propylene glycol in vitro, is almost one hundred times more potent in the air. Scrubber 61 may also use microwave generator as an effective microbicide. Scrubber 61 may also include an activated carbon filter.

[0033] Also shown in FIG. 6 is visual/audio indicator 64. The visual/audio indicator 64 monitors air flow and air mover 42 operation. If the air flow through the troughs falls below an acceptable flow rate the visual/audio indicator 64 indicates the fault through a visual or audio signal. The visual/audio indicator 64 may also be Bluetooth enabled for inclusion in an internet wide maintenance program. Visual/audio indicator 64 may also include a micro total analysis system (often referred to as lab-on-a-chip) for detecting, recording, and reporting detected pathogens.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the invention shown in FIG. 1. showing the table trough 14A and base unit trough 12A.

[0035] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Thus, various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.