STORAGE CONTAINER WTIH FILTRATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A storage container (100) comprising a housing (110) containing a storage chamber (112) isolated from an outside environment (10). The housing (110) defines a housing inlet (130) and a housing outlet (140). The storage container (100) is configured to clean air in the outside environment (10). The storage container (100) comprises a first filtration assembly (360) coupled to the housing (110) about the housing outlet (140). The first filtration assembly (360) has a first filtration inlet (364) configured to receive air from the storage chamber, a first filtration outlet (366) configured to release air into the outside environment (10), and first filter media (368) between the first filtration inlet (364) and the first filtration outlet (366).

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A storage container comprising: a housing containing a storage chamber isolated from an outside environment, the housing defining a housing inlet and a housing outlet; a first filtration assembly coupled to the housing about the housing outlet, wherein the first filtration assembly has a first filtration inlet configured to receive air from the storage chamber, a first filtration outlet configured to release air into the outside environment, and first filter media between the first filtration inlet and the first filtration outlet, wherein the storage container is configured to clean the air in the outside environment; a second filtration assembly coupled to the housing about the housing inlet, wherein the second filtration assembly has a second filtration inlet configured to receive air from the outside environment, a second filtration outlet configured to release air into the storage chamber, and second filter media between the second filtration inlet and the second filtration outlet; a first air monitoring system in gaseous communication with the storage chamber; and a second air monitoring system configured to receive and monitor air from the second filtration inlet.

17. The storage container of claim 16, further comprising a clothes cleaning system in the storage chamber, the clothes cleaning system configured to execute cleaning functions within the storage chamber.

18. The storage container of claim 17, wherein the clothes cleaning system comprises a clothes hanging structure configured to receive hanging clothing; and a vibration generator mechanically coupled to the clothes hanging structure.

19. The storage container of claim 17, wherein the clothes cleaning system comprises a dehumidifier having a dehumidifier inlet configured to receive air from the storage chamber.

20. The storage container of claim 19, further comprising a liquid conduit fluidly coupling the dehumidifier and the first filtration assembly, and wherein the first filtration assembly comprises an air washer.

21. The storage container of claim 17, wherein the clothes cleaning system comprises an antimicrobial unit disposed in the storage container.

22. The storage container of claim 21, wherein the antimicrobial unit comprises an electrostatic precipitator disposed in the storage container.

23. The storage container of claim 17, wherein the clothes cleaning system comprises an airflow conduit extending through a length of the storage chamber, wherein the airflow conduit has a conduit inlet configured to receive air from the second filtration outlet and the airflow conduit has a plurality of openings that cumulatively define a conduit outlet along the length of the storage chamber.

24. The storage container of claim 16, wherein the second filtration assembly comprises an electrostatic precipitator.

25. The storage container of claim 16, further comprising an ozone sensor disposed in the storage chamber.

26. The storage container of claim 25, wherein the ozone sensor is in operative communication with the first filtration assembly and is configured to disable operation of the first filtration assembly upon sensing a minimum level of ozone.

27. The storage container of claim 16, wherein the first air monitoring system is configured to identify gaseous constituents in the storage chamber.

28. The storage container of claim 16, further comprising a first filtration assembly communication module coupled to the storage container, wherein the first filtration assembly communication module is in data communication with the first air monitoring system and the first filtration assembly communication module comprises a wireless communication component configured to communicate with a user device.

Description

[0125] Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

[0126] FIG. 1 shows is an example storage container consistent with the invention.

[0127] FIG. 2 shows is another example storage container consistent with the invention.

[0128] FIG. 1 depicts one example storage container 100 consistent with the present application that is configured to filter the air in the outside environment 10, such as a room, within which the storage container 100 is situated. The storage container 100 has a housing 110 and a storage chamber 112 isolated from an outside environment 10. The storage container 100 has a housing inlet 130 and a housing outlet 140. Air from the outside environment 10 may pass into the storage chamber 112 through the housing inlet 130. Air from the storage chamber 112 may pass into the outside environment 10 through the housing outlet 140. The storage container is configured to clean the air in the outside environment and clean items stored in the storage chamber 112. The storage container has a first filtration assembly 360 coupled to the housing 110 about the housing outlet 140.

[0129] The first filtration assembly 360 is configured to filter air from the storage chamber 112 and release the filtered air into the outside environment 10. In particular, the first filtration assembly 360 has a first filtration inlet 364 that is configured to receive air from the storage chamber 112. The first filtration assembly 360 has a first filtration outlet 366 that is configured to release air into the outside environment 10. The first filtration assembly 360 has first filter media 368 between the first filtration inlet 364 and the first filtration outlet 366. As such, air from the storage chamber 112 passes through the first filter media 368 before passing through the first filtration outlet 366. The first filtration assembly 360 of the storage container 100 is configured to purify the air in the storage container 100 and then release that air to the outside environment 10.

[0130] The first filtration assembly 360 may have a variety of different configurations and components as has been discussed in detail above. The first filter media 368 may be a liquid such as water or a water solution. In some embodiments, the first filtration assembly 360 has first filter media 368 that is a textile. The textile can be, for example, a woven cotton fabric. The first filtration assembly 360 may also incorporate components that are configured to purify the air such as, for example, a UV light source 362.

[0131] The storage container 100 has a second filtration assembly 230 coupled to the housing 110 about the housing inlet 130. The second filtration assembly 230 has a second filtration inlet 210, a second filtration outlet 250, and second filter media 231 between the second filtration inlet 210 and the second filtration outlet 250. The second filtration inlet 210 is configured to receive air from the outside environment 10. The second filtration outlet 250 is configured to release air into the storage chamber 112. A fan 232 transmits the air from the second filtration inlet 210 to the second filtration outlet 250. As such, air from the outside environment 10 passes through the second filter media 231 before passing through the second filtration outlet 250.

[0132] The second filtration assembly 230 may have a variety of different configurations and components, as has been discussed above. Here, the second filtration assembly 230 incorporates second filter media 231. The second filter media 231 may include a carbon filter media or HEPA (high efficiency particle air) filter media, in some examples. The second filtration assembly 230 may also incorporate other components that are configured to purify the air such as, for example, a UV light source or an electrostatic precipitator 233. The air purification of the second filtration assembly 230 advantageously exposes the storage chamber 112 and the items within the storage chamber 112 to relatively clean air compared to the air from the outside environment 10.

[0133] The storage container 100 may have a variety of different configurations. The storage container 100 has a storage chamber 112 and in examples such as FIG. 1, the storage chamber 112 has multiple storage sections 111, 113, 114, 115. In some embodiments, one or more storage sections, such as a first storage section 111 and second storage section 113, may define shelving to receive items. One or more storage sections, such as a third storage section 114, may be used for storing hanging clothes. In some embodiments, a fourth storage section 115 may include one or more drawers configured to contain stored items. Other combinations of storage sections are certainly contemplated.

[0134] The storage container 100 has a clothes hanging structure 310 to receive hanging clothing. In examples, the clothes hanging structure 310 is a hanging rod extending across at least a portion of the storage chamber 112. Particular to this example, the hanging rod 310 extends across the third storage section 114 from the housing 110 to a divider wall 116. The divider wall 116 separates a first storage section 111 from the third storage section 114. The hanging rod 310 is configured to receive hangers of clothing. In some other embodiments the clothes hanging structure may be one or more hooks configured to receive handing clothing. The hooks may, for example, be coupled to the storage container 100 within the storage chamber 112. The hooks may be coupled to the housing 110.

[0135] The storage container 100 has a user access point from which to access the contents of the storage chamber 112. In various embodiments the user access point is a container door 120 coupled to the storage container 100. The container door 120 may be slidable, pivotable, or extendable across the storage chamber 112 to selectively isolate the storage chamber 112 from the outside environment 10. When in a closed position, the container door 120 generally restricts air circulation between the storage chamber 112 and the outside environment 10.

[0136] The storage container 100 may generally be configured to clean items stored in the storage chamber 112. This may be accomplished through a variety of approaches. The storage container 100 may have a clothes cleaning system within the storage chamber 112 that is configured to execute cleaning functions in the storage chamber 112. The clothes cleaning system may have a variety of different components and combinations of components. Example components of clothes cleaning systems will now be described.

[0137] In some embodiments consistent with the current example, the clothes cleaning system may include a vibration generator 354. The vibration generator 354 may be mechanically coupled to the clothes hanging structure 310. In some embodiments the vibration generator 354 is configured to generate vibrations and transmit the vibrations to the clothes hanging structure 310. In some embodiments the vibration generator 354 is configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations. The vibrations are transmitted to the clothes hanging structure 310, which results in vibration of the clothes hanging on the clothes hanging structure 310. The vibration of the clothes may result in advantageously shaking debris from the clothing. The storage container 100 has a debris collector 355 is positioned to receive shaken debris from the clothing on the clothes hanging structure 310. In particular, the debris collector 355 is positioned vertically below the clothes hanging structure 310 such that gravity transports the shaken debris from the clothing to the debris collector 355.

[0138] In some embodiments, the clothes cleaning system has an airflow conduit 350 that is configured to transmit purified air to a section of the storage chamber 112. The airflow conduit 350 extends through a length of the storage chamber 112. The airflow conduit 350 has a conduit inlet 320 configured to receive air from the second filtration outlet 250. The airflow conduit 350 has a conduit outlet 351 that is cumulatively defined by a plurality of openings along the length of the storage chamber 112. In the current example, the plurality of openings defining the conduit outlet 351 extend along a substantial portion of the length of the third storage section 114, where the length is substantially perpendicular to the hanging rod 310. The hanging rod 310 extends across the width of the third storage section 114.

[0139] In various embodiments, the conduit outlet 351 is selectively openable. The conduit outlet may advantageously allow for selective ventilation of the relevant section 114 of the storage chamber 112. In some embodiments the conduit outlet 351 may be operated by a user, such as with a smartphone, and in some embodiments the conduit outlet 351 may be selectively opened and closed autonomously by the system, which will be described below. In some embodiments pulsed air may be released through the plurality of openings defining the conduit outlet 351, which may advantageously shake debris from items adjacent the conduit outlet 351.

[0140] In examples, the airflow conduit 350 extends between the second filtration assembly 230 and the housing outlet 140. In particular, the airflow conduit 350 extends from the dividing wall 116 adjacent to the housing outlet 140 or, more particularly, adjacent to the first filtration assembly 360. The airflow conduit 350 defines a secondary outlet 322 adjacent to the first filtration assembly 360. As such, when the conduit outlet 351 is closed, air enters the airflow conduit 350 through the conduit inlet 320 and exits the airflow conduit 350 through the secondary outlet 322, at which point the air exiting the airflow conduit 350 may extend through the first filtration assembly 360 to outside environment 10 of the storage container 100. In some embodiments the secondary outlet 322 may be omitted.

[0141] In various embodiments, the clothes cleaning system includes an antimicrobial unit disposed in the storage container 100. The antimicrobial unit may be a variety of components and combinations of components. The antimicrobial unit is generally configured to neutralize or limit the growth of microbes within the storage chamber.

[0142] In some embodiments, the antimicrobial unit includes a dehumidifier 352. The dehumidifier 352 may be coupled to the storage container 100. The dehumidifier 352 has a dehumidifier inlet 356 that is configured to receive air from the storage chamber 112, remove moisture from the air, and then return the air to the storage chamber 112. In various embodiments the dehumidifier 352 removes moisture from the air by directing the air over a refrigerated evaporator with a fan. In this example, the dehumidifier 352 is configured to dehumidify air in multiple sections within the storage chamber 112 including the first storage section 111 and the third storage section 114. As such, in the current example, the dehumidifier 352 has multiple dehumidifier inlets 356, one in the first storage section 111 and another in the third storage section 114. In some embodiments the dehumidifier may dehumidify a single section within a storage chamber 112. Advantageously, the dehumidifier 352 may reduce moisture and humidity in the storage chamber 112 to slow or cease microbial growth.

[0143] The water that is collected from the air by the dehumidifier may be contained by the dehumidifier itself, drained to a container within the storage chamber, or drained to a location outside of the storage container 100. In the latter example, the storage container would have a drain through which the collected water may be drained. An alternate example will also be described below with reference to FIG. 2, where the water collected by the dehumidifier is recycled by the storage container for filtration operations.

[0144] In various embodiments, the antimicrobial unit may include an ultraviolet (UV) light source 353 disposed in the storage container 100. The UV light source 353 is configured to expose the storage chamber 112 to UV light. The UV light may advantageously disinfect items such as clothes in the storage chamber 112. The UV light may advantageously neutralize or limit the growth of microbes by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of the microorganisms.

[0145] In embodiments, the antimicrobial unit may include an electrostatic precipitator disposed in the storage container 100, such as the electrostatic precipitator 233 discussed above with reference to the second filtration assembly 230. In some embodiments the electrostatic precipitator 233 may be separate from the second filtration assembly 230. In a variety of embodiments, an electrostatic precipitator 233 generates ozone through the course of use, and such ozone may be used by the storage container to neutralize or limit the growth of microbes. The ozone may also further clean items stored in the storage container 100 such as by eliminating odors. In various embodiments the system is configured to allow the ozone to decompose before releasing the air inside the storage chamber 112 to the outside environment 10 via the first filtration assembly 360.

[0146] The storage container 100 may incorporate a variety of features to enable autonomous operation, remote operation, or both autonomous operation and remote operation. For example, the storage container 100 may have a first air monitoring system 330 in gaseous communication with the storage chamber 112. The first air monitoring system 330 may have a number of different sensors and components to help monitor air quality inside the storage chamber 112. In some embodiments, the first air monitoring system 330 is configured to identify gaseous constituents in the storage chamber 112.

[0147] In some embodiments, the first air monitoring system 330 is in operative communication with the clothes cleaning system and is configured to execute cleaning functions of the clothes cleaning system in accordance with the gaseous constituents identified by the first air monitoring system 330. In this context the first air monitoring system 330 may define patterns of identified pollutants to assign them to a specific cleaning action. In particular, the first air monitoring system may be configured to specify the clothes cleaning operations that the clothes cleaning system will undertake. Components of the clothes cleaning system may then be activated by the first air monitoring system 330 to clean the clothes adequately. For example, the conduit outlet 351 of the airflow conduit 350 may be opened upon identification by the first air monitoring system that ventilation is required.

[0148] The storage container 100 may incorporate a first filtration assembly communication module 340 coupled to the storage container 100. The first filtration assembly communication module 340 is in data communication with the first air monitoring system 330. The first filtration assembly communication module 340 has a wireless communication component configured to communicate with a user device such as a laptop or smartphone. The first filtration assembly communication module 340 may send data such as the operational status of the first filtration assembly or the air quality status as measured by the first air monitoring system 330.

[0149] The first air monitoring system has an ozone sensor 361 to detect the level of ozone within the storage chamber 112. The ozone sensor 361 is generally disposed in the storage chamber 112. In a number of embodiments, the ozone sensor 361 is in operative communication with the first filtration assembly 360 and is configured to disable operation of the first filtration assembly 360 upon sensing a minimum level of ozone. The ozone sensor 361 may be configured to enable operation of the first filtration assembly 360 upon sensing a maximum level of ozone in the storage chamber 112. In particular, the ozone sensor 361 may be in data communication with a controller that disables the first filtration assembly 360 upon the ozone sensor sensing a minimum level of ozone. The controller may be configured to enable operation of the first filtration assembly 360 upon the ozone sensor sensing a maximum level of ozone within the storage chamber 112.

[0150] The second filtration assembly 230 of the storage container 100 may incorporate a second air monitoring system 220 configured to receive and monitor air from the second filtration inlet 210. The second air monitoring system 220 may sense the air quality of the air entering the second filtration assembly 230 from the outside environment 10 and, based on the sensed quality, selectively operate components of the second filtration assembly 230.

[0151] The storage container 100 has a second filtration assembly communication module 240 that is coupled to the storage container 100. The second filtration assembly communication module 240 is configured to be in data communication with the second air monitoring system 220. The second filtration assembly communication module 240 has a wireless communication component configured to communicate with a user device. The second filtration assembly communication module 240 may inform a user of air quality data received from the second air monitoring system 220. The second filtration assembly communication module 240 may inform a user of the status of the clothes cleaning system. For example, in some embodiments the second filtration assembly communication module 240 sends data to a user device indicating that the items in the storage container, such as clothing, is considered to be clean.

[0152] FIG. 2 depicts another example storage container 400 where the water extracted from the storage container air by the dehumidifier 352 is used by the storage container 400 for filtration operations. Such a configuration may advantageously conserve water. Furthermore, having a water source within the storage container 400 may result in a less complex construction of a storage container compared to a configuration where the water source (such as a home plumbing system) is outside the storage container and must be routed into the storage container.

[0153] As discussed above, in such an embodiment the filtration operations may be associated with an air washer. In the current example, the first filtration assembly 360 may have an air washer and a liquid conduit 358 may fluidly couple the dehumidifier 352 to the air washer. The storage container 400 is similar to the storage container 100 discussed above with reference to FIG. 1.

[0154] For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified by the term “precisely” or “about”. In the context of “about”, a number A is generally understood as A±5 percent or less of A. For example, a number A may be A±3 percent or less of A, such as A±2 percent or less of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.