FIELD OF INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to improvements in air purification systems, and more particularly to air purification systems that are adapted to provide purified air into an ambient environment.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[002] Air pollution is one of the major problems of urban areas. It is essentially caused due to the introduction of particulates, biological molecules, or other harmful materials into the Earth's atmosphere, leading to detrimental effects on human health. In fact, indoor air pollution and urban air quality are listed as two of the world's worst toxic pollution problems in the 2008 Blacksmith Institute World's Worst Polluted Places.

[003] Air pollutants includesolid particles, liquid droplets or gases in an amount which is harmful for living organisms. Air pollutants can be of natural origin or man-made. Airpollutants are classified in two categories; primary pollutants are usually produced from a process, such as ash from a volcanic eruption, carbon monoxide gas from motor vehicle exhaust, or sulfur dioxide released from factories. Secondary pollutants form in the air when primary pollutants react or interact. Some pollutants may be both primary and secondary: they are both emitted directly and formed from other primary pollutants. [004] The in-car pollution is a silent and invisible problem. People tend to believe that inside the car air is free from pollutants and is not harmful, but most air-conditioning systems do virtually nothing to keep the harmful pollutants out.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[005] In an embodiment of the present invention, an air purifier is disclosed having an air inlet for drawing polluted air, an air outlet for dispelling purified air, at least one filter placed in between the air inlet and air outlet, the at least one filter contains activated carbon that purifies the polluted air and a cartridge for adding fragrance to the purified air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[006] The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements. Additional embodiments of the invention will become evident upon reviewing the non-limiting embodiments described in the specification in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

[007] FIG. 1 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the air purifier in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[008] The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention. In this regard, before proceeding with the detailed description, it is to be appreciated that the described exemplary embodiment is not limited to use in conjunction with a specific air purification system or method of use. Thus, although the description is explicitly directed towards an embodiment that is implemented in a specific air handling system, it should be appreciated that it can be implemented in many types of air handling systems, including those known now or hereafter in the art.

[009] The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention herein makes reference to the accompanying figures, which show the exemplary embodiment by way of illustration and its best mode. While the exemplary embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized, and that logical and/or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not by way of limitation.

[0010] The present invention discloses an air purifier and more particularly to an indoor air purifier which can be implanted easily in an ambient environment like a cabin, vehicle, room, etc. The air purifier of the present disclosure effectively removes volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, bacteria, allergens and simultaneously adds fragrance to the purified air resulting in fresh indoor air. [0011] Referring specifically to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates anelemental structure of an air purifier used to remove pollutants from indoor air. In an exemplary embodiment, the air purifier 100 includes a front cover 10, a filter 20, a back cover 30, a bottom cover 40, a cartridge50, a mounting means 60 and a back bottom cover 70.

[0012] Various covers 10, 30, 40 and 70 are made of plastic or polymer material without limitationacrylonitrile butadiene Styrene, Polycarbonate, Polypropylene and or other materials. One or more of these covers may be perforated or contain slots for exchange of air. Essentially, the front cover 10 acts as an outlet and allows purified air from the filter 100 to flow in an ambient environment.

[0013] The back cover 30 is placed in close contact with an air source to act as an inlet for the polluted air. For example, the back cover 30 may be placed in front of an AC vent.

[0014] The filter 20 may be an activated carbon filter with or without an antibacterial layer or an anti-allergic layer. For example, the filter 20 may be formed from one or more of an activated carbon filter foam, sheet granules, liquid, gel, cloth honeycomb, etc. In an embodiment, the activated carbon content is 60-100 %.In an embodiment, the activated carbon content is coconut shell activated carbon powder.

[0015] Additionally, the filter 20 may be a stack of filters selected from one or more of a HEPA filter, a pre-filter, etc.

[0016] In an embodiment the filter 20 can be treated with titanium oxide in order to provide anti allergen property to the filter 20.

[0017] A pre-filter captures large particles or particles that are stuck to it. It prevents debris from getting into the activated carbon filter, thereby providing additional strength to filtering. In other words, the pre-filter acts as a protective layer for the activated carbon filter 20 which are typically deployed for filtering pollutants of smaller sizes. A pre-filter can be vacuumed, washed, or replaced which helps to prolong the life span of filter 20. A pre-filter may be required to be replaced from time to time. A pre-filter may be a polyester filter, a PP based filter or any other type of particulate filter. In an embodiment a pre-filter can be used to prevent PMio particles from entering into filter 20, thereby increasing efficiency of filtration and reducing damage of the filter 20.

[0018] Additionally and optionally, a HEPA filter may be used with the activated carbon filter 20 to remove pollutants of size 0.3μπι that may not be filtered by the activated carbon filter 20. A known HEPA filter may be stacked with the activated carbon filter 20.

[0019] The cartridge 50 may be a container having fragrance mediumfor spreading fragrance inside the ambient environment. The cartridge 50 is placed at the bottom of the purifier 100. However, the cartridge 50 may be placed on top or at the sides of the purifier 100. Fragrance mediums may include, but are not limited to scented oil, liquid, an aqueous solution/emulsion, a solid matrix, gel or the like.

[0020] The mounting means 60 can be a clip, a hook, a tape or any other mechanism that can be used to fix the purifier 100 to a desired location. For example, means 60 is a clip to hold the purifier 100 on an AC grille.

[0021] The purifier functions as follows:

[0022] When air is drawn in via the back cover, due to the pressure of the air, the air is pushed through the activated carbon filter 20. This air that enters the purifier is polluted air. The air is forced to pass through the activated carbon filter 20 that purifies the polluted air. In case there are multiple filters stacked together, the polluted air passes through each in the order in which they are placed against one another. The purified air then passes through the fragrance cartridge due to which the purified air is fragranced. Thereafter, the perfumed air is expelled into a cabin, chamber, room, etc.

[0023] It should be noted that the present invention is a simple to use and energy efficient system as it does not require any external energy source for its operation.

[0024] In an embodiment, the present invention can be a electricity operated air purifier, with sensors, mobile integrated apps, digital panels, or even battery operated.

[0025] Accordingly, disclosed is an improved air purifier and method of use in which gaseous pollutants and/or particulates are brought to a cleaning source. While exemplary embodiments have been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. In addition, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to the problem have been described herein with regard to exemplary embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims or the invention. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described exemplary embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims.