FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] Embodiments of the present invention relates to an air purifier for purifying surrounding air and more particularly an air purifier which may function as both wet and dry air purifier, air scrubber, washer, disinfecting device, and a humidifier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Generally, an air purifier is an apparatus that eliminates contaminants by passing contaminated air through a purification medium and then discharges clean air. Two types of air purifying technologies are known- active & passive. Active air purifiers release negatively charged ions into the air, causing pollutants to stick to surfaces, while passive air purification units use air filters to remove pollutants.

[003] Conventional passive air purifiers use filters with non-woven fiber sheet which in itself is carcinogenic in nature and a health hazard in itself. [004] Some other conventional air purifiers have filters which use activated charcoal. Problem with those filters is that activated charcoal, even when used in small quantities, fills up the filter pores in few days of exposure. So, the performance of air purifier using activated charcoal will fall and the air purifier filters need to be cleaned frequently. Also, this requires maintenance cost such as filter replacement cost. [005] The other drawbacks in the existing air purifier are that it is unable to treat multiple types of pollutants present in the air. Thus, some of the pollutants may not be treated properly which leads to inefficient treatment of the pollutants in the air purifier. In addition, the purified air from the outlet of the air purifier may comprise the unwanted solution droplets or aerosolized particulate matter which results in uncleaned air.

[006] In view of these and other shortcomings, it is desirous to provide an air purifier with improved filters which are non-carcinogenic and are auto cleaned while running in wet mode. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[007] An objective of the present invention is to improve upon the conventional problems as described above and to purify the polluted surrounding air by an air purifier having improved non-carcinogenic filters made up of fine mesh filter fabric and porous separator pads; and whereby the air filters are auto cleaned while the air purifier is running in wet mode.

[008] Another object of the invention is to provide an air purifier which acts as an air scrubber, disinfecting and odor removal device, a humidifier, and purifies air while running in wet mode.

[009] The air purifier of the invention removes bacteria, fungi spores, virus, pollens, fine dust, allergens and other coarse as well as fine particles, by the process of absorption and adsorption by water/liquid, coupled with the action of ultra violet light. [010] The remaining very fine matter (positive ions) and some bacteria are attracted and trapped by the negative ions which are released into the space by the ionizer inside the air purifier of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [Oil] According to the present invention, the air purifier may comprise a plurality of chambers and at least one inlet at the first side of the air purifier. The air purifier may further comprise at least one air filter assembly in each of the plurality of chambers. The at least one air filter assembly may include a porous separator pad between a first fine mesh filter fabric and a second fine mesh filter fabric. The at least one air filter assembly comprises a non-carcinogenic property.

[012] In some example embodiments, the air purifier may further comprise a liquid tank in each of the plurality of chambers. The liquid tank may contain at least one of water/liquid, alkaline solution, or acidic solution. Each liquid tank may be connected to the at least one air filter assembly via at least one pump assembly and at least one liquid sprayer. The liquid tank supplies at least one of water/liquid, alkaline solution, or acidic solution to the at least one air filter assembly with a pump assembly.

[013] In some example embodiments, the air purifier may further comprise a second side that is opposite to the first side. The second side may comprise a fine mesh. The fine mesh is connected to the at least one outlet at the second end.

[014] It is believed that the air purifier & its method of use in accordance with the present invention at least gives a solution of the problem outlined above. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations of the present invention are possible and it is intended that the present invention may be used other than as specifically described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [015] The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, 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 drawings, wherein: [016] Figure 1 illustrates a micro-filter pad assembly, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[017] Figures 2(a) & 2(b) illustrate the water/liquid sprayer arrangement in the air purifier, pouring the water/liquid on the micro-filter pad assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [018] Figure 3 illustrates multistage filtration process assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[019] Figure 4 illustrates a simplified view of the air purifier in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[020] Figure 5 illustrates a simplified view of the air purifier having plurality of chambers to ensure multistage filtration process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[021] Before the present configuration of air purifier is described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular assembly or configuration or arrangement for achieving as described, since it may vary within the specification indicated. It is further to be understood that the terminology used in the description is only for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[022] The words, “comprising”, “having”, “including” & “containing” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. The word liquid is intended to include and mean water, water solution, or any other liquid solution, for example, acidic or alkaline solution etc. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary methods of innovation, which may be embodied in various forms.

[023] Referring to drawings, Figure 1 illustrates the air filter assembly (10) having layers of micro-filters (12, 14, 13) in water/liquid, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The air filter assemblies (10) are preferably formed by a layered arrangement of fine mesh filter fabric (12, 13) provided on both sides of a porous separator pad (14) and also covering the top of the porous separator pad (14). The micro-filter porous separator pad assembly (12,14,13) so formed, is non-carcinogenic by nature and easy to clean and/or replace, if required. The multistage filtration process of the contaminated air is initiated at the air filters, so formed by plurality of layers of micro-filters/micro-filter pad assembly.

[024] A plurality of layers of the micro-filters comprising of porous pad with fabric mesh, obstructs and stops the passage of air pollutants, one by one, inside the air purifier housing unit. The air pollutants such as bacteria, fungus spores, dust, pollens, mold spores are first filtered by the fine mesh layer (12) of woven/non- woven fabric, and then again by the fine mesh layer (13) of woven/non- woven fabric present on the other side of the porous separator pad (14), of the micro-filters. These pollutants get retained inside the micro-filters between the fine mesh layers (12, 13) of woven/non- woven fabric, provided on both sides of the porous layer of the separator pad (14) of the air filters.

[025] In an embodiment of the invention, the air filter assembly (10) may comprise the fine mesh layers (12 & 13) of woven/non- woven fabric. The woven/non- woven fabric retains the pollutant particles during the operation. These pollutant particles get passed into the liquid chamber with falling water/liquid and as and when the water/liquid is replaced from the chamber, these pollutants get removed from the air purifier. Therefore, filter pores of the air filter assembly (10) of the air purifier (40) do not get clogged as well as the air purifier gets auto cleaned while running in wet mode. [026] In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in figures 2(a)

& 2(b), the water/liquid is pumped through the pump assembly (41) and sprayed onto the air filter assembly (10) via liquid sprayers (21). Figure 2(b) further illustrates the flow of air through the micro-filter layers of the air filter assembly. Essentially, the liquid/water solution in the air purifier comprises of a mild quantity of germicidal solution / disinfectants and optionally the aromatic substances. The liquid/water serves a plurality of functions such as but not limited to removing the air contaminants, cleaning the air filters, humidifying the surrounding air and providing fragrance into the atmosphere, etc. Firstly, the air contaminants such as bacteria & fungi spores etc. present in the air are destroyed upon by the germicidal solution present in the liquid/water circulating inside the air purifier.

[027] Secondly, due to the action of the liquid/water on the air pollutants, the pollutant particles get swollen resulting in an increase in the particle size of such pollutants. As a result, even the particles which are otherwise small in size, thereby get trapped inside the air filter assembly layers (12,14,13) of the micro filters, after being humidified. Thirdly, some aromatic substance can be added in the liquid/water solution, by placing in a small packet. This provides fragrance to the surrounding atmosphere, as desired.

[028] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 3 is the multistage filtration process assembly, comprising of air filter assembly (10), UV light (30) source, air ionizer (32), and a fine mesh of fabric (34) or polymer or metallic based fine mesh (34). [029] In an embodiment of the present invention, virus microorganisms present in the air, some of which rely on a protective lipid coating and others which have a tough protein shell called a capsid are acted upon by the water/liquid during the process of washing the air with water/liquid in the Air Purifier. The flimsy shell of virus microorganisms can be bursted by using alcohol-based products which disintegrate the protective lipids, or by using quaternary ammonium disinfectants, commonly used in health-care and food-service industries, which attack protein and lipid structures, thwarting the pathogen’s typical mode of infection. Bleach and other potent oxidizers also break down a virus’s essential components.

[030] Viruses such as coronavirus, influenza-causing viruses, Ebola, Zika have their genetic material encased in a layer of fat called the lipid envelop. Soap molecules are pin-shaped with a head that is water-loving (hydrophilic) and a tail that is oil-loving (oleophilic). Being oleophilic, the tail portion of the molecule tends to have an affinity and ‘competes’ with the lipids in the virus envelope. Since the chemical bonds holding the virus together are not very strong, the long oleophilic tail gets inserted into the envelope and tends to have a ‘crowbar’ effect that breaks the lipid envelope of the virus. The tail also competes with the bond that binds the RNA and the lipid envelop thus dissolving the virus into its components which are then removed by water.

[031] Also, the ultraviolet light in the device is able to penetrate inside the nucleus of the virus and it acts upon the DNA/nucleic acid structure in the nucleus of these microorganisms and viruses. This changes the DNA structure of the virus and also inactivates them. [032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the biological pollutants such as bacteria and fungi spores which are trapped inside the micro-filters (12, 14, 13) and which are even present inside the housing of the air purifier, get acted upon by the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source (30) and are destroyed. [033] Some biological particles such as fungus spores have a tendency to get activated in humidified conditions. Even such biological particles including fungi spores, are acted upon by the ultra violet light and get damaged/destroyed.

[034] In another embodiment of the present invention, an air ionizer (32) is provided in the air purifier (40). The air ionizer produces negatively charged ions and creates a static charge around the airborne contaminants floating in the surrounding air. Once charged, these particles (dust, pet dander etc,) stick to the nearest surface they find, thereby purifying the air

[035] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a fine mesh (34) of fabric, of stainless steel or any other metallic, fabric, plastic or polymer-based mesh is provided in front of the air outlet (46) of the air purifier, to prevent any unwanted solution droplets or aerosolized particulate matter from escaping the body of the purifier, thus leading to the exit of clean air. The fine mesh also prevents rodents such as rats and also house lizards and other living organisms to enter the air purifier unit, while not in use or when in the idle state or otherwise.

[036] In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in figure 4, the air purifier, generally represented by numeral (40) comprises of a liquid tank (42) preferably having indicator means to show the level of liquid inside the tank (42) and air filter assembly/s (10) to filter the air entering the air purifier body. [037] In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 4, the air purifier (40) shows the housing with air inlet (44) at a first side (a) of the air purifier (40) to let the surrounding air enter the air purifier; air outlet (46) at a second side (c) opposite to the first side (a) of the air purifier (40), for providing fresh & purified air out to the surroundings; a liquid tank (42) at the bottom from where the water/liquid circulates inside the air purifier; a fan-motor assembly (48) to pull/push air; and a plurality of air filter assembly/ies (10) in the housing.

[038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid tank (42) at the bottom of the air purifier has a pump (41). The pump (41) lifts water/liquid from the tank (42) and drop the liquid/water onto the air filters (10) placed in the inside of the plurality of air inlets (44) of the air purifier.

[039] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, heating means (43) are provided inside the housing of the air purifier, to heat the water/liquid circulating inside the body of the air purifier. The heating means keep the circulating water/liquid warm and also warms up the air, which increases the utility of the device in winters, by providing clean and warm air to the surroundings.

[040] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, means (30) for providing ultra-violet light inside the housing is provided on the inner side of the air purifier (40). The ultra-violet light destroys the biological contaminants present in the air and water/liquid inside the air purifier, as described above.

[041] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, air ionizer (32) is provided in the air purifier (40), which cleans the surrounding air by forming negatively charged ions, as explained above.

[042] The air purifier body, further has an opening or hole to provide power connection to run the fan-motor assembly (48) and to run the pump (41) as well as the heating means (43), the means (30) for providing the ultra violet light and the air ionizer (32) i.e., to run the air purifier (40) as a whole. The air purifier (40) further comprises of the regulating means or knobs to regulate the operations such as fan speed on/off, ultraviolet light on/off, heating means on/off, pump on/off and ionizer on/off of the air purifier (40).

[043] In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 4, a fine mesh (34) of stainless steel or any other metallic, fabric, plastic or polymer-based mesh is provided in front of the air outlet (46) of the air purifier (40), to prevent any unwanted solution droplets or aerosolized particulate matter from escaping the body of the purifier, thus leading to the exit of clean air. The fine mesh also prevents rodents such as rats and also house lizards and other living organisms to enter the air purifier unit, while not in use or in the idle state or otherwise.

[044] In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in figure 5, the air purifier (40) comprises of chambers [(I), (II), (III)] separated from each other for the purpose of containing and separately running a plurality of solutions, into the associated filter assembly (10) through associated pump (41) and water/liquid sprayers (21). The plurality of solutions may include but not limited to, water, acidic solutions, or alkaline solutions. In some example embodiments, the plurality of solutions may comprise different chemical properties. Each solution is running separately in respective chamber of the plurality of chambers [(I), (II), (III). In some example embodiments, an alkaline solution may treat a first specific organic pollutant (for example Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the first chamber (I) of the plurality of chambers [(I, II, III)]. In an alternative embodiment, an acidic solution may treat a second specific non-organic pollutant (for example ammonia) in a second chamber (II) of the plurality of chambers [(I, II, III)]. Thus, the separation of the chambers [(I, II, III)] enables treating organic/inorganic pollutants in air with corresponding chemical solutions having different chemical properties.

[045] In some example embodiments, a pollutant may be passed through one or more chambers of the plurality of chambers (I, II, III). For example, in a factory environment the pollutants are filtered using mineral oil and the remaining mineral oil is neutralized or deactivated in the next chamber comprising a different solvent.

[046] These different solutions may be miscible or non-miscible and/or their chemical properties may change on mixing. Also, it may be possible that the residue of initial solution/s in air or water/liquid may require neutralization or washing with another solution, in order to remove any harmful effects of prior solution. Thus, plurality of chambers in the air purifier ensures multistage filtration of the air.

[047] Examples of such solutions that require separate chambers in a common air purifier device are, (a) solution of mineral oils to remove hydrocarbons from air and thereafter running a detergent based solution to remove any aerosol particles of mineral oil and bad odor associated with the mineral oil; (b) first running an acidic solution, then an alkaline solution and finally running the clean water; (c) running the solution of calcium hydroxide and then plain water; (d) solution of potassium permanganate and then clean water.

[048] When the outside air is drawn in the body of the air purifier through the air inlets, the air inside the housing passes through the micro-filters in the plurality of chambers of the air purifier. The multilayered micro-filters, in the plurality of chambers, comprising of porous layer with fabric mesh, obstructs and stops the passage of air pollutants, one by one, inside the air purifier housing unit. The air pollutants such as bacteria, fungus, spores, dust, pollens, mold spores, allergens etc. are filtered by the fine mesh of woven/non- woven fabric, then porous layer and then again by the fine mesh of woven/non- woven fabric of the micro-filters. These pollutants get retained inside the micro-filters between the fine mesh of woven/non- woven fabric, provided on both sides of the porous layer of the air filters.

[049] The air pollutants which may not otherwise get trapped inside the micro- filters due to their small size get acted upon by the liquid/water falling upon them from the water/liquid sprayers provided on the top of the air filters.

[050] The liquid in the liquid tank is water preferably containing 2-3 additives such as dilute detergent solution, disinfectant solution and/or germicidal solution and aromatic substances. [051] Particles of formaldehyde, volatile or gaseous compounds also get trapped in the micro-filters or alternatively, get settled inside the liquid chamber, in the same manner as explained above, after being humidified. [052] The air purifier in the present invention functions as both wet & dry air purifier. In the dry mode, the purifier works on the filtration technique coupled with the neutralization by ultraviolet light; and in the wet mode, due to the moisture, micro-filters behave like HEPA filters. The air purifier in wet mode acts as air scrubber and removes germs from air using germicidal solution removes harmful hydrocarbons from air using a detergent based solution and further freshens the room using fragrances concentrates added to the solution.

[053] The air purifier of the present invention removes the particulate matter from the air using series of filter screens and kills the germs using the ultraviolet light. The combination of filter screen, germicidal solution plus ultra violet light weakens & kills the germs and microbes.

[054] Another advantage of the air purifier is that the particles get trapped inside the air filters, which gives a good and sufficient time for the action of ultraviolet light to destroy such particles and viruses. [055] The poisonous and acidic gases in the air get adsorbed on to the wet filter assembly. These adsorbed gases are further neutralized/washed away from the filter assembly when the aqueous solution containing detergents/other chemicals intended to remove/adsorb the gases, are made to flow over and through the filter assembly. [056] The fine mesh (metallic, fabric or plastic - Polymer based mesh) on the front cover prevents any unwanted solution droplets, aerosolized particulate matter from escaping the body of the purifier thus leading to providing the clean air at the outlet. [057] The running of the water-based solution in the air humidifies the air. Thus, the air purifier also acts as a humidifier.

[058] The ultraviolet light in the Air purifier also destroys the germs & spores which get activated in the humidified atmosphere. [059] Another advantage of the air purifier is in the use of fine layer of the woven/non- woven fabric as micro-filters in contrast to the conventional air filters which use non-woven fibre sheet which in itself is carcinogenic in nature and a health hazard in itself.

[060] Another advantage of the air purifier is that the filter assembly of the air purifier gets auto cleaned while running in the wet mode. This is in contrast to the air filters which use activated charcoal, which even when used in small quantities, fills up the filter pores in few days of exposure. So, the performance of air purifier using activated charcoal will fall. Also, they need to be cleaned frequently.

[061] The air purifier acts as an air scrubber, washer, disinfecting device, ionizer and a humidifier.

[062] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the implementations and/or embodiments are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described.

[063] The examples described in detail here are only some possible embodiments of the invention among others and it could be subjected to many alterations and variants within the grasp of those skilled in the art. As such, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained therein.