This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/479,870 filed April 28, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clean air structure, in general and, in particular, to a structure in which a clean air environment can be provided and maintained.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are known in the art modular structures that can be assembled to form rooms which are isolated relative to the outside environment and used in a wide variety of applications. These applications include facilitating medical treatments (such as emergency surgical operations that normally require sterile hospital environments), use in outdoor environments (such as at the site of car accidents, occupational injuries, and the like), and other situations (such as natural disasters or war-time calamities).

Such modular structures are typically formed of an extensible metal structure, of the type that is capable of being extended like a concertina, covered with a plastic or similar outer cladding, and include hinges or hermetically closing access doors at the end portions of that structure. Other conventional, known modular structures may be comprised of metal tubes, adapted to be coupled with each other by joints of various kinds, and plastic sheets or films attached to those tubes.

These conventional modular structures can be complex, difficult to assemble, and may be limited by specific space requirements. In addition, they must also be connected to appropriate air filtering and/or sterilization facilities in order to create a sterile and isolated environment under plenum conditions, i.e. when the air in the structure is at a pressure greater than that of the outside atmosphere. In order to do this, bulky machinery must be used. This machinery can take up a lot of space and may also need considerable power ratings and high operating costs to ensure effective operation. In addition, these facilities typically introduce air into the structure from a single inlet pipe, which makes it difficult to provide a homogeneous sterile or clean environment.

Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a cost-effective and efficient structure for creating and maintaining an internal clean air environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cost-effective structure for providing an internal environment of substantially homogeneous clean air, which allows for the introduction and distribution of filtered, pressurized air through a plurality of inlets formed in the structure. According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the pressurized air is also used to help erect and support the structure.

According to the present invention, there is provided a structure for maintaining an internal environment of clean air, the structure including at least one hollow support member; at least one wall and a ceiling coupled to the hollow support member forming a structure; a source of pressurized air coupled to the support member for continually introducing pressurized air into the hollow support member; at least one air inlet unit mounted in the support member for allowing flow of pressurized air from the support member into an interior of the structure to create a plenum in the structure; and at least one air outlet for allowing air flow out of the interior of the structure.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the air inlet unit further includes at least one filter mounted on or integrally formed with the at least one air inlet unit.

According to one embodiment, the at least one support member is an inflatable support member.

According to another embodiment, the structure further includes at least one additional support member disposed adjacent the hollow support member for supporting the structure in the absence of pressurized air circulation.

There is also provided, according to the invention, a method for providing a clean air environment, the method including coupling at least one wall and a ceiling to at least one hollow support member to form a structure, the support member having at least one air inlet unit therein; introducing pressurized air into the support member from a source of pressurized air; introducing the pressurized air from the support member into the structure through an air inlet unit to create a plenum in the structure; and providing at least one air outlet for releasing air from the structure.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method further includes filtering the pressurized air to create a plenum of clean air in the structure.

According to another embodiment, the step of introducing pressurized air into the support member includes inflating a plurality of inflatable support elements affixed to one or more plastic walls to form the structure.

According to a further embodiment, the method further includes coupling to each other at least two such structures to form a multi-unit structure.

According to another embodiment, the method further includes disposing at least one additional support member adjacent the at least one hollow support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a clean air structure, constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, as erected;

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the clean air structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view of the inside of the clean air structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the ceiling of the clean air structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of the ceiling of a clean air structure constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a view of the clean air structure of Fig. 1 during inflation; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a multi-unit structure according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a structure for both indoor and/or outdoor use including a plurality of support members and a plurality of air inlet units mounted in the support members and distributed throughout the structure, for providing a substantially homogeneous clean air environment inside the space defined by the structure. The structure further includes at least one air outlet for permitting outflow of air, preferably at a controlled rate, from the space defined by the structure. In this way, the pressurized air is introduced into the structure, and internal air is removed from the structure, at controlled rates to create a plenum condition inside the structure and provide constant circulation of filtered, pressurized air through the structure.

This clean air environment is created by introducing pressurized air from a source of pressurized air into the support members and from the support members through filters in the air inlet units to introduce filtered, pressurized air into the space delimited by the side walls, ceiling and floor of the structure. Alternatively, the source of pressurized air may include a filtering mechanism so that the pressurized air may be filtered in advance and introduced through air inlets having no filters. The air inlet units may be distributed and located on the support members in any suitable area of the structure, but are preferably located in the ceiling and/or the peripheral side walls of the structure. Preferably, the structure is collapsible or can be disassembled and preferably is portable, although this is not required.

Additionally, according to preferred embodiments, the walls, ceiling and floor are sealingly affixed to the support members, preferably releasably affixed, in order to help maintain the sterile clean air environment inside the structure. Alternatively, the walls, ceiling and floor can be integrally formed with the support members.

According to a preferred embodiment, the air inlet units are located on hollow support members which support the structure and act as conduits through which pressurized air may be passed to the air inlet units and into the structure from a source of pressurized air. According to some embodiments, the hollow support members include sealable apertures for coupling the air inlet units to the hollow support members. According to an alternative embodiment, the air inlet units may be integrally formed with the hollow support members.

The hollow support members may be rigid hollow support members or flexible hollow support members, acting as ribs extending around the structure and supporting the ceiling and walls of the structure. In addition, according to a certain preferred embodiment, these hollow support members are inflatable hollow support members forming a support network.

At least one source of pressurized air, which may be any known source of pressurized air (such as a compressor or other type of pump) and is preferably portable, is used to inflate the support network by introducing pressurized air into the hollow support members while the apertures or air inlet units are blocked, thereby providing support to the structure. Once the structure is standing, the various closure members can be opened and filtered air inlet units may be affixed in the apertures, permitting filtered, pressurized air to fill the structure.

According to the invention, the source of pressurized air used to inflate the hollow support members is the same source of pressurized air used for introducing air through the air inlet units and into the interior of the structure to create a plenum condition. Meaning, the source of pressurized air serves first to at least partially erect the structure so that it stands in a stable fashion, and then to provide and maintain the clean air environment inside the structure by constantly providing filtered, pressurized air to the inside of the structure which urges any air with particles towards the air outlet. Alternatively, the support members and the structure can be inflated simultaneously by the inlet air, although this will erect the structure more slowly. Optional sensors, or other indicator means, may be used to detect if the desired level of air cleanliness has been reached inside the structure (e.g. when the treatment of a patient can begin).

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a clean air structure 10, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, structure 10 includes an inflatable support member network made up of inflatable hollow support members 12 which are coupled to one another for air flow communication. One or more plastic walls 14 and a plastic floor 16 are affixed to hollow support members 12. If desired, base plates 13 may be provided, for example, to stabilize the bottoms of the hollow support members. In this embodiment, the plastic walls 14 also define a ceiling 18. If desired, a door or window 15 may be provided, as by means of an openable and resealable portion of one or more walls 14.

Fig. 1 shows the clean air structure 10 after the hollow support members 12 have been inflated and the structure 10 is standing fully upright. At least one air outlet, such as outlet aperture 19, is also provided around the periphery of structure 10 to permit the outflow of tainted air from inside structure 10 to the environment outside. These outlet apertures 19 may be integrally formed in the body of the structure 10 and, preferably, can be opened or closed as required to control the rate of outflow, or synchronized with a source 20 of pressurized air, e.g. an inlet pump, to maintain the desired flow rate of air into and out of the structure 10. If desired, the outlet apertures 19 may also be provided with filters (not shown) to entrap contaminants and prevent contamination of the environment outside the structure 10. In addition to or in place of outlet apertures 19, the air outlet may consist of one or more spaces that exist between the different parts of the structure, e.g., at the joints or other connection areas of the walls to the floor, when the different parts of the structure are not hermetically sealed together. In this case, the air outflow will not be precisely controlled, but sufficient air will flow out to remove unwanted particles and maintain the desired circulation rate.

Small perforations (not shown) may be made in the plastic walls 14, to allow electric wiring and cables (e.g. for light fixtures or other machinery), rigid or flexible pipes (e.g. for the conveyance of necessary liquids and/or gases) to be inserted therethrough (e.g. for power-supply or medium-supply purposes; i.e. to mains, transportable equipment or systems such as photovoltaic cells, or other sources of power or medium). Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view and Fig. 3 is an inside view of the clean air structure 10. As can be seen, a source 20 of pressurized air, such as a pump or compressor, introduces pressurized air through a channel 22 into one portion of the inflatable support member network. This air serves to inflate the support members 12 which, in turn, erect the structure. Then, the inlet air passes into the structure to urge the structure to its completely erected orientation. In other words, the source 20 of pressurized air that erects the structure is the same source of pressurized air used to introduce pressurized air through a plurality of air inlet units provided in support members 12 to create a plenum condition in structure 10.

According to this embodiment, the support members 12 define a plurality of apertures (not shown) for receipt of the inlet units 24. These apertures may include means (not shown), such as screw threads, for coupling the apertures to complementary means (not shown) on the inlet units 24 (such as complementary screw threads). The inlet units 24 may be mounted in the support members 12 either before or after the structure 10 is inflated. During the inflation and erection of the structure the apertures and/or the air inlet units 24 can be blocked by removable closure members (not shown).

It will be appreciated that according to other embodiments, the inlet units 24 may be integrally formed with the support members 12.

As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of air inlet units, such as inlet units 24, are provided in support members 12. Inlet units 24 permit air to flow from inside the hollow support members 12 and into the environment within structure 10. Preferably, each inlet unit 24 includes at least one filter 25 (best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, detail views of the ceiling), such as a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, to provide filtered, pressurized air into structure 10. This filter preferably includes a housing that can be integrally formed with or attached to inlet unit 24. The source 20 of pressurized air helps provide filtered, pressurized air through inlet units 24 to create a positive pressure which urges the air with particles out of structure 10, thereby providing a clean air environment inside structure 10. Preferably, the filter can be removed from the housing and replaced, as required. It will be appreciated that a plurality of potential apertures can be formed in the support members, but air inlet units need not be mounted in all of them at once or at all. These potential apertures can be formed as one-way valves preventing the introduction of pressurized air from the support members into the structure until an air inlet unit is mounted therein. Alternatively, apertures can be formed which are sealed, as by removable plugs (not shown). Filters and/or air inlet units can be introduced into selected ones of these potential apertures before or after inflation, as required during use. Preferably, closure members are also provided for selectively closing or adjusting filters that are already in place in the support members.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of a portion of the ceiling 18 of the clean air structure

10. This view provides a more detailed view of the inlet units 24 which are mounted in support members 12. Inlet units 24 are disposed in a dispersed arrangement on the support beams 12 so that the inlet units 24 introduce filtered, pressurized air into the structure 10 from different locations throughout the structure 10, thereby creating a substantially homogeneous clean air room.

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of the ceiling 18 of the clean air structure 10 showing one example of distribution of the inlet units 24 along hollow support members 12 to provide the necessary distribution of filtered air into structure 10.

Preferably, the flow rate through the inlet units 24 is controllable. By adjusting the rate of inflow of air into the structure 10 and the rate of outflow through the outlet apertures 19, the positive pressure inside the structure and the number of times the air inside the structure 10 is exchanged or replaced per unit of time can be set, so as to meet the requirements of various clean air environment standards. In other words, the interaction of the source 20 (e.g. compressor), number, size and rate of inlet units 24 and number and size or rate of outlet apertures 19 determines the exchange rate of clean air through the structure 10. According to preferred embodiments of the invention, replacement of all the air in the structure 10 occurs at least 30 times per hour, as required by the standards, or even up to 70 times per hour.

It will be appreciated that the use of a plurality of filtered inlet units 24 distributed throughout the structure permits the creation of a substantially homogeneous level of cleanliness in the clean air environment, having substantially the same quantity of particles per unit area throughout the structure 10, as required by the various ISO and other clean environment standards.

The structure having inflatable support members can be seen at an early stage of inflation in Fig. 6. First, pressurized air is introduced from source 20 into the hollow support members 12. Fig. 6 shows the structure 10 during the initial stages of inflation, wherein the pressurized air introduced into the hollow support members 12 is strong enough to partially inflate them but not enough to hold them fully upright and erect. The structure 10 then continues through the middle stages of inflation wherein the hollow support members 12 are more fully inflated and are partially able to support the structure's ceiling 18. Finally, Fig. 1 shows the totally inflated structure, wherein enough pressurized air has been introduced into the supports so that they are able to stand fully upright and support the ceiling 18 and the walls 14 of the structure 10.

While the structure has been illustrated herein with inflatable support members permitting collapse and folding of the support members together with the structure for transportation and storage, it will be appreciated that, alternatively, the support members may be substantially rigid hollow support members having air inlet units mounted therein, which serve to introduce the air into the interior of the structure to erect the structure about its support members but are not, themselves, erected by the pressurized air. In such cases, additional support members may not be required.

Similarly, while a single source of pressurized air has been illustrated, it will be appreciated that any one of the embodiments descried above can have more than one source of pressurized air leading into various support members.

Access into the structure 10 is gained, for example, through one or more sealable openings 15 (best seen in Fig. 1), such as a door, that may be formed of the same material as walls 14. Openings 15 are provided with a quick-closure sealing element 17 along the open edges of the opening 15 and along the opposite peripheral edge of the wall 14, so as to allow the sealable opening 40 to be opened and closed for moving in and out people and items such as: a bed, a stretcher (or any other similar appliance for carrying a patient to be treated), surgical instruments, medical equipment, medicine , tables, trays (or other supports for instruments, equipment and medicines to rest thereupon), as well as medical staff as required. These sealable openings 15 may be sealed all along the sides thereof to the plastic walls 14, using appropriate sealing materials or elements 17, such as, for instance, a Velcro ^® fastening. Similarly, in embodiments where the walls, ceiling and/or floor are not permanently affixed to the support members, the walls 14, ceiling 18 and possibly the floor may be removably connected to the support structure, as by hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro ^® fasteners. This permits change of the dimensions of the various parts of the structure. According to an alternative embodiment, sealing element 17 provides sealable opening 15 with a hermetic seal.

Preferably, structure 10 is sized so as to be capable of accommodating at least a bed for a patient to be treated and one or more doctors or medical staff. It will be appreciated that, according to this embodiment, structure 10 can be transported in a collapsed and folded manner, and erected on the spot where needed.

The portable, erectable and collapsible embodiments of the structure of the present invention allow one to quickly and conveniently create a confined clean space of a selected size in order to carry out medical or similar treatments of various kinds in a sanitary environment. When using this embodiment where the hollow supports are inflatable, it will be appreciated that the erected structure may not be in continual use, and it would be preferable to save air and electricity by turning off the source of pressurized air when the structure is not in use. Accordingly, as shown schematically in Fig. 3, the structure 10 may be provided with one or more optional additional supports 11 to assist the hollow supports 12 in maintaining the stability of the structure in an erect position, particularly in the absence of pressurized air flow through the hollow supports when they are inflatable. These additional supports 11 may be erected independently of the inflatable support members and put in place after inflation of the structure. These additional supports are, preferably, removably attached to the hollow supports and may be in the form of arches or hoops made of a stable, substantially rigid material, such as aluminium or plastic rods coupled to one another. Preferably, these additional supports sit in tight engagement with the walls or inflatable hollow supports that they are supporting, in order to reinforce the standing structure, especially when the source of pressurized air has been turned off for whatever reason, such as a lack of electricity due to a power outage.

It will be appreciated that, according to certain embodiments, the structure may contain a plurality of rooms delineated by walls or other known means and having openable and re-sealable openings for passage of people and equipment. Alternatively or in addition, two or more structures 10, 10' described above, each having its own pressurized air source 20, 20', may be combined end to end to form a larger, elongated structure, as illustrated in Fig. 7. This elongate structure may include open passages between the individual structures or may include walls having sealable openings, i.e., serving as doors, therebetween.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the walls, ceiling and floor of the structure are removably affixed to each other and to the hollow support members by means of hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro ^® seals. When combining two such structures 10, 10', the front wall of one and the rear wall of the second are removed from their corresponding hollow support members 12, 12', by opening the hook and loop fasteners, and an annular wall 21 is coupled between the exterior of the respective front and rear hollow support members 12, 12' of each structure, also by means of hook and loop fasteners, In this way, multiple structures may be formed by linking modular structures together. If desired, a partition, with or without a sealable aperture, may be provided between the individual modular structures to maintain separation between portions of the elongate structure.

It will be appreciated that the air being blown into the structure may be heated or cooled before delivery to the structure, using air conditioning systems, as generally known as such in the art, particularly when the structure is being employed in cold or hot weather conditions. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 2, an optional climate control unit may be coupled directly to a wall of the structure according to any of the previously described embodiments for flow communication with the interior of the structure. By way of example only, as illustrated in Fig. 2, a climate control unit 30, such as an air conditioner, is attached to a wall 14" for flow communication directly to the interior of the structure. In particular, one or more inlet apertures 32 and an outlet aperture 34 formed in a wall 14' of the structure permit pressurized air to be removed from the interior of the structure, have its temperature and/or humidity and/or other climatic characteristics adjusted in the climate control system 30, and then be returned into the interior of the structure. It will be appreciated that there may alternatively be provided one or more outlet apertures and a single inlet aperture. If desired, the conditioned air may be returned to the interior of the structure through another (optional) filter 38, to maintain the clean environment inside. Circulating and adjusting the climatic characteristics of the pressurized air in this manner helps assure that the air in the interior of the structure will quickly reach and maintain the desired temperature and/or humidity, etc.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. It will further be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of example. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow.