US 2011/0094156 A1 · BIOLOGICAL AIR FILTER

Abstract

A novel apparatus for the treatment, e.g., cleaning, humidifying, filtration and/or detoxifying, of ambient air incorporates a plant, soil, roots and a water reservoir to allow for effective filtration of air over an extended period of time. In particular, the device is designed with an air impeller system such that external ‘dirty’ air is circulated within the device in the proximity of the plant, soil, roots and/or water reservoir, thereby removing impurities, toxins and other undesirable chemicals from the air. The apparatus and methods of the present invention are readily applicable to a number of applications where air treatment is desired, e.g., household use. Moreover, by incorporating a plant system, the apparatus serves not only a functional but an aesthetic purpose as well.

Claims29

Dependent claims

An apparatus for treating air, the apparatus comprising:

a housing defining an internal volume, the housing configured to contain a soil substrate receiving roots of a plant and to support a living plant generally within the internal volume, the housing comprising a first compartment defining a volume configured to contain a water reservoir within the housing;
and
an air impeller system configured:
(1) to receive air from external to the apparatus, (2) to direct the air into the internal volume, onto surfaces of leaves of the plant, through the leaves into proximity of the roots of the plant, and onto and through the soil substrate, and (3) to exhaust treated air from the apparatus,
wherein the air impeller system directs a center of mass of the air received into the internal volume proximally to surfaces of the leaves of the plant in advance of the roots and the soil substrate.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Biological air filter

Life of this patent

Biological air filter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29