Air treatment apparatus utilizing interchangeable cartridges

Air treatment apparatus selectively adaptable to alter different characteristics of air in an environment, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a fan operably mounted to the housing to create a pressurized air flow;
• an interchangeable cartridge comprising a support structure apertured to allow a flow of air through the cartridge, the cartridge further comprising air treatment means attached to the support structure for altering a preselected characteristic of the air flow through the cartridge, the pressurized air flow of the fan being directed through the cartridge;
• whereby interchanging the cartridge with other cartridges having different air treatment means adapts the apparatus to alter different characteristics of the air in the environment;
• the apparatus further comprising a mounting assembly for releasably securing the support structure of the cartridge to the housing;
• the mounting assembly comprising a plurality of male connectors and a respective plurality of recessed female connectors shaped to closely receive the male connectors;
• the plurality of male connectors being attached to and outwardly extending from one of the housing and the support structure of the cartridge;
• the plurality of female connectors being attached to the other of the housing and the support structure of the cartridge;
• wherein the air treatment means of the cartridge is electrically-powered, the apparatus further comprising:
• a power supply contained with the housing;
• circuit-forming means coupling the air treatment means to the power supply whenever the mounting assembly secures the support structure of the cartridge to the housing, the circuit-forming means comprising:
• a first pair of electrically conductive surfaces located on the housing and electrically connected to the power supply;
• and
• a second pair of electrically conductive surfaces located on the cartridge and electrically connected to the air treatment means;
• the first and second pairs of electrically conductive surfaces being positioned to engage one another whenever the mounting assembly secures the support structure of the cartridge to the housing;
• each of a pair of the male connectors defining a different one of the first pair of electrically conductive surfaces;
• and, each of a pair of the female connectors defining a different one of the second pair of electrically conductive surfaces;
• a protective envelope shaped to surround the cartridge;
• envelope mounting means for releasably securing the protective envelope to the housing thereby to surround the cartridge, the mounting means permitting displacement of the envelope between a first position in which the envelope is secured to the housing and a second position in which the envelope is removable from the housing;
• a switch in circuit with the power supply, the switch having a first state in which the switch enables current flow from the power supply to the air treatment means a second state in which the switch disables current flow from the power supply to the air treatment means;
• and
• a control member fixed to the envelope, the control member being so positioned relative to the envelope and relative to the switch that the control member orients the switch in its first state as the envelope is displaced from its second position to its first position and orients the switch in its second state as the envelope displaces from its first position to its second position.