# US 8,540,792 B2 · Multi-purpose flexible cover with magnetic attachment

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- Number: US 8,540,792 B2
- Document ID: US8540792B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/816,187
- Filed: 2010-06-15
- Published: 2010-12-16
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2009-06-15
- Applicants: Dale J. Crook
- Inventors: Dale J. Crook
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540792B2

## CPC

- B01D 46/0004: {Details of removable closures, lids, caps or filter heads}
- F24F 8/10: by separation, e.g. by filtering
- F24F 8/108: using dry filter elements
- B01D 2265/023: making use of magnetic forces
- B01D 2271/02: Gaskets, sealings
- B01D 2279/50: for air conditioning
- B60H 2001/00621: {Fastening lids on air-conditioning housings}
- Y10T 156/1089: of discrete laminae to single face of additional lamina
- Y10T 428/13: Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02)
- B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A flexible cover having magnetic attachment is provided for sealing openings in a structure such as a heating, ventilation and air conditioning duct, an automobile window, or an automobile door handle or lock. Magnets or another suitable affixing device are attached at the periphery on one side of the cover. Alternatively, the magnets may be attached to one side of the cover by sandwiching the magnets between two opposing flexible covers. Gaps between the magnets permit the flexible cover to attach to objects having a curved or angular conformation. In operation, the cover is placed over the opening preventing the transmission of air, fluid material, or particulate material through the opening.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A magnetic sealing cover for a furnace filter slot in a ferro-magnetic return duct of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, said return duct having a generally rectangular configuration with opposite faces and opposite sides, one of said return duct faces including said furnace filter slot, which sealing cover comprises:
inner and outer sheets of flexible, impermeable material;
said sheets being sealed together along their respective side edges and ends, forming a sheet assembly with first and second side edges and first and second opposite ends;
first and second side sets of magnet segments, each side set being sealed between said sheets adjacent to a respective first and second side edge;
each said set of magnets comprising multiple, individual, magnet segments longitudinally aligned and extending between said sheet ends in proximity to a respective sheet side edge;
first and second end magnet segments sealed between said sheets in proximity to said first and second sheet assembly ends respectively;
first and second transverse fold lines each extending between said first and second side edges in proximity to a respective sheet assembly end; and
said sheet assembly having an installed, sealing position with said sheet assembly overlying said furnace filter slot and said first and second side sets of magnets releasably, magnetically attached to said return duct face, said sheet assembly ends being folded over respective return duct side faces along respective fold lines, and said duct assembly ends being releasably, magnetically attached to said return duct side faces by said end magnet sets.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The magnetic sealing cover of claim 1, wherein the return duct section is comprised of galvanized steel or other suitable material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The magnetic sealing cover of claim 1, wherein said magnet is attached to said flexible sheet inner face by a permanent adhesive.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The magnetic sealing cover of claim 2, further comprising:
a second magnetic sealing cover having the same dimensions as said first magnetic sealing cover;
a plurality of magnets affixed to said second magnetic sealing cover; and
said second magnetic sealing cover overlaps the first magnetic sealing cover, providing an airtight seal to said duct filter slot.

### Claim 5

A method of sealing over a furnace filter slot in a ferro-magnetic return duct of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, said return duct having a generally rectangular configuration with opposite faces and opposite sides, one of said return duct faces including said furnace filter slot, which sealing method comprises:
providing inner and outer sheets of flexible, impermeable material;
sealing said sheets together along their respective side edges and ends, forming a sheet assembly with first and second side edges and first and second opposite ends;
providing first and second side sets of magnet segments and sealing each said magnet side set between said sheets adjacent to a respective first and second side edge;
providing each said set of magnets with multiple, individual, magnet segments longitudinally aligned and extending between said sheet ends in proximity to a respective sheet side edge;
providing first and second end magnet segments;
sealing said first and second end magnet segments between said sheets in proximity to said first and second sheet assembly ends respectively;
providing first and second transverse fold lines each extending between said first and second side edges in proximity to a respective sheet assembly end;
installing said sheet assembly in an installed, sealing position overlying said furnace filter slot;
magnetically, releasably attaching said first and second side sets of magnets to said return duct face;
folding said sheet assembly ends over respective return duct side faces along respective fold lines; and
releasably, magnetically attaching said duct assembly ends to said return duct side faces by said end magnet sets.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, wherein said furnace filter slot further includes an air filter inserted into said filter slot.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, including the steps:
providing a second magnetic sealing cover; and
aligning the second magnetic sealing cover over the furnace filter slot, partially overlapping the first magnetic sealing cover.