US4581986A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contamination reducing airlock and entry system
Assignee: Brunswick Corp
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Filing: 1984-03-14
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Granted: 1986-04-15
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Expires: 2004-03-14
Abstract
Abstract An airlock (purge chamber) which functions as an intermediate area between a contaminated area and a clean area where contaminated air may be purged before a person enters the clean area. The airlock (10) is a double-walled circular structure having an outside wall (20) with a single air intake (31) at its top and multiple air discharge ducts (37) spaced around the full 360 degree circumference of its base. The airlock (10) has an inner wall (24) with multiple air intake openings (perforations) (38) across its inner ceiling (26) and around its sides (24), providing a primary purge air flow (34) into the ceiling (26) of the inner wall (24) and down through the airlock (10) and a secondary air flow (32) into the side air intake openings (perforations) (38) and down through the airlock (10). Outgoing purge air (36) flows down through the floor (28) of the inner wall (24) and out the discharge ducts (37) at the base (27) of the outer wall (20) of the airlock (10).
Inventors
- 👤 Keith J. Conklin
- 👤 Charles H. Keck, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G10/00; A61G10/005; F; F24; F24F; F24F7/00; F24F7/04; F24F7/06; F24F7/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A contamination reducing airlock and entry system, configured and arranged to connect with a non-contaminated area to allow one person to enter said airlock and entry system and to wait while contaminated air is purged from said system before entering said non-contaminated area, comprising: an outside enclosure, said outside enclosure being circular in cross section and of sufficient height and diameter to accommodate at least one person in the standing position, said outside enclosure comprising: an outside wall; an outside ceiling attached to the top of said outside wall; an outside floor attached to the bottom of said outside wall; and means connected to said outside wall for allowing clean air to enter said outside enclosure and contaminated air to exit said outside enclosure; an inside enclosure, said inside enclosure being configured so as to fit inside said outside enclosure in spaced proximity thereto, said inside enclosure being circular in cross-section and of sufficient height and diameter to accommodate at least one person in the standing position, said inside diameter comprising; an inside wall; an inside ceiling attached to the top of said inside wall; and and inside floor attached to the bottom of said inside wall; said inside wall, said inside ceiling and said inside floor each having at least one opening connecting said inside enclosure to said outside enclosure; a first double-walled door leading through said outside and inside walls, to provide access from said airlock to a contaminated area; and a second double-walled door leading through both said outside and inside walls to provide access from said airlock to a non-contaminated area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
A contamination reducing airlock and entry system, configured and arranged to connect with a non-contaminated area to allow one person to enter said airlock and entry system and to wait while contaminated air is purged from said system before entering said non-contaminated area, comprising: an outside enclosure, said outside enclosure being circular in cross section and of sufficient height and diameter to accommodate at least one person in the standing position, said outside enclosure comprising: an outside wall; an outside ceiling attached to the top of said outside wall; an outside floor attached to the bottom of said outside wall; and means connected to said outside wall for allowing clean air to enter said outside enclosure and contaminated air to exit said outside enclosure; an inside enclosure, said inside enclosure being configured so as to fit inside said outside enclosure in spaced proximity thereto, said inside enclosure being circular in cross-section and of sufficient height and diameter to accommodate at least one person in the standing position, said inside diameter comprising; an inside wall; an inside ceiling attached to the top of said inside wall; and and inside floor attached to the bottom of said inside wall; said inside wall, said inside ceiling and said inside floor each having at least one opening connecting said inside enclosure to said outside enclosure; a first double-walled door leading through said outside and inside walls, to provide access from said airlock to a contaminated area; and a second double-walled door leading through both said outside and inside walls to provide access from said airlock to a non-contaminated area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The airlock and entry system of claim 1 wherein said means connected to said outside wall comprises: at least one clean air intake connected to the top of said outside wall; and at least one contaminated air discharge duct connected to the bottom of said outside wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The airlock and entry system of claim 2 wherein said inner enclosure has a plurality of perforations in said inside wall, said inside ceiling and said inside floor, in order to facilitate clean air flow from said clean air intake into said inside ceiling and said inside wall and down through said inside enclosure of said airlock and to facilitate contaminated air flow out said opening in said inside floor and out said contaminated air discharge duct.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The airlock and entry system of claim 3 wherein said first double-walled door is directly opposite said second double-walled door.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The airlock and entry system of claim 4 wherein both said double-walled doors are made of folding fabric.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The airlock and entry system of claim 4 wherein both said double-walled doors are made of fabric and comprise a rigid framework which is spring-biased to snap shut.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The airlock and entry system of claim 4 wherein both said double-walled doors are made of a stiff material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The airlock and entry system of claim 7 wherein both said double-walled doors are made of plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The airlock and entry system of claim 7 wherein both said double-walled doors are made of metal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-14 | 1989-10-14 | 1990-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-14 | 1993-10-14 | 1994-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-14 | 1997-10-14 | 1998-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |