Computer air filter device and method

Claim 2

A filter device for use on a computer apparatus that comprises a heat generating electronic mechanism in a housing with an air intake opening through the housing, the opening positioned to draw air into the housing by a draft from a fan means in the housing, the filter device comprising: (a) a foam filtration panel, having an inside surface and an outside surface, the panel being of a size and shape sufficient to entirely cover the intake opening, and (b) adhesive means permanently adhered to the inside surface of the foam panel of sufficient length to allow the inside surface of the foam panel to be removably adhesively adhered to an outside surface of the computer housing and positioned to cover the air intake opening to require essentially all air flow into the intake opening to pass through the foam panel, wherein the foam panel: (i) is porous and permeable reticulated flexible polymeric foam having three-dimensional skeletal strands, (ii) has a pore size in the range of about 40 to about 90 pores per lineal inch, and (iii) has a thickness in the range of about 3/16 inch to about 5/16 inch.

Claim 3

The filter device of claim 1 wherein the adhesive means comprises strips of contact adhesive along both lengthwise edges of the foam panel.

Claim 4

The filter device of claim 1 wherein the polymeric foam comprises polyester polymer.

Claim 5

The filter device of claim 1 wherein the polymeric foam comprises an antistatic composition.

Claim 6

The filter device of claim 1 wherein the polymeric foam is white in color.

Claim 7

The filter device of claim 1 wherein the pore size is 55 to 65 pores per lineal inch.

Claim 8

The filter device of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the foam panel is 1/4 inch.

Claim 9

The filter device of claim 1 further comprising: (a) a frame around a frame opening, the frame abuttable with a front surface of the computer housing surrounding the air intake opening, (b) the foam filtration panel, having an inside surface and an outside surface, the panel being of a size and shape sufficient to entirely cover the frame opening, (c) adhesive means on the foam panel to removably adhere the foam panel to the frame, wherein the frame and foam panel cover the air intake opening sufficiently to require essentially all air flow into the intake opening to pass through the foam panel.

Claim 10

The filter device of claim 8 wherein the frame comprises a front surface, side walls extending away from the front surface forming a space behind the front surface, and rear edges of the side walls abuttable with the front surface of the computer housing surrounding the air intake opening, and the size and shape of the panel, frame, and the space allow the foam panel to adhesively adhere to the outside surface of the frame or in the alternative to the frame in the space behind the frame.

Claim 11

The filter device of claim 8 further comprising a hinge means hingeably attaching the frame to the housing allowing the frame to be swung away from the housing to expose the air intake opening.

Claim 12

The filter device of claim 10 wherein the hinge means further comprises a spring means to springably urge the rear edges of the side walls against the front surface of the housing.

Claim 13

The filter device of claim 8 wherein the shape and size of the frame, the space, and the foam are all sufficient to allow the foam panel to be adhesively attached either to the front surface or in the space behind the front surface.

Claim 14

A filter device for use on a computer apparatus that comprises a heat generating electronic mechanism in a housing with an air intake opening through the housing, the opening having a length and positioned to draw air into the housing by a draft from a fan means in the housing, the filter device comprising: (a) a frame around a frame opening with a front surface, side walls extending away from the front surface forming a space behind the front surface, and rear edges of the side walls abuttable with a front surface of the computer housing surrounding the air intake opening, (b) a foam filtration panel, having an inside surface and an outside surface, the panel being of a size and shape sufficient to entirely cover the frame opening, wherein the foam panel is porous and permeable reticulated flexible polymeric foam having three-dimensional skeletal strands, and (c) adhesive means on the inside surface of the foam panel of sufficient adhesively adhere the foam panel to the outside surface of the frame or in the alternative to the frame in the space behind the frame, wherein the frame and foam panel cover the air intake opening sufficiently to require essentially all air flow into the intake opening to pass through the foam panel.

Claim 15

A filter device for use on a computer apparatus that comprises a heat generating electronic mechanism in a housing with an air intake opening through the housing, the opening having a length and positioned to draw air into the housing by a draft from a fan means in the housing, the filter device comprising: (a) a frame around a frame opening with a front surface, side walls extending away from the front surface forming a space behind the front surface, and rear edges of the side walls abuttable with a front surface of the computer housing surrounding the air intake opening, (b) a foam filtration panel, having an inside surface and an outside surface, the panel being of a size and shape sufficient to entirely cover the frame opening, wherein the foam panel is porous and permeable reticulated flexible polymeric foam having three-dimensional skeletal strands, and (c) adhesive means on the inside surface of the foam panel of sufficient adhesively adhere the foam panel to the outside surface of the frame or in the alternative to the frame in the space behind the frame, wherein the frame and foam panel cover the air intake opening sufficiently to require essentially all air flow into the intake opening to pass through the foam panel.

Claim 16

The filter device of claim 13 further comprising a hinge means hingeably attaching the frame to the housing allowing the frame to be swung away from the housing to expose the air intake opening.

Claim 17

The filter device of claim 13 wherein the hinge means further comprises a spring means to springably urge the rear edges of the side walls against the front surface of the housing.

Claim 18

The filter device of claim 13 wherein the shape and size of the frame, the space, and the foam are all sufficient to allow the foam panel to be adhesively attached either to the front surface or in the space behind the front surface.

Claim 21

The method of claim 17 wherein the polymeric foam comprises polyester polymer.

Claim 22

The method of claim 17 wherein the contact adhesive strips are along the entire lengthwise edges of the foam panel.

Claim 23

The method of claim 17 wherein the pore size is 55 to 65 pores per lineal inch.

Claim 24

The method of claim 17 wherein the thickness of the foam panel is 1/4 inch.