Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A filter for eliminating bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, allergens, pollutants, and odors from an air stream, comprising a stack of discrete chemisorption filter layers including at least one alkaline layer and at least one acidic layer alternating with one another in said stack and traversed in succession by said air stream.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
A filter for eliminating bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, allergens, pollutants, and odors from an air stream, comprising a stack of discrete chemisorption filter layers including at least one alkaline layer and at least one acidic layer alternating with one another in said stack and traversed in succession by said air stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
A filter for eliminating bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, allergens, pollutants and odors from an air stream, comprising a stack of discrete chemisorption filter layers including at least one alkaline layer and at least one acidic layer alternating with one another in said stack and traversed in succession by said air stream, each said alkaline layer comprising a bulk carbonaceous material impregnated with sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate or soda lime solution; and each said acidic layer comprising a bulk carbonaceous material impregnated with a solution of an Fe(II) salt, an Fe(III) salt or both Fe(II) and Fe(III) salts adjusted to a pH of 0.5 to 1.0 with sulfuric acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
A filter for eliminating bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, allergens, pollutants and odors from an air stream, comprising a stack of discrete chemisorption filter layers including at least one alkaline layer and at least one acidic layer alternating with one another in said stack and traversed in succession by said air stream, each said alkaline layer comprising a bulk carbonaceous material impregnated with sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate or soda lime solution; and each said acidic layer comprising a bulk carbonaceous material impregnated with a solution of an Fe(II) salt, an Fe(III) salt or both Fe(II) and Fe(III) salts adjusted to a pH of 0.5 to 1.0 with sulfuric acid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The filter defined in claim 2 wherein said stack is disposed downstream of a biological filter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The filter defined in claim 2 wherein said bulk carbonaceous material is a fiber felt or type III or type IV crushed coke.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The filter defined in claim 2, further comprising nonimpregnated hydrophobic water-repellent separating layer interposed between said acidic and alkaline layers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The filter defined in claim 2, further comprising an active carbon filter layer forming a final downstream layer of said stack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The filter defined in claim 2, wherein at least some of said layers are impregnated with an antifreeze odor-neutral solvent ensuring operation of said filter at below-freezing temperatures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The filter defined in claim 7 wherein said solvent is propylene glycol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The filter defined in claim 2 wherein each said alkaline layer has a pH above 13 and each said acidic layer has a pH below 1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
A humidifier for humidifying an air stream, comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet side; a filter as defined in claim 2 across said inlet side; a source of water and a wick in said water disposed in said housing; and a filter as defined in claim 2 shiftable across said outlet side upon shutdown of said humidifier.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of eliminating bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, allergens, pollutants and odors from an air stream, comprising the steps of: (a) forming a stack of discrete chemisorption filter layers including at least one alkaline layer and at least one acidic layer alternating with one another in said stack, each said alkaline layer comprising a bulk carbonaceous material impregnated with sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate or soda lime solution, and each said acidic layer comprising a bulk carbonaceous material impregnated with a solution of an Fe(II) salt, an Fe(III) salt or both Fe(II) and Fe(III) salts adjusted to a pH of 0.5 to 1.0 with sulfuric acid; and (b) passing said air stream in succession through said layers.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of eliminating bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, allergens, pollutants and odors from an air stream, comprising the steps of: (a) forming a stack of discrete chemisorption filter layers including at least one alkaline layer and at least one acidic layer alternating with one another in said stack, each said alkaline layer comprising a bulk carbonaceous material impregnated with sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate or soda lime solution, and each said acidic layer comprising a bulk carbonaceous material impregnated with a solution of an Fe(II) salt, an Fe(III) salt or both Fe(II) and Fe(III) salts adjusted to a pH of 0.5 to 1.0 with sulfuric acid; and (b) passing said air stream in succession through said layers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method defined in claim 11, further comprising the step of: (c) destroying said stack by combusting same in an incinerator whereby components of said stack exercise a pollutant-binding effect and catalytically reduce NO x .