Abstract:
A portable, self-contained air-purifying device that enables a person standing outside the device to use his hands to manipulate objects within the device so that those objects can be kept in particulate-free environment while being manipulated. The device includes a housing having a sealable opening, an airflow-generating device that circulates the air within the housing, an air filter, and manipulation structure configured to enable a person located outside said housing to use their hands to grasp and manipulate objects which have been placed within the chamber that has been subsequently sealed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to air filtration, and more specifically to a portable, self-contained air-purifying device where a person standing outside the device can use his hands to manipulate objects within the device so that those objects can be kept in a particulate-free environment while being manipulated. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various types of glovebox-type apparatuses exist in the prior art. Examples of gloveboxes, fume hoods, chemical analyzer cabinets, containment vessels, isolation housings, and related enclosures are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,777,736 (Van Der Waaij, et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 3,926,597 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,627 (Landy); U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,146 (Gheri); U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,231 (Schaarschmidt); U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,951 (Pruchon); U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,098 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,065 (Barney); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,558 (Thomas); U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,360 (Wright); U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,547 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,376 (Doig); U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,957 (Diccianni); U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,427 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,336 (Joyce); U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,112 (Strieter); U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,791 (Long); U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,525 (Nickerson); U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,765 (Henry, et al.); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,343. The foregoing patents are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0003]    There is a need, however, for a portable apparatus that allows for manipulation of dust-sensitive equipment within a protected environment that filters dust and other particulates from the air within the apparatus. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Portable electronic devices and equipment, such as digital SLR cameras, are being utilized in various environments and circumstances where manipulating particulate-sensitive parts of such equipment is made difficult or imprudent because of the risk of exposing these sensitive components to airborne particulates. Dust can interfere with electronic sensors, such as CMOS or CCD sensors of digital cameras, as well as interfere with the transmission of images through lenses. Any digital or optical equipment should avoid exposure to airborne particulates to maximize their functioning. Exchanging lenses in remote environments subjects components inside digital SLR type cameras and similar devices to dust and particulates. Likewise, exchanging watch batteries in an open environment also subjects the components inside of the watch to air-borne particulates that could damage delicate parts and components. 
         [0005]    The present invention is a self-contained portable apparatus that purifies air inside an enclosable interior region of the housing unit, allowing for manipulation of equipment in essentially a dust-free environment, or restricting escape of particulates created by manipulation of objects inside the enclosed interior region. The housing can be made from a flexible material, such as fabric, or from a synthetic material, such as plastic, TPU/PVC or polyvinyl. Any flexible material capable of preventing particulate materials from passing through it would be suitable for use in making the housing. The material from which the housing is made can be completely transparent to allow visualization of objects placed inside. In the alternative, if the housing is made using a material that is translucent or opaque, a transparent window can be incorporated into a portion of the housing to allow visualization of the contents of the housing. An air-filtering device with a built-in air flow generating unit and filter are connected inside the interior region, the air filtering device purifying the interior region by way of a HEPA filter or other particulate-removing filter system. The invention further comprises structure that enables a person located outside the housing to use their hands to manipulate objects located inside the housing, the manipulation either involving direct contact manipulation, where the person&#39;s hands are inserted through respective openings on the housing wall so that they directly contact the object being manipulated, or indirect contact manipulation, where the person&#39;s hands are inserted into gloves which are formed within a wall of the housing and extend into interior region of the housing so that the hands of the person do not directly contact the objects to be manipulated, but instead manipulate the objects through the gloves. This indirect contact manipulation through gloves is sometimes called glovebox manipulation. Objects, such as digital cameras with interchangeable lenses, can be manipulated within the apparatus of the present invention to reduce the risk of damage to these sensitive items from dust and other particulates. 
         [0006]    Additional features of the invention are as follows: The apparatus can either have a power cord to connect it to an external power source, or can be powered by a battery, which can optionally be rechargeable, either by plugging the battery into a recharger or by solar cells that can be incorporated into the exterior of the housing. The gloves, if used, can be detachably connected to the housing to enable soiled or damaged gloves to be easily replaced. Sealable flaps secured, respectively, to the inside and/or the outside of the housing of the apparatus can limit exposure and mobility of the gloves when they are not in use to protect them from damage and soiling. The invention can include an adaptor to enable attachment of the airflow-generating device to an object to be manipulated within the apparatus to enable the object attached in this way to be cleaned of particulates. Some or all of the housing can include padding, and the housing can contain a divider that creates separate compartments. The air-filtering device can be removable from the housing so that it can be used or stowed away separately. The apparatus can be collapsed and stowed away, when not in use, within a larger carrying case, such as a case commonly used to carry cameras, lenses, and other photography supplies. 
         [0007]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a portable particulate-removing apparatus that is effective for filtering particulates from the air within the apparatus. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable particulate-removing apparatus that allows a user to manipulate objects within the housing of the apparatus. 
         [0009]    It is a further object of the invention to provide versatility which allows the apparatus to function also as a rain cape or function as a waterproof housing for underwater photography. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable particulate-removing apparatus that is simple to manufacture, and is capable of being stored and transported easily. 
         [0011]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same or similar parts throughout the drawings, and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the apparatus showing the housing in an open position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus showing the housing in a closed position and having optional handles, with objects to be manipulated visible within the closed housing. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a close-up perspective view of the air-filtering device. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a close-up front view of the air-filtering device with the HEPA filter partially removed. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the apparatus where the material of the housing is opaque and the housing contains a transparent window therein. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the apparatus where the housing has a viewing window therein and solar panels attached to the outside thereof. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the apparatus with an alternative arrangement for the gloves. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a view of a glove of the invention showing that it can be removably attached. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the apparatus showing an alternative to the glove that enables indirect contact manipulation of objects to be manipulated within the housing. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the invention showing exterior sealable flaps. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the invention showing interior sealable flaps. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the invention in a collapsed configuration for storage. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the invention with expandable openings to enable direct contact manipulation of objects to be manipulated within the housing. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of exterior sealable flaps covering the expandable openings of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is front view of self-enclosing barriers which can fit snuggly around a wrist and arm inserted therethrough. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a cut-away view of one of the self-enclosing barriers of  FIG. 15  fitted snuggly around the wrist and arm area, forming a seal from the exterior elements. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a top view of the airflow-generating device of the invention connected via an adaptor to an object to be cleaned. 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is a front view of the airflow-generating device, adaptor, and object to be cleaned of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the apparatus in its expanded state with the air-filtering device of the invention contained within the housing. 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the apparatus where the air-filtering device has been removed from the housing and the housing has been collapsed for storage. 
           [0033]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the collapsed housing and air-filtering device being separately stored within a larger carry bag. 
           [0034]      FIG. 22  is a top view of the device showing the housing interior being divided into compartments and showing padding on the wall of the housing. 
           [0035]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the divider of  FIG. 22  that removably attaches to the interior surface of the housing to create separate compartments. 
           [0036]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the air-filtering device and the housing in a collapsed state being stored within a camera equipment bag. 
           [0037]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention where the housing features a lens port to receive the lens of a camera. 
           [0038]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 25  with a camera contained within the housing and its lens inserted through the lens port. 
           [0039]      FIG. 27  is a side view of an alternative variation of the lens port which has an expandable accordion structure and a lens port cap that is transparent. 
           [0040]      FIG. 28 . is a demonstrative illustration of the embodiment of  FIG. 25  or  26  being used as a rain cape, covering the camera and the person to protect them from the rain while the person uses the camera to take photographs. 
           [0041]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention where the housing and glove ports and the connections therebetween are waterproof, enabling the user to use the camera underwater. 
           [0042]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the air-filtering device. 
           [0043]      FIG. 31  is an exploded view of some of the major components of the air-filtering device of  FIG. 30 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0044]      FIG. 1  shows a portable particulate-removing apparatus  1  having a housing  10 , which is shown in an open position. The housing  10  can be made of any flexible material that may be transparent, translucent, or opaque provided that it is capable of preventing particulate materials from passing through it. The housing has a sealing device  13  that is capable of securing the housing  10  in a closed configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The sealing device  13  is a conventional sealing device, such as a zipper or a Ziplock®-like device or other appropriate sealing device that is capable of releasably joining two sections along a seam, or a sealing device and structures that creates releasable waterproof seals. 
         [0045]    Contained within housing  10  is an air-filtering device  16 , to be discussed in more detail below. A wall of housing  10  contains two thin, flexible pocket-style manipulation ports in the shape of gloves  12  secured thereto and extending into the interior region of housing  10 . By placing their hands in the openings  14  of respective gloves  12 , a person located outside of apparatus  1  can manipulate objects positioned within the housing  10  with indirect contact through the gloves  12 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , with the sealing device  13  securing housing  10  in a closed configuration, objects, such as a digital SLR camera  8  and lens  7 , contained within the housing  10  are in a protected state, shielded from exposure to the ambient air, being exposed only to the air that is contained within housing  10 . This figure shows how, without comprising this protected state, a person is capable of manipulating these objects with indirect contact by placing their hands in the gloves extending into interior region of the housing  10 .  FIG. 2  also shows carrying straps, or handles  15  attached to housing  10 , which are an optional feature of the apparatus to enable it to be easily carried. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  shows the details of the air-filtering device  16 , which can be made to be detachable from the interior wall of housing  10 . This device  16  includes an airflow-generating device  18 , which can be a conventional motor-driven fan, and an air filter  19  retained within the air-filtering device by filter latch  19   a . Air within housing  10  is caused to circulate by airflow-generating device  18 . This draws the air into air-filtering device  16 , which is directed via a channel through filter  19 , which filters particulates from the air. The filtered air then exits air-filtering device  16  through exit port  23  which is shown, for illustrative purposes only, to be in a side wall of the air-filtering device. Device  16  further includes a control panel  22  which can include some or all of the following features: a light  24 , a timer,  25 , and buttons and indicators  26  useful to control the various components of device  16  or to indicate their status. Light  24  illuminates the interior of housing  10  to make it easier to see objects being manipulated therein. Timer  25 , which controls the power to the airflow-generating device  18 , can either be programmable to any desired time or it can be preset, whereby, once started, it will run for only a predetermined amount of time necessary to fully filter out all the particulate matter contained within the volume of air contained within housing  10 . One of the indicators  26  can be a filter status indicator, which indicates that a sensor associated with filter  19  has sensed that the filter  19  is in need of replacement. It should be understood that the particular arrangement of the filter  19 , airflow-generating device  18 , light  24 , timer  25 , and buttons and indicators  26  on the air-filtering device  16  are merely illustrative. Their arrangement is discretionary, as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Further features that can be seen in  FIG. 3  is the presence of a power cord  21  which can extend through an appropriate opening in a wall of housing  10  to be plugged into an external power source to power the air-filtering device  16  directly or to charge the battery that is concealed beneath battery cover  22  of the air-filtering device  16 . Such a battery could be any conventional battery, including, but not limited to lithium ion, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, or lead. 
         [0048]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , filter  19  can be replaced as necessary by opening latch  19   s  and sliding filter  19  out. After sliding a new filter  19  into place within device  16 , latch  19   a  would be closed to secure the new filter  19  into place. 
         [0049]    In the event that housing  10  is not made from a transparent material, a transparent viewing panel or window  28  can be included in the housing, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Window  28  can be any conventional transparent material, being either flexible or rigid. While window  28  is shown as being located in a top wall of housing  10 , it should be understood that such a viewing window  28  could be placed on any portion of the housing  10  without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0050]      FIG. 6  shows solar panels  30  located on the outside of housing  10 . These solar panels  30  can be designed either to power the air-filtering device directly or to recharge the battery. Solar panels  30  can be any conventional solar panels, including flexible solar panels. 
         [0051]    While the gloves  12  have been shown as located side by side on one wall of housing  10 , these gloves  12  can be located at any position on housing  10  determined to be desirable, including, but not limited to, each glove  12  being located with its opening  14  on opposite end walls, respectively, of housing  10 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0052]    In the event that one of the gloves  12  becomes soiled or damaged, it may be desirable to replace the glove  12  with a new one. For this reason, it is desirable to make the gloves  12  to be detachably mounted to housing  10 . As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , glove  12  can have a glove linking structure  32  attached thereto that can removably secure to housing linking structure  33  attached to housing  10 . This linking structure  32 ,  33  can be any suitable linking structure, such as hook and loop fasteners, a Ziploc® fastener, or a zipper, provided the linking structures, when joined, are capable of preventing particulate matter from passing therethrough. Furthermore, waterproof linking structures can also be used. When it becomes necessary to replace a glove  12 , the linking structure  32  of the glove  12  to be removed is separated from the housing linking structure  33 , the damaged glove is discarded, and the glove linking structure of a new glove  12  is attached to housing linking structure  33 , thereby securing the new glove  12  in place. As an alternative to replacing one glove with another glove, it is also possible to replace a glove-shaped manipulation port with any other style of manipulation port. Additional styles of manipulation ports are described below. 
         [0053]    As an alternative to the standard glove shape  12 , the thin, flexible pocket-style manipulation port structure that extends into housing  10  to enable indirect contact manipulation of objections within the housing can be of any suitable shape, such as in the form of pouches  34  shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0054]    At times when the gloves  12  or their equivalent are not in use, in the interest of minimizing the chances of the gloves getting soiled or damaged or just getting in the way, the housing can include an interior sealing flap  36 , as seen in  FIG. 10 , and/or an exterior sealing flap  37 , as seen in  FIG. 11 . When both of these sets of sealing flaps  36 ,  37  are present and sealed closed, they form between them a storage pouch for storing the gloves  12  or their equivalent in a safe and secure manner. 
         [0055]      FIG. 12  shows how the portable particulate-removing apparatus  1   a  can be folded down into a collapsed position, retained in that position by strap  2   a.    
         [0056]      FIG. 13  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention where instead of having manipulation ports in the form of gloves  12  extending into the interior region of housing  10 , the housing  10  is provided with manipulation ports in the form of self-enclosing barriers  40  in one or more of the walls thereof. The self-enclosing barriers allow a user to insert their hands directly through a small, expandable opening in the barrier  40  to manipulate, through direct contact of the hands, an object within the housing  10  that is to be manipulated. The self-expanding barriers  40  are made of expandable material, such as rubber or silicon, or in combination with fabric or a similar expandable material, with a small opening of any shape that is capable to seal around the hands and arms of the user as he inserts his hands into the interior region of housing  10 , thereby forming a seal with the user&#39;s arms and preventing particulate matter outside the housing