Abstract:
An air filtration system includes a light weight container which stores a quantity of water for filtering contaminants from inhaled air. A coupling assembly is used to connect the container to a flexible hose for delivery of the filtered air to the dust mask worn by the user. The coupling assembly allows a user to interchange one light weight container with another in a quick and convenient manner if one container becomes saturated with contaminants. A user simply pulls downward on the slidable jacket to release the industrial plug and allowing the attachment of another container to the hose via the coupling assembly.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Registration 509,922 filed on Apr. 15, 2002 under 35 U.S.C. §122, 37 C.F.R. §1.14 and MPEP § 1706. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to an air filter for consumer or commercial use and, more particularly, to such an air filter utilizing an easily cleanable and replaceable fluid filtration medium. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Various types of dust masks and air filtration systems have been placed on the market in an attempt to better protect the nasal lining and the lungs of people that work in contaminated environments. Such devices include paper filter dust masks, passive respirators, positive pressure respirators, and self-contained breathing apparatuses. 
     Paper filter dust masks are inexpensive products, since the dust masks are essentially a cupped paper filter with a rubber band-type fastener. However, the paper filter is generally effective for use only in low to moderately contaminated environments. Use of paper filter dust masks in an environment moderately or heavily contaminated yields poor results and includes plugging of the paper filter, facial skin irritation, or nasal and lung irritation. This low yield result of paper filter dust masks requires that individual paper filter dust masks are replaced frequently, which results in added cost to consumers to replace the product. In addition, the collective quantity of paper filter dust masks disposed of are environmentally unfriendly. 
     Passive respirators are generally manufactured from silicon rubber and contain several filtering elements, including paper or cloth filtering elements for trapping air particulates and absorbent filtering elements for trapping harmful or irritating gases. Like the paper filter dust masks, passive respirators are easily plugged in moderately or heavily contaminated environments, requiring frequent replacement of the filtering elements and adding additional costs to consumers. Plugging of the filtering elements restricts air flow and may cause the user to become uncomfortably hot result in facial skin irritation. 
     Positive pressure respirators are expensive, and under most circumstances, unnecessary. Although a positive pressure respirator yields much better results than either a paper filter dust mask or a passive respirator, a positive pressure respirator is generally required only in extreme circumstances, such as in the presence of harmful gases or the lack of oxygen. The positive pressure respirators are a poor alternative because of the expense, and maintenance, while the extreme circumstances required for use are infrequent. 
     A self-contained breathing apparatus yields optimal results in heavily contaminated environments. However, the self-contained breathing apparatus is very heavy for the average person to use effectively, weighing in at around fifty pounds. A self-contained breathing apparatus is generally constructed of very sturdy and expensive material, making the initial cost of the system very expensive in comparison to the other air filtration devices described above. In addition, the self-contained breathing apparatus is not easily serviceable by the user, resulting in added cost to the user. 
     The present invention is aimed at improving air filtration in contaminated environments, and offer an air filtration system that is simultaneously cost effective, light weight, portable, easily replaceable and easily disassembled. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,340, issued in the name of Finch et al., describes a filter mask that includes a three-part solid paper filter mechanism; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,983, issued in the name of Metzger, describes a respirator filtration device incorporating a pocketed filter insert; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,244, issued in the name of Yamazaki et al., describes a mask filter designed to seal against the user&#39;s nose and chin to prevent dust intrusion; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,592, issued in the name of Sibley, describes the use of a water chamber through which air is passed in order to trap particulates; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,303, issued in the name of Hurst et al, describes a respirator apparatus incorporated within a whole-head garment; and 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,964, issued in the name of Brunson et al., describes a disposable face mask that has a filter body that seals around a user&#39;s nose and face. 
     Consequently, there exists a continuous need for new product ideas and enhancements for existing products in the air filtration industry. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved air filtration system. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved air filtration system that combines inexpensive and long-lasting components completely integrated to provide a convenient and safe means for filtering contaminants from contaminated air. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an air filtration system is provided that allows for easy assembly and use. The air filtration system includes a light weight container which stores a quantity of water for filtering contaminants from inhaled air. A coupling assembly is used to connect the filtered air to a flexible hose for delivery of the filtered air to the dust mask worn by the user. The coupling assembly allows a user to interchange one light weight container with another in a quick and convenient manner if one container becomes saturated with contaminants. A user simply pulls downward on the slidable jacket to release the Industrial plug and allowing the attachment of another container to the hose via the coupling assembly. 
     The use of the present invention provides users with all of the materials and tools necessary to ensure that when working in a contaminated environment, the user will feel safe and may inhale outside air because the water will work as the filter. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it is specifically adapted for personal use because of the light weight components and the use of inexpensive materials. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an air filtration system; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the water chamber and the corresponding cap; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the air outlet assembly; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the industrial coupler illustrating the ball-bearing system used to securely hold the industrial plug when inserted; and 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the mask coupling assembly illustrating the connectivity of the hose to the water dust mask and the mask cylinder. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the FIGS. 1-5. 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, an air filtration system  10  is shown, according to the present invention, an includes a water chamber  12 , preferably constructed from plastic or another similar material, threadably coupled with a cap  14 , with the cap  14  forming an air inlet aperture  16  and an air outlet aperture  18 . A linearly elongated air outlet tube  20  extends from outside the water chamber  12 , into and through the cap  14  and into the water chamber  12  at a position below the water level  22 . An air outlet assembly  24  is coupled to and depending from the air outlet opening  18  and the cap  14 . The air outlet assembly  24  is further coupled to a flexible hose  26 . The hose  26  is further coupled to a mask coupling assembly  28 . The mask coupling assembly  28  is further coupled to an air mask  30 . 
     The water chamber  12  includes a planar base  32  perpendicularly engaged with a curvilinear chamber wall  34 , with the planar base  32  and chamber wall  34  forming an internal chamber cavity  36  capable of receiving a quantity of water  38  and the linearly elongated air outlet tube  20 . Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the top portion of the chamber wall  34  Includes an arcuate wall lip  40 , which has threads  48  along the external circumference of the wall lip  40  for threadably coupling with a cap  14 . 
     Referring now to FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, the cap  14  includes a planar cap top  42  perpendicularly engaged with a curvilinear cap wall  44 , with the planar cap top  42  and the cap wall  44  forming a cap space  46 . The cap  14  has threads  48  along the internal circumference of the cap wall  44 , which threadably couple with the threaded wall lip  40  to provide a closed arrangement of the cap  14  and water chamber  12 . The cap  14  also forms an air inlet aperture  16 , lying along the same linear plane as the cap top  42 , and capable of receiving and housing an linearly elongated tube  20 . The cap  14  also forms an air outlet aperture  18 , lying along the same linear plane as the cap top  42  and the air inlet aperture  16 , and capable of receiving and housing an air outlet assembly  24 . In the one embodiment, shown here, the cap top  42  is of a sufficient thickness so as to provide a suitable number of threads within the air outlet aperture  18  to allow the air outlet assembly  24  to be threadably coupled to the cap top  42  and the air outlet aperture  18 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG.  3  and FIG. 4, the air outlet assembly  24  includes an industrial coupler  50  receiving an industrial plug  52 , and the industrial plug  52  is threadably attached to a female coupler  56 . The industrial coupler  50 , the industrial plug  52  and the female coupler  56  are common to the art of coupling, and may be found in any hardware or home improvement store. The industrial coupler  50  includes a cavity  58  at the upper end, capable of receiving the plug nipple  68 , and housing a plurality of ball-bearings  60  (see FIG. 4) for securely retaining the plug nipple  68 . The industrial coupler  50  also includes a slidable jacket  62 , with gripping tines  64 , which release or close the internal ball-bearings  60  and allow the plug nipple  68  to be moved or securely held. The industrial coupler  50  also includes a threaded male portion  66  for threading the industrial coupler  50  into the air inlet aperture  16  of the cap  14 . The industrial plug  52  includes a plug nipple  68  and an opposable threaded top portion  70 . The female coupler  56  includes a female opening  72 , for receiving the threaded top portion  70 , and a tongue  74  for insertion into a hose  26 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, the mask assembly  28  includes a nozzle  76  and an elbow  78 . The nozzle  76  receives the hose  26  at one end and has a notch  80  (not shown) which is inserted into one end of the elbow  78 . The opposite end of the elbow  78  is inserted into one of the mask cylinders  80 , which generally house the filters common to such dust masks. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     To assemble the present invention, place a quantity of water  38 , approximately one-fourth to one-third of the chamber volume, into the water chamber  12 . Thread the cap  14  onto the wall lip  40  of the water chamber  12 . Place the air inlet tube  20  into the air inlet aperture  16 , positioning the lower portion of the air outlet tube  20  so as to rest below the water level. Thread the air outlet assembly  24  into the air outlet aperture  18 . A user will pull downward on the slidable jacket  62  to retract the internal ball-bearings  60  and allow the nipple  68  of the industrial plug  52  to slide into the cavity  58 . Once the industrial plug  52  is positioned within the cavity  58 , the slidable jacket  62  is released, returning the ball-bearings  60  to a protracted position and forcibly securing the industrial plug  52 . 
     A user will position the dust mask  30  so as to surround the mouth and chin, making sure to create a tight seal around the perimeter of the dust mask  30 . The user will then breathe normally. 
     As the user inhales, air is pulled in through the air inlet tube  20  and into the water  38  contained within the water chamber  12 . Any dust or air particulates are trapped within the water  38 , and clean air is pulled out of the water  38  and into the air outlet assembly  24 , travels through the hose  26  and enters the dust mask  30  through the mask coupling assembly  28 , which will be further inhaled into the user&#39;s lungs. As the user inhales each time, the water  38  will bubble as it filters the contaminates from the outside air. As the user exhales, the air escapes through the cylinder  82  to the outside. 
     During use, if the water  38  becomes saturated with contaminants, the user may pull downward on the slidable jacket  62  to release the industrial plug  52 , detach the current water chamber  12  and reattach a fresh water chamber  12 ′ (not shown in figures) for continued operation. To reattach a fresh water chamber  12 ′, the user will simply pull downward on the slidable jacket  62 , slide the industrial plug  52  into the cavity  58 , and release the slidable jacket  62  so as to secure the industrial plug  52 . 
     After use, the water chamber  12  or chambers  12 ′ may be emptied and cleaned for later use. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.