Patent Abstract:
An airflow treatment device configured to be installed inline in the ductwork of an air handling system (e.g., HVAC system) in a manner that is substantially free of obstructing the airflow through the ductwork or requiring any supplemental power to treat the airflow passing by the treatment device. The disclosed airflow treatment device can also be maintained substantially free of any interruptions, disassembly or downtime to the air handling system after initial inline installation of the disclosed device. In one arrangement, the airflow treatment device is capable of accepting a threaded odor neutralizer container at its base. Ductwork need only be disassembled once to attach the disclosed device inline in the airflow path of the ductwork. When the odor neutralizing agent needs replenished, the container can be detached from the device, replenished, and reattached to the device free of disruption to the air flow of the air handling system.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/011,375, entitled “INLINE APPARATUS CAPABLE OF ACCEPTING A THREADED CONNECTION AT ITS BASE,” and filed on Jun. 12, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety as if set forth in full. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to the field of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and, more particularly, to devices that treat airflow through the ductwork, hoses or the like of HVAC systems. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    It is common to employ one or more devices in homes, buildings, and other enclosed spaces to treat the air being inhaled by inhabitants in various manners. As one example, various types of odor management (e.g., neutralizing or elimination) systems have been utilized in which an air flow is moved past a product which may be vaporized, either by evaporation or sublimation, in order to distribute the vaporized product throughout the surrounding environment to neutralize, treat, purify and/or freshen the air and/or the like. For instance, some odor management systems are installed “inline” in the ductwork or hosing of an HVAC system so that activation of the HVAC system (e.g., including triggering of the blower fan in the HVAC system) simultaneously initiates activation of the odor neutralizing or elimination system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Existing inline ductwork odor management systems are generally expensive to install, are prone to maintenance that requires expensive replacement parts, and inefficiently treat the air leading to sub-optimal levels of odor neutralization and/or elimination. For instance, some existing odor management devices (e.g., including odor neutralizing agents) are physically placed across the airflow path of the ductwork which necessarily obstructs the airflow and increases the power demands of the blowing componentry. Oftentimes, disassembly of these devices is required which adds wear to system components, adds weight if being suspended in the air for mounting purposes and can result in undesirable air being present where the disassembly occurs. Physical obstruction of the airflow and/or sagging of the ductwork due to the suspended componentry ultimately leads to inefficient airflow, unneeded recurring labor, and increased maintenance costs. 
         [0007]    As another example, some odor management devices require supplemental electrical components and power to operate (e.g., independent of that of an HVAC system), such as electrically powered dispensing agent. However, some of these agents can break down causing particles to travel throughout an HVAC system leading to an increased risk of damage to downstream ventilation components as well as fire hazards. Furthermore, supplement power requirements increase overall energy consumption by the home, building, etc. 
         [0008]    In this regard, disclosed herein is an airflow treatment device configured to be installed inline in the ductwork of an air handling system (e.g., HVAC system) in a manner that is substantially free of obstructing the airflow through the ductwork or requiring any supplemental power to treat the airflow passing by the treatment device. The disclosed airflow treatment device can also be maintained substantially free of any interruptions, disassembly or downtime to the air handling system after initial inline installation of the disclosed device. Broadly, the disclosed airflow treatment device includes an airflow passageway including first and second opposite openings that may be installed inline in the existing ductwork of an air handling system (e.g., vertically, horizontally, etc.) to treat air entering a building or home or exiting a building or home as well as an air treatment passageway that provides access to the airflow passageway. 
         [0009]    As just one example, an existing duct of an air handling system may be appropriately separated (e.g., split, cut, etc.) into first and second duct members having respective open ends. The respective open ends of the first and second duct members may then be appropriately secured (e.g., with hose clamps or the like) over the first and second openings of the airflow treatment device so that the airflow passageway extends through the first duct member, the first and second openings of the device, and the second duct member. In one arrangement, the airflow treatment device may be appropriately hung from or otherwise secured to a fixed member (e.g., structural member of the house or building, such as a joist, etc.) at a point above the first and second duct members to limit or otherwise reduce the load placed on the ductwork by the airflow treatment device. As just one example, the airflow treatment device may have a first connector member (e.g., hole, hook, opening, etc.) that is configured to connect with a corresponding second connector member (e.g., hook, hole, etc.) on a joist or other fixed member of the house or building. 
         [0010]    The airflow treatment device also includes an air treatment passageway including a first opening over which an air treatment container (e.g., jar, bottle, etc.) may be appropriately releasably secured and an opposite second opening that intersects or otherwise feeds into the airflow passageway. For instance, the airflow treatment device may have a threaded member adjacent or about the first opening of the air treatment passageway onto which an opening of the air treatment container may be threaded. The air treatment container may have any appropriate air treatment or odor neutralizing substance or agent therein (e.g., including one or more essential oils, etc.) to appropriately treat the airflow through the airflow passageway. When the air treatment substance needs to be replenished, the air treatment container may be appropriately disconnected (e.g., unscrewed) from the airflow treatment device and the air treatment substance may be replenished before re-securing the air treatment container to the airflow treatment device. The air treatment container may be secured to and removed from the airflow treatment device free of disconnecting the airflow treatment device from the first and second duct members or otherwise disrupting the air handling system. In one embodiment, an adapter or coupling member may be used to interconnect the air treatment container to the airflow treatment device, such as when the air treatment container is not configured to be directly interconnectable to the airflow treatment device. 
         [0011]    In one aspect, a kit for use in treating airflow in ductwork includes a one-piece body having first and second openings that define an airflow passageway therebetween and a third opening between the first and second openings that provides access to the airflow passageway; and an air treatment container that is one of releaseably securable or releasably secured to the body over the third opening, where the air treatment container includes an air treatment substance therein to treat airflow through the airflow passageway. 
         [0012]    For instance, the body may include a first threaded member adjacent the third opening, where the air treatment container includes a second threaded member that is threadably engageable with the first threaded member to releasably secure the air treatment container to the body. In one arrangement, a screening element may be disposed over the third opening to limit particulates or the like of the odor or air treatment substance from entering the airflow passageway. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, a kit for use in treating airflow in ductwork includes an airflow treatment device including a first body having a first wall that defines an airflow passageway and a second body having a second wall that defines a first portion of an air treatment passageway that intersects the airflow passageway. The first wall includes first and second opposite open ends, where the airflow passageway extends between the first and second opposite open ends of the first wall. The second wall includes first and second opposite open ends, where the first portion of the air treatment passageway extends between the first and second opposite open ends of the second wall, and where the first open end of the second wall is disposed outside of the airflow passageway. The disclosed kit also includes an air treatment container that is one of releaseably securable or releasably secured to the first open end of the second wall. The air treatment container includes a third body having a third wall that defines a second portion of the air treatment passageway that feeds into the first portion of the air treatment passageway, where the third wall includes a closed first end and an opposite open second end, and where the second portion of the air treatment passageway extends between the closed first end and the opposite open second end of the third wall. 
         [0014]    In one arrangement, the device includes a first releasable interconnection apparatus and the airflow treatment container includes a second releasable interconnection apparatus that is complimentary to the first releasable interconnection apparatus. For instance, the first releasable interconnection apparatus may be a first set of threads and the second releasable interconnection apparatus may be a second set of threads that is threadably engageable with the first set of threads. In one arrangement, the first releasable interconnection apparatus may be disposed on one of the inside or the outside of the second wall and the second releasable interconnection apparatus may be disposed on the other of the inside or the outside of the third wall. 
         [0015]    In one arrangement, a system includes the kit, an open end of a first duct secured over the first open end of the first body, and an open end of a second duct secured over the second open end of the first body, where the airflow passageway is defined through the first duct, the first body, and the second duct. 
         [0016]    In one arrangement, a method includes securing an open end of a first duct member over the first open end of the first body of the kit and securing an open end of a second duct member over the second open end of the first body of the kit, wherein the airflow passageway is defined through the first duct, the first body, and the second duct. 
         [0017]    In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following descriptions. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an airflow treatment device that is configured to treat air in an air handling system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the airflow treatment device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the airflow treatment device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the airflow treatment device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the airflow treatment device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the airflow treatment device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the airflow treatment device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a front exploded view of the airflow treatment device of  FIG. 1 , an airflow treatment container, first and second duct members, and first and second securement devices for securing the first and second duct members to the airflow treatment device. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is similar to  FIG. 8  but with the first and second duct members being secured to the airflow treatment device with the first and second securement devices and the airflow treatment container being secured to the airflow treatment device. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the airflow treatment device, an airflow treatment container, an adapter for connecting the airflow treatment container to the airflow treatment device, and first and second securement devices for securing first and second duct members to the airflow treatment device. 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the adapter of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the airflow treatment device. 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the airflow treatment device of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the airflow treatment container of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]      FIGS. 1-7  present various views of an airflow treatment device  100  that is configured to treat air in an air handling system. As will be discussed in more detail herein, the airflow treatment apparatus or device  100  is configured to be installed inline in the ductwork of an air handling system (e.g., HVAC system) in a manner that is substantially free of obstructing the airflow through the ductwork or requiring any supplemental power to treat the airflow passing by the treatment device. The disclosed airflow treatment device can also be maintained substantially free of any interruptions, disassembly or downtime to the air handling system after initial inline installation of the disclosed airflow treatment device  100 . 
         [0033]    Broadly, the device  100  includes a first body  102  having a first wall  104  with opposite inner and outer surfaces  106 ,  108  and opposite first and second open free ends  110 ,  112 . The first wall  104  defines an airflow passageway  114  through the device  100  that extends between the first and second opposite open ends  110 ,  112  of the first wall  104  along an airflow passageway (e.g., central) axis  116  (e.g., where the inner surface  106  of the first wall  104  generally defines and surrounds the airflow passageway  114 ). In this regard, the first and second opposite open ends  110 ,  112  may refer to both the first and second opposite open ends of the first wall  104  and first and second opposite open ends of the airflow passageway  114 . The first and second open ends  110 ,  112  are configured to connect with (e.g., receive, be received by) respective open ends of first and second ducts or duct members (e.g., see  FIGS. 8-9 , discussed in more detail below) so that the airflow passageway  114  substantially seamlessly blends into the airflow passageways of the first and second ducts or duct members. While the first wall  104  is illustrated in the form of a generally tubular member having a circular cross section (e.g., a cylinder), the first wall  104  may have other cross-sectional shapes such as square, ovular, etc. (e.g., so as to generally match the cross-sectional shapes of the first and second ducts or duct members). 
         [0034]    The device  100  also includes an arrangement for providing access to the airflow passageway  114  when the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  are respectively interconnected to first and second ducts or duct members in a manner that is substantially free of interrupting or blocking the airflow passageway  114  and/or requiring disconnection of the first and second ducts or duct members from the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  of the first body  102 . For instance, the device  100  may include a second body  118  having a second wall  120  with opposite inner and outer surfaces  122 ,  124  and opposite first and second opposite open free ends  126 ,  128 . The second wall  120  defines at least a first portion  130   a  of an air treatment passageway  130  through the first wall  104  of the device  100  that extends between the first and second open ends  126 ,  128  of the second wall  120  along an air treatment passageway axis  132  and that intersects the airflow passageway  114  at a position between the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  of the first wall  104 . In this regard, the first and second opposite open ends  126 ,  128  may refer to both the first and second opposite open ends of the second wall  120  and first and second opposite open ends of the air treatment passageway  130 . 
         [0035]    As shown, the air treatment passageway  130  feeds substantially directly into the airflow passageway  114  to expose airflow passing through the airflow passageway  114  to one or more air treatment (e.g., odor neutralizing) substances or the like disposed within the air treatment passageway  130 . To limit or reduce airflow obstruction through the airflow passageway  114 , the second open end  128  of the second body  102  may extend into the airflow passageway  114  no more than about 50% of the inner diameter (or other inner maximum cross-dimension), such as no more than about 25% of the inner diameter (or other inner maximum cross-dimension). To facilitate appropriate interaction between the airflow and the air treatment substances, the second open end  128  of the second body  102  may extend into the airflow passageway  114  at least about 5% of the inner diameter, such as at least about 15%. In one arrangement, the second body  118  may be inserted partially through an aperture (not labeled) through the first wall  104  of the first body  102  and rigidly secured thereto in any appropriate manner. For instance, after insertion of the second body  118  through the first wall  104 , one or more connection members  134  (e.g., welds, etc.) may be used to rigidly and non-movably secure the second body  118  to the first body  102  (e.g., such as between the outer surface  124  of the second wall  120  and the inner surface  106  of the first wall  104 ). 
         [0036]    In another arrangement, the second body  118  may be in the form of a pair of opposing second body members (e.g., where the first opposing body member includes the first open end  126  and the second opposing body member includes the second open end  128 ) that are respectively configured to attach to each other on opposite sides of the first wall  104 . As just one example, the first and second opposing body members may have respective corresponding threaded surfaces (or other respective corresponding connection members such as spring-loaded members and correspondingly shaped holes) that are configured to appropriately engage with each other. In this regard, the first and second opposing body members may be placed over the aperture through the first wall  104  adjacent the outer and inner surfaces  108 ,  106 , respectively, and threadably secured to each other. In a further arrangement, the first and second bodies  102 ,  118  be part of a one-piece body that defines the airflow passageway  114  and the air treatment passageway  130 . That is, the device  100  may be in the form of an integral, one-piece member that may be fabricated in any appropriate manner (e.g., blow molding, injection molding, etc.). 
         [0037]    In any case, the first open end  126  of the second wall  120  may be disposed outside of the airflow passageway  114  to facilitate interconnection with an air treatment container  200  (e.g., jar, bottle, glass, vial, jug, etc., see  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  14 ) having an air treatment substance therein. Stated differently, the first open end  126  may provide an opening into the air treatment passageway  130  and thus access to the airflow passageway  114  for the air treatment substance disposed in the air treatment container  200 . With reference to  FIGS. 8 and 14 , the air treatment container  200  may include a body  202  (e.g., a “third” body) having a wall  204  (e.g., a “third” wall) with opposite inner and outer surfaces  206 ,  207 , a closed first free end  208 , and an opposite open second free end  210 . The third wall  204  defines at least a second portion  130   b  of the air treatment passageway  130  that extends between the first and second ends  208 ,  210  of the third wall  204  along the air treatment axis  132  and that is configured to feed into the first portion  130   a  of the air treatment passageway  130  (e.g., when the second open end  210  of the air treatment container  200  is releasably secured to the first open end  126  of the second body  118 ). 
         [0038]    The device  100  and the air treatment container  200  include respective first and second releasable interconnection apparatuses  136 ,  212  that engage to releasably secure the air treatment container  200  to the device  100  so that the second portion of the air treatment passageway  130  within the air treatment container  200  aligns with and feeds into the first portion of the air treatment passageway  130  within the second body  118  of the device  100 . For instance, the first releasable interconnection apparatus  136  may be in the form of a first set of threads disposed on the inner surface  122  of the second body  118  adjacent the first open end  126  while the second releasable interconnection apparatus  212  may be in the form of a second set of threads (complimentary to the first set of threads) disposed on the outer surface  207  of the third body  202  adjacent the second open end  210 . Furthermore, the second open end  210  of the third body  202  may be sized and shaped to be received through the first open end  126  and into the second body  118 . 
         [0039]    In this regard, a user may align the second open end  210  of the third body  202  with the first open end  126  of the second body  118  and then rotate the third body  202  about the air treatment axis  132  to threadingly engage the first and second sets of threads and releasably secure the air treatment container  200  to the device  100 . In one arrangement, the first set of threads may be disposed on the outer surface  124  of the second body  118  while the second set of threads may be disposed on the inner surface  206  of the third body  202  adjacent the second open end  210 . In this regard, the first open end  126  of the second body  118  would be received inside the second open end  210  of the third body  202 . The first and second releasable interconnection apparatuses  136 ,  212  may also take other forms such as complimentary magnetic mechanisms, “twist and click” type mechanisms, and/or the like. 
         [0040]    In some situations, the second open end  210  of the third body  202  may not be sized and shaped to be received through the first open end  126  and into the second body  118 . In this regard, a coupler or adapter  300  may be provided (see  FIGS. 10-11 ) that is broadly configured to releasbly interconnect the air treatment container  200  to the device  100 . As shown, the adapter  300  may include a body  302  (e.g., a “fourth” body) having a wall  304  (e.g., a “fourth” wall) with opposite inner and outer surfaces  306 ,  307  and first and second opposite open free ends  308 ,  310 . The fourth wall  304  defines at least a third portion  130   c  of the air treatment passageway  130  that extends between the first and second ends  308 ,  310  of the third wall  304  along the air treatment axis  132  and that feeds into the first and second portions  130   a,    130   b  of the air treatment passageway  130  (e.g., when the first and second open ends  308 ,  310  are respectively releasably secured to the second open end  212  of the third body  202  and the first open end  126  of the second body  118 ). The first open end  308  of the fourth body  302  may be sized and shaped to receive the second open end  210  of the third body  202  while the second open end  310  of the fourth body  302  may be sized to be received in the first open end  126  of the second body  118  (or vice versa). 
         [0041]    The adapter  300  may include first and second releasable interconnection apparatuses  312 ,  314  that are respectively releasably interconnectable with the second releasable interconnection apparatus  212  of the third body  212  and the first releasable interconnection apparatus  136  of the second body  118 . In one arrangement, the first releasable interconnection apparatus  312  may be in the form of a first set of threads that are configured to threadingly engage with the set of threads disposed adjacent the second open end  210  of the third body  302  while the second releasable interconnection apparatus  314  may be in the form of a second set of threads that are configured to threadingly engage with the set of threads disposed adjacent the first open end  126  of the second body  118 . For instance, the first set of threads may be disposed on the inner surface  306  adjacent the first open end  308  of the fourth body  302  while the second set of threads may be disposed on the outer surface  307  adjacent the second open end  310  of the fourth body  302  (or vice versa). The first and second releasable interconnection apparatuses  312 ,  314  may also take other forms such as complimentary magnetic mechanisms, “twist and click” type mechanisms, and/or the like. The adapter  300  may take various forms, shapes and sizes to interconnect air treatment containers  200  of various forms, shapes and sizes with the device  100 . 
         [0042]    One method of installing and using the device  100  will now be described to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the device  100 . With initial reference to  FIG. 8 , a user may identify a location along the ductwork of an air handling system in which to install the device  100 . For instance, the device  100  may be installed in a portion of the ductwork leading into the blower fan (e.g., on the draw or intake side). Once a location has been identified, the user may appropriately sever or cut the ductwork to obtain first and second ductwork members  400   1 ,  400   2 . Depending upon the particular circumstances, the severing may include severing the ductwork at first and second locations to remove a section of the ductwork. 
         [0043]    In any case, the first and second ductwork members  400   1 ,  400   2  may generally be in the form of hollow tubular member having respective open ends  402   1 ,  402   2 . The open end  402   1  of the first ductwork member  400   1  may then be appropriately secured over the first open end  110  of the first body  102  and the open end  402   2  of the second ductwork member  400   2  may then be appropriately secured over the second open end  112  of the first body  102  in any appropriate manner. As just one example, first and second hose clamps  404   1 ,  404   2  may be initially disposed over the respective open ends  402   1 ,  402   2  of the first and second ductwork members  400   1 ,  400   2  or the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  of the first body  102 . After the respective open ends  402   1 ,  402   2  of the first and second ductwork members  400   1 ,  400   2  have been placed over the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  of the first body  102 , the first and second hose clamps  404   1 ,  404   2  may be respectively slid over the overlapping portions of the open ends  402   1 ,  402   2  and the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  and then tightened to secure the open ends  402   1 ,  402   2  to the body  102 . See  FIG. 9 . 
         [0044]    In one arrangement, the outer surface  108  of the first body  102  may include one or more retention features such as first and second retention protrusions  111 ,  113  (e.g., bumps, etc.) adjacent the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  that are configured to respectively resist removal of the first and second ductwork members  400   1 ,  400   2  from the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  of the first body  102 . For instance, the open ends  402   1 ,  402   2  of the first and second ductwork members  400   1 ,  400   2  may be pulled or pushed over the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  of the first body  102  so as to extend at least partially past the respective first and second retention protrusions  111 ,  113 . In one arrangement, a respective plurality of each of the first and second retention protrusions  111 ,  113  may be respectively disposed adjacent the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  of the first body  102 . 
         [0045]    In the case where the open ends  402   1 ,  402   2  of the first and second ductwork members  400   1 ,  400   2  have respective inner diameters less than outer diameters of the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  of the first body  102  and have sufficient levels of elasticity, the first and second ductwork members  400   1 ,  400   2  may be sufficiently secured to the first body  102  at this point. Additionally or alternatively, the first and second hose clamps  404   1 ,  404   2  may be used as discussed above. While the first and second hose clamps  404   1 ,  404   2  and/or first and second retention protrusions  111 ,  113  have been disclosed to secure the first and second ductwork members  400   1 ,  400   2  to the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  of the first body  102 , other manners of securing the same are envisioned and encompassed herein. 
         [0046]    In one arrangement, the device  100  may be appropriately hung from or otherwise secured to a fixed member (e.g., structural member of the house or building, such as a joist, etc.) at a point above the first and second ductwork members  400   1 ,  400   2  to limit or otherwise reduce the load placed on the first and second ductwork members  400   1 ,  400   2  by the device  100  (as well as by the air treatment container  200  and/or adapter  300 ). As just one example, the device  100  may have a first connector member  138  (e.g., hole, hook, opening, etc.) disposed on the outer surface  108  of the first body  102  that is configured to connect with or attach to a corresponding second connector member (e.g., hook, hole, etc., not shown) on a joist or other fixed member of the house or building (not shown). 
         [0047]    In any case, the airflow passage  114  of the first body  102  substantially seamlessly feeds or blends into those of the first and second ductwork members  400   1 ,  400   2  (and thus the rest of the air handling system) once the open ends  402   1 ,  402   2  are secured over the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  of the first body  102 . Either before or after the device  100  is secured to the first and second ductwork members (or vice versa), the air treatment container  200  including an air treatment (e.g., odor treatment or elimination) substance (e.g., liquid, solid, etc.) may be releasably secured to the second body  118  of the device  100  (as discussed previously) so that the second portion  130   b  of the air treatment passageway  130  (inside the air treatment container  200 ) aligns with and feeds into the first portion  130   a  of the air treatment passageway  130  (inside the second body  118 ), the latter of which feeds directly into the airflow passageway  114 . If necessary, the adapter  300  may be used as previously discussed to interconnect the air treatment container  200  to the device  100 . 
         [0048]    Upon operation of the air handling system so that the blower fan or other device moves air through the first ductwork member  400   1 , the airflow passageway  114  of the device  100 , and then the second ductwork member  400   2  (or vice versa), the air interacts with the air treatment substance in the air treatment container  200  via the air treatment passageway  130  to neutralize or otherwise treat the air traveling through the air handling system and/or through one or more registers into one or more rooms of the home or building. In one arrangement, the second body  118  may include a screening element  140  (e.g., filter, etc.) disposed across the first portion  130   a  of the air treatment passageway  130  to limit particulates and/or the like in the air treatment substance from being sucked into the airflow passing through the airflow passageway  114  and into the ductwork of the air handling system. For instance, the screening element  140  may be disposed adjacent the second open end  128  of the second body  118 . In one arrangement, at least a portion of the screening element  140  may extend at least a portion past the second free end  128 . In other arrangements, the screening element  140  may additionally or alternatively be disposed in other locations such as across the second portion  130   b  of the air treatment passageway  130  adjacent the open second end  210  of the air treatment container  200 , across the third portion  130   c  of the air treatment passageway  130  in the adapter  300 , and/or the like. 
         [0049]    Continued cycling of the air through the air handling system and the device  100  results in increased degrees of neutralizing and/or treatment of the air. The air treatment container  200  may be removed (e.g., unscrewed, unclipped, etc.) from the device  100  to recharge, replenish, etc. the air treatment substance in the air treatment container according to any appropriate schedule (e.g., every month, every six months, etc.), upon the substance dropping below a certain level, upon the substance changing colors indicating that new and/or additional substance is needed, etc. Alternatively, the air treatment container  200  may be removed from the device  100  and a new air treatment container  100  (e.g., with new air treatment substances therein) may be installed into the device  100  as discussed above. More than one device  100  and corresponding container  200  may be installed inline in a single air handling system (e.g., in each of one or more ducts of the system). In one arrangement, the device  100  and air treatment container  100  (e.g., with or without air treatment substances therein) may be supplied as or otherwise form a kit. For instance, the device  100  and air treatment container  200  may be disposed in a common packaging and supplied to retailers, sold to customers, etc. In this arrangement, the air treatment container may be releasably secured to the device  100  or not secured to the device  100  but releasably securable to the device (i.e., capable of being releasably secured to the device  100  as disclosed herein). 
         [0050]    As shown in the figures, the air treatment passageway axis  132  may in some embodiments be substantially perpendicular to the airflow passageway axis  116 . In other arrangements, however, the air treatment passageway axis  132  may be other than substantially perpendicular to the airflow passageway axis  116 . For instance, the air treatment passageway axis  132  may be disposed at angles greater than or less than 90° relative to the airflow passageway axis  116  (e.g., 30°, 45°, 120°, etc.). In one embodiment, a device  100  may include more than a single air treatment passageway  130  for respective interconnection to more than a single air treatment container  200 . As an example,  FIG. 12-13  illustrate another embodiment of the device  100 ′ that includes a plurality of (e.g., such as first and second) second bodies  118   1 ,  118   2  that define a respective plurality of (e.g., such as first and second) air treatment passageway first portions  130   a   1 ,  130   a   2  along a respective plurality of (e.g., such as first and second) air treatment passageway axes  132   1 ,  132   2 . For instance, each of the air treatment passageway axes  132   1 ,  132   2  may be substantially perpendicular to each other as well as to the airflow passageway axis  116  as shown in  FIGS. 12-13 . In one arrangement, one or both of the air treatment passageway axes  132   1 ,  132   2  may be other than perpendicular to the airflow passageway axis  116  and/or than that perpendicular to each other. 
         [0051]    The device  100 , container  200 , adapter  300 , ductwork members  400 , etc. may be constructed of any appropriate materials (e.g. plastics, metals, composites, and/or the like) and in any appropriate manner. In one arrangement, the device  100  may be constructed out of plastic using any appropriate manufacturing process. For instance, a polyurethane mix may be procured and added to a tooling mold in the shape of the device  100  (e.g., the first and/or second bodies  102 ,  118 ) and allowed to catalyze until hardened. A similar process may be used to fabricate the adapter  300 . Alternatively, metered injection molding systems and/or 3D printing technologies may be used. Still further, various metallic manufacturing processes may be used to fabricate one or more of the components. In one arrangement, the air treatment container  200  may be in the form of a glass jar (e.g., a Mason jar) or the like. 
         [0052]    The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. In one arrangement, the device  100  may only include the first body  102 , where the first body  102  includes a threaded aperture through the first wall  104  (e.g., at location where second body  118  is disposed in the figures) that is sized and shaped to receive the second open end  210  of the air treatment container or the second open end  310  of the adapter and that leads into the airflow passageway  114 . For instance, the first and second open ends  110 ,  112  may include first and second openings while the threaded opening through the first wall  104  may be a third opening. In this regard, the air treatment container  200  or adapter  300  may be threaded directly into the third aperture so that the second portion  130   b  of the air treatment passageway becomes the first portion and thus feeds directly into the airflow passageway  114  of the first body  102 . 
         [0053]    In some arrangements, the entirety of the airflow passageway  114  and/or the air treatment passageway  130  need not necessarily respectively extend along the same straight airflow passageway axis  116  and/or air treatment passageway axis  132 . Stated differently, the airflow passageway  114  and/or the air treatment passageway  130  may each follow non-straight paths between the first and second opposite open ends. For instance, in the event the device  100  was to be used in a situation where the respective open ends  402   1 ,  402   2  of the first and second ductwork members  400   1 ,  400   2  came together other than substantially collinearly as shown in  FIG. 8 , the first body  102  may be appropriately fabricated so that the airflow passageway  114  through the first body  102  follows a curvilinear path (e.g., a substantial U-shape), follows first and second perpendicular axes (e.g., a substantial V-shape, such as where the first axis passes through the first open end  110  and the second axis passes through the second open end  112 , and where the first and second perpendicular axes intersect at a mid-point of the first body  102 ), etc. As another example, it is not necessary that the air treatment passageway  130  follows a completely straight path from the first closed end  208  of the air treatment container  200  and the second open end of the second body  118 . 
         [0054]    In one embodiment, a cap may be provided with the device (e.g., in a kit) for use in closing or otherwise sealing off access to the airflow passageway  114  via the second body  118  or otherwise through the first wall  104  of the first body  102 . For instance, the cap may have a closed head portion and a threaded portion protruding from the head portion that is configured to be inserted into the second body  102  and threadingly engage with the set of threads of the second body  102 ; this may be advantageous to use when the air treatment container  200  has been removed from the device  100  for any appropriate reason to limit airflow leakage from the device  100 . 
         [0055]    It is also to be understood that the various components disclosed herein have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Also, many components have been labeled herein as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. merely to assist the reader in understanding the relationships between the various components. One or more various combinations of the above discussed arrangements and embodiments are also envisioned. While this disclosure contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of the disclosure. Furthermore, certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0