Abstract:
An environmental improvement device for a storage body and more particularly to a simplified, but highly effective device of that type wherein the stored articles are protected by a circulating flow of purified air that also prevents the entry of foreign objects into the storage area.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of the copending application entitled, “STORAGE WITH AIR PURIFICATION FUNCTION”, Ser. No. 10/416,425, filed May 8, 2003, filed in the names of several of the inventors hereof and others, and assigned to the assignee hereof. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an environmental improvement device for a storage body and more particularly to a simplified, but highly effective device of that type. 
     As is noted in the aforenoted copending application there are a wide variety of storage devices utilized for a variety of purposes such as movable and fixed shelves, cabinets, showcases, closets, shoe boxes, storerooms and the like. These storage devices are widely used in libraries, cultural properties depositories, archives, museums, storerooms, warehouses, hospitals, basement storages, art museums, shops, department stores, supermarkets, public rest rooms, and the like. 
     These devices may be comprised of an open type storage having a structure that the opening of the storage section is always opened or a closed type storage having a door for opening and closing the opening. With the open type storage the extra space for opening and closing the door is not necessary, and the door does not interfere with taking the stored object in and out. On the other hand, through the opening of the storage section, particles such as fungus spores, bacterium, pollen, dusts, and dead bodies of ticks floating in the air, and harmful insects such as moths and spiders easily invade in the storage section. 
     Although the closed type storage can prevent the invasion of the particles, harmful insects, or the like described above it is still difficult to prevent the invasion of the particles, harmful insects, due to opening and closing of the door for insertion or removal of articles. In addition the closed type storage shuts out the exchange of the air so that the air in the storage area is easily polluted. 
     The aforenoted copending application solves many of these problems by providing an air purification that effects an air circulation means within the storage area through intake and delivery passages with an air filter for purifying the air circulated. In addition a flowing air curtain is formed across the opening to the storage area to preclude insects and other foreign matter from entering the storage area. Although the embodiments disclosed therein are very effective, further improvements are possible and such improvements are disclosed herein. 
     For example the embodiments disclosed therein provide somewhat complicated flow paths making it difficult to control the air flow velocity and direction. Also they do not provide for maintance of the proper humidity condition for the protection of the stored articles. 
     It is therefore a principle object of this invention to provide an improved air circulation arrangement for a storage device that controls accurately and simply the air curtain around an open storage device. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a humidity control for such a storage device. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     A first feature of the invention is adapted to be embodied in a storage device having air purification. The storage device comprises a storage area for storing a stored object and an access opening for placing the stored object within the storage area and for removing the stored object therefrom. The access opening is defined by horizontally spaced members and attached, vertically spaced members. At least one of the members defines an air flow path comprised of an inlet path including a plurality of spaced inlet openings for drawing atmospheric air into the at least one of the members and an outlet path including a plurality of spaced outlet openings for exhausting atmospheric air introduced in the inlet path from the inlet air opening. An air purification system is provided that includes at least a device for circulating atmospheric air through the inlet path and the outlet path and an air purification device in the path of the circulated atmospheric air. 
     Another feature of the invention is adapted to be embodied in a storage device having air purification. The storage device comprises a storage area for storing a stored object and an access opening for placing the stored object within the storage area and for removing the stored object therefrom. The air purification comprises an inlet path including an inlet air opening for drawing atmospheric air into the storage device, an outlet path including an outlet air opening for exhausting atmospheric air introduced in the inlet path from the inlet air opening. The air purification system includes at least a device for circulating atmospheric air through the inlet path and the outlet path, an air purification device in the path of the circulated atmospheric air and a humidifying element controlling the relative humidity of the circulated air. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a storage device constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view taken along the line  2 — 2  in FIG.  1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view taken along the line  3 — 3  in FIG.  1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the left hand side of  FIG. 3  showing the air purifying device. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the upper left hand portion of FIG.  1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the upper portion of FIG.  2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a partially cut away perspective view of the air duct. 
         FIG. 8  is a partially cut away perspective view of the air duct and air purifying device looking in the opposite direction from FIG.  7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a graphical view showing, in comparison, the number of air changes/unit time of a storage body incorporating the concept of this invention and that incorporating the concept of the invention of the aforenoted copending application. 
         FIG. 10  is a graphical view showing the wind velocity, for varying specifications, obtained with storage bodies incorporating the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a graphical view showing the wind velocity in particular specification conditions, for each storage body of having different numbers of sections. 
         FIG. 12  is a graphical view showing, in comparison, the test result of the decontamination effect of a storage body incorporating the concept of this invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a front elevational view, in part similar to  FIG. 1 , but showing a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view taken along the line  14 — 14  of FIG.  13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view, in part similar to  FIG. 14 , but showing a third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a front elevational view, in part similar to  FIGS. 1 and 13 , but showing a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view showing another embodiment of formation of the air inlet and discharge openings. 
         FIG. 18  is a cross sectional view, in part similar to FIG.  17  and showing yet another embodiment of formation of the air inlet and discharge openings. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now in detail to the drawings and initially to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-8 , a storage body in the form of a rack, indicated generally by the reference numeral  21 , is illustrated. The rack  21  is formed from a plurality of interconnected members supported on a base frame  22  as a base member. Supported on the top of the base frame  22 , are a plurality spaced, parallel posts  23 in fixed relation on the base frame  22 . Top plates  24  connect the upper ends of the posts  23 . 
     The illustrated embodiment is a so called three-section type rack  21  is formed in which four posts  23  are set up at regular intervals when viewed from the front of the rack  21 forming rectangular openings through which articles may taken in and out. Also, the rack constitutes a double-front type rack in which three posts  23  are set up when viewed from the side of the rack  21 , thus the article storage space is divided by the center posts  23 , and openings which articles may taken in and out, are formed on both front and rear sides of the rack  21 . 
     As a matter of course, the application of this invention is not limited to the double-front type rack and a rack may be used in which a face at which articles may taken in and out is provided on only one side of the rack. Also although this embodiment shows a moving rack capable of moving with running wheels  25  provided on the base frame  22 , this invention may also be applied to a stationary rack. 
     Adjacent four posts  23  located at corners of a rectangle in plan view, support a plurality of vertically spaced rack plate members 26 . Any support structure can be used, and for example, a structure may be adopted in which rack plate members  26  are provided between posts arranged in the direction of depth of the rack and the rack plate members  26 are supported by a pair of left and right arm plates viewed from the side of a face at which article are taken in and out. The rack plate members 26  are provided vertically in several tiers. 
     In accordance with this embodiment, an air purifier, indicated generally by the reference numeral  27  is supported and on the uppermost rack plate member 26  located at the left side on FIG.  1 . The rack plate member having the air purifier  27  mounted thereon is located at the same height as other rack plate members 26 to form an air duct, indicated generally at 28 , in a manner as will be described. This air duct  28  includes a delivery passage  29  and an intake passage  31 . The air duct  28  is in itself one continuous air passage extending in the horizontal direction and is divided in the manner next to be described into the delivery passage  29  and the intake passage  31 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8 , the air duct  28  is divided by an air shutter  32  into the delivery passage  29  and the intake passage  31 . This air shutter  32  is placed in the left hand rack plate member 26  on which the air purifier  27  is mounted. The delivery passage  29  is formed with a plurality of air outlets  33  arranged in the front and rear faces of the rack plate members  26  forming the air duct  28  on right hand side of the shutter as viewed in FIG.  1 . 
     On the other side of the shutter  32  the intake passage  31  with a plurality of air inlets  34  arranged in the front and rear faces of the rack plate members  26  forming the air duct  28 . In  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the symbol E designates a range in which the air outlets  33  are formed and symbol I a range in which the air inlets  34  are formed. 
     The air purifier  27  sends air drawn from the air inlets  34  of the intake passage  31  into the delivery passage  29  after purification and discharges it from the air outlets  33 . The air purifier  27  has, for example, a titanium oxide filter  35  ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ) as photo catalyst, that adsorbs and decomposes minute dust floating in the air for decontamination and sterilization. A fan  36  effects the air circulation. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  8  the reference numeral  37  designates air inlets of the air purifier  27 , which is in communication with the intake passage  31  and is located upstream of the titanium oxide filter  35  and fan  36 . The reference numeral  38  designates the air outlet of the air purifier  27 , which is in communication with one end of the delivery passage  29  and lies on the other side of the shutter  32 . 
     In the embodiment is shown in the figures as being a double-front type rack as aforementioned and the air ducts  28  and the air purifiers  27  are incorporated separately in the rack plate members 26  arranged in two rows in the direction of depth of the rack. At the front side of each of the rack plate members 26  arranged in two rows, that is, at the side of the face at which articles are taken in and out, purified air is discharged horizontally outwardly from the plurality of air outlets  33  of the delivery passage  29 , and air around the air inlets is drawn horizontally inwardly through the plurality of air inlets  34  of the intake passage  31 . 
     The shape and construction of the air duct  28  is best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . As also seen in these figures, the rack plate members 26  incorporating the air duct  28  has an upper plate including a vertical walls 39  formed at least on the sides of the face at which articles are taken in and out. These walls  39  face both the inlet openings  34  and discharge openings  33  so that the air flow path is turned from the horizontal direction to a vertical direction as shown by the arrows in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  7  and  8 . 
     As seen best in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the air duct  28  is formed on the underside of the upper rack plate members  26 , by a sheet metal member  41  of hat-like cross-section and a flat channel-like member  42  being fitted together. The air inlet openings  34  and discharge openings  33  are formed in this assembly. 
     Although in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 8 , the air duct  28  is formed inside the rack plate members 26  which are provided continuously in the lateral direction at the same height and the air purifier  27  is mounted on one of these rack plate members  26 , the air duct  28  and the air purifier  27  may be incorporated in the top plates  24 . The shape of the air duct incorporated in the top plates  24  may be the same as that shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     Further, the air duct  28  and the air purifier  27  may be incorporated in the base frame  22 . In this case, it is preferable that the air outlets discharge air upwardly and the air inlets draw air from below. 
     In this embodiment, the reference numerals  43  and  44  designate side panels attached to the sides of the rack  21 . 
     In addition to the filter  35 , the air purification also includes a humidity controller, indicated generally by the, reference numeral  45  ( FIGS. 3-5  and  8 ). The humidity controller  45  is attached to the side panel  43  and has an intake port  46  and a discharge port  47  at the inner side of the side panel  43 . Part of air inside the rack collected around the intake passage  31  is drawn from the intake port  46  and dehumidified or humidified as the case may be. The air humidity-controlled by the humidifier  45  is delivered from the discharge port through a communication passage  48  to the intake passage  31  and purified by the air purifier  27 , together with air drawn from the air inlets  34 , to be sent into the delivery passage  29  so that a proper humidity environment of the rack  21  is maintained. Provision of the humidity controller  45  is optional. 
     In the embodiment as described above, the air duct  28  is configured, in a simple structure, extending horizontally and divided by an air shutter  32  into the delivery passage  29  and the intake passage  31 , with the air purifier  27  is directly connected to the delivery passage  29 . Therefore, air purified by the air purifier  27  is introduced efficiently with adequate volume to the delivery passage  29  of the air duct  28  and discharged from the air outlets  33 . Thus, a curtain of air is formed around the rack  21  and in the article storage area can be circulated efficiently and the air circulation cycle/unit time can be increased, so that the environment around the rack  21  and in the article storage area can be improved rapidly. 
     The air duct  28  is incorporated integrally in the rack plate members  26  with the additional plates  41  and  42 , so that the number of parts is reduced. One continuous duct  28  is divided by the air shutter  32  into the delivery passage  29  and the intake passage  31 , so that the environment improvement device for a storage body can be obtained at low cost and with simple structure. Further, if the air duct  28  is incorporated integrally in the rack plate members 26  or the top plate  24 , even for a multiple-section type storage body in which the posts  23  is adapted to divide a face at which articles are taken in and out, into a plurality of sections, the air duct  28  can be formed continuously extending over the rack plate members 26  or the top plates  24  of the plurality of sections, thereby facilitating the formation of the air duct  28 . 
     The performance of this invention will be described in conjunction with various kinds of measurement data obtained when this invention is adopted by reference to the graphical views of  FIGS. 9-12 . It is believed to be undesirable that if storage articles are exposed directly to a wind running at a speed larger than about 0.5 m/sec because the water content of the stored articles varies in response to changes in relative humidity too rapidly. Thus, the device has been developed and designed with a target of the wind velocity being 0.5 m/sec or lower when the wind blows directly against the storage articles. 
     Therefore, as shown, the number of the air outlets  33  is increased to reduce the air speed at which air is discharged from the air outlets  33 . In addition, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the device is configured such that air discharged horizontally from the air outlets  33  is made to hit against the frame walls  39  of the rack plate members  26  to decrease its wind velocity, the wind is turned downwardly, and direct blow of a strong wind against the storage articles is avoided. This prevents damage to the storage articles from which the wind is subjected. 
     The number of air changes per unit time in the case where technical concept of this invention is adopted, is compared with the case where the invention of the prior mentioned copending patent application is shown in FIG.  9 . Racks with a frontage of 12 sections are selected as objects, and measurement is made at the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th section. In  FIG. 9 , curve A shows the case where the technical concept of this invention is adopted and curve B the case where the invention of the prior patent application is adopted. As is clear from the curves A and B, when the technical concept of this invention is adopted, the value of the number of air changes per unit time is, at every measuring point, ten times as large as that according to the invention of the prior patent application, thus showing a high environment improvement efficiency. 
     The wind velocity at the air outlets  33  in the case where the technical concept of this invention is adopted, was measured with the number of the air outlets  33  being changed. Racks to be measured are of 10-section type and measurement is made at each section. The diameter of the air outlet is 10 mm. In  FIG. 10 , curve a shows a result of the measurement for the specification of all 15 air outlets/section; curve b for the specification of all 20 air outlets/section; curve c for the specification of all 40 air outlets/section; curve d for the specification of 10 air outlets/section for each of 2nd and 3rd sections and 40 air outlets/section for each of 4th-10th sections; curve e for the specification of 15 air outlets/section for each of 2nd and 3rd sections and 40 air outlets/section for each of 4th-10th sections; and curve f for the specification of 20 air outlets/section for each of 2nd and 3rd sections and 40 air outlets/section for each of 4th-10th sections. A wind source or an air purifier is provided on the first section. As seen from the result, a measuring point nearer to the wind source provides a faster wind velocity. In particular, on the whole, the wind velocity is faster for a smaller number of air outlets and becomes unfavorably faster for a measuring point nearer to the wind source. In addition, it is found that if the number of air outlets is decreased at a location near the wind source and increased at a location remote from the wind source, a uniform wind velocity can be obtained as a whole. 
     Among rack specifications measured, the specification of 15 air outlets/section for each of 2nd and 3rd sections and 40 air outlets/section for each of 4th-10th sections, for which the curve e is obtained, most preferably achieves the wind velocity of about 0.5 m/sec or lower as a whole. 
     Then, racks with a specification of 15 or 40 air outlets/section were measured with the number of sections being changed and the result is shown in FIG.  11 . Curve a shows a result of the measurement for a rack of 10 sections, curve b for a rack of 9 sections, curve c for a rack of 6 sections and curve d for a rack of 3 sections. In all the rack specifications, the target of the wind velocity of 0.5 m/sec or lower is achieved. 
       FIG. 12  shows the test result of the decontamination effect. Petri dishes of 90 mm diameter each containing a mold culture medium, were placed at five locations inside and outside a rack and the falling bacteria test is performed in purposeful and adverse conditions. Falling bacteria are sampled at certain intervals of elapsed time after operation of the air purifier, for culture detection. In the figure, curve a shows the value detected inside a rack incorporating the concept of this invention, curve b the value detected inside a rack incorporating the concept of the invention of the prior patent application, and curve c the value detected outside a rack. The horizontal axis represents the time of operation and the vertical axis the attenuation ratio. As seen from  FIG. 12 , although the rack incorporating the concept of the invention of the prior patent application also has an excellent decontamination effect, the rack incorporating the concept of this invention has a more excellent decontamination effect. 
     Also, in the rack incorporating the concept of this invention, it was found that a rack which was in a strong acid environment before operation, is improved to have a neutral environment, that is, a clean environment 24 hours after operation. This acidity and alkalinity environment measurement was performed such that environment monitors are provided inside the article storage blocks of each rack and change in color is compared to a color scale for judgment. 
     As a result of the measurement, although an environment improvement effect is recognized for the rack incorporating the concept of the invention of the prior patent application, it is found that the rack incorporating the concept of this invention has a higher environment improvement effect because a strong acidity before operation is turned to a week one 24 hours after operation. 
     In the rack incorporating the concept of this invention, since the inside of the storage body is air-conditioned at all times for the control of temperature and humidity, storage spaces for articles are maintained in a stable environment condition. In addition, if a humidity controller is provided in the rack, humidity is maintained in an even better condition. 
     Although in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-9 , the air duct extends horizontally, this invention is not limited to that. The air duct may extend vertically, the delivery passage may extend vertically or horizontally and the intake passage may extend horizontally or vertically. Now, embodiments having such structures will be described below. 
     An arrangement where the air duct and delivery and intake passages extend vertically is shown in  FIGS. 13-15 . In describing this and subsequent embodiments, where components are the same or substantially the same as those already describes, they are identified by the same reference numerals and will be described further only as is necessary to understand the construction and operation of the respective additional embodiment. 
     As seen in FIG.  13  and  FIG. 14 , a rack, indicated generally at  51 , has affixed to the inside surface of its side panel  44  an air duct  28 . As with the previously described embodiment the rack  51  is a double rack having two rack plate members  26  disposed in the direction of depth. The air duct  28  is formed, like the previous embodiment by two sets corresponding to the two rack plate members  26  in the direction of depth. 
     The air duct  28  is divided by an air shutter into a delivery passage  29  and an intake passage  31 . The delivery passage  29  is formed with a plurality of air outlets  33  arranged in the vertical direction and the intake passage  31  with a plurality of air inlets  34  arranged in the vertical direction. In  FIG. 13 , symbol E designates a range in which the air outlets  33  are formed and symbol I a range in which the air inlets  34  are formed. 
     The air purifier  27  is fixed to the lower part of the side panel  44  on the outside surface. The inlet  37  of the air purifier  27  is in communication with the intake passage  31 , and its air outlet  38  is in communication with the delivery passage  29 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the air outlets  33  formed in the delivery passage  29  of the air duct  28  are shaped such that air is delivered and inducted in the direction perpendicular to the front of the rack  51 . Confronting the air outlets  33  in the flow direction of the air is located a bent side edge  52  formed by the side edges of the side panel  44  being bent at right angles. The bent side edge  52  serves as a deflector member by which the delivered air is turned in the direction parallel to the front of the rack  51 . The structure around the air inlets  34  is the same as that around the outlets, and air flowing in the direction parallel to the front of the rack  51  is turned in the horizontal direction by the bent edge  51  of the side panel  44  to be introduced to the air inlets  34 . 
       FIG. 15  shows a slight modification in that the air duct  28  may be incorporated between posts  23  arranged in the direction of depth of the rack  21 , as in the embodiment. In this embodiment, the air outlets  33  are formed in the side face of the posts 23  on the outer sides. The air inlets are formed similarly. 
     The space produced between the air duct  28  and the inside surface of the side panel  44 , is covered by a cover plate  63 . On the course of air delivered from the air outlets  33  in the direction perpendicular to the front of the rack  51 , is disposed a deflector member  64 . The deflector member  64  may be an extension of the bent edge of the side panel  44 . 
     The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 13  to  15  differs from the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  to  8  only in that the air duct having delivery and intake passages extends vertically, and the same effect and function as in the earlier embodiment is achieved. 
       FIG. 16  shows another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the an air duct is divided into two parts, one extending horizontally and the other extending vertically. The horizontally-extending part is used for an intake passage  31  and the vertically extending part functions as the delivery passage  29 . More specifically, on the uppermost rack plate members 26  of the rack, indicated generally in this embodiment as  71 , is mounted an air purifier  27  with titanium oxide filter as photo catalyst  35  and circulating fan  36 . 
     As noted, the intake passage  31  is provided in the rack plate members 26 , and the delivery passage  29  is provided in the side panel  44 . The rack plate members 26  constitutes an air inlet forming range I with a portion left open, and the air outlet  38  of the air purifier  27  is in communication with this remaining portion. Also this portion is also in communication with the delivery passage  29 . 
     The intake passage  31  may be configured similar to that in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-8 . The delivery passage  29  may be configured similar to that in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 13-15 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 , although the air duct is divided into horizontal and vertical parts, the intake and delivery passages can be connected almost directly to the intake and delivery ports of the air purifier  27 , so that the same effect and function as in the foregoing embodiment can be achieved. 
     The air outlets and air inlets are not limited to ones through which air is delivered or drawn horizontally as described in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  14  and  15 . In the example shown in those figures, air is first delivered horizontally and made to hit against a vertical member so as to be indirectly turned downwardly. However, as shown in  FIG. 17 , air outlets  81  of the delivery passage  29  may be formed to be directed downwardly for the downward air delivery. Also, as shown in  FIG. 18 , air outlets  91  of the delivery passage  29  may be formed to be directed obliquely downwardly for the obliquely downward air delivery. Likewise, the inlets of the intake passage may be formed as shown in  FIG. 7  so that air is drawn from below or obliquely from below the intake passage. Alternatively, air outlets may be configured similar to the air outlets shown in FIG.  17  and FIG.  18  and air inlets similar to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 7 , and conversely, air inlets may be configured similar to the outlets shown in FIG.  17  and FIG.  18  and air outlets similar to the arrangement shown in FIG  7 . 
     The environment improvement device of this invention can be applied not only to the racks such as shown in the embodiments illustrated, but also to general storage bodies such as a moving rack, a stationary rack, a storage rack, a showcase, a closet, a shoe cupboard and a storeroom. Also it will be understood by those skilled in the art the foregoing description has been that of preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.