Air filtering device

Abstract

The present invention relates to air filtering devices for removing malodor and ethylene from the air. Such devices are useful for example for storing and preserving fluid in closed compartments such as refrigerators. The air filtering device of the present invention is characterized in that a first filtering member is capable of removing malodors from the air and a second filtering members capable of removing ethylene from the air.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An air filtering device comprising: 
 a first filtering member;    a second filtering member; and    an air flow conduit defining an air flow path through the device from an air inlet to an air outlet, said first filtering member and said second filtering member being positioned to interact with at least a portion of the molecules flowing along the air flow path wherein said first filtering member removes malodor molecules from the air when air contacts said first filtering member and said second filtering members oxidizes ethylene when air contacts said second filtering member.    
     
     
         2 . The air filtering device according to  claim 1  wherein said air filtering device further comprises an air ventilation member for moving air along the air flow path.  
     
     
         3 . An air filtering device according to  claim 2  wherein said air ventilation member displaces at least 100 ml of air per second through said air inlet into said device.  
     
     
         4 . An air filtering device according to  claim 1  wherein said first filtering member comprises activated carbon.  
     
     
         5 . An air filtering device according to  claim 4  wherein said activated carbon is supported on a support member, said support member comprising a foam, a woven, or a nonwoven web material.  
     
     
         6 . An air filtering device according to  claim 5  wherein said activated carbon is supported on a polyurethane foam having a carbon density of between 0.01 and 0.3 grams per cm 3 .  
     
     
         7 . An air filtering device according to  claim 4  wherein said first filter member comprises between 5 and 30 grams of activated carbon.  
     
     
         8 . An air filtering device according to  claim 1  wherein said second filtering member comprises an oxidation agent.  
     
     
         9 . An air filtering device according to  claim 8  wherein said oxidation agent is potassium permanganate supported on a structure comprising at least one of the following: zeolite and alumina.  
     
     
         10 . An air filtering device according to  claim 9  wherein said potassium permanganate is included as part of solid particles structures selcted from the group consisting of: 
 supported in a foam structure, layered between non-woven materials and layered between woven materials.  
 
     
     
         11 . An air filtering device according to  claim 8  wherein less than 30% of the macroscopic surface of said potassium permanganate is immediately exposed to air.  
     
     
         12 . An air filtering device according to  claim 8  wherein at least 30% of the macroscopic surface of the potassium permanganate is in contact with activated carbon.  
     
     
         13 . An air filtering device according to  claim 8  wherein said potassium permanganate is configured relative to said air flow path such that air flowing along said air flow path does not flow through the potassium permanganate.