Air deodorization device with a detachable cartridge

Abstract

The present invention relates to air deodorizing devices for removing malodor from the air. Such devices are useful for example for storing and preserving food in closed compartments such as refrigerators. The air deodorizing device of the present invention comprises a cartridge member and an air moving member whereby the cartridge member is detachable from the device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An air deodorizing device having an air flow path from an air inlet to an air outlet, said deodorizing device comprising: 
 a cartridge member removably attached to said deodorizing device, said cartridge member comprising a filter member having an air inlet and an air outlet, said cartridge member being arranged within said deodorizing device such that said filter member comes into contact with the air flowing along said air flow path of said deodorizing device; and    an air moving member for moving air along said air flow path, said air moving member comprising a fan connected to an electric motor wherein said electric motor is powered by a source of electricity and wherein said air moving member displaces at least 100 ml of air per second through the air inlet of said deodorizing device.    
     
     
         2 . A refrigerator air deodorizing device according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         3 . An air deodorizing device according to  claim 1  wherein said cartridge member is directly accessible from the outside of said deodorizing device.  
     
     
         4 . An air deodorizing device according to  claim 2  wherein said cartridge member sits on top of the air moving member.  
     
     
         5 . An air deodorizing device according to  claim 1  wherein said source of electricity is a battery, wherein said battery is located within said cartridge member and wherein said battery and said filter member have a substantially equal lifetime.  
     
     
         6 . An air deodorizing device according to  claim 1  wherein said filter member comprises activated carbon.  
     
     
         7 . An air deodorizing device according to  claim 6  wherein said activated carbon is supported on a support member, said support member comprising a foam, a woven, or a nonwoven web material.  
     
     
         8 . An air deodorizing device according to  claim 7  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 .  
     
     
         9 . An air deodorizing device according to  claim 6  wherein said filter member comprises between 5 and 30 grams of activated carbon.  
     
     
         10 . An air deodorizing device according to  claim 1  wherein said filter member is located between the air inlet of said deodorizing device and said air moving member such that substantially all the air aspired by said air moving member is forced to flow through said filter member along said air flow path.