Air treatment apparatus having a structure defining an array of openings

Abstract

An air treatment apparatus including a plurality of electrodes coupled to a voltage generator. The air treatment apparatus has a structure defining an array of openings.

1 . An air treatment apparatus comprising: 
 a housing defining an inner space;    a first electrode;    a second electrode;    a voltage generator operatively coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode so as to generate a flow of air from the first electrode to the second electrode along a path;    a structure supported by the housing and positioned in the inner space, a portion of the structure being in line with the path, the structure defining an array of openings; and    a panel coupled to the housing, the panel defining a plurality of openings, the panel positioned outside the inner space.    
     
     
         2 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , which includes a plurality of second electrodes operatively coupled to the voltage generator.  
     
     
         3 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode includes a member selected from the group consisting of: a wire and a plate-shaped member.  
     
     
         4 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second electrode includes a plate-shaped member.  
     
     
         5 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is configured to be removable from the housing.  
     
     
         6 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second electrode is configured to be removable through a top of the housing.  
     
     
         7 . An air treatment apparatus comprising: 
 a housing defining an inner space;    an emitter electrode;    a collector electrode;    a voltage generator operatively coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode so as to generate a flow of air from the emitter electrode to the collector electrode along a path;    a structure supported by the housing and positioned in the inner space, a portion of the structure being in line with the path, the structure defining an array of openings; and    a vent coupled to the housing, the vent defining a plurality of openings, the vent positioned outside the inner space.    
     
     
         8 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the structure has a perforated surface.  
     
     
         9 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the array has a form selected from the group consisting of: a grid form and a matrix form.  
     
     
         10 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 7 , which includes a plurality of collector electrodes operatively coupled to the voltage generator.  
     
     
         11 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the emitter electrode includes a member selected from the group consisting of: a wire and a plate-shaped member.  
     
     
         12 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the collector electrode is configured to be removable from the housing.  
     
     
         13 . An air treatment apparatus comprising: 
 an elongated housing defining an inner space;    an elongated emitter electrode, the emitter electrode having a cylindrical shape;    an elongated collector electrode configured to be removed from the housing, a portion of the collector electrode having a substantially flat shape;    a voltage generator operatively coupled to the emitter electrode and the collector electrode so as to generate a flow of air from the emitter electrode to the collector electrode along a path;    a structure supported by the housing and positioned in the inner space, a portion of the structure being in line with the path, the structure defining a grid of openings; and    a plurality of vents coupled to opposite sides of the housing, each of the vents defining a plurality of openings, the vents being positioned outside the inner space.    
     
     
         14 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 13 , which includes a plurality of collector electrodes operatively coupled to the voltage generator.  
     
     
         15 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the emitter electrode includes a member selected from the group consisting of: a wire and a plate-shaped member.  
     
     
         16 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the collector electrode includes a plate-shaped member.  
     
     
         17 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the collector electrode is configured to be removable through a top of the housing.  
     
     
         18 . The air treatment apparatus of  claim 13 , which includes a user handle coupled to the collector electrode.