GB2424060A

GB2424060A - Isolation enclosure

Info

Publication number: GB2424060A
Application number: GB0504116A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Dee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-01
Filing date: 2005-03-01
Publication date: 2006-09-13
Also published as: WO2006092561A1; GB0504116D0

Abstract

An isolation enclosure comprises a canopy 10 of impermeable material defining an enclosed compartment, a means for introducing (25, fig 2) filtered air into and extracting (26) air from the compartment. Canopy 10 may comprise side walls 15, 16, end walls 17, 18, a floor 19 and a roof 20 made from polyvinyl chloride, may be supported by a rigid or collapsible frame 11, and houses a bed 12 or other item of furniture. An aperture in side wall 15 enables access to the compartment via a flap 21. Means for introducing air (25) may be via an inlet port 22 and may comprise of a fan (27) drawing air through a grille (29) via a dust separation device (28), which may be a filter or cyclonic separator, and the air may be heated and/or cooled. One or more filters may be provided downstream of filter (28) and may be a HEPA filter. Air extraction means (26) may extract air via an outlet port 23 in end wall 17 and may comprise of a fan (31) expelling air to the external atmosphere via an outlet grille (33). Air introducing (25) and extraction (26) means may be mounted in the same housing (24) and connected externally to the canopy 10 via flexible ducts (30, 32). Canopy 10 may be attached to a ceiling and fitted to a mattress (41, fig 3).

Description

Isolation Enclosure Device This invention relates to an enclosure device

for isolating persons such as allergy sufferers from the surrounding environment.

Many people suffer from allergies caused by chemicals, particles and other allergens in the environment. Whilst it is possible for such allergy suffers to take precautions to limit the effects of allergens, they are never able to obtain total relief without putting themselves into an isolated environment.

Isolated environments can be provided in hospitals and the like but such environments are maintained using expensive air conditioning and filtration equipment and as such are beyond the financial reach of those wanting relief at home.

I have now devised an isolation enclosure device which alleviates the above- mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an isolation enclosure comprising a canopy of impermeable material, means for supporting the canopy to define an enclosed compartment, means for introducing filtered air from the atmosphere into the compartment and means for extracting air from the compartment and for discharging the air into the atmosphere.

In use clean filtered air is circulated through the compartment. Hence, an allergy sufferer can enter the compartment to obtain relief from the effects of allergens in the atmosphere. The device is relatively simple in construction and is thus inexpensive to purchase for use at home.

Preferably said air introducing means comprises a fan arranged to draw air from the atmosphere through a particle separation device.

Preferably said particle separation device comprises a cyclonic separator or a filter bag or receptacle of the kind commonly found in a vacuum cleaner.

Preferably a filter, such as a hepa filter, is mounted downstream of said cyclonjc separator, filter receptacle or filter bag. The cyclonic separator, filter bag or receptacle collects a large proportion of the particles in the air and can regularly be emptied or changed to maintain the efficiency of the device. The smaller particles having a particle size of down to 0.1 jim are removed by the downstream filter.

Preferably said air introducing means and said air extraction means are mounted inside the same housing.

Preferably said air introducing means and said air extraction means are mounted externally of the canopy and are Preferably connected thereto by respective elongate flexible ducts.

Preferably said air introducing means and said air extraction means are arranged to create a pressure inside the compartment which is slightly greater that the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. In this manner, filtered air, under pressure, is constantly forced into the compartment and will exert a pressure on the walls of the compartment, thereby assisting in Preventing the ingress of air from the atmosphere.

Preferably said canopy support means comprises a frame, which may be constructed as a rigid structure or may be collapsible or foldable for storage purposes. Alternatively the canopy could be self-supporting or means could be provided for attaching the canopy to an adjacent structure, such as a wall or ceiling.

Preferably said means for introducing filtered air from the atmosphere into the compartment advantageously comprises means for heating and/or cooling the air.

Preferably an opening is provided in the canopy to allow access into and out of the compartment either in normal use and/or in an emergency.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the canopy portion of an embodiment of isolation enclosure device in accordance with the present invention, with some parts being shown cut away; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation portion of the isolation enclosure device of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the canopy portion of an alternative embodiment of isolation enclosure device in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, the canopy portion of a first embodiment of isolation enclosure device comprises a tent-like canopy 10 formed of impermeable transparent plastics material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and a support frame 11, which supports the canopy 10 to define an enclosed compartment of sufficient size to house a bed 12 or other item of furniture.

The frame 11 comprises a rectangular base portion 13 and uprights 14 extending upwardly from each corner thereof. The uprights 14 are connected at their upper ends to a roof portion of the frame 11 (not shown).

The canopy 10 comprises opposite side walls 15, 16, opposite end walls 17, 18, a floor 19 and a roof 20, which are sealingly interconnected to prevent the ingress of the surrounding atmosphere into the compartment. An aperture is formed in one of the sidewalls 15 to enable access to the compartment and flap 21 is provided for sealingly closing the aperture.

An inlet and an outlet port 22, 23 extend through one of the end walls 17 of the canopy 10 for connecting to the respective ducts of the ventilation portion of the enclosure shown in Figure 2. The ports 22, 23 may be located at substantially spaced apart locations on the canopy, in order to achieve the optimum airflow.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, the ventilation portion of the device comprises a housing 24, which encloses a blower unit 25 for introducing filtered air into the canopy 10 and an extraction unit 26 for extracting stale air from the canopy 10.

The blower unit 25 comprises a motorised fan 27, which draws air from the atmosphere through a grille 29 into the inlet of the fan 27 via a dust separation device 28. The dust separation device 28 may comprise a filter bag or a cyclonic separator of the type commonly found in a vacuum cleaner. One or more filters may also be provided downstream of the filter bag or cyclone. The outlet of the fan 27 is connected to an elongate flexible duct 30, which extends from the exterior of the housing 24. The distal end of the duct 30 is provided with a coupling for connecting to the inlet duct 19 on the sidewall 17 of the canopy 10.

The extraction unit 26 comprises a motorised fan 31 having an inlet connected to another elongate flexible duct 32, which extends from the exterior of the housing 24. The distal end of the duct 32 is provided with a coupling for connecting to the outlet duct 20 on the canopy 10. The extraction unit 26 expels air drawn air along the duct 32 into the atmosphere via an outlet grille 33.

In use, an allergy sufferer or other person wishing to isolate themself from the surrounding environment can enter the canopy through the flap 21 The flap 21 is then closed and sealed to the body of the canopy 10. Once, inside the compartment, the ventilation portion of the enclosure can be activated by a switch (not shown) located inside the compartment. The switch may be connected to the ventilation portion by a cable or by a wireless link.

Once activated, the ventilation portion of the device operates in a boost mode, io whereby the blower unit 25 rapidly introduces a large volume of filtered air into the compartment via the duct 30. The separation device 28 removes any dust and allergens in the air having a particle size greater than 0.l1irfl.

Simultaneously, the extraction unit 26 rapidly extracts stale air from the compartment via the duct 32.

After a predetermined time period, the ventilation portion of the device switches to a trickle mode, whereby the blower and extraction units 25, 26 run slowly or intermittentlY to supply just a sufficient amount of filtered air into the compartment, whilst maintaining a near silent operating condition so as not to disturb the occupant or another person adjacent the device.

The volume of air contained within the canopy 10 is defined by the particular application with some applications requiring a compartment large enough to house an entire double bed, whilst other applications may only need to cover a portion of the bed containing the occupant's upper body.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, the canopy portion of a second embodiment of isolation enclosure device comprises a canopy 40 in the form of a skirt of one or more panels of impermeable transparent plastics material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The canopy 40 comprises a large opening which enables the canopy 40 to be fitted onto a mattress of a bed 41 as shown in the drawing. A resiliently extendable cord extends around the mouth of the opening to embrace the mattress and to provide an effective seal.

The canopy 40 is supported over the bed 41 by a frame or by attaching it to the ceiling with one or more elongate fastening members. Ports (not shown) are provided on the canopy 40 for connecting to a ventilation portion of the device as hereinbefore described. A flap may be provided in the canopy 40 for permitting access to the compartment. Alternatively, one edge of the canopy could be released from the bed 41 and then refitted once the occupant is inside the compartment.

The device operates in a similar manner to the first embodiment but it will be appreciated that the volume of the compartment is greatly reduced, thereby allowing a much smaller and inexpensive ventilation portion of the device to be provided.

It will be appreciated that an enclosure device in accordance with this invention is simple and inexpensive in construction yet can provide a comfortable environment where allergy suffers can escape from the surrounding environment. Whilst the device has been described as a device particularly intended for allergy suffers, it will be apparent that the device could be used to provide isolation in a wide range of situations. For example, the device could be used to contain patients suffering from particular diseases, in which case the stale air drawn from the compartment could be treated or filtered before being discharged into the atmosphere.

It is envisaged that the device could also include means for heating or cooling the air, which is introduced into the compartment. Furthermore, the device could also include units arranged to remove particular chemicals, gases and microbes from the air, in order to provide a safe environment following a chemical or biological attack. The device also provides an environment, which is free from any insects and as such is useful in areas where mosquitoes are prevalent.

The ventilation portion of the device comprises parts commonly found in a commercial or domestic vacuum cleaner as well a parts found in air extraction devices, such as bathroom fans. Accordingly, the device can be manufactured inexpensively using such readily available parts.

Claims

Claims 1. An isolation enclosure comprising a canopy of impermeable

material, means for supporting the canopy to define an enclosed compartment, means for introducing filtered air from the atmosphere into the compartment and means for extracting air from the compartment and for discharging the air into the atmosphere.
2. An isolation enclosure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said air introducing means comprises a fan arranged to draw air from the atmosphere through a particle separation device.
3. An isolation enclosure as claimed in claim 2 wherein said particle separation device comprises a cyclonic separator.
4. An isolation enclosure as claimed in claim 2 wherein said particle separation device comprises a filter bag.
5. An isolation enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a filter, such as a hepa filter, is mounted downstream of said cyclonic separator, filter receptacle or filter bag.
6. An isolation enclosure as claimed in claims 3, 4 and 5 wherein the cyclonic separator, filter bag or receptacle collects a large proportion of the particles in the air and can regularly be emptied or changed to maintain the efficiency of the device.
7. An isolation enclosure as claimed in claims I to 6 wherein the smaller particles having a particle size of down to 0.1tm are removed by the downstream filter.
8. An isolation enclosure as claimed in claims 1 to 7 wherein said air Introducing means and said air extraction means are mounted inside the same housing.
9. An isolation enclosure as claimed in claims 1 to 8 wherein said air introducing means and said air extraction means are mounted externally of the canopy and are connected thereto by respective elongate flexible ducts.
10. An isolation enclosure as claimed in claims 1 to 9 wherein said air introducing means and said air extraction means are arranged to create a pressure inside the compartment which is slightly greater than the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere.
11. An isolation encJ&sure as claimed in claims 1 to 10 wherein said canopy support means comprise a frame, which may be constructed as a rigid structure or may be collapsible or foldable for storage purposes.
12. An isolation enclosure as claimed in claims 1 to 11 wherein said means for introducing filtered air from the atmosphere into the compartment advantageously comprises means for heating and/or cooling the air.
13. An isolation enclosure as claimed in claims I to 12 wherein an opening is provided in the canopy to allow access into and out of the compartment either in normal use or in an emergency.
14. An isolation enclosure substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.