Ion-generating floor covering and method for forming same

Abstract

The present invention provides a floor covering having a surface that forms a boundary with an ambient environment, and that includes a structure comprising an effective quantity of electrically polarizable, pyroelectric particles disposed substantially below that surface. A method for generating negative ions is also provided that includes positioning a flooring cover within a building, where the floor covering includes a surface that forms a boundary with the ambient environment of the building. The floor covering comprises an effective quantity of pyroelectrically polarizable material disposed no more than one millimeter from the surface, so that when a person or thing travels across that surface so as to frictionally heat the pyroelectrically polarizable material, negative ions are generated. Such generation of negative ions neutralizes or reduces odor, airborne bacteria, mold spores, pollens, and other harmful particles in the air.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority from, co-pending patent application Ser. No. 11 / 036,941, filed Jan. 14, 2005, and entitled Ionic Or Ion Generating Floor Covering And Method For Embedding Ion Particles Within A Floor Covering.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Ambient air is composed of molecules of gases that can often become positively or negatively charged due to static electricity discharges and / or other natural causes. High concentrations of negatively charged molecules, often referred to as “negative ions” or “minus ions”, are often found near waterfalls, country meadows, beaches and mountains. High concentrations of positively charged molecules, often referred to as “positive ions”, are often found in polluted areas, such as, cities, office buildings, factories and other urban settings. [0003] Scientists now recognize that the level of concentration of negative ions in the ambient air we breathe ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention provides a floor covering having a surface that forms a boundary with an ambient environment, and that includes a structure comprising an effective quantity of electrically polarizable, pyroelectric particles disposed substantially below that surface. In some embodiments,

Problems solved by technology

Collisions between negative ions and airborne pollutants causes the negative ions to lose their mobility and effectiveness.

These collisions cause the airborne pollutants to slow down and settle out of the ambient air.

Air inside buildings tends to become stale and unpleasant to breathe as a result of, in part, the depletion of the negative ion content in the air.

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