Pressurized odor containment and elimination device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing odor containment devices fail to effectively prevent odors from highly odorous items from entering the surrounding airspace, as they either treat odors after they have been released or allow scents, aerosols, vapors, or particulates to escape into the environment.

Innovation Solution

A pressurized odor containment and elimination device with a containment center and multiple pathways, including airtight first and second pathways for controlling the flow of contaminated air, and a third pathway for reducing or eliminating odors, which can be configured to direct air through a door or window, incorporating air filters and fragrance enhancers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional odor containment devices are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but odor containment effectiveness deteriorates as odors escape into the surrounding environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodor containment effectivenessVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple sealed pathways (first pathway, second pathway, third pathway) that segment the airflow control function. Each pathway is independently sealed and directed to different release points, allowing comprehensive odor containment through distributed control rather than a single complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes pressurized pathways to control air flow direction and prevent odor escape. By applying pressure differential control, the system ensures contaminated air flows through designated sealed pathways rather than leaking into the surrounding environment, achieving reliable containment through pneumatic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If multiple pressurized pathways are implemented, then odor containment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodor elimination effectivenessVSAvoidpathway configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The containment center serves multiple functions: it receives odorous items, collects contaminated air, and distributes it through multiple pathways to different release points. This multi-functional design consolidates complex odor management operations into a single universal component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to contain odors after they escape into the environment, the device inverts the approach by containing odors at the source and directing them through controlled pathways to designated release points. This inverted containment strategy simplifies the overall system architecture while achieving superior odor elimination effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If air filters and fragrance enhancers are added, then air quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair qualityVSAvoidcomponent quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Air filters and fragrance enhancers are introduced as intermediary components within the sealed pathways. These intermediaries process the contaminated air during its controlled flow from the containment center to release points, improving air quality by filtering odors and adding fragrance without requiring complex external air treatment systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device effectively traps and eliminates odors, preventing them from entering the surrounding environment while allowing controlled release, enhancing air quality and user interaction with odorous items.

Implementation Method 1

a first pressurized pathway configured to receive at least a portion of the first contaminated air from the containment center

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The third pathway includes an air filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the air flow director can be configured to draw contaminated air from the containment center to outside environment through the air filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11506407B2Pressurized odor containment and elimination device

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 LINDSAY SHANEL A

AI summary

An odor containment and elimination device includes a containment center, first pathway, second pathway, and third pathway. The containment center can be configured to receive an odorous item that emits a contaminated air including an odor. The first pathway can be in fluid communication with the containment center and an outside environment and configured to allow contaminated air to travel from the containment center to a first release point while inhibiting seeping of the contaminated air from the first pathway into the outside environment prior to the first release point. The second pathway can be in fluid communication with the containment center and the outside environment via a first intake. The third pathway can be in fluid communication with the containment center and the outside environment and configured to reduce contaminated air released into the environment and/or direct the contaminated air through a door or window.