FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to street furniture with an integrated air cleaning
device, such as a bench comprising an integrated air cleaning device, and including
other types of street furniture such as bill boards, railings, and lamp posts. Furthermore,
the present invention concerns a method for cleaning ambient air, as well as use of
street furniture for cleaning ambient air. Moreover, an arm rest module comprising
an air cleaning device is also part of the present invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Street furniture includes the objects and pieces of equipment installed on streets
and roads. Street furniture includes benches, light poles, advertising boards, street
signs, railings, public lavatories, phone and post boxes, traffic barriers and bus
shelters. The aims of street furniture include safety, and services like shelter,
information, comfort and beauty to people using the street.
[0003] Air purifiers remove pollution from air. They mainly comprise a fan, one or more
filters and a box for housing the fan and the filter. Many filtration methods are
known such as mechanical filtration, adsorption and electrostatic filtration.
[0004] People in streets are exposed to polluted air, from traffic, cooking, industry, and
other sources, but there have not been any systems to clean the air in streets and
provide clean air to people.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention concerns street furniture, such as a bench, an advertising
board, a bill board, a lamp post, a railing, a wall mounted unit, a sun shade, light
poles, street signs, public lavatories, phone and post boxes, traffic barriers, bus
shelters and a sound barrier comprising an air cleaning unit integrated into the street
furniture wherein the unit comprises an air cleaning device capable of drawing ambient
air into the unit and a system for emitting cleaned air from the air cleaning device
to the air surrounding the street furniture.
[0006] In one embodiment, the street furniture is selected from an advertising or bill board
suitable for paper posters or digital displays comprising a metal frame, such as a
steel frame, having a height of up to 2 meters, a railing, a lamp post and a bench.
[0007] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to street furniture suitable for
people to rest by sitting or lying down comprising
- a) a resting element comprising a seating module, optionally wherein at least one
seating module comprises at least one air cleaning device capable of drawing ambient
air into the seating module;
- b) a back rest element comprising of a back rest module, optionally wherein at least
one back rest module comprises an air cleaning device capable of drawing ambient air
into the back rest module;
- c) a source of emitting cleaned air from the air cleaning device(s) to the air surrounding
the street furniture; and
- d) wherein at least the air cleaning devices of the seating module or at least the
air cleaning devices of the back rest module is present.
[0008] Typically, such street furniture is commonly referred to as a bench.
[0009] In a further embodiment of the street furniture, such as the bench, the air cleaning
device is capable of cleaning polluted air including exhaust gases, such as NOx and
SOx, fine particles, ozone, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, urban
pollutants and naturally occurring compounds.
[0010] In a still further embodiment of the street furniture the ambient air is drawn into
the air cleaning device of the street furniture through at least one air inlet and
at least one means for transporting air flows, such as a fan or wind power.
[0011] In a further embodiment of the street furniture the air cleaning device comprises
a system selected from the group consisting of gas phase advanced oxidation (GPAO),
and filters, such as active carbon filters, gas adsorbing filters, electrostatic filters,
and fabric filters. Such as selected from a combination of GPAO and an electrostatic
filter, or a combination of active carbon filter and a fabric filter, or one GPAO
or one filter.
[0012] In a still further embodiment of the street furniture the cleaned air is directed
at the people resting on the street furniture or in close vicinity, such as up to
5 meters, of the street furniture by at least one means for transporting air flows,
such as a fan.
[0013] In a further embodiment the street furniture further having an arm rest module comprising
an air cleaning device capable of drawing ambient air into the arm rest module.
[0014] In a still further embodiment of the street furniture the source of emitting cleaned
air is located in the arm rest module, in the back rest module and/or in the seating
module, comprising a means for transporting air flows, such as a fan.
[0015] In a further embodiment of the street furniture the back rest element is flat or
has a curved shape, such as a concave shape, for people to rest their backs against
the flat or curve shaped back rest element.
[0016] In a still further embodiment the street furniture further comprising a sensor for
monitoring ambient air pollution, clean air or both. Typically, the sensor is located
inside the street furniture. Preferably, a sensor is located on each side of the air
cleaning device(s) inside the street furniture.
[0017] In a further embodiment of the street furniture 4 seating modules are present.
[0018] In a still further embodiment of the street furniture 2 air cleaning devices are
present inside the seating modules.
[0019] In a further embodiment of the street furniture 1 back rest module is present.
[0020] In a still further embodiment of the street furniture 5 air cleaning devices are
present inside the back rest module.
[0021] In a further aspect the present invention concerns a method for cleaning ambient
air surrounding street furniture, the method comprising: drawing ambient polluted
air into the street furniture of the present invention, cleaning the air inside the
street furniture, and directing the cleaned air to the area around the street furniture.
[0022] In a still further aspect the present invention concerns use of street furniture
for cleaning polluted air by drawing ambient polluted air into the street furniture
of the present invention, cleaning the air inside the street furniture, and directing
the cleaned air to the surrounding of the street furniture.
[0023] In a further aspect the present invention concerns an arm rest module comprising
- a) a housing, such as a metal box, comprising an air cleaning device, wherein the
air cleaning device comprises a means for transporting air flows, such as a fan, for
drawing air into the cleaning device, a particle filter for filtering the air, and
a gas filter for filtering the air, and
- b) an arm rest connected and secured to the housing, having a diffuser in the arm
rest for directing the cleaned air from the air cleaning device to the surrounding
of the arm rest module.
[0024] The present invention provides these advantages with the described solution.
[0025] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following
description, and claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The present invention concerns street furniture, such as a bench, an advertising
board, a bill board, a lamp post, a railing, a wall mounted unit, a sun shade, light
poles, street signs, public lavatories, phone and post boxes, traffic barriers, bus
shelters and a sound barrier comprising an air cleaning unit integrated with the street
furniture wherein the unit comprises an air cleaning device capable of drawing ambient
air into the unit and a source of emitting cleaned air from the air cleaning device
to the air surrounding the street furniture.
[0027] The term "air cleaning device" as used herein means a device that is configured to
draw air into the device wherein the air is cleaned from pollution, such as by leading
the air through a filter removing the pollution or part of the pollution, and then
typically via an air diffuser is emitted out of the device, for instance by means
of a fan or similar means. Typical construction of such air cleaning devices is known
to the skilled person and the air cleaning devices may be built into the street furniture.
The air cleaning device is adapted to receive current from for instance a power cable.
[0028] The term "integrated with" as used herein means that the unit may be located completely
inside the street furniture, or is partly integrated which means that parts of the
unit may protrude from the furniture if that is considered suitable. Integrated as
used herein could also simply mean that the unit is mounted and fixed to the furniture
by means of bolts, nails, glue or the like.
[0029] When using the term "street furniture" one or more pieces of furniture are placed
out in the open air, and typically, located in a city with pollution, such as in a
park or close to other facilities, such as railways, highways, where pollution is
a common problem. Examples of street furniture are a bench, an advertising board,
a bill board, a lamp post, a railing, a wall mounted unit, a sun shade, light poles,
street signs, public lavatories, phone and post boxes, traffic barriers, bus shelters
and a sound barrier.
[0030] When the street furniture is selected from an advertising or bill board suitable
for advertising paper posters or e.g. digital displays, such board typically includes
a metal frame. Typically, the frame is a steel frame. Furthermore, the metal frame
may be from 0.5 meter to 3 meters in height, such as having a height of up to 2 meters.
[0031] When the street furniture is selected from a railing, such railing has the air cleaning
unit integrated completely or simply a part of the unit is engaged with the railing.
Railings are typically located on bridges or as part of stairs in a city or a park,
or can be hand rails.
[0032] The street furniture may also be a lamp post. Typically, the air cleaning unit is
a circular cylinder shaped unit to be mounted on a pole of the lamp post, so that
the pole extends through the cylinder shaped unit. For instance, the pole may have
two circular air cleaning units mounted thereon. Preferably, the air cleaning unit,
such as two air cleaning units, is mounted in the lower part of the lamp pole, close
to the ground, typically in the lower half, and preferably in the lower third of the
lamp pole of the lamp post.
[0033] The street furniture may also be a sun shade. Typically, the air cleaning unit is
mounted on the sun shade and is configured to clean the air inside the unit, and directing
the cleaned air to the surrounding of the sun shade. Sun shades that could be used
in connection with the present invention are available from SL-Rasch GmbH Special
and Lightweight Structures; see e.g. http://www.sl-rasch.com/
[0034] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to street furniture suitable for
people to rest by sitting or lying down comprising
- a) a resting element comprising a seating module, optionally wherein at least one
seating module comprises an air cleaning device capable of drawing ambient air into
the seating module;
- b) a back rest element comprising a back rest module, optionally wherein at least
one back rest module comprises an air cleaning device capable of drawing ambient air
into the back rest module;
- c) a source of emitting cleaned air from the air cleaning device(s) to the air surrounding
the street furniture; and
- d) wherein at least the air cleaning devices of the seating module or at least the
air cleaning device of the back rest module is present.
[0035] In one embodiment when the back rest module comprises an air cleaning device, there
are at least two air cleaning devices capable of drawing ambient air into the back
rest module.
[0036] In a further embodiment the street furniture is a bench.
[0037] The term "a rest element" as used herein means an element for people to rest on by
sitting or lying down as the case may be. The rest element is typically composed of
one or more seating modules, which may be made of wood or steel or plastic, as the
case may be. Here the term "seating module" is a part of the resting element, and
merely indicates that for convenience the resting element is not one element. Each
of the seating modules may be attached to one another by means of nails, bolts, glue,
or the like.
[0038] The term "a back rest element" as used herein means an element of any suitable shape
that it is possible for people to lean their back against to rest or simply to feel
comfortable having back support. The back rest element is typically composed of one
or more back rest modules, which may be made of wood or steel or plastic as the case
may be. Here the term "back rest module" is a part of the back rest element, and merely
indicates that for convenience the back rest element is not one element. Each of the
back rest modules may be attached to one another by means of nails, bolts, glue, or
the like.
[0039] The term "a source of emitting cleaned air" as used herein means a device configured
to push or draw air from inside the air cleaning device to the air surrounding the
street furniture, such as a fan, or by wind power, by buoyancy or the like.
[0040] In a still further embodiment the resting element a) has at least one seating module,
such as 1-4, typically 4. Typically, the seating module has from 1 to 4 cleaning devices,
such as 2 or 3. Not all seating modules may have a cleaning device incorporated and
preferably, 2 air cleaning devices are present inside 2 seating modules, that is one
in each.
[0041] In a further embodiment the back rest element b) has at least one back rest module,
such as 1 or 2, typically 1. Typically, the back rest module has from 1 to 6 cleaning
devices, such as 2-5, e.g. 4 or 5. When for instance one back rest module is present
up to 5 air cleaning devices can be present inside the back rest module. In an embodiment
5 air cleaning devices are located inside the back rest module.
[0042] In a still further embodiment at least one air cleaning device of the seating module
and at least one air cleaning device of the back rest module are present.
[0043] In a further embodiment the air cleaning device is capable of cleaning polluted air
comprising exhaust gases, such as NOx and SOx, fine particles, ozone, particulate
matter, volatile organic compounds, urban pollutants and naturally occurring compounds.
Examples of preferred pollutants being reduced are volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
NOx and SOx, as well as ozone, fine and ultrafine particles. NOx and particles are
generated by diesel engines and due to that these pollutants should be removed from
the ambient air to have a clean air.
[0044] In a still further embodiment the ambient air is drawn into the air cleaning device
of the street furniture through at least one air inlet and at least one means for
transporting air flows. Typically, the ambient air is drawn into the air cleaning
device of the street furniture through a fan or by wind power, such as a fan. For
instance, 7 or 8 air cleaning devices are present in total, e.g. 2-3 in the seating
element and 4-5 in the back rest element.
[0045] In a further embodiment, the air cleaning device comprises a cleaning unit selected
from the group consisting of gas phase advanced oxidation (GPAO) and filters. Typically,
filters are active carbon filters, gas adsorbing filters, electrostatic filters, and
fabric filters. Each of these filters constitute individual embodiments of the invention.
[0046] In a still further embodiment the cleaned air is directed at the people resting on
the street furniture or in close vicinity of the street furniture by at least one
means for transporting air flows, such as a fan. Typically, close vicinity means up
to 5 or 6 meters from the furniture. Typically, one fan is included in each air cleaning
device, but two may be present. The fan is typically an axial fan, a cross flow fan
or a centrifugal fan.
[0047] The street furniture such as the bench may have arm rests for people to rest, for
instance, by putting their arms on the arm rests. Optimally, the street furniture
is constructed so that arm rests in the form of arm rest modules can be integrated
in the bench. This means that when assembling the bench, the back rest element or
each of the back rest modules, is adapted to receive an arm rest module, which comprises
an air cleaning device. Typically, 3-5 arm rest modules are present and each arm rest
module comprises an air cleaning device capable of drawing ambient air into the arm
rest module. Preferably, each arm rest module contains one air cleaning device.
[0048] Typically, the source of emitting cleaned air is located in the arm rest module,
in the back rest module and/or in the seating module, and comprises a means for transporting
air flows, such as a fan. The source of emitting cleaned air is located in at least
one of these modules, and maybe located in two or all three, which means that each
module has a source, preferably one source of emitting cleaned air. In a further embodiment
the source of emitting cleaned air is located in the arm rest module. In another embodiment
the source of emitting cleaned air is located in the back rest module. In a further
embodiment the source of emitting cleaned air is located in the seating module. In
a still further embodiment, the source of emitting cleaned air is located in both
the arm rest module and in the back rest module. In a further embodiment the source
of emitting cleaned air is located in both the arm rest module and in the seating
module. In a further embodiment the source of emitting cleaned air is located in the
arm rest module, in the back rest module and in the seating module.
[0049] The street furniture such as the bench has a back rest element, and typically one
or two back rest modules on top of one another will constitute the back rest element.
Such back rest element may have many shapes as long as it is suitable for people to
rest their back against. In an embodiment the back rest element is flat. In another
embodiment the back rest element has a curved shape, such as a concave shape. In particular
the concave shape has the advantage of better concentrating the cleaned air in close
vicinity of the people on the bench, in particular in the space defined by the curved
shape and comprising the resting element.
[0050] To further modify the street furniture, such as the bench, one or more sensors may
be placed on or inside the street furniture, such as the bench. In an embodiment the
sensor(s) monitor(s) ambient air pollution, clean air or both. Typically, the sensor(s)
is/are located inside the street furniture. Preferably, a sensor is located before
the air cleaning device and after the air cleaning device, such as inside the street
furniture, e.g. inside the bench.
[0051] In a further aspect the present invention relates to a method for cleaning ambient
air surrounding street furniture, the method comprising: drawing ambient polluted
air into an air cleaning device of the street furniture of any one of the above embodiments,
cleaning the air inside the street furniture, and directing the cleaned air to the
surrounding of the street furniture.
[0052] In a still further aspect the present invention relates to use of street furniture
for cleaning polluted air by drawing ambient polluted air into an air cleaning device
of the street furniture of any one of the above embodiments, cleaning the air inside
the street furniture, and directing the cleaned air to the surrounding of the street
furniture.
[0053] As described above, the arm rest may be an integrated part of the street furniture,
such as the bench, or it may be a separate module which can be mounted in the back
rest element of the bench. An advantage of an arm rest module that can be incorporated
into the street furniture, is that it can be exchanged if broken, or when the air
cleaning module inside should be serviced, and may be repaired. Another advantage
is that it is easier to protect the air cleaning device and the filter against the
leakage of rain and vandalization. Another advantage of using an arm rest module of
the present invention is that since the armrest is very close to the person sitting
on the bench, the released clean air from the armrest will be entrained into the upward
micro flow near the human body and therefore, the clean air will be delivered effectively
to the person's head. The arm rest module may have different sizes and shapes as the
case may be, but is adapted to be mounted in a back rest element of the desired street
furniture of the present invention, such as the bench of the present invention, so
that a housing containing an air cleaning device is located inside the bench and the
arm rest protrudes out of the back rest element, for instance, for people to rest
their arms on.
[0054] Accordingly, in a further aspect the present invention concerns an arm rest module
comprising
- a) a housing, such as a metal box, comprising an air cleaning device, wherein the
air cleaning device comprises a means for transporting air flows, such as a fan, for
drawing air into the cleaning device, a particle filter for filtering the air, a gas
filter for filtering the air, and an air intake, and
- b) an arm rest connected and secured to the housing, having a diffuser in the arm
rest for directing the cleaned air from the air cleaning device to the surrounding
of the arm rest module.
[0055] In an embodiment the housing is a metal box.
[0056] In a further embodiment the housing contains one air cleaning device.
[0057] In a still further embodiment the air cleaning device consist of one means for transporting
air flows for drawing air into the cleaning device, one particle filter for filtering
the air, and one gas filter for filtering the air. In a further embodiment the means
for transporting air flows is a fan. The particle filter preferably comprises a filter
for fine particles (larger than 300 nm and smaller than 3 micrometer in mean mass
aerodynamic diameter (MMAD)) and an ultrafine filter (for particles smaller than 300
nm in MMAD). The particle filter will be made of fibers (woven or non-woven). The
gas filter comprises a charcoal filter or other gas absorbing material that can be
in the shape of pellets, filter bed and/or a sponge. In further embodiments, the fan
is typically an axial, cross flow or centrifugal fan, comprising a number of blades
in a circular arrangement for moving the air, a coil, axis and cabling for electricity
supply.
[0058] In a further embodiment the arm rest connected and secured to the housing, has one
diffuser in the arm rest for directing the cleaned air from the air cleaning device
to the surrounding of the arm rest module. Typically, the arm rest is made of the
same material as the housing, but may be made of a different material as long as connection
to the housing can be secured.
[0059] The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the appended drawings
illustrating typical embodiments of the street furniture with air cleaning devices
integrated therein.
[0060] These drawings are by no means limiting the scope of the present invention and are
only intended to guide the skilled person for better understanding of the present
invention.
Figure 1 illustrates a bench (10) of the present invention having a concave shaped
back rest element (12) defined by a concave shaped inner wall (14) for people sitting
on the bench to optionally rest their back against, a concave shaped outer wall (not
shown) opposite the inner wall (14), two side ends (16) and (18) defining the ends
of the concave shaped back rest element, a top part (20) defining the upper limit
of the back rest element, five openings (22, 24, 26, 28, 38) having an air cleaning
device located in the back rest element (12), wherein three arm rests (30, 32, 34)
protrudes through openings (24, 26, 28) and which are configures so as to release
cleaned air into the surroundings of the bench. The bench further has a seating element
(40) and a seating surface (36) for people to sit or lay on, which seating element
(40) may consist of one or more modules (not shown). The bench is made curved (concave)
to help keeping the cleaned air at the vicinity of the bench when the weather is windy.
This will help to provide the cleaned air at a speed which is comfortable to people.
Figure 2 illustrates the bench of Figure 1 wherein the seating surface (36) has been
removed and two seating modules (50, 52) are indicated which each may contain an air
cleaning device (not shown). Two air cleaners will be placed beneath the seat (36,
40) of the bench in each seating module (50, 52). The air cleaner will pull the air
from back of the bench (not shown) and will push out the cleaned air to the sides
of the bench, through openings as indicated in Figure 1.
Figure 3 illustrates an arm rest module (60) of the present invention including a
housing (64) wherein an air cleaning device is located (not shown) and an arm rest
(62) connected and secured to the housing, which arm rest (62) has a diffuser in the
arm rest (61) for directing the cleaned air from the air cleaning device to the surrounding
of the arm rest. The arm rest (62) is configured as a diffuser (61) of the cleaned
air because the arm rest is very close to people sitting, and, since the bottom side
(61) of the armrest (62) is used to diffuse out clean air (see also Figure 5), the
system is more weather resistant e.g. against rain.
Figure 4 illustrates the arm rest module of Figure 3 (70) seen directly from the front
of the module with the arm rest (72) facing out, wherein a front panel (74) of the
housing has the arm rest (72) secured thereto. As part of the housing element there
is a part (76) for securing the housing to a place inside the back-resting element
of the bench. Also, a cross section is indicated by A-A.
Figure 5 illustrates the arm rest module of Figure 4 (80) along the cross sectional
view A-A indicated in Figure 4. Inside the arm rest module (80) is a space (92) wherein
a fan box (88) and a filter box (90) are shown. Air to be cleaned is drawn into the
space (92) via an inlet (not shown) through the filter box (90) and further through
the arm rest (82) by means of the fan box (88) and out of the arm rest (82) through
an elongated opening starting at (84) and ending at (86) located so that when the
arm rest module is correctly mounted the opening will face away from for instance
rain.
Figure 6 illustrates the bill board (100) of the present invention having a top part
(112) and a bottom part (114) opposite the top part. The bill board (100) has a front
part (102) for showing e.g. information and advertising, and a back part (not shown)
for similar purposes. Here 4 air cleaning units (104, 106, 108, 110) are indicated
on the sides of the bill board (100). Each air cleaning unit comprises an air cleaning
device as described herein.
Figure 7 illustrates an air cleaning unit (120) of Figure 6 having a front panel (122)
in the form of a mesh (124), and three fans (126, 128, 130) blowing out the cleaned
air to the vicinity of the bill board.
Figure 8 illustrates an air cleaning unit (140) to be mounted on a railing of the
present invention having a top part (146) and in the front facing out into the open
air when correctly mounted are two air intakes (not shown) placed behind the mesh
(142, 144). The air cleaning unit (140) is configured to clean the air inside the
unit, and directing the cleaned air to the surrounding of the railing whereto the
unit is mounted.
Figure 9 illustrates a lamp post (150) of the present invention consisting of a light
part (158) and a lamp pole (156). On the lamp pole (156) are mounted two air cleaning
units (152, 154), which are configured to clean the air inside the unit, and directing
the cleaned air to the surrounding of the lamp post (150) whereto the units are mounted.
Figure 10 illustrates one air cleaning unit (160) of Figure 9 having a top part (168)
and a bottom part (not shown) opposite the top part, and wherein the top part (168)
consists of a top element (166) which is circular and has an opening (170) in the
center. The opening in the center is suitable for the pole of the lamp post as indicated
in Figure 9. Furthermore, the air cleaning unit has a circular body part (162) which
the lower part thereof has an air intake (164) for drawing air outside the unit to
be cleaned into the unit and directing (not shown) the cleaned air to the surrounding
of the lamp post whereto the unit is mounted.
[0061] All references, including publications, patent applications and patents, cited herein
are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference was individually
and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and was set forth in its
entirety herein.
[0062] All headings and sub-headings are used herein for convenience only and should not
be construed as limiting the invention in any way.
[0063] Any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof
is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly
contradicted by context.
[0064] Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a short method
of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless
other-wise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification
as if it were individually recited herein. Unless otherwise stated, all exact values
provided herein are representative of corresponding approximate values (e.g., all
exact exemplary values provided with respect to a particular factor or measurement
can be considered to also provide a corresponding approximate measurement, modified
by "about", where appropriate).
[0065] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless other-wise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
[0066] The terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents as used in the context of
describing the invention are to be construed to insert both the singular and the plural,
unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Thus, "a" and
"an" and "the" may mean at least one, or one or more.
[0067] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided
herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a
limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise indicated. No language in
the specification should be construed as indicating any element is essential to the
practice of the invention unless as much is explicitly stated.
[0068] Throughout the description when "selected from" or "selected from the group consisting
of" is used it also means all possible combinations of the stated terms, as well as
each individual term.
[0069] The citation and incorporation of patent documents herein is done for convenience
only and does not reflect any view of the validity, patentability and/or enforceability
of such patent documents.
[0070] The description herein of any aspect or embodiment of the invention using terms such
as "comprising", "having", "including" or "containing" with reference to an element
or elements is intended to provide support for a similar aspect or embodiment of the
invention that "consists of", "consists essentially of", or "substantially comprises"
that particular element or elements, unless otherwise stated or clearly contradicted
by context (
e.g., a composition described herein as comprising a particular element should be understood
as also describing a composition consisting of that element, unless otherwise stated
or clearly contradicted by context).
[0071] This invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter re-cited
in the aspects or claims presented herein to the maximum extent permitted by applicable
law.
[0072] The features disclosed in the foregoing description may, both separately and in any
combination thereof, be material for realizing the invention in diverse forms thereof.
1. Street furniture, such as a bench, an advertising board, a bill board, a lamp post,
a railing, a wall mounted unit, a sun shade, light poles, street signs, public lavatories,
phone and post boxes, traffic barriers, bus shelters and a sound barrier comprising
an air cleaning unit integrated with the street furniture wherein the unit comprises
an air cleaning device capable of drawing ambient air into the unit and a source of
emitting cleaned air from the air cleaning device to the air surrounding the street
furniture.
2. Street furniture of claim 1 suitable for people to rest by sitting or lying down comprising
a) a resting element comprising a seating module optionally wherein at least one seating
module comprises at least one air cleaning devices capable of drawing ambient air
into the seating module;
b) a back rest element comprising a back rest modules, optionally wherein at least
one back rest module comprises an air cleaning device capable of drawing ambient air
into the back rest module;
c) a source of emitting cleaned air from the air cleaning device(s) to the air surrounding
the street furniture; and
d) wherein at least the air cleaning device of the seating module or at least the
air cleaning device of the back rest module is present.
3. The street furniture of claim 2 wherein the furniture is a bench.
4. The street furniture of any one of claims 1-3 wherein the air cleaning device is capable
of cleaning polluted air comprising exhaust gases, such as NOx and SOx, fine particles,
ozone, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, urban pollutants and naturally
occurring compounds.
5. The street furniture of any one of claims 1-4 wherein the ambient air is drawn into
the air cleaning device of the street furniture through at least one air inlet and
at least one means for transporting air flows, such as a fan or wind power.
6. The street furniture of any one of claims 1-5 wherein the air cleaning device comprises
a unit selected from the group consisting of gas phase advanced oxidation (GPAO),
filters, such as active carbon filters, gas adsorbing filters, electrostatic filters,
and fabric filters.
7. The street furniture of any one of claims 1-6 wherein the cleaned air is directed
at the people resting on the street furniture or in close vicinity, such as up to
5 meters, of the street furniture by at least one means for transporting air flows,
such as a fan.
8. The street furniture of any one of claims 2-7 further having an arm rest module comprising
an air cleaning device capable of drawing ambient air into the arm rest module.
9. The street furniture of any one of claims 2-8 wherein the source of emitting cleaned
air is located in the arm rest module, in the back rest module and/or in the seating
module, comprising a means for transporting air flows, such as a fan.
10. The street furniture of any one of claims 2-9 wherein the back rest element is flat
or has a curved shape, such as concave shaped, for people to rest their backs against
the flat or curve shaped back rest element.
11. The street furniture of any one of claims 1-10 further comprising a sensor for monitoring
ambient air pollution, clean air or both.
12. The street furniture of claim 11 wherein the sensor is located inside the street furniture.
13. The street furniture of any one of claims 11-12 wherein a sensor is located on each
side of the air cleaning device(s) inside the street furniture.
14. The street furniture of any one of claims 2-13 wherein 4 seating modules are present.
15. The street furniture of claim 14 wherein 2 air cleaning devices are present inside
the seating modules.
16. The street furniture of any one of claims 2-15 wherein one back rest module is present.
17. The street furniture of claim 16 wherein 5 air cleaning devices are present inside
the back rest module.
18. The street furniture of any one of claims 1, 4-7, 11, 12 and 13 selected from an advertising
or bill board suitable for advertising paper posters or comprising digital displays
comprising a metal frame, such as a steel frame, having a height of up to 2 meters.
19. The street furniture of any one of claims 1, 4-7, 11, 12 and 13 selected from a railing.
20. The street furniture of any one of claims 1, 4-7, 11, 12 and 13 selected from a lamp
post.
21. A method for cleaning ambient air surrounding street furniture, the method comprising:
drawing ambient polluted air into an air cleaning device of the street furniture of
any one of claims 1-20, cleaning the air inside the street furniture, and directing
the cleaned air to the surrounding of the street furniture.
22. Use of street furniture for cleaning polluted air by drawing ambient polluted air
into the street furniture of any one of claims 1-20, cleaning the air inside the street
furniture, and directing the cleaned air to the surrounding of the street furniture.
23. An arm rest module comprising
a) a housing, such as a metal box, comprising an air cleaning device, wherein the
air cleaning device comprises a means for transporting air flows, such as a fan, for
drawing air into the cleaning device, a particle filter for filtering the air, and
a gas filter for filtering the air, and
b) an arm rest connected and secured to the housing, having a diffuser in the arm
rest for directing the cleaned air from the air cleaning device to the surrounding
of the arm rest module.