Elongate fiber filter mechanically securing solid adsorbent particles between adjacent multilobes

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and FIGS.
1 and 2 in particular there is shown a nonwoven fiber mat 10 filter formed from a plurality of flexible fibers 20.
Each fiber 20 includes an internal cavity 22 within which are disposed small dry active carbon particles 18.
A longitudinal opening 24 extends from each cavity 22 to the surface of each fiber 20.
The multilobal fibers 20 are relatively small having a diameter of 10 to 250 microns or smaller.
The size of opening 24 is selected so when particles 18 are disposed in cavity 22 they are generally permanently entrapped and cannot easily be removed.
The active carbon particles are selected to be substantially smaller than opening 24 and generally are very small being less than 10 microns across.
The small particles carbon particles 18 become mechanically entrapped and remain within the fiber cavities 22 and generally do not enter the space between the fibers 20; yet, through the longitudinal openings 24 the particles 18 are in communication with the air stream flowing past the generally hollow fibers 20.
The gas adsorbing active carbon particles 18 which have an affinity for the undesired gases to be removed from the air stream are selected and disposed within the internal channels or cavities 22 formed in the individual generally hollow fibers 20.
The dry particles selected use adsorption rather than absorption as the mechanism to decontaminate or purify the air stream.
The particles 18 used are selected to adsorb the vapors of interest, to be non hazardous and to neutralize specific gases and odor vapors.
The fiber filter mat 10 can be used in an air filtration or odor removal system as illustrated in the simplified diagram of FIG.
4.
The filter system has a housing 12 with an air inlet 14 and an air outlet 16.
The fiber mat 10 is disposed across the housing so the air stream entering through inlet 14 must flow through the fiber mat 10 to reach the outlet 16.
A mechanical device such as a fan can be used to assist with the air flow