COLORED AIR FILTER MEDIUM
An apparatus and methods are provided for an aesthetic air filter to remove airborne particulate matter from an airstream. The aesthetic air filter comprises a supportive frame and a colored filter medium retained within the supportive frame. The supportive frame orients the aesthetic air filter within a ventilation system. The filter medium removes the particulate matter from air flowing through the ventilation system. The filter medium is treated with a suitable dye, or other substance, that gives the filter medium an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The filter medium may include a color that matches other nearby engine components, such as braided sheaths on hoses and wires, as well as decorative metallic couplings, and the like. The filter medium may be endowed with any of various desirable colors. The supportive frame may include a color that is coordinated with the color of the filter medium.
1 . An aesthetic air filter, comprising:
a colored filter medium for removing airborne particulate matter from an airstream; and
a supportive frame for retaining the colored filter medium.
2 . The air filter of claim 1 , wherein the supportive frame has a shape and size suitable for orienting the aesthetic air filter within a ventilation system.
3 . The air filter of claim 2 , wherein the colored filter medium is configured to remove the particulate matter from air flowing through the ventilation system.
4 . The air filter of claim 1 , wherein the colored filter medium comprises any of paper, foam, cotton, spun fiberglass, woven, synthetic and/or natural material.
5 . The air filter of claim 1 , wherein suitable fasteners are used to retain the colored filter medium within the supportive frame.
6 . The air filter of claim 1 , wherein the supportive frame is molded onto a wire support comprising the colored filter medium.
7 . The air filter of claim 6 , wherein the supportive frame comprises a crimped portion that folds onto and retains the wire support and the colored filter medium.
8 . The air filter of claim 1 , wherein the colored filter medium is irremovable from the supportive frame.
9 . The air filter of claim 1 , wherein the colored filter medium is treated with a suitable dye, or other substance, to give the colored filter medium an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
10 . The air filter of claim 9 , wherein the colored filter medium is treated with a black dye to give the filter medium an appealing black appearance.
11 . The air filter of claim 1 , wherein the colored filter medium includes a color that matches the colors of other nearby engine components.
12 . The air filter of claim 11 , wherein the colored filter medium is endowed with any of various desirable colors.
13 . The air filter of claim 12 , wherein the supportive frame includes a color that is coordinated with the color of the filter medium.
14 . A method for an aesthetic air filter, comprising:
configuring a filter medium for removing airborne particulate matter from an airstream;
retaining the filter medium within a supportive frame; and
treating the filter medium with a suitable dye to form a colored filter medium.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein configuring includes forming the filter medium of any of paper, foam, cotton, spun fiberglass, woven, synthetic and/or natural material.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein retaining includes forming a shape and size of the supportive frame suitable for orienting the aesthetic air filter within a ventilation system.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein retaining includes giving the supportive frame a color that is coordinated with the color of the colored filter medium.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein retaining includes molding the supportive frame onto a wire support comprising the colored filter medium.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein retaining includes crimping a portion of the supportive frame that folds onto the wire support of the colored filter medium.
20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein treating includes applying a color to the filter medium that matches the colors of other nearby engine components.