Prior art — US Patent 10480875

I will now identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 10480875, based on the provided patent text and external searches for descriptions of the cited art.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US10480875

Here is an analysis of the patent citations for US10480875, including a full citation, publication/filing date, brief description, and which claims of US10480875 each potentially anticipates under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

1. US4332292A

Full Citation: US4332292A, Garberick Thayne K., "Coil cleaning device and system", Published 1982-06-01.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: 1980-05-09, Publication date: 1982-06-01.
Brief Description: This patent describes a device and system for cleaning coils, specifically focusing on a nozzle assembly and a manifold for distributing cleaning fluids. The device is intended to clean condenser or evaporator coils by spraying cleaning solution.
Potential Anticipation of Claims in US10480875: This patent generally discloses a system for cleaning coils using a cleaning fluid. While it doesn't specify foam, low pressure, or the specific chemical compositions of US10480875, it covers the broad concept of cleaning coils. It could potentially anticipate the most general aspects of "cleaning a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a building" by applying a cleaning agent. However, it does not explicitly mention foam, the specific components of the foam, or the use of an air handler to assist foam movement as claimed in US10480875.

2. US5509972A

Full Citation: US5509972A, Akazawa; Yasumasa, "Air-conditioner cleaning method", Published 1996-04-23.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: 1994-06-27, Publication date: 1996-04-23.
Brief Description: This patent describes a method for cleaning an air conditioner evaporator by spraying a cleaning agent containing surfactant and fungicide onto the evaporator fins, collecting the drained liquid, and then rinsing with water. It focuses on disinfecting and cleaning fungi and microbes.
Potential Anticipation of Claims in US10480875: This patent discloses cleaning coils with a surfactant and fungicide, which addresses aspects of killing microbes. However, it specifies spraying a liquid cleaning agent, not a foam, and does not detail the specific foam composition or the method of using the HVAC system's air handler to move the cleaning agent through the coils at low pressure, which are central to claims 1, 2, and 4 of US10480875. It might broadly anticipate the concept of removing fungi and bacteria.

3. US6027572A

Full Citation: US6027572A, Princeton Trade And Technologt, Inc., "Cleaning method for removing biofilm and debris from lines and tubing", Published 2000-02-22.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: 1997-06-23, Publication date: 2000-02-22.
Brief Description: This patent describes a method for removing biofilm and other debris from the internal surfaces of lines and tubing by introducing a cleaning fluid with an enzymatic or microbial agent, allowing it to contact the surfaces, and then flushing it out. It specifically targets biofilms.
Potential Anticipation of Claims in US10480875: This patent is highly relevant as it explicitly addresses the removal of biofilm using enzymatic agents. Claim 4 of US10480875 specifically mentions applying "cleaning foam containing enzymes that break down biofilm." While US6027572A focuses on "lines and tubing" and uses a "cleaning fluid" (not explicitly foam), the core idea of using enzymes to break down biofilm is present. If the cleaning fluid could be interpreted to encompass foam, or if foam is considered a type of fluid, it could potentially anticipate the enzymatic aspect of claims 1, 2, and 4 regarding biofilm breakdown. However, it lacks the specific steps of applying foam at low pressure and using the HVAC air handler to assist movement through heat-transfer coils.

4. US6047714A

Full Citation: US6047714A, Akazawa; Yasumasa, "Air intake passage cleaning method and its apparatus", Published 2000-04-11.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: 1998-01-02, Publication date: 2000-04-11.
Brief Description: This patent describes a method for cleaning an air intake passage of an air conditioner by injecting a chemical liquid into the passage and then rinsing it. Similar to US5509972A, it focuses on cleaning air conditioner components but does not specify foam.
Potential Anticipation of Claims in US10480875: This patent, like US5509972A, describes cleaning air conditioner components with a liquid chemical. It does not mention cleaning foam, low pressure application specifically to avoid damage, or the detailed mechanism of using the HVAC air handler to assist foam movement, as claimed in US10480875.

5. US6276459B1

Full Citation: US6276459B1, Bradford James Herrick, "Compressed air foam generator", Published 2001-08-21.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: 2000-02-01, Publication date: 2001-08-21.
Brief Description: This patent describes a compressed air foam generator system. It focuses on the apparatus for generating foam by mixing water, air, and a foaming agent under pressure.
Potential Anticipation of Claims in US10480875: This patent clearly anticipates the concept of a foam generating system (similar to the system described in US10480875's summary of embodiments, though not directly claimed in claims 1, 2, or 4 which are method claims). Claim 8 of US10480875, which describes a method where "the cleaning foam is produced on-sight by a foam generating system, the foam generating system including one or more inlets for receiving water, air and a surfactant, a foam-generating mechanism, an outlet for generated cleaning foam, and a hose or conduit," is directly related to the subject matter of US6276459B1. While US6276459B1 describes the generator, not the application method to HVAC coils, it provides a fundamental component for the system described in US10480875.

6. WO2002094973A1

Full Citation: WO2002094973A1, Sun Chemical Group B.V., "Bio-active de-inking or cleaning foam", Published 2002-11-28.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: 2001-05-19, Publication date: 2002-11-28.
Brief Description: This patent describes a bio-active foam, particularly for de-inking paper or for cleaning surfaces. The foam contains enzymes or other biological agents for breaking down substances.
Potential Anticipation of Claims in US10480875: This patent is highly relevant. It explicitly describes a "cleaning foam" that is "bio-active," meaning it contains biological agents (like enzymes) for cleaning. This directly anticipates the "cleaning foam comprising water, air, surfactant, enzymes" and "enzymes assisting in breaking down biofilm" aspects of claims 1, 2, and 4, and implicitly claims 5 and 6 related to biofilm breakdown and killing microbes. While the application is different (de-inking paper or general cleaning, not HVAC coils), the composition and function of the foam itself are similar. The novelty of US10480875 would likely rest on the specific application method to HVAC coils (low pressure, using air handler, movement through spaces) rather than the foam composition with enzymes.

7. US7132017B2

Full Citation: US7132017B2, Laurence George M., "Low-pressure cleaning system using high velocity high volume air", Published 2006-11-07.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: 2002-08-21, Publication date: 2006-11-07.
Brief Description: This patent describes a low-pressure cleaning system that uses high-velocity, high-volume air to dislodge contaminants. It emphasizes preventing damage to sensitive surfaces during cleaning.
Potential Anticipation of Claims in US10480875: This patent introduces the concept of "low-pressure cleaning" to avoid damage and the use of "high volume air." Claim 7 of US10480875, which states the "cleaning foam is injected under sufficiently low pressure so that the heat-transfer coils are not damaged and bendable heat-transfer fins of the coils are not damaged," is directly related to the low-pressure aspect. Furthermore, the idea of using air to assist in cleaning is present, which broadly relates to claim 9 ("introducing air from at least one of an external air supply... to assist movement of the cleaning foam"). While it doesn't specify foam or enzymes, the principles of low-pressure and air-assisted cleaning are relevant.

8. US20080193650A1

Full Citation: US20080193650A1, William Morrison Lyon, "Method of remediation, cleaning, restoration and protection", Published 2008-08-14.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: 2006-02-08, Publication date: 2008-08-14.
Brief Description: This application describes a method for remediating, cleaning, and protecting surfaces, which can involve applying a foam composition. It mentions cleaning contaminants from surfaces using foam that can include various active agents.
Potential Anticipation of Claims in US10480875: This application is highly relevant as it explicitly mentions using a "foam composition" for "cleaning contaminants from surfaces." This broadly anticipates the core concept of "applying a cleaning foam" from claims 1, 2, and 4. The specification of various active agents in the foam also aligns with the chemical components listed in claims 1, 3, and 15 of US10480875. However, it doesn't specifically focus on HVAC coils, low-pressure application to prevent damage to fins, or the use of the HVAC's own air handler for foam movement.

9. US20100078007A1

Full Citation: US20100078007A1, Rbc Horizon, Inc., "High Efficiency Furnace/Air Handler Blower Housing with a Side Wall Having an Exponentially Increasing Expansion Angle", Published 2010-04-01.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: 2007-11-06, Publication date: 2010-04-01.
Brief Description: This patent application describes an improved blower housing design for furnaces and air handlers, aimed at increasing efficiency. It focuses on the mechanical design of the air handler component itself.
Potential Anticipation of Claims in US10480875: This patent focuses purely on the structural design of an air handler's blower housing to improve air flow efficiency. It does not describe any method of cleaning, let alone using foam or the specific cleaning methodologies detailed in US10480875. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate any of the claims of US10480875, except perhaps as a generic disclosure of an "air handler" mentioned in claims 2, 4, 16, 17, and 18.

10. US7841351B1

Full Citation: US7841351B1, Goodway Technologies Corporation, "Coil cleaning machine", Published 2010-11-30.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: 2005-04-11, Publication date: 2010-11-30.
Brief Description: This patent describes a portable coil cleaning machine designed to clean heat exchanger coils by circulating cleaning fluid. It includes features for collecting and filtering the cleaning fluid.
Potential Anticipation of Claims in US10480875: This patent describes a "coil cleaning machine" that uses a "cleaning fluid." This broadly covers the concept of a system for cleaning coils. However, it does not specify foam as the cleaning agent, low-pressure application to prevent fin damage, or the detailed interaction with the HVAC air handler as described in US10480875. It might anticipate the general concept of a "foam generating system" if its "cleaning fluid" circulation system could be adapted, but it's not explicit.

11. US7887639B1

Full Citation: US7887639B1, Ratliff Thomas R., "Apparatus and method for cleaning and decontaminating an air distribution system", Published 2011-02-15.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: 2004-10-15, Publication date: 2011-02-15.
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for cleaning and decontaminating air distribution systems (including HVAC ducts) using a fluid, which may be a sanitizing or disinfecting agent. It focuses on maintaining air quality and reducing contaminants.
Potential Anticipation of Claims in US10480875: This patent addresses cleaning and decontaminating "air distribution systems," which broadly includes HVAC. It mentions using a "fluid" for sanitizing and disinfecting, which relates to the goals of US10480875. However, it does not specifically claim or describe the use of foam as the primary cleaning agent, nor the low-pressure application through coils assisted by the HVAC's own air handler, which are key distinguishing features of US10480875.

12. US20150144303A1

Full Citation: US20150144303A1, Scott P. Burfeind, "Coil cleaning system", Published 2015-05-28.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: 2013-11-27, Publication date: 2015-05-28.
Brief Description: This application describes a coil cleaning system that utilizes a manifold and spray nozzles to apply cleaning solution to heat exchanger coils, aiming for thorough cleaning.
Potential Anticipation of Claims in US10480875: This patent describes a "coil cleaning system" that uses "cleaning solution" applied to heat exchanger coils. It focuses on thorough application. However, it does not specify the use of foam as the cleaning agent, nor does it explicitly detail the low-pressure application to avoid damage to fins or the integration with the HVAC air handler to assist in moving the cleaning agent through the coils, which are key aspects of US10480875's method claims (1, 2, and 4).

13. US9676007B1

Full Citation: US9676007B1, Crossford International, Llc, "Apparatus and method for cleaning HVAC coils", Published 2017-06-13.
Publication/Filing Date: Priority date: 2014-03-13, Publication date: 2017-06-13.
Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus and method for cleaning HVAC coils using a cleaning fluid, which can be applied via a spray system, and then rinsed. It aims to improve air flow and efficiency.
Potential Anticipation of Claims in US10480875: This patent is highly relevant as it describes an "apparatus and method for cleaning HVAC coils." This directly relates to the broad scope of US10480875. However, similar to other prior art, it typically describes the use of a "cleaning fluid" (often implying liquid spray) rather than a "cleaning foam." The specific mechanisms of foam application at low pressure, foam composition with enzymes/other chemicals, and the unique interaction with the HVAC's own air handler for foam movement through the coils are the differentiating features in US10480875's claims (1, 2, and 4).

Summary of Most Relevant Prior Art:

The most relevant prior art appears to be:

US6027572A (Cleaning method for removing biofilm and debris from lines and tubing): Highly relevant for the concept of removing biofilm using enzymatic agents. This directly relates to the enzyme aspect of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 of US10480875.
US6276459B1 (Compressed air foam generator): Directly anticipates the apparatus for generating foam, relevant to the foam generation aspect of claim 8 of US10480875.
WO2002094973A1 (Bio-active de-inking or cleaning foam): Highly relevant for disclosing a "cleaning foam" that is "bio-active" (contains enzymes). This anticipates the foam composition with enzymes as described in claims 1, 2, and 4 of US10480875.
US7132017B2 (Low-pressure cleaning system using high velocity high volume air): Relevant for the concept of low-pressure cleaning to avoid damage and using air for assistance, relating to claim 7 (low pressure) and claim 9 (external air supply) of US10480875.
US20080193650A1 (Method of remediation, cleaning, restoration and protection): Relevant for generally describing the use of a "foam composition" for "cleaning contaminants from surfaces," broadly anticipating the "applying a cleaning foam" steps in claims 1, 2, and 4, and the inclusion of various active agents.

The distinguishing features of US10480875's method claims (1, 2, and 4) often revolve around the combination of applying cleaning foam at low pressure to heat-transfer coils of an HVAC system, specifically detailing its passage through the plurality of spaces, breaking down/removing debris including biofilm with enzymes, and carrying away removed debris and exiting the back side, often assisted by the HVAC system's own air handler. While individual elements (foam, enzymes, low pressure, coil cleaning) exist in prior art, the specific combination and application method, especially the use of the HVAC air handler to drive the foam through the coils, constitute the core innovation claimed in US10480875.