METHOD OF DISINFECTING ONE OR MORE SURFACES AND/OR STERILIZING AIR, AND AN APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE METHOD

• US 20150258234A1
• Filed: 10/19/2012
• Published: 09/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jimco A/S
• Original Assignee: Kjolby Research and Development A/S
• Inventors: Larsen, Jimmy Kjlby
• Granted Patent: US 9,511,163 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/202 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/121 Sealings, e.g. doors, covers, valves, sluices
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/16 Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/25 Rooms in buildings, passenger compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/111 Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/16 Connections to a HVAC unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/212 Use of ozone, e.g. generated by UV radiation or electrical discharge
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/015 using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone A61L9/20 takes precedence ; evaporation in general B01B1/005
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/04 using substances evaporated in the air without heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/22 using UV light
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/26 using ozone
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

A method of disinfecting one or more surfaces and an apparatus for use in the method. The method includes a securing step arranged for creating an isolation of the surfaces to be disinfected, a disinfection step for emitting UV radiation for the generation of ozone and/or for the sterilization of air from one or more ultra violet (UV) light sources, and adding the generated ozone to the isolation, and a termination step arranged for terminating the generation of ozone and terminating the securing step.

Claims

1. Method of disinfecting one or more surfaces and/or sterilizing air comprising:

a securing step arranged for creating an isolation comprising the surfaces to be disinfected,

a disinfection step comprising emitting UV radiation for the generation of ozone from one or more ultra violet (UV) light sources, and adding the generated ozone to said isolation, and

a termination step arranged for terminating the generation of ozone and terminating the securing step,

wherein the securing step comprises continuously monitoring trespassing of one or more entrances to the isolation, and

wherein in case of trespassing, the securing step further comprises terminating the generation of ozone, giving an alarm, and evacuating the isolation for removal of excess ozone from air and/or oxygen present in the isolation.

2. Method of disinfecting one or more surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 1, wherein the disinfection step further comprises emitting UV radiation for the sterilization of air from one or more ultra violet (UV) light sources.

3. Method of disinfecting one or more surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring of trespassing is logged for later review.

4. Method of disinfecting one or more surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 1, wherein the securing step comprises continuously removing air and/or oxygen from the isolation for creating an underpressure in said isolation.

5. Method of disinfecting one or more surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 1, wherein the method of disinfecting one or more surfaces furthermore comprises initiating a control unit arranged for controlling the time of disinfection, the control unit preferably comprising at least one timer for measuring a predetermined time interval and/or at least one sensor for measuring the concentration of ozone.

6. Method of disinfecting one or more surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 5, wherein initiating the control unit comprises starting the timer.

7. Method of disinfecting one or more surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 1, wherein initiating the control unit comprises continuously monitoring the ozone concentration in the air in said isolation with the at least one sensor.

8. Method of disinfecting one or more surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 1, wherein the termination step comprises that the control unit turns off the ozone generation, when a predetermined time interval measured by the timer has elapsed.

9. Method of disinfecting one or more surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 1, wherein the termination step comprises that the control unit turns off the ozone generation, after the at least one sensor has measured a predetermined concentration of ozone in said isolation for a predetermined time interval measured by the timer.

10. Method of disinfecting one or more surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 1, wherein said one or more surfaces have been in contact with foodstuff.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the UV light sources are one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

12. An apparatus for disinfecting surfaces and/or sterilizing air by means of the method according to claim 1, the apparatus comprising:

one or more UV light sources, arranged for generating ozone,

at least one means for circulating air and/or added oxygen,

means for controlling the operation of the apparatus and for logging the operation of the apparatus,

communication means for communicating with the means for controlling the operation of the apparatus, said communication preferably being transmitted wirelessly or by hard wire, and

securing means, arranged for securing isolation of the surfaces to be disinfected from the surroundings, said securing means comprises means for detecting trespassing of the one or more entrances, and for acting accordingly by terminating the generation of ozone, giving an alarm, and evacuating the isolation for removal of excess ozone from air and/or added oxygen present in the isolation.

13. An apparatus for disinfecting surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 12, wherein the securing means can communicate with a separate securing means already existing for the isolation.

14. An apparatus for disinfecting surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 12, wherein the one or more UV light sources emit UV radiation with a wavelength in the vicinity of 100 nm to 280 nm.

15. An apparatus for disinfecting surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises a timer arranged for measuring a predetermined time interval.

16. An apparatus for disinfecting surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises a sensor arranged for continuously monitoring the ozone concentration in said isolation.

17. An apparatus for disinfecting surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus is placed in or in connection with an existing ventilation system, connected to the isolation.

18. An apparatus for disinfecting surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus is placed permanently in the isolation or is transported to the isolation.

19. An apparatus for disinfecting surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 12, wherein the one or more UV light sources are shielded so that said sources are not visible to a person entering the isolation during operation of the apparatus.

20. An apparatus for disinfecting surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus furthermore comprises one or more UV light sources, arranged for emitting UV-light capable of sterilizing air.

21. An apparatus for disinfecting surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus furthermore comprises one or more means for emitting ultra sound.

22. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the UV light sources are one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

23. An apparatus for disinfecting surfaces and/or sterilizing air according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more LED lamps and one or more UV light sources in combination for generating ozone and/or for sterilizing air.

24. (canceled)