EP4027851A1

EP4027851A1 - Vacuum cleaner and sanitizing method

Info

Publication number: EP4027851A1
Application number: EP20785855.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luciano Scian; Emanuele Mazzolo
Original assignee: De Longhi Appliances SRL
Current assignee: De Longhi Appliances SRL
Priority date: 2019-09-13
Filing date: 2020-09-10
Publication date: 2022-07-20
Also published as: CN114727734A; WO2021048887A1; IT201900016307A1

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner device comprises a suction and collection unit (11) provided with a suction pipe (17), configured to suck in a flow (A) of air and dirt from the outside, and with a collection container (13) fluidically connected to the suction pipe (17) and comprising a collection chamber (14) configured to receive the flow (A) sucked in from the outside, and with a motorized distribution unit (16), configured to move and direct the flow (A).

Description

VACUUM CLEANER AND SANITIZING METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described here concern a vacuum cleaner device, preferably for domestic use, provided with a container for collecting dust, or dirt, of the type which can preferably be used without bags. The vacuum cleaner device according to the invention is advantageously provided with ultraviolet ray sanitizing means to reduce and/or eliminate the microbial load present in the material sucked into the collection container or retained in the filtration unit possibly associated with it.

The present invention also concerns a method to sanitize a vacuum cleaner device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that environments intended for human activities need to be kept clean and healthy. These environments are notoriously infested with allergens and other unwanted organic and inorganic substances, such as mold, viruses, bacteria and dust mites, which can be very harmful, if not lethal, for human health.

Especially the surfaces of floors, carpets, mattresses and sofas can contain a high concentration of organic and inorganic substances, such as hair, animal hair, possible food residues, which can cause environmental conditions that are potentially harmful to human health.

To clean said surfaces, it is known to use vacuum cleaner devices provided with a suction head that comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned, a container to collect the material sucked in, and a bladed rotor, selectively activated by a motor, to generate a suction flow that carries with it the material sucked in by the suction head to the collection container.

Moreover, vacuum cleaner devices that provide the direct use of the collection container are increasingly widespread, without using disposable collection bags.

Generally, in order to eliminate the material contained in it, the collection container is not emptied every time the vacuum cleaner device is used, but even several days later. This increases the possibility that the accumulated dust can promote the proliferation of bacteria, mold and unpleasant odors. This can also lead to safety problems for the user if he/she comes into contact with these materials, for example when the collection container is removed and emptied.

Vacuum cleaner devices are also known which comprise lamps with ultraviolet rays, positioned in the suction head and configured to emit ultraviolet rays toward the surfaces to be cleaned during the suction operations, in order to sanitize the surfaces or to intercept the moving suction flow so as to reduce the microbial load carried in it.

These vacuum cleaner devices, however, do not eliminate the bacterial load present in the environments to be cleaned, in particular on the surfaces, and they are unable therefore to provide an adequate sanitizing action.

One disadvantage of said vacuum cleaner devices provided with lamps with ultraviolet rays, moreover, is that the time of exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the surface to be cleaned or of the suction flow to be sanitized is too limited to guarantee an effective reduction or elimination of the microbial load present.

Moreover, given that the exposure time to the ultraviolet rays is very limited, also the material sucked in and sent into the collection container is not sanitized, which could cause problems similar to those described above both during the emptying of the collection container and also during maintenance of the suction device.

Furthermore, these known solutions have the disadvantage that, since the ultraviolet rays, which can also be very harmful, are emitted during the use of the vacuum cleaner device, the user could be exposed and/or be affected by them with consequent risks for his/her health.

Document US 2007/0067943 A1 describes a vacuum cleaner device provided with ultraviolet lamps disposed in particular in correspondence with filtering elements to eliminate the bacterial load of the dust that accumulates on them and to sanitize the flow of air sucked in before returning it to the outside.

Document EP 1 695 648 A2 describes a vacuum cleaner device provided with a vacuum cleaner body inside which a dust collection container is disposed, comprising a window for transmitting ultraviolet radiation, closed by a Teflon® covering element, outside which there is a UV sterilizing lamp.

GB 2 389 036 A describes a vacuum cleaner device comprising a container to collect the dust, and an ultraviolet lamp located outside the container, in correspondence with a groove provided in correspondence with a bottom wall.

Documents KR100 899 785 Bl, JP 3 822511B2 and KR 200 410131 Y1 also describe vacuum cleaner devices having UV light sources located outside the collection container.

Document CN207084771 U describes a collection container for a vacuum cleaner provided with a cathode ray tube of ultraviolet light having a sanitizing function.

Other known solutions of vacuum cleaner devices are described in documents WO 2018/146710 A2, CN 209236008 U, JP 5 417220 B2.

These known solutions provide in particular to sanitize the flow of air sucked in in transit; the speed of the flow, however, does not allow to effectively remove the bacterial load present in the dust drawn with it, which can therefore proliferate inside the collection container and when the vacuum cleaner device is switched on, it can be spread again in the surrounding environment.

There is therefore a need to perfect a vacuum cleaner device and a method to sanitize a vacuum cleaner device that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device able to eliminate the microbial load present in the material sucked in, so as to make the steps of emptying, cleaning or maintaining the collection container safe.

Another purpose of the present invention is to make available a vacuum cleaner device which allows a simple and automatic sanitization of the material sucked in on each occasion.

Another purpose is to provide a vacuum cleaner device which allows to optimize energy consumption.

Another purpose of the present invention is to perfect a method to sanitize a vacuum cleaner device that allows to eliminate the bacterial load in the material sucked in, preventing it from being spread into the surrounding environment when the vacuum cleaner device is switched on again.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, a vacuum cleaner device comprises a suction and collection unit configured to suck in a flow of air and dirt from the outside through a suction circuit, in order to retain the dirt sucked in and return the flow of air to the outside. The suction and collection unit comprises a suction pipe, from which the flow of air and dirt is removed, and a collection container fluidically connected to the suction pipe and provided with a collection chamber configured to receive the dirt sucked in from the outside.

The vacuum cleaner device comprises a filtration unit disposed inside the collection chamber and configured to filter the flow of air and dirt sucked in, before it is returned to the outside.

The suction and collection unit also comprises a motorized distribution unit, disposed in fluidic communication with the collection chamber, and configured to move and direct the flow from the suction pipe into the collection container and return it to the outside.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the suction and collection unit is provided with ultraviolet ray sanitizing means configured to emit ultraviolet rays directed so as to effect the collection chamber in order to eliminate the microbial load proliferating from or present in the dirt retained therein.

According to some embodiments, the ultraviolet ray sanitizing means comprise LED (Light Emitting Diode) devices positioned inside the collection chamber.

The LEDs are positioned inside the collection chamber with their respective faces that emit ultraviolet rays facing toward a bottom surface of the collection chamber, so as to direct the UV rays toward the inside of the chamber and the filtration unit. This disposition also prevents the emission of electromagnetic radiation upward which could, if not adequately shielded, be harmful to a user. In particular, the LED devices are of the ultraviolet type, configured to emit electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength comprised between about 10 nm and about 400 nm.

According to possible solutions, the LED devices are configured to emit UV-C rays having a wavelength in the range of 200-250nm, which are particularly suitable to act on the DNA of bacteria, viruses, germs, mites and other pathogenic microorganisms, eliminating their ability to reproduce.

According to some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device is preferably of the wireless type, provided with a battery, or with a rechargeable charge accumulation unit.

According to some embodiments, the LED devices can be selectively activated automatically upon connection of the battery, or accumulation unit, to a power supply and recharging circuit.

According to possible variants, there can be provided a battery or a dedicated accumulation unit to activate/s witch on the LEDs, which can be selectively activated when the vacuum cleaner device is not in use.

According to some embodiments, the filtration unit is disposed in a central position and extends vertically inside the container, so as to define a collection chamber having the shape of an annular crown, and the LED devices can be distributed along a circumference with a size correlated to the amplitude of the collection chamber, so as to direct at least most of the light radiation directly toward the dust and the dirt present therein.

Embodiments described here also concern a sanitization method for a vacuum cleaner device comprising a suction and collection unit that sucks in from the outside, through a suction circuit, the flow of air and dirt and sends it into the collection chamber where the heaviest fraction deposits due to gravity and the lightest fraction is filtered by a filtration unit before being returned to the outside.

The flow of air is also made to transit through a filtering unit located inside the collection chamber before being returned to the outside through the distribution unit.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the method provides to activate ultraviolet ray sanitizing means in order to emit ultraviolet rays inside the collection chamber so as to eliminate the microbial load proliferating from or present in the dirt retained therein. The activation of the sanitizing means entails in particular the switching on of LED sources disposed inside the chamber, so as to emit ultraviolet rays toward a bottom surface of the chamber and sanitize the collection chamber and the filtration unit.

According to some embodiments, the method provides to activate the sanitizing means when the vacuum cleaner device is not in use.

In this way, the LED devices are configured to pass from a deactivated condition corresponding to a condition of use of the suction device, in which they do not emit the ultraviolet rays in the collection chamber, to an activated condition corresponding to a condition of non-use of the suction device, in which they emit ultraviolet rays in the collection chamber.

In this way, the ultraviolet rays are emitted when the vacuum cleaner device is not in use, thus preventing possible risks for the user.

Furthermore, this solution, unlike the known solutions which provide in particular to sanitize the flow of air during cleaning operations,

According to some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device is of the wireless type, and the method provides to selectively activate the LEDs when the vacuum cleaner device is connected to a power supply and recharging circuit or to an electrical network.

Providing to switch on the LED devices when the vacuum cleaner device is being recharged allows to optimize overall energy consumptions, while at the same time guaranteeing an adequate sanitation of the collection chamber. In order to recharge the batteries or the accumulation units, in fact, the amount of time required is generally of the order of 1-6 hours, while that required to obtain a complete sanitation of the collection chamber is approximately 1 hour.

According to possible variants, it can be provided that the vacuum cleaner device comprises a battery, or a dedicated accumulation unit, to activate the sanitizing means, which can be activated, for example automatically, when the vacuum cleaner device is switched off, and kept switched on for a defined period of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a lateral elevation view of a vacuum cleaner device in accordance with some embodiments described here;

- fig. 2 is a lateral view of an enlarged and partly exploded detail of fig. 1;

- fig. 3 is a section view of fig. 2;

- fig. 4 is another section view of fig. 2 in which the components are associated with each other;

- fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of a component shown in fig. 2;

- fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of fig. 4.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

Embodiments described using the attached drawings concern a vacuum cleaner device indicated as a whole with reference number 10. The vacuum cleaner device 10 according to the invention can be selected from a traditional canister vacuum cleaner, a vacuum cleaner of the modem kind with a motor disposed in correspondence with the handle, or an electric broom.

According to preferred embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device 10 is of the wireless type, such as for example the vacuum cleaner device 10 shown in fig. 1.

According to some variants, the vacuum cleaner device 10 can be of the type that needs to be continuously connected to the electrical network while in use.

The vacuum cleaner device 10 according to the invention is preferably of the bagless type, that is, without a replaceable collection bag. In accordance with some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device 10 comprises a suction and collection unit 11 configured to suck in a flow A of air and dirt from the outside through a suction circuit 12, in order to retain the dirt sucked in and return the flow A of air to the outside.

The suction and collection unit 11 comprises a suction pipe 17, from which the flow A of air and dirt is removed, and a collection container 13 fluidically connected to the suction pipe 17 and provided with a collection chamber 14 configured to receive the flow A of air and dirt sucked in from the outside.

The materials sucked in that have greater specific weight and sizes, and which therefore cannot be transported for a long time by the flow of air A, can deposit in the collection chamber 14.

According to some embodiments, the suction and collection unit 11 also comprises a filtration unit 15 configured to filter the flow A of air and dirt sucked in and obtain a substantially clean flow of air to be returned to the outside.

The suction and collection unit 11 also comprises a motorized distribution unit 16 placed in fluidic communication with the collection chamber 14 and configured to move and direct the flow A from the suction pipe 17 into the collection container 13 and return it to the outside.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the suction and collection unit 11 comprises sanitizing means 18 configured to emit ultraviolet rays directed so as to effect the collection chamber 14, in order to eliminate the microbial load proliferating from or present in the dirt retained therein.

According to some embodiments, the ultraviolet ray sanitizing means 18 comprise a plurality of LEDs 18a disposed inside the collection chamber 14.

The LEDs 18a are in particular positioned so that the respective faces that emit the ultraviolet rays are facing toward a bottom surface 28 of the collection chamber 14.

Since the ultraviolet rays generated by the LEDs 18a directly effect the collection chamber 14, they are able to deactivate the DNA of bacteria, viruses, germs, mites and other pathogenic microorganisms present in the dirt sucked in. This positioning of the LEDs 18a makes the sanitizing action of the vacuum cleaner device 10 particularly effective, because it is precisely in the collection chamber 14 that the dirt deposits and remains for a longer period of time. In fact, since users do not eliminate, on each occasion, the dirt accumulated in the collection chamber 14 and/or in the filtration unit 15, this can lead to the risk of proliferation of bacteria, molds and unpleasant odors. The presence of the LEDs 18a as above allows this risk to be totally eliminated, allowing users to operate safely.

According to some embodiments, the LEDs 18a are powered by means of a dedicated power supply circuit, which is normally in a switched off condition while the vacuum cleaner device 10 is in use and can be activated when the latter is not in use.

According to preferred embodiments of a vacuum cleaner device 10 of the wireless type, it can be provided that the LEDs 18a are powered when the vacuum cleaner device 10 is being charged, that is, connected to an electrical network.

According to possible alternative solutions, for example in the case of a vacuum cleaner device 10 of the traditional type with a cable, there can be provided a battery or a dedicated charge accumulation unit for the power supply circuit of the sanitizing means 18, that is, of the LEDs 18a, which can be activated when the vacuum cleaner device 10 is not in use. For example, the battery or the accumulation unit can be provided with activation devices which can be selectively driven only when the distribution unit 16 of the vacuum cleaner device 10 is switched off.

In accordance with some embodiments, not shown, the collection container 13 can comprise a protection screen configured to limit, or prevent, the passage of the ultraviolet rays from the collection chamber 14 toward the outside.

The protection screen can be associated or integrated with the lateral wall 38, on an internal or external surface thereof.

In accordance with possible solutions, the collection chamber 14 can comprise a protection screen made of metallic material, for example an aluminum sheet which, in addition to eliminating the passage of ultraviolet rays toward the outside, amplifies the reflection of the ultraviolet rays inside the collection chamber 14, increasing the probability that they will effect the microorganisms present therein.

According to possible variants, the protection screen can be made as a coating of a material not transparent to ultraviolet radiation, applied to the walls of the collection container 13.

According to some embodiments, the ultraviolet rays emitted by the LEDs 18a are of the UV-C type and have a wavelength comprised between about 200nm and about 280nm. In particular, at a wavelength of about 254nm, the ultraviolet rays destroy the molecular bonds of the DNA of microorganisms, rendering them harmless or preventing them from growing or reproducing.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the sanitizing means 18, that is, the LEDs 18a, are positioned inside the collection chamber 14, so as to reduce to a minimum the distances and possible obstacles between them and the material to be sanitized that is collected in the collection chamber 14.

In accordance with some embodiments, the LEDs 18a are positioned inside the collection chamber 14 in a raised position with respect to the bottom surface 28 on which the dirt sucked in and fallen due to gravity deposits.

In fact, the effectiveness of the sanitation also depends on the disposition of the LEDs 18a which, if covered with dirt, are unable to radiate the ultraviolet rays throughout the entire collection chamber 14.

The raised position of the LEDs 18a with respect to the bottom surface 28 therefore allows to prevent the sedimentation of dust or dirt on them, so that the LEDs 18a always remain perfectly efficient.

According to some embodiments, the LEDs 18a are disposed in correspondence with the upper end of the collection chamber 14, with their emission surface at least partly facing toward the bottom surface 28.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in figs. 2-3, the collection container 13 is laterally delimited by a lateral wall 38 and is closed at the bottom by a lower closing wall 20, which defines the bottom surface 28.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in fig. 2, the lower closing wall 20 can be selectively opened and closed, for example in order to allow to empty the collection chamber 14 or for the maintenance of the components contained therein.

According to some embodiments, the lower closing wall 20 can comprise a hinge, or a pivot fulcrum 36, associated with a lower edge of the lateral wall of the collection container 13, which allows it to rotate when being opened or closed, and clamping means 37, for example positioned in an opposite position to the pivot fulcrum 36 and suitable to clamp the closing wall 20 in the closed position.

During use, that is, in an assembled condition of the suction device 10, the collection container 13 is closed at the upper part by an upper closing wall 29 opposite the lower closing wall 20.

The lower closing wall 20 and the upper closing wall 29 are configured to delimit and seal the collection chamber 14, at least during use.

According to some embodiments, the upper closing wall 29 is equipped with the LEDs 18a.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the upper closing wall 29 can be fixed or selectively removable in order to allow access to the collection chamber 14 from above, in order to empty it or for the maintenance of the components inside it.

In accordance with some embodiments, the collection chamber 14 has an upper aperture 19 made accessible or inaccessible on each occasion by the upper closing wall 29, figs. 2-3.

According to some embodiments, the collection container 13 can be of the removable type, possibly together with the upper closing wall 29, or even without it. According to these embodiments, in the assembled condition the collection chamber 14 is closed by the upper closing wall 29, while in the unassembled condition the collection chamber 14 can be substantially open.

According to some embodiments, the upper closing wall 29 has a support surface 26 facing, during use, toward the collection chamber 14, and on which the LEDs 18a are positioned.

The LEDs 18a therefore face directly toward the collection chamber 14 so as to irradiate the dirt contained therein, and act effectively on the DNA of bacteria, viruses, germs, mites and other pathogenic microorganisms carried by it, effectively preventing their proliferation (fig. 4).

In accordance with some embodiments, the LEDs 18a are disposed uniformly on the support surface 26, fig. 5.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown for example in figs. 1-6, the suction and collection unit 11 is connected at the lower part to the motorized distribution unit 16.

In accordance with these solutions, the motorized distribution unit 16 is positioned in order to selectively close the collection container 13, and comprises the upper closing wall 29. According to some embodiments, the upper closing wall 29 can be integral with the distribution unit 16. Although in the example described here the upper closing wall 29 is part of the motorized distribution unit 16, other embodiments are not excluded in which the motorized distribution unit 16 is disposed in another position with respect to the collection chamber 14, but is in any case fluidically connected to it, and the upper closing wall 29 is a distinct and separate component from the motorized distribution unit 16.

In accordance with some embodiments, the upper aperture 19 is shaped so as to receive, in a coupled manner, the distribution unit 16 which, at least during use, is operatively coupled with the collection container 13 so as to seal the collection chamber 14 with respect to the outside, figs. 3-4.

According to some embodiments, the distribution unit 16 has a containing compartment 21 inside which there is housed a motor unit 22 that comprises a motor 23 suitable to move a bladed rotor 24 configured to produce a pressure difference such as to generate, move and direct the flow A sucked in in correspondence with the suction pipe 17, figs. 3-4. The distribution unit 16 is delimited by an external wall 25 which has a plurality of holes 27, distributed thereon or possibly disposed and concentrated in one or more circumscribed zones, which put the containing compartment 21 in communication with the outside, figs. 4-5. According to these embodiments, the upper closing wall 29 can delimit the containing compartment 21 at the bottom.

When the distribution unit 16 is operatively connected to the collection container 13, the suction pipe 17, the collection chamber 14 and the containing compartment 21 define the suction circuit 12, which has an entrance in correspondence with the suction pipe 17 and an exit in correspondence with the holes 27.

In accordance with some embodiments, the upper closing wall 29 has a hole 30 in a central position defining a fluidic passage which puts the collection chamber 14 of the collection container 13 in fluidic communication with the containing compartment 21 of the distribution unit 16, allowing the passage of the flow A toward the holes 27.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in figs. 3-4, the filtration unit 15 is disposed in a central position of the collection chamber 14.

In particular, the filtration unit 15 is disposed axially with respect to the hole 30.

According to some embodiments, the filtration unit 15 comprises a perforated support ring nut 31 and a filter 32 positioned inside the perforated support ring nut 31.

The perforated support ring nut 31 can be associated at the lower part with the bottom surface 28 of the lower closing wall 20, that is, placed in contact with it, in order to delimit the collection chamber 14.

The filter 32 can be advantageously mobile, or removable with respect to the perforated support ring nut 31.

The overall bulk of the filtration unit 15 defines a substantially annular space of the collection chamber 14 into which the materials sucked in that have greater specific weight and sizes can precipitate, until they deposit due to gravity in the corresponding underlying portion of the bottom surface 28.

According to some embodiments, the LEDs 18a are disposed on the support surface 26 around the fluidic passage 30, according to a ring-type disposition (fig· 5).

According to these embodiments, the support surface 26 can also have an annular crown shape and the LEDs 18a can be positioned along such annular crown, equidistant from each other.

The LEDs 18a can face directly toward the substantially annular space so as to adequately irradiate the material deposited on the periphery of the bottom surface 28 and possibly deposited on the internal walls of the collection chamber 14.

According to some embodiments, the LEDs 18a on the support surface 26 are disposed with their emission surface facing downward, that is, toward the bottom wall 28, so as to prevent the emission of electromagnetic radiations upward which could, if not adequately shielded, hit a user.

According to some embodiments, the LEDs 18a can be disposed along a circumference disposed in an intermediate position between the filtration unit 15 and the lateral wall of the container 13.

In this position, the LEDs 18a are configured to also irradiate the filtration unit 15, thus also sanitizing the latter.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in fig. 5, the LEDs 18a are angularly equally distanced on the support surface 26 by a positioning angle a.

For example, the positioning angle a is variable between about 20° and about 180°, as a function of the number of LEDs 18a.

For example, according to some embodiments, the number of LEDs 18 can vary between 2 and 18, and preferably is comprised between 6 and 12, so that the positioning angle a is comprised between 60° and 30°.

However, it is clear that the greater the number of LEDs 18a positioned on the support surface 26, that is, the smaller the positioning angle a, the greater the surface irradiated by the ultraviolet rays emitted.

According to some embodiments, the number and/or size of the LEDs 18a and therefore the positioning angle a can be chosen as a function of the size of the collection chamber, or also of the type of dirt that has to be collected with the vacuum cleaner device 10, in a manner suitable to guarantee the complete sanitization of the collection chamber 14 and of the dirt deposited inside it.

According to some embodiments, it is also possible to provide vacuum cleaner devices 10 aimed in particular at people with pets, which can comprise a number of LEDs 18a greater than a vacuum cleaner device 10 used, for example, to clean an office in which pets are never present.

In accordance with possible embodiments, shown in fig. 1 , the vacuum cleaner device 10 also comprises a suction head 34, configured to approach and possibly contact the surfaces to be cleaned. The vacuum cleaner device 10 can comprise a suction pipe 35 connected with respect to a first end to the suction head 34 and with respect to a second end, opposite the first end, to the suction pipe 17.

The vacuum cleaner device 10 also comprises a handle unit 33 associated with the suction and collection unit 11 , by means of which a user can appropriately direct the suction head 34.

In accordance with possible embodiments, not shown, the suction and collection unit 11 can be disposed in a lowered position so that the suction head 34 is directly connected to the suction pipe 17.

In accordance with some embodiments, a sanitization method is provided for a vacuum cleaner device 10 comprising a suction and collection unit 11 which sucks in from the outside, through a suction circuit 12, the flow A of air and dirt and sends it into the collection chamber 14 where the heaviest fraction deposits due to gravity and the lightest fraction is filtered by the filtration unit 15. The flow A of air and dirt is moved and directed by the motorized head 16 which subsequently returns it to the outside.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the method provides to activate ultraviolet ray sanitizing means 18 in order to emit ultraviolet rays inside the collection chamber 14 and eliminate the microbial load proliferating from, or present in, the dirt retained therein.

In particular, it is provided to activate a plurality of LEDs 18a when the vacuum cleaner device is not in operation, that is, it is not being used to suck up dirt from the outside.

In accordance with some embodiments, the method provides to activate the LEDs 18a in a condition of non-use of the vacuum cleaner device 10, so that they emit ultraviolet rays in the collection chamber 14, and to deactivate them, or keep them inactive, in a condition of use of the vacuum cleaner device 10, so that they do not emit ultraviolet rays in the collection chamber 14.

Providing the activation of the LEDs 18a when the vacuum cleaner device 10 is not in operation, that is, when the user should not be in its immediate vicinity, allows to reduce the risk of exposure of the user to the ultraviolet rays emitted by the LEDs 18a.

According to some embodiments, in the event the vacuum cleaner device 10 is of the cordless type, the method can provide to activate the sanitizing means 18, that is, switch on the LEDs 18a, when the vacuum cleaner device 10 is connected to an electrical source.

The activation of the LEDs 18 in correspondence with the recharging condition of the vacuum cleaner device 10 allows to guarantee a suitable exposure time of the dirt accumulated in the collection chamber 14.

In fact, the amount of time ultraviolet rays need to be emitted in order to sanitize the collection chamber 14 is approximately 1 hour in the case of UY-C low wavelength radiation, and is therefore less than, or at most equal to, the recharging time of the vacuum cleaner device 10, usually in the order of 1-6 hours.

This advantageously allows to recharge the vacuum cleaner device 10 and, in an equal or preferably shorter amount of time, to also sanitize the collection chamber 14, optimizing energy consumptions.

According to some embodiments, in the event the vacuum cleaner device 10 is of the cordless type, the method provides to keep the LEDs 18a active for the entire period of time required to recharge the battery or accumulation unit.

According to some variants, the method can provide to keep the LEDs 18a active for a predefined period of time, for example comprised between 30 and 120 minutes, suitable to reduce the bacterial load in the collection chamber 14, and subsequently switch them off, even if the recharging of the vacuum cleaner device 10 has not been completed.

According to other variants, in the event the vacuum cleaner device 10 is of the traditional type, connected during use to the electrical network, it can be provided to activate a battery, or a dedicated charge accumulation unit, in order to power and switch on the ultraviolet ray emission devices 18 when the vacuum cleaner device 10 is switched off.

It can also be provided that the battery or the accumulation unit can be recharged while the cleaning operations are being performed, and are automatically activated when the vacuum cleaner device 10 is switched off.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the vacuum cleaner device 10 and to the sanitization method for a vacuum cleaner device as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of a vacuum cleaner device 10 and of a sanitization method, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1. Vacuum cleaner device comprising a suction and collection unit (11) provided with a suction pipe (17), a collection container (13), fluidically connected to the suction pipe (17), and defining a collection chamber (14) configured to receive a flow (A) sucked in from the outside, a motorized distribution unit (16), configured to move and direct said flow (A), and a filtration unit (15) disposed in said container (13) and configured to filter the flow (A) sucked in, characterized in that said suction and collection unit (11) is provided with sanitizing means (18) disposed inside said chamber (14) and comprising a plurality of LEDs (18a), facing with the respective faces that emit the ultraviolet rays toward a bottom surface (28) of said collection chamber (14), configured to emit ultraviolet rays directed so as to effect the inside of said collection chamber (14) and sanitize the inside of said collection chamber (14) and said filtration unit (15).

2. Vacuum cleaner device as in claim 1, characterized in that said container (13) is closed at the upper part by an upper closing wall (29), and said LEDs (18a) are disposed on a support surface (26) of said closing wall (29).

3. Vacuum cleaner device as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said upper closing wall (29) is integral with said distribution unit (16).

4. Vacuum cleaner device as in claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said upper closing wall (29) has a hole (30) in a central position defining a fluidic passage between said collection chamber (14) and said distribution unit (16), and said LEDs (18a) are disposed around said hole (30).

5. Vacuum cleaner device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said LEDs (18a) are positioned equidistant from each other.

6. Vacuum cleaner device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said collection chamber (14) has the shape of an annular crown, and said LEDs (18a) are distributed according to a ring-type disposition in an intermediate position between said filtration unit (15) and a lateral wall (38) of said container (13).

7. Vacuum cleaner device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said ultraviolet ray sanitizing means (18) are selectively activatable only in a condition of non-use of said vacuum cleaner device (10).

8. Vacuum cleaner device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said filtration unit (15) comprises a perforated support ring nut (31) and a filter (32) positioned inside the support ring nut (31).

9. Vacuum cleaner device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said collection container (13) comprises a protection screen configured to limit or prevent the passage of ultraviolet rays from said collection chamber (14) toward the outside.

10. Vacuum cleaner device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the number of said LEDs (18a) is comprised between 6 and 12.

11. Method for the functioning and sanitization of a vacuum cleaner device (10) able to suck in a flow (A) of air and dirt from the outside, convey it toward a collection container (13) by means of a distribution unit (16) and collect the dirt in a collection chamber (14) of said container (13), in which the heaviest fraction deposits due to gravity, and make said flow of air transit through a filtering unit (15) disposed in said collection chamber (14) before returning it to the outside through said distribution unit (16), characterized in that it provides to activate ultraviolet ray sanitizing means (18) by switching on a plurality of LEDs (18a) in order to emit ultraviolet rays directed inside the collection chamber (14) and to carry out an action of sanitizing said collection chamber (14) and said filtration unit (15) in order to eliminate the microbial load proliferating from or present in the dust and dirt collected therein when said a vacuum cleaner device (10) is not used to carry out cleaning operations and suck in dirt from the outside.

12. Method as in claim 11, wherein said vacuum cleaner device (10) is of the wireless type, characterized in that it provides to activate said ultraviolet ray sanitizing means (18) during the recharging operations of a battery or accumulation unit of said vacuum cleaner device (10) when it is connected to an electric power network.

13. Method as in claim 12, characterized in that it provides to keep said LEDs (18a) active for all the time necessary to recharge said battery, or said accumulation unit.

14. Method as in claim 11, wherein said vacuum cleaner device (10) is of the type, during use, connected to the electricity network, characterized in that it provides to activate a battery, or an auxiliary charge accumulation unit dedicated to powering said ultraviolet ray sanitizing means (18) when said vacuum cleaner device (10) is switched off.

15. Method as in any claim from 11 to 14, characterized in that it provides to keep said LEDs (18a) active for a predefined period of time comprised between 30 and 120 minutes, and subsequently switch them off.