FR2782143A1 - Method of protecting air conditioning ducts from bacteria involves forming duct walls with antibacterial impregnated fibres - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of protecting air conditioning ducts from bacteria involves forming the wall (1A) of the duct (1) from a fibrous material which is treated with a bacterial and fungi resistant material.

Description

1 / z2782143 The invention relates to a method for producing

  conduits resistant to colonization by living elements

  such as bacteria, fungi.

  The expression “living elements” denotes in particular bacteria, micro or macroscopic fungi. The invention applies advantageously, but not exclusively to the production of conduits intended for the

air circulation.

  The invention also relates to the means for setting

  implementing the method and the conduits obtained.

  To produce a conduit having bacteriostatic properties, it is known WO 97/30798 to proceed by covering its internal face by means of a coating consisting of a polymer material containing an agent

bactericide.

  This process has its advantages, but it is not economical

because it takes a long time to implement.

  A result which the invention aims to obtain is a method for producing conduits resistant to colonization by living elements such as bacteria, fungi, which while being economical to implement, is reliable and economical. To this end, the subject of the invention is a method for producing conduits resistant to colonization by living elements such as bacteria, fungi, this method being in particular characterized in that: - to constitute the wall of the conduit, use is made a material comprising fibers, and - to give the conduit properties of resistance to colonization by living elements such as bacteria, fungi, at least before constitution of said conduit, the fibers are subjected to a treatment giving it such a

  resistance to colonization by such living elements.

  The subject of the invention is also the means for putting

  implementing the method as well as the conduits obtained.

  The invention will be clearly understood on reading the

  description below made with reference to the drawing as

  non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawing which

2 2782143

  represents a perspective view of a conduit obtained by the

method of the invention.

  Referring to the drawing, there is seen a duct 1, in particular intended for the circulation of air, in particular, in an air conditioning installation (not shown). By way of example, the duct 1 is determined by a wall 1A which is substantially rectilinear and of circular cross section. Remarkably: - to constitute the wall 1A of the conduit 1, a material 1B is used comprising fibers 1C (represented by free lines), and - to give the conduit 1 properties of resistance to colonization by living elements such as bacteria, fungi, at least before constitution of said conduit 1, the fibers are subjected to a treatment giving it such resistance to colonization by such living elements. To constitute the wall 1A of the conduit 1, a

  non-woven fibrous material lB.

  The conduits obtained according to the process of the invention therefore have a wall which, according to at least a fraction of its thickness, has a certain resistance to colonization by

  living things like bacteria, fungi.

  In an advantageous and remarkable form, a lB material is used in a strip and, the procedure is by spiral winding of

  this strip and bonding of said strip on itself.

  Preferably, we proceed by winding the strip on

a counterform to this effect.

  To subject the material IB to a treatment which gives it resistance to colonization by living elements such as bacteria and fungi, the fibers 1C of this material are brought into contact with an agent 2 (represented by points located in the vicinity of the fibers ) active and we associate

this agent 2 to said fibers 1C.

  The fibers 1C and the active agent 2 are brought into contact by spraying a fluid containing the agent 2. The spraying operation is carried out on at least one face of the duct and / or of a strip or even a tablecloth

constituting said conduit.

  According to a variant, for bringing the fibers 1C and the active agent 2 into contact, the process is carried out by soaking in a fluid

containing agent 2.

  By soaking is meant an immersion operation

complete or not.

  For example, soaking designates an operation of impregnation of at least one face of the duct and / or of a strip

  or even of a ply constituting this conduit.

  Remarkably, it is during the winding of a strip used for the constitution of the conduit 1 that an active agent 2 is brought into contact with the fibers lC constituting the

strip material lB used.

  To associate the active agent 2 with the fibers 1C, we proceed to

  evaporation of the fluid containing agent 2.

  To associate the active agent 2 with the fibers lC, we proceed to

chemical grafting.

  The invention also relates to the conduits obtained

according to the process.

Claims (10)

  1. Method for producing conduits resistant to colonization by living elements such as bacteria, fungi, this method being CHARACTERIZED in that: - to constitute the wall (1A) of the conduit (1), a material (IB) is used ) comprising fibers (1C), and - to give the conduit (1) properties of resistance to colonization by living elements such as bacteria, fungi, at least before constitution of said conduit (1), the fibers are subjected (1C) a treatment giving it such resistance to colonization by such living elements. 2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that, to form the wall (1A) of the conduit (1), using a   non-woven fibrous material (IB).   3. Method according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that a material (lB) is used in a strip and, one proceeds by spiral winding of this strip and gluing of said strip on herself.   4. Method according to claim 3 characterized in that one proceeds by winding the strip on a counterform to this effect.   5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4   characterized in that, in order to subject the material (1B) to a treatment which gives it resistance to colonization by living elements such as bacteria, fungi, the fibers (1C) of this material are brought into contact with an agent (2 )   active and this agent (2) is associated with said fibers (1C).   6. Method according to claim 5 characterized in that, for contacting the fibers (lC) and the active agent (2), one proceeds by spraying a fluid containing the agent (2). 7. Method according to claim 5 characterized in that, for contacting the fibers (1C) and the active agent (2), one proceeds by dipping in a fluid containing the agent (2).   8. Method according to any one of claims 3 to 7   characterized in that it is, during the winding of a strip used for the constitution of the conduit (1), that an active agent (2) is brought into contact with the fibers (lC) constituting the material (lB ) in strip used.   9. Method according to any one of claims 6 to 8   characterized in that, in order to associate the active agent (2) with   fibers (1C), a chemical grafting is carried out.   10. Ducts characterized in that they are obtained according to   the process which is the subject of one of claims 1 to 9.