FR3128883A1 - DEVICE FOR THE DECONTAMINATION OF OBJECTS BY ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the decontamination of at least one object by ultraviolet radiation. It comprises at least one emission chamber (2) comprising a lamp (1) capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation, said at least one emission chamber (2) comprising a reflective element (13), for directing the radiation emitted by said lamp (1) to an outlet opening (20) of said at least one emission chamber (2). The device is remarkable in that said reflector element (13) is associated with a reflector support (3) which is mounted movable between a first active position of the device where said reflector (13) directs said radiation towards the opening (20) exit and a second passive position of the device, where said reflector holder (3) closes the exit aperture (20), thereby preventing radiation from exiting said emission chamber (2). It also comprises an actuator (4) ensuring the passage of the reflector support (3) from said first active position to said second passive position. Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

DEVICE FOR THE DECONTAMINATION OF OBJECTS BY ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

The invention relates to a device ensuring the decontamination of objects by ultraviolet radiation.

Ultraviolet radiation is commonly used in industry: lamps emitting ultraviolet radiation are positioned in an installation in which objects are conveyed, ensuring the decontamination of objects in contact with the emitted radiation.

Ultraviolet radiation (also called UV radiation) has, in fact, a virucidal and bactericidal action essential for certain industries, in particular the food or pharmaceutical industry which must guarantee the production of healthy products and healthy containers.

However, ultraviolet radiation can also be dangerous to humans. Also, if ultraviolet radiation must reach the products to be decontaminated, it must not be allowed to reach humans near the installation.

When the objects to be decontaminated are small (for example corks, containers of pharmaceutical products, etc.), they are placed in closed chambers or ducts where they are subjected to UV radiation. Operators are thus protected.

It is more complicated, on the other hand, to protect the operators when the objects to be decontaminated are large, that is to say when the objects to be decontaminated are, for example, the size of a piece of furniture.

To protect people, some facilities for the decontamination of large objects are equipped with means of protection adapted to the size of the objects to be decontaminated. They are therefore cumbersome. Some facilities are also designed so that the radiation emitted is directed only within a closed enclosure in which the object to be decontaminated is placed or circulates.

This is how the device described in application EP 1 098 153 is designed:

this document describes a device for the decontamination of objects such as CDs or DVDs, which comprises an ultraviolet radiation emitting lamp and several reflectors, placed close to the emitting lamp and which have an elongated shape with a cross section partially parabolic, allowing ultraviolet radiation to be reflected and directed onto the CD or DVD in a uniform manner, for optimized decontamination. These specially shaped reflectors also allow irradiation that is both efficient and economical: in fact, the homogeneous distribution of the radiation makes it possible to save energy overall.

When the ultraviolet radiation lamps are not in use, they are preferably switched off, in particular for safety reasons. But to be able to be operational again, after being turned on again, the ultraviolet radiation lamps require a heating time. Also, it is found that the installations are much less efficient during the heating time, each time the lamps have to be put back into service.

The invention aims to provide a new device which avoids having to turn off the lamps when the installation is not in use, while protecting the people near the device. The installation according to the invention thus allows a quick restart when necessary. In addition, the invention proposes a technical solution which is not cumbersome and easy to use.

The invention relates to this effect to a device for the decontamination of objects by emission of ultraviolet radiation , said device comprising at least one emission chamber comprising a lamp capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation, said at least one emission chamber comprising a reflective element, for directing the radiation emitted by said lamp towards an outlet opening of said at least one emission chamber.

The device according to the invention is remarkable in that said reflector element is integral with a reflector support which is movably mounted between:
- a first active position of the device where said reflector directs said radiation towards the exit opening of said at least one emission chamber and where the chamber exit opening is unobstructed, and
- a second passive position of the device, where said reflector support closes the exit opening of said at least one emission chamber, thereby preventing radiation from exiting said at least one emission chamber and confining the radiation to the inside said at least one emission chamber, said device comprising an actuator ensuring passage of the reflector support from said first active position of the device to said second passive position of the device and vice versa.

Thus, the UV radiation reflector has a double function: it serves not only to direct the radiation towards the object, but also it serves as a means of closing the chamber in which the lamp is mounted.

By providing this dual function, it is not necessary to provide, outside the device, a means of protecting nearby people against UV radiation. Thus the device in accordance with the invention offers a solution which ensures the decontamination of bulky objects (and also non-bulky objects) without having to provide bulky protections: the device is self-sufficient and is, therefore, space-saving, even if it may be necessary to occasionally prevent people from accessing the device when it is in operation.

In addition, the part in which the object to be decontaminated is positioned can be of completely random shape and size (except for non-smooth or convex shapes which cannot be decontaminated by UV radiation), which makes it possible to implement the device according to the invention in various applications, with various sizes of objects to be decontaminated.

Thus, the device can be positioned facing bulky objects, and can be easily and quickly rendered harmless to people by closing the UV radiation-emitting chambers when the installation no longer has to be operational or has to be shut down.

The power supply to the device lamps can however be cut off (and therefore the lamps are off) if the installation has to be shut down for a long time.

The device in accordance with the invention may also comprise the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:

• Said reflector support can be rotatably mounted around a reflector axis between said first position and said second position and vice versa. The passage from one position to another can thus be done by rotation of the reflector support;
• Said at least one emission chamber may comprise an inner wall of section presenting a symmetry of revolution, said movable reflector support may comprise a wall presenting a symmetry of revolution, presenting a reflector axis, said reflector support wall and said inner wall of said at least one emission chamber being coaxial so that said reflector support wall at least partially covers the inner wall of said at least one emission chamber in said first active position, and so that said wall of the reflector support is positioned opposite the inner wall of said at least one emission chamber in the second passive position. Thus produced, the chamber and the reflector support are for example half-tubes that rotate one inside the other, thus making it possible to orient the reflector support in the two active and passive positions and between these two positions, for example to direct the ultraviolet radiation along a particular desired direction;
• Said at least one emission chamber may comprise, in the vicinity of a peripheral edge of the opening of said at least one emission chamber, a projecting element closing off a space between the edge of the opening of said at least one emission and an edge of the reflector support in said second passive position of the device. This feature provides additional security to prevent ultraviolet radiation from leaving the chamber even in the passive position of the device;
• The device may comprise at least two emission chambers, each of said at least two emission chambers comprising an ultraviolet radiation emission lamp and a reflector element associated with a reflector support which is mounted movable between said first position and said second position, said device comprising at least two actuators, each ensuring passage of the reflector support from said first active position to said second passive position and vice versa. According to this embodiment, the device may comprise several chambers (at least two) each being equipped with a reflector support;
• Said at least two actuators can be controlled simultaneously or independently of each other when the device comprises several chambers;
• Advantageously, each of said at least two emission chambers comprises an inner wall of section having a symmetry of revolution, each of the movable reflector supports comprises a wall of a reflector of section having a symmetry of revolution, having a reflector axis, said wall of each of the reflector supports and said interior wall of each of the emission chambers being coaxial such that said wall of each of the reflector supports at least partially covers the interior wall of each of the emission chambers in said first position, the axes reflector supports being aligned in the same plane. In addition, said reflector support of each of said at least two emission chambers is advantageously mounted so as to rotate around said reflector axis between said first active position and said second passive position and vice versa. The reflector supports are thus pivotally mounted and the chambers and the reflector supports are all aligned in the same plane: this allows a smaller overall size of the entire device, which also makes it possible to adapt the height of the device to the object or objects to be decontaminated;
• The device may further comprise an apparatus for injecting air into said at least one emission chamber, ensuring in particular cooling of the lamp and/or dusting of said lamp;
• The air injection device may comprise an air outlet, said reflector support may be a hollow profile comprising compartments among which a duct comprising a duct inlet associated with said air outlet and at least one outlet conduit which passes through said reflector. The air is thus brought into the chamber using the reflector support as the air supply conduit to the chamber;
• Preferably, said at least one conduit outlet comprises a series of through holes made through said reflector, said series of through holes extending in a direction parallel to a direction in which said lamp extends;
• The lamp advantageously preferably extends in said at least one emission chamber between a central axis of said at least one emission chamber and said reflector. The lamp is thus offset: it is located between the axis of the chamber (the pivot axis) and the reflector, to be as close as possible to the through holes of the reflector support to thus ensure cooling of the lamp;
• The device may further comprise a protection element positioned opposite the opening of said at least one emission chamber and forming a guardrail to prevent the introduction of an object through the opening of said at least one chamber. emission when said reflector is in said first active position of said device;
• The protection element can be mounted on said device between a protection position where it is positioned in front of the opening of the emission chamber and a release position where it is positioned at a distance from the opening of the emission chamber. emission, to provide access to said at least one emission chamber. The guardrail can thus be oriented so as to clear the opening of the chamber, for example for maintenance of the lamp;
• The device may finally comprise a first frame on which are mounted in particular said at least one emission chamber and said actuator of said reflector and a second frame on which is mounted at least one electronic ballast, associated with said at least one lamp, and said first frame is mounted to move relative to said second frame between a closed position of the device where said at least one electronic ballast is enclosed between said first frame and said second frame and an open position of the device where said electronic ballast is accessible.

Furthermore, the invention relates to an installation comprising a device as defined above, the installation being remarkable in that it comprises a box comprising said device and a receiving enclosure for said at least one object, said box comprising at least one access door to said reception enclosure, said safe being equipped with at least one control device for authorizing or prohibiting opening of said at least one door and for authorizing or prohibiting the passage of said at least one support reflector from the passive position to the active position, said at least one control device being associated with a control of said actuator, the opening of said door being conditional on the control of the actuator in the passive position of the device and the passage in active position of said at least one reflector support being conditioned on the closing of said at least one door.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on examination of the detailed description of a non-limiting mode of implementation, and of the appended drawings, in which:

is a perspective and side view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention, comprising supports for reflectors in the active position of the device,

is a perspective and side view of the device shown in , comprising supports for reflectors in the passive position of the device,

is a vertical sectional view of the device along the plane III-III indicated in ,

is a perspective and partial view of the device shown in the preceding figures, the showing the interior of one side of the device (a protective casing having been removed),

is another perspective and partial view of the device shown in Figures 1 to 3, the showing the other side of the device (another protective casing having been removed),

is a rear view of the device, showing in transparency the elements contained in the device and

is a schematic representation of an installation according to the invention, seen in perspective.

There shows a device according to the invention.

The device is generally parallelepipedal in shape, longer than it is tall, so that it takes up space more in length than in height.

It should be understood that the embodiment model presented is not limiting and that the device could have a different general shape without departing from the invention.

The device shown in the figures is made to decontaminate large objects, for example containers that can accommodate about 1 m ³ of material.

The device comprises two side boxes 10 and 11 (respectively left and right on the ), each of substantially parallelepipedal shape, between which is mounted a series of decontaminating lamps 1 emitting UV radiation, capable of decontaminating objects subjected to this radiation.

The decontaminating lamps 1 are tubular, oriented parallel to each other and in a substantially horizontal orientation.

Each of the decontaminating lamps 1 is mounted in a semi-tubular emission chamber 2, which extends between the two boxes: the wall of each of the emission chambers 2 thus has an at least partially circular section which extends around of a chamber axis X.

The at least partially circular section is an example of a section that has rotational symmetry.

Also, each of the chambers has an opening 20, which extends between two longitudinal edges 21 (formed by the edges of the semi-tube), opening 20 through which the decontaminating radiation can leave the chamber to reach an object placed in front of the bedroom.

The semi-tubular chambers 2 accommodating the lamps are all aligned one above the other, and the X axes of the chambers are all aligned in the same plane.

Therefore, the device is compact in width.

Each of the semi-tubular chambers 2 further comprises a reflector support 3, each reflector support 3 carrying a reflector 13 on a wall 30 of the reflector support 3 also of semi-tubular shape, which is accommodated in the semi-tubular chamber. , with a reflector axis coinciding with the X axis of the chamber. The semi-tubular reflector support 3 is pivotally mounted around its axis.

It should be understood that the shape of the reflector 13 could be different without departing from the scope of the invention: for example, the reflector 13 could have a section of parabolic shape.

The reflector support 3 can thus adopt a first position (shown in ) in which the semi-tubular wall 30 covers the semi-tubular wall of the chamber.

The reflector support 3 can also adopt another position, or second position (shown in ), in which its semi-tubular wall 30 faces the tubular wall of the emission chamber 2, the wall 30 of the reflector support 3 forming, with the wall of the chamber, a closed tubular space around the lamp 1 decontaminating from chamber 2.

The position of the reflector bracket 3 shown in will be called the active position of the device since, in this position, the reflector 13 of the reflector support 3 is placed behind the lamp 1 (in front of the wall of the chamber 2) and has the function of reflecting the radiation emitted by the lamp 1 towards the outside the emission chamber 2, and in particular towards the outlet opening 20 of the emission chamber 2, the outlet opening 20 being unobstructed.

The position of the reflector bracket 3, shown in , will be called the passive position of the device since, in this position, the wall 30 of the reflector support 3 closes the chamber, preventing the decontaminating radiation from leaving the chamber (the radiation is here confined in the chamber in this position of the reflector), which renders ineffective the action of the UV lamp on an object which would be placed in front of the emission chamber 2.

To prevent the UV radiation emitted by the decontaminating lamp 1 from slipping between the edges 21 of the emission chamber 2 and the edges of the reflector, provision is made for the emission chamber 2 to comprise, in the vicinity of each of its edges 21, a projecting element 22 closing off a space between the edge 21 of the opening of the chamber and an edge of the reflector support in said second passive position of the device (see notably).

According to the invention, the device comprises at least one actuator ensuring the passage of the reflector support 3 from said first active position of the device to said second passive position of the device, and vice versa.

In the context of this embodiment, comprising five chambers each comprising a rotatable reflector support, each reflector support is associated with an actuator device 4 visible in particular on the .

Provision is made in this mode to position all the actuator devices 4 in the side box 11 (right box in FIGS. 1 and 2).

There shows these devices, the casing cover 11 having been removed.

The actuator devices 4 are produced by a set of sprockets and belts which rotate the reflector supports 3 simultaneously.

More exactly, each reflector support 3 is integral with a disc 33 which can rotate, at one of its ends, in a wall 61, each disc 33 being associated with a pinion 4 and all the pinions 4 are connected by the belt 40 to a general control pinion 41.

It should, again, be understood that the invention could be implemented by different means: indeed, the technique of setting the reflector supports in motion could be carried out differently without departing from the scope of the invention.

It should be noted that the reflector supports each have another end secured to another disc 34, mounted rotatably in a wall 61 ( ).

There , which illustrates the rear of the device by transparency, shows a motor 43 which makes it possible to drive the general control pinion 41 in rotation, in turn driving the actuators 4 in rotation, leading to the reflector supports moving from the active position to the passive position of the device, and vice versa.

Counter-pinion 42 are also provided, which ensure that the belt is always correctly tensioned so that all of the actuators 4 are properly driven in rotation by the belt 40 at the same time.

It is understood from this embodiment that all the reflector supports pass from the active position to the passive position of the device at the same time, thanks to a set of actuators 4 which are controlled together.

The control of the actuators 4 can also make it possible to orient the reflector supports 3 in an intermediate position between the active position and the passive position. In this way, the UV radiation emitted by the lamps 1 can be directed.

It should however be understood that the device according to the invention could comprise actuators independent of each other: according to such an embodiment (not shown) provision could be made to orient the reflector supports 3 independently of each other. , to direct the UV radiation as the operator wishes depending on the position of the object to be decontaminated in relation to the position of the device.

It should be noted that, in the passive position of the device, the reflector supports 3 prevent UV radiation from leaving the emission chambers 2, which can lead to an increase in the internal temperature in the chambers 2.

Also, the device according to the invention comprises means which ensure an injection of air into the chambers 2 and an evacuation of air from the chambers, allowing circulation to cool the ambient air in the chambers 2, in particular in the vicinity lamps 1 they contain. The injection of air also allows cleaning of the interior of the chambers 2 and the lamps 1.

There partially shows the devices 5 for injecting (blowing) air and extracting air from the chambers 2. These devices are provided in the side box 10 (left box in FIGS. 1 and 2): the shows the interior of box 11, the cover of which has been removed.

Provision is made for the injection of air into the chambers 2 to be carried out through the reflector supports 3 to cool or remove dust from the lamps in the active position of the device.

To do this, the wall 30 of each of the reflector supports is produced by a compartmentalized profile, visible in particular in : it can be seen that the wall 30 of the reflector support 3 comprises cells which can serve as an air passage duct.

Each reflector support 3 thus comprises a duct 31 comprising a duct inlet lateral to said reflector support (the entrance to the duct 31 is through the edge of the reflector support 3), which is thus close to the appliance. air injection, and more particularly near the air outlet of the device 5.

The device 5 is mounted on each of the discs 34 secured to the reflector supports 3 at their end.

Each reflector support also comprises at least one duct outlet 32 which passes through the reflector and opens in front of a lamp in said chamber 2.

The air outlet of the device 5 opens into the inlet of the duct 31: the air is thus injected into the duct 31 in the active position of the reflector and the air injected into the duct 31 leaves the duct in the chamber 2 through exit 32.

In the context of this example, each reflector support has not an outlet 32, but a series of outlets 32 produced by through holes through the wall 30 of the reflector support 3 and opening into said duct on the one hand and into bedroom 2 on the other hand.

We see, in , that the series of through holes (or outlets 32) extends over the entire length of the reflector support, in a direction parallel to a direction in which said lamp 1 extends.

We also note that the lamp 1 of each of the chambers 2 is offset: in fact, the lamps are not arranged in the X axis of the chambers, but extend in the chamber between the X axis and the reflector support 3 Thus, each lamp is in direct proximity to the series of through holes through which air is injected into the chamber in the active position of the device: the air is thus projected onto the lamps.

There are also other means ensuring a circulation of air around the rooms, making it possible to ventilate the space close to the rooms.

Indeed, all the emission chambers 2 are fixed on a first frame 6, shown for example in .

Frame 6 also carries the actuator devices of the reflectors and the air injection devices 5.

The frame 6 is equipped with fans 60 on the side wall 61 carrying the air injection devices 5, as well as fans 60 on the second side wall 62 (see ) allowing the air to circulate behind the emission chambers 2 in the passive position of the device.

Four ventilation grilles 63 are also provided in the upper part of the frame 6.

To ensure the correct positioning of the reflector supports 3 in the passive position of the device, provision is made to equip the device with position sensors 70 and 71 which, when the reflector supports 3 are in the passive position of the device, face: the shows that the sensors 70 are positioned on the wall 61 and that the sensors 71 are positioned on the disc 34. When the reflector support is in the active position of the device, the two sensors 70 and 71 are separated ( ).

It is understood that the two sensors 70 and 71 operate in pairs and that, when they are not aligned, the reflector supports do not prevent UV radiation from leaving the chambers. Also, if they are misaligned when the reflector supports are in the passive position, this means that the rooms are not properly closed and that there is a risk of exposure for humans: the device can then be made safe from automatically, and lamps 1 can be automatically switched off, for example.

It is noted that the openings 20 of the emission chambers 2 are wide, the openings 20 having an opening length which corresponds substantially to the diameter of the semi-tubular chambers 2.

Also, provision is made to equip the device according to the invention with a protection element, produced by a double bar 80 and 81, which are oriented to partially form a V in front of the emission chambers 2, the two bars 80 and 81 being bent at their lower end to pass under the frame 6 being oriented parallel to each other (parts 82 of the bars) and to meet under the frame 6 (part 83). The upper end of the bars 80 and 81 is pivotally mounted on the frame 6, around a pivot axis X1 ( ) so that the bars 80 and 81, forming the protection element of the device, are movable between a protection position, where the bars are positioned in front of the emission chambers 2 (FIGS. 1 and 2 for example) and a position where the bars are pivoted into the retracted position (disengagement position), according to which the bars 80 and 81 are oriented substantially horizontally and according to which the space in front of the chambers is cleared (position not illustrated), for example to change the lamps or authorize any maintenance work on emission chambers 2, reflectors 3 or lamps 1.

In the protective position, the bars 80 and 81 prevent an object from coming into contact with the lamps 1 in the bedrooms.

Provision is also made to facilitate access to other elements that the device according to the invention may include, and in particular to electronic ballasts 8 making it possible to supply the UV lamps 1 and provided behind the frame 6, on a second chassis 7 located behind chassis 6.

Provision is made to mount the first frame 6 mobile relative to the second frame 7 to facilitate access to these ballasts 8, without having to dismantle the device.

To do this, in the context of this example, the frame 6 is mounted on a bar 9 pivotally mounted in two housings 90 of the second frame 7.

In addition, the second frame 7 is equipped with a jack 91 allowing the first frame 6 to be separated from the second frame 7, thus facilitating access to the ballasts.

Mention will now be made of a mode of implementation of the device according to the invention.

One or more devices in accordance with the invention are positioned around a conveyor moving an object: the devices can be aligned one after the other or one above the other.

Several devices can be provided depending on the size of the object to be decontaminated.

If only one device is needed, it is positioned close to the conveyor.

Before the object is brought in front of the device, the reflector supports are moved from the passive position (shown in ) to the active position (shown in ).

UV radiation from decontaminating lamps 1 is emitted by the device and directed towards the conveyor and the object to be decontaminated.

Passing in front of the device(s), the object is hit by the radiation and is decontaminated at the points of contact of this radiation.

Several objects can thus pass in front of the device(s) and be decontaminated.

Once all the objects have been decontaminated, or if it is necessary to stop the decontamination operations, the passage of the reflector supports from the active position ( ) to the passive position ( ).

The reflector supports 3 then close the openings 20 of the emission chambers 2, and the UV radiation is confined in the chambers, which makes the device harmless for humans.

The UV 1 lamps therefore do not need to be switched off.

When it is again necessary to decontaminate an object, the reflector supports are again moved from the passive position to the active position, and the device is operational without waiting.

It is understood from the foregoing how the invention allows the use of UV lamps to decontaminate large objects by limiting the risks of exposure for humans, quickly and effectively.

It is also understood how the invention makes it possible to offer a space-saving and modular solution, by providing means of protection not external to the chamber but incorporated in the chamber, by combining the radiation reflector means with the occultation means of these same rays.

It should however be understood that the invention is not limited to the implementation of the device specifically described and represented, and that it extends to the implementation of any equivalent means.

For example, the shows an installation 15 in accordance with the invention which comprises a device 16, also in accordance with the invention:

The installation, like the device it includes, aims to decontaminate containers of food products.

For example, these may be containers brought by customers to a food store, to be filled with a food product (for example, catering salads, cold cuts, etc.). The container has not been shown.

The installation 15 comprises three lamps 1 emitting ultraviolet radiation, each of the lamps being housed in an emission chamber 2 comprising a reflective element 13, to direct the radiation emitted by said lamp 1 towards an outlet opening 20 of the chamber 2 .

The reflector elements 13 are each secured to a reflector support 3 which is mounted to move between:
- a first active position of the device where each reflector 13 directs said radiation towards the outlet opening 20 of each emission chamber 2 and where the outlet opening 20 of each chamber is unobstructed (position illustrated in ), And
- a second passive position of the device (not shown), where each reflector support 3 closes the exit opening 20 of each emission chamber 2, thus preventing the radiation from leaving each chamber and confining the radiation inside each emission chamber.

The device 16 comprising an actuator 4 ensuring the passage of each of the reflector supports 3 from said first active position of the device to said second passive position of the device and vice versa.

In the context of this example, the actuator 4 simultaneously controls the movement of the three reflector supports 3, from one position to another.

The device 16 is installed in a box 17 and the box 17 comprises an enclosure 18 to accommodate an object (for example the container of the person who has just purchased an unpackaged food product).

Enclosure 18 is located below device 16.

To allow access to the enclosure and introduce the container (or object), the box 17 has at least one door 19 (it has two doors 19 in the context of our example), each being provided laterally on the box 17. The advantage of providing two doors 19 is to allow manipulation of the right side door 19, for example, by the customer coming to shop, and manipulation of the left side door by a merchant coming to retrieve the decontaminated container.

In order to ensure the safety of the merchant and the customer, provision is made for the safe to be equipped with at least one control device 25 to authorize or prohibit opening of the doors 19.

In this case, in this example, the trunk has two control devices 25, each control device being associated with the opening and closing of a door 19.

Each control device 25 is associated with the control of the actuator 4, the opening of each door 19 being conditional on the control of the actuator 4 in the passive position of the device.

In other words: to open the door 19, on one side or the other of the safe 17, the customer or the merchant must have ordered the actuator 4 so that the reflector supports 3 are in the passive position. In this position, the chambers 2 are closed and the UV radiation is confined: one can thus open one or both of the doors 19 and position the container in the enclosure 18 of the safe 17 or take it out.

To decontaminate the container placed in the enclosure 18, the control devices ensure the correct closing of the doors 19 to authorize the control of the actuator 4 allowing the reflector supports 3 to pass into the active position. This security can, for example, be ensured by position sensors.

Claims (16)

Device for decontaminating at least one object by ultraviolet radiation, said device comprising at least one emission chamber (2) comprising a lamp (1) capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation, said at least one emission chamber (2 ) comprising a reflective element (13), for directing the radiation emitted by said lamp (1) towards an outlet opening (20) of said at least one emission chamber (2), characterized in that said reflective element (13 ) is secured to a reflector support (3) which is movably mounted between:
- a first active position of the device where said reflector (13) directs said radiation towards the outlet opening (20) of said at least one emission chamber (2) and where the chamber outlet opening (20) is released, and
- a second passive position of the device, where said reflector support (3) closes the exit opening (20) of said at least one emission chamber (2), thus preventing radiation from exiting said at least one chamber emission chamber (2) and confining the radiation inside said at least one emission chamber (2), said device comprising an actuator (4) ensuring passage of the reflector support (3) from said first active position of the device to said second passive position of the device and vice versa. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said reflector support (3) is rotatably mounted around a reflector axis (X) between the said first position and the said second position and vice versa. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the said at least one emission chamber (2) comprises an inner wall with a cross-section having symmetry of revolution, in that the said movable reflector support (3) comprises a wall (30) having a symmetry of revolution, having a reflector axis (X), said reflector support wall (30) (3) and said inner wall of said at least one emission chamber (2) being coaxial so that said wall (30) of reflector support (3) at least partially covers the inner wall of said at least one emission chamber (2) in said first active position, and so that said wall (30) of reflector support ( 3) is positioned opposite the inner wall of said at least one emission chamber (2) in the second passive position. Device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the said at least one emission chamber (2) comprises, in the vicinity of a peripheral edge (21) of the opening (20) of the said at least one emission chamber emission (2), a projecting element (22) closing off a space between the edge (21) of the opening (20) of the said at least one emission chamber (2) and an edge of the reflector support (3) in said second passive position of the device. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two emission chambers (2), each of the said at least two emission chambers (2) comprising a lamp (1) for emitting 'ultraviolet radiation and a reflector element (13) associated with a reflector support (3) which is mounted to move between said first position and said second position, said device comprising at least two actuators (4), each ensuring the passage of the support reflector (3) from said first active position to said second passive position and vice versa. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the said at least two actuators (4) are controlled simultaneously. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the said at least two actuators (4) are controlled independently. Device according to any one of Claims 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that each of the said at least two emission chambers (2) comprises an inner wall with a section presenting a symmetry of revolution,
in that each of the movable reflector supports (3) comprises a sectional reflector wall (30) exhibiting rotational symmetry, presenting a reflector axis (X), said wall (30) of each of the reflector supports (3 ) and said inner wall of each of the emission chambers (2) being coaxial so that said wall (30) of each of the reflector supports (3) at least partially covers the inner wall of each of the emission chambers (2 ) in said first position, the axes (X) of the reflector supports being aligned in the same plane,
and in that said reflector support (3) of each of said at least two emission chambers (2) is rotatably mounted around said reflector axis (X) between said first active position and said second passive position and vice versa. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an apparatus for injecting air (5) into the said at least one emission chamber (2), ensuring in particular cooling of the lamp (1 ) and/or dedusting of said lamp (1). Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the said air injection apparatus (5) comprises an air outlet, in that the said reflector support (3) is a hollow profile comprising compartments among which a duct ( 31) comprising a duct inlet associated with said air outlet and at least one duct outlet (32) which passes through said reflector (13). Device according to Claim 10, characterized in that the said at least one duct outlet (32) comprises a series of through-holes made through the said reflector (13), the said series of through-holes extending in a direction parallel to a direction along which said lamp (1) extends. Device according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the lamp (1) extends in the said at least one emission chamber (2) between a central axis (X) of the said at least one emission chamber (2 ) and said reflector (3). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a protection element (80-83) positioned opposite the opening (20) of the said at least one emission chamber (2) and forming railing to prevent the introduction of an object through the opening (20) of said at least one emission chamber (2) when said reflector (3) is in said first active position of said device. Device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the said protective element (80-83) is movably mounted on the said device between a protective position where it is positioned in front of the opening (20) of the emission chamber (2) and a release position where it is positioned at a distance from the opening (20) of the emission chamber (2), to provide access to said at least one emission chamber (2). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first frame (6) on which are mounted in particular said at least one emission chamber (2) and said actuator (4) of said reflector (3) and a second chassis (7) on which is mounted at least one electronic ballast (8), associated with the said at least one lamp (1), and in that the said first chassis (6) is movably mounted relative to the said second chassis ( 7) between a closed position of the device where said at least one electronic ballast (8) is enclosed between said first frame (6) and said second frame (7) and an open position of the device where said electronic ballast (8) is accessible. Installation (15) comprising a device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a box (17) comprising the said device (16) and an enclosure (18) for receiving the said at least one object, said safe (17) comprising at least one access door (19) to said reception enclosure (18), said safe (17) being equipped with at least one control device (25) for authorizing or prohibiting an opening of said at least one door (19) and to authorize or prohibit passage of said at least one reflector support from the passive position to the active position, said at least one control device (25) being associated with a control of said actuator (4), the opening of said door being conditional on the control of the actuator in the passive position of the device and the passage in the active position of said at least one reflector support (3) being conditional on the closing of said at least a door (19).