GB2111189A - Removing grease and moisture from rooms - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (1) for ventilating rooms (2) and for separating grease and moisture from the air is made up of individual ceiling units (4), e.g. to form a suspended ceiling, although a single unit may be used as a grease trap grid. Parallel channel members (5 and 6), more particularly arcuate or groove-shaped, overlap alternately with the open sides of adjacent members facing in opposite directions and leave a passage for air between the edges of the channel members. The cross-section of each of the set of channel members facing in one direction extends over more than a semi-circle, and this may also apply to both sets of channel members; in this way, between the portions of the edges of the individual channel members overlapping with one another, there is formed a chamber (7) which enlarges the cross-section of flow of air and causes grease and moisture to be deposited. The channel members and the chambers (7) are closed off at their ends, at right angles to their longitudinal direction, whilst a passage (10) for any impurities separated off is provided at at least one end wall (8). The units 4 are inclined to the horizontal to facilitate draining off of impurities. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for ventilating rooms The invention relates to a device for ventilating rooms, in particular rooms with a damp and/or greasy atmosphere and for separating grease and moisture from the air. The device may take the form of an element for a suspended ceiling or a grease trap grid, wherein parallel channel members which are open at one side and, for example, are arcuate or groove-shaped, have the open sides of adjacent channel members overlapping, and between the edges of the channel members there is provided a passage for air.

Various constructions are known for devices of this kind, Thus, for example, a device is known wherein the individual channel members are hollow so that a cooling medium can flow through them. This is intended to aid the separation of moisture and/or grease from the air travelling over them.

A problem with these devices is the difficulty of cleaning them. It is already known to remove the entire ceiling units with the channel members from the ceiling and clean them in suitable washing machines. This has proved effective but requires dismantling on the entire ceiling.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the kind described above which can be cleaned without being dismantled so that there is never or only rarely any need to dismantle it for cleaning purposes. Moreover, it should be possible to extend the intervals between individual cleaning operations.

According to the invention, there is provided a device for ventilating rooms and for separating grease and/or moisture from the air, comprising at least one unit having a plurality of substantially parallel channel members which, in cross-section, are open on one side, the open sides of adjacent channel members facing in opposite directions and overlapping one another, so that the open sides of a first group of channel members face in one direction and the open sides of a second group of channel members face in the opposite direction, a passage for air being provided between the edges of adjacent channel members, the cross-section of the first group of channel members extending around more than a semicircle to form a chamber between each pair of adjacent channel members in which the flow crosssection is enlarged, the channel members and the chambers being closed off by an end wall at each end substantially perpendicularly to their longitudinal direction, and a passage corresponding to each channel member of the first group through at least one of said end walls.

The enlargement of the flow cross-section in said chambers causes the sudden slowing down of the flow of air, whereby grease, moisture and the like are precipitated.

Condensation and grease from the chambers will tend to flow together in the channel members of the first group, which, when the device is used as a ceiling or grease trap, are open on their upper sides, so that this mixture can flow away through the passages referred to above, if it is sufficiently liquid. This will occur during use, if the ceiling is subjected to substantial amounts of condensation and grease, and as a result at least some of the dirt will flow away by itself and thus postpone the need to clean the individual channel members of a ceiling or grease trap grid. Furthermore, an apparatus of this kind can easily be cleaned, even in the assembled position, if at least the area to be cleaned, for example at least one ceiling unit or the like, is arranged sloping towards the passages at its end face and the underside is treated with steam and/or sprayed.In this way, the deposits in the upwardly opening channels are loosened and, owing to the temporary or permanent inclination of the units, can flow through the passage which is at the lowest point.

It is particularly appropriate and advantageous for the operation of the apparatus if the passage at the end of the individual ceiling units or separators is arranged outside the cross-section of the chambers formed by the channel members engaging with one another. This ensures that, during the normal operation of separation, the air does not flow through these passages until it has passed through the separator chambers and been freed from the components which are to be removed.

Further features of the apparatus according to the invention, particularly regarding the passages at the upwardly opening channel members, the arrangement thereof and further features relating to the temporary or permanent inclination of the ceiling units, together with other embodiments of the process according to the invention for cleaning such apparatus, are the subject of further description hereinafter.

It is particularly advantageous to combine one or more of the features described above or recited in the claims, so as to obtain an apparatus, more particularly a modular ceiling, which need never or only rarely be dismantled for cleaning, but wherein preferably superheated or at least wet steam can be used during cleaning to kill any bacteria and micro-organisms which may be found, for example, in kitchens but are highly undesirable.

The invention is hereinafter described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, some of which are diagrammatical, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a cross-section through part of a room, more particularly a kitchen with a stove, in which the air is charged with moisture and grease and wherein a device according to the invention is provided in the form of a suspended ceiling, the individual ceiling units being arranged in an inclined position, Fig. 2 shows, on a larger scale, two ceiling units arranged obliquely relative to each other, as in Fig. 1 during cleaning with a jet of steam, Fig. 3 is a perspective plan view of a ceiling unit, in which the end face is also shown, Fig. 4 is a partially cut away end view of a ceiling unit, showing the end which is lower in the operating position, at least during cleaning, having passages in the region of the upwardly opening channel members.

Fig. 5 is a view of an inclined channel member, on the underside thereof, and the retaining section which receives the lower end, and Fig. 6 shows the ends of two retaining sections for the individual ceiling units of a ceiling, wherein the interstice between the two retaining sections is arranged above a funnel for removing liquids flowing through the retaining sections.

A device generally designated 1 is used for airconditioning rooms, e.g. a kitchen area 2, as indicated in Fig. 1. Particularly in large kitchens with a large stove 3, the atmosphere contains a great deal of grease and moisture, and these substances particularly have to be separated off when the room is air-conditioned. The device 1 comprises a suspended ceiling made up of a plurality of elements or ceiling units 4. The particular shape of the ceiling unit 4 or grease trap grid is shown particularly in Figures 3 to 5. It will be seen that parallel channel members 5 and 6 which are open at one side and arcuate in cross section partially overlap with their open sides and engage with one another, whilst as shown in Figure 4 an air passage, which will be described more fully hereinafter, is formed between the edges of the channel members.

The cross section of at least one type of channel member, in this particular case the lower channel members 5 which open upwardly, extends over more than a semi-circle and, between the narrowed portions of the edges 5a and 6a, a chamber 7 is formed which enlarges the cross section of flow, this chamber 7 extending longitudinally of the individual channel members 5 and 6 and parallel thereto. At their ends, the channel members 5 and 6 and the chambers 7 are closed off and also held together, at right angles to their longitudinal direction, by end walls 8 and 9, and passages 10 through the end wall 8 are provided at an end face, at the lowest point of the upwardly opening channel members 5. These passages are shown particularly in Figures 3 and 4.Figure 4 clearly shows that the passage 10 in the end wall 8 of the individual ceiling units or separators is arranged outside the cross section of the chambers 7 formed by the channel members 5 and 6 engaging with one another. This ensures that the air flowing through the chambers 7 does not reach the passages 10 until it has left the chamber 7 and been freed from its impurities. In other words, this prevents any at least partly contaminated air from returning to the region below the ceiling units or even flowing upwards between the ceiling units.

In the illustrated embodiment, the passage 10 is shaped at its lower edge 11 to correspond to the upwardly opening channel member 5, i.e. it is arcuate and the radius of curvature of the arc corresponds to the cross section of the lower channel member 5. In the illustrated embodiment its upper edge is also arcuate and extends up to or close to the edges 6a of the two mating channel members 6 entering the channel members 5. This ensures that the passage 10 is a large enough, whilst at the same time preventing the chamber 7 itself from being partly covered by the passage.

It is readily apparent that the channel members are identical to one another within the two groups, but that the two groups differ from each other, the upwardly opening channel members 5 being smaller than the downwardly opening channel members 6. Thus, a relatively large surface area is available for air travelling upwards, so that it can be deflected to the sides by the channel members 6 and then, in particular, be cleaned in the chambers 7. The constituents separated out can easily collect in the smaller channel members 5 and possibly at least some may flow away immediately through the passages 1 0. In any case, they can still be freed from deposits by cleaning them in situ, in a manner which will be described hereinafter.

Figures 1, 2 and 5 show that the individual ceiling units 4 are arranged so as to slope relative to a horizontal plane and their end walls 8 provided with passages 10 form the lowest points of the ceiling units 4. This promotes the outflow of the moisture separated from the air under gravity.

The channel members 5 and 6 of the ceiling units 4 incline, in their longitudinal direction, downwards to the associated passages 10 in the end walls 8.

Figure 2 shows that the device 1 comprises support elements 1 2 for permanently or temporarily providing an inclined position and resting on the higher end wall 9 which is opposite the end wall 8 containing the passages 10. Each support element 12 on the one hand fits into a retaining section 1 3 extending horizontally below the ceiling and, on the other hand, grips the higher end wall 9 of the ceiling unit 4 in question. A permanently inclined position, achieved by means of a support element 1 2 of this kind, also ensures that any deposits continuously flow away, but such an inclined position may also be temporary if a generally flat ceiling is desired.In this case, the ceiling units 4 may be tilted, by means of the support elements 12, for a cleaning operation which will be described hereinafter, whereafter the units 4 are returned to their previous horizontal orientation.

The illustrated embodiment shows that immediately adjacent edges or end walls of individual ceiling units 4 are raised and the immediately adjacent ceiling units 4 are thus tilted in opposite directions. This ensures that only every second retaining section 1 3 has to be used for catching any deposits running out. In fact, for catching the condensation or the like running out through the passages 10 in the end face, grooveshaped retaining sections 1 3 are also provided, which simultaneously serve as direct supports for the lower end walls 8 of the individual ceiling units 4.Figure 6 shows that these retaining sections 1 3 collecting the condensation may be connected to a funnel 14 or similar collector which may in turn have an outlet 1 5. Consequently, such funnels 14 need only be provided at every second retaining section 13, thanks to the upward tilt of immediately adjacent end walls of the ceiling units 4. Thus, the channel members 5 of the ceiling units 4 which are in an inclined position relative to one another open into a common collecting channel or profiled channel, namely a retaining section 13 which may in turn, as shown in Fig. 6, end above the funnel 14 or other outlet referred to hereinbefore.

As shown in Figure 2, the support element 12 is forked at one end, the other being inserted and optionally also secured in the retaining section 1 3 for the ceiling units, whilst its forked upper end grips the end wall 9 of the ceiling unit 4 in question and thereby grips a downwardly projecting edge 1 6 of the end wall 9. This provides a stable, optionally even permanent mounting. If necessary, the support element 12 may be pivotably secured to the retaining section or to the ceiling unit, so that it can be pivoted in the direction of the retaining section 13so as to lie parallel to the channel members 5, 6 if the ceiling unit 4 is not to be in an inclined position.

Instead of a support element which engages the end wall 9 at one point the support element may alternatively be constructed as a profile and may correspond in length to part of or even the entire length of the end face of a ceiling unit 4.

This is particularly appropriate in the case of a permanent support, in order to prevent any unclean air from passing between the inclined ceiling units. For this eventuality, it may even be advantageous for the inclined support element 12 to extend over the entire width or length of the ceiling, i.e. over the entire length of the retaining section 13 and, in some cases, even to be connected thereto.

In any case, it is important that the support element or elements 12 is or are secured to the wall 9 of the ceiling unit 4 which does not contain a passage 10 for condensation or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, there is also provided at least one steam jet 17, preferably capable of being operated and guided by hand, for spraying or treating the undersides of the inclined ceiling units 4. This is indicated in Fig. 2, in which a corresponding jet of preferably superheated steam 18 is coming out of the steam jet 1 7 and is directed towards the underside of the inclined ceiling unit 4.

Figure 9 shows another possibility, which may be used additionally, in which, for the purpose of cleaning the ceiling unit 4, there are provided water containers 1 9 having steam pressure valves 20 pointing upwards, the containers 1 9 being placed on the stove 3 in the kitchen 2 which is to be ventilated. In this way, steam can be applied to the apparatus 1.

Thus, for cleaning an apparatus 1 used for ventilation and/or air-conditioning, and particularly for cleaning the upwardly opening channel members 5 thereof in which grease and moisture are collected, the following procedure may be adopted: at least the particular area to be cleaned, that is at least one ceiling unit 4, is arranged at an angle, sloping towards the passages 10 at the end face, so that these passages 10 form the lowest point of the channel members 5; now the underside of the entire ceiling unit 4 can be treated with steam and/or sprayed. The steam heats the ceiling units and hence the deposits and, since it follows the path of the air, the steam also enters the channel members 5 and can loosen the deposits in these channel members 5 and flush them out toward the slope.Preferably, when steam cleaning is carried out and particularly when a steam jet 17 is used, the operation starts at the highest point of an inclined section of ceiling. Superheated and/or wet steam may be used for the cleaning operation and if required it may also contain a cleaning agent to improve the cleaning action.

Thanks to the particular construction of the device 1 as a whole and the possibility of steam treating by the process described above, there is no need to dismantle the individual ceiling units in order to clean them. At least a substantial proportion of the deposits can be removed by this steam cleaning. If necessary, for very heavy deposits, it may be advisable to remove individual ceiling units, but only at relatively long intervals of time. The cleaning operation, particularly with superheated steam, which may also contain suitable additives, has the further advantage that micro-organisms and bacteria, which are a problem particularly in kitchen areas, can be killed and eliminated. The invention thus improves the hygiene as a whole.

It should also be mentioned that, in order to control the passage of air, the device 1 may be capable of being controlled and regulated, depending on the amount of heat, moisture, grease and the like, if at least some of the channel members at least in one group, e.g. the channel members 5, are adjustable, preferably rotatable, so as to constrict or close off and/or enlarge the entrance to or exit from the chamber 7 at the edges 5a and 6a of channel members cooperating with one another. At least the upwardly opening channel members 5 may be rotatably mounted in arcuate slots 21 in the end walls 8 and 9 which hold them together.

Claims (26)

1. Device for ventilating rooms and for separating grease and/or moisture from the air, comprising at least one unit having a plurality of substantially parallel channel members which, in cross-section, are open on one side, the open sides of adjacent channel members facing in opposite directions and overlapping one another, so that the open sides of a first group of channel members face ine one direction and the open sides of a second group of channel members face in the opposite direction, a passage for air being provided between the edges of adjacent channel members, the cross-section of the first group of channel members extending around more than a semi-circle to form a chamber between each pair of adjacent channel members in which the flow cross-section is enlarged, the channel members and the chambers being closed off by an end wall at each end substantially perpendicularly to their longitudinal direction, and a passage corresponding to each channel member of the first group through at least one of said end walls.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said passage in the end wall is outside the crosssection of said chambers.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said passage in the end wall corresponds in crosssection, at its lower edge, to the shape of the corresponding channel member.

4. Device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper edge of the passage in the end wall extends substantially as far as the edges of the two adjacent channel members of the second group.

5. Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the upper and lower edges of the passage are arcuate.

6. Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the channel members of each group are identical to one another but different from those of the other group.

7. Device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the channel members of the first group are smaller than the channel members of the second group.

8. Device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising at least one of said units arranged so that said channel members are inclined relative to a horizontal plane, the lower end wall of the or each unit being provided with said passages.

9. Device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a support element for permanently or temporarily supporting an end wall of the unit which is opposite said end wall containing the passages so that said channel members are in said inclined position, the support element on the one hand engaging a retaining section and on the other hand engaging said end wall.

10. Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein adjacent units are inclined in opposite directions to one another.

11. Device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising at least one groove-shaped retaining section for supporting the end wall of said units and for receiving condensation from said passages in the end walls.

12. Device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one collector for receiving condensation from said at least one retaining section.

13. Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the channel members of adjacent units are arranged at an angle to one another and open into a common collecting channel.

14. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the support element fork-shaped in cross-section or is shaped overall as a fork, and has one end which can be inserted and optionally secured in the retaining section, whilst a forked end engages the end wall of a unit.

1 5. Device as claimed in claim 14, wherein one end of the support element is pivotably secured to the retaining section or the unit.

16. Device as claimed in any of claims 9, 14 or 15, wherein the support element comprises a profile which corresponds in length to the length of the end wall of a unit.

17. Device as claimed in any of claims 9, 14, 1 5 or 16, wherein the or each support element is secured to an end wall of the unit which does not contain any passages for condensation.

18. Device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising at least one steam jet for cleaning the undersides of the units.

1 9. Device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising at least one water container having a steam pressure valve directed upwards, the containers being adapted to be placed on the stove of a kitchen which is to be ventilated.

20. Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least some of the channel members of at least one group are adjustable, for example rotatable, so as to constrict, close off or enlarge the entry to or exit from said chambers.

21. Device as claimed in claim 20, wherein at least the first group of channel members are rotatably mounted in arcuate slots in the end walls.

22. Device for ventilating rooms, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. Process for cleaning a device as claimed in any preceding claim on which grease and/or moisture from the air passing through is deposited, wherein at least one unit is arranged so that said channel members are inclined towards said passages in the end face, and the underside of the unit is treated with steam and/or sprayed.

24. Process as claimed in claim 23, wherein the steam cleaning operation is started at the highest point of an inclined ceiling area.

25. Process as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein steam containing a cleaning agent is used.

26. Process as claimed in any of claims 23 to 25, wherein superheated steam is used.