GB2613627A

GB2613627A - A slimline modular air disinfection unit

Info

Publication number: GB2613627A
Application number: GB2117884.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Glass Peter
Original assignee: Infection Prevention Group Ltd
Current assignee: Infection Prevention Group Ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-10
Filing date: 2021-12-10
Publication date: 2023-06-14
Also published as: GB202117884D0

Abstract

A slimline modular air disinfection unit 50 suitable for fixing onto a wall comprising first and second support extrusions 48, 52, each with apertures 72, a front panel 58, and at least one enclosure (10 – figure 1), itself comprising first and second covers 12, 14, a casing (16 – figure 1) with at least two apertures (26, 28 – figure 1), disinfecting means (46 – figure 3), and a fan (88, 90 – figure 3) to force air through the enclosure. The disinfecting means may be a UV lamp. The extrusions may be interchangeable, may be formed from extruded aluminium, and may include a cavity 74 for airflow around the extrusions. The extrusions may use a flange 56. The enclosure may be made from zinc-plated steel or aluminium, the internal faces may be polished, and the covers may comprise a spring locator (36 – figure 1) and a cut out (44 – figure 1) for electrical fittings. Airflow guides (92, 94 – figure 3) may be used to separate the air flowing in and out. The fan means may be in the enclosure air apertures and may comprise four fans. The front panel may be laminate sheet which may be covered by a display or image.

Description

A SLIMLINE MODULAR AIR DISINFECTION UNIT

The present invention relates to a slimline modular air disinfection unit suitable for fixing onto a wall.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Airborne pathogens (i.e., bacteria, virus, etc.) are present everywhere but they can accumulate in certain spaces especially indoors where people tend to stay for long periods of time. This can pose a health risk to these people since they may breathe in the pathogens causing them to develop certain illnesses due to the contracting an infection. Therefore, it is very important to prevent these pathogens from being inhaled by people. This highlights a need to be able to sterilise or disinfect the air in these environments in an attempt to reduce the amount of airborne pathogens in the air.

Others have already proposed the use of UV radiation to kill airborne pathogens. However, exposure to UV radiation can be harmful and damaging to people's health. Therefore, the air that requires disinfection needs to be exposed to the UV radiation without also exposing the people in the vicinity and causing them harm.

The disinfection of air usually involves a continuous drawing of air into a chamber where the air is disinfected by exposing it to UV radiation, and then expelled back into the room or indoor space after disinfection.

Air disinfection units are usually off-the-shelf units with a fixed size and capacity. This means that a number of units would be required to be able to disinfect the air in larger spaces or areas. The units are also generally floor standing or ceiling mounted box type units which are bulky and unsightly and therefore, not aesthetically appealing.

There is also a problem with existing designs where UV radiation is able to escape from above and below the units exposing people within the vicinity to UV radiation. It is quite easy for people to remove, for example, a front panel of an air disinfection unit, thereby, accidentally exposing themselves directly to the full extent of UV radiation from the UV lamp.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a slimline modular air disinfection unit suitable for fixing onto a wall comprising: a first support extrusion; a second support extrusion; at least one air aperture in each of the first and second support extrusions; one or more enclosures supported and held in between the first and second support extrusions, each enclosure including a first cover, a second cover and a casing with a front section, a rear section, and two side sections; at least two apertures in a side section of the enclosure(s); at least one air disinfecting means located inside each enclosure; at least one fan means for forcing air through the enclosure(s); and a front panel secured to the first and second support extrusions.

The air disinfecting means may be a UV lamp. Advantageously, the UV radiation from the UV lamp can kill the airborne pathogens in the air flowing through the unit thereby, sterilising the air in a room or surrounding area.

Ideally, the unit is a horizontal unit comprising a lower support extrusion and an upper support extrusion running horizontally to the unit. However, the unit and/or the support extrusions can be placed in any orientation e.g., as a vertical unit with support extrusions running vertically to the unit.

A first end of the enclosure may be held in place by the first support extrusion and a second end of the enclosure may be held in place by the second support extrusion.

The first support extrusion and the second support extrusion may be identical and have the same profile. Therefore, they may be used interchangeably with each other. The advantage of this is that the first and second support extrusions can be attached to either the first or the second end of the enclosure. This minimises the amount of material and cost required to manufacture the support extrusions since all the support extrusions are made from the same extruded material.

The support extrusions may be made from a suitably strong metal such as extruded aluminium. The support extrusions may have a rear edge which may be hidden from sight and usually fixed to a wall, and a front edge which may form part of the visible front of the unit or may be covered with a removable cover trim.

The support extrusions may have a substantially flat internal face. Advantageously, this allows the first support extrusion to abut an external face of the first cover of the enclosure, and the second support extrusion to abut an external face of the second cover of the enclosure.

A front flange may be provided on the internal face of the support extrusions slightly inset from its front edge. The front flange may extend away from the flat internal face of the support extrusions. Specifically, the front flange may extend perpendicularly away from the flat internal face. The inset position of the front flange from the front edge may form a lip for supporting and restraining the front panel to the front of the support extrusions. The cover trim may fit around the lip, described further below. The front flange, the lip and the trim together may provide a secure channel for the front panel. The front panel may lie substantially flush with the front edge of the support extrusions. The front panel may be attached to the front flange of the support extrusion using a fastening means such as a countersunk screw.

A rear flange may be provided on the internal face of the support extrusions at the rear edge. The rear flange may extend towards the enclosure of the unit, that is, perpendicularly away from the flat internal face. The support extrusions may be fixed to the wall using fastening means passing through the rear flange. The front flange and the rear flange may have the same length or extend towards the enclosure of the unit by the same amount. Advantageously, the front flange and the rear flange of the support extrusions allow the enclosure to be secured and held in place in the unit.

A second rear flange may be provided on the external face of the support extrusions. The second rear flange may extend away from the unit, i.e., in the opposite direction to the first rear flange. The second rear flange is tapered, in that it may increase in thickness towards a rear edge of the support extrusion. The flange may protrude from the unit. Advantageously, this prevents the air entry points of the unit from being positioned too tight to a wall or floor. A space may effectively be formed between the unit and the floor and/or ceiling to allow the air to enter from the room or the surrounding area, and to allow the air to exit the unit into the room or the surrounding area.

The air aperture(s) may be located in and through an external face of the support extrusions. It may be located substantially at the centre of the cross-section of the support extrusions. Advantageously, the air aperture(s) in the first support extrusion allows air to enter from a room or a surrounding area into the unit. The air aperture(s) in the second support extrusion allows air to leave the unit into the room or surrounding area.

In an embodiment with more than one air aperture in the support extrusions, the air apertures may be spaced equally along the length of each support extrusion.

The or each support extrusion may include a cavity along its horizontal length to allow a flow of air along the support extrusion. The cavity may be located in the internal face of the support extrusion. Advantageously, the flow of air through the length of the first support extrusion allows the air coming into the unit to enter the air apertures in the side sections of each enclosure, and the flow of air through the second support extrusion allows the air coming out of the air apertures in the side sections of each enclosure to exit the unit. This creates a form of cross flow of air inside the unit.

The cavity may be positioned next to and in-line with the air aperture(s) in the support extrusions. In other words, the cavity and the air aperture(s) in the support extrusions may both be located substantially at the centre of the cross-section of each support extrusion. Advantageously, this allows the air coming from the outside of the unit to flow through the air aperture(s) and directly through the cavity in the first support extrusion. It also allows the air leaving the unit to flow through the cavity and directly through the air aperture(s) in the second support extrusion to the outside of the unit.

Advantageously, because the air apertures are in the sides of each enclosure, the UV radiation from the UV lamp cannot leak directly through the air slots or vents in the support extrusions. Furthermore, because there are no slots at the front of the unit, UV radiation cannot leak out of the unit when the front panel is removed.

The or each enclosure may be a substantially rectangular box. The enclosure may be made from a reflective material or metal such as zinc-plated steel sheet or aluminium sheet. The thickness of the sheet may be around 0.5 mm to 3 mm but more preferably, around 1 to 2 mm. Furthermore, internal faces of the enclosure may be polished.

Advantageously, the material and the polish allow the inside of the enclosure to achieve maximum reflection and germicidal effectiveness. The reflection from the enclosure allows the UV radiation to further sterilise the air as it bounces back and forth within the enclosure.

The casing of the enclosure may be a substantially rectangular box with open ends. The air apertures in the side sections of the enclosure may be located 100 mm from the first and/or second end of the enclosure. Advantageously, this allows the fan means to be located in the air apertures in the side sections of the enclosure.

The first cover of the enclosure may be a rectangular cover that secures on the first end of the casing of the enclosure. The second cover of the enclosure may also be a rectangular cover that secures on the second end of the casing of the enclosure.

The first and/or the second cover may include a fold on at least one of its edges for attaching to the casing of the enclosure. The fold may be a 10 mm fold. Preferably, the first and/or the second cover may include a fold on their front and side edges. The front fold may attach to the front end of the casing. The side folds may attach to the corresponding ends on the sides of the casing.

The second cover of the enclosure may include at least one cut-out for connecting electrical fittings to the air disinfecting means and fan means. Advantageously, this allows power to be connected to the fan means and the air disinfecting means. The power may be supplied from an external power supply.

The first cover of the enclosure may include at least one spring locator for securely supporting an air disinfecting means such as a UV lamp. Preferably, the or each enclosure may include three UV lamps. Each UV lamp may be securely supported by each of three spring locators, which are located centrally and spaced equally inside the enclosure.

Advantageously, the enclosure is wide enough to allow the unit to accommodate up to three UV lamps which can be more efficient and effective at killing the airborne pathogens as air travels through the enclosure before it is expelled at the second end of the unit. The UV radiation is absorbed by the air flowing through the enclosure. The UV radiation can convert oxygen molecules in the air into free ozone, which is a strong oxidising agent that oxidises virus protein molecules and other contaminants.

The enclosure may be approximately 300 to 500 wide, 50 to 70 mm deep and 800 to 1000 mm tall but more preferably, approximately 400 mm wide, 56 mm deep and 870 mm tall. Advantageously, the small depth of the enclosure is sufficient enough to house the air disinfecting means and fan means without causing too much obstruction in the room. The overall projection of the unit may be approximately 75 mm.

The sufficiently small dimensions of the air disinfecting means and the fan means allow the depth of the unit to be kept within 50 to 75 mm. This makes the unit much less intrusive and aesthetically appealing and can be made to resemble a decorative wall panel or a painting. The height of the enclosure may be varied to suit different lengths of air disinfecting means.

The air disinfecting means and fan means can be obtained off-the-shelf. The air disinfecting means such as a UV lamp may be from a Phillips TUV T5 UVC germicidal 10 lamp range. The fan means may be a Megley DC fan 50x15 mm 28.9 cu.m/h.

The fan means may be a push/pull fan arrangement. The fan means may be located on a side section of the enclosure. Specifically, the fan means may be disposed in the air apertures in the side section of the enclosure.

Preferably, four fan means may be provided in the unit. Each fan may be located offset from the first or second end of the enclosure. Two of the four fans may be first end fans that force air into the unit. The other two of the four fans may be second end fans that force air out of the unit. Advantageously, the first end fans draw air from the room or surrounding area through the air slots of the first support extrusion and through spaces on the sides of the enclosure and in between adjacent enclosures. The air is then forced into each enclosure. The second end fans draw air through the enclosure past the air disinfecting means to be sterilised and out into the spaces on the sides of the enclosures and between adjacent enclosures. The air is then forced out into the room or surrounding area through the air slots of the second support extrusion.

The front panel may be a metal, or a laminate such as solid grade laminate sheet. The thickness of the solid grade laminate sheet may be around 4 to 8 mm but more preferably, 6 mm At least one removable cover trim may be provided in the unit for providing a smooth rounded edge along the first and/or second ends of the unit, as previously mentioned. This may be a substantially L-shaped removable cover trim. The support extrusions may have a reduced thickness at the front edge that forms a receiving portion on the extemal face of the support extrusion. The receiving portion may allow each cover trim to be fixed to the front edge of each support extrusion.

The front panel may be covered with a display or image. Advantageously, since the air aperture(s) in the support extrusions may be disposed along the length of support extrusions, the whole of the front face of the unit can be decorated in any way. For example, the front face of the front panel can be decorated with vinyl wrapping, canvas, photographic paper, or a white board or a chalk board. It can be fixed to internal walls of a building and complement decor by using art or images on the face of them. This improves the aesthetic of the unit.

At least one end panel may be provided to cover at least one side of the unit. In an embodiment, two end panels may be provided to cover both sides of the unit.

Advantageously, the same material can be used to manufacture the support extrusions, front panels and end panels. This minimises the cost and the amount of materials required to manufacture the unit.

One or more airflow guides or infill pieces may be provided in the unit. In an embodiment with only one internal enclosure, the airflow guides may be provided in the spaces on the sides of the unit. This means that each airflow guide may be disposed between a side of the unit and a side of the enclosure. In an embodiment with more than one enclosure, the airflow guides may be provided in the spaces between adjacent enclosures and in the spaces between the sides of the unit and the enclosures.

In each space, the or each airflow guide may be disposed between the air apertures in the first end of the enclosure and the air apertures in the second end of the enclosure. Specifically, the airflow guide may be disposed between the first end fans and the second end fans.

More preferably, two airflow guides may be disposed in between the first end fans and the second end fans. One of two airflow guides may be a first end airflow guide which is offset from the centre of the enclosure towards the first end fans. The other airflow guide may be a second end airflow guide which is offset from the centre of the enclosure towards the second end fans.

The or each airflow guide may be a folded sheet metal. It may have a substantially V-shaped body with first and second folded ends. The first and second folded ends of the airflow guide may include an internal face, which faces away from the substantially V-shaped body of the airflow guide, and an external face which faces the substantially V-shaped body of the airflow guide.

Preferably, the external face of the first folded end of the first end airflow guide may be attached to a side of the first end fan of one enclosure facing the inside of the enclosure. The external face of the second folded end of the first end airflow guide may be attached to a side of the first end fan of the adjacent enclosure facing the inside of the enclosure.

Furthermore, the external face of the first folded end of the second end airflow guide may be attached to a side of the second end fan of one enclosure facing the inside of the enclosure. The external face of the second folded end of the second end airflow guide may be attached to a side of the second end fan of the adjacent enclosure facing the inside of the enclosure.

At the sides of the unit, the first or second folded end of the first end and/or second end airflow guides may be attached to an internal face of the end panel, and the other folded end is attached to the side of the corresponding fan facing the inside of the enclosure.

Advantageously, the airflow guide separates the air flowing into the unit and the air flowing out of the unit. It allows the air flow coming into the unit through the first support extrusion to be directed straight into the enclosure. It also allows the air flowing out of the enclosure to be directed straight through the second support extrusion to the room or surrounding area. This prevents unsterilised air from mixing with the sterilised air inside the unit. The position and shape of the airflow guides allow the air coming into the unit to be directed into the enclosures through the first end fans and allow the air coming out of the enclosure through the second end fans to be directed out of the unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an enclosure of a slimline modular air disinfection unit; Figure 2 shows a side view of the unit including a first support extrusion, a second support extrusion, a front panel, and the enclosure; and Figure 3 shows a front view of the unit with a plurality of internal enclosures.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to Figure 1, an enclosure 10 of a slimline modular air disinfection unit 50 (fully illustrated in Figures 2 and 3) is shown.

The enclosure 10 is a substantially rectangular box comprising a first cover 12, a second cover 14 and a casing 16. The enclosure 10 can be made from folded bright zinc-plated steel sheet or aluminium sheet. The sheet has approximately 1 to 2 mm thickness. The internal faces of the enclosure 10 are polished to achieve maximum reflection and germicidal effectiveness. The enclosure 10 has an approximate width of 400 mm, depth of 56 mm and height of 870 mm.

The casing 16 is a substantially rectangular box with open ends. It includes a front section 18, a rear section 20, a first side section 22 and a second side section 24. The first 22 and second 24 side sections each has an air aperture 26 offset from their first end. Specifically, each air aperture 26 is located 100 mm from the first end of the first 22 and second 24 side sections. In addition, the first 22 and second 24 side sections each has an air aperture 28 offset from their second end. Specifically, each air aperture 28 is located 100 mm from the second end of the first 22 and second 24 side sections.

The first cover 12 of the enclosure 10 is a rectangular cover. It is secured to the first end of the casing 16. The first cover 12 has a 10 mm fold on its front edge 30 and on its first 32 and second 34 side edges. The fold on the front edge 30 of the first cover 12 attaches to a first end of the front section 18 of the casing 16. Each fold on the first 32 and second 34 side edges of the first cover 12 attaches to the corresponding first end of the first 22 and second 24 side sections of the casing 16 of the enclosure 10.

Furthermore, the second cover 14 of the enclosure 10 is a rectangular cover. It is secured to the second end of the casing 16. It has a 10 mm fold on its front edge 38 and on both of its first 40 and second 42 side edges. The fold on the front edge 38 of the second cover 14 attaches to the second end of the front section 18 of the casing 16. Each fold on the first 40 and second 42 side edges of the second cover 14 attaches to the corresponding second end of the first 22 and second 24 side sections of the casing 16 of the enclosure 10. In addition, the second cover 14 has cut-outs 44 along its length for connecting electrical fittings to the unit 50. Each cut-out 44 has a distance of 100 mm from adjacent cut-outs 44 measured from their centre.

Air disinfecting means such as a UV lamp 46 are located inside each enclosure 10.

Three UV lamps 46 (shown in Figure 3) are located centrally and spaced equally inside the enclosure 10. The length of each UV lamp 46 extends throughout the length of the enclosure 10. The first cover 12 has three spring locators 36. Each spring locator 36 is provided on an internal face of the first cover 12 for securely supporting each one of three UV lamps 46 in the enclosure 10. Each spring locator 36 has a distance of 100 mm from adjacent spring locators 36 measured from their centre.

Referring to Figure 2, a cross-section of the unit 50 is shown. The unit 50 comprises a first support extrusion 48, a second support extrusion 52 and the enclosure 10. The enclosure is secured and held in between the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions. Specifically, a first end of the enclosure 10 is held in place by the first support extrusion 58 and a second end of the enclosure 10 is held in place by the second support extrusion 50. The first 48 and second 50 support extrusions are identical having the same profile which can be used interchangeably and are both made from extruded aluminium.

The first 48 and second 52 support extrusions each have a rear edge which when in use, can be hidden from sight and is usually fixed to a wall 54, and a front edge which can form part of the visible front of the unit 50, or is covered with a removable cover trim 78. The first support extrusion 48 has a substantially flat internal face that abuts the first cover 12 of the enclosure 10. The second support extrusion 52 has a substantially flat internal face that abuts the second cover 14 of the enclosure 10.

The internal face of the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions each has a front flange 56 slightly inset from the front edge. The front flange 56 extends perpendicularly away from the flat internal face of the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions. The inset position of the front flange 56 forms a lip 64 for supporting and restraining a front panel 58 to the front of the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions. The cover trim 78 fits around the lip 64. The front flange 56, the lip 64 and the cover trim 78 provide a secure channel for retaining the front panel 58.

The front panel 58 is substantially flush with the front edge of the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions. The front flange 56 has an aperture 60 on its length. The front panel 58 has a countersunk aperture 62 on its first and second end. The aperture 60 and the countersunk aperture 62 allows the front panel 58 to be fixed to the front flange 56 using a fastening means such as a countersunk screw. The countersunk screw extends from the countersunk aperture 62 of the front panel 58 towards the aperture 60 of the front flange 56.

On the rear edge, the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions each has a first rear flange 66 and a second rear flange 68. The first rear flange 66 is located on the internal face of the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions. It extends perpendicularly from the internal face of the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions towards the enclosure 10 of the unit 50. The first rear flange 66 has a countersunk aperture 70 on its length, which allows a fastening means such as a countersunk screw to be inserted to fix the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions of the unit 50 to the wall 54. The front flange 56 and the first rear flange 66 have the same length or extend towards the enclosure 10 of the unit 50 by the same amount.

The second rear flange 68 is located on the external face of the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions. It extends perpendicularly away from the unit 50 in the opposite direction to the first rear flange 66. The second rear flange 68 is tapered, in that it has an increase in thickness towards the rear edge of the first 48 and lower 52 support extrusions. The second rear flange 68 protrudes from the unit 50 creating a space to be formed between the unit 50 and the floor and/or ceiling so that the air from the room or surrounding area can enter and exit the unit 50. In other words, it may act as a foot for the unit to rest on.

An air aperture 72 is located in and through the external face of the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions. It is located substantially at the centre of the cross-section of the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions. The air aperture 72 on the first support extrusion 48 allows air to enter from a room or a surrounding area into the first end of the unit 50. The air aperture 72 on the second support extrusion 52 allows air to exit from the second end of the unit 50 to the room or surrounding area.

On the internal face of the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions, a cavity 74 is located substantially at the centre of its cross-section. The cavity 74 extends along the horizontal length of the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions. The cavity 74 is positioned next to and in-line with the aperture 72. For the first support extrusion 48, the in-line position of the air aperture 72 and the cavity 74 allows the air corning from the outside of the unit 50 to enter the unit 50 by flowing through the aperture 72 and directly through the cavity 74. For the second support extrusion 52, the in-line position of the air aperture 72 and the cavity 74 allows the air leaving the unit to flow through the cavity 74 and directly through the air aperture 72.

The front edge of the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions each has a reduced thickness. This forms a receiving portion 76 on its external face for attaching the cover trim 78. The cover trim 78 is substantially L-shaped comprising a thin flange 80 and a thick flange 82. The thick flange 82 has a countersunk aperture 84 where a fastening means such as a countersunk screw can be inserted which extends to an aperture 86 on the front edge of the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions. This attaches the cover trim 78 to the first 48 and second 52 support extrusions. The thin flange 80 covers the front first and second ends of the unit 50 further securing the front panel 58 in place in front of the enclosure 10. The cover trim 78 provides a smooth rounded edge along the first and second ends of the unit 50. It also blends to the support extrusions.

The front face of the front panel 58 can be decorated in any way. For example, decorative materials such as vinyl wrapping, canvas, photographic paper, or even a white board or a chalk board.

Lastly referring to Figure 3, a front view of the unit 50 with a plurality of internal enclosures 10 is shown. For each enclosure 10, first end fans 88 are located in each of the air apertures 26 at the first end of the first 22 and second 24 side sections of the enclosure 10. Second end fans 90 are located in each of the air apertures 28 at the second end of the first 22 and second 24 side sections of the enclosure 10.

The air from the room or the surrounding area can enter the unit 50 through the air apertures 72 in the first support extrusion 48 and travel along the length of the first support extrusion 48 through the cavity 74. The air is then pulled into the spaces between the enclosures and through the apertures 26 in the side sections 22, 24 of the enclosures 10 by the first end fans 88 and forced to enter each enclosure 10.

The air entering the first end of the enclosure 10 travels through the enclosure 10 past the UV lamps 46 inside the enclosure 10. The contact of the air with the UV radiation from the UV lamps 46 sterilises the air by killing the airborne pathogens in them. The UV lamps 46 are disposed parallel to the length of the enclosure 10 so that the air can have more time to be in contact with the UV radiation from the UV lamps 46 as it travels through the enclosure 10.

The sterilised air at the second end of the enclosure 10 is then forced out of the air apertures 28 through the second end fans 90 in the side sections 22, 24 of the enclosure 10. The sterilised air then flows through the length of the cavity 74 and through the air apertures 72 of the second support extrusion 52. End panels 92 are provided at the two ends of the unit 50 to cover the sides of the unit 50.

Airflow guides 92, 94 with a substantially V-shaped body 96 and a first 98 and second 100 folded ends are disposed in the spaces between adjacent enclosures 10 and in the spaces between the sides of the unit 50 and the enclosures 10. Specifically, for each space, a first end airflow guide 92, and a second end airflow guide 94 are disposed between the first end fans 88 and the second end fans 90 to separate the air flowing into the unit 10 and the air flowing out of the unit 50.

The folded ends of the first end 92 and second end 94 airflow guides have an internal face which faces away from the substantially V-shaped body 96 of the airflow guide 92, 94, and an external face which faces the substantially V-shaped body 96 of the airflow guide 92, 94.

The external face of the first folded end 98 of the first end airflow guide 92 is attached to a side of the first end fan 88 on one enclosure 10 that faces the inside of the enclosure 10. The external face of the second folded end 100 of the first end airflow guide 92 is attached to a side of the first end fan 88 of the adjacent enclosure 10.

The external face of the first folded end 98 of the second end air 94 is attached to a side of the second end fan 90 on one enclosure 10 that faces the inside of the enclosure 10. The external face of the second folded end 100 of the second end airflow guide 94 is attached to a side of the second end fan 90 of the adjacent enclosure 10. At the sides of the unit 50, the first 98 or second 100 folded end of the first end 92 and/or second end 94 airflow guides is attached to an internal face of the end panel 92, and the other folded end is attached to the side of the corresponding fan 88, 90 facing the inside of the enclosure.

The unit 50 significantly reduces the risk of exposure to UV radiation because there is substantially no UV leakage through the support extrusions 48, 52. Furthermore, if the front panel 58 is removed, then the UV lamps 46 are entirely contained within the enclosures 10 and the fan blades obstruct the path of light through the side sections 22,24 of the enclosures 10. In other words, no light is directed outwards from the unit 50, since the only apertures to the enclosures 10 are internal and face towards each other.

Furthermore, because the unit 50 is made from first 48 and second 52 support extrusions supporting one or more enclosures 10, the power of the unit 50 can be increased by adding further enclosures 10. In other words, the modular nature of the unit provides that it could have, for example 1,2,34 or more enclosures, dependent on the size of room where it is to be fitted.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A slimline modular air disinfection unit suitable for fixing onto a wall comprising: a first support extrusion; a second support extrusion; at least one air aperture in each of the first and second support extrusions; one or more enclosures supported and held in between the first and second support extrusions, each enclosure including a first cover, a second cover and a casing with a front section, a rear section, and two side sections; at least two apertures in a side section of the enclosure(s); at least one air disinfecting means located inside each enclosure; at least one fan means for forcing air through the enclosure(s) and a front panel secured to the first and second support extrusions.
2. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the air disinfecting means is a UV lamp.
3. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the first support extrusion and the second support extrusion have the same profile and can be used interchangeably.
4. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each support extrusion is made from extruded aluminium.
5. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each support extrusion includes a cavity to allow a flow of air along the support extrusions.
6. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each support extrusion includes a flange that extends away from the unit and is tapered in that it has an increase in thickness towards a rear edge of the support extrusion.
7. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the enclosure is a substantially rectangular box and is made from zinc-plated steel sheet or aluminium sheet.
8. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in claim 7, in which the sheet is 1 to 2 mm thick.
9. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which internal faces of the enclosure are polished.
10. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first cover and second cover of the enclosure include a 10 mm fold on at least one of their edges for attaching to the casing of the enclosure.
11. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the second cover of the enclosure includes at least one cut out for connecting electrical fittings to the air disinfecting means and fan means.
12. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first cover of the enclosure includes at least one spring locator for securely supporting the air disinfecting means.
13. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the enclosure has a width of 400 mm, a depth of 56 mm and a height of 870 mm.
14. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or more airflow guides may be provided to separate the air flowing into the unit and the air flowing out of the unit.
15. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fan means is located on a side section of the enclosure.
16. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the air apertures in the side section of the enclosure are located 100 mm from a first and/or second end of the enclosure.
17. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fan means is disposed in one of the air apertures in the side section of the enclosure.
18. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which there are four fans, each fan being located in a respective aperture in the side sections of the enclosure, offset from the first or second end of the enclosure.
19. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in claim 18, in which two of the four fans are first end fans that force air into the unit.
20. A slimline modular disinfection unit as claimed in claim 18 or 19, in which two of the four fans are second end fans that force air out of the unit.
21. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the front panel is made from a solid grade laminate sheet.
22. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in claim 21, in which the solid grade laminate sheet is 6 mm thick.
23. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least one removable cover trim is provided for providing a smooth rounded edge along the upper and/or lower ends of the unit.
24. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the front panel is covered with a display or image.
25. A slimline modular air disinfection unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least one end panel is provided to cover at least one side of the unit.