WO2005023322A1 - Air delivery means - Google Patents

Air delivery means Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005023322A1
WO2005023322A1 PCT/SG2004/000279 SG2004000279W WO2005023322A1 WO 2005023322 A1 WO2005023322 A1 WO 2005023322A1 SG 2004000279 W SG2004000279 W SG 2004000279W WO 2005023322 A1 WO2005023322 A1 WO 2005023322A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
delivery means
air delivery
air
housing
ozone generator
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SG2004/000279
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Chin Hee Ogn
Original Assignee
Eurovent Singapore
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eurovent Singapore filed Critical Eurovent Singapore
Publication of WO2005023322A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005023322A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B13/00—Oxygen; Ozone; Oxides or hydroxides in general
    • C01B13/10—Preparation of ozone
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/20—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by sterilisation
    • F24F8/24—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by sterilisation using sterilising media
    • F24F8/26—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by sterilisation using sterilising media using ozone

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an air delivery means which is intended to produce a stream of air having some disinfecting properties.
  • an air delivery means comprising a housing having, an air inlet and an air outlet, the housing adapted to be associated with a surface, the housing defining a flow path between the air inlet and air outlet, a fan supported by the housing and adapted to create an air flow through the flow path from the air Inlet to the air outlet, an ozone generator supported from the housing to be associated with the flow path and adapted to introduce ozone into the air flow.
  • the ozone generator is located upstream from the fan. According to an alternative preferred feature of the invention the ozone generator is located downstream from the fan.
  • the housing accommodates a heating member located in association with the flow path, said heating member adapted to heat the air being delivered to the outlet.
  • the heater is located downstream from the ozone generator.
  • the heater is located downstream from the fan and the ozone generator.
  • the heater is located upstream from the ozone generator.
  • the ozone generator comprises a lamp.
  • the lamp comprises a mercury charged low pressure lamp.
  • the outlet is configured and/or positioned to direct airflow from the flow path over the surface with which the housing is associated.
  • the surface comprises a floor and/or wall of a building.
  • the surface comprises a table or bench top.
  • the surface comprises a portion of the body of a person and/or animal.
  • the air delivery means comprises a hand drier.
  • the operation of the air delivery means is controlled by a control switch which will cause the fan and ozone generator to be operated and the control switch is associated with a sensor which is adapted to sense the presence of a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means and which is adapted to cause the control switch to be switched to an ON state when sensing a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means and to cause the control switch to switch to an OFF state when the sensor does not sense a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means.
  • the sensor is supported from or within the housing.
  • the operation of the air delivery means is controlled by a timer switch which will cause the fan and ozone generator to be operated for a period of time after the switch has been switched to an ON state.
  • the timer switch is associated with a sensor which is adapted to sense the presence of a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means and which is which is adapted to cause the timer switch to be switched to an ON state when sensing a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means.
  • the sensor is supported from or within the housing.
  • the embodiment is directed to an air delivery means of the form as shown in the accompanying drawings which is intended to be supported to be associated with a surface (not shown) and which has a front face which defines an inlet 15 and an outlet 17.
  • the air inlet 15 and 17 are formed as grills to provide an attractive appearance for the appliance.
  • the grill of the air inlet 15 is formed such that the airflow into the housing is generally downwardly from the surroundings and into the air intake.
  • the grill of the air outlet 17 is configured such that the air flowing from the outlet is directed downwardly and away from the housing.
  • the housing is provided with a central partition which separates the air inlet 15 from the air outlet 17 and serves to define a flow path between the inlet and outlet.
  • the lower portion of the housing is provided with a cross flow fan 21 which serves to generate the air flow out of the air outlet 17 and therefore induce the air flow into the inlet 15.
  • the lower portion of the housing accommodates a heating element 25 which is located downstream from the fan 21 which is adapted to heat the air passing to the air outlet 17.
  • the upper portion of the housing accommodates an ozone generator in the form of a mercury charged low pressure lamp which in its operation interacts with the air flowing from the air inlet 15 to generator ozone in that air.
  • the embodiment is controlled in its operation by a control timer switch (not shown) which is associated with a sensor 26 supported by the front face of the housing.
  • the sensor is a infra-red sensor which will sense the presence of a person in font of the air delivery means and which will cause the control timer switch to be switched to an ON state to activate the fan and ozone generator.
  • the timer switch will be switched to an OFF state after a predetermined period of time whereby the period of time can be adjusted in its duration.
  • the housing 11 be located proximate the surface such that the air flow from the air outlet 17 will be directed onto that surface.
  • the grill of the air outlet is configured to distribute the airflow laterally from the outlet.
  • the warm ozone charged air flowing from the air outlet 17 will serve to dry any resident moisture on the surface and act as a germicidal agent on that surface.
  • the embodiment can be utilised in sensitive areas such as in medical environments, food preparation areas public conveniences such as toilets and the like, where the device is positioned to direct a warm ozone charged air flow over the floor of the area and/or over the bench area and/or walls in the vicinity of a working area.
  • the invention is incorporated into a hand drier where the surface onto which the warm ozone charged are to be delivered comprises a persons hands.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)

Abstract

An air delivery means comprising a housing (11) having, an air inlet (15) and an air outlet (17), the housing adapted to be associated with a surface, the housing defining a flow path between the air inlet and air outlet, a fan (25) supported by the housing and adapted to create an air flow through the flow path from the air inlet to the air outlet, an ozone generator (23) supported from the housing to be associated with the flow path and adapted to introduce ozone into the air flow.

Description

AIR DELIVERY MEANS
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an air delivery means which is intended to produce a stream of air having some disinfecting properties.
Background
In a variety of areas such as in medical environments (including hospitals), food preparation areas and public convenience there is inherent risk of infection and the spread of disease resulting form a transfer of pathogenic agents such as bacteria and the like. In addition there is always the risk of infection as a result of cross transfer from a persons hands.
Disclosure of the Invention
Accordingly the invention resides in an air delivery means comprising a housing having, an air inlet and an air outlet, the housing adapted to be associated with a surface, the housing defining a flow path between the air inlet and air outlet, a fan supported by the housing and adapted to create an air flow through the flow path from the air Inlet to the air outlet, an ozone generator supported from the housing to be associated with the flow path and adapted to introduce ozone into the air flow.
According to a preferred feature of the invention of the invention the ozone generator is located upstream from the fan. According to an alternative preferred feature of the invention the ozone generator is located downstream from the fan.
According to a preferred feature the housing accommodates a heating member located in association with the flow path, said heating member adapted to heat the air being delivered to the outlet. According to a preferred feature of the invention the heater is located downstream from the ozone generator. According to a further preferred feature the heater is located downstream from the fan and the ozone generator. According to a preferred feature of the invention the heater is located upstream from the ozone generator.
According to a further preferred feature of the invention the ozone generator comprises a lamp. According to one embodiment the lamp comprises a mercury charged low pressure lamp.
According to a further preferred feature of the invention the outlet is configured and/or positioned to direct airflow from the flow path over the surface with which the housing is associated.
According to a further preferred feature of the invention the surface comprises a floor and/or wall of a building. According to an alternative preferred feature of the invention the surface comprises a table or bench top. According to an alternative preferred feature of the invention the surface comprises a portion of the body of a person and/or animal. According to one embodiment the air delivery means comprises a hand drier.
According to a preferred feature of the invention the operation of the air delivery means is controlled by a control switch which will cause the fan and ozone generator to be operated and the control switch is associated with a sensor which is adapted to sense the presence of a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means and which is adapted to cause the control switch to be switched to an ON state when sensing a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means and to cause the control switch to switch to an OFF state when the sensor does not sense a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means. According to a preferred embodiment the sensor is supported from or within the housing. According to a preferred feature of the invention the operation of the air delivery means is controlled by a timer switch which will cause the fan and ozone generator to be operated for a period of time after the switch has been switched to an ON state. According to a further preferred feature of the invention the timer switch is associated with a sensor which is adapted to sense the presence of a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means and which is which is adapted to cause the timer switch to be switched to an ON state when sensing a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means. According to a preferred embodiment the sensor is supported from or within the housing.
The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of several specific embodiment.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The description of the embodiment is made with reference to the accompany drawing which is a schematic sectional elevation of an air delivery means according to the embodiment.
Detailed Description of Specific Embodiment
The embodiment is directed to an air delivery means of the form as shown in the accompanying drawings which is intended to be supported to be associated with a surface (not shown) and which has a front face which defines an inlet 15 and an outlet 17. The air inlet 15 and 17 are formed as grills to provide an attractive appearance for the appliance. In addition the grill of the air inlet 15 is formed such that the airflow into the housing is generally downwardly from the surroundings and into the air intake. In addition the grill of the air outlet 17 is configured such that the air flowing from the outlet is directed downwardly and away from the housing. The housing is provided with a central partition which separates the air inlet 15 from the air outlet 17 and serves to define a flow path between the inlet and outlet. The lower portion of the housing is provided with a cross flow fan 21 which serves to generate the air flow out of the air outlet 17 and therefore induce the air flow into the inlet 15. In addition the lower portion of the housing accommodates a heating element 25 which is located downstream from the fan 21 which is adapted to heat the air passing to the air outlet 17. The upper portion of the housing accommodates an ozone generator in the form of a mercury charged low pressure lamp which in its operation interacts with the air flowing from the air inlet 15 to generator ozone in that air.
The embodiment is controlled in its operation by a control timer switch (not shown) which is associated with a sensor 26 supported by the front face of the housing. The sensor is a infra-red sensor which will sense the presence of a person in font of the air delivery means and which will cause the control timer switch to be switched to an ON state to activate the fan and ozone generator. In addition on the sensor ceasing to sense a person in front of the air delivery means the timer switch will be switched to an OFF state after a predetermined period of time whereby the period of time can be adjusted in its duration.
In use it is intended that the housing 11 be located proximate the surface such that the air flow from the air outlet 17 will be directed onto that surface. In addition the grill of the air outlet is configured to distribute the airflow laterally from the outlet.
It is a function of the embodiment that the warm ozone charged air flowing from the air outlet 17 will serve to dry any resident moisture on the surface and act as a germicidal agent on that surface.
It is envisaged that the embodiment can be utilised in sensitive areas such as in medical environments, food preparation areas public conveniences such as toilets and the like, where the device is positioned to direct a warm ozone charged air flow over the floor of the area and/or over the bench area and/or walls in the vicinity of a working area.
According to another embodiment of the invention the invention is incorporated into a hand drier where the surface onto which the warm ozone charged are to be delivered comprises a persons hands.
According to another embodiment the control switch of the first embodiment lacks a timer function and will be caused to switch to the OFF state when the sensor fails to sense a person in front of the air delivery means
Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiments described above.

Claims

ClaimsThe claims defining the invention are as follows:
1. An air delivery means comprising a housing having, an air inlet and an air outlet, the housing adapted to be associated with a surface, the housing defining a flow path between the air inlet and air outlet, a fan supported by the housing and adapted to create an air flow through the flow path from the air inlet to the air outlet, an ozone generator supported from the housing to be associated with the flow path and adapted to introduce ozone into the air flow.
2. An air delivery means as claimed at claim 1 wherein the ozone generator is located upstream from the fan.
3. An air delivery means as claimed at claim 1 wherein the ozone generator is located downstream from the fan.
4. An air delivery means as claimed at claim 1 or 2 or 3 wherein the housing accommodates a heating member located in association with the flow path, said heating member adapted to heat the air being delivered to the outlet.
5. An air delivery means as claimed at claim 4 wherein the heater is located downstream from the ozone generator.
6. An air delivery means as claimed at claim 4 wherein the heater is located downstream from the fan and the ozone generator.
7. An air delivery means as claimed at claim 4 wherein the heater is located upstream from the ozone generator.
8. An air delivery means as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the ozone generator comprises a lamp.
9. An air delivery means as claimed at claim 8 wherein the lamp comprises a mercury charged low pressure lamp.
10. An air delivery means as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the operation of the air delivery means is controlled by a control switch which will cause the fan and ozone generator to be operated and the control switch is associated with a sensor which is adapted to sense the presence of a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means and which is adapted to cause the control switch to be switched to an ON state when sensing a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means and to cause the control switch to be switched to an OFF state when the sensor does not sense a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means.
11. An air delivery means as claimed at claim 10 wherein the sensor is supported from or within the housing.
12. An air delivery means as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the operation of the air delivery means is controlled by a timer switch which will cause the fan and ozone generator to be operated for a period of time after the switch has been switched to an ON state.
13. An air delivery means as claimed at claim 13 wherein the timer switch is associated with a sensor which is adapted to sense the presence of a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means and which is adapted to cause the timer switch to be switched to an ON state when sensing a person and/or animal in the vicinity of the air delivery means.
14. An air delivery means as claimed at claim 13 wherein the sensor is supported from or within the housing.
15. An air delivery means as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the outlet is configured and/or positioned to direct airflow from the flow path over the surface with which the housing is associated.
16. An air delivery means as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the surface comprises a floor and/or wall of a building.
17. An air delivery means as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the surface comprises a table or bench top.
18. An air delivery means as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the surface comprises a portion of the body of a person and/or animal.
19. An air delivery means as claimed at claim 18 wherein the air delivery means comprises a hand drier.
20. An air delivery means substantially as herein described.
PCT/SG2004/000279 2003-09-09 2004-09-03 Air delivery means WO2005023322A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SG200305671 2003-09-09
SG200305671-0 2003-09-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005023322A1 true WO2005023322A1 (en) 2005-03-17

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SG2004/000279 WO2005023322A1 (en) 2003-09-09 2004-09-03 Air delivery means

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2005023322A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH06304438A (en) * 1993-04-22 1994-11-01 Daikin Ind Ltd Ozone deodorizing device
EP0976356A2 (en) * 1998-07-31 2000-02-02 Ozone Industries Limited A hand dryer
JP2001037858A (en) * 1999-07-27 2001-02-13 Ohnit Kk Ozone deodorizing/sterilizing device
US20030080068A1 (en) * 2001-10-31 2003-05-01 Koslow Evan E. Apparatus and method for combined use of ultraviolet and ozone in appliances

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH06304438A (en) * 1993-04-22 1994-11-01 Daikin Ind Ltd Ozone deodorizing device
EP0976356A2 (en) * 1998-07-31 2000-02-02 Ozone Industries Limited A hand dryer
JP2001037858A (en) * 1999-07-27 2001-02-13 Ohnit Kk Ozone deodorizing/sterilizing device
US20030080068A1 (en) * 2001-10-31 2003-05-01 Koslow Evan E. Apparatus and method for combined use of ultraviolet and ozone in appliances

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN *

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