WO2021090162A1

WO2021090162A1 - Sanitizing diffusion device and system

Info

Publication number: WO2021090162A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/060305
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco Polgati; Roberto Fossati
Original assignee: A.M. Instruments S.R.L.
Priority date: 2019-11-05
Filing date: 2020-11-03
Publication date: 2021-05-14
Also published as: IT201900020374A1

Abstract

A sanitizing device is described which comprises: a main body; a tank containing a sanitizing liquid; at least one diffuser extending from the main body and comprising: at least one compressed-air atomizer nozzle; at least two electrodes associated with a respective atomizer nozzle, said at least two electrodes generating a high-voltage electromagnetic field; a processor configured for controlling an atomization of said sanitizing liquid by means of said at least one atomizer nozzle, generating an aerosol; such aerosol being ionized by said high-voltage electromagnetic field.

Description

Description of Industrial Invention:

“SANITIZING DIFFUSION DEVICE AND SYSTEM”

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of room bio-decontamination. In particular, the present invention concerns a sanitizing diffusion device and a sanitizing system using the same.

Background art

As is known, sanitization (hereinafter also referred to as “bio-decontamination”) of a room is effected by diffusing a solution performing a biocidal action. For example, such sanitization may occur by means of a device adapted to diffuse, within the room to be bio-decontaminated, a solution based on hydrogen peroxide or formaldehyde or chlorine dioxide.

As is known, during the sanitization process the room is not fit for use because harmful sanitizer concentrations are reached. In fact, the sanitization cycles are started when there are no operators in the room to be sanitized. Moreover, said room may remain inaccessible for a time interval of 1 hour to 10 hours.

The Applicant has observed that the known sanitizing treatments based on hydrogen peroxide suffer from some limitations.

In particular, the known bio-decontamination treatments based on hydrogen peroxide envisage the following alternatives:

- evaporation of hydrogen peroxide at high concentration (e.g. higher than 30%);

- atomization of a peroxide solution at low concentration (e.g. lower than 10%) mixed with additives.

The Applicant has observed that the evaporation of solutions of hydrogen peroxide at high concentrations, e.g. higher than 30%, quickly corrodes the rooms under treatment and objects exposed to peroxide vapours.

Furthermore, treatments using high concentrations (e.g. higher than 30%) of hydrogen peroxide disadvantageously require specific temperature and humidity conditions. This makes it necessary to pre-condition the room to be sanitized, resulting in higher costs and longer treatment times.

Also, disadvantageously, transportation and/or storage and/or use of highly concentrated solutions of hydrogen peroxide are dangerous for the operators and require compliance with specific regulations and the use of special equipment.

The Applicant has observed that low-concentration (e.g. lower than 10%) hydrogen peroxide solutions are mixed with other substances intended to increase its effectiveness; for example, such additives improve the spatial distribution of the atomized solution.

Disadvantageously, such additives leave residues and increase the amount of particulate matters within the room to be sanitized. The presence of such residues and/or particulate matters may require further steps such as, for example, washing the inside surfaces of the room, thus reducing the efficacy of the bio-decontamination operation.

Moreover, when sanitizing a “clean room” (i.e. an environment with controlled particle and/or microbiological contamination), the introduction of particulate matters into the room being treated constitutes a further drawback.

Also, disadvantageously, additives for solutions with low peroxide concentrations are detrimental to the environment.

The Applicant has observed that, disadvantageously, bio-decontamination treatments using formaldehyde are harmful for the operators working inside the room; in fact, formaldehyde is carcinogenic, cannot be removed easily, and leaves residues inside the room at the end of the treatment.

The Applicant has observed that the known bio-decontamination treatments based on chlorine dioxide or formaldehyde also have further drawbacks, such as, for example:

- they require controlled temperature and humidity conditions during use;

- they require long airing times;

- they are not easy to contain and control.

The Applicant has observed that, when carrying out a bio-decontamination treatment in a large room, it is necessary to use a plurality of devices. Disadvantageously, the use of a plurality of devices does not ensure a proper bio decontamination of the room. Summary of the invention

It is the object of the present invention to provide a sanitizing device and a sanitizing system which can overcome the above-described problems.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a sanitizing device comprising:

- a main body;

- a tank containing a sanitizing liquid;

- at least one diffuser extending from said main body, the at least one diffuser comprising:

- at least one compressed-air atomizer nozzle;

- at least two electrodes associated with a respective atomizer nozzle, such at least two electrodes generating a high-voltage electromagnetic field;

- a processor configured for controlling an atomization of said sanitizing liquid by means of said at least one atomizer nozzle, generating an aerosol; such aerosol being ionized by said high-voltage electromagnetic field.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a sanitizing system comprising: a plurality of sanitizing devices according to embodiments of the present invention; a remote control device; wherein such remote control device is connected to the plurality of sanitizing devices; wherein such remote control device is configured for controlling each device of said plurality of sanitizing devices.

Further advantageous features of the present invention will be set out in the appended dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will become more apparent in the light of the following detailed description, wherein reference will be made to the annexed drawings, provided merely by way of non-limiting example, wherein: Figure 1 is a front view of a device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a rear view of the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a top view of the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a side view of the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a front view of the device of Figure 1 , wherein some elements have been removed to show further details;

Figure 6 is a rear view of the device of Figure 1 , showing further details of the device according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is a sectional view along plane A-A of the device of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a magnified view of a detail of the device shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is an illustrative diagram of a sanitizing system according to the present invention;

Figure 10 is a diagram that shows a plurality of exemplary variables of a report generated by the sanitizing system;

Figure 11 is a flow chart of a method according to the present invention;

Figure 12 is a flow chart of a further method according to the present invention. Further features and advantages will become apparent in light of the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention.

Wherever appropriate, similar structures, components, materials and/or elements shown in different figures are designated by means of the same reference numerals.

Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention

With reference to Figures 1, 2 ,3, 4 and 5, the following will describe a sanitizing device designated by reference numeral 100.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sanitizing device 100 comprises a main body 110. Preferably, the main body 110 comprises: a front panel 110a; a rear panel 110b; a top shell 110c; a bottom shell 110d; two side shells 110e.

Preferably, the main body 110 comprises a plurality of castors 110'.

Preferably, the front panel 110a comprises, for reasons that will become apparent below, an access door 112.

The sanitizing device 100 comprises a processor 101.

Preferably, the sanitizing device 100 comprises a display 10T connected to the processor 101; in particular, the display 101' is a touchscreen display and allows an operator to send commands to the processor 101, as will be described in detail hereinafter.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the sanitizing device 100 comprises at least one diffuser 130.

Preferably, the top shell 110c comprises at least one opening 115. Through such opening 115, a respective diffuser 130 extends outside the main body 110.

Preferably, the top shell 110c comprises, for reasons that will become apparent below, a LED ring 116.

Preferably, as shown in Figure 4, the side shells 110e comprise a respective handle 113. Such handles make it possible to move the sanitizing device 100.

With reference to Figure 5, in which the front panel 110a has been removed, the sanitizing device 100 preferably comprises a housing 111. In particular, the housing 111 is accessible through the access door 112.

The sanitizing device 110 comprises a tank 120; for example, the tank 120 is a can that can be positioned inside the housing 111.

Preferably, the housing 111 is provided, near its base, with scales 118. The scales 118 generate a signal WS which is proportional to the weight of the tank 120.

Preferably, the processor 101 is configured for processing a concentration value of the sanitizing substance, estimated as a function of the signal proportional to the weight WS of said tank 120.

Preferably, the tank 120 comprises an RFID tag 121.

Advantageously, the RFID tag 121 stores the data of the sanitizing solution (e.g. lot, expiry date, etc.)

Preferably, as is visible in Figure 7, the sanitizing device 100 comprises an RFID reader 171 connected to the processor 101.

Advantageously, if the processor 101 receives from the RFID reader 171 any information which is not compliant with the RFID tag 121, then the processor 101 will generate an error signal and will not permit the execution of any treatment.

Preferably, the tank 120 comprises a plug 122 with a dip tube, a filter and an anti drop fast connector.

With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the sanitizing device 100 comprises a pneumatic circuit adapted to supply the sanitizing liquid to the at least one diffuser 130.

Preferably, the pneumatic circuit is arranged inside the main body 110.

Preferably, the pneumatic circuit comprises at least one pump 161 for sanitizing liquid. Said at least one pump 161 is connected to the tank 120 and to the at least one diffuser 130. In particular, said at least one pump 161 delivers the sanitizing liquid from the tank 120 to the at least one diffuser 130.

Preferably, the sanitizing device 100 comprises two diffusers 130', 130". Preferably, the sanitizing device 100 comprises two pumps 161 , each pump 161 being connected to a respective diffuser 130', 130".

Preferably, the pneumatic circuit comprises a pressure sensor 172 adapted to generate a pressure signal PS as a function of the pressure of the sanitizing liquid in the hydraulic circuit.

Preferably, the pneumatic circuit is driven by the processor 101. For example, the pneumatic circuit comprises at least two solenoid valves 174 and/or at least two pressure regulators 173 driven by the processor 101 .

The sanitizing device comprises a compressed-air circuit. Preferably, the compressed-air circuit is connected and adapted to deliver compressed air to each diffuser 130. In particular, the compressed-air circuit is connected to each diffuser 130', 130".

Preferably, the compressed-air circuit is arranged inside the main body 110. Preferably, the compressed-air circuit comprises a compressor 164.

Preferably, the compressed-air circuit comprises a condensate collection filter and/or regulator 163 driven by the processor 101 .

Preferably, the compressor 164 is positioned on an anti-vibration support 165.

Preferably, the bottom shell 110d is provided, on its surface, with a ventilation grille 177 facing a cooling fan 167. The cooling fan 167 is adapted to dissipate the heat generated within the main body 110.

With reference to Figures 6 and 8, each diffuser 130 is associated with a respective support 180. Each support 180 is associated with a respective opening 115.

Preferably, the opening 115 has a cylindrical shape and is adapted to permit the respective support 180 to slide therein. In particular, each support 180 can be driven between: • a retracted configuration, in which the respective diffuser 130 extends partially out of the respective opening 115; and

• an extracted configuration, in which the respective diffuser 130 extends fully out of the respective opening 115 and can preferably be oriented. In particular, each diffuser 130 is engaged with the respective support 180 by means of a ball joint 181.

Figure 6 shows a first diffuser 130' in the extracted configuration and a second diffuser 130" in the retracted configuration.

With reference to Figures 6 and 8, each diffuser 130 comprises:

- at least one compressed-air atomizer nozzle 131 ;

- at least two electrodes 132 associated with a respective atomizer nozzle 131 .

The at least one atomizer nozzle 131 comprises a compressed-air inlet 135 and a sanitizing-liquid inlet 134. The at least one atomizer nozzle 131 atomizes the sanitizing liquid to generate an aerosol 1 .

The operation of an atomizer nozzle is known and will not therefore be described any further below.

It should be noted that the term “aerosol” refers to a sanitizing liquid dispersed in the compressed air exiting the atomizer nozzle 131 .

The at least two electrodes 132 are connected to a high-voltage stage 162.

When powered by said high-voltage stage 162, the at least two electrodes 132 generate a high-voltage electromagnetic field 2. Preferably, the high-voltage stage 162 is driven by the processor 101 .

It should be noted that the aerosol 1 emitted by each atomizer nozzle 131 crosses the electromagnetic field 2. The electromagnetic field 2 ionizes the aerosol 1 , as will be described in detail below.

Preferably, each diffuser 130 comprises a cover 133. The cover 133 is open at the top to allow said aerosol 1 to flow out of the diffuser 130, and is engaged with the body 138 of the diffuser 130. Even more preferably, the cover 133 is provided with at least two slots 133a in proximity to the body 138 of the diffuser 130. Advantageously, the at least two slots 133a optimize the air flow carrying the sanitizing liquid.

Optionally, the sanitizing device 100 comprises an input 175. The input 175 is configured to allow connecting a probe to the processor 101 for reading the quantity of sanitizer that has been dispersed in the environment.

As previously described, the sanitizing device 100 comprises a tank 120 for a sanitizing liquid.

Preferably, the sanitizing liquid is an aqueous solution based on hydrogen peroxide.

Preferably, the sanitizing liquid is an aqueous solution comprising a weight percentage of hydrogen peroxide lower than 8%.

Preferably, the sanitizing liquid is an aqueous solution comprising a weight percentage of ethanol lower than 6%.

Preferably, the sanitizing liquid is an aqueous solution comprising:

• a weight percentage of hydrogen peroxide equal to 7.8%;

• a weight percentage of ethanol equal to 5%; and

• a weight percentage of water for injectable preparations equal to 87.2%.

“Water for injectable preparations” refers to water for solutions classified as “ Water for Injection”, i.e. water used in the pharmaceutical field for injectable preparations, which is filtered, demineralized and microbiologically pure.

The processor 101 is configured for receiving as input the quantity of sanitizing liquid to be diffused in the room to be treated. For example, an operator enters - through the display 10T - the quantity of sanitizing liquid to be diffused.

Subsequently, e.g. after a user-defined time, the processor 101 controls the compressed-air circuit and the hydraulic circuit in such a way as to supply to each diffuser 130 the necessary flow of sanitizing liquid and compressed air for diffusing the required quantity of sanitizing liquid.

As mentioned above, the sanitizing liquid is dispersed in the air through the at least one atomizer nozzle 131 , thus generating the aerosol 1 .

The aerosol 1 then crosses the electromagnetic field 2 and exits the diffuser 130 to be thus diffused in the room that needs to be bio-decontaminated. Advantageously, the electromagnetic field 2 ionizes the hydrogen peroxide, breaking it up into hydroxyl ions OH-. Hydroxyl ions OH- have higher oxidizing power. The higher oxidizing power results in a more effective bio-decontaminating action.

The Applicant observes that hydroxyl ions OH- have all an identical charge. As is known, hydroxyl ions OH- repel each other, thereby improving the diffusion of the aerosol within the room. Preferably, the sanitizing device 100 comprises a Wi-Fi module (not shown).

The Wi-Fi module makes it possible to connect the processor 101 to a remote control device 201. For example, the remote control device 201 is a computer or a smartphone where a suitable application has been installed.

By operating the remote control device 201 , the operator can communicate with the processor 101. For example, through the remote control device 201 the operator can send the quantity of sanitizing liquid to be diffused in the room to be treated. Advantageously, the operator does not need to be in the room to start the bio decontamination procedure.

Preferably, the processor 101 generates a report R. Preferably, the report R is sent to the remote control device 201.

Preferably, with reference to Figure 10, the report R comprises:

• a systemJD field containing a unique identifier of the sanitizing device 100 in use;

• an operatorJD field containing a unique identifier of the operator;

• an operation field containing, for example, a value associated with the type of operation carried out (for example, 0 - sanitization, 1- cleaning, etc.);

• a status field containing, for example, an error code associated with a malfunction of the sanitizing device 100;

• a tank_RFID field containing, for example, the value read from the RFID tag 121 of the can 120;

• a date field containing the date and time of generation of the report.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a sanitizing system 200 is provided.

The sanitization system 200 comprises: a plurality of sanitizing devices 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi as described above; the remote control device 201.

The remote control device 201 is connected to the plurality of sanitizing devices 100a, 100b, ... 10Oi, preferably by means of each Wi-Fi module.

The remote control device 201 is configured for controlling each device of said plurality of sanitizing devices 100a, 100b, ... 10Oi.

Preferably, the remote control device 201 is connected to a single sanitizing device 100m, such sanitizing device 100m being hereinafter referred to as master device 100m.

Preferably, the plurality of sanitizing devices 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi are connected to the master device 100m. Hereinafter, the plurality of sanitizing devices 100a, 100b, 10Oi will be referred to as slave devices 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi.

Preferably, the remote control device 201 comprises a processor. Preferably, the processor of the remote control device 201 is configured for executing the following steps (Figure 11 ):

• Step 301 : request for room sanitization parameters. At step 301 the operator, by acting upon the remote control device 201 , inputs the layout and/or size of the room and the desired duration of the sanitization treatment;

• Step 302: as a function of the layout and/or size of the room and/or of the desired duration of the sanitization treatment, the processor of the remote control device 201 computes the number of sanitizing devices 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi that are necessary to obtain the requested duration. Preferably, at step 302 the processor of the remote control device 201 computes the number of necessary sanitizing devices 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi as a function of the requested duration and of the layout and/or size of the room.

Optionally, at the end of step 302 the processor of the remote control device 201 starts a step 303.

At step 303, the processor of the remote control device 201 computes the ideal position of each sanitizing device 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi as a function of the room layout inputted at step 301 .

Advantageously, the position of each sanitizing device 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi is processed in such a way as to obtain a regular distribution of the aerosol within the room.

Preferably, when it is necessary to start a bio-decontamination treatment, the processor of the remote control device 201 is configured for executing the following steps (Figure 12):

• Step 401 : selection of the room and of the number of available devices. At step 401 , the processor of the remote control device 201 prompts the operator to select the room to be treated and to indicate the number of available sanitizing devices 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi;

• Step 402: the processor of the remote control device 201 computes the ideal position of such available sanitizing devices 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi as a function of the selected room;

• Step 403: the processor of the remote control device 201 identifies each available sanitizing device 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi. For example, at step 403 the processor of the remote control device 201 requests each available sanitizing device 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi to send its own QR code;

• Step 404: sanitizing plan setup. At step 404, the processor of the remote control device 201 sets up each sanitizing device 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi available and identified (e.g. identified by means of the QR code) for the execution of the bio decontamination treatment. For example, at step 404 the operator is prompted to set the duration of the treatment and to confirm the position of each available and certified sanitizing device 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi;

• Step 405: decontamination start confirmation. At step 405, the processor of the remote control device 201 prompts the user to confirm the start of the treatment.

Once it has received such confirmations from the operator, the processor of the remote control device 201 communicates the parameters of the treatment to be carried out to the processor 101 of each available and identified sanitizing device 100a, 100b, ... 10Oi.

For example, at step 405 the processor 101 of the master device 100m receives from the processor of the remote control device 201 the quantity of sanitizing liquid to be dispersed within the room.

As described above, the processor 101 of the master device 100m is connected to each processor 101 of the slave devices 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi. Preferably, the processor 101 of the master device 100m sends to the processor 101 of each slave device 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi the respective quantity of sanitizing liquid to be dispersed within the room.

Optionally, the processor of the remote control device 201 sends to the processor 101 of every available and identified sanitizing device 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi the respective quantity of sanitizing liquid to be dispersed within the room preferably as a function of the layout and/or size of the room and of the position of each available and identified sanitizing device 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi.

Preferably, if one device of the plurality of sanitizing devices 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi generates an error, e.g. if the pressure signal PS is above a given threshold and/or if the weight proportional signal WS is not compliant with the expected variation, the processor 101 of the sanitizing device 100 that generated the error will generate a report R. For example, such report R may include the generated error type (i.e. whether the detected error refers to the pressure signal PS or to the weight proportional signal WS) and the time of occurrence of the error.

Preferably, the processor 101 of the sanitizing device 100 that generated the error interrupts the delivery of aerosol. Preferably, the processor 101 of the sanitizing device 100 that generated the error sets the respective LED ring 116 in such a way that it can be easily identified by the operator.

Preferably, the error report is shown to the operator by means of the remote control device 201. The operator may decide to continue the bio-decontamination process using the functioning sanitizing devices 100a, 100b, ... 10Oi. For example, the operator may decide to increase the duration of the treatment executed by the functioning sanitizing devices 100a, 100b, ... 10Oi so as to compensate for the aerosol that should have been dispersed by the device 100 that generated the error.

Preferably, at the end of the treatment the processor 101 of each sanitizing device 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi that generated no errors sets the LED ring 116 in such a way that the operator can easily see that the device has successfully completed the treatment.

Preferably, at the end of the treatment the processor 101 of each sanitizing device 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi generates a respective report R.

Preferably, the processor 101 of the master device 100m generates a report R.

Preferably, the reports R received by the remote control device 201 are subsequently saved to a database 202. Even more preferably, such database 202 is an on-line database.

Preferably, the on-line database 202 can be accessed from any remote control device 201 upon entering a username and a password.

The present invention offers the following advantages.

In particular, the sanitizing device 100 offers the following advantages:

• the sanitizing liquid in use has a low content of hydrogen peroxide; • no pre-conditioning of the room to be treated is necessary prior to executing a decontamination process;

• no additives are used which would leave residues in the room;

• aerosol distribution within the room is improved due to the use of an electromagnetic field that ionizes the aerosol;

• it is possible to trace the effectiveness of the sanitizing solution employed. Furthermore, according to a second aspect of the present invention, the sanitizing system 200 offers the following advantages:

• the status of the sanitizing devices 100a, 100b, ..., 10Oi can be monitored in real time;

• comprehensive reports are generated about each treatment;

• comprehensive reports are generated about malfunctions and errors during the treatment;

• the correct positioning of each sanitizing device 100a, 100b, ... , 10Oi is processed by suitable software to obtain an even distribution of the aerosol within the room.

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Claims

1. A sanitizing device (100) comprising: a main body (110); a tank (120) containing a sanitizing liquid; at least one diffuser (130) extending from said main body (110), said at least one diffuser (130) comprising: at least one compressed-air atomizer nozzle (131 ); at least two electrodes (132) associated with a respective atomizer nozzle (131), said at least two electrodes (132) generating a high- voltage electromagnetic field (2); a processor (101 ) configured for controlling an atomization of said sanitizing liquid by means of said at least one atomizer nozzle (131), generating an aerosol (1); said aerosol (1) being ionized by said high-voltage electromagnetic field (2).

2. The sanitizing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one diffuser (130) can be moved between an extracted position and a retracted position, wherein in said extracted position said at least one diffuser (130) can be oriented.

3. The sanitizing device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said tank (120) containing said sanitizing liquid is removably positioned in a housing (111) within said main body (110); said tank (120) being provided with an RFID identifier (121).

4. The sanitizing device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said housing (111) is equipped with scales (118) adapted to generate a signal that is proportional to the weight (WS) of said tank (120).

5. The sanitizing device (100) according to claim 5, wherein said processor (101) is configured for processing a concentration value of the sanitizing substance, estimated as a function of the signal proportional to the weight (WS) of said tank (120).

6. The sanitizing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said sanitizing device (100) comprises at least one pressure sensor (172) adapted to generate a respective pressure signal (PS) as a function of the rate of flow of said sanitizing liquid towards said at least one atomizer nozzle (131).

7. The sanitizing device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein said processor (101 ) is configured for generating an error signal as a function of said pressure signal (PS).

8. The sanitizing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said sanitizing liquid comprises a quantity of hydrogen peroxide smaller than or equal to 8%.

9. The sanitizing device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein said sanitizing liquid comprises a quantity of ethanol smaller than or equal to 6%.

10. A sanitization system (200) comprising: a plurality of sanitizing devices (100a, 100b, ... 10Oi) according to any one of the preceding claims; a remote control device (201 ); wherein said remote control device (201) is connected to said plurality of sanitizing devices (100a, 100b, ... 10Oi); wherein said remote control device (201) is configured for controlling each device of said plurality of sanitizing devices (100a, 100b, ... 10Oi).