WO2021229615A1

WO2021229615A1 - Device and method for the disinfection of items with pef (pulsed electric field) and/or dbd (dielectric barrier discharge) technologies

Info

Publication number: WO2021229615A1
Application number: PCT/IT2021/050135
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi FOSCHINI; Gianluca FRANCHI; Nicola MARIUCCI; Loretta ANDREINI; Jhonn Guido NAHLEH
Original assignee: Treadim S.R.L.; Engineering For Energy, Environment And Engines S.R.L. In Breve En4 S.R.L.
Priority date: 2020-05-11
Filing date: 2021-05-10
Publication date: 2021-11-18

Abstract

The present invention concerns a device (1) for the rapid disinfection of different items or consumer goods (14). This disinfection device (1) is able to maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of and/or exposure to pathogenic microorganisms through contact. In particular, it can find application, for example but not only, in retail stores or businesses selling items of clothing, footwear, plastic items, wooden items, metal items, furniture, accessories and substantially on any type whatsoever of item to be disinfected, within the limits of the device in question. The present invention consists of a machine of limited size and costs, completely automatic, which can be operated in total safety and simplicity by ordinary users who are not specifically trained, able to allow a reduction in disinfection times, passing from the current minutes to a few seconds. The device (1) integrates PEF (Pulsed Electric Field) and DBD (Dielectric Barrier Discharge) technologies.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE DISINFECTION OF ITEMS WITH PEF (PULSED ELECTRIC FIELD) AND/OR DBD (DIELECTRIC BARRIER DISCHARGE) TECHNOLOGIES

^ ^ s|t FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a method and a device for the rapid disinfection of different items or consumer goods.

The disinfection device and method is able to maintain hygiene and prevent the spread and/or exposure to pathogenic microorganisms through contact. In particular, it can be applied, for example but not only, in shops or retail businesses selling clothing, footwear, plastic items, wooden items, metal items, furnishings, accessories and substantially on any type of item to be disinfected, within the limits of the device in question.

The present invention consists of a machine of limited size and costs, completely automatic, which can be operated in total safety and simplicity by ordinary users, not specifically taught or trained, able to allow a reduction in disinfection times, passing from the current minutes to a few seconds.

The device integrates PEF (Pulsed Electric Field) and DBD (Dielectric Barrier Discharge) technologies. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a method and a device for the rapid disinfection of different items or consumer goods. The disinfection device and method is able to maintain hygiene and prevent the spread and/or exposure to pathogenic microorganisms through contact with contaminated items. In particular, it can be applied, for example but not only, in shops or retail businesses selling clothing, footwear, plastic items, wooden items, metal items, furniture, accessories and substantially on every type of item to be disinfected, within the limits of the device in question.

In the current state of the art, products and devices for disinfecting items are known.

In manual disinfection, specific substances are used in vaporizers, nebulizers, sprays, etc. which are applied directly onto the items to be sanitized.

The disadvantages concern the time needed to carry out the method, the risk to the health of the operators, since the possibility of inhaling specific substances is concrete, and the limits on the types of items that can be sanitized. In fact, most disinfection products risk damaging the surfaces of the items to be sanitized.

Today, in particular for the textile sector, it is known to use washing machines with which to disinfect items, such as garments.

The disadvantages of this method are certainly linked to the timing and the risk of damaging the items to be disinfected, especially if the process is performed several times on the same item.

To date, the use of devices that use steam to disinfect items is known.

The disadvantages of these devices are certainly linked to the risk of damaging the items (especially in the case of items that are affected by temperature such as garments), the risk for the operator and the need to have a confined space in which to perform these operations.

More recent devices are also known, based on UV-emitting lamps, ozone devices, devices based on PEF (Pulsed Electric Field) and devices based on plasma techniques.

One disadvantage of devices that use ozone or UV lamps or their combination is linked to the long time required to complete the disinfection procedures on the

Another disadvantage is that the operator cannot be present during the disinfection step, due to the fact that UV rays and ozone are harmful to human beings.

Today, PEF (Pulsed Electric Field) and DBD (Dielectric Barrier Discharge) technologies are known and are already used in the industrial field in the disinfection of food products (PEF techniques) and of numerous products including textile ones (DBD techniques).

Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) techniques base their antimicrobial effect on the ability of a pulsed electric field of high amplitude (in the order of several kV/cm) to pierce the membranes of Bacteria and Viruses, resulting in their deactivation and destruction without significant thermal effects. Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) techniques achieve antimicrobial effects through the formation and action of a cold plasma. The plasma is created by means of electric micro discharges localized in the air between electrodes covered with a dielectric isolating barrier. By feeding the electrodes with sufficiently high electric potentials, the electric field values between the isolated electrodes reach values (in the order of several kV/cm) able to modify the physical state of the air, transforming it into a cold plasma consisting of ionized particles and free electrons, the recombination of which also entails the emission of ultraviolet light. Cold plasma is used in many sectors: biological, industrial and healthcare due to its particular disinfectant properties.

One disadvantage of current devices that use these technologies concerns the cost, size and complexity of the apparatuses currently developed.

Another disadvantage is also connected to the need to conduct these processes by adequately trained and qualified technical personnel in well-equipped production lines or laboratories.

One purpose of the current device is to integrate PEF (Pulsed Electric Field) and DBD (Dielectric Barrier Discharge) technologies.

Another purpose of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages by implementing the above techniques in a small-size, low-cost, fully automatic machine that can be operated in total safety and simplicity by ordinary users who are not specifically taught or trained.

Another purpose of the present invention is to have the possibility of having the operators present during the disinfection process.

Another purpose of the present invention is to reduce disinfection times from the current minutes to a few seconds with the synergistic application of the PEF disinfection technique with the DBD cold plasma production technique.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention concerns a disinfection device for at least one item which comprises at least one plastic or metal body inside which a compartment is made where the items to be treated are The compartment is comprised between two conductive plates, at least one of which is electrically insulated with respect to the compartment by means of a layer of insulating dielectric material. The conductive plates are electrically connected to a generator able to produce the high potential electrical signals necessary to create the high electric fields in the compartment typical of PEF and DBD techniques.

The device automatically carries out a disinfection cycle by starting after the the lid that seals the compartment is opened and closed, an event recognized by a lid position sensor.

The device also provides an electric lock for locking the lid that prevent it from being opened and prevents access to the compartment during the disinfection treatment and automatically unlocks the lid at the end of the treatment. During the treatment, optionally, a vacuum generation system can be activated in order to create a level of depression in the compartment in order to increase the production of cold plasma.

The device will also be equipped with a control system that governs its functioning cycle and defines the amplitude, timings and sequences of the high potential electrical signals applied to the plates.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the device also provides the presence at least of one power supply element to supply the energy required for the functioning of the machine, this element being connected to the normal electric power grid. In accordance with possible embodiments, the device can also provide an internal rechargeable battery able to allow the device to operate even in the absence of connection to the electric power grid.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the device can also provide a mechanical or automatic lock even when it is not functioning. In accordance with possible embodiments, with this disinfection device it is also possible to communicate with suitable commonly used electronic devices, such as a PC, smartphone, tablet or other electronic device, in order to easily transmit information. In accordance with possible embodiments, the elements described above can be, either all or only part of them, made in single elements.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the power supply element can be selectively activated to transfer energy at least to the vacuum generation system and/or to the control system and/or to the generator. In this way, it is possible to reduce the energy consumption of the device reached during use.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the disinfection device comprises at least one sensor, at least connected to the control element and configured to selectively supply useful information about the chemical-physical characteristics of the environment in which the item is housed.

According to some embodiments, the disinfection device can comprise a screen configured to display information of interest, also relating to the item.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the disinfection device can comprise an acoustic signaller. The acoustic signaller is configured to selectively emit a sound signal, at least in case of malfunction and/or when an attempt is made to tamper with the electric lock.

In accordance with the above purposes, the disinfection method used by the machine object of this patent provides the combined action of the PEF and DBD technique by generating suitable high potential signals applied to opposite dielectrically insulated conductive plates inside which the item, such as textile/garment, is treated.

Repeated and temporally short voltage pulses are required to optimize the antimicrobial effects of the PEF technique.

The DBD effect with the creation of cold plasma occurs in air as a result of the creation of sufficiently high electric fields between the electrically insulated plates.

The electronic control unit of the machine is able to automatically generate sequences of signals of amplitude and temporal shape suitable to support both or preferably only one of the two physical phenomena mentioned.

The device can optionally be equipped with a system to create a depression (vacuum level) inside the treatment chamber in order to enhance the creation of cold plasma following the rarefaction of the air.

The combined action of the antimicrobial effects of the PEF technique combined with the antimicrobial effects of the cold plasma of the DBD technique makes it possible to quickly disinfect garments and textiles in timeframes usually of a few seconds or tens of seconds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 shows a disinfection device in accordance with the present invention;

- fig. 2 shows the disinfection device of fig. 1 in one possible application;

- fig. 3 is a variant of the disinfection device of fig. 1 .

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

In accordance with the present invention, some embodiments of the invention described here concern a disinfection device 13, which can find application for different items 14 in stores or commercial establishments, such as for example clothing, footwear, furniture, accessories stores or suchlike.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the device can also provide at least one plastic or metal body 1 inside which a compartment 2 is made where the items to be treated are placed.

The compartment is comprised between two conductive plates 3 of which at least one is electrically insulated, with respect to the compartment 2, by means of a layer of insulating dielectric material 4.

The conductive plates 3 are electrically connected to a generator 5 able to produce the high potential electrical signals necessary to create the high electric fields in the compartment 2 typical of PEF and DBD techniques.

The device automatically carries out a disinfection cycle, by starting after the lid 6 that seals the compartment 2 is opened and closed, an event recognized by a lid position sensor 7.

An electric lock 12 for locking the lid prevents it from being opened and the compartment 2 from being accessed during the disinfection treatment and automatically unlocks the lid at the end of the treatment.

During the treatment, an optional vacuum generation system 8 is activated to create a level of depression in the compartment 2 in order to increase the production of cold plasma.

The machine is equipped with a control system 9 that governs its functioning cycle and defines the amplitude, timing and sequences of the high potential electrical signals applied to the plates.

The energy required for the machine to function is supplied by a power supply unit 10 connected to the common electric power grid which can optionally also provide an internal rechargeable battery 11 that allows the device to operate even in the absence of connection to the electric power grid.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the disinfection device 13 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of disinfection device 13, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1. Disinfection device for items (14) to be disinfected, such as garments and textiles, comprising:

- at least one compartment (2) in which to place the items (14);

- a generator (5) of high voltage electric potentials;

- a control system (9); said at least one compartment (2) being placed inside conductive plates (3) of which at least one is electrically insulated, with respect to the compartment (2), by means of a layer of insulating dielectric material (4), characterized in that said generator (5) is configured to modulate said potentials on the basis of the indications supplied by the control system (9) in order to generate electric fields between the conductive plates (3) connected to said generator (5), and inside the compartment (2), which are typical of one or more of Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) and Cold Plasma (DBD) disinfection techniques.

2. Disinfection device as in claim 1, characterized in that said control system (9) is selected from a microprocessor, a processor, a PLC, a microcontroller, and it is configured to govern its functioning cycle and define amplitude, timings and sequences of the high potential electrical signals applied to the plates (3) in order to autonomously manage the timings and sequences of the disinfection process without any intervention whatsoever by the operator, who is only required to deposit the items in the disinfection compartment and remove them at the end of the process.

3. Disinfection device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a plastic or metal body (1), inside which the compartment (2) is made, and a lid (6) which seals the compartment (2) for the confinement of the electric fields or the cold plasma in the compartment (2).

4. Disinfection device as in claim 3, characterized in that it comprises an electric lock (12) for locking the lid (6) able to prevent opening and accessing the compartment (2) during the disinfection treatment and to automatically unlock the lid (6) at the end of the treatment.

5. Disinfection device as in any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises a lid (6) position sensor (7) able to recognize the opening and re closing event of said lid (6), and in that said disinfection device is configured to automatically provide a disinfection cycle which starts following the opening and re-closing event of the lid (6).

6. Disinfection device as in any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises an acoustic signaller configured to selectively emit a sound signal, at least in case of malfunction and/or when an attempt is made to tamper with the electric lock (12).

7. Disinfection device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said control system (9) is configured to command the generation of short pulses of high electric field with a pulse duration comprised between 10 nanoseconds and 1 second, preferably between 50ns to 1ms, rise time from 10ns to lOOus, fall time from 10ns to lOOus, amplitude from lOkV/cm to lOOkV/cm, sanitization duration from 1 to 60 seconds, pulse frequency from lHz to 5kHz between the plates (3) able to promote PEF antimicrobial techniques or electric fields of the monopolar or bipolar type, stationary or sinusoidal with frequencies from 50Hz to 500kHz, amplitude from lkV/cm to lOOkV/cm, sanitization duration from 30 to 600 seconds able to promote Cold Plasma generation techniques.

8. Disinfection device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a vacuum generation system (8), selected from a vacuum pump, an ejector or an aspirator for the rarefaction of the air in the compartment (2), comprised between the conductive plates (3) during the disinfection process in order to increase the generation of Cold Plasma.

9. Disinfection device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises at least one internal rechargeable battery (11) which allows the device to operate even in the absence of connection to the electric power grid.

10. Disinfection device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises at least one ionization sensor and/or at least one ozone concentration sensor and/or at least one pressure sensor and/or at least one temperature sensor and/or at least one UV ray sensor, at least connected to the control system (9) and configured to supply information useful for the disinfection process and/or the chemical-physical characteristics of the environment in which the item is housed.