WO2022000092A1

WO2022000092A1 - Disinfection system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2022000092A1
Application number: PCT/CA2021/050908
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sacha GRENON; Pascal GIRARD
Original assignee: Sanitaires Experts
Priority date: 2020-07-03
Filing date: 2021-07-02
Publication date: 2022-01-06

Abstract

The present document describes disinfection systems for disinfecting a surface of an object from a pathogen, which comprise a chamber, a platform located within the chamber, a misting system comprising a mist generator configured to generate a disinfecting mist and a piping system, and a ventilator configured to maintain a flow of the disinfecting mist within the chamber. The document also describes mist generators for disinfecting a surface of objects from a pathogen, which comprise a reservoir for a disinfecting solution and a floating ultrasound element located within the reservoir, which is configured to float in the disinfecting solution and generate a disinfecting mist upon operation of the mist generator. The document also describes methods of disinfecting objects using disinfection systems comprising the mist generators.

Description

DISINFECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to disinfection systems and methods. More specifically, it relates to a system and method for disinfection of a surface of an object.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A novel coronavirus causing a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is responsible for a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), which led to a global pandemic. COVID-19 and many other viral diseases most commonly spread through respiratory droplets (coughing, sneezing, laughing or talking) during close interactions (within 2 meters). Viruses can also be spread through an object with a virus on it when a person first touches it, and then touches his/her mouth, nose or eyes without washing hands.

[0003] European Patent Application no. EP 2,705,858 discloses a disinfection tunnel for surface disinfection of objects that cannot be treated with chemicals. The disinfection system disclosed in EP 2,705,858 treats objects with UV radiation, and is related to the food industry. The germicidal effects of UV irradiation results in cellular damage by photohydration, photosplitting, photodimerization, and photocrosslinking, thereby inhibiting cellular replication. However, if products generating UV radiation do not shield the user from exposure, they pose a potential health hazard depending on the wavelength, intensity, and exposure time. As such, unintentional or excessive exposure to UV radiation during a disinfecting procedure may put a user at risk of eye injury, skin burns or even an increased risk of skin cancer. UV radiation is also known to fail to properly disinfect uneven surfaces or objects that have textures on their surface.

[0004] Currently, there are no known disinfection systems or methods to disinfect objects or enclosed areas with uneven or textured surfaces, and at the same time not exposing a user to potential health hazards and risks such as those associated with UV radiation.

[0005] Given the ease by which COVID-19 and other pathogens can be transmitted from human to human through infected objects and their surfaces within an enclosed area, there is a need to disinfect objects and enclosed areas that may be infected with COVID-19 or other pathogens. SUMMARY

[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a disinfection system and a method for disinfecting a surface of an object or an interior of an enclosed area. Such system and method may be used to disinfect areas, objects and their surfaces from COVID-19 or other pathogens that leave a fluid residue of microdroplets uniformly distributed on the surfaces.

[0007] According to one aspect of the disclosed technology, there is provided a disinfection system for disinfecting a surface of an object from a pathogen, the disinfection system comprising: a chamber; a platform located within the chamber, the platform being configured to receive the object to be disinfected; a misting system comprising: a mist generator configured to generate a disinfecting mist from a disinfecting solution, and a piping system located within the chamber and configured to provide the disinfecting mist from the mist generator to the chamber; and a ventilator configured to maintain a flow of the disinfecting mist within the chamber to deposit microdroplets of the disinfecting mist on the surface of the object to disinfect the surface of the object. The disinfection system may further comprise a controller configured to control an operation of the misting system and the ventilator to maintain a pre-determined velocity of the flow of the disinfecting mist within the chamber. The mist generator may comprise a reservoir for the disinfecting solution and floating ultrasound elements located within the reservoir, each one of the floating ultrasound elements configured to float in the disinfecting solution and to contact the disinfecting solution to generate the disinfecting mist upon operation of the mist generator.

[0008] The floating ultrasound element may comprise a floater configured to maintain the floating ultrasound elements afloat in proximity to a surface of the disinfecting solution. The floating ultrasound element may comprise two floaters located on opposite sides of an ultrasound element. The floating ultrasound element may have at least two floaters located on opposite sides of an ultrasound element. At least a portion of an ultrasound element’s surface of the ultrasound element, may be positioned perpendicular to the surface of the disinfecting solution, and may be exposed to the disinfecting solution.

[0009] The disinfection system may further comprise an anti-wave wall located in between of each of two adjacent floating ultrasound elements. The disinfection system may further comprise an anti-wave wall located in between of each of two adjacent floating ultrasound elements and, wherein the anti-wave wall comprises a slot configured to permit propagation of the liquid and the mist therethrough while restricting the lateral displacement of the floating ultrasound elements. [0010] The slot may be smaller than the floating ultrasound element. The disinfection system may further comprise a fan located above a level of the disinfecting solution in the reservoir and configured to ventilate the mist generator.

[0011] The piping system may comprise a plurality of pipe arms extending from one common pipe inlet, the common pipe inlet being operatively connected to the mist generator, and each pipe arm of the plurality of pipe arms having a plurality of pipe outlets configured to deliver the disinfecting mist to the chamber from the piping system to distribute the disinfecting mist uniformly in the chamber.

[0012] The common pipe inlet may be located in a central portion of the chamber. The piping system may comprise at least one pipe extending parallel to a longitudinal side of the chamber, and comprising a plurality of pipe outlets for providing exit for the disinfecting mist into the chamber.

[0013] The piping system may be located under the platform in the chamber, wherein the platform is configured to allow a free flow of the disinfecting mist from the piping system towards the object located on the platform. The platform may have a plurality of platform openings configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely within the chamber.

[0014] The chamber may form a disinfection tunnel having a chamber entry and a chamber exit, and wherein the platform may be a conveyor operable for carrying the object to be disinfected from the chamber entry to the chamber exit. The chamber may have an entry closure and an exit closure. The entry closure may comprise an internal entry closure and an external entry closure, and the exit closure may comprise an external exit closure and an internal exit closure, configured to maintain the chamber closed for a limited time period to contain the disinfecting mist therein. In at least one embodiment, the conveyor comprises a plurality of actuated rollers configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely within the chamber from the piping system.

[0015] In at least one embodiment, the misting system further comprises a dissolution unit for dissolution of disinfecting solution with water, the dissolution unit being operatively connected with the mist generator to deliver the disinfecting solution therein.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the misting system further comprises a proportioner, operable to dispense the disinfecting solution and water at a controlled ratio.

[0017] In at least one embodiment, the misting system provides the disinfecting mist through a nozzle system. The misting generator may be configured to generate the disinfecting mist while being ventilated. The misting system may provide the disinfecting mist through pulsed air. [0018] The misting system may provide the disinfecting mist having a particle size of from about 1 pm to about 10 pm. In at least one embodiment, the misting system provides the disinfecting mist having a particle density of about 0.05 g/m³to about 0.5 g/m³.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the misting system provides the disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 1 liter per hour (L/h) to about 80 L/h. In at least one embodiment, the misting system provides the disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 20 liters per hour (L/h) to about 25 L/h. In at least one embodiment, the misting system provides the disinfecting mist at a rate of about 21 L/h.

[0020] The disinfection system may further comprise an extractor connected to the chamber, wherein the extractor removes any excess disinfecting mist away from the chamber after disinfecting the surface of the object.

[0021] The disinfection system may further comprise a disinfecting carpet operably connected to the mist generator and comprising a plurality of openings configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely from the disinfecting carpet up, and disinfect the object located on the disinfecting carpet.

[0022] According to another aspect of the disclosed technology, a mist generator for disinfecting a surface of an object from a pathogen is provided. The mist generator comprises: a reservoir for a disinfecting solution and a floating ultrasound element located within the reservoir, the floating ultrasound element configured to float in the disinfecting solution and to contact the disinfecting solution to generate a disinfecting mist upon operation of the mist generator.

[0023] The floating ultrasound element may comprise a floater configured to maintain the floating ultrasound elements afloat in proximity to a surface of the disinfecting solution. In at least one embodiment, the floating ultrasound element comprises two floaters located on opposite sides of an ultrasound element.

[0024] The floating ultrasound element may comprise at least two floaters located on opposite sides of an ultrasound element. At least a portion of an ultrasound element’s surface of the ultrasound element, positioned perpendicular to the surface of the disinfecting solution, may be exposed to the disinfecting solution.

[0025] The mist generator may further comprise an anti-wave wall located in between of each of two adjacent floating ultrasound elements. The anti-wave wall may comprise a slot configured to permit propagation of the disinfecting solution and the disinfecting mist therethrough while restricting the lateral displacement of the floating ultrasound elements. The slot may be smaller than the floating ultrasound element. The slot may be shorter than the length of the floating ultrasound element. [0026] The anti-wave wall may comprise more than one slot configured to permit propagation of the liquid and the mist therethrough while restricting the lateral displacement of the floating ultrasound elements. Each slot may be smaller than any one of the floating ultrasound elements. The mist generator may further comprise a fan located above a level of the disinfecting solution in the reservoir and configured to ventilate the mist generator.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the disclosed technology, there is provided a method for disinfecting a surface of an object from a pathogen, the method comprising: generating a disinfecting mist from a disinfecting solution by operating the mist generator as described herein.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the disclosed technology, there is provided a method for disinfecting a surface of an object from a pathogen, the method comprising: generating a disinfecting mist from a disinfecting solution by operating the disinfection system as described herein.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the disclosed technology, there is provided a method for disinfecting a surface of an object from a pathogen, the method comprising: generating a disinfecting mist from a disinfecting solution by operating a plurality of ultrasound elements, the disinfecting solution comprising a disinfectant capable to eliminate the pathogen; filling a chamber with the disinfecting mist for a first period of time, the chamber being at least partially sealed; generating a turbulence of the disinfecting mist within the chamber to force microdroplets of the disinfecting mist to deposit on the surface of the object to form a disinfecting coating on the surface of the object; and evacuating the disinfecting mist from the chamber to evaporate a water portion of the disinfecting coating to leave the disinfectant on the surface of the object to eliminate the pathogen on the surface of the object. Temperature inside the chamber may be maintained at a room temperature.

[0030] In at least one embodiment, filling of the chamber with the disinfecting mist is provided by delivering the disinfecting mist through a piping system located under a platform that bears the object, the platform allowing the free flow of the disinfecting mist therethrough.

[0031] The pathogen may be a virus. The virus may be a coronavirus. The coronavirus may be SARS-CoV-2. The disinfecting mist may be generated with a ventilated air. The method may comprise providing the disinfecting mist having a particle size of from about 1 pm to about 10 pm.

[0032] The method may comprise generating the disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 1 liters per hour (L/h) to about 80 L/h. The method may comprise generating the disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 20 liters per hour (L/h) to about 25 L/h. [0033] The disinfection system may further comprise an outlet connected to the misting system and a tubing system connected to the outlet, configured to provide a disinfecting mist from the disinfecting solution, wherein the disinfecting mist flows freely from the disinfection system to an external enclosed area.

[0034] The following terms are defined below. Unless otherwise specified, the following definitions apply:

[0035] The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include corresponding plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0036] As used herein, the term “comprising” is intended to mean that the list of elements following the word “comprising” are required or mandatory but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present. As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “include” and “includes”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contain” and “contains”), are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or process steps.

[0037] It is noted that the term “preferably” is not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed disclosure or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed disclosure. Rather, this term is merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that can or cannot be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] The terms “about” and “approximately” are used to indicate that a value includes an inherent variation of error for the device or the method being employed to determine the value.

[0039] As used herein, the terms “disinfection” and “disinfecting” are intended to mean the process of cleaning something in order to destroy bacteria, especially with a chemical.

[0040] As used herein, the terms “disinfecting solution” and “disinfectant” are intended to mean chemical agents designed to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces. Disinfection does not necessarily kill all microorganisms, especially resistant bacterial spores; it is less effective than sterilization, which is an extreme physical or chemical process that kills all types of life. Disinfectants are generally distinguished from other antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics, which destroy microorganisms within the body, and antiseptics, which destroy microorganisms on living tissue. Disinfectants are also different from biocides — the latter are intended to destroy all forms of life, not just microorganisms. Disinfectants work by destroying the cell wall of microbes or interfering with their metabolism.

[0041] The term “solution” as used herein is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts. Such term in relation to pharmaceutical solutions or other solutions in general, is intended to encompass a product comprising the active ingredient(s) and the inert ingredient(s) that make up the carrier, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination, complexation or aggregation of any two or more of the ingredients, or from dissociation of one or more of the ingredients, or from other types of reactions or interactions of one or more of the ingredients. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical solutions or other solutions in general of the present disclosure encompass any composition made by admixing a compound of the present disclosure and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. By “pharmaceutically acceptable” or “acceptable” it is meant the carrier, diluent or excipient must be compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.

[0042] As used herein, the terms “mist”, and “disinfection mist” are intended to encompass a cloud of tiny droplets of a disinfection solution, the cloud may be suspended or flowing in the air of a closed or an open environment.

[0043] As used herein, the terms “flows freely” and “free-flowing” are intended to encompass with respect to the mist generated within the chamber, that the mist is able to move without anything stopping it, in a continuous and natural way, so that it may interact with the object to be disinfected.

[0044] As used herein, the term “pathogen” is intended to mean biological pathogen, such as disease causative agents including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and bacterial spores that are responsible for a plethora of human and animal ills, as well as contamination of food and biological and environmental samples.

[0045] As used herein, the terms “residue” or “fluid residue” are intended to encompass the small amount of the disinfection solution that remains from the disinfection mist on the surface of the object treated after the object has exited the disinfection system.

[0046] As used herein, the term “microdroplet(s)” is intended to encompass droplets of the disinfection mist formed from the disinfection solution, having size in the microscopic (10^-6 m) range.

[0047] As used herein, the term “uniformly” is intended to mean that there is, approximately equal space between each (or in equal amounts) particle of the fluid residue; distributing it evenly over the surface being disinfected. In addition, the mist being flowing freely and evenly distributed within the chamber, the mist contacts all accessible surfaces of the object in a uniform manner.

[0048] Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

[0050] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a disinfection system with an open loading door, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0051] Fig. 2 depicts a front view of the disinfection system of Fig. 1 without a front panel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0052] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of a chamber of the disinfection system of Fig. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0053] Fig. 4A depicts a perspective bottom view of a tub of the chamber of Fig. 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0054] Fig. 4B depicts a perspective top view of a tub of the chamber of Fig. 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0055] Fig. 4C depicts a top view of a grid of the chamber of Fig. 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0056] Fig. 5A depicts a portion of the disinfection system of Fig. 1 illustrating a location and sealing arrangement of the loading door, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0057] Fig. 5B depicts a partial top view of the portion of the disinfection system of Fig. 5A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0058] Fig. 6 illustrates a portion of the disinfection system of Fig. 1 with a rod, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0059] Fig. 7A depicts a front perspective view of an attachment of the hydraulic cylinder to the door, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0060] Fig. 7B depicts a back perspective view, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0061] Fig. 7C depicts a front perspective view of a security sensor for a loading door of the disinfection system of Fig. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0062] Fig. 7D depicts a back perspective view of the security sensor of Fig. 7C, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0063] Fig. 8A depicts a perspective view of a disinfection system in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0064] Fig. 8B depicts a perspective view of the disinfection system of Fig. 1 illustrating a conveyor therein;

[0065] Fig. 9 depicts a front view of the disinfection system of Fig. 8B illustrating a misting system therein, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0066] Fig. 10A depicts a partial top view of the conveyor of the disinfecting system of Fig. 8B, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0067] Fig. 10B depicts a partial side perspective view of a portion of the disinfecting system of Fig. 8B, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0068] Fig. 11 schematically illustrates a front view of a misting system of the disinfecting system of Fig. 8B, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0069] Fig. 12A depicts a perspective front view of a mist generator of the disinfecting system of Fig. 8B, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0070] Fig. 12A depicts a perspective back view of the mist generator of Fig. 12A, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0071] Fig. 13 depicts a partial perspective front view of the mist generator of Fig. 12A, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0072] Fig. 14 depicts a partial view of the mist generator of Fig. 12A illustrating a floating ultrasound element, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; [0073] Fig. 15A depicts a sectional view of the mist generator of Fig. 12A, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0074] Fig. 15B depicts another sectional view of the mist generator of Fig. 12A, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0075] Fig. 15C schematically depicts a position of a floating ultrasound element with respect to a disinfecting solution level in the mist generator of Fig. 12, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure

[0076] Fig. 16 illustrates a configuration of the piping system and the conveyor’s mechanical shaft of the disinfection system of Fig. 8B, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0077] Fig. 17A illustrates a configuration of the piping system of the disinfection system of

Fig. 1 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0078] Fig. 17B illustrates the configuration of the piping system of the disinfection system of

Fig. 1 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0079] Fig. 18 illustrates a controller of the disinfection systems of Fig. 1 and Fig. 8B, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0080] Fig. 19 illustrates a partial view of the disinfection system of Fig. 1 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0081] Fig. 20A illustrates a partial view of another embodiment of the disinfection system, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0082] Fig. 20B illustrates a partial view of another embodiment of the disinfection system, having a disinfecting carpet, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0083] Fig. 20C illustrates a mobile disinfecting system, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0084] Fig. 21 depicts a method for disinfecting a surface of an object from a pathogen, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] Various aspects of the present disclosure generally address one or more problems of disinfecting objects and their surfaces from various pathogens. The pathogen may be biological pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and bacterial spores. The virus may be a coronavirus. The various may be, for example, SARS-CoV-2.

[0086] The present description provides apparatuses, systems, and methods for disinfecting the objects.

[0087] Referring now to Figs. 1-3, there is shown a disinfection system 100 comprises a chamber 110 and a misting system 120 configured to provide a mist to the chamber 110 and to control the flow of the mist within the chamber 110. The chamber 110 is supported by a support rack 112 which hosts a controller 115, a mist generator 122 and a ventilator 125.

[0088] The disinfection system 100 also comprises a platform 130 located within the chamber

110. The platform 130 is configured to receive an object 135 to be disinfected.

[0089] The chamber depicted in Fig. 3 has a tub 133, a chamber housing 117 and a platform

130. The platform may be located between the tub 133 and the chamber housing 117. Alternatively, the platform 130 may be located inside the tub 133.

[0090] A piping system 127 of the misting system 120 is located in the tub 133 of the chamber

110. The tub 133 of the chamber 110 is configured to fit into the support rack 112. The tub 133 is depicted in Figs. 4A and 4B. The tub has a tub piping opening 136 for the piping system 127 and a tub ventilator opening 137 for the ventilator 125, so that the mist may be delivered to and evacuated from the chamber 110. The tub also has a tub door recess 138 that allows the door to slide through. Fig. 4C depicts a grid of the chamber of Fig. 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the grid may have openings of 2.5 cm by 1.25 cm (i.e. T by ½’.)

[0091] The chamber 110 has at least one loading entry 140 which can be closed for a predetermined period of time to keep the mist inside the chamber 110. In some embodiments, the chamber 110 may be sealed for a pre-determined period of time in order to allow the mist to flow freely within the chamber and to deposit microdroplets of the mist on the surface of the object.

[0092] In operation, the misting system 120 generates the mist and delivers the mist to the chamber 110. The mist is generated from a disinfecting solution as described herein. The mist has microdroplets that, when deposited on a surface of the object 135, can disinfect the surface from various pathogens.

[0093] When the microdroplets of the mist are deposited on the surface of the object 135, the surface of the object 135 becomes disinfected due to the contact with the microdroplets. Depending on the disinfectant being used to produce the mist, the surfaces of the objects 135 may be disinfected from various pathogens, such as, for example, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and bacterial spores.

[0094] The effectiveness of the disinfection depends on various factors, including the velocity of the flow of the mist in the chamber 110, the concentration of the disinfectant molecules in the microdroplets of the mist, and the time of the exposure of the objects 135 to the mist.

[0095] In the embodiment depicted in Figs. 1-3, the platform 130 is immovable. Such embodiment of the disinfection system with an immovable platform 130 is also referred to herein as a standstill system 100.

[0096] For example, the platform 130 of the standstill system 100 may be a grid. Apertures of the grid may be small enough not to allow small objects 135 to fall through, while, at the same time, permitting the mist to pass through the apertures to reach the chamber housing 117.

[0097] Fig. 3 depicts the chamber 110 of the standstill system 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the chamber 110 has one loading entry 140. Referring also to Figs. 1 , 5A, and 5B, the loading entry 140 may be closed, for example, using a loading door 142 located behind the front panel 144.

[0098] In some embodiments, the loading entry 140 may be sealed to minimize the propagation of the mist outside of the chamber. Figs. 5A and 5B depict portions of the loading door and the front panel 144, depicting the sealing arrangement 145 that permits to minimize the propagation of the mist outside of the chamber 110 when the loading door 142 is closed.

[0099] To disinfect surfaces of an object, the object 135 is first deposited into the chamber by a user. For example, the objects 135 may be deposited on a platform 130 and/or a shelf 147 (see Fig. 2) located within the chamber 110. The objects may be also hung using a rod 149 that may be, for example, attached to a roof of the chamber 110. Prior to be placed into the chamber 110, the objects 135 may be collected in a basket or a tray (not shown), and then the basket or the tray with the objects may be deposited into the chamber 110. The baskets or trays may be perforated or solid.

[00100] The loading entry 140 of the chamber 110 may close with the loading door 142. In some embodiments, the loading door 142 may be closed from the bottom up to the top of the loading entry 140. Such closure from the bottom up may prevent undesired accidents that may occur when the loading door 142 closes from the top. The loading door 142 may be a screen, a shield and a shade, a door, a transparent polycarbonate screen, and the likes. [00101] The loading door 142 may be displaced between an open position and closed position by an electric linear actuator depicted attached to the door on the side facing the center of the chamber 110. Fig. 1 depicts the standstill system 100 with the loading door 142 in an open position. The loading door 142 may start closing in response to detection of a motion next to an activation sensor 150 depicted in Fig. 1.

[00102] Figs. 7A and 7B depict attachment of the hydraulic cylinder 710 to the door, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00103] Figs. 7C and 7D depicts a security sensor 720 configured to stop moving the loading door 142 if a hand or another body part is detected in proximity to the loading door 142 when the loading door 142 is in the process of being closed.

[00104] Referring back to Figs. 1-3, the piping system 127 may be located in the tub 133, while the objects 135 for disinfection may be located in the chamber housing 117. In such embodiments, the piping system 127 is located under the platform 130 in the chamber 110, and the platform 130 is configured to allow the flow of the disinfecting mist from the piping system 127 towards the objects located on the platform 130.

[00105] In the standstill system 100, the chamber 110, along with the piping system 127, may be dismantled from the support rack 112. The chamber 110 and the piping system 127 may be thus relocated separately from the support rack 112, and the apparatuses that are located in the support rack 112, such as the controller 115, the mist generator 122, and the ventilator 125. For example, the chamber 110 and the support rack 112 may have slots for moving straps, and the chamber may have support legs for displacing separately from the support rack 112.

[00106] The platform 130 comprises a plurality of platform openings configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely within the chamber. In some embodiments, the platform 130 is a grid operable to allow the free flow of the disinfecting mist.

[00107] The piping system is located under the platform 130 but inside the tub 133, and the platform 130 allows the free flow of the disinfecting mist from the portion of the tub 133, where the piping system is located, to the chamber housing 117.

[00108] Figs. 8A-10 depict a disinfection system 800, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8A depicts the disinfection system 800 with the front panel closed, while Fig. 8B depicts the disinfection system 800 with a transparent front panel from another side. In the disinfection system 800, the platform is movable and such embodiment of the disinfection system 800 is referred to herein as a “conveyor system 800”.

[00109] The platform in the conveyor system 800 is configured to displace the object 135 within the chamber 810. For example, the platform in the conveyor system 800 may be implemented as a conveyor 830 configured to move the objects 135 inside the chamber 810 from one point to another while the mist flows within the chamber 810.

[00110] The chamber of the conveyor system 800 forms a disinfection chamber tunnel 805 and has a chamber entry 801 and a chamber exit 802. For example, the conveyor 830 may move the objects 135 from the chamber entry 801 to the chamber exit 802. The chamber entry 801 has an entry closure 841 and the chamber exit 802 has an exit closure 842. The conveyor 830 is operable to receive and to carry the object 135 to be disinfected from the chamber entry 801 to the chamber exit 802 through the chamber tunnel 805.

[00111] The entry closure 841 and the exit closure 842 may each comprise one or more closing elements 841a, 841b, 842a, 842b. For example, one or more closing elements may be a door, a curtain, a blind, a veil, a drape, a screen, a shield, or a combination thereof. The entry closure 841 may comprise an external entry closure 841a and an internal entry closure 841b, and the exit closure 842 may comprise an external exit closure 842a and an internal exit closure 842b.

[00112] The embodiment depicted in Fig. 8B has 2 curtains at the entrance of the chamber 810 and 2 curtains at the exit of the chamber 810. The combination of the entrance curtains 841 and the exit curtains 842 provide a closed space or a partially closed space within the chamber 810 in order to at least partially enclose the disinfecting mist inside the chamber 810. At least for a limited time period, the closing elements 841 , 842 provide a closed space within the chamber 810. In some embodiments, such limited time period may be between about 5 seconds and 35 seconds. The total duration of disinfection in the chamber 810 may be different from the limited time period when the closing elements 841 , 842 provide a closed space within the chamber 810. For example, the total duration of disinfection in the chamber 810 may be longer than the limited time period when the closing elements 841 , 842 provide a closed space within the chamber 810.

[00113] Such conveyor system 800 permits continuous disinfection without any need of manipulation by users in order to restart the operation of the conveyor system 800 for newly added objects 135. The conveyor system 800 may be used in shops, shopping centers, airports, or any other places where fast disinfection of objects 135 may be needed. The conveyor system 800 may permit disinfection of higher volume of the objects 135. For disinfecting of the higher volume of the objects 135, and to improve the disinfection quality, longer chamber 810 with corresponding conveyor 830 may be used.

[00114] The chamber 810 in the conveyor system 800 may comprise a tub 833 and a housing 837. The piping system 927 may be located in the tub 833, while the objects 135 for disinfection may be located on the conveyor 830 within the housing 837.

[00115] The standstill system 100 may be used in schools, day cares, hospitals, businesses, or other environments where the available space is limited. The controller 115 described herein permits controlling the time period (duration) of application of the mist on the objects 135 and therefore the quality of disinfection.

[00116] The size of the chamber 110, 810 may vary depending on the application. For example, the chamber 110 when used in the standstill system, may have a length between about 0.5 meters and 3 meters. The chamber 110 may have a width of between about 0.5 and 2 meters. The chamber 110 may have a length of less than 1 .5 meters.

[00117] It should be understood that, when referred to herein, the length of a chamber 110, 810 is longer or equal to the width of the same chamber.

[00118] The chamber 810 when used in the conveyor system 800 may have a length of between about 1 and about 6 meters, a height of between about 0.5 and about 2 meters and a width of between about 0.5 and about 2 meters.

[00119] The conveyor 830 operable to carry objects 135 to be disinfected may be a roller conveyor comprising a plurality of actuated rollers configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely within the chamber. The rollers may have any suitable shape, and the size of the roller may be any suitable size, as long as the free flow of the mist is maintained through the rollers into the chamber 810.

[00120] For example, the rollers 851 may be mini rollers sufficiently spaced apart to permit a free flow of the disinfecting mist, as illustrated in Figs 10A-10B. According to another embodiment, the roller 851 may be sleeved to replace the sleeve when the condition requires such replacement, such as after being worn out or being dirty. According to an embodiment, the actuated rollers may be independently actuated. For example, the rollers may be configured with elastics and sleeves to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely within the chamber. [00121] The conveyor 830 may be a skatewheel conveyor comprising a plurality of actuated wheels configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely within the chamber. According to an embodiment, the actuated wheels may be independently actuated.

[00122] The conveyor 830 may be a belt conveyor comprising a plurality of conveyor openings configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely within the chamber 810. The belt of the belt conveyor may be made of a fabric, such as nylon or other suitable synthetic fabrics, or it may be made of a metal or metallic materials. The conveyor openings may be spaced between about 1 centimeter (cm) and about 15 cm.

[00123] The conveyor 830 may be an overhead conveyor configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely within the chamber 810. In another embodiment, the conveyor 830 may be an air-lift conveyor configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely within the chamber 810.

[00124] In at least one embodiment, an electric motor 855 is used to power the conveyor system

800.

[00125] Fig. 10B depicts an attachment of the electric motor 855 to the conveyor operated by a mechanical shaft 857. Tension of an O-ring allows sleeve to adhere to the mechanical shaft 857. The electric motor 855 may be connected to the controller 115 which may control the movement speed of the conveyor 830. Thus, the controller 115 may control the speed of movement of the object 135 on the conveyor 830 in order to provide the desired exposure of the object 135 to the mist inside the chamber 810.

[00126] The conveyor 830 may be operated at a speed of from about 0.2 m/s to about 2 m/s in order to provide a fluid residue of microdroplets uniformly over the surface(s) of the object 135 being treated, depending on the size of the objects 135 and the length of the chamber 810 used.

[00127] The walls of the chamber 810 may be made, for example, partially or fully from a transparent material, such as a plexiglass.

[00128] Fig. 11 depicts the misting system 120, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The misting system 120 comprises a mist generator 122, a ventilator 125, and a piping system 127.

[00129] The mist generator 122 is configured to generate a disinfecting mist from the disinfecting solution and provide the mist, through the mist generator outlet 1110 to the piping system 127. Referring also to Figs. 1 and 8, the piping system may be located in a chamber 110, 810. The configuration of the misting system 120 and the control of the operation of the misting system 120 cause the disinfecting mist to flow freely within the chamber 110, 810. Some configurations of the misting system 120 and operation control may cause the mist to deposit uniformly on the objects 135 in the chamber 110, 810.

[00130] The misting system comprises a mist generator 122 to generate the mist.

[00131] Figs. 12A-14 depict various views of the mist generator 122, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The mist generator 122 comprises a reservoir 1201 for disinfecting solution which has 3 floating ultrasound elements 1210.

[00132] Each one of the floating ultrasound elements 1210 is configured to float on a surface of the disinfecting solution when the reservoir 1201 is filled with the disinfecting solution. Each one of the floating ultrasound elements 1210 has an ultrasound element 1212. Each one of the floating ultrasound elements 1210 is configured to float on a surface or in proximity to the surface of the disinfecting solution and to contact the disinfecting solution to generate the mist upon operation of the mist generator. The ultrasound element 1212 also contacts the disinfecting solution. For example, the ultrasound element 1212 may float in about 0.5 cm to about 10 cm beneath the surface of the disinfecting solution. For example, the ultrasound element 1212 may be at least partially submerged into the disinfecting solution and float at about 2.5 cm beneath the surface of the disinfecting solution.

[00133] Fig. 15C schematically depicts a position of the floating ultrasound element with respect to a disinfecting solution level 1510 in the mist generator 122, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00134] Each floating ultrasound element 1210 floats in proximity to the surface of the disinfecting solution and therefore follows the vertical changes of the level of the disinfecting solution due to floaters 1215 attached to the ultrasound element. Due to the floaters 1215, the floating ultrasound elements 1210 are always located on the surface of the disinfecting solution. In at least one embodiment, one or more floaters maintain the floating ultrasound element(s) afloat on the surface of the disinfecting solution.

[00135] Each floating ultrasound element 1210 depicted in Fig. 14 has two floaters 1215 embracing two opposite sides of the rectangular ultrasound element 1212. The floaters may provide gaps 1217 between the floaters on two sides of the floating ultrasound element 1210. In other terms, the ultrasound element 1212 is at least partially exposed to the disinfecting solution. In some embodiments, the floating ultrasound element 1210 has at least two floaters located on opposite sides of an ultrasound element. In some embodiments, at least one portion of the ultrasound element’s surface, which is positioned perpendicular to the surface of the disinfecting solution, is exposed to the disinfecting solution. Such configuration of the floating ultrasound element 1210 may permit the floating ultrasound element 1210 to float on the surface of the disinfecting solution and simultaneously generate the mist from the disinfecting solution. In some embodiments, the floater may surround the ultrasound element 1212 from all sides that are perpendicular to the level of the disinfecting solution.

[00136] For example, the floaters 1215 may be made of polyurethane (PU) and covered with rubber. Other materials that may permit to keep the ultrasound element 1212 afloat may be used. For example, the floaters may be made of polystyrene (PS). For example, the floaters may be made of a foam. To cover the floaters 1215, various materials may be used such as, for example, plastics. Floaters 1215 may be covered with, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonates (PC), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), rubber, etc.

[00137] Each one of the ultrasound elements 1212 is connected to a corresponding power supply 1220 located on the external wall 1222 of the reservoir 1201. The power supplies 1220 of the ultrasound elements 1212 are connected to the controller 115 that operates the power supplies 1220 and can start, stop, or adjust the operation of the ultrasound elements 1212.

[00138] In operation, each one of the three ultrasound elements 1212 may generate the mist at a speed of approximately 7 L/h. All three ultrasound elements 1212 may generate the mist at a speed of approximately 21 L/h.

[00139] It should be understood that the number of the ultrasound elements 1212 in the reservoir 1201 and the speed of the generation of the mist may be adjusted depending on the size of the chamber 110, 810 and/or the flow rate of the mist that needs to be generated for disinfection.

[00140] The quantity and the power of the ultrasound elements 1212 is important to generate the mist and to uniformly distribute the mist in the chamber 110, 810. For example, one ultrasound element may consume 7 L/h disinfection solution to generate the disinfecting mist. Therefore, the mist generator 122 needs to have sufficient quantity of ultrasound elements 1212 to obtain the desired flow of the mist of between about 12L/h and about 32 L/h.

[00141] The ventilator 1205 (axial fan) may generate between approximately 50 CFM and 300 CFM. For example, the ventilator 1205 may generate between 201 CFM and 236 CFM. The diameter of the mist generator outlet 1110 may be, for example, 8”. [00142] For example, the volume of the disinfecting solution in the mist generator 122 may be

0.0849 m³, the volume of air in the mist generator 122 may be 0.0366 m³, the total volume of the mist generator 122 may be 0.1215 m³ The distance between the level of the disinfecting solution and the roof may be 4’.

[00143] The mist generator 122 also has a funnel 1205 for bringing the disinfecting solution into the reservoir 1201. In some embodiments, the disinfecting solution may be filled in externally through the funnel 1205. In other embodiments, the reservoir 1201 receives the disinfecting solution from a solution mixer located outside of the mist generator 122. The solution mixer may receive water and the disinfectant separately and generate the disinfecting solution.

[00144] Referring to Fig. 15A, the reservoir 1201 further comprises a filling float sensor 1505 that is configured to sense the level of the disinfecting solution in the reservoir 1201 and provide the data to the controller 115 (depicted in Fig. 11), so that the controller 115 can alert the user when the level is low.

[00145] Referring again to Figs. 13-15B, the reservoir 1201 also has anti-wave walls 1235 installed between each of the two adjacent floating ultrasound elements 1210. The anti-wave walls 1235 form ultrasound sections 1237 of the reservoir 1201 , each ultrasound section 1237 having one floating ultrasound element 1210 therein.

[00146] The anti-wave walls 1235 serve to prevent or minimize the lateral displacement of the floating ultrasound elements 1210. At the same time, the anti-wave walls 1235 permit the disinfection solution and the mist to propagate freely from one ultrasound section 1237 to another ultrasound section 1237.

[00147] To allow the propagation of the disinfection solution and the mist, each anti-wave wall 1235, located in between two floating ultrasound elements 1210 has at least one slot 1240 oriented approximately parallel to the level of the disinfecting solution in the reservoir 1201. For example, each anti-wave wall 1235 may have two parallel slots 1240 as depicted in Figs. 13-15A.

[00148] Each one of the slots may have approximately the same length as the length of the ultrasound element 1212 but shorterthan the length of the floating ultrasound element 1210. Each one of the slots may have approximately the same height as the height of the ultrasound element 1212 but shorterthan the height of the floating ultrasound element 1210. The floaters 1215 and their attachment to the ultrasound elements 1212 are such that the floating ultrasound elements 1210 cannot pass through the slots 1240 and therefore cannot leave their respective ultrasound sections 1237, thus restricting the lateral displacement of the floating ultrasound elements 1210. The slots are configured to permit propagation of the disinfecting solution and the mist between the ultrasound sections 1237 while restricting the lateral displacement of the floating ultrasound elements 1210. The floating ultrasound elements 1210 follow the level of the surface of the disinfecting solution when the is being used due to the mist generation, but remain restricted laterally within their respective ultrasound sections 1237.

[00149] The anti-wave walls 1235 are connected to a common wall 1242 which may or may not have slots. The common wall 1242 is also configured to restrict the displacement of the floating ultrasound elements 1210 and to prevent the floating ultrasound elements 1210 from touching sensors located behind the common wall 1242.

[00150] The number of the anti-wave walls 1235 may depend on the number of the floating ultrasound elements 1210.

[00151] The reservoir 1201 has a fan 1250 located above a level of the disinfecting solution in the reservoir 1201. The fan 1250 may be located in a reservoir roof 1252 of the reservoir 1201 and configured to build a pressure inside the mist generator 122. By building the pressure inside the mist generator 122, the fan 1250 helps to move the mist outside of the reservoir 1201 .

[00152] According to different embodiments of the disinfection system 100, 800 of the present disclosure, the mist generator 122 may be implemented depending on the volume of the chamber to be used, and the desired rate (speed) of treatment of objects 135 therein. In some embodiments, the mist generator 122 may be a humidifier or an ultrasonic humidifier.

[00153] The dimensions of the chamber 110, 810 define the volume of the chamber 110, 810, and may depend on the application of the disinfection systems 100, 800. The mist generator 122 may be able to provide disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 3L/h to about 48L/h, for example. Such mist generator 122 may be also configured to provide/treat air volumes of from about 350 m³/h to about 900 m³/h. In embodiments, the disinfection system 100, 800 may be used in temperature conditions of between about 0°C and about 40°C.

[00154] The misting system 120 as described herein provides a disinfecting mist having a droplet size (also can referred to as particle size of microdroplets of the disinfecting mist) of from about 1 pm to about 10 pm, or from about 1 pm to about 5 pm, or about 1 pm to about 3 pm. This droplet size may provide a uniform distribution of the fluid residue of microdroplets over the surface(s) of the object 135 that is being treated. [00155] The mist generator 122 as described herein may provide a particle density in the disinfecting mist of between about 0.05 g/m³and about 0.5 g/m³.

[00156] In some embodiments as described herein, the misting system 120 provides the disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 1 liter per hour (L/h) to about 25 L/h. In some embodiments, the misting system 120 provides the disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 9 L/h to about 25 L/h. In some embodiments, the misting system 120 provides the disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 9 L/h.

[00157] In at least one embodiment, the misting system 120 provides the disinfecting mist at a rate of approximately 21 L/h. Surprisingly, such rate of mist delivery to the chamber 110, 810 may provide a fluid residue of microdroplets distributed uniformly over the surface(s) of the object 135 that are being treated.

[00158] According to an embodiment, the disinfection system 100, 800 may provide the disinfecting mist from the bottom to the top of the chamber 110, 810. According to another embodiment, the disinfection system 100, 800 may provide the disinfecting mist from the top to the bottom of the chamber 110, 810. According to another embodiment, the disinfection system 100, 800 may provide the disinfecting mist from a left side, a right side, or both, of the chamber 110, 810.

[00159] According to another embodiment, the disinfection system 100, 800 may provide the disinfecting mist with pulsed air. The pulsed air may be obtained with the fan 1250 located in the mist generator 122. Such fan may be located on the roof 1252 of the mist generator, or elsewhere in the mist generator 122 above the level of the disinfecting liquid.

[00160] Referring again to Fig. 11 , the misting system 120 also comprises a piping system 127.

In the disinfection system 100, 800, the piping system 127 is located within the chamber 110, 810 and is configured to provide the disinfecting mist from the mist generator 122 to the chamber 110, 810.

[00161] The piping system 127 may be located under the platform 130 as shown in Fig. 1 , or under the conveyor 830. The piping system 127 may comprise at least one pipe 927 (see Fig. 9) extending parallel to the longer side of the chamber 110, 810 (also referred to herein as a “longitudinal side of the chamber”), or a at least one pipe extending perpendicular to the longer side of the chamber 110, 810, or a combination thereof.

[00162] Fig. 16 depicts a pipe 927 of the piping system 127, in accordance with at least one embodiment. The piping system 127 has a plurality of pipe outlets 1601 for providing exit for the disinfecting mist from the piping system to the chamber 110, 810. [00163] According to embodiments, the piping system 127 may comprise one or more pipes. The pipe(s) may be parallel to one of the sides of the chamber 110, 810. Each pipe of the piping system 127 comprises a plurality of pipe outlets 1601 for providing exit to the disinfecting mist.

[00164] In the conveyor system 800, the piping system 127 may comprise one pipe 927 positioned along the longer side of the chamber 810 and operatively connected to the mist generator 122 via a mist generator outlet 1110, as depicted in Fig. 11 . Depending on the width of the chamber 810 in the conveyor system 800, the piping system 127 may have other pipe arms that are connected to the mist generator outlet.

[00165] In some embodiments, the misting system 120 may comprise a plurality of pipes parallel or perpendicular to the longer side of the chamber 110, 810, while each pipe has pipe outlets 1601 for providing exit to the disinfecting mist into the chamber 110, 810.

[00166] In the standstill system, the piping system 127 has a plurality of pipe arms extending from one common pipe inlet 1115. The common pipe inlet 1115 is operatively connected to the mist generator outlet 1110. The piping system 127 may be also referred to as a manifold.

[00167] Referring also to Figs. 17A-17B, each pipe arm of the plurality of pipe arms 1620 has a plurality of pipe outlets 1601 configured to deliver the mist to the chamber 110 from the piping system 127 to distribute the mist uniformly in the chamber 110. Various configurations of the pipe arms 1620 in the piping system 127 may be implemented.

[00168] In the configuration depicted in Figs. 17A-17B, the common pipe inlet 1115 is located in a central portion of the chamber 110, four corner pipe arms 1620 extend towards four corners of the chamber, and two traverse pipe arms 1622 extend approximately perpendicular to the longer sides of the chamber 110 towards the two longer sides of the chamber 110. Such configuration of the pipe arms 1620, 1622 permits a uniform distribution of the mist within the chamber 110. Such configuration of the piping system 127 permits to obtain a uniform distribution of the mist in the chamber 110 during the operation of the misting system 120. This permits to have a uniform distribution of the fluid residue and microdroplets of the mist on the surface of the object 135.

[00169] In the standstill system 100, the mist is delivered from the piping system towards the top of the chamber 110. In other terms, the mist is delivered from the bottom up to the top of the chamber 110.

[00170] Referring again to Figs. 17A-17B, the pipe arms 1620, 1622 are operatively connected to the common pipe inlet 1115 on one side and are closed on the other side. In the standstill system 100, the pipe outlets 1601 in the pipe arms 1620, 1622 are located on the top of the piping system 127 to provide the flow of the mist toward the top of the chamber 110.

[00171] The pipe outlets 1601 may have a diameter of about 1 to about 3 cm and may be spaced apart from about 5 cm to about 20 cm to provide the free-flowing of the disinfecting mist in the chamber 110. Each pipe outlet 1601 may also have any suitable shape, such as round or slot shaped, for example.

[00172] The distance between the pipe outlets 1601 and the diameter of the pipe outlets 1601 in the piping system 127 may be determined based on the equations of the flow of fluids in manifolds. The size of the pipe outlets 1601 needs to be determined such that the chamber 110 is filled uniformly with the mist. For example, the pipe outlets 1601 may have diameter of 0.5 cm to 25 cm, and a distance between two neighboring pipe outlets 1601 may be between 0.5 cm and 2 m.

[00173] The disinfecting mist flows freely within the chamber 110, 810. Microdroplets of the mist contact the surfaces of the objects 135 are deposited thereon. Thus, the mist leaves fluid residue of microdroplets distributed over the surface of the object 135. The fluid residue may be distributed uniformly on the surfaces of the objects. This permits to disinfect the object placed in the chamber 110, 810.

[00174] Surprisingly, the fluid residue is minimal and does not comprise large droplets or drops of fluid drenching the surface or surfaces of the object(s) treated. The fluid residues remain in contact with the surface and eventually the water content evaporates and leaves the active ingredient of the disinfection solution on the surface. Unexpectedly, the use of a mist to apply the disinfecting solution in a highly regular and controlled manner results in the uniform treatment of three-dimensional objects, as long as the surfaces are accessible to the open air through which the mist is travelling within the chamber.

[00175] The fluid residue deposits on various surfaces, including uneven and textured surfaces, entering the slots and depositing in the cracks. Surprisingly, the objects are coated with the fluid residue leaving no spots on the surface without the fluid residue. In other terms, the fluid residue encapsulates the objects.

[00176] Using the ultrasound elements to generate the mist allows to obtain a disinfecting mist at a room temperature. Thus, many objects, including the electronic objects such as smart phones and tablets may be disinfected using the system as described herein. Moreover, the microdroplets of the mist as described herein contains limited amount of water such that the electronic devices are not damaged when disinfected using the system described herein.

[00177] According to another embodiment, the misting system 120 may provide the disinfecting mist through a nozzle system. In some embodiments, the nozzle system may be controlled by the controller 115 such that the amount of and a speed of the mist that exits the misting system 120 is variable and controllable.

[00178] In some embodiments, the piping system 127 may also have a nozzle system attached thereto for a controlled delivery of the mist to the chamber from the piping system 127.

[00179] A ventilator 125 is configured to maintain a flow of the mist within the chamber to deposit microdroplets of the mist on the surface of the object to disinfect the surface of the object 135.

[00180] Ventilator 125 and the ventilator mounting structure 126 strengthen the system. The ventilator 125 may be an axial ventilator. For example, the ventilator 125 may provide about 720 cubic feet per meter (CFM; 1 CFM = 1 ,699 m³/h) for the air exchange within the chamber 110, 810. The ventilator 125 also has a check valve and an anti-overflow basin. The check valve permits to control the direction of the airflow away from the chamber 110, 810.

[00181] The ventilator 125 generates turbulence within the chamber 110, 810 which permits the microdroplets to deposit on the surfaces of the objects 135 within the chamber 110, 810. The ventilator 125 also permits to evacuate the mist and therefore dry out the chamber 110, 810. The ventilator 125 may be an axial fan capable to move between about 50 cubic feet per meter (CFM) and about 300 (CFM).

[00182] The system also has a controller 115. The controller 115 may be located at the lower portion of the system 100, 800 and operably connected to the misting system 120 and the ventilator 125. The controller 115 is configured to control the operation of the misting system 120 and the ventilator 125 to maintain a pre-determined velocity of the flow of the mist within the chamber 110, 810. For example, the velocity of the flow of the mist within the chamber 110, 810 may be maintained constant.

[00183] Fig. 18 depicts a block diagram of the controller 115 connected through the internet or a Bluetooth to external computer devices, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The controller 115 comprises a power supply, a processor and a memory. The processor may receive commands from the external computer device. For example, the controller may receive a requested level of disinfection. The processor may then use the data stored in the memory to adjust the operation of the system to obtain the requested level of disinfection. The controller 115 may then transmit commands to the mist generator 122 and the ventilator 125.

[00184] In the standstill system 100, the controller 115 may control the opening and closing of the loading door 142. In the conveyor system 800, the controller 115 may control the movement of the conveyor 830.

[00185] In some embodiments, the controller 115 may be connected to a external computer device computer which is operated by a user via an application. The controller 115 may be programmed wirelessly by an external computer device.

[00186] In some embodiments of the standstill and conveyor systems 100, 800, the controller

115 may start or stop the operation of the disinfection system based on whether there are objects 135 on the entrance tray or inside the chamber 110, 810. For this, weight sensors may be attached to the platform or the conveyor to periodically weight the objects 135.

[00187] In some embodiments, the controller 115 may be configured to optimize the level of liquid in the misting system 120. The desired humidity in the chamber may be between approximately 60% and approximately 100%. For example, the desired humidity in the chamber may be approximately 92%. For example, the desired humidity in the chamber may be approximately 100%. The controller 115 may determine what level of liquid and what temperature needs to be maintained.

[00188] The system may be operable wirelessly through a mobile application system, or through a wireless technology such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or radio frequency. The controller 115 may be wirelessly connected to an external computer device and controlled through the external computer device.

[00189] According to another embodiment, the system 100, 800 as disclosed herein may be configurable with multiple audio-visual features for indicating the status of its operability.

[00190] The system 100, 800 may also have humidity sensors and/or temperature sensors located in the chamber 110, 810. The humidity sensors and the temperature sensors may be connected to the controller 115.

[00191] The controller 115 may collect the date regarding the humidity and temperature and adjust the operation of the misting system 120 based on the data collected. The collected data may be stored in the memory. The collected data may be also displayed on a controller screen or may be transmitted to the external computing device and displayed therein. [00192] In embodiments, the misting system 120 may further comprise a dissolution unit 1150 for dissolution of disinfecting solution with a solvent, preferably water. The dissolution unit 1150 provides means to mix the disinfecting solution with, water, for example. The dissolution unit 1150 may dissolute the disinfecting solution with water to obtain the disinfecting solution. The dissolution unit 1150 may be operatively connected with the mist generator 122 to deliver the disinfecting solution to the mist generator inside the reservoir 1201.

[00193] To dissolute the disinfecting solution with water, the misting system 120 may also further comprise a proportioner 1152, operable to dispense the disinfecting solution and the water at a controlled ratio. For example, the disinfecting solution may be provided as a concentrate which is mixed in appropriate proportion with the solvent (e.g., water) to provide a working disinfection.

[00194] For example, the concentrated solution may be a 100x concentrate that may be mixed as one part with 99 parts of water. In embodiments, to this effect, the misting system 120 may further comprise a clean water tank (or a water inlet connected to a clean water source) and a pump to provide water.

[00195] According to another embodiment, the misting system 120 may also further comprise a used water tank to recuperate any disinfection solution which may not have been used during operation of the disinfection system.

[00196] The misting system 120 may have water level sensors for measuring the level of the water in this water tank. The water level sensors may be also connected to the controller. The controller 115 may provide a signal to alert the user of the level of water.

[00197] Similarly, the misting system 120 may have other liquid level sensors that are connected to the controller to alert the user of the level of the liquid (such as the level of the disinfectant).

[00198] Referring again to Fig. 2, in at least one embodiment, the disinfection system 100, 800 has an emergency stop button 155 that is configured to stop the operation of the disinfection system 100, 800, and, in particular, motion of any movable parts of the disinfection system 100, 800, as well as generation and distribution of the mist. For example, the emergency stop button 155 may be connected to the controller 115. The emergency stop button 155 may be part of an emergency stop system.

[00199] Referring to Fig. 6, the disinfection system 100, 800 may have a rod 149 or a rod system for hanging objects, such as clothes. The rod 149 may be parallel to the length of the chamber 110, 810 or perpendicular to the length of the chamber 110, 810. For example, a rod system may have a plurality of rods of various configurations. The rod 149 may be located in the upper portion of the chamber housing 117.

[00200] In some embodiments, a pipe with pipe outlets may be provided at the top portion of the housing of the chamber and may be used for both: delivering the mist to the chamber and for hanging the objects, such as, for example, clothes.

[00201] The system 100, 800 may also have a presence sensor (proximity sensor) located above the loading door. The presence sensor is configured to detect the presence of a person (or just a hand) in front of the loading door. The presence sensor may be connected to the controller. For example, it may stop the door from closing when it detects a hand close to the loading door of the chamber. Other sensors permitting to stop the operation of the disinfection system in case of a dangerous situation may be installed.

[00202] In at least one embodiment, the system 100, 800 also has an activation sensor to activate the system 100, 800, preferably a motion sensor and/or photosensitive sensor, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the activation sensor and the presence sensor may be implemented as one sensor.

[00203] Referring now to Fig. 19, the standstill system 100 may also have handles 1900 located in proximity of the corners of the support rack 112 for transporting the standstill system. Alternatively, the handles 1900 may be used to transport only the support rack 112 separately from the chamber 110. In at least one embodiment, the standstill system 100 may comprise at least one shelf support for one or more shelves 147 that may be located inside the chamber 110.

[00204] Referring now to Fig. 20A, the misting system 120 may have one or more additional misting outlets 1112. For example, the mist generator 122 may have additional misting outlets 1112. According to an embodiment, one or more additional misting outlets 1112 may be operably connected to an enclosed area 1120, schematically depicted in Fig. 20A. For example, the mist may be transmitted through the tubing system 1114 to the enclosed area 1120. For example, the tubing system 1114 may be connected to the additional misting outlet 1112 of the mist generator 122. Such enclosed area may be used for disinfection of large objects or people using a suitable disinfection solution. For example, large objects may be shopping carts.

[00205] External enclosed areas may include, but are not limited to, the interior of a motorized vehicle (such as cars, trucks, emergency vehicles such as fire trucks, ambulance, and police cars), the interior of a building (including rooms of any size), the interior of an airplane, the interior of a helicopter, the interior of a train, the interior of a boat, an interior of a ship, a room located within the building, airplane, train, boat or ship, a container, a closet, cabinets and drawers.

[00206] One of the additional misting outlets 1112 of the misting system may provide the mist to a disinfecting carpet 2020 depicted in Fig. 20B. The disinfecting carpet 2020 may comprise a plurality of carpet openings 2025 spaced apart between about 2 to about 10 centimeters, which are configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely from the bottom up. The disinfecting carpet may have a length between about 0.5 to about 6 meters, a width between about 0.5 to about 3 meters and a height between about 2 centimeters to about 40 centimeters, for example.

[00207] The disinfecting carpet 2020 may be connected to a lateral disinfection system 2030 allowing the disinfection of an object or a person travelling or walking on the disinfecting carpet 2020. For example, a lower leg portion of the person may be disinfected using such a disinfecting carpet 2020 and or the lateral disinfection apparatus. For example, the disinfection may be provided up to a height of about 2.5 meters. In embodiments, the lateral disinfection system may be operably connected to the disinfecting carpet 2020, and/or to misting system, for example.

[00208] In some embodiments, one mist generator 122 may operate both a disinfection system and the disinfecting carpet 2020. For example, the disinfecting carpet 2020 may be connected to the misting system 120 which also provides mist to the chamber 110. The plurality of carpet openings 2025 is configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely from the disinfecting carpet 2020 up towards an object or a person which is located on the disinfecting carpet 2020.

[00209] Referring again to Fig. 11 , in addition to the ventilator 125, the system may have an extractor connected to the misting system. The extractor may be used with the misting system when the misting system is used in an open-circuit environment, such as a room, or an unsealed chamber. The extractor may remove any excess mist away from the chamber after disinfecting the surface of the object. The extractor may break and destroy the mist, dry out the humidity and circulate the mist in a room to cause the microdroplets of the mist to fall on and settle on the objects and other surfaces in a room. The extractor may operate at about 200 CFM to about 2000 CFM, preferably between about 720 CFM and about 750 CFM.

[00210] In some embodiments, the system may have a carbon filter coupled with the chamber and further comprising an exterior outlet. The carbon filter may be installed at an exit of the ventilator 125. [00211] Referring now to Figs. 1-7, in operation of the standstill system 100, after the objects

135 have been deposited on the platform 130, the user passes with his/her hand in front of the activation sensor 150 or otherwise activates the standstill system 100. When the standstill system 100 is activated, the loading door 142 (Figs. 5A, 5B) closes from the bottom up. The mist generator 122 starts operating during the closure of the loading door 142 (for example, during approximately 4 seconds).

[00212] The mist, which is cold and dry, fills in the chamber 110 within approximately 10 seconds. The ventilator 125 starts operating while the mist is thick and evacuates the mist out of the chamber 110 (for example, during approximately 5 seconds) which causes turbulence and circulation of the mist in the chamber 110. This circulation of the mist in the chamber 110 causes the microdroplets of the mist to deposit on the objects 135. The ventilator 125 continues to evacuate the mist out of the chamber 110 during the opening of the loading door 142 (for example, during approximately 4 seconds). After the loading door 142 is open, the objects 135 may be picked up from the chamber 110.

[00213] Referring now to Figs. 8A-10B, in the operation of the conveyor system 800, the objects

135 are deposited on an entry tray 815. After waiting for a period of time while the objects 135 are displaced towards the exit tray 816 of the conveyor system 800, the objects may be picked up from the exit tray 816. For example, the period of time of the object being located in the chamber 810 may be approximately 17 seconds.

[00214] The misting system 120 of the conveyor system 800 may operate continuously, without any need to start or stop the operation because of the entrance and exit closings 841 , 842. The entrance and exit closings 841 , 842 permit having at least partially sealed chamber 810 to contain the mist generated by the misting system 120 located in the support rack 835 (Fig. 8B).

[00215] According to embodiments, there is provided a method of disinfecting an object. The method comprises treating an object 135 in a disinfection system 100, 800 as described herein.

[00216] Fig. 21 depicts a method 1000 for disinfecting a surface of an object from a pathogen, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00217] At step 1010, a disinfecting mist is generated from a disinfecting solution by operating a plurality of ultrasound elements. The disinfecting solution comprising a disinfectant capable to eliminate the pathogen.

[00218] At step 1020, a chamber is filled with the disinfecting mist for a first period of time. The chamber may be at least partially sealed. [00219] At step 1030, a turbulence of the disinfecting mist within the chamber is generated to force microdroplets of the disinfecting mist to deposit on the surface of an object to form a disinfecting coating on a surface of the object.

[00220] At step 1040, the disinfecting mist is evacuated from the chamber to evaporate the water portion of the disinfecting coating to leave the disinfectant on the surface of the object and to eliminate the pathogen on the surface of the object.

[00221] The temperature inside the chamber 110, 810 may be maintained at a room temperature. The chamber 110, 810 may be filled with the disinfecting mist by delivering the disinfecting mist through a piping system 127 located under a platform 130, 830 that bears the object 135. As described above, the platform 130, 830 may allow the free flow of the disinfecting mist therethrough. The disinfecting mist may be generated under ventilation.

[00222] In some embodiments, the disinfecting mist may have a particle size of from about 1 pm to about 10 pm. The misting system may provide the disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 1 liters per hour (L/h) to about 80 L/h. In some embodiments, the misting system may provide the disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 20 liters per hour (L/h) to about 25 L/h. The misting generator and the piping system as described herein is configured to fill in the chamber’s volume with the mist uniformly, that is, minimizing the volume of air pockets that do not have mist, which permits the microdroplets to deposit evenly on the surfaces of the objects and to form the disinfecting coating on the surfaces of the objects.

[00223] The disinfecting mist flows freely within the chamber 110, 810 to contact and disinfect a surface of the object 135 without leaving a fluid or a residue over the surface of the object 135 for a time sufficient to disinfect the object 135. Time sufficient to disinfect an object with the disinfecting mist may be between about 1 second and about 10 minutes. The time period of the mist flowing in the chamber 110, 810 may be between about 1 second and about 10 minutes. The time period of the mist flowing in the chamber 110, 810 may be between about 5 seconds and about 60 minutes. The time period of the mist flowing in the chamber 110, 810 may be between about 5 and about 25 seconds.

[00224] The object 135 may be left for treatment in the disinfection system 100, 800 for a time sufficient to disinfect said object. In at least one embodiment, the object 135 may be left for treatment in the disinfection system 100, 800, so that the object is in contact with the mist, for a period of time between about 1 second and about 10 minutes. For example, the object 135 may be left for treatment in the disinfection system 100, 800 for between about 5 seconds and about 35 seconds. [00225] According to another embodiment, the method of disinfecting of the present disclosure may also comprise disinfecting an external enclosed area, which comprises treating the enclosed area with a disinfecting mist from a disinfecting solution provided by the disinfection system.

[00226] According to an embodiment, the external enclosed area may be the interior of a motorized vehicle, the interior of a building, the interior of an airplane, the interior of a helicopter, the interior of a train, the interior of a boat, an interior of a ship, a room located within the building, airplane, train, boat or ship, a container, a closet, cabinets and drawers.

[00227] Referring now to Fig. 20C, the mist generator 122 as described herein may be used as a mobile mist generator 2040 which may be installed on a tray with wheels (such as, for example, a rolling tray). Such a mobile mist generator 2040 may be powered from batteries and used in rooms to obtain opaque mist. The mobile mist generator 2040 may further comprise a mobile controller for receiving data from various sensors located in the mist generator and controlling the mist generator. The mobile mist generator may have a mist delivery extension 2045 for delivering the mist outside of the mist generator. The mobile mist generator may also have a nozzle or a system of nozzles to deliver the mist outside of the mist generator.

[00228] The mist generator may also be used in ceiling structures. For example, the mist generator may have the mist delivery extension connected to a duct system located in the ceiling structure to fill in the room with the mist to disinfect the room’s surfaces and the objects located therein. For example, the duct system may have an orifice system or a nozzle system that may help to uniformly distribute the mist in the room. Such an embodiment of the mist generator may be controlled by a control unit (similar to the controller described herein) which may be operated wirelessly from a mobile device.

[00229] The systems and methods of the present disclosure use disinfecting solutions to generate the disinfecting mist. Suitable disinfection solutions include, but are not limited to, disinfecting formulation that are efficacious against bacterias, microbes, viruses, or other pathogens. Example of suitable formulations include artificial as well as natural disinfecting agents.

[00230] For example, suitable disinfecting agents may include quaternary ammonium cations, also known as “quats”, which are positively charged polyatomic ions of the structure N⁺R₄, R being an alkyl group or an aryl group. Unlike the ammonium ion (NH4⁺) and the primary, secondary, or tertiary ammonium cations, the quaternary ammonium cations are permanently charged, independent of the pH of their solution. Quaternary ammonium salts or quaternary ammonium compounds are salts of quaternary ammonium cations. Quaternary ammonium compounds have been shown to have antimicrobial activity. Certain quaternary ammonium compounds, especially those containing long alkyl chains, are used as antimicrobials and disinfectants. Examples are benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, methylbenzethonium chloride, cetalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, cetrimonium, cetrimide, dofanium chloride, tetraethylammonium bromide, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, domiphen bromide, di-Cs-io-alkyldimethyl chlorides, dimethyldioctylammonium chloride. Also good against fungi, amoebas, and enveloped viruses, quaternary ammonium compounds are believed to act by disrupting the cell membrane or viral envelope. Quaternary ammonium compounds are lethal to a wide variety of organisms except endospores, mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-enveloped viruses. Quaternary ammonium compounds are cationic detergents, as well as disinfectants, and as such may be used to remove organic material. Quaternary ammonium compounds may be used in combination with phenols. Quaternary ammonium compounds are deactivated by anionic detergents (including common soaps). Also, the quaternary ammonium compounds work best in soft waters. Effective levels may be at 200 ppm. The quaternary ammonium compounds may be effective at temperatures up to 100 °C.

[00231] Another example of disinfectant solutions that may be used in the misting system 120, includes alcohol-based disinfectant solutions, with or without other disinfectants of natural or artificial origin. For example, the alcohol-based disinfectant solutions may comprise such alcohols as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol. In at least one embodiment, the disinfectant solutions with ethyl alcohol and/or isopropyl alcohol may be used.

[00232] In another embodiment, the disinfectant solution may comprise one or more disinfectant of natural origin, such as phenolic compounds of natural origin. Examples include thymol and carvacrol which may be used with concentrations of about 0.01% to about 25% w/w.

[00233] While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A disinfection system for disinfecting a surface of an object from a pathogen, the disinfection system comprising: a chamber; a platform located within the chamber, the platform being configured to receive the object to be disinfected; a misting system comprising: a mist generator configured to generate a disinfecting mist from a disinfecting solution, and a piping system located within the chamber and configured to provide the disinfecting mist from the mist generator to the chamber; and a ventilator configured to maintain a flow of the disinfecting mist within the chamber to deposit microdroplets of the disinfecting mist on the surface of the object to disinfect the surface of the object.

2. The disinfection system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to control an operation of the misting system and the ventilator to maintain a pre-determined velocity of the flow of the disinfecting mist within the chamber.

3. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the mist generator comprises: a reservoir for the disinfecting solution and floating ultrasound elements located within the reservoir, each one of the floating ultrasound elements configured to float in the disinfecting solution and to contact the disinfecting solution to generate the disinfecting mist upon operation of the mist generator.

4. The disinfection system of claim 3, wherein the floating ultrasound element comprises a floater configured to maintain the floating ultrasound elements afloat in proximity to a surface of the disinfecting solution.

5. The disinfection system of claim 3, wherein the floating ultrasound element comprises two floaters located on opposite sides of an ultrasound element.

6. The disinfection system of claim 3, wherein the floating ultrasound elements has at least two floaters located on opposite sides of an ultrasound element.

7. The disinfection system of any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein at least a portion of an ultrasound element’s surface of the ultrasound element, positioned perpendicular to the surface of the disinfecting solution, is exposed to the disinfecting solution.

8. The disinfection system of any one of claims 3 to 7, further comprising an anti-wave wall located in between of each of two adjacent floating ultrasound elements.

9. The disinfection system of any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising an anti-wave wall located in between of each of two adjacent floating ultrasound elements and, wherein the anti-wave wall comprises a slot configured to permit propagation of the disinfecting solution and the disinfecting mist therethrough while restricting a lateral displacement of the floating ultrasound elements.

10. The disinfection system of claim 9, wherein the slot is smaller than the floating ultrasound element.

11. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a fan located above a level of the disinfecting solution in a reservoir and configured to ventilate the mist generator.

12. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the piping system comprises a plurality of pipe arms extending from one common pipe inlet, the common pipe inlet being operatively connected to the mist generator, and each pipe arm of the plurality of pipe arms having a plurality of pipe outlets configured to deliver the disinfecting mist to the chamber from the piping system to distribute the disinfecting mist uniformly in the chamber.

13. The disinfection system of claim 12, wherein the common pipe inlet is located in a central portion of the chamber.

14. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the piping system comprises at least one pipe extending parallel to a longitudinal side of the chamber, and comprising a plurality of pipe outlets for providing exit for the disinfecting mist into the chamber.

15. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the piping system is located under the platform in the chamber, wherein the platform is configured to allow a free flow of the disinfecting mist from the piping system towards the object located on the platform.

16. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the platform has a plurality of platform openings configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely within the chamber.

17. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: the chamber forms a disinfection tunnel having a chamber entry and a chamber exit, and wherein the platform is a conveyor operable for carrying the object to be disinfected from the chamber entry to the chamber exit.

18. The disinfection system of claim 17, wherein the chamber has an entry closure and an exit closure.

19. The disinfection system of claim 18, wherein the entry closure comprises an internal entry closure and an external entry closure, and the exit closure comprises an external exit closure and an internal exit closure, configured to maintain the chamber closed for a limited time period to contain the disinfecting mist therein.

20. The disinfection system of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the conveyor comprises a plurality of actuated rollers configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely within the chamber from the piping system.

21. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the misting system further comprises a dissolution unit for dissolution of disinfecting solution with water, the dissolution unit being operatively connected with the mist generator to deliver the disinfecting solution therein.

22. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the misting system further comprises a proportioner, operable to dispense the disinfecting solution and water at a controlled ratio.

23. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the misting system provides the disinfecting mist through a nozzle system.

24. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the mist generator is configured to generate the disinfecting mist while being ventilated.

25. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the misting system provides the disinfecting mist through pulsed air.

26. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the misting system provides the disinfecting mist having a particle size of from about 1 pm to about 10 pm.

27. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the misting system provides the disinfecting mist having a particle density of about 0.05 g/m³to about 0.5 g/m³.

28. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the misting system provides the disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 1 liter per hour (L/h) to about 80 L/h.

29. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the misting system provides the disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 20 liters per hour (L/h) to about 25 L/h.

30. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the misting system provides the disinfecting mist at a rate of about 21 L/h.

31. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 30, further comprising an extractor connected to the chamber, wherein the extractor removes any excess disinfecting mist away from the chamber after disinfecting the surface of the object.

32. The disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 31 , further comprising a disinfecting carpet operably connected to the mist generator and comprising a plurality of openings configured to allow the disinfecting mist to flow freely from the disinfecting carpet up, and disinfect the object located on the disinfecting carpet.

33. A mist generator for disinfecting a surface of an object from a pathogen, the mist generator comprising: a reservoir for a disinfecting solution and a floating ultrasound element located within the reservoir, the floating ultrasound element configured to float in the disinfecting solution and to contact the disinfecting solution to generate a disinfecting mist upon operation of the mist generator.

34. The mist generator of claim 33, wherein the floating ultrasound element comprises a floater configured to maintain the floating ultrasound element afloat in proximity to a surface of the disinfecting solution.

35. The mist generator of claim 33, wherein the floating ultrasound element comprises two floaters located on opposite sides of an ultrasound element.

36. The mist generator of claim 33, wherein the floating ultrasound element comprises at least two floaters located on opposite sides of an ultrasound element.

37. The mist generator of claim 35 or 36, wherein at least a portion of an ultrasound element’s surface of the ultrasound element, positioned perpendicular to the surface of the disinfecting solution, is exposed to the disinfecting solution.

38. The mist generator of any one of claims 33 to 37, further comprising an anti-wave wall located in between of each of two adjacent floating ultrasound elements.

39. The mist generator of claim 38, wherein the anti-wave wall comprises a slot configured to permit propagation of the disinfecting solution and the disinfecting mist therethrough while restricting a lateral displacement of the floating ultrasound elements.

40. The mist generator of claim 39, wherein the slot is smaller than the floating ultrasound element.

41. The mist generator of claim 38, wherein the anti-wave wall comprises more than one slot configured to permit propagation of the disinfecting solution and the disinfecting mist therethrough while restricting the lateral displacement of the floating ultrasound elements.

42. The mist generator of claim 41 , wherein each slot is smaller than any one of the floating ultrasound elements.

43. The mist generator of any one of claims 33 to 42, further comprising a fan located above a level of the disinfecting solution in the reservoir and configured to ventilate the mist generator.

44. A method for disinfecting a surface of an object from a pathogen, the method comprising: generating a disinfecting mist from a disinfecting solution by operating the mist generator of any one of claims 33 to 43.

45. A method for disinfecting a surface of an object from a pathogen, the method comprising: generating a disinfecting mist from a disinfecting solution by operating the disinfection system of any one of claims 1 to 32.

46. A method for disinfecting a surface of an object from a pathogen, the method comprising: generating a disinfecting mist from a disinfecting solution by operating a plurality of ultrasound elements, the disinfecting solution comprising a disinfectant capable to eliminate the pathogen; filling a chamber with the disinfecting mist for a first period of time, the chamber being at least partially sealed; generating a turbulence of the disinfecting mist within the chamber to force microdroplets of the disinfecting mist to deposit on the surface of the object to form a disinfecting coating on the surface of the object; and evacuating the disinfecting mist from the chamber to evaporate a water portion of the disinfecting coating to leave the disinfectant on the surface of the object to eliminate the pathogen on the surface of the object.

47. The method of claims 45 - 46, wherein a temperature inside the chamber is maintained at a room temperature.

48. The method of any one of claims 46 to 47, wherein filling of the chamber with the disinfecting mist is provided by delivering the disinfecting mist through a piping system located under a platform that bears the object, the platform allowing free flow of the disinfecting mist therethrough.

49. The method of any one of claims 44 to 48, wherein the pathogen is a virus.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the virus is a coronavirus.

51. The method of any one of claims 44 to 80, where in the disinfecting mist is generated with a ventilated air.

52. The method of any one of claims 44 to 51 , comprising providing the disinfecting mist having a particle size of from about 1 pm to about 10 pm.

53. The method of any one of claims 44 to 52, comprising generating the disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 1 liter per hour (L/h) to about 80 L/h.

54. The method of any one of claims 44 to 52, comprising generating the disinfecting mist at a rate of from about 20 liters per hour (L/h) to about 25 L/h.