WO2022049357A1

WO2022049357A1 - Device and method for deactivating or destroying germs, bacteria and viruses

Info

Publication number: WO2022049357A1
Application number: PCT/FR2021/051534
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Benoit; Alain Thorel; Patrick Curmi; Claude LERMIGNY
Original assignee: Meca4Care
Priority date: 2020-09-07
Filing date: 2021-09-07
Publication date: 2022-03-10

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for deactivating or destroying germs, bacteria, viruses, enveloped viruses, including COVID-19, contaminating the surfaces of at least one object to be treated, said device comprising a chamber designed to receive at least one object to be treated, heating means designed to heat the air present in the space defined by the chamber to a temperature at least equal to 65 degrees Celsius, at least one ventilator designed to set the heated air in motion, lamps emitting C-type ultraviolet rays in a range of wavelengths between 250 and 270 nanometres, reflection means designed to reflect the ultraviolet rays and the infrared rays, and means for controlling resistances and the lamps.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INACTIVATING OR DESTRUCTING GERMS, BACTERIA AND VIRUSES

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates in particular to a device for the rapid inactivation or destruction of germs, bacteria, viruses, enveloped viruses including that of Covid-19, contaminating all the surfaces of objects. It also relates to a process for inactivating or destroying germs, bacteria and viruses implemented in this device.

STATE OF THE ART

[002] The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the need or the need to control the non-contamination of the surfaces of objects by germs, bacteria or viruses. In addition, their persistence on surfaces, under different conditions, can be a source of concern, even phobias, related to the handling of objects that have circulated within the population, in the private or professional spheres, whether they are whether mail, manufactured or food goods.

[003] A bibliographic study of international work on the issue of the persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on surfaces shows that this virus can remain present and/or virulent (capable of destroying eukaryotic cells maintained in culture) for a period of time. significant, strongly depending on the type of materials and the state of the surface. The durations observed range from a few hours on paper and copper to 7 days on masks, and smooth surfaces such as plastic or stainless steel (see Table 1).

[004] Table 1: persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on different types of surfaces

[005] [Table 1]

[006] The precautionary principle thus leads many sectors to consider quarantining objects for several days before any handling, which may possibly be conceivable for an individual, but becomes difficult for an industrialist or any other company or establishment, in due to the costs and delays related to this removal of objects from a production chain or a logistics circuit. There is therefore a very strong socio-economic demand for a safe and effective procedure or device for inactivating or destroying germs, bacteria, viruses, enveloped viruses including the SARS-CoV-2 virus from surfaces and objects, and thus to avoid a period of non-accessibility of objects due to their quarantine.

[007] Procedures using a chemical treatment with a solvent are known, the principle of which is mainly based on the application of an oxidative stress which destabilizes the structure of biological molecules in general, including those constituting germs, bacteria, viruses , enveloped virus. However, these procedures are inapplicable to most objects.

[008] The technologies mentioned for SARS-CoV-2 are mostly technologies redeployed from the air or even water purification sector. These technologies essentially use irradiation with ultraviolet radiation centered on a wavelength of 254 nanometers.

[009] However, the proposed technologies have certain defects which, in many cases, render the devices inoperative for the inactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus; examples include: badly assessed, underestimated, badly controlled fluence, undersized devices that do not illuminate all the faces of objects, often dangerous devices requiring qualified personnel and dedicated protective equipment, a rate of targeted destruction of 90% of viruses, which is unacceptable for a virus as dangerous as SARS-CoV-2, the devices redeployed from the health sector are very expensive, and, above all, the inadequacy of ultraviolet rays to treat porous surfaces, which define the vast majority of manufactured objects.

[0010] Consequently, the vast majority of devices claiming to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 are difficult to use - even dangerous -, on the one hand in terms of handling, and on the other hand if the user thinks that this virus is inactivated (non-virulent) by these devices, and are totally unsuitable for most contaminated surfaces of everyday and professional objects when there is shade or the surface is porous.

[0011] The invention aims to overcome these problems by proposing a device for inactivating or destroying germs, bacteria, viruses, enveloped viruses including that of Covid-19 that is effective, or more efficient while offering easy and efficient use. reassuring. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0012] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a device for inactivating or destroying germs, bacteria, viruses, enveloped viruses including that of Covid-19, contaminating surfaces of at least one object to be treated, the device comprising an enclosure arranged to receive at least one object to be treated, characterized in that it further comprises: heating means arranged to heat the air present in the volume delimited by the enclosure, at least a fan arranged to set the heated air in motion, lamps emitting ultraviolet rays of type C (UV-C), reflection means arranged to reflect the ultraviolet rays and the heat, means for regulating the resistors and the lamps .

The device according to the present invention makes it possible in particular to destroy the envelope of the viruses and thus to render the viruses non-virulent. The combined action of ultraviolet radiation located in the range of wavelengths indicated in point [0021] above and heat above 65 degrees Celsius, makes it possible to treat any surface, whether porous and shaded or not, unlike technologies that only use ultraviolet light. In addition, the alteration of the biochemical structure of surface proteins and lipids and nucleic acids including RNA (ribonucleic acid) of germs, bacteria, viruses, enveloped viruses by heat (weakening of chemical bonds, diffusion and agitation thermal) makes the action of UV rays even more destructive, through a synergistic effect between these two energy sources.

For the foregoing and/or for the rest of the description, the term ultraviolet ray or beam means a C-type ultraviolet ray having a wavelength of between 200 and 300 nanometers, in particular a beam having a wavelength between 250 and 270 nanometers which has a germicidal effect.

According to one embodiment, the heating means are heating resistors. The heating means are arranged to heat the enclosure of the device to a temperature of between 65 and 75 degrees. These values are chosen to destroy the viral load without however altering the object, an object whose nature determines the fragility and resistance to UV and temperature. Preferably, the heating means are arranged to heat the enclosure of the device and reach the set temperature in two minutes. For example, the power of the electrical resistors generating the heat is 1,000 Watts.

[0016] Preferably, the heating means are arranged on the bottom wall of the device. According to one embodiment, an opening is made on the bottom wall of the device. For example, the device comprises a thermal tray comprising an aluminum compartment screwed under the enclosure, which incorporates the heating means, preferably the thermal resistors and the fans.

[0017] Preferably, the lamps are arranged to emit ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 254 nanometers.

[0018] Preferably, the lamps are arranged to generate an irradiance of between 4 and 6 mW/cm ² .

[0019] Preferably, the lamps are arranged to emit their maximum power in two minutes.

[0020] For example, the lamps emitting ultraviolet rays are lamps of the LED type. Preferably, each lamp is arranged along an edge of the enclosure.

[0022] Preferably, at least one lamp is arranged on an internal face of the device. According to one embodiment, which can be combined with the previous one, at least one lamp is arranged along an edge.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment, the lamps are arranged on the edges, in the middle of the floor and on the ceiling of the enclosure. The lamps are chosen so as to irradiate all the faces of the at least one object to be treated with increased irradiance compared to the prior art.

[0024] For example, the irradiance is conservatively estimated at 4.5 mW/cm ² for the upper face of a horizontal surface located in the middle of the enclosure, without integrating the irradiance over the length of the tubes and without considering the reflected fluxes. For this level of irradiance, the fluence range of 10 to 1440 mJ/cm ² is reached for times of 2 seconds to 4.5 minutes respectively.

[0025] Preferably, the ends of the lamps are superimposed. According to one example, two lamps are provided per edge, the two lamps being arranged one behind the other along the edge. The two lamps extend substantially parallel to each other and along the same direction.

According to a variant, the two lamps extend substantially parallel to each other and along two distinct directions spaced from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. The lamps are arranged substantially one behind the other but the opposite ends partially overlap. To make it easier to change lamps and to avoid dead lighting zones at the junction of lamps, the lamps in tandem are positioned in partial overlap.

According to a particular embodiment, the device comprises sixteen UV-C lamps. Preferably, the power of each lamp is 36 Watt, including 12 Watt of irradiating power. According to one embodiment, the device comprises sixteen lamps generating a power of 576 Watt, for an irradiating power of 192 Watt, so as to ensure rapid implementation of treatments for an affordable cost and secure commercial availability.

[0029] The reflection means make it possible to reflect the UV-C radiation produced by the UV-C lamps and the Infrared (IR) radiation emitted by the thermal resistors during the decontamination of the objects. These reflective surfaces greatly contribute to the homogenization of the UV-C irradiance and the temperature in the enclosure. The reflection means may also be called deflectors or reflectors or convectors.

[0030] According to a first embodiment of the reflection means, at least one wall of the device has a reflective internal surface, preferably made of aluminum. The internal aluminum surface has a mirror effect. Preferably, the aluminum is polished. For example, the internal aluminum surface has a smooth or hammered surface.

According to a second embodiment, the reflection means comprise separate elements of the walls of the device. They are arranged between the walls and the lamps. Preferably, they have the form of concave panels surrounding and/or carrying the lamps.

According to one embodiment, the upper deflector, placed below the ceiling wall, is folded to adopt a "V" shape in the center of which are fixed two sockets facing each receiving a lamp UV-C. According to one embodiment which can be combined with the previous one, the lower deflector, placed above the bottom wall, is bent in a V, two UV-C lamps being placed on either side of the V-bend.

According to a particular embodiment, the device comprises: two deflectors placed vertically in the corners of the side walls of the enclosure. The deflectors are shaped in a sandwich plate of polymer and polished aluminum, then are fixed on studs screwed into the aluminum profile structure. They are fitted at each end with UV-C lamp support sockets and retaining clips; two deflectors placed horizontally in the center of the interior side panels; they are made from a sandwich plate of polymer and polished aluminum and are each equipped with a UV-C lamp holder socket and a lamp holder clip. The two deflectors are fixed on the side walls by screws. The purpose of these deflectors is to reflect UV-C and IR radiation towards the center of the enclosure, and thus contribute to the homogenization of irradiance and temperature for optimum treatment efficiency.

[0034] Preferably, the door of the device comprises at least one reflection means. According to one embodiment, the door comprises two reflectors. They are placed vertically in the corners of the door. The deflectors are fashioned from a sandwich plate of polymer and polished aluminum; they are fixed on studs screwed into the aluminum profile structure. They are fitted at each end with UV-C lamp support sockets and lamp retaining clips. In the same way as previously mentioned, the purpose of the reflectors is to contribute to the homogenization of the radiation in the enclosure, so that any point, whatever its coordinates in an XYZ frame, of a surface of object, and whatever its orientation, is exposed to the same irradiance and the same temperature.

The destruction device comprises a structure, also called a box, having a parallelepiped shape and comprises at least one access door to the enclosure of the device, the at least one door being able to pivot or slide relative to the structure. According to a particular embodiment, the device has, by way of non-limiting example, the following dimensions: width: 70 centimeters, height 100 centimeters, depth 84 centimeters. According to one embodiment, the structure is made of aluminum profile.

[0037] Preferably, the structure comprises a double wall, composed on the outside of expanded PVC plates for its particular properties, in particular thermal insulation, and on the inside of polished aluminum and polypropylene sandwich plates.

[0038] Advantageously, the destruction device comprises power supply and regulation units, and a control panel in order to control and control the emission of the lamps emitting ultraviolet rays and/or the source resistors of the temperature rise. inside the enclosure. For example, the device comprises one or more ultraviolet radiation sensors, in particular type C ultraviolet radiation, and one or more temperature sensors or probes.

[0039] Preferably, the device comprises a control panel.

[0040] The device may comprise a support for F at least one object to be processed. It can be attached to the side walls or to the bottom wall. Preferably, the device comprises a grid, or a carousel so as to receive the at least one object to be processed, for example mail and/or parcels.

According to a variant embodiment, the device comprises a mechanism for vibrating the at least one object to be treated. The vibration mechanism is coupled to the support of the at least one object to be treated. Said mechanism eliminates any shading effect of ultraviolet radiation and thus treats an increased surface of the at least one object to be treated.

[0042] The vibration mechanism is for example fixed to the grid, and is triggered periodically during the treatment. It transmits to the objects a small lateral pulse allowing to expose to UV-C radiation the surfaces previously screened from the irradiance by the bars of the grid.

[0043] For example, the vibration mechanism is an electromagnet.

According to a particular configuration, the enclosure has an internal volume of 450 liters in order to receive several objects or a cubic object having a side size of 70 centimeters. For example, the destruction device can receive several parcels and/or couriers.

According to other configurations, the device has a volume of between 200 and 300 liters or between 1 and 2 cubic meters. According to variant embodiments, the device comprises: a table enclosure, with a volume of 200 to 300 litres, suitable for treating small objects, tools and letters, a vertical enclosure/cabin, with a volume of 1 to 2 m ³ , suitable for treating clothing and costumes for theaters , cinema sets, artists' dressing rooms, a truck/enclosure equipped with the previous cabins, to be rented for film shoots, a vertical enclosure/cabin of 1 to 2 m ³ , for the treatment of medical gowns by health professionals or else at certain merchants (hairdressers, etc.), a tunnel enclosure, with conveyor belt or turntable, to be integrated into a production or reception line for parcels, mail, tools, parts and components, trays -meals for canteens for example, large volume enclosures, suitable for processing industrial pallets.

The device is designed to be modular and stackable laterally and vertically in the case of a large number of objects to be treated. The guidelines for its design and choice of components are: efficiency, optimized cost, availability and reliability of suppliers, robustness, ease of use (no dedicated operator, no protective equipment) and maintenance, industrialization and scaling for different optimized applications (choice of standardized components, stabilized suppliers), safety (timed door opening, self-diagnosis of lamps/LEDs and resistors, etc.).

According to a second aspect, the invention also relates to a method for destroying germs, bacteria, viruses, enveloped viruses including that of Covid-19, contaminating all the surfaces of at least one object to be treated, the method using a destruction device according to the first aspect, the method comprising the following steps: heating the volume of air present in the enclosure to a predetermined temperature, and emitting ultraviolet rays into the enclosure.

The heating temperature of the air volume can advantageously be chosen above 65 degrees Celsius.

The ultraviolet rays emitted in the enclosure can advantageously have a wavelength of between 250 and 270 nanometers.

Preferably, the method provides a step for delaying the opening of the device, in particular its door. According to one embodiment, the total treatment time is preferably seven minutes, including two minutes of lamp heating, for complete eradication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on most surfaces. For such processing, any point of the enclosure is subjected to a fluence of 1440 mJ/cm ² .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of the invention which will follow with reference to the appended figures and in which:

• Figure 1 schematically illustrates an inactivation or destruction device according to the invention;

• Figure 2 is a simplified sectional diagram of a destruction device according to the invention;

• Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an armature of the destruction device according to the invention;

• Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an enclosure comprising lamps emitting ultraviolet rays arranged in the enclosure according to one embodiment;

• Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an enclosure comprising lamps emitting ultraviolet rays arranged in the enclosure according to one embodiment;

• Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a bottom wall of a destruction device, the wall being concave in shape and receiving heating means and a fan according to one embodiment.

[0051] For greater clarity, identical or similar elements of the different embodiments are identified by identical reference signs in all of the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In relation to Figures 1 and 2, there is described a device 1 for inactivating or destroying germs, bacteria, viruses, enveloped viruses including that of Covid-19, contaminating surfaces of at least one object to be processed.

The inactivation or destruction device 1 has the shape of a parallelepipedal box 12 comprising a structure or frame 101 comprising walls and a door 11 so as to produce a closed enclosure 100 capable of receiving one or more objects 20,21 to be treated. The walls of the structure 101 include side walls 14,15,17, a ceiling or top wall 16 and a bottom or bottom wall 13.

[0054] Objects to be decontaminated are arranged on a support grid 18 arranged on a base 10 of the enclosure 100.

[0055] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the structure 101 is arranged to receive and a bottom structure 103 provided to receive the sole heating and ventilation a movable structure 102 for the door 11 of the enclosure 100. This structure mobile 102 can be equipped with optical reflectors to reflect ultraviolet rays.

The structure 101 is also arranged to receive on its four vertical edges 40,41,42,43, sets of UV lamps 20.1, 20.2, 20.5, 20.6, .. 20.n, with reference to Figures 4 and 5 This structure 101 is clad with walls to constitute the enclosure 100.

The device I includes heating means 10 arranged to heat the air present in the volume delimited by the enclosure to a temperature at least equal to 65 degrees Celsius, preferably at least 70 degrees Celsius. For example, the heating means are electric resistors 14. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 6, the heating means are fixed to the bottom wall 13, also called the floor.

Referring to Figure 6, the device 1 comprises a fan 19 arranged to move the heated air. The fan 19 is placed above the heating means 13 near the bottom wall 13 of the device 1.

According to the embodiment described, the device 1 comprises sixteen lamps (which are not all shown in the Figures) emitting ultraviolet rays 20 arranged to emit type C ultraviolet radiation, preferably at a wavelength 254 nanometers. The lamps are chosen so as to generate an irradiance of between 4 and 6 mW/cm ² , preferably between 4.2 and 4.8 mW/cm ² . Referring to Figures 4 and 5, two lamps 20.1, 20.n in a row are arranged along each of the four vertical edges, four lamps, twice two lamps in a row, are arranged above the bottom wall and two 20.7,20.8 row lamps are arranged below the ceiling wall 16 of the device 1. In addition, two lamps 20.3,20.4 are arranged horizontally in the middle of the two side walls 14,15. According to one embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 5, the device 1 further comprises reflection means 30 arranged to reflect ultraviolet rays in the enclosure of the device. In addition, each UV lamp is associated with a concave shaped panel.

The invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that the person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Device (1) for inactivating or destroying germs, bacteria, viruses, enveloped viruses including that of Covid-19, contaminating the surfaces of at least one object to be treated, the device (1) comprising an enclosure (100 ) arranged to receive at least one object to be treated (20,21), characterized in that the device further comprises: heating means (14) arranged to heat the air present in the volume delimited by the enclosure (100) , at least one fan (19) arranged to set the heated air in motion, lamps (20.n) emitting type C (UV-C) ultraviolet rays, reflection means (30) arranged to reflect the rays ultraviolet and infrared rays, and means for regulating thermal resistors and lamps emitting ultraviolet rays. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the lamps are arranged to emit ultraviolet rays according to a range of wavelengths comprised between 250 and 270 nanometers. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the heating means are arranged to heat the air present in the volume delimited by the enclosure to a temperature at least equal to 65 degrees Celsius. Device according to one of the preceding claims comprising lamps arranged to generate an irradiance of between 4 to 6 mW/cm ² . Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the reflection means are arranged between the walls of the enclosure and the lamps. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which each lamp is arranged along an edge of the enclosure. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the ends of the lamps are superimposed. Device according to one of the preceding claims comprising a mechanism for vibrating F at least one object to be treated. Process for destroying germs, bacteria, viruses, enveloped viruses including that of Covid-19, contaminating the surfaces of at least one object to be treated, the process being implemented in a destruction device according to one of the claims above, this device comprising an enclosure provided for receiving said at least one object to be treated, said method comprising the following steps: heating the volume of air present in said enclosure until it reaches a predetermined temperature, and of at least 65 degrees Celsius, and emit ultraviolet rays in said enclosure. Destruction process according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the volume of air is heated to a temperature of at least 65 degrees Celsius. Destruction process according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the ultraviolet rays emitted in the enclosure have a wavelength of between 250 and 270 nanometers. Use of the inactivation or destruction device according to any one of claims 1 8, for the treatment of