WO2022195440A1

WO2022195440A1 - Disinfecting device for the air and/or the surfaces of an environment to be treated and process for disinfecting an environment to be treated

Info

Publication number: WO2022195440A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/052262
Authority: WO
Inventors: Elena GRIGNANI; Francesco Frigerio; Danilo Cottica; Franco Missoli
Original assignee: Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri Spa Sb
Priority date: 2021-03-15
Filing date: 2022-03-14
Publication date: 2022-09-22
Also published as: IT202100006056A1

Abstract

The disinfecting device (1) for disinfecting the air and/or surfaces of an environment to be treated according to the invention comprises an ozone generator (3) and an ultraviolet source (5). The device (1) diffuses in the surrounding environment the ozone produced by the ozone generator and irradiates the air of the environment to be treated with the ultraviolet rays produced by the ultraviolet source (5), and comprises A) a first treatment duct (7, 7 ', 7" ) configured for irradiating air coming from the environment to be treated with ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet source (5) and to send the irradiated air towards the environment to be treated; and B) a second treatment duct O) configured for mixing air coming from the environment to be treated with ozone produced by the ozone generator (3) and to send such a mixture towards the environment to be treated. The first (7, 7 ', 7") and second treatment ducts (9) are fluidically in parallel with each other so that the efficiency of one and of the other can be optimised.

Description

DISINFECTING DEVICE FOR THE AIR AND/OR THE SURFACES OF AN ENVIRONMENT TO BE TREATED AND PROCESS FOR DISINFECTING AN ENVIRONMENT TO BE TREATED The present international application claims the priority of Italian patent application no. IT102021000006056, the content of which is incorporated by reference in the present international application.

Field of the invention [1] The present invention relates to a device and process for sanitising indoor living and working environments or the interior of an ambulance or other vehicle, and more generally for sanitising air contaminated by bacteria, viruses and other pathogens and thereby reducing surface contamination.

Background

[2] The current SARS COVID-19 virus pandemic has re presented the need to effectively sanitise work and living environments, such as schools, bars, restaurants, waiting rooms, offices, other public places and other environments occupied by several people for more or less time from pathogens, and in particular the need to effectively sanitise the air of an environment and reduce the possible surface contamination caused by indirect contamination from micro-organisms.

[3] To quickly disinfect the air and the wide variety of environments potentially contaminated with SARS-CoV 2 and other pathogens, both ultraviolet and ozone disinfection systems have been reproposed and sometimes marketed in recent months.

[4] Both systems offer unique advantages but also have several drawbacks and contraindications which have effectively limited the diffusion and use thereof to combat the pandemic.

[5] Ultraviolet radiation is a known effective germicidal agent against viruses and bacteria, including Sars-Cov 2; however, the wavelength whose effectiveness has been most widely demonstrated (254 nm) has damaging effects on the eye and skin, when not properly protected, at doses already lower than those needed for disinfection; this makes it necessary to evacuate closed environments from their occupants or visitors before sanitising with UV radiation.

[6] Another notable limitation of ultraviolet radiation is that the germicidal activity on the exposed surfaces is only effective through direct irradiation, but has no appreciable utility beyond a certain distance, due to the reduction in surface energy density, and surfaces not directly exposed may not receive sufficient energy due to poor ultraviolet reflectivity.

[7] This prevents the effective disinfection of most surfaces in an environment which a person can touch, risking infection.

[8] The germicidal effect of the UVCs is therefore currently only demonstrated in areas that are blocked off to humans.

[9] Ozone also has the disadvantage of being toxic by inhalation even at concentrations lower than those at which it becomes effective as a germicidal agent.

[10] Ozone, as a gas, would therefore in itself be very valid for sanitising closed rooms, being able to reach even hidden corners, but it requires the absence of occupants in the rooms until the concentration is brought below the threshold compatible with the presence of people, increasing the time, cost and complexity of sanitisation processes of environments.

[11] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to overcome the limitations and drawbacks of the state of the art by providing a device and process for disinfecting environments frequented by people which more effectively combines the advantages of ultraviolet radiation and ozone as germicidal agents while reducing the drawbacks thereof.

Summary of the invention

[12] Such an object is achieved, in a first aspect of the present invention, with a device having the features according to claim 1.

[13] In a second aspect of the invention, such an object is achieved with a process having the features according to claim 13.

[14] In a particular embodiment of such a process, in step S13.3) the concentration of ozone in the atmosphere of the environment to be treated is reduced by means of the disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", l'''), activating the ultraviolet source (5).

[15] In a third aspect of the invention, such an object is achieved with a process having the features according to claim 14.

[16] Further features of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[17] The advantages attainable with the present invention shall become more readily apparent, to the person skilled in the art, by the following detailed description of a particular, non-limiting example of embodiment, illustrated with reference to the following schematic figures.

List of Figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a disinfecting device according to a first particular embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the first treatment duct of the disinfecting device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a transverse section of the treatment duct of Figure 2, in a section plane perpendicular to the axis of the duct itself;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the second treatment duct of the disinfecting device of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the second treatment duct of a disinfecting device according to a second particular embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the second treatment duct of a disinfecting device according to a third particular embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a disinfecting device according to a fourth particular embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a disinfecting device according to a fifth particular embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a disinfecting device according to a sixth particular embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a sectional view according to an ideal plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the third treatment duct, of the deozonator stage of a disinfecting device according to a seventh particular embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 11 shows a sectional view in an ideal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first treatment duct of a disinfecting device according to an eighth particular embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 shows a sectional view of the first treatment duct of a disinfecting device according to a ninth particular embodiment of the present invention, according to an ideal plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the first treatment duct.

Detailed description

[18] Figures 1—4 relate to a disinfecting device with germicidal activity on the air and surfaces of an environment to be treated according to a first particular embodiment of the invention, indicated by the overall reference 1.

[19] The disinfecting device 1 reduces the presence of pathogens in the air by destroying or inactivating a large proportion thereof.

[20] The disinfecting device 1 comprises an ozone generator 3, 3', 3" and an ultraviolet source 5 configured for emitting ultraviolet rays at a defined irradiance.

[21] The disinfecting device 1 is configured for diffusing into the surrounding environment, in particular in the environmental air, the ozone produced by the ozone generator 3, 3', 3" so as to reduce - possibly drastically - the possible presence of bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms in the environment air.

[22] The disinfecting device 1 is further configured for irradiating the air of the environment to be treated, for example of the surrounding environment or coming from the surrounding environment with the ultraviolet rays produced by the ultraviolet source 5 so as to reduce the presence of bacteria, viruses and other micro organisms which may be present in the surrounding environment -for example in the environmental air- or at least reduce the quantity thereof, and/or reduce the concentration of ozone contained in the air of the surrounding environment or coming from the surrounding environment.

[23] The ozone generator 3, 3', 3" can for example be of the corona effect type and generate ozone by means of electrical discharge, or by means of ultraviolet light or cold plasma.

[24] More generally, the ozone generator 3, 3', 3" can be of the corona discharge type or other type preferably capable of maximising ozone production starting from environment air.

[25] Preferably the corona-effect generator works by means of dielectric barrier discharges.

[26] The ozone generator 3, 3', 3" is preferably capable of generating an ozone flow rate equal to or greater than 20 g/h [grams/hour], more preferably equal to or greater than 40 g/h.

[27] The ozone generator 3, 3', 3" can be capable of generating an ozone flow rate for example between 2—25 grams/hour.

[28] The ozone generator 3', 3" can comprise a plurality of modules 30 each of which is capable of producing an ozone flow rate equal to or greater than 20 g/h [grams/hour], more preferably equal to or greater than 40 g/h; advantageously such modules are configured for being activated independently of each other, for example by activating only one, some of them or all of them.

[29] The modules of the ozone generator 3', 3" can thus be activated, for example, in cascade as the required ozone flow rate increases, allowing both very small and very large ozone flow rates be generated and precisely controlled, thus succeeding in effectively sterilising or however sanitising a wide variety of environments, both large and small, and of more or less complex geometry.

[30] As for example in the embodiment of Figure 5, the modules 30 of the ozone generator 3' can be arranged side by side so as to form a kind of bunch or ring.

[31] As for example in the embodiment of Figure 6, the modules 30 of the ozone generator 3" can be arranged one after the other so as to substantially form a row, which preferably extends along the second treatment duct 9 described more fully below.

[32] In embodiments not shown, the ozone generator modules 30 can form further arrangements in space, so as to form for example a spiral or helix whose axis is substantially coaxial or otherwise longitudinal to the second treatment duct 9.

[33] The ultraviolet source 5 can comprise for example one or more gas discharge, mercury vapour bulbs 50 or LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes).

[34] Such bulbs 50, LED sources or distributions thereof are advantageously oblong in shape, as explained in more detail below.

[35] Advantageously, the device 1 comprises a first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" configured for irradiating with the ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet source 5 air coming from the external environment and for sending the irradiated air towards the external environment.

[36] Preferably for such a purpose, the ultraviolet source 5 is contained in the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7 " (Figure 2, 3).

[37] Advantageously, the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" has substantially non-transparent or translucent walls, so that the ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet source 5 do not escape therefrom.

[38] Advantageously, the device 1 comprises a second treatment duct 9 configured for mixing air coming from the external environment with ozone produced by the ozone generator 3, 3', 3" and sending such a mixture towards the external environment.

[39] The ozone generator 3, 3', 3" or at least the delivery outlet thereof are preferably arranged in the treatment duct 9 (Figure 4).

[40] The passage sections of the second treatment duct 9 can be substantially circular in shape, for example, and have an average diameter DC9 (Figure 4).

[41] The second treatment duct 9 has an overall length or linear extension development LC9.

[42] Advantageously the first 7, 7', 7" and the second treatment duct 9 are configured for sucking in environmental air therein and blowing it outside. [43] For this purpose, they can advantageously each be provided with a respective fan 70, 90 arranged for example inside the respective duct 7, 7', 7", 9, 17, 17'; such fans can be driven by an electric motor 71 (Figure 10).

[44] Advantageously, the device 1 controls each fan 70, 90 so as to possibly differentiate the flow rate and speed of the air flowing in the duct 7, 7', 7" from the flow rate and speed of the air flowing in the duct 9, so as to optimise them more effectively, for example so as to maximise the irradiation of UV rays to which each elementary volume of air flowing in the duct 7, 7', 7" is subjected, and to increase to the maximum - or in any case in the most appropriate way- the flow rate and the speed of the air flowing in the second treatment duct 9, for example to more quickly increase the ozone content present in the air of the room, ambulance or other environment to be treated.

[45] For example, the device 1 can be arranged so that the air flow rate passing through the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" is approximately equal to 0.1 times, 0.5 times, 0.9 times, 1.1 times, 2 times, 5 times, 10 times the air flow rate passing through the second treatment duct 9.

[46] For example, when treating air with UV in the presence of people, the control system 10 can adjust the air speed so as to maximise the dose of UV radiation to the treated air.

[47] In an embodiment not shown, the device 1 can be provided with a compressor configured for compressing the air flowing through the treatment duct 7, 7', 7" so as to increase the density and exposure thereof to the ultraviolet rays.

[48] Each treatment duct 7, 7', 7", 9 can comprise a section of pipe (Figure 1—4).

[49] The first 7, 7', 7" and the second treatment duct 9 can for example be fluidically arranged in parallel with each other, i.e., without fluidically opening into each other or fluidically deriving from each other (Figure 1—4).

[50] Such a fluidically parallel arrangement does not, however, necessarily imply that the first 7, 7', 7" and the second treatment duct 9 are geometrically parallel or side by side with each other.

[51] For such a purpose, the first 7, 7', 7" and the second treatment duct 9 can each be provided with a respective inlet port 72, 92 and a respective outlet port 74, 94, respectively configured for sucking air from the external environment and reintroducing it thereto.

[52] As for example in the particular embodiments of Figure 7, 9 described also further below, the first 7, 7', 7" and the second treatment duct 9 can for example be fluidically arranged in series with respect to each other, for example by having one of the two introduce into the other the air sucked from the external environment or the air to reintroduce into the external environment.

[53] Advantageously the ultraviolet source 5 is configured for emitting ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength between 100300nanometres, or between 200—280 nanometres, between 210—230nanometres, between 250—300 nanometres, between 250—280nanometres or between 250—260 nanometres, and for example approximately 220 nanometres or 254 nanometres.

[54] Such wavelengths have a special germicidal effect which exploits the breakdown of nucleic acids, RNA and DNA, of the micro-organisms.

[55] Wavelengths equal to or greater than 260 nanometres are more effective in eliminating encapsulated viruses and bacteria by encapsulating the viruses in droplets of liquid with diameters larger than those conventionally attributed to "aerosols".

[56] Advantageously, the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7", or more generally the disinfecting device 1, is configured for irradiating with ultraviolet radiation the air sucked in from the external environment with an energy equal to or greater than about 10 mJ/cm² [milliJoules/square centimetre] and more preferably equal to or greater than about 20 mJ/cm², about 25 mJ/cm² or 30 mJ/cm² or 38 mJ/cm²; these last two energy values, according to precautionary evaluations, are capable of inactivating 99.99% of the pathogens; the preceding irradiation energies per surface unit refer to the internal surface of the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7 ", i.e., to the largest internal surface of the duct 7 , 7', 7" lapped by the air flowing along it.

[57] The above irradiation energies per surface unit also refer to the air contained in the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7 ".

[58] For this purpose preferably the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7", or more generally the disinfecting device 1, can be configured for irradiating with ultraviolet radiation the air sucked in from the external environment with an energy for example between 10—50 mJ/cm².

[59] Also preferably for such a purpose, the disinfecting device 1 is configured for making the air flow along the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" with a suitable speed which allows the air itself to be irradiated with a sufficient dose of ultraviolet radiation and for a sufficiently long time to obtain the desired germicidal action and flow rate of disinfected air.

[60] Also for such a purpose, the disinfecting device 1 is configured for making the air flow along the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" with a speed preferably between 1—10 metres/second and more preferably between 2—5 metres/second .

[61] Advantageously, the disinfecting device 1 is configured for make air flow along the second treatment duct 9 with a speed preferably equal to or greater than 10 metres per second, for example equal to or greater than 20 metres per second or 30 metres per second.

[62] High air flow velocities through the second treatment pipe 9 help to reach the level of ozone concentration in the air of the room or other environment to be treated faster.

[63] For such a purpose, the through sections of the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" preferably have an average diameter DC7 between 5—100 centimetres, between 10—90 centimetres, between 5—50 centimetres or between 19—50 centimetres.

[64] Also for such a purpose, the through sections of the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" preferably have an average area between 19—8000 aii^L2 [square centimetres], or between 280—2000 ati^L2.

[65] Always for such a purpose, the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" can have an overall length LC7 preferably between 10—100 centimetres, 10—500 centimetres or 10— 1000 centimetres.

[66] Preferably the length LC7 is greater than the diameter DC7 or more generally than the maximum width or average length of the transverse sections of the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7".

[67] Also for more efficiently irradiating the sucked air with ultraviolet rays, the ultraviolet source 5 is surrounded by a reflector 54 configured for collecting the ultraviolet emission irradiated by the source 5 and reflecting it towards the interior of the first treatment duct 7 , 7', 7 ".

[68] The reflector 54 can be made as a reflective surface extending around and along the ultraviolet source 5 (Figure 4).

[69] The reflective material allows such a high UVC dose to be achieved that no further treatment by photocatalysis are needed.

[70] Preferably, the disinfecting device 1 is configured for emitting treated air from the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" into the external environment with a flow rate equal to or greater than 15 m³/h [cubic metres/hour], more preferably equal to or greater than 25 m³/h, or 30 m³/h or 36 m³/h; the latter flow rate value allows the air of the load compartment of an ambulance to be completely sanitised in about 20 minutes, even in the presence of people.

[71] Preferably the disinfecting device 1 is configured for emitting treated air from the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" into the external environment with a flow rate equal to or greater than of 50 m³/h [cubic metres/hour], or equal to or greater than 70 m³/h or 100 m³/h.

[72] Preferably the disinfecting device 1 is configured for emitting treated air from the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" into the external environment with a flow rate equal to or less than 100 m³/h, 80 m³/h, 60 m³/h or 40 m³/h.

[73] Advantageously, the ultraviolet source 5 is arranged in the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" longitudinally thereto, so as to irradiate the air flow flowing through the duct 7, 7', 7" longer and more efficiently (Figure 2, 3).

[74] For such a purpose the ultraviolet source 5 has a substantially oblong overall shape, and can comprise for example an oblong shaped lamp, a bundle of lamps of an overall oblong shape (Figure 2), an LED or a distribution of several LEDs.

[75] To optimise the dimensions of the first 7, 7', 7" and the second treatment duct 9 according to, for example, the shape and spatial arrangement of the ultraviolet source 5, the lamp(s) 50 which may be part thereof, the ozone generator 3, 3', 3" and the module 30 or the modules 30 which can be part thereof the length LC7, the diameter DC7 or the average area of the through sections of the first duct 7, 7', 7" can be for example about 0.1 times, 0.5 times, 0.9 times, 1.1 times, 2 times, 5 times or 10 times respectively the length LC9, the diameter DC9 or the average area of the through sections of the second duct 9. [76] Preferably the length LC9 is greater than the diameter DC9 or more generally the maximum width or average length of the transverse sections of the second treatment duct 9.

[77] The ultraviolet LEDs 50' can be arranged on the inner surface of the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7"' (Figure 11).

[78] The ultraviolet LEDs 50' are preferably arranged along one or more rows parallel or longitudinal to the axis of the treatment duct 7, 7', 7", along helices winding around the axis of the treatment duct 7, 7', 7" or in a chequerboard pattern on the inner walls of the duct 7, 7', 7 ".

[79] The mercury vapour bulbs are preferably placed in the centre of the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7".

[80] Preferably, the disinfecting device 1 is provided with a control logic unit 10 configured for controlling the operation of the device 1 itself.

[81] The logic unit 10 can comprise a microprocessor, for example.

[82] The disinfecting device 1 can be provided with a shell, box or other covering casing 13 which during normal use at least partially contains the first 7,7' and/or the second treatment duct 9 and/or is fixed to at least one of such ducts 7, 7', 7", 9.

[83] The logic unit 10 can for example be contained in the covering casing 13.

[84] The disinfecting device 1 can optionally be provided with at least one ozone sensor 11 configured for detecting the concentration or regardless the presence of ozone in the environmental air at a predetermined distance from the first 7, 7', 7" and/or the second treatment duct 9, so as to provide the logic unit 10 with more significant measurements of the ozone concentration in the environment being sanitised or sanitised.

[85] Such a distance can be for example a few metres or a few tens of metres.

[86] The ozone sensor 11 is preferably located outside the covering casing 13 without being fixed thereto or to the ducts 7, 7', 7", 9; the sensor 11 can for example be connected to the logic unit 10 via a wireless or wired transmission system, through which it can transmit its readings to the logic unit 10.

[87] Clearly the disinfecting device 1 can be provided with more than one ozone sensor 11 configured for transmitting their readings to the logic unit 10, thus providing the latter with richer, more complex and significant information on the ozone concentration in multiple points of an environment to be sanitised or otherwise sanitised.

[88] The remote sensors 11 or other sensors for measuring the ozone concentration in the environmental air -for example sensors mounted inside the casing 13 or fixed thereto— have a measuring range preferably between 0 and 10 ppm [parts per million], with a resolution preferably equal to or less than at least 0.1 ppm or 20 ppb [parts per billion]; thereby such sensors are capable of measuring effective concentrations for the purposes of germicidal activity, but also low concentrations to allow people to safely enter the premises up to the natural or otherwise inherent concentrations of the ambient background.

[89] Such sensors can for example be electrochemical.

[90] Such sensors can for example be of the type described in Swiss patent application no. CH1020200008470 filed on 21 April 2020 and owned by the company 03ZY SA (via Baragge 1, CH-6855 Stabio, Swiss Confederation) and/or produced by the same company 03ZY S A.

[91] The disinfecting device 1 is advantageously provided with one or more sensors to detect the presence of people in the vicinity thereof and, if it detects them, is configured for deactivating the ozone generator 3, 3', 3" or reducing the operation thereof so as to reduce the ozone concentration contained in the air of the environment surrounding the device 1, for example so as to bring it below an appropriate threshold of harmfulness to humans or animals.

[92] The disinfecting device 1 is advantageously provided with at least one flow rate measurement system -not shown- configured for measuring the flow rate of air flowing in the first 7, 7', 7" and/or the second treatment duct 9.

[93] Such a flow measurement system can comprise, for example, a meter for the speed of the air flowing in the first 7, 7', 7" and/or the second treatment duct 9.

[94] The logic unit 10 is preferably configured for controlling the disinfecting device 1 based on the readings of the at least one flow rate meter.

[95] The flow rate meter makes it possible, for example, to calculate the amount of air treated by the ultraviolet ray stage, of which the first treatment duct is part, and/or by the ozone stage, of which the second treatment duct is part, thus calculating or otherwise estimating which fraction of the volume of air of the environment to be treated has already been treated by the ozone or ultraviolet stage and thus how much longer either stage has to operate to perform the required treatment.

[96] A possible algorithm or control strategy which the logic unit 10 can implement is as follows:

-the ozone concentration is measured continuously by one of the sensors 11.

-the ozone production is interrupted if one or more of the following conditions occur:

Cl) the system of sensors 11 detects the presence of people in the environment;

C2) the logic unit 10 receives a remote end-of-treatment command;

C3) the logic unit 10 detects or otherwise establishes that the set concentration has been reached and maintained for a set time.

[97] The logic unit 10 is preferably capable of controlling the ozone generator to maintain a set concentration for a set time.

[98] When one of the conditions Cl, C2 or C3 occurs, the logic unit 10 preferably controls the device 1 so as to purify the environment from ozone by forcing it through the duct 7, 7', 7", 17 and/or 17'.

[99] The logic unit 10 preferably continuously transmits operating parameters to a remote unit which can be, for example, an internet server or an application for a smartphone, handheld device or other mobile device. [100] The logic unit 10 advantageously records and stores or otherwise keeps track of the treatments performed.

[101] When people are present in the environment to be treated, the ozone generator is preferably kept off.

[102] The device 1 preferably sucks air into the duct 7, 7', 7" and sanitises it by UV irradiation.

[103] The aforementioned sensors for detecting the presence of persons and/or the at least one flow rate meter can for example be enclosed in the casing 13 and/or fixed thereto or arranged outside it.

[104] The casing 13 can for example be movable on wheels, so as to slide for example on a floor; such wheels can be idle or motorised -in the latter case so as to make the purification device 1 self-propelled for example.

[105] In such a case, the purification device 1 can be made, for example, as a self-propelled, remote- controlled robot or drone on wheels or capable of piloting itself automatically, in any case capable of moving without a pilot on board in the environments it must sanitise.

[106] Alternatively, the casing 13 can for example simply be placed on an underlying floor without being able to slide on wheels or skids, or fixed to such a floor or walls by means of suitable brackets, for example.

[107] More in particular, the disinfecting device 1 can possibly be made in the form of a more or less anthropomorphic robot, possibly provided with wheels, mechanical legs or tracks to move around.

[108] The disinfecting device 1 is preferably programmed or otherwise configured for carrying out the following operational cycle comprising a first ozone diffusion step, a possible second stabilisation step, a third deozonation step.

[109] In the first ozone diffusion step, the disinfecting device 1 can operate so as to increase the ozone concentration in the atmosphere of the environment to be disinfected, or otherwise in the environment surrounding the device 1 itself, to a sufficiently high set threshold, for example such that the required germicidal activity is ensured.

[110] In particular, for example, the set threshold can be indicatively between 2 and 25 ppm or 4 and 10 ppm.

[111] In this first step the ozone generator 3, 3', 3" is active and the ultraviolet source 5 is inactive.

[112] In the second stabilisation step, if any, the disinfecting device 1 preferably operates so that the ozone concentration in the environment to be treated is kept substantially constant over time.

[113] For such a purpose the ozone generator 3, 3', 3" and the ultraviolet source 5 can be for example both inactive or both active so that the new ozone produced by the generator 3, 3', 3" compensates that reconverted into diatomic oxygen by the ultraviolet source 5 or by the normal ozone degradation due to the chemical instability thereof or by other agents eventually present in the environment to be treated; or only one of the ozone generator 3 and the ultraviolet source 5 can be active while the other - respectively the source 5 or the generator 3 —can be inactive.

[114] In the third deozonation step, the disinfecting device 1 can operate so as to reduce the ozone concentration in the atmosphere of the environment to be disinfected or sanitised, or otherwise in the environment surrounding the device 1 itself, to a set sufficiently low threshold, for example not harmful to humans or set animals and for example equal to or less than 0.2 ppm or 0.1 ppm.

[115] In this third step the ozone generator 3, 3', 3" can be inactive and the ultraviolet source 5 active, or they can both be active but at powers or however regimes such that the ozone produced in the unit of time by the generator 3, 3', 3" is not greater than that reconverted into diatomic oxygen by the ultraviolet source 5 or by the normal degradation of the ozone due to the chemical instability thereof or by other agents eventually present in the environment to be treated; or, alternatively, the two stages can be activated alternatively to each other, for example by activating in a first step the ozone generator 3 while the ultraviolet source 5 is deactivated, in a second step activating the ultraviolet source 5 while the ozone generator 3 is deactivated, and possibly repeating such a cycle several times.

[116] Alternatively in this third deozonation step the possible third treatment duct 17, 17' described below can be activated.

[117] If in the sanitising device the deozonation filter 19' is placed near or at the suction port of the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" (Figure 12), the third deozonation step can be carried out for example by activating the fan 70 which preferably creates a pneumatic vacuum downstream of the filter 19' and increases the flow of environmental air passing through the filter 19' itself.

[118] If it is arranged upstream of the deozonation filter 19', the fan 70 can increase the flow of environmental air passing through the filter 19' by, for example, blowing ambient air against or into it.

[119] The disinfecting device 1 effectively combines the advantages of disinfection by ozone and ultraviolet radiation: the ozone diffused in the air can disinfect both the air itself - killing, for example, bacteria and viruses suspended in aerosols, droplets or dust - and the visible and hidden surfaces of the treated environment, in particular also surfaces which could not be irradiated by a source of ultraviolet radiation or other disinfectant radiation in any case, for example because they are in the shadow of such a source of radiation.

[120] The ultraviolet radiation emitted by the device 1 is confined in the first treatment duct 5, preventing it from affecting and damaging any people or animals in the surroundings, and is used to disinfect the air flowing into the first duct 5.

[121] The same ultraviolet source 5 used to disinfect the environmental air can be used to lower the ozone content at the end of the disinfection period of an environment by the latter, and bring the ambient ozone concentration back down to non-harmful levels.

[122] Being able to treat the air with both ozone and ultraviolet, the device 1 is capable of disinfecting an environment not only in the absence of people but also when they are present.

[123] The type of ozone sensors with which the disinfecting device 1 is provided allow very precise measurements over a very wide range.

[124] The ultraviolet stage to which the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" belongs enables the useful dose value to be reached in just a few seconds, thus ensuring high effectiveness, even with significant air flow rates.

[125] The fact that the first 7, 7', 7" and the second treatment duct 9 are fluidically in parallel with each other makes it possible to optimise the construction and operating features thereof in the best possible way: for example, the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" can be constructed and operated so as to be crossed by air flows having different and more appropriate speeds, from the air flowing through the second treatment duct 9.

[126] As has already been partly explained the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" can be optimised to maximise the irradiation of the air with UV radiation, while the second treatment duct can be optimised to maximise the amount of ozone produced and released into the environment to be treated in the unit of time.

[127] For such a purpose, as mentioned above, the ducts 7, 7', 7" and 9 can have significantly different diameters DC7, DC9, lengths LC7, LC9 and shapes, and the respective fans 70, 90, if any, can be operated at different speeds, have propellers or other impellers of different shapes and sizes and be driven by motors of different sizes and powers thus making the device 1 much more effective than the known disinfecting devices combining the action of ozone and ultraviolet radiation.

[128] The embodiments described above are susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[129] For example, as shown in Figures 1—6 the device 1 can be provided with at least a first 7, 7', 7" and a second treatment duct 9; the at least a first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" can be configured for sucking air from the environment to be treated and reintroduce it thereto substantially without withdrawing said air from the second treatment duct 9 and without introducing it into the at least a second treatment duct 9; and the at least a second treatment duct 9 is configured for sucking air from the environment to be treated and reintroduce it thereto substantially without withdrawing such air from the at least a first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" and without introducing it into the at least a first treatment duct 7, 7', 7".

[130] However, as for example in the embodiment of Figure 7, 7', 7" the device 1' can be provided with a plurality of first treatment ducts 7, 7', 7" and a second treatment duct 9; the first treatment ducts 7, 7', 7" can be configured for sucking air from the environment to be treated and reintroduce it thereto substantially without withdrawing such air from the second treatment duct 9 but introducing it into the second treatment duct 9; the at least a second treatment duct 9 can be configured for sucking air from the environment to be treated and reintroduce it thereto by withdrawing such air from one or more of the first treatment ducts 7, 7', 7" without introducing it, at least directly, into one or more of the first treatment ducts 7, 7', 7".

[131] Basically, in this embodiment all the first treatment ducts 7, 7', 7" are fluidically connected in parallel to each other and all fluidically in series to the second treatment duct 9.

[132] As for example in the embodiment of Figure 9 , the device 1''' can be provided with a plurality of first treatment ducts 7, 7', 7" and a second treatment duct 9; one or more first treatment ducts 7, 7', 7" can be configured for sucking air from the environment to be treated and reintroduce it into such environment substantially without withdrawing such air from the second treatment duct 9 and without introducing it into the second treatment duct 9; furthermore, one or more other first treatment ducts 7, 7', 7" can be configured for sucking air from the environment to be treated and introduce it into the second treatment duct 9, which then reintroduces such air into the environment to be treated; the second treatment duct 9 is configured for sucking air from the environment to be treated through one of the first treatment ducts 7, 7', 7" and reintroduce such air into the environment to be treated without introducing it into the first treatment ducts 7, 7', 7".

[133] Essentially in this embodiment all but one of the first treatment ducts 7, 7', 7" are fluidically connected in parallel both to each other and to the second treatment duct 9, while the remaining first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" is fluidically connected in series to the second treatment duct 9.

[134] In general, the first treatment ducts 7, 7', 7" can substantially have the shape of a labyrinth, serpentine or spiral to maximise the dose of ultraviolet radiation with which the air passing through the first ducts 7, 7', 7" itself is irradiated.

[135] A disinfecting device 1" according to the invention can also comprise, in addition to the ozone generator 3, 3', 3" and the ultraviolet source 5, a separate deozonator stage 15 configured for converting the ozone contained in the environmental air -including that previously generated and introduced thereto by the generator 3, 3', 3"- into diatomic oxygen or other compounds (Figure 8).

[136] The deozonator stage 15, 15' can comprise a third treatment duct 17, 17' configured for sucking in environmental air and reintroduce it into the environment surrounding the device 1 itself, and an ozone converter 19, 19' configured for converting the ozone contained in the air flowing through the third treatment duct 17 into diatomic oxygen or otherwise into other substances.

[137] The ozone converter 19 , 19' can be for example of the photocatalytic or more generally catalytic type, or it can be a simple filter of a metallic material permeable to air and ozone, such as a filter 19' comprising a layer of metal flakes formed of relatively long or short metallic wires or shavings, flakes, a layer of metallic granules bonded together by sintering or other substantially spongy metallic layers (Figure 10, 12).

[138] Preferably the filter 19' is arranged at or near the inlet port, i.e., the upstream port, of the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" (Figure 12) and/or the third treatment duct 17, 17' (Figure 10).

[139] More generally, the filter 19' is preferably arranged in the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" (Figure 12) and/or in the third treatment duct 17, 17' (Figure

10).

[140] The arrangement of the filter 19' in the first treatment duct 7, 7', 7" considerably simplifies the structure of the sanitation device 1 and particularly increases the deozonation efficiency.

[141] The ozone converter 19, 19' is advantageously controlled by the logic unit 10.

[142] For such a purpose the logic unit 10 can advantageously increase the air speed in the first 7, 7', 7" or in the third treatment duct 17, 17' when the ozone abatement is required through the filter at the inlet of the duct itself; possibly the UV source 5 can be activated to favour this process.

[143] Every reference in this description to "an embodiment", "an example of embodiment" means that a particular feature or structure described in relation to such embodiment is comprised in at least one embodiment of the invention and in particular in a particular variant of the invention as defined in a main claim.

[144] The fact that such expressions appear in various passages of the description does not imply that they are necessarily referred solely to the same embodiment.

[145] In addition, when a feature, element or structure is described in relation to a particular embodiment, it is observed that it is within the competence of the person skilled in the art to apply such feature, element or structure to other embodiments.

[146] Numerical references which only differ in terms of different superscripts 21', 21", 21¹¹¹ unless specified otherwise indicate different variants of an element with the same name.

[147] Furthermore, all of the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. [148] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions thereof, can be of any type according to the technical requirements.

[149] It must be understood that an expression of the type "A comprises B, C, D" or "A is formed by B, C, D" also comprises and describes the particular case in which "A consists of B, C, D".

[150] The expression "A comprises a B element" unless otherwise specified is to be understood as "A comprises one or more elements of B". [151] References to a "first, second, third, ... n-th entity" have the sole purpose of distinguishing them from each other but the indication of the n-th entity does not necessarily imply the existence of the first, second ... (n-l)th entity. [152] The examples and lists of possible variants of the present application are to be construed as non- exhaustive lists.

Claims

1) Disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') for the air and/or surfaces of an environment to be treated comprising an ozone generator (3, 3', 3") and an ultraviolet source (5) configured for emitting ultraviolet rays, wherein:

-the disinfecting device (1) is configured for diffusing the ozone produced by the ozone generator into the surrounding environment so as to reduce the presence of bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms that can be present in the surrounding environment to be treated; -the disinfecting device (1) is configured for irradiating the air of or the environment to be treated or coming therefrom with the ultraviolet rays produced by the ultraviolet source (5) so as to reduce the concentration in the air of bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms that can be present in the environment to be treated, or at least to reduce the presence of such bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms, and/or to reduce the concentration of ozone contained in the air of the environment to be treated or coming therefrom; -the disinfecting device (1) comprises at least a first treatment duct (7, 7', 7") configured for irradiating air coming from the environment to be treated with ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet source (5) and for directing the irradiated air towards the environment to be treated;

-the disinfecting device (1) comprises at least a second treatment duct (9) configured for mixing air coming from the environment to be treated with ozone produced by the ozone generator (3) and directing such a mixture towards the environment to be treated;

-the at least a first treatment duct (7, 7', 7") is configured for sucking air from the environment to be treated and returning it thereto substantially without withdrawing such air from the second treatment duct (9) and/or without introducing it into the at least a second treatment duct (9); and

-the at least a second treatment duct (9) is configured for sucking air from the environment to be treated and returning it thereto substantially without withdrawing such air from the at least a first treatment duct (7, 7', 7") and/or without introducing it into the at least a first treatment duct (7, 7', 7").

2) Disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') according to claim 1, wherein:

-the at least a first treatment duct (7, 7', 7") is configured for sucking air from the environment to be treated and returning it thereto substantially without withdrawing such air from the second treatment duct (9) and without introducing it into the at least a second treatment duct (9); and

-the at least a second treatment duct (9) is configured for sucking air from the environment to be treated and returning it thereto substantially without withdrawing such air from the at least a first treatment duct (7, 7', 7'') or without introducing it into the at least a first treatment duct (7, 7', 7").

3) Disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first treatment duct (7, 7', 7") contains the ultraviolet source (5).

4) Disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') according to claim 3, wherein the ultraviolet source (5) is arranged longitudinally to the first treatment duct (7, 7', 7").

5) Disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", l'¹') according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second treatment duct (9) contains the ozone generator (3).

6) Disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') according to one or more of the preceding claims, configured for irradiating with ultraviolet radiation the air present in the first treatment duct (7, 7', 7"), providing it with an overall energy equal to or greater than about 10 milliJoules/square centimetre.

7) Disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') according to claim 6, configured for irradiating with ultraviolet radiation the air present in the first treatment duct (7, 7', 7"), providing it with an overall energy equal to or greater than about 30 milliJoules/square centimetre.

8) Disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') according to one or more of the preceding claims, configured for causing air flow along the first treatment duct (7, 7', 7") with an average speed between 1—10 metres/second, where the average speed is obtained by averaging several point speeds at the same instant inside the duct. 9) Disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') according to claim 8, configured for causing air flow along the first treatment duct (7, 7', 7") with an average speed in the space inside the duct between 2—5 metres/second.

10) Disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') according to one or more of the preceding claims, configured for causing air flow along the second treatment duct (9) with an average speed equal to or greater than 11 metres/second or more, wherein the average speed is obtained by averaging several point speeds at the same instant inside the duct.

11) Disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') according to claim 10, configured for making air flow along the second treatment duct (9) with an average speed equal to or greater than 20 metres/second.

12) Disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') according to one or more of the preceding claims, configured for causing the flow rate of the air flowing through the first treatment duct (7, 7', 7") to be equal to or greater than 1.1 times the flow rate of the air flowing through the second treatment duct (9).

13) Process for disinfecting an environment to be treated, comprising the following steps:

513.1) providing a disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') having the features according to one or more of the preceding claims;

513.2) by means of the disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') increasing the concentration of ozone in the atmosphere of the environment to be treated by activating the ozone source (3);

S13.3) by means of the disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') reducing the concentration of ozone in the atmosphere of the environment to be treated.

14) Process for disinfecting an environment to be treated, comprising the following steps: S14.1) providing a disinfecting device (1, 1', 1", 1''') having the features according to one or more of claims

1 to 12;

S14.2) disinfecting the air in the environment to be treated by irradiating it with ultraviolet radiation emitted by the ultraviolet source (5).