WO2022229229A2

WO2022229229A2 - Device for thermally disinfecting a personal object of use wearable on the body

Info

Publication number: WO2022229229A2
Application number: PCT/EP2022/061120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias HOCHSTATTER
Original assignee: Hochstatter Matthias
Priority date: 2021-04-26
Filing date: 2022-04-26
Publication date: 2022-11-03
Also published as: DE102021110610A1; WO2022229229A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for thermally disinfecting a personal object of use wearable on the body, the device comprising a main body (11) and a plurality of holders for holding, during the disinfection process, the object of use to be disinfected, the holders being fastenable to the main body and being designed such that, at least on the side facing the object of use, they are at least partly in the form of a female mold of the object of use to be held, in order to match the outer contour of the object of use to be disinfected, and wherein the holders can be detached from and connected to the main body in order to exchange the holders.

Description

Device for the thermal disinfection of a personal article of daily use that can be worn on the body

The invention relates to a device for the thermal disinfection of a personal article of daily use that can be worn on the body, in detail according to claim 1.

Living together with Corona in the future requires consistent and easy-to-use hygiene concepts that offer protection against infection and prevent the spread through contact surfaces. In addition to conventional corona protective masks, the hygiene concepts also include PPE (personal protective equipment), known from occupational safety.

In order to avoid high costs for users, the accumulation of waste and a waste of resources, a way must be created to be able to disinfect these protected goods effectively.

Disinfecting the items to be protected using conventional methods is impractical and, in the long term, hazardous to the environment, since regular use of e.g. B. disinfectants can lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions and groundwater contamination over a long period of time.

Washing the items to be protected with boiled laundry is very time-consuming, cost-intensive and does not have a good cost-benefit ratio and is also, e.g. B. with hearing protection or goggles, not recommended.

It is not possible to iron items or surfaces to be protected, as the hot iron steel will melt the surfaces, sticking to the soleplate and making it unusable.

According to current knowledge, Corona can survive temperatures of up to 60°C for a short time. In order to kill the virus, hot steam must be directed at the area to be disinfected for at least 30 seconds and must flow through or around it.

For example, from the German patent specification DE 10 2009 055 166 B4, a steam station for steam treatment of an item to be steamed with a steam generator for generating a steam output and an actuating element is known.

The steam station generates an unlimited sequence of steam bursts, which after the

Start running until an actuator is operated again to complete the sequence of

stop emitting steam. A time-limited sequence is a sequence that ends after a specified time has elapsed, so that the steam generator

emits no more steam bursts after the allotted time has elapsed. Of course it can after the time-limited sequence has been run through, ie after the predetermined time has elapsed, a constant vapor output can still be emitted. The operation of the steam generator can be simplified by a time-limited sequence of steam emissions, since the user is not able to use the steam generator during use, e.g. B. during an ironing process, the time-limited sequence can start by operating the actuating element without having to end it again by operating it again, since it ends after the specified time has elapsed. Thus, the user can better concentrate on the actual work process, e.g. B. an ironing or cleaning process.

The invention is based on the object of creating a simple, time- and cost-saving, resource-saving and environmentally friendly way of disinfecting protected goods (also referred to below as steam disinfection goods), such as personal items, without damaging or destroying them.

The task at hand is achieved by a device for the thermal disinfection of a personal item of daily use that can be worn on the body, comprising a base body and several receptacles that can be fastened to the basic body (hereinafter also referred to as S-module) for holding the item of daily use to be disinfected during the disinfection process, the Recordings are designed in such a way that they are partially designed as a negative form of the utensil to be held, at least on the side facing the utensil, in order to adapt to the outer contour of the utensil to be disinfected. Due to the partially negative shape, the commodities can be held better or even independently of the device without falling off. At the same time, the surface to be disinfected moves closer to the device or its heat source, so that the disinfecting medium, such as air, steam or a mixture of these, reaches the object directly via a shorter path, with a high heat output and comparatively less heat loss through cooling of the steam brings. In this way, surface temperatures of the object to be disinfected around the boiling point of water, i.e. around 100° C. under normal conditions, can be achieved. As a result, the article of daily use can not only be cleaned but also disinfected.

If, for example, steam is used for disinfection, the device can be used to apply a continuous, hot stream of steam to the item to be disinfected or the personal item over a defined period of time, which ends automatically without requiring additional user intervention. A corresponding control device can be assigned to the device for this purpose. According to the invention, the receptacles can be detached from and connected to the base body in order to replace them.

A heat source can be assigned to the device, or the device can be connected to such a source in order to bring heat to or via the receptacle to the article of daily use to be disinfected.

The heat source can generate a stream of heated air, steam or a mixture of both, the stream being able to flow around or through the article of daily use to be disinfected. Evaporable liquid, i.e. a fluid such as water, e.g. deionized water, can be used for this purpose. The receptacle preferably has a plurality of openings distributed over the surface of the receptacle in order to allow the flow of heated air, steam or a mixture of both to flow on, around or through the utensil to be disinfected and preferably directly on it.

The heat source can be integrated in the base body or can be attached to it.

By base/heat source is meant a device for generating a vapor, advantageously in this invention, with a steady and continuous flow of vapor without the need to increase vapor pressure or user intervention. The stream of steam must be available for at least 30 seconds without interruption. This is achieved by a continuous supply from the base body/the heat source, which can be designed as a steam boiler to generate steam. The steam boiler (14) is continuously supplied with evaporable liquid via a removable storage tank (16) and a connected line and pump. The liquid is thus continuously vaporized via a heating element (15) and continuously provides vapor until the reservoir (16) is empty. The pump is usually protected against dry running and will not pump if the reservoir (16) is empty. There is an acoustic and visual signal that the reservoir (16) is empty and the heating element (15) of the steam boiler (14) and the pump go into idle mode.

It is advantageous that the storage container (16) for the liquid can be removed and easily filled without having to switch off the base body/heat source (11), which enables the base body/heat source (11) to be quickly ready for steam generation. since advantageously the cooling and heating phase of the steam boiler (14) are omitted. After placing the filled storage container (16) in place, the idle mode of the heating element (15) and pump is ended by pressing the flashing on/off switch on the actuating element (17) and sufficient steam is immediately available again for the disinfection of disinfected goods. The recording can be partially as a negative form of personal protective equipment or clothing to protect against infection, a protective mask such as mouth and nose protection, a particle-filtering half mask such as an FFP mask, a cap, a balaclava, a tubular scarf, glasses, a glove, a hairnet, a protective helmet , hearing protection, headphones or earphones and the article of daily use can be made in particular from a textile, such as woven fabric, scrim, knitted fabric or a fleece, and is preferably designed as a single-use product or is intended for multiple use.

A heat source can be assigned to the device or the device can be connected to such a source in order to bring heat to or via the receptacle to the article of daily use to be disinfected.

The heat source can generate a stream of heated air, steam or a mixture of both, the stream being able to flow around or through the article of daily use to be disinfected.

The receptacle may have a plurality of openings distributed over the surface of the receptacle to allow the flow of heated air, steam or a mixture of both to flow on, around or through the article to be disinfected and preferably directly on it.

The heat source can be integrated in the base body or can be attached to it.

The base body/heat source (11) has a valve (13) which releases the steam from the boiler (14) for steam flow to the S-module (20). Advantageously, the valve (13) only has to open and close. The length of time for which the valve (13) remains open takes place via an automatically running countdown, which is started by a corresponding program switch on the actuating element (17). After the items to be disinfected have been fixed on the S-module (20), the flow of steam and the countdown are started by pressing the corresponding program switch. After the countdown has expired, the valve (13) is automatically closed, advantageously without user intervention, and the steam flow is stopped. Now either a new item to be disinfected for this S-module (20) can be fixed and disinfected by repeating the process described, or the S-module (20) can be changed to another one to disinfect disinfectant goods. Thanks to the closed valve (13), the hose in the steam generator (18) is advantageously depressurized and the S modules (20) can be changed safely when the main body/heat source (11) is switched on and the steam disinfection system (10) is also available after an S -Module (20) can be changed back to steam disinfection within a few seconds.

The S-modules (20) are advantageously made of plastic, which prevents users or items to be disinfected from being burned by hot metallic surfaces.

The S modules (20) are made of plastic and therefore have poor thermal conductivity and the thermal energy is not dissipated to the environment. The steam flow is defined and continuously guided through the steam channel (22) and the steam funnel (23) to the steam openings (24) and the thermal energy is not dissipated via the surface of the S-modules (20). Advantageously, the steam flow through the steam channel (22) and the steam funnel (23) is directed continuously and in a defined manner onto the steam openings (24). As a result, according to the invention, the thermal energy of the steam is concentrated on the areas of the items to be disinfected that are to be disinfected. Advantageously, only little heat energy is lost to the environment in the invention and makes disinfection with steam possible or more effective and faster.

The S-modules (20) preferably have a plug-in connection to the base body/the heat source (11). Advantageously, the plug-in connection has a round shape in order to allow users the greatest possible flexibility when plugging in the S-modules (20). The twisting position of the S-module (20) can thus be freely selected.

The device can be designed in such a way that the receptacles (S-modules) can be attached to the base body via a plug-in connection, with the plug-in connection being designed with a positive and/or non-positive fit, with the plug-in connection preferably having a first part, which is connected to the base body and has a correspondingly complementary second part, which is connected to the receptacle, wherein both parts in the assembled state can be brought into engagement with one another in a form-fitting and/or non-positive manner in a detachably connectable manner, preferably by hand. In this way, the holder can be easily removed from the holder by hand and without the aid of a tool, exchanged for another holder and this can be securely connected to the base body.

In this case, the plug-in connection can be designed in the manner of a screw connection.

In principle, corresponding seals can also be provided in order to prevent an outlet of eg steam to prevent the environment. These seals can be arranged on corresponding surfaces of the base body and/or the receptacle.

The screw connection can preferably have a double-start thread, so that the first part can be screwed to the second part via the thread, with the thread flanks of the first and second part having a latch in order to latch the receptacle in the assembled state on the base body. Both threads of the double thread can run parallel to one another. The first part can be connected to the receptacle, ie the S-module, as an internal thread, and the second part can be set up as a complementary second part that is designed as an external thread and is designed correspondingly to the first part. The receptacle can thus be applied to the base body by turning, ie screwing, the first part into the second part.

The size and fit of the diameter of the S-module (20) to the diameter of the steam generator (11) are designed to allow the user to easily put on and take off the S-module (20) and to easily plug the connecting hose (21) together. to allow in the S-module (20) and the S-module (20) with the base body / the heat source (11). Once the diameter of the plug-in connection of the S-module (20) and the steam generator (11) has been determined, then this must be the same for all further S-modules. Other shapes are to be excluded, allowing users to use any of their ever purchased, third-party provided or further developed S-Modules (20), with any ever purchased, third-party provided or later further developed base bodies/heat sources (11). and to be able to disinfect disinfectant goods.

A further advantage of the invention is that neither the S-module (20) nor the items to be disinfected have to be guided. As a result, the actuating element (17) for the program switch for triggering the countdown can be located on the base body/heat source (11) and thus there is no line to the S-module (20). Since there is no line to the S module (20), this can be changed quickly and easily.

The items to be disinfected are preferably fixed to the S module (20). After attaching the

Disinfection material on the S-module (20) is pressed by pressing the program switch on

Control element (17) on the base body/the heat source (11) started the disinfection process. The disinfection runs independently and ends automatically after the countdown has expired. Advantageously, apart from fixing the items to be disinfected and starting the disinfection process, no further user intervention is necessary. The user can turn to other things after the start of the disinfection process and does not have to wait for the end of the process, because the items to be disinfected can remain on the S-module (11) and are thus protected from contamination.

A further development for the start of the disinfection process described in [0011] could be a completely voice-controlled base body/heat source (11) in order to further simplify the operation of the device for thermal disinfection (10).

The fact that steam disinfection of items to be disinfected can be carried out so easily and quickly by the device for thermal disinfection (10) with the S modules (20) could prove to be an advantage for the user. The point in time for the disinfection can be set shortly before the item to be disinfected is carried; the disinfection advantageously takes only about 30 seconds and the item to be protected can be used immediately and does not have to be stored in a sterile condition until use.

A further development of the application example described is a mains-independent base body/heat source (11) operated with an accumulator, in order to enable short-term and rapid disinfection if no mains power is available and sterile storage of the protected goods until use is not possible or too expensive would. Advantage of network independence would be z. B. Outdoor activities, without having to accept restrictions or disadvantages in terms of the hygiene of the protected goods.

An additional further development is a transport and storage container for the S-modules (20) for storing and transporting the user's own S-modules (20). To avoid damage and contamination and to give the user the opportunity to transport the S-module (20), according to the invention, safely and sterilely, be it to work, private meetings, outdoor activities, vacation, leisure, etc.

The S modules (20) are made of plastic. This could prove to be advantageous, as it makes the S-modules (20) very robust, durable and inexpensive and each user can afford several of their own S-modules (20) for a wide variety of applications and gradually build up a portfolio of their own S modules (20) can create.

The S modules (20) and the base body/heat source (11) have a uniform plug connection. This could prove to be a great advantage since all S-modules (20) ever developed, further developed, provided by third parties or put into circulation and the base body/heat source (11) can be used with one another in all possible combinations without prior adjustments, over the entire life cycle of the invention.

The uniform plug-in connection also has the advantage that each user can gradually acquire his own portfolio of S-modules (20) and need not fear that he will lose the S-module (20) after a short time, e.g . B. after a further development, are no longer useful. Since all manufacturers should use this standard plug-in connection, the S modules (20) can be used until they break. wear parts, such as B. Hoses and sealing rings can be obtained cheaply at any time due to their standardization and are easy to replace yourself, which advantageously extends the service life of the S-modules (20) considerably.

All further developments of the S-module (20) and the base body/heat source (11) in terms of shape and characteristics are part of the invention. Changes to the uniform plug-in connection may not be made.

The base body/heat source (11) must be designed to be repairable. Advantageously, wearing parts such. B. pump, steam boiler (14), control unit (12), etc. interchangeable and the exchange should be made by trained specialists. For reasons of sustainability, spare parts for replacing wear parts or the reservoir (16) must be kept available in order to prevent the common practice of manufacturers that devices no longer work after a certain number of cycles and have to be completely replaced.

An important advantage with regard to the security of supply with the device for thermal disinfection (10) consisting of a base body/heat source (11) with attachable and exchangeable, standardized S-modules (20) for fixing different disinfected goods could be that the steam disinfection - Systems (10) can be produced in large numbers with blow molding technology or in plastic injection molding technology, which according to the invention allows all users worldwide to quickly and quickly and safe to disinfect.

A further development of the S-module (20) is a personalized production using additive manufacturing technology. To do this, 2D image data or 3D scans of the head are converted into 3D plot data for the additive production of the user's head, using the data from the uniform Plug-in connection, the 3D data for the steam channel (22) and the steam funnel (23) added and the steam openings (24) added.

Advantageously, this personalized S-module (20) can no longer be confused with the S-modules (20) of other users.

Another positive side effect of the device for thermal disinfection (10) is that masks are used more often again, since they do not have to be discarded after they have been worn a few times, or that no masks are used at all because this is too expensive in the long run. The masks can be disinfected quickly and safely and are like new, fresh and hygienic every time. This lowers the acquisition costs and could mean that, advantageously, instead of the cheap/disposable masks, which can be disinfected and used more often, personalized masks made of high-quality materials with e.g. B. Exchangeable filters are requested and triggers a rethinking of the mask manufacturers in order to reduce the price pressure.

This would lead to the situation hoped for according to the invention, that effective protection against infection and spread of viruses would be created, resources would be saved in the long term and the environment would be protected, while at the same time reducing the costs for everyone, users and manufacturers.

The invention also relates to a combination of a device according to the invention and a plurality of receptacles according to the invention.

The invention will now be described with reference to the figures.

1 is a schematic representation of a device for thermal disinfection (10) consisting of a base body/heat source (11) with attachable and replaceable, standardized S-modules (20) for fixing different

disinfection goods. After generating steam in the steam boiler (14) by evaporating a liquid through the heating element (15), after starting a program (countdown) on the operating unit (17), the valve (13) opens and sets a continuous

Free steam flow through the hose in the body / heat source r (10) through the

Plug connection to the S module (20) via the connecting hose (21) in the S module (20), the

Steam channel (22) and the steam funnel (23) is guided to the steam openings (24) in a defined manner.

Here it is blown onto and through the item to be disinfected at approx. 77-100°C for approx. 30 seconds, which leads to a complete disinfection of the item to be disinfected. Of the

Steam flow can be maintained as long as the pump is above the

Connecting channel from the removable reservoir (16) constantly liquid in the Steam boiler (14) conveyed and this is constantly vaporized there by the heating element (15). After the countdown has expired, the valve (13) is automatically closed and the evaporation process ends. The lines (18) to the S-module (20) and the reservoir (16) are depressurized so that the reservoir (16) can be filled up and/or the S-module (20) can be replaced without the body/heat source being removed (11) having to switch off. Once the disinfection process has started, no user intervention is required. The items to be disinfected can be used immediately or a new one can be clamped.

According to the invention, the steam boiler (14) in FIG. 1 is provided with a screw cap (19) in order to be able to flush out limescale deposits in the steam boiler (14). To do this, the base body/heat source (11) must be switched off and allowed to cool down before the screw cap (19) can be carefully opened.

2 shows the S-module mask (20.01) schematically. According to the invention, it is connected to the base body/heat source (11) via the connection hose (21) and the uniform plug-in connection, and then the S-module (20) plugged onto the base body/heat source (11).

The user now puts on the corresponding disinfection material, with the S-module mask (01/20) a mouth and nose mask, dust mask, etc., and triggers the countdown for the by actuating the corresponding actuating element (17) in FIG appropriate disinfection process. The steam disinfection is now carried out independently and, according to the invention, does not require any intervention by the user. After the countdown has expired, the valve (13) in FIG. 1 is automatically closed, thereby ending the disinfection process.

The next mask can be clamped onto the S module (20.01) and disinfected. If no further masks are to be disinfected, either the module can be changed and other items to be disinfected can be disinfected, or the device for thermal disinfection (10) goes into standby mode after approx. 2 minutes.

According to the invention, the actuating elements (17) in FIG. 1 should be equipped with a pictogram for the respective application object in order to further simplify operation.

3 is a schematic representation of S-module glasses + hearing protection (20.02). The assembly and the disinfection process are carried out in the same way as for the S-module mask (20.01), in Fig. 2. The special feature of the S-module glasses + hearing protection (20.02) is that the steam openings (24) for the glasses and/or hearing protection to be disinfected can be opened or closed independently of one another. This means that either only glasses or only hearing protection can be disinfected or both together.

Fig. 4 shows the S module gloves (20.03) schematically. This module is used to disinfect the inner surfaces of protective gloves. Protective gloves are used by their users i. i.e. R. worn until they broke without washing or disinfecting them (the inner surfaces). By constantly putting on and taking off, fours are transferred via the hands from contact surfaces to the inside of the gloves and from there new contact surfaces are contaminated again, even if the hands themselves have been disinfected/washed in between.

It is therefore important to also disinfect the inner surfaces of gloves, which this invention makes possible easily, quickly and safely.

In Fig. 5, the S-module hairnet + protective helmet (20.04) is shown, in addition to hairnets, protective helmets, hats, towels and scarves can also be disinfected. Due to the modular structure of the S-module (20) and the uniform plug-in connection, a quick and easy S-module change (20) and safe and quick disinfection are also possible here.

To prevent unintentional detachment of the items to be disinfected, a bungee cord (30) is included with this S-module hairnet (20.04) so that the hairnets, hats, scarves, towels, etc. do not come loose during the disinfection process .

The S-module surface (20.05), in Fig. 6, offers the greatest flexibility. After attaching the connecting hose, any surface can be disinfected. To do this, press the corresponding actuating element (17) in Fig. 1 and start disinfecting. The duration of the countdown should be preset here no longer than a few minutes and depends on the steam volume of the steam boiler (14) and the capacity of the pump, in Fig. 1, in order to prevent overloading of the pump and premature wear.

Finally, Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of the S-module development (20. XX).

Steam funnels (23) are shown because they are modular and also at

Further developments equal to the uniform plug-in connections of existing S-modules (20) and base body/heat source (11) in order to be able to guarantee consistent compatibility of the components of the device for thermal steam disinfection (10) with the S modules (20) with the base body/heat source (11), Fig. 1. A configuration of the shape and the steam openings (24) for other areas of application can only be hinted at and form part of the invention as soon as they come about.

List of reference symbols Device Main body/heat source Control unit Valve Steam boiler Heating element Reservoir Actuating element Hose in main body/heat source Screw cap S-module S-module mask S-module glasses + hearing protection S-module gloves S-module hairnet + protective helmet S-module surface S -Further development of the module Connection hose from the module to the base body/heat source Steam channel Steam funnel Steam openings Slider for closing the steam openings Rubber strap

Claims

patent claims

1. Device for the thermal disinfection of a personal, wearable utensil, comprising a base body (11) and several receptacles (20) that can be fastened to the base body for holding the utensil to be disinfected during the disinfection process, the receptacles (20) being designed in such a way that that at least on the side facing the utensil they are partially designed as a negative form of the utensil to be held in order to adapt to the outer contour of the utensil to be disinfected, the receptacles (20) being detachable from the base body (11) and being connectable to it in order to to change them.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the recording (20) partially as a negative form of personal protective equipment or infection protection clothing, a protective mask, such as mouth and nose protection, particle-filtering half mask, such as FFP mask, a cap, a balaclava, one tube scarves, glasses, gloves, hairnets, protective helmets, hearing protection, headphones or earphones and the article of daily use is made in particular from a textile, such as woven fabric, scrim, knitted fabric or fleece, and is preferably designed as a single-use product or for multiple use.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device is assigned a heat source or the device can be connected to such a source in order to introduce heat to or via the receptacle to the utensil to be disinfected.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heat source generates a stream of heated air, steam or a mixture of both, the stream for flowing around or through the object to be disinfected of the receptacle (20) can be fed .

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the receptacle (20) has a plurality of apertures distributed over the surface of the receptacle to allow the flow of heated air, steam or a mixture of both to, around or through the to be disinfected Commodity and preferred to let flow directly to this.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the heat source is integrated in the base body or can be attached to it.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the receptacles can be fastened to the base body via a plug-in connection, the plug-in connection being designed to be positive and/or non-positive, the plug-in connection preferably having a first part, which is connected to the base body and has a correspondingly complementary second part, which is connected to the receptacle, wherein both parts in the assembled state can be brought into engagement with one another in a form-fitting and/or non-positive manner in a detachably connectable manner, preferably by hand.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the plug-in connection is designed in the manner of a screw connection.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the screw connection has a double-start thread, so that the first part can be screwed to the second part via the thread, the thread flanks of the first and second parts having a detent in order to hold the receptacle in the assembled part To lock state on the base body.