TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention relates to an apparatus for sanitizing air. In particular, the invention relates to an ionisation apparatus for ionising air able to generate ions having a spatial concentration of more than 30,000 ions/cm ³ at a distance of 1.0 m from the air outlet opening of the said ionisation apparatus, so as to create a “bubble” of sanitized air around the ionisation apparatus and therefore, possibly, around or in the vicinity of a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hitherto there has been a growing need to improve the quality of the air, not only in closed environments, where the transmission - by means of aerosols - of viruses and bacteria is favoured, but also out in the open, since the atmospheric particulate matter due to smog is constantly increasing.

Over the years various technologies aimed at increasing the quality of the air have been developed. Of these, the use of ionisation apparatus in order to ionise the air is particularly widespread. Air treated by means of an ionisation apparatus is richer ions, especially negative ions, compared to its average content which generally varies from 700 ions/cm ³ - in more polluted environments, such as closed spaces where there is limited recirculation of air - to as much as 50,000 ions/cm ³ , as occurs in areas close to the sea.

The ions interact with the air in the immediate vicinity and therefore come into contact or collide with dusts, pollens, mould, fungi, bacteria, viruses and other pathogenic agents which may be present in it. In particular, the ions adhere to the particles suspended in the air and charge them electrostatically. This causes, in the microorganisms, oxidative stresses such as to cause the death thereof. Instead, the electrostatically charged dusts tend to adhere to oppositely charged particles and, owing to the greater weight assumed, precipitate downwards.

Different types of ionisation apparatus, for example unipolar or bipolar apparatus, are known and these allow only positive or negative ions, or simultaneously both positive and negative ions, to be obtained.

The two types of ionisation apparatus have various advantages and drawbacks. In particular, the author of the present invention has noticed how the currently available ionisation apparatus, while being designed to achieve the aforementioned advantages, are however unable to operate in an efficient manner. In particular it has been noticed how the air ionisation apparatus according to the prior art produce a quantity of ions insufficient to be able to achieve an effective improvement in the quality of the air, and/or the quantity of ions produced is released within an extremely limited radius around the said apparatus, of even only a few cm.

SUMMARY

The problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art. The author of the present invention has defined the aim of providing an air ionisation apparatus which is effectively able to provide objective benefits for the user.

This problem is solved by the ionisation apparatus according to the present invention, which is able to produce and emit on the outside thereof, at a distance of at least 1,0 m from the said apparatus, a concentration of ions at least equal to 30,000 ions/cm ³ . In this way it is possible to obtain a concentration of ions significantly greater than that on average present in the air and sufficient to ensure an effective reduction in the microbial and viral load and reduce the amount of atmospheric particulate matter at a distance of 1.0 m from the ionised air outlet of the said ionisation apparatus. As a result, by means of the ionisation apparatus, it is possible to produce a kind of “bubble” of air which has a high concentration of ions, and is therefore sanitized, within one metre of the ionized air outlet.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide an ionisation apparatus which is able to reduce the electrostatic charge accumulated in the said ionisation apparatus.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide an ionisation apparatus which has an improved efficiency in terms of ion emissions.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide an ionisation apparatus which is able to offer a high degree of safety and reliability during use.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide an ionisation apparatus which can be easily transported and handled by the user.

This task, as well as these and other aims, which will become clearer below are achieved by an ionisation apparatus for ionising air according to the attached Claim 1.

Detailed characteristic features of an ionisation apparatus for ionising air, according to the invention, are contained in the dependent claims.

Further characteristic features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the description of a preferred, but non-exclusive embodiment of an ionisation apparatus for ionising air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an ionisation apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectioned view of an ionisation apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a grille which can be applied to the outlet opening of an ionisation apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the said figures, an ionisation apparatus for ionising air is indicated overall by the reference number 1.

The ionisation apparatus 1 according to the present invention comprises a box-shaped body having an air inlet opening 11 and an air outlet opening 12. The box-shaped body 10 is therefore open towards the outside, namely towards the ambient air, via the at least one inlet opening 11 and outlet opening 12. The box-shaped body 10 defines an ejection direction X. The box-shaped body 10 defines furthermore a compartment or chamber 100.

The ionisation apparatus 1 according to the present invention further comprises a power supply unit 20 and a bipolar ioniser 30 housed in the box-shaped body 10. The bipolar ioniser 30 comprises, in turn, a first electrode 31 and a second electrode 32 and is electrically connected or connectable to the power supply unit 20 so that the first electrode 31 is supplied with a positive voltage V1 and the second electrode 32 is supplied with a negative voltage V2 so as to generate between them an electric field having an intensity greater than the dielectric strength of the air. The bipolar ioniser 30 is therefore supplied or can be supplied by the power supply unit 20 with a positive voltage V1 for the first electrode 31 and a negative voltage V2 for the second electrode 32. Expressed differently, a positive voltage V1 is applied to the first electrode 31 and a negative voltage V2 is applied to the second electrode 32. Owing to the difference in potential between the two electrodes 31, 32 an electric field having an intensity greater than the dielectric strength of the air is generated. The production of an electric field, having an intensity greater than the dielectric strength of the air, induces the transfer, acquisition or loss of electrons, in some of the air molecules, especially oxygen and water vapour molecules, which are exposed to said electric field. Following this acquisition or loss of electrons the air molecules are transformed, respectively, into positive or negative ions.

In addition, the ionisation apparatus 1 according to the present invention comprises air movement means 40 which are housed inside the box-shaped body 10 and are electrically connected or connectable to the power supply unit 20 and configured to generate an air flow which enters via the inlet opening 11 and flows between said first electrode and second electrode 31, 32 so as to cross the electric field and exit the boxshaped body 10 through the outlet opening 12.

In particular, according to the present invention, the bipolar ioniser 30 and/or the suction means 40 is/are chosen or configured so that, upon passage of the air flow through the electric field, it undergoes an ionisation caused by the electric field such as to produce or generate ions having a spatial concentration greater than 30,000 ions/cm ³ along the ejection direction X.

In other words, the bipolar ioniser 30 and/or the suction means 40 are configured so that, upon passage of the air flow through the electric field, a plurality of ions having a spatial concentration greater than 30,000 ions/cm ³ are produced at a distance of 1.0 m from the outlet opening 12 along the ejection direction X. Expressed in yet other words, the air is saturated with a concentration of ions greater than 30,000 ions/cm ³ within a distance of 1.0 m from the outlet opening 12 along the ejection direction X. The value of 30,000 ions/cm ³ is able to achieve a significant reduction in the bacteriological load, viral load and atmospheric particulate matter. Therefore, the user, by positioning the ionisation apparatus 1 at less than one metre from him/herself along the ejection direction X, is able to be surrounded by a kind of “bubble” of air having the aforementioned concentration of ions, namely a kind of “bubble” containing sanitized air. As is known, the dielectric strength of the air varies, mainly depending on the moisture content, between about 1 kV/mm (air saturated with moisture) and 3 kV/mm (dry air at standard pressure).

In particular, the experimental tests carried out by the author of the present invention have demonstrated the following bactericidal activity of the apparatus 1 according to the present invention.

The apparatus 1 according to the present invention was kept in operation for 15 minutes or 30 minutes inside a sealed container with a volume of 1m ³ inside which a bacterial load of between 3x10 ³ - 5x10 ³ UFC/m ³ of Legionella pneumophila ATCC® 33152 was atomized. The experiment was repeated, under the same conditions, with the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 25923.

* The normal degradation of the bacterial load, which can be generally estimated at around 12%, must be added to the mortality values indicated. In addition, further experimental tests carried out by the author of the present invention have demonstrated the capacity for reduction of the atmospheric particulate matter, especially PM and PM2.5, by the ionisation apparatus 1 according to the present invention, In particular, the measurements shown below were carried out using the method defined in the ISO standard 12332:2014: “Ambient air - Standard gravimetric measurement method for the determination of the PM 10 or PM2.5 mass concentration of suspended particulate matter”.

According to the present invention, the ionisation apparatus 1 comprises at least one grille 60 which is fixed or can be fixed to the box-shaped body 10 at the outlet opening 12. The grille 60 is, namely, fixed or designed to be fixed to the box-shaped body 10 at the outlet opening 12. The grille 60 is advantageously able to prevent the undesirable entry of foreign bodies, such as objects or the user’s fingers, inside the box-shaped body 10 through the outlet opening 12.

The grille 60 comprises a plurality of slits 61 designed to allow the air flow to exit the box-shaped body 10. Advantageously, the plurality of slits therefore allows the air flow to exit the box-shaped body, in particular the compartment or chamber 100. The slits 61 are arranged radially around the geometric centre of the grille 60. Namely, the slits 61 extend radially from the geometric centre of the grille 60.

The slits 61 have a form tapered towards the geometric centre of the grille 60 and have a substantially “teardrop” shape. In other words, the slits 61 have a tapered form, which is substantially “teardrop” shaped, towards the geometric centre of the grille 60.

Furthermore, the grille 60 has a concave form towards the compartment or chamber 100 of the box-shaped body 10. Experimental tests carried out by the author of the present invention have shown that this configuration of the grille 60 is able to limit the static load which, during use, tends to accumulate on it. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the bipolar ioniser 30 and/or the suction means 40 is/are configured or chosen so that, upon passage of the air flow through the electric field, it undergoes an ionisation such as to produce or generate ions having a spatial concentration greater than 1 million ions/cm ³ at a distance of 40 cm along the ejection direction X from the outlet opening 12 and/or a spatial concentration greater than 2.5 million ions/cm ³ at a distance of 20 cm along the ejection direction X from the outlet opening 12 and/or greater than 7 million ions/cm ³ at a distance of 10 cm along the ejection direction X from the outlet opening 12 and/or greater than 10 millions/cm ³ at a distance of 5 cm along the ejection direction X from the outlet opening 12 and/or greater than 13 million/cm ³ ions at the outlet opening 12.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the box-shaped body and/or the outlet opening 12 are configured so that, during operation of the said ionisation apparatus 1, the air flow exits the latter deflected so as to disperse the ions generated in a substantially conical zone having an angular opening of between 20° and 120° and preferably between 60° and 75° with respect to the ejection direction X.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, each of the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 comprises a respective terminal portion or tip portion 31a, 32a.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the terminal portion 31a of the first electrode 31 and the terminal portion 32a of the second electrode are positioned at a distance of at least 24 mm from each other, more preferably at at least 30 mm from each other. A distance between the terminal portions 31, 32a of less than 24 mm reduces the number of ions which may be effectively emitted or transported outside of the box-shaped body 10. In fact, a closer arrangement together of the distal portions 31a, 32a has the effect that most of the positive ions produced are attracted by the second electrode 32, which is supplied with the negative voltage V2, and such that most of the negative ions produced are attracted by the first electrode 32, which is supplied with the positive electrode V1.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the box-shaped body 10 comprises an inner surface 104.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the terminal portion 31a of the first electrode 31 and the terminal portion 32a of the second electrode 32 are positioned at a distance of at least 8 mm from the inner surface 104. In other words, the minimum distance between the terminal portion 31a of the first electrode 31 and the terminal portion 32a of the second electrode 32 from the inner surface 104 is at least 8 mm. Even more preferably, the distance of the terminal portion 31a of the first electrode 31 and the terminal portion 32a from the inner surface 104 of the box-shaped body is at least 10 mm, at the most preferably at least 15 mm. In this way, it is possible to limit the number of positive ions and negative ions which, once generated, tend to be deposited on the inner surface 104 of the box-shaped body 10 without therefore being expelled through the outlet opening 12.

Even more preferably, the terminal portion 31a of the first electrode 31 and the terminal portion 32a of the second electrode 32 are located at a distance from each other of about 30 mm and are each located at a distance of at least 8 mm - at the most preferably at least 15 mm - from the inner surface 104 of the box-shaped body 10. These distances are such as to maximize allow the number of positive and negative ions which are expelled through the outlet opening 12, namely they minimize the number of positive and negative ions which tend to be deposited on the inner surface of the box-shaped body 104 or which are attracted respectively by the second electrode 32 and by the first electrode 31.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the terminal portion 31a of the first electrode 31 and the terminal portion 32a of the second electrode 32 are positioned at a distance greater than, namely of at least or not less than, 19 mm with respect to the inlet opening 11 and the outlet opening 12. In this way, the ionisation apparatus 1 is in compliance with the standard LIL867 dated 16 August 2021 , edition 5, (see in particular Table 23.2).

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the ionisation apparatus 1 comprises a support assembly 50 housed inside the box-shaped body 10. In particular, the support assembly 50 is configured to fix or associate stably the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 with the box-shaped body 10. Preferably, the support assembly 50 is configured to fix or associate stably the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 with the inner surface 104 of the box-shaped body 10.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the terminal portion 31a of the first electrode 31 and the terminal portion 31b of the second electrode 32 are operatively associated with the support assembly 50 as to protrude or project with respect thereto by at least 8 mm. In other words, each terminal portion 31a, 32a is operatively associated with the support assembly 50 in such a way that said terminal portion 31a, 32a is located at a distance of at least 8 mm therefrom.

Preferably, furthermore, each electrode 31 , 32 comprises a respective base portion 31b, 32b. The terminal portion 31a of the first electrode 31 is associated with the support assembly 50 by means of the base portion 31b of the first electrode 31 and, similarly, the terminal portion 32a of the second electrode 32 is associated with the support assembly 50 by means of the base portion 32b of the second electrode 32.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the support assembly 59 comprises a first support element 51, associated or designed to be associated with the first electrode 31, and a second support element 52, associated or designed to be associated with the second electrode 32. The aforementioned distance of at least 8 mm refers to the distance between the terminal portion of each electrode 31a, 32b and the respective support element 51 , 52.

One of the undesirable effects of the ionisation of an air flow is the production of ozone, which in high concentrations is toxic. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the bipolar ioniser 30 is configured to generate a quantity of ozone less than 1x10' ⁵ % , preferably less than 1x10' ⁶ %.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, each terminal portion 31a, 32a comprises or consists of a “brush”, namely a plurality of carbon-fibre bristles. The use of electrodes of the “brush” rather than “needle” type advantageously allows the quantity of ozone produced by the ionisation apparatus 1 to be limited.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the box-shaped body 10 acts as a housing or container for some of the further components of the ionisation apparatus 1 which are housed inside it. In particular, the box-shaped body 10 defines a compartment or chamber 100 designed to receive further components of the ionisation apparatus 1 , for example the bipolar ionizer 30 and the air movement means 40a and, if provided, the control unit 70. The inner surface of the box-shaped body 104 is therefore directed towards or faces this compartment or chamber 100. The box-shaped body 10 comprises furthermore preferably an outer surface 105 opposite the inner surface 104.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the box-shaped body 10 is made as one piece or comprises two or more portions 10a, 10b which are designed to be associated with each other; for example by means of mechanical joining means.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the box-shaped body 10 extends mainly around a main axis of extension Y. In other words, the box-shaped body 10 has a substantially elongated form. Preferably, furthermore, the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the main axis of extension Y. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the ejection direction X corresponds to the main axis of extension Y.

Preferably, the box-shaped body 10 may have a substantially cylindrical or parallelepiped shape. Alternatively, the box-shaped body 10 may have a different shape, for example so as to allow the ionisation apparatus 1 to be housed inside a suitable seat provided in another device, for example the housing for a spotlight.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the box-shaped body 10 comprises a side wall 101. Preferably, moreover, the at least one inlet opening 11 is formed in the side wall 101.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the box-shaped body 10 comprises a bottom wall 102, designed to be secured to or stably rest on a floor or other stationary support. According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the outlet opening 12 is formed facing namely opposite the bottom wall 102. In particular, according to this preferred aspect, the box-shaped body 10 may comprise a top end wall, opposite the bottom wall 102, and the outlet opening 12 is formed in the top end wall. Alternatively, namely in the absence of the top end wall, the side wall 101 has a free edge and the outlet opening 12 may consist of the space surrounded, i.e. perimetrally delimited, by this free edge.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the box-shaped body 10 is made of insulating material; in this way it is possible to prevent the ions which have formed following the passage of the air flow between the electrodes 31, 32, from being attracted by the said box-shaped body 10. Preferably, the box-shaped body 10 is made of polymer material, such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyamide (PA), in particular polyamide 6 (PA6).

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the ionisation apparatus 1 according to the present invention comprises, furthermore, at least one shell 106 or cladding element designed to be fixed to the outer surface 105 of the boxshaped body 10. The shell 106 or cladding element can be fitted, for example by means of mechanical fixing means, to the outer surface 105 of the box-shaped body 10 so as to cover it. The shell 106 or cladding element therefore allows the box-shaped body 10 to be concealed or hidden from sight. As a result, the shell 106 or cladding element help define and characterize the aesthetic appearance of the ionisation apparatus 1, especially in terms of the surface finish and colour. Preferably, the shell 106 or cladding element may be made of polymer material and/or ceramic material and/or glass and/or metal, for example from a metal sheet so that they may be easily made, for example by means of folding, shearing, drilling, painting of the sheet. Preferably, the shell 106, or cladding element, may comprise two or more portions. Preferably, these portions may be associated or can be associated with each other and/or the box-shaped body 10 by means of mechanical joining elements.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the ionisation apparatus 1 further comprises a bracket which is associated or can be associated with the box-shaped body 10 and/or the shell 106, if provided. The bracket is designed to hold up or support the box-shaped body 10 with respect to a support surface. In particular, the bracket is associated or can be associated with the box-shaped body 10, directly or indirectly by means of the shell 106 if provided, in a movable manner, preferably rotatable manner, so as to allow during use the adjustment of the position or orientation of the outlet opening 12 with respect to the support surface. In this way, during use, it is possible to orient or direct the ejection direction X, and therefore the air flow exiting through the outlet opening 12, as required, and preferably towards the user.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the grille 60 can be preferably fixed to the free edge of the side wall 101 or, if present, to the top end wall in the region of the outlet opening 12. As mentioned above, the grille 60 is advantageously able to prevent the undesirable entry of foreign bodies, such as objects or the user’s fingers, inside the box-shaped body 10 through the outlet opening 12.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the grille 60 comprises a central portion 62, which extends around the geometric centre of the grille 60, without openings, around which the slits 61 are radially arranged. Preferably, the geometric centre of the grille 60 coincides with the main axis of extension Y.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the grille 60 is made of resin or polymer material, such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyamide (PA), in particular polyamide 6 (PA6).

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the grille 60 is a first grille and the ionisation apparatus 1 comprises at least one second grille 63 which is fixed or can be fixed to the box-shaped body 10 at the at least one inlet opening 11. Preferably, the at least one second grille 63 forms part of the aforementioned shell or housing. The second grille 63, similar to the first grille 60, is intended to limit the risk that foreign bodies may be mistakenly inserted into the box-shaped body 10 through the inlet opening 11.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the positive voltage V1 and the negative voltage V2 have substantially the same absolute value. The modulus of the value of the positive voltage V1 is approximately equal to the modulus of the negative voltage V2. Preferably, said absolute value or modulus is equal to 2.5 kV ± 1 ,0kV, more preferably said absolute value or modulus is equal to 2.5 kV ± 0.5kV. In other words, during use, the first electrode 31 is supplied with a positive voltage V equal to +2.5 kV ± 1.0kV, more preferably 2.5 kV ± 0.5kV, and the second electrode 32 is supplied with a negative voltage V2 equal to -2.5 kV ± 1.0kV, more preferably 2.5 kV ± 0.5kV In this way, as demonstrated by the experimental tests carried out by the author of the present invention, the static charge accumulated mainly in the region of the grille 60 is significantly reduced and it is not necessary to provide an earthing point in order to eliminate it.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the ionisation apparatus 1 further comprises a circuit for raising the voltage, i.e. voltage multiplication or multiplier circuit, which is electrically connected or connectable to the power supply unit 20. In particular, the voltage raising circuit, or voltage multiplication or multiplier circuit, is designed to be supplied by the power supply circuit 20 with an inlet voltage and is configured to generate an output voltage having an absolute value greater than the inlet voltage. In addition, the voltage raising circuit, or voltage multiplication or multiplier circuit, is electrically connected or connectable to the bipolar ioniser 30 so that the output voltage is supplied, i.e. is provided, to the first electrode 31 as said positive voltage V1 and to the second electrode 32 as said negative voltage V2.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the power supply unit 20 comprises or consists of a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) accumulator. For example, the power supply unit consists of or comprises one or more nickel metal hydride batteries. This preferred aspect is able to provide the ionisation apparatus 1 with a particular degree of safety since these types of accumulators are less prone than other types, for example lithium batteries, to the uncontrolled generation of heat and hence the risk of explosion or fire.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the power supply unit 20 is housed inside the box-shaped body 10. In this way, the ionisation apparatus 10 is particularly compact and does not have to be connected continuously to an energy source outside of the box-shaped body 10 in order to be able to function. More preferably, the power supply unit 20 is associated with the bottom wall 102 of the boxshaped body 10 so as to help ensure a greater stability of the entire ionisation apparatus 1.

According to a further preferred aspect, the power supply unit 20 is rechargeable.

Preferably, for this purpose, the box-shaped body 10 comprises a connection port, for example of the USB type, connected to the power supply unit 20 to allow recharging thereof by means of a power supply cable.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the air flow generated by the air movement means 40 follows a main movement direction A between the first and second electrodes 31 , 32 and the outlet opening 12. In other words, the air movement means 40 are configured to generate, following operation thereof, an air flow which enters via the inlet opening 11, flows between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 and exits the box-shaped body 10 through the outlet opening 12 and which has a main direction of movement A between the first and second electrodes 31 , 32 and the outlet opening 12. In other words, during use, the air flow between the first and second electrodes 31, 32 and the outlet opening 12 moves mainly along the main movement direction A.

According to a further preferred aspect, said main movement direction A coincides with the main axis of extension Y.

According to a further preferred aspect, the suction means 40 are configured so that, following operation thereof, the air which forms the air flow has substantially uniform directions and speeds in at least one plane perpendicular to the main movement direction A so as to avoid remixing of air which could limit the conveying of the ions outside of the box-shaped body 10.

In this way, most of the ions produced when passing through the electric field are substantially pushed or conveyed directly towards the outlet opening 12, preventing contact with the inner surface 104 of the box-shaped body 10.

Preferably, the air movement means 40 consist of or comprise a fan. Even more preferably, said fan is of the axial type.

According to a further preferred aspect, each of the first electrode 31 and the second electrode extends mainly along a main direction of extension B. The first electrode 31 and the second electrode 34 therefore have an elongated form along the respective main direction of extension.

In particular, preferably, the main extension direction of the first electrode 31 and the main extension direction of the second electrode 32 are parallel to each other. More preferably, the main extension direction of the first electrode 31 and the main extension direction of the second electrode 32 are parallel to each other and with respect to the main extension axis Y of the box-shaped body 10. Even more preferably, the main extension direction of the first electrode 31 , the main extension direction of the second electrode 32 and the main extension direction Y of the box-shaped body 10 are coplanar, namely they lie in the same ideal plane.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 are housed inside the box-shaped body so that their main direction of extension B is parallel to the main direction of advancing movement A of the air flow. In this way the creation of turbulence which could cause the undesirable deposition of positive and negative ions inside the box-shaped body 10, in particular on the inner surface 104 of the latter, is avoided.

According to a further preferred aspect, moreover, the air movement means 40 comprise at least one magnetic suspension. Owing to the magnetic suspension, during use, the friction between the components of the air movement means 40 is particularly reduced, resulting in a significant reduction in the noisiness of the air movement means 40. As a result, the ionisation apparatus 1 may therefore be used in the proximity of the user, for example placed on a desk or bedside table, also for long periods of time without creating any disturbance for a user. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the ionisation apparatus 1 comprises a temperature sensor associated with the power supply unit 20 and configured to detect the temperature of the power supply unit 20.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the ionisation apparatus 1 also comprises a control unit 70.

According to a preferred aspect, the control unit 70 is connected to the temperature sensor and configured and/or programmed to interrupt the recharging of the power supply unit 20 if the temperature of the power supply unit 20 detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a safety temperature threshold. Preferably, said safety temperature threshold is chosen within the range of between 45°C and 55°C, and is preferably equal to 50°C.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the control unit 70 is connected to the power supply unit 20 and is configured and/or programmed to monitor the voltage, or the residual charge, of the power supply unit 20.

In particular, the control unit 70 is configured and/or programmed to monitor periodically the voltage, or the residual charge, of the power supply unit 20.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the ionisation apparatus 1 also comprises a light indicator, preferably an LED, associated with the box-shaped body 10 and connected to the control unit 70. Preferably, the control unit 70 is configured and/or programmed to generate different light signals by means of the light indicator in order to indicate different operating states of the ionisation apparatus 1 and/or the power supply unit 20. For example, the different operating states of the ionisation apparatus 1 may be distinguished by different colours and/or by the different duration of the light signal emitted by the light indicator.

For example, the different operating states of the ionisation apparatus 1 and/or the power supply unit 20 may correspond to one or more of the following conditions: - the ionisation apparatus 1 is switched off;

- the ionisation apparatus 1 is in operation, i.e. the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 are supplied respectively with the positive voltage V1 and the negative voltage V2, and the power supply unit 20 is charged, i.e. the residual voltage of the power supply unit 20 is higher than an operating power supply threshold, for example equal to 3.2 V;

- the ionisation apparatus 1 is in operation and the power supply unit 20 is close to becoming discharged, i.e. the residual voltage of the power supply unit 30 is lower than an operating power supply threshold, for example equal to 3.2 V;

- the ionisation apparatus 1 is in operation and the power supply unit 20 is discharged, i.e. the residual voltage of the power supply unit 30 is lower than a minimum operating power supply threshold, for example less than 3.0 V;

- the ionisation apparatus 1 is in operation and the power supply unit 20 is recharging;

- the ionisation apparatus 1 is on standby, i.e. the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 are not supplied respectively with the positive voltage V1 and the negative voltage V2, and the power supply unit 20 is charged, i.e. the residual voltage of the power supply unit 20 is higher than an operating power supply threshold, for example equal to 3.2 V;

- the ionisation apparatus 1 is on standby, i.e. the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 are not supplied respectively with the positive voltage V1 and the negative voltage V2, and the power supply unit 20 is recharging. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the ionisation apparatus 1 has dimensions of less than 20 cm x 12 cm x 12 cm, more preferably less than 19 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm, and even more preferably less than 17 cm x 7 cm x 9 cm. In fact, the ionisation apparatus 1 has dimensions comparable to those of an ordinary beverages can and therefore may be easily transported and handled. In addition, preferably, the overall weight of the ionisation apparatus is less than 500 kg, preferably less than 400 g and even more preferably less than or equal to 350 g. In this way the ionisation apparatus 1 is even easier to move and handle.

According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the ionisation apparatus 1 may be provided with a handgrip or handle which facilitates gripping and carrying thereof and/or an engaging element so as to be able to removably associate the ionisation apparatus 1 with a further object, such as a baby’s pushchair.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in relation to preferred embodiments, it must be understood that numerous variations of these embodiment may be provided without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, which is defined by the accompanying claims.