DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The invention subject matter of this patent application finds its application in the making of devices for the sanitization of environments, particularly but not exclusively domestic environments.

In particular, the invention subject matter of this patent application finds its application in the making of devices for the sanitization of environments, said devices being integrated in other devices having known functionalities, such as lighting devices.

State of the art

It is well known that the sanitization of environments, in particular the sanitization of bacteria, is achieved through various types of devices including devices known with the general term of ozonators, or devices capable of transforming molecular oxygen in the air into ozone molecules (O ₃ ) known for having a high oxidizing power and therefore also a germicidal and bactericidal effect.

The main disadvantage of this type of device, however, is that ozone, if in high quantities, can be harmful to people, which is why these devices can be used in a non-continuous manner and thus alternating periodic cycles of sanitization to periods of non -sanitization.

The current the state of the art also includes known devices that use the germicidal/bactericidal effect of UV-C rays combined in some cases with polymeric filters treated with titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ).

The main known feature that distinguishes Ti0 _2- treated filters from other known filters, such as high density air (HEPA) filters, is that the TiO ₂ treatment acts as an activator and accelerator of the photocatalysis process thanks to UV-ray exposure.

This process accelerates the destruction of the RNA of the organic material that is deposited on the filter, not allowing its proliferation but rather leading to its destruction, thus acting as a biocide.

The technology based on UV-C rays, used singularly or in combination with filters treated with TiC>2, although effective, is mainly used for sterilization devices and, therefore, in appropriate closed enclosures in which the objects to be sterilized are placed; the sanitization process based on UV-C rays cannot, therefore, be used for direct exposure in the environment because such radiation could cause damage to the epidermis and the human eye, which is why it cannot be used in the presence of people.

The document US10921004 "ANTIVIRAL AIR-FILTERING LIGHTING DEVICE" describes a lighting device equipped with a suitable structure and means for filtering and sanitizing the surrounding air.

According to the description, the lighting device includes a housing, two light sources, at least one air passage opening, an air filter in each air passage, and an air circulation mechanism. The housing houses the two light sources, the at least one air passageway, and the air filter(s). The first light source may emit predominantly visible light (>400 nm) and account for 100% of the light output of the lighting device. The second light source is hidden within the housing and does not contribute to the light output of the lighting device and is used to activate the photocatalytic material coated on the surface of the air filter. The invention described in the document US10921004, therefore, comprises an improved lighting element that requires an external structure for the purpose of creating a lamp-type lighting element. The external structure, therefore, comprises a series of elements that do not have a functional action regarding the sanitization action and that constitute exclusively a structural and/or aesthetic endowment.

The scope of the invention subject matter of this patent application is, therefore, to make a device for the sterilization of environments by means of UV-C rays, said device being integrated in a commonly used lighting object such as, by way of example but not limited to a table lamp or the like, in which the structural elements constituting the body of the lamp act as functional elements with regard to the sanitizing action on the surrounding air.

This and further scopes will become clear from the description and the attached Table where

Fig. 1: front view of the sanitizing device (10) integrated to a lighting device;

Fig. 2: cross view of the sanitizing device (10) integrated to a lighting device and the elements constituting the sanitizing device (10) integrated in a lighting device;

Fig. 3: top view of the sanitizing device (10) integrated in a lighting device;

Fig. 4: Axonometric view of the sanitizing device (10) integrated in a lighting device.

Detailed description

With reference to the attached Figures, the sanitizing device (10) integrated in a lighting device subject matter of this patent application comprises a base (1, Fig. 1,2) to which is associated a first longitudinally developed body (2, Fig. 1, Fig. 2) to the upper end of which is associated a second body (3 Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 4).

In a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment form, the second body (3) has a truncated cone shape.

Regardless of the preferred embodiment forms, the second body (3) is made of any available material that exhibits characteristics of non-translucency and resistance to UV exposure; in a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment form, the second body (3) is made of an ASA co-polymer.

According to the invention subject matter of this patent application, internally to the second body (3, Fig. 2) there is housed at least a first light source (3.1, Fig. 2) emitting radiation in the visible spectrum, preferably but not exclusively of the LED type, at least one filter (3. 2, Fig. 2), a compartment

(3.3, Fig. 2) said compartment (3.3) being hereinafter referred to as "sanitization chamber" (3.3), said sanitization chamber (3.3, Fig. 2) being internally provided with at least a second UV-C light source (3.3.1, Fig. 2) preferably but not exclusively of the LED UV-C type.

In a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment, the at least one filter (3.2, Fig. 2) contained within the second body (3, Fig. 2) is a TiO ₂ -treated polymeric filter.

Superiorly (Fig. 3,) the second body (3, Fig. 3) comprises a perforated grid (4, Fig. 2, Fig. 3).

In a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment, the grid (4, Fig. 2, Fig. 3) it presents a honeycomb structure.

According to the invention subject matter of this patent application, the second body (3) is open inferiorly so as to allow the passage of the radiation emitted to the at least one first light source (3.1, Fig. 2).

According to the invention subject matter of this patent application, the longitudinally developed body (2, Fig. 1,2,4) constitutes the shaft of the sanitizing device (10) which is the subject matter of this patent application and comprises an internally hollow body.

The hollow longitudinal body (2, Fig. 2) houses internally a threaded bar type element (3.8, Fig. 2) to the upper end of which is associated a fan (3.6, Fig. 2) that is inserted into the second body (3, Fig. 2).

At the base of the fan (3.6, Fig. 2) a funnel-shaped manifold (3.5, Fig. 2) is housed.

According to the invention subject matter of this patent application, the base (1, Fig. 1, Fig. 2) of the device (10) which is the subject of this patent application is directly connected to the longitudinally developed body (2) and substantially comprises a first upper surface (1. 1, Fig. 2) and a second lower surface

(1.2, Fig. 2), said lower surface (1.2 Fig. 2) being of larger dimensions than the first surface (1.1, Fig. 2); in particular, the first upper surface (1.1, Fig. 2) is associated with the lower end of the hollow longitudinal development body (2, Fig. 2). According to the invention subject matter of this patent application, the first upper surface (1.1, Fig. 2) is centrally associated with the second lower surface (1.2, Fig. 2) by means of a threaded connection (1.4 Fig. 2) which acts as a support for the lower end of the threaded bar (3.8, Fig. 2).

According to the invention subject matter of this patent application, there is a cavity (1.3, Fig. 2) between the first upper surface (1.1, Fig. 2) and the second lower surface (1.2,

Fig. 2) made as previously described.

According to the invention subject matter of this patent application, the air from the environment surrounding the place where the device (10) made as described is positioned, is s _l acked in through the fan (3.6, Fig. 2) generating a flow (F, Fig. 2) that crosses the grille (4, Fig. 2) and then flows into the sanitization chamber (3. 3, Fig. 2) and then conveyed through the funnel-shaped collector (3.5, Fig, 2) inside the hollow body with longitudinal development (2, Fig. 2) up to the cavity (1.3, Fig. 2) present between the first upper surface (1.1, Fig. 2) and the second lower surface (1.2, Fig. 2) from which it comes out. According to the invention subject matter of this patent application, the air of the surrounding environment undergoes a first filtration by means of the grid (4, Fig . 2 ) and a second filtration in the sanitization chamber (3.3, Fig . 2 ) by means of the titanium dioxide filter which, activated by the UV-C rays emitted by the second UV-C light source (3.3.1, Fig . 2) , by effect of photocatalytic oxidation, destroys most of the microorganisms and/or bacteria and/or viruses present in the air flowing through .

In a first preferred embodiment, the device ( 10 ) subject matter of this patent application is electrically powered by direct connection to the electrical supply network through a suitable cable .

In a second preferred embodiment, the device (10 ) subject matter of this patent application is powered by a usb-c socket (1 . 5, Fig .

2, Fig . 4 ) provided with batteries (3.4, Fig . 2 ) positioned within the second body (3, Fig . 2 ) .

Regardless of the described embodiments, in a third preferred, but not exclusive embodiment, the outer surface of the second body (3,

Fig . 1, Fig . 4 ) has at least two buttons (3.3.3, Fig . 4 ) arranged to activate/deactivate the lighting and/or sanitizing functions and to manage the fan speed (3. 6) .

In a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment , the at least two buttons (3.3. 3, Fig . 4 ) are of the "touch buttons " type .

According to the invention subject matter of this patent application, air sanitization is achieved by means of a device

( 10 ) of the lamp type which includes in its body means for activation and sanitization by UV-C rays and at the same time can act as a common lighting device .

In particular, the device subject matter of this patent application can be used in a continuous mode with respect to the sanitization function, obviating the disadvantages of the state of the art described herein and maintaining safety for the user with respect to the emission of UV-C rays .