GB2597356A

GB2597356A - Sterilisation system and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2597356A
Application number: GB2107118.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Bell Christopher; Bell Deborah
Original assignee: Mb Global Alliance Ltd
Current assignee: Mb Global Alliance Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-18
Filing date: 2021-05-18
Publication date: 2022-01-26
Also published as: GB202107118D0; GB202007363D0

Abstract

A system for sterilisation or disinfection via ozone generation means comprising an ozone generation cell 14, fan 16 and timer 20, and at least one manifold (22, fig. 2). The timer 20 controls the cell 14 power, enabling user selectable ozone generation or use periods, of which there may be a plurality. The cell 14 may be dormant when not in use, and there may be a motion detector. The system may include a power supply, converting incoming power into direct current (DC). There may be a high voltage generator, which may be a pulsed width modulation (PWM) controlled switch 8 and a high frequency high voltage transformer 10, with the output applied to the cell 14, which may be linear and glass. The fan 16, of which there may be a plurality, can cool the cell and direct ozone. Ozone may be directed by diffusers and tubing attached to the manifold (22, fig. 2). A microprocessor 18 may control the fan 16 and timer 20. The system may be used in retail, in a device, of which there is a method disclosed.

Description

Sterilisation System and Method of Use Thereof The present invention relates to the provision of sterilising or disinfectant cleaning fluid, or gas, to provide a cleansing effect 5 to surfaces and in particularly cleansing and/or sterilising surface contaminated with viruses or virions.

Although the present invention refers exclusively to disinfectant cleaning of point of sale (POS) display merchandise and associated display cabinets and shelving to the retail market, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the features of the present invention make it applicable in other situations including for autonomous use in mobile applications and motor vehicles.

The cleaning of surfaces and articles to disinfect the same has become of paramount importance since the COVID-1 9 pandemic. A major problem with cleaning and disinfecting goods for sale in shops and stores, particularly large department stores, is that it is not feasible to manually clean all the goods at the end of the day that may have been exposed to viruses and other pathogens. This problem is exacerbated if there are numerous small goods on display for sale, for example cosmetics POS displays. In addition, the staff required to clean the goods are invariably exposed to said pathogens during the cleaning process.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a system that addresses the abovementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a device that address the abovementioned problems.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using a system and/or device to address the abovementioned problems.

Tn a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for the sterilisation or disinfectant cleaning of one or more surfaces, said system including an ozone generation means and at least one manifold means, said ozone generation means including at least one ozone generation cell, fan member and a timer means wherein said tinier means controls the power to the ozone generation cell to enable user selectable time periods for use or ozone generation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the timer means can 15 be preprogramed with one or more time periods for use. Typically the user can select or pre-program one or more time period in which the system generates ozone for cleaning.

In one embodiment of the invention the ozone generation 20 means includes a housing or is built into a case. Preferably the housing or case is non-conductive or insulated.

In one embodiment the housing is similar in size and/or configuration as a microwave oven. Typically In one embodiment the ozone generation means includes a power supply means. Typically the power supply means takes incoming power and conditions it for conversion. Further typically the incoming power is direct current (DC).

In one embodiment the ozone generation means includes a high voltage generator. Typically the high voltage generator is a pulsed width modulation (PWIVI) controlled switch and a high frequency high voltage trans former. Further typically the transformer generates around 7000 Volts.

Typically the transformer output voltage is applied to the ozone generation cell.

In one embodiment the ozone generation cell is a cell with first and second conductive parts. Typically conductive parts are inner and outer conductive parts.

In one embodiment the ozone generation cell is linear. Typically the cell comprises glass.

Typically ozone gas is produced by the corona action of the 15 voltage between the conductive parts.

Typically the member is used to cool the cell and/or direct the generated ozone to the manifold means.

In one embodiment the manifold means includes at least one 20 connector member. Typically the manifold means includes a plurality of connector members. Further typically the manifold means includes multiple small-bore connector members.

In one embodiment the connector members enable the 25 attachment of tubing and/or ducting. Typically the tubing or ducting is used to direct the generated ozone to the required locations.

In one embodiment the locations are sections of retails display cabinets or shelves.

In one embodiment the manifold means includes an additional fan member.

As such, the system is to use produce and supply ozone directly in the cabinet where it is required and to have controlled time intervals for its use.

In addition, the employment of a manifold means, tubing or ducting to disperse the ozone within the cabinet, ensures an even distribution regardless of shelf layout or density.

In one embodiment the manifold means includes diffuser members. Typically the diffuser members are located at the terminal end of tubing or ducting. Further typically the tubes or ducting would be terminated via customised diffusers, providing maximum ozone spread and subsequent sterilisation of applied surfaces.

Typically the design of the manifold or ducting would be determined by the specific layout of the cabinet or shelving area to be cleansed.

In one embodiment the timer means enables, powers or otherwise runs the ozone generation means for a selectable or predetermined period of time. Typically after the ozone generator means has been powered for a predetermined period of time, it enters a quiescent state. Further typically the length of the off or quiescent state is selectable or predetermined.

In one embodiment the system includes a microprocessor means. Typically the microprocessor means controls the timer means and/or fans.

In one embodiment the system includes an override switch that can override the timer means and turn the system on or off as required. This functionality, ensures the unit can be customised for operational objectives, while remaining connected to a power source.

In a preferred embodiment the system is used to disinfect, clean or otherwise sterilise POS stands, shelves or displays in shops and/or retail environments.

in one embodiment the system is used on cosmetics stands, counters or displays.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the system is used to clean the inside of vehicles such as cars, vans, heavy goods vehicles, buses and/or the like.

In one embodiment the system is autonomous. Typically one programmed the system can work without any further input.

In one embodiment the system includes one or more sensor means. Typically the sensor means include thermal and/or movement detection. Further typically the sensor means prevent the ozone being generated if people and/or animals are detected.

In a further embodiment the sensor means trigger the generation of ozone and/or the timer means for a period once people and/or animals are no longer detected. This is particularly advantageous where larger or more frequent exposure cycles are preferred, or where human or animal exposure is unacceptable.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a device for cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or articles, said device including an ozone generation means and at least one manifold means, said ozone generation means including at least one ozone generation cell, fan member and a timer means wherein said timer means controls the power to the ozone generation cell to enable user selectable time periods for use or ozone generation.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of sterilising or cleaning one or more surfaces or objects, said method including activating a device including an ozone generation means and at least one manifold means, said ozone generation means including at least one ozone generation cell, fan member and a timer means wherein said timer means controls the power to the ozone generation cell to enable user selectable time periods for use or ozone generation.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the following figures, wherein: Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the ozone generation means in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 a block diagram of the device in accordance with an 20 aspect of the invention; and Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

The unit described herein, is a small ozone generator unit with built in timing functionality, permitting the unit to run for a selectable period of time before entering a quiescent state for a similar selectable period.

This cyclical functionality, ensures the unit can be customised for operational objectives, while remaining connected to a power source. There is also the provision for a switch input to allow the sequence to be started manually, effectively overriding any pre-selected operational sequence should this be required.

The intended use of the unit is to provide ozone disinfectant cleaning of point of sale (POS) display merchandise and associated display cabinets and shelving to the retail market. A further application would be a unit intended for autonomous use in mobile applications and motor vehicles. This would comprise of a small self-contained unit powered by the vehicle's power supply.

The unit 2 is comprised of two parts; the first being the ozone generator unit 4 which is built into a non-conductive case. This comprises of a power supply section 6, which takes the incoming DC power and conditions it for the main convertor 8. The high voltage generator 10 is a P\VM controlled switch and a high frequency high voltage transformer 12 generating around 7000V, which is applied to the cell 14.

The cell 14 is a linear glass cell with an inner and outer conductive part The ozone is produced by the corona action of the voltage between these parts. A small fan 16 is used to both cool the cell and to direct the generated ozone to where it is required.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing this unit 2. A microprocessor 18 controls the supply of power to the cell 14 and is programmable, with a user timer function 20 so that the unit can be programmed operate when the store is closed for example.

The second part is a manifold section 22 that has multiple small-bore connections, allowing tubing to be used to direct the generated ozone to the required sections of the display cabinet or shelves. This manifold may have an additional fan if required, subject to specific tubing configurations.

The unique idea for this unit is to use ozone directly in the cabinet where it is required and to have controlled time intervals for its use. In addition, the employment of a manifold, tubing or ducting to disperse the ozone within the cabinet, ensures an even distribution regardless of shelf layout or density. The tubes or ducting would be terminated via customised diffusers, providing maximum ozone spread and subsequent sterilisation of applied surfaces.

The design of the manifold or ducting would be determined by the specific layout of the cabinet or shelving area to be cleansed.

Figure 3 shows a table or bench top unit 2. This unit has two time settings, along with a rapid destruct function for versatility.

This small type of unit can be used in dentists, hairdressers, nail salons, tattoo parlours, jewellers and anyone needing to cleanse cash, in addition to domestic and a wide range of catering establishments.

The principle of operation is the same in that once the ozone is generated in the cell, a fan 24 is used to distribute the same around the inside of the sterilisation chamber 26.

The skilled person will appreciate that the present invention can be provided to be autonomous, with timed use as well as including one or more sensors.

For example the present invention can also be used in an 30 automotive setting. The features that arc particularly suited to this arc: Autonomous use 'limed use The inclusion of a sensory interface While the first two features are also important to the shelf sterilisation application, the inclusion of a sensory interface 5 greatly extend the scope of use in other environments. For example if we are looking at Private Hire Vehicles, then the inclusion of thermal and/or other movement detection ( for example using doppler principles) will permit automatic activation upon the exiting of the vehicle by a passenger or fare, 10 thereby eliminating any interaction with the cleansing cycle. This could be particularly advantageous where larger or more frequent exposure cycles are preferred, or where customer exposure is unacceptable

Claims

Claims 1. A system for the sterilisation or disinfectant cleaning of one or more surfaces, said system including an ozone generation means and at least one manifold means, said ozone generation means including at least one ozone generation cell, fan member and a timer means wherein said timer means controls the power to the ozone generation ccll to enableuser selectable time periods for use or ozone generation.
2. A system according to claim 1 \\Therein the timer means can be preprogramcd with one or more time periods for use in generating ozone for cleaning.
3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the ozone generation means includes a housing or is built into a non-conductive or insulated case.
4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the ozone generation 20 means includes a power supply means.
5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the power supply means takes incoming power and conditions it for conversion into direct current (DC).
6. A system according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the ozone generation means includes a high voltage generator.
7. A system according to claim 6 wherein the high voltage 30 generator is a pulsed width modulation (RWM) controlled switch and a high frequency high voltage transformer.8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the transformer output voltage is applied to the ozone generation cell.
8. A system according to claim 1 wherein the ozone generation cell is a cell with first inner and second outer conductive parts. Typically conductive parts are and conductive parts.
9. A system according to claim 8 wherein the ozone generation cell is a linear glass cell.
10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the fan member is 10 used to cool the cell and/or direct the generated ozone to the manifold means.
11. A system according to claim 1 wherein the manifold means includes at least one connector member.
12. A system according to claim 11 wherein the manifold means includes a plurality of small-bore connector members.
13. A system according to claim 12 wherein the connector 20 members enable the attachment of tubing and/or ducting used to direct the generated ozone to the required locations.
14. A system according to claim 13 wherein the locations are sections of retails display cabinets or shelves.
15. A system according to claim 1 wherein the manifold means includes an additional fan member.
16. A system according to claim 13 wherein the manifold means 30 includes diffuser members located at the terminal end of tubing or ducting.
17. A system according to claim 1 wherein the timer means enables, powers or otherwise runs the ozone generation means for a selectable or predetermined period of time, after the ozone generator means has been powered for a predetermined period of time, it enters a quiescent state.
18. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system includes a microprocessor means controlling the timer means and/or fans.
19. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system includes one or more sensor means for thermal and/or movement 10 detection to prevent the ozone being generated if people and/or animals are detected
20. A device for cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or articles, said device including an ozone generation means and at least one manifold means, said ozone generation means including at least one ozone generation cell, fan member and a timer means wherein said timer means controls the power to the ozone generation cell to enable user selectable time periods for use or ozone generation.
21. A method of sterilising or cleaning one or more surfaces or objects, said method including activating a device including an ozone generation means and at least one manifold means, said ozone generation means including at least one ozone generation cell, fan member and a timer means wherein said timer means controls the power to the ozone generation cell to enable user selectable time periods for use or ozone generation.