FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an ultraviolet disinfection system for disinfecting surface of a moving object.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS- CoV-2, has caused a global scale health-threatening crisis. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is an enveloped virus. Its genetic material is packed inside an outer layer (envelope) of proteins and lipids. The envelope contains structures (spike proteins) that attaches itself to human cells during infection. Ultraviolet or UV disinfection has been a well- known and scientifically validated technology for the disinfection of pathogen on surfaces as well as the air and water sources. Ultraviolet is a range of electromagnetic waves with a length from 10 nm to 380 nm and further divided into 4 ranges, i.e., UVA or the long waves of 320 nm - 400 nm, UVB or the medium length waves of 280 nm - 320 nm, UVC or short waves from 200 nm - 280 nm, and finally UVD which are very short waves. The UVC spectrum has been used extensively as the germicidal range of UV radiation. It has been proven that UVC shows germicidal activities via the destruction of the genetic structure through disturbance in the process of DNA replication. The detrimental effects on pathogens occurs due to the changes in the intracellular components, i.e., DNA, RNA, and proteins, which sensitively absorbs the ultraviolet photons. Absorbs photons impairs the genomic system of the microorganism, thus preventing them from replicating and surviving. Destruction of pathogens is significantly improved by targeting a biochemical in its DNA/RNA with the proper wavelength so the critical dosage can be delivered in the shortest time. It is studied that the wavelengths between 230 nm to 275 m, (UVC range) are absorbed readily by nucleic acid and proteins. Apart from the germicidal properties of the UV radiation, it also has abilities to inactivate bacterial toxins, antisera, etc.

Japanese patent application no. JP 11347506 A discusses a UV cleaning apparatus which utilizes both UV radiation and ozone. The said UV cleaning apparatus has a cleaning chamber which carries an object to be cleaned, starting first with the UV radiation from the ultraviolet lamp and subsequently the UV cleaning apparatus is configured to generate ozone for the second stage of cleaning. Cleaned objects or items are then transported within the device on rollers. The downfall of this UV cleaning apparatus however is that both the ozone and the scattered UV light can leak to the outside or to the external areas of the UV cleaning apparatus through the open inlet and outlet slits. Similarly, Japanese patent application no. JP 2011235210 A, discusses a UV-ozone cleaning apparatus, that comprises a first and second UV radiation units that faces each other in the UV irradiation chamber. In addition, a gas exhaust pump for the ozone-containing gas supplies the gas into the chamber as an additional disinfectant. Similarly, to the earlier application discussed, the problem of the harmful effects of the use of ozone and UV is not addressed or solved.

Due to the infectiousness of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the ability of the pathogen to survive on surfaces for long periods of time, the need for UV surface disinfection has risen. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a disinfection system that addresses this concern and at the same time, safe to be used. Various public spaces, from healthcare facilities to restaurants have adopted the UV surface disinfection systems. It is also imperative to reduce the spread of the pathogen via goods and/or luggage that are being transported from one place or a country to another. In the above discussed prior art, the solutions for cleaning and disinfecting requires both disinfecting and purifying agents, i.e., UV radiation, ozone, and water. The said methods are time consuming, harmful to the environment, carcinogenic (ozone), and tedious to be conducted especially for large volume disinfection processes.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is an ultraviolet disinfection system (10) for disinfecting multiple surfaces of a moving object comprising at least one disinfection modules; at least one ultraviolet light disinfection sources (12); at least one removable side panels (14); at least one photoelectric sensor and receiver; at least one ultraviolet light dose sensors; and at least one substantially automated ultraviolet light detection system. The disinfection modules are further separated into (i) at least one receiving module (16), (ii) at least one radiation module (18), and (iii) at least one outlet module (20), wherein the at least one disinfection modules are separated by at least one protective flexible curtain (22). The automated ultraviolet light detection system switches off the at least one ultraviolet light disinfection sources if no objects are detected in the at least one receiving module or if the ultraviolet disinfection system is not a closed system BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates the side view of the ultraviolet disinfection system. Figure 2 illustrates the top view of the ultraviolet disinfection system with the perforated removable aluminium top.

Figure 3(a) illustrates the top view of the ultraviolet disinfection system, 3(b) front of the ultraviolet disinfection system with the PVC curtains, and 3(c) side view of the ultraviolet disinfection system.

Figure 4 illustrates the front or back view of the ultraviolet disinfection system.

Figure 5 illustrates the front view of the ultraviolet disinfection system.

Figure 6 illustrates the ultraviolet disinfection system installed on a conveyer system in an airport, i.e., at an airport luggage conveyor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An ultraviolet disinfection system (10) for disinfecting multiple surfaces of a moving object comprising at least one disinfection modules; at least one ultraviolet light disinfection sources (12); at least one removable side panels (14); at least one photoelectric sensor and receiver; at least one ultraviolet light dose sensors; and at least one substantially automated ultraviolet light detection system. The disinfection modules are further separated into (i) at least one receiving module (16), (ii) at least one radiation module (18), and (iii) at least one outlet module (20), wherein the at least one disinfection modules are separated by at least one protective flexible curtain (22). The automated ultraviolet light detection system switches off the at least one ultraviolet light disinfection sources if no objects are detected in the at least one receiving module or if the ultraviolet disinfection system is not a closed system.

As goods are transported on a conveyor towards the disinfection module (10), it first arrives at the receiving module (16). The receiving module (16) is separated from the radiation module (18) with protective flexible curtains (22). In a preferred embodiment, the protective flexible curtains comprise two-layers of PVC curtains. The first layer of protective flexible curtains ensures that the ultraviolet light does not escape from the radiation modules to the receiving module (16) and subsequently into the external environment by the second layer. The goods then pass through the protective flexible curtains (22) into the radiation modules (18). The said goods are exposed to the UVC light sources in the radiation module for a period of 9 seconds for to disinfect the surfaces of the goods. Once the disinfection process is completed, the disinfected goods then pass through the protective flexible curtains (22) into the outlet module (20) and subsequently into another layer of protective flexible curtains exiting the ultraviolet disinfection system (10) to be received by a person. In a preferred embodiment, one or more ultraviolet light disinfection sources (12) are mounted on interior side walls or top panels of the at least one radiation modules (18).

In a preferred embodiment, one or more ultraviolet light disinfection sources are (12) UVC light tubes of power in range of 65 W to 190 W radiating at wavelengths between 222 nm to 254 nm. In a preferred embodiment, one or more photoelectric sensor and receiver automatically activates the ultraviolet disinfection system and illuminates the ultraviolet light disinfection sources, i.e., the UVC light tubes, upon detection of objects or goods in the receiving module (16) and automatically deactivates the ultraviolet disinfection system when no objects are detected in the receiving module and switches off the ultraviolet light disinfection sources if no objects are detected in the receiving module for 120 seconds or if the ultraviolet disinfection system is not a closed system. In a preferred embodiment, ultraviolet light dose sensors are controlled by ultraviolet light system control panels with predetermined ultraviolet light dose measurements using standards established by International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA). In a preferred embodiment, one or more removable side panels (14) are fully removable or swing-out door type side panels with one or more viewing windows (15). This enables for the examination of the conditions in the disinfection modules safely without having to stop or pause the disinfection process. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, these removable side panels or the swing-out door type side panels (15) are connected with fastening members such as removable hinges.

The disinfection module is constructed using high reflectivity material, preferably aluminium with 1.5 mm thickness. Aluminium is lightweight in nature, durable, and does not require welding or requires the usage of heavy tools for assembly. Therefore, the disinfection module is easily installed and dismantled. The high reflectivity facilitates to enhance the effectiveness of the disinfection. In a preferred embodiment, the disinfection module can be constructed using other materials that possesses high reflectivity, for example, galvanized steel, or stainless steel.

In a preferred embodiment, the aluminium top of the is perforated removable aluminium top (24). The perforated top or cover aids in ensuring ventilation and ease in maintenance.

In a preferred embodiment, ultraviolet disinfection system (10) is mounted on or installed on a conveyer system such as baggage handling systems, for example, an airport luggage conveyor. In addition to this, this system can also be used in production and processing that requires disinfection, in particular in the food industry.