TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention lies in the technical field of the environmental disinfection treatments, in particular it concerns the disinfection of the air and/or of the surfaces in confined environments.

Specifically, the present invention refers to an apparatus for the treatment of disinfection of confined environments that are capable of achieving a microbicidal activity against bacteria, fungi-mycetes, spores, viruses, parasites, etc., as well as to the relative method for controlling all the steps of the disinfection itself.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

Procedures of disinfection of the air and of the surfaces inside environments of various type are known and widely used, for example those inherent in the food, pharmaceutical, health sector (hospitals, care and nursing homes, medical and specialist offices), the hotel sector, catering and canteens, the office and condominium sector, the commercial and retail sector of various type, the public and private transport sector (airplanes, ships, trains, buses, ambulances, motor cars).

The purpose of disinfection is to obtain a microbicidal activity with regard to the presence or the potential presence of biological agents of various type such as, for example, bacteria, fungi-mycetes, spores, viruses, parasites etc. in the air and/or on diversified surfaces in any confined environment.

According to the known techniques, suitable nebulized mixtures/formulations capable of exerting a disinfectant and microbial abatement activity are dispensed into the environment to be disinfected.

Dispensing occurs through nebulization/aerosolization of said mixtures/formulations, for example by using a starting liquid solution comprising water and at least one disinfectant compound. The disinfection action of the nebulized liquid makes a microbicidal activity possible in accordance with the provisions of the current regulations and of the reference legislation in the various sectors of application.

Most of the dispensing systems are time controlled, wherein the dispensing duration is estimated based on the volume of the environment to be disinfected and for which it is believed that the nebulized liquid brings about the desired effect. The effectiveness of the disinfection process is therefore entrusted to a prediction of the actual effectiveness of the process. In some cases, therefore, the process could end before achieving the desired disinfection or, conversely, the process could continue even beyond achieving the desired disinfection, resulting in an undesired surplus of dispensing time and/or waste of disinfectant mixture/f ormulation .

An object of the present invention is therefore to overcome at least in part such drawbacks.

A further important object of the present invention is to realize an apparatus for the disinfection treatment of a confined environment that allows to control the progress of the disinfection and of the decontamination from biological agents of the same environment more effectively than the systems of known type ensuring the full achievement of the result.

Another object of the present invention is to realize an apparatus for the disinfection treatment that allows to reduce the disinfection times compared to the systems of known type.

A further object of the present invention is to realize an apparatus for the disinfection treatment that allows to reduce undesired waste of disinfectant mixture/formulation compared to the systems of known type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect thereof, therefore, the present invention relates to an apparatus for the disinfection treatment of a confined environment comprising:

- means for generating and dispensing a mixture in nebulized form comprising a disinfectant solution;

- control means for said generation and dispensing means, suited to start and end the dispensing of said mixture in said confined environment; wherein the apparatus comprises detection means suited to make it possible to determine the absolute humidity, wherein said detection means are positioned in said confined environment and communicate with said control means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said detection means comprise a relative humidity sensor and a temperature sensor.

Preferably, the detection means comprise communication means suited to communicate with said control means, preferably wireless communication means. In a preferred embodiment, the control means comprises a connected network, preferably the internet.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the generation and dispensing means comprise:

- holding means suited to hold the mixture;

- means for generating compressed air;

- nebulizing means for mixing the compressed air and the mixture so as to generate the nebulized mixture for said confined environment;

- dispensing means suited to dispense the nebulized mixture.

Preferably, the holding means comprises a tank for the disinfectant solution in concentrated form and a tank for a dilution product, said apparatus furthermore comprising mixing means suited to mix the concentrated disinfectant solution and the dilution product in order to obtain said mixture.

In a preferred embodiment, the mixture comprises hydrogen peroxide.

Preferably, the hydrogen peroxide in said mixture is present with a concentration included between 2% and 15%, more preferably with a concentration equal to 5%.

In a preferred alternative embodiment, the mixture comprises hypochlorous acid. Preferably, the hypochlorous acid in said mixture is present with a concentration included between 0.1% and 0.9%.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the generation and dispensing means are part of an integrated system for the confined environment. The generation and dispensing means preferably comprising one or more dispensing outlets associated with a wall of the confined environment.

In a preferred alternative embodiment, said generation and dispensing means are part of a movable device suited to be positioned inside the confined environment. In a preferred embodiment, said at least one humidity sensor is positioned in the most remote point with respect to the dispensing point, or at the dispensing points, of said nebulized mixture through said generation and dispensing means.

In another aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a method for controlling the disinfection treatment of a confined environment, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) determining the initial absolute humidity of said confined environment; b) starting the nebulization of a mixture comprising a disinfectant solution; c) nebulizing said mixture in said confined environment; d) determining the absolute humidity of said confined environment and calculating the absolute humidity increment value with respect to said initial absolute humidity; e) comparing said absolute humidity increment value with a threshold value; f) ending the dispensing of said mixture if said absolute humidity increment value reaches or exceeds said threshold value.

In a preferred embodiment, the absolute humidity value is determined based on the relative humidity values and temperature values measured in said confined environment.

According to said preferred embodiment of the invention, the threshold value is included between 0.01 gr/m3 and 10.0gr/m3, preferably included between 0.5gr/m3 and 5gr/m3, more preferably equal to lgr/m3.

Preferably, step c) of nebulizing the mixture in the confined environment takes place by means of a nebulization that is continuous over time or said step c) of nebulizing the mixture in the confined environment takes place by means of a nebulization that is intermittent over time.

In a preferred embodiment, step d) of determining the absolute humidity takes place continuously over time or step d) of determining the absolute humidity takes place at appropriate time intervals.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method furthermore comprises a step g), subsequent to said step f), of ending the dispensing of the mixture if the absolute humidity increment value does not reach the threshold value within a predetermined maximum time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages, objects and features as well as embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims and will be clarified hereinafter by means of the following description, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawing tables. In particular, in the figures:

- figure 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for the disinfection treatment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

- figure 2 shows in schematic view the generation and dispensing means of the apparatus of figure 1 ;

- figure 3 shows an embodiment variant of an apparatus for the disinfection treatment according to the invention;

- figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the apparatus of figure 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Although the present invention is described below with reference to embodiments thereof represented in the drawing tables, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and represented in the tables. On the contrary, the embodiments described and represented clarify some aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims.

The present invention has proved particularly advantageous in the disinfection of all confined spaces, of any size and type, and of the surfaces of the objects contained therein, in order to reduce the load of any polluting pathogens.

It should be specified, however, that the present invention is not limited to a use of such type. On the contrary, the present invention finds convenient application in all cases that envisage disinfecting a confined environment located in both movable and immovable structures, of any kind, cubature, and intended use.

Figure 1 schematically shows an apparatus 10 for the disinfection treatment of a confined environment S according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The confined environment S shown in the figures consists of a room S. For the sake of simplicity the room S is shown empty and the enclosed volume constitutes the volume to be disinfected according to the present invention. It is clear that the exposed surfaces of any object present in its inside will also be subjected to disinfection.

The apparatus for the disinfection treatment 10 of the invention, hereinafter also simply referred to as apparatus 10, comprises first of all generation and dispensing means 20 of a mixture M in nebulized form Ml.

The mixture M advantageously comprises a disinfectant solution, better defined below, intended for the disinfection of the air inside the room S and of the surfaces of any objects present in its inside.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 1, the nebulized mixture Ml is introduced into the room S at a dispensing port 12 associated with a vertical wall SI of the room S.

According to this preferred embodiment, therefore, a single dispensing point of the nebulized mixture Ml is provided for the room S to be disinfected. In embodiment variants, however, multiple dispensing points of the nebulized mixture Ml can be provided inside the room S.

Control means 40 are preferably associated with the generation and dispensing means 20 and are intended to control them to start and end the dispensing of the nebulized mixture Ml in the room S, according to preferred modes better described below.

A preferred embodiment of the generation and dispensing means 20 is shown schematically in figure 2.

Said generation and dispensing means 20 preferably comprise a tank 22 holding a disinfectant solution D in concentrated form; a tank 24 for a dilution product L, preferably osmotized water, fed by a suitable osmotization system (not illustrated) and mixing means 25 suited to mix the concentrated disinfectant solution D and the dilution product L in order to obtain said mixture M in liquid form. Dilution products of a different type, for example demineralized water or distilled water, may be used in embodiment variants.

The mixing means 25 preferably comprise a dosing system 25a (dosing pump) whose operation is regulated according to the flow rate measured by a litre counter 24a placed downstream of the tank 24. The dosing pump 25a injects inline the concentrated disinfectant solution D to the osmotized water coming from the relative tank 24. Downstream of the mixing means 25 there is preferably arranged a delivery pump 27.

In one embodiment variant, there could be a single tank comprising the liquid mixture M holding the disinfectant solution already ready, suitably diluted.

Means for generating compressed air 26 and nebulization means 28 suited to nebulize the liquid mixture M then allow to generate the required nebulized mixture Ml.

Dispensing means 12 suited to dispense the nebulized mixture Ml, for example dispensing outlets or special nozzles, finally allow the introduction of the nebulized mixture Ml into the confined environment S to be disinfected.

The nebulization means 28 preferably comprise suitable valves VI, V2 for the compressed air coming from the means for generating compressed air 26 and the liquid mixture M coming from the delivery pump 27.

The nebulization means 28 advantageously mix the compressed air and the liquid mixture M to generate the required nebulized mixture Ml.

The control means 40 supervise the correct operation of the generation and dispensing means 20 and preferably communicate with the various components that compose them.

For example, preferably, the control means 40 are able to control the levels of the liquid inside the tanks 22, 24, act on the mixing means 25 for the correct mixing of the concentrated disinfectant solution D and of the dilution product L, control the valves VI, V2 for the nebulization of the liquid mixture M, etc.

The control means 40 are therefore able to start or end the dispensing of the nebulized mixture Ml in the confined environment S to be disinfected.

The mixture M, in a preferred embodiment, comprises hydrogen peroxide.

The hydrogen peroxide is preferably present with a concentration included between 2% and 15% within the mixture M, more preferably a value equal to 5%.

According to a preferred embodiment the mixture M is defined as indicated in the table below:

In a preferred embodiment, the mixture M also comprises ethanol. The ethanol is preferably present with a concentration included between 5% and 15% within the mixture M.

The quantity of dilution product L, preferably osmotized water, will be adjusted each time to complete the mixture M.

The use of the mixture M comprising hydrogen peroxide is to be used in the absence of people and animals within the environment/room to be disinfected.

In another preferred embodiment, the mixture M comprises hypochlorous acid.

The hypochlorous acid is preferably present with a concentration included between 0.1% and 0.9%.

According to a preferred embodiment the mixture M is defined as indicated in the table below: In a preferred embodiment, the mixture M also comprises sodium chloride. The sodium chloride is preferably present with a concentration included between 0.2% and 0.5% within the mixture M.

The quantity of dilution product L, preferably osmotized water, will be adjusted each time to complete the mixture M.

The use of the mixture M comprising hypochlorous acid can advantageously envisage the presence of people and animals within the environment/room to be disinfected.

The purpose of introducing the nebulized mixture Ml with the disinfectant solution is to achieve a desired degree of disinfection in the environment S to be treated.

For the purpose, and according to a first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus 10 comprises detection means 30 suited to make it possible to determine the absolute humidity, wherein said detection means 30 are positioned in the confined environment S and communicate with the control means 40.

In a first embodiment, the detection means 30 communicate with the control means 40 via a connected network 32, for example the internet. For example, the detection means 30 are capable of communicating via a wireless connection with a cloud server 34 which can also be accessed by the control means 40. The detection means 30 will therefore be provided with suitable communication means, preferably wireless communication means 31.

The values measured by the detection means 30 are therefore available, preferably and substantially in real time, to the control means 40.

In preferred embodiment variants, the detection means may be configured to communicate with the control means 40 differently, for example by means of communication means comprising a direct wireless connection or even by means of a wired connection.

Preferably, the detection means 30 comprise a relative humidity sensor and a temperature sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the relative humidity sensor and the temperature sensor are made so as to constitute a single entity/component. Solutions of this type are commercially widespread and the component is able to provide the measured relative humidity and temperature parameter at the output. The measured relative humidity values and temperature values are then made available to the control means 40 via the communication means, preferably the wireless communication means 31. The relative humidity values and temperature values acquired by the control means 40 are used to determine the corresponding absolute humidity value. The determination of the absolute humidity value starting from the measured relative humidity and temperature value is advantageously carried out by the control means 40 through suitable calculation algorithms, per se of known type and therefore not described in detail.

In a preferred embodiment variant, the absolute humidity value is calculated and then provided directly by the component comprising the relative humidity sensor and the temperature sensor. In this case, the control means directly acquire and use the absolute humidity value.

In a further preferred embodiment variant, the relative humidity sensor and the temperature sensor consist of two separate components which preferably communicate autonomously with the control means 40 to provide them with the corresponding parameters for the calculation of the absolute humidity.

The detection means 30, hereinafter indicated with humidity sensor 30 for the sake of simplicity, are preferably positioned near the most remote point with respect to the dispensing point 12 of the nebulized mixture Ml inside the room S to be treated.

In the illustrated embodiment, the humidity sensor 30 is placed on a second vertical wall S2 of the room S.

In general, the humidity sensor 30 is preferably positioned at the furthest point from the dispensing point 12, i.e. in the most difficult to reach point of the environment S to be disinfected and therefore the most unfavourable point for disinfection.

In the case of realization of an apparatus with several dispensing points, the humidity sensor will preferably be positioned in the most unfavourable point for disinfection that will have to be determined ad hoc (theoretically or empirically). According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the achievement of the desired minimum degree of disinfection in the environment S to be treated is evaluated by the control means 40 based on the absolute humidity values determined thanks to the values measured by the humidity sensor 30.

More specifically, the end of the cycle of introduction of the nebulized mixture Ml into the environment S to be treated, which is an indication of occurred disinfection, is evaluated when the absolute humidity increment AU caused by the introduction of the nebulized mixture Ml reaches a minimum threshold AS. In a preferred embodiment, the threshold value AS is included between 0.01 gr/m3 and 10.0gr/m3, preferably included between 0.5gr/m3 and 5gr/m3, more preferably equal to lgr/m3.

Reaching the minimum threshold AS of the absolute humidity increment AU indicates that the amount of sanitizer in the environment to be treated S is the one desired and sufficient to disinfect the environment and the surfaces of the objects contained therein.

The steps for implementing the method for controlling the disinfection treatment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention are described below, with reference also to the apparatus 10 described above.

The method involves determining the absolute humidity U0 within the room S (preferably through the sensor 30 and/or with calculation operations of the control means 40, as described above).

During the treatment process, the room S must be kept in airtight or substantially airtight conditions, i.e. with shut doors and windows and any air conditioning systems switched off.

The nebulization of the mixture M inside the room S is started, through the activation of the generation and dispensing means 20 by the control means 40.

The mixture M is therefore nebulized into the room S and in the meantime the absolute humidity values Ur in the room S are determined (preferably through the sensor 30 and/or with calculation operations of the control means 40).

The determination of the absolute humidity values Ur can take place continuously or, preferably, at appropriate intervals of time.

The control means 40 then calculates the absolute humidity increment value AU with respect to the previously determined initial absolute humidity U0, i.e. AU=Ur-U0.

The absolute humidity increment value AU is compared with the threshold value AS. If the absolute humidity increment value AU reaches or exceeds the threshold value AS, i.e. AU> AS, the dispensing of the mixture M is ended and the disinfection is considered to have been successful.

In a preferred embodiment, the nebulization of the mixture M in the room S takes place by means of a nebulization that is continuous over time. Alternatively, the nebulization of the mixture M in the room S takes place by means of a nebulization that is intermittent over time.

If said control does not result in a positive outcome, i.e. AU<AS, within an appropriate predetermined maximum time, or time out Tout, the disinfection is deemed to have failed and/or be incomplete.

Preferably, therefore, the dispensing of the nebulized mixture Ml is ended.

Such a condition can occur, for example, if during the treatment the room S is not maintained in said conditions of airtightness or substantial airtightness, for example following the opening of doors and/or windows or the start of an air conditioning system.

As described, therefore, the apparatus and the method for the disinfection treatment of a confined environment allow to control the degree of disinfection of the environment effectively thanks to the use of the humidity sensor.

Advantageously, the disinfection times are reduced compared to the systems of known type.

This also makes it possible to end the treatment as soon as possible after reaching the desired degree of disinfection, pursuing the maximum reduction of waste in terms of dispensed mixture compared to the systems of known type.

In the embodiment described above, the generation and dispensing means 20 are part of an integrated system of the room S to be treated or of the building comprising it.

It is evident that what is shown for the disinfection of one room can be extended to more complex structures, such as for example multiple rooms within the same structure or multiple premises within the same structure of any complexity and/or extension.

In this case, each environment to be disinfected will preferably be configured as described above and, preferably, a single unit will be intended for the centralized control of the various environments to be treated.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in figure 3, the apparatus 110 according to the invention represents a movable device suited to be positioned within the confined environment S to be treated.

In the figure, features and/or component parts corresponding or equivalent to the apparatus 10 of figure 1 are identified by the same reference numerals.

The apparatus 110 according to this embodiment, shown in detail in figure 4, integrates in itself the various components as previously described, namely:

- generation and dispensing means 20;

- control means 40;

- a tank 124 comprising the mixture M ready to be nebulized; - means for generating compressed air 26 and mixing means 28 suited to mix the compressed air and the mixture M for generating the nebulized mixture Ml;

- a dispensing nozzle 12;

- absolute humidity detection means 30 (humidity sensor).

The apparatus 110 according to this embodiment is advantageously suited to be positioned each time within the specific room S to be treated.

The humidity sensor 30 is also positioned at the desired point within the room S, preferably in the most remote point with respect to the dispensing nozzle 12.

The humidity sensor 30 is preferably configured to communicate with the control means 40 via a wired connection 130 and/or possibly through a wireless connection via a connected network, for example the internet, and/or via a direct wireless connection.

From what has been described, it can therefore be inferred that the apparatus and the method of the invention allows to achieve the set purposes and in particular allows to guarantee a higher quality of treatment than known systems.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments represented in the figures, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments represented and described; on the contrary, further variations of the described embodiments fall within the scope of the present invention, which scope is defined by the claims.