IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,622,995
Granted Patent B2
US 12,622,995 · App. 18/270,547 · Granted May 12, 2026

Air sanitation device by emission of a barrier of ultraviolet radiation in an air flow

Inventors: Franco Fusi (Florence, IT); Giovanni Romano (Florence, IT); Guido Toci (Rome, IT); Barbara Patrizi (Rome, IT)
Assignees: CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE; UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE
A61L9/20A61L2209/111A61L2209/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,622,995
App. No.
18/270,547
Granted
May 12, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for air sanitation in circumscribed environments generates a sterilising barrier substantially consisting of superimposing a descending vertical laminar air flow and a peripherally delimited ultraviolet radiation beam also directed downwards. The device, of simplified design and small size, comprises structure for delivering a vertical laminar air flow at a controlled and humidified temperature, as well as, adjacent to such delivery structure, one or more sources for the external emission of an ultraviolet radiation beam of a wavelength appropriately chosen to offer a high germicidal action and not constitute a risk for humans. Therefore, such a substantially superimposed air flow and ultraviolet radiation beam form a barrier with high sterilising power and capable of generating confined areas. The device thus conceived is suitable for installation in circumscribed environments, typically crowded, in which the transmission of pathogens and, consequently, the risk of contagion is to be reduced. It is particularly applicable in public places such as offices, restaurants, public establishments of various kinds as well as transport.

Claims (15)

1 . An air sanitation device comprising a main body provided with one or more sources of emission of ultraviolet radiation and means for forced air circulation, wherein:

said sources for emitting ultraviolet radiation are such as to generate electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range between 170 and 230 nm;

said air sanitation device comprises reflecting organs, arranged around said sources of emission of ultraviolet radiation, suitable for perimetrically confining and directing the radiation emitted by said sources in such a way that said device emits outwardly an electromagnetic radiation curtain beam, wherein the reflecting organs are disposed around the one or more sources and are adapted to peripherally delimit the emitted radiation and direct the emitted radiation outward in a predetermined direction so as to create a curtain shape of the electromagnetic radiation curtain beam, and

said means for forced air circulation comprises channeling means configured to generate a substantially laminar, vertically oriented curtain-shaped air flow superimposed on or substantially adjacent to said electromagnetic radiation curtain beam, wherein said curtain-shaped airflow and said curtain beam are substantially coplanar and overlapping at an emission region adjacent an outlet of said channeling means so as to maintain airborne particles within the beam for an extended residence time.

2 . The air sanitation device according to claim 1 , comprising organs for controlling the temperature and the hygrometry of the outgoing air flow, intended to increase the temperature and humidify said outgoing curtain-shaped air flow.

3 . The air sanitation device according to claim 1 , comprising sensor organs for detecting bodies in the vicinity of said electromagnetic radiation curtain beam.

4 . The air sanitation device according to claim 3 , wherein said sensor organs deputed for detecting bodies in proximity of said electromagnetic radiation curtain beam induce the interruption of said electromagnetic radiation curtain beam in case said bodies or objects cross said electromagnetic radiation curtain beam.

5 . The air sanitation device according to claim 1 , comprising an auxiliary reflector assembly, placed externally to said main body and at a suitable distance therefrom, oriented towards said sources of emission of ultraviolet radiation in such an arrangement as to reflect and return to said sources the incident rays emitted by said sources.

6 . The air sanitation device according to claim 1 , wherein said means for forced air circulation comprise at least one fan housed in said main body.

7 . The air sanitation device according to claim 1 , wherein said means for forced air circulation comprise a compressed air container.

8 . The air sanitation device according to claim 1 , comprising further ultraviolet sources included within said main body for radiating the air flow produced by said means for forced air circulation with a UV radiation which remains confined within said main body.

9 . An air sanitation device comprising a main body provided with one or more sources of emission of ultraviolet radiation and at least one fan or a compressed air container configured to generate forced air circulation, wherein:

said sources for emitting ultraviolet radiation are such as to generate electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range between 170 and 230 nm;

said air sanitation device comprises reflecting organs, arranged around said sources of emission of ultraviolet radiation, suitable for perimetrically confining and directing the radiation emitted by said sources in such a way that said device emits outwardly an electromagnetic radiation curtain beam, wherein the reflecting organs are disposed around the one or more sources and are adapted to peripherally delimit the emitted radiation and direct the emitted radiation outward in a predetermined direction so as to create a curtain shape of the electromagnetic radiation curtain beam, and

said at least one fan or compressed air container comprises a guide channel configured to generate a substantially laminar, vertically oriented curtain-shaped air flow superimposed on or substantially adjacent to said electromagnetic radiation curtain beam, wherein said curtain-shaped airflow and said curtain beam are substantially coplanar and overlapping at an emission region adjacent an outlet of said guide channel so as to maintain airborne particles within the beam for an extended residence time.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2023
From: FUSI, FRANCO; ROMANO, GIOVANNI; TOCI, GUIDO; PATRIZI, BARBARA
To: CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE; UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE
Reel/Frame 064125/0382 →
Priority Claims (1)
IT 102020000032918 · Dec 31, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240293593A1 · Sep 5, 2024
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