FILTER INSERT AND DEVICE FOR STERILIZATION AND/OR DISINFECTION THEREOF

Abstract

A filter insert for filtration of liquids and/or gases includes at least one filter layer containing at least one electro-conductive layer to resist heating of the filter insert. Further, it relates to a device for sterilization and/or disinfection of the filter insert, in particular, the device for sterilization and/or disinfection of the filter insert for filtration of liquids and/or gases, according to any one of the preceding claims, including at least one filter layer, wherein it includes the electric power supply connectable by at least two conductive contacts to the electro-conductive layer of the filter insert to resist heating of it.

Claims

1. A filter insert for the filtration of liquids and/or gases, comprising at least one filter layer, wherein the filter insert contains at least one electro-conductive layer to resist heating of the filter insert.

2. The filter insert according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the electro-conductive layer is ready for contact with the electrodes.

3. The filter insert according to claim 1, wherein the electro-conductive layer is made of an electro-conductive textile.

4. The filter insert according to claim 3, wherein the electro-conductive textile is a copper-plated textile.

5. The filter insert according to claim 3, wherein the electro-conductive textile is a carbon fabric.

6. The filter insert according to claim 1, wherein the electro-conductive layer contains a component with virucidal effects.

7. The filter insert according to claim 1, wherein the filter layer is made of a nano-textile.

8. The filter insert according to claim 1, wherein it further comprises at least one protective layer.

9. The filter insert according to claim 8, wherein the protective layer is made of a non-woven textile.

10. The filter insert according to claim 1, wherein it is resistant to a temperature of at least 80° C.

11. The filter insert according to claim 1, wherein the electro-conductive layer is simultaneously used as filter layer of the filter.

12. A device for the sterilization and/or disinfection of the filter inserts, according to claim 1, comprising at least one filter layer, wherein the device comprises an electric power supply connectable by at least two conductive contacts to an electro-conductive layer of the filter insert to resist heating of it.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the electric power supply is a low-voltage electric power supply of up to 50 V.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein the conductive contacts are conductively connected to busbars where the filter insert is conductively placed.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the conductive contacts are conductively connected to the busbars via magnetic contacts arranged on a supply connector connected to the electric power supply.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein the busbars are simultaneously placed within a body of a filtration element.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the filter insert is fastened to the busbar by rotary clamping.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the filter insert is fastened to the busbar by rotary clamping of the electro-conductive layer thereof.

19. The device according to claim 12, wherein the conductive contacts are arranged in a sterilization means.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the sterilization means comprises a pressure frame to press the electro-conductive layer of the filter insert onto the conductive contacts.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the pressure frame is, by a joint, rotatably mounted in the sterilization means.

22. The device according to claim 20, wherein the pressure frame is held to press the electro-conductive layer of the filter insert onto the conductive contacts with at least one locking element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The invention will be explained in detail referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device for sterilizing and/or disinfecting a filter insert which is placed directly in the filtration element body via busbars;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the busbar, onto which the filter insert end is rolled;

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the busbar, onto which the filter insert end is rolled;

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the filtration element, where the filter insert is arranged;

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the sterilization or/and disinfection device, in sterilization means of which, there is the filter insert arranged on the conductive contacts;

[0031] FIG. 6 shows in a perspective view a detail of the filter insert on the conductive contacts; and

[0032] FIG. 7 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the filter insert placement on the conductive contacts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

EXAMPLE 1

[0033] The filter insert 1 according to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 for filtration of liquids and/or gases has a rectangular shape, comprising a filter layer 3, where an electro-conductive layer 2 is arranged on one side to resist heating of the filter insert 1, and a protective layer 4 is arranged on the other side.

[0034] The electro-conductive layer 2 is made of an electro-conductive textile, which is a carbon fabric.

[0035] The electro-conductive layer 2 contains a component featuring virucidal effects, consisting of or comprising silver or copper nanoparticles.

[0036] Filter layer 3 consists of or comprises a nanotextile made of PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) to increase the filtering effect against viruses spread by airborne infection.

[0037] The protective layer 4 is made of a nonwoven textile.

[0038] The filter insert 1 as a whole is resistant to a temperature of 80° C.

[0039] Alternatively, the electro-conductive layer 2 may be used as the filter layer 3 as well.

[0040] The device, according to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 for sterilization and/or disinfection of the filter insert 1 for filtration of liquids and/or gases, comprises an electric power supply 6 connectable by two conductive contacts 5 to the electro-conductive layer 2 of the filter insert 1 to resist heating of it.

[0041] The electric power supply 6 is a direct-current source.

[0042] The electric power supply 6 is a low-voltage electric power supply of up to 12 V.

[0043] The conductive contacts 5 are conductively connected to the busbars 7 via magnetic contacts 8 arranged on a supply connector 9 connected to the electric power supply 6.

[0044] At the ends thereof, the busbars 7 are provided with knobs 16. The busbars 7 are housed in the body 10 of the filtration element 11 according to FIG. 4.

[0045] The filter insert 1 is fastened to the busbar 7 by rotary clamping 15 of the electro-conductive layer 2 thereof.

[0046] The filtration element 11 is a part of a respiratory half mask. The filter insert 1 of the filtration element 11 is possible to be disinfected both directly, as a component of the respiratory half mask, and separately, after it has been removed from the filtration element 11. After connecting to the electric power supply 6, the filter element 1 is heated to a temperature of 80° C. within 60 seconds as a result of the passing electric current. The disinfection process takes place for one hour at a temperature of 80° C. After disconnecting the filter insert 1 from the electric power supply 6, the filter insert 1 cools down spontaneously, and the filtration element 11 is thus disinfected and ready for next use.

EXAMPLE 2

[0047] The filter insert 1, according to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 for filtration of liquids and/or gases, has a rectangular shape, comprising a filter layer 3, where an electro-conductive layer 2 is arranged on one side to resist heating of the filter insert 1, and a protective layer 4 is arranged on the other side.

[0048] Part 17 of the electro-conductive layer 2 is ready to contact the conductive contacts 5.

[0049] The electro-conductive layer 2 is made of an electro-conductive textile, which is a copper-plated textile.

[0050] Filter layer 3 consists of or comprises a nanotextile made of PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride).

[0051] The protective layer 4 is made of a nonwoven textile.

[0052] The filter insert is resistant to a temperature of at least 80° C.

[0053] The device, according to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 for sterilization and/or disinfection of the filter insert 1 for filtration of liquids and/or gases, comprises an electric power supply 6 connectable by two conductive contacts 5 to the electro-conductive layer 2 of the filter insert 1 to resist heating of it.

[0054] The electric power supply 6 is a direct-current source.

[0055] The electric power supply 6 is a low-voltage electric power supply of up to 48 V.

[0056] The conductive contacts 5 are arranged in the sterilization means 12. The conductive contacts 5 directly contact the electro-conductive layer 2 of the filter insert 1.

[0057] The sterilization means 12 comprises a pressure frame 13 to press the electro-conductive layer 2 of the filter insert 1 onto the conductive contacts 5.

[0058] The pressure frame 13 is rotatably mounted in the sterilization means 12 by a joint 18.

[0059] The pressure frame 13 is held to press the electro-conductive layer 2 of the filter insert 1 onto the conductive contacts 5 by the locking element 14.

[0060] The filter insert 1 is arranged in a pocket of a textile face mask. After removal thereof from the textile face mask, the filter insert 1 is placed into the sterilization means 12 and parts 17 of the electro-conductive layer 2 thereof are pressed by the pressure frame 13 to contact the conductive contacts 5. After connecting to the electric power supply 6, the filter insert 1 is heated to 120° C. within 60 seconds due to the passing electric current. The disinfection process takes place for 90 minutes at the temperature of 120° C. The passing electric current generates heat by means of resistance losses in the galvanically copper-plated textile, causing an increase in temperature inside and on the surface of the entire composite. The maximum temperature, which the material of the filter insert 1 can withstand repeatedly and without degradations, is controlled by the shown reversible thermally-controlled disconnecting switch 19 connected in series to the electrical circuit of the heated filter insert 1. The filter insert 1 heat-sterilized in this way is removed from the member after cooling; and it is ready for re-use. After disconnection from the electric power supply 6, the filter insert 1 cools down spontaneously and is thus disinfected and ready for further use.

[0061] The filter insert, according to an aspect of the invention, is possible to be used to filter liquids and/or gases with simple subsequent sterilization and/or disinfection on the device according to an aspect of the invention to eliminate various types of captured pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0062] 1 Filter insert

[0063] 2 Electro-conductive layer

[0064] 3 Filter layer

[0065] 4 Protective layer

[0066] 5 Conductive contact

[0067] 6 Electric power supply

[0068] 7 Busbar

[0069] 8 Magnetic contact

[0070] 9 Supply connector

[0071] 10 Filtration element body

[0072] 11 Filtration element

[0073] 12 Sterilization means

[0074] 13 Pressure frame

[0075] 14 Locking element

[0076] 15 Clamping rotation

[0077] 16 Knob

[0078] 17 Part of the electro-conductive layer

[0079] 18 Joint

[0080] 19 Reversible thermally-controlled disconnecting switch