SYSTEM FOR INHIBITING THE GROWTH OF PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS AND STERILIZING DEVICE USED IN SUCH SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, used in refrigerating appliances, air conditioners, and related apparatuses/equipment, using a sterilizing device (1) comprising an upper part (1A) and a lower part (1B), the upper part (1A) being provided with an electronic board (2) with ultraviolet LEDs (3) arranged in a duct (4), and the lower part (1B) having two parallel air circulation ducts (5), which are provided with a plurality of outlets (6), the device (1) being specially designed and located so that ultraviolet light directly impinges on the flow of cool air flowing inside the apparatus, causing the air circulating internally to have a sterilizing effect on the products stored inside a refrigerator or on the air produced by an air conditioner.

Claims

1. A system for inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises a sterilizing device (1) arranged in the refrigerator (R), just below the upstream cool air flow (R) supplied by the fan of the refrigerator (R), the sterilizing device (1) consisting of an upper part (1A) and a lower part (1B), wherein the upper part (1A) comprises an electronic board (2) provided with UV LEDs (3) arranged in an enclosure and compact site of an air circulation duct (4), and it also has two inlets (7) arranged one on each lower side, an opening (8) arranged in the upper central region, and an opening (9) in the front region; and the lower part (1B) comprises two parallel air circulation ducts (5), which are provided with a plurality of outlets (6); wherein cool air flows in through the opening (9) and is integrally channeled into the duct (4) to flow under the total incidence of the UV LED light (3) towards the ducts (5) of the lower part (1B), and then, flow out already sterilized through the outlets (6) so that the sterilizing air circulates in the internal environment of the refrigerator.

2. The system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the sterilizing air flow cycle is repeated so that the mass of air returns through each of the inlets (7), flows out through the opening (8) and flows in the opening (9), and then again flows through the duct (4), passes through the UV LEDs (3), flows into the ducts (5) and flows out through the outlets (6) of the sterilizing device (1).

3. The system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the UV LEDs (3) are permanently switched on as default mode when the refrigerator door (R) is closed.

4. A sterilizing device (1), CHARACTERIZED in that it consists of an upper part (1A) and a lower part (1B), wherein the upper part (1A) comprises an electronic board (2) provided with UV LEDs (3) arranged in the air circulation duct (4), and it also has two inlets (7) arranged one on each lower side, an opening (8) arranged in the upper central region, and an opening (9) in the front region; and the lower part (1B) has two air parallel circulation ducts (5), which are provided with a plurality of outlets (6), wherein the device (1) is arranged in the refrigerator (R), just below the upstream cool air flow supplied by the fan of the refrigerator (R).

5. The sterilizing device (1), according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that the electronic board (2) connects the UV LEDs (3) with a power supply of the refrigerator (R).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] The characteristics, the nature and the advantages of the instant description will be more evident from the detailed description provided below, when read together with the drawings, in which the same references refer to the same elements, where:

[0026] FIG. 1—illustrates a schematic view of the system for inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, subject matter of the present invention, inside a refrigerator;

[0027] FIG. 2—illustrates a perspective side view of the sterilizing device, subject matter of the instant invention;

[0028] FIG. 3—illustrates a partial view of the upper part of the sterilizing device;

[0029] FIG. 4—illustrates a perspective rear view of the sterilizing device, subject matter of the instant invention;

[0030] FIG. 5—illustrates a sectional view of the upper part of the sterilizing device;

[0031] FIG. 6—illustrates a schematic view, taken from the front part of the sterilizing device, illustrating the air flow;

[0032] FIG. 7—illustrates a schematic view, taken from the back part of the sterilizing device, illustrating the air flow;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] According to what the attached Figures illustrate, the present invention relates to a SYSTEM FOR INHIBITING THE GROWTH OF PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS, AND STERILIZING DEVICE USED IN SUCH SYSTEM, used in refrigeration appliances, air conditioners, and similar appliances/equipment, which, through an ultraviolet LED device, provides a sterilizing effect on products stored inside a refrigerator or on the air produced by an air conditioner.

[0034] Reference will now be made to FIG. 1, which refers to a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention, illustrating the sterilizing air flow into the refrigerator, wherein the system comprises a sterilizing device (1) consisting of an upper part (1A) and a lower part (1B), wherein cool air enters through an opening (9) arranged in the front region of the upper part (1A), flows into a duct (4) provided with an electronic board (2) having UV LEDs (3) located in the upper part (1A), and then flows into two parallel air circulation ducts (5) arranged in the lower part (1B), which are provided with a plurality of outlets (6) whereby the already sterilized air is distributed into the refrigerator. The sterilizing device (1) is internally arranged in the middle upper part of a refrigerator (R), just below the air outlet provided by the refrigerator fan.

[0035] The electronic board (2) with the UV LEDs (3) is strategically placed in the duct (4) of the upper part (1A) of the device (1), as illustrated in FIG. 5, so that the efficiency of the incidence of the UV LED light is as high as possible, considering that the air is integrally channeled into the duct (4) to flow under the total incidence of light towards the ducts (5) of the lower part (1B), and then, the air is distributed to all the inner compartment of the refrigerator (6), as illustrated in FIG. 7, for proper cooling of the items stored in shelves and drawers, with sterilizing properties.

[0036] The sterilizing cool air flow cycle is repeated when the door of the refrigerator (R) remains closed, returning through each of the inlets (7) arranged in the lower side of the upper part (1A), flowing out through an opening (8) arranged in the upper central region, then, flowing in through the opening(9) in the front region, both openings (8, 9) being arranged in the upper part (1A), to circulate again through the duct (4), flowing through the UV LEDs(3), flowing into the ducts (5) and out through the outlets (6) of the lower part (1B) of the device (1), as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0037] By traversing the various points in the inner compartment of the refrigerator, the sterilizing cool air rescues a portion of the microorganisms from the site. As the sterilizing cool air flow cycle repeats, the sterilizing effect increases and the presence of pathogenic microorganisms decreases considerably in the environment.

[0038] In the system of the present invention, the incidence of the UV LED (3) light inside the tube (4) occurs in the airflow upstream of the internal compartment of the refrigerator. Thereby, air free of pathogenic microorganisms is blown into the internal environment of the refrigerator.

[0039] The efficiency of the sterilizing action of the air flow through the ducts (4, 5) of the device (1) is favored by having a condition of air temperature around 5° C. inside the refrigerator (R).

[0040] When the door of the refrigerator (R) is opened, a new mass of air and microorganisms enters the refrigerator. Thereby, this new mass of air returns its cycle through the duct (4), flows through the UV LEDs (3), flows into the ducts (5) and flows out the outlets (6) of the lower part (1B) of the sterilizing device.

[0041] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, which illustrate the sterilizing device (1) of the present invention, consisting of an upper part (1A) and a lower part (1B), the upper part (1A) being provided with an electronic plate (2) having UV LEDs (3) disposed in an air circulation duct in an enclosed and compact site, further comprising two inlets (7) arranged one on each lower side, an opening (8) arranged in the upper central region, and an opening (9) in the front region, the lower part (1B) having two parallel air circulation ducts (5) which are provided with a plurality of outlets (6) through which the already sterilized air is distributed inside the refrigerator. The sterilizing device (1) is internally arranged in the middle upper part of the refrigerator (R), just below the air outlet provided by the fan of the refrigerator itself.

[0042] The electronic board (2) has the function of connecting the UV LEDs (3) to an electric power supply, for instance, the power supply of the refrigerator (R) itself. Preferably, the UV LEDs (3) are permanently connected, as default mode, considering that the refrigerator is always operating with the door closed. If the refrigerator door opens, there is usually a command on the refrigerator control board to turn off the fan, and therefore, forced convection stops so that less cool air escapes, and thus sterilized air out.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, the system in conjunction with the sterilizing device of the present invention may be applied to an air conditioner with the same efficiency and reliability.

[0044] A person skilled in the art would easily understand that the invention can undergo modifications without thereby departing from the concepts set forth in the foregoing description. These modifications must be considered as included within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the particular embodiments described in detail above are merely illustrative and not restrictive as to the scope of the invention, thereto the full extension of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof must be given.