The invention relates to an appliance, particularly a kitchen appliance or a laboratory table, for at least partially sterilizing and/or disinfecting and/or decontaminating a contaminated surface.
The use of non-equilibrium plasmas (often referred to as non-thermal plasmas or low-temperature plasmas) for the in vivo sterilization of wounds is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,683,342 B2. However, the plasma source disclosed in this patent is not suitable for the regular sterilization of surfaces of appliances, e.g. kitchen appliances or laboratory tables, under normal operating conditions of the appliance, i.e. during daily use of the appliance.
It is therefore an object of the invention to improve the disinfection and/or disinfection and/or decontamination of surfaces of appliances, particularly kitchen appliances or laboratory tables.
This problem is solved by the idea to integrate a plasma source into an appliance, e.g. kitchen appliance or a laboratory table, wherein the integrated plasma source at least partially disinfects/sterilizes the surface by generating a non-thermal plasma on the surface thereby reducing the concentration of pathogenic germs on the surface.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface to be disinfected/sterilized is a surface of the appliance which is contaminated during use of the appliance. For example, kitchen appliances, e.g. work benches, generally comprise work plates or cutting boards, which are contaminated during the preparation of food. In other words, the surface to be disinfected/sterilized is preferably a part of the appliance which also includes the plasma source.
However, it is alternatively possible that the surface to be disinfected/sterilized is separated from the appliance including the plasma source. For example, the invention also encompasses a deodorant device for deodorizing a body surface, particularly in the form of a roll-on applicator or a spray device. In this embodiment, the plasma source is integrated into the deodorant device while the surface to be disinfected/sterilized is a body surface which is separated from the deodorant device.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plasma source is a surface micro-discharge plasma source comprising several electrodes, wherein the surface micro-discharge plasma source generates micro-discharges on the surface of the plasma source. The basic principles of high-pressure plasma micro-discharges are explained, for example, in Hippler/Kersten/Schmidt/Schoenbach: “Low temperature plasmas”, Second Edition, Wiley Publishing House, Chapter 17. Therefore, reference is made to the afore-mentioned publication with regard to the basic principles of surface micro-discharge plasma sources, so that the aforementioned publication is incorporated by reference herein. However, it should be briefly mentioned that the surface micro-discharge plasma source comprises several electrodes which are spaced apart.
It should further be mentioned that there can be a uniform distance between the adjacent electrodes of different polarity. However, it is alternatively possible that there is spatially variable distance between the adjacent electrodes of different polarity.
Further, it should be noted that the surface micro-discharge plasma source is preferably embedded into the surface of the appliance, so that the non-thermal plasma is generated on top of the surface of the appliance. For example, the plasma source can be embedded in the surface of a work plate of a kitchen table so that the low-temperature plasma is generated on the surface of the work plate of the kitchen table thereby at least partially sterilizing the surface of the work plate.
It should further be noted that the embedded plasma source is preferably embedded in such a way that it is substantially flush with the surface of the appliance. Therefore, the plasma source preferably comprises a substantially plane surface which is flush with the plane surface of the appliance, e.g. a work plate of a kitchen table.
However, the invention is not restricted to appliances comprising a plane plasma source. It is also possible that the electrodes of the surface micro-discharge plasma source have a shape which resembles the shape of the surface of the appliance. For example, the plasma source can be integrated in a curved surface of the appliance so that the invention does not restrict the freedom of design of the appliance.
Further, there is variety of different arrangements of the electrodes of the surface micro-discharge plasma source.
In one embodiment of the invention, the electrodes of the surface micro-discharge plasma source are arranged in the same plane. For example, the electrodes can be finger-shaped intertwining each other from opposite directions. In another embodiment, the electrodes are spiral-shaped intertwining each other. Further, the electrodes can comprise interlocking branches or kinks.
In another embodiment of the invention, the electrodes are accessed sequentially by switching of the grounded part with a “cycling frequency” fC, thus enabling a propagating plasma source across the device. For instance, a “switched self sterilizing surface device” (100×50 cm2) with parallel electrodes (see
In another embodiment of the invention, the electrodes of the micro-discharge plasma source are not arranged in the same plane but in separate adjacent electrode layers, wherein each of the electrode layers is preferably planar and the separate electrode layers are preferably arranged coplanar relative to each other.
Moreover, it should be noted that the electrode arrangement of the plasma source is freely scaleable.
Further, it should be mentioned that the appliance according to the invention is preferably water-proof, dust-proof, air-born particles proof and/or easy to clean. This is particularly advantageous in case of a kitchen table comprising an integrated plasma source for disinfecting the work-plate of the kitchen table.
Moreover, the surface of the appliance comprising the integrated plasma source preferably consists of a corrosion resistant material, particularly ceramics, glass or glass-ceramics.
It has already been mentioned that the appliance according to the invention can be a work plate, particularly on a kitchen table or on a laboratory table, or a cutting board for cutting objects, particularly food stuffs.
However, the plasma source according to the invention can alternatively be integrated into a handle, particularly a door handle, wherein the integrated plasma source sterilizes the surface of the handle.
In another embodiment of the invention, the appliance is a bathroom equipment, particularly a toilet seat, comprising an integrated plasma source for sterilizing the surface of the bathroom equipment.
Further, it has already been mentioned that the invention also encompasses a deodorant device for deodorizing a body surface particularly in the form of a roll-on applicator or a spray device. In this embodiment, the deodorant device comprises an integrated plasma source applying a non-thermal plasma to the body surface which is to be deodorized.
Another application of the invention is the sterilization of a moving handrail of an escalator or a moving walkway. In this embodiment, the plasma source can be arranged stationary close to the surface of the handrail, so that the non-thermal plasma generated by the plasma source at least partially disinfects/sterilizes the surface of the handrail. Alternatively, the plasma source can also be integrated into the moving handrail, so that the plasma source moves with the hand-rail.
Further, the invention also encompasses an appliance in the form of gym equipment, particularly in the form of a bench or a seat of a training machine. In this embodiment, the plasma source is integrated into the gym equipment thereby sterilizing the bacteria produced by the sweat.
It should also be noted that the power supply of the integrated plasma source can be provided wireless by an integrated battery which allows a mobile use of the device. Alternatively, the power supply of the plasma source can be provided by connection to the general mains.
Further, the invention encompasses also a battery operated device for reducing itching caused by insect bite, particularly in the form of a stick comprising the plasma source. In this embodiment, the battery operated device applies a non-thermal plasma to the skin surface at an insect bite thereby reducing itching.
Further, the invention is also suitable for protection against athletes' foot and other fungal deceases, particularly in damp environments, particularly swimming pools and saunas.
Moreover, the invention is suitable for the disinfection of baby bottles, pacifiers, toys, dentures, tooth brushes, razors, shavers, combs or hair brushes.
Another possible application of the invention is the use of a non-thermal plasma in a dishwasher or a dryer for sterilizing the dishes in the dishwasher or dryer.
Further, the concept of the invention can be applied in devices for disinfection of medical equipment or in the food industry for disinfecting objects.
In another embodiment, the appliance according to the invention comprises a conveyor belt, wherein the plasma source is arranged in the vicinity of the conveyor belt so that the plasma sterilizes objects conveyed on the conveyor belt. For example, the plasma source can be arranged beneath the conveyor belt so that the plasma is applied through the belt, which therefore has to be permeable for the plasma. Alternatively, the plasma source can be arranged stationary above or in the vicinity of the conveyor belt so that the plasma generated by the plasma source reaches the objects on the conveyor belt. Further, it is alternatively possible to integrate the plasma source into the conveyor belt.
It has already been mentioned that the invention also encompasses a deodorant device for deodorizing a body surface by applying a non-thermal plasma. In one embodiment, the deodorant device of the invention resembles the design of conventional deodorant devices comprising a rotatable ball. In this embodiment, the plasma source can be integrated into the rotatable ball, wherein the plasma source generates the plasma on the surface of the rotatable ball. Alternatively, the plasma source can be arranged stationary within the housing of the deodorant device but outside the rotatable ball.
In a preferred embodiment of the deodorant device according to the invention, the deodorant device additionally comprises an applicator for applying a deodorant to the skin surface wherein the agent applied to the skin surface interacts with the non-thermal plasma thereby improving the disinfecting/sterilizing effect of the non-thermal plasma. In other words, the non-thermal plasma applied by the plasma source and the chemical agent applied by the applicator interact with each other so that the disinfecting/sterilizing effect is enhanced by the interaction between the chemical agent and the non-thermal plasma.
In another embodiment, the deodorant device does not comprise any moveable parts and relies solely on the disinfecting/sterilizing effect of the plasma.
It should also be noted that the term “pathogenic germs” as used in this description encompasses bacteria, spores, viruses, fungi, prions, micro organisms and bio-films comprising any of the aforementioned pathogenic germs.
The invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The plasma source 1 comprises a flat and planar electrode arrangement 2, a housing 3, a driver circuit 4 for driving the electrode arrangement 2 and a connection cable 5 for connecting the plasma source 1 to mains.
Firstly, it should be noted that the plasma source 1 is integrated into an open cavity of an appliance 6 so that the appliance 6 and the plasma source 1 comprise surfaces 7, 8 which are flush so that the surface 8 of the plasma source 1 constitutes a part of the surface 7 of the appliance 6.
Further, it should be noted that the electrode arrangement 2 of the plasma source comprises several grid-shaped electrodes 9 which are interconnected with each other and embedded into a dielectric layer 10. Further, the electrode arrangement 2 comprises a common back electrode 11 at the under side of the dielectric layer 10.
During operation, the driver circuit 4 applies a AC voltage U to the electrodes 9, 11 so that surface micro-discharges are triggered on the surface 8 of the plasma source 1 as explained in the above-mentioned book titled “Low temperature plasmas”.
One characteristic of this embodiment is the electrical connection of the upper electrodes 9 which are alternatively connected to the different poles of the driver circuit 4.
Therefore, reference is made to the above description with regard to
One characteristic of this embodiment is that the back electrode 11 is missing.
It should further be noted that it is alternatively possible to switch the high voltage lines, as well. Further, it is possible to switch all electrode pairs successively pair by pair.
One characteristic of this embodiment is that the electrode fingers 13 of the electrode 11 are staggered.
One characteristic of this embodiment is that the electrode arrangement 2 comprises an additional electrode 14 besides the electrodes 9, 11. All the electrodes 9, 11, 14 are spiral-shaped intertwining each other.
Further, the driver circuit 4 comprises one switching element 15 connecting the electrodes 9 and 14 alternatively with ground GND, wherein the switching element 15 is controlled by a control device 16.
One characteristic of this embodiment is that the spiral-shaped electrode 11 is staggered.
One characteristic of this embodiment is that the plasma source 29 is not stationary but arranged within the moving handrail 27 so that the plasma source 29 moves along with the moving handrail 27.
One characteristic of this embodiment is that the deodorant device 30 additionally comprises nozzles 33 for applying a chemical agent onto the body surface to be sterilized. The chemical agent applied by the nozzles 33 then interacts with the low-temperature plasma thereby enhancing the sterilizing effect of the low-temperature plasma.
One characteristic of this embodiment is that the ball-shaped head 31 is in fact rotatable as in conventional deo rollers.
The deodorant device 30 depicted in
The front end 53 has a cylindrical rim which is designed to couple the front end with the rest of the housing 51 which is cylindrical in this case. The housing 51 encloses an interior space of the deodorant device 30 comprising for example among others an electric source for a plasma source of the deodorant device 30.
On top of the front end 53 there is a mesh- or grid-like first outer electrode 57 arranged at the outer surface 59 of the front end 53. The deodorant device 30 comprises a contact ring 61 being electrically connected to the first outer electrode 57 via a conductor 63.
It is clearly to be seen that the first outer electrode 57 is only arranged in the area of the top end of the deodorant device 30. However, it is easily possible to enlarge the first outer electrode 57 in a way that it reaches further down along the outer surface 59 of the front end 53 of the deodorant device 30.
The design of the first outer electrode 57 may be amended in a way to adapt the deodorant device 30 to different applications. It is possible to enlarge the first outer electrode 57 to generate more plasma if necessary. It is also possible to amend the design of the first outer electrode 57 to be applicable also to a delicate and sensitive skin of a user of the deodorant device 30.
The front view of the first outer electrode 57 shown in
The material used for realizing the first outer electrode preferably is chosen to be inert and rust-proof especially against moisture and aggressive fluid.
In
The front end 53 is hollow. Its rim 55 is preferably connected to the rest of the housing 51 via a snap-on connection. It is also possible to glue the front end 53 to the rest of the housing 51 to make sure that the deodorant device 30 is moisture-proof closed to protect the plasma source with its circuits and the energy source within the interior space 65 of the housing 51. In case the deodorant device 30 is designed as a disposable the complete housing 51 may be closed moisture-proof.
To enable a user to replace the energy source, at least one end of the housing 51 should be closed by a removable cap. If the front end 53 is glued to the rest of the housing 51, it is possible to provide a removable lid, for example at the opposite end of the deodorant device 30.
In the embodiment of the invention, the front end 53 is designed as a removable cap, to allow an exchange of the front end 53 in case the first outer electrode 57 may be worn or destroyed or in case a user would like to use different electrodes because of a delicate and sensitive skin.
In the embodiment shown in
In a preferred embodiment of the deodorant device 30 the front end 53 with the first outer electrode 57 and the second inner electrode 71 are produced by injection moulding. In this case different plastic materials are used. Conductive plastic material is used to realize the electrodes 57 and 71, while non-conductive material is used for the body of the front end 53. Using this method to produce the front end 53, it is very easy to realize different shapes for the second inner electrode 71 and especially for the first outer electrode 57. In most cases the second inner electrode 71 covers the whole interior surface 69 of the cap-like front end 53. The first outer electrode 57 may be realized as a grid or a mesh, wherein it is easily possible to realize different shapes of grids and/or meshes to adapt the first outer electrode 57 to different applications. In some cases users may prefer a deodorant device 30 generating more plasma. In other cases the user, having a sensitive and delicate skin, may prefer a deodorant device 30 producing less plasma to not irritate the skin. That is why users may prefer larger or smaller first outer electrodes 53 on the outer surface 59 of the front end 53.
Different designs and dimensions, especially of the first outer electrode 57 may not only be realized by using said injection moulding but also when producing grid- or mesh-like first outer electrodes 57 with other methods mentioned above.
In another preferred embodiment, the first outer electrode 57 may be realized by using thin wires, which are arranged grid- or mesh-like and which are then embedded within plastic material, which will be brought onto the wire preferably using an injection moulding process. A cup-like second inner electrode 71 may then be placed onto the inner side of the front end 53. However, the second inner electrode 71 may also be realized by depositing conductive material like metal or glue on the interior surface of the front end 53.
The first outer electrode 57 comprises or preferably is made of a conductive material. Preferably the outer surface 59 is provided with grooves showing a pattern as it is to be seen in
In another preferred embodiment the whole outer surface 59 of the front end 53 is coated with a conductive substance. Afterwards the conductive substance is removed from the outer surface 59 and only the grid-like pattern of the first outer electrode 57 and the conductor 63 will remain on the outer surface 59 of the front end 53.
The first outer electrode 57 gets in contact with the contacting ring 61 via the conductor 63. The contact ring 61 is electrically connected to the plasma source 75 arranged within the housing 51.
The second inner electrode 71 is connected via a connector, not depicted in
From the explanation above it is to be seen that the plasma source 75 comprises a first outer electrode 57 being electrically connected via the connector 63, the contact ring 61 and the contact pin 73 to the plasma source 75. The plasma source also comprises a second inner electrode 71 which is conductively connected to the connecting plate 77 of the plasma source 75. The plasma source 75 is supplied by an electric source 79 arranged in the interior space 65 of the housing 51. The electric source 79 may comprise one or more batteries or accumulators to energize the plasma source 75. The housing encloses additional circuitry, one or more switches and so on to activate the deodorant device 30 if needed. Preferably the output of the plasma source 75 may be adjustable by a user.
Also the embodiment depicted in
From the description related to
Referring to
Moreover,
The container 81 comprising a first element, preferably a body enclosing an interior space 85 wherein the objects or substances are placed. In the embodiment depicted in
The container 81 comprises a lid 89 which is placed at the opening of the body 83 to tightly close the container 81. The connection between the lid 89 and the body 83 may be realized by gluing, melting, ultrasonic welding or another known method.
The lid 89 comprises a first electrode which will be explained in relation to the following figures.
The counter electrode 91 preferably is realized as a stamp-like element, especially as a stamp, the counter electrode 91 itself being the basic element of the stamp and having a handle H which is made, as the counter electrode 91 itself, of insulating material. The connecting cables 93 are embedded in the handle H.
Preferably, the wire 103 is very thin having a diameter of about 5 μm to 18 μm, preferably of 10 μm to 50 μm.
The distance between two comb-like arranged wires is chosen in a range between 1 mm to 10 mm, preferably between 2 mm to 5 mm.
The wire 103 preferably is embedded within the body of the lid 89 to be protected against damages. However, it is also preferred to realize the first electrode 101 by depositing a conductive material, preferably metal, on the inner surface of the lid 89. The lid itself is made of insulating material, preferably of plastics. In this case preferably the wire 103 can be embedded within the lid, but it is also preferred to deposit a conductive material on the inner surface of the lid 89. It is also preferred to totally cover the inner surface of the lid 89 with a conductive substance and take off all the substance from the inner surface except from the area where the inner electrode is realized.
The contact 105 may be realized the same way, namely by embedding a conductive element, preferably made of metal, within the lid and connecting the wire to it.
The first electrode probably is realized by injection moulding the lid using two components. The main part of the lid 89 is made of non-conducive plastic while the first electrode 103 and the contact 105 is made of conductive plastic. It is also preferred to realize notches within the inner surface of the lid 89 having the shape of the inner electrode 101, i.e. being arranged in a comb-like pattern, and to fill the notches with conductive material, for example conductive glue or to deposit a conductive substance within the notches. Also the contact 105 can be realized this way, i.e. by preparing a cavity in the inner surface and to fill it with conductive material.
The pattern of the inner electrode may be varied. For example it is possible to realize two comb-like areas, engaging each other without getting in contact. Also meandric or wave-like first electrodes 101 can be realized in this case.
To activate the plasma 97 within the container 81, the stamp-like counter electrode 91 will be placed onto the lid 89 and the electric source 95 will be activated. Powering the electrodes, the counter electrode 91, i.e. the conductive area 111, plasma 97 will be generated at the first electrode 101 of the lid 89. The plasma disinfects and/or sterilizes and/or decontaminates the content of the container 81, i.e. the free area under the lid 89 and the content, for example the foodstuff 87.
The lid 89 described in relation to
At the left side of
Preferably, also in this embodiment, the counter electrode 91 is realized like a stamp. In case the stamp is lowered to the soft and bendable lid 89 to activate the plasma 95 a suction means is activated to suck the lid 89 against the surface of the counter electrode 91. By this the electrodes of the lid 89 and the counter electrode 91 are arranged in a defined position, preferably parallel to each other. The contact 105 of the lid 89 and the contact 113 of the counter electrode 91 are pressed together to realize a conductive contact between both contacts. Energizing the first electrode 101 and the second electrode, i.e. the conducting area 111 of the counter electrode 91 will result in a generation of plasma 95.
It is clearly to be seen that the lid 89 and the counter electrode 91 only differ from the embodiment depicted in
The first electrode 101 at the inner surface 109 of the lid 89 is realized as depicted and described in
The second electrode, i.e. the conductive area 111 of the counter electrode 91 is realized by a number of horizontal, strip-like areas hs of conducting material, especially wires, being connected by a vertical section vs of a wire or connecting area. Also in this case a comb-like pattern is realized.
From
Also in this embodiment, the counter electrode 91 comprises apertures a as mentioned above and a contact area 113, as described in relation to
To generate plasma 95 within the container 81 the—preferably stamp-like—counter electrode 91 is lowered onto the upper surface of the lid 89 and a pump or the like is activated to suck air through the apertures a. This will result in sucking the soft and bendable lid 89 against the counter electrode 91.
At the crossing areas of the first electrode 101 and the conductive area 111 of the lid and the counter electrode 91, plasma will be generated if the electric source 95 is activated.
The embodiment shown in
It is clearly to be seen that it is possible to generate plasma within a container 81 comprising a mostly solid and stable lid 89 as described in relation to
When filling a container 81 with objects or a substance, especially foodstuff 87 or medical substances, preferably first of all the container 81 will be disinfected and/or sterilized and/or decontaminated, especially with plasma, before filling it. After filling said container 81 the lid 89 will be firmly, especially tightly connected to the body 83 of the container 81. Then the counter electrode 91 will be placed onto the lid 89. In case it is a stable lid, the first electrode 101 of the lid 89 and the second electrode, i.e. the conducting area 111 of the counter electrode 91 are arranged closely to each other in a defined distance.
In case of soft and bendable lids 89, as described in relation to
Generally, it is only necessary to activate the power source 95, for example for 2 to 10 seconds. Even after switching off the power source 95 there will be an after glow within the container 81 resulting in a continued disinfection and/or sterilization and/or decontamination of the interior space 109 of the container 81 and its content.
It is clearly to be seen that the basic idea of disinfecting, sterilizing and/or decontaminating an appliance may easily be used in generating plasma within a container 81.
Although the invention has been described with reference to the particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements of features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2010/001491 | Mar 2010 | EP | regional |
10005236.4 | May 2010 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP11/01177 | 3/10/2011 | WO | 00 | 10/5/2012 |