WO2016038271A1 - Multi-function device for diffusing a plurality of liquid products into the air by means of atomisation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for diffusing at least two active liquid products into the atmosphere inside buildings by means of atomisation, said device being characterised in that it comprises: at least one compressor for producing compressed air, at least two tanks (5), each one used to contain at least one product to be sprayed, and either a single nozzle connected to each tank via a multi-circuit collector (18) that is, in turn, connected to supply tubes (17) of which there is one per tank, or at least two nozzles (7) that are each connected to the compressor and to each tank, via an solenoid valve, in such a way as to each atomise a mixture of compressed air and a product. It comprises a pump (16) between each tank and the corresponding solenoid valve.

Description

 MULTI-FUNCTION DEVICE FOR DIFFUSION IN THE AIR

 The present invention relates to a device for the diffusion in the air, by atomization, of several products, liquids separately or simultaneously. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The devices used to date for treating the atmosphere of premises and all the surfaces of different industrial premises, hospitals, or other, allow to diffuse into the air only one product at a time.

The present invention aims to overcome this limitation and relates to a device whose evolutionary design allows it to fill alone, through the combination of various procedures and processes.

The device of the invention has one or more compressors producing compressed air which, mixed with the active products contained in one or more tanks, is diffused in the medium to be treated by one or more nozzles. This diffusion can be amplified by turbines.

The device is equipped with wheels and a motorization. A telescopic pull handle is also provided. A camera guides the device in its movements during fully robotic missions.

The device further comprises an electronic programming box which provides the "on-off" function of the device and selects the various operating modes suitable for the desired treatment. One or more peristaltic pumps and solenoid valves guarantee the stability of the composition of the products diffused. According to the invention, the device uses one or more nozzles, according to whether it is desired to diffuse a mixture of compressed air, produced by one or more compressors, and of one or more active products, used separately or simultaneously, each contained in a dedicated reservoir, the internal configuration of this device being designed to enable it to fulfill all these various missions, thanks, on the one hand to its autonomy due to a power supply provided by rechargeable batteries, d an electronic programming box, on the other hand, allowing it to privilege the appropriate treatment protocol depending on the medium to be treated, selected between two different operating modes and, finally, various equipment specific to each mission, such peristaltic pumps, solenoid valves, multi-circuit collector, turbines, camera, wheels, telescopic pull handle, motorization. The diffusion of the compressed air-active products mixture in the medium to be treated is obtained, according to the selected operating mode, via one or more nozzles emitting a round jet which, alone, makes it possible to obtain optimal impregnation of the medium to be treated. One or more turbines may be positioned behind the outlet of the nozzles, in the case of large premises, in order to amplify the diffusion.

The device is equipped with rechargeable batteries that make it autonomous to fulfill its missions, especially in all places where the connection to the sector, for various reasons, is impossible or penalizing.

The device is provided on the tubes for supply of active products, peristaltic pumps, which ensure a constant flow of liquids to the nozzle or nozzles, despite changes in atmospheric pressure in the tanks. The device is provided, in the case of a single nozzle diffusing several products, solenoid valves located downstream of the peristaltic pumps on the supply tubes, coupled to a multi-circuit manifold. It has an electronic programming box, the role of which is multi-purpose, because it makes it possible, among other things, to program the stop-start functions of the apparatus, to select and execute the various treatments of the ambient environment according to the chosen operating mode. finally, using a camera to control the movements of the autonomous device by the addition of an electric motor, and to carry out the mission analysis at the end of the mission. sending, automatically, to a checkpoint, a detailed report on the progress of this one.

It is able to operate according to two different operating modes, namely by diffusing several different products, by several nozzles, in separate use (simultaneously) or offset in time (sequentially), via a single nozzle, or by diffusing several different products. , simultaneously, via a specific nozzle per product. The present invention is described below according to an illustrative but nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are diagrams respectively front and side of the device of the invention.

Figures 3 and 4 show respectively the first and second operating modes of the device of the invention.

The device comprises an assembly forming a housing with several staged compartments. In its lower part 1, take place:

 the compressor (s) 2 producing the compressed air necessary for the propagation of the liquid products which are thus vaporized, in the ambient medium;

 - Rechargeable batteries 3 which offer an alternative to conventional mains power via a wall socket.

A compartment 4 located at mid-height receives the tanks 5 containing the different active liquid products intended, each specifically, for the treatment of the

concerned.

In its upper part 6, the device includes, on the one hand, the nozzle or nozzles 7 whose role is to atomize at their output, in the form of ultra-fine droplets, the mixture of compressed air / active products by propelling it into the ambient environment in the form of a jet (preferably of round shape), and secondly, an electronic programming box 8 which automatically select one of several operating modes, depending on the tasks to be completed.

Optionally, it is provided on the hood 9 of the device, behind the nozzle nozzle, a turbine 10 which increases the range of propagation of the jet in the case of large volumes to be treated.

There is also provided a camera 1 1 for guiding the device when it is used in robotic mode, so without outside intervention.

For this purpose the device is provided in the lower base, wheels 12 which allow its displacement. These wheels are coupled with a telescopic pull handle 13 attached to the rear of the device for user-dragged movements. In its robotic version, in addition to the camera located on the hood, the device has, at the wheels, an electric motor 14, which allows it to perform its function completely independently. Solenoid valves 15, and peristaltic pumps 16 whose role is explained below, are provided (see Figures 3 and 4.)

The device for diffusing, in the ambient medium, in the cold, according to an ultra-fine atomization process, droplets obtained by mixing an active product with compressed air, can be used according to two main operating modes:

The first operating mode (FIG. 3) consists of broadcasting several different products 5, in separate or off-set use via a single nozzle 7. In this configuration, only one compressor 2 is sufficient. Several tanks 5 each containing a different product are connected to the single nozzle by their own feed tube 17.

On each of these tubes are arranged a peristaltic pump 16 and an electro

 The peristaltic pump 16 makes it possible to obtain, in the supply duct 17, a constant flow rate of the liquid contained in the reservoir 5. In fact, the flow rate depends on the atmospheric pressure which, inside the reservoir varies according to its filling.

The constant flow pump, by compensating for this variation in pressure, stabilizes the composition of the liquid-compressed air mixture at the outlet of the nozzle 7 and thus guarantees the quality of the treatment in progress. The electro valves 15 positioned in continuity with the peristaltic pumps on each feed tube make it possible to select the product to be used. At the outlet of the solenoid valves 15, the supply tubes 17 meet in a multi-circuit manifold 18. Thus, the product selected is brought to the single nozzle, to, in combination with compressed air, create droplets whose chemical characteristics correspond to the desired treatment. The second operating mode (FIG. 4) consists in diffusing several different products, each coming from its own tank 5, simultaneously, via a specific nozzle 7 per product in order to perform a multipurpose treatment.

In order to avoid any interaction between the products, each nozzle is supplied with compressed air by its own compressor 2. This also makes it possible to guarantee, by a constant compressed air flow rate, a stable dimension of the droplets at the outlet of each nozzle. The compressor performs the same control mission for compressed air as that filled by the peristaltic pumps 16 located on the active liquid supply tubes vis-à-vis them.

The nozzles can emit "flat" jets or "round" jets. The "flat" jets allow wide diffusion, "fan", over a short distance. The "round" jets, preferred, produce a beam in depth and in width of ultra fine droplets of the order of 5 to 10 microns, thus creating a fog, which, amplified by the natural phenomenon of convection of air, ensures a homogeneous distribution of products throughout the volume to be treated.

In the case where the volume of air to be treated is too important for the projected round jet, aided by the simple natural convection of the air, is enough to fulfill its role correctly, it is planned to add, on the hood, at the outlet of each nozzle, an electric turbine 10, which draws the jet of the active product mixture / compressed air and thus ensures a homogeneous distribution of the droplets in a larger volume.

In the upper part of the device, under the hood 9, behind the nozzle outlets, is an electronic programming box 8. This box 8 performs several tasks, the following enumeration is not exhaustive. First, it allows programming, manually or with a remote control, the various "on-off" functions of the device continuously, offline and / or split.

In the case of the second operating mode described above (FIG. 4), that is to say the simultaneous use of several active products, it makes it possible to automatically control and regulate the flow rate of each of the products according to their its own viscosity, so as to guarantee, at the outlet of the different nozzles, a mixture of products and compressed air with constant properties making it possible to continuously diffuse droplets whose, taking into account regularly the ambient hygrometry, the dimension is between 5 and 10 microns to obtain maximum diffusion.

As indicated in the above description of the device, it is equipped with rechargeable batteries 3 located in the lower compartment 1, next to the compressors 2. The device is thus independent of any power supply on the sector. In addition to the risk of inadvertent shutdown of the device in the event of a power failure, this provision has many advantages because of the autonomy it provides. The device, through the remote control, can perform its mission independently in any type of premises. For example, everywhere where a sterile atmosphere is required, or also when it comes to performing dangerous examinations or experiments without any human presence. It is the same for all places such as bathroom, saunas and wet rooms in general where the security standards related to electricity proscribe any power supply via a wall outlet. The field of application of the electronic programming box is also enlarged thanks to this autonomy provided through the batteries. It is, in fact, in its most elaborate version, possible to design the device so that it fulfills the various missions that will be assigned to it, in fully robotic mode and especially in the case of regular and repetitive use in one place. To this end, it is equipped with a camera 1 1 located on the cover 9 and an electric motor 14 fixed under the floor, between the wheels 12. The room to be treated is equipped with guides optical guides, magnetic or other . During working hours in the room, the device automatically goes into standby position on a specific area. Once the room free of any occupant, the device then begins its mission, activated by its internal clock.

To do this, it performs a permanent, programmed circuit, assisted by the camera and powered by means of its engine powered by the batteries 3.

The device thus travels all the premises in order to process, continuously or not, all the various workstations concerned, adapting, as required, the simultaneous or delayed broadcasting of one or more selected products based on the type of task performed during the day on this workstation.

At the end of the mission, the device ends its circuit and returns to its base of rest.

He then automatically recharges his batteries, by electromagnetic contact with the sector, in order to be ready for his next mission.

It also transmits, in the direction of a checkpoint, via the Internet, in order to avoid having to resort to a printer, a detailed report of traceability in order to detect, either abnormalities encountered during his mission in the environment concerned, or on the contrary to attest to its total security after treatment.

Claims

1. Device for diffusion into the room atmosphere, by atomization, of at least two liquid active products, characterized in that it comprises at least one compressor capable of producing compressed air, and at least two tanks (5) adapted to each contain at least one product to be vaporized, and  or a single nozzle connected to each tank via a multi-circuit manifold (18) itself connected to supply tubes (17), namely one tube per tank, - Or at least two nozzles (7) each connected on the one hand to the compressor and on the other hand to each tank, via a solenoid valve, so as to spray each a mixture of compressed air and a product; 2. Multi-function device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a pump (16) between each tank and the corresponding solenoid valve. 3 Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a or the nozzle (s) is / are capable (s) to emit a round jet. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one turbine (10) positioned at the outlet of the or each nozzle. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is equipped with rechargeable batteries (3). 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has an electronic programming box (8), adapted to program the stop-on functions of the device, to select either one of two modes of spraying of several products, simultaneously or sequentially, either by a single nozzle, or by several nozzles, namely one for each product. 7. multi-function device according to claim 6, characterized in that it is able to operate according to two separate operating modes, namely, firstly, by diffusing several different products, in separate or off-set use, via a single nozzle or, on the other hand, by broadcasting several different products, simultaneously, via a specific nozzle per product.