A benchtop apparatus for generating a substantially microbe-inactivated spatial region

Abstract

A table unit (1, 2, 3) for generating a substantially microorganism-inactivated spatial region (5), comprising a housing (10) having an interior (14) with a longitudinal axis (L), a blower device (60) designed to receive air from the outside and to convey it into the interior (14), a radiation source (50) designed to emit light in the UV-C spectral range into the interior (14) to inactivate or kill microorganisms in the received air (121), and an air outlet device (70) through which disinfected air (122) can flow out of the interior (14) into the space surrounding the housing (10). The air outlet device (70) is designed to produce preferably a laminar flow in the outflowing air (123), which contributes to the formation of a substantially microorganism-inactivated spatial region (5) in the surrounding space. The substantially microorganism-inactivated spatial region (5) generated in this way is closed and completely surrounds the housing (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a desktop device for generating a substantially microbially inactivated spatial area around one or more individuals (e.g., people spending time with others in public places such as restaurants). Background Technology

[0002] It is well known that UV-C radiators are used in ventilation and air recirculation systems or air conditioning units in buildings to inactivate or kill microorganisms or pathogens, such as bacteria, parasites, germs, viruses or viroids, fungi or algae, from indoor air. Typically, for this purpose, air is drawn from the corresponding room, exposed to UV-C radiation during conditioning, and then returned to the corresponding room. The wavelength range corresponding to UV-C radiation extends from 100 nm to 280 nm. For example, low-pressure mercury vapor lamps can be used, emitting radiation or light at a wavelength of 254 nm, which is used, for example, for virus inactivation because the viral nucleic acid is attacked in this case. Using this treatment method, the amount of microorganisms in the relevant room can be reduced by more than 99% after multiple cycles.

[0003] During the 2020 pandemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, extensive measures were also implemented in Germany and the European Union to protect people from infection and prevent further spread. Furthermore, legislation mandated or at least recommended the wearing of mouth / nose protective masks and adherence to minimum social distancing or maximum numbers of people in enclosed spaces or outdoor activities to minimize the amount of microorganisms in the surrounding air and prevent their entry into the respiratory tract. The use of UV-C disinfection in ventilation and air recirculation systems or air conditioning units, as described, certainly contributes to this, but cannot guarantee in general that the air returned after multiple recirculations is substantially microbially inactivated, that is, unless in the case of a dedicated system in a cleanroom or hospital. Such a system is too complex and too expensive to be used in practice, for example, in restaurants, cafes, or other places where people meet and spend time.

[0004] DE 197 42 358A1 describes a portable miniature air purification device. The device is configured as a handheld unit and includes a housing with a blower disposed therein and an air purification platform for generating a purified airflow. The device can be placed on a flat surface, and the housing has an inflow grille on one side and a blower grille on the other. Ambient air is drawn in through the inflow grille, and sterilized air is blown out again through the blower grille. Purification and sterilization are achieved respectively by ultrafine filters, a UV lamp, and activated carbon filters arranged sequentially along the airflow. A laminar airflow is obtained by means of laminar fluid at the blower grille, and depending on the blower configuration, different sized leaf-shaped regions of air with reduced contaminants are achieved through this laminar airflow. In this case, the vortex-free flow associated with the laminar clean airflow specifically counteracts the mixing of the airflow with the ambient air in its external region. The distance between the end of the contaminant-reduced air region and the air outlet region of the device is particularly 0.7 m to 1.5 m, and the flow rate in the central region of the laminar outlet airflow is not greater than 0.5 m / s, and particularly less than 0.3 m / s.

[0005] Unfortunately, such devices (e.g., in the field of antiviral treatments) are highly unsuitable for use in restaurants, cafes, and similar establishments. The inhalation on one side and the blowing on the other result in generally horizontally oriented airflow within the room. Due to the size of the resulting microbial inactivation zone, each occupant requires their own device, leading to mutual interference of partially opposing or crossing airflows. Consequently, the intended laminar airflow may be disturbed or unstable, meaning that the turbulent zone is reduced at least partially, allowing unwanted, microbial-laden ambient air to enter—and most importantly, the user is unaware of this. Furthermore, users need to periodically check whether they are currently in the direction of the blowing airflow, and as mentioned above, they will be unable to recognize the contamination caused by unwanted turbulence. Therefore, the risk arises that users and managers of restaurants, cafes, etc., may fall into a false sense of security. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to provide solutions to these or similar problems, improvements are sought based on the aspects and exemplary embodiments mentioned below, such that a substantially safe, stable and substantially microbially inactivated spatial area is provided for as many users as possible in public places (restaurants, cafes, etc.), or in this case, a microbially inactivated and human-related spatial area is provided without significant mutual interference between areas.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment, a benchtop device for generating a substantially microbially inactivated spatial area is proposed, the benchtop device having an internal housing, an intake duct connected to the housing, a blower unit, a UV-C lamp, and an air outlet unit. Unlike prior art, the benchtop device does not require filters or activated carbon elements, which can advantageously lead to savings in area and space, resulting in a compact benchtop device. However, these elements are not excluded in principle.

[0008] The intake duct is used to draw air from the environment outside the space area created by the device itself and deliver it into the interior of the housing. In this case, the location of the intake opening can be positioned where appropriate for the situation, depending on the embodiment and not generally limited, such as above or below a table on which the desktop device is placed. The intake process of ambient air is driven by a blower unit. The blower unit can be located in the intake duct itself or in the housing, particularly inside the housing. The intake duct extends from the housing into the surrounding space.

[0009] UV-C lamps are configured to emit light within the UV-C spectral range (particularly the wavelength range of 100 nm to 280 nm) into the interior to inactivate or kill microorganisms in the inhaled air. UV-C lamps can be, in particular, low-pressure mercury lamps. However, other types of lamps, such as quartz lamps or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting in the UV-C range, are not excluded. The advantage of mercury-based lamps is that they can be arranged along the internal longitudinal axis, allowing for self-installation according to the desired symmetry of the benchtop equipment, and even installation inside the intake duct. In the case of LEDs, this is also feasible by using appropriate arrangements.

[0010] Inside the device, the light source can also be surrounded by an ultraviolet transmission enclosure (such as a quartz tube). This enclosure decouples the cool airflow from the light source from the useful airflow in the device's deactivation air zone, thus protecting the user from the heat emitted by the source.

[0011] Air outlet devices are designed to guide sterilized air from the interior into the space surrounding the housing. In this case, the air outlet devices are configured to create a substantially laminar or low-turbulent flow in the outflowing air. This airflow generates a region of space within the surrounding space that is essentially microbially inactivated (i.e., with a significant reduction in microorganisms). In particular, the airflow generates a region of calm air that is essentially free of eddies from untreated air. This results in a stable separation from potentially microbially contaminated air surrounding the microbially inactivated region. Therefore, the microbially inactivated region is enclosed relative to the environment. This does not preclude the possibility of eddies occurring within the substantially microbially inactivated region. Importantly, it is very difficult to introduce any microbially contaminated air into the region.

[0012] The distinctive feature of the proposed solution is that the flow is configured such that the housing is completely surrounded by a substantially microbially inactivated spatial region, and during operation, an intake duct from the housing extends through and beyond the edge of this microbially inactivated spatial region, allowing air to be drawn in from the surrounding air that has not been microbially inactivated. The intake duct here functions similarly to a vent for the spatial region. Furthermore, the intake duct can be configured to draw air from an environmental region sufficiently distant from the microbially inactivated spatial region of the relevant tabletop unit, but also sufficiently distant from the microbially inactivated spatial regions of other tabletop units placed in a typical restaurant or café, ensuring that these spatial regions remain undisturbed.

[0013] In this configuration, the interior of the housing extends along a longitudinal axis, and the enclosure of the microbial inactivation space generated by the benchtop device is considered to be in a plane perpendicular to this longitudinal axis. The flow is also oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Therefore, the width of the microbial inactivation space along the longitudinal axis is only slightly greater than the longitudinal dimension of the benchtop device along this axis. According to another aspect of the invention, multiple such benchtop devices can be placed adjacent to each other and aligned along the longitudinal axis to achieve the desired width of the microbial inactivation space along the longitudinal axis. Vertical arrangement of the blow-out components is also conceivable if personnel enclosure can be ensured.

[0014] Conversely, depending on the geometry of the blower unit (or the power delivered by the blower unit) and the air outlet unit, the extent of the microbial inactivation space area, starting from the tabletop device or from the casing of the tabletop device, can be configured to be large enough that when the tabletop device is placed on the plane of a table (e.g., in a restaurant or cafe), the head and torso of a person sitting at the table are reliably included in the microbial inactivation space area.

[0015] By extending the basic laminar or low-turbulence flow, the same benchtop device can also provide a separate microbial inactivation space for a second person sitting at the table, on the directly opposite shell side (in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis). This is feasible because air intake via the intake duct takes place in the area outside the microbial inactivation space. When the benchtop device is placed on the table, air intake is preferably carried out in the vertical direction above the device, but it can also be carried out, for example, from under the table or even from outside the room. The laminar flow or multiple laminar flows are then symmetrically arranged, such that the microbial inactivation space stably surrounds the benchtop device. For example, in this way, less airflow can also be generated in the room, which might, for example, interfere with the microbial inactivation space generated by other benchtop devices.

[0016] In this way, multiple tables can be equipped with the proposed tabletop device to create a microbial inactivation space for multiple people, thereby reducing even the minimum distance related to microbial levels between people in that space. Furthermore, individual users can establish a reliable, enclosed microbial inactivation space simply by observing the device's position on the table, rather than by its alignment. Therefore, objective characteristics unrelated to operational errors can be verified to ensure a microbial inactivation space for people in restaurants or cafes, thereby reducing minimum distances or making the need for masks unnecessary.

[0017] According to a preferred improvement of the proposed exemplary embodiment of the benchtop device, the space region considered substantially reliable for microbial inactivation has a maximum distance from the housing, and the intake duct has an opening through which air to be inhaled is drawn in. In this case, the distance of the opening from the housing is greater than the calculated maximum distance of the microbial inactivation space region from the housing. The maximum distance refers to the distance between the edge region of the microbial inactivation space region and the housing or air outlet device. This relationship ensures that the inlet duct draws air from areas outside the microbial inactivation space region, so that the microbial inactivation space region itself remains stable and does not draw air from these areas in the loop.

[0018] According to another preferred improvement of the exemplary embodiment, when the inhalation tube protrudes straight from the microbial inactivation zone, the distance between the opening of the inhalation tube and the housing is 80 cm or more, preferably 90 cm or more, and more preferably 100 cm or more. The inhalation tube can also be significantly shortened by separating the inhalation opening from the aforementioned area (e.g., a tabletop) using different designs. For example, such a distance is sufficient to allow air to be inhaled sufficiently above the microbial inactivation zone and above the head of a person located in that zone.

[0019] According to another preferred improvement of the exemplary embodiment, the calculated maximum distance between the substantially microbial inactivation space and the shell is 80 cm or less. Preferably, the maximum distance can also be 70 cm or less, or even 60 cm or less. These distances at the edge of the microbial inactivation space ensure that the head of a person sitting at the table is reliably located within the microbial inactivation space.

[0020] According to another preferred improvement of the exemplary embodiment, the air outlet device has a grille structure with a plurality of air outlet openings, each of which generates a flow vector in the air flowing through it. These flow vectors integrally cover a complete semicircle perpendicular to at least 180 degrees on a surface in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, on which the tabletop device is placed during operation. Because the air outlet device discharges air in the form of a complete semicircle, a particularly stable microbial inactivation space is created, with the housing of the tabletop device located at the center of this microbial inactivation space. If two people are sitting opposite each other at a table, the longitudinal axis inside the tabletop device or housing is preferably perpendicular to the line connecting the two people. In other words, the two people are located in the aforementioned plane, and therefore they are reliably included in the corresponding microbial inactivation space.

[0021] According to another preferred improvement of the exemplary embodiment, the air outlet device in the tabletop device is configured such that two laminar flows, substantially opposite to each other, are formed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, with flow rates of 0.5 m / s or less. This aspect is particularly advantageous in situations where two or more people are sitting opposite each other at a table, each person being included in their own portion of the space area for microbial inactivation.

[0022] According to another preferred improvement, the flow rate is 0.2 m / s or less, preferably about 0.1 m / s. These small values ​​are particularly feasible because the space for microbial inactivation is configured to surround the housing of the benchtop device. In this case, the user will notice a smaller airflow.

[0023] According to another preferred embodiment of the exemplary model, the radiation source is configured to emit radiation in the UV-C spectral range at a dose of 50 J / m². 2 Or higher, preferably 100 J / m 2 Or higher. These values ​​provide a sufficient dose to ensure microbial inactivation.

[0024] According to another preferred embodiment of the exemplary model, the tabletop device includes a reflector device through which the interior is illuminated by light emitted by a lamp. The reflector device can be a reflector, or, in the case of a low-pressure mercury lamp, a reflector having a parabolic cross-section whose extension is the same as its extension along the longitudinal axis. This allows for particularly effective irradiation of the interior, thereby achieving particularly high-quality microbial inactivation. However, other cross-sections that can ensure good internal irradiation and shield against ultraviolet radiation are also conceivable.

[0025] According to another preferred improvement of the exemplary embodiment, the interior is mirrored to achieve uniform illumination of the interior. According to another preferred improvement of the exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the irradiated interior is coated with TiO2 (anatase). For example, this can prevent the generation of subjectively unpleasant odors.

[0026] According to another preferred embodiment of the exemplary embodiment, the air outlet device has an internal first grid structure or perforated structure (screen), an external second grid structure, and a breathable membrane disposed between them, the arrangement and size of the holes in the first grid structure or perforated structure contributing to the shape of the aforementioned spatial area. Preferably, in this case, the external second grid structure and the breathable membrane disposed between the grid structures are configured to be mechanically replaceable using a manually release fastening device. In this case, the membrane specifically protects the device from contamination by droplets that may contain microorganisms, which are released by users or customers at the table and impact the tabletop device. The breathable membrane can be a fabric similar to a simple oral respirator or a similar non-woven fabric or material. Replaceability ensures that when a user or customer at the table replaces the membrane, the outflowing sterilized air does not acquire microorganisms from droplets previously dropped onto the fabric by the customer.

[0027] According to another preferred embodiment of the exemplary embodiment, the desktop device includes a monitoring unit having a preferably wireless communication unit configured to transmit data related to the functionality and operating status of the desktop device to an external control device. The operating status can also be indicated by a simple status indicator, such as an LED or display on the device itself. Communication can be made via Bluetooth, WLAN / WiFi, NFC, etc. However, wired communication is also included in principle. This allows for monitoring and control of the desktop device, and optionally generates an alarm if local microbial inactivation can no longer be ensured due to device malfunction. Furthermore, communication can be established between the desktop device and the corresponding customer's mobile phone (smartphone), for example, via Bluetooth. In this way, the user or customer is directly informed of their safety status (i.e., whether microbial inactivation exists in their personal space area).

[0028] According to another preferred embodiment of the exemplary model, the desktop device includes a sensor for recording the emitted light dose, generated airflow, or the distance of a person in the surrounding space from the housing. For example, in this way, in cooperation with a control device, a control loop can be established to adjust the extent of the microbial inactivation spatial area, ensuring that relevant personnel are reliably included within the microbial inactivation spatial area, while further reducing noise by minimizing the required blower output.

[0029] According to another preferred embodiment of the exemplary embodiment, the tabletop device includes a docking device by which another tabletop device of the same design can be docked to the tabletop device along a longitudinal axis, thereby increasing the substantially microbial inactivation space in the direction of the longitudinal axis. This increases the variability of the envisioned system and also allows for a larger microbial inactivation space to be provided along a longer table.

[0030] Further advantages, features, and details of each aspect can be found in the claims and the following description of preferred embodiments with the aid of the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same features and functions. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 A first exemplary embodiment of a tabletop device is shown for generating a space for microbial inactivation on a table in a café during operation;

[0032] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic three-dimensional view of a desktop device;

[0033] Figure 3 As shown Figure 2 The diagram shows a schematic perspective view of the desktop device, but the internal structure of the device is shown.

[0034] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the desktop device, showing the flow and coverage of the surrounding space, is drawn on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the desktop device.

[0035] Figure 5 A second exemplary embodiment of a benchtop device for generating a spatial region for microbial inactivation is shown in a schematic cross-sectional perspective view;

[0036] Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 The section contains more details of the corresponding air outlet device;

[0037] Figure 7 A third exemplary embodiment of a benchtop device for generating a spatial region for microbial inactivation is shown in a schematic perspective view;

[0038] Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view shows the table during operation. Figure 7 Desktop equipment;

[0039] Figure 9 It shows Figure 7 A desktop device that is coupled to other desktop devices of the same design;

[0040] Figure 10 A fourth exemplary embodiment of a benchtop device for generating a spatial region for microbial inactivation is shown, with the suction conduit oriented vertically upwards;

[0041] Figure 11 A fifth exemplary embodiment of a tabletop device for generating a spatial region for microbial inactivation is shown, with the suction conduit located below the tabletop;

[0042] Figure 12 A sixth exemplary embodiment of a benchtop device for generating a spatial region for microbial inactivation is shown, having a lateral droplet protection device. Detailed Implementation

[0043] In the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the various aspects of this disclosure are not limited to the details of the component structures and arrangements presented in the following description and drawings. Exemplary embodiments may be implemented or carried out in various ways in practice. Furthermore, it should be understood that the expressions and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be interpreted in a restrictive manner by those skilled in the art.

[0044] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The following will explain a first exemplary embodiment of a desktop device used to generate a spatial region for microbial inactivation. Figure 1 A schematic illustration shows the operation of a tabletop device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment on a table 20 in a restaurant or cafe, where two customers 101, 102 occupy seats opposite each other. In the illustration, the tabletop device 1 includes a housing 10 and a suction duct 30 connected to the housing 10, with an opening 32 at its end away from the housing 10 for drawing in unsterilized air 120. The table 20 can be located in an enclosed seating area or in an outdoor area of ​​the restaurant or cafe. Operation of the tabletop device 1 creates a substantially microbiologically inactivated space 5 within the restaurant or cafe, containing microbially inactivated air. This space is large enough that when the customers 101, 102 are seated on the table 20, on either side of the tabletop device 1, their heads 201, 202 are reliably included within the space 5.

[0045] Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of the benchtop device 1 is shown. The housing 10 extends along a longitudinal axis L and has a cross-section, for example, an inverted "U" or inverted "V" shape. The housing 10 is closed at its ends, while the sides extending along the longitudinal axis L can be configured as a grille structure or perforated pattern, which serves as an air outlet device 70. Figure 3 The blower device 60 shown causes air that has been used to inactivate microorganisms to flow out through the air outlet device. Figure 3 The desktop device 1 is shown schematically in perspective to show the basic internal structure of the housing 10.

[0046] First, unsterilized air 120 is drawn from the environment of the space region 5 through the opening 32 of the suction pipe 30, which is laterally mounted on the housing 10 (on one of the end sides) and connected to... Figure 3 The interior 14 is shown. Air 121 is drawn into the interior 14 via an intake duct, or is conveyed to an air storage chamber 16 housed therein, which in this exemplary embodiment is configured as a pipe 62 extending along the longitudinal axis L. A blower device 60, configured as a propeller or fan, is provided in the air storage chamber 16 or the pipe 62, which generates pressure reduction in the air storage chamber 16 and the intake duct 30, causing air 120 to be drawn in. An opening is provided along the length of the pipe 62 (in... Figure 3 (Not shown in detail), air can enter the interior 14 (the rest) through these openings and be evenly distributed.

[0047] A UV-C radiation source 50 is also provided, which also extends along the longitudinal axis L along the length of the interior 14, and can be configured as a mercury low-pressure lamp to irradiate the interior 14 as evenly as possible, which has air 122 flowing within it. Figure 3 (Indicated only by arrows). Alternatively, a suitable reflector device 52 may exist, for example... Figure 4 As shown. The reflector device 52 ensures that no UV-C radiation appears on the outside through the grid-shaped air outlet device 70, and also improves the uniformity of illumination inside 14. The reflector device 52 can have a parabolic cross section, can be configured as a tube, and can have a closed or open polygonal cross section, particularly a tube with a hexagonal cross section configured to surround the mercury low-pressure lamp. The design depends on the shape of the interior 14 to be illuminated.

[0048] Figure 4 This illustrates how air 123, sterilized by UV-C radiation, flows out through air outlet device 70, simultaneously generating two laminar or low-turbulent flows. Figure 4In this configuration, the two laminar or low-turbulent airflows are tilted and oriented upwards at the heads 201 and 202 of customers 101 and 102. The airflow is also released upwards, i.e., upwards between these two laminar airflows. Laminar flow is achieved through the matching of factors such as the pressure reduction generated in the interior 14 by the blower device 60, the size and number of air outlet openings in the grille structure or perforated pattern, and their flow vectors. Overall, a stable spatial region 5 is formed above the surface of the table 20 where the tabletop device 1 is placed. This spatial region is enclosed in terms of air exchange with the environment and is essentially microbially inactivated due to UV-C radiation. In this configuration, these flow vectors collectively cover a complete semicircle of at least 180 degrees perpendicular to the surface of the table 20, on which the tabletop device is placed during operation, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Figure 4 The drawing plane in the diagram is precisely this plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.

[0049] "Enclosed" here refers to the laminar flow in spatial region 5, where the collapse (formation of undulating vortices) at the outer boundary creates a boundary that is substantially static during operation, and the air continuously fed into it is released into the environment. For example, static vortices can also form in regions between laminar flows, gradually releasing air into the environment and being continuously replenished by sterilized air from within the spatial region. A characteristic is the continuous spatial region 5, which surrounds the benchtop device 1 itself because the benchtop device 1 releases sterilized air 123 on all sides, and the contamination level of spatial region 5 is significantly lower than that of the environment. Within spatial region 5, the contamination level is relatively uniform and stable. The boundary region marking the difference in contamination levels between the interior and exterior is almost static in space. At the location where personnel inhale air (head 201, 202), a low bacterial count is present because inactivation exceeds 95%, preferably 99%, and more preferably 99.9%.

[0050] In a particular exemplary embodiment, the distance d of the opening 32 of the suction duct 30 is, for example, 80 cm. The maximum range h of the space area (above the table 20) is, for example, 60 cm to 70 cm. This distance should be greater than the range of the area 5, and in this case, this distance can also be achieved by extending the suction duct 30 by using other objects (e.g., the tabletop itself) that separate the area 5 from the outside air 120. (In this case, the duct 30 actually allocated to the device can also be significantly shorter). In this way, the tabletop device 1 can reliably draw air from the environment and provide fresh inactivated air to the space area 5 from within, thereby replacing the air that has left the outer boundary 6 of the space area 5 due to the formation of undulating vortices (see also...) Figure 8This ensures the spatial stability of area 5. The shape of the spatial area is most affected by the large, continuous airflow within the room; for example, when all the windows are open to ventilate the room and there is a prevailing wind outside, that prevailing wind will also enter the space of the restaurant or cafe.

[0051] also, Figure 2 A schematic illustration of sensor 90 is also shown. Sensor 90 can be used to record data related to the function and operating status of the desktop device. For example, this could be the emitted light dose, the magnitude of the generated airflow, or the distance between a person in the surrounding space and the casing. This data can be transmitted to a control device (not shown) capable of providing warning indications or initiating technical measures to resolve problems or compensate for or balance values ​​exceeding or falling below limits. For this purpose, a monitoring unit can also be inserted, having preferably wireless-based transmitting and receiving units configured to transmit such data related to the function and operating status of the desktop device to an external control device. The monitoring unit and / or control device can also be implemented on a mobile phone (e.g., as an application), particularly on the mobile phones of one or more customers. For example, a warning could be displayed such as: "The current operation of the desktop device is compromised, making it impossible to reliably maintain the microbial inactivation space 5 protecting the customer."

[0052] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A second exemplary embodiment of the tabletop device 2 presented herein is shown. The suction duct 30 is configured similarly to the first exemplary embodiment; however, in this case, a corresponding blower device 61 is provided at the opening 32 within the suction duct 30. Furthermore, in this case, the air reservoir 16 is configured as a flat cuboid space in the lower region of the interior 14. The suction duct 30 is guided into the air reservoir 16 through the opening 34, where the sucked air 121 is introduced. A plurality of holes 17 allow air 122 to flow uniformly upward from the air reservoir 16 into the interior 14 so as to be disinfected by UV-C irradiation via the radiation source 50 (as described above, using the reflector device 52). Figure 6The air outlet device 70 is shown in more detail. In the portion shown, the air outlet device includes an inner grille structure 71, a membrane 74, and an outer grille structure 72. The inner grille structure has an air outlet opening 76, the membrane 74 serves as a replaceable saliva protectant and may be made of fabric or nonwoven fabric, and the outer grille structure has an air outlet opening 77. The outer grille structure 72 is removable and serves to hold the membrane 74 onto the inner grille structure 71. The flow vector of the air outlet opening 76 of the first inner grille structure 71 is related to the formation of laminar airflow, or entirely to the spatial region that is substantially inactivated by microorganisms. Additionally or alternatively, the desired airflow can also be generated equally well by a second outer grille structure.

[0053] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, the lowest internal layer consists of the necessary electronic components that power the blower unit 61, the UV-C radiation source 50, the sensor 90, and any wireless (or wired) transmission units and / or control devices. Figure 2 Also shown is the connector 12 for current and voltage supply, which, for simplicity, is... Figure 5 It is not shown again. Alternatively, a battery can, of course, be used for power supply.

[0054] Figures 7 to 9 A third exemplary embodiment is shown, utilizing an additional desktop device 3. In this case, the desktop device 3 has a housing 10 with housing legs 18, allowing the desktop device 3 to stand upright on, for example... Figure 8 The surface of the table 20 shown. In this way, airflow can be released downwards on the one hand, and on the other hand, the plate 22 or bowl can still be placed under the tabletop device 3 on the very small table 20 (see table 20). Figure 8 ).

[0055] With the aid of a docking device, such as a docking device on the equipment leg 18, multiple benchtop devices 3 can be fastened to each other on their end sides along the longitudinal axis L, as follows: Figure 9 As shown. These tabletop units thus form a row. In this way, relatively long tables, even beer tables, can be equipped with tabletop units along their entire length to provide safe space areas 5 on both sides. In this case, the suction pipe 30 can be compactly guided upward through the interior 14 itself.

[0056] Figure 10 and Figure 11 Other exemplary embodiments of desktop devices 4A and 4B are shown. Figure 10 The desktop device 4A essentially corresponds to the exemplary embodiment described above: the suction pipe is fed vertically upward so that the opening 32 of the suction pipe 30 is positioned above the upper boundary of the spatial region 5. On the other hand, Figure 11 The desktop device 4B has an intake duct 31 that is guided horizontally along the table surface and then bends around the edge of the table (not shown), such that the opening 32 of the intake duct is located below the tabletop of the table 20. Since the space area 5 is usually almost impossible to extend that far, air 120 containing microorganisms can also be drawn in from under the table for disinfection.

[0057] Figure 12 Another exemplary embodiment of the desktop device 4A' is shown, which substantially corresponds to Figure 10 The embodiment described herein includes lateral droplet protection devices 30a and 30b. Among other things, the lateral droplet protection devices 30a and 30b also protect the air outlet device 70 and, for example, protect the device being used while seated on the desktop device 4A' (see [link to example]). Figure 1 To protect personnel on the opposite side from harm by others located on its opposite side, the suction pipe 30 is modified so that it extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis L of the housing 10 in a manner corresponding to the first droplet protection shield 30a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the suction pipe 30 has the additional function of the droplet protection shield 30a. On the other hand, at the opposite end of the housing 10, an additional lateral droplet protection shield 30b is provided, extending in the plane of that end side, i.e., perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis L of the housing 10. For example, the droplet protection devices 30a and 30b are formed to be transparent, for example, made of plexiglass. The droplet protection shields 30a and 30b can extend, for example, across the entire width of the table and can have an appropriate height as needed.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiments described above, laminar airflow is advantageously described. However, laminar airflow is not absolutely necessary for generating the described spatial region 5, and other flow profiles may be employed according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0059] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiments described above, the spatial region is described as approximately spherical (in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis). However, other cross-sections relative to the longitudinal axis can also be obtained, such as spatial regions formed on the left and right sides of the tabletop device, which are connected by a recessed region (above the tabletop device). In this case, the suction pipe can also be configured to be significantly shorter, for example, with a length d of 20cm–60cm.

[0060] In addition, fresh air for UV disinfection can be drawn from outside the restaurant via a duct system. The current concept of enclosed space areas remains unaffected.

[0061] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0062] Desktop devices 1, 2, 3, 4

[0063] Spatial region 5 for microbial inactivation

[0064] Casing 10

[0065] Electrical connectors, power supply 12

[0066] Electronic Components 13

[0067] Internal 14

[0068] Bottom 15

[0069] Air storage tank 16

[0070] Hole 17 leading to the interior

[0071] Equipment support legs 18

[0072] Space under desktop equipment 19

[0073] Table 20

[0074] Plate 22

[0075] Inhalation tube 30

[0076] Droplet protection devices 30a, 30b

[0077] Opening 32

[0078] UV-C radiation source, mercury low-pressure lamp 50

[0079] Reflector 52

[0080] Blower unit 60

[0081] Pipe 62 (of the blower unit or air storage tank)

[0082] Air outlet device 70

[0083] Internal first grille structure 71

[0084] External second grille structure 72

[0085] Membrane 74

[0086] Air outlet openings 76, 77

[0087] Sensor 90

[0088] (Restaurant / Café) Staff, users, customers 101, 102

[0089] 120 Unsterilized air to be inhaled

[0090] Inhaled air 121

[0091] Disinfected air 122

[0092] The outflowing air 123

[0093] Heads of personnel, users, and customers 201, 202

Claims

1. A table device (1, 2, 3, 4) for generating a substantially microorganism-inactivated spatial region (5), the table device comprising: a housing (10) having an interior (14) with a longitudinal axis (L); a blower device (60) configured to draw in air from the outside and to convey it into the interior (14) of the housing (10); a radiation source (50) configured to emit light in the UV-C spectral range into the interior (14) to inactivate or kill microorganisms in the drawn-in air (121); and an air outlet device (70) through which disinfected air (122) can flow out of the interior (14) into the space surrounding the housing (10), wherein the air outlet device (70) is configured to direct the air flow perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) such that the width of the substantially microorganism-inactivated spatial region (5) in the direction of the longitudinal axis is only slightly greater than the longitudinal dimension of the device, wherein the air outlet device (70) is configured to produce low turbulence in the flowing-out air (123), which contributes to the formation of the substantially microorganism-inactivated spatial region (5) in the surrounding space, wherein the substantially microorganism-inactivated spatial region (5) thus generated is closed and completely surrounds the housing (10) when the housing is viewed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the housing (10).

2. The table device (1, 2, 3, 4) of claim 1, wherein the air outlet device (70) is configured to produce laminar flow in the flowing-out air (123).

3. The table device (1, 2, 3, 4) of claim 1, wherein an opening (32) is provided through which air can be drawn in outside the substantially microorganism-inactivated spatial region (5) and conveyed into the interior (14) of the housing (10), the blower device (60) being configured to drive the intake of air through the opening (32).

4. The table device (1, 2, 3, 4) of claim 3, wherein the substantially microorganism-inactivated spatial region (5) has a maximum extent (h) from the housing (10), and wherein a suction duct (30) is provided, the suction duct (30) having the opening (32) through which the air (120) to be drawn in is drawn in, wherein the opening being at a distance (d) from the housing (10) that is greater than the calculated maximum extent of the substantially microorganism-inactivated spatial region (5) from the housing (10).

5. The table device (1, 2, 3, 4) of claim 4, wherein the opening (32) of the suction duct (30) is at a distance (d) of 80 cm or more from the housing (10).

6. The table device of claim 4 or 5, wherein the calculated maximum extent of the substantially microorganism-inactivated spatial region from the housing is 80 cm or less.

7. The desktop device (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The air outlet device (70) has a grille structure (71, 72) or a perforated pattern having a plurality of air outlet openings (76, 77), each of which generates a flow vector in the air (123) flowing through it, the flow vector being a complete semicircle of at least 180 degrees perpendicular to the surface (20) in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the tabletop device (1, 2, 3) being placed on the surface (20) during operation.

8. The desktop device (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The air outlet device (70) is configured such that two laminar flows, substantially opposite each other, are formed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L), with flow rates of 0.5 m / s or less.

9. The desktop device (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in claim 8, wherein... The flow rates are 0.2 m / s or less.

10. The desktop device (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The radiation source (50) is configured to emit light in the UV-C spectral range, at a dose of 50 J / m 2 or more.

11. The desktop device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5 (1, 2, 3, 4), further comprising: The interior (14) is irradiated by radiation emitted by the radiation source (50) through the reflector device (52).

12. The desktop device (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The interior (14) is mirrored to achieve uniform illumination of the interior (14).

13. The desktop device (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The air outlet device (70) has an internal first grille structure (71), an external second grille structure (72), and a breathable membrane (74) disposed between them.

14. The desktop device (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in claim 13, wherein... The external second grid structure (72) and the breathable membrane (74) arranged between the grid structures are configured to be mechanically replaceable by means of manually releasable fastening devices.

15. The desktop device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5 (1, 2, 3, 4), further comprising: A sensor (90) is used to record data related to the function and operating status of the desktop device.

16. The desktop device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5 (1, 2, 3, 4), further comprising: A monitoring unit having a transmitting and receiving unit configured to transmit such data relating to the function and operating status of the desktop device to an external control device.

17. The desktop device (3) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: The docking device allows another benchtop device (3) of the same design to be docked to the benchtop device (3) along the longitudinal axis (L) to increase the spatial area (5) of the substantially microbial inactivation in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L).

18. The desktop device (4A') as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: At least one droplet protection shield (30a, 30b) extends at least on one end side of the housing (10) and in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the housing (10).

19. The desktop device (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in claim 5, wherein... The distance (d) from the opening (32) of the suction pipe (30) to the housing (10) is 90 cm or greater.

20. The desktop device (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in claim 5, wherein... The distance (d) from the opening (32) of the suction pipe (30) to the housing (10) is 100 cm or greater.

21. The desktop device as claimed in claim 6, wherein The calculated spatial range of the substantially microbial inactivation zone from the shell is a maximum of 70 cm or less.

22. The desktop device as claimed in claim 6, wherein The calculated spatial range of the substantially microbial inactivation zone from the shell is a maximum of 60 cm or less.

23. The desktop device (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in claim 8, wherein... The flow rates are 0.1 m / s.

24. The desktop device (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in claim 10, wherein... The dose is 100 J / m 2 or higher.

25. The desktop device (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in claim 15, wherein... The data is the emitted light dose, the generated airflow, or the distance of a person in the surrounding space from the housing (10).

26. The desktop device (1, 2, 3, 4) as described in claim 16, wherein... The transmitting and receiving units are wireless.

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