DISINFECTION PROCEDURES

Abstract

Disinfection method in which textiles in a washing machine are irradiated before, during or after the washing process by means of at least one light source for disinfection, germicidal and / or sterilization of the textiles, characterized in that the light source is included in a device which has a connecting means by means of which the light source is arranged at a light transmission opening which is provided on a container or housing of the washing machine designed to receive the textiles, wherein the irradiation of the textiles takes place with blue light in the visible wavelength range between 400nm and 500nm.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a method in which textiles in a washing machine are irradiated before, during or after the washing process of the textiles within the washing machine by means of at least one light source for disinfection, degermination and / or sterilization of the textiles, as well as to a device for disinfection, degermination and / or sterilization of the textiles according to such a method. State of the art

[0002] Commercial washing machines, for example, pose the problem of bacterial colonization and growth in the washing machine's interior and thus in the textiles stored there. This problem is noticeable through a musty odor in the already cleaned laundry, and this effect is sometimes even amplified when worn on the human body.

[0003] Until now, chemicals have been added to detergents to disinfect or sterilize textiles. This has environmental disadvantages, as the textiles are exposed to high levels of chemicals and can be harmful to the skin when worn on the body. Washing at elevated temperatures is also not always feasible, as many delicate textiles cannot tolerate high temperatures. Washing at high temperatures also results in increased energy costs.

[0004] One solution to the problem is to add ozone to the washing machine, but this is not recommended because it damages the fabrics. Residual moisture and insufficient ventilation promote germ growth when the washing machine is not in use.

[0005] Opening the glass door is also not conducive to solving the problem because it is not designed for this purpose and leaving it open also poses a risk of injury to the user of the machine.

[0006] JP 2016-123698 A relates to a clothes hanger for hanging clothes and the like, and more particularly, for deodorization by effectively sterilizing, disinfecting, and inactivating bacteria that cause odors adhering to clothes, such as sweat and tobacco. An exemplary clothes hanger primarily used for hanging clothes includes: a hanger body having a shoulder portion formed long in the horizontal direction; and a hanging portion disposed in a central portion of the hanger body. The hanger body includes one or more light sources that emit light in the ultraviolet range or the blue visible light range.

[0007] US 2018 / 0043044 A1 relates to a disinfection method comprising irradiating fungi or bacteria with light, including violet light, having a light emission peak with (i) a half-width of not more than 20 nm and (ii) a peak wavelength in the range from 380 nm to 410 nm.

[0008] CN 101381952A relates to an infrared clothes drying device for washing machines. A lamp holder for an infrared heating lamp is mounted in a glass window. A power cable for the lamp holder is positioned in the center of the glass window. The infrared heating lamp is located in the lamp holder. The clothes are directly irradiated with the infrared rays generated by the bulb to dry and sterilize them. A sealing strip is attached to the edge of the infrared heating lamp to help position the lamp and prevent vibration and water ingress.

[0009] JP 2008-136752 A relates to a washing machine comprising a wash tub for storing laundry and an electrolytic tub that causes silver ions to be eluted in water using a photoexcitation effect to add the ions to the water, and supplies the resulting water dissolved with silver ions to the wash tub. In the wash tub, the laundry is brought into contact with the water dissolved with silver ions, and the laundry and the water dissolved with silver ions are irradiated with light in the range from visible light to UV light emitted by a light source, with irradiation means arranged in a lid. Description of the invention

[0010] The present invention is based on the object of creating a disinfection method which eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages and which is suitable for disinfecting, disinfecting or sterilizing textiles by means of light without damaging them (in the long term).

[0011] To achieve the above object, the invention proposes a disinfection method according to claim 1 and a device according to claim 3. Dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments.

[0012] According to the invention, a disinfection method of the type mentioned above is characterized in that the textiles are irradiated with light in the wavelength range between 400 nm and 500 nm. It has been shown to be particularly advantageous that, in addition to UV radiation, irradiation of textiles in the range between 400 nm and 500 nm also has a germicidal effect. Surprisingly, it was discovered that the bacteria adhering to the textiles carry porphyrins, which absorb the light and produce radicals that, in turn, destroy the cell structure of the bacteria. Furthermore, it has been established that blue light can trigger a broad-spectrum antimicrobial effect. The wavelength range of 402-420 nm is considered the most effective spectral range. This form of irradiation has the advantage over UV light that textiles, especially those containing plastic parts, are not damaged by the radiation.

[0013] The advantage achieved by the invention is that the selected wavelength range of light can be optimally used for the intended application in the textile sector, since a reduction in germs in the affected textiles can be effectively achieved, preferably before, during, and / or after the washing process. This results in a noticeable overall reduction in germs.

[0014] A very special advantage of the present invention is that washing can be carried out at low temperatures, thus saving energy costs. Even at the energy-saving 30 to 40°C, most soiling is removed effortlessly. Assuming 100% electricity consumption at a washing temperature of 60°C, a 30°C wash consumes more than two-thirds less electricity, namely only around 30%. At 40°C, the consumption is 50%, and at 90°C, the consumption is over 150%. Further advantages of the invention are that sterilization / disinfection can take place at any temperature, textiles stay fresh longer, chemical treatments are no longer necessary, sorting of laundry is no longer necessary because everything can be washed at one temperature, and infectious diseases, for example in nursing homes, can be contained. Brief description of the invention

[0015] Further objects, features, advantages, and possible applications of the disinfection method according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments. All described features, individually or in any combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their summary in individual claims or their interrelationship.

[0016] The present invention preferably also relates to a device for carrying out the method according to the invention, which device comprises at least one textile holder within which the irradiation of the textiles takes place, wherein at least one light source for generating light in the visible wavelength range between 400 nm and 500 nm for uniform irradiation of the textiles is arranged on the at least one textile holder.

[0017] In a further conceivable embodiment of the invention, a device for carrying out the method according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one light source for generating light in the visible wavelength range between 400 nm and 500 nm, which is accommodated within a partially or fully transparent receptacle which comprises an autonomous energy supply (e.g. in the form of a battery) for the at least one light source.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the device according to the invention is introduced into a container or housing designed to accommodate textiles.

[0019] Furthermore, it may be advantageous to provide at least one light source for generating light in the visible wavelength range between 400 nm and 500 nm, which is equipped with at least one connecting means by means of which the at least one light source can be arranged at a light passage opening which is provided on a container or housing designed to accommodate the textiles, wherein the light passage opening is advantageously a door or part of a door of the container or the housing and the container or the housing is a washing machine or part of a washing machine.

[0020] With the aforementioned device, existing washing machines can also be easily “retrofitted”.

[0021] The method according to the invention is therefore particularly preferably characterized in that the disinfection takes place before, during or after the washing process of the textiles within the washing machine.

[0022] It is also conceivable that the disinfection device could be used in rooms for storing and cleaning textiles by using visible light in the wavelength range of 400nm - 500nm, for example in textile laundries as well as in textile laundries on ships, cruise ships, hospitals, hotels, etc.

[0023] The disinfection method and device according to the invention are not limited to the preferred embodiments specified above. Rather, a multitude of design variations are conceivable, which utilize the solution presented even in fundamentally different configurations.

Claims

[1] Disinfection process in which textiles in a washing machine are irradiated before, during or after the washing process of the textiles within the washing machine by means of at least one light source for the purpose of disinfection, degermination and / or sterilization of the textiles, characterized by that the light source is comprised in a device which has a connecting means by means of which the light source is arranged at a light passage opening which is provided on a container or housing of the washing machine designed to receive the textiles, wherein the irradiation of the textiles takes place with blue light in the visible wave range between 400nm and 500nm. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the light passage opening is a door or part of a door of the container or housing of the washing machine. [3] Device for disinfecting, degerminating and / or sterilizing textiles according to a method according to claim 1, characterized by a light source for generating blue light in the visible wavelength range between 400nm and 500nm, and a connecting means by means of which the light source can be arranged at a light passage opening which is provided on a container or housing of a washing machine designed to hold the textiles. [4] Device according to claim 3, characterized by that the light passage opening is a door or part of a door of the container or housing of the washing machine. [5] Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the light source is housed within a partially or fully transparent frame which includes an independent power supply for the light source.