DEVICE FOR DECONTAMINATING OBJECTS BY ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for decontaminating at least one object by ultraviolet radiation. It comprises at least one emission chamber (2) including a lamp (1) capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation, said at least one emission chamber (2) comprising a reflector element (13) for directing the radiation emitted by said lamp (1) towards an outlet opening (20) of said at least one emission chamber (2). The device is notable in that said reflector element (13) is associated with a reflector support (3) which is movably mounted between a first active position of the device where said reflector (13) directs said radiation towards the outlet opening (20) and a second passive position of the device where said reflector support (3) closes the outlet opening (20), thus preventing the radiation from exiting said emission chamber (2).It also includes an actuator (4) ensuring the transition of the reflector support (3) from said first active position to said second passive position. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR DECONTAMINATING OBJECTS BY ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

[0001] The invention relates to a device ensuring the decontamination of objects by ultraviolet radiation.

[0002] Ultraviolet radiation is commonly used in industry: lamps emitting ultraviolet radiation are positioned in an installation in which objects are conveyed, ensuring the decontamination of objects in contact with the emitted radiation.

[0003] Ultraviolet radiation (also called UV radiation) has, in fact, a virucidal and bactericidal action which is essential for certain industries, in particular the food or pharmaceutical industry which must guarantee the production of healthy products and healthy containers.

[0004] However, ultraviolet radiation can also be dangerous to humans. Therefore, if ultraviolet radiation is to reach the products to be decontaminated, it must not be allowed to reach humans in the vicinity of the installation.

[0005] When the objects to be decontaminated are small (for example, bottle caps, pharmaceutical containers, etc.), they are placed in closed chambers or conduits where they are subjected to UV radiation. This protects the operators.

[0006] On the other hand, it is more complicated to protect operators when the objects to be decontaminated are large, that is to say when the objects to be decontaminated are, for example, the size of a piece of furniture.

[0007] To protect personnel, some installations for decontaminating large objects are equipped with protective devices adapted to the size of the objects to be decontaminated. They are therefore bulky. Some installations are also designed so that the emitted radiation is directed only within an enclosed space in which the object to be decontaminated is placed or moves.

[0008] This is how the device described in application EP 1 098 153 is designed:

[0009] This document describes a device for decontaminating objects such as CDs or DVDs, comprising an ultraviolet radiation emitting lamp and several reflectors, placed near the emitting lamp and having an elongated shape with a partially parabolic cross-section, allowing the ultraviolet radiation to be reflected and directed uniformly onto the CD or DVD for optimized decontamination. These specially shaped reflectors also allow for both efficient and economical irradiation: indeed, the re- Homogeneous distribution of radiation allows for overall energy savings.

[0010] When ultraviolet lamps are not in use, they are preferably switched off, particularly for safety reasons. However, after being switched back on, ultraviolet lamps require a warm-up period to become operational again. Consequently, it has been observed that the systems are much less efficient during this warm-up period each time the lamps need to be put back into service.

[0011] The invention aims to provide a new device that eliminates the need to switch off the lights when the installation is not in use, while protecting people near the device. The installation according to the invention thus allows for rapid reactivation when necessary. Furthermore, the invention offers a technical solution that is compact and easy to use.

[0012] The invention relates to this purpose to a device for the decontamination of objects by emission of ultraviolet radiation, said device comprising at least one emission chamber comprising a lamp capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation, said at least one emission chamber comprising a reflector element, to direct the radiation emitted by said lamp towards an outlet opening of said at least one emission chamber.

[0013] The device according to the invention is remarkable in that said reflector element is integral with a reflector support which is movably mounted between: - a first active position of the device where said reflector directs said radiation towards the outlet opening of said at least one emission chamber and where the chamber outlet opening is unobstructed, and - a second passive position of the device, where said reflector support closes the outlet opening of said at least one emission chamber, thus preventing radiation from exiting said at least one emission chamber and confining the radiation inside said at least one emission chamber, said device comprising an actuator ensuring the passage of the reflector support from said first active position of the device to said second passive position of the device and vice versa.

[0014] Thus, the UV radiation reflector has a dual function: it serves not only to direct the radiation towards the object, but also to serve as a means of closing the chamber in which the lamp is mounted.

[0015] By performing this dual function, it is not necessary to provide, outside the device, a means of protecting people nearby from UV radiation. Thus, the device according to the invention offers a solution that ensures the decontamination of bulky objects (and also non-bulky objects) without requiring bulky protective measures: the device is sufficient to itself and is, therefore, not very bulky, although it may be necessary to temporarily prevent people from accessing the device when it is in operation.

[0016] In addition, the part in which the object to be decontaminated is positioned can be of completely random shape and size (except for non-smooth or convex shapes which cannot be decontaminated by UV radiation), which makes it possible to implement the device according to the invention in various applications, with various sizes of objects to be decontaminated.

[0017] Thus, the device can be positioned facing large objects, and can be easily and quickly rendered harmless to people by closing the UV radiation emitting chambers when the installation no longer needs to be operational or needs to be shut down.

[0018] The power supply to the lamps of the device can however be cut off (and therefore the lamps are off) if the installation has to be stopped for a long time.

[0019] The device according to the invention may also include the following features, taken separately or in combination: - The reflector support can be mounted to rotate about a reflector axis between the first and second positions, and vice versa. The transition from one position to another can thus be achieved by rotating the reflector support; - Said at least one emission chamber may include an inner wall of section having a rotational symmetry, said movable reflector support may include a wall having a rotational symmetry, having a reflector axis, said reflector support wall and said inner wall of said at least one emission chamber being coaxial such that said reflector support wall covers at least partially the inner wall of said at least one emission chamber in said first active position, and such that said reflector support wall is positioned opposite the inner wall of said at least one emission chamber in second passive position.Thus constructed, the chamber and the reflector support are, for example, rotating half-tubes within each other, allowing the reflector support to be oriented in both active and passive positions and between these two positions, for example to direct the ultraviolet radiation in a particular direction; . - Said at least one emission chamber may include, in the vicinity of a peripheral edge of the opening of said at least one emission chamber, a protruding element closing a space between the edge of the opening of said at least one emission chamber and an edge of the reflector support in said second passive position of the device. This feature offers additional security to prevent ultraviolet radiation from escaping the chamber even in the passive position of the device; The device may comprise at least two emission chambers, each of said at least two emission chambers comprising an ultraviolet radiation emitting lamp and a reflector element associated with a reflector support that is movably mounted between said first position and said second position, said device comprising at least two actuators, each ensuring the passage of the reflector support from said first active position to said second passive position and vice versa. According to this embodiment, the device may comprise several chambers (at least two), each being equipped with a reflector support; At least two actuators can be controlled simultaneously or independently of each other when the device has several chambers; Advantageously, each of the at least two emission chambers comprises an inner wall with a rotationally symmetric cross-section, and each of the movable reflector supports comprises a reflector wall with a rotationally symmetric cross-section, presenting a reflector axis. The wall of each reflector support and the inner wall of each emission chamber are coaxial, such that the wall of each reflector support at least partially covers the inner wall of each emission chamber in the first position, the axes of the reflector supports being aligned in the same plane. Furthermore, the reflector support of each of the at least two emission chambers is advantageously mounted to rotate about the reflector axis between the first active position and the second passive position, and vice versa.The reflector supports are thus mounted pivoting and the chambers and reflector supports are all aligned in the same plane: this allows for a smaller overall footprint of the device, which also allows the height of the device to be adapted to the object or objects to be decontaminated; . The device may also include an air injection device in said at least one emission chamber, ensuring in particular cooling of the lamp and / or dust removal from said lamp; The air injection device may include an air outlet; said reflector support may be a hollow profile comprising compartments, among which is a duct including a duct inlet associated with said outlet air and at least one duct outlet that passes through said reflector. Air is thus brought into the chamber using the reflector support as the chamber's air supply duct; - Preferably, said at least one duct outlet comprises a series of through holes made through said reflector, said series of through holes extending in a direction parallel to a direction in which said lamp extends; - The lamp advantageously extends preferably within said at least one emission chamber between a central axis of said at least one emission chamber and said reflector. The lamp is thus eccentric: it is located between the axis of the chamber (the pivot axis) and the reflector, in order to be as close as possible to the holes passing through the reflector support to ensure cooling of the lamp; - The device may also include a protective element positioned opposite the opening of said at least one emission chamber and forming a guardrail to prevent the introduction of an object through the opening of said at least one emission chamber when said reflector is in said first active position of said device; - The protective element can be movably mounted on said device between a protective position where it is positioned in front of the opening of the emission chamber and a clearance position where it is positioned at a distance from the opening of the emission chamber, to provide access to said at least one emission chamber. The guardrail can thus be oriented so as to clear the opening of the chamber, for example for lamp maintenance; - The device may finally include a first chassis on which are mounted in particular said at least one emission chamber and said actuator of said reflector and a second chassis on which is mounted at least one electronic ballast, associated with said at least one lamp, and said first chassis is mounted movable relative to said second chassis between a closed position of the device where said at least one electronic ballast is enclosed between said first chassis and said second chassis and an open position of the device where said electronic ballast is accessible.

[0020] Furthermore, the invention relates to an installation comprising a device as defined above, the installation being remarkable in that it comprises a box including said device and a housing for said at least one object, said box having at least one access door to said housing, said box being equipped with at least one control device to authorize or prohibit the opening of said at least one door and to authorize or prohibit the passage of said object to less one reflector support from the passive position to the active position, said at least one control device being associated with a command of said actuator, the opening of said door being conditioned on the command of the actuator in the passive position of the device and the transition to the active position of said at least one reflector support being conditioned on the closing of said at least one door.

[0021] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] is a perspective and side view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention, comprising reflector supports in the active position of the device,

[0023] [Fig.2] is a perspective and side view of the device shown in [Fig. 1], including reflector supports in the passive position of the device,

[0024] [Fig.3] is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device along plane III-III indicated in [Fig.l],

[0025] [Fig.4] is a partial perspective view of the device shown in the preceding figures preceding, [Fig.4] showing the inside of one side of the device (a protective cover having been removed),

[0026] [Fig.5] is another partial perspective view of the device shown on the figures 1 to 3, [Fig.5] showing the other side of the device (another protective cover having been removed),

[0027] [Fig.6] is a rear view of the device, showing in transparency the elements contents of the device and

[0028] [Fig.7] is a schematic representation of an installation according to the invention, perspective view.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a device according to the invention.

[0030] The device is generally parallelepiped in shape, longer than it is tall, so that it occupies more space in length than in height.

[0031] It should be understood that the embodiment presented is not limiting and that the device could have a different general form without departing from the invention.

[0032] The device shown in the figures is designed to decontaminate large objects, for example containers that can hold around 1 m3 of material.

[0033] The device comprises two lateral boxes 10 and 11 (respectively left and right on the [Fig.1]), each of substantially parallelepiped shape, between which is mounted a series of decontamination lamps 1 emitting UV radiation, suitable for decontaminating objects subjected to this radiation.

[0034] The decontamination lamps 1 are tubular, oriented parallel to each other and following a roughly horizontal orientation.

[0035] Each of the decontaminating lamps 1 is mounted in a semi-tubular emission chamber 2, which extends between the two boxes: the wall of each of the emission chambers 2 thus presents a section at least partially circular which extends around a chamber axis X.

[0036] The at least partially circular section is an example of a section that exhibits revolution symmetry.

[0037] Also, each of the chambers has an opening 20, which extends between two longitudinal edges 21 (formed by the edges of the semi-tube), an opening 20 through which the decontaminating radiation can exit the chamber to reach an object placed in front of the chamber.

[0038] The semi-tubular chambers 2 housing the lamps are all aligned one above the other, and the X axes of the chambers are all aligned in the same plane.

[0039] As a result, the device is not very bulky in width.

[0040] Each of the semi-tubular chambers 2 further comprises a reflector support 3, each reflector support 3 carrying a reflector 13 on a wall 30 of the reflector support 3, also semi-tubular in shape, which is housed within the semi-tubular chamber, with a reflector axis coinciding with the X-axis of the chamber. The semi-tubular reflector support 3 is pivotally mounted about its axis.

[0041] It should be understood that the shape of the reflector 13 could be different without departing from the scope of the invention: for example, the reflector 13 could have a parabolic cross-section.

[0042] The reflector support 3 can thus adopt a first position (shown in [Fig.1]) according to which the semi-tubular wall 30 covers the semi-tubular wall of the chamber.

[0043] The reflector support 3 can also adopt another position, or second position (shown in [Fig.2]), according to which its semi-tubular wall 30 faces the tubular wall of the emission chamber 2, the wall 30 of the reflector support 3 forming, with the wall of the chamber, a closed tubular space around the decontaminating lamp 1 of the chamber 2.

[0044] The position of the reflector support 3 shown in [Fig.1] will be called the active position of the device since, in this position, the reflector 13 of the reflector support 3 is placed behind the lamp 1 (in front of the wall of the chamber 2) and has the function of reflecting the radiation emitted by the lamp 1 towards the outside of the emission chamber 2, and in particular towards the outlet opening 20 of the emission chamber 2, the outlet opening 20 being clear.

[0045] The position of the reflector support 3, shown in [Fig. 2], will be called the passive position of the device since, in this position, the wall 30 of the reflector support 3 closes the chamber, preventing the decontaminating radiation from escaping the chamber (the radiation is confined within the chamber in this position of the reflector), which renders inoperative the action of the UV lamp on an object that would be placed in front of the emission chamber 2.

[0046] To prevent the UV radiation emitted by the decontaminating lamp 1 from slipping between the edges 21 of the emission chamber 2 and the edges of the reflector, the emission chamber 2 is provided to have, in the vicinity of each of its edges 21, a protruding element 22 closing a space between the edge 21 of the opening of the chamber and an edge of the reflector support in said second passive position of the device (see [Fig.3] in particular).

[0047] According to the invention, the device includes at least one actuator ensuring the passage of the reflector support 3 from said first active position of the device to said second passive position of the device, and vice versa.

[0048] In this embodiment, comprising five chambers each including a rotating movable reflector support, each reflector support is associated with an actuator device 4 visible in particular on [Fig.4].

[0049] In this embodiment, it is planned to position all the actuator devices 4 in the side box 11 (right box in figures 1 and 2).

[0050] Fig. 4 shows these devices, with the cover of the box 11 having been removed.

[0051] The actuator devices 4 are made by a set of gears and belts which drive the reflector supports 3 in rotation simultaneously.

[0052] More precisely, each reflector support 3 is fixed to a rotating disc 33, at one of its ends, in a wall 61, each disc 33 being associated with a pinion 4 and the set of pinions 4 is connected by the belt 40 to a general drive pinion 4L

[0053] It must, again, be understood that the invention could be implemented by different means: indeed, the technique of moving the reflector supports could be carried out differently without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0054] It should be noted that the reflector supports each have another end attached to another disk 34, mounted movably in rotation in a wall 61 ([Fig.3]).

[0055] Fig. 6, which illustrates the rear of the device by transparency, shows a motor 43 which drives the general control pinion 41 in rotation, in turn driving the actuators 4 in rotation, causing the reflector supports to move from the active position to the passive position of the device, and vice versa.

[0056] Counter pinions 42 are also provided, which ensure that the belt is always correctly tensioned so that all the actuators 4 are properly driven in rotation by the belt 40 at the same time.

[0057] It is understood from this embodiment that all the reflector supports pass from the active position to the passive position of the device at the same time, thanks to a set of 4 actuators which are controlled together.

[0058] The control of the actuators 4 can also allow the reflector supports 3 to be oriented to an intermediate position between the active and passive positions. In this way, the UV radiation emitted by the lamps 1 can be directed.

[0059] It should be understood, however, that the device according to the invention could include actuators independent of each other: according to such an embodiment (not shown) it could be provided to orient the reflector supports 3 independently of each other, to direct the UV radiation at the operator's discretion according to the position of the object to be decontaminated relative to the position of the device.

[0060] It should be noted that, in the passive position of the device, the reflector supports 3 prevent UV radiation from escaping the emission chambers 2, which can lead to an increase in the internal temperature in the chambers 2.

[0061] The device according to the invention also includes means for injecting air into chambers 2 and exhausting air from the chambers, allowing circulation to cool the ambient air in chambers 2, particularly in the vicinity of the lamps 1 contained therein. The air injection also allows for cleaning the interior of chambers 2 and the lamps 1.

[0062] Fig. 5 partially shows the devices 5 for injecting (blowing) air and extracting air from the chambers 2. These devices are provided in the side box 10 (left box in figures 1 and 2): Fig. 5 shows the inside of the box 11 whose cover has been removed.

[0063] It is planned that the injection of air into the chambers 2 will be carried out through the reflector supports 3 to cool or remove dust from the lamps in the active position of the device.

[0064] To do this, the wall 30 of each of the reflector supports is made by a compartmentalized profile, visible in particular in [Fig.3]: we can see in fact that the wall 30 of the reflector support 3 includes alveoli which can serve as an air passage duct.

[0065] Each reflector support 3 thus includes a conduit 31 comprising a lateral conduit inlet to said reflector support (the inlet of the conduit 31 is through the edge of the reflector support 3), which is thus located near the air injection device, and more particularly near the air outlet of the device 5.

[0066] The device 5 is mounted on each of the discs 34 attached to the reflector supports 3 at their end.

[0067] Each reflector support also includes at least one duct outlet 32 which passes through the reflector and emerges opposite a lamp in said chamber 2.

[0068] The air outlet of the device 5 opens into the inlet of the duct 31: the air is thus injected into the duct 31 in the active position of the reflector and the air injected into the duct 31 exits the duct into the chamber 2 through the outlet 32.

[0069] In this example, each reflector support does not have one outlet 32, but a series of outlets 32 made by through holes through the wall 30 of the reflector support 3 and opening into said conduit on the one hand and into the chamber 2 on the other hand.

[0070] We see, in [Fig.1], that the series of through holes (or outlets 32) extends along the entire length of the reflector support, in a direction parallel to a direction in which said lamp 1 extends.

[0071] It is also noted that the lamp 1 of each of the chambers 2 is eccentric: indeed, the lamps are not arranged in the X axis of the chambers, but extend in the chamber between the X axis and the reflector support 3. Thus, each lamp is in the direct vicinity of the series of through holes through which air is injected into the chamber in the active position of the device: the air is thus projected onto the lamps.

[0072] Other means are also noted for ensuring air mixing around the chambers, allowing the space near the chambers to be ventilated.

[0073] Indeed, all the emission chambers 2 are fixed on a first chassis 6, shown for example in [Fig.5].

[0074] The chassis 6 also carries the reflector actuator devices and the air injection devices 5.

[0075] The chassis 6 is equipped with fans 60 on the side wall 61 carrying the air injection devices 5, as well as fans 60 on the second side wall 62 (see [Fig.4]) allowing air to circulate behind the emission chambers 2 in the passive position of the device.

[0076] Four ventilation grilles 63 are also provided in the upper part of the chassis 6.

[0077] To ensure the correct positioning of the reflector supports 3 in the passive position of the device, the device is to be equipped with position sensors 70 and 71 which, when the reflector supports 3 are in the passive position of the device, face each other: [Fig.5] shows that the sensors 70 are positioned on the wall 61 and that the sensors 71 are positioned on the disc 34. When the reflector support is in the active position of the device, the two sensors 70 and 71 are separated ([Fig.5]).

[0078] It is understood that the two sensors 70 and 71 operate in pairs and that, when they are not aligned, the reflector supports do not prevent UV radiation from escaping the chambers. Therefore, if they are misaligned when the reflector supports are in the passive position, this means that some chambers are poorly closed and there is a risk of exposure to humans: the device can then be automatically made safe, and the lamps 1 can be automatically switched off, for example.

[0079] It is noted that the openings 20 of the emission chambers 2 are wide, the openings 20 having an opening length which corresponds approximately to the diameter of the semi-tubular chambers 2.

[0080] It is also planned to equip the device according to the invention with a protective element, made by a double bar 80 and 81, which are oriented to partially form a V in front of the emission chambers 2, the two bars 80 and 81 being bent at their lower end to pass under the chassis 6 while being oriented parallel to each other (parts 82 of the bars) and to meet under the chassis 6 (part 83). The upper end of the bars 80 and 81 is pivotally mounted on the chassis 6, around a pivot axis XI ([Fig.5]) so that the bars 80 and 81, forming the protective element of the device, are movable between a protective position, where the bars are positioned in front of the emission chambers 2 (figures 1 and 2 for example) and a position where the bars are pivoted into a retracted position (clearance position), according to which the bars 80 and 81 are oriented substantially horizontally and according to which the space in front of the chambers is clear (position not shown), for example to change the lamps or to allow any maintenance intervention on the emission chambers 2, the reflectors 3 or the lamps 1. .

[0081] In the protective position, the bars 80 and 81 prevent an object from coming into contact with the lamps 1 in the chambers.

[0082] It is also planned to facilitate access to other elements that may comprise the device according to the invention, and in particular to electronic ballasts 8 for supplying the UV lamps 1 and provided behind the chassis 6, on a second chassis 7 located behind the chassis 6.

[0083] The first chassis 6 is planned to be mounted mobile relative to the second chassis 7 to facilitate access to these ballasts 8, without having to dismantle the device.

[0084] To do this, in the context of this example, the chassis 6 is mounted on a bar 9 pivotally mounted in two housings 90 of the second chassis 7.

[0085] In addition, the second frame 7 is equipped with a jack 91 allowing the first frame 6 to be moved away from the second frame 7, thus facilitating access to the ballasts.

[0086] Reference will now be made to a method of implementing the device in accordance with the invention.

[0087] One or more devices according to the invention are positioned around a conveyor moving an object: the devices can be aligned one after the other or one above the other.

[0088] Several devices can be provided depending on the size of the object to be decontaminated.

[0089] If only one device is required, it is positioned close to the conveyor.

[0090] Before the object is brought in front of the device, the reflector supports are moved from the passive position (shown in [Fig.2]) to the active position (shown in [Fig.1]).

[0091] The UV radiation from the decontaminating lamps 1 is emitted by the device and directed towards the conveyor and the object to be decontaminated.

[0092] By passing in front of the device(s), the object is touched by the radiation and is decontaminated at the points of contact with this radiation.

[0093] Several objects can thus pass in front of the device(s) and be decontaminated.

[0094] Once all the objects have been decontaminated, or if it is necessary to stop the decontamination operations, the reflector supports are moved from the active position ([Fig.1]) to the passive position ([Fig.2]).

[0095] The reflector supports 3 then close the openings 20 of the emission chambers 2, and the UV radiation is confined within the chambers, making the device harmless to humans.

[0096] The UV lamps 1 therefore do not need to be switched off.

[0097] When it is again necessary to decontaminate an object, the reflector supports are again moved from the passive position to the active position, and the device is operational without waiting.

[0098] It is understood from the above how the invention allows the use of UV lamps to decontaminate large objects while limiting the risks of exposure to humans, in a fast and efficient manner.

[0099] It is also understood how the invention makes it possible to offer a compact and modular solution, by providing means of protection not external to the chamber but incorporated into the chamber, by combining means of reflecting radiation with means of blocking this same radiation.

[0100] It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the implementation of the device specifically described and represented, and that it extends to the implementation of any equivalent means.

[0101] For example, [Fig.7] shows an installation 15 according to the invention which includes a device 16, also according to the invention:

[0102] The installation, as well as the device it comprises, is intended to decontaminate food product containers.

[0103] For example, this could refer to containers brought by customers to a food store to be filled with a food product (e.g., prepared salads, deli meats, etc.). The container has not been shown.

[0104] The installation 15 comprises three lamps 1 emitting ultraviolet radiation, each of the lamps being housed in an emission chamber 2 comprising an element reflector 13, to direct the radiation emitted by said lamp 1 towards an opening 20 exiting chamber 2.

[0105] The reflector elements 13 are each fixed to a reflector support 3 which is movably mounted between: - a first active position of the device where each reflector 13 directs said radiation towards the outlet opening 20 of each emission chamber 2 and where the outlet opening 20 of each chamber is unobstructed (position illustrated in [Fig.7]), and - a second passive position of the device (not illustrated), where each reflector support 3 closes the outlet opening 20 of each emission chamber 2, thus preventing radiation from exiting each chamber and confining the radiation inside each emission chamber.

[0106] The device 16 comprising an actuator 4 ensuring the passage of each of the reflector supports 3 from said first active position of the device to said second passive position of the device and vice versa.

[0107] In this example, the actuator 4 simultaneously controls the movement of the three reflector supports 3, from one position to another.

[0108] The device 16 is installed in a chest 17 and the chest 17 includes an enclosure 18 to accommodate an object (for example the container of the person who has come to buy an unpackaged food product).

[0109] The enclosure 18 is located below the device 16.

[0110] To allow access to the enclosure and to introduce the container (or object), the chest 17 has at least one door 19 (it has two doors 19 in the context of our example), each being provided laterally on the chest 17. The advantage of providing two doors 19 is to allow manipulation of the right side door 19, for example, by the customer coming to do their shopping, and manipulation of the left side door by a trader coming to retrieve the decontaminated container from the chest.

[0111] In order to ensure the safety of the trader and the customer, it is provided that the safe is equipped with at least one control device 25 to authorize or prohibit the opening of the doors 19.

[0112] In this case, in this example, the chest includes two control devices 25, each control device being associated with the opening and closing of a door 19.

[0113] Each control device 25 is associated with the control of the actuator 4, the opening of each door 19 being conditioned on the control of the actuator 4 in the passive position of the device.

[0114] In other words: to open door 19, 'on either side of the safe 17, the customer or the trader must have ordered the actuator 4 so that the supports of reflector 3 are in passive position. In this position, chambers 2 are closed and UV radiation is confined: one or both of the doors 19 can thus be opened and the container positioned in the enclosure 18 of the chest 17 or taken out of it.

[0115] To decontaminate the container placed in the enclosure 18, the control devices ensure that the doors 19 are correctly closed to allow the actuator 4 to be activated, thereby moving the reflector supports 3 into the active position. This safety feature can, for example, be ensured by position sensors.

Claims

1. Demands Device for the decontamination of at least one object by ultraviolet radiation, said device comprising at least one emission chamber (2) including a lamp (1) capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation, said at least one emission chamber (2) comprising a reflector element (13) for directing the radiation emitted by said lamp (1) towards an outlet opening (20) of said at least one emission chamber (2), said reflector element (13) being integral with a reflector support (3) which is movably mounted between: - a first active position of the device where said reflector (13) directs said radiation towards the outlet opening (20) of said at least one emission chamber (2) and where the outlet opening (20) of the chamber is unobstructed, and - a second passive position of the device, where said reflector support (3) closes the outlet opening (20) of said at least one emission chamber (2), thereby preventing radiation from exiting said at least one emission chamber (2) and confining the radiation within said at least one emission chamber (2), said device comprising an actuator (4) ensuring the passage of the reflector support (3) from said first active position of the device to said second passive position of the device and vice versa, said reflector support (3) being mounted to rotate about a reflector axis (X) between said first position and said second position and vice versa, characterized in that the device comprises at least two emission chambers (2),each of said at least two emission chambers (2) comprising a lamp (1) for emitting ultraviolet radiation and a reflector element (13) associated with a reflector support (3) which is mounted to rotate between said first position and said second position, said device comprising at least two actuators (4), each ensuring the passage of the reflector support (3) from said first active position to said second passive position and vice versa, and in that each of said at least two emission chambers (2) comprises an inner wall of cross-section exhibiting rotational symmetry, in that each of the movable reflector supports (3) comprises a, reflector wall (30) of section having a rotational symmetry, having a reflector axis (X), said wall (30) of each of the reflector supports (3) and said inner wall of each of the emission chambers (2) being coaxial such that said wall (30) of each of the reflector supports (3) covers at least partially the inner wall of each of the emission chambers (2) in said first position, the axes (X) of the reflector supports being aligned in the same plane, and in that said reflector support (3) of each of said at least two emission chambers (2) is mounted movable in rotation about said reflector axis (X) between said first active position and said second passive position and vice versa.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one emission chamber (2) comprises, in the vicinity of a peripheral edge (21) of the opening (20) of said at least one emission chamber (2), a protruding element (22) closing a space between the edge (21) of the opening (20) of said at least one emission chamber (2) and an edge of the reflector support (3) in said second passive position of the device.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least two actuators (4) are controlled simultaneously.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that said at least two actuators (4) are controlled independently.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said at least two emission chambers (2) comprises an inner wall of section having rotational symmetry, in that each of the movable reflector supports (3) comprises a reflector wall (30) of section having rotational symmetry, having a reflector axis (X), said wall (30) of each of the reflector supports (3) and said inner wall of each of the emission chambers (2) being coaxial such that said wall (30) of each of the reflector supports (3) at least partially covers the inner wall of each of the emission chambers (2) in said first position, the axes (X) of the reflector supports being aligned in the same plane, and in that said reflector support (3) of each of said at least two emission chambers (2) is mounted movable in rotation about said axis (X) of reflector between said first active position and said second passive position and vice versa.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an air injection device (5) in said at least one emission chamber (2), ensuring in particular cooling of the lamp (1) and / or dust removal from said lamp (1).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said air injection device (5) comprises an air outlet, in that said reflector support (3) is a hollow profile comprising compartments among which a duct (31) comprising a duct inlet associated with said air outlet and at least one duct outlet (32) which passes through said reflector (13).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said at least one duct outlet (32) comprises a series of through holes made through said reflector (13), said series of through holes extending in a direction parallel to a direction in which said lamp (1) extends.

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the lamp (1) extends in said at least one emission chamber (2) between a central axis (X) of said at least one emission chamber (2) and said reflector (3).

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a protective element (80-83) positioned opposite the opening (20) of said at least one emission chamber (2) and forming a guardrail to prevent the introduction of an object through the opening (20) of said at least one emission chamber (2) when said reflector (3) is in said first active position of said device.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said protective element (80-83) is movably mounted on said device between a protective position where it is positioned in front of the opening (20) of the emission chamber (2) and a clearance position where it is positioned at a distance from the opening (20) of the emission chamber (2), to provide access to said at least one emission chamber (2).

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, ca- characterized in that it comprises a first chassis (6) on which are mounted in particular said at least one emission chamber (2) and said actuator (4) of said reflector (3) and a second chassis (7) on which is mounted at least one electronic ballast (8), associated with said at least one lamp (1), and in that said first chassis (6) is mounted movable relative to said second chassis (7) between a closed position of the device where said at least one electronic ballast (8) is enclosed between said first chassis (6) and said second chassis (7) and an open position of the device where said electronic ballast (8) is accessible.

13. Installation (15) comprising a device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a box (17) comprising said device (16) and a housing (18) for said at least one object, said box (17) comprising at least one access door (19) to said housing (18), said box (17) being equipped with at least one control device (25) for authorizing or prohibiting the opening of said at least one door (19) and for authorizing or prohibiting the passage of said at least one reflector support from the passive position to the active position, said at least one control device (25) being associated with a control of said actuator (4), the opening of said door being conditional upon the control of the actuator in the passive position of the device and the passage of said at least one reflector support (3) into the active position being conditional upon the closing of said at least one door (19).

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