Air sanitizing apparatus and method

Abstract

An air sanitizing apparatus 100 comprises an air intake 120, an air outlet 130, a fan 170 for drawing air into the air intake, and a sanitizing unit 180 for disinfecting air; and wherein the apparatus

Description

The present invention relates to an air sanitizing apparatus, and to a method of sanitizing air, and is concerned particularly, although not exclusively, with an air sanitizing unit and an associated method, which is concealed within a unit such as an integrated plumbing system enclosure . The incidences of Healthcare acquired Infections (HAI's) in hospitals and other care facilities has been extremely high. For many years it has been the received view that the primary route for infection transmission was by touch or through water. The recent Covid 19 pandemic inflamed the problem and led to more attention being given to reducing infection transmission. This greater attention resulted in the realisation that airborne transmission was the dominant route given that most infections are respiratory in nature and the way infections appear on surfaces is through particles falling from the air. The primary source of respiratory infections is from exhaled air from an infected person. Any aerosol particles <5 microns will remain airborne for hours as gravity has little effect upon them, whereas the >5 micron ones fall towards the floor / surfaces . The annual rate for HAI's within the UK, according to a BMJ report, is around 1,000,000 cases per year. This equates to 4.7% of all inpatients, of which 3.4% die because of this avoidable cause and on average the result is around 28,000 deaths / year. This ties up around 20% of NHS bed capacity and costs the NHS over £3bn per year. The solution to poor air quality is to improve ventilation. Some hospitals have good ventilation but over 55% are estimated to have poor ventilation that does not comply with their NHS standards. To increase the ventilation rate, measured in Air Changes per Hour (ACH), is very difficult in many situations due to engineering and, not least, cost implications. Recent changes to the Building Regulations, has now allowed air recirculation with air cleaning in the system, to be considered equivalent. This means that fitting air recirculation to increase the ACH in a room is an acceptable approach. Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide an air sanitizing apparatus, and a method of air sanitizing, in which the above problems are addressed. The present invention is defined in the attached independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Further, preferred features may be found in the sub-claims appended thereto . According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air sanitizing apparatus comprising an air intake, an air outlet, a fan for drawing air into the air intake, and a sanitizing unit for disinfecting air, wherein the apparatus has a housing, and wherein the air intake is positioned lower than the air outlet. In a preferred arrangement, the housing includes an article of sanitaryware. Preferably, the air intake is positioned above a floor level. The air outlet is preferably located at or close to a ceiling level and may include one or more vents or baffles / louvres arranged to direct air towards a ceiling. In a preferred arrangement, the intake is positioned closer to the floor level than the outlet. The sanitizing unit preferably comprises a UV treatment device, (Air scrubber) to reduce or eradicate one or more of germs, viruses, bacteria, and / or having a Germicidal effect. The apparatus preferably includes a filter, and the UV treatment device is preferably arranged to irradiate the filter. The filter may include a carbon filter and / or a HEPA filter . The housing may comprise a cabinet. The sanitizing unit and the fan are preferably located inside the housing. The air inlet is preferably located on a wall of the housing. The air outlet is preferably located on a wall of the housing. The inlet and outlet may be located on a common wall of the housing. Alternatively, the inlet and outlet may be located on different walls of the housing. The article of sanitaryware may comprise one or more of a washbasin, urinal, WC and may comprise an integrated plumbing system, in which one or more components, such as pipework and / or a cistern are concealed behind one or more panels of the housing, which panels may be openable to allow access to the components. The sanitization apparatus may include one or more extractor vents and preferably one or more extractor fans, in the vicinity of the article of sanitaryware. The apparatus may also include one or more UV treatment devices arranged in use to irradiate air in the vicinity of the article of sanitaryware and / or to irradiate water supplied to, and / or drained from, the article of sanitaryware. The one or more UV treatment devices may operate on a timer and / or may be under the control of a personnel detector, such as a passive infra-red (PIR) detector. The invention also includes a sanitaryware installation, such as but not including an integrated plumbing system (IPS) article, that includes an air sanitizing apparatus according to any statement herein. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of sanitizing air, the method comprising drawing un-sanitized air through an air intake into a housing at a lower level and expelling sanitized air from the housing through an air outlet at an upper level, using a fan, and a disinfecting the air with a sanitizing unit whilst the air is inside the housing. The housing may have an article of sanitaryware. The method may comprise using a sanitizing apparatus according to any statement herein. Preferably, the air intake is located above a floor level. The air outlet is preferably located at or close to a ceiling level and may include one or more vents or baffles / louvres arranged to direct air along a ceiling. The method preferably includes irradiating the air with UV to reduce or impair one or more of germs, viruses, bacteria. The invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein, except such a combination of features as are mutually exclusive, or mutually inconsistent. A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically in perspective view an air sanitizing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows schematically in side-view the apparatus of Figure 1 with internal components represented; Figure 3 shows schematically another embodiment of air sanitizing apparatus according to the present invention; and Figure 4 shows, schematically, a further embodiment of sanitizing apparatus according to the present invention. Turning to Figure 1, this shows generally at 100 an air sanitizing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus comprises a housing / cabinet 110, an air intake 120, an air outlet 130, a washbasin 140, a tap 150 and a dispenser of soap 160. The air intake is positioned, in use, lower than the air outlet. In this example, the apparatus comprises a free-standing unit 100 that may be conveniently located in a washroom. The air intake 120 is located closer to a ground level, for example ideally approximately 30cm above the ground (not shown), whilst the outlet 130 is positioned higher, close to a ceiling level (not shown). In the example, the unit 100 comprises a type of sanitaryware known as an integrated plumbing system (IPS) in which pipework and other plumbing components are concealed behind one or more openable panels P. Figure 2 shows schematically the unit 100 with interior components revealed, including an electric fan 170, an ultraviolet irradiation unit 180 and pipework 190 associated with the washbasin 140. In use, air is drawn into the cabinet 110 at or close to a ground level F through the inlet 120 by the action of the electric fan 170. The air is then exposed to ultraviolet radiation (mainly UV-C) in the irradiation unit 180 to destroy germs, bacteria, viruses. The irradiation unit preferably includes a filter (not shown) that is irradiated with the UV-C. The sanitized air is then expelled through the air outlet at or close to a ceiling level C. The sanitized, exiting air may be directed upwards towards the ceiling by baffles / louvres 135 of the air outlet. Typically, the apparatus is to be installed in a premises such as a medical facility. The apparatus utilises the floor to ceiling geometry of an IPS to house a fan-assisted air recirculation system that incorporates a UVC air cleaning section. Among the benefits of the apparatus are that is has a small footprint, taking up no more floorspace in a room than a simple IPS. In addition, the apparatus is able to go about the process of sanitizing the air without affecting the normal day to day operational efficiency of the facility. Excellent air distribution within the room is provided, with untreated air drawn in low down and returned to the room at a higher point. The baffles / louvres on the outlet diffuser direct the returning, sanitized air towards the ceiling, resulting in the setting in motion of a Coanda-effect air flow, in which the air remains close to the ceiling for some time which allows it to travel a much longer distance across the room before starting to fall towards the floor. The dense material typically used for the construction of the IPS housing / cabinet / carcass provides good noise reduction. This results in a very quiet operation, which is very important for some implementations, such as healthcare environments, especially ward areas in hospitals. Air sanitizing apparatus according to the present invention is easily installed and maintained thereby minimising disruption to the facility. As it is built into the existing building fabric and utilises the advantageous geometry and sound absorbing features of the IPS, providing excellent air distribution, embodiments of the present invention provide a cost-effective solution to the problem of air sanitization when compared to alternatives . In the example shown in the drawings and described above, the apparatus and method are used with an installation including an article of sanitaryware, in particular one installation comprising a wash basin. However, the sanitizing apparatus may be located within or upon other types of installation, such as but not limited to a urinal, WC or other, or indeed could be just a standalone unit to filter the air in a room. Embodiments of the invention may find application in various contexts and premises, not only medical facilities. Figures 3 and 4 show other embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus may include some, or all of the features of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, but some of the features are omitted from Figures 3 and 4, in the interests of clarity. Where used, the reference numerals correspond to the same features in each of the drawings. In Figure 3, the cabinet 110 is provided with additional extraction vents 200 located above and below the washbasin 140 to remove aerosol / vapour around the basin. The vents 200 may be under the control of the fan 170 (Figure 2) or may have one or more separate fans (not shown) and may be in fluidic connection with the outlet 130. UV radiation units 210, producing mainly or substantially UV-C radiation, are also positioned in the vicinity of the washbasin 140, more preferably above and below the washbasin. Additional UV radiation units 210 are positioned in the vicinity of the air intake 120, more preferably above and below the air intake 120. In each case, the UV units 210 are provided to reduce or eliminate the presence of germs, bacteria and / or virus in the vicinity. The UV units may operate on a timer and / or under the control of a personnel detector, such as a passive infra-red (FIR) detector (not shown) to avoid or minimise the operation in the presence of a person. lin Figure 4, an example of alternative pipework is shown in the interior of the cabinet, in which a water supply pipe 192 (only one shown) is of a transparent or translucent material. In this example, a UV treatment light 220 irradiates the water before it reaches the tap 150. In addition, a waste water trap 194 is also of a transparent or translucent material and is irradiated by a UV treatment light 220. 5 In each case, the purpose of the UV treatment light 220 is to reduce or eliminate the presence of germs, bacteria and / or virus. This is particularly useful in controlling the spread of the bacteria Legionella. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw 10 attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features referred to herein, and / or shown in the drawings, whether or not particular emphasis 15 has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. An air sanitizing apparatus comprising an air intake, an air outlet, a fan for drawing air into the air intake, and a sanitizing unit for disinfecting air, wherein the apparatus has a housing and wherein the air intake is positioned lower than the air outlet.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the housing includes an article of sanitaryware,3. An apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the air intake is located at position spaced from a floor level.

4. An apparatus according to any of Claims 1 -3, wherein the air outlet is located at or close to a ceiling level.

5. An apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the air outlet includes one or more vents or baffles / louvres arranged to direct air towards a ceiling.

6. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sanitizing unit comprises a UV treatment device for irradiating the air and / or an air filter, to reduce or eradicate one or more of germs, viruses, bacteria .

7. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sanitizing unit and the fan are located inside the housing.

8. An apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the article of sanitaryware comprises one or more of a washbasin, urinal, WC.

9. An apparatus according to Claim2, wherein the article of sanitaryware comprises or forms part of an integrated plumbing system, in which one or more components, such as pipework and / or a cistern are concealed behind one or panels of the cabinet, which panels may be openable to allow access to the components.

10. An apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the sanitization apparatus includes one or more extractor vents in the vicinity of the article of sanitaryware.

11. An apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the apparatus includes one or more UV treatment devices arranged in use to irradiate air in the vicinity of the article of sanitaryware and / or to irradiate water supplied to, and / or drained from, the article of sanitaryware .

12. An apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the one or more UV treatment devices operate on a timer and / or may be under the control of a personnel detector, such as a passive infra-red (PIR) detector.

13. A sanitaryware installation, such as but not including an integrated plumbing system (IPS) article, that includes an air sanitizing apparatus according to any of Claims 1-12.5 14. A method of sanitizing air, the method comprisingdrawing un-sanitized air through an air intake into a housing at a lower level and expelling sanitized air from the housing through an air outlet at an upper level, using a fan, and disinfecting the air with a 10 sanitizing unit whilst the air is inside the housing.

15. A method according to Claim 14, wherein the method includes using an air sanitizing apparatus according to any of Claims 1-12.15

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