Filter insert and device for sterilization and / or disinfection thereof

Abstract

This invention relates to filter elements, specifically filter elements used for filtering liquids and / or gases, comprising at least one filter layer having at least one conductive layer to resist temperature rise of the filter element. Furthermore, this invention relates to an apparatus for sterilizing and / or disinfecting the filter element, specifically an apparatus for sterilizing and / or disinfecting a filter element used for filtering liquids and / or gases and having at least one filter layer, comprising a power supply that is connected to one of the conductive layers of the filter element through at least two conductive contacts to resist temperature rise.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a filter element, specifically a filter element for filtering liquids and / or gases and its sterilization and / or disinfection device. Prior Technology

[0002] Filtering materials are an integral part of human and environmental protection systems, preventing the hazards and adverse effects of technologies or organisms during liquid and gas filtration. One specific category is biosafety, particularly protection against microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria contained in aerosols. In such cases, filters in the form of face masks, breathing masks, or half-face masks can be used to protect humans and the environment. These filters utilize various planar fabric structures made from different composite materials, and may also incorporate layers with planar nanostructures. Filters made in this way can be disposable or can be sterilized or disinfected using various reagents, equipment, instruments, or auxiliary technologies.

[0003] To date, several basic procedures can be used for general sterilization or disinfection operations, primarily based on physical or chemical methods. Physical methods include the use of steam (referring to CN203252939), hot air (referring to US2020061230 and CN207640703), hot water (referring to JP2003092955), ultraviolet radiation (referring to JP2018181476), low-temperature plasma (referring to CN105173249), ultrasound (referring to CN101722160), or combinations of methods described herein. Furthermore, known physical sterilization or disinfection methods employ various types of ionized or non-ionized radiation, such as high-frequency electromagnetic fields (referring to CN2102009). Chemical methods include the use of chemical additive layers (referring to RU2461675), ozone (referring to JP2004105423), or electrolytes (referring to JPH02111371 and CN2087077).

[0004] The aforementioned prior art shows that conventional filter sterilization or disinfection procedures either have high technical requirements or require the handling of chemical substances, making them difficult to implement. In addition, they usually require complex logistical support or are simply not suitable for the selected filter type.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a filter cartridge design that can be easily and efficiently sterilized and / or disinfected, and to provide a device design that can easily and inexpensively sterilize and / or disinfect the filter cartridge. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To significantly eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks and achieve the objectives of this invention, a filter element, specifically a filter element for filtering liquids and / or gases, can be used, comprising at least one filter layer according to the invention, characterized in that the filter element includes at least one conductive layer to resist heating of the filter element. The main advantage of this design is that the filter element or even the filter mask system can be easily sterilized and disinfected by resistance heating. The conductive layer formed thereby allows for more sophisticated designs of various textile, paper, ceramic, or other general-purpose filters, thus increasing their practical value.

[0007] Preferably, at least a portion of the conductive layer can contact the electrode. Electrical connection has more direct advantages, one of which is that there is no loss, and the other, and most importantly, is that the heating temperature of the filter element can be precisely set.

[0008] Furthermore, preferably, the conductive layer is made of conductive fabric, which in a preferred embodiment is copper-plated fabric, or the conductive fabric is carbon fabric. The main advantage is its simple design. Current parameters can be precisely set, and consequently, the heating temperature of the filter element can also be precisely set. For example, the conductive layer can also be formed by sewing a simple fabric layer using conductive fibers. Preferably, other electroplated fabrics or hybrid fabrics with conductive fibers can be used. The conductive layer can also be achieved through metal mesh or mesh, by printing conductive structures on a textile substrate, by weaving conductive structures, by conductive fabrics, and similar methods.

[0009] Furthermore, a preferred conductive layer incorporates an element with antiviral properties. Ideally, the conductive layer can be formed from a conductive material itself that exhibits antiviral effects, such as silver and copper. This offers advantages including enhanced resistance to viruses during normal use of the filter.

[0010] Even better, the filter layer is made of nanofibers. The advantages of nanofibers include excellent filtration properties, especially when capturing tiny particles such as viruses. Alternatively, the filter layer can be made of textiles, paper, ceramics, or other known filter materials, with the conductive layer enhancing its usability.

[0011] Furthermore, a preferred filter element includes at least one protective layer, with the most ideal being a non-woven fabric protective layer. This offers advantages such as easy protection of the filter element's functional layers from mechanical damage.

[0012] Furthermore, a better filter cartridge can withstand temperatures of at least 80 degrees Celsius. This advantage includes the ability to withstand temperatures sufficient to effectively destroy all viruses and bacteria.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the conductive layer can also advantageously serve as a filter layer. Its advantages include a simpler and lighter overall filter design.

[0014] According to the present invention, the main advantages of the filter element include its simple, inexpensive, and repeatable regeneration; more precisely, it can be sterilized or disinfected by heating. Simultaneously, since an electric current sufficient to heat the filter structure to the required temperature passes through, the filter element can be dried, and the structure can be directly sterilized or disinfected within the time required for this process.

[0015] To significantly overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and achieve the objectives of this invention, a device for sterilizing and / or disinfecting the filter element is provided. Specifically, it is a device for sterilizing and / or disinfecting the aforementioned filter element, which includes at least one filter layer according to the invention for filtering liquids and / or gases. The device is characterized by including a power supply connected to the conductive layer of the filter element through at least two conductive contacts to resist heating. Its advantages lie in its simplicity and complete implementability, and in most embodiments, its portability.

[0016] A better power supply is a low-voltage power supply of up to 50V. Its advantage lies in the fact that this device is both very safe and easy to connect to most available power sources; for example, it is easy to connect to a power source in a car.

[0017] Preferably, these conductive contacts are conductively connected to a busbar, and the filter element is conductively disposed on the busbar. The advantage is that busbars with different types of filter elements can be housed in a standardized housing, for example, they can be directly disposed within a filtration device.

[0018] Preferably, these conductive contacts are electrically connected to the busbars via magnetic contacts provided on a supply connector, which is connected to a power supply. The advantage is that the filter element used for heat treatment can be easily connected and disconnected.

[0019] From a practical standpoint, these manifolds are preferably integrated into the body of a filter element. This allows for easy and quick processing without disassembling the filter element, while simultaneously heat-treating its surroundings.

[0020] Furthermore, the filter element is ideally secured to the busbars via a clamping ring. Ideally, the filter element is locked to the busbars via a clamping ring on its conductive layer. The advantage of this is that by rotating the conductive layer to bring it into contact with the busbars, the conductivity of the conductive layer can be allowed to decrease continuously from the highly conductive busbars to the resistive conductive layers. With this method, there will be no abrupt change in resistance between the busbars and the conductive layer, which would otherwise cause the conductive layer to overheat or even burn out.

[0021] According to another preferred embodiment, the conductive contacts are disposed in a sterilization process, wherein the sterilization process preferably includes a pressure frame for pressing a conductive layer of the filter cartridge onto the conductive contacts. Its advantage is that it can handle filter cartridges of any specific shape.

[0022] Furthermore, a better pressure frame is pivotally mounted in the sterilization process via a connector. Its advantage lies in the ease with which the filter cartridge can be pressed onto these conductive contacts.

[0023] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the pressure frame has at least one locking fastener to retain the conductive layer of the filter element pressed onto the conductive contacts.

[0024] The main advantages of the device according to the invention include its ability to facilitate filter regeneration and allow for more precise sterilization or disinfection, i.e., drying the filter element simultaneously through electrical heating. This approach allows the filter to be reused for filtering liquids and gases, particularly for respiratory protection or prevention of airborne diseases. The technical solution for the filter element and the device for sterilizing and / or disinfecting it allows for the use of the same amount of usable filter material when the filter element is reused, thereby increasing the likelihood of protecting a larger population or vulnerable groups from airborne viral diseases. A significant advantage is that its radiant heat is also used for sterilization and / or disinfection, and additionally for thermal sterilization or disinfection of its surrounding environment, which may be the filter element itself containing the filter element. Furthermore, this method of sterilization or disinfection through internal heating of the filter element generates dry heat commonly recommended for such processes. The temperature rise inside the conductive layer is maximized as the surrounding environment cools its surface. Therefore, the filter element can be heated and dried efficiently due to the evaporation of liquid or moisture within the overall material volume. In addition, this method can speed up the overall disinfection or sterilization process due to its rapid drying properties. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0025] The present invention is described in detail with reference to the following figures. [Figure 1] is a perspective view of a device for sterilizing and / or disinfecting filter elements, which are directly installed in the body of the filter element through a manifold. [Figure 2] is a three-dimensional view of the manifold, with the filter element rolled up at the end. [Figure 3] is a detailed cross-sectional view of the manifold, with the filter element coiled on it at the end. [Figure 4] is a three-dimensional view of the filter element, on which the filter cartridge is mounted. [Figure 5] is a three-dimensional view of the sterilization and / or disinfection device. In terms of its sterilization method, the filter element is arranged on the conductive contact. [Figure 6] is a three-dimensional view of the filter element at the conductive contact. [Figure 7] is a detailed cross-sectional view of the filter element disposed on the conductive contact. Implementation

[0026] [example] [1] [:]

[0027] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the filter element 1 used for filtering liquids and / or gases is rectangular and includes a filter layer 3. The filter layer 3 has a conductive layer 2 disposed on one side to resist the temperature rise of the filter element 1 and a protective layer 4 disposed on the other side.

[0028] The conductive layer 2 is made of conductive fabric, which is a carbon fabric.

[0029] The conductive layer 2 contains an element with antiviral effects, which has silver or copper nanoparticles.

[0030] The filter layer 3 contains a nanofiber made of PVDF (polydifluoroethylene) to enhance the filtration effect on viruses that are transmitted through the air.

[0031] The protective layer 4 is made of a non-woven fabric.

[0032] The filter element 1 can withstand a high temperature of 80 degrees Celsius.

[0033] Alternatively, conductive layer 2 can be used as filter layer 3.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the device for sterilizing and / or disinfecting the filter element 1 used for filtering liquids and / or gases includes a power supply 6, which can be connected to the conductive layer 2 of the filter element 1 through two conductive contacts 5 to resist its heating.

[0035] The power supply is a DC power supply.

[0036] Power supply 6 is a low-voltage power supply, which can reach 12V.

[0037] The conductive contact 5 is electrically connected to the busbars 7 via the magnetic contacts 8 disposed on a supply connector 9, which is connected to the power supply 6.

[0038] The manifolds 7 have knobs 16 at their ends. The manifolds 7 are housed in the body 10 of the filter element 11, as shown in Figure 4.

[0039] The filter element 1 is secured to the busbars 7 by the clamping ring 15 of its conductive layer 2.

[0040] The filter element 11 is a component of a half-face mask. The filter cartridge 1 of the filter element 11 can be directly sterilized as part of the half-face mask, or it can be sterilized separately after being removed from the filter element 11. When connected to the power supply 6, the filter cartridge 1 heats to 80 degrees Celsius within 60 seconds under power. The sterilization process continues at 80 degrees Celsius for one hour. After the power supply 6 is disconnected, the filter cartridge 1 cools down automatically, and the filter element 11 is sterilized and ready for reuse. [example] [2] [:]

[0041] As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the filter element 1 used for filtering liquids and / or gases is rectangular and includes a filter layer 3. The filter layer 3 has a conductive layer 2 disposed on one side to resist the temperature rise of the filter element 1 and a protective layer 4 disposed on the other side.

[0042] The component 17 of the conductive layer 2 is available for contacting the conductive contacts 5.

[0043] The conductive layer 2 is made of a conductive fabric, which is a copper-plated fabric.

[0044] The filter layer 3 contains a nanofiber made of PVDF (polydifluoroethylene).

[0045] The protective layer 4 is made of a non-woven fabric.

[0046] The first series of filters can withstand temperatures of at least 80 degrees Celsius.

[0047] As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the device for sterilizing and / or disinfecting the filter element 1 used for filtering liquids and / or gases includes a power supply 6, which can be connected to the conductive layer 2 of the filter element 1 through two conductive contacts 5 to resist its heating.

[0048] The power supply is a DC power supply.

[0049] The power supply 6 is a low-voltage power supply, which can reach 48V.

[0050] These conductive contacts 5 are disposed in the sterilization means 12. These conductive contacts 5 are in direct contact with the conductive layer 2 of the filter element 1.

[0051] The sterilization means 12 includes a pressure frame 13 to press the conductive layer 2 of the filter element 1 onto the conductive contacts 5.

[0052] The pressure frame 13 is rotatably mounted in the sterilization means 12 via a connector 18.

[0053] The pressure frame 13 has at least one locking fastener 14 to keep the conductive layer 2 of the filter element 1 pressed onto the conductive contacts 5.

[0054] Filter element 1 is housed in a pouch of a fabric face mask. After removing filter element 1 from the fabric face mask, it is placed in sterilization device 12, with the conductive layer 2 component 17 pressed by pressure frame 13 to contact the conductive contacts 5. Upon connection to power supply 6, filter element 1 is heated to 120 degrees Celsius within 60 seconds. The sterilization process is carried out at 120 degrees Celsius for 90 minutes. The current flowing through the copper-plated fabric generates heat through resistive losses, causing the overall composite material to heat up both internally and externally. The maximum temperature that filter element 1 can withstand repeatedly without degradation is controlled by a reversible thermal circuit breaker 19 connected in series with the circuit of the heated filter element 1. After heat sterilization in this manner, filter element 1 is removed from the relevant components after cooling and is ready for reuse. After power supply 6 is disconnected, filter element 1 cools down on its own, thus completing sterilization and being ready for the next use. [Industrial applicability:]

[0055] The filter element 1 according to the present invention can be used to filter liquids and / or gases, and undergoes simple subsequent sterilization and / or disinfection treatment on the device shown in the present invention to eliminate various captured pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses.

[0056] 1: Filter element 2: Conductive layer 3: Filter layer 4: Protective layer 5: Conductive contacts 6: Power Supply 7: Busbar 8: Magnetic contacts 9: Supply connectors 10:Ontology 11: Filter element 12: Sterilization methods 13: Pressure Frame 14: Locking hardware 15: Clamping Ring 16: Knob 17: Components 18: Connector 19: Reversible thermal circuit breaker

Claims

1. A filter element comprising at least one filter layer for capturing pathogens and filtering liquids and / or gases, wherein, The filter element includes at least one conductive layer for resistance heating of the filter element. The conductive layer is made of a conductive fabric and can be permeated by liquids and / or gases. The filter layer is directly disposed on the conductive layer.

2. The filter element as described in claim 1, wherein, At least a portion of the conductive layer can be used as a contact electrode.

3. The filter element as described in claim 1, wherein, The conductive fabric is a copper-plated fabric.

4. The filter element as described in claim 1, wherein, The conductive fabric is a carbon fabric.

5. The filter element as described in claim 1, wherein, The conductive layer contains an element that has a virus-killing effect.

6. The filter element as described in claim 1, wherein, The filter layer is made of a nanofiber fabric.

7. The filter element as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one protective layer.

8. The filter element as described in claim 7, wherein, The protective layer is made of non-woven fabric.

9. The filter element as described in claim 1, wherein, The filter element can withstand temperatures of at least 80 degrees Celsius.

10. The filter element as described in claim 1, wherein, This conductive layer also functions as a filter layer.

11. A sterilization and / or disinfection apparatus for sterilizing and / or disinfecting a filter element in liquid and / or gaseous form, the sterilization and / or disinfection apparatus comprising the filter element as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The sterilization and / or disinfection device includes a power supply connected to a conductive layer of the filter element through at least two conductive contacts to perform resistance heating on the filter element.

12. The sterilization and / or disinfection apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein, The power supply is a low-voltage power supply of up to 50V.

13. The sterilization and / or disinfection apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein, These conductive contacts are electrically connected to the busbars, and the filter element is electrically disposed on the busbars.

14. The sterilization and / or disinfection apparatus as described in claim 13, wherein, These conductive contacts are electrically connected to the busbars via magnetic contacts disposed on a supply connector, which is connected to the power supply.

15. The sterilization and / or disinfection apparatus as described in claim 13, wherein, These busbar systems are also housed within one of the filter elements.

16. The sterilization and / or disinfection apparatus as described in claim 13, wherein, The filter element is secured to the manifolds via a clamping ring.

17. The sterilization and / or disinfection apparatus as described in claim 16, wherein, The filter element is secured to the busbars via a clamping ring in its conductive layer.

18. The sterilization and / or disinfection apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein, These conductive contacts are disposed in a sterilization means, which includes a pressure frame for pressing the conductive layer of the filter cartridge onto the conductive contacts.

19. The sterilization and / or disinfection apparatus as described in claim 18, wherein, The pressure frame is rotatably mounted in the sterilization process via a connector.

20. The sterilization and / or disinfection apparatus as described in claim 18, wherein, The pressure frame has at least one locking fastener to hold the conductive layer of the filter element pressed onto the conductive contacts.

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