U.S. patent application number 13/265650 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-26 for method and device for disinfection and/or purification of a product.
This patent application is currently assigned to PURILL BV. Invention is credited to Vladimir Vasilenko.
Application Number | 20120100038 13/265650 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42200972 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120100038 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vasilenko; Vladimir |
April 26, 2012 |
Method and Device For Disinfection and/or Purification Of A
Product
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and device for
illuminating and at the same time purifying or disinfecting
products such as air, flowers, food, vegetables, meat, poultry or
fish. The method comprises the use of IR emitting LED elements.
Inventors: |
Vasilenko; Vladimir;
(Ontario, CA) |
Assignee: |
PURILL BV
Blaricum
NL
|
Family ID: |
42200972 |
Appl. No.: |
13/265650 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
April 21, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2010/055276 |
371 Date: |
December 20, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
422/22 ;
250/492.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 2202/11 20130101;
A61L 2/085 20130101; C02F 1/30 20130101; A23B 7/015 20130101; A23B
4/015 20130101; A61L 2/084 20130101; A23L 3/26 20130101; A23V
2002/00 20130101; A61L 2/0058 20130101; A61L 9/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/22 ;
250/492.1 |
International
Class: |
A61L 2/08 20060101
A61L002/08; G21K 5/00 20060101 G21K005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 21, 2009 |
NL |
1036892 |
Claims
1-29. (canceled)
30. Method for reducing the number of microorganisms in or on a
product, which method comprises illuminating the product with
infrared light from one or more LED elements, preferably with
infrared light in a range from 900 nM to 960 nM.
31. Method according to claim 30, wherein the product is
simultaneously illuminated by white light emitted from one or more
LED elements.
32. Method according to claim 31, wherein the white light is a
combination of warm white light, and cold white light.
33. Method according to claim 30, wherein the product is air,
flowers, food, vegetables, meat, poultry or fish.
34. Method according to claim 30, wherein the microorganisms are
bacteria, yeast, fungi or parasites.
35. Method according to claim 34, wherein the bacteria, yeast,
fungi, or parasites belong to the genus, family or group of
Escheria, Legionella, Listeria, Aspergillus, Penicillium,
Saccharomyces, Leduconostoc, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus,
Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio or Yersinia.
36. Method according to claim 30, wherein the radiant output of the
LED elements is at least 10 mW.
37. Method according to claim 30, wherein the current feeding the
LED elements is pulsed at frequencies in the range of 10 kHz to 1
MHz.
38. Device for reducing the number of microorganisms in or on a
product using IR light, wherein the device comprises one or more
LED elements and a power for the LED elements, wherein said
LED-elements comprise an IR LED element, preferably an IR LED
element within a range from 900 nm to 960 nm.
39. Device according to claim 38, wherein the one or more LED
elements further comprise white light LED elements, which
preferably comprise a warm white LED-element and a cold white
LED-element.
40. Device according to claim 39, wherein the white light
LED-elements comprise a 3000 K LED element and a 6500 K LED
element.
41. Device according to claim 39, wherein the white and IR
LED-elements are included in alternating manner in an elongated
panel or string in the direction of elongation.
42. Device according to claim 39, wherein the number of white light
LED elements in the device is larger than the number of
IR-elements.
43. Device according to claim 39, wherein the number of cold white
LED-elements is larger than the number of warm white light
LED-elements.
44. System for reducing the number of microorganisms in or on a
product comprising a LED light source for infrared radiation of
light onto said liquid, said infra red light source being separated
from said fluid by a glass or synthetic material transparent for IR
light, wherein said source is included in an elongated holder for a
multiplicity of LED elements, and wherein said fluid is guided by a
fluid guide element stretching in the direction of elongation of
said light source.
45. System according to claim 44, wherein the guide element is a
tube and wherein the elongated source is preferably included at
opposite sides of said tube.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to method and device for
purification or disinfection of products using infrared light. In
particular, it relates to the purification or disinfection of fresh
produce, liquids, air and solids using infrared light.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Purification methods using light, in particular UV light are
known and accepted in industrial application since long. For
instance in sewage stations, it is known to purify spoiled water
using UV light in the form of long tubes, e.g. included in racks
that are lowered in a water stream for longitudinal passage of
water. Another application for "exterior disinfecting" of produce
products is known from patent publication U.S. 132784.
[0003] Patent publication WO2005031881 indicates disinfecting such
as for water purification may also be performed by LED lamps, the
advantage being "an appreciably superior effectiveness" over
"disinfecting lamps known today--2004-(TUV, HOK and DBD)". This
invention uses UV light.
[0004] Other types of disinfecting lamps are recently proposed
through the use of infra red or near infra red light. One example,
from U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,653, discloses the use of visible or
infrared light for cold pasteurisation a food product. The visible
or near infrared light illumination always has to be preceded by
illumination with near infrared light to create an optical
window.
[0005] A method and device using LED for purification of water are
known from the PURE RAY(.TM.) `pdf publication` `water
purification` as available on www.gobalwarmingsolutions.com. This
publication teaches the use of infra red light for purification
purposes as being a relatively low cost purification method. In
order to realise this method, infrared light over a wavelength from
810 nm to about 1300 nm is emitted from a source located centrally
within a coiled liquid transporting, transparent hose, towards
liquid to be purified. The source may be a LED (light emitting
diode), connected to a power source and AC/DC converter. Pulsation
is not mentioned or suggested.
[0006] Yet, a requirement to further technical development is
simultaneously recognised in both the known method and device for
executing the same. It is therefor an object of the present
invention to arrive to a generally applicable, highly effective
method using LED components in a functional and economic manner,
preferably in a manner applicable both in water purification as
well as in living tissue products like fresh produce, flowers, fish
and the like.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a method for disinfecting
or purifying a product. The method comprises illuminating a product
with infrared light from one or more light emitting diodes.
[0008] One advantage of the present invention is that products are
illuminated and purified or disinfected at the same time. This is
important at various locations, such as for example at retail shops
for improved illumination of flowers and fresh produce which is
installed for sale. Using the method or device according to the
present invention, such display for sale is improved in quality
because the colours of the product are reflected correctly and the
life of freshness of the product is elongated by the external and
internal disinfection or purification.
[0009] A concomitant advantage is that freshness of products may be
maintained at the work station, while maintaining and even
improving the human vision at the work station in a safe way. This
could not be achieved using UV light, which is damaging to the
human eye.
[0010] Yet another advantage is that using the method or device of
the present invention, freshness may be maintained longer, not only
in a conditioned environment, e.g. under cooled circumstances, but
also outside a conditioned environment, due to the sanitary and
respiratory impulse of elimination according to the present
invention.
[0011] In the present context, the terms `LED`, `LED element` and
`light emitting diode` are used interchangeably, and refer to light
emitting diodes in all known forms, be it inorganic, organic,
point-like, line-like. In one embodiment, the LEDs are wide angle
elements, which refers to LEDs which deliver nicely spread light
rather than spotlights.
[0012] In the present context, the phrase `purifying or
disinfecting a product` refers to the reduction of the number of
microorganisms present on or in a product.
[0013] In the present context, the terms `infrared light` and `IR
light` are used interchangeably and refer to electromagnetic
radiation of a wavelength in the range of about 700 to about 1000
nm.
[0014] In the present context, `white light` refers to
electromagnetic radiation which is visible to the human eye and
which has a wavelength within the range of about 380 to about 800
nm. The term `warm white light` refers to white light with a
wavelength within the range of 425 nm to 475 nm, preferably with
the peak of emission around 455-465 nm, The term `cold white light`
refers to white light with a wavelength within the range of about
500 nm to about 700 nm, with the peak of emission around 600
nm.
[0015] According to the method of the present invention, the
product is illuminated by IR light emitted by one or more LED
elements. In a preferred embodiment, the IR light emitted by the
LED is of a wavelength within a range from 900 nm to 960 nm.
Preferably, the light emitted by the IR LED element has a
wavelength of 940 nm.
[0016] In another embodiment according to the invention, the
product is illuminated by a combination of IR light and white
light. The IR light and white light are typically emitted
simultaneously and by separate LEDs. Preferably, the LEDs emitting
white light comprise LEDS emitting cold white light and LEDs
emitting warm white light. In a preferred embodiment, the product
is illuminated by a set of LEDs comprising one or more LEDs
emitting IR light of a wavelength within a range from 900 nm to 960
nm, one or more LEDs emitting warm white light with a wavelength
within a range of 425 nm to 475 nm and one or more LEDs emitting
cold white light with a wavelength within a range of 500 nm to 700
nm. More preferably, the product is illuminated by a set of LEDs
comprising one or more LEDs emitting IR light with a wavelength of
940 nm to 950 nm, one or more LEDs emitting warm white light with a
wavelength within a range of 455 to 465 nm and one or more LEDs
emitting cold white light with a wavelength within a range of 600
to 620 nm.
[0017] The LEDs may be used in high power output and may emit
continuously or may be pulsating. If pulsating emission is used,
pulsation is preferably with high frequency. The radiant output of
the LEDs is preferably at least 10 mW, more preferably, it is at
least 50 mW, at least 100 mW, at least 500 mW or at least 1 W. More
preferably, the LEDs are high power LEDs with a radiant output of
at least 5 W, at least 10 W, at least 15 W, at least 20 W, at least
25 W, at least 30 W, at least 35 W or at least 40 W, in pulsed or
continuous mode. In one embodiment, the LEDs are high power LED
elements with a light intensity of at least 500 mW/cm.sup.2, at
least 600 mW/cm.sup.2, at least 700 mW/cm.sup.2, at least 800
mW/cm.sup.2, at least 900 mW/cm.sup.2 or at least 1000 mW/cm.sup.2,
in pulsed or continuous mode. Preferably, high power LEDs deliver
in pulsed mode at least 1.5 W/cm.sup.2, at least 2.0 W/cm.sup.2, at
least 2.5 W/cm.sup.2 or at least 3.0 W/cm.sup.2. The power output
of the LEDs may be adjusted in any convenient way. In one
embodiment, the output is adjusted per type of specific
wavelength.
[0018] The current feeding the LED elements may be continuous or
pulsed. Preferably, the feed is pulsed, because this will have a
stronger purifying or disinfecting effect. Most preferably, the
feed is pulsed with a high frequency, which refers to a frequency
in the range of 10 kHz to 1000 kHz. Preferably, the feed is pulsed
at a frequency in the range of 100 kHz to 1000 kHz. More
preferably, the feed is pulsed at a frequency in the range of 500
kHz to 1000 kHz.
[0019] The duty cycle of pulsation may vary. In one embodiment, the
duty cycle of pulsation is 10% duty cycle and 10% power output. In
another embodiment, the duty cycle of pulsation is 100% duty cycle
and 100% power output. Several duty cycles may be combined.
Therefore, in one embodiment, the duty cycle in a first setting is
100% duty cycle and 10% power output and in a second setting is
100% duty cycle and 100% power output.
[0020] All kinds of bacteria, both Gram positive and Gram negative,
fungi, yeasts or parasites may be combatted using the method
according to the present invention. Suitable examples include
bacteria, yeast, fungi and parasites which belong to the genus,
family or group Escherichia, Lactobacillus, Legionella,
Leuconostoc, Listeria, Pediococcus, Salmonella, Shigella,
Staphylococcus, Vibrio, Yersinia, Aspergillus, Peniciliium,
Saccharomyces, Cryptosporidium, Giarda. In particular the species
or isolates referred to as Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogens,
Salmonella typhi,
[0021] Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholera,
Yersinia enterocolitica and Giardia lambia. Also ESBL-forming
bacteria may be combatted using the method according to the
invention.
[0022] Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventor suggests
that the method according to the invention is particularly suitable
to combat iron dependent bacteria, because it triggers a
photoreceptor response mechanism in iron dependent bacteria, such
as E.coli, Salmonella, Listeria and Legionella. This turns off a
ferric uptake repressor which prevents aerobactin and specifically
enterobactin from being synthesized, thereby inhibiting the
assimilation of Fe.sup.2+/Fe.sup.3+ by the iron dependant bacterial
pathogen, which kills them.
[0023] Any product which needs disinfection or purification may be
subjected to the method according to the present invention, both
organic and inorganic products, both gases, liquids and solids,
both metal comprising and metal-free products. Suitable examples of
such products include air, water, produce, food and plants. In
particular, flowers, including cut flowers, and food, including
vegetables, dairy products, grain products, meat and fish. Suitable
examples of flowers include flowers such as roses, gerbera's,
tulips, lilies, chrysants, orchids and gladiolus. Suitable examples
of food include fruits, such as, citrus fruits, stone fruits, in
particular mango's, pears, apples, prunes, oranges, strawberries
and bananas; dairy products, such as milk, cheese and butter;
vegetables, such as sprouts, lettuce, cucumber, bananas, carrots
and potatoes; grain products, such as maize, rice, wheat, barley,
sorghum and oats; meat, such as beef, pork, lamb and poultry; fish,
such as salmon and tuna. The invention is particularly suitable for
disinfecting or purifying water sources or containers like sewage,
drinking water, swimming pools, whirlpools and all applications
where water damp can be inhaled for risk of Legionella, such as
waste heat water supplies, water distribution networks, cooling
towers, showers and jacuzzi's. The method according to the
invention can also be used to disinfect or purify animals, such as
the ones which deliver the meat and fish as mentioned above; fruit,
flowers and plants before they are harvested to strengthen them and
free them from microorganisms; surfaces, such as from working
tables in shops and kitchens.
[0024] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a device
for applying the method according to the present invention in all
its embodiments for all the products mentioned above. The device
comprises IR LED elements and a power for the LED elements for the
purification or disinfection of a product. At the same time, the
product is also illuminated. The IR LED elements are LED elements
which emit light within a range from 900 to 960 nm. Preferably, the
LED elements are 940 nm LED elements.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises
white light LED elements, for use in combination with the IR LED
elements. Preferably, the white light LED elements comprise warm
white light LED elements and cold white light LED elements. In one
embodiment, the white light LED elements comprise a 3000 K LED
element. In another embodiment, the white light LED elements
comprise a 6500 K LED element.
[0026] The IR LED elements and the white light LED elements may be
arranged in any convenient way. In one embodiment, they are
arranged in an alternating manner, i.e. an IR LED element is next
to a white light LED element.
[0027] The number of IR LED elements and the number of white light
LED elements in the device may vary depending on the form of the
device and the application for which they are used. In one
embodiment, the number of white light LED elements is larger than
the number of IR LED elements.
[0028] The ratio of warm white light LED elements to cold white
light LED elements may also vary depending on the application and
the form of the device. In one embodiment, the number of cold white
light LED elements is larger than the number of warm white light
elements.
[0029] The device comprising the LED elements may have any suitable
form. In one embodiment, the device has an elongated form and the
LED elements are arranged in an elongated panel or string. The
device may be used in a system for purifying or disinfecting a
product, as mentioned in the method according to the invention, in
all its embodiments and for all the products mentioned above.
[0030] Therefore, a system for purification of a product comprising
an LED light source for emitting IR light onto the product is also
part of the present invention. The IR light source is typically
separated from the product. This may be done, for example, by a
glass or synthetic material which is transparent for IR light.
[0031] The LED light source may be included in a holder. In one
embodiment, the LED light source is included in an elongated holder
for a multiplicity of LED elements.
[0032] The product is preferably guided by a guide element. If the
holder of the LED source is elongated, the guide element preferably
stretches in the direction of elongation of said light source.
Holder and guide element may be attached to each other. In one
embodiment, the guide element is a tube, for example a PVC
tube.
[0033] The LED source in the system according to the invention may
be positioned in any suitable way. In one embodiment, the LED
source is at opposite sites of the guiding element. Preferably, it
is at two opposite sites of the guiding element, for example, above
and below, or left and right.
[0034] In one embodiment, the system further comprises a LED light
source for emitting white light in combination with the IR
light.
[0035] The system according to the present invention may be applied
in various applications, including all the application mentioned
before for the method. In particular, in refrigerators for
professional and domestic use, purification of air, swimming pool
purification, household application and for purification of shower
water. Of more particular interest are applications where water
damp can be inhaled for risk of Legionella, such as waste heat
water supplies, water distribution networks, cooling towers,
showers and jacuzzi's.
[0036] In applications involving a pool of liquid, such as a
swimming pool, or tubs as may be used on bathroom shows or flower
shows, a bypass system may be provided including a pump for the
purpose of letting pass a fraction of the amount of liquid in said
pool per unit of time, so as to maintain a proper sanitary level in
said pool, in particular to the extend that addition of chemicals
like chloric is not at all or to a significantly lowered level
required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0037] FIG. 1 is an example of a new device applying a new method
of IR purification using LED as a light source;
[0038] FIG. 2 exemplifies both part of said new device according to
FIG. 1, and the new method of applying IR light for the purpose of
purification;
[0039] FIG. 3 shows Gerbera's and roses treated according to the
method of the invention. Flowers treated according to the method of
the invention are on the right and controls are on the left.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
System According to the Invention
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a disinfection system (1) in accordance
with the present invention. A string of IR and warm and cold white
light LEDs comprised in a casing form a lamp (2). Their radiation
(4) illuminates and disinfects the contents of a transparent tube
(3), in this example in the form of a PVC tube. The string of LED's
stretches in the longitudinal direction of the tube over the
projected axis of the tube. Two lamps (2) are here included at
opposite sides of a tube (3) in the system.
Example 2
Device According to the Invention
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a lamp with considerable expansion of the
LED's width wise of the lamp. This lamp could also be used in the
application of FIG. 1, however is typically intended for
applications like preserving fresh produce, flowers and the like.
It is as well suited for use in sewage stations where the lamp,
rather than being emersed in a stream of water, may be hung over
such stream, either or not protected by an in between included
screen, e.g. of glass or PVC.
[0042] The lamp includes IR LEDs separated by white light LEDs. In
this example, the IR LEDs are directly flanked by so called cold
white light LEDs. The lamp according to the invention may easily be
incorporated in existing situations, e.g. for preserving food, in
that the height thereof is very limited, in the order of typical
measurements of LED, whereas length and width may be dimensioned in
accordance with the disinfecting power required for the
application.
[0043] The LEDs panel receive power from an electronic panel which
allows to vary the power output of the LED light.
Example 3
Flower Treatment
[0044] Gerbera's and roses were treated according to the method of
the invention. They were illuminated 8 hours per day. The
illumination was a combination of LEDs emitting IR light (940 nm),
white light (460 nm) and white light (600 nm). Pulsed light with a
pulsation frequency of 600 kHz was used. As a control, gerbera's
and roses were illuminated with fluorescent light for 8 hours per
day. The test continued 24 days. The results are shown in FIG. 3
A-C. Controls are always on the left.
* * * * *
References