UV-C germicidal filter

Intellectual Property

For the invention of this germicidal filter, the INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property / french patent office) granted 1ventive with a patent in France. This patent (FR3115697B1) is referenced in patent databases, such as Google Patents, Espacenet or Patentscope, where it is possible to translate the text into the language of your choice.

Download the patent FR3115697B1 (granted in France)

This patent is also published by the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) with reference WO2022/258531A1.

Download the international publication WO2022/258531A1

1ventive does not intend to directly use this invention, so we are open to transfer all the Intellectual Property rights of the granted patent FR3115697B1 (contact).

Principle

This germicidal filter makes it possible to sanitize a volume of gas by fragmenting it into segments, by physically isolating each segment from the other segments, by exposing each segment to UV-C radiation to disinfect it, then by releasing each segment thus exposed. All operations of this germicidal filter are sequential and executed in “pipeline mode” to ensure a continuous gas flow at the outlet. This invention allows to treat a flow circulating in a given direction, or alternately two flows of opposite directions.

Disinfection is carried out by exposure to short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation also called UV-C, which is suitable for inactivating microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, etc.). Each gas segment is disinfected with UV-C in a cell, only when the gates of this cell are closed :

  • thus ensuring control of the UV-C dose (volume of gas treated, and duration of disinfection) applied to each gas molecule of the segment,
  • thus preventing UV-C propagation outside of the cell, UV-C being harmful to human body.

Note : the patent mentions that although the invention has been more particularly described in the context of a box comprising four cells, the invention applies in the same way for at least two cells. Consequently, if necessary for the application, the number of cells can therefore be greater than four

Using the germicidal filter for air flow treatments :

This germicidal filter used in one-way mode allows to renew the air in an air conditioner, a passenger compartment, an enclosure, a room, etc… by blowing disinfected air, or by extracting contaminated air. In order to adapt to the configuration, the filter parameters can be adjusted to smoothly treat the required air flow : number of cells, volume of cells, segmentation rate, power of UV-C radiation, … the operation being carried out in complete safety for the vicinity of the filter.

Using the germicidal filter with a breathing mask :

This germicidal filter used in combination with a protective mask constitutes an individual equipment allowing the air alternately inhaled and exhaled by the user to be disinfected :

The human breathing cycle lasts about 4 to 5 seconds. This cycle is divided approximately in 1/3 for inhalation and 2/3 for exhalation. During the inhalation period, a drop in pressure occurs, then a brief balanced period without air movement, followed by a period of exhalation with an increase in pressure generated by the air expelled from the lungs. This exhalation of air is decreases gradually and is extended by a pause without air movement before the start of a new cycle. The volume of inhaled or exhaled air is approximately 500 cm3 every 2 seconds.

In the example shown above, the sequencing rate of the filter operations is 500 ms, so that the drop in pressure caused during the 1.5 s period of inhalation reassembles three segments of sterilized air successively sucked from three cells, then the overpressure generated during the 2.5 s period of exhalation pushes the exhaled air towards five successively open cells in order to disinfect the fragmented air flow after cells closure. This simplified example shows the principle of operations. There is no reason to have filter sequencing synchronous and in phase with breathing. In practice, the start of inhalation and the start of exhalation may appear at different times of the operations.

– Start of inhalation :

The start of inhalation can occur simultaneously with the opening of cell X towards the user (case 2). The user then inhales all of the air that has been previously sterilized in the cell. In case 1, where the inhalation started with another cell before the opening of cell X, the inhalation continues with cell X in a similar way to case 2. If the inhalation starts after the opening cell X (case 3), the contents of the cell is mainly made of previously sterilized air since it has not yet been emptied (the previous exhalation ends with a pause without movement of air following a gradual attenuation).

– Start of exhalation :

The start of exhalation can occur simultaneously with the opening of cell Y towards the user (case 2). The user then fills the cell with exhaled air, then the contents of the cell will be sterilized before rejection to the outside. In case 1, where the exhalation started before the opening of the Y cell, the exhalation continues with cell Y in a similar way to case 2. If the exhalation starts after the opening of the cell (case 3), the cell is then almost empty since it is the end of the previous inhalation followed by a brief balanced moment without air movement.

Synchronization between the user’s breathing and the sequencing of the filter’s operations is therefore not essential. Moreover, the germicidal filter is compatible with different breathing rhythms. In the example below the user breathes four times faster:

The degree of microorganisms’ inactivation at one place is directly related to the UV-C dose applied which is the product of the UV-C source power and exposure time [T] and following the inverse square law of the distance from the UV-C source. In other words, the UV-C efficiency is significantly increasing while the distance decreases from the source. It is therefore possible to improve the disinfection effectiveness by raising the power level of the UV-C radiations, or by increasing for each cell the UV-C exposure duration of the air segments and by reducing the volume of each cell, in return it will be necessary to increase the number of cells and to adapt the sequencing of the operations.

Such a filter based on UV-C radiation centered on the 254 nm wavelength has germicidal properties while not producing ozone that can cause respiratory problems. Not only does 254 nm UV-C radiation disinfect the air passing through it, but it also breaks down the ozone (O3) molecules into oxygen (O2) molecules. A respiratory mask equipped with this filter can be used to protect the user and his entourage in a context of decontamination, but it can also be used to protect the user in an ozone-rich atmosphere by reducing the concentration of ozone in the air inhaled through the filter.

Economical aspect

A protective mask equipped with a UV-C germicidal filter is more expensive per unit than a simple disposable mask. An objective comparison of costs must be made over a long period: a professional user must use at least two disposable masks daily, whereas a mask comprising a UV-C germicidal filter is reusable, and each time without time limit since disinfection is continuous. Over time, the investment in a mask with a germicidal filter becomes more economically profitable for the user than the use of disposable masks and also constitutes an eco-responsible approach.

Summary of benefits

  • Germicidal filter allows to treat a gas flow circulating in a given direction, or alternately two flows of opposite directions,
  • Fluent gas flow at the outlet (at any time one cell is open for input and output),
  • Minimization of health risks (UV-C applied only in closed cells),
  • Depletion of ozone concentration in the air during transit through the filter,
  • In the case of use with a mask :
    • Compatible with different breathing rhythms,
    • Protection of the user and of people around (treatment of inhaled and exhaled air),
  • Configurable filter (UV-C radiated power level, number and volume of cells, sequencing rate of segmentation operations).
Legal notice
Conditions and GDPR

©  2024 1ventive. Built using WordPress and the Highlight Theme

Legal notice

Editor

1ventive SAS with variable capital, with a share capital of € 30,100.

Headquarters :
1ventive
6, rue François Menez
35700 RENNES
FRANCE

RCS : Rennes 897 410 379
VAT : FR 29 897 410 379
APE : 7490B

Website : https://1ventive.tech

Contact : https://1ventive.tech/to-contact-us/

Responsible for publication : 1ventive Presidency.

Hosting

OVH SAS with capital of € 10,069,020

2 rue Kellermann
59100 ROUBAIX
FRANCE

Website www.ovh.com

Contact : contact@ovh.com

Credits

Visuals :  WordPress database, royalty-free image banks.

Use of the 1ventive trademark

The word brand mark 1ventive is registered in France with the INPI under the reference 4695895.

The figurative brand mark 1ventive is registered in France with the INPI under the reference 4876361.

Terms of use and GDPR

(General Data Protection Regulation)

The purpose of these conditions of use is to define the terms and conditions governing the relationship between users and 1ventive. In the event of non-compliance with the terms of these conditions, 1ventive reserves the right to take any measure likely to protect its interests and in particular to ensure their execution.

The user undertakes during each of his visits to the platform to comply with all of these conditions without any restriction. Consequently, the user acknowledges having read the conditions and agrees to be bound by these provisions. If the user accesses the platform on behalf of a company or any other legal entity, he is nevertheless personally bound by these conditions of use.

1. Purpose of the website

This website aims at presenting 1ventive and its activities, it does not use cookies.

Any use of the platform not compliant to its purpose is strictly prohibited and constitutes a breach of its provisions.

2. Access to the website

1ventive implements the technical solutions necessary to allow continuous access to the site for the user. However, 1ventive reserves the right to limit or suspend access to all or part of the site at any time, and without prior notice. Such interruption may in particular be made necessary for maintenance reasons of the site or its content, or for any other reason deemed necessary for the correct functioning of the site.

Use of the platform requires a connection and an internet browser. The platform is accessible at the following address: https://1ventive.tech/. In order to guarantee the correct functioning of the site, it is specified that the site is optimized for the latest versions of current browsers.

All necessary hardware and software for access to the platform and its use remain the sole responsibility of the user.

3. Report

The user has the option to report 1ventive about any illegal or clearly inappropriate behavior or content. Such notification may be made by post or by electronic contact at the address of the headquarters indicated in the legal notice of the website (editor section).

4. Platform usage

Users refrain from :

1.     to transmit, publish, distribute, record or destroy any material, in particular the contents from 1ventive, in violation of the laws or regulations in force concerning the collect, processing or transfer of personal informations ;

2.     to disseminate data, information, or content which could be considered defamatory, abusive, obscene, offensive, violent or inciting to violence, or of a political, racist or xenophobic nature and in general any content which would be conversely to the laws and regulations in vigor or morality ;

3.     to transmit or communicate sensitive information without prior setup of a confidentiality agreement (NDA). Apart from such an agreement, any communication or any document sent to 1ventive by contact form, by email or by any other means, including data, questions, comments, suggestions or the like, will be considered non-confidential and may therefore be used by 1ventive for any purpose, and in particular for the development, manufacturing and marketing of products ;

4.     to reference or create links to any content or information available from 1ventive's sites, except with the express, prior and written consent of 1ventive ;

5.     to use information, content or any data available on the website in order to offer a service considered in competition with 1ventive ;

6.     to sell, exchange or monetize information, content or data available on the platform or the services offered by the platform, without the express written consent of 1ventive ;

7.     to practice reverse engineering, decompile, disassemble, decipher or otherwise attempt to obtain the source code in relation to any underlying intellectual property used to provide all or part of the services ;

8.     to use software or manual devices or automatons, coding robots or other means to access, explore, extract or index any page of the site ;

9.     to endanger or attempt to endanger the digital security of 1ventive. This includes attempts to monitor, scan or test the vulnerability of the system or network or to violate security or authentication measures without express prior authorization ;

10.     to counterfeit or use the products, logos, brands or any other element protected by the intellectual property rights of 1ventive ;

11.     to simulate the appearance or operation of the site, for example by performing a mirror effect ;

12.     to disrupt or disturb, directly or indirectly 1ventive, or to impose a disproportionate load on the infrastructure of the site, or to attempt to transmit or activate computer viruses via or on the site.

It is recalled that breaches of system or network security may lead to civil and criminal prosecution. 1ventive verifies the absence of such violation and may call on the legal authorities to prosecute, if necessary, users who have participated in such violations. Users undertake to use the site fairly, in accordance with its purpose and the legal and regulatory provisions, these conditions and current practices.

5. Intellectual Property

The content of the site, in particular the designs, texts, documents, graphics, files belong to 1ventive, the sole holder of all the related intellectual property rights.

Any representation and / or reproduction and / or partial or total exploitation of the contents and services offered by 1ventive, by any means whatsoever, without the prior written authorization of 1ventive, is strictly prohibited and would be liable to legal proceedings.

6. Personal data

We receive and process a certain amount of information, which may include personal data provided directly (first name, last name, email address, company name and address) by filling in a contact form provided for this purpose on our website. It is the same for the data communicated when you carry out with 1ventive exchanges by post way or by e-mail. All personal data available to 1ventive are collected lawfully and fairly.

These data are provided by users who voluntarily and expressly accept the terms and conditions authorizing 1ventive to process these data in order to allow the user to communicate with 1ventive, to establish working relationships and to prevent any fraud. They are kept by 1ventive as long as necessary for the working relationship between the user and 1ventive.

The user always remains the owner of the private information transmitted to 1ventive. In accordance with the law n ° 78-17 of January 6, 1978 and according to its consolidated version of March 24, 2020, the user has the right to access, rectify and delete personal data, as well as right to oppose the communication of these data to third parties for valid reasons.

The user can exercise his rights by post or by electronic contact at the address of the headquarters indicated in the legal notice of the website (editor's section), a response to the user's request will be sent to him within 30 days.

7. Responsibility

It is recalled the data published by users and the information shared by them can be intercepted and used by other users or third parties. In this way, 1ventive cannot not guarantee the respect of the ownership of this data, it is the responsibility of the user to take all the necessary measures to preserve the ownership of his data.

1ventive does not guarantee the uninterrupted or error-free operation of the services, in particular, 1ventive cannot be considered liable in the event of interruption of access to the platform due to maintenance operations, updates or technical improvements.

In any case, 1ventive cannot be responsible under any circumstances for indirect or unforeseeable losses or damages of the user or any third party, which includes in particular any missed profit, any unfortunate investment, inaccuracy or corruption of files or data, image or commercial damage, loss of turnover or profit, loss of clientele or loss of opportunity linked to any title and on any basis whatsoever. In addition, 1ventive cannot be held responsible for any delay or non-performance of these conditions of use justified by a case of force majeure, as defined by the case law of French courts and tribunals.

Likewise, 1ventive cannot be held responsible for malicious programs (in particular viruses, Trojan horses) which could infect your computer equipment or any other hardware or software, nor for loss or alteration of data following your access to the site and to its use (including downloads from the site).

1ventive cannot be held responsible for links to other sites. These are provided to you for informational purposes only. You are solely responsible for linking to any page outside the site or to any other site.

8. Convention of evidence

Computer systems and files are authentic in the relationship between 1ventive and the user.

Thus, 1ventive may validly produce, as part of any procedure, for the purposes of proof, the data, files, programs, recordings or other elements, received, transmitted or stored by means of the computer systems operated, on any digital or analog media, and to rely on it unless there is a manifest error.

9. Indivisibility

The fact that any one of the conditions of use is or becomes illegal or unenforceable will in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the other stipulations of the conditions.

10. Settlement of disputes

The conclusion, interpretation and validity of these conditions of use are governed by French law, regardless of the user's country of origin or the country from which the user accesses 1ventive and notwithstanding the principles of conflicts of law.

In the event that a dispute relating to the validity, execution or interpretation of these conditions would be brought before the civil courts, it will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Rennes (France) to which jurisdiction is expressly attributed, even in the event of summary proceedings or multiple defendants.

The user is informed that he can in any case resort to conventional mediation or any alternative dispute resolution method (conciliation for example) in the event of a dispute

11. Applicability period

These conditions of use are concluded for an indefinite period, the user is required to respect them from the start of his use of the services.

1ventive reserves the right to modify this document at any time and without prior notice. Users will be notified of each update of the document.

Advantages of getting Intellectual Property rights :

  • save time and money :
    - To develop oneself a new technology is long, so why not using an appropriate technology already available in order to reduce the time to market ?
    - To develop oneself a new technology requires skills and investments, but results are random. Why not using an interesting off the shelf technology which does not need costly developments ?
    - To prevent infringement of an existing patent, could not it be more advantageous to get the rights to use this Intellectual Property than to develop another technology bypassing this patent ?
  • grant access to new markets :
    - Getting the right to use patented inventions allows products to evolve quickly and to gain new market share,
    - Patents provide exclusive usage of inventions on a dedicated geographical area, getting the using rights reduces the risk of identical competing products.
  • perception of a dynamic and innovative company :
    - Products embedding patents are considered as innovations and provide an attractive image.

Using Intellectual Property rights has to be considered in a similar way as using electronic or mechanical components from a supplier, it is a win-win operation between inventors and patent rights users. 1ventive is open to negotiating assignment of its patents, or to licensing the use of the technologies.