Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
  • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
  • A61L2/08—Radiation
  • A61L2/10—Ultraviolet radiation
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43D—MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT OR METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OR REPAIRING FOOTWEAR
  • A43D117/00—Racks for receiving or transporting shoes or shoe parts; Other conveying means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43D—MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT OR METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OR REPAIRING FOOTWEAR
  • A43D95/00—Shoe-finishing machines
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
  • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
  • A61L2/04—Heat
  • A61L2/06—Hot gas
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
  • A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
  • A61L2/18—Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
  • A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
  • A61L2/22—Phase substances, e.g. smokes, aerosols or sprayed or atomised substances
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
  • A61L2/24—Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
  • B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
  • B65B55/027—Packaging in aseptic chambers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
  • B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
  • B65B55/12—Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging
  • B65B55/16—Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging by irradiation

Definitions

• the present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for carrying out the sterilization of footwear, particularly the sterilization of shoes. More in detail, the method and the apparatus according to the present invention allow to cany out the sterilization of shoes at the end of their production process, before proceeding with their storage and the subsequent transportation for the product selling.
• the sterilization process, at the end of the footwear production process, is necessary for eliminating bacteria, mildews and fungi eventually present and for impeding their proliferation during the stocking and transportation period, until the footwear selling.
• the sterilization apparatus described in JPl 1056982 comprises a conveyor belt for translating the slippers through a sterilization tunnel provided inside with a bactericidal lamp generating ultraviolet rays.
• a bactericidal lamp generating ultraviolet rays One of the most important drawbacks of the conventional sterilization apparatuses is the ineffectiveness of the sterilization process causing the survival of some bacteria, mildew and fungi, which could thereby start reproducing again.
• the bactericide action of the lamp generating ultraviolet rays may be ineffective if, for example, the exposition time of footwear to rays is too much short.
• the method for sterilizing footwear is earned out by a sterilization apparatus comprising one or more sterilization chambers, first means for generating heat and second means for generating ultraviolet rays, as well as at least one device for carrying the footwear from the entrance to the exit of the sterilization chamber/chambers .
• the method is characterized by comprising a first step wherein the footwear are earned from the entrance to the exit of the sterilization chamber, or chambers, and a second step of sterilizing the footwear by heat and ultraviolet rays inside the sterilization chamber, or chambers.
• the method may in addition comprise a further step for delivering on the footwear at least one liquid, or generically a fluid, for sanitizing.
• liquid, or fluid for sanitizing it has to be intended any liquid, or more generally speaking any fluid, provided with disinfectant or sanitizing proprieties for the footwear leather, such as for example antimycotic liquids, bactericides, disinfectant gases, or other sanitizing fluids known in the art.
• the step of sterilizing comprises a first step of sterilizing only by heat and a subsequent step of sterilizing only by ultraviolet rays.
• the sterilization apparatus preferably comprises two distinct sterilization chambers in succession, wherein such means for generating heat are disposed in the first chamber and the means for generating ultraviolet rays are disposed in the second chamber.
• the footwear is carried from the entrance of the first chamber to the exit of the second chamber.
• the apparatus according to the present invention comprises further means for delivering at least one sanitizing liquid, or more generally a fluid, disposed in a (third) sanitizing chamber wherein such footwear are carried.
• the method according to the present invention comprises a step of packing the footwear in a relevant box or package by packing means disposed upstream or downstream of the sterilization chamber or chambers, so that the packing step is carried out preferably before the step of carrying the footwear and before the step of sterilizing thereof. Afterwards a step of sealing the footwear is carried out by film or heat-sealed bag; in fact, a sealing device is disposed downstream of the sterilization chamber, or chambers.
• the final sealing step is carried out downstream of the sterilization chamber, or chambers, by the use of a film or heat-sealed plastic bag. Consequently, the footwear and the packages inside which they are disposed, are completely sealed in the corresponding bags at the end of the sterilizing step, removing the risk of reintroduction of bacteria and fungi during the stocking and transportation until selling.
• the method and the apparatus for sterilization according to the present invention may be easily used inside the process for producing footwear, particularly at the ending part thereof.
• the already formed footwear, preferably disposed inside the packages are easily and rapidly carried through the distinct sterilization chambers and preferably reciprocally in succession, inside which they are firstly treated with heat and then with ultraviolet rays.
• figure 1 is a schematic side view of the apparatus for footwear sterilization according to the present invention.
• figure 2 is a block diagram of the sterilization method according to the present invention.
• figure 3 is a prospective view of a further possible embodiment of the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention.
• figure 3 A is a schematic plant view of the sterilization apparatus of figure
• figure 4 is a schematic side view of a further possible embodiment of the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention provided with means for delivering a sanitizing liquid or fluid.
• the device for sterilizing footwear in its preferred embodiment herein illustrated, comprises two sterilization chambers 1 and 2 and a device 3 for carrying the footwear 10 from the entrance to the exit of chambers 1 and 2.
• the embodiment herein described comprises two sterilization chambers 1 and 2, distinct and reciprocally in succession, even if, as will be evident for a person skilled of the art, according to the desired sterilization level, further chambers may be provided inside which the footwear could be moved by the carrying device 3. Every sterilization chambers 1 and 2 is provided with an entrance section and an exit section through which the footwear are carried for carrying out the sterilizing step.
• the chambers 1 and 2 are provided with means for generating heat 4 and means for generating ultraviolet rays 5, in themselves known in the art, for carrying out the footwear sterilization.
• the chambers are preferably shaped such that the footwear inserted therein would receive heat and ultraviolet rays avoiding dispersions.
• the two sterilization chambers 1 and 2 are distinct and disposed in succession, the first chamber is provided with means for generating heat 4 and the second chamber is provided with means for generating ultraviolet rays 5.
• the first chamber is provided with means for generating heat 4
• the second chamber is provided with means for generating ultraviolet rays 5.
• the means for generating heat 4 of the sterilization chamber 1 comprise a plurality of electric resistances 6 connected to the mains, or to one or more batteries, generating heat because of Joule effect.
• one or more infrared lamp may be used.
• the temperature reached inside the sterilization chamber 1 is preferably comprised in the range between 20 - 120 °C, and would allow to obtain a high effectiveness of the footwear sterilization without the heat causing the deterioration of the material of which the footwear are realized.
• the second sterilization chamber 2 is provided with means for generating ultraviolet rays 5, for example a plurality of UV lamps 8 of a known type for such a use.
• the rays emitted by the lamps 8 will hit the footwear 10 inside the chamber. It has to be noticed that the number of lamps and the power of each one of them may change, and anyway they should assure the correct sterilization of the footwear and thereby the removal of bacteria, mildew and fungi.
• the device 3 for carrying the footwear from the entrance to the exit of the sterilization chambers comprises a flat conveyor belt 11 passing through the two sterilization chambers 1 and 2.
• the motion direction of the conveyor belt 11 is indicated by the arrows in figure 1, and it allows the conveyance of footwear 10 from the entrance to the exit of the first chamber 1 and subsequently from the entrance to the exit of the second chamber 2.
• the conveyor belt 11 passes through each sterilization chamber entering and coming out from two opposite side walls of the chamber.
• the footwear 10 enter into the sterilization chamber 1 inside which they are subjected to heat and subsequently they enter into the second sterilization chamber 2 inside which they are subjected to the ultraviolet rays.
• the sterilization chambers are disposed in succession along the motion direction of the conveyor belt 11 , and preferably, although not necessarily, the two chambers 1 and 2 are in communication because the exit section of the first sterilization chamber 1 is communicating with, that is facing to, the entrance section of the second sterilization chamber 2.
• the speed of the conveyor belt 11 is such as to allow the permanence of footwear 10 inside the chambers for a time period that is sufficient for carrying out the sterilizing step, that is to say a time period sufficient for removing bacteria, mildews and fungi.
• the two sterilization chambers 1 and 2 may be separated by a separating curtain, or similar means, placed between the exit section of the first sterilization chamber 1 and the entrance section of the second sterilization chamber 2.
• the footwear are placed on the conveyor belt 11, once housed inside the packages 20, inside which they will be next stocked and sold. That is an important advantage, because the footwear, when the sterilizing operations are finished, have not subsequently to be disposed in the packages, thereby avoiding the risk of a new contamination. Further, by housing the footwear 10 inside the packages 20 before they pass inside the sterilization chambers, it is possible to treat the packaging 20 too with the sterilizing action of the heat and ultraviolet rays, so that to eliminate possible bacteria, mildews and fungi being present both on packages 20 and footwear 10 placed inside thereof.
• the apparatus according to the present invention may comprise as well packing means for the footwear placed inside their relevant box or package.
• packing means are preferably disposed upstream of both the sterilization chambers 1 and 2, and they can be of a completely automatic type, or they may require the attendance of an operator.
• the packages 20, inside which the footwear are disposed are rested over the conveyor belt 11 , allowing the movement thereof from the entrance to the exit of the sterilization chambers 1 and 2.
• the packing means of the footwear 10 are disposed downstream of the first sterilization chamber 1 and upstream of the second sterilization chamber 2, that is between the two chambers.
• the sterilization apparatus is provided with a device 16 for sealing the packages 20 of the footwear 10 at the end of the sterilizing process.
• the sealing is carried out by the use of film or heat-sealed plastic bags 22.
• the sealing device 16 is placed downstream of the second sterilization chamber 2, such that the packages 20 are sealed at the end of the sterilizing process.
• Figures 3 and 3A show another possible embodiment of the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the device 3 for carrying the footwear from the entrance to the exit of the sterilization chambers 101 and 102, comprises a rotatable carrying plane 111.
• the direction of the rotating motion of the conveyor plane 111 is indicated by the arrow in figure 3 A, and it allows the movement of footwear 110 and of the corresponding packages 120 from the entrance to the exit of the first sterilization chamber 101 and subsequently from the entrance to the exit of the second sterilization chamber 102.
• the first chamber 101 is provided with means for generating heat 104 comprising a plurality of electric resistances 106
• the second chamber 102 is provided with means for generating ultraviolet rays 105, for example a plurality of UV lamps 108.
• the two sterilization chambers 101 and 102 are disposed in succession along the motion direction of the rotatable carrying plane 111, and they are communicating thereby allowing the sterilization of the footwear 110 applying heat and ultraviolet rays in succession.
• This embodiment differently from that before described referring to figure 1, presents reduced dimensions for a limited bulk, in the meanwhile assuring a high effectiveness of the sterilizing process.
• the packages 20, comprising one or more footwear 10, are disposed in succession on the carrying device 3, that allows the movement thereof from the entrance to the exit of the sterilization chambers 1 and 2.
• the packages are disposed in succession in the starting portion of the conveyor belt 11, the translating direction thereof is represented by arrows.
• the packing step wherein the footwear are housed into the corresponding packages inside which they will be stocked and sold, is carried out upstream of the sterilization chambers 1 and 2, automatically or manually. As afore said, this operation allows to treat the packages 20 too with the sterilizing process with the footwear contained therein.
• the sterilizing step according to the present method can be applied to the footwear 10 only, even if, in the appended figures and herein below, reference will be made to the sterilization of the footwear 10 housed inside the corresponding packages 20.
• the conveyor belt 11 moves the packages 20 in succession from the entrance to the exit of the two sterilization chambers 1 and 2, the first of which is provided with means for generating heat 4, whereas the second is provided with means for generating ultraviolet rays 5.
• the method according to the present invention may contemplate the movement of the footwear inside further sterilization chambers different from those until now described, for assuring more effectiveness in the sterilizing process.
• the sterilization chambers 1 and 2 may preferably be reciprocally distinct, even if they are disposed in succession, to constitute a tunnel inside which the packages 20 pass in succession, moved by the conveyor belt 11.
• each packages 20 is firstly carried from the entrance to the exit of the first sterilization chamber 1 , inside which the heat produced by appropriate means for its generation, for example a plurality of electric resistances 6 and a fan 7, causes at least partially the death of the bacteria, mildews and fungi being present on the footwear 10 and inside the package 20, during the sterilizing step. Then the package 20 is carried from the entrance to the exit of the second sterilization chamber 2, inside which the ultraviolet rays produced by the plurality of LIV lamps 8 will remove the bacteria, mildews and fungi still present on the package 20 and in the footwear 10 contained therein. Afterwards, said sealing step is ca ⁇ ied out by a sealing device 16 preparing the packages 20 for stocking and transportation, preserving them from further contaminants.
• appropriate means for its generation for example a plurality of electric resistances 6 and a fan 7
• the sealing device is disposed upstream of the second chamber 2 and applies a film or a heat-sealed bag 22 over the packages 20 moved by the conveyor belt 11.
• the translation motion of the conveyor belt 11 may be also temporarily stopped by a controller, when the package 20 is inside one of the sterilization chambers in such a way to increase the permanence period therein and thereby improving the bactericide effect of the sterilizing step.
• the sterilization chambers may be shaped in a different way from that herein described, without for this reason come out from the scope of protection of the present invention.
• the sterilization chambers may have one opening only, allowing both entrance and exit of the footwear, and they can be disposed in overlapped or side by side relation.
• the device for carrying the footwear from the entrance to the exit of the sterilization chambers may be composed of a robot provided with a mechanical arm moving the footwear, or the packages housing them, into and outward the opening with which each chamber is provided, providing a permanence period therein for carrying out the sterilizing step.
• Figure 4 shows a further possible embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention differing from that before described referring to figure 1 , because it is provided with further means for delivering 250 a sanitizing liquid or fluid, to further improve the effectiveness of the sterilization of the footwear.
• the means for delivering the sanitizing liquid or fluid 250 are accommodated inside a third sterilization chamber 200, distinct and disposed in succession relatively to the sterilization chamber 1 and 2, inside which the means for generating heat 4 and means for generating ultraviolet rays 5 are placed respectively.
• the means for delivering the liquid 250 comprises a plurality of nozzles 251 , whereby the liquid is preferably atomized in the sanitizing chamber 200 wherein the footwear 10 are moved by the carrying device 3. The atomized, or anyway delivered, liquid is then removed by the sanitizing chamber 200 by one or more aspirators 252.
• the carrying device is conveniently shaped for carrying the footwear from the entrance of the first sterilization chamber 1 to the exit of the afore said sanitizing chamber 200, without interruption.
• the means for delivering the sanitizing liquid or fluid 250 may be disposed inside said two other sterilization chambers 1 and 2, without the need of a distinct chamber intended exclusively for the liquid delivering (or atomizing).

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Toxicology (AREA)
• Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 2009
  • 2009-06-23 IT IT001108A patent/ITMI20091108A1/it unknown
  • 2009-10-27 EP EP09825634A patent/EP2445540A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-10-27 CN CN2009801600166A patent/CN102458484A/zh active Pending
  • 2009-10-27 WO PCT/IB2009/007250 patent/WO2010150045A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-10-27 BR BRPI0924469A patent/BRPI0924469A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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