Air Disinfection Systems for Diverse Industries
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
Expanding the application of UV light-based air treatment technology to various industries, including agriculture, healthcare, aviation, construction, and water treatment, to improve air quality and reduce germ transmission.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent's air treatment unit was primarily designed for general environmental air treatment. However, there is a growing need for effective disinfection solutions in various industries where airborne germs and molds pose significant risks. The new inventive concept addresses this limitation by adapting the core technology to tackle specific challenges in these industries.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new claims introduce novel applications of the UV light-based air treatment technology. For example, Claim 1 describes a system for disinfecting agricultural produce, where contaminated air from a produce storage area is directed into a treatment volume, disinfected, and reintroduced into the storage area. Similarly, Claim 2 outlines a method for sanitizing medical equipment, and Claim 3 presents a UV-based air treatment system for aircraft cabins. The new claims demonstrate the versatility of the original technology in addressing diverse industry-specific challenges.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce a significant inventive step by applying the core UV light-based air treatment technology to entirely new industries and use cases, which were not contemplated in the original patent. This expansion of the technology's scope and applicability constitutes a novel and non-obvious contribution to the field.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include modifications to the air moving assembly, treatment volume design, or UV light source configuration to accommodate specific industry requirements. For instance, a variant for agricultural produce disinfection might incorporate additional air filtration or humidity control features.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including agriculture, healthcare, aviation, construction, and water treatment. The ability to provide effective disinfection solutions tailored to specific industry needs can lead to improved air quality, reduced germ transmission, and enhanced public health. The target market includes companies operating in these industries, as well as government agencies and regulatory bodies responsible for ensuring public health and safety.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61L9/20 |
| G | G01 | G01P13/00 |
| A | A61 | A61L2209/12 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Environmental air treatment technologies, specifically UV-C disinfection systems with a focus on air purification across multiple industrial applications
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
An engineer with expertise in UV light technologies, air handling systems, and environmental disinfection techniques, possessing knowledge of air treatment principles and cross-industry applications of germicidal UV technologies
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill would recognize the fundamental UV disinfection mechanism disclosed in the source patent can be readily adapted to diverse industrial environments by modifying air handling configurations and treatment volumes. The core technological principle of UV-C light deactivating microorganisms remains consistent across different applications, making the PTD's industry-specific variations predictable extensions of the original invention. A PHOSITA would understand that the fundamental air treatment methodology can be systematically translated across different contexts by adjusting air movement, treatment volume geometry, and UV light exposure parameters.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,705 |
|---|---|
| Title | Method of treating a space |
| Assignee(s) | AERAPY LLC |