# US 12,594,357 B2 · Torchiere with air flow mechanism and ultraviolet disinfection

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- Number: US 12,594,357 B2
- Document ID: US12594357B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/944,548
- Filed: 2022-09-14
- Published: 2023-03-16
- Granted: 2026-04-07
- Earliest claimed: 2021-09-15
- Assignees: Syracuse University
- Applicants: Brian D. Carter; Eric A. Schiff
- Inventors: Brian D. Carter; Eric A. Schiff
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12594357B2

## CPC

- A61L 9/20: Ultraviolet radiation
- A61L 2209/11: Apparatus for controlling air treatment
- A61L 2209/12: Lighting means
- A61L 2209/134: Distributing means, e.g. baffles, valves, manifolds, nozzles
- A61L 2209/15: Supporting means, e.g. stands, hooks, holes for hanging
- 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 (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)

## Abstract

A torchiere style sanitizing device for disinfecting airborne pathogens while providing aesthetic area lighting. A reversible fan exchanges air between the upper room air plume and the lower air plume by passing the air through a center disinfecting section. The disinfection section may include a linear UV-C light, reflective tube, and light trap positioned at one or both ends of the disinfection section to maximize the exposure of the air to the UV-C light and contain the UV-C light within the device. The device includes a conventional illumination source in an upper shade and can selectively provide one of more of room air flow, room air disinfection, and room illumination.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A room air disinfection device, comprising:
a base supporting a reversible fan;
a tube operatively coupled to the reversible fan at a lower end and extending upwardly from the base to an upper end to form a disinfection chamber through which air may flow;
a light block positioned within at least one end of the disinfection chamber and comprising an Archimedes screw; and
an ultraviolet light illumination source extending through at least a portion of the tube.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising a shade positioned at the upper end of the tube.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, wherein the shade includes a visible light source.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device of claim 3, further comprising a controller programmed to selectively operate the reversible fan, the ultraviolet light illumination source, and the visible light source to provide a mode selected from the group consisting of lighting, air movement, disinfection, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4, wherein the ultraviolet light illumination source extends linearly along a central axis of the tube.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The device of claim 5, wherein the disinfection chamber includes a UVC reflective coating on an inner surface.

### Claim 7

A method of providing room air disinfection, comprising the steps of:
providing a torchiere having a base supporting a reversible fan, a tube operatively coupled to the reversible fan at a lower end and extending upwardly from the base to an upper end to form a disinfection chamber through which air may flow, a light block positioned within at least one end of the disinfection chamber and comprising an Archimedes screw, and an ultraviolet light illumination source extending through at least a portion of the tube; and
operating the torchiere so that air flows through the disinfection chamber while the ultraviolet light illumination source is powered on.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the torchiere further comprises a shade positioned at the upper end of the tube.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the shade includes a visible light source.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the torchiere further comprises a controller programmed to selectively operate the reversible fan, the ultraviolet light illumination source, and the visible light source to provide a mode selected from the group consisting of lighting, air movement, disinfection, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the ultraviolet light illumination source extends linearly along a central axis of the tube.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the disinfection chamber includes a UVC reflective coating on an inner surface.