EP4422703A1

EP4422703A1 - Sanitizing device of receptacles for foodstuffs or beverages and relative method of production

Info

Publication number: EP4422703A1
Application number: EP22802258.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maurizio Ceci
Original assignee: Tiber Pack SpA
Current assignee: Tiber Pack SpA
Priority date: 2021-10-25
Filing date: 2022-10-24
Publication date: 2024-09-04
Also published as: WO2023073528A1; IT202100027311A1

Abstract

Production method and device (100) for sanitizing receptacles (A) for foodstuffs or beverages comprising electrically powered sources of radiations (6), and a container which comprises a base (3), a cover (5), a first wall (1) and a second wall (2) and which is configured to contain the receptacle (A) and to delimit the radiations. The second wall (2) rotates from a first position, in which it laterally delimits the interior of the container, to a second position, in which it makes it accessible. The first wall (1) and the second wall (2) bear sources of radiations (6) and comprise, or have a seat that accommodates, a first reflective part (14, 14a) and a second reflective part (24, 24a) whose inner surfaces follow or approximate an elliptical cylindrical surface in the first position of the second wall (2). A source of radiations ( 6c, 6d) is borne by the cover (5) or by the base (3).

Description

"SANITIZING DEVICE OF RECEPTACLES FOR FOODSTUFFS OR

BEVERAGES AND RELATIVE METHOD OF PRODUCTION" DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of sanitizing devices, especially but not exclusively for the sterilization of viruses and bacteria. In particular, the present invention relates to a sanitizing device of a receptacle for foodstuffs or beverages; the invention is advantageously applied in the sanitization of cans or bottles.

[0002] Various irradiation techniques are known which allow the sanitization of the treated surfaces; among these the use of ultraviolet rays, hereinafter UV rays, in particular UV-C rays, is widespread.

[0003] The need to sanitize retail products before they are sold, supplied or used by the consumer or customer has long been felt. A typical example is represented by cans whose opening mechanism brings the beverage into contact with the outer surface of the can. Furthermore, the consumer comes into contact with several points on the surface of the receptacle. Solutions comprising lids or other protective elements have not demonstrated, at least in the field, particular attractiveness and produce waste which may be easily dispersed and/or is difficult to recycle.

[0004] There is therefore a strong demand to sanitize items quickly, easily and cost-effectively; i.e. to reduce the microbial or viral load, the pathogenic microorganisms and/or the polluting or allergenic microorganisms present on the outer surface of the receptacles .

[0005] Numerous devices are available on the market today, from those derived from medical or professional environments to improvised ones and which, for example, may consist of a simple lamp. The former are often bulky, expensive, not very intuitive and are difficult to adapt to use in unstructured contexts and/or by nonprofessional personnel. They are also not usually optimized for receptacles such as cans or bottles. The latter endanger the health of users and have reduced efficiency. In the case of sanitizing individual products, a lower efficiency or optimization translates into longer treatment times and, therefore, a disincentive to the use of the sanitizing device. Another disincentive is represented by the use of devices openable only at the top, which are not very comfortable for handling the receptacle and which are a vessel for dirt, or at least are perceived as such.

[0006] A first object of the present invention is to overcome one or more of the drawbacks of the prior art.

Another object is to improve the usability of a sanitizing device in the treatment of individual receptacles before use or handling, especially in terms of speed of treatment and ease of use. Another object is to provide a sanitizing device which has a relatively simple structure, with respect to the effects it achieves, and which may be easily manufactured so that it is as cost-effective as possible.

[0007] These and the other objects which will become apparent from the following text are obtained by means of a sanitizing device of receptacles for foodstuffs or beverages according to claim 1 and a method for producing a sanitizing device of receptacles for foodstuffs or beverages according to claim 19.

[0008] The device comprises electrically powered sources of radiations for sanitizing a receptacle for foodstuffs or beverages, electrical and/or electronic components for powering the sources of radiations, and a container which comprises a base, a cover, a first wall and a second wall and which is configured so as to contain the receptacle internally thereof and to delimit internally thereof the radiations for sanitizing the receptacle .

[0009] The second wall is rotationally connected to the base and to the cover and rotates from a first position in which it cooperates with the first wall to laterally delimit the inside of the container to a second position in which it makes the inside of the container accessible so as to allow the positioning or the collection of the receptacle .

[ 00010 ] Advantageously, a first source of radiations is borne by the first wall and is facing towards the second wall and a second source of radiations is borne by the second wall and is facing towards the first wall , at least in the first position o f the second wall .

[ 00011 ] A third source of radiations is borne by the cover and is facing towards the base and/or a fourth source of radiations is borne by the base and is facing towards the cover .

[ 00012 ] The first wall comprises , or has a seat that accommodates , a first part which is reflective to the radiations for saniti zing .

[ 00013 ] The second wall comprises , or has a seat that accommodates , a second part which is reflective to the radiations for saniti zing .

[ 00014 ] The inner surfaces of the first reflective part and of the second reflective part reflect the radiations for saniti zing inside the container and follow or approximate an elliptical cylindrical surface in the first position of the second wall.

[00015] Reference is made to the detailed description which follows for the illustration of a first and further embodiments of the method which, preferably, allows the above device to be produced.

[00016] Specific embodiments of the invention will be described in the rest of the present discussion, in accordance with what is reported in the claims and with the aid of the accompanying figures, wherein:

[00017] Fig. 1 shows an axonometric view of an embodiment of the sanitizing device according to the invention in a first position;

[00018] Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show other axonometric views of the device of Fig. 1 from other points of view;

[00019] Fig. 4 shows a front view of the device of Fig. 1;

[00020] Fig. 5 shows an axonometric view with details of the device of Fig. 1 in a second position with a can inside ;

[00021] Fig. 6 shows another axonometric view of the device of Fig. 1, in the position of Fig. 5, from below;

[00022] Fig. 7 shows a front view of the device of Fig.

1 in the second position and shows the trace of the cutting plane of the following figure;

[00023] Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the preceding figure;

[00024] Fig. 9 shows an axonometric view with detail of the device of Fig. 1;

[00025] Fig. 10 shows a top view of the device of Fig. 1;

[00026] Fig. 11 shows an exploded axonometric view of another embodiment of the sanitizing device according to the invention;

[00027] Fig. 12 shows an exploded axonometric view of the device of Fig. 1, from another point of view with respect to the preceding figure;

[00028] Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 show an axonometric view from different points of view of a first body of the device of Fig. 1;

[00029] Fig. 15 shows a top view with detail of the first body of Fig. 13; an axis and two circumferences are also visible;

[00030] Fig. 16 shows an axonometric view of a first body of yet another embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[00031] Fig. 17 to 20 show axonometric, side and rear views of a first inner wall of the device of Fig. 1;

[00032] Fig. 21 and 22 show axonometric views from different points of view of the first body of the device of Fig. 1 assembled with the first inner wall and sources of radiations for sanitizing a receptacle;

[00033] Fig. 23 shows a front view of the assembly of Fig. 21 with the trace of the cutting plane of the following figure;

[00034] Fig. 24 shows a section with detail of the preceding figure;

[00035] Fig. 25 shows an axonometric view of a further embodiment of the sanitizing device according to the invention substantially similar to that of Fig. 1 but with a different arrangement of the sources of radiations and with some elements not shown to better illustrate the differences;

[00036] Fig. 26 shows an axonometric view of the device of Fig. 25 from another point of view;

[00037] Fig. 27 shows an axonometric view of both inner walls of the device of Fig. 25;

[00038] Fig. 28 shows a front view of the inner wall not shown in Fig. 25.

[00039] With reference to the accompanying figures, the generic reference numeral 100 indicates a sanitizing device of receptacles (A) for foodstuffs or beverages.

[00040] An embodiment of this device (100) comprises electrically powered sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for sanitizing a receptacle (A) for foodstuffs or beverages, electrical and/or electronic components (7a, 7b, 7c , 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g) for powering the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) , and a container.

[00041] The container comprises a base (3) , a cover (5) , a first wall (1) and a second wall (2) and is configured so as to contain a receptacle (A) internally thereof and to delimit internally thereof the radiations for sanitizing the receptacle (A) .

[00042] The second wall (2) is rotationally connected to the base (3) and to the cover (5) and the second wall (2) rotates from a first position in which it cooperates with the first wall (1) to laterally delimit the inside of the container to a second position in which it makes the inside of the container accessible so as to allow the positioning or the collection of the receptacle (A) . The first position is visible, for example, in Fig. 1, while Fig. 5 shows a second position which allows access to the inside of the container where, by way of example, a can is placed. The receptacle (A) accommodated by the container may also be a bottle, a brick or still another type of receptacle for foodstuffs or beverages.

[00043] A first source of radiations (6a) is borne by the first wall (1) and is facing towards the second wall (2) and a second source of radiations (6b) is borne by the second wall (2) and is facing towards the first wall

(1) . These conditions occur at least in the first position of the second wall (2) . In this way, the first source of radiations (6a) and the second source of radiations (6b) sanitize at least part of the lateral surface of the receptacle (A) ; optionally, they may sanitize the receptacle (A) also at the top or at the bottom.

[00044] The container includes a first part (14, 14a) which is reflective to the radiations for sanitizing and a second part (24, 24a) which is reflective to the radiations for sanitizing, by virtue of which the time for sanitizing the receptacle is considerably reduced. The first wall (1) and the second wall (2) may be made of reflective material, as well as have a reflective layer or coating, or they may accommodate an inner wall (4a, 4b) with similar features. The second option may be more cost-effective and/or easier to make, especially if the first wall (1) and the second wall (2) , or a part of them, are produced with a metal material such as, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[00045] Therefore, the first wall (1) comprises, or has a seat (13) that accommodates, a first part (14, 14a) which is reflective to the radiations for sanitizing, and the second wall (2) comprises, or has a seat (23) that accommodates, a second part (24, 24a) which is reflective to the radiations for sanitizing. The second wall (2) may possibly accommodate a second reflective part (24, 24a) and the first wall (1) may not accommodate it, or vice versa.

[00046] The inner surfaces of the first reflective part (14, 14a) and of the second reflective part (24, 24a) reflect the radiations for sanitizing inside the container and follow or approximate an elliptical cylindrical surface in the first position of the second wall (2) .

[00047] Fig. 15 and Fig. 24 show that the inner edge of the section of the first wall (1) or of the first inner wall (4a) follows a circumference (C) . In this way, the reflection towards the receptacle (A) is maximized and the sanitization process is speeded up.

[00048] Similar performances are obtained with suitable ellipses, i.e. with foci not excessively distant with respect to the dimensions of the receptacle (A) , typically with a distance smaller than the smaller width, or diameter, of the receptacle (A) , or polygons with many sides which may therefore be approximated to a circle; so much so that a cylinder may be considered a prism with a circular base.

[00049] The teachings of the present invention are not in fact invalidated in the case that the inner surface of the container is not exactly cylindrical, but follows or approximates a cylindrical surface with possible local indentations or protrusions. For example, in Fig. 15 and Fig. 24 the interruptions due to the first tooth (13a) , to the second tooth (13b) and to the openings (41) for the first sources of radiations (6a) are observed .

[00050] The device (100) according to the invention allows quick and convenient access to the volume in which the sanitization is carried out, with the receptacle (A) which may be easily positioned. Furthermore, the device (100) is particularly practical for installation on a table or in any case on a horizontal surface.

[00051] The conformation of the device (100) guarantees a wide access opening, a solid structure and excellent efficiency by virtue of the reflection towards the receptacle (A) of the radiations that strike the first reflective part (14, 14a) and the second reflective part (24, 24a) with a cylindrical shape. This results, with the same performance, in a lower power required from the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and/or in a reduction in the times required.

[00052] This further allows a reduction in consumption and, consequently, the possibility of using the device (100) even without connection to the electrical network, for example outdoors. In this regard, the device (100) may be powered with batteries and, possibly, with the batteries of other portable devices.

[00053] The presence of a third source (6c) and/or of a fourth source (6d) allows the sanitization of a particularly critical area of the receptacle (A) even with a limited extension in height of the container; if the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) arranged on the first wall (1) and on the second wall (2) alone guarantee the same levels of sanitization, the container would necessarily have a greater extension in height. Typically the opening of the receptacle (A) is located in the upper area which, however, may be facing towards the fourth source of radiations (6d) if the receptacle (A) is placed upside down inside the device (100) .

[00054] Preferably, the side walls are constituted, or consist, of the first wall (1) and the second wall (2) which are supported by the base (3) and the first wall (1) supports the cover (5) and is solidly constrained to the base (3) and the cover (5) . Such a structure is simple but at the same time guarantees good stability, ease of access and ease of installation of electrical components or cables.

[00055] Preferably, as in the case shown by way of example in Fig. 15, the elliptical cylindrical surface is a straight circular cylindrical surface. [00056] Preferably, the first wall (1) and the second wall (2) respectively comprise a first body (10) and a second body (20) both with a first side (15, 25) which is facing towards the base (3) and a second side (16, 26) which is facing towards the cover (5) and which is opposite the first side (15, 25) . The first body (10) and the second body (20) both comprise one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) which are through-grooves, extending from the first side (15, 25) to the second side (16, 26) and wherein the one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) accommodate one or more sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and/or means (8) for connection to the base (3) and/or to the cover (5) .

[00057] The one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) allow the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) to be arranged around the receptacle and/or to have connection points along the lateral perimeter. As will be better detailed below, a first body (10) and a second body (20) thus made may be obtained in the same drawing and/or extrusion process or with an identical or similar drawing and/or extrusion process. This determines advantages in terms of simplicity, cost-effectiveness and ease of management of the production process.

[00058] The one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) , extending from one side to the other, allow the height of the first body (10) and of the second body (20) to be established at any time, for example by means of a simple shredding, or cutting, of a profile to the required height or heights.

[00059] Usually the first body (10) and/or the second body (20) comprise (s) a plurality of through-grooves arranged to accommodate the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and a plurality of through-grooves arranged to accommodate connection means (8) . Figs. 13 to 15 show that the grooves of the one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) arranged to house the connection means (8) are open inwards, i.e. towards the axis of symmetry, and comprise a mouth through which a coupling portion is accessed. The section of the groove narrows in the passage between the coupling portion and the mouth, so as to accommodate the coupling means (8) . The coupling portion has shapes typical of couplings, including circular.

[00060] Preferably, the one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) comprise a first groove (11, 21) which houses at least one of the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and electrical connections (7a, 7b) for powering it. [00061] Preferably, the one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) comprise a second groove (12, 22) which has a part of the section shaped as a circle which houses the means (8) for connection to the base (3) and/or to the cover (5) .

[00062] The connection means (8) may comprise, for example, threaded elements, plugs, pins and/or parts of the base (3) and/or of the cover (5) . Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 show the pins that allow the rotation of the second wall (2) .

[00063] Preferably, the grooves of the one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) which accommodate or are arranged to accommodate sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) are arranged at regular intervals, for example of n/3 rad. One or more of these may not accommodate one of the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) so that the same section of the first body (10) or of the second body (20) may also be used for applications that require additional sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) .

[00064] The one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) may advantageously also be used for the passage of the electrical connections (7a, 7b, 7c) , not only of the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) borne by the first wall (1) and the second wall (2) but also for those borne by the cover (5) or by the base (3) ; the latter possibility in the less common and not shown case that power comes from the cover (5) . Fig. 8 instead makes it possible to demonstrate the case in which some of the electrical and/or electronic components (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g) are located inside the base (3) .

[00065] Preferably, the first wall (1) supports the cover (5) and is solidly constrained to the base (3) and to the cover (5) , the third source of radiations (6c) is borne by the cover (5) and is facing towards the base (3) , and electrical connections (7c) for powering the third source of radiations (6c) are accommodated by one of the one or more grooves (11, 12) of the first body (1) •

[00066] It is preferable that the receptacle (A) is arranged in the container with the upper part of the outer surface facing towards the third source of radiations (6c) or it is preferable that both the third source of radiations (6c) and the fourth source of radiations (6d) are present.

[00067] The first wall (1) solidly constrained to the base (3) and the cover (5) and the first body (10) with one or more grooves (11, 12) allow a simple passage that is not subject to stress of the electrical connections (7c) which power the third source of radiations (6c) .

[00068] Commonly, the cover (5) comprises, or has a seat for accommodating, a third part which is reflective to the radiations for sanitizing so as to reflect towards the underlying first wall (1) and second wall (2) and towards the base (3) . The radiations for sanitizing are thus reflected towards one of the most critical portions of the surface of the receptacle (A) , i.e. the upper one. Fig. 6 shows an inner ceiling (4c) which comprises the third reflective part.

[00069] Preferably, the first body (10) and the second body (20) extend in a relevant longitudinal direction from the first side (15, 25) to the second side (16, 26) and the first body (10) has a cross section equal to the cross section of the second body (20) . As already mentioned, a first wall (1) and a second wall (2) which form two similar or identical half-shells simplifies the production of the device (100) .

[00070] Looking at Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, it is understood that the first body (10) has the same cross section as the second body (2) and that in the first position of the second wall (2) , the sections overlap if rotated by n rad with respect to a vertical axis, i.e. with respect to the axis of symmetry of the cylindrical surface. The axis shown in Fig. 15 shows that the first body (10) and the second body (20) with the same cross section cooperate in closing the radiations laterally to sanitize inside the container, with the respective longitudinal edges which may come into contact in the first position of the second wall (2) .

[00071] Preferably, the longitudinal edge of the second body (20) arranged to remain close to the first body (10) also in the second position has a chamfer (17, 27) or a fitting so as to allow the rotation thereof with respect to the first body (10) . The first wall (1) and the second wall (2) may be positioned as close together as possible. Furthermore, in the case of the same cross section, the first body (10) is also provided with a chamfer which may be used to facilitate gripping of the second wall (2) during opening, i.e. during the transition between the first position and the second position. Nevertheless, the device (100) may comprise a handle or comprise a device of a known type which rotates the second wall (2) .

[00072] The configuration of the device (100) according to the invention also facilitates the powering of the second source of radiations (6b) , avoiding the use of a connection through the hinge, which is particularly delicate and subject to wear.

[00073] Preferably, the base (3) or possibly the cover (5) accommodates at least an electrical contact (7 e) , and the second wall (2) bears at least a relevant electrical contact (7f) for powering the second source of radiations (6b) with the electrical contact (7 e) and the relevant electrical contact (7f) which are predisposed to be electrically continuous in the first position of the second wall (2) . For example, the electrical contact (7e) may face the second wall (2) , at least in the first position of the latter, and the relevant electrical contact (7f) is predisposed to touch the electrical contact (7 e) in the first position of the second wall ( 2 ) .

[00074] The contact may also signal the positioning of the second wall (2) in the first position, avoiding the introduction of a special sensor or improving safety, for example in the event of sensor malfunction. Typically, a Hall or reed effect sensor is added to increase the safety of the device (100) .

[00075] Preferably, the contact between the electrical contact (7 e) and the relevant electrical contact (7f) determines the enabling of the activation or the activation of the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) .

[00076] The radiations for sanitizing are preferably UV rays, usually UV-A and/or UV-C rays, more preferably UV-C rays. The sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) may therefore be lamps, also integrated with electronic boards as in the accompanying figures, which emit ultraviolet light with wavelengths included, for example, in the UV-C band. Typically, after exposure of pathogenic microorganisms or viruses to UV-C rays, a modification of their DNA or RNA occurs, preventing the reproduction thereof or the occurrence of harmful effects .

[00077] The features of the device (100) allow the use of sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of limited energy consumption. Preferably, the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) comprise Light Emitting Diodes which emit UV rays, more preferably UV-C rays, typically with a wavelength of between 270 nm and 280 nm and with an irradiation angle greater than 130 sexagesimal degrees, preferably greater than or equal to 150 sexagesimal degrees.

[00078] Advantageously, it has been experimentally verified that these irradiation angles guarantee complete sanitization, equal to at least 99%, with the aforementioned wavelength values and with irradiation times of the order of 15-20 seconds.

[00079] Preferably, the container comprises a first inner wall (4a) and a second inner wall (4b) which are flexible and which respectively comprise the first reflective part (14a) and the second reflective part (24a) . The first wall (1) and the second wall (2) comprise seats (13, 23) for accommodating them which have a first tooth (13a, 23a) and a second tooth (13b, 23b) . The teeth are arranged at opposite ends of the inner surface of the first wall (1) and of the second wall (2) and are set away from one another so as to accommodate the first inner wall (4a) and the second inner wall (4b) in a flexed condition.

[00080] The accompanying figures show the openings (41) made in the first inner wall (4a) and in the second inner wall (4b) for the passage of the radiations emitted by the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) borne by the first wall (1) and by the second wall (2) .

[00081] This latter condition generates forces that help keep the first inner wall (4a) and the second inner wall (4b) in place. However, the device (100) may comprise further means for locking them, for example glues, threaded elements or one or two containment elements (18) coupled above and below the second body (20) , as exemplified in Fig. 9 and in Fig. 10.

[00082] Fig. 11 shows an embodiment with the first wall (1) and the second wall (2) comprising the first reflective part (14) and the second reflective part (24) while Fig. 12 shows an embodiment which comprises the first inner wall (4a) and the second inner wall (4b) . The deformations of the latter are not noticeable in the accompanying drawings but their coupling to the first wall (1) and to the second wall (2) is observed in Fig.

22 and Fig . 24. [00083] It should be noted that, with the exception of the first reflective part (14, 14a) and the second reflective part (14, 14b) , the embodiment of Fig. 11 shares the same features as the embodiment of Fig. 12. [00084] Preferably, a fourth source of radiations (6d) is borne by the base (3) and faces towards the cover (5) so as to sanitize the lower surface of the container (A) .

[00085] The base (3) may comprise a support which is disposed above the fourth source of radiations (6d) and which comprises a grid (32) and/or is produced, at least partially, in a radiation-transparent material for sanitizing so as to improve the effectiveness of sanitization. Preferably, the support comprises quartz. [00086] Usually the base (3) comprises, or has a seat for accommodating, a fourth part which is reflective to the radiations for sanitizing. For example, Fig. 5 shows an inner bottom (4d) which comprises the fourth reflective part.

[00087] The base (3) usually comprises a support part which may be configured to contact the surface of a table or other support; for example, it may comprise a lower lid (31) which also allows access to an inner compartment where some of the electrical or electronic components (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g) are located. [00088] A very common technique to make the elements reflective to radiations for sanitizing involves the use of physical vapor deposition processes, often referred to with the acronym PVD. In fact, the choice of placing an inner wall (4a, 4b) , an inner ceiling (4c) or an inner bottom (4d) or using a reflective material or making the inner surface of the first wall (1) , of the second wall (2) , of the base (3) or of the cover (5) reflective is substantially economic or as a result of material availability. The inner surface of the first wall (1) and of the second wall (2) may have been subjected to a PVD treatment or be coated, for example with reflective paints, also of the spray type.

[00089] Preferably, the inner wall (4a, 4b) , the inner ceiling (4c) and/or the inner bottom (4d) are made of highly reflective aluminum, for example 1090 aluminum polished and anodized and subjected to an Al/SiO2 type PVD treatment. Such an inner wall (4a, 4b) may significantly reduce production costs for the same efficiency of the device (100) .

[00090] Advantageously, the first reflective part (14,14a) of the seat (13) , the second reflective part (24,24a) of the seat (23) , the third reflective part or inner ceiling (4c) of the cover (5) and/or the fourth reflective part or inner bottom (4d) of the base (3) are configured and made in such a way as to reflect at least

85% of the radiations incident thereon. In other words, said reflective surfaces are made of a reflective material and geometrically shaped so as to present a reflectance of at least 85%, with respect to the wavelength of the UV-C rays emitted by the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) . It is also possible to paint or coat the first reflective part (14,14a) of the seat (13) , the second reflective part (24,24a) of the seat (23) , the third reflective part or inner ceiling (4c) of the cover (5) and/or the fourth reflective part or inner bottom (4d) of the base (3) to obtain the same reflection effect of 85% of UVC rays. It is an alternative technology to PVD-coated metal material. In this way, it has been experimentally verified that it is possible to obtain a sanitization equal to at least 99%, with an irradiation time of about 15-20 seconds. This is a technical effect and therefore a considerable advantage, since the device (100) must be able to sanitize the receptacles (A) for foodstuffs contained therein in a relatively short time, in order to reduce the possible waiting times for the end user.

[00091] Preferably, the device (100) comprises a control unit which may be connected to indicators (7d) of the progress of the sanitization and/or to an activation button (7g) . Preferably, the control unit comprises a timer for regulating the emission time of the radiations for sanitizing.

[00092] The first body (1) and the second body (2) may be produced with plastics or, preferably, metal. More preferably, they are made of, or comprise, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The use of metal, in particular aluminum or its alloys, allows excellent levels of resistance, durability and recyclability to be achieved and gives an appearance appreciated by many people.

[00093] Unintentional opening of the container may subject people or the surrounding environment to unwanted radiation; preferably, the device comprises a magnet (91) which cooperates with another element to oppose, by means of force, the opening of the container, or to the movement of the second wall (2) from the first position to the second position. In Fig. 8, by way of example, the magnet (91) is borne by the second wall and the other element by the base or vice versa.

[00094] For the same purpose, the container may comprise a spring presser (92) , two in the exemplary embodiments of Fig. 1 and Fig. 5, which engages a recess in the second wall (2) when the latter is in the first position, so as to elastically oppose the opening of the container . [00095] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 5, it is apparent that an operating cycle includes opening the container, bringing the second wall (2) to the second position, positioning the container (A) and closing the container, with the second wall (2) in the first position. After pressing the activation button (7g) , the sanitization process begins, the status of which is shown by the indicators (7d) , if present. Subsequently, it is possible to remove the container (A) whose outer surface has been sanitized.

[00096] As exemplified in the embodiments of the accompanying figures, it is preferable that both the first wall (1) and the second wall (2) bear a plurality of sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) arranged on several columns for each of the walls, namely the first wall (1) and second wall (2) , so as to best irradiate the lateral surfaces of the container (A) and avoid the presence of poorly irradiated areas or shaded areas.

[00097] The use of strips (61) of sources of radiations with, for example, three sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) per strip (61) , as observed in Fig. 5 and 25, makes the production of the device (100) quick and easy, in addition to ensuring correct positioning, especially within one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) .

[00098] More preferably, the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of a first column of the first wall (1) are arranged at different heights from the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of a second column of the first wall (1) following the first column and, in combination or alternatively, the columns of the first wall (1) are angularly spaced by 1/3 n rad or substantially at 1/3 n rad, i.e. approximately 5 sexagesimal degrees. Preferably, the same features are also reproduced in the second wall (2) . Advantageously, it has been experimentally verified that this equispaced angular arrangement allows a uniform sanitization of the container to be obtained at 360 degrees, exploiting the synergy between the direct action of the radiations emitted by the sources and incident directly on the container or receptacle and the indirect action of the radiations reflected by the reflective surf aces/walls and subsequently incident on the container itself.

[00099] As shown in Fig. 25 and the following, the offset between the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of one column and the other of the first wall (1) or of the second wall (2) may be easily obtained by using equal strips (61) but with one arranged closer to the base (3) and the other further away from the base (3) . Preferably, the pitch or distance between the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of the columns is the same and, between adjacent columns, said sources of radiations are offset, in a vertical direction or parallel to the column, by an even portion in the middle of that pitch. It has been experimentally verified that this offset, equal to half pitch, allows a uniform irradiation of the container and an effective sanitization thereof. [000100] Preferably, the columns are three for the first wall (1) and three for the second wall (2) and the columns furthest from the base are the central ones. [000101] The features just mentioned, especially when combined together, further increase the efficiency of the device (100) . [000102] The invention also relates to a method for producing a sanitizing device (100) of receptacles (A) for foodstuffs or beverages. Preferably, the method allows the production of the device (100) described above . [000103] An embodiment of this method comprises the steps of:

[000104] providing electrically powered sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for sanitizing a receptacle (A) for foodstuffs or beverages;

[000105] providing electrical and/or electronic components (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g) for powering the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) ;

[000106] providing parts of a container which is configured so as to contain the receptacle (A) internally thereof and to delimit internally thereof radiations for sanitizing the receptacle (A) , the container comprising a base (3) , a cover (5) , a first wall (1) and a second wall (2) ;

[000107] assembling the container, the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and the electrical and/or electronic components (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g) . [000108] Advantageously: in the step of assembling, the second wall (2) is made movable with respect to the base (3) and to the cover (5) so as to rotate from a first position in which it cooperates with the first wall (1) to laterally delimit the inside of the container and a second position in which it makes accessible the inside of the container so as to allow the positioning or the collection of the receptacle (A) ; in the step of providing parts, a first wall (1) and a second wall (2) are provided which respectively comprise a first part (14a) which is reflective to radiations for sanitizing and a second part (24) which is reflective to radiations for sanitizing or a first inner wall (4a) and a second inner wall (4b) are provided which respectively comprise a first part (14a) which is reflective to the radiations for sanitizing and a second part (24a) which is reflective to the radiations for sanitizing and the first wall (1) and the second wall (2) have a relevant seat (13, 23) for housing the first inner wall (4a) and the second inner wall (4b) ; the inner surfaces of the first reflective part (14, 14a) and of the second reflective part (24, 24a) are configured to reflect the radiations for sanitizing inside the container and to follow or approximate an inner elliptical cylindrical surface in the first position of the second wall (2) after the step of assembling; in the step of assembling, a first source of radiations (6a) is engaged to the first wall (1) so that it faces towards the second wall (2) and a second source of radiations (6b) is engaged to the second wall (2) so that it faces towards the first wall (1) , at least in the first position of the second wall (2) ; in the step of assembling, a third source of radiations (6c) is engaged to the cover (5) so that it faces towards the base (3) and/or a fourth source of radiations (6c) is engaged to the base (3) so that it faces towards the cover (5) . [000109] As already mentioned, some non-cylindrical geometric shapes substantially approximate this latter shape so as to achieve similar effects. The final geometric shape may be obtained in the assembly step or the parts may already be provided to follow or approximate this geometric shape.

[000110] Preferably, the elliptical cylindrical surface is a straight circular cylindrical surface.

[000111] Preferably, in the step of assembling, the first wall (1) is solidly constrained to the base (3) and the cover (5) .

[000112] Preferably: in the step of providing parts, a first body (10) and a second body (20) respectively of the first wall (1) and of the second wall (2) are provided which are made of a metal material by drawing or extrusion during which one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) are formed which are through-grooves, extending from a first side (15, 25) to a second side (16, 26) opposite the first side (15, 25) ; in the step of assembling, one or more sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and/or, more preferably, means (8) for connection to the base (3) and/or to the cover (5) are engaged in the at least a groove (11, 12, 21, 22) .

[000113] Preferably, the step of providing parts comprises the step of cutting or shearing the first body

(10) and the second body (20) according to the height of the receptacle (A) from a profile obtained by drawing or extrusion .

[000114] The comparison between Fig. 16 and Fig. 14 makes it possible to see that the height of the container may be easily varied starting from the drawing or extrusion of a first body (10) and/or of a second body (20) with a given cross section. The presence of one or more through-grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) made during extrusion or drawing makes it possible to have, at any cutting height, seats for the connection means (8) and for the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) .

[000115] The sequence shown in Fig. 14, 18 and 22 details steps of the assembly step. The same sequence is usually applied to the second wall (2) . Subsequently the first wall (1) and the second wall (2) are coupled to the base (3) and to the cover (5) so as to form the container .

[000116] The preferred features illustrated with reference to the first body (10) and the second body (20) fully show their production advantages if the first body (10) and the second body (20) are produced by drawing or extrusion, especially if the same die is used. [000117] The metal material preferably comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[000118] Often the first wall (4a) and the second wall (4b) are subjected to a calendaring process to obtain a flexed shape, with a different bending than the final bending, downstream of insertion into the relevant seat (13, 23) .

[000119] It is understood that the foregoing has been described by way of non-limiting example, and therefore any design variants are intended to fall within the protective scope of the present technical solution, as claimed hereinafter.

Claims

1. A sanitizing device (100) of receptacles (A) for foodstuffs or beverages comprising: electrically powered sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for sanitizing a receptacle (A) for foodstuffs or beverages; electrical and/or electronic components (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g) for powering the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) ; a container which comprises a base (3) , a cover (5) , a first wall (1) and a second wall (2) and which is configured so as to contain a receptacle (A) internally thereof and to delimit internally thereof the radiations for sanitizing the receptacle (A) ; wherein the second wall (2) is rotationally connected to the base (3) and to the cover (5) and rotates from a first position in which it cooperates with the first wall (1) to laterally delimit the inside of the container to a second position in which it makes the inside of the container accessible so as to allow the positioning or the collection of the receptacle (A) , the sanitizing device (100) being characterized in that: - a first source of radiations (6a) is borne by the first wall (1) and is facing towards the second wall (2) and

34 a second source of radiations (6b) is borne by the second wall (2) and is facing towards the first wall (1) , at least in the first position of the second wall (2) ;

- a third source of radiations (6c) is borne by the cover (5) and is facing towards the base (3) and/or a fourth source of radiations (6c) is borne by the base (3) and is facing towards the cover (5) ;

- the first wall (1) comprises, or has a seat (13) that accommodates, a first part (14, 14a) reflective to the radiations for sanitizing;

- the second wall (2) comprises, or has a seat (23) that accommodates, a second part (24, 24a) reflective to the radiations for sanitizing;

- the inner surfaces of the first reflective part (14, 14a) and of the second reflective part (24, 24a) reflect the radiations for sanitizing inside the container and follow a cylindrical surface in the first position of the second wall (2) .

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical surface is a straight circular cylindrical surface or an elliptical surface.

3. The device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first reflective part (14,14a) of the seat (13) and the second reflective part (24,24a) of the seat (23) are configured and made in one piece by painting or coating

35 with reflective material, so as to reflect at least 85% of the radiations incident thereon, with respect to the wavelength of the UV-C rays emitted by the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) .

4. The device (100) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a third reflective part or inner ceiling (4c) of the cover (5) and/or a fourth reflective part or inner bottom (4d) of the base (3) are configured and made in one piece by painting or coating with reflective material, so as to reflect at least 85% of the radiations incident thereon, with respect to the wavelength of the UV-C rays emitted by the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) .

5. The device (100) according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the first wall (1) and the second wall (2) respectively comprise a first body (10) and a second body (20) both with a first side (15, 25) which is facing towards the base (3) and a second side (16, 26) which is facing towards the cover (5) and which is opposite the first side (15, 25) and wherein the first body (10) and the second body (20) both comprise one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) which are through-grooves, extending from the first side (15, 25) to the second side (16, 26) and wherein the one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) accommodate one or more sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and/or means (8) for connection to the base (3) and/or to the cover (5) , such as threaded elements, plugs, and/or pins.

6. The device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) comprise a first groove (11, 21) which accommodates at least one of the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and electrical connections (7a, 7b) for powering it and a second groove (12, 22) which has a part of the section having a circular conformation which accommodates the means (8) for connection to the base (3) and/or to the cover (5) .

7. The device (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first wall (1) supports the cover (5) and is solidly constrained to the base (3) and to the cover (5) , wherein the third source of radiations (6c) is borne by the cover (5) and is facing towards the base (3) and wherein electrical connections (7c) for powering the third source of radiations (6c) are accommodated by one of the one or more grooves (11, 12) of the first body (1) .

8. The device (100) according to any one of claims from 5 to 7, wherein the first body (10) and the second body (20) extend in a relevant longitudinal direction from the first side (15, 25) to the second side (16, 26) , wherein the first body (10) has a cross section identical to the cross section of the second body (20) and wherein the longitudinal edge of the second body (20) predisposed to remain near the first body (10) also in the second position has a bevel (17, 27) or a fitting so as to enable the rotation thereof with respect to the first body (10) .

9. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (3) or the cover (5) accommodates at least an electrical contact (7 e) , wherein the second wall (2) bears at least a relevant electrical contact (7f) for powering the second source of radiations (6b) and wherein the electrical contact (7 e) and the relevant electrical contact (7f) are predisposed to be electrically continuous in the first position of the second wall (2) .

10. The device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the contact between the electrical contact (7 e) and the relevant electrical contact (7f) determines the enabling of the activation or the activation of the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and wherein the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) comprise Light Emitting Diodes which emit ultraviolet rays.

11. The device (100) according to any one of claims from 1 to 10, wherein the container comprises a first inner wall (4a) and a second inner wall (4b) respectively comprising the first reflective part (14a) and the second reflective part (24a) , wherein the first inner wall (4a)

38 and the second inner wall (4b) are flexible and wherein the respective seats (13, 23) have a first tooth (13a, 23a) and a second tooth (13b, 23b) which are arranged at the opposite ends of the inner surface of the first wall (1) and of the second wall (2) and which are set away from one another so as to accommodate the first inner wall (4a) and the second inner wall (4b) in a flexed condition .

12. The device (100) according to any one of claims from 1 to 11, wherein both the first wall (1) and the second wall (2) bear a plurality of sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) arranged on a plurality of columns for each of the walls (1, 2) .

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of a first column of the first wall (1) are arranged at different heights from the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of a second column of the first wall (1) successive to the first column, so as to be misaligned by a certain offset.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the offset between the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of one column and the other of the first wall (1) or of the second wall (2) is equal to half of the pitch or distance between the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of the same column.

39

15. The device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the columns of the first wall (1) and the columns of the second wall (2) are angularly spaced by 1/3 n rad.

16. The device according to any one of claims from 1 to 15, wherein the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) comprise Light Emitting Diodes configured to emit UV rays, more preferably UV-C rays.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) are configured to emit radiations with a wavelength of between 270 nm and 280 nm.

18. The device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) are configured to emit radiations with an irradiation angle greater than 130 sexagesimal degrees, preferably greater than or equal to 150 sexagesimal degrees.

19. A method for producing a sanitizing device (100) of receptacles (A) for foodstuffs or beverages, comprising the steps of: providing electrically powered sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for sanitizing a receptacle (A) for foodstuffs or beverages; providing electrical and/or electronic components (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g) for powering the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) ;

40 providing parts of a container which is configured so as to contain the receptacle (A) internally thereof and to delimit internally thereof radiations for sanitizing the receptacle (A) , the container comprising a base (3) , a cover (5) , a first wall (1) and a second wall (2) ; assembling the container, the sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and the electrical and/or electronic components (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g) ; wherein :

- in the step of assembling, the second wall (2) is made movable with respect to the base (3) and to the cover (5) so as to rotate from a first position in which it cooperates with the first wall (1) to laterally delimit the inside of the container and a second position in which it makes accessible the inside of the container so as to allow the positioning or the collection of the receptacle (A) ;

- in the step of providing parts, a first wall (1) and a second wall (2) are provided which respectively comprise a first part (14a) reflective to radiations for sanitizing and a second part (24) reflective to radiations for sanitizing or a first inner wall (4a) and a second inner wall (4b) are provided which respectively comprise a first part (14a) reflective to the radiations

41 for sanitizing and a second part (24a) reflective to the radiations for sanitizing and the first wall (1) and the second wall (2) have a relevant seat (13, 23) for housing the first inner wall (4a) and the second inner wall (4b) ;

- the inner surfaces of the first reflective part (14, 14a) and of the second reflective part (24, 24a) are configured to reflect the radiations for sanitizing inside the container and to follow or approximate an inner elliptical cylindrical surface in the first position of the second wall (2) after the step of assembling;

- in the step of assembling, a first source of radiations (6a) is engaged to the first wall (1) so that it faces towards the second wall (2) and a second source of radiations (6b) is engaged to the second wall (2) so that it faces towards the first wall (1) , at least in the first position of the second wall (2) ;

- in the step of assembling, a third source of radiations (6c) is engaged to the cover (5) so that it faces towards the base (3) and/or a fourth source of radiations (6c) is engaged to the base (3) so that it faces towards the cover (5) .

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

- in the step of providing parts, a first body (10) and a second body (20) respectively of the first wall (1)

42 and of the second wall (2) are provided which are made of a metal material by drawing or extrusion during which one or more grooves (11, 12, 21, 22) are formed which are through-grooves, extending from a first side (15, 25) to a second side (16, 26) opposite the first side

(15, 25) ;

- in the step of assembling, one or more sources of radiations (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and/or means (8) for connection to the base (3) and/or to the cover (5) are engaged in the at least a groove (11, 12, 21, 22) .

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, comprising the step of providing a device according to any one of claims from 1 to 18.

43