Patent Description:
The air treatment device according to the present invention is suitable for use in kitchens, hence in domestic and professional environments.

Air treatment devices are known in the state of the art.

Document <CIT> discloses an air treatment device according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Some further known devices comprise a casing, having a plurality of sides defining a volume, wherein a first hood module and a second purifier module are inserted, to obtain a double effect of suction of cooking fumes and purification of the air surrounding the device.

In particular, the first hood module comprises a hood configured to convey cooking fumes from a hob, and therefore has a first inlet to suck in cooking fumes and a first outlet to expel cooking fumes.

Conversely, the second purifier module comprises a purifier configured to purify air. Air purification can take place through various known technologies, one of which involves the use of HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters.

To enable the air to reach the HEPA filters, the second module comprises a suction inlet opening shared with the one for sucking in the cooking fumes.

In particular, according to such known air treatment devices, the two modules are placed in fluid communication with each other and, specifically, the second purifier module is placed downstream of the first hood module. In other words, the second suction inlet is placed at the first ejection outlet and is in fluid communication with the first suction inlet.

As a result, the purifier module purifies the air that is sucked in by the hood module.

Disadvantageously, HEPA filters are sensitive to moisture.

In fact, it is known that steam, with which cooking fumes are rich, ruins these types of filter.

in the devices described above. the air flow entering the purifier module comes from the hob, the steam, even if filtered by grease and/or odours, reaches the HEPA filter, damaging it and causing a loss of efficiency of the purifier module even after only several uses.

In this context, the task underlying the present invention is to propose a device for treating air and which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

In particular, it is an aim of the present invention to provide an air treatment device in which the purifier maintains its efficiency over time.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an air treatment device wherein the HEPA filter of the purifier is not damaged.

The technical task mentioned and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a device for treating air comprising the technical specifications set out in one or more of the appended claims.

In particular, the air treatment device according to the present invention solves the technical problem in that it provides for the first intake inlet and the second intake inlet to be separated.

Specifically, a first inlet opening placed in fluid communication with the first inlet is provided on a first side of the casing, and a second inlet opening placed in fluid communication with the second inlet is provided on a second side of the casing, distinct from the first side.

Advantageously, the air flow entering the purifier module is different from that which has been sucked in by the hood module.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a possible practical embodiment thereof, illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

Even if not explicitly highlighted, the individual features described with reference to the specific embodiments shall be understood as accessory to and/or interchangeable with other features described with reference to other embodiments.

With reference to the accompanying Figures, the present invention relates to an air treatment device referenced with the digit <NUM>.

The air treatment device <NUM> according to the present invention is configured to be connected to a ceiling or to a wall.

Accordingly, in the present description, the terms lower, upper, front and rear, and the like, are to be understood once the air treatment device <NUM> has been installed.

In particular, the air treatment device <NUM> is configured to be installed above a hob. Therefore, when installed, the air treatment device <NUM> faces a hob, at least in part.

The air treatment device <NUM>, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a casing <NUM> of predetermined length, width and depth. Such casing <NUM> has a plurality of sides defining a volume <NUM>.

Preferably, the casing <NUM> takes the form of a box-like body. Such box-like body is bounded at the bottom, top and sides by the previously mentioned plurality of sides. Alternatively, the casing <NUM> takes the form of a frame not necessarily having closed sides.

Preferably, the casing <NUM> is prism shaped, for example trapezoidal prism shaped.

The air treatment device <NUM> comprises a hood module <NUM> configured to suck in cooking fumes. Particularly, the hood module <NUM> comprises first suction means <NUM> to suck in cooking fumes.

The air treatment device <NUM> comprises a purifier module <NUM> configured to purify the air surrounding the air treatment device <NUM>.

In particular, the purifier module <NUM> comprises first filtering means <NUM> for filtering air from an environment surrounding the air treatment device <NUM>.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first filter means <NUM> comprise a HEPA filter.

The purifier module <NUM> further comprises second suction means <NUM> for sucking in air from the environment surrounding the air treatment device <NUM>.

It should be noted that the hood module <NUM> and the purifier module <NUM> are both housed in the volume <NUM> of the casing <NUM>.

Preferably, the hood module <NUM> and the purifier module <NUM> respectively comprise a first support and a second support (not shown in the attached Figures), which can be connected to the casing <NUM>. Such supports take the form of a support element to which the various functional elements of the hood module <NUM> or the purifier module <NUM> are connected, for example, the first suction means <NUM>, the first filter means <NUM> and the second suction means <NUM>.

The supports may be distinct elements or, according to a preferred embodiment, shown in <FIG>, may correspond to a single support element <NUM> for the hood module <NUM> and the purifier module <NUM> comprising respective housings for the respective functional elements.

In greater detail, the air treatment device <NUM> comprises a first inlet opening <NUM> provided in a first side <NUM> of the plurality of sides of the casing <NUM>.

This first side <NUM> is preferably the lower side of the casing <NUM>.

In particular, the hood module <NUM> comprises a first suction inlet <NUM> of said cooking fumes in fluid communication with the first inlet opening <NUM>. This first suction inlet <NUM> is preferably located in the first support. The first suction means <NUM> are placed downstream of the first suction inlet <NUM>.

The air treatment device <NUM> according to the present invention further comprises a second inlet opening <NUM>. This second inlet opening <NUM> is located on a second side <NUM> of the casing <NUM>. This second side <NUM> is in particular distinct from the first side <NUM>. In other words, the first inlet opening <NUM> and the second inlet opening <NUM> are separate from each other and do not lie on the same side.

According to the present invention, the first side <NUM> and the second side <NUM> are opposite to one another.

More preferably, said second side <NUM> is the upper side of the casing <NUM>.

Even more preferably, the first side <NUM> faces the hob and the second side <NUM> is opposite the hob.

In fact, the arrangement of the first and second suction openings on opposite sides of the casing has the significant technical effect of preventing part of the cooking fumes from being accidentally sucked out of the purifier module, compromising the effectiveness over time of the HEPA filter, which is sensitive to moisture.

According to one aspect, the air treatment device <NUM> is configured to be connected to a ceiling at the top <NUM>. Accordingly, the air treatment device <NUM> comprises, for example, connecting elements <NUM> connected to and extending away from the second side <NUM>. These connecting elements <NUM> can be connected to a ceiling and are configured to keep the air treatment device <NUM> hanging therefrom.

The purifier module <NUM> comprises a second air suction inlet <NUM> in fluid communication with the second inlet opening <NUM>. This second suction inlet <NUM> is located in the second support.

Advantageously, the first suction inlet <NUM> and the suction inlet <NUM> are separate from each other.

Preferably, the first filtering means <NUM> are arranged between the second inlet opening <NUM> and the second suction inlet <NUM>. The second suction means <NUM> are placed downstream of the second suction inlet <NUM> and the first filter means <NUM>. Advantageously, the air is conveyed by the second suction means <NUM> through the first filter means <NUM>.

In accordance with the present invention, the hood module <NUM> and the purifier module <NUM> are hydrodynamically separated.

The volume <NUM> comprises two portions <NUM>, <NUM>. In greater detail, a first portion <NUM> is dimensioned to house the hood module <NUM>, and a second portion <NUM> is dimensioned to house the purifier module <NUM>.

Preferably, the hood module <NUM> and the purifier module <NUM> are interchangeable with each other in the respective portions <NUM>, <NUM> within the volume <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the hood module <NUM> and the purifier module <NUM> are side by side horizontally. According to said embodiment, both the hood module <NUM> and the purifier module <NUM> face the hob. Accordingly, the two portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the casing <NUM> are preferably symmetrical with respect to a vertical X-X plane of symmetry. Similarly, the hood <NUM> and purifier <NUM> modules are also at least partially symmetrical with respect to a vertical X-X plane of symmetry. Advantageously, it is possible to mount the hood module <NUM> into the first portion <NUM> and the purifier module <NUM> into the second portion <NUM>, or vice versa, by rotating the hood module <NUM> and the purifier module by <NUM>° with respect to a rotation plane parallel to the X-X plane of symmetry.

The air treatment device <NUM> further comprises second filtering means <NUM>. Said second filtering means <NUM> comprise a grease filter. The second filtering means <NUM> are arranged at the first inlet opening <NUM>. Accordingly, preferably the first side <NUM> is open and the second filtering means <NUM> are placed at said first side <NUM>. Even more preferably, the second filtering means <NUM> extend along the entire length of the first side <NUM>. Consequently, the second filtering means <NUM> face the hood module <NUM> and the purifier module <NUM>, to make the two modules <NUM>, <NUM> interchangeable within said volume <NUM>, without the need for further steps, maintaining the structure of the casing <NUM> as described above.

In addition, preferably the hood module <NUM> is bounded below by the second filtering means <NUM>. Accordingly, the support of the hood module <NUM> has an open bottom.

Preferably, the air treatment device <NUM> comprises a partition septum <NUM> arranged within the volume <NUM>. The partition septum <NUM> is configured to divide the volume <NUM> into the two portions <NUM>, <NUM>. In particular, the partition septum <NUM> is configured to make the two portions <NUM>, <NUM> hydrodynamically separated.

The hood module <NUM>, the purifier module <NUM> and the partition septum <NUM> are mechanically constrained to the casing <NUM>. Preferably, the hood module <NUM>, the purifier module <NUM> and the partition septum <NUM> are constrained to the casing at least at the second side <NUM>, that is, the upper side.

In accordance with one aspect, the hood module <NUM> and the purifier module <NUM> comprise respective coupling means <NUM> for connecting said modules <NUM>, <NUM> to the casing.

Preferably the partition septum <NUM> is part of the second support of the purifier module <NUM>. Accordingly, the hood module <NUM> is bounded laterally by the partition septum <NUM> of the purifier module <NUM>.

Preferably, the second inlet opening <NUM> defines an opening surface <NUM> such as to allow the extraction, through the opening surface <NUM>, of the first filtering means <NUM>. In other words, said opening surface <NUM> is shaped so as to be oversized with respect to the first filtering means <NUM>. Advantageously, it is possible to access the first filtering means <NUM> maintenance or replacement of said first filtering means <NUM>.

In greater detail, the hood module <NUM> comprises a first ejection outlet <NUM> in fluid communication with a first outlet opening <NUM> arranged on one of the sides of the plurality of sides of the casing <NUM> distinct from the first side <NUM>. In other words, the casing <NUM> comprises the first outlet opening <NUM>, which is placed on any side other than the first side <NUM>.

According to one aspect of this invention, the hood module <NUM> can encompass a hood of the type known as a filtering or suction hood. In the case of a suction hood, the hood module <NUM> is connected to air vent at the first ejection outlet <NUM>. In particular, in the case of a suction hood, the first outlet opening <NUM> is hydrodynamically connected to an air vent configured to transport the extracted cooking fumes to environment other than that facing the air treatment device <NUM>. In the case of a filtering hood, the first outlet opening <NUM> is in fluid communication with the environment in which the air treatment device <NUM> is located.

The purifier module <NUM> comprises a second ejection outlet <NUM> in fluid communication with a second outlet opening <NUM> arranged on one of the sides of the plurality of sides of the casing <NUM> distinct from the first side <NUM>.

Preferably, the first outlet opening <NUM> and the second outlet opening <NUM> are arranged on the same side <NUM> of the plurality of sides of the casing <NUM>, where this side <NUM> is distinguished from the first side <NUM>.

In other words, according to a preferred embodiment, the second suction inlet <NUM>, the first ejection outlet <NUM> and the second ejection outlet <NUM> are placed on the same side of the casing <NUM>, hence the second side <NUM>.

Advantageously, the second suction inlet <NUM> remains separate from the hob, and in this way the vapours issuing from the hob do not reach the second suction inlet <NUM>, thereby ensuring that the first filtering means <NUM> do not come into contact with these vapours.

In fact, as the second side <NUM> is opposite the hob, the vapours do not flow into the second suction inlet <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, optionally, the purifier module <NUM> comprises third filtering means <NUM>. Said third filtering means <NUM> are arranged between the second ejection outlet <NUM> and the second outlet opening <NUM>.

Optionally, the hood module <NUM> comprises fourth filtering means <NUM>. Said fourth filtering means <NUM> are arranged between the first ejection outlet <NUM> and the first outlet opening <NUM>.

Preferably, the third filtering means <NUM> and fourth filtering means <NUM> respectively comprise an active carbon filter.

Optionally, the air treatment device <NUM> also comprises cover grilles <NUM> placed at the first and second ejection outlets <NUM>, <NUM>.

The air treatment device <NUM> comprises an electronic and/or electromechanical unit <NUM> configured to control the operation of the hood module <NUM> and the purifier module <NUM>. In particular, said electronic unit <NUM> is housed in the volume <NUM>.

The air treatment device <NUM> comprises a control panel <NUM> associated with the casing <NUM> externally to the volume <NUM>. Advantageously, the control panel <NUM> is accessible to a user. The control panel <NUM> is in signal communication with the electronic unit <NUM> and is configured to control the electronic unit <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> comprises, for example, a touch screen or keys that can be pressed by a user to activate the hood module <NUM> and/or the purifier module <NUM>.

Preferably, the electronic unit <NUM> is placed at the partition septum <NUM>. Preferably, the electronic unit <NUM> is housed in the first portion <NUM> of the volume <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Air treatment device (<NUM>) comprising:
- a casing (<NUM>) of predetermined length, width and depth, having a plurality of sides defining a volume (<NUM>);
- a hood module (<NUM>) comprising first suction means (<NUM>) to suck in cooking fumes;
- a purifier module (<NUM>) comprising first filtering means (<NUM>) for filtering air from an environment surrounding the device (<NUM>) and second suction means (<NUM>) for drawing said air from the environment surrounding the device (<NUM>), said hood module (<NUM>) and said purifier module (<NUM>) being housed in said volume (<NUM>) of said casing (<NUM>);
- a first inlet opening (<NUM>) provided in a first side (<NUM>) of said plurality of sides of said casing (<NUM>), said hood module (<NUM>) comprising a first suction inlet (<NUM>) of said cooking fumes in fluid communication with said first inlet opening (<NUM>);
- second filtering means (<NUM>) arranged at said first inlet opening (<NUM>);
- a second inlet opening (<NUM>) which is provided in a second side (<NUM>) of said casing (<NUM>) distinct from said first side (<NUM>); said purifier module (<NUM>) comprising a second suction inlet (<NUM>) of said air in fluid communication with said second inlet opening (<NUM>), said first filtering means (<NUM>) being arranged between said second inlet opening (<NUM>) and said second suction inlet (<NUM>);
characterised in that said first side (<NUM>) and said second side (<NUM>) are opposed to each other.