Technologies for sanitizing reservoirs

• US 10,427,961 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2017
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SoClean, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SoClean, Inc.
• Inventors: Leyva, Timothy, Olszta, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spamer, Donald R
• Application Number:
  US15/499,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20170225985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 887 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/183 Ozone dissolved in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/202 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/11 Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1095 in the connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0216 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/27 preventing use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/10 Equipment for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/283 using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/782 Ozone generators
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection

Abstract

Technologies (e.g., devices, systems and methods) for sanitizing reservoirs are described. In some embodiments, the technologies include a sanitization gas system and a connector unit or a hole in the reservoir wall, configured to connect a supply line to the reservoir. The connector unit may include an inlet passageway for supplying sanitizing gas (e.g., ozone) into the reservoir.

Claims

1. A system for with a reservoir, comprising:

a gas supply system comprising a pump and a gas generator, the gas supply system configured to supply a sanitizing gas;

a connector unit comprising an inlet passageway, the inlet passageway comprising a proximal end and a distal end;

a first supply line having a proximal and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the first supply line is fluidly coupled to the gas supply system and the distal end of the first supply line is fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the inlet passageway;

a second supply line comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the second supply line is coupled to the distal end of the inlet passageway; and

an exhaust system configured to remove the sanitizing gas, wherein the exhaust system comprises a filter that is integrated into the connector unit;

wherein the connector unit is configured to span a thickness of a portion of a reservoir when it is installed into said portion, such that the proximal end of the inlet passageway is external to the reservoir and the distal end of the inlet passageway is inside the reservoir.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the filter is activated carbon filter that is removable from the connector unit or a magnesium oxide filter that is removable from the connector unit.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a check valve coupled to the second supply line.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor for sensing sanitization gas in the reservoir.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sanitizing gas is ozone gas.

6. A system for sanitizing a device with a reservoir with a water reservoir, comprising:

a gas supply system comprising a pump and a gas generator, the gas supply system configured to supply a sanitizing gas;

a connector unit comprising a sealing element configured to form a water-tight seal with an opening in the reservoir, the sealing element having an opening there through;

a supply line having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is fluidly coupled to the gas supply system, an intermediate portion of the supply line is configured to extend through the opening in the sealing element such that the distal end of the supply line is disposed within the reservoir when the sealing element is installed within the opening in the reservoir; and

an exhaust system configured to remove the sanitizing gas, wherein the exhaust system comprises a filter integrated into the connector unit.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the filter is removable from the connector unit.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the filter is a removable activated carbon filter or a removable magnesium oxide filter.

9. The system of claim 6, further comprising a check valve coupled to between the distal end and the intermediate portion of the supply line.

10. The system of claim 6, further comprising a sensor for sensing sanitization gas in the reservoir.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein the sanitizing gas is ozone gas.

12. A method for sanitizing a reservoir, comprising:

installing a connector unit into a hole in a portion of a reservoir, the connector unit comprising an inlet passageway comprising a proximal end and a distal end;

fluidly coupling the proximal end of the inlet passageway to a gas supply system configured to supply a sanitizing gas;

causing the sanitizing gas to flow into the reservoir via the connector unit; and

exhausting the sanitizing gas from the reservoir with an exhaust system, the exhaust system comprising a filter integrated into the connector unit.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the filter is removable from the connector unit.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the filter is a removable activated carbon filter or a removable magnesium oxide filter.