Technologies for sanitizing mist humidifiers

• US 10,434,204 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2017
• Issued: 10/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SoClean, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SoClean, Inc.
• Inventors: Leyva, Timothy, Olszta, William E., Jayasuriya, Tahira
• Primary Examiner(s): Spamer, Donald R
• Application Number:
  US15/499,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20170224857A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 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 2202/121 Sealings, e.g. doors, covers, valves, sluices
• 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 2202/0216 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/10 Equipment for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 6/12 by forming water dispersions in the air

Abstract

Technologies (e.g., devices, systems and methods) for sanitizing mist humidifiers are described. In some embodiments, the technologies include a sanitization gas system and a connector unit. The connector unit is configured to install into an opening in the mist humidifier that is used in operation to release mist for humidification purposes. The connector unit includes an inlet passageway for supplying sanitizing gas (e.g., ozone) into the humidifier, and an exhaust system for removing sanitizing gas from the reservoir.

Claims

1. A method for sanitizing a humidifier with a reservoir, comprising:

coupling a connector unit to an opening in the humidifier that is used to release a mist of a liquid when the humidifier is in operation, the connector unit comprising an inlet passageway configured to extend through at least a portion of the opening and an exhaust system detachably coupled thereto;

inputting sanitizing gas into the humidifier via a supply line extending through the inlet passageway into the humidifier, the supply line comprising a proximal end coupled to a sanitizing gas generator; and

exhausting sanitizing gas from the humidifier.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising installing a sealing system into the opening prior to coupling the connector unit.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sealing system is a flexible grommet.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein:

exhausting said sanitizing gas is performed at least in part with an exhaust system that is removably coupled to the connector unit and configured to fluidly couple with a portion of the opening.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the exhaust system comprises a removable filter.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein a distal end of the supply line is disposed within a mist chamber of the humidifier.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein a check valve is coupled to the supply line.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising sensing sanitizing gas in the humidifier with a sensor.

9. The method of claim 2, further comprising displaying safe use instructions on a display.