Method and apparatus for using ozone as disinfectant

• US 20030035764A1
• Filed: 08/17/2001
• Published: 02/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marhoc, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Marhoc, Inc.
• Inventors: Thomas, Robert Malcolm, Thomas, Karl Frederick
• Granted Patent: US 6,872,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/186.07
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/202 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 13/11 by electric discharge
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2201/90 Control of the process

Abstract

An apparatus for generating an effective concentration of ozone for killing bacteria, viruses and other harmful microorganisms includes a housing having an ozone chamber defining an enclosed space for containing elevated concentrations of ozone. The ozone chamber includes ports providing access to the interior of the ozone chamber. A second chamber of the apparatus houses an ozone reactor. A programmable control circuit operates both the ozone reactor and a pump for directing ambient air to the ozone reactor. The control circuit includes a motion detector mounted in the ozone chamber for activating the ozone generator of the invention and initiating the generation of ozone directed into the ozone chamber of the apparatus of the invention.

Claims

1. An ozone generator comprising:

a) a housing having a first enclosed compartment for temporarily containing ozone;

b) said enclosed compartment including access means for providing access into said enclosed compartment;

c) ozone generating means housed in a second compartment in said housing;

d) means for controlling the operation of said ozone generating means; and

e) means for automatically activating said ozone generating means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including a pump for pumping ambient air to said ozone generating means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including a control circuit for controlling operation of said ozone generating means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said control circuit includes a timer for controlling the run cycle of said ozone generating means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 including a time delay relay circuit operatively connected to an exhaust fan and set for delayed operation for removing ozone from said first enclosed compartment.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 including a silica gel filter for removing water vapor from the air pumped into said ozone generating means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said activating means includes a motion detector housed in said first enclosed compartment for energizing a control circuit for activating said ozone generating means upon sensing motion in said first enclosed compartment.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 including a DC to AC converting circuit for operation of said ozone generating means.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 including a bypass switch for bypassing said motion detector for repetitive and continuos operation of said ozone generator.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first enclosed compartment includes fabric panels on the interior thereof for neutralizing ozone generated by said ozone generating means.

11. A method for disinfecting hands and forearms with ozone comprising:

a) accessing an enclosed chamber by inserting a user'"'"'s hands and forearms into said enclosed chamber;

b) activating a pump and an ozone generator upon accessing said enclosed chamber;

c) introducing ambient air into said ozone generator through an inlet end thereof for generating ozone;

d) routing the ozone into said enclosed chamber and bathing the user'"'"'s hands and forearms with ozone for a predetermined time interval; and

e) activating an exhaust fan for removing ozone and air from said enclosed chamber.

12. The method of claim 11 including the step of neutralizing the ozone in said enclosed chamber by passing the ozone through a wool fabric membrane upon removal thereof from said enclosed chamber.

13. The method of claim 11 including the step of controlling the run time of said pump and said ozone generator.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the run time of said pump and said ozone generator is set at 30 seconds.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein activation of said exhaust fan is delayed for a predetermined time interval after activating said pump and said ozone generator.

16. The method of claim 11 including the step of operating said ozone generator on a substantially continuous run cycle.