Device for holding a container for a composition that produces an antimicrobially active gas

• US 20030205051A1
• Filed: 08/28/2001
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Tallman, Daniel N., Kilawee, Patrick H., Kadlec, Leonard J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,195,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/78
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/20 Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/015 using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone A61L9/20 takes precedence ; evaporation in general B01B1/005

Abstract

A device and method for cleaning and deodorizing a unit having an enclosed space not otherwise easily accessible for cleaning and deodorizing.

Claims

1. A unit comprising an enclosed space not easily accessible for cleaning and deodorizing, having an interior and an exterior, the unit comprising

an access port in the unit openable from the exterior of the unit to permit placement and replacement of a container permeable to water or water vapor, holding a composition which generates an antimicrobially active gas upon exposure to water or water vapor;

and

a holder for said container, accessible through the access port, which retains the container within the interior of the unit at a location exposed to the ambient air within the interior.

2. The unit of claim 1 wherein said gas is a halogen, chlorine dioxide, ozone, or ethylene oxide.

3. The unit of claim 1 wherein said composition comprises sodium hypochlorite and an acidic component.

4. The unit of claim 1 wherein said gas is chlorine dioxide.

5. The unit of claim 1 wherein said holder is a drawer, pivoting pocket, slot or tray.

6. The unit of claim 1 further comprising an indicator device activated upon each placement or replacement of said container, the indicator device providing an indicator signal on the exterior of the unit when the container needs replacement.

7. A unit as in claim 6 wherein said indicator device provides said indicator signal in response to a predetermined time interval between openings of said access port.

8. A unit as in claim 6 wherein said indicator signal is a light or an alarm activated upon passage of said time interval.

9. The unit of claim 1 said unit having a top and a front wherein said holder is in the top of front of said unit.

10. The unit of claim 1 wherein said container holds from about 50 g to about 500 g of said composition.

11. The unit of claim 1 wherein said composition is a solid, a liquid or a combination thereof.

12. The unit of claim 1 wherein said container is comprised of a microporous nonwoven hydrophobic polymer sheet material.

13. The unit of claim 12 wherein said container is comprised of a nonwoven polyethylene or a nonwoven polytetrafluorethylene.

14. The unit of claim 1 wherein said container is a sachet.

15. A unit as in claim 1 wherein said access port is configured such that the contents within the interior of the refrigeration unit, other than said container, may not be accessed therethrough.

16. A unit as in claim 1 wherein said access port and sachet holder together form a drawer in said refrigeration unit.

17. A unit as in claim 1 wherein said drawer has a perforated bottom to facilitate access of the interior air within the unit to the sachet.

18. A unit as in claim 1 wherein said unit is a refrigeration unit.

19. The unit of claim 18 wherein said refrigeration unit is an ice making machine, a soda machine, a refrigerator or a freezer.

20. A unit as in claim 1 wherein said unit is a locker, closet or garbage receptacle.