APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING OZONE AS A DISINFECTANT

• US 20080310992A1
• Filed: 06/17/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omega Environmental Services, LLC
• Original Assignee: Viroforce Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Boast, Nigel, Hudson, Jim, Esplin, Gordon, Heselton, Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 8,354,057 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/202 Ozone
• 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 method of sterilizing a closed environment is provided in which a disinfection apparatus is placed into the closed environment; it then generates ozone to a predetermined ozone concentration, following which the humidity of the closed environment is rapidly increased. A catalytic converter then reduces the ozone concentration to safe levels. When the ozone concentration is reduced to a predetermined safe level, the disinfection apparatus signals.

Claims

1. A method of sterilizing a closed environment comprising:

(a) generating gaseous ozone into said closed environment to a predetermined ozone concentration;

(b) after reaching said predetermined zone concentration, rapidly increasing the humidity of said closed environment to a predetermined relative humidity level of greater than 80%;

(c) after reaching said predetermined relative humidity level, depleting said ozone;

(d) when said ozone concentration is reduced to a predetermined safe level, signalling.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined ozone concentration is within 15 and 40 ppm.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said ozone is depleted using a catalytic converter.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein, said predetermined humidity level is greater than 90%.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said predetermined ozone concentration is between 20 and 30 ppm.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein prior to step (a), access to the closed environment is restricted.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said humidity level is raised by an ultrasonic humidifier.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said catalytic converter passes ozonated air through a manganese dioxide tray.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said catalytic converter also passes said ozonated air through an activated carbon tray.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said signalling is turning on a LED.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein signalling is turning off a sound.

12. A disinfection apparatus comprising:

a timer;

an ozone generator;

a catalytic converter having a manganese dioxide tray and an activated carbon tray;

a plurality of wheels;

a sound generator;

an ozone sensor;

a first fan to draw ozonated air into said catalytic converter.

13. The disinfection apparatus of claim 12 further comprising an ultrasonic humidifier.

14. The disinfection apparatus of claim 13 wherein said sound generator generates an unpleasant sound when said ozone sensor senses an ozone level above a predetermined safe ozone level.