In-Situ enclosed or semienclosed space sanitation and deodorization

• US 20100284855A1
• Filed: 12/07/2006
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gary Roy Erickson
• Original Assignee: Gary Roy Erickson
• Inventors: Erickson, Gary Roy
• Granted Patent: US 8,920,716 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/5
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/3445 in a controlled atmosphere comprising other gases in addition to CO2, N2, O2 or H2O
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/3463 Organic compounds; Microorganisms; Enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/3481 Organic compounds containing oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/358 Inorganic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/37 with addition of or treatment with chemicals
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/375 with direct contact between the food and the chemical, e.g. liquid nitrogen, at cryogenic temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 5/27 by chemical treatment, by adsorption or by absorption
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/042 Air treating means within refrigerated spaces air conditioning in general F24F
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2317/0415 by deodorizing

Abstract

This patent discloses a novel and effective device and process, which combines the advantages of refrigeration in a synergistic manner with the advantages of hydrogen peroxide and other organic and inorganic peroxygen compounds, resulting in an enhanced ability to reduce and/or eliminate microbial activity and mitigate malodors. This device and process is suitable for the continuous in-situ sanitation and deodorization of enclosed or semi enclosed spaces, which may contain foodstuffs or other putresable items, which would be otherwise adversely affected by the activity of bacteria, mould, mildew or malodors. In particular this invention has application in environments such as refrigerators, cool rooms and freezers, where products are stored for the purpose of extending their shelf life and preventing damage by the activity of microorganisms.

Claims

1. A process for continuously sanitizing enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces, using vapors of peroxygen molecules, above a reservoir of a bulk peroxygen formulation, with the surface area of the peroxygen formulation, in the reservoir, increased by means that optimise the exchange of peroxygen molecules between the reservoir and the treated space.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2 where the temperature is in the range −

20 deg. C. to 20 deg. C.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2 where hydrogen peroxide is the peroxygen compound in the peroxygen formulation.

5. The method of claim 1 or 2 where peracetic acid is the peroxygen compound in the peroxygen formulation.

6. The method of claim 1 or 2 where any peroxygen molecule other than those specified in claims 4 and 5 are present in the peroxygen formulation

7. The method of claim 1 or 2 where the vapor concentration of peroxygen is preferably less than 100 mg/m³ and more preferably less than 10 mg/m³ and most preferably less than 1.0 mg/m³

8. A device for applying the method of claims 1 and 2 where, the surface area of the reservoir of peroxygen formulation is enhanced by physical means such as absorption onto a suitably absorbent material as described in FIG. 1, said material being substantially inert to the peroxygen formulation, examples of suitably absorbent material being woven and non-woven cloth and zeolites.

9. Any device for applying the method of claim 1 or 2 where any means are used to increase the surface area of the reservoir of peroxygen formulation, and provide continuous and effective levels of peroxygen vapor within the treated space. Examples of such means are thin films—

formed with or without the use of surfactants, spinning plates, flow evaporators, aerosols and the like.

10. A device for the application of the method of claim 1 or 2 whereby the treated absorbent material in claim 8 is isolated from direct contact with the contents of the treatment space by the use of a suitable permeable barrier, for example a plastic or other type of mesh which is substantially inert to the peroxygen formulation, as described in FIGS. 2 and 3.

11. A device as described in FIG. 4 for the application of the method of claim 1 or 2 where the surface area to volume ratio of peroxygen formulation is increased by the continuous production of an aerosol in the treatment space with, coalesced aerosol droplets returning to the reservoir of the bulk peroxygen formulation.

12. The method of claims 1 or 2 and 3 to 8 where surfactants are added to the peroxygen formulation.

13. The method of claims 1 or 2 and 3 to 8 where an atmosphere other than air is present in the treatment space.

14. The method of claims 1 or 2 and 3 to 8 where adducts other than surfactants are added to the peroxygen formulation.

15. The method of claim 1 or 2 where foodstuffs and other putrescable items are stored in the treated space.

16. The method of claims 1 or 2 and 15 where the reservoir of peroxygen formulation is isolated from the materials being stored by suitable means, such as a permeable barrier as described in claim 10, or the selection of a suitable location within the treatment chamber.

17. The method of claim 1 or 2 where objects other than foodstuffs are stored in the treated space.

18. The method of claims 1 or 2 and 3 to 17 where air distribution means, such as fans, are used in the treated space.

2. A process for continuously deodorizing enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces, using vapors of peroxygen molecules, above a reservoir of a bulk peroxygen formulation, with the surface area of the peroxygen formulation, in the reservoir, increased by means that optimise the exchange of peroxygen molecules between the reservoir and the treated space.