ANTIMICROBIAL BATCH DILUTION SYSTEM

• US 20150047718A1
• Filed: 12/06/2013
• Published: 02/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Silver, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Applied Silver, Inc.
• Inventors: Morham, Sean, Brown, David E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,364,798 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/268
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/232 layered or coated
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/235 cellular, porous or foamed
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/238 Metals or alloys, e.g. oligodynamic metals
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/17 Combination with washing or cleaning means
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 21/22 using additional holders in conduits, containers or pools for keeping the solid material in place, e.g. supports or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/505 by oligodynamic treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/74 with air aeration of stretches of water C02F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/02 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/03 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 31/00 Washing installations comprising an assembly of several washing machines or washing units, e.g. continuous flow assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/003 using electrochemical cells
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/008 for disinfecting the tub or the drum
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/132 by controlling the flow of the individual components G05D11/133 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4891 With holder for solid, flaky or pulverized material to be dissolved or entrained

Abstract

An antimicrobial supply system employs a process water supply and incorporates a metallic ion supply connected to the process water supply to provide a high ion concentrate to an output. A dilution reservoir is connected to the metallic ion supply output and has an input from the process water supply. A pump is connected to an output of the reservoir. A manifold connected to the pump provides a dilute concentrate to at least one washing system and a recirculation loop to the dilution reservoir for enhanced mixing of the dilute concentrate. An electronics control module is connected to a first flow controller between the process water supply and the metallic ion supply and a second flow controller between the metallic ion supply and the reservoir for dilution control establishing a desired metallic ion concentration.

Claims

1. An antimicrobial supply system comprising:

a process water supply;

a metallic ion supply connected to the process water supply and providing a high ion concentrate to an output;

a dilution reservoir connected to the metallic ion supply output and having an input from the process water supply;

a pump connected to an output of the reservoir;

a manifold connected to the pump and providing a dilute concentrate to at least one washing system and a recirculation loop to the dilution reservoir; and

,

an electronics control module connected to a first flow controller between the process water supply and the metallic ion supply and a second flow controller between the metallic ion supply and the reservoir.

2. The antimicrobial supply system as defined in claim 1 wherein the process water supply includes a deionizer.

3. The antimicrobial supply system as defined in claim 2 wherein the process water supply includes a reverse osmosis filter.

4. The antimicrobial supply system as defined in claim 1 wherein the metallic ion supply comprises at least one canister containing a substrate infused with metal for producing metallic ions.

5. The antimicrobial supply system as defined in claim 2 wherein the metallic ion supply comprises a plurality of canisters containing a substrate infused with metal, said canisters connected for selectable operation by the electronics control module.

6. The antimicrobial supply system as defined in claim 1 wherein the metallic ion supply comprises pelletized metallic supply system.

7. The antimicrobial supply system as defined in claim 6 wherein the pelletized metallic supply system comprises:

a carousel supporting a plurality of cartridges containing metal powder;

a rinse head connected to the process water supply and having a nozzle for engagement of a selected one of the plurality of cartridges aligned by the carousel; and

,

a capture container receiving process water sluiced through the selected one of the plurality of cartridges producing a high ion concentration dose, said capture container having an output.

8. The antimicrobial supply system as defined in claim 7 wherein the reservoir comprises a tank sized to receive the high ion concentration from the output of the capture container and having a volume for combination of the high ion concentration dose and process water for operation of a washing machine for a predetermined period.

9. The antimicrobial supply system as defined in claim 7 wherein the output of the capture container is connected to a mixing system, said mixing system connected for direct injection of the high ion concentration dose at a predetermined concentration to a washing machine in parallel with the manifold from the reservoir, said electronic control module selecting between the direct injection and manifold.

10. The antimicrobial supply system as defined in claim 7 wherein reservoir is connected to receive a high ion concentration from at least one canister containing a substrate infused with metal for producing metallic ions.

11. The antimicrobial supply system as defined in claim 1 further comprising an aeration device intermediate the process water source and the reservoir.

12. The antimicrobial supply system as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronic control module receives input from a concentration probe and controls said first and second flow controllers responsive to the concentration probe input.