Apparatus and method for producing antimicrobial silver solution

• US 6,214,299 B1
• Filed: 06/01/1999
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Silver LLC
• Original Assignee: American Silver LLC
• Inventors: Holladay, Robert J., Christensen, Herbert, Moeller, William D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorgos, Kathryn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parsons, Thomas H
• Application Number:
  US09/323,310
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 422/186.21, 422/186.26, 205/571, 205/742, 205/760
• US Class Current: 422/186.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/16 using chemical substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/238 Metals or alloys, e.g. oligodynamic metals
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/91 with propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/05 Mixers using radiation, e.g. magnetic fields or microwaves to mix the material B01F23/2133, B01F23/238, B01F23/55, B01F33/3031, B01F33/3032 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/051 the energy being electrical energy working on the ingredients or compositions for mixing them
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 13/0043 containing elemental metal for medical or diagnostical purposes A61K, G01N
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0066 Stirrers mixing per se B01F
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/087 employing electric or magnetic energy
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/18 Stationary reactors having moving elements inside B01J19/08, B01J19/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/082 Sliding electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0835 substantially flat
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0841 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/089 Liquid-solid
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4606 for producing oligodynamic substances to disinfect the water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection

Abstract

An apparatus and method for producing colloidal silver. A large-volume container, such as a fifteen gallon container, includes a hinged lid on which a rotational impeller is mounted along with several sets of electrodes that are electrically connected to a power transformer. The container is partially filled with water, and when the lid is closed, the sets of electrodes are disposed in communication with the water in a predetermined arrangement, and the impeller resides submerged in the water. Certain of the electrodes constitute silver wire. The power transformers convey current to the electrodes, preferably alternating current, at voltages sufficient to cause silver particles to separate from the silver wire and enter the solution in a stable, suspended state. The impeller is rotated, preferably continuously, to prevent the suspended silver from remaining in upper levels of the water, thereby dispersing the silver particles more uniformly throughout the volume of water.

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing a solution containing silver, said apparatus comprising:

a containing means for containing a quantity of fluid therein such that said fluid includes a free upper surface;

at least one upper, silver electrode made of silver element and having a first end and a second end;

holding means for (i) holding the first end of the silver electrode, and (ii) holding the second end of the silver electrode within 0.5 inch of the free upper surface of the fluid when said fluid is contained within the containing means;

a lower electrode;

a power means electrically connected to the holding means and to the lower electrode for (i) conveying electrical current through said holding means to the upper, silver electrode and to said lower electrode in a manner sufficient to produce a voltage difference between said upper and lower electrodes, and (ii) thereby causing particles of silver to separate from the silver electrode and enter the fluid; and

dispersing means for dispersing the silver particles more evenly throughout said fluid such that a higher quantity of suspended silver particles in solution can be produced per batch.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispersing means comprises agitating means for agitating said fluid, said agitating means being positioned to reside at least partially submerged within the fluid when said fluid is contained in the containing means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the agitating means further comprises an impeller rotatably disposed in a lower half of the containing means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the impeller is disposed in a central location of a horizontal dimension of the containing means.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the agitating means further comprises a means for rotating the impeller at a rotational velocity sufficient to agitate substantially all of any liquid residing in the containing means.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the agitating means further comprises means for agitating the fluid at a substantially continuous and substantially constant rate.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holding means further comprises means for holding the first end of the upper, silver electrode in a substantially fixed position in a vertical dimension with respect to said holding means.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the containing means further comprises a water-tight container having an upper opening, and a lid removably disposed over said upper opening.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the lid is configured and dimensioned to span the upper opening of the container across all lateral directions such that said lid further comprises a perimetric overhang extending around an entire perimeter of the upper opening of the container.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the container further comprises a rim defining the upper opening, said rim terminating in an upper perimeter that is substantially common to a single plane, and wherein the lid further comprises a substantially planar member.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the lid is transparent and includes a plurality of openings formed therein to permit air to flow into and from the container.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising humidity-reducing means for reducing humidity of air residing within the containing means above any fluid disposed in said containing means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the humidity-reducing means comprises an air fan.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the humidity-reducing means comprises airflow means for causing air to flow into and from the containing means.

15. The apparatus of claim 1:

wherein the containing means further comprises a lid having an opening formed therein;

wherein the holding means comprises an electrode holding member disposed within the opening formed in the lid, and a positioning means for (i) holding said electrode holding member within the opening formed in the lid at a desired position, and (ii) selectively moving said electrode holding member upwardly or downwardly within the hole formed in the lid.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the electrode holding member comprises an electrically conductive, male-threaded cylindrical member, and wherein the positioning means comprises an electrically conductive female-threaded member fixedly secured to the lid within the hole formed in the lid, and wherein the male-threaded cylindrical member is threadably engaged within the female-threaded member such that rotating the male-threaded cylindrical member in a first rotational direction operates to move said male-threaded cylindrical member downwardly, and rotating the male-threaded cylindrical member in a second, opposing rotational direction operates to move said male-threaded cylindrical member upwardly.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the male-threaded cylindrical member includes an axis, and a distal end, and a through-bore formed in said distal end in a transverse direction with respect to the axis, and wherein the first end of the upper, silver electrode is disposed within the through-bore of said male-threaded cylindrical member.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower electrode is disposed at a lower position with respect to the upper, silver electrode.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the lower electrode comprises a planar member.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holding means comprises at least one electrically conductive electrode holder, and an electrically non-conductive handle member disposed on an upper end of the at least one electrically conductive electrode holder.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the containing means comprises a lid, and wherein the electrically conductive electrode holder extends through a hole formed in said lid, such that a conductive portion of said electrode holder resides above the lid, the apparatus further comprising:

an electrically non-conductive housing disposed on the lid and covering any exposed conductive portion of the electrode holder, said housing having an opening formed in an upper portion thereof and wherein the electrically non-conductive handle member extends upwardly through said opening formed in the housing.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power means further comprises a means for conveying alternating current simultaneously through the upper, silver electrode and through the lower electrode such that voltage is increasing and decreasing in the upper, silver electrode and in the lower electrode in alternating tandem.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solution comprises silver in suspension.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solution comprises colloidal silver.

25. An apparatus for producing a solution containing silver, said apparatus comprising:

a containing means for containing a quantity of fluid therein such that said fluid includes a free upper surface;

at least one upper, silver electrode made of silver element and having a first end and a second end;

holding means for (i) holding the first end of the silver electrode, and (ii) holding the second end of the silver electrode within 0.5 inch of the free upper surface of the fluid when said fluid is contained within the containing means;

a lower electrode;

a power means electrically connected to the holding means and to the lower electrode for (i) conveying electrical current through said holding means to the upper, silver electrode and to said lower electrode in a manner sufficient to produce a voltage difference between said upper and lower electrodes, and (ii) thereby causing particles of silver to separate from the silver electrode and enter the fluid; and

dispersing means for dispersing the silver particles among several different levels of depth of the fluid in a manner sufficient to avoid formation of a warmer uppermost layer.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the power means further comprises a means for conveying alternating current simultaneously through the upper, silver electrode and through the lower electrode such that voltage is increasing and decreasing in the upper, silver electrode and in the lower electrode in alternating tandem.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the solution comprises silver in suspension.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the solution comprises colloidal silver.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the dispersing means comprises agitating means for agitating said fluid, said agitating means being positioned to reside at least partially submerged within the fluid when said fluid is contained in the containing means.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the agitating means further comprises an impeller rotatably disposed in a lower half of the containing means.

31. An apparatus for producing a solution containing silver, said apparatus comprising:

a containing means for containing a quantity of fluid therein such that said fluid includes a free upper surface;

at least one upper, silver electrode made of silver element and having a first end and a second end;

holding means for (i) holding the first end of the silver electrode, and (ii) holding the second end of the silver electrode within 0.5 inch of the free upper surface of the fluid when said fluid is contained within the containing means;

a lower electrode;

a power means electrically connected to the holding means and to the lower electrode for (i) conveying electrical current through said holding means to the upper, silver electrode and to said lower electrode in a manner sufficient to produce a voltage difference between said upper and lower electrodes, and (ii) thereby causing particles of silver to separate from the silver electrode and enter the fluid; and

adjusting means actuable from a position external to the containing means for selectively moving the upper, silver electrode upwardly and downwardly.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising:

dispersing means for dispersing the silver particles more evenly throughout said fluid such that a higher quantity of suspended silver particles in solution can be produced per batch.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the containing means comprises a lid having a hole formed therein, and wherein the holding means comprises an electrode holding member disposed within the opening formed in the lid, and wherein the adjusting means further comprises a means for (i) holding said electrode holding member within the opening formed in the lid at a desired position, and (ii) selectively moving said electrode holding member upwardly or downwardly within the hole formed in the lid.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the electrode holding member comprises an electrically conductive, male-threaded cylindrical member, and wherein the adusting means further comprises an electrically conductive female-threaded member fixedly secured to the lid within the hole formed in the lid, and wherein the male-threaded cylindrical member is threadably engaged within the female-threaded member such that rotating the male-threaded cylindrical member in a first rotational direction operates to move said male-threaded cylindrical member downwardly, and rotating the male-threaded cylindrical member in a second, opposing rotational direction operates to move said male-threaded cylindrical member upwardly.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the male-threaded cylindrical member includes an axis, and a distal end, and a through-bore formed in said distal end in a transverse direction with respect to the axis, and wherein the first end of the upper, silver electrode is disposed within the through-bore of said male-threaded cylindrical member.

36. An apparatus for producing a solution containing silver, said apparatus comprising:

a containing means for containing a quantity of fluid therein such that said fluid includes a free upper surface;

a plurality of pairs of upper, silver electrodes made of silver element, each pair of electrodes being electrically interconnected in parallel and each electrode having a first end and a second end;

holding means for (i) holding the first ends of the silver electrodes, and (ii) holding the second ends of the silver electrodes within 0.5 inch of the free upper surface of the fluid when said fluid is contained within the containing means;

a plurality of lower electrodes disposed such that each lower electrode reside closer to one pair of upper, silver electrodes than to all other pairs of upper, silver electrodes, respectively, such that a pair of upper, silver electrodes and at least one lower electrode comprises a set of electrodes;

a power means electrically connected in series to the holding means and to the lower electrodes for (i) conveying current to said upper electrodes and to said lower electrodes in a manner sufficient to produce a voltage difference between the upper electrodes and the lower electrode in each set of electrodes, and (ii) thereby causing particles of silver to separate from the upper, silver electrodes and enter the fluid.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the power means further comprises a means for conveying alternating current simultaneously through the pair of upper, silver electrodes and through the lower electrode in each set of electrodes, respectively, such that voltage is increasing and decreasing in the pair of upper, silver electrodes and in the lower electrode in alternating tandem.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein each set of electrodes is spaced apart from all of the other sets of electrodes by a distance of at least five inches.

39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the holding means comprises a plurality of holding members positioned and arranged such that each holding member operates to hold only one electrode, and wherein each set of electrodes corresponds to a set of holding members, and wherein each set of holding members is spaced apart from all of the other sets of holding members by a distance of at least five inches.

40. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the solution comprises silver in suspension.

41. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the solution comprises colloidal silver.

42. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising:

dispersing means for dispersing the silver particles more evenly throughout said fluid such that a higher quantity of suspended silver particles in solution can be produced per batch.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the dispersing means comprises agitating means for agitating said fluid, said agitating means being positioned to reside at least partially submerged within the fluid when said fluid is contained in the containing means.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the agitating means further comprises an impeller rotatably disposed in a lower half of the containing means.

45. An apparatus for producing a solution containing silver, said apparatus comprising:

a containing means for containing a quantity of fluid therein such that said fluid includes a free upper surface;

at least one upper, silver electrode made of silver element and having a first end and a second end;

holding means for (i) holding the first end of the silver electrode, and (ii) holding the second end of the silver electrode within 0.5 inch of the free upper surface of the fluid when said fluid is contained within the containing means;

a lower electrode;

a power means electrically connected to the holding means and to the lower electrode for (i) conveying electrical current through said holding means to the upper, silver electrode and to said lower electrode in a manner sufficient to produce a voltage difference between said upper and lower electrodes, and (ii) thereby causing particles of silver to separate from the silver electrode and enter the fluid;

wherein the holding means further comprises means for holding the first end of the silver member in a substantially fixed position in a vertical dimension with respect to said holding means.

46. An apparatus for producing a silver solution containing silver, said apparatus comprising:

a containing means for containing a quantity of fluid therein such that said fluid includes a free upper surface;

at least one upper electrode;

at least one silver member made of silver element and having a first end and a second end;

holding means for (i) holding the first end of the silver member in contact with the upper electrode, and (ii) holding the second end of the silver member within 0.5 inch of the free upper surface of the fluid when said fluid is contained within the containing means;

a lower electrode;

a power means electrically connected to the upper electrode and to the lower electrode for (i) conveying current to said upper electrode and to said lower electrode in a manner sufficient to produce a voltage difference between said upper and lower electrodes, and (ii) thereby causing particles of silver to separate from the silver member and enter the fluid;

dispersing means for dispersing the silver particles among different levels of depth of the fluid in a manner sufficient to enable the silver solution to be produced in single-batch quantities having a depth greater than six inches per batch without significant reduction in concentration of the silver solution.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the dispersing means further comprises means for dispersing the silver particles among different levels of depth of the fluid in a manner sufficient to enable the silver solution to be produced in single-batch quantities having a depth greater than twelve inches per batch without significant reduction in concentration of the silver solution.

48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the dispersing means further comprises means for dispersing the silver particles among different levels of depth of the fluid in a manner sufficient to enable the silver solution to be produced in single-batch quantities having a depth greater than twenty-four inches per batch without significant reduction in concentration of the silver solution.

49. An apparatus for producing a silver solution containing silver, said apparatus comprising:

a containing means for containing a quantity of fluid therein such that said fluid includes a free upper surface;

at least one upper electrode;

at least one silver member made of silver element and having a first end and a second end;

holding means for (i) holding the first end of the silver member in contact with the upper electrode, and (ii) holding the second end of the silver member within 0.5 inch of the free upper surface of the fluid when said fluid is contained within the containing means;

a lower electrode;

a power means electrically connected to the upper electrode and to the lower electrode for (i) conveying current to said upper electrode and to said lower electrode in a manner sufficient to produce a voltage difference between said upper and lower electrodes, and (ii) thereby causing particles of silver to separate from the silver member and enter the fluid; and

dispersing means for dispersing the silver particles among different levels of depth of the fluid in a manner sufficient to enable the silver solution to be produced in single-batch quantities greater than five gallons per batch without significant reduction in concentration of the silver solution.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the dispersing means further comprises means for dispersing the silver particles among different levels of depth of the fluid in a manner sufficient to enable the silver solution to be produced in single-batch quantities greater than ten gallons per batch without significant reduction in concentration of the silver solution.

51. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the dispersing means further comprises means for dispersing the silver particles among different levels of depth of the fluid in a manner sufficient to enable the silver solution to be produced in single-batch quantities greater than fifteen gallons per batch without significant reduction in concentration of the silver solution.

52. An apparatus for producing a solution containing silver, said apparatus comprising:

means for removing silver particles from objects made of silver element and disposing said silver particles in suspension in a fluid solution; and

means for agitating the fluid solution to thereby disperse the silver particles more evenly throughout said fluid.

53. An apparatus for producing a solution containing silver, said apparatus comprising:

a containing means for containing a quantity of fluid therein such that said fluid includes a free upper surface;

at least one upper, silver electrode made of silver element and having a first end and a second end;

holding means for (i) holding the first end of the silver electrode, and (ii) holding the second end of the silver electrode within 0.5 inch of the free upper surface of the fluid when said fluid is contained within the containing means;

a lower electrode;

a power means electrically connected to the holding means and to the lower electrode for (i) conveying electrical current through said holding means to the upper, silver electrode and to said lower electrode in a manner sufficient to produce a voltage difference between said upper and lower electrodes, and (ii) thereby causing particles of silver to separate from the silver electrode and enter the fluid;

dispersing means for dispersing the silver particles more evenly throughout said fluid such that a higher quantity of suspended silver particles in solution can be produced per batch;

wherein the dispersing means comprises agitating means for agitating said fluid, said agitating means being positioned to reside at least partially submerged within the fluid when said fluid is contained in the containing means;

wherein the agitating means further comprises an impeller rotatably disposed in a lower half of the containing means;

wherein the impeller is disposed in a central location of a horizontal dimension of the containing means;

wherein the agitating means further comprises a means for rotating the impeller at a rotational velocity sufficient to agitate substantially all of any liquid residing in the containing means;

wherein the holding means further comprises means for holding the first end of the upper, silver electrode in a substantially fixed position in a vertical dimension with respect to said holding means;

wherein the containing means further comprises a water-tight container having an upper opening, and a lid removably disposed over said upper opening;

wherein the lid is configured and dimensioned to span the upper opening of the container across all lateral directions such that said lid further comprises a perimetric overhang extending around an entire perimeter of the upper opening of the container;

wherein the container further comprises a rim defining the upper opening, said rim terminating in an upper perimeter that is substantially common to a single plane, and wherein the lid further comprises a substantially planar member;

humidity-reducing means for reducing humidity of air residing within the containing means above any fluid disposed in said containing means;

wherein the humidity-reducing means comprises an air fan;

wherein the humidity-reducing means comprises airflow means for causing air to flow into and from the containing means;

wherein at least a portion of the lid is transparent and includes a plurality of openings formed therein to permit air to flow into and from the container;

wherein the holding means comprises at least one electrode holding member disposed within the opening formed in the lid, and a positioning means for (i) holding said electrode holding member within the opening formed in the lid at a desired position, and (ii) selectively moving said electrode holding member upwardly or downwardly within the hole formed in the lid;

wherein the at least one electrode holding member comprises at least one electrically conductive, male-threaded cylindrical member, and wherein the positioning means comprises an electrically conductive female-threaded member fixedly secured to the lid within the hole formed in the lid, and wherein the male-threaded cylindrical member is threadably engaged within the female-threaded member such that rotating the male-threaded cylindrical member in a first rotational direction operates to move said male-threaded cylindrical member downwardly, and rotating the male-threaded cylindrical member in a second, opposing rotational direction operates to move said male-threaded cylindrical member upwardly;

wherein the male-threaded cylindrical member includes an axis, and a distal end, and a through-bore formed in said distal end in a transverse direction with respect to the axis, and wherein the first end of the upper, silver electrode is disposed within the through-bore of said male-threaded cylindrical member;

wherein the lower electrode is disposed at a lower position with respect to the upper, silver electrode;

wherein the lower electrode comprises a planar member;

wherein the holding means further comprises an electrically non-conductive handle member disposed on an upper end of the male-threaded, electrically conductive cylindrical member;

wherein the male-threaded, electrically conductive cylindrical member extends through a hole formed in the lid, such that a conductive portion of said electrically conductive cylindrical member resides above the lid, the apparatus further comprising;

an electrically non-conductive housing disposed on the lid and covering any exposed conductive portion of any electrode holders disposed on the lid, said housing having an opening formed in an upper portion thereof and wherein the electrically non-conductive handle member extends upwardly through said opening formed in the housing;

wherein the power means further comprises a means for conveying alternating current simultaneously through the upper, silver electrode and through the lower electrode such that voltage is increasing and decreasing in the upper, silver electrode and in the lower electrode in alternating tandem;

wherein the agitating means further comprises means for agitating the fluid at a substantially continuous and substantially constant rate.

54. An apparatus for producing a solution containing silver, said apparatus comprising:

a containing means for containing a quantity of fluid therein such that said fluid includes a free upper surface;

at least one upper, silver electrode made of silver element and having a first end and a second end;

holding means for (i) holding the first end of the silver electrode, and (ii) holding the second end of the silver electrode within 0.5 inch of the free upper surface of the fluid when said fluid is contained within the containing means;

a lower electrode; and

a power means electrically connected to the holding means and to the lower electrode.