Method for supplying sterilization/deodorization gas and apparatus therefor

• US 6,555,053 B1
• Filed: 12/14/1999
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kyorin Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Kyorin Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sunseal
• Inventors: Aoyagi, Kohei
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Sr., Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chorbaji, Monzer R.
• Application Number:
  US09/460,867
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 Days
• Field of Search: 422/1, 422/5, 422/22, 422/49, 422/120-125, 422/186, 422/292, 422/37, 422/295, 422/300, 422/305-307, 422/186.3, 422/186.12, 204/157.44, 204/904, 204/157.48, 204/903, 204/157.1 R
• US Class Current: 422/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/20 Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/02 using substances evaporated in the air by heating or combustion
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 11/022 Chlorine dioxide (ClO2)
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/22 using UV light
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 204/903 Inorganic chemical treating agent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 204/904 Metal treating agent

Abstract

According to the present invention, provided are a method whereby a sterilization/deodorization gas is supplied by irradiating a stabilized chlorine dioxide gel or liquid with ultraviolet radiation, and a sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus which comprises: a chemical container used to hold a chemical gel or liquid which is used for sterilization and deodorization, and as an insecticide or an insectifuge; an ultraviolet radiation unit for projecting ultraviolet radiation onto the chemical and for generating a dispersed gas; and a gas discharge unit for extracting from the chemical container gas elements that are to be dispersed by the ultraviolet radiation unit. With this arrangement, a chlorine dioxide gas that can effectively perform sterilization and deodorization can be easily and safely stored, handled and supplemented by employing the chemical reactive propagative effects of ultraviolet radiation.

Claims

1. A sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus comprising:

a cartridge container containing a stabilized chlorine dioxide in an organic gelatinous agent form;

a gas discharge unit;

ultraviolet radiation means for projecting ultraviolet radiation onto the stabilized chlorine dioxide gel in said cartridge container to release the chlorine dioxide in dry, gaseous form;

said ultraviolet radiation means being located within the gas discharge unit and the cartridge container being in an underlying relationship to the ultraviolet radiation means and detachably coupled to the gas discharge unit, the cartridge container being located such that the chlorine dioxide gas produced is dispersable within an air stream of an air channel within the gas discharge unit;

means for directing the chlorine dioxide gas produced and dispersed in the air stream outside the gas discharge unit through a discharge port for sterilization/deodorization purposes.

2. A sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an ozone generator provided near the gas discharge port of said gas discharge unit for increasing the effectiveness of a sterilization process.

3. A sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said ultraviolet radiation means further includes at least one of a temperature control means, an irradiation amount controller and an operating period control timer.

4. A sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said gas discharge unit further includes a fan for extracting gaseous chlorine dioxide from said chemical container.

5. A sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said gas discharge unit includes an air inlet.

6. A sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said air inlet further includes a filter.

7. A sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a timer forming the operation of the sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus.

8. A sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stabilized chlorine dioxide gel is formed by mixing gelatin with a fatty acid to gelatinize a stabilized chlorine dioxide.

9. A sterilization/deodorization gas supply system comprising:

a sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus comprising;

a cartridge container containing stabilized chlorine dioxide in an organic gelatinous agent form;

a gas discharge unit;

ultraviolet radiation means for projecting ultraviolet radiation onto the stabilized chlorine dioxide gel in said cartridge container to release the chlorine dioxide in dry, gaseous form;

said ultraviolet radiation means being located within the gas discharge unit and the cartridge container being in an underlying relationship to the ultraviolet radiation means and detachably coupled to the gas discharge unit the cartridge container being located such that the chlorine dioxide gas produced is dispersable within an air stream of an air channel within the gas discharge unit; and

means for directing the chlorine dioxide gas produced and dispersed in the air stream outside the gas discharge unit through a discharge port for sterilization/deodorization purposes; and

an absorption means for absorbing stabilized chlorine dioxide gas that has passed through an object to be sterilized and deodorized.

10. A sterilization/deodorization gas supply system according to claim 9, wherein the stabilized chlorine dioxide gel is formed by mixing gelatin with a fatty acid to gelatinize a stabilized chlorine dioxide.

11. A method for generating a sterilization/deodorization gas comprising the step of irradiating gelatinous stabilized chlorine dioxide with ultraviolet radiation to release the chlorine dioxide in dry gaseous form to comprise the sterilization/deodorization gas, the chlorine dioxide gas being generated in a sterilization/deodorizing gas system comprising:

a sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus comprising;

a cartridge container containing stabilized chlorine dioxide in an organic gelatinous agent form;

a gas discharge unit;

ultraviolet radiation means for projecting ultraviolet radiation onto the stabilized chlorine dioxide gel in said cartridge container to release the chlorine dioxide in dry, gaseous form;

said ultraviolet radiation means being located within the gas discharge unit and the cartridge container being in an underlying relationship to the ultraviolet radiation means and detachably coupled to the gas discharge unit, the cartridge container being located such that the chlorine dioxide gas produced is dispersable within an air stream of an air channel within the gas discharge unit; and

means for directing the chlorine dioxide gas produced and dispersed in the air stream outside the gas discharge unit through a discharge port for sterilization/deodorization purposes.

12. A method according to claim 11 further including the step of absorbing the stabilized chlorine dioxide gas that has passed through an object to be sterilized and deodorized.

13. A method according to claim 11 further including the step of gelatinizing a stabilized chlorine dioxide with a gelation agent.

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the stabilized chlorine dioxide gel is formed by mixing gelatin with a fatty acid to gelatinize a stabilized chlorine dioxide.