Electrolytic cell for surface and point of use disinfection

• US 7,008,523 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2004
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: De Nora Holdings US, Inc. (Industrie De Nora S.p.A)
• Original Assignee: Miox Corporation (Industrie De Nora S.p.A)
• Inventors: Herrington, Rodney E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phasge, Arun S.
• Application Number:
  US10/785,610
• Publication Number:
  US 20040211676A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 205/701, 205/742, 205/755, 204/232, 204/271, 204/275.1
• US Class Current: 205/701
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/035 Electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/183 Ozone dissolved in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/22 Phase substances, e.g. smokes, aerosols or sprayed or atomised substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/003 using household-type filters for producing potable water, e.g. pitchers, bottles, faucet mounted devices C02F9/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46104 Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4674 with halogen or compound of halogens, e.g. chlorine, bromine
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/026 Treating water for medical or cosmetic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/29 Chlorine compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/02 as part of a bottle
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus and method for disinfecting or sanitizing a desired object. The apparatus includes a container for an aqueous solution; the container may be a spray bottle. The apparatus includes an electrolytic cell, containing an electrolyte, an electrical power source, a control circuit for providing an electric charge to the electrolyte to create an oxidant, and a fluid connection between the cell and container to permit introduction of the oxidant into the aqueous solution to create a disinfectant.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering a sanitizing solution to a surface, the apparatus comprising:

an electrolytic cell;

an electrical power source;

a circuit which enables the transfer of power from said power source to said electrolytic cell in order to produce at least one oxidant within said electrolytic cell;

a substantially portable container removable from said electrolytic cell;

a base for supporting said container, said base comprising said electrolytic cell;

a connection between said electrolytic cell and said container, wherein said connection enables the at least one oxidant to combine with a substance in the container, thereby forming the sanitizing solution; and

an opening in said container through which the sanitizing solution is delivered.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opening is sealable.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said container comprises a spray bottle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising pumping means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said pumping means comprises a handle.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said connection comprises a valve.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said valve is opened in response to a pressure of gas produced in said electrolytic cell.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said connection comprises a fluid-tight seal.

9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said pumping means comprises a sprayer head.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said sprayer head comprises a spray nozzle.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base comprises said power source.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substance comprises a fluid.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the fluid comprises an aqueous solution.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the fluid is water.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrolytic cell utilizes an electrolyte comprising sodium chloride to produce the at least one oxidant.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrolytic cell utilizes an electrolyte comprising sodium chlorite to produce the at least one oxidant.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sanitizing solution comprises a free available chlorine concentration of sufficient value to sanitize an object.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one oxidant comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of mixed oxidants, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and combinations thereof.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a system activation button and one or more status indicator lights.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said one or more indicator lights are activated in response to a concentration of free available chlorine in the sanitizing solution.

21. A method of sanitizing a surface, the method comprising the steps of:

providing electrolyte and power to an electrolytic cell;

producing at least one oxidant in the electrolytic cell;

transferring the at least one oxidant to a substance in a substantially portable container, thereby forming a sanitizing solution;

removing the container from a base comprising the electrolytic cell; and

delivering the sanitizing solution to the surface.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the delivering step comprises pumping the sanitizing solution out of the container.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the delivering step comprises spraying the sanitizing solution on the surface.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the substance comprises a fluid.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the fluid comprises an aqueous solution.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the fluid is water.

27. The method of claim 21 wherein the transferring step comprises opening a valve.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the valve is opened in response to a pressure of gas produced in the electrolytic cell.

29. The method of claim 21 wherein the providing step comprises charging a battery.

30. The method of claim 21 wherein the providing step comprises replacing a battery.

31. The method of claim 21 wherein the electrolyte comprises sodium chloride.

32. The method of claim 21 wherein the electrolyte comprises sodium chlorite.

33. The method of claim 21 wherein the transferring step comprises raising the free available chlorine concentration of the substance to a value sufficient to sanitize an object.

34. The method of claim 21 wherein the at least one oxidant is selected from the group consisting of mixed oxidants, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and combinations thereof.

35. The method of claim 21 further comprising monitoring the free available chlorine concentration of the sanitizing solution.

36. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of transporting the container to the surface.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of reattaching the container to the electrolytic cell.

38. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of adding the substance to the container.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising the step of reattaching the container to the electrolytic cell.