Apparatus and method for using ozone as a disinfectant

• US 8,354,057 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2008
• Issued: 01/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omega Environmental Services, LLC
• Original Assignee: Omega Environmental Services, LLC
• Inventors: Heselton, Doug, Boast, Nigel, Hudson, Jim, Esplin, Gordon
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHORBAJI, MONZER R
• Application Number:
  US12/140,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20080310992A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 422/1, 422 28- 30, 422 33- 34, 422/121, 422/305, 422/186.04, 422/186.07, 588/299, 588/249, 588300-301, 204/176, 454/187, 454/189, 43124-125, 431/29
• US Class Current: 422/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/202 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/015 using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone A61L9/20 takes precedence ; evaporation in general B01B1/005

Abstract

A method of sterilizing a closed environment is provided in which a disinfection apparatus is placed into the closed environment; it then generates ozone to a predetermined ozone concentration, following which the humidity of the closed environment is rapidly increased. A catalytic converter then reduces the ozone concentration to safe levels. When the ozone concentration is reduced to a predetermined safe level, the disinfection apparatus signals.

Claims

1. A method of sanitizing or disinfecting a closed environment comprising:

(a) generating gaseous ozone into said closed environment to a predetermined ozone concentration of at least 20 ppm;

(b) after reaching said predetermined ozone concentration, using a humidifier to rapidly increase the humidity of said closed environment to a predetermined relative humidity level of greater than 80%, wherein said relative humidity level is reached and the humidifier is inactivated in four to eight minutes;

(c) after reaching said predetermined relative humidity level, depleting said ozone; and

(d) when said ozone concentration is reduced to a predetermined safe level, signalling.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said closed environment is used for human habitation.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the closed environment is a room or a cabin.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said relative humidity level is 90% or more.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said relative humidity level is about 98%.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined ozone concentration is between 20 and 30 ppm.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaseous ozone is generated using a corona discharge apparatus.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the ozone is depleted to about 0.10 ppm or less.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said depleting of ozone occurs within about fifteen minutes.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the ozone is depleted using a catalytic converter.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the catalytic converter passes ozonated air through a manganese dioxide tray.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the catalytic converter passes ozonated air through an activated carbon tray.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the humidity level is raised by an ultrasonic humidifier.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said signalling is turning on an LED.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said signalling is turning off a sound.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein ozone generation ceases at about the commencement of step (b).

17. The method of claim 1, wherein ozone generation ceases at about the same time as inactivation of the humidifier.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the ozone is depleted to said predetermined safe level within 15 minutes.