Antimicrobial batch dilution system

• US 9,364,798 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2013
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Silver, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Applied Silver, Inc.
• Inventors: Brown, David E., Morham, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Conley, Sean E
• Assistant Examiner(s): SPAMER, DONALD R
• Application Number:
  US14/099,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20150047718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 desired 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, said electronics control module adapted to control the first flow controller to form the high ion concentrate in the metallic ion supply and adapted to control the second flow controller to mix the high ion concentrate from the metallic ion supply into the reservoir to establish the desired dilute concentrate in 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.