Ozonated liquid dispensing unit

• US 9,522,348 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2013
• Issued: 12/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cleancore Solutions
• Original Assignee: Food Safety Technology, LLC
• Inventors: Lynn, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yoo, Reginia M
• Application Number:
  US13/743,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20130142704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,433 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/157 Inorganic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/158 Apparatus for preserving using liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 5/57 Chemical peeling or cleaning of harvested fruits, vegetables or other foodstuffs mechanical aspect A23N, A23P
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2200/10 Preserving against microbes
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/128 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/183 Ozone dissolved in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/11 Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 19/02 Foam dispersion or prevention during boiling B01B1/02; during fermentation C12
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 13/11 by electric discharge
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2201/32 Constructional details of the dielectrics
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2201/40 using several dischargers in series
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2201/62 Air
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2201/64 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/04 Water-soluble compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/2093 Esters; Carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/38636 containing enzymes other than protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, oxidase or reductase
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/39 Organic or inorganic per-compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/50 Perfumes

Abstract

A reaction vessel and an ozonated liquid dispensing unit are described herein. The unit produces and dispenses an ozonated liquid that may be used to clean and sanitize a variety of articles or used in conjunction with cleaning processes and other apparatus. The reaction vessel is incorporated into the unit to reduce bubbles of ozone gas and to break up bubbles of ozone gas in the ozonated liquid to provide a more effective and longer lasting cleaning and sanitizing solution.

Claims

1. An ozonated liquid dispensing unit, comprising:

a liquid input port to receive water into the ozonated liquid dispensing unit from a water supply;

a first dielectric cell to produce ozone gas;

the first dielectric cell comprising an output trap connected to an output end of the first dielectric cell;

a second dielectric cell for producing the ozone gas;

the output trap of the first dielectric cell in communication with an input trap of the second dielectric cell for supplying the second dielectric cell with a supply gas comprising ozone gas generated from the first dielectric cell, and the second dielectric cell produces additional ozone gas from the supply gas;

an injector in fluidic communication with the liquid input port;

the injector in supply communication with the second dielectric cell for receiving the ozone gas from the first and second dielectric cells, wherein the injector mixes the ozone gas from the first and second dielectric cells with the water from the liquid input port to produce an ozonated liquid;

a reaction vessel, the reaction vessel comprising a housing, the housing defining an interior;

a first end of the housing comprising an entry port for the ozonated liquid;

a second end of the housing comprising an exit port for the ozonated liquid;

a conical member positioned in the interior of the housing between the entry port and the exit port; and

,

a liquid output port to discharge the ozonated liquid from the ozonated liquid dispensing unit.

2. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 1, wherein the liquid output port is in fluidic communication with a sprayer, a distributor, an applicator, or other fluidic system.

3. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 1, wherein the conical member is positioned generally centrally in the housing and the conical member is positioned generally vertically aligned with respect to a length of the housing.

4. An ozonated liquid dispensing unit, comprising:

a liquid input port to receive water into the ozonated liquid dispensing unit from a water supply;

a first dielectric cell to produce ozone gas;

the first dielectric cell comprising an output trap connected to an output end of the first dielectric cell;

a second dielectric cell for producing the ozone gas;

the output trap of the first dielectric cell in communication with an input trap of the second dielectric cell for supplying the second dielectric cell with a supply gas comprising ozone gas generated from the first dielectric cell, and the second dielectric cell produces additional ozone gas from the supply gas;

an injector in fluidic communication with the liquid input port;

the injector in supply communication with the second dielectric cell for receiving the ozone gas from the first and second dielectric cells, wherein the injector mixes the ozone gas from the first and second dielectric cells with the water from the liquid input port to produce an ozonated liquid;

a reaction vessel, the reaction vessel comprising a housing, the housing defining an interior;

a first end comprising an entry port for the ozonated liquid;

a second end comprising an exit port for the ozonated liquid;

a cone positioned in the interior of the housing between the entry port and the exit port; and

,

a liquid output port to discharge the ozonated liquid from the ozonated liquid dispensing unit.

5. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 4, wherein the ozonated liquid discharged by the ozonated liquid dispensing unit contains ozone in nanobubbles having a diameter of 300 nanometers or less.

6. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 4, wherein the ozonated liquid discharged by the ozonated liquid dispensing unit only contains ozone bubbles having a diameter less than approximately 300 nanometers.

7. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 4, wherein the cone is positioned generally centrally in the housing and the cone is positioned generally vertically aligned with respect to a length of the housing.

8. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 4, wherein the liquid output port is in fluidic communication with a sprayer, a distributor, an applicator, or other fluidic system.

9. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 4, further comprising a faucet or sprayer in fluidic communication with the liquid output port, and actuation of the faucet or sprayer results in liquid flow in the ozonated liquid dispensing unit that activates the first dielectric cell and the second dielectric cell.

10. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 4, further comprising an annular fluid passage between the cone and an inner surface of the housing, wherein the annular fluid passage fluidly connects the entry port and the exit port with the interior.

11. An ozonated liquid dispensing unit, comprising:

a liquid input port to receive water into the ozonated liquid dispensing unit from a water supply;

an ozone gas generator to produce ozone gas from ambient air;

an injector in fluidic communication with the liquid input port to receive the water;

the injector in supply communication with the ozone gas generator for receiving the ozone gas from ozone gas generator, wherein the injector mixes the ozone gas from the ozone gas generator with the water from the liquid input port to produce an ozonated liquid; and

a reaction vessel, the reaction vessel comprising a housing, the housing defining an interior;

a first end comprising an entry port for the ozonated liquid;

a second end comprising an exit port for the ozonated liquid;

a cone positioned in the interior of the housing between the entry port and the exit port.

12. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 11, wherein the exit port is in fluidic communication with a sprayer, a distributor, an applicator, or other fluidic system.

13. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 11, wherein the cone is positioned generally centrally in the housing and the cone is positioned generally vertically aligned with respect to a length of the housing.

14. An ozonated liquid dispensing unit, comprising:

a liquid input port to receive water into the ozonated liquid dispensing unit from a water supply;

an ozone gas generator to produce ozone gas from ambient air;

an injector in fluidic communication with the liquid input port;

the injector in supply communication with the ozone gas generator for receiving the ozone gas from ozone gas generator, wherein the injector mixes the ozone gas from a first and second dielectric cells of the ozone gas generator with the water from the liquid input port to produce an ozonated liquid; and

,

a reaction vessel, the reaction vessel comprising a housing, the housing having a generally cylindrical shape;

the housing defining an interior;

the housing comprising a first end comprising an entry port for the ozonated liquid, and a second end comprising an exit port for the ozonated liquid;

a contact member is positioned in the interior of the housing between the entry port and the exit port to further mix the ozonated liquid, an annular fluid passage is between the contact member and an inner surface of the housing, wherein the annular fluid passage fluidly connects the entry port and the exit port with the interior of the housing.

15. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 14, wherein the first end is inserted into the housing, and the second end is inserted into the housing.

16. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 14, wherein the housing includes a first opening and a second opening, the first end includes a first rim portion and a first insert portion, and the first end includes a first central opening that forms the entry point and allows the ozonated liquid to enter the housing;

and the second end includes a second rim portion and a second insert portion, and the second end has a second central opening that forms the exit port and allows the ozonated liquid to exit from the housing; and

the first insert portion fits into the first opening of the housing to connect the first end to the housing, and the second insert portion fits into the second opening of the housing to connect the second end to the housing.

17. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 14, wherein the contact member includes a plurality of ridges or steps.

18. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 14, wherein the ozonated liquid discharged by the ozonated liquid dispensing unit contains ozone in nanobubbles having a diameter of 300 nanometers or less.

19. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 14, wherein the exit port is in fluidic communication with a sprayer, a distributor, an applicator, or other fluidic system.

20. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 14, wherein the contact member is positioned generally centrally in the housing and the contact member is positioned generally vertically aligned with respect to a length of the housing.

21. An ozonated liquid dispensing unit, comprising:

a liquid input port to receive water into the ozonated liquid dispensing unit from a water supply;

an ozone gas generator to produce ozone gas from ambient air;

an injector in fluidic communication with the liquid input port;

the injector in supply communication with the ozone gas generator for receiving the ozone gas from ozone gas generator, wherein the injector mixes the ozone gas from a first and second dielectric cells of the ozone gas generator with the water from the liquid input port to produce an ozonated liquid; and

,

a reaction vessel, the reaction vessel comprising a housing, the housing having a generally cylindrical shape, the housing defining an interior, the housing have a first opening and second opening;

the housing comprising a first end, the first end including a first rim portion and a first insert portion, and the first end including a first central opening that allows the ozonated liquid to enter the housing;

the housing comprising a second end, the second end including a second rim portion and a second insert portion, and the second end has a second central opening that allows the ozonated liquid to exit from the housing;

the first insert portion fits into the first opening of the housing to connect the first end to the housing, and the second insert portion fits into the second opening of the housing to connect the second end to the housing; and

, a contact member is in the interior of the housing to further mix the ozonated liquid as the ozonated liquid passes through the reaction vessel.

22. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 21, wherein the second central opening is in fluidic communication with a sprayer, a distributor, an applicator, or other fluidic system.

23. The ozonated liquid dispensing unit according to claim 21, wherein the contact member is positioned generally centrally in the housing and the contact member is positioned generally vertically aligned with respect to a length of the housing.