UV sterilization of containers

• US 9,707,306 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2011
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bluemorph LLC
• Original Assignee: Bluemorph LLC
• Inventors: Farren, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyner, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US13/314,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20120121457A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,050 Days
• Field of Search: 2504921, 25045511, 422 24
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/11 Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/16 Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/23 Containers, e.g. vials, bottles, syringes, mail

Abstract

Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for ultraviolet (UV) disinfection and sterilization, more specifically, systems, devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization of a container, and more particularly systems, devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization of a container used in the process of fermentation for an alcoholic beverage. Provided are also systems, UV devices, and methods for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present in a container, preferably for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present on an interior surface of a container.

Claims

1. An ultraviolet (UV) device comprising:

(i) a frame;

(ii) a first germicidal UV light source, attached to the frame;

(iii) a means for moving the first germicidal UV light source to a first vertical position within a container;

(iv) a means for moving the first germicidal UV light source from the first vertical position to a horizontal position within a container;

(v) a means for moving the first germicidal UV light source from the horizontal position to a second vertical position within a container;

(vi) a means for attaching the UV device to the container; and

(vii) a circuit board,

wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(A) comprising a radiofrequency identifier reader,

(B) communicating with a radiofrequency identifier,

(C) controlling a movement of the first germicidal UV light source within the container,

(D) controlling a rate of descent of the first germicidal UV light source within the container,

(E) controlling a positioning of the first germicidal UV light source within the container,

(F) controlling an on/off status of a motor, wherein the motor controls the positioning of the first germicidal UV light source within the container,

(G) controlling an on/off status of the first germicidal UV light source based on measuring whether a pre-determined UV intensity has been attained,

(H) controlling extension of the first germicidal UV light source from a housing,

(I) controlling retraction of the first germicidal UV light source into the housing,

(J) responding to a jammed position status of the first germicidal UV light source,

(K) communicating with a chip attached to the container,

(L) receiving information from the chip attached to the container,

(M) controlling a downwardly movement of the first germicidal UV light source into the container, and

(N) controlling a rate with which the first germicidal UV light source moves downwardly into the container; and

wherein the UV device is configured to insert the first germicidal UV light source movably through an opening of the container into the container.

2. The UV device according to claim 1, further comprising:

(viii) a housing, surrounding the first germicidal UV light source.

3. The UV device according to claim 2, wherein the housing is attached to the frame or an upper plate.

4. The UV device according to claim 2, wherein the housing is a mesh cage.

5. The UV device according to claim 2, wherein the housing is selected from the group consisting of a housing comprising a protective sleeve, a housing comprising a fan cooling system, a housing comprising a reflector, a housing attached to a bracket, a housing attached to a parallelogramming arm, a housing attached to a central sleeve, a housing attached to a scissor boom, a cylindrical housing surrounding a cylindrical first germicidal UV lamp, a removable housing, a mesh cage housing, and a housing which may fold open.

6. The UV device according to claim 2, wherein the housing is made of a polymer.

7. The UV device according to claim 6, wherein the polymer is plastic.

8. The UV device according to claim 2, wherein the housing is a metal housing.

9. The UV device according to claim 2, wherein (vi) is a bracket to which the first germicidal UV light source and the housing are movably attached.

10. The UV device according to claim 9, wherein when the bracket is positioned at an opening of the container, the first germicidal UV light source can move inwardly into the container.

11. The UV device according to claim 10, wherein when the bracket is positioned on the container, the first germicidal UV light source and the housing can move downwardly into the container.

12. The UV device according to claim 1,

wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(A) comprising the radiofrequency identifier reader, and

(B) communicating with the radiofrequency identifier.

13. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(C) controlling the movement of the first germicidal UV light source within the container,

(D) controlling the rate of descent of the first germicidal UV light source within the container,

(E) controlling the positioning of the first germicidal UV light source within the container,

(M) controlling the downwardly movement of the first germicidal UV light source into the container, and

(N) controlling the rate with which the first germicidal UV light source moves downwardly into the container.

14. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the means for moving the first germicidal UV light source to the first vertical position is a telescopic arm.

15. The UV device according to claim 14, wherein the telescopic arm comprises one or more telescopic units of different diameters.

16. The UV device according to claim 14, wherein the first vertical position is a vertical downwards position and wherein moving the telescopic arm to the first vertical downwards position is by gravity.

17. The UV device according to claim 14, wherein the means for moving the first germicidal UV light source to the first vertical position extends the telescopic arm and thereby moves the germicidal UV light source to the first vertical position.

18. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the means for moving the first germicidal UV light source from the first vertical position to the horizontal position is a winch.

19. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the means for moving the first germicidal UV light source from the first vertical position to the horizontal position is a motor.

20. The UV device according to claim 19, wherein the motor also moves the first germicidal UV light source from the horizontal position to the second vertical position.

21. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the first germicidal UV light source comprises one or more UV lamps.

22. The UV device according to claim 21, wherein the first germicidal UV light source comprises eight UV lamps.

23. The UV device according to claim 21, wherein the one or more UV lamps are attached to an upper plate.

24. The UV device according to claim 23, wherein the one or more UV lamps are attached to the frame and to the upper plate in an approximately 15 degree angle.

25. The UV device according to claim 21, wherein the one or more UV lamps are part of a UV lamp cluster.

26. The UV device according to claim 25, wherein the UV lamp cluster comprises from two to eight UV lamps arranged in an angle of approximate 15 degrees.

27. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the means for moving the first germicidal UV light source from the horizontal position to the second vertical position is attached to a reel assembly.

28. The UV device according to claim 27, wherein the first germicidal UV light source is attached to the reel assembly by a cable.

29. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the UV device to the container is a hanger or a bracket.

30. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the first germicidal UV light source is a UV-C light source.

31. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(F) controlling the on/off status of the motor, wherein the motor controls the positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container, and

(G) controlling the on/off status of the first germicidal UV light source based on measuring whether the pre-determined UV intensity has been attained.

32. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(H) controlling extension of the first germicidal UV light source from the housing,

(I) controlling retraction of the first germicidal UV light source into the housing, and

(J) responding to the jammed position status of the first germicidal UV light source.

33. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein (vi) permits attaching the UV device to an outer perimeter of the container.

34. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein (vi) permits attaching the UV device to a lid of the container.

35. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein (vi) permits attaching the UV device to an opening in a lid of the container.

36. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein (vi) permits attaching the UV device to a bottom of the container.

37. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein (vi) permits attaching the UV device to a side of the container.

38. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the first UV light source comprises a UV lamp selected from the group consisting of a low-pressure lamp, a medium pressure lamp, a high pressure lamp, and an ultra high-pressure lamp.

39. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the first UV light source comprises a UV lamp selected from the group consisting of a mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, a spectral calibration lamp, and an electrodeless lamp.

40. The UV device according to claim 39, wherein the mercury lamp is a low pressure mercury lamp.

41. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the first UV light source produces UV light within a wave-length range selected from the group consisting of from about 200 nm to about 280 nm, from about 280 nm to about 315 nm, and from about 315 nm to about 400 nm.

42. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(K) communicating with the chip attached to the container,

(L) receiving information from the chip attached to the container.

43. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the functionality of the circuit board is

(G) controlling the on/off status of the first germicidal UV light source based on measuring whether the pre-determined UV intensity has been attained.

44. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the first germicidal UV light source is a pulsed germicidal UV light source.

45. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the UV device is attached to a container for fermenting an alcoholic beverage.

46. The UV device according to claim 45, wherein the container for fermenting an alcoholic beverage is a container for wine.

47. The UV device according to claim 1, further comprising:

(viii) a second germicidal UV light source.

48. The UV device according to claim 1, further comprising:

(viii) a detector.

49. The UV device according to claim 48, wherein the detector is capable of performing one or more functions selected from the group consisting of measuring a UV intensity level, monitoring UV radiation, shutting off the first germicidal UV light source when a specified UV intensity level is attained, being attachable to a bracket, connecting to the first germicidal UV light source, communicating with the first germicidal UV light source, and detecting an appropriate UV dose necessary to achieve a predetermined sterilization rate.

50. The UV device according to claim 1, further comprising:

(viii) a motor.

51. The UV device according to claim 50, wherein the motor is capable of performing one or more functions selected from the group consisting of moving the first germicidal UV light source into the container, moving the first germicidal UV light source into a first vertical position within the container, moving the first germicidal UV light source from the first vertical position into a horizontal position within the container, moving the first germicidal UV light source from the horizontal position into a second vertical position within the container, moving the first germicidal UV light source downwardly into the container, moving the first germicidal UV light source into a first vertical downwards position within the container, moving the first germicidal UV light source from the first vertical downwards position into a horizontal position within the container, moving the first germicidal UV light source from the horizontal position into a second vertical downwards position within the container, moving the first germicidal UV light source to a predetermined position within the container, moving the first germicidal UV light source longitudinally within the container, moving the first germicidal UV light source laterally within the container, and extending a cable to which the first germicidal UV light source may be attached.

52. The UV device according to claim 1, further comprising:

(viii) an optical component selected from the group consisting of a reflector, a shutter, a lens, a splitter, and a mirror.

53. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(C) controlling the movement of the germicidal UV light source within the container,

(D) controlling the rate of descent of the germicidal UV light source within the container,

(E) controlling the positioning of the first germicidal UV light source within the container,

(F) controlling the on/off status of the motor, wherein the motor controls the positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container,

(G) controlling the on/off status of the first germicidal UV light source based on measuring whether the pre-determined UV intensity has been attained,

(H) controlling extension of the first germicidal UV light source from the housing,

(I) controlling retraction of the first germicidal UV light source into the housing, and

(J) responding to the jammed position status of the first germicidal UV light source.

54. The UV device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(E) controlling the positioning of the first germicidal UV light source within the container,

(K) communicating with the chip attached to the container,

(L) receiving information from the chip attached to the container,

(M) controlling the downwardly movement of the first germicidal UV light source into the container, and

(N) controlling the rate with which the first germicidal UV light source moves downwardly into the container.

94. A method for sterilizing an interior surface of a container, the method comprising the steps of:

(a), inserting the first germicidal UV light source of the UV device of claim 1 movably and inwardly through an opening of a container into the container; and

(b) activating the first UV light source.

95. The method according to claim 94, wherein the container is selected from the group consisting of a container comprising an interior surface on which a microorganism is present, a closed container comprising one or more openings at the top, a container for fermenting an alcoholic beverage, a container for fermenting beer, a container for fermenting wine, a vat, a silo, a tub, a basket, a case, a box, a barrel, a storage bin, a container for a biological fluid, a beverage container, an aquarium, a container for blood, a container for a blood product, a container for a fermentation product, a container for a cell culture product, a container for a biotechnology product, and a container comprising a material selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, concrete, polymer, etched aluminum, foil aluminum, polished aluminum, chromium, glass, nickel, silver, stainless steel, tri-plated steel, water paint, white cotton, white oil paint, white paper, white porcelain, and white wall plaster.

96. The method according to claim 94, wherein the interior surface of the container comprises a liquid layer.

97. The method according to claim 96, wherein the liquid layer comprises a liquid selected from the group consisting of apple juice, beer, liquid sugar, milk, vinegar, water, and wine.

102. A system comprising:

(i) the UV device of claim 1; and

(ii) a container.

103. The system

according to claim 102, wherein the container is selected from the group consisting of a container comprising an interior surface on which a microorganism is present, a closed container comprising one or more openings at the top, a container for fermenting an alcoholic beverage, a container for fermenting beer, a container for fermenting wine, a vat, a silo, a tub, a basket, a case, a box, a barrel, a storage bin, a container for a biological fluid, a beverage container, an aquarium, a container for blood, a container for a blood product, a container for a fermentation product, a container for a cell culture product, a containerfor a biotechnology product, and a container comprising a material selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, concrete, polymer, etched aluminum, foil aluminum, polished aluminum, chromium, glass, nickel, silver, stainless steel, tri-plated steel, water paint, white cotton, white oil paint, white paper, white porcelain, and white wall plaster.

55. An ultraviolet (UV) device comprising:

(i) a germicidal UV light source;

(ii) a means for moving the germicidal UV light source to a first predetermined position;

(iii) a means for moving the germicidal UV light source from the first predetermined position to a second predetermined position;

(iv) a means for moving the germicidal UV light source from the second predetermined position to a third predetermined position;

(v) a means for attaching the UV device to a container; and

(vi) a circuit board;

wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(A) comprising a radiofrequency identifier reader,

(B) communicating with the radiofrequency identifier,

(C) controlling a movement of the germicidal UV light source within a the container,

(D) controlling a rate of descent of the germicidal UV light source within the container,

(E) controlling a positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container,

(F) controlling an on/off status of a motor, wherein the motor controls the positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container,

(G) controlling an on/off status of the germicidal UV light source based on measuring whether a pre-determined UV intensity has been attained,

(H) controlling extension of the germicidal UV light source from a housing,

(I) controlling retraction of the germicidal UV light source into the housing,

(J) responding to a jammed position status of the germicidal UV light source,

(K) communicating with a chip attached to the container,

(L) receiving information from the chip attached to the container,

(M) controlling a downwardly movement of the germicidal UV light source into the container, and

(N) controlling a rate with which the germicidal UV light source moves downwardly into the container; and

wherein the UV device is configured to insert the germicidal UV light source movably through an opening of the container into the container.

56. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(A) comprising the radiofrequency identifier reader, and

(B) communicating with the radiofrequency identifier.

57. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(C) controlling the movement of the germicidal UV light source within the container,

(D) controlling the rate of descent of the germicidal UV light source within the container,

(E) controlling the positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container,

(M) controlling the downwardly movement of the germicidal UV light source into the container, and

(N) controlling the rate with which the germicidal UV light source moves downwardly into the container.

58. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(F) controlling the on/off status of the motor, wherein the motor controls the positioning of the first germicidal UV light source within the container, and

(G) controlling the on/off status of the first germicidal UV light source based on measuring whether the pre-determined UV intensity has been attained.

59. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(H) controlling the extension of the germicidal UV light source from the housing,

(I) controlling the retraction of the germicidal UV light source into the housing, and

(J) responding to the jammed position status of the germicidal UV light source.

60. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(K) communicating with the chip attached to the container, and

(L) receiving information from the chip attached to the container.

61. The UV device according to claim 55,

wherein the functionality of the circuit board is

(G) controlling the on/off status of the germicidal UV light source based on measuring whether the pre-determined UV intensity has been attained.

62. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(B) communicating with the radiofrequency identifier,

(C) controlling the movement of the germicidal UV light source within the container,

(D) controlling the rate of descent of the germicidal UV light source within the container,

(E) controlling the positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container,

(F) controlling the on/off status of the motor, wherein the motor controls the positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container,

(G) controlling the on/off status of the UV light source based on whether the pre-determined UV intensity has been measured,

(H) controlling extension of the germicidal UV light source from the housing,

(I) controlling retraction of the germicidal UV light source into the housing, and

(J) responding to the jammed position status of the germicidal UV light source.

63. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of

(E) controlling the positioning of the first germicidal UV light source within the container,

(K) communicating with the chip attached to the container,

(L) receiving information from the chip attached to the container,

(M) controlling the downwardly movement of the first germicidal UV light source into the container, and

(N) controlling the rate with which the first germicidal UV light source moves downwardly into the container.

64. The UV device according to claim 55, further comprising:

(vii) a housing, surrounding the germicidal UV light source.

65. The UV device according to claim 64, wherein the housing is selected from the group consisting of a housing comprising a protective sleeve, a housing comprising a fan cooling system, a housing comprising a reflector, a housing attached to a bracket, a housing attached to a parallelogramming arm, a housing attached to a central sleeve, a housing attached to a scissor boom, a cylindrical housing surrounding a cylindrical first germicidal UV lamp, a removable housing, a mesh cage housing, and a housing which may fold open.

66. The UV device according to claim 64, wherein the housing is made of a polymer.

67. The UV device according to claim 66, wherein the polymer is plastic.

68. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the means for attaching the UV device to the container is a hanger or a bracket.

69. The UV device according to claim 68, wherein the germicidal UV light source is movably attached to the hanger or bracket.

70. The UV device according to claim 69, wherein when the bracket is positioned at an opening of the container, the first germicidal UV light source can be moved inwardly into the container.

71. The UV device according to claim 69, wherein when the bracket is positioned at an opening of the container, the germicidal UV light source can be moved downwardly into the container.

72. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein (v) permits attaching the UV device to an outer perimeter of the container.

73. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein (v) permits attaching the UV device to a lid of the container.

74. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein (v) permits attaching the UV device to an opening in a lid of the container.

75. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein (v) permits attaching the UV device to a bottom of the container.

76. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein (v) permits attaching the UV device to a side of the container.

77. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the germicidal UV light source comprises a UV lamp is selected from the group consisting of a low-pressure lamp, a medium pressure lamp, a high pressure lamp, and an ultra high-pressure lamp.

78. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the UV light source comprises a UV lamp is selected from the group consisting of a mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, a spectral calibration lamp, and an electrodeless lamp.

79. The UV device according to claim 78, wherein the mercury lamp is a low pressure mercury lamp.

80. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the UV light source produces UV light within a wave-length range selected from the group consisting of from about 200 nm to about 280 nm, from about 280 nm to about 315 nm, and from about 315 nm to about 400 nm.

81. The UV device according to claim 64, wherein the housing is a metal housing.

82. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the germicidal UV light source is a pulsed germicidal UV light source.

83. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the UV device is attached to a container for fermenting an alcoholic beverage.

84. The UV device according to claim 83, wherein the alcoholic beverage is wine.

85. The UV device according to claim 55, further comprising:

(vii) a frame permitting the UV device to be positioned on a surface of the container.

86. The UV device according to claim 55, comprising a plurality of germicidal UV light sources.

87. The UV device according to claim 86, wherein the plurality of UV light sources comprises from two to eight UV lamps.

88. The UV device according to claim 55, further comprising:

(vii) a detector.

89. The UV device according to claim 88, wherein the detector is capable of performing one or more functions selected from the group consisting of measuring a UV intensity level, monitoring UV radiation, shutting off the germicidal UV light source when a specified UV intensity level is measured, being attachable to a bracket, connecting to the germicidal UV light source, communicating with the germicidal UV light source, and detecting an appropriate UV dose necessary to achieve a predetermined sterilization rate.

90. The UV device according to claim 55, further comprising:

(vii) a motor.

91. The UV device according to claim 90, wherein the motor is capable of performing one or more functions selected from the group consisting of moving the germicidal UV light source downwardly into the container, moving the germicidal UV light source into the first predetermined position, moving the germicidal UV light source from the first predetermined position into a second predetermined position, moving the germicidal UV light source from the second predetermined position into a third predetermined position, moving the germicidal UV light source longitudinally within the container, moving the germicidal UV light source laterally within the container, and extending a cable to which the germicidal UV light source may be attached.

92. The UV device according to claim 55, further comprising:

(vii) an optical component selected from the group consisting of a reflector, a shutter, a lens, a splitter, and a mirror.

93. The UV device according to claim 55, wherein the first predetermined position, the second predetermined position and the third predetermined position are selected from the group consisting of a horizontal position, a vertical position and an angular position between the horizontal position and the vertical position.

98. A method for sterilizing an interior surface of a container, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) inserting the germicidal UV light source of the UV device of claim 55 movably and inwardly through an opening of a container into the container; and

(b) activating the germicidal UV light source.

99. The method according to claim 98, wherein the container is selected from the group consisting of a container comprising an interior surface on which a microorganism is present, a closed container comprising one or more openings at the top, a container for fermenting an alcoholic beverage, a container for fermenting beer, a container for fermenting wine, a vat, a silo, a tub, a basket, a case, a box, a barrel, a storage bin, a container for a biological fluid, a beverage container, an aquarium, a container for blood, a container for a blood product, a container for a fermentation product, a container for a cell culture product, a container for a biotechnology product, and a container comprising a material selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, concrete, polymer, etched aluminum, foil aluminum, polished aluminum, chromium, glass, nickel, silver, stainless steel, tri-plated steel, water paint, white cotton, white oil paint, white paper, white porcelain, and white wall plaster.

100. The method according to claim 98, wherein the interior surface of the container comprises a liquid layer.

101. The method according to claim 100, wherein the liquid layer comprises a liquid selected from the group consisting of apple juice, beer, liquid sugar, milk, vinegar, water, and wine.

104. A system comprising:

(i) the UV device of claim 55; and

(ii) a container.

105. The system according to claim 104, wherein the container is selected from the group consisting of a container comprising an interior surface on which a microorganism is present, a closed container comprising one or more openings at the top, a container for fermenting an alcoholic beverage, a container for fermenting beer, a container for fermenting wine, a vat, a silo, a tub, a basket, a case, a box, a barrel, a storage bin, a container for a biological fluid, a beverage container, an aquarium, a container for blood, a container for a blood product, a container for a fermentation product, a container for a cell culture product, a container for a biotechnology product, and a container comprising a material selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, concrete, polymer, etched aluminum, foil aluminum, polished aluminum, chromium, glass, nickel, silver, stainless steel, tri-plated steel, water paint, white cotton, white oil paint, white paper, white porcelain, and white wall plaster.