Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ELECTROLYTIC CELL FOR SURFACE AND POINT OF USE DISINFECTION
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to and the benefit of filing of U.S.
Provisional Patent
Application Serial No. 601448,994, entitled "Electrolytic Cell for Surface and
Point of Use
Disinfection", filed February 21, 2003. This application is also a
continuation-in-part
application of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/907,092, filed on July
16, 2001
entitled "Portable Water Disinfection System". This application is also
related to U.S.
Patent Application, Attorney Docket No. 30750-1001, entitled "Gas Drive
Electrolytic
Cell", filed February 23, 2004. The specifications and claims of each
application listed
are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the production of oxidants in an electrolytic cell
that are
introduced into an aqueous solution used as a disinfectant or sanitizing
liquid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention involves electrolytic technology known generally in the art.
Electrolytic technology utilizing dimensionally stable anodes (DSA) has been
used for
years for the production of chlorine and other mixed-oxidant solutions.
Dimensionally
stable anodes are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,234,110 to Beer, entitled
"Electrode
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and Method of Making Same". An example of an electrolytic cell with membranes
is
described in U.S. Patent RE 32,077 to deNora, et al., entitled "Electrode Cell
with
Membrane and Method for Making Same". An electrolytic cell with dimensionally
stable
anodes without membranes is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,761,208 to Gram, et
al.,
entitled "Electrolytic Method and Cell for Sterilizing Water."
The invention also involves the use of electrolytic cells to produce an
oxidant.
Commercial electrolytic cells have been used routinely for oxidant production
that utilizes a
flow-through configuration that may or may not be under pressure that is
adequate to create
flow through the electrolytic device. Examples of cells of this configuration
are described in
U.S. Patent No. 6,309,523 to Prasnikar, et al., entitled "Electrode and
Electrolytic Cell
Containing Same," and U.S. Patent No. 5,385,711 to Baker, et al., entitled
"Electrolytic Cell
for Generating Sterilization Solutions Having Increased Ozone Content," and
many other
membrane-type cells. In other configurations, the oxidant is produced in an
open-type cell
or drawn into the cell with a syringe or pump-type device, such as described
in U.S. Patent
No. 6,524,475 to Herrington, et al., entitled "Portable Water Disinfection
System."
The word "sanitize" means: to make sanitary, as by cleaning or sterilizing.
The word
"disinfect" means: to free from disinfection, esp. by destroying harmful
microorganisms;
broadly; cleanse. The word "disinfectant" means: a chemical that destroys
vegetative
forms of harmful microorganisms esp. on inanimate objects but that may be less
effective in
destroying bacterial spores. Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary (1984)
For
purposes of this application, the words sanitize, disinfect, disinfectant and
variants thereof
are used in the broad sense as meaning, cleanse.
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A specific type of electrolytic cell that produces an oxidant is disclosed in
U.S. Patent
Application Serial No. 09/907,092 to Herrington, et al., one of the inventors
of the invention
described and claimed in this application, entitled "Portable Water
Disinfection System," the
specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. The specification
describes
disinfection devices that utilize, in one instance, an electrolytic cell
chamber in which
hydrogen gas is generated during electrolysis to provide a driving force to
expel oxidant
from the cell chamber through a pressure-sensitive check valve. In this
configuration,
unconverted electrolyte is also expelled from the body of the cell as hydrogen
gas is
generated. In an alternate configuration described in the same application,
hydrogen gas
pressure is contained in a cell chamber during electrolysis, but the pressure
within the cell
chamber is limited by the action of a spring loaded piston that continues to
increase the
volume of the cell chamber as gas volume increases. Ultimately, a valve
mechanism
opens, and the spring-loaded piston fills the complete volume of the cell
chamber forcing
the oxidant out of the cell chamber. Another electrolytic cell configuration
is disclosed in
U.S. Patent Application, Attorney Docket No. 30750-1001, entitled "Gas Drive
Electrolytic
Cell" filed concurrently herewith. The specification describes a sealed cell
during the
electrolysis that produces the oxidant which results in a build up of gas
pressure, primarily
Hz released at the cathode, which overcomes a check valve that opens to expel
both the
gas and the oxidant.
U.S. Patent No. 3,996,126 to Rasmussen describes an electrolyzed saline
solution
generated in a closed container and used to treat teeth and oral cavities. A
propellant gas,
electrical pump, or manual pump is utilized to force the electrolyzed saline
solution out of
the container through a tube.
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U.S. Patent 4,019,986 to Burris, et al, describes a portable ozone generator
and
container for purifying water. U.S. Application US 2002/0175085 A1 to Harkins,
et al,
relates to a stationary electrolyzed oxidizing water system for spraying a
sanitizing solution
on eggs. U.S. Patent 6,502,766 B1 to Streutker, et al, relates to a motorized
sprayer for
attachment to a bottle. U.S. Patent 6,363,951 B1 to Wood describes an ozone
generation
system for use in a water containing device such as a sink for disinfection of
materials
placed in the sink.
These prior art systems are generally large industrial or commercial apparatus
producing large quantities of solution and are therefore not suitable for
residential use by
consumers. The devices lack portability due to their size as required for a
disinfectant or
sanitizing solution that may be applied at various locations without the need
for pipes or
hoses. The prior art does not disclose an apparatus that is low cost,
convenient and simple
to operate, store, and activate for the production of an oxidant that may be
introduced to an
aqueous solution which may then be used as a disinfectant for a wide variety
of objects.
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BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for producing an
oxidant
to treat a liquid that may be dispensed from a spray bottle or other container
as a
disinfectant. The apparatus of the invention is low-cost, small and simple,
suitable for
consumer residential use, although industrial, medical and military
applications are also
within the scope of the invention. The apparatus may comprise a hand-held
portable spray
bottle or other container that is initially filled with a liquid, preferably
water. The apparatus
further comprises at least one electrolytic cell. The cell includes at least
two electrodes, one
electrode comprises at least one cathode and another electrode comprises at
least one
anode. Many types and configurations of electrodes may be suitable for the
electrolytic cell
of the present invention. The apparatus comprises a control circuit for
selectively delivering
an electrical charge between the cathode and the anode from any energy source.
The energy source, electrically connected with the control circuit, delivers a
controlled electrical charge having a value determined by the cell
characteristics, such as
the electrolyte type and quantity, size, and other factors. The energy or
power source may
be a standard or rechargeable battery, direct AC connection or solar power.
During
generation of oxidants, an electrolyte, preferably comprising a sodium
chloride brine solution
or a sodium chlorite solution, is located within the cell housing between the
anode and
cathode. Other oxidants may be produced, based upon the desired application
including
other halogen oxides, such as chlorine dioxide. The controlled electrical
charge passes
through the electrolytic solution from cathode to anode, thereby generating at
least one
oxidant in the electrolyte. A valve or other means may be used to control
fluid connection
between the cell and the liquid within the container.
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In one embodiment, a fluid such as water is placed in the bottle, and oxidants
produced within the electrolytic cell are transferred to the water to produce
a solution with a
free available chlorine concentration of sufficient strength to effectively
sanitize the material
or surface of an object. In alternative embodiments, the bottle can be an open
bottle, closed
bottle, or bottle with a spray nozzle or other pumping means to transfer the
solution within
the bottle to the material or surface to be treated.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the spray bottle is placed on a
base
unit. The base unit comprises an electrolytic cell, electrolyte storage
compartment, power
supply, and control circuit. Oxidants produced in the base unit are
transferred to the interior
of the spray bottle through a valve mechanism. The spray bottle is then
removed from the
base and used to disinfect surfaces, foods, or other materials requiring
sanitization.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the spray bottle
includes a
handle that houses an electrolytic cell, electrolyte storage compartment,
power supply, and
control circuit.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the spray bottle includes
a
separate, compact, electrolytic oxidant-producing device or module that
removably,
mechanically attaches to the spray bottle. In this embodiment, the
electrolytic device is
used for production. of a number of discrete charges of concentrated oxidant
and is then
replaced when the oxidant production capacity is depleted. The replaceable
oxidant
producing device comprises an electrolytic cell, electrolyte storage
compartment, power
supply, and control circuit.
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Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of
applicability of
the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to
follow, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent
to those
skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by
practice of the
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and
attained by
means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in
the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the
specification, illustrate several embodiments of the present invention and,
together with the
description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings
are only for the
purpose of illustrating several embodiments of the invention and are not to be
construed as
limiting the invention. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a view of a bottle mounted on an oxidant-producing base unit.
Fig. 2 is a bottle with an oxidant producing unit housed within the handle of
the
bottle.
Fig. 3 is a bottle with a separate replaceable oxidant-producing device or
module
removably attached to the bottle.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Commercial electrolytic cells are in production to produce a mixed-oxidant
solution.
This process is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,761,208 and subsequent patents
and
applications, referred to above, all incorporated herein by reference. The
disinfectant
produced in this process is very effective for inactivation of microorganisms,
particularly
microorganisms that are resistant to treatment by conventional chlorine,
whether in gas,
liquid (sodium hypochlorite), or solid (calcium hypochlorite) form.
A simple version of an oxidant producing device useful in the present
invention is
described and shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
09/907,092
for "Portable Water Disinfection System", incorporated herein by reference.
Another oxidant
producing device useful in the present invention is described and shown in
U.S. Patent
Application, Attorney Docket No. 30750-1001, entitled "Gas Drive Electrolytic
Cell", filed
concurrently herewith. Other variations and configurations of an electrolytic
cell can be
produced to accommodate various applications.
The object of the current invention is to incorporate an electrolytic cell
into a spray
bottle or other container for cleaning solution to enhance the disinfection
performance of the
cleaning solution. The cleaning solution may have many application including
household or
industrial surface cleaning (countertops, lavatories, etc), an enhanced
cleaning and
disinfection solution for washing hands in a sterile environment, for cleaning
of medical
instruments, and any other application where inactivation of viruses,
bacteria, protozoans,
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molds, spores, volatile organic compounds, pesticides, herbicides, chemical
contamination
agents, cyanide, and other undesirable matter can be destroyed by the oxidant
solution.
Referring to Fig. 1, one embodiment of the present invention comprises base
unit 20
with bottle 22 placed on a horizontal surface for receiving the bottle. In
this embodiment,
bottle 22 comprises a spray bottle. In alternative embodiments of the present
invention, the
bottle may be a closed or capped bottle, or an open bottle. In the first
embodiment, base
unit 22 comprises electrolytic cell 46, circuit board 34, and electrolyte
storage container 32.
In this embodiment, power supply 36 is attached by an electrical cord to base
unit 22 and
plugs directly into a wall electrical outlet. In an alternative embodiment of
the present
invention, power supply 36 is located within base unit 22 and plugged directly
into an
electrical outlet.
In the first embodiment of the present invention, in order to commence
operation,
fluid 24, preferably water, is introduced into bottle 22. Activation switch 38
is pressed by the
user thereby activating production of oxidants. Electrolyte within storage
container 32 is
transferred to electrolytic cell 46. Electrical power is applied to
electrolytic cell 46 through
control circuit 34. Status of oxidant production and fault conditions such as
low electrolyte
levels or other conditions are indicated by illumination of status lights 40.
Upon completion
of oxidant generation within electrolytic cell 46, oxidants are transferred to
the interior of
bottle 22 via a valve and probe 42. Probe 42 provides fluid communication with
the liquid in
bottle 22 via self sealing valve 44 which is integral to bottle 22. Other user
controlled
apparatus may be employed to transfer the electrolyte to the solution within
bottle 22. After
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oxidants are transferred to the interior of bottle 22, fluid 24' comprises a
free available
chlorine concentration of sufficient value to sanitize desired objects.
In the first embodiment of the present invention, bottle 22 is removed from
base unit
20 and is transported by the user to other locations for the purpose of
disinfecting or
sanitizing surFaces, food products, or other materials. Bottle 22 comprises
handle 26 which
further comprises spray trigger 28 and spray nozzle 30. In the first
embodiment, handle 22
comprises oxidant efficacy indicator light 48. Oxidant efficacy indicator
light 48 provides
status to the user of the free available chlorine oxidant strength in fluid
24. Oxidant efficacy
indicator light 48 is activated via electrical contact 50. Oxidant efficacy
indicator light 48 is
powered from a capacitor circuit located within handle 26. In an alternative
embodiment,
oxidant efficacy indicator light 48 is powered by a battery located within
handle 26. In this
alternative embodiment, activation of oxidant efficacy indicator light 48 is
triggered by a
radio frequency signal generated by an RF circuit located within base unit 20.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 2. In this
alternative embodiment, the apparatus comprises bottle 22 and sprayer head 54.
Sprayer
head 54 comprises an electrolytic cell, a power supply, a control circuit,
sprayer nozzle 30,
spray handle 28, and electrolyte container 32. Sprayer head 54 includes
oxidant efficacy
indicator light 48. Sprayer head 54 plugs directly into an electrical wall
outlet via electrical
connector 52 to provide power to recharge a battery located within sprayer
head 54. The
battery within sprayer head 54 provides the power to deliver a charge to the
electrolyte
within the electrolytic cell to produce oxidants. In an alternative
embodiment, electrolysis
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within the cell within sprayer head 54 is powered directly from the electrical
wall outlet via
electrical connectors 52.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 3. In this
embodiment, electrolytic cell module 60 comprises an electrolytic cell,
electrolyte source,
power source, and control circuit. Electrolytic cell module 60 is removable
from bottle 22,
preferably by threads or other mechanical fluid-tight sealing mechanism to
bottle 22.
Electrolytic cell module 60 is removable for replacement as a complete
assembly from bottle
22. In an alternative embodiment, the electrolyte cell and power source are
replaceable
components that attach to electrolytic cell module 60. In this embodiment,
electrolytic cell
module 60 comprises the electrolytic cell and control circuit. The oxidant
produced by
module 60 is in fluid connection with the liquid in bottle 22.
Applications of the present invention are especially applicable to low-cost
water
treatment systems for home use by consumers. However, it will be obvious to
those versed
in the art that this invention can be utilized in a variety of applications
including spray bottle
applications for surface cleaning, potable water treatment systems, wastewater
treatment
systems, food cleaning applications, medical instrument sterilization,
surgical wards,
hospital environments, military medical applications, military chemical and
biological
weapons decontamination, wound treatment, and other applications where a
disinfectant is
utilized.
Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference
to these
preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results.
Variations and
modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the
art and it is
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intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents. The entire
disclosures of all
references, applications, patents, and publications cited above, and of the
corresponding
applications, are hereby incorporated by reference.
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