Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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[001] SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING SUPPLY OF OZONE TO WASHING
MACHINE TO MAXIMIZE CUMULATIVE CT VALUE
[002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[003] The present invention relates to a method and a system for
controlling the
supply of ozone washing machine water which maximizes the use of ozone in
order to throughly and completely clean, sanitize and/or disinfect the laundry
being
washed in the shortest time possible.
[004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[005] The use of ozone in cleaning and sanitizing laundry has been utilized
for
quite some time. The primary reason is that ozone is generally recognized as
being effective in cleaning as well as deodorizing and sanitizing laundry
while
minimizing impact to the environment. With respect to commercial applications,
however, ozone is generally the preferred cleaning component as it is
relatively
inexpensive to manufacture and quite reliable.
[006] As is well known, the application of ozone to a cleaning fluid, such
as water,
acts as a disinfectant as well as assists with removing dirt, debris and other
contaminants from the laundry detergent so that the laundry detergent can
again
be effective in removing dirt, debris and other contaminants from the clothing
or
other laundry being laundered. While it is known that dissolving ozone in a
liquid,
such as water, will assist with improving the cleaning and sterilization
efficiency of
the liquid, a number of the currently available prior art systems suffer a
variety of
associated drawbacks. In particular, a portion of the ozone which is added to
the
liquid does not become completely dissolved within the water so that it can
not
readily directly contact any substance(s) dissolved or contained within the
liquid.
As a result, the undissolved ozone is rapidly given off, dissipated and/or
evaporated from the liquid as soon as the liquid enters into a reservoir or
some
other expansion chamber, for example. As a result, such undissolved ozone is
not
effective cleaning and/or disinfecting and thus not all of the ozone, which is
added
to the liquid or water, is active or effective in achieving the desired
cleaning and/or
sterilization intended by the ozonated liquid. Further, many times, some of
the
replacement liquid or water, which is added to the washing machine during the
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wash cycles, does not contain any ozone and such unozonated liquid generally
increases the duration of the cleaning, sanitization and/or disinfection time
for the
laundry being washed.
[007] It is to appreciated that washing laundry can be a relatively
expensive
process. It utilizes costly resources¨water, energy, detergents and labor¨and
such
laundering is often required not only to clean but disinfect the laundry
items. While
conventional detergents and soap can be effective in removing dirt, grease,
grime
and other contaminants, they are not always effective in killing germs and
bacteria.
It is known to enhance the disinfection capabilities of a washing machine by
introducing ozone into the washing water. The ozone improves cleaning of
laundry, even at relatively low or cold wash water temperatures, and also has
an
antibacterial effect.
[008] Previous systems for introducing ozone have included a simple bubble
system in which ozone is bubbled through water in a washing machine drum. The
efficiency of dissolving ozone in the water of such apparatus is low, and the
concentration of dissolved ozone in the water is consequently low thereby
resulting
in only a minor enhancement in the cleaning and the antibacterial effect of
the
ozone. There is also the disadvantage that the amount of off-gas, i.e., the
ozone
which is readily given off to the surrounding environment both during filling
and/or
during operation of the washing machine, can be considerable. The ozone gas
will
typically collect in the area surrounding one or more sampling ports or
exhaust
vents of the washing machine and can potentially cause health and/or safety
problems in the event that any person located adjacent, or within the room
accommodating the washing machine, is exposed to a high concentration of
ozone.
[009] In order to improve the efficiency with which ozone is dissolved in
the water,
systems using venturis have been developed. Such systems attempt to forcibly
dissolve ozone in the water and thereby increase the concentration of
dissolved
ozone (see the results of such a system depicted by Fig. 1) as a fresh water
is
added to the washing machine. However, the ozone is generally not completely
and thoroughly dissolved within the water, so as to maximize contact of the
-3-
dissolved ozone during the washing process and the ozone tends to dissolve out
of solution fairly rapidly and become gaseous shortly after being mixed with
the
water and supplied to the washing machine. The contact time value ("CT value")
for systems, which incorporate a direct injection of ozone into the water,
tend to be
fairly low, e.g., only achieve a CT value of 0.6 for example.
[010] In an attempt to improve the amount of ozone dissolved within the
water,
Daniels Equipment Company developed and manufactures a diffusion system in
which the ozone is directly injected into the water contained, typically
within a sump
of the washing machine during the wash cycle. The results of such system are
depicted in Fig. 2 attached hereto. The CT value for such systems, which
directly
inject ozone into the water contained within the sump, tend to be much higher,
e.g.,
achieved a CT value of 10.0 for example during 20 minute wash. However, as
noted below, such CT values are still insufficient to kill some commonly known
and
prevalent infectious diseases.
[011] With respect to commercial applications, during a typical wash cycle,
a
number of infectious diseases must be reliably and consistently killed in
order to
prevent the spread of such infectious diseases. That is, in order to ensure
reliable
and consistent killing of a desired infectious diseases, a cumulative CT
value¨i.e.,
the concentration of the disinfectant (i.e., ozone) multiplied by the time
that the
disinfectant (i.e., ozone) is in contact with the infectious disease(s)¨must
be
achieved between the beginning of the wash cycle and the end of the wash
cycle.
It must be appreciated from the above that the CT value can vary depending on
the concentration level of the ozone as well as the time that the laundry has
the
ability to come into contact with the dissolved ozone. Correspondingly, in the
event
that the necessary cumulative CT value is not achieved by the end of the last
wash
cycle, the operator can not be ensured that any infectious disease(s)
contained
within the laundry is not effective cleaned and/or sanitized. Table 1 below
sets
forth an example of common CT values for various infectious diseases.
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[012] TABLE 1
Microbe (Bacteria or Virus) CT Value for Percent Log
Disinfection Reduction Reduction
Salmonella Choleraesuis 6 99.9999% 6 log
Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) 20 99.9999% 6 log
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa 10 99.9999% 6 log
Trichophyton Mentagrophytes 1 99.9999% 6 log
Listeria Monocytogenes 6 99.99% 4 log
Campylobacter Jejuni 6 99.99% 4 log
Aspergillus Flavus 10 99.99% 4 log
Brettanomyces Bruxellenis 6 99.99% 4 log
Escherichia Coli 1 99.999% 5 log
Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff) 4 99.999% 5 log
Viruses 3 99.999% 5 log
Giardia 2 99.99% 4 log
[013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[014] It is an object of the present invention is to substantially
completely dissolve
and/or encapsulate a maximum amount of ozone within the water, used in a
washing machine, during the filling phase as well as during each subsequent
filling
cycle. In addition, the present invention is directed at adding additional
ozone to
the water, contained within the wash machine during each wash cycle, so as to
maintain the amount of dissolved and/or encapsulated ozone at as high a level
as
possible, i.e., at a target level, without creating a safety risk. That is,
the present
invention is directed at maximizing the amount of ozone which is dissolved
and/or
encapsulated in water and also directed at maintaining the ozone dissolved
and/or
encapsulated within liquid for as long a time period as possible so that the
dissolved and/or encapsulated ozone can increase the CT value and the
dissolved
and/or encapsulated ozone can intimately contact the laundry and facilitate
cleaning, sterilization and/or sanitation thereof.
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[015] A further object of the invention is to fill the washing machine only
with
ozonated water so as to immediately immerse the laundry within ozonated water
and thereby increase the contact time of the ozonated water with the laundry
and
facilitate a more complete and thorough cleaning, sterilization and/or
sanitation of
the laundry during a typical wash cycle.
[016] A still further object of the present invention is to maintain the
laundry in
intimate contact with the ozonated water for as long a duration of time as
possible
so that laundry is completely and thorough cleaned, sterilized and/or
sanitized,
during the wash cycle, and thereby reducing the required wash time for a
complete
and total cleaning, sanitizing and/or sterilizing the washed laundry.
[017] Yet another object of the present invention is to increase the CT
value,
achieved by the ozone, so as to kill the widest array of infectious diseases
over the
shortest possible time span at CT values which have not been previously
achieved
by any prior art washing machines thereby further improving the cleaning,
sanitization and/or disinfection of the laundry at the completion of the final
wash
cycle so as to prevent the spread of any infectious disease(s).
[018] Another object of the present invention is to position a static
mixer,
immediately following injection of the ozone into the filling water, to assist
with a
thoroughly and complete mixing and dissolving the ozone within the filling
water,
prior to the filling water being discharged into the internal drum of the
washing
machine for washing. Preferably the ozonated water, upon exiting the static
mixer,
undergoes a dwell time of about three seconds or so prior to the ozonated and
pressurized filling water discharging into the washing machine. As soon as the
ozonated filling water enters the washing machine, the filling water returns
to
atmospheric pressure. A dwell time of about three seconds, plus or minus one
second, further improves and/or increases the amount of ozone which is
dissolved
and/or encapsulated within the ozonated water and thereby increases the amount
of dissolved ozone within the water so that the ozone concentration level of
the
filling water approaches about 90%. This greater amount of ozone, which is
initially dissolved and/or encapsulated within the filling water, in turn,
facilitates a
more through cleaning as well as deodorization and/or sanitization of the
laundry,
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during the wash cycle, and also minimizes the amount of ozone which gasses off
and exhausts from the washing machine during any wash cycle. In addition, by
having a greater amount of ozone dissolved and/or encapsulated within the
ozonated water, such greater concentration of dissolved and/or encapsulated
ozone further increases the CT value of the ozone with the laundry and this
results
in a more through cleaning, deodorization and/or sanitization of the laundry
being
washed.
[019] It is another object of the present invention to provide a system in
which the
amount of ozone generated, during each wash cycle, is controlled so that an
optimum amount of ozone is generated, supplied to and dissolved and/or
encapsulated within the wash water, during each one of the separate wash
cycles,
so that the laundry is constantly subjected to the greater permissible
concentration
ozone and thereby is efficiently and consistently cleaned over the shortest
possible
duration of time.
[020] Yet another object of the present invention is to ensure that a
sufficient
amount of ozone is present during the initial wash cycle, where the ozone can
be
readily used to "burn off" the dirt, grease, grime and other contaminants as
well as
kill "super bugs", germs and bacteria (i.e., ozone is effective in killing
99.99% of the
super bugs, germs and bacteria contained within the laundry), while the system
still
has the ability to control, modify, vary, interrupt or reduce the amount of
ozone
generated during each subsequent wash cycle when less ozone is typically
required.
[021] Still another object of the present invention is to provide the
system with a
sensor which will completely shut off production of ozone, or possible
sufficiently
reduce the production of ozone, in the event that the ozone being sampled or
exhausted from the washing machine indicates that excess ozone, above the
target value, is being sampled or exhausted from the washing machine, e.g.,
the
system indicates an ozone level exhausting from the washing machine is greater
than a target value of 1.0 (ppm) parts per million or higher, for example. It
is to be
appreciated that the target value can be readily adjusted to any other
generally
accepted higher or lower standard or for any particular application.
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[022] A still further object of the present invention is to attempt to
maintain the
dissolved and/or encapsulated concentration of ozone within the water as close
as
possible to the target value so that the laundry is provided with the maximum
opportunity to be consistently and constantly in contact with the wash water
which
has the greatest possible amount of ozone dissolved and/or encapsulated
therein.
That is, preferably the present invention controls the amount of ozone so as
to
have an average ozone value which is generally between 50% and 100% of the
target ozone value, more preferably the present invention controls the amount
of
ozone to have an average dissolved and/or encapsulated ozone value which is
generally between 60% and 100% of the ozone target value, and most preferably
the present invention controls the amount of ozone to have an average
dissolved
ozone value which is generally between 70% and 100% of the ozone target value.
[023] Another object of the present invention is to provide the system with
a fail
safe sensor which will completely shut down the production of ozone, or
sufficiently
reduce production of ozone, in the event that the ozone level, in the room or
an
area accommodating the washing machine(s), increases above a level which
creates a potentially hazardous situation for the health and/or safety of
human
beings, e.g., the ozone level in a room reaches the target value of 0.1 (ppm)
parts
per million of ozone, for example.
[024] Another object of the invention is to provide a system for detecting
and
displaying the CT value during the entire wash cycle of the washing machine
and
to record and/or display this information to the operator. The CT value
detection
system includes an ozone exhaust or sampling sensor detector, generally
located
at an exhaust outlet or sampling port of the washing machine (or at any other
desired location which can sense, monitor or detect the concentration of the
ozone
in washing machine) which periodically senses, measures or detects the
concentration of the ozone being sampled or exhausted from the washing
machine, e.g., once every 1 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 min.,
etc. The CT value detection system will continuously compute the detected
cumulative CT value, as the wash progresses from the beginning of the first
wash
cycle until completion of the last wash cycle, and generally indicates either
the
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actually calculated cumulative CT value, via a numeric display, or merely
activates
a green light, which indicates that a sufficient cumulative CT value has been
achieved during the wash, while a red light, which indicates that an
insufficient
cumulative CT value is achieved, is activated at the beginning of the first
wash
cycle and remains activated until a sufficient cumulative CT value has been
achieved during the wash. Preferably, a room detector is also provided for
recording and/or displaying the amount of ozone which is detected within the
room,
accommodating a plurality of washing machines, so that this information can be
later retrieved for possible fine tuning of the control of the ozone system.
[025] A still further object of the present invention is to inject the
produced ozone,
having a particle size of about 2 microns to 20 microns, and more preferably
having a particle size of from about 5 to 10 microns, directly into either the
sump
of the washing machine, typically located beneath the washing machine, or
directly
into the water contained within the washing machine along with injecting ozone
directly into the fresh water which initially fills the internal drum of the
washer
machine with ozonated water. By supplying ozonated water initially to the
washing
machine, the concentration of the ozone, contained therein, is as close as
possible
to the target ozone level immediately at the beginning of the wash cycle. In
addition, by injecting ozonated water into water during continued operation of
the
washer machine, the ozone content remains as close as possible to the target
ozone level during the entire wash, i.e., from the first wash cycle to the
last wash
cycle.
[026] Another object of the invention is to provide a method and a system
in which
cumulative contact time (the CT value) approaches the duration of time of the
entire wash cycle. That is, the total value of the cumulative contact time
(the CT
value) approaches or is at least 60% of the total duration of the entire wash
cycle.
According, if the total duration of the entire wash cycle is 35 minutes, the
cumulative contact time (the CT value) is at least 21 which is 60% of the 35
minute
total duration of the entire wash cycle. More preferably the cumulative
contact time
(the CT value) is at least 70% or 80% of the total duration of the entire wash
cycle.
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[027] The present invention relates to a method of controlling a
concentration of
ozone sampled or exhausting from a washing machine to be at or below a target
value so that a cumulative contact time of the ozone with laundry being washed
approaches a duration of time of an entire wash cycle of the washing machine
thereby ensuring killing of any infectious diseases contained within the
laundry, the
method comprising the steps of: supplying ozonated water to the washing
machine upon initially filling the washing machine with water; supplementing
the
initially supplied ozonated water by supplying additional ozone to the wash
machine during each wash cycle; and controlling the supply of ozone supplied
to
the wash machine so that the concentration of ozone sampled or exhausting from
the washing machine being controlled to be within a band between 60% and 100%
of the target value and the cumulative contact time of the ozone with the
laundry
is at least 60% of the duration of time of the entire wash cycle.
[028] It is to be appreciated that when amount of ozone sampled or
exhausting
from the washing machine exceeds the target value, this signifies that there
is
excess ozone within the water and exiting from the washing machine. As there
is
excess ozone within the water, this excess ozone is quickly and rapidly
converted
into a gaseous form which exhaust from a washing machine and can quickly
result
in a hazardous situation. Accordingly, it is immediately desirable to stop
production of further ozone as soon as the method and the system detect the
concentration of ozone, exiting from the washing machine, exceeding the target
value.
[029] As used within the specification and the appended claims, the term
"entire
wash cycle" means the duration of time from the instance that the washing
machine is initially started until the time that the door of the washing
machine is
open to provide access and remove the laundry.
[030] As used within the specification and the appended claims, the term
"average dissolved ozone value" means the average value of the ozone which is
dissolved and/or encapsulated within the water during the entire wash cycle,
i.e.,
commencing from the beginning of the wash cycle until completion of all of the
wash cycle and the door is opened to access and remove the laundry.
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[031] As used within the specification and the appended claims, the term
"modifies production of ozone" means that the production of ozone can be
modified, reduced or altered so as to be somewhat lower than the current
production level of ozone or can be totally or completely discontinued so that
no
further ozone is being produced, or a production amount of ozone can be
anywhere in between zero and the.
[032] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[033] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by
way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the
appended drawings in which:
[034] Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic drawing showing a gaseous ozone content
level
achieved by a prior art direct injection system;
[035] Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic drawing showing a gaseous ozone content
level
achieved by another prior art system;
[036] Fig. 3 shows the improved system, according to the present invention,
for
controlling a supply of ozone to a washing machine both during the filling
phase
as well as during each subsequent wash cycle(s);
[037] Fig. 3A shows a commercial embodiment of the improved system of Fig.
3;
[038] Fig. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic drawing showing the venturi and
static
mixed components for intermittently mixing the fresh water with the ozone to
provide a substantially uniform mixture thereof which assists with retaining
the
ozone within the water for a longer duration of time once the ozonated water
is
supplied to the washing machine;
[039] Fig. 5 shows a modification to the improved system of Fig. 3 having
an air
drier unit;
[040] Fig. 6 shows injection of the ozone into the sump via the sparger
injection
nozzles;
[041] Fig. 7 is a table of date data showing a comparison of the gaseous
ozone
content, achieved by the present invention, in comparison to two prior art
ozone
systems;
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[042] Fig. 7A is a graphic representation of the data shown in Fig. 7;
[043] Fig. 8 shows an arrangement having a single area ozone level sensor
for
controlling production of ozone by a plurality of washing machines; and
[044] Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic arrangement for visually displaying both the
currently detected CT value as well as the cumulative CV value during the
entire
wash cycle so that an operator can readily validate whether the laundry has
been
sufficiently wash to kill all commonly known infectious diseases.
[045] DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[046] With reference now to Figs. 3, 3A and 4, a detailed description
concerning
the present invention will now be discussed in detail.
[047] According to this embodiment, as is conventional in the art, the
ozone
system 2 generally comprises a washing machine 4 which, during use, is filled
with
a suitable volume of liquid or water 6, i.e., a washing volume of water, to
facilitate
washing of the laundry 8 contained within the washing machine 4. The water is
typically supplied from a water supply source 10 to a rotatable internal drum
12,
located within an internal chamber 14 of the washing machine 4, via a fresh
water
supply inlet 16. As is conventional in the art, the washing machine 4 is
provide
with a hinged door 18, typically located on either the front or the top of the
washing
machine 4 that generally forms a water tight seal with the door opening of the
washing machine 4, in a conventional manner, when the door 18 is latched in a
closed position (in Fig. 3 the door is shown in the front of the washing
machine 4).
The door 18, when in its opened position, facilitates adding and removing
laundry
8 from the washing machine 4. As such door and its latching mechanism are
conventional and well known in the art, a further detailed discussion
concerning the
same is not provided.
[048] During the initial as well as any subsequent filling cycle, when
washing
laundry 8, the filling water flows from the water supply source 10, along a
filling
water conduit 21, into an inlet of a venturi 22, such as a venturi
manufactured in
accordance with U.S. Patent No. 5,863,128. As the water passes through the
venturi 22, the water is accelerated, via the centrally located constriction
24 of the
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venturi 22 (see Fig. 4), and such acceleration of the water induces a vacuum
in an
ozone supply line 34 that is coupled to the venturi 22 so as to draw in ozone
which
is supplied from an ozone supply, generally indicated as 29, to the venturi
inlet 28
of the venturi 22. Typically the supply pressure of the fresh water flowing
through
the venturi 22 is between about 40 PSI and about 80 PSI. Both the ozone and
the
water, as those components exit the centrally located constriction 24, are
decelerated and this induces intimate mixing of those two components with one
another. In order to achieve a more complete and thorough mixing as well as
more complete dissolving and/or encapsulation of the ozone within the water,
the
water/ozone mixture then passes through a static mixer 32, such as a static
mixer
manufactured in accordance with U.S. Patent No. 3,923,288 by Ozone Solution
of Hull, IA. As the water/ozone mixture passes through the static mixer 32,
the
static mixer 32 causes the ozone to be intermittently mixed, dispersed and/or
dissolved and/or encapsulated within and throughout the water. As a
consequence, the static mixer 32 thereby facilitates a more complete and
thorough
dissolving of the ozone within the water and this generally facilitates a
longer
retention of the dissolved and/or encapsulated ozone within the water. As the
ozone and water mixture exits the static mixer 32, preferably this mixture
undergoes a dwell time of about 3 seconds, plus or minus one second. This
dwell
time further facilitates a more complete and thorough dissolving and/or
encapsulation of the ozone within the water. In the event that there is
sufficient
room to provide a suitable dwell time prior to this ozone/water mixture
exiting the
fresh water supply inlet 16, a U-shaped (see Fig. 4), a helical shaped
segment, or
some other suitable segment of conduit or piping can be inserted along the
supply
line 21 of the ozonated water to facility the desired dwell time of the
ozone/water
mixture prior to the ozonated water entering and discharging into washing
machine. A water supply valve 26, which controls the flow of filling water
into the
washing machine 4, is generally located downstream of the static mixer 32.
[049] The ozone supply 29 includes a filling ozone generator 30 which is
connected to the venturi inlet 28 of the venturi 22 via the ozone supply line
34 for
supplying ozone thereto. Typically, the ozone generator 30 will constantly and
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continuously produce ozone during the entire operating cycle of the washing
machine 4 and such produced ozone is normally retained within the ozone
generator 30 and only withdrawn therefrom when necessary or required, e.g., as
water flows through the venturi 22 and sucks or draws the ozone from the ozone
generator 30. That is, as the water is flows through the venturi 22, the water
induces a vacuum at the venturi inlet 28 of the venturi 22 and such vacuum, in
turn, sucks or draws a desired quantity of the produced ozone, along the ozone
supply line 34, from the ozone generator 30 into the water. The ozone
generator
30 is electrically connected to the control panel CP, as described below in
further
detail, to facilitate both control and operation of all the ozone generator as
well as
facilitate interruption of the ozone when a hazardous condition arises.
[050] Preferably, a conventional air supply device/oxygen concentrator 36
compresses room air to a pressure of about 5 pounds per square inch or so and
supplies this pressurized room air, via a conventional supply duct or pipe 38,
to an
air flow control valve 40 which regulates the flow rate of the air being
supplied to
filling ozone generator 30. The air supply device/oxygen concentrator 36,
during
normal compression of the air, typically removes nitrogen from the air and
thereby
naturally increases the overall oxygen content of the air which, in turn,
facilitates
subsequent production of ozone. The air supply device/oxygen concentrator 36
also typically removes water, moisture and other impurities from the air prior
to
supplying the same to the filling air flow control valve 40.
[051] The air flow control valve 40 is connected, via a conventional supply
duct
or pipe 41, to supply the pressurized and regulated air to an inlet of the
filling
ozone generator 30 where a portion of such air, e.g., typically about 5% of
the
supplied air, is converted into ozone in a conventional fashion. As such
conversion
of air into ozone is conventional and well known in the art, a further
detailed
discussion concerning the same is not provided. As noted above, the outlet of
the
filling ozone generator 30 is connected, via the supply duct or pipe 34, to
the
venturi inlet 28 for supplying the generated ozone, as necessary, thereto.
[052] As long as the ozone/water mixture is being supplied along the supply
line
21, this ozone/water mixture remains at the supply pressure of the filling
water, and
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thus the ozone continues to mix intimately and dissolve and/or encapsulate
within
the water and thereby achieve a greater concentration of dissolved and/or
encapsulated ozone within the water. The inventors have determined that the
static mixer 32 enhances the dissolved and/or encapsulated rate of the ozone
within the water by as much as an additional 20% or so. This increased amount
of dissolved and/or encapsulated ozone within the water, in turn, facilitates
longer
contact time between the ozone and the laundry and thus a more thorough and
complete cleaning, sterilization and/or sanitization of the laundry 8 being
washed.
[053] As will be described below in further detail, commercial washer will
typically
include up to and including 8 separate wash cycles, but it is to be
appreciated the
amount of wash cycles can vary from washing machine to washing machine or
application to application. During each one of the wash cycles, a portion of
the
water contained within the internal drum 12 of the washing machine 4, e.g.,
typically between about 30% to about 70% of the water, is discarded or
discharged
from the washing machine 4 and replaced a quantity of fresh filling water to
facilitate further washing of the laundry 8.
[054] According to the present invention, each time fresh filling water to
be
supplied to the washing machine 4, such filling water is first "ozonated," as
described above, prior to being supplied to the internal drum 12 of the
washing
machine 4 so that only ozonated water is subsequently added to the washing
machine 4 and utilized for washing the laundry 8. This assist with maintaining
the
laundry 8 within water which has a greater concentration of dissolved and/or
encapsulated ozone therein. That is, the supplied ozone, for cleaning the
laundry
8, is generally in an aqueous phase, i.e., dissolved and/or encapsulated
within the
water, and such aqueous phase ozone can immediately and instantaneously
commence contact with the laundry 8 and facilitate cleaning, sterilization
and/or
sanitization of laundry 8 prior to and during each wash cycle. Moreover, by
having
a greater concentration of ozone dissolved and/or encapsulated within the
water,
this also minimizes the amount of ozone that rapidly gasses off from and out
of the
water and eventually exhausts from the washing machine 4 to possibly create a
hazardous situation.
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[055] In order to further minimize the amount of ozone that rapidly gasses
off from
and out of the water, the ozonated water is preferably supplied to a lower
most
region of the internal drum 12 of the washing machine 4. By supplying the
ozonated water in this manner, any ozone which has a tendency to be "gassed
off," while being discharged into the internal drum 12, still must bubble
and/or
permeate through the water and the laundry contained within the washing
machine
4 and thus still has a tendency to facilitate intimate contact with the
laundry 8
thereby still achieving some cleaning, sterilization and/or sanitization of
the laundry
8 prior to such gassed off ozone eventually exhausts from the washing machine
4 out through the exhaust vent 64, for example, as described below in further
detail, or any other vent, port or opening in the washing machine.
[056] Prior to filling the washing machine 4 with filling water, a drain
valve 40 is
closed (see Fig. 5) to facilitate retention of the water 6 to be supplied to
the internal
chamber 14 of the internal drum 12 of the washing machine 4 from the water
supply source 10. In addition, the washing machine 4 is generally equipped
with
an primary ozone generator 42 which commences production of ozone and injects
the produced ozone into the sump 44 of the washing machine 4, via at least one
and generally two or more spargers 46, where the ozone is discharged into the
water 6. It is to be appreciated that not all washing machines have a sump
and,
in such instance, the ozone is merely injected into the water contained within
the
washing machine. The water 6 and dissolved and/or encapsulated ozone are
agitated, during normal operation of the washing machine 4, due to the to and
fro
rotational agitating motion of the internal drum 12 to mix intimately and
disperse
the ozone, supplied via the spargers 46, throughout the entire volume of water
6
so that the ozone is readily able to contact and react with soap, dirt, soil,
grime,
germs, bacteria, etc., and the laundry 8 contained within the internal cavity
14 of
the washing machine 4 during each wash cycle.
[057] Preferably, a conventional air supply device/oxygen concentrator 48
compresses room air to about 5 pounds of pressure or so and supplies the
pressurized room air, via a conventional duct or pipe 50, to an air flow
control
valve 52 which regulates the flow rate of the air being supplied to the
washing
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machine 4. The air supply device/oxygen concentrator 48, during normal
compression of the air, typically removes nitrogen for the air to increase the
oxygen content of the air and this also facilitates subsequent production of
ozone.
The air supply device/oxygen concentrator 48 also typically removes water,
moisture and other impurities from the air prior to supplying the same to the
airflow
control valve 52.
[058] The air flow control valve 52 is connected, via a conventional duct
or
pipe 54, to supply the pressurized and regulated air to an inlet of the
primary ozone
generator 42 where a portion of such air, e.g,, typically about 5% of the
supplied
air, is converted into ozone in a conventional fashion. As such conversion of
air
into ozone is conventional and well known in the art, a further detailed
discussion
concerning the same is not provided. An outlet of the primary ozone generator
42
is connected, via a conventional duct or pipe 56, to supply the generated
ozone to
the spargers 46 located within the sump 44 of the washing machine 4.
[059] If desired, the air supply device/oxygen concentrator 48 may
incorporate a
drying unit which further assists with adequately drying the air, i.e.,
removes
substantially all of the moisture therefrom, prior to supplying the same to
the air
flow control valve 52. Alternatively, a separate air drier unit 58 (see Fig.
5) may be
provide somewhere along the air supply path, prior to the air being supplied
to the
primary ozone generator 42, to assist with removing moisture therefrom. As
shown, the air dryer unit 58 and a conventional duct or pipe 59 are located
between the air supply device/oxygen concentrator 48 and the air flow control
valve 52.
[060] The ozone, produced by the primary ozone generator 42, is supplied to
the
sparger or spargers 46 and injected into the water 6 contained within the sump
44
of the washing machine 4 via one or more injector nozzles 60 supported by the
spargers 46 (see Fig. 6). Preferably, the injector nozzles 60 injects the
ozone
downwardly toward the drain valve 40 of the washing machine 4 to facilitate
further
suspension, entrainment, encapsulation, dispersion and/or mixing of the ozone
in
the water 6 contained within the sump 44 and thereby provide a more uniform
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mixture and dispersion of the ozone within the water 6 contained within the
sump
44 as well as throughout the entire water 6 contained within the washing
machine.
[061] The produced ozone typically has a particle size of about 2 microns
to 20
microns such that some of the ozone is not readily dissolved, to any
substantial
extent, in the water 6 contained in the sump 44 but is encapsulated,
suspended,
dispersed and/or entrained within the water 6 and thus the ozone is readily
available, in gaseous form, for reacting with any dirt, soil, grime, grease,
germs,
bacteria, etc., contained in the laundry 8 being washed by the washing machine
4.
As is conventional, the ozone will only typically last for a time period of
between
about 2 to about 5 minutes or so before the ozone naturally converts back into
oxygen and lose its disinfectant and/or sanitization capability.
[062] To facilitate control of the amount of ozone generated, an ozone
exhaust or
sampling detector or sensor 62 is located in, immediately adjacent or near one
of
the conventional exhaust vents, ports or outlets 64 of the washer machine 4,
such
as a soap vent, soap chute, an air bleed-off vent, etc. Alternatively, the
ozone
exhaust or sampling detector or sensor 62 can be directly connected to a
sampling
outlet or aperture for periodically withdrawing a sample of gas from the
washing
machine and, once the ozone concentration of the washing machine is detected
by the ozone exhaust or sampling detector or sensor 62, this withdrawn sample
can
then either be discarded or possibly return back to the washing machine. The
ozone exhaust or sampling sensor 62 either directly communicates with or is
typically located within or as close as possible to the sampling or exhaust
outlet 64
to obtain an undiluted sample of the ozone being sampled or exhausted from the
washing machine 4. The ozone exhaust or sampling sensor 62 will monitor the
withdrawn sample or the air escaping or exhausting from the washer machine 4,
during operation thereof, to detect the concentration of the ozone contained
therein. In the event that the ozone concentration level of the air sampled or
exhausting from the washing machine 4 is above the target value, e.g., above a
target value of 1.0 parts per million for example, the ozone exhaust or
sampling
sensor 62 will then convey a signal to a relay or a proportionally variable or
adjustable component 66 (see Fig. 8) which controls the supply of electrical
power
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to the primary ozone generator 42 so as to either "trip" and thereby
temporarily
interrupt further production of ozone by the primary ozone generator 42 for a
sufficient period of time, e.g., any where from a few seconds to about thirty
minutes
or so, or modify, alter, vary or reduce production of ozone to a lower or
reduced
level until the ozone exhaust or sampling sensor 62 again detects a level of
ozone
below the target value, e.g., detects an ozone level in the escaping air below
1.0
parts per million, for example.
[063] Any ozone which collects on a detection surface of the ozone exhaust
or
sampling sensor 62 will typically remain there until the ozone eventually
"burns off"
or is naturally converted back into oxygen over time by the natural ozone
conversion process. Generally, the ozone will last anywhere between about 2 to
about 20 minutes or so, e.g., typically lasting between 3 and 5 minutes,
before the
ozone naturally converts back into oxygen. As long as the ozone exhaust or
sampling sensor 62 detects an excessive amount of ozone, e.g., an amount of
ozone greater than the adjusted sensitivity position of the ozone exhaust or
sampling sensor 62 (e.g., the ozone exhaust or sampling sensor 62 is typically
set
to detect from about 0.3 to about 1.0 parts per million of ozone, for
instance), the
ozone exhaust or sampling sensor 62 will maintain the relay or the
proportionally
variable or adjustable component 66 in an active or tripped state so as to
prevent
the supply of electrical power to the primary ozone generator 42 and thereby
prevent the further production of additional ozone or alter the supply of
power to the
primary ozone generator 42 so as to reduce production of ozone. As soon as
substantially all of the ozone (depending upon the sensitivity setting of the
ozone
exhaust or sampling sensor 62) which collected on the surface of the ozone
exhaust or sampling sensor 62 has sufficiently "burned off" or dissipated
therefrom,
or the ozone exhaust or sampling sensor 62 otherwise detects an ozone level
less
than the target value, the ozone exhaust or sampling sensor 62 will then
discontinue sending a signal to the relay or the proportionally variable or
adjustable
component 66, which either temporarily interrupts or otherwise alters the
supply of
electrical power to the primary ozone generator 42 to modify, lower, reduce or
discontinue further ozone production. As a result, the relay or the
proportionally
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variable or adjustable component 66 again allows the electrical power to flow
and
be supplied to the primary ozone generator 42 and the primary ozone generator
42
then immediately commences production of additional ozone at the initial level
for
use during the current and any subsequent stage(s) or cycle(s) of the entire
wash
cycle.
[064] The system 2 is also equipped with an area ozone level detector or
sensor 68 which monitors the level of the ozone contained within a room or an
area
accommodating the washing machine 4 or a plurality of washing machines 4,
e.g.,
a laundry mat or some other commercial washing facility such as a hospital or
a
prison, for example. In the event that the area ozone level sensor 68 detects
an
excessively high or unsafe amount of ozone located within the room or the area
accommodating the one or more washing machines 4, e.g., detects a room
concentration level of ozone also above the target value or some other common
area target value, which is also currently typically in excess of 0.1 parts
per million,
the area ozone level sensor 68 will then convey a signal to a relay or a
proportionally variable or adjustable component 66 which "trips" or interrupt
further
production of ozone, or possibly decreases or reduces production of ozone by
each
of the primary ozone generators 42 for a sufficient period of time, e.g., any
where
from a few seconds to about thirty minutes or so or possibly completely shuts
down
all of the washing machine(s) 4 to prevent any further production of ozone by
any
of the primary ozone generators 42 or as well as any of the filling water
ozone
generators 30, until the area ozone level sensor 68 again detects a level of
ozone
in the room or the area accommodating the washing machine(s) 4 is below the
common area target value. The sensitivity setting for the area ozone level
sensor
68 is also typically adjustable but typically has a sensitivity range of
between about
0.03 to about 0.1 parts per million or greater, for example. Alternatively, or
in
addition, the area ozone level sensor 68 will merely shut off or interrupt the
supply
of power to the air supply device/oxygen concentrator 48, which supplies the
pressurized air to the primary ozone generator 42, as well as the air supply
device/oxygen concentrator 36, which supplies the pressurized air to the
filling
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ozone generator 30, and thereby interrupts all further production of ozone by
the
system 2, or possibly reduces further production of ozone.
[065] This relay, or proportionally variable or adjustable component, 66
will remain
tripped or activated until the area ozone level sensor 68 again determines
that an
acceptable level of ozone, below the common area target value, is currently
present in the room or the area accommodating the washing machine(s) 4. Once
this occurs, the area ozone level sensor 68 will discontinue sending a signal
to the
relay or the proportionally variable or adjustable component 66, which
deactivates
the relay or component 66 so that the relay or component 66 again allows power
to flow to the ozone generator(s) 42 and/or the air supply device/oxygen
concentrator 48 and to the ozone generator(s) 30 and/or the air supply
device/oxygen concentrator 36 which then again allow production or manufacture
of additional ozone during the remainder of the wash step or stage.
Alternatively,
the area ozone level sensor 68 will discontinue sending a signal to the relay
or the
proportionally variable or adjustable component 66, which deactivates the
relay or
component 66 so that the relay or component 66 again allows the original flow
of
power to the ozone generator(s) 42 and/or the air supply device/oxygen
concentrator 48 and to the ozone generator(s) 30 and/or the air supply
device/oxygen concentrator 36 so they may resume normal production of ozone
during the remainder of the wash step or stage. The area ozone level sensor 68
prevents a potentially hazardous condition from occurring during operation of
one
or more washing machines 4 due to the production and collection of excessive
ozone within the room or the common area.
[066] Preferably, the area ozone level sensor 68 is connected to a relay or
a
proportionally variable or adjustable component 66 which controls the supply
of the
modified/altered/interrupted electrical power to only the air supply
device/oxygen
concentrator 48 and/or the air supply device/oxygen concentrator 36 in order
to
control the production of the ozone during operation of the washing machine 4.
As
a result of such electrical power modification/alteration/interruption, the
production
of ozone is reduced, discontinued or interrupted since reduced or no
pressurized
air flows through the primary ozone generator 42 and the filling water ozone
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generator 30 and thus reduced or no ozone is produced by any of the ozone
generators 30, 42 even though the ozone generators 30, 42 still may be
supplied
with electrical power. Alternatively, the relay or the proportionally variable
or
adjustable component 66, when tripped or activated by the ozone exhaust or
sampling sensor 62 and/or the area ozone level sensor 68, can also be coupled
to
the primary ozone generator(s) 42 and the filling water ozone generator(s) 30,
and/or the air supply device/oxygen concentrator(s) 36, 48 and/or the air flow
control valve(s) 40, 52 so as also to control operation of all of those
components
and modify/alter/interrupt the supply of electrical power to one, two or all
three of
the primary ozone generator(s) 30, 42, the air supply device/oxygen
concentrator(s)
36, 48 and/or the air flow control value(s) 40, 52 when an excessive amount of
ozone is detected.
[067] It is to be appreciated that there are a variety of different ways
for
reducing/modifying/altering/interrupting the production of ozone by the
primary
ozone generators 42. For example, the ozone exhaust or sampling sensor 62
and/or the area ozone level sensor 68 can activate a valve (not shown),
located
between the air flow control valve 52 and the primary ozone generators 42
which
diverts all or only a portion of the supplied air directly to the spargers 46
so that the
air and/or possibly some ozone can mix with the water 6 contained in the sump
44.
The important aspect is that the system is controlled, in some manner, so as
to
reduce or no longer able to produce and/or supply a reduced amount of ozone or
completely discontinue supplying ozone until the ozone exhaust or sampling
sensor
62 and/or the area ozone level sensor 68 again detect a safe level of ozone,
below
the common area target value, both within the washing machine(s) 4 and within
the
room or the common area.
[068] Although the target values for the ozone exhaust or sampling sensor
62 and
the area level ozone sensor 68 are both currently 1.0 parts per million of
ozone, it
is to be appreciated that one or both of the ozone exhaust or sampling sensor
62
and/or the area level ozone sensor 68 could be a variable sensor. That is, as
the
ozone exhaust or sampling sensor 62 and/or the area level ozone sensor 68
detects the ozone level in the exhausting air or room approaching either 1.0
or 0.1
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parts per million of ozone, or some higher or lower level depending upon the
requirements and/or the settings setting of the particular sensor, the ozone
sensor 62, 68 will issue a variable command to the primary ozone generator 42
which proportionally decreases or reduces the amount of ozone being produced
and thereby continuously maintain a safe level of ozone which is either being
exhausted from the washing machine and/or located within the room or area
accommodating the washing machine(s) 4. It is to be appreciated that if the
ozone
sensor(s) 62 or 68 senses that the ozone level is only gradually approaching
an
unsafe level of ozone, the ozone sensor(s) 62 or 68 could send a signal which
gradually reduces the production of ozone by the primary ozone generator 42
and/or the filling water ozone generator 30. If, however, the ozone sensor(s)
62 or
68 senses that the ozone level is rapidly approaching an unsafe level, the
ozone
sensor(s) 62 or 68 will issue a signal more rapidly reducing or possibly
completely
interrupting the production of ozone. Such variable control of the primary
ozone
generator 42 and/or the filling water ozone generator 30, by the ozone exhaust
or
sampling sensor 62 and/or the area level ozone sensor 68, tends to minimize
the
duration of time, if any, that the ozone generators 30, 42 are not actually
producing
any ozone during operation of the washing machine and tends to result in a
more
continuous supply of ozone to the washing machine to ensure that an adequate
supply of ozone is always present in the washing machine during each wash
cycle.
That is, the ozone contained within the water 6 is generally a control band
which
is typically between 50 and 100% of the target value.
[069] According to the present invention, it is desirable to control the
production
of ozone and supply the produced ozone to the washing machine 4 so that the
amount of ozone contained within the water within the internal drum 12 of the
washing machine 4 has the greatest practical amount of dissolved and/or
encapsulated ozone therein which is at or slightly below the target value.
Such
procedure ensures the highest CT value during the shortest possible wash cycle
and thereby assist with maximum cleaning, sanitization and/or sterilization of
the
laundry 8.
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[070] Typically during a commercial wash cycle, generally there are about
eight
wash steps, cycles or stages. The first stage is typically when the greatest
amount
or quantity of ozone is required and should be produced by both the filling
water
ozone generator 30 and the primary ozone generator 42. According to the
present
invention, preferably both the filling water ozone generator 30 and the
primary
ozone generator 42 are always set to its highest possible ozone production
level
so that the ozone generators 30, 42 produces a maximum amount of ozone, e.g.,
produces between about 4 grams per hour of ozone at an ozone concentration
level of about 5% ozone, and such ozone is immediately available for use
during
the first wash stage. This ozone "relaxes" the laundry and activates the
laundry
detergent or soap and assists with rapidly "burning off" any dirt, grime,
grease, soil,
etc., as well as killing any infectious diseases, super bugs, germs and/or
bacteria
contained within the clothing or laundry 8 being washed.
[071] In the event that either the ozone exhaust or sampling sensor 62
and/or the
area ozone level sensor 68 determines that an excessive amount of ozone is
present in either the air being exhausted or in the room or area accommodating
the
washing machine(s) 4, such ozone sensor 62 or 68 will send a signal to the
relay
or the proportionally variable or adjustable component 66 which modifies,
alters,
trips or turns off the primary ozone generator 42 to reduce or prevent further
production of ozone for a desired period of time, e.g., until an excessive
amount of
ozone is no longer detected by the ozone exhaust or sampling sensor 62 and/or
the
area ozone level sensor 68, or merely reduces production of ozone by the
primary
ozone generator 42. As is noted above, once the level of the ozone in the
sampled
or exhaust gas(es) and/or the room or area sufficiently decreases to below the
target value, then both the filling water ozone generator 30 and the primary
ozone
generator 42 will be again reactivated and allowed to commence further
production
of ozone or resumption of production of ozone at an increased amount and
supply
the same to the washing machine 4.
[072] During the second and subsequent wash stages, since much of the dirt,
grime, grease, soil, etc., has already been partially or completely removed
from the
clothing or laundry 8 and since much of the germs, bacteria, etc., have
already
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been partially or completely killed, typically less ozone is required. The
addition of
extra ozone during the initial portion of the first wash stage assists with
"relaxing"
the clothing or laundry 8 such that the clothing or laundry 8 more readily
releases
its dirt, grime, grease, soil, etc. As a result of this increase in the amount
of ozone
supplied during the first wash stage, a sufficient amount of ozone may still
be
present within the wash volume, within the internal drum 12, and/or within the
clothing or laundry 8 at the end of the first wash stage so that either the
ozone
exhaust or sampling sensor 62 and/or the area ozone level sensor 68 detects
excessive ozone being present and may possibly maintain the primary ozone
generator 42 in an inactive state or a relatively low ozone production rate
for one
or more subsequent wash stages in a row or may maintain the primary ozone
generator 42 in an inactive state or a reduced production state for an initial
portion
of each subsequent wash stage of the wash cycle so that no additional ozone or
a smaller amount of ozone is produced. Is to be appreciated that the filling
water,
during each subsequent wash cycle, is initially ozonated prior to being added
to the
internal drum 12 of the washing machine 4. This filling process assists with
maintaining a desired amount of ozone within the internal drum 12.
[073] As shown in Fig. 7, the improved CT value results, achieved by the
washing
machine according to the present invention, are depicted by the plotted
uppermost
graph results shown in that diagram, the plotted lowermost graph results shown
in
that diagram are in accordance with a prior art system similar to that shown
in Fig,
1 while the plotted middle graph results shown in that diagram are in
accordance
with a prior art system similar to that shown in Fig. 2. As is readily
apparent from
this plotted uppermost graph results, the present invention is able to achieve
and
retain a much higher percentage of dissolved and/or encapsulated ozone within
the
water so that the average amount of ozone dissolved and/or encapsulated within
the water constantly and constantly remains at a much higher level than that
achieved by any prior other prior art system, i.e., the dissolved and/or
encapsulated
ozone remains within a control band which between 50% and 100% of the target
value. According to the present invention, the average amount of ozone,
dissolved
and/or encapsulated within the water, remains within a control band which is
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typically slightly above, at or slightly below the preset target value of the
system
and this maximizes the CT value of the system and thereby improves the
sterilization and/or disinfection of infectious diseases, germs, bacteria,
etc. That
is, the present invention controls the amount of ozone to have an average
value
which is generally between 50% and 100% of the target value, more preferably
the
present invention controls the amount of ozone to have an average value which
is
generally between 60% and 100% of the target value, and most preferably the
present invention controls the amount of ozone to have an average value which
is
generally between 70% and 100% of the target value.
[074] With reference to Fig. 8, a description concerning a plurality of
washing
machines (only four of which are shown in the Figure) will now be discussed.
According to this embodiment, a single air supply device/oxygen concentrator
48
generates an adequate supply of compressed air and supplies the compressed
air,
via conventional ducts or pipes 50, to all (e.g., four) of the individual air
flow control
valves 52, which each, in turn, regulate the flow rate of the air being
supplied to
each respective washing machine 4. Each air flow control valve 52 is
connected,
via a respective conventional duct or pipe 54, to supply the regulated air to
an inlet
of a respective primary ozone generator 42 where the air is converted to
ozone, as
discussed above, and supplied, via conventional duct or pipe 56, to the sump
44
or internal drum of the respective washing machine 4. As with the previous
embodiment, each one of the washing machines is equipped with an ozone sample
sensor of an ozone exhaust or sampling sensor 62, which is provided within the
internal drum 12, along or within an exhaust duct or along, within or adjacent
an
exhaust vent, an outlet, a sampling port or any other aperture 64 of the
respective
washing machine 4. In the event that the ozone exhaust or sampling sensor 62
detects an excessive amount of ozone, this sensor will control the associated
ozone generator 42 to vary or interrupt the further production of ozone until
the
ozone concentration level of the air sampled or exhausting from the washing
machine 4 again returns back below the target value.
[075] In addition, according to this embodiment, all of filling water for
each one of
the washing machines 4 passes through a respective venturi 22 where the water
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is accelerated, via the constriction 24 of the venturi 22, and such
acceleration of the
water induces a vacuum in the supply line 34 which draws in ozone which is
supplied from the ozone system 29, incorporating the filling ozone generator
30, to
the venturi inlet 28 of the venturi 22, as discussed above with the previously
described embodiment. The ozone and the water then decelerate and initially
commence intimate mixing with one another and the water/ozone mixture then
passes through a static mixer 32. As the water/ozone mixture passes through
the
static mixer 32, the ozone is further intermittently mixed, dissolved,
encapsulated
and/or dispersed within and throughout the water and the static mixer thereby
facilitates a more complete and thorough dissolving and/or encapsulation of
the
ozone within the water. As the ozone and water mixture exits the static mixer
32,
preferably this mixture undergoes a dwell time of about 3 seconds, plus or
minus
one second, as described above.
[076] As with the previous embodiment, the filling ozone generator 30 is
connected to the venturi inlet 28 of the venturi 22 via an ozone supply line
34 for
supplying ozone thereto. Typically, the filling ozone generator 30 will
constantly
and continuously produce ozone during the entire operation of the washing
machine 4 and such produced ozone is normally retained within the filling
ozone
generator 30 and only withdrawn from the filling ozone generator 30 one
required,
e.g., as water passes through the venturi 22 and sucks the ozone from the
filling
ozone generator 30. Each filling ozone generator 30 is electrically connected
to the
control panel CP to facilitate both control and operation of all the filling
ozone
generators 30 and all of the primary ozone generators 42 as well as facilitate
varying, modifying, altering or interrupting production thereof in the event
that a
hazardous situation arises.
[077] As discussed above, the ozone system 29 includes a conventional air
supply
device/oxygen concentrator 36 for compressing room air and an air flow control
valve 40 for regulating the flow rate of the air being supplied to filling
ozone
generator 30. As these components operate in the same manner discussed above,
further description concerning the same is not again provided.
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[078] According to this embodiment, generally only a single area ozone
level
sensor 68 monitors the level of the ozone contained in the common area
accommodating all (e.g., four) of the washing machines 4. In the event that
the
area ozone level sensor 68 detects an unsafe amount of ozone contained within
the room or the area accommodating the washing machines 4, the area ozone
level
sensor 68 will send a signal to a second relay or proportionally variable or
adjustable component 70 which is connected with the single air supply
device/oxygen concentrator 48. The second relay or proportionally variable or
adjustable component 70 alters, adjusts, modifies or interrupts the flow of
electrical
power to the single air supply device/oxygen concentrator 48 and thus the flow
of
air to each one of the (e.g., four) primary ozone generators 42 so that none
of the
primary ozone generators 42 is thereafter able to manufacture any further
ozone
or they produce a reduced quantity of ozone. It is to be appreciated that the
flow
of air and/or electrical power to the filling ozone system 29 is also
typically
interrupted, modified, altered or varied. Such alteration, modification or
interruption
in the production of ozone will continue until the area ozone level sensor 68
again
determines that a safe level of ozone, below the target value, is now
contained
within the room. Thereafter, the flow of electrical power to the single air
supply
device/oxygen concentrator 48 and/or the filling ozone system 29 is again
established back to their original levels and all the filling and primary
ozone
generators 30, 42 are then able to continue with further manufacture ozone at
the
original level, provided that the ozone being sampled or exhausted from each
respect washing machine 4 is still below the target value.
[079] The ozone system 2 may be equipped with an indicator which provides a
visual indication that substantially all of the super bugs, germs, bacteria
and/or
infectious diseases contained within the clothing or laundry 8 being washed
has
been killed. For example, the ozone system 2 may be equipped with separate
"red"
and "green" lights (labeled "R" and "G", respectively) 72 and 74, as shown in
Fig.
8. Upon activation of the ozone system 2, one of the relays or the
proportionally
variable or adjustable components 66 supplies electrical power to the "red"
light 72
to indicate visually to the operator that the clothing or laundry 8 being
washed has
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not had sufficient contact time with the dissolved and/or encapsulated ozone
and
thus may still contain live super bugs, germs, bacteria and/or infectious
diseases.
The "red" light 72 will remain illuminated until the ozone system 2
determines, as
described above, that the laundry 8 has had a sufficient contact time with the
ozone
contained within the wash water, e.g., a sufficient CT value has been
achieved.
Once the ozone system 2 determines that the laundry 8 has had a sufficient
contact time with the ozone contained within the wash water, e.g., a
sufficient CT
value has been achieved for the laundry 8, the ozone system 2 will interrupt
the
supply of electrical power to the "red" light 72 and thereafter another the
relay or
the proportionally variable or adjustable component will be activated to
supply
electrical power to and illuminating the "green" light 74 which provides a
visual
indication to the operator that substantially all of the super bugs, germs,
bacteria
and/or infectious diseases, contained within the clothing or laundry 8 being
washed,
have been reliably killed. It is to be appreciated that the "red" light 72
will remain
illuminated until the ozone system 2 determines that the air sampled or
exhausting
from the washing machine 4 has a desired ozone concentration level, e.g., an
ozone concentration level at, slightly below or slightly above the target
value, of 1.0
parts per million for example, for a desired duration of time. Each time the
door 18
is opened and/or closed, the ozone system 2 is reset, e.g., the system returns
back
to only illuminating the "red" light 72.
[080] With reference now to Fig. 9, a method and a system for continuously
or
intermittently detecting or measuring the ozone level, in the washing machine
4
during each wash cycle, will now be described. As shown in this Figure, the
detectors 74 are located within, at or adjacent the exhaust vent 62, or any
other
aperture or opening, of each one of the washing machines 4 or communicate
directly with the interior of the washing machine for sensing, monitoring or
detecting
an ozone content or concentration of the washing machine or an ozone content
or
concentration in the gases sampled from, or exiting or exhausting from the
washing
machine. The internal cavity 14 of each washing machine 4 is typically
supplied
with about 2 cubic feet of air per minute during the entire wash cycle. This
supplied
air facilitates sampling or exhausting some of the gassed off ozone from the
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internal cavity 14 of the washing machine 4 and the content of the ozone
contained
within this sampled or exhaust gas is then measured by the detector 74. The
detector 74 continuously or intermittently detects, samples or measures the
ozone
level or concentration, e.g., the detector intermittently detects the ozone
level in the
sample or exhaust gases once a second, once every 5 seconds, once every 10
seconds, once every 20 seconds, once every 30 seconds, once a minute, etc., to
determine ozone readings of the washing machine and then calculate an average
ozone reading. The average ozone readings are then utilized to determine a
"time
wait average" (TWA) for the ozone during each wash cycle. Thereafter, the TWA
is multiplied by the time or duration of each wash cycle to determine the
current CT
value for the current wash cycle. This procedure is repeated for each one of
the
wash cycles and the calculated current CT value for each wash cycle are added
with one another to determine the cumulative CT value for the washed laundry 8
during the entire wash cycle, i.e., from the beginning of the first wash cycle
to the
end of the wash cycle which terminates when the door 18 is opened to provide
access the laundry 8. The detector 74 is preferably coupled to a visual
display 76
which can instantaneously display the both currently detected CT value 78 for
the
current wash cycle and may have a second display which displays the cumulative
CT value 80 for the current as well as all previous wash cycle(s).
[081] Preferably all of this information is logged into an optional
computer 82 for
later referencing by service personnel to verify the current and cumulative CT
values 80 for each wash performed by each one of the washing machines 4. The
TWA is initiated as soon as the start button is actuated and the method and
the
system continue detecting, sampling and/or measuring the ozone level or
concentration in the sample or exhaust gases being exhausted from the washing
machine 4 until either the final wash cycle is completed or the washing
machine 4
discontinues operation for some reason.
[082] The method and system preferably includes a variable adjustment or
setting
which allows the operator to adjust a target cumulative CT value to be
achieved,
following completion of the entire wash cycle of the washing machine 4, in
order for
the laundry 8 to be determined, or possibly "certified", as being clean,
deodorized
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and/or sanitized. In the event that the target cumulative CT value is not
achieved,
then the laundry 8 is determined as "failing" and thus typically has to be
rewashed
in a further attempt to achieve the target cumulative CT value where the
laundry 8
can be determined or certified as "pass". Alternatively, the method and the
system
can communicate such failure information to the control panel CP of the
associated
washing machine 4 which, upon receipt of such a communication, increases the
wash duration of the final wash cycle, e.g., add a residual wash time of
anywhere
from a few minutes to as much as ten minutes or so, in an attempt to achieve
or
exceed the target cumulative CT value so the laundry can be certified as
"pass",
e.g., the green light can be illuminated, and thereby avoid the need for
rewashing
the laundry 8. For example, the cumulative CT value for the washing machine 4
may be set to a value of at least 21, for example, to ensure that all of the
infectious
diseases listed in Table 1 are completely and throughly killed during the
entire
wash cycle and the laundry 8 can be determined as being clean, deodorized and
sanitized.
[083] In addition, according to a preferred form of the invention, the
area or the
room detector 84 is provided and the room detector 84 communicates with the
optional computer 82, if present, for later referencing by service personnel
to
determine whether or not any hazardous situations occurred within the room or
common area and when and for how each such hazardous situation persisted,
and/or with the control panel CP. The room detector 84 continuously or
intermittently detects or measures the ozone level contained within the room,
e.g.,
the room detector 84 intermittently the detects the ozone level in the exhaust
gases
contained within the room or common area once a second, once every 5 seconds,
once every 10 seconds, once every 20 seconds, once every 30 seconds, once a
minute, etc., to determine ozone readings as well as a calculated average
ozone
reading for the room or common area. This information is then recorded in a
conventional storage device of the control panel CP, e.g., a buffer of the
computer
82 or the control panel CP for example, for later access by service personnel
as
noted above.
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[084] It is to be appreciated, from the above description, that the ozone
exhaust
or sampling detector or sensor 62 is arranged so as to control, i.e., alter,
modify
and/or adjust, the production or the supply of ozone to the internal drum of
the
respective washing machine so at to maintain the concentration of ozone,
within
the internal drum of the washing machine, as close to, but generally below the
target level, so that the laundry is completely washed and sanitized within
the
shortest duration of time. Such control can include a reduction in the current
production or the current supply of ozone to the internal drum of the washing
machine or a temporary interruption or discontinuance in production or supply
of
ozone to the internal drum of the washing machine.
[085] It is further to be appreciated that the ozone exhaust or sampling
detector
or sensor for the washing machine is installed so as to be able to sense,
monitor,
sample or detect the concentration level of ozone either within internal drum
or
anywhere else within the washing machine, or in any sampling port or exhaust
vent
associated anywhere within or on the washing machine for sampling or detecting
the washing machine ozone concentration level. The particular sampling port,
exhaust vent or other aperture or opening is not important as long as the
obtained
sample or exhausted gas is not too dilute so that it does not accurately
reflect the
concentration level of ozone within the washing machine.
[086] Since certain changes may be made in the above described improved
ozone
generating and monitoring system, without departing from the spirit and scope
of
the invention herein involved, it is intended that all of the subject matter
of the
above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted
merely as examples illustrating the inventive concept herein and shall not be
construed as limiting the invention.
