Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
PATENT
Attorney Docket No: 0972-02001-CIP2-CA
ODOR REMOVAL ASSEMBLY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLCIATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No.
15/288,778, filed October
7, 2016, entitled "Odor Removal Assembly" and U.S. Patent Application No.
15/219,072, filed
July 25, 2016, entitled "Odor Removal Assembly,".
BACKGROUND
[0002] Removing odors from items such as clothing and other gear has
become increasingly
important to hunters, sportsmen, and to the general public. Accordingly, there
is a need for
improved devices that make removing odors from these items more efficient.
There is currently
a particular need for removing odors from athletic gear such as athletic
jerseys, pads, helmets,
braces, shoes, athletic gear, and hunting gear. Various embodiments of the
present odor
removing ozone assembly recognize and address the foregoing considerations,
and others, of
prior art devices.
SUMMARY
[0003] An assembly for removing odors from clothing or other items, the
assembly comprising
(1) a first container comprising a material that is at least partially ozone
impervious and defining
a first interior that is accessible via a selectively closeable opening; (2)
an ozone generator that is
adapted to generate ozone gas and to expel the ozone gas from the ozone
generator through an
outlet; (3) at least one conduit that extends in gaseous communication between
the outlet of the
ozone generator and the first interior of the first container; and (4) a
fastening mechanism for
selectively maintaining the selectively closeable opening in a closed
orientation in which the
fastening mechanism prevents access to the first interior via the selectively
closeable opening. In
various embodiments, when the selectively closeable opening is in the closed
orientation and the
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ozone generator expels the ozone into the first interior of the first
container, the ozone
concentration in the first interior is at a concentration of between 1 ppm and
2000 ppm and the
ozone leakage from the first container is between 0.01 ppm and 0.03 ppm of
ozone. In particular
embodiments, the assembly further comprises a second container that defines a
second interior
for at least temporarily storing one or more items for odor removal, wherein
(a) when the
selectively closeable opening is in an open orientation in which the fastening
mechanism does
not prevent access to the first interior, a user may place the second
container into the first interior
of the first container via the selectively closeable opening; (b) when the
second container is in
the first interior of the first container, the first interior is in gaseous
communication with the
second interior allowing for a transfer of at least some ozone gas from the
first interior to the
second interior; (c) the first container comprises a first flexible bag; and
(d) the second container
comprises a second flexible bag. In particular embodiments, the concentration
of ozone in the
first container when the selectively closeable opening is in the closed
orientation and the ozone
generator is generating ozone is between 500 ppm and 1500 ppm. In yet other
embodiments, the
second flexible bag comprises a material that is at least partially ozone
permeable.
[0004] A method of removing odors from one or more items, the method
comprising (1)
providing a first container comprising a material that is at least partially
ozone impervious and
defining a first interior that is accessible via a selectively closeable
opening, wherein the first
container comprises a fastening mechanism for selectively maintaining the
selectively closeable
opening in a closed orientation in which the fastening mechanism prevents
access to the first
interior via the selectively closeable opening; (2) providing an ozone
generator that is adapted to
generate ozone gas and to expel the ozone gas from the ozone generator through
an inlet in the
first container; (3) using the fastening mechanism to maintain the selectively
closeable opening
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in the closed orientation; and (4) turning on the ozone generator to cause at
least some ozone gas
to expel into the first interior portion of the first container through the
outlet. In various
embodiments, when the selectively closeable opening is in the closed
orientation and the ozone
generator is expelling at least some ozone gas through the outlet into the
first interior, the level of
ozone in the first interior is between 1 ppm and 2000 ppm. In other
embodiments, the level of
ozone in the first interior is between 200 ppm and 1500 ppm. In various
embodiments, a level of
ozone within two feet from an outer surface of the first container is between
0.01 ppm and 0.03
ppm. In
particular embodiments, ozone leakage from the first container interior into
an
environment surrounding the first container is between 0.01 ppm and 0.03 ppm
of ozone.
100051 A method of removing odors from one or more items using an ozone
generator, the
method comprising (1) providing an ozone generator that is adapted to generate
ozone gas and to
expel the ozone gas from the ozone generator through an outlet; (2) coupling
the outlet of the
ozone generator to a first interior of first container, the first container
comprising a fastening
mechanism, the first container defining an interior chamber accessible via a
selectively closeable
opening, wherein the fastening mechanism is configured to move the selectively
closeable
opening into a closed position; (3) placing one or more items in the interior
chamber; (4) using
the fastening mechanism to maintain the selectively closeable opening in the
closed position; and
[00061 (5) turning on the ozone generator to cause at least some ozone gas to
expel into the interior
chamber. In various embodiments, the concentration of ozone that leaks from
the interior
chamber of the first container into an environment surrounding the first
container is between
0.01 ppm and 0.03 ppm. In particular embodiments, a level of ozone inside the
interior chamber
is between 1 ppm and 2000 ppm.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Various embodiments of an assembly for removing odors from clothing
or other items
are described below. In the course of this description, reference will be made
to the
accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein:
[0008] Figure 1 is an end perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly
for removing
odors, in a closed orientation;
[0009] Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1, in
an open orientation;
[0010] Figure 3 is a partial end perspective view of the assembly of
Figure 1 showing an ozone
generator located inside an exterior pocket of the assembly;
[0011] Figure 4 is an end perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1,
showing an ozone
generator located outside of the assembly with a conduit for ozone attached to
the ozone
generator;
[0012] Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the ozone generator;
[0013] Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of an inside surface of the
assembly of Figure 1;
and
[0014] Figure 7 is a front view of an ozone destruction catalyst for use
within the assembly of
Figure 1.
[0015] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an assembly for removing odors
according to a
particular embodiment; FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional perspective view of a
fastening mechanism
of FIG. 8A, showing a toothed zipper and waterproof sheeting of the fastening
mechanism; FIG.
8C is magnified view of the fastening mechanism of FIG. 8A, showing the
waterproof sheeting
of the fastening mechanism when the fastening mechanism is in the closed
position.
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[0016] Figures 9 is a perspective view of the assembly for removing odors
of Figure 8 with a
first bag within a second, odor-removing bag.
[0017] Figure 10 is a perspective view of an odor removing assembly
according to another
embodiment.
100181 Figures 11 is a perspective view of the odor removing assembly of
Figure 10 with the lid
open.
[0019] Figure 12 depicts a second bag being placed within an odor-removing
rigid bin as part of
an odor removing assembly.
[0020] Figure 13 depicts the second bag of Figure 12 within the rigid bin
of Figure 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Various embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the
accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the invention may be
embodied in many
different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set
forth herein.
Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete,
and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Like numbers refer to
like elements throughout.
Structure of Odor Removal Assembly
[0022] As shown in Figure 1, an odor removal assembly 10, according to
various embodiments,
includes: (1) a flexible bag 100; (2) an ozone generator 200; and (3) an ozone
destruction catalyst
300. These various components are discussed in more detail below.
Flexible Bag
[0023] Referring to Figure 2, the odor removal assembly 10, in various
embodiments, includes a
flexible bag 100 (or other flexible or non-flexible container) that is
configured for storing
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clothing and/or other items within its interior. In various embodiments, the
flexible bag 100 may
be a flexible container such as a portable closet. For example, the portable
closet may have a
removable clothing rod for hanging athletic apparel and may have foldable
shelving for holding
other athletic gear. In other embodiments, the flexible bag 100 may be a non-
flexible container
such as a steel closet. In various embodiments, the steel closet may be any
suitable size (e.g., 2 ¨
feet tall, 2¨ 10 feet wide, 2 ¨ 10 feet deep, etc.). The flexible bag 100 may
be any suitable
size or shape (e.g., cubical, cylindrical, spherical, conical, hexagonal,
etc.). In some
embodiments, the flexible bag 100 may include ribbing, piping, or any other
suitable structural
material to maintain the shape of the flexible bag 100. The flexible bag 100
may be made of
fabric or any other suitable flexible material (e.g., fabric, ballistic nylon,
plastic, etc.). In various
embodiments, the flexible bag 100 may be made of non-flexible material. In
particular
embodiments, the flexible bag 100 may be made of water-resistant material
(e.g., GORE-
TEX0). In other embodiments, the flexible bag 100 may be made at least
partially from an
activated carbon material.
[0024] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-7, the flexible bag 100
includes a central housing
105 that defines an interior portion 110. The central housing 105 defines a
first end 102 and a
second end 104 and an opening 115 intermediate the housing's first and second
ends 102, 104
through which a user may selectively access the interior portion 110 of the
central housing. In
particular embodiments, the opening 115 may be in any suitable shape. In
various embodiments,
the opening 115 may be parallel to a central axis that extends between the
first and second ends
102, 104 of the central housing 105. In other embodiments, the opening 115 may
be
substantially perpendicular to the central axis that extends between the first
and second ends 102,
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104 of the central housing 105. In still other embodiments, the opening 115
may be substantially
U-shaped.
[0025] In various embodiments, when the flexible bag opening 115 is in an
open orientation, as
shown in Figure 2, a user may place clothing, or one or more other objects,
into the interior
portion 110 of the central housing 105 through the opening 115. In particular
embodiments,
when the opening 115 is in a closed orientation, as shown in Figure 1, a user
is prevented from
placing clothing, or other objects, into the interior portion 110 of the
central housing 105 though
the opening 115.
[0026] As shown in Figures I and 2, the flexible bag 100 may include a
fastening mechanism
120 for selectively maintaining the bag opening 115 in a closed orientation.
The fastening
mechanism 120 may comprise any suitable fastening mechanism (e.g., a zipper;
one or more
buttons; a hinged door; a hook and loop fastening assembly; a ziplock
arrangement, etc.). In
particular embodiments, the fastening mechanism 120 may comprise a zipper. In
various
embodiments, the opening 115 and the fastening mechanism 120 are the same
length. For
example, where the opening 115 is parallel to the axis that extends between
the first and second
ends 102, 104 of the central housing 105, the fastening mechanism 120 is also
parallel to this
axis. In some embodiments, the fastening mechanism 120 may extend the entire
length of the
central housing 105 from the housing's first end 102 to the housing's second
end 104. In other
embodiments, the fastening mechanism 120 may cover only a portion of the
length intermediate
the housing's first and second ends 102, 104. In various embodiments, the
fastening mechanism
120 may also include a locking mechanism (not shown). The locking mechanism
may be any
suitable locking mechanism (e.g., a padlock, a combination lock, etc.). The
locking mechanism
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may be used to prevent unwanted access by children and/or others into the
interior portion HO of
the bag 100 by maintaining the fastening mechanism 120 in the closed
orientation.
[0027] Referring again to Figure 2, in various embodiments, the interior
portion 110 of the
central housing 105 may be dimensioned to hold athletic apparel, sporting
goods, shoes, and/or
any other gear and/or apparel. In some embodiments, the interior portion 110
of the central
housing 105 may be coated (e.g., partially or entirely) with an ozone
destruction material. In
particular embodiments, the ozone destruction material in combination with the
at least partially
ozone impervious material of the first container 100 minimize the leakage of
ozone from the first
container to a leakage level of between 0.01 ppm and 0.03 ppm. In other
embodiments, the
interior portion 110 of the central housing 105 may include one or more
interior pockets 112. In
various embodiments, the one or more interior pockets 112 may be made of any
suitable flexible
material, such as a mesh material.
[0028] In some embodiments, the one or more interior pockets 112 may be
integrally formed
with an interior surface of the central housing. In other embodiments, the one
or more interior
pockets 112 may be selectively detachable from the central housing's interior
surface. In certain
embodiments, the one or more interior pockets 112 may include a fastening
mechanism (not
shown) (e.g., a zipper, one or more buttons, a hook and loop fastening
assembly, etc.) for
selectively maintaining an opening of one or more of the interior pockets 112
in a closed position
to retain items within the interior pockets 112.
[0029] In particular embodiments, the one or more interior pockets 112
are configured to hold
ozone destruction material such as the ozone destruction catalyst 300. In
various embodiments,
the one or more interior pockets 112 serve as an ozone destruction catalyst
support assembly that
is adapted for supporting the ozone destruction catalyst 300 within the
interior portion 110 of the
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flexible bag's central housing 105. In particular embodiments, the ozone
destruction catalyst
support assembly comprises at least one mesh pocket.
[0030] In various embodiments, a partition 130 may be located within the
central housing's
interior portion 110. The partition 130 may be made of any suitable (e.g.,
sturdy) material (e.g.,
foam, cardboard, plastic, etc.). In various embodiments, the partition 130 is
made of foam and
covered with the same material that the interior of the flexible bag 100 is
made of. In some
embodiments, the partition 130 may be selectively detachable from the central
housing's interior
portion 110. For example, an outer circumferential edge 132 of the partition
130 may include
hook fastening material that is attachable to loop fastening material running
the length of the
interior portion 110 of the central housing 105 from the central housing's
first end 102 to the
central housing's second end 104. In certain embodiments, the size and shape
of the partition
130 may correspond to the size and shape of a cross section of the central
housing's interior
portion 110 such that, when the partition 130 is inserted into the interior
portion 110, the
partition 130: (1) engages one or more interior walls of the flexible bag 100
and is held in place
by friction; and (2) divides the interior portion 110 of the central housing
105 into two separate
interior chambers 134, 136.
[0031] In particular embodiments, the partition 130 may be adapted to be
moved between: (1) a
first position, in which the partition 130 cooperates with one or more
interior walls of the bag's
central housing 105 to form a first interior chamber 134 of a first size; and
(2) a second position,
in which the partition 130 cooperates with the one or more interior walls of
the flexible bag 100
to form a first interior chamber 134 (on the same side of the partition 130)
that is of a second size
that is different from the first size. In some embodiments, the second size of
the first interior
chamber 134 is larger than the first size of the first interior chamber 134.
In particular
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embodiments, when: (1) the partition 130 is in the first position, a conduit
114 extends in
gaseous communication between an outlet of the ozone generator 222 and the
first interior
chamber 134; and (2) the partition 130 is in the second position, the conduit
114 extends in
gaseous communication between an outlet of the ozone generator 222 and the
second interior
chamber 136.
[0032] Returning to Figure 1, an exterior portion 202 of the flexible bag
100 may include one or
more exterior pockets 204, 206. In various embodiments, the one or more
exterior pockets 204,
206 may be made of any suitable material (e.g., flexible material). In
particular embodiments,
the one or more exterior pockets 204, 206 may be made of mesh material. In
other
embodiments, the one or more exterior pockets 204, 206 may be made of
transparent material
such as plastic. In some embodiments, the one or more exterior pockets 204,
206 may be
integrally formed with the flexible bag's exterior portion 202. In other
embodiments, the one or
more exterior pockets 204, 206 may be detachable from the flexible bag
exterior portion 202. In
yet other embodiments, the one or more exterior pockets 204, 206 may include a
fastening
mechanism 208, 210 (e.g., zipper, one or more buttons, hook and loop fastening
assembly, etc.)
for keeping contents within the one or more exterior pockets 204, 206. In
particular
embodiments, a particular exterior pocket 204 is configured to hold the ozone
generator 200. In
various embodiments, the exterior pocket 204 is an ozone generator support
assembly that is
adapted for supporting the ozone generator 200 within the interior portion of
the exterior pocket
204.
[0033] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the exterior pocket 204 is shown in
an open orientation. In
various embodiments, the exterior pocket 204 has a transparent front portion
212 for viewing the
contents of the pocket. For example, when the ozone generator is located
within the interior of
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the exterior pocket 204, a user may view a user interface 214 of the ozone
generator 200. In
particular embodiments, the exterior pocket 204 has a first opening 216 for
allowing a power
cord 218 associated with the ozone generator 200 to pass through to the
outside of the flexible
bag 100. Referring specifically to Figure 4, in various embodiments, the
exterior pocket 204 has
a second opening 220 for allowing the conduit 114 to pass through from the
ozone generator 200
to the interior portion 110 of the bag 100 so that the conduit 114 extends in
gaseous
communication between the outlet 222 of the ozone generator 200 to the
interior portion 110 of
the bag 100.
[0034] Referring again to Figure 2, the flexible bag 100 has one or more
straps 140 and one or
more handles 142 connected to the flexible bag's exterior portion 202 for
carrying and handling
of the flexible bag 100. The one or more straps 140 and the one or more
handles 142 may be
made of any sturdy, flexible material (e.g., woven nylon). In various
embodiments, the one or
more straps 140 and the one or more handles 142 may be integrally formed with
the flexible bag
100. In other embodiments, the one or more straps 140 and the one or more
handles 142 may be
connected to the exterior portion of the bag 202 in any suitable way. For
example, the one or
more straps 140 and the one or more handles 142 may be sewn into the exterior
portion of the
bag 202.
Ozone Generator
[0035] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, in various embodiments, the odor
removal assembly 10
includes any suitable ozone generator 200 (e.g., an electric ozone generation
device) configured
to generate ozone. In various embodiments, the ozone generator 200 may be
positioned in any
suitable location adjacent the flexible bag 100. In particular embodiments,
the ozone generator
200 may be disposed adjacent the exterior portion of the bag 100. In other
embodiments, the
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ozone generator 200 may be positioned within one of the one or more exterior
pockets 204, 206.
In some embodiments, the ozone generator 200 may be positioned so that it is
spaced apart from
the flexible bag 100. In particular embodiments, the ozone generator 200 may
be operatively
coupled to the flexible bag 100.
[0036] In various embodiments, the ozone generator 200 generates ozone and
expels it through
the outlet 222, as shown in Figure 4. The ozone generator 200 may, for
example, generate ozone
in a concentration that is suitable for removing odors from clothing and other
items. In particular
embodiments, the ozone generator 200 includes power cord 218 operatively
coupled to the ozone
generator 200. In some embodiments, the power cord 218 comprises a standard
wall plug. In
other embodiments, the power cord 218 comprises a 12-volt car plug, or other
suitable plug.
[0037] In various embodiments, the ozone generator 200 includes a user
interface 214 and a
computer processor (not shown) for allowing a user to regulate the amount of
ozone that the
ozone generator 200 generates in a particular deodorizing session. In
particular embodiments,
the user interface 214 may include control buttons 224, 226 for adjusting the
level of ozone
expelled from the ozone generator 200 up or down, respectively. In various
embodiments, the
user interface 214 may also include a power button 228 for turning the ozone
generator on or off.
In various embodiments, the ozone generator 200 generates ozone at levels of
between 1 ppm
and 2000 ppm. In some embodiments, the ozone generator 200 generates ozone at
levels of
between 500 ppm and 2000 ppm. In still other embodiments, the ozone generator
200 generates
ozone at levels of between 500 ppm and 1500 ppm.
[0038] In particular embodiments, the ozone generator 200 may include a
timer 230 with a
display on the user interface 214 for allowing a user to select the amount of
time that the ozone
generator will operate in a particular session. In various embodiments, the
timer 230 may allow
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a user to select a specific period of time (e.g., seconds, minutes, hours,
etc.). In other
embodiments, the timer 230 may allow a user to select a pre-set time limit
(e.g., five minutes, 10
minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, etc.). In some embodiments, the
timer 230 may use a
suitable selectable program for setting the timer (e.g., "preserve freshness",
"kill bacteria",
"sterilize", "remove foul smell", and "remove toxins/sterilize medical
equipment"). For
example, in a particular embodiment, the ozone generator may be adapted to run
for five minutes
in response to a user selecting a "preserving freshness" button. As a further
example, for items
that require a significant amount of deodorizing, a user may select a program
that is longer in
duration.
[0039] In various embodiments, the ozone generator 200 may include, or
otherwise be coupled
to, an ozone sensor (not shown), which may be adapted to communicate with a
controller within
the ozone sensor via a suitable communications channel (e.g., a suitable wired
or wireless
communications channel). The ozone sensor may be adapted for sensing the
concentration of
ozone adjacent the sensor. In particular embodiments, the controller may be
adapted to prevent
the operation of the ozone generator (e.g., turn off the ozone generator, or
prevent the ozone
generator from being turned on) at least partially in response to (e.g., in
response to) the ozone
sensor sensing one or more predetermined ozone levels (e.g., ozone
concentration levels)
adjacent the ozone sensor.
[0040] In some embodiments, the ozone sensor may be positioned at any
suitable location [e.g.,
inside the flexible bag 100 (e.g., within the interior portion 110 of the
central housing 105), or
outside of the flexible bag 100 (e.g., adjacent the ozone generator 200)]. As
noted above, in
various embodiments, the ozone generator's controller may be adapted to turn
off or otherwise
modify the ozone generator's output of ozone in response to the ozone
concentration measured
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by the ozone sensor reading an ozone concentration level above a pre-
determined threshold, and
thereby satisfying a pre-determined condition. For example, the ozone
generator 200 may be
adapted to turn off for safety reasons and/or to prevent potential damage to
clothing or other
items within the flexible bag 100 caused by over-exposure to excessively high
levels of ozone.
In some embodiments, the controller may turn off the ozone generator 200 in
response to the
ozone sensor sensing an ozone level above a particular pre-determined
threshold outside of the
flexible bag 100. In other embodiments, the controller may turn off the ozone
generator 200 in
response to the ozone sensor sensing an ozone level above a particular pre-
determined threshold
outside of the flexible bag 100 within an interior portion of the flexible bag
100 (e.g., within the
central housing's interior 110).
[0041] In particular embodiments, the ozone generator's controller may be
adapted to turn off
the ozone generator 200 at least partially in response to (e.g., in response
to) the ozone sensor
and/or the controller sensing that the flexible bag 100 (e.g., the central
housing 105) has been
opened (or is otherwise in an open position). In particular embodiments, the
controller (which
may be computerized) may, for example, be programmed to assume that the
central housing 105
has been opened in response to detecting a relatively sudden drop in ozone
concentration within
the bag (e.g., a concentration drop above a predetermined threshold within a
predetermined
period of time).
[0042] Similarly, the controller may be programmed to assume that the
central housing 105 is
open based, at least in part, on: (1) the length of time that the ozone
generator has been running;
and (2) the change in ozone concentration within the interior of the bag
(e.g., central housing
105) over time. For example, the controller may be programmed to assume that
the bag (e.g., the
bag's central housing 105) is in an open orientation if the ozone
concentration level within the
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bag's interior (e.g., within the interior portion 110 of the central housing
105) doesn't reach a
pre-determined threshold level in response to the ozone generator running for
a pre-determined
period of time.
[0043] In other embodiments, the ozone generator 200 may include any other
suitable type of
sensor for sensing whether the bag 100 is in an open or closed orientation
(e.g., a suitable
mechanical sensor or other sensor). In such embodiments, the controller may be
adapted to
prevent operation of the ozone generator in response to this sensor sensing
that the bag 100 is in
an open orientation.
Conduit for Transferring Ozone from the Ozone Generator to the Interior of the
Flexible
Bag
[0044] Referring to Figures 4 and 6, in various embodiments, the ozone
removal assembly 10
includes a conduit 114 that is disposed at least partially within the interior
portion of the bag 100.
The conduit 114 is in gaseous communication between the outlet of the ozone
generator 222 and
the interior portion of the flexible bag 100 for transferring ozone from the
ozone generator 200 to
the interior portion of the bag 100. In particular embodiments, the conduit
114 is adapted to
facilitate the flow of ozone from the ozone generator outlet 222 into the
interior portion of the
flexible bag 100. Referring specifically to Figure 4, in particular
embodiments, the conduit 114
has a first end 232 operatively coupled to the ozone generator 200. Referring
specifically to
Figure 6, according to various embodiments, the conduit 114 has a second end
234 disposed
within the interior portion of the bag 100. In various embodiments, the
conduit second end 234
may be positioned in any suitable location within the interior portion of the
bag 100. For
example, the conduit second end 234 may be in a central portion of the
interior portion of the bag
(e.g., substantially midway between the flexible bag's first and second ends
102, 104). In some
embodiments, the conduit 114 may extend through the pocket second opening 220
such that the
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conduit 114 extends between the exterior pocket 204 and the interior portion
of the bag 100. In
particular embodiments, the second opening 220 may be surrounded by backing
236 to preserve
the size and shape of the second opening 220.
[0045] In various embodiments, the conduit 114 may be tubing or any other
suitable conduit. In
particular embodiments, the conduit is made of flexible material. In other
embodiments, the
conduit is made of non-flexible material. In various embodiments, the conduit
114 may be
elongated and relatively long (e.g., 1 ¨ 15 feet in length). In some
embodiments, the conduit 114
may be integrally formed with the interior portion of the bag 100. In other
embodiments, the
interior portion of the bag 100 may include one or more straps 238 or other
fastening
arrangements for holding the conduit 114 in place. The one or more straps 238
may be made
from any suitable sturdy material (e.g., woven nylon, etc.). In various
embodiments, the one or
more straps 238 may be connected to the interior portion of the bag 100 in any
suitable way. For
example, the one or more straps 238 may be sewn into the interior portion of
the bag 100.
Ozone Destruction Catalyst
[0046] Referring to Figure 7, the ozone removal assembly 10, according to
various
embodiments, includes an ozone destruction catalyst. In particular
embodiments, the ozone
destruction catalyst 300 may comprise any suitable catalyst for destroying
ozone (e.g., CuO and
Mn02, Au, Pd, Pt, etc.). The ozone destruction catalyst 300 may, in various
embodiments,
catalyze ozone (03) into oxygen (02) through a catalytic reaction. The ozone
destruction catalyst
300 may be used, for example, to prevent damage to clothing or other items
within the bag
and/or to prevent over-exposure to ozone by humans and other living organisms
outside of the
bag 100 caused by excessively high levels of ozone.
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[0047] As previously discussed, the one or more interior pockets 112 may
be configured to hold
the ozone destruction catalyst 300 such that the ozone destruction catalyst
300 is disposed and
maintained within the interior portion of the flexible bag 100. In various
embodiments, the
ozone destruction catalyst 300 may be in any suitable form (e.g., in the form
of one or more
spheres, cylinders, honeycombs etc.). In some embodiments, the ozone
destruction catalyst 300
is a pellet catalyst. In particular embodiments, the ozone destruction
catalyst 300 and/or the
flexible bag 100 are configured so that the ozone destruction catalyst 300 may
be selectively
removed from the interior portion 110 of the flexible bag 100. In such
embodiments, if the
ozone destruction catalyst 300 needs to be replaced, a user may remove the
ozone destruction
catalyst 300 (e.g., from the interior pocket 112) and replace it with new
ozone destruction
catalyst.
Assembling the Ozone Removal Assembly
[0048] Referring generally to Figures 1 ¨ 6, and especially Figure 4, the
ozone removal assembly
may be assembled by placing the conduit 114 into the exterior pocket 204 and
then through
the exterior pocket second opening 220 that provides a gateway into the
interior portion 110 of
the bag's central housing 105. Once the conduit 114 is positioned so that it
extends through the
second opening 220, the conduit 114 may then be passed through the one or more
straps 238
located in the interior portion of the flexible bag 100. After moving the
conduit 114 into place,
the ozone generator's power cord 218 may be pulled through the exterior
pocket's first opening
216 and the ozone generator 200 may then be placed inside the exterior pocket
204. Once the
ozone generator 200 is in place, the fastening mechanism 208 may be fastened
to secure the
ozone generator 200 within the exterior pocket 204. With the conduit second
end 234 positioned
midway between the flexible bag's first and second ends 102, 104 a user may
position the
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partition intermediate the conduit second end 234 and the flexible bag's first
end 102. The user
may then place the ozone destruction catalyst 300 into the mesh interior
pocket 112.
Additional Embodiments of an Ozone Removal Assembly
[0049] In various embodiments, an ozone removal assembly may include one
or more features
that differ from, or are in addition to those discussed above. In particular,
some embodiments of
an ozone removal assembly may comprise: (1) a first container; (2) an ozone
generator; and (3) a
second container configured to be placed within (e.g., at least partially
within) the first container.
In such embodiments, the ozone generator may be operatively coupled to the
first container such
that ozone generated by the ozone generator is at least partially directed
within an interior of the
first container. The second container may, for example, then be placed within
the interior
portion of the first container. In particular embodiments, the first container
may comprise a
flexible bag, a substantially rigid (e.g., rigid) bin, or any other suitable
container. In some
embodiments, the first container comprises an odor-removing container that is
configured to
remove the odors of items placed in the second container when the second
container is put in the
first container. Various exemplary embodiments of such a container-within a
container
arrangement are described below.
Flexible Bag within a Flexible Bag Arrangement
[0050] As shown in Figure 8, an odor removal assembly 10a, according to a
particular
embodiment, includes: (1) a first flexible bag 100a; (2) an ozone generator
(not pictured)
disposed within a pocket 204a of the first flexible bag 100a; and (3) a second
flexible bag 400.
These various components are discussed in more detail below.
[0051] In various embodiments, the odor removal assembly 10a includes a
first flexible bag
100a (or other flexible or non-flexible container) that is configured for
storing a second container
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(e.g., a second flexible bag) within its interior. In various embodiments, the
first flexible bag
100a may include any suitable bag such as, for example, any suitable duffel
bag or carrying case.
The first flexible bag 100a may be any suitable size or shape (e.g., cubical,
cylindrical, spherical,
conical, hexagonal, etc.). In some embodiments, the first flexible bag 100a
may include ribbing,
piping, or any other suitable structural material to maintain the shape of the
first flexible bag
100a (e.g., in order to substantially maintain a shape of the first flexible
bag 100a when the first
flexible bag 100a is empty).
[0052] The first flexible bag 100a may be made of fabric or any other
suitable flexible material
(e.g., fabric, ballistic nylon, plastic, etc.). In various embodiments, the
first flexible bag 100a
may be made of non-flexible material. In particular embodiments, the first
flexible bag 100a
may be made of water-resistant material (e.g., GORE-TEXO). In other
embodiments, the first
flexible bag 100a may be made at least partially from an activated carbon
material.
[0053] In various embodiments, the first flexible bag 100a may comprise
any suitable material
that is at least partially impervious to ozone. For example, in such
embodiments, the first
flexible bag 100a may comprise a material that limits ozone leakage from
within the first flexible
bag 100a to an environment in which the first flexible bag 100a is located
such that an ozone
concentration in the surrounding environment remains below about 10 parts per
million. In other
embodiments, the first flexible bag 100a may comprise a material that is
sufficiently impervious
to ozone to limit ozone leakage (e.g., seepage) from the first flexible bag
100a to the
environment in which the first flexible bag 100a is located such that the
ozone concentration in
the surrounding environment remains, for example: (1) less than about 5 ppm;
(2) less than 0.2
ppm; (3) less than 0.1 ppm; (4) less than 0.08 ppm; (5) less than 0.05 ppm;
(6) greater than or
equal to about 0.01 ppm and less than or equal to about 0.03 ppm (e.g., 0.01
ppm < ozone
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concentration in the surrounding environment < 0.03 ppm; and/or (7) any other
level that may
pose a health risk to people when exposed to such an ozone concentration. In
various
embodiments, the first flexible bag 100a may comprise any suitable carbon
nanomaterial.
[0054] In various embodiments, first flexible bag 100a may comprise a
material that is
sufficiently impervious to ozone to limit ozone leakage (e.g., seepage of
between 0.01 ppm and
0.03 ppm of ozone) from the first flexible bag 100a to the environment in
which the first flexible
bag 100a is located such that the ozone concentration in the surrounding
environment is less than
a particular Occupational Safety and Health Administration guideline related
to ozone exposure.
For example, the ozone imperviousness of the material that the first flexible
bag 100a comprises
may be based on a type of activity performed by humans in the environment in
which the bag is
located (e.g., or will be generally utilized or located). For example, a
flexible bag 100a meant to
be kept and used in a confined area such as a vehicle or garage may comprise a
material that is
substantially impervious to ozone to substantially prevent ozone from leaking
at a rate, for
example, of less than or equal to 0.03 ppm into the car, garage or closed
space while the odor
removal assembly is in use. As may be understood by one skilled in the art,
having a first
flexible bag 100a that is at least partially impervious to ozone leakage may
be beneficial to
prevent ozone leakage from within the bag to a surrounding environment (e.g.,
into a car, garage,
home, etc.), which may pose health risks to users and others. In some
embodiments, the ozone
generator comprises one or more ozone sensors configured to measure an ozone
concentration in
an area around the ozone generator (e.g., an area around the first container).
[0055] For example, in various embodiments, the first flexible material
comprises a material or
other suitable coating that limits the concentration of ozone within a
predetermined number of
feet from the bag to be within a particular range. Thus, in particular
embodiments, the ozone
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concentration within one foot of the outside surface of the outer bag 100a is
between 0.005 ppm
and 0.05 ppm. In other embodiments, the ozone concentration within one foot of
the outside
surface of the outer bag 100a is between 0.01 ppm and 0.03 ppm. In still other
embodiments, the
ozone concentration within two feet of the outside surface of the outer bag
100a is between
0.005 ppm and 0.05 ppm. In other embodiments, the ozone concentration within
two feet of the
outside surface of the outer bag 100a is between 0.01 ppm and 0.03 ppm.
[0056] In various embodiments, the first outer bag 100a is also
configured to retain a sufficient
amount of ozone in the bag at a concentration of between 1.0 ppm and 2000.0
ppm. That is, the
combination of the ozone generator 200 and the configuration of the outer bag
100a are such that
the concentration of ozone over a given period of time (e.g., the operating
time of the generator)
is such that the concentration inside the outer bag 100a is between 20.0 ppm
and 1500.0 ppm. In
various embodiments, the concentration of ozone within the outer bag 100a is
between 100 ppm
and 1500 ppm. Still in other embodiments, the concentration of ozone within
the outer bag 100a
is between 900 ppm and 1500 ppm. In various embodiments, the level of ozone
may be
maintained at a particular level by measuring the ozone level within the outer
bag 100a using a
sensor (e.g., a sensor at least partially located in the bag) and adjusting
the output of the ozone
generator 200 based on the measure levels. In other embodiments, the ozone
generator 200 may
be cycled on and off to maintain the desired ozone concentration in the outer
bag 100a. It should
be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that various techniques and
structures may be
employed to maintain the desired ozone concentration within the closed outer
bag 100a.
[0057] In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the first flexible bag 100
defines an interior
portion 110a selectively accessible via an opening 115a. In various
embodiments, the opening
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115a may be in any suitable shape. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the
opening 115a is
substantially U-shaped (e.g., U-shaped).
[0058] In various embodiments, when the flexible bag opening 115a is in an
open orientation, as
shown in Figure 8, a user may place any suitable object (e.g., a second
flexible bag), into the
interior portion 110a of the first flexible bag 10a through the opening 115.
In particular
embodiments, when the opening 115a is in a closed orientation, a user may be
prevented from
placing objects, into the interior portion 110a.
[0059] As shown in Figure 8, the first flexible bag 100a may include a
fastening mechanism
120a for selectively maintaining the bag opening 115a in a closed orientation.
The fastening
mechanism 120 may comprise any suitable fastening mechanism (e.g., a zipper;
one or more
buttons; a hinged door; a hook and loop fastening assembly; a ziplock
arrangement, etc.). In the
embodiment shown in this figure, the fastening mechanism 120 comprises a
zipper. In various
embodiments, the fastening mechanism 120a may extend along substantially all
of an edge of the
opening 115a such that when the fastening mechanism 120a is maintaining the
opening 115a in
a closed position, the fastening mechanism 120a forms a seal that at least
partially prevents
ozone from leaking out of the opening 115a.
[0060] In various embodiments as shown in Figures 8A ¨ 8C, for example,
the fastening
mechanism 120a comprises an airtight zipper. In such embodiments, the zipper
may comprise a
toothed zipper (e.g., having 2 rows of zipper teeth 120b and 120c) and
waterproof sheeting 105a
and 105b that is bonded to the first flexible bag 100a and wrapped around an
outer portion of
each row of zipper teeth. In particular embodiments, the waterproof sheeting
105a and 105b
comprises a suitable fabric-reinforced polyethylene material or other suitable
material. In
particular embodiments, when the locking mechanism 120a is in the closed
position (e.g., locked
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position as shown in FIG. 8B), the two sheets of waterproof sheeting 105a and
105b on the
opposing zipper teeth 120b and 120c are configured to squeeze against one
another to form a
substantially air-tight (e.g., air-tight) seal along the locking mechanism
120a (e.g., zipper), as
shown in FIG. 8C. In such embodiments, an air-tight locking mechanism 120a
may, for example,
at least partially prevents ozone from leaking out of the first flexible bag
100a to a surrounding
environment in which the first flexible bag 100a is located. The air-tight
nature of the locking
mechanism 120a may, in various environments, be beneficial in avoiding
potential issues related
to ozone exposure by people in the vicinity of the ozone removal assembly 10a.
For example, in
an embodiment in which the ozone removal assembly is in a user's vehicle, it
may be desirable
for the first flexible bag 100a to not leak ozone into the vehicle (e.g., due
to any potential health
risks due to ozone exposure to people in the vehicle).
[0061] In various embodiments, the first flexible bag's interior portion
110a may define an
interior chamber 134a of any suitable size or dimension (e.g., rectangular,
etc.). In various
embodiments, the interior chamber 134a may be sufficiently large to
accommodate a second
flexible bag 400 (e.g., or inflexible bag) within the interior chamber 134a.
In further
embodiments, as discussed above, the odor removal assemble 10a includes a
conduit 114 that is
disposed at least partially within the interior chamber 134a of the first
flexible bag 100a. The
conduit 114 is in gaseous communication between the outlet of the ozone
generator (not
pictured) and the interior chamber 134a of the flexible bag 100a for
transferring ozone from the
ozone generator to the bag's interior chamber 134a.
[0062] In various embodiments, an exterior portion 202a of the first
flexible bag 100a may
include one or more exterior pockets 204a, 206a. In various embodiments, the
one or more
exterior pockets 204a, 206a may be made of any suitable material (e.g.,
flexible material). In
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particular embodiments, the one or more exterior pockets 204a, 206a may be
made of mesh
material. In other embodiments, the one or more exterior pockets 204, 206a may
be made of
transparent material such as plastic. In some embodiments, the one or more
exterior pockets
204a, 206a may be integrally formed with the flexible bag's exterior portion
202a. In other
embodiments, the one or more exterior pockets 204a, 206a may be detachable
from the first
flexible bag exterior portion 202a. In yet other embodiments, the one or more
exterior pockets
204a, 206a may include a suitable fastening mechanism 208a, 210a (e.g.,
zipper, one or more
buttons, hook and loop fastening assembly, etc.) for keeping contents within
the one or more
exterior pockets 204a, 206a.
[0063] In particular embodiments, a particular exterior pocket 204a is
configured to hold the
ozone generator 200 described above. In such embodiments the conduit 114a may
extend from
the particular exterior pocket 204a to the bag's interior chamber 134a via any
suitable opening
(e.g., a hole, slit, etc. between the particular exterior pocket 204a and the
exterior chamber
134a). In various embodiments, the suitable opening between the particular
exterior pocket 204a
and the exterior chamber 134a is sufficiently airtight when the conduit 114a
is inserted through
the opening such that air flow is at least partially restricted (e.g., fully
restricted) between the
particular exterior pocket 204a and the exterior chamber 134a through the
opening (e.g., other
than via the conduit 114a). In such embodiments, the opening may comprise a
suitable gasket
(e.g., made of rubber or other material).
[0064] In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the odor removal assembly 10a
further comprises
a second flexible bag 400. The second flexible bag 400 may include any
suitable container for
holding one or more items (e.g., clothing, shoes, etc.) and, in various
embodiments, comprises:
(1) one or more straps 440; (2) one or more handles 442; (3); one or more
exterior pockets 404
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and a locking mechanism 420 for selectively providing access to an interior
portion of the second
flexible bag 400. As may be understood from Figures 8 and 9, the second
flexible bag 400 is
dimensioned to fit within the first flexible bag 100a (e.g., its interior). As
shown in Figure 9, the
second flexible bag 400 defines an interior portion 410 accessible via an
opening and further
defines an interior chamber 434 configured to hold the one or more items.
100651 In various embodiments, the second flexible bag 400 comprises
any suitable material
(e.g., e.g., fabric, ballistic nylon, mesh, plastic, etc.). In particular
embodiments, the second
flexible bag 400 comprises a material that is at least partially permeable to
ozone (e.g., such that
ozone within the first flexible bag 100a at least partially penetrates through
an exterior portion of
the second flexible bag 400 into the second flexible bag's interior chamber
434 in order to at
least partially deodorize any items within the second flexible bag 400). In
other embodiments,
the odor removal assembly 10a is configured so that, when the second flexible
bag 400 is placed
within the first flexible bag 100a in order to at least partially deodorize
any items within the
second flexible bag 400, the second flexible bag's locking mechanism 420 is in
the open position
such that the second flexible bag's interior portion 410 is at least partially
open to the first
flexible bag's interior portion 110a). In various embodiments, this
arrangement with the second
flexible bag's locking mechanism 420 in the open position may allow a free
flow of ozone
between first flexible bag's interior portion 110a and the second flexible
bag's interior portion
410 (e.g., enables ozone to flow from the first flexible bag's interior
portion 110a to the second
flexible bag's interior portion 410. In various other embodiments, the first
and second flexible
bags respective interior portions are in gaseous communication with one
another (e.g., in any
other suitable way).
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Flexible Bag within a Rigid Bin Arrangement
[0066] Figures 10-13 show an embodiment in which an odor removal assembly
comprises: (1) a
substantially rigid bin 500; (2) an ozone generator; (3) and a flexible bag
400. This
embodiments is similar to the embodiments described above with respect to the
flexible bag
within a flexible bag arrangement described above. It should be understood by
one skilled in the
art that other embodiments including other types of containers that serve as
an exterior container
and/or an interior container that is placed within the exterior container
would be suitable for use
in the odor removal assembly including the container-within-a-container
arrangement described
herein. For example, in various embodiments, a first or second container may
comprise, for
example, a closet (e.g., a free-standing or built-in closet), an entire room,
a car trunk, a washing
machine, a dryer, a drum, or any other suitable container). Specific
embodiments described
herein are for illustrative purposes.
[0067] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a substantially rigid (e.g.,
rigid) bin 500 that
makes up part of an odor removal assembly according to a particular
embodiment. In the
embodiment shown in this figure, the rigid bin 500 comprises: (1) a
substantially rectangular
housing 502; (2) two wheels 522, 524 disposed adjacent a lower portion of the
housing 502; (3) a
handle 520 disposed adjacent an upper portion of the housing 502; (4) a lid
520; (5) and two
locking mechanisms 512, 514 for maintaining the lid in a closed position.
[0068] As shown in this figure, the housing 502 defines an opening 530
through which the ozone
generator's conduit 114 extends into the rigid bin's interior. Figure 11 shown
the rigid bin's
interior 510 which defines an interior chamber 534 and is accessible via an
opening. As may be
understood from Figures 10 and 11, the locking mechanisms 512, 514 are
configured to maintain
the lid 520 adjacent the bin's opening in order to selectively prevent and
allow access to the
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interior chamber 534. In various embodiments, when the locking mechanisms 512,
514 are
maintaining the lid 520 adjacent the bin's opening, the lid 520 forms a
substantially air tight seal
with the rigid bin 500 such that air (e.g., ozone) cannot escape the bin's
interior chamber 534 via
a contact point between the lid 520 and the bin 500. In various embodiments,
the seal between
the lid 520 and bin 500 may comprise rubber or any other suitable material for
maintaining a
substantially tight seal between the lid 520 and the bin 500 when the lid is
in the closed position.
[0069] Figures 12 and 13 show a second flexible bag 400 being placed
within the rigid bin's
interior chamber 534. As may be understood from these figures and from the
description above
with respect to the flexible bag in a flexible bag arrangement with respect to
Figures 8 and 9,
when the second flexible bag 400 is within the interior chamber 534 of the
rigid bin 500, ozone
generated by the ozone generator may enter the second flexible bag's interior
portion 434 (e.g.,
via an opening in the second flexible bag 400, through an ozone permeable
material that makes
up at least part of the second flexible bag 400, or in any other suitable
manner).
Exemplary Ozone Generator Power Sources
[0070] Various embodiments of an ozone generator may include any suitable
power source or
power supply. For example, in various embodiments, the ozone generator is
configured to utilize
any suitable AC or DC power source such as, for example, any suitable battery
power of any
type (e.g., disposable, rechargeable, etc), any suitable AC power supply
(e.g., from a wall outlet),
any suitable USB power source, or any other suitable power source. In
particular embodiments,
the ozone generator is configured to utilize a car battery (e.g., 12 Volt
battery) as a power source,
for example, via a suitable cigarette lighter adapter. In various embodiments,
such as the
embodiments shown in Figure 10, a rigid bin 500 or other carrier may
optionally comprise one or
more suitable solar chargers comprising one or more solar cells (e.g.,
photovoltaic cells) for
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converting light energy into electricity, for example, via the photovoltaic
effect. In particular
embodiments, for example, the lid may comprise one or more solar cells. In
still other
embodiments, any other suitable portion of the odor removing assembly may
comprise any
suitable number or arrangement of solar cells. In various embodiments, the one
or more solar
cells are configured to charge a rechargeable battery from which the ozone
generator draws
power.
Use of the Ozone Removal Assembly
[0071] In various embodiments, after the ozone removal assembly 10 has
been assembled it is
ready for use. In using the ozone removal assembly 10, a user may place one or
more items such
as an athletic jersey, athletic shoes, hunting gear, and/or other sporting
gear or other items into
the interior of the bag's central housing 105 through the flexible bag's
opening 115. These items
may be items that the user wishes to deodorize. In various embodiments, the
user may place
items with similar levels of odor into the flexible bag 100 at the same time.
For instance, if the
user has socks and shoes from a short walk as well as hunting apparel from a
long weekend hunt
that needs to be deodorized, the user may desire to deodorize these items
separately as the
hunting gear may require a longer deodorizing session to be fully deodorized.
Once the items
have been placed into the flexible bag 100, the user may close the flexible
bag's opening 115 by
moving the fastening mechanism 120 from the open orientation to the closed
orientation.
[0072] In some embodiments, the user may then lock the fastening mechanism
120 using a
suitable locking mechanism as described above. When the fastening mechanism
120 is in the
locked orientation, the user may plug the ozone generator' power cord 218 into
a suitable power
source (e.g., a wall plug or a car plug) and then turn the ozone generator 200
on using the power
button 228. A user may select the level of ozone to be expelled from the ozone
generator 200 by
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pressing either the up button 224 or the down button 226 depending upon the
length of the time
and level of ozone required to deodorize the items placed into the flexible
bag 100. For example,
for particularly foul odors, the user may elect to have the ozone generator
200 generate ozone for
30 minutes. For mild odors, the user may, for example, elect to have the ozone
generator 200
generate ozone for a shorter period of time, such as five minutes.
[0073] In using some embodiments of the ozone removal assembly 10, if the
assembly's ozone
sensor senses that the level of ozone within the bag exceeds a pre-determined
threshold, the
ozone generator's controller will turn off the ozone generator 200 so that
ozone is no longer
expelled from the ozone generator 200. Similarly, if the bag opening sensor
senses that the bag
has been opened, the automatic shutoff system will turn off the ozone
generator 200 so that
ozone is no longer expelled from the ozone generator 200.
Use of Dual Container Odor Removal Assembly Embodiment
[0074] As may be understood from Figures 8-9 and 12-13, when using an
ozone removal
assembly that includes two containers, a user may place one or more items that
the user wishes to
deodorize into an interior portion 434 of a second flexible bag. The user may
then optionally
close a locking mechanism 420 (e.g., zipper) of the second flexible bag with
the one or more
items within it. In such embodiments, the user may then place the second
flexible bag 400 into a
second container that includes an ozone generator. In various embodiments, the
second
container may comprise a first flexible bag 100a (e.g., as shown in Figures 8
and 9) or a rigid bin
500 (e.g., as shown in Figures 12 and 13).
[0075] As may be understood from these figures, once the second flexible
bag has been placed
within the first container, the user may close the first container. In the
embodiment that includes
a first flexible bag 100a shown in Figures 8 and 9, the user may, for example,
close the fastening
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mechanism 120a (e.g., zipper) of the first flexible bag 100a while the second
flexible bag 400 is
disposed within the first flexible bag's interior portion 134a. As may be
understood by one
skilled in the art, while the first flexible bag is closed, the first flexible
bag is substantially
impervious to ozone (e.g., is configured to maintain any ozone directed via
the conduit 114 into
the first flexible bag's interior portion 134 within the first flexible bag
100a so that ozone does
not leak out of the first flexible bag 100a into a surrounding environment).
The user may then
turn on the ozone generator 200 which generates ozone that flows into the
first flexible bag's
interior portion 134 via the conduit 114. The ozone then enters the interior
portion 434 of the
second flexible bag 400 (e.g., via one or more openings or by permeating a
material that
comprises at least a portion of the second flexible bag 400) and deodorizes
the one or more items
within.
[0076] Similarly, in embodiments that include a rigid bin 500 as shown
in Figures 12 and 13, the
user may, for example, affix the lid 520 to the rigid bin 500 using the one or
more fastening
mechanisms 512, 514 while the second flexible bag 400 is disposed within the
bin's interior
portion 534. As may be understood by one skilled in the art, while the bin is
closed, the bin is
substantially impervious to ozone (e.g., is configured to maintain any ozone
directed via the
conduit 114 into the bin's interior portion 534 within the rigid bin 500 so
that ozone does not
leak out of the rigid bin 500 into a surrounding environment). The user may
then turn on the
ozone generator 200 which generates ozone that flows into the bin's interior
portion 534 via the
conduit 114. The ozone then enters the interior portion 434 of the second
flexible bag 400 (e.g.,
via one or more openings or by permeating a material that comprises at least a
portion of the
second flexible bag 400) and deodorizes the one or more items within.
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[0077] In other embodiments, the odor removal assembly may comprise an
ozone generator and
a conduit. In such embodiments, the odor removal assembly may further comprise
instructions
for a user to insert a second end of the conduit in any container that the
user has in order to use
that container as an odor-removing container. The instructions may, for
example, instruct the
user to insert the conduit into a storage bin (e.g., a plastic storage bin).
The instructions may, for
example, instruct the user to cut a hole in an exterior of the storage bin and
run the conduit
through the whole. In such embodies, the instructions may further instruct the
user to seal the
hole around the conduit (e.g., using duct tape or other adhesive). In other
embodiments, the
instructions may direct the user to simply insert the conduit into the opening
at the top of the bin
and close the lid over the conduit.
Exemplary Use
Sports Equipment
[0078] In a particular example of a user using the ozone removal assembly
10, a user desiring to
deodorize sports equipment such as shoes, socks, shorts, and a shirt from a
long run may set up
the ozone removal assembly 10 in the user's garage by plugging the ozone
generator's power
cord 218 into a wall outlet located in the user's garage. After placing the
sports equipment into
the flexible bag 100 and closing the bag 100, the user may consult the ozone
generator user
interface 214 regarding the correct length of time to set the timer 230 for.
Because the user is
desiring to kill any bacteria that may be on the sports equipment, the user
may turn the ozone
generator 200 on and press the up button 224 once to set the ozone generator
200 to a "kill
bacteria" setting. This, may, for example, turn the ozone generator 200 on for
10 minutes, which
may be a suitable amount of time for killing bacteria on items.
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[0079] Once the full 10-minute cycle has been completed, the user may
leave the sports
equipment in the flexible bag 100 with the fastening mechanism 120 (e.g., a
zipper) closed to
allow the ozone destruction catalyst 300 to catalyze the remaining ozone in
the bag 100. The
user may then remove the sports equipment from the bag and test the odor of
the sports
equipment by smelling it. If the sports equipment requires further
deodorizing, the user may
place the sports equipment back into the bag 100 and repeat the steps listed
above. If the user
determines that undesired odor is still prevalent in the sports equipment, the
user may, for
example, increase the level of ozone produced by the ozone generator 200 from
10 minutes to 15
minutes.
[0080] This process may be repeated as many times as is necessary to
remove undesired odors
from the sports equipment. However, if the ozone sensor determines that the
level of ozone
outside the bag (e.g., within the garage, which may be closed) exceeds a pre-
determined
threshold, the assembly's controller may turn off the ozone generator 200 to
prevent the ozone
generator 200 from expelling any more ozone. Once the ozone sensor determines
that the level
of ozone outside the bag is less than a pre-determined threshold value, the
controller may again
allow the user to turn on the ozone generator 200 to run a deodorizing
session.
[0081] In certain embodiments, a user may wish to use the assembly away
from their home. It
should be understood that, in various embodiments, the portable nature of the
assembly may
allow the assembly to be used away from a user's home (e.g., within a user's
car, in the
clubhouse of a golf course, or any other suitable location). This may be
advantageous in that it
may allow a user to deodorize sporting equipment or other items in essentially
any suitable
location. In particular embodiments, the assembly may include a battery pack
that is used to
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Attorney Docket No: 0972-02001-CIP2-CA
supply power to the ozone generator 200, which may enhance the portable nature
of the
assembly.
[0082] In other embodiments, as may be understood from this disclosure, a
user may place the
flexible bag containing sports equipment (e.g., or other items) into a second
container (which
may include, for example, a larger flexible bag or a rigid container such as a
bin). The user may
then utilize an ozone generator associated with the second container in any
suitable manner
described herein to cause the ozone generator to pump ozone into the second
container. As may
be understood by one skilled in the art, the flexible bag (e.g., and its
contents) may be exposed to
the generated ozone by virtue of being disposed within the second container.
Conclusion
[0083] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will
come to mind to one
skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, having the benefit of the
teaching presented in
the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be
understood that the
invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that
modifications and
other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended
claims.
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