Microbe propagation preventing apparatus and microbe propagation preventing method

A microbe propagation preventing apparatus and a microbe propagation preventing method are provided to prevent an ion from decreasing at a time of decomposing ozone generated by gaseous discharge or ionization so as to sufficiently generate air ion, and to sufficiently prevent propagation of microbes adhering to an object by using the air ion without secondary pollution. Further, in the apparatus and the method, a gas containing the ion is supplied into water so as to prevent the microbe propagation in the water. In the apparatus, an ozone decomposing chamber is mounted to be electrically insulated from an air duct. An electrode to remove a positive ion is mounted to obtain only a negative ion, and extend a lifetime of the obtained ion. An ion supplying portion is mounted to supply an ionized gas into a space housing the object in which microbes can be propagated, and return the ionized gas to an ionization chamber. Further, a diffusing apparatus is provided to transform the ionic gas into bubbles so as to feed the bubbles into the water in the water reservoir.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a microbe propagation preventing apparatus 
and a microbe propagation preventing method which enable prevention of 
microbe propagation in foods or the like by using ions. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a conventional microbe propagation 
preventing apparatus disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent 
Application Laid-Open No. 3-72289. In FIG. 29, reference numeral 1 means 
an external gas, 2 is a metallic needle electrode made of metallic 
material such as tungsten, stainless steel, or nickel, 3 is a metallic 
grid-like electrode, 4 is a high voltage generator to apply high voltage 
between the metallic needle electrode 2 and the metallic grid-like 
electrode 3 so as to generate corona discharge, 5 is an ozone decomposing 
catalyst to decompose ozone contained in the gas 1, and 6 is an ionized 
gas containing no ozone. 
A description will now be given of the operation. 
A distance (a gap length) between the metallic needle electrode 2 and the 
metallic grid-like electrode 3 is set at several centimeters. When the 
high voltage generator 4 is used to apply dc high voltage in a range of 
several to over ten but less than twenty kilovolts between the metallic 
needle electrode 2 and the metallic grid-like electrode 3, the metallic 
grid-like electrode 3 is positively charged, and the metallic needle 
electrode 2 is negatively charged. Thereby, an electric field having high 
intensity is generated at a distal end of a needle of the metallic needle 
electrode 2, resulting in glow-like discharge having a light color which 
is called the corona discharge. Thus, the corona discharge negatively 
ionizes an oxygen molecule in the air in an ionization space. While the 
negative ion generated by the corona discharge travels to the metallic 
grid-like electrode 3, ambient air is also carried because of viscosity of 
the air. As a result, an ionized air flows from the metallic needle 
electrode 2 toward the metallic grid-like electrode 3. 
However, since the external gas 1 contains the oxygen molecule, the corona 
discharge generates ozone as well as the negative ion. In this connection, 
high concentration of ozone is harmful because the ozone exhibits 
intensive oxidization. 
Hence, the ozone decomposing catalyst 5 is disposed on the downstream side 
in an air duct through which the gas containing the ozone flows. The ozone 
decomposing catalyst 5 removes the ozone from the ionized gas so that the 
ionized air 6 containing no ozone is discharged into a space. 
Since the inventors found that the gas 6 can reduce the propagation of the 
microbes adhering objects such as foods in case the gas 6 contains an 
appropriate concentration of ion, the prior art apparatus has been 
discussed as a microbe propagation preventing apparatus. However, prior to 
filing of this application, the prior art apparatus is actually disclosed 
as simply an apparatus to generate ions rather than the apparatus to 
prevent the microbe propagation by using the ions. A detailed description 
thereof will be given later. 
Alternatively, there is another embodiment as shown in FIG. 30, in which a 
gas containing the ozone is provided for foods housed in a refrigerator so 
as to prevent the propagation of the microbe generated in the foods. 
In FIG. 30, reference numeral 7 means the refrigerator, 8 means the foods 
housed in the refrigerator 7, 9 is a cooler of the refrigerator 7, 10 is a 
gas in the refrigerator 7, 11 is a fan to draw the gas 10, 12 is an 
ozonizer to generate the ozone by the discharge, 13 is an ozone 
sterilizing/deodorizing chamber to sterilize and deodorize the microbes 
such as bacteria, mold and a malodorous component which are contained in 
the gas 10, 14 is the ozone decomposing catalyst to decompose excess ozone 
by using, for example, manganese dioxide, and 15 is a clean gas which is 
sterilized and deodorized. 
A description will now be given of the operation. 
The refrigerator 7 includes the cooler 9 to cool the inside of the 
refrigerator 7 in which the foods 8 are housed. On the other hand, the 
ozonizer 12 injects the ozone to the gas 10 drawn by the fan 11 including 
the mold, the bacteria, or the malodorous component such that ozone 
concentration in the gas 10 is in a range of several to tens ppm. In such 
a way, the ozone is injected into the gas 10, and the gas 10 is introduced 
into the ozone sterilizing/deodorizing chamber 13 so as to sterilize or 
deodorize the mold, the bacteria, or the malodorous component which is 
contained in the gas 10. 
However, the gas 10 in the ozone sterilizing/deodorizing chamber 13 
contains the ozone with concentration in a range of several to tens ppm. 
Consequently, when the gas 10 is discharged as it is, the gas 10 is 
harmful for a human body. Further, there is a risk in that equipments such 
a heat exchanger, or the fan 11 may corrode due to the ozone 
(specifically, if the ozone concentration in the refrigerator 7 is 
increased to a range no less than 0.1 ppm, some kinds of foods may 
discolor or deteriorate, and the equipments such as the heat exchanger, 
the fan 11 in the refrigerator 9 corrode). Hence, the gas 10 including 
relatively high concentration of ozone is introduced into the ozone 
decomposing catalyst 14 to decompose and remove the ozone so as to reduce 
the ozone concentration to a range no more than an operation reference 
value (of 0.1 ppm). Thereafter, the gas 10 is discharged as the clean gas 
15 into the refrigerator 7. 
The conventional microbe propagation preventing apparatus is constructed as 
set forth above, that is, the conventional apparatus is not provided for 
purpose of the prevention of the microbe propagation by using the ion. 
Further, when the ozone is decomposed by the ozone decomposing catalyst 5, 
a generating negative ion contacts a case body of the ozone decomposing 
catalyst 5 to recombine with the case body since the ozone decomposing 
catalyst 5 includes the metallic case body. As a result, there are several 
problems in that, for example, the microbe propagation can not 
sufficiently be prevented due to the reduction of the generating negative 
ion. 
On the other hand, in case microbe propagation is prevented by using the 
ozone, it is necessary to reduce the ozone concentration in the gas 10 to 
the range no more than 0.1 ppm in view of adverse effects to the human 
body. Accordingly, there are other problems in that, for example, the 
microbe propagation can not sufficiently be prevented in the reduced ozone 
concentration. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to 
provide a microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which reduction of 
ion can be avoided when ozone is decomposed so as to sufficiently prevent 
microbe propagation. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a microbe 
propagation preventing apparatus in which any one of a negative ion and a 
positive ion can be generated. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a microbe 
propagation preventing apparatus in which an ionized gas is supplied into 
a space housing a certain object so as to prevent microbe propagation in 
the object. 
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a microbe 
propagation preventing apparatus in which an ionized gas is supplied into 
a water reservoir storing certain liquid so as to prevent microbe 
propagation in the liquid. 
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a microbe 
propagation preventing method in which microbe propagation can be 
prevented in a space housing an object in which the microbe can be 
propagated. 
According to the first aspect of the present invention, for achieving the 
above-mentioned objects, there is provided a microbe propagation 
preventing apparatus in which an ozone decomposing chamber is mounted to 
be electrically insulated from an air duct. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the first aspect of the present invention, the ozone decomposing 
chamber is mounted to be electrically insulated from the air duct. 
Consequently, a generating negative ion never recombines with a case body 
of the ozone decomposing chamber even if the negative ion contacts the 
case body. As a result, there is no reduction of the generating negative 
ion in the ozone decomposing chamber. 
According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided 
a microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which an air duct is made of 
an insulating material. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the second aspect of the present invention, the air duct is made of the 
insulating material. Consequently, a generating negative ion never 
recombines with the air duct even if the negative ion contacts the air 
duct. As a result, there is no reduction of the generating negative ion in 
the ozone decomposing chamber. 
According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 
microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which an ozone decomposing 
chamber includes a grid-like heating resistor which is coated with an 
insulating material. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the third aspect of the present invention, the ozone decomposing 
chamber includes the grid-like heating resistor which is coated with the 
insulating material. As a result, there is no reduction of the generating 
negative ion in the ozone decomposing chamber. 
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided 
a microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which a case body of an 
ozone decomposing chamber is made of an insulating material. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the case body of the ozone 
decomposing chamber is made of the insulating material. Consequently, a 
generating negative ion never recombines with the case body of the ozone 
decomposing chamber even if the negative ion contacts the case body. As a 
result, there is no reduction of the generating negative ion in the ozone 
decomposing chamber. 
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 
microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which an air duct is 
surrounded by a heat insulating material. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the air duct is surrounded 
by the heat insulating material. As a result, it is possible to reduce a 
decrease of temperature of an ionized gas so as to promote decomposition 
of ozone. 
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 
microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which moisture removing means 
for removing moisture in a gas ionized by an ionization chamber is 
provided on the upstream side of the ionization chamber. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the moisture removing means 
for removing the moisture in the gas ionized by the ionization chamber is 
provided on the upstream side of the ionization chamber. As a result, it 
is possible to reduce an amount of the moisture contained in the gas so as 
to promote generation of an ion. 
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided 
a microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which a pair of conductive 
nets are disposed parallel to each other at a predetermined interval 
between an ionization chamber and an ozone decomposing chamber, a dc power 
source being provided to apply positive dc voltage to one conductive net 
disposed on the downstream side in the pair of conductive nets, and the 
other conductive net disposed on the upstream side being grounded. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the pair of conductive 
nets are disposed parallel to each other at the predetermined interval 
between the ionization chamber and the ozone decomposing chamber, the dc 
power source being provided to apply the positive dc voltage to one 
conductive net disposed on the downstream side in the pair of conductive 
nets, and the other conductive net disposed on the upstream side being 
grounded. As a result, it is possible to remove a positive ion, and obtain 
only a negative ion. 
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided 
a microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which a pair of conductive 
nets are disposed parallel to each other at a predetermined interval 
between an ionization chamber and an ozone decomposing chamber, a dc power 
source being provided to apply negative dc voltage to one conductive net 
disposed on the downstream side in the pair of conductive nets, and the 
other conductive net disposed on the upstream side being grounded. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the pair of conductive nets 
are disposed parallel to each other at the predetermined interval between 
the ionization chamber and the ozone decomposing chamber, the dc power 
source being provided to apply the negative dc voltage to one conductive 
net disposed on the downstream side in the pair of conductive nets, and 
the other conductive net disposed on the upstream side being grounded. As 
a result, it is possible to remove a negative ion, and obtain only a 
positive ion. 
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 
microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which, in a pair of conductive 
nets, one conductive net disposed on the downstream side has a coarser 
mesh than that of the other conductive net disposed on the upstream side. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the ninth aspect of the present invention, one conductive net disposed 
on the downstream side has a coarser mesh than that of the other 
conductive net disposed on the upstream side in the pair of conductive 
nets. As a result, the obtained ion never decreases. 
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 
microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which an ionic gas from which 
ozone is removed by an ozone decomposing chamber is supplied into a space 
housing an object in which microbes can be propagated. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the ionic gas from which the 
ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is supplied into the 
space housing the object in which the microbes can be propagated. 
Consequently, an ionized gas can be supplied for the object. 
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which an ionic gas 
from which ozone is removed by an ozone decomposing chamber is supplied 
into a space housing an object in which microbes can be propagated, and 
the gas supplied into the space being returned to an ionization chamber. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the ionic gas from which 
the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is supplied into the 
space housing the object in which the microbes can be propagated, and the 
gas supplied into the space being returned to the ionization chamber. 
Consequently, an ionized gas can be supplied to the object, and an odor of 
the gas can be deodorized. 
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided 
a microbe propagation preventing apparatus including an ion supplying 
portion having a space to house an object in which microbes can be 
propagated, and supplying the space with an ionic gas from which ozone is 
removed by an ozone decomposing chamber. 
As stated above, the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according to 
the twelfth aspect of the present invention including the ion supplying 
portion having the space to house the object in which the microbes can be 
propagated, and supplying the space with the ionic gas from which ozone is 
removed by the ozone decomposing chamber. As a result, an ionized gas can 
be supplied for the object. 
According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing apparatus including an ion 
supplying portion having a space to house an object in which microbes can 
be propagated, supplying the space with an ionic gas from which ozone is 
removed by an ozone decomposing chamber, and returning the gas supplied 
into the space to an ionization chamber. 
As stated above, the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according to 
the thirteenth aspect of the present invention including the ion supplying 
portion having the space to house the object in which the microbes can be 
propagated, supplying the space with the ionic gas from which ozone is 
removed by the ozone decomposing chamber, and returning the gas supplied 
into the space to the ionization chamber. As a result, an ionized gas can 
be supplied for the object, and an odor of the gas can be deodorized. 
According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which an ionization 
chamber includes a pair of electrodes, and negative dc voltage being 
applied to the electrodes so as to ionize an electron. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the ionization chamber 
includes the pair of electrodes, and negative dc voltage being applied to 
the electrodes so as to ionize the electron. It is thereby possible to 
obtain only a negative ion. 
According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which an ion 
supplying portion includes a space whose inner surface is made of an 
insulating material. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the ion supplying 
portion includes the space whose inner surface is made of the insulating 
material. As a result, a generating ion never decreases in the ion 
supplying portion. 
According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which an ionic gas 
from which ozone is removed by an ozone decomposing chamber is transformed 
into bubbles to be supplied into water of a water reservoir. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the ionic gas from which 
the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is transformed into 
bubbles to be supplied into the water in the water reservoir. It is 
thereby possible to reduce microbe propagation in the water. 
According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing apparatus including gas mixer to 
mix ozone generated from an ozonizer with a gas ionized by an ionization 
chamber, and a gas-liquid mixer to transform a gas mixed by the gas mixer 
into bubbles so as to feed the bubbles into water in a water reservoir. 
As stated above, the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according to 
the seventeenth aspect of the present invention including the gas mixer to 
mix ozone generated from the ozonizer with the gas ionized by the 
ionization chamber, and the gas-liquid mixer to transform the gas mixed by 
the gas mixer into bubbles so as to feed the bubbles into water in the 
water reservoir. As a result, it is possible to surely reduce microbe 
propagation in the water because of a synergistic effect of an ion and the 
ozone, and to sterilize microbes. 
According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which a gas-liquid 
mixer includes a diffuser. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the gas-liquid mixer 
includes the diffuser. It is thereby possible to reduce microbe 
propagation in water as in the sixteenth aspect and the seventeenth 
aspect. 
According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing apparatus in which a gas-liquid 
mixer includes an ejector. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing apparatus according 
to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the gas-liquid mixer 
includes the ejector. It is thereby possible to reduce microbe propagation 
in water as in the sixteenth aspect and the seventeenth aspect. 
According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing method in which an ionic gas 
from which ozone is removed by an ozone decomposing chamber is supplied 
into a space housing an object in which microbes can be propagated. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing method according to 
the twentieth aspect of the present invention, the ionic gas from which 
ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is supplied into the 
space housing the object in which the microbes can be propagated. As a 
result, an ionized gas can be supplied for the object. 
According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing method in which an ionic gas 
from which ozone is removed by an ozone decomposing chamber is supplied 
into a space housing an object in which microbes can be propagated, and 
the ionic gas supplied into the space being returned to an ionization 
chamber. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing method according to 
the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the ionic gas from which 
the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is supplied into the 
space housing the object in which microbes can be propagated, and the 
ionic gas supplied into the space being returned to the ionization 
chamber. As a result, an ionized gas can be supplied for the object, and 
an odor of the gas can be deodorized. 
According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing method in which, when an ionic 
gas from which ozone is removed by an ozone decomposing chamber is 
supplied into a space, the ionic gas is intermittently supplied into the 
space. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing method according to 
the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, when the ionic gas from 
which the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is supplied 
into the space, the ionic gas is intermittently supplied into the space. 
It is thereby possible to reduce microbe propagation in the water as in 
the case of continuous supply of the ionic gas. 
According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing method in which, when an ionic 
gas from which ozone is removed by an ozone decomposing chamber is 
supplied into a space, the ionic gas is supplied after the gas is 
humidified. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing method according to 
the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, when the ionic gas from 
which the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is supplied 
into the space, the ionic gas is supplied after the gas is humidified. It 
is thereby possible to reduce microbe propagation while preventing drying 
of an object such as a food contained in the space. 
According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing method in which a wind blower 
draws a gas in a closed space which prevents microbe propagation, and 
supplies an ionic gas from which ozone is removed by an ozone decomposing 
chamber to the space. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing method according to 
the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the wind blower draws 
the gas in the closed space which prevents microbe propagation, and 
supplies the ionic gas from which the ozone is removed by the ozone 
decomposing chamber to the space. As a result, it is possible to reduce 
the microbe propagation in the closed space. 
According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing method in which an ionic gas 
from which ozone is removed by an ozone decomposing chamber is supplied to 
an opened space or liquid which prevents microbe propagation, and an 
excess ion being removed from the space or the liquid. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing method according to 
the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the ionic gas from which 
the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is supplied into the 
opened space or the liquid which prevents the microbe propagation, and the 
excess ion being removed from the space or the liquid. As a result, it is 
possible to reduce the excess ion supplied to the space or the liquid 
while preventing the microbe propagation. 
According to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a microbe propagation preventing method in which an excess ion in 
a space or liquid is removed by a conductive net which is grounded. 
As stated above, in the microbe propagation preventing method according to 
the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the excess ion in the 
space or liquid is removed by the conductive net which is grounded. As a 
result, it is possible to reduce the excess ion supplied to the space or 
the liquid in a simple configuration requiring no replacement. 
The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more 
fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read 
in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly 
understood, however, that the drawings are for purpose of illustration 
only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail 
referring to the accompanying drawings. 
Embodiment 1 
A description will now be given of the operation. 
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microbe propagation 
preventing apparatus according to the embodiment 1 of the present 
invention. In FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are used for component 
parts identical with or equivalent to those in a conventional apparatus, 
and descriptions thereof are omitted. 
Reference numeral 21 means a fan (an air blower), 22 means an air duct 
through which a gas 1 drawn by the fan 21 passes, 22a is a supply port to 
draw the gas 1, 23 is an ionization chamber mounted in the air duct 22 to 
ionize electrons with respect to the gas 1 so as to ionize the gas 1, 24 
is a bushing made of an insulating material, 25 is a metallic flat earth 
electrode which is disposed opposite to a metallic needle electrode 2, 26 
is a flat dielectric which is deposited on or tightly attached to the 
metallic flat earth electrode 25, and is made of a dielectric material 
such as ceramic, glass, or quartz. 
Further, reference numeral 27 means a gas ionized by the ionization chamber 
23, and 28 is an ozone decomposing chamber which is mounted in the air 
duct 22 to decompose the ozone contained in the gas 27 ionized by the 
ionization chamber 23 so as to remove the ozone from the gas 27. The ozone 
decomposing chamber 28 is filled with an ozone decomposing catalyst such 
as manganese dioxide, active carbon, or activated alumina. Reference 
numeral 29 means an insulator to electrically insulate the ozone 
decomposing chamber 28 from the air duct 22. In the embodiment 1, the 
partial air duct 22 includes the insulating material, that is, the 
insulating material is used for the air duct 22 around only a position at 
which the ozone decomposing chamber 28 is mounted. For example, the air 
duct 22 is made of an organic insulating material such as polyethylene, 
polyvinyl chloride, or acryl resin, or made of an inorganic insulating 
material such as glass, or quartz. Reference numeral 30 means an ionized 
gas containing no ozone. 
A description will now be given of the operation. 
First, the fan 21 draws the external gas 1 through the supply port 22a so 
that the gas 1 is introduced into the ionization chamber 23 through the 
air duct 22. 
The ionization chamber 23 includes the plurality of metallic needle 
electrodes 2, and the metallic flat earth electrode 25 tightly attached to 
the dielectric 26 which is disposed opposite to the metallic needle 
electrodes 2. In this case, for example, a distance (a gap length) between 
the metallic needle electrodes 2 and the metallic flat earth electrode 25 
tightly attached to the dielectric 26 is set to several millimeters, and 
ac voltage of several kilovolts is applied between both the electrodes. 
Accordingly, an electric field having high intensity is established at a 
distal end of the metallic needle electrode 2 so that discharge of the 
electron occurs. 
Therefore, when the gas 1 is introduced into the ionization chamber 23 in 
the discharge, the electron collides with oxygen molecules or the like 
contained in the gas 1 to ionize the oxygen molecules or the like, 
resulting in the ionic gas 1. 
However, if the gas 1 contains the oxygen molecule, the discharge 
concurrently generates the ozone as well as the ion so that the ionized 
gas 27 contains the ozone. 
The ozone can exhibit strong oxidization, and is harmful when the ozone 
concentration is equal to a predetermined value or more. Hence, the ozone 
decomposing chamber 28 decomposes the ionized gas 27 containing the ozone 
to remove the ozone so as to discharge the ionized gas 30 containing no 
ozone into a space. 
In this connection, as set forth above, the ozone decomposing catalyst 5 
has a metallic case body in a conventional embodiment. When the ozone is 
decomposed by the ozone decomposing catalyst 5, the generating ion 
contacts the case body to recombine with the case body (i.e., the ion is 
neutralized). As a result, there is a problem in that the generating ion 
decreases. In the embodiment 1, the ozone decomposing chamber 28 is 
electrically insulated from the air duct 22 by the insulator 29 as shown 
in FIG. 1. Thus, unlike the conventional embodiment, the ion generated in 
the ionization chamber 23 never exhibits recombination in the ozone 
decomposing chamber 28, and there is little reduction of the ion. 
Accordingly, it is possible to discharge a large amount of the ionized gas 
30 into, for example, a space housing objects or the like in which the 
microbe can be propagated so as to reduce the microbe propagation in the 
objects or the like (in an illustrative experiment, it was proven that the 
ionized gas 30 can reduce the microbe propagation. This experiment will be 
discussed later). 
A description will now be given of one illustrative experiment which was 
carried out to prove that the ion generated in the microbe propagation 
preventing apparatus hardly decreases in the ozone decomposing chamber 28. 
In the illustrative experiment, there were disposed five metallic needle 
electrodes 2 having a length of 1 cm at intervals of 5 mm, the gap length 
was set at 4 mm between the metallic needle electrodes 2 and the metallic 
flat earth electrode 25 having a width of 1 cm and a length of 3 cm, and 
the dielectric 26 having a thickness of 0.5 mm was tightly attached to the 
metallic flat earth electrode 25. Further, zero peak voltage of ac voltage 
applied between both the electrodes was set at 3.5 kV, wind velocity of 
the air passing between both the electrodes was set at about 0.2 m/s. The 
ozone decomposing chamber 28 was mounted in the air duct 22 at a position 
of the insulator 29 made of the insulating material such as acryl resin, a 
temperature of supplied air was set at 5.degree. C., and humidity thereof 
was set at 95%. 
In such a condition, the ion is generated so as to measure the ion 
concentration of the ionized gas 27 by using an ion concentration meter. 
As a result, the ion concentration at an outlet of the ionization chamber 
23 was about 10.sup.6 ions/cm.sup.3, and the ion concentration of the 
ionized gas 30 immediately after passing through the ozone decomposing 
chamber 28 was about 10.sup.5 ions/cm.sup.3. 
As set forth above, in case the ozone decomposing chamber 28 was mounted at 
the air duct 22 including the insulator 29, the ion concentration in the 
ionized gas 30 passing through the ozone decomposing chamber 28 was 
reduced to about one-tenth of the ion concentration before the ionized gas 
30 passes through the ozone decomposing chamber 28. However, the ion 
concentration in the ionized gas 30 was hundred times or more than ion 
concentration in normal air (i.e., 800 to 1000 ions/cm.sup.3 ). Further, 
the ion concentration in the ionized gas 30 was tens times ion 
concentration in case the ozone decomposing chamber 28 is directly mounted 
in the air duct 22 made of a metallic material such as stainless as in the 
conventional apparatus. 
On the other hand, the ozone was concurrently generated by the discharge, 
and the ionized gas 27 on the upstream side of the ozone decomposing 
chamber 28 contained the ozone ranging from about 0.2 to 0.4 ppm. However, 
after the ionized gas 30 passed through the ozone decomposing chamber 28, 
the ion concentration of the ionized gas 30 was 0.01 ppm or less (i.e., 
equal to or less than a limit of detection in a potassium iodide method in 
accordance with the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard)). 
As seen from the facts as described above, according to the embodiment 1, 
it is possible to remove the ozone while maintaining a sufficient ion 
concentration in the ionized gas 30. 
Though five needles of the metallic needle electrode 2 were provided for 3 
cm.sup.2 area of the metallic flat earth electrode 25 in the above 
illustrative experiment, it is possible to increase an amount of the 
generating ion if the number of the needles are increased. However, since 
the increase of the needles results in an increased amount of the 
generating ozone, it is necessary to increase a thickness of the ozone 
decomposing catalyst in the ozone decomposing chamber 28. 
Further, though the maximum voltage of the applied ac voltage, i.e., the 
zero peak voltage was set at 3.5 kV, it is possible to increase the amount 
of the generating ion if the applied voltage is more increased. However, 
the amount of the generating ozone also increases Concurrently. In case of 
the gap length of 4 mm, when the zero peak voltage was in a range of 
several to about 10 kilovolts, the amount of the generating ion more 
increased as the applied voltage was more increased. 
Short-circuit occurred for the gap length of 2 mm or less in case the 
maximum value of the ac voltage, i.e., the zero peak voltage was set at 
3.5 kV. Hence, at least the gap length of 3 mm or more was required. Since 
the amount of the generating ion more increases as the gap length is more 
reduced, the gap-length is preferably in a range of 3 to 5 mm. 
The air having the wind velocity of 0.2 m/s was supplied between both the 
electrodes in the illustrative experiment. Further, when the wind velocity 
of the air was varied in a range of 0.1 to 2.0 m/s, it was found that the 
amount of the generating ion more increased as the wind velocity was more 
increased. 
Though the insulating material made of the acryl resin was employed as the 
insulator 29 in the illustrative experiment, it was also possible to 
provide the same effect by using another insulating material such as 
polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, glass, or quartz glass. 
The above illustrative experiment has been discussed with reference to a 
case where the air was employed as the gas 1. When gaseous oxygen was 
employed as the gas 1, an amount of ion contained in the ionized gas 30 
becomes several times that of ion in the air. 
Further, though the dielectric 26 made of the ceramic was provided between 
the metallic needle electrode 2 and the metallic flat earth electrode 25 
in the illustrative experiment, it was also possible to provide the same 
effect by using another dielectric made of quartz or glass. 
In addition, in the above illustrative experiment, the discharge occurring 
at a time of applying ac high voltage was used as ion generating means in 
the ionization chamber 23. However, it was also possible to provide the 
same effect by removing the dielectric 26, and using the discharge 
occurring at a time of applying dc high voltage for generation of the ion. 
Moreover, it was also possible to provide the same effect by generating the 
ions by means such as irradiation, or light. 
Furthermore, in the embodiment, the metal flat earth electrode 25 is 
tightly attached to the dielectric 26 which is opposed to the metallic 
needle electrode 2 in the ionization chamber 23. However, as shown in FIG. 
28, there may be provided a plurality of metallic fine wires 101 having 
diameters in an approximate range of 0.1 to 0.2 mm or a plurality of 
metallic fine wires 101 which are coated with a film dielectric, and a 
metallic grid-like electrode 102 opposed to the metallic fine wire in the 
ionization chamber 23. It was also possible to provide the same effect by 
generating the ions by using discharge occurring at a time of applying 
high voltage ac or high voltage dc to the plurality of metallic fine wires 
101. 
Embodiment 2 
In the embodiment 1, an air duct 22 partially includes an insulator 29, and 
an ozone decomposing chamber 28 is mounted in the partial air duct 22. 
However, the air duct 22 itself may be made of metal, and an insulator 31 
made of an insulating material such as acryl resin, polyethylene, 
polyvinyl chloride, glass, or quartz glass may be interposed between the 
air duct 22 and the ozone decomposing chamber 28 as shown in FIG. 2, 
resulting in the same effect as that in the embodiment 1. 
Embodiment 3 
In the embodiment 1, an ozone decomposing chamber 28 is filled with an 
ozone decomposing catalyst such as manganese dioxide, active carbon, or 
activated alumina. However, the ozone decomposing chamber 28 may include a 
grid-like heating resistor 32 which is coated with an organic insulating 
material such as Teflon resin or acryl resin, or an inorganic insulating 
material such as ceramic material as shown in FIG. 3 so as to 
pyrolytically decompose ozone. 
Embodiment 4 
In the embodiment 1, an air duct 22 partially includes an insulator 29, and 
an ozone decomposing chamber 28 is mounted in the partial air duct 22. 
However, the air duct 22 itself may be made of metal, and a case body of 
the ozone decomposing chamber 28 may be made of an insulating material, 
resulting in the same effect as that in the embodiment 1. 
Embodiment 5 
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microbe propagation 
preventing apparatus according to the embodiment 5 of the present 
invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 33 means a heat insulating 
material provided for an outer periphery of an air duct 22 to prevent 
circumferential radiation of heat which is generated at a time of ion 
generation in an ionization chamber 23. 
According to the embodiment 5, heat dissipation in the air duct 22 can be 
prevented. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a decreased temperature of 
an ionized gas 27 containing ozone, and promote decomposition of the 
ozone. 
Embodiment 6 
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microbe propagation 
preventing apparatus according to the embodiment 6 of the present 
invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 34 means a drying chamber 
(moisture removing means) which is mounted on the upstream side of an 
ionization chamber 23 to remove moisture contained in a gas 1 drawn by a 
fan 21. 
The drying chamber 34 in the embodiment 6 is filled with adsorbent such as 
silica gel so that the moisture in the gas 1 drawn by the fan 21 can be 
removed, and a dried gas can be introduced into the ionization chamber 23. 
An amount of ions generated in the ionization chamber 23 is inversely 
proportional to an amount of moisture contained in the gas 1. 
Consequently, it is possible to increase the amount of generating ion by 
an amount of the gas 1 dried in the drying chamber 34 as compared with the 
embodiment 1. For example, when the gas 1 having a temperature of 
25.degree. C. passes through the drying chamber 34 to reduce relative 
humidity from 90% to 40%, the amount of generating ion can considerably be 
increased. 
Embodiment 7 
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microbe propagation 
preventing apparatus according to the embodiment 7 of the present 
invention. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 35 means a metallic net (a 
conductive net) disposed between an ionization chamber 23 and an ozone 
decomposing chamber 28, and the metallic net 35 is grounded. Reference 
numeral 36 means a metallic net (a conductive net) which is disposed 
parallel to the metallic net 35 at a predetermined interval on the 
downstream side of the metallic net 35, and 37 means a dc power source to 
apply positive dc voltage to the metallic net 36. 
A description will now be given of the operation. 
In the embodiment 1, ions are generated by applying ac voltage of several 
kilovolts between a metallic needle electrode 2 and a metallic flat earth 
electrode 25 in the ionization chamber 23, resulting in generation of a 
negative ion and a positive ion respectively having substantially the same 
amount. 
Accordingly, in the embodiment 1, it is difficult to selectively obtain 
only the negative ion having an excellent effect of preventing microbe 
propagation from the apparatus. However, in the embodiment 6, it is 
possible to selectively obtain only the negative ion from the apparatus. 
As in the embodiment 1, when high ac voltage of several kilovolts is 
applied between the metallic needle electrode 2 and the metallic flat 
earth electrode 25, discharge of electron occurs in the ionization chamber 
23 to ionize a gas 1. As set forth above, the positive ion is generated by 
an impact ionization action of the electron, and the negative ion is 
generated by an adhering action of the electron. The gas 1 contains the 
positive and negative ions respectively having substantially the same 
amount. 
An ionized gas 27 is introduced into the pair of metallic nets 35, 36 which 
are disposed in an air duct 22 between the ionization chamber 23 and the 
ozone decomposing chamber 28. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the metallic nets 35 
and 36 are provided in a grid-like form having a coarse mesh of about 10 
in mesh so that the ionized gas 27 can easily pass through the nets. 
Further, positive dc voltage in the range of tens to hundreds volts is 
applied to the metallic net 36 by the dc power source 37, resulting in 
establishment of an electric field in a direction from the metallic net 36 
to the metallic net 35 between the metallic nets 35 and 36. 
Therefore, when the ionized gas 27 containing ozone flows into the electric 
field, the electric field causes the positive ion to move toward the 
grounded metallic net 5, and disappear after collision with the metallic 
net 5. On the other hand, the negative ion moves toward the metallic net 
36 to which positive dc voltage is applied. The metallic net 36 has the 
coarse mesh, and the negative ion moves in the same direction as that of 
flow of the gas 27. Accordingly, the negative ion can pass through the 
metallic net 36 by using the flow of the gas 27 without collision with the 
metallic net 36, resulting in no loss of the negative ion. 
In such a way, it is possible to remove the ozone from the ionized gas 27 
containing the ozone and the negative ion by the ozone decomposing chamber 
28, and discharge an ionized gas 30 containing only the negative ion. 
The embodiment 7 has been discussed with reference to a case where the pair 
of metallic nets 35 and 36 are mounted at the interval of several 
centimeters, and the dc voltage in the range of tens to hundreds volts is 
applied to the pair of metallic nets 35, 36. However, the interval between 
the metallic nets 35 and 36, and a value of the applied dc voltage may be 
adjusted so as to generate electric field intensity in the range of tens 
of thousands of volts/m to over hundred of thousands but less than two 
hundred of thousands of volts/m between the pair of metallic nets 35 and 
36. 
Embodiment 8 
In the embodiment 7, positive dc voltage is applied by a dc power source 37 
to remove a positive ion so as to obtain only a negative ion. According to 
the same principle as that in the embodiment 7, it is also possible to 
remove the negative ion and obtain only the positive ion by the dc power 
source 37 applying negative dc voltage. 
In case only the positive ion is selectively obtained, there is an effect 
in that a lifetime of remaining ions becomes longer than that would be in 
case both the positive and negative ions are concurrently obtained. This 
is true for a case only the negative ion is obtained. 
In this connection, the positive ion causes rooting of a plant, and serves 
as a growth promotor. 
Embodiment 9 
The embodiment 7 has been discussed with reference to a case where metallic 
nets 35 and 36 have the same coarse mesh. If the metallic net 36 has a 
coarser mesh than that of the metallic net 35, possibility of collision of 
ions with the metallic net 36 is reduced so that a loss of the selectively 
obtained ion can be further reduced. Specifically, the metallic net 36 may 
have a coarser mesh than that of the metallic net 35 by about one in mesh, 
resulting in reduction of the loss. 
Embodiment 10 
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microbe propagation 
preventing apparatus according to the embodiment 10 of the present 
invention. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 38 means a refrigerator (an ion 
supplying portion) including a space housing foods (objects) 8 in which 
microbes can be propagated, and supplying the space with an ionic gas 30 
from which ozone is removed by an ozone decomposing chamber 28. 
A description will now be given of the operation. 
The refrigerator 38 is cooled by a cooler 9 at a temperature ranging from 
0.degree. to about 5.degree. C. When a fan 21 is operated in this 
condition, as in the embodiment 1, the ozone decomposing chamber 28 
generates the ionized gas 30 containing no ozone. Consequently, the 
ionized gas 30 containing no ozone is drawn into the refrigerator 38. 
Hence, ion concentration in the refrigerator 38 increasingly becomes 
higher. The generating ion, however, is partially consumed by contacting a 
wall surface of the refrigerator 38, the cooler 9, and the like so that 
the ion concentration in the refrigerator 38 can be kept at substantially 
a constant value. 
Therefore, the ion can continuously be supplied for the foods 8 housed in 
the refrigerator 38, resulting in reduction of the microbe propagation in 
the foods 8. 
Appropriate ion concentration in the refrigerator 38 may vary depending 
upon a condition such as a kind of the food, a temperature or humidity in 
the refrigerator 38. Experimental results show that there is an effect of 
preventing the microbe propagation even in extremely low ion concentration 
which is about several times normal ion concentration in air (i.e., in the 
range of tens to about 100 ions/cm.sup.3). However, preferable ion 
concentration is ten to a thousand times the normal ion concentration, 
that is, ion concentration in the range of 10.sup.3 to 10.sup.2 
ions/cm.sup.3 is highly effective, and is economical. 
A description will now be given of the reduction of the microbe propagation 
by the ion with reference to an illustrative experiment. 
FIG. 8 shows results of the illustrative experiment. In the illustrative 
experiment, slices, of raw tuna were used as the foods 8. After the raw 
tuna has been preserved for three days in the refrigerator 8 at a 
temperature of 5.degree. C. and at the humidity in the range of 80 to 95%, 
the raw tuna was continuously processed by the negative ion generated in 
the ozone decomposing chamber 28. 
In this case, voltage in the range of 3 to 5 kV was applied between 
electrodes in the ionization chamber 23 so as to maintain the ion 
concentration in the refrigerator 8 in the range of about 10.sup.3 to 
10.sup.4 ions/cm.sup.3. 
Advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of 
the following comparison between an effect in case of no processing and 
another effect in case of processing in which the foods 8 contacts the 
ozone rather than the ion. 
Ozone processing was performed without an ozone decomposing catalyst 14 
shown in FIG. 30. In the processing, the ozone concentration in the 
refrigerator 38 was maintained at about 1.0 ppm, and five slices of raw 
tuna serving as samples were extracted for each processing from many 
slices at random. Sampling of general bacteria on a surface of the foods 8 
was performed according to an impression method, and a standard agar 
medium was employed as a culture medium. 
As a result of the experiment, in the no processing (i.e., in case 
supplying no ion and no ozone), the sliced raw tuna was tinged with black, 
freshness thereof was degraded, and there was generated putrid smell on 
the third day of the preservation as shown in FIG. 8. At this time, the 
number of general bacteria on the surface of the sliced raw tuna was 
multiplied to about 200/cm.sup.2. 
Further, when continuous processing was performed in an ion atmosphere 
having extremely low concentration of 10.sup.4 ions/cm.sup.3 it has been 
possible to completely maintain the original freshness of the sliced raw 
tuna for three days. There was no putrid smell, and the viable cell number 
on the surface on the third day was about 20/cm.sup.2 which was 
substantially the same number as viable cell number before starting the 
illustrative experiment. 
In addition, when continuous processing was performed at the ozone 
concentration of about 1 ppm, there was no putrid smell like substantially 
the ion processing, and the viable cell number on the surface was 
substantially the same number as that in the ion processing. However, 
there were generated problems in that appearance of the sliced raw tuna 
discolored into dark-red due to a strong oxidative effect of the ozone, 
and quality was considerably degraded. 
Subsequently, the ion processing was performed one to three times a day, 
and was intermittently performed for a period ranging from 5 to 30 minutes 
for each ion processing. In this case, an effect of preventing the microbe 
propagation was slightly degraded as compared with the above continuous 
processing, but the intermittent processing provided substantially the 
same effect. Even in the intermittent processing, higher ion concentration 
of about 10.sup.5 /cm.sup.3 enabled entirely the same microbe propagation 
preventing effect as that in the continuous processing. 
On the other hand, when intermittent ozone processing was performed as in 
the intermittent ion processing, the microbe propagation preventing effect 
was significantly degraded as compared with the continuous processing, and 
the sliced raw tuna discolored into dark-red as in the continuous 
processing. 
As is clear from the above facts, it is understood that the propagation of 
the microbe adhering the surface of the sliced raw tuna can be prevented 
without discoloration or degeneration of the sliced raw tuna unlike the 
ozone processing, and the original freshness can be maintained according 
to the extremely low concentration ion processing using the ion which is 
generated by gaseous discharge or ionization. 
In this connection, if gaseous oxygen is supplied for the ionization 
chamber 23 as the gas 1 instead of the air, a generation efficiency of the 
ion can be enhanced since oxygen concentration in the gas becomes about 
five times higher than that in case the air is employed. 
Though the embodiment 10 has been discussed with reference to a case of the 
processing using the negative ion, the positive ion can provide the same 
effect. The negative ion, however, has a more excellent effect of 
preventing the propagation of the microbe than that of the positive ion. 
Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown an effect of the ion processing in 
which bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa of the Pseudomonas genus which was 
a microbe obtained from dust adhering a fan of an air-conditioner) were 
artificially planted in the agar medium instead of the foods 8 in a Petri 
dish, and the Petri dish holding the bacteria was mounted in the 
refrigerator 38. In this case, the Petri dish was mounted in the 
refrigerator 38 at an atmosphere having ion concentration in the range of 
10.sup.3 to 10.sup.4 ions/cm.sup.3, and at a temperature of 25.degree. C. 
and at humidity ranging from 50 to 70%. The Petri dish has been in a still 
standing condition for three days under the above conditions, and the 
standard agar medium was employed as the culture medium. Further, voltage 
in the range of 3 to 5 kV was applied between the electrodes in the 
ionization chamber 23 so as to generate the negative ion. 
As shown in FIG. 9, in case of no processing, a bacteria colony was 
multiplied to about 370 colonies for each Petri dish on the third day 
while, in case of the ion processing, multiplication of the bacteria 
colony could considerably be reduced to about 14 colonies for each Petri 
dish on the third day. Further, in case of the ozone processing having 
concentration of 0.01 ppm (i.e., about 3.times.10.sup.11 ozone/cm.sup.3) 
which is about 10.sup.7 times higher than the ion concentration, there was 
no effect of preventing propagation of the bacteria. Finally, the bacteria 
colony was multiplied to about 350 colonies for each Petri dish on the 
third day like substantially the no processing. 
As set forth above, the propagation of the bacteria planted in the agar 
medium can also be prevented by the extremely low concentration ion 
processing. Further, it can be assumed from the above experimental results 
that ion ability of preventing the microbe propagation is about 10.sup.7 
times higher than ozone ability. 
FIG. 9 shows only the effect of the negative ion by using the bacteria of 
the Pseudomonas genus. However, the same effect can be provided by other 
bacteria such as coli bacteria, or salmonella. 
FIG. 10 shows an ion processing effect on mold (fungus) adhering a 
strawberry. In this experiment, there were provided an ion processing 
section (at an atmosphere having concentration ranging from 10.sup.3 to 
10.sup.4 ions/cm.sup.3), a no processing section, and an ozone processing 
section (at an atmosphere having concentration of about 0.01 ppm) in the 
refrigerator 38. Further, a temperature was set at 7.degree. C., and the 
humidity was set in the range of 80 to 95%, and the strawberry has been 
preserved for seven days under the previous environmental conditions. The 
fungus (the mold) adhering a surface of the strawberry was obtained 
according to the impression method on the eighth day, and was transplanted 
to a mold culture medium so as to be cultured. In this case, there is a 
problem in that the strawberry changed from red to white when the ozone 
concentration was increased to 0.01 ppm or more. 
As a result of the experiment, the number of fungi was reduced by the ion 
processing to about one-tenth of that in case of the no processing or the 
ozone processing. It is thus possible to prevent the microbe propagation 
of the fungi (the mold) by the extremely low concentration ion processing. 
Embodiment 11 
The embodiment 10 has been described with reference to a case where a gas 
10 in a refrigerator 39 does not circulate through an ionization chamber 
23, or an ozone decomposing chamber 28, but circulates in the refrigerator 
39. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the gas 10 in the refrigerator 39 may be 
circulated through the ionization chamber 23, or the ozone decomposing 
chamber 28. 
In this case, since the gas 10 in the refrigerator 39 passes through the 
ozone decomposing chamber 28, it is possible to provide another effect of 
deodorizing an odor of the gas 10 in addition to the effect in the 
embodiment 10. 
The amount of ion, however, is reduced by passing through the ozone 
decomposing chamber 28 as compared with the embodiment 10. Hence, in order 
to minimize the reduction of the ion, a cooler 9 is provided externally to 
a refrigerator 39 (an ion supplying portion) so that the cold from the 
cooler 9 is circulated by a fan 41 through a circulation duct 40, and the 
gas 10 is cooled through the circulation duct 40. 
Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the ionization chamber 23 or 
the ozone decomposing chamber 28 may be provided in the refrigerator 39, 
resulting in the same effect. 
Embodiment 12 
In the embodiments, ac voltage is applied between electrodes in an 
ionization chamber 23. However, negative dc voltage may be applied instead 
of the ac voltage. Alternatively, negative dc pulse voltage may be applied 
at an interval of tens microseconds. 
It is thereby possible to selectively obtain a negative ion. 
Embodiment 13 
In the above embodiments 10 and 11, there is no restriction on a material 
of an inner surface of a refrigerator 38 or 39. However, if the 
refrigerator 38 or 39 is provided with the inner surface made of an 
insulating material, it is possible to prevent reduction of ions in the 
refrigerator 38 or 39. 
Embodiment 14 
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microbe propagation 
preventing apparatus according to the embodiment 14 of the present 
invention. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 42 means a gas supplying 
apparatus such as a compressor for supplying air or oxygen, 43 means a 
water reservoir storing liquid in which microbes can be propagated, 44 is 
a diffuser (a diffusing apparatus) to transform an ionic gas from which 
ozone is removed by an ozone decomposing chamber 28 into bubbles so as 
provide the bubbles into water of the water reservoir, 45 is a bubble, 46 
is water to be processed, 47, 48 and 49 are solenoid valves, 50 is 
processed water which is processed by an ionized gas 30, 51 is a level 
sensor to measure a water level, 52 is an ionized gas containing an excess 
ion, 53 is a mesh-like metallic net to remove the excess ion, and 54 is a 
processed gas from which the excess ion is removed. 
A description will now be given of the operation. 
First, the solenoid valve 48 is opened to feed the water to be processed 46 
into the water reservoir 43, and the water to be processed 46 is stored in 
the water reservoir 43. Subsequently, the gas supplying apparatus 42 is 
operated, and the solenoid valve 47 is concurrently opened to generate the 
ionized gas 30 from the ozone decomposing chamber 28 as in the embodiment 
1. 
The ionized gas 30 is fed to diffuser 44 made of ceramic or the like, and 
is diffused into the water reservoir 43 as the fine bubbles 45. Thereby, 
the water to be processed in the water reservoir 43 can contact the ionic 
fine bubble 45 containing the ion so that the propagation of the microbe 
such as bacteria can be prevented. The water in the water reservoir 43 may 
be used as potable water or used as the processed water 50 as desired when 
the solenoid valve 49 is opened. 
When the water level is lowered by using the processed water in the water 
reservoir 43, a signal is outputted from the level sensor 51 to open the 
solenoid valve 48 so as to feed the water to be processed 46 into the 
water reservoir 43 again. On the other hand, the excess ionized gas 52 is 
introduced into the mesh-like metallic net 53 which is grounded, and is 
discharged as the processed gas 54 after excess ion is removed from the 
gas 52. 
In case the processed water 50 from the water reservoir 43 is 
intermittently used, the gas-liquid mixer 42 is intermittently operated 
according to the intermittent usage. On the other hand, in case the 
processed water 50 is continuously used, the water to be processed 46 is 
continuously supplied so that the microbe propagation preventing apparatus 
according to the embodiment 14 is continuously operated. In this 
connection, though it is preferable that ion concentration of the ionized 
gas 30 is as high as possible, only a little amount of ion may be injected 
into the water to be processed 46 because ion ability of preventing the 
microbe propagation is about 10.sup.7 times higher than ozone ability as 
shown in the experimental results in FIGS. 9 and 10. Further, a flow rate 
of the ionized gas 30 supplied into the water reservoir 43 is preferably 
adjusted such that the ionized gas 30 can be injected into the water 
reservoir 43 with a residence time ranging from several to about tens 
minutes in the water reservoir 43. 
Though the compressor is employed as the gas supplying apparatus 42 in the 
embodiment 14, a generation efficiency of the ion may be enhanced by 
supplying gaseous oxygen by using a steel cylinder of the gaseous oxygen, 
or lox. Further, the ozone decomposing chamber 28 may be removed since the 
ozone can be decomposed in the water for a time period less than several 
minutes. 
Embodiment 15 
Though only an ionized gas 30 is supplied to a diffuser 44 in the 
embodiment 14, as shown in FIG. 15, an ozonizer 55 may be provided to 
generate ozone, and a pipe (a gas mixer) 57 may be provided to mix an 
ionized gas 27 with an ozonized gas 56 so as to supply a mixed gas 58 to 
the diffuser 44. 
In this case, it is possible to provide a synergistic effect of the ion and 
the ozone so as to more surely reduce propagation of microbes, and 
sterilize the microbes. 
Embodiment 16 
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microbe propagation 
preventing apparatus according to the embodiment 16 of the present 
invention. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 59 means a water pipe through 
which plain water or sea water serving as cooling water passes, 60 means a 
branch pipe through which the cooling water partially flows from the water 
pipe 59, 61 is a pump, 62 is an ejector (a gas-liquid mixer) to mix an 
ionized gas 30 with the cooling water and dissolve the ionized gas 30 in 
the cooling water, and 63 is a heat exchanger in which hot water flows. 
The plain water or the sea water serving as the cooling water passes 
through the water pipe 59 to be introduced into the heat exchanger 63, and 
is cooled the hot water flowing in the heat exchanger 63. In this case, 
there is generated slime on an inner wall or a surface of the water pipe 
59 or the heat exchanger 63 due to propagation of microbes adhering the 
inner wall or the surface. Thus, flow pressure in the water pipe 59 
increases, and a flow rate of the cooling water decreases. Further, the 
slime adhering the surface of the heat exchanger 63 considerably decreases 
a heat exchanging efficiency. 
Hence, the pump 61 is operated to feed the partial cooling water flowing 
through the water pipe 59 to the ejector 62 so that the ionized gas 30 
generated from an ozone decomposing chamber 28 is transformed into fine 
bubbles in the cooling water, and is dissolved in and mixed with the 
cooling water. The cooling water in which the ionized gas 30 is dissolved 
is mixed with the cooling water flowing through the water pipe 59, and is 
transferred to the heat exchanger 63 through the water pipe 59. At this 
time, it is possible to prevent the slime from adhering the inner wall of 
the water pipe 59 or the surface of the heat exchanger 63 because of a 
microbe propagation preventing effect inherent in the ionized gas 30. 
In this case, there is an advantage in that, unlike the ozone, no corrosion 
of the water pipe 59 and the heat exchanger 63 occurs even if ion 
concentration of the ionized gas 30 is increased. In a conventional 
apparatus, in case the sea water is used as the cooling water, an ozonized 
gas is injected into the sea water to react with a bromine ion in the sea 
water so as to generate an oxidant such as hypobromous acid. Hence, an 
apparatus for removing the oxidant is conventionally required. However, 
there is an excellent advantage in that no oxidant is generated in case 
the ionized gas 30 is injected. Only a little amount of ion may be 
injected into the cooling water because ion ability of preventing the 
microbe propagation is about 10.sup.7 times higher than ozone ability as 
shown in the experimental results in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this connection, 
while an injection rate of the ionized gas 30 by ejector 62 may vary 
according to, for example, water quality or a temperature of the cooling 
water, it is possible to prevent adhesion of the slime by intermittently 
injecting the ionized gas 30 several times a day, for a period ranging 
from 5 to 30 minutes for each injection. 
Embodiment 17 
Though the embodiment 16 has been described with reference to a case of 
employing an ozone decomposing chamber 28, the ozone decomposing chamber 
28 may be removed in case plain water is used as cooling water, or a 
little amount of ozone is generated in an ionization chamber 23. Further, 
in case the plain water such as river water or sewage is used as the 
cooling water, a mixed gas of an ion and ozone may be supplied into an 
ejector 62 as in the embodiment 15. 
In this case, it is possible to provide a synergistic effect of the ion and 
the ozone so as to more surely reduce microbe propagation. 
Embodiment 18 
In the embodiments, an ionized gas 30 is directly supplied for foods 8. 
However, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the gas 30 generated from an ozone 
decomposing chamber 28 may be diffused into a water tank 64 through, for 
example, a diffusing pipe 65 made of glass, and may be supplied for the 
foods 8 after the gas 30 is humidified. 
In this case, desiccation of the foods 8 can be avoided, resulting in an 
enhanced preservation effect of the foods. 
Embodiment 19 
Though a gas 30 is humidified by using a water tank 64 in the embodiment 
18, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a humidifier may be mounted in a 
refrigerator 38 to humidify an atmosphere in the refrigerator 38, 
resulting in the same effect. 
Embodiment 20 
FIG. 21 is an explanatory view illustrating a microbe propagation 
preventing method according to the embodiment 20 of the present invention. 
In FIG. 21, reference numeral 68 means a foot warmer (a kotatsu), and 69 
means a coverlet. The foot warmer 68 and the coverlet 69 form a closed 
space. 
Further, reference numeral 70 means a heater for the foot warmer 68, and 71 
means a gas in the closed space. 
A description will now be given of the operation. 
An atmosphere in the foot warmer 68 is substantially closed by the coverlet 
69 for heating. In this condition, a fan 21 is operated so that the air 71 
in the foot warmer is sucked by the fan 21 to be fed into the heater 70, 
resulting in an increased temperature. 
Thereafter, the air 71 having the increased temperature is fed into an 
ionization chamber 23 and an ozone decomposing chamber 28 to become an 
ionized gas 30 containing no ozone as in the embodiment 1. 
In this connection, since the ozone decomposing chamber 28 generates active 
oxygen at a time of decomposing the ozone, a malodorous organic substance 
can be removed from the air 71. 
It is thereby possible to supply human skin with the ionized gas 30 
containing no ozone which is harmful for a human body. Therefore, while 
variations may be caused according to conditions such as temperature and 
humidity, or a user's constitution, the ionized gas 30 can prevent the 
microbe propagation on the skin so that, for example, an effect of 
preventing athlete's foot or the like can be provided. In this embodiment, 
it is possible to provide a substantially efficient effect with ion 
concentration equivalent to the ion concentration which is generated in 
the respective embodiments. 
The heat 70 is provided on the upstream side of the ionization chamber 23 
in order to prevent the ion generated in the ionization chamber 23 from 
being consumed by the heater 70. 
Embodiment 21 
Though the embodiment 20 has been described with reference to a foot warmer 
serving as a closed space, a negative ion may be injected into a 
preservation sack 74 made of, for example, polyethylene in which foods 8 
is sealed as shown in FIG. 22. 
In this case, it is possible to prevent microbe propagation in the foods 
sealed in the preservation sack 74. Reference numeral 72 means air or an 
oxygen supplying apparatus (for example, a bomb), and 73 is a solenoid 
valve. 
Embodiment 22 
Though an ionized gas 30 is supplied to a closed space in the embodiments 
20 and 21, as shown in FIG. 23, the ionized gas 30 may be supplied into 
air. 
It is thereby possible to directly supply the ionized gas 30 to, for 
example, a carious tooth, or a dermatitis part which is caused due to 
microbes such as bacteria, resulting in an effect of prevention or medical 
treatment of the carious tooth and the dermatitis. 
Embodiment 23 
Though an ionized gas 30 is supplied into air in the embodiment 22, as 
shown in FIG. 24, the ionized gas 30 may be supplied to, for example, a 
gas to be processed 76 flowing in a duct 75 of an air cleaning apparatus. 
Consequently, it is possible to remove microbes such as bacteria or mold 
which can be propagated in the duct 75, and provide a comfortable space 
for human. 
Embodiment 24 
FIG. 25 is an explanatory view illustrating a microbe propagation 
preventing method according to the embodiment 24 of the present invention. 
In FIG. 25, reference numeral 77 means an air-conditioning system such as 
an air-conditioner or an air cleaning apparatus, 78 means a filter to 
remove dust contained in a gas to be processed 76, 79 is a wind blower 
such as a scirocco fan, 80 is a heat exchanger in a heat pump mode, 81 is 
an air-conditioned gas, and 82 is a mesh-like metallic net (a conductive 
net) to remove an excess ion. In FIG. 25, marks A, B, and C denote points 
for injecting the ion, and an ionization chamber 23 and the like are 
omitted for the sake of simplicity in the drawing. 
A description will now be given of the operation. 
The air-conditioning system such as air-conditioner is mounted in an 
unillustrated room. The wind blower 79 is operated so that the gas to be 
processed 76 serving as air in the room passes through the filter 78, and 
the wind blower 79 in this order, and is thereafter introduced into the 
heat exchanger 80. The gas to be processed 76 is cooled or heated in the 
heat exchanger 80, and is returned into the room as the air-conditioned 
gas 81. 
As shown in FIG. 25, the ion is injected into the gas to be processed 76 at 
the ion insecting points A, B, and C in the air-conditioning system 77. 
Accordingly, the gas to be processed 76 contains the ion so that the gas to 
be processed 76 can prevent the microbe propagation such as adhesive 
bacteria adhering surfaces of the filter 78, the wind blower 79, and the 
heat exchanger 80 while passing therethrough. Thereby, no dust adheres the 
surfaces of the filter 78, the wind blower 79, and the heat exchanger 80. 
The excess ion in the gas to be processed 76 can be removed by the 
mesh-like metallic net 82. 
In this connection, though variations may be caused according to a 
condition such as a kind of the microbe, a temperature, the humidity, or 
the wind velocity, a period of the microbe propagation is typically in the 
range of several hours to several days. Hence, the ion may be 
intermittently supplied to the gas to be processed 76 for a short time 
ranging from several to tens minutes every two to three hours or every 
half a day. In this case, the ion is preferably injected such that ion 
concentration in the gas to be processed 76 is in the range of 10.sup.2 to 
10.sup.5 ions/cm.sup.3. 
Though the ionized gas 30 is supplied at the three points A, B, and C in 
the embodiment 24, the ionized gas 30 may be supplied at any two points or 
any one point in the three points A, B, and C as desired. 
In the embodiment 24, the invention is applied to prevent the propagation 
of the adhesive bacteria due to adhesion of the dust to the heat exchanger 
80 in the air-conditioning system 77 such as air-conditioner under a 
normal temperature condition. However, it is naturally possible to prevent 
the propagation of the microbes adhering the surface of the heat exchanger 
in a refrigerator under a low temperature condition. It is thereby 
possible to further widely reduce the adhesion of the dust or moisture 
condensation (the moisture condensation being caused due to the microbe to 
serve as a frosting core in the frosting of the heat exchanger) on the 
surface of the heat exchanger. 
Further, the ionized gas 30 is supplied to the heat exchanger 80 mounted 
inside the air-conditioning system 77 in the embodiment 24. However, it is 
to be understood that the heat exchanger may be mounted externally to the 
air-conditioning system 77 and mounted outside the room so as to prevent 
the dust from adhering the heat exchanger. 
Embodiment 25 
FIG. 26 is an explanatory view illustrating a microbe propagation 
preventing method according to the embodiment 25 of the present invention. 
In FIG. 26, reference numeral 83 means external air, 84 means an outdoor 
heat exchanging apparatus, 85 is a fan, 86 is a heat exchanger, 87 is a 
compressor for compressing a cooling medium, 88 is a gas discharged into 
the atmosphere, and 89 is a room. 
A description will now be given of the operation. 
In the outdoor heat exchanging apparatus 84, the fan 85 is operated so that 
the external air 83 is sucked by the outdoor heat exchanging apparatus 84 
to be fed into the heat exchanger 86. In this case, the heat exchanger 86 
discharges heat required for liquefying or vaporizing the cooling medium 
into the external air 83, otherwise, heat is drained from the external air 
83. 
In this condition, an ionized gas 30 is intermittently injected, for 
example, between the fan 85 and the heat exchanger 86 at approximate 
intervals ranging from 5 to 10 minutes, and is introduced into the heat 
exchanger 86. As a result, no adhesive bacteria, no dust adhere the 
surface of the heat exchanger 86 so that reduction of a heat exchanging 
efficiency can be prevented. An excess ion in the external air 83 can 
completely be removed by the mesh-like metallic net 82 which is grounded, 
resulting in no excess ion contained in the gas discharged into the 
atmosphere 88. 
Embodiment 26 
FIG. 27 is an explanatory view illustrating a microbe propagation 
preventing method according to the embodiment 26 of the present invention. 
In FIG. 27, reference numeral 90 means a cleaning machine, 91 means a gas 
to be processed containing dust, refuse, and the like, 92 is a filter to 
remove the dust and the refuse, 93 is a fan, and 94 is an exhausted gas. 
A description will now be given of the operation. 
The cleaning machine 90 is started to operate the fan 93 so that the 
contaminated gas to be processed 91 containing the dust and the refuse in 
the room is sucked into the cleaning machine 90 to pass through the filter 
92, and is again exhausted into the room. In this case, since an ionized 
gas 30 is injected into the gas to be processed 91, the ionized gas 30 can 
prevent propagation of microbes adhering the filter 92. The microbe 
propagation in the gas 91 is prevented, and an excess ion in the gas 91 
can completely be removed by the mesh-like metallic net 82. 
As set forth above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, 
the ozone decomposing chamber is mounted to be electrically insulated from 
the air duct. As a result, there are effects in that reduction of the 
generating negative ion can be prevented in the ozone. decomposing 
chamber, and the microbe propagation can be prevented. 
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the air duct is 
made of the insulating material. As a result, there are effects in that 
reduction of the generating negative ion can be prevented in the ozone 
decomposing chamber, and the microbe propagation can be prevented. 
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the ozone 
decomposing chamber includes the grid-like heating resistor which is 
coated with the insulating material. As a result, there are effects in 
that reduction of the generating negative ion can be prevented in the 
ozone decomposing chamber, and the microbe propagation can be prevented. 
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the case body of 
the ozone decomposing chamber is made of the insulating material. As a 
result, there are effects in that reduction of the generating negative ion 
can be prevented in the ozone decomposing chamber, and the microbe 
propagation can be prevented. 
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the air duct is 
surrounded by the heat insulating material. As a result, there are effects 
in that a decrease of the temperature of the ionized gas can be reduced so 
as to promote decomposition of the ozone. 
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the moisture 
removing means for removing the moisture in the gas ionized by the 
ionization chamber is provided on the upstream side of the ionization 
chamber. As a result, there are effects in that an amount of the moisture 
in the gas can be reduced so as to promote generation of ions. 
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the pair of 
conductive nets are disposed parallel to each other at the predetermined 
interval between the ionization chamber and the ozone decomposing chamber, 
the dc power source is provided to apply the positive dc voltage to one 
conductive net disposed on the downstream side in the pair of conductive 
nets, and the other conductive net disposed on the upstream side is 
grounded. As a result, there are effects in that only the negative ion can 
be obtained while the positive ion is removed, and a lifetime of the 
obtained ion can be extended. 
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the pair of 
conductive nets are disposed parallel to each other at the predetermined 
interval between the ionization chamber and the ozone decomposing chamber, 
the dc power source is provided to apply the negative dc voltage to one 
conductive net disposed on the downstream side in the pair of conductive 
nets, and the other conductive net disposed on the upstream side is 
grounded. As a result, there are effects in that only the positive ion can 
be obtained while the negative ion is removed, and a lifetime of the 
obtained ion can be extended. 
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, one conductive net 
disposed on the downstream side has a coarser mesh than that of the other 
conductive net disposed on the upstream side in the pair of conductive 
nets. As a result, there is an effect in that a decrease of the obtained 
ion can be prevented. 
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the ionic gas from 
which the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is supplied 
into the space housing the object in which the microbes can be propagated. 
As a result, there is an effect in that the microbe propagation in the 
object can be prevented without damage to the object. 
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the ionic gas 
from which the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is 
supplied into the space housing the object in which the microbes can be 
propagated, and the gas supplied into the space is returned to the 
ionization chamber. As a result, there are effects in that the microbe 
propagation in the object can be prevented, and the odor of the gas can be 
deodorized. 
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the ion supplying 
portion is provided to include the space to house the object in which the 
microbes can be propagated, and to supply the space with the ionic gas 
from which the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber. As a 
result, there is an effect in that the microbe propagation in the object 
can be prevented. 
According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the ion 
supplying portion is provided to include the space to house the object in 
which the microbes can be propagated, to supply the space with the ionic 
gas from which ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber, and to 
return the gas supplied into the space to the ionization chamber. As a 
result, there are effects in that the microbe propagation in the object 
can be prevented, and the odor of the gas can be deodorized. 
According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the ionization 
chamber includes the pair of electrodes, and negative dc voltage is 
applied to the electrodes so as to ionize an electron. As a result, there 
are effects in that only the negative ion can be obtained, and a lifetime 
of the obtained ion can be extended. 
According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the ion 
supplying portion includes the space whose inner surface is made of the 
insulating material. As a result, there are effects in that the generating 
negative ion never decreases in the ion supplying portion, and the microbe 
propagation can be prevented. 
According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the ionic gas 
from which the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is 
transformed into bubbles to be supplied into the water in the water 
reservoir. As a result, there is an effect in that the microbe propagation 
in the water can be reduced. 
According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the gas mixer 
is provided to mix ozone generated from the ozonizer with the gas ionized 
by the ionization chamber, and the diffusing apparatus is provided to 
transform the gas mixed by the gas mixer into bubbles so as to feed the 
bubbles into the water in the water reservoir. As a result, there are 
effects in that the microbe propagation in the water can be surely reduced 
because of the synergistic effect of the ion and the ozone, and the 
microbes can be sterilized. 
According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the diffusing 
apparatus includes the diffuser. As a result, there is an effect in that 
the microbe propagation in the water can be reduced. 
According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the gas-liquid 
mixer includes the ejector. As a result, there is an effect in that the 
microbe propagation in the water can be reduced. 
According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, the gas from 
which the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is supplied 
into the space housing the object in which microbes can be propagated. As 
a result, there is an effect in that the microbe propagation in the object 
can be reduced. 
According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the gas from 
which ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is supplied into 
the space housing the object in which microbes can be propagated, and the 
gas supplied into the space is returned to the ionization chamber. As a 
result, there are effects in that the microbe propagation in the object 
can be prevented, and the odor of the gas can be deodorized. 
According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, when the 
ionic gas from which the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber 
is supplied into the space, the ionic gas is intermittently supplied into 
the space. As a result, there are effects in that the microbe propagation 
can be reduced as in the case of continuous supplying, and cost can be 
reduced. 
According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, when the 
ionic gas from which the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber 
is supplied into the space, the ionic gas is supplied after the gas is 
humidified. As a result, there are effects in that the microbe propagation 
can be reduced while drying of the object such as the food contained in 
the space can be prevented, and the foods or the like can be preserved for 
a long period. 
According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the wind 
blower draws the gas in the closed space which prevents the microbe 
propagation, and supplies the ionic gas from which the ozone is removed by 
the ozone decomposing chamber to the space. As a result, there is an 
effect in that the microbe propagation in the closed space can be reduced. 
According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the ionic 
gas from which the ozone is removed by the ozone decomposing chamber is 
supplied into the opened space or the liquid to prevent the microbe 
propagation, and the excess ion is removed from the space or the liquid. 
As a result, there are effects in that the excess ion supplied to the 
space or the liquid can be reduced while preventing the microbe 
propagation. 
According to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the excess 
ion in the space or liquid is removed by the conductive net which is 
grounded. As a result, there is an effect in that the excess ion supplied 
to the space or the liquid can be reduced in a simple configuration 
requiring no replacement. 
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using 
specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it 
is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without 
departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.