Abstract:
A disinfectant system including a pouch enclosing a first reagent, the first reagent releasing a disinfecting vapor when exposed to moisture. A moisture transfer element is included engageable with the pouch.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/356,069, filed Jan. 23, 2012, entitled DISINFECTANT SYSTEM, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    n/a 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a method and system for generating and dispersing gaseous disinfectant. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The most common system and method for delivering disinfectants to surfaces, for example, tile, wood, granite, plastic, and glass is through the use of spray bottles containing a disinfectant solution, typically comprising an alcohol. The user operates the spray bottle by aiming the bottle&#39;s nozzle in the direction of the surface to be treated and applying pressure to a plunger, which causes the release of the disinfectant in a small particle fluid form. However, because fluids from spray bottles are dispersed as a bolus, and rely on the precise aim of the user, portions of surfaces may remain untreated and therefore potentially infected with pathogens or materials causing noxious odors. Moreover, such disinfectant solutions are infective at removing airborne pathogens. 
         [0005]    To address airborne odors, bacteria, and viruses, aerosols have been utilized to disinfect and deodorize the ambient air in an enclosed area, such as in a home, car, or cabin on a boat or plane. The dispersal of the fluid from canister or bottle may be achieved by repeated plunging of a lever that sprays a predetermined amount of fluid, or alternatively, the canister may continuously spray fluid so long as the plunger is depressed. However, similar to surface disinfectants, aerosol disinfectant delivery systems can only deliver disinfectant for a limited time and to a limited area. While gases from aerosols may substantially fill an area by entropic forces, because disinfectant gases from aerosols are not constantly released they are not effective at disinfecting substantially entire spaces rapidly. 
         [0006]    Another method and system of deodorizing room may include providing plug-in or wall mounted units defining a reservoir that releases deodorizing particles. Drawbacks of such systems include, limited portability, as some units require electricity to operate; limited operability, as some units are motion activated; a predetermined rate of disinfectant release, as the disinfectant is released at a constant rate, and as a result, are of limited effectiveness, as none of the units on the market provide for both rapid release and slow release of gaseous disinfectant particles to sanitize a particular space. 
         [0007]    It is therefore desirable to provide for a portable disinfectant system that disinfects a particular space either rapidly or slowly and that does not require electricity or constant activation by the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention advantageously provides a disinfectant system including a pouch enclosing a first reagent, the first reagent releasing a disinfecting vapor when exposed to moisture. A moisture transfer element is included engageable with the pouch. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the disinfectant system includes a pouch enclosing a first moisture activated reagent, the first reagent releasing a disinfecting vapor when exposed to moisture. A moisture transfer element defining a slit is included, the pouch being removeably insertable within the slit. A container defining a plurality of apertures is included, the pouch and the moisture transfer element being received within the container. 
         [0010]    In yet another embodiment, the disinfectant system includes a pouch enclosing a first moisture activated reagent releasing a disinfecting vapor when exposed to moisture. A sponge defining a slit substantially though a midpoint of the sponge is included, the pouch being removeably insertable within the slit, the sponge transferring moisture to the pouch when the pouch is inserted within the slit. A container including a pivotally coupled hatch is included, the hatch defining a plurality of apertures, the pouch and the moisture transfer element being received within the container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary container of the disinfectant system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a moisture transfer element constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective of the moisture transfer element in  FIG. 2  showing the slit expanded; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top cross-sectional view of an exemplary pouch constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the pouch in  FIG. 4  inserted within the moisture releasing element of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the pouch and moisture transfer element shown in  FIG. 5  disposed within the container of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Referring now to the drawings in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  an exemplary container of the disinfectant system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally “10.” The container  10  may be composed any non-reactive materials, and in particular, plastics, metals or any material sufficiently light such that it is portable. In an exemplary embodiment, the container  10  may be composed of a flexible plastic, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, and may be a clam-shell shape to provide for easy access to the interior of the container  10 . For example, the container  10  may define an opening  12  on a face of the container  10 . In particular, the container  10  may be a body portion  14  that may include a plurality of walls or other structures operable to enclose an object such as a disinfectant device within. The walls may be substantially impermeable to gasses to liquids, or alternatively may be semi-permeable to gasses. 
         [0019]    Covering the opening  12  may be a hatch  16  which is sized to at least substantially fit within the opening  12  to substantially close the opening  12 . The hatch  16  may be pivotally coupled to one of walls of the container  10 , for example, with a hinge or other mechanism operable to facilitate the movement of the hatch  16  from a closed position in which the hatch covers the opening  12  to an open position in which the interior of the container is accessible. Alternatively, the hatch  16  may be removable from the body portion  14  and may cover a portion of the opening  12 . In the particular configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , the hatch  16  includes an elevated portion  18  sized to fit within a complimentary recess  20  defined by the body portion  14 . For example, the elevated portion  18  may define dimensions commensurate with the dimensions of the recess  20  such that when the hatch  16  is in a closed positioned the elevated portion  18  fits snuggly within the recess  20 . 
         [0020]    The body portion  14  may further define a tab  22  protruding from a portion of the recess  20 , the tab  22  being sized to fit within a corresponding groove  24  defined by the elevated portion  18 . For example, as the hatch  16  is moved into the opening  16  from an open position to a closed position, the tab  22  and the groove  24  engage each other such that the hatch  16  is removeably secured to the recess  20 . To facilitate the opening and closing of the hatch  16 , a first lip  28  and a second lip  30  may surround the perimeters of the elevated portion  18  and recess  20  respectively to provide a surface to grip to separate the hatch  16  from the recess  20 . 
         [0021]    The body portion  14  and/or hatch  16  may further define a plurality of apertures  32  disposed, for example, on the surface of the hatch  16 . The size and number of apertures  32  is variable depending on the desired rate of air flux from released from the container  10 . In particular, the larger the size and number of apertures  32 , the faster the disinfectant release from the container  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, six apertures  32  are defined by the hatch, the apertures  32  defining a diameter of approximately one inch. 
         [0022]    Now referring to  FIG. 2 , receivable within the container  10  may be a moisture absorbing and releasing element  34 . The moisture transfer element  34  may be for example, a sponge, or other material, or combination of materials, which may absorb and retain water and/or water vapor for a period of time and then release it to a proximate structure. In the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , the moisture transfer element  34  is a sponge approximately an inch in height (“h 1 ”) and width (“w 1 ”), and approximately three inches in length (“l 1 ”). The size of the moisture transfer element  34  may be variable depending on the desired rate of release of disinfecting vapor from the container  10 , but in an exemplary configuration, the size of the moisture transfer element  34  is no larger than a substantial portion of the interior of the container  10 . 
         [0023]    The moisture transfer element  34  may further define a slit  36  defined on at least a portion of the moisture transfer element  34 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the slit is defined along a length of the sponge  34  and extends through approximately the midpoint of the sponge. The slit  36  may extend entirely though the width of the sponge such that the slit  26  is accessible from more than one side of the sponge  34 , or alternatively may extend through a portion of the width of the sponge  34 . The slit  36  may be any dimension and in an exemplary embodiment is approximately 0.1 millimeter in height (h 2 ) and approximately two inches in length (l 2 ) with l 2  being less than l 1 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , because l 2  is less than l 1 , pulling forces F 1  and F 2  applied to the sponge  34  causes the slit  36  to widen such that h 2  is increased. The increase in height of the slit  36  allows for insertion on thin object within the slit  36 . When the pulling forces F 1  and F 2  are ceased the sponge  36  returns to original biased position with the object disposed within the slit  36  and a force applied to the object by the sponge  34 . The sponge  34  may further define one or more compartments  38  sized to retain a fluid, for example, water. The compartments  38  may be composed of a flexible material and any may rupture upon the applicant of a force, for example, a twisting force. For example, the compartment  38  may be pre-filled with volume of water. When the sponge  34  is twisted or torqued, the compartment  38  ruptures, releasing the water to the sponge, which results in the sponge being moistened. 
         [0025]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , also retained within the container  10  may a pouch  40  at least partially filled with a disinfectant reagent  42  and sized to fit within the container  10 . The pouch  40  may include one or more chambers  44  for retaining the disinfectant reagent  42 . In an exemplary embodiment, the pouch  40  and/or the one or more chambers  44  may be semi-permeable to water vapor and impermeable to the reagent  42 . For example, the pouch  42  may define a plurality of slots or pores to increase the flow rate of water vapor into the chamber  44  as disclosed and described in U.S. Publication No. 2009/0142235, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. The pouch  40  may further be disposed in a protective enclosure  46  that is substantially impermeable to water to prevent premature activation of the reagent  42 . The protective enclosure  46  may be composed of MYLAR or other similar materials. The pouch  40  may be removed from the protective enclosure  46  by, for example, tearing a portion the protective enclose  46  and sliding out the pouch  40 . 
         [0026]    In an exemplary embodiment, the reagent  42  is in a powder form spread about the chamber  44  to provide for a larger surface area to react with water. The reagent  42  may be any compound, chemical, or polymer that reacts with a substance, for example, water, to produce a disinfecting vapor. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the reagent  42  may contain, in part, chlorite, which may release chlorine dioxide gas when exposed to moisture and/or water vapor. The rate at which chlorine dioxide is released from the pouch  40  depends on the amount of moisture and/or water present surrounding and penetrating the pouch  40 . In particular, the more water and/or water vapor present around the pouch  10 , the greater the increase in the rate of chlorine dioxide production. Thus, the rate at which disinfectant is released from the pouch  40  may be varied depending on the amount of water present in proximity to the pouch  40 . A second reagent  48  may also disposed with the chamber  44  or a second chamber  50 . The second reagent  48  may a fragrant releasing reagent such that in addition to the pouch releasing a disinfecting vapor, it may also release a fragrance. 
         [0027]    The pouch  40  may further define a width such that the pouch  40  is removeably inserted within the slit  36  of the sponge  34 . In particular, the pouch  40  may be sufficiently narrow and sufficiently thin such that it may be slid within the slit  36 . For example, depending on the height h 2  the slit  36  the pouch  40  may be pushed within the slit  36  such that it engages and is friction fit with the sponge  34 . Additionally, the position of the pouch  40  in relation to the sponge  34  may be varied by sliding the pouch  40  within the slit  36  by applying a pulling force to the sponge  34  to expand h 2 , as discussed above, such that the pouch  40  is moveable within the slit  36  to a desired position. 
         [0028]    For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , it may be desirable to orient the sponge  34  in relation to the pouch  40  (indicated by the directional arrows) such that the sponge  34  is positioned in substantially the center of the pouch  40 , along the length of the pouch, to allow for maximum water diffusion from the sponge  34 , in both directions, onto the pouch  40 . In an exemplary configuration, a horizontal axis defined by the sponge  34  coplanar with the slit  36  is substantially coplanar with a horizontal axis defined by the pouch  40 . In another configuration, the sponge  34  may positioned at a distal end of the pouch  40  such that the pouch  40  extends from the sponge  34  as a cantilever. In such a configuration, when the sponge  34  is moistened, the water diffuses longitudinally away from the sponge  34  onto the pouch  40 . As such, portions of the pouch  40  most distal the sponge  34  become moistened slower that portions proximal the sponge  34 . Accordingly, the rate at which disinfectant vapor is released from the pouch  40  may be varied depending on the position of the pouch  40  relative to the sponge  34 . The more centered the wet or damp sponge  34  is with respect to the pouch  40  the faster the release of disinfectant vapors. 
         [0029]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , the sponge  34  and pouch  40  may be coupled together and received within the container  10 . Alternatively, the sponge  34  may be placed in proximity to the pouch  40  when disposed within the container  10 . The sponge  34  may be dampened before insertion into the container  10  or after, and additional water may be added to the container  10  when the sponge  34  and pouch  40  are disposed within the container. The hatch  16  may be closed and disinfecting vapor may be generated and released from the pouch  40  out through the apertures  32 . As discussed above, the rate at which disinfecting vapor is generated may depend on the volume of water vapor and/or water within the container  10  and within the sponge  34 . In particular, a volume of water may be poured into the container  10  where it may be absorbed by the sponge  34  and the pouch  40  to accelerate the release of disinfecting particles. Further, the container, along with the sponge  34  and the pouch  40 , may be portable and movable while the pouch is releasing disinfecting particles. 
         [0030]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.