Abstract:
An overhead sanitization system utilizing ceiling embedded control valves and nozzle heads operative to provide an antibacterial spray under the control of a central computer processing unit monitoring the fluid level within an antibacterial solution storage vessel, and with the control valves and heads being supplied with the antibacterial solution from the storage vessel under the computer unit&#39;s control of a pressurization pump coupled to the storage vessel by an included impurity eliminating filter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    A Provisional Patent Application covering the invention described herein was filed on May 21, 2010, and assigned Serial No. 61/396,002. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Research and development of this invention and Application have not been federally sponsored, and no rights are given under any Federal program. 
       REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention relates to a non-sticky, non-staining, eco-friendly sanitization system, in general, and to such a system for use at a fixed or movable structural installation, in particular. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    As will be appreciated, more and more people every day are becoming more and more germophobic. 
         [0008]    It is not unusual, for example, for a situation to develop where one sick child in a classroom infects the rest of the class to the extent that many others become ill. Sitting in a waiting room of a crowded medical office to wait to see the doctor can be an experience where the patient leaves in worse condition than before, simply by picking up the germs of others who may similarly be waiting their turn to be seen and treated. Passengers in airplanes, trains and buses commonly arrive at their destinations feeling more poorly than before, just as a result of absorbing germs and bacteria that may be coming off of other passengers—even where attempts of their covering up are apparent. To such an extent, as a result, it is not unusual for one to walk around any city in this or any other country, and note the ever increasing number of people wearing face masks in an attempt to protect one&#39;s self against unsanitary conditions. Subways and train stations, bus terminals and airports are nowheres unique as places where germs and bacteria may be present, as similar venues for becoming ill exist wherever large groups of people congregate—as in stadiums, auditoriums, theaters, and large closed enclosures. 
         [0009]    Hospital rooms, hospitals, and nursing homes, for instance, recognizing the problems that can ensue, often attempt to sanitize and disinfect public areas after a workday has ended. The mopping of floors, the cleaning of bathrooms, the wiping of surfaces here and there, generally represent their attempts at sanitizing the areas in question. But those methods leave much to be desired, especially in an age where the proprietors are in an economic fix, unable to disburse for these services funds which may not be available, or which are tight in their distribution. Purchases of cleaning machines and equipments have been curtailed for similar economic reasons, with the overall result being an increase in the amount of complaints being made of bacterial and other germ infections. 
         [0010]    One need only read a newspaper or see television news to learn of one or another instance of hundreds of passengers on cruise ships, for example, becoming infected and ill to such an extent as to be confined during their various vacation trips. 
       OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an arrangement which allows for a simple and effective sanitization of all those areas where people tend to congregate, and where they are at the greatest risk of becoming sick or otherwise infected. 
         [0012]    It is object of the invention, also, to provide this arrangement in a manner where the sanitization provided can be controlled, according to the size of the room and the number of inhabitants. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the invention to provide this control automatically or manually, depending upon the risk of illness that might follow. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    As will become clear from the following description, the present invention describes an overhead sanitization system which can be installed in a ceiling construction in a manner analogous to a fire-extinguishing sprinkler system. But, instead of dispensing a fire-extinguishing water stream, the system of the present invention dispenses a dense, fine mist antibacterial spray. Also designed to be portable for use in buses, trains and airplanes (or other relatively small areas that are in movement), the system of the invention will be seen to include a pressurized pump able to dispense this fine mist in manner similar to that of an aerosol spray. Depending upon the location of use, and the size area where the spray is to be effective, activation can be had by way of a manually controllable switch, or to be activated in more spacious areas under computer control. As will be seen, a holding tank (such as a steel drum) can store the antibacterial spray until called upon to be dispensed by the pressurized pump. Where computer activation is had, the teachings of the invention are equally applicable to shut down the entire system operation in the event of any malfunction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  represents a sanitization system, partially in block form, helpful in an understanding of the teachings of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The overhead sanitization system—whether permanently installed in the ceilings of hospitals, hospital rooms, nursing homes, schools, medical offices, stadiums, or in such movable systems as buses, trains, and airplanes, for example—includes a storage vessel  10 , a filter  12 , a pressurization pump  14 , a central computer processing CPU control  16 , and one or more control valves  18  and nozzle heads  20 . Three sets of control valves and nozzle heads are shown at “A”, as in various locations on the first floor of a school facility, three sets of control valves and nozzle heads are shown at “B” for various locations on the second floor of the school, and three sets of control valves and nozzle head are illustrated at “C” for locations at upper floors, serially, at the school, location. 
         [0017]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage vessel  10  may be constructed of a plastic material selected to be resistant to the antibacterial spray; but where increased durability is desired, a stainless steel fabrication can be employed. Indicators of different types can be employed to reveal the amount of antibacterial solution in the storage vessel, which is intended for easy access filling through its top. An electronic sensor output coupled to the storage vessel  10  provides an input to the central computer to indicate such liquid level, as by way of the flow-line  30 . When the preferred computer control is utilized, as at  16 , the amount of cycles of use can be predicted and calculated, so that indications are provided as to when the storage vessel is to be refilled. An emergency shut-off control for the computer system is indicated at  32 . 
         [0018]    To prevent any impurities present in the antibacterial spray from clogging the overhead control valves, a filter  12  is employed, as an intermediary from the storage vessel  10 . A flow sensor incorporated either within the filter  12  or at its output couples to the central computer control  16  to monitor the flow of the antibacterial solution to the pressurization pump  14 . As will be appreciated, this allows the computer to shut down the pump in the event insufficient flow is present. Such input into the computer from the filter  12  is shown along the flow indicator line  34 , with the output “ON/OFF” control to the pressurization pump  14  being shown along the line  36 . 
         [0019]    In operation, the pressurization pump  14 , once controlled to its “ON” condition by the central computer control, provides the force to deliver the antibacterial solution to that location where the mist is to be created—namely, at each control valve, and on each floor where applicable, as shown by the duct conduits  80 - 81 ,  80 - 82 - 83 , and  80 - 82 - 84 - 85 . In this preferred construction, the pressurization pump  14  is not only controlled by the central computer  16  but operates with a “fail-safe” mode operative to shut down the pump in the event of a communication breakdown with the central computer. As set out in  FIG. 1 , each zone of the floor (i.e., each area to be sanitized) has its own set of component valves providing the antibacterial spray. Such valves&#39;are similarly controlled by the central computer  16 , able to be wired independently or in parallel with other valves. Flow, lines  90 ,  91  and  92  identify the computer controls for the 1st, 2nd, and Nth zone floors of the structure, each with its independent valve locations  18 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the number of valves  18  that can be operated simultaneously depends upon the particular nozzle head selected for the resultant spray, and the size of the pressurization pump  14 . 
         [0020]    Because different areas of the fixed or moving structure may require greater disinfecting than others, different sized nozzle heads may be in place to control the area of spread and the volume of spray to be dispensed on any one disinfecting application. Such spread is indicated in  FIG. 1  by the reference numeral  100 . 
         [0021]    As will be understood from the foregoing, full control of the disinfecting spray operation is controlled by the central computer  16 . Flow velocity and solution storage levels are monitored there and governed, while the programming for the computer controls the system operation in dispensing whatever amount of solution is desired, at any one or at multiple times in accordance with the schedule desired for the particular facility in question. At the same time, which control valves are to be opened, and which are to be opened at specific time intervals can likewise be effected under programming control. Alternatively, and in a more simplified system arrangement, the computer control can simply be deactivated and operation continue as before, once each valve is set to an open condition before energizing the entire system operation. 
         [0022]    As will thus be apparent, automatic overhead sanitization can be provided in all area where required at the end of a work day or work schedule simply, automatically, and on a regular schedule of operations to effectuate the needed control in sanitizing areas to prevent not only germs and bacteria from developing, but to eliminate any presence of odors or other smells which may characterize an area of use—such as in public restroom facilities, and especially at large stadium and arena locations. Where manual, rather than automated control is desired, the central computer control can simply be switched ON or OFF as needed. 
         [0023]    While there have been described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein. For at least such reason, therefore, resort should be had to the claims appended hereto for a true understanding of the invention.