Abstract:
An apparatus for sterilizing and/or deodorizing objects is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes an ozone source to provide ozone, and a hydrogen peroxide source to provide hydrogen peroxide. A mixing element intermixes the ozone and hydrogen peroxide to produce a mixture comprising oxidizing radicals. An applicator applies the mixture to an object before the oxidizing radicals decompose. The oxidizing radicals in the mixture work to oxidize organic substances, thereby interrupting the life cycle of living organisms and/or destroying or neutralizing odors. In selected embodiments, the applicator disperses the mixture into a closed environment, such as a substantially sealed room or enclosure, to sterilize and/or deodorize objects contained therein. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/249,944 filed on Oct. 8, 2009 and entitled DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STERILIZING AND DEODORIZING. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to apparatus and methods for sterilizing and/or deodorizing objects. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There is often a need to sterilize objects which have become contaminated with micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi, or larger organisms such as bedbugs, fleas, or lice. Objects that are contaminated with such organisms may cause the spread of disease or illness. Objects that are prone to contamination with such organisms include food items such as fresh foods, medical instruments, kitchen tools, livestock or dairy handling tools, household items such as garments, shoes, toys, door knobs, and telephones, and bathroom items such as toothbrushes, toilet seats, faucet handles, and the like. There is also frequently a need to remove or neutralize odors on objects which have become contaminated by smoke, stale body fluids, decaying organic material, or the like. 
         [0004]    With regards to sterilizing objects, various different techniques have been developed and utilized extensively. For example, heat is often applied to kill or inactivate pathogens, or reduce the number of pathogens to a safe level. In other cases, chemicals are applied to contaminated objects where heat may damage the objects. For example, objects may be cleaned by washing them with soaps, detergents, alcohols, solvents, or the like. Other techniques for sterilizing objects include applying radiation, such as electron beams, ultraviolet light, X-rays, or gamma rays. 
         [0005]    Various techniques have also been developed to deodorize objects. For example, adsorbents such as zeolite, activated charcoal, or silica gel may be placed on or near objects to absorb bad odors therefrom. In other cases, receptor blockers are used to block the human scent receptors from detecting certain odors. In yet other cases, masking agents are used to overwhelm bad odors with good odors. One disadvantage of masking agents is that odors may return once the masking agents dissipate. 
         [0006]    Notwithstanding the variety of techniques that are currently being used to sterilize and/or deodorize objects, research continues to develop new and improved techniques for sterilizing and deodorizing. For example, it would be an advance in the art to provide better (e.g., safer, faster, cheaper, more effective) techniques to kill or inactivate harmful microbial and non-microbial organisms. Further needed are techniques for effectively destroying or neutralizing undesirable odors, perhaps simultaneously with and using the same principles of operation as a sterilization technique. To that end, apparatus and methods for sterilizing and/or deodorizing objects with greater efficacy are disclosed and claimed herein. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art and, in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available apparatus and methods. Accordingly, the invention has been developed to provide apparatus and methods to effectively sterilize and deodorize objects. The features and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
         [0008]    Consistent with the foregoing, an apparatus for sterilizing and/or deodorizing objects is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes an ozone source to provide ozone, and a hydrogen peroxide source to provide hydrogen peroxide. A mixing element intermixes the ozone and hydrogen peroxide to produce a mixture comprising oxidizing radicals. An applicator applies the mixture to an object before the oxidizing radicals decompose. The oxidizing radicals in the mixture work to oxidize organic substances, thereby interrupting the life cycle of living organisms and/or destroying or neutralizing odors. In selected embodiments, the applicator disperses the mixture into a closed environment, such as a substantially sealed room or enclosure, to sterilize and/or deodorize objects contained therein. 
         [0009]    A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a high-level block diagram of one embodiment of an apparatus for sterilizing and/or deodorizing an object; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a high-level block diagram showing a more specific embodiment of an apparatus for sterilizing and/or deodorizing an object; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a high-level block diagram showing another more specific embodiment of an apparatus for sterilizing and/or deodorizing an object; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a high-level block diagram showing an apparatus within a substantially closed environment, such as a room or enclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows an apparatus in accordance with the invention integrated with a garment bag; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows an apparatus in accordance with the invention integrated with a box, such as a garment, toy, or shoe box; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows an apparatus in accordance with the invention incorporated into a scrub brush. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of certain examples of presently contemplated embodiments in accordance with the invention. The presently described embodiments will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a high-level block diagram of one embodiment of an apparatus  100  for sterilizing and/or deodorizing an object is illustrated. As shown, the apparatus  100  includes a source  102  of ozone (O 3 ) and a source  104  of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Because ozone is too unstable to obtain commercially, the ozone source  102  ideally generates the ozone at or near the time of use. Thus, in selected embodiments, the ozone source  102  is an ozone generator  102 . This ozone generator  102  may require an oxygen-containing feedstock  110  (e.g., air, water, etc.) from which to generate the ozone. In one embodiment, the ozone source generates ozone from at least one of air, water, oxygen, and oxygen containing gas. 
         [0020]    The hydrogen peroxide source  104 , on the other hand, may include either a reservoir  104  containing hydrogen peroxide (which is readily obtained commercially) or a generator  104  to generate hydrogen peroxide from a feedstock such as water. A battery  112  or other internal power source  112  may provide power to the ozone source  102  and/or hydrogen peroxide source  104  as well as to other components in the apparatus  100  that require power to operate, such as the controller  114 . Alternatively, an external power source may provide power to the apparatus  100  by way of an electrical cord or other means. 
         [0021]    Upon receiving the ozone and hydrogen peroxide from the ozone source  102  and hydrogen peroxide source  104 , a mixing element  106  mixes the ozone with the hydrogen peroxide. This generates an oxidizing mixture containing a high concentration of oxidizing radicals. In particular, mixing hydrogen peroxide with ozone accelerates the decomposition of the ozone which creates a higher concentration of hydroxyl radicals in the mixture. This increases the oxidation rate since hydroxyl radicals are significantly more reactive than ozone. The end result is that oxidation is more reactive and much faster using a mixture of ozone and hydrogen peroxide than using either ozone or hydrogen peroxide by themselves. This makes the mixture substantially more effective at breaking down or inactivating organic materials, such as pathogens and odor compounds. One benefit of using hydroxyl and ozone radicals is that the radicals decompose to water and oxygen, or to water and carbon dioxide when are interacting with organic molecules. 
         [0022]    The oxidation potential of the hydroxyl radical and ozone are as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Oxidant 
                 Formula 
                 Voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Hydroxyl radical  
                 OH• 
                 2.8 V 
               
               
                   
                 Ozone 
                 O 3   
                 2.1 V 
               
               
                   
                 Hydrogen Peroxide 
                 H 2 O 2   
                 1.8 V 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0023]    As evident above, because hydroxyl radicals have an oxidation potential that is much higher than ozone, oxidation with hydroxyl radicals is much more effective than direct oxidation with ozone. The higher oxidation potential makes hydroxyl radicals more effective at breaking down organics that are difficult to oxidize such as taste and odor compounds and chlorinated organics (e.g., geosmin, MIB, phenolic compounds, trichloroethylene (TCE), and perchloroethylene (PCE)). 
         [0024]    Upon receiving the mixture of ozone and hydrogen peroxide from the mixing element  106 , an applicator  116  applies the mixture to one or more objects that are to be sterilized and/or deodorized. As mentioned above, such objects may include but are not limited to food items such as fresh foods, medical instruments, kitchen tools, livestock or dairy handling tools, household items such as garments, shoes, toys, door knobs, or telephones, and bathroom items such as toothbrushes, toilet seats, or faucet handles. In certain embodiments, the applicator  116  is a nozzle to disperse the mixture at high pressure in the form of a spray, vapor, or mist, or a piezo-electric transducer to mechanically excite the mixture to create a “fog.” This spray or fog may envelope or cover an object to provide desired sterilization and/or deodorization. In other embodiments, the applicator  116  is simply an outlet that discharges a liquid mixture. This liquid mixture may be used to sterilize and/or deodorize an object by showering or submersing the object. 
         [0025]    In selected embodiments, a controller  114  may be provided to control the operation of the apparatus  100 . For example, in selected embodiments, the controller  114  may be programmed to control the timing of operation of the apparatus  100 . For example, the controller  114  may be programmed to operate the apparatus  100  during off-hours (e.g., when no people are present) or at other desirable times or intervals. In other embodiments, the controller  114  may control the flow rate through the applicator  116  using a duty cycle or by adjusting other parameters within the apparatus  100 . The controller  114  may also identify when the battery  112  or other power source  112  is low or when a supply of constituents (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) is exhausted or low. The controller  114  may be programmed or controlled by a user using buttons, knobs, or other input elements known in the art, as well as provide information to a user using an output device such as a visual display, speaker, or the like. 
         [0026]    In selected embodiments, the apparatus  100  may be configured to operate in ozone-only mode, hydrogen-peroxide-only mode, or a mode that disperses a mixture of both ozone and hydrogen peroxide. This may be accomplished using valves or other mechanisms to turn the flow of ozone and/or hydrogen peroxide on and off when needed. This may enable the apparatus  100  to operate with reduced oxidizing capability when operated in ozone-only or hydrogen-peroxide-only mode. In other embodiments, a reservoir  104  normally containing hydrogen peroxide may be filled water instead of hydrogen peroxide to reduce the oxidizing capability of the apparatus  100 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a more specific embodiment of an apparatus  100  for sterilizing and/or deodorizing an object is illustrated. In this embodiment, the apparatus  100  includes a reservoir  104 , such as a bottle  104 , containing hydrogen peroxide. When empty, this reservoir  104  may be refilled or replaced in certain embodiments to replenish the supply of hydrogen peroxide. An ozone generator  102  may be provided to generate ozone from the oxygen contained in air  110 . In this embodiment, the ozone generator  102  includes a corona generator. In certain embodiments, the corona generator generates a corona discharge between a pair of electrodes  200   a ,  200   b  using a high frequency alternating current. The corona may be used to ionize the oxygen in an oxygen-containing gas  110  (in this example air) to form ozone gas. A battery  112  or other power source may supply power to the ozone generator  102 . 
         [0028]    Once generated, the ozone gas may be passed to the mixing element  106  (along with the other residual gases in air) where it may be mixed with hydrogen peroxide. In the illustrated embodiment, the ozone gas is bubbled through the hydrogen peroxide using a bubbler  106 . This will entrain the ozone in the hydrogen peroxide to produce the desired oxidizing mixture. The resulting mixture may then be applied to one or more objects using an applicator  116 . In this embodiment, the applicator  116  is a nozzle  116  that generates a fine mist or spray. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , another specific embodiment of an apparatus  100  for sterilizing and/or deodorizing an object is illustrated. In this embodiment, the apparatus  100  includes a hydrogen peroxide generator  104  that electrochemically generates hydrogen peroxide from water  300 . One example of such a hydrogen peroxide generator  104  is disclosed in the article entitled “Improved Electrolytic Hydrogen Peroxide Generator” that was published in NASA Tech Briefs on July 2005. The article discloses a hydrogen peroxide generator which includes an electrochemical cell having electrodes located on opposite sides of a commercially available polymeric membrane. The polymeric membrane separates two half-cells. One of the half-cells produces aqueous H 2 O 2 . 
         [0030]    The apparatus  100  also includes an ozone generator  102 . In this embodiment, the ozone generator  102  generates ozone from the electrolytic decomposition of water  110 . To accomplish this, a direct current is passed through a water solution at an anode which has a high overpotential for oxygen oxidation or evolution. Hydrogen is evolved at a cathode and, instead of having oxygen evolved at the anode, a portion of the gas evolved is ozone. Like the previous embodiment, the resulting ozone gas is bubbled through hydrogen peroxide in a bubbler  106  and the resulting mixture is applied to one or more objects by way of a nozzle  116  that generates a fine mist or spray. One of the advantages of the apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is that the hydrogen peroxide generator  104  and ozone generator  102  both use water as a feedstock. In selected embodiments, both may draw from a common water source. 
         [0031]    It should be recognized that the hydrogen peroxide generators  104  and ozone generators  102  described herein are simply provided by way of example and not limitation. Other devices known to generate hydrogen peroxide and/or ozone may also potentially be used in the apparatus  100 . For example, it may be possible to generate ozone using ultraviolet light and/or cold plasma, as is known in the art. Thus, ozone generators  102  and hydrogen peroxide generators  104  using other principles of operation may potentially be used and are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , in selected embodiments, the apparatus  100  may be configured to disperse the oxidizing mixture into a closed environment  400 , such as a substantially closed room  400  or enclosure  400  void of humans or animals. This will ensure that the oxidizing mixture does not come into contact with humans or animals where it can cause irritation or damage to tissue. In selected embodiments, the apparatus  100  may be configured such that it functions only when it detects that a room  400  or enclosure  400  is substantially sealed. To accomplish this, the controller  114  may communicate with sensors  402  that detect when doors  404  or other barriers  404  are in open or closed positions. Once all doors  404  or barriers  404  are in closed positions, the apparatus  100  may disperse the oxidizing mixture into the room  400  or enclosure  400 . 
         [0033]    In other embodiments, the apparatus  100  may also be configured to prevent doors  404  or barriers  404  from opening until the oxidizing elements within the mixture have decomposed and are no longer a threat to humans or animals. This may be accomplished by waiting a designated time after the oxidizing mixture has been dispersed, or using sensors to detect when the level of oxidizing elements in the room  400  or enclosure  400  has reached a safe level. In certain embodiments, the controller  114  may be configured to control locks  406  on doors  404  or barriers  404  to control when humans or animals can enter the room  400  or enclosure  400 , or when gases or vapors in the room  400  or enclosure  400  are safe to be released into the external environment. In certain embodiments, the controller  114  may be configured to control fans or vents to evacuate oxidizing elements from the room  400  or enclosure  400  before the room  400  or enclosure  400  is unlocked. 
         [0034]    The apparatus  100  may be suitable for use with a wide variety of different rooms  400  or enclosures  400  to sterilize and/or deodorize objects contained therein. For example, the apparatus  100  may be used to dispense the oxidizing mixture into a room  400  such as an operating room, laboratory, kitchen, bathroom, food-processing room, or factory, or into an enclosure  400  such as a shoe box, closet, storage cabinet, suitcase, toy box, gym bag, garment bag, or food storage pantry. The apparatus  100  may also be integrated into devices such as scrub brushes, sprayers, sponges, mops, or other devices known in the art. Several non-limiting examples of applications for the apparatus  100  are disclosed in  FIGS. 5 through 7 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , one embodiment of an application for an apparatus  100  in accordance with the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the apparatus  100  is incorporated into a garment bag  500 . As shown, the apparatus  100  is attached to an outer surface of the garment bag  500  to disperse the oxidizing mixture through an opening in the garment bag  500 . Alternatively, the apparatus  100  could be placed entirely inside the garment bag  500  to disperse the oxidizing mixture therein. 
         [0036]    In operation, a user may place a garment  502  inside the garment bag  500  and seal it, such as using a zipper, velcro strip, or the like. The user may then turn the apparatus  100  on to allow it to disperse the oxidizing mixture into the bag  500 . The apparatus  100  may be turned on and off manually or a timer may be used to operate the apparatus  100  over a desired time period. Once the apparatus  100  has finished dispersing the oxidizing mixture into the bag  500 , a designated time period may be allowed to pass prior to opening the garment bag  500 . This may give oxidizing elements in the bag  500  time to decompose. Once this time period has passed, the garment  502  may be removed from the garment bag  500  and utilized in the conventional manner. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , one embodiment of an apparatus  100  incorporated into a box  600  such as a garment, toy, or shoe box is illustrated. As shown, the apparatus  100  is attached to an outer surface of the box  600  and is configured to disperse the oxidizing mixture through an opening in the box  600 . Alternatively, the apparatus  100  may be placed inside the box  600  to disperse the oxidizing mixture therein. The oxidizing mixture envelopes or covers objects in the box  600  to sterilize and/or deodorize the objects. The oxidizing mixture may also sterilize and/or deodorize the inside surface of the box  600 , thereby preventing the spread of microbes or odors to other objects that may be placed inside the box  600 . 
         [0038]    In operation, a user may place various objects inside the box  600 , such as toys, garments, shoes, or the like. The user may then seal the box  600 , such as by closing a zipper on the box  600 , placing a lid on the box  600 , or closing a door or flap on the box  600 . The user may then turn the apparatus  100  on to allow it to disperse the oxidizing mixture into the box  600  and surround or envelope the objects inside the box  600 . The apparatus  100  may be operated manually or be programmed to operate in an intended manner. For example, the apparatus  100  may be scheduled to operate over a desired time period. Once the apparatus  100  has completed dispersing the oxidizing mixture into the box  600 , a period of time may be allowed to pass to allow the oxidizing elements to decompose. Once this time period has passed, the box  600  may be opened and the objects may be removed from the box  600  and utilized in the conventional manner. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , one embodiment of an apparatus  100  incorporated into a scrub brush  700  is illustrated. As shown, the apparatus  100  is incorporated into a body of the scrub brush  700 , although it could also be attached to an outside surface of the brush  700 . The oxidizing mixture generated by the apparatus  100  is dispersed from the scrub brush  700 , such as from an underside of the scrub brush  700  such that it migrates through the bristles  702 , or from a front  704  of the scrub brush  700 . The oxidizing mixture helps to sterilize and/or deodorize an object as it is cleaned with the scrub brush  700 . In selected embodiments, the apparatus  100  includes a switch to turn on the apparatus  100  when the scrub brush  700  is being used. Alternatively, the apparatus  100  may automatically turn on when the scrub brush  700  is used. For example, a motion sensor could be used to detect movement of the scrub brush  700  to automatically activate the apparatus  100 . 
         [0040]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its basic principles or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.