Patent Publication Number: US-2022218858-A1

Title: Aerosolized non-toxic disinfectant atmospherics system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/199,555, filed Jan. 8, 2021, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system for generating atmospherics, such as artificial “haze” and “snow”, and, more particularly, to a system employing non-toxic aerosolized disinfectants, as well as to compositions therefor. 
     Humans are vulnerable to harmful microbes and airborne pathogens such as the novel coronavirus in enclosed spaces. The resulting infections from indoor exposure have impacted countless aspects of life worldwide. The ability to provide a non-toxic disinfected indoor atmosphere will continue to be a relevant safety measure well beyond the current coronavirus pandemic. We may see a requirement for safe and disinfected atmospheric environments for many indoor live events in the near future. 
     Current technology uses ultraviolet (UV) light to “cleanse” the air and then recirculate this air back into the occupied space. In the event industry the use of currently available technologies produces visual effects of “haze” and “artificial snow” to enhance the lighting and visual impact in the concert, theater, and other live event industries. Current event-specific atmospheric delivery systems do not address aerosolized pathogens and are solely intended for visual appeal. Moreover, current systems create unacceptably high sound levels and are unusable in many spaces. 
     Current technology uses standalone devices to create “haze” using compressed air and mineral oil, tri-ethylene glycol, and/or propylene glycol. “Snow” is created using forced air and various soap solutions. Currently, neither of these systems address the need for disinfection. Current disinfectant protocols are based on surface treatments, which while necessary does not address aerosol viral transmission between humans. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a safe and effective system to disinfect the atmosphere of indoor spaces used for live events, as well as disinfection compositions for use with the system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a modular anti-microbial aerosol atmospheric effect delivery system is provided, comprising: an air compressor in a system enclosure; a haze solution reservoir in the system enclosure; an artificial snow solution reservoir in the system enclosure; an electronically controlled haze module mounted above an attendee room; and an electronically controlled artificial snow module mounted above the attendee room; wherein said electronically controlled haze module fluidly communicates with the air compressor and the haze solution reservoir by way of a hose system and said electronically controlled artificial snow module fluidly communicates with the air compressor and the artificial snow solution reservoir by way of the hose system. The inventive system is an improvement on prior art standalone devices. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, aerosol anti-microbial atmospheric effect compositions are provided, comprising: an artificial snow solution comprising sodium lauryl sulfate and citric acid; and a haze solution comprising propylene glycol or tri-ethylene glycol, and at least one anti-microbial component selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide and citric acid. The inventive system is an improvement on the prior art by the addition of citric acid and/or hydrogen peroxide to the compositions as an anti-microbial element. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, an atmospheric effect delivery method of disinfecting an inhabited room is provided, comprising: providing the modular anti-microbial aerosol atmospheric effect delivery system; providing the artificial snow solution and the haze solution; delivering the haze solution and compressed air to the electronically controlled haze module; delivering the artificial snow solution and the compressed air to the electronically controlled artificial snow module; continuously operating the electronically controlled haze module; and intermittently operating the electronically controlled artificial snow module. The inventive system may interface with existing industry control devices. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an atmospherics system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a haze module thereof; and 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a snow module thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is safe and effective anti-microbial liquid solutions and a modular aerosol delivery system therefor. 
     The anti-microbial liquid solutions and delivery system provide a safe and antivirally effective aerosolized “haze” or “snow” solution comprising a mixture of components selected from the group consisting of: citric acid, propylene glycol, tri-ethylene glycol, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium lauryl sulfate. The inventive solution may kill aerosol microbes suspended in the air, reducing transmission of undesirable microbes, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), amongst attendees and workers at live events and other indoor activities. The inventive modular delivery system distributes the anti-viral solution safely and evenly throughout the atmosphere of enclosed spaces, and may improve the disinfection capabilities of prior art techniques using ultraviolet light disinfection, increased ventilation, and more robust air filtration. The unified system preferably provides safe, effective, and quiet aerosolized non-toxic atmospheric anti-microbial protection. The inventive system may produce a safe indoor environment for human group activities such as, but not limited to, concerts, corporate tradeshows, live theater, events within houses of worship, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. Moreover, the system may be more robust, quieter, more expandable, and more efficient than currently available delivery systems. 
     The invention adds non-toxic anti-viral and anti-microbial properties to commonly used atmospheric effects which may significantly lower microbial transmission and facilitate a full restart of group activities. 
     In some embodiments, the inventive liquid solutions may be used in existing distribution systems, especially where noise is not a problem such as concerts, clubs, and bars. “Haze” may be generated by aerosolizing, with compressed air, a non-toxic liquid solution comprising at least one alkene glycol selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol and tri-ethylene glycol, and at least one anti-microbial component selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide and citric acid. “Snow” may be generated by blowing air through a non-toxic liquid solution comprising sodium lauryl sulfate and citric acid. Preferably, both the “haze” and the “snow” compositions evaporate and do not leave unwanted residue or create other hazardous conditions. In some cases, the inventive compositions provide additional surface disinfection. 
     The compositions and relative amounts of the components thereof are not particularly limited, provided that they achieve anti-viral efficacy and personal exposure safety. For example, the compositions may avoid eye/nose/throat and skin irritation factors while achieving anti-microbial efficacy determined by testing. Preferably, all compounds employed thereof are classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). Preferably, disinfectant components are included in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (Covid 19). Preferably, the “haze” and/or “snow” compositions may be tested in a controlled environment using standard scientific practice and then may be tested in “real world” settings in accordance with local laws and regulations. A commercial manufacturing process may be developed prior to marketing the liquid solutions. 
     The inventive modular delivery system comprises remote air compressors, solution reservoirs, hose systems for compressed air and solution distribution, and electronically controlled “haze” and “snow” modules installed either permanently in the ceiling area or temporarily attached to rigged truss and/or superstructure above the spaces to be disinfected. The inventive distribution system may provide better atmospheric coverage, control, maintenance, and noise mitigation than currently available standalone products and may allow use in a wide range of indoor environments. The modular nature of the proposed system preferably allows for expandability and adaptability, i.e., a buildable distribution system. For example, in some cases, a single “haze” module may be sufficient to achieve the anti-microbial properties and reduce infection risk in enclosed spaces. In other cases, multiple modules may be preferred. 
     The inventive modular distribution system comprising air compressors and hosing systems improves on currently available distribution systems. Generally, the “haze” modules may run substantially continuously to provide a constant anti-microbial, safe, and breathable atmosphere while the “snow” modules may run intermittently to cleanse the air and surfaces that the aerosolized sodium lauryl sulfate/citric acid mixture encounters. The inventive system may be controlled by industry control desks and protocols known in the art. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 ,  FIG. 1  shows a system area, enclosure, or room  10  and an attendee area or room  68 . As shown, the system area  10  contains an air compressor  12 , a haze fluid reservoir  14  with a first pump  16 , a snow fluid reservoir  18  with a second pump  20 , and a control system or controller  66 . The control system  66  electrically communicates with the air compressor  12 , the first pump  16 , and the second pump  20  by way of control and power line bundles  46 . When activated by the control system, the first pump  16  selectively delivers haze fluid via haze fluid lines  26  to a plurality of haze modules  30  mounted in the attendee area  68  ceiling  76 , the second pump selectively delivers snow fluid via snow fluid lines  28  to a plurality of snow modules  56  mounted in the attendee area  68  ceiling  76 , and the air compressor  12  selectively delivers compressed air via compressed air lines  24  to the haze modules  30  and/or the snow modules  56 . The compressed air lines  24 , the haze fluid lines  26 , and the snow fluid lines  28  are bundled in hoses  22  from the system area  10  to the attendee area  68 . The control system  66  also electrically communicates with the haze modules  30  and the snow modules  56  via control and power line bundles  46 . The attendee area  68  may be treated by fog haze  72  and/or artificial snow  74  delivered above the attendees  70 . Reservoir return lines  64  return unused compressed air, unused haze fluid, and unused snow fluid to the system area  10 . 
     A haze module  30  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 2 . A haze fluid line  26  bundled with a compressed air line  24  in a hose  22  deliver haze fluid  34  and compressed air to a casing or housing  32  mounted to the ceiling  76  with mounting hardware  54 . The fluid  34  flow is controlled by a control module  48  connected by a control line  49  to a valve  36  housed within the housing  32  which is coupled with and feeds a fill tube  38  to maintain a predetermined fluid level monitored by a fluid level sensor  39 . The compressed air is bubbled into the fluid  34  by way of an air nozzle  40  to produce a fog haze  72 , which exits through an aperture or opening  44  in the housing  32  sidewall after rising vertically past a baffle  42  in the housing  32 . The haze module  30  is operated by the control and power circuitry box or assembly  48  which receives fluid level sensor input  51  as well as control inputs  50  and power inputs  52  from the control system  66  via the control and power line bundles  46 . 
     A snow module  56  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 3 . A snow fluid line  28  bundled with a compressed air line  24  in a hose  22  deliver snow fluid and compressed air to a valve  60  within a casing or housing  32  mounted to the ceiling  76  with mounting hardware  54 . The snow module  56  is operated by a control module  48 , i.e., a control and power circuitry box, which receives control inputs  50  and power inputs  52  from the control system  66  via the control and power line bundles  46 . The control module  48  controls the valve  60  via control line  47  which feeds compressed air and snow fluid to a diffuser  62  which produces and releases artificial snow  74 . The control module  48  also controls the diffuser  62  via control line  49 . 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.