Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – For deodorizing of – or chemical purification of – or...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-26
2003-12-02
Thornton, Krisanne (Department: 1744)
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
For deodorizing of, or chemical purification of, or...
C422S116000, C422S123000, C422S124000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06656434
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to devices used for sanitizing air conditioning and heating system ducts, specifically to a compact user-friendly, portable air duct sanitizing apparatus and method, for new construction as well as retrofitting to existing air conditioning and heating systems in commercial and residential buildings, which can be either professionally or owner installed, with routine maintenance thereafter being easily and safely performed by the owner or other non-professional. The sanitizing apparatus of the present invention comprises a system control unit with a housing that supports a refillable non-pressurized reservoir of liquid sanitizing agent, which is removably attached to the housing without opening the housing cover. In addition the housing supports and protects a 24-volt electric pump capable of moving fluid through tubing at a pressure of approximately 60 psi and a fully automated 24-volt programmable timer with power loss backup. The sanitizing apparatus also comprises a plurality of misting nozzles each capable of creating a fine mist having droplets with a maximum diameter dimension of approximately 250&mgr;. Each misting nozzle is connected via tubing between the pump and one of the air ducts targeted for sanitizing, with at least one misting nozzle being inserted into each of the air ducts, as well as into the main plenum to which the air ducts are connected. When more than one air duct is targeted for sanitizing, the misting nozzles are connected to a branching array of fluid carrying tubing rated to withstand a maximum pressure of approximately 200 psi that has a trunk line connected to a single hose fitting on the pump. The pump in each system control unit housing is selected to provide liquid sanitizing agent to a maximum of approximately six air ducts. In addition, the present invention also comprises electrical connection means between the 24-volt programmable timer and the air handler of the air conditioning or heating system with which it is associated that allows the sanitizing apparatus to be internally powered through the associated air conditioning or heating system. The system control unit housing of the present invention is preferably mounted in commercial or residential structures in a location remote from the air conditioning ducts, where it can be easily accessed for timer reprogramming and fluid reservoir exchange or refill. The fine mist entering the air ducts is evenly dispersed therein by the fan of the associated air conditioning or heating system, to coat the inside of the air ducts so as to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast, algae, molds, and mildew over a period of time and thereafter maintain the air ducts in a sanitized condition. As a result, the air duct sanitizing apparatus of the present invention also comprises a fan relay to by-pass the air conditioning or heating system thermostat during such time when the fan is not in an operating mode and it is needed to assist in mist dispersal. Optional use of a planar polyvinyl chloride (PVC) mounting board for electrical components that is removable from the housing not only facilitates manufacture by making it easier for the people assembling the present invention to connect the wiring between electrical components, it also facilitates servicing and replacement of electrical components since the mounting board is easily releasable from the installed housing, typically by unfastening the nuts respectively attached to two bolts. Safety features of the present invention include the high-pressure rated tubing, the reduced voltage timer and pump, a pump that safely operates wet or dry should the operator fail to anticipate timely replacement or refill of the reservoir before all of the fluid therein is completely used, the pump also having a fluid loop should the fluid discharge opening of the pump become inadvertently blocked, and the non-pressurized supply of low toxicity non-flammable sanitizing agent. Although not limited thereto, chlorine dioxide is the sanitizing agent preferred for use with the present invention, as it has a low toxicity and a category III EPA safety rating. In addition to air duct sanitizing, the present invention can also be used for air purification and aromatherapy.
2. Description of Prior Art
The interior walls of the air ducts of ventilation systems are subject over time to the accumulation of particulate matter, as well as the growth of algae, yeast, fungi, bacteria, molds, and mildew. Also, the air drawn through such ducts may contain bacteria and viruses that are so small in size they cannot be removed by filtration. As a result, the continued recycling of air with no conditioning other than filtration can lead to high levels of allergens and other contaminants in ventilation system ducts that can cause those sensitive to them to experience discomfort and/or become ill. Systems to sanitize and condition air in ventilation systems are known. However, most are expensive and/or require professional installation, maintenance, or both. The present invention comprises an air duct sanitizing, de-odorizing, conditioning, and purification system that is user-friendly and has a compactly configured lightweight system control unit housing that can be installed by a non-professional in any location convenient for easy maintenance access. The present invention also has built-in safety features that allow essentially risk-free routine owner maintenance and use. Further, through simple exchange of the non-pressurized fluid reservoir for one containing a different chemical solution, and easy adjustments made to the programmable timer, alternative uses of the present invention can include aromatherapy and air purification.
The invention thought to be the closest in concept to the present invention is the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,401 to Bryson, Sr. (1994). However, many important differences exist between the Bryson, Sr. invention and the present invention. The Bryson, Sr. invention comprises a container with a one-way valve for permitting the inflow of air into the container, a pressurized cartridge positioned within the container and adapted for dispensing a vapor into the container, an intermittently operable air and vapor pump, a timer for intermittent activation of the pump with the periods of operation and non-operation being independently variable, and conduit for conveying the air and vapor mixture between the container and the pump, as well as between the pump and an air duct. When multiple segments of conduit are joined, the Bryson, Sr. invention contemplates the use of a valve to adjust the vapor flow into various portions of the conduit. Also, in the Bryson, Sr. invention two independent timers are preferred, one to control the operation time and the other to control the non-operation time. The control box for the Bryson, Sr. invention may be attached directly to the outside surface of an air duct, or in the alternative situated remotely from the duct into which the Bryson, Sr. invention directs its air and vapor mixture. Also, a power supply cord in the Bryson, Sr. invention electrically connects the pump and timer to a standard electrical outlet. As the liquid in the cartridge is spent, the amount of vapor in the canister after a period of rest will become reduced. As a result, timer adjustment is required in the Bryson, Sr. invention when the cartridge fluid level is reduced to allow for more uniform distribution of the vapor. In contrast, the present invention comprises a fully automated 24-volt programmable timer with power loss backup, a non-pressurized reservoir of liquid sanitizing agent which can be refilled or replaced by a new reservoir having the same or different liquid sanitizing or aromatherapy agent, a plurality of nozzles each capable of creating a mist of droplets having a maximum diameter dimension of approximately 250&mgr; with at least one of the nozzles being inserted into each of the air ducts targeted for sanitizing and at least one nozzle being inserted into the main plenum to
Morse Dorothy S.
Thornton Krisanne
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