Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Process disinfecting – preserving – deodorizing – or sterilizing – Using sonic or ultrasonic energy
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-18
2001-05-01
Thornton, Krisanne (Department: 1744)
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Process disinfecting, preserving, deodorizing, or sterilizing
Using sonic or ultrasonic energy
C204S166000, C261SDIG004, C366S015000, C366S120000, C422S128000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224826
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sterilizing method and apparatus for sterilizing or eliminating pathogens living in water. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a sterilizing method and apparatus that are capable of safely sterilizing or eliminating pathogenic protozoa having a shell and other bacteria.
At present, the disinfection of water by utility companies is performed using chlorine. For sterilizing purposes, however, disinfection using chlorine is ineffective against pathogenic protozoa having a shell such as, for example, cryptosporidium.
The use of powerful chemicals may be effective in enhancing the sterilizing effect. In this case, however, even if the sterilizing effect is attained, there arises the problem of environmental pollution. Thus, without careful consideration, the use of such chemicals must be avoided.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,993 describes a method of sterilizing a continuous flow of wastewater containing bacteria which includes applying high frequency sound waves to the continuous flow of wastewater to cause cavitation in the wastewater. However, to the best of the present inventors' knowledge, sterilizing pathogenic protozoa having a shell such as, for example, cryptosporidium is not known in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sterilizing method and apparatus capable of easily disinfecting or sterilizing pathogenic protozoa having a shell such as, for example, cryptosporidium, without contaminating the environment.
For achieving the above-mentioned object, the present invention is provided with sterilizing apparatus for radiating ultrasonic waves to water for drinking to produce cavitation bubbles in the drinking water, thereby sterilizing pathogens living in water.
Not only sterilization but also deodorization and decolorization can be effected by using both an oxidizing effect with ultrasonic waves and chlorine remaining in tap water.
Another object is to provide a sterilizing apparatus and method that separates living bacteria and radiates ultrasonic waves to the living bacteria thereby enabling effective sterilization.
For achieving the above-mentioned object, the present invention is provided with a sterilizing apparatus including electrodes which apply a direct current field to a conduit having a water flowing path so as to collect living bacteria, a collection path for separating the collected living bacteria whose moving path has been changed by the direct current field, an ultrasonic radiator disposed on an outer peripheral side of the conduit to radiate ultrasonic waves to the separated living bacteria through the collection path, the ultrasonic waves having a sufficient intensity to generate cavitation bubbles, and a water flow direction controlling portion provided in the conduit to let the water flow so as to traverse ultrasonic wave surfaces formed by the ultrasonic radiator.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3607675 (1971-09-01), Haines
patent: 4202740 (1980-05-01), Stoner et al.
patent: 5032027 (1991-07-01), Berliner, III
patent: 5126024 (1992-06-01), Bonelli et al.
A handbook of ultrasonic technology Nikkan Kogyo Shinbunsha, pp. 856-859, (with translation of relevant portion). No date available.
Katakura Kageyoshi
Kawabata Ken-ichi
Kurihara Masahiro
Masuzawa Hiroshi
Takei Kazuo
Hitachi , Ltd.
Mattingly Stanger & Malur, P.C.
Thornton Krisanne
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