Apparatus and systems with timer for air-borne cleaning of surfaces

Abstract

There is provided a system and method of cleaning surfaces of an enclosable environment of a contamination comprising a microbial and viral load. The method includes the steps of sealing the enclosable environment and placing water, and a solid or gel pack, into a container and generating a vortex the container by rotating an impeller. The agitation causes the solid or gel pack to release a gaseous cleaning agent. An air-borne spray exiting from the container spreads throughout the enclosable environment to contact the surfaces to be cleaned within the enclosable environment. The enclosable environment is maintained closed for an effective time period while the air-borne spray dwells on the surfaces to eliminate or substantially reduce the load of the contamination.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning contaminated surfaces in an enclosable environment, the contamination comprising any one or more of a microbial load, a viral load, and malodorous matter, the method comprising: placing water and a solid or gel pack into a container of a treatment apparatus, the solid or gel pack configured to release a gaseous cleaning agent upon mixing with water; sealing the enclosable environment with the treatment apparatus contained therein; automatically, by preset timer, activating a motor of the treatment apparatus to agitate the water with an impeller in the container to thereby generate a vortex of water within the container of the treatment apparatus, the generation of the vortex causing an air-borne spray of liquid and gaseous cleaning agent to exit from a top end of the container and to contact the contaminated surfaces in the enclosable environment; and automatically terminating the motor when the preset timer has elapsed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sealing the interior cabin space comprises closing doors and windows, and closing air vents of an air circulation system from ingress or exit of air from the enclosable environment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of placing a solid chemical comprises placing a solid or gel pack comprising a chemical composition that releases chlorine dioxide when mixed with water.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of sealing the enclosable environment comprises recirculating air via the air circulation system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the motor of the apparatus is powered by a rechargeable battery.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the motor of the apparatus is in communication with the timer, and is controlled to activate and terminate by the timer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the enclosable environment is a cabin of a vehicle equipped with cup holders, and the treatment apparatus is sized to fit inside a cup-holder.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating a light to indicate to an observer that it is safe to enter the enclosed environment.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the light is automatically activated after the automatic termination of the motor.

10. A system for cleaning a plurality of enclosable environments sequentially, each of the plurality of enclosable environments having therein contaminated surfaces having any one or more of a microbial load, a viral load, and malodorous matter, the system comprising: a plurality of treatment apparatus, wherein at least one of the plurality of treatment apparatus is placed in a first one of the plurality of enclosable environments, wherein each of the plurality of treatment apparatus includes: a container configured to receive water and a solid or gel pack, the solid or gel pack configured to release a gaseous cleaning agent upon mixing with water; an impeller disposed within the container; a motor coupled to the impeller; and a timer configured to automatically activate the motor of the at least one treatment apparatus to agitate the water with the impeller to thereby generate a vortex within the container, the vortex causing an air-borne spray of comprising water and the gaseous cleaning agent to exit from a top end of the container and to contact the contaminated surfaces in the first one of the plurality of enclosable environments, wherein the timer is further configured to automatically terminate the motor upon expiration of a predetermined time, thereby completing a cleaning cycle.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the first enclosable environment is a cabin of a vehicle, and the at least one treatment apparatus is sized to fit inside a cup-holder inside the cabin.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the first enclosable environment is selected from rooms in a house, hotel rooms, hospital rooms, rooms in homes for the aged, intensive care units, surgery rooms, yoga rooms, gyms, restaurants, ships cabins and passenger-use spaces on cruise vessels, trains, buses, and aircraft cabins.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the contaminated surfaces include a viral contamination selected from SARS, MERS, COVID-19, bacteria, fungi and malodorous matter.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one treatment apparatus further includes an associated indicator light that is automatically activated, after the cleaning cycle is complete.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein a treatment apparatus selected from a plurality of treatment apparatus is assigned to each of the plurality of enclosable environments, and the selected treatment apparatus are activated sequentially by their respective timers.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the plurality of treatment apparatus each further includes an associated indicator light that is automatically activated after the respective cleaning cycle of each of the plurality of treatment apparatus is complete, to indicate that it is safe to enter the enclosable environment wherein the respective treatment apparatus is located.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the plurality of enclosable spaces comprises a plurality of used vehicles.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the plurality of enclosable spaces comprises a plurality of hotel rooms.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the plurality of enclosable spaces is selected from at least one of: rooms in a house, hospital rooms, rooms in homes for the aged, intensive care units, surgery rooms, yoga rooms, gyms, restaurants, ships cabins and passenger-use spaces on cruise vessels, trains, buses, and aircraft cabins.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages, of the present technology will become more readily appreciated by reference to the following Detailed Description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying simplified drawings of exemplary embodiments. The drawings, briefly described here below, are not to scale, are presented for ease of explanation and do not limit the scope of the inventions recited in the accompanying patent claims.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment illustrating some of the steps of the method of cleaning contaminated surfaces in an enclosed space.

(3) FIG. 2A is an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus showing the generation of a gaseous cleaning agent from its container.

(4) FIG. 2B is an exemplary cutaway illustration of a vehicle showing the exemplary embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 2A emitting an air-borne gaseous cleaning agent throughout the cabin.

(5) FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus useful in the methods and systems for cleaning contaminated surfaces in an enclosed space.

(6) FIG. 3B is an exploded view showing components of the apparatus of FIG. 3A.

(7) FIGS. 4A and B depict alternative views of another exemplary lid for an exemplary apparatus like that of FIGS. 3A and B.

(8) FIG. 5 is a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment illustrating some of the steps of the method of cleaning contaminated surfaces using a timer-equipped embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in an enclosed space

(9) FIG. 6A is an illustrative depiction of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, equipped with a timer, that is battery-powered with the battery inside the apparatus.

(10) FIG. 6B is an illustrative depiction of an exemplary embodiment of an inline timer for use with an apparatus according to the invention that is corded to receive power and is powered by a power source outside the apparatus.

(11) FIG. 7 is an illustrative depiction of the use of a plurality of apparatus according to the invention to treat a plurality of enclosable spaces wherein there are surfaces that may be contaminated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) In The following non-limiting detailed descriptions of examples of embodiments of the inventions may refer to appended Figure drawings and are not limited to the drawings, which are merely presented for enhancing explanations of features of the technology. In addition, the detailed descriptions may refer to particular terms of art, some of which are defined herein, as appropriate and necessary for clarity.

(13) The term “cabin” as used in the specification and claims refer to a space containing contaminated surfaces that can readily be enclosed, for example by closing doors, windows and air vent system, if any, of the space such that air inside the space is neither withdrawn nor added to. The air may be allowed to re-circulate in the cabin however, by activation of an air circulation system, for example, or use of a fan in the cabin. This is useful to also treat ductwork in the air circulation system to remove malodors and to remove or reduce any microbial or viral load.

(14) The terms “enclosable environment,” or enclosable space” is meant as synonymous with “cabin,” but for the sake of clarity these terms include, but are not limited to, rooms in a house, hotel rooms, hospital rooms, rooms in homes for the aged, intensive care units, surgery rooms, yoga rooms, gyms, restaurants, ships cabins and passenger-use spaces on cruise vessels, trains, buses, aircraft cabins, and the like. So, this should not be read as limited to commonly understood vehicular cabins. In general, the terms encompass living spaces, and other spaces, that humans use regularly, even if intermittently, and that contain surfaces on which microbial life forms can dwell as a potential source for spread of infection.

(15) The term “coating” or “coat” as is used in reference to a coating a cleaning agent onto surfaces, means that the cleaning agent (by an air-borne mist of fine liquid droplets and a gaseous cleaning agent) contacts the surfaces, and the coating may be discontinuous in some contacted areas of surface. The surfaces may include, but are not limited to, fine surface textures, surface patterns, and tight interstitial spaces such as found, for example, in stitched seats and dash boards, couches, textiles, tiles, bedding, carpets, table tops, chairs, floors, wood, interior boundaries (such as walls, ceilings), cabinets, beds, bedding materials, etc.

(16) The terms “contamination” or “contamination load” when used in reference to surfaces within a cabin means microbial, fungal, or viral contamination and also includes contaminants that cause a malodorous scent, for example, of decayed organic matter, fecal matter, and the like.

(17) The term “effective period of time” as it relates to the time that the cleaning agent dwells in a cabin for cleaning of surfaces therein, the effective period may vary from about 3 to about 20 minutes; and in particular may be from about 3 to about 10 minutes. More or less time may also be effective, depending upon the degree of cleaning (extent of contaminant load reduction) to be achieved, the nature of the chemical cleaning agent used, and the number of repetitions of treatment sequentially, if such repetition is necessary. For example, some cabin spaces may have surfaces so heavily contaminated as to require more than one treatment, or to require that the gaseous cleaning agent dwell on surfaces for up to 8 hours, or overnight, to achieve a desired level of cleanliness, deodorization, sanitization or disinfection, as applicable.

(18) The term “sealing” in the context of sealing a cabin or an enclosable environment/space means that windows doors and other ingress or exit points are closed. However, if the cabin or the enclosable environment/space has an air duct system that can be set to recirculate air, then setting it to recirculate falls within the meaning of the term “sealing” and it allows potential cleaning of the air duct system.

(19) The term “significant reduction in contamination load” means that the contamination load of a particular contaminating species is reduced by at least 80% after cleaning in exemplary embodiments, or in some exemplary embodiments at least 98% after cleaning.

(20) Several of the following examples discussed in relation to the Figures may relate, for ease of explanation, to vehicles, but it should be understood that the explanations are also applicable to “enclosable environments,” as defined herein.

(21) Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary flowchart, there are several straightforward steps in the system or method depicted. Once the process starts at block 110, the cabin with contaminated surfaces inside to be treated is closed at block 120. For example, in a used car such as exemplified in FIG. 2 as 180, all doors, windows and the air circulation system, are closed off. Thus, air does not enter or leave the cabin except for natural flow around seals of doors and windows, which may occur in a closed cabin. A door is opened, and an apparatus (explained later with reference to FIGS. 3A and B, and 4A and B) containing liquid with a chemical in solid or gel pack form is placed in the cabin at block 130, and the cabin is closed. (Note that step 120 may take place after step 130; the order is not important). After a few minutes, the chemical in the closed apparatus generates a gaseous cleaning agent and the water becomes slightly cloudy as a result. At this stage the motor of the apparatus is activated in block 140. A nozzle of the apparatus is open, if it was not open already, and the nozzle is sized such that flow of gaseous agent through the nozzle erupts upward, as lava from a volcano, and flows throughout the cabin interior, as shown in FIG. 2B by arrows 205. The nozzle, as explained below, has internal structures, like baffles, that remove entrained large liquid droplets from the gaseous cleaning agent stream as it exits from the apparatus. It is theorized, without being bound, that smaller fine droplets are entrained and assist in the coating and permeation of surfaces with the gaseous cleaning agent. As with any chemical cleaning agent, the agent should be allowed to dwell on the surfaces for a period of time effective for a significant reduction in the contamination load, as in block 150. Optionally, during this period of waiting (block 150), the vehicle being treated (block 160) may activate the air circulation system, in recirculation mode. this would allow the cleaning agent to enter the ducting and filters that form part of the air circulation system and clean these of potential allergens, microbes, viruses and fungi, as well. After an effective period of time has elapsed, and entry into the cabin is deemed safe, the cabin can be opened in block 170, and the cleaning process is complete.

(22) An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus useful in carrying out the systems and methods of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4A and 4B. As shown, the apparatus 200 has a container 210, with sides that are gently convex-curved, and that has a base 220 at one end and a lid 250 at the other end. The container 210 has a diameter 212 at its upper end that is larger than its diameter 214 near its base 220. The base 220 contains a motor driven by either a battery pack (rechargeable or not) inside the base, or by electrical connection to an electrical outlet. A spindle 226 is seated on an engaging wheel 224 that engages with motor spindle 222 and rotates in unison with motor spindle 222. An impeller 230 has a cavity 232 that friction fits to the spindle 226 so that the impeller 230 rotates as the spindle 226 rotates. The impeller in the exemplary embodiment shown has a “double horse-shoe shape” with one horse shoe 234 curved downward, and the other 236 curved upward so that the two are conjoined in a common plane at their respective apexes of curvature. This design facilitates creation of a vortex shape when liquid in container 210 is agitated by the rotating impeller in the container at speed, although other impeller shapes may also achieve the function of vortex creation. A protective cover 228 shields the motor from contents of the container 210, and fits around the spindle 226, which projects out axially through a hole in the center of the cover. The spindle is appropriately sealed against the hole to avoid or minimize leakage into a space under the cover 228.

(23) Referring more particularly to FIGS. 4A and B, an alternative illustrated exemplary embodiment of the lid 250 can be either friction fit to the upper end of the container 210 by engaging an upper lip of the container, or can be screwed onto the container 210 by threading 260 on the lower end 262 of lid 250 that engages corresponding threading on the container upper lip (not shown). The lid 250 has a top 252 that has a nozzle 254, equipped with a nozzle closing tab 256, extending from it. Referring briefly to FIG. 2A, when in use, the exemplary container 210 is partially filled with water 272, and a solid 275 or a gel pack 275 that releases the gaseous cleaning agent when in contact with water, is placed in the water container. The cleaning gas begins to evolve more quickly when the motor is activated; gas evolution accelerates due to agitation from rotating impeller 230, as shown by arrow 235, which causes the water to form a vortex in the container 210, as shown. (In some instances it is desirable to allow the solid or gel pack to dissolve at least partially, if not completely, before the motor is activated.) Once sufficient gaseous agent has evolved, the gaseous cleaning agent erupts upward out through the nozzle as an air-borne spray to fill the cabin space and commence cleaning surfaces. Thus, the nozzle 254 has an inner diameter 255 shown in FIG. 4A that is sized to cause gaseous cleaning agent emissions from the container through the nozzle at a speed such that the emissions have both velocity and momentum to cause an air-borne spray that travels throughout the desired region of the cabin space to be cleaned. For example, the air-borne spray velocity is sufficient to travel through the cabin of a car. In other embodiments, such as for a large SUV or a cabin of a tractor trailer rig, more than one apparatus may be needed to achieve total cabin permeation by the air-borne spray. To avoid emitting foam and/or large droplets from the container, the lid includes a baffle 264, exemplified by a cart-wheel structure with spaces between the spokes covered with a fine mesh material 266, in its base area. In addition, the nozzle may include a further baffle 258, at its base, that includes perforations for flow of the gaseous cleaning agent.

(24) While the gaseous cleaning agent has been described as chlorine dioxide, other gaseous agents that perform the same or similar function may also be useful and are encompassed in the claims here below. In addition, odorizing substances may be added to impart a pleasant smell to the interior of the cleaned cabin, or to mask any “chemical” smell.

(25) Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary process flowchart, there are several straightforward steps in the system or method 500 depicted that uses a timer-equipped apparatus. Once the process starts at block 510, the enclosable environment with contaminated surfaces inside to be treated is closed at block 520. For example, all doors, windows and the air circulation system, are closed off so that the enclosable environment is essentially closed off from the outside environment. Thus, air does not enter or leave the enclosable environment except for any natural flow around seals of doors and windows, which may occur. Before or after this step, a door is opened, and a timer-equipped apparatus containing liquid with a chemical in solid or gel pack form is placed in the enclosable environment at block 530. (Note that step 520 may take place after step 530; the order is not important, as long as the enclosable environment is closed before the apparatus is activated.). The timer of the apparatus is set in block 540. The timer has a delay to allow an operator to exit the enclosable environment before the motor is activated. This delay can be set to a suitable time, such as 1 or minute, or more, or less, as necessary in the circumstances. After the timer activates the motor of the apparatus in step 550, generating a vortex in the container, the chemical in the apparatus generates a gaseous cleaning agent. An air-borne spray of gaseous cleaning agent and liquid exits upward, as lava from a volcano, and flows throughout the cabin interior, as shown in FIG. 2B by arrows 205. It is theorized, without being bound, that smaller fine liquid droplets are entrained and contact and assist in the coating and permeation of surfaces with the gaseous cleaning agent. The timer allows sufficient time for the cleaning agent to dwell on surfaces and clean these surfaces. Optionally, during this period the air circulation system may be shutdown or may be in recirculation mode as in block 560. If it is in recirculation mode, this would allow the cleaning agent to enter the ducting and filters that form part of the air circulation system and clean these of potential allergens, microbes, viruses and fungi, as well. After the timer expires, the motor is stopped in block 570.

(26) After the motor is stopped, again optionally, the air circulation may be turned on to assist in dissipating the gaseous cleaning agent, as in block 580. After a period of time has elapsed, the expiration light will activate in block 590 signaling to the operator that it is safe to enter the enclosable environment because the gaseous cleaning agent has sufficiently dissipated. The period of elapsed time from motor deactivation to light activation can be set at a suitable time based on whether there is air circulation ongoing or not, and other factors that promote gaseous cleaning agent dissipation. Typically, in the range of about 3 to about 5 minutes. Then in block 595 the cleaning process is completed, and the operator can enter to retrieve the apparatus.

(27) Referring now to FIG. 6A, depicting an exemplary variant of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the apparatus 200 has a battery housed in the apparatus (not shown), and is equipped with a circuit board 270 having an integrated chip thereon with timer functionality. The circuit board is concealed in the base of the battery-powered apparatus, as shown, but an LED light 272 and a start button 274 both protrude from the base and are easily seen and accessed by an operator. Thus, the timer can be preset for (1) a first time that is a time delay to allow an operator time to leave after the start button 274 is depressed and (2) a second, operating time, that commences after the first time has elapsed, and when the motor (not shown) is activated. Upon elapse of the operating time, the motor is deactivated.

(28) As an exemplary alternative, when the apparatus 200 is not battery powered, but relies on an external power source, the power can be provided, for example, by an electrical cable 288 with connector at one end 292 extending to the power source 292 and connector 290 at the other end plugging into the apparatus 200. The timer may conveniently be carried in a USB-type device 280 with integrated chip (with timer functionality) that can be connected inline in the cable 288, as shown, via opposed ends 282, 284. The USB-type IC timer device has both a start button 285 as well as an indicator light. Of course, other means may also be used, and are within the scope of this disclosure.

(29) Further, the indicator light may be separate from the apparatus 200. Indeed, it may be independently timed. It may also be set apart from the apparatus, for example on the roof of a car being treated, or in the hallway of a hotel outside the room being treated, and the like for convenience.

(30) FIG. 7 depicts schematically in 700 a plurality of enclosable environments (1, 2, 3 . . . n), where n is as many enclosable environments as a lined up in the series comprising the plurality) that are each being serviced by an embodiment of an apparatus (1a, 2a, 3a . . . na) where n is as many apparatus as the enclosable environments) according to the invention. This use of a plurality n of apparatus to treat a plurality n of enclosable environments almost simultaneously, one after the other in rapid succession saves time and is an efficient use of labor. For example, in treating a number of used vehicles, these can be lined up and an operator can place an apparatus in each one after the other. Once he/she reaches the last of the plurality of vehicles n, the indicator light on the first 1x might have lighted up and the apparatus 1a in the vehicle can be retrieved. And so can all the others in series as the indicator lights (1x, 2x, 3x . . . nx) are activated. At the same time cars can be moved and others parked to take their place so that the operation becomes almost continuous.

(31) Of course, in the example of FIG. 7, the enclosable spaces could be hotel rooms along a hallway, compartments on a train, and indeed, any enclosable environments susceptible to more efficient cleaning in series in the manner herein described.

(32) While examples of embodiments of the technology have been presented and described in text and some examples also by way of illustration, it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made in the described technology without departing from the scope of the inventions, which are set forth in and only limited by the scope of the appended patent claims, as properly interpreted and construed.