Electrolytic cell for surface and point of use disinfection
The present invention is an apparatus and method for disinfecting or sanitizing a desired object. The apparatus includes a container for an aqueous solution; the container may be a spray bottle. The apparatus includes an electrolytic cell, containing an electrolyte, an electrical power source, a control circuit for providing an electric charge to the electrolyte to create an oxidant, and a fluid connection between the cell and container to permit introduction of the oxidant into the aqueous solution to create a disinfectant.
1 . A portable apparatus for delivering a sanitizing solution to a surface, the apparatus comprising:
an electrolytic cell for producing at least one oxidant;
a container refillable with a non-sterilizing fluid;
a connection between said electrolytic cell and said container for introducing the at least one oxidant to the non-sterilizing fluid in the container, thereby forming the sanitizing solution in the container; and
an opening in said container through which the sanitizing solution is delivered to the surface.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opening is sealable.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said container comprises a spray bottle.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pumping device.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said pumping device comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of said electrolytic cell, a handle, a spray nozzle, and a spray trigger.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrolytic cell is incorporated into a module attached to said container.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said module is removable from said container.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-sterilizing fluid comprises water or an aqueous solution.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connection comprises a valve.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said valve is opened in response to a pressure of gas produced in said electrolytic cell.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sanitizing solution comprises a free available chlorine concentration of sufficient value to sanitize an object.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one oxidant comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of mixed oxidants, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and combinations thereof.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a portable power source.
14 . The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said power source comprises an element selected from the group consisting of a rechargeable battery and a replaceable battery.
15 . A method of sanitizing a surface, the method comprising the steps of:
filling a portable container with a non-sterilizing fluid;
generating at least one oxidant using an electrolytic cell attached to the container;
transferring the at least one oxidant to the non-sterilizing fluid, thereby forming a sanitizing solution in the container;
transporting the container and the electrolytic cell to a location near the surface; and
delivering the sanitizing solution to the surface.
16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the delivering step comprises pumping the sanitizing solution out of the container.
17 . The method of claim 15 wherein the delivering step comprises spraying the sanitizing solution on the surface.
18 . The method of claim 15 wherein the non-sterilizing fluid comprises water or an aqueous solution.
19 . The method of claim 15 wherein the transferring step comprises opening a valve.
20 . The method of claim 19 wherein the valve is opened in response to a pressure of gas produced in the electrolytic cell.
21 . The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of refilling the container with fresh non-sterilizing solution.
22 . The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of recharging or replacing a portable battery connected to the electrolytic cell.
23 . The method of claim 15 wherein the transferring step comprises raising the free available chlorine concentration of the non-sterilizing fluid to a value sufficient to sanitize an object.
24 . The method of claim 15 wherein the at least one oxidant is selected from the group consisting of mixed oxidants, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and combinations thereof.
25 . The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of monitoring the free available chlorine concentration of the sanitizing solution.
26 . The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of emptying the sanitizing solution from the container after the free available chlorine concentration drops below a predetermined value.