Electrolytic cell for surface and point of use disinfection

Abstract

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.