Electrochemical towel apparatus and operating methods thereof

Abstract

Apparatus, and methods of operating such apparatus to produce disposable towels moistened with aqueous solution containing hypohalous acid.

1 . A method of producing a towel product moistened with an aqueous solution containing a hypohalous acid (HOX), using a towel dispenser having a towel dispensing path, the method comprising:
 (a) producing, from a length of towel disposed in the towel dispenser, a length of treated towel, at least a portion of which being moistened with the aqueous solution containing the hypohalous acid (HOX); and   (b) discharging said length of treated towel from the towel dispenser.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , herein said producing includes generating the hypohalous acid (HOX) within the towel dispenser. 
     
     
         3 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said discharging is effected via a discharge port or slot in the towel dispenser. 
     
     
         6 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous solution has a pH within a range of 2 to 12. 
     
     
         9 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said length of towel in the towel dispenser is part of a roll of towel. 
     
     
         13 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said container houses an electrochemical cell. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising operating said electrochemical cell within said container to produce the hypohalous acid (HOX) or to substantially maintain a concentration thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said producing includes applying the aqueous solution to said length of towel, to produce said length of treated towel. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applying of the aqueous solution is effected by spraying. 
     
     
         19 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said aqueous electrochemical cell is an asymmetric electrochemical cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising feeding said aqueous electrochemical cell with an aqueous, halide-containing solution. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said aqueous, halide-containing solution contains at least 50 ppm halide, said halide optionally including chloride. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said aqueous, halide-containing solution is tap water. 
     
     
         29 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said producing and said discharging are performed at least partially in a concurrent fashion. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said length of towel is made of paper. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said length of towel includes, or is made of, a woven fabric. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said length of towel includes, or is made of, a non-woven fabric. 
     
     
         36 . A towel dispensing apparatus for producing an aqueous solution containing a hypohalous acid (HOX), and for moistening a length of towel of a roll of disposable towel therewith, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a housing having an opening dimensioned to allow the length of towel therethrough;   (b) a rotating axis, disposed within said housing, said rotating axis dimensioned to receive a core of the roll of disposable towel therearound;   (c) a dispensing mechanism adapted, in an operative dispensing mode, with the roll of disposable towel disposed with said core around said rotating axis, and with an end of the roll of disposable towel engaged by said dispensing mechanism, to advance, or enable to advance, the length of towel along a towel dispensing path, and through said opening;   (d) a production mechanism adapted to electrochemically produce, within said housing, the aqueous solution containing the hypohalous acid, and to provide the aqueous solution on the length of towel so as to produce a moistened length of towel that is moistened with the aqueous solution containing the hypohalous acid.   
     
     
         37 . The towel dispensing apparatus of  claim 36 , further comprising a controller adapted to activate said production mechanism, in response to a user demand. 
     
     
         38 . The towel dispensing apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein said production mechanism includes a sprayer assembly adapted to spray a liquid towards said towel dispensing path, within said housing. 
     
     
         39 - 46 . (canceled)