Ozone laundering system and method

Abstract

An open-loop ozone washing system for safely washing with high levels of ozone is shown and described. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one washer having a drain in fluid communication with a sewer. The system also includes an ozone source, which is preferably an ozone generator. The system also includes an off-gas control system operably connected to at least one washer. Using such a configuration, the washer can safely wash with a liquid wash bath having about 2 ppm to about 20 ppm ozone. The present invention also includes kits and methods for converting traditional washing machines to open-loop ozone washing machines.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 853,535 filed Oct. 23, 2006.BACKGROUND[0002](1) Field[0003]The present invention relates generally to ozone laundering machines and methods, and more particularly to open-loop ozone laundering machines and methods. Additionally, the present invention relates to kits for converting traditional washing machines to open-loop ozone laundering machines configured to launder with high concentrations of ozone.[0004](2) Related Art[0005]Ozone is created when oxygen comes in contact with either ultraviolet light or electricity. The ultraviolet light or electricity breaks some of the oxygen molecules, each consisting of a pair of single oxygen atoms, into numerous single oxygen atoms. These single oxygen atoms reform into ozone (O3) molecules. The use of ozone to assist in the laundering of articles is known in both closed-loop recycle systems and open-loop systems.[0006]Closed-loop recycl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]In another embodiment, the open-loop ozone laundry system includes at least one washer in fluid communication with a water intake and a drain. The washer also has a door configured to be sealed during operation to reduce ozone escape. An indirect ozone source is configured to dissolve ozone into water traveling through the water intake. An off-gas control system is operably attached to at least one washer. The off-gas control system includes an ozone destruct having a catalyst. A liquid wash bath is located in at least one washer. The liquid wash bath has about 2 ppm to about 10 ppm ozone. In preferred embodiments, the liquid wash bath consists essentially of water, ozone, and any laundry added to the bath (prior to the addition of reducing agent by an ozone-kill injection system). Using the present invention, adequate washing can be achieved without the addition of bleach, alkali, detergent, etc., and potentially harmful off-gassing is controlled.

Problems solved by technology

With both open-loop and closed-loop systems, and particularly with open-loop systems, off-gassing ozone into the environment is cause for concern.

Using an open-loop strategy with a conventional washing machine, high levels of ozone cannot be safely used and open-loop systems commonly supplement ozone with large amounts of detergents and / or alkalis and bleaches.

These types of machines use even larger amounts of chemicals, e.g., detergents and bleach, and require even more rinse water to adequately remove chemical traces from the laundered items.

Traditional washing machines, especially commercial machines, are expensive.

Consumers, particularly commercial organizations, e.g., hospitals or hotels that purchase commercial machines in multiple unit quantities, may be reluctant to replace operational traditional machines with high cost ozone washing systems simply to reduce water or chemical consumption.

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