Apparatus and method for treating impurities in air and materials

Abstract

An apparatus and method for sanitizing, decontaminating, deodorizing, conditioning, drying, treating, cleaning, modifying and/or otherwise improving an atmosphere within a container. The container can be a bag or other housing for equipment, food and/or suitable material. Ozone is generated within an atmosphere that is exposed to the materials. The generated ozone is mixed with the atmosphere. At least a portion of the generated ozone is then removed from the mixed atmosphere. The apparatus and method of this invention can be used to treat contaminated sports equipment and the like, as well as to treat food storage atmospheres, such as those exposed to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates to a material and / or air cleaning apparatus and a method for removing impurities from the air, resulting in air that has been deodorized, dried, sanitized, treated, modified, improved and / or otherwise cleaned of undesired contaminants. More specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus and a method that uses UV light to generate ozone, uses the ozone to destroy impurities in the air, and then uses UV light to destroy ozone so that damaging ozone does not contact the sensitive materials or surfaces being cleaned.[0003]2. Discussion of Related Art[0004]A wide range of sports equipment is designed and used to protect the human body from injury. Equipment pieces are relatively large, bulky, oddly shaped, fitted with straps, and difficult to wash and dry. In soccer, a player wears shin guards and ankle guards to protect the lower leg. In hockey, a player wears knee pads, a chest protector, elbow...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024]The system of this invention, which includes the apparatus and/or the method, can produce ozone to destroy contaminants and then used to dissociate the excess ozone back to oxygen in order to maintain appropriate levels of ozone within the storage container. The system of this invention provides a number of significant benefits compared to existing technology.

[0025]Circulation of air and ozone through a well designed mixing unit can be more efficient at cleaning the air than by injecting gaseous ozone, at non-hazardous levels, into still or calm air or other ambient conditions. It appears that at low concentrations of ozone, random encounters with contaminants is too slow of a process. However, there can be significant benefits to combining both of these methods to maximize benefits from ozone use.

[0026]This invention provides two opportunities to oxidize the odors and the microorganisms, one in an air

Problems solved by technology

Equipment pieces are relatively large, bulky, oddly shaped, fitted with straps, and difficult to wash and dry.

If not properly dried or cleaned, the sweat-soaked equipment becomes a site for growth of bacteria, mold, mildew, fungus, and other microorganisms that can spread disease, cause odor and/or damage or discolor the equipment.

The equipment and the bag, bin or other storage container can become malodorous.

Odors from the equipment can emanate from or through the container and make unpleasant the corresponding room, such as a vehicle compartment.

The ozone directly contacts the sports equipment, which can be a serious problem because ozone can destroy many equipment materials, such as when the ozone exists in air at concentrations that are high enough to kill undesirable microorganisms.

Also, ozone is a lung irritant and can leak out of the equipment bag and dangerously be inhaled, such as when the user opens the sports equipment bag.

These safety issues ca

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