Disinfectant Pouch With Wick and Port Array for Controlled Chlorine Dioxide Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for disinfecting and deodorizing surfaces and airspaces are inefficient due to variable spray patterns, limited coverage, and inconsistent disinfectant release, leading to untreated areas and ineffective sanitization.
Innovation Solution
A disinfectant pouch with a compartment containing a dry reactant that produces chlorine dioxide gas when exposed to water, featuring a wick and array of ports and conduits for controlled fluid uptake, allowing for variable disinfectant release based on moisture levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spray bottles are used to deliver disinfectant to surfaces, then the disinfectant can be applied to surfaces, but the spray patterns are varied and dispersed as mist, leading to portions of surfaces remaining untreated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the disinfectant delivery mechanism from traditional spray bottles and replaces it with a controlled release system using dry reactants that produce chlorine dioxide gas. This eliminates the mist dispersion problem by using a solid-state reactant system with controlled fluid uptake through wicks and porous materials, providing consistent coverage without variable spray patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical spray system (pump, nozzle, trigger mechanism) with a chemical system where dry reactants produce gas through controlled reaction with water. The fluid uptake is controlled passively through capillary action in wicks and porous materials, eliminating the need for mechanical actuation and providing consistent disinfectant release without user-dependent spray patterns.
2Area of stationary object
If aerosols are used to disinfect airborne pathogens, then the disinfectant can fill an enclosed area, but the release is limited in time and area, preventing effective disinfection of entire spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a dynamic release system where the rate of disinfectant production adjusts automatically based on moisture availability. The dry reactants continue to produce chlorine dioxide gas as long as water is available to react with them, extending the duration of action from limited aerosol bursts to continuous release over extended periods, thereby covering entire spaces effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous disinfectant release through a sustained chemical reaction between dry reactants and water. The system maintains continuous gas production by utilizing wicks and porous materials that continuously supply moisture to the reactants, eliminating the intermittent release characteristic of aerosol systems and ensuring prolonged coverage of entire enclosed spaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If plug-in or wall mounted units are used for deodorizing, then the units can release deodorizing particles, but they require electricity or motion activation and release disinfectant at a predetermined constant rate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a self-service system where the dry reactant package automatically activates and regulates its own disinfectant release based on environmental moisture conditions. No external power source, motion activation, or complex control systems are required—the system self-regulates through passive capillary action and chemical reaction, eliminating device complexity while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements variable release rates by changing the physical parameters of the system, specifically the moisture content available to the dry reactants. The release rate dynamically adjusts based on humidity levels and water availability, allowing the system to adapt to different environmental conditions without requiring external control mechanisms or power sources.
4Productivity
If constant rate disinfectant release is used, then the release mechanism is simple, but the effectiveness is limited as rapid release and slow release cannot be provided simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates different local conditions within the same system to achieve variable release rates. Different regions of the dry reactant package experience different moisture availability through the wick and porous material structure, allowing simultaneous rapid release in areas with high moisture and slow release in areas with limited moisture, thereby providing both release rates concurrently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the release rate based on changing environmental conditions and moisture availability. As water is consumed or environmental humidity changes, the release rate automatically transitions between rapid and slow phases, providing adaptive effectiveness without requiring complex control systems or multiple separate devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The pouch provides consistent and controlled release of chlorine dioxide gas, ensuring thorough disinfection and deodorization of spaces, overcoming limitations of existing technologies by allowing adjustable release rates and improved coverage.
Implementation Method 1
A wick is at least partially disposed within the compartment
Implementation Method 2
At least one dry reactant is retained within the compartment, the at least one dry reactant producing chlorine dioxide gas when exposed to water
Implementation Method 3
the first layer of material and the second layer of material are impermeable to water and permeable to gas
Data Source
AI summary
A disinfectant device including a pouch, the pouch including a first layer of material coupled to a second layer of material and defining a compartment therebetween. At least one dry reactant is retained within the compartment, the at least one dry reactant producing chlorine dioxide gas when exposed to water. A wick is at least partially disposed within the compartment. At least one from the group consisting of the first layer of material and the second layer of material define an array of ports along a periphery of the pouch and an array of fluid conduits, the array of fluid conduits being proximal to the array of ports, offset from the array of ports, in fluid communication with the wick, the compartment, and the array of ports.