The present disclosure relates to the area of decontamination. Particularly, the present
disclosure relates to a decontamination apparatus based on ozone. More particularly
5 the present disclosure relates to decontamination apparatus along with an ozone
reducer.
BACKGROUND OF DISLCOSURE
10 The information in this section merely provides background information related to the
present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, gloves,
face shields, goggles, masks, shoes and/or respirators or other equipment designed to
15 protect the wearer from injury or the infection or illness. The PPEs are commonly used
in the area of healthcare and essential for healthcare professionals such as doctors,
nursing, hospital staffs and clinical labs personnel.
The most important and crucial part of PPE is the mask which protects the wearer's
20 nose and mouth from splashes or sprays of body fluids. It also helps to stop droplets
from being spread by the person wearing them. They also keep splashes or sprays from
reaching the mouth and nose of the person wearing the mask and are useful when
cleaning up spills of infectious materials. Since, mask is exposed to extreme/adverse
environment (such as bacterial, virus and other type of airborne particulate matters)
25 proper cleaning and decontamination of mask plays a crucial role.
Since the shape and configuration of mask is very complex and there are very intricate
areas in the structure of mask. Also, in case of epidemic or pandemic there may be
shortage of mask and a need may arise to reuse the same mask. Therefore, it is
3
important to sanitize the used mask and reuse to reduce the shortage while avoiding the
spread of the infection.
There are various sanitization techniques available such using dry heat, ethylene oxide
5 (EO) with devices in a fixed rigid chamber, H2O2 plasma, Moist heat or steam and
Radiation (e.g., gamma, electron beam). However, none of the existing techniques can
be effectively and safely applied for mask sanitization. One of the reasons for same
could be stringent requirements of low Sterility Assurance Level (SAL) such as 10-6
.
SAL basically describes the probability of the survival of an individual microorganism
10 and a very effective sterilization process has a very low SAL over all the surfaces.
As mentioned above mask has intricate shape and the existing techniques such as hot
and wet techniques used in the area of sanitization are not appropriate for sanitization
of as their material integrity may be impacted when the mask is exposed to hot
15 temperatures or soaking may lead to dilation of pores which in turn may impact their
efficacy of protection.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
20 The one or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by an assembly as claimed
and additional advantages are provided through the provision of assembly as claimed
in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the
techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure
are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
25
In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure a decontamination apparatus
comprising a housing defining a chamber adapted to receive a tray configured to hold
the articles to be sanitized ; an ozone lamp disposed inside the chamber which is
4
configured to generate ozone gas; an ozone reducer fluidly connectable with the
chamber configured to convert the ozone gas formed in the chamber into oxygen gas .
In an embodiment a circulation unit fluidly connectable with the chamber ; wherein the
5 circulation unit is configured to receive ozone generated in the chamber through an
opening in the housing is configured to circulate the ozone gas inside the chamber to
enhance the exposure of the articles to the ozone gas.
In an embodiment the articles are mask or pluralities of masks or surgical instruments
10 or any other suitable articles.
In an embodiment the tray comprises one or more plates arranged vertically with a gap
between the plates wherein each plate comprises a plurality of pipes configured to
receive the ozone gas from the circulation unit ; a plurality of perforations formed on
15 a surface of plate and is configured to uniformly distribute the ozone gas received from
pipe ; a plurality of fixtures positioned on the surface of plate to hold the article in the
pre-calculated position and to sanitize the mask uniformly.
In an embodiment the circulation unit is fluidly connectable with a flow distribution
20 channel wherein the flow distribution channel comprises a flow distribution pipe
configured with an outlet pipe of the circulation unit .
In an embodiment the flow distribution pipe is branched into multiple conduits and
the multiple conduits are branched into plurality of tubes which are configured with the
25 plurality of pipes of the plates of the tray .
In an embodiment the ozone gas is received in the plate of the tray and exits from the
perforations thereby the ozone gas comes in contact with the internal surface of the
mask.
5
In an embodiment the circulation unit is a blower which may be located inside or
outside the housing.
5 In an embodiment the ozone reducer is configured with an ozone pipe fluidity
connected with the chamber and circulation unit and the ozone reducer comprises a
swirler configured to increases the turbulence of the ozone flowing in it ; a UVC bulb
adapted to reduce the ozone formed in the chamber into oxygen gas.
10 In an embodiment an ozone depletion valve fluidity connected with the ozone reducer
and the circulation unit is configured to control the flow of ozone gas inside the ozone
reducer.
In an embodiment the swirler has corrugated surface which are coated or layered or
15 sprayed with the ozone reducer agents such as silver titanium dioxide (Ag-TiO2) or
manganese oxide ( Mn3O4/MnO) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or any other suitable
catalyst for reducing the ozone gas into oxygen gas .
In an embodiment the ozone gas is recirculated from the chamber to the ozone reducer
20 continuously till ozone gas is reduced to oxygen gas.
In an embodiment an exhaust vent configured to discharge the deozonized air from
chamber and is configured to circulate fresh oxygen inside the chamber to ensure that
the mask is properly clean from ozone gas.
25
In an embodiment the ozone bulb is configured to generate ozone inside the chamber
until the ozone level inside the chamber reaches in the range of 3000-6000 PPM*min.
6
In a non-limiting alternate embodiment of the disclosure a decontamination apparatus
comprising a housing defining a chamber configured to receive a tray which is adapted
to hold the articles to be sanitized; an ozone lamp disposed in the chamber which is
adapted to generate ozone gas inside the chamber ; a pump fluidly connectable with
5 the chamber ; where in the pump is configured to create a pressure inside the chamber
lower than the atmospheric pressure thereby improving exposure of the articles to the
ozone gas ; an ozone reducer fluidly connectable with the chamber ; wherein the ozone
reducer is configured to reduce the level of ozone gas into oxygen gas.
10 In an embodiment, the article to sanitized are mask or pluralities of masks or surgical
instruments or any other suitable articles.
In an embodiment, the mask is configured with a fixture in order to increase the surface
of mask for sanitation and is secured inside a sterile package .
15
In an embodiment the sterile package is having a semi permeable membrane configured
to allow the ozone gas inside the mask in order to sanitize the mask properly.
In an embodiment the ozone bulb is configured to generate ozone inside the chamber
20 within the range of 3000-6000 PPM*min wherein the chamber is having mask.
In an embodiment the ozone bulb is configured to generate ozone inside the chamber
within the range of 12000 PPM*min to 18000 PPM*min wherein the chamber is
having mask secured within the sterile package and relative humidity of 60%- 90 % is
25 maintained inside the chamber.
In an embodiment the partial vacuum in the chamber lies within the range of -0.6 Bar
to -0.2 Bar.
7
In an embodiment the tray comprises plurality of plates and pluralities of hooks on
each plate in order to hold the mask with the tray .
In an embodiment a fan is positioned in the chamber to uniformly distribute the ozone
5 gas.
In an embodiment the pump is disposed inside the housing adjacent to the chamber
having an inlet pipe disposed inside the chamber and an outlet pipe branched into exit
pipe and ozone pipe wherein the ozone pipe is configured with the ozone reducer.
10
In an embodiment the ozone pipe having first end configured with the outlet pipe of
the pump and the second end is disposed inside the chamber.
In an embodiment the exit pipe comprises an exit valve to control the flow of gas in the
15 exit pipe, a first end configured with the outlet pipe of the pump and the second end
disposed outside the housing.
In an embodiment an ozone depletion valve is configured with the ozone pipe to control
the flow of ozone gas inside the ozone reducer.
20
In an embodiment the ozone reducer comprises a catalyst coating on an inner wall of
the ozone reducer which are coated or layered or sprayed with the ozone reducer agents
such as silver titanium dioxide (Ag-TiO2) or manganese oxide (Mn3O4/MnO) or
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or any other suitable catalyst reducing the ozone into oxygen
25 gas and a porous media.
In an embodiment the ozone gas is recirculated from the chamber to the ozone reducer
continuously till ozone gas is fully converted to oxygen gas
8
In an embodiment an exhaust vent is configured to vent out the deozonized air and to
circulate fresh oxygen gas inside the chamber to ensure that the mask is properly clean
from ozone.
5 It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described
above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and
embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the
disclosure.
10 The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way
limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described
above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference
to the drawings and the following detailed description
15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood from
the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figure(s). The
figure(s) together with a detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part
20 of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the embodiments and explain various
principles and advantages, in accordance with the present invention wherein:
FIGS. 1-3 is an exemplary illustration of the decontamination apparatus illustrating
different components of decontamination apparatus in accordance with an embodiment
25 of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4-5 illustrates the exemplary illustrations of the tray in accordance with the
embodiment of the present disclosure.
9
FIG. 6 illustrates the perspective view of the decontamination apparatus in accordance
with the embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7-11 illustrates the rear view of the decontamination apparatus in accordance with
5 the embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 12 illustrates the side view of the decontamination apparatus in accordance with
the embodiment of the present disclosure.
10 FIG. 13 illustrates the sectional view of the ozone reducer in accordance with the
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 14-16 is an exemplary illustration of the decontamination apparatus illustrating
different components of decontamination apparatus in accordance with an alternate
15 embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 17 and FIG.18 illustrates the front view and rear view of the tray in accordance
with the alternate embodiment of the present disclosure.
20 FIG. 19 illustrates the side view of the decontamination apparatus in accordance with
the alternate embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 20 illustrates the various components of the decontamination apparatus in
accordance with the alternate embodiment of the present disclosure.
25
FIG. 21 illustrates the exemplary illustrations of the tray along with the mask in
accordance with the alternate embodiment of the present disclosure.
10
FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 the exemplary illustrations of the mask with sterile pack and
fixture in accordance with the alternate embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 24 illustrates the sectional view of the ozone reducer in accordance with the
5 alternate embodiment of the present disclosure.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for
simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions
of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements
10 to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
15 specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will
be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to
limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention
is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and
the scope of the invention.
20
Before describing in detail embodiments, it may be observed that the novelty and
inventive step that are in accordance with the present disclosure resides in a
decontamination apparatus which includes on ozone-based decontamination. It is to
be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated from the present disclosure
25 and modify the various components of the apparatus . However, such modification
should be construed within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the
drawing(s) are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding
the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with
11
details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit
of the description herein.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to
5 cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device that comprises a list of
components does not include only those components but may include other
components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words,
one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not,
without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional
10 elements in the system or apparatus.
Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to a decontamination apparatus comprising
a housing defining a chamber adapted to receive a tray configured to hold the articles
to be sanitized ; an ozone lamp disposed inside the chamber which is configured to
15 generate ozone gas; an ozone reducer fluidly connectable with the chamber configured
to convert the ozone gas formed in the chamber into oxygen gas. A circulation unit
fluidly connectable with the chamber ; wherein the circulation unit is configured to
receive ozone generated in the chamber through an opening in the housing is
configured to circulate the ozone gas inside the chamber to enhance the exposure of the
20 articles to the ozone gas. The articles are mask or pluralities of masks or surgical
instruments or any other suitable articles. The tray comprises one or more plates
arranged vertically with a gap between the plates wherein each plate comprises a
plurality of pipes configured to receive the ozone gas from the circulation unit ; a
plurality of perforations formed on a surface of plate and is configured to uniformly
25 distribute the ozone gas received from pipe; a plurality of fixtures positioned on the
surface of plate to hold the article in the pre-calculated position and to sanitize the
mask uniformly. The circulation unit is fluidly connectable with a flow distribution
channel wherein the flow distribution channel comprises a flow distribution pipe
configured with an outlet pipe of the circulation unit. The flow distribution pipe is
12
branched into multiple conduits and the multiple conduits are branched into plurality
of tubes which are configured with the plurality of pipes of the plates of the tray. The
ozone gas is received in the plate of the tray and exits from the perforations thereby
the ozone gas comes in contact with the internal surface of the mask. The circulation
5 unit is a blower which may be located inside or outside the housing. The ozone reducer
is configured with an ozone pipe fluidity connected with the chamber and circulation
unit and the ozone reducer comprises a swirler configured to increases the turbulence
of the ozone flowing in it ; a UVC bulb adapted to reduce the ozone formed in the
chamber into oxygen gas. An ozone depletion valve fluidity connected with the ozone
10 reducer and the circulation unit is configured to control the flow of ozone gas inside
the ozone reducer. The swirler has corrugated surface which are coated or layered or
sprayed with the ozone reducer agents such as silver titanium dioxide (Ag-TiO2) or
manganese oxide ( Mn3O4/MnO) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or any other suitable
catalyst for reducing the ozone gas into oxygen gas. The ozone gas is recirculated from
15 the chamber to the ozone reducer continuously till ozone gas is reduced to oxygen gas.
An exhaust vent configured to discharge the deozonized air from chamber and is
configured to circulate fresh oxygen inside the chamber to ensure that the mask is
properly clean from ozone gas. The ozone bulb is configured to generate ozone inside
the chamber until the ozone level inside the chamber reaches in the range of 3000-6000
20 PPM*min.
In an alternate embodiment, the present disclosure relates toa a decontamination
apparatus comprising a housing defining a chamber configured to receive a tray which
is adapted to hold the articles to be sanitized; an ozone lamp disposed in the chamber
25 which is adapted to generate ozone gas inside the chamber ; a pump fluidly connectable
with the chamber ; where in the pump is configured to create a pressure inside the
chamber lower than the atmospheric pressure thereby improving exposure of the
articles to the ozone gas ; an ozone reducer fluidly connectable with the chamber ;
wherein the ozone reducer is configured to reduce the level of ozone gas into oxygen
13
gas. The article to sanitized are mask or pluralities of masks or surgical instruments or
any other suitable articles. The mask is configured with a fixture in order to increase
the surface of mask for sanitation and is secured inside a sterile package. The sterile
package is having a semi permeable membrane configured to allow the ozone gas inside
5 the mask in order to sanitize the mask properly. The ozone bulb is configured to
generate ozone inside the chamber within the range of 3000-6000 PPM*min wherein
the chamber is having mask. The ozone bulb is configured to generate ozone inside the
chamber within the range of 12000 PPM*min to 18000 PPM*min wherein the
chamber is having mask secured within the sterile package and relative humidity of
10 60%- 90 % is maintained inside the chamber. The partial vacuum in the chamber lies
within the range of -0.6 Bar to -0.2 Bar. The tray comprises plurality of plates and
pluralities of hooks on each plate in order to hold the mask with the tray. A fan is
positioned in the chamber to uniformly distribute the ozone gas. The pump is disposed
inside the housing adjacent to the chamber having an inlet pipe disposed inside the
15 chamber and an outlet pipe branched into exit pipe and ozone pipe wherein the ozone
pipe is configured with the ozone reducer. The ozone pipe having first end configured
with the outlet pipe of the pump and the second end is disposed inside the chamber.
The exit pipe comprises an exit valve to control the flow of gas in the exit pipe, a first
end configured with the outlet pipe of the pump and the second end disposed outside
20 the housing. An ozone depletion valve is configured with the ozone pipe to control the
flow of ozone gas inside the ozone reducer. The ozone reducer comprises a catalyst
coating on an inner wall of the ozone reducer which are coated or layered or sprayed
with the ozone reducer agents such as silver titanium dioxide (Ag-TiO2) or manganese
oxide Mn3O4/MnO) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or any other suitable catalyst
25 reducing the ozone into oxygen gas and a porous media. The ozone gas is recirculated
from the chamber to the ozone reducer (206) continuously till ozone gas is fully
converted to oxygen gas. An exhaust vent is configured to vent out the deozonized air
and to circulate fresh oxygen gas inside the chamber to ensure that the mask is properly
clean from ozone.
14
The following paragraphs describes various components and working of
decontamination apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of present disclosure.
5 Figure 1-3 illustrates the different view of a decontamination apparatus (100) in
accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. The term “decontamination
apparatus ” or “apparatus ” are interchangeably used in the present disclosure.
Referring to Figures 1 and 5, the decontamination apparatus (100) comprises a housing
(101) defining a chamber (102) adapted to receive a tray (103) configured to hold the
10 articles (104) to be sanitized.
In the present disclosure the article is mask (104) or plurality of masks (104) however
the article to be sanitized is not limited to only mask (104) and may be other equipment
or components such as surgical instruments or any other suitable articles. The
15 decontamination apparatus (100) comprises a base structure (122) over which housing
(101) is mounted. The base structure (122) provides a structural support to the housing
(101) and to the entire apparatus (100). The apparatus (100) further comprising a
stretcher assembly (123) to facilitate the movement of masks (104) for
decontamination. The stretcher assembly (123) also helps to move the sanitized mask
20 (104) towards the required location. The housing (101) has a rectangular structure and
having top wall, side walls and bottom wall defining the chamber (102) therein. In an
embodiment of the present disclosure the housing (101) may be a rectangular or
spherical or cuboidal or other shape. The tray (103) which is configured to hold the
mask (104) may be disposed in the chamber (102).
25
In an embodiment, the housing (101) comprises a closable opening for accessing the
chamber (102) and to place the mask (104) on the tray (103). In an embodiment, the
chamber (102) may be closable by an electromagnetic energized door (124).The door
(124) is mounted with the housing (101) and is configured to operate the opening and
15
closing of the chamber (102) in order to receive the tray (103) inside the chamber. The
door (124) in the present disclosure may also have control switch which may not allow
the cycle to be initiated unless door is sealed and locked properly.
5 In an embodiment, a control unit (125) along display unit (126) is positioned proximate
to the housing (101) for detecting the effectiveness (ppm concentration) of the
decontamination. The control unit (125) acts like a processor which checks the
functioning of each component of the apparatus (100) and raises an alert in case of
malfunctioning of certain components of the apparatus (100). The control unit (125)
10 comprises a programmable logic controller and HMI screen and control the complete
cycles.
In an embodiment, the apparatus (100) comprises a means of generating a disinfectant
gas and circulating the same in the chamber (102) . In the embodiment of the present
15 disclosure the means of generating the disinfectant gas is an ozone lamp (105) disposed
inside the chamber (102) which is configured to generate ozone gas.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the decontamination apparatus (100)
comprises at least one ozone lamp (105) adapted to generate ozone gas. The ozone
20 lamp (105) is adapted to generate UVC radiation of the wavelength of 180-253 nm for
generating ozone and acts as a disinfectant gas to sanitize the mask (104) . In the present
disclosure the “ozone gas” may be interchangeably used as “disinfectant gas”. The
ozone lamp (105) ionizes the oxygen present in the chamber (102) and convert the
oxygen gas into ozone gas.
25
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a circulation unit (107) is fluidly
connectable with the chamber (102) . The circulation unit (107) is configured to receive
ozone gas generated in the chamber (102) through an opening (108) in the housing
(101) present proximate of the ozone lamp (105) and is configured to circulate the
16
ozone gas inside the chamber (102) to enhance the exposure of the articles to the ozone
gas. The circulation unit (107) in the present disclosure is a blower which may be
located outside the housing (101). The blower is having an inlet pipe (127) which is
configured with the opening (108) in the housing (101) and an outlet pipe (115) which
5 is branched into two pipes i.e., an ozone pipe (117) and a flow distribution pipe (114) .
In the present embodiment, the tray (103) comprises one or more plates (109) arranged
vertically with a gap between the plates (109). The tray (103) also comprises pair of
handles (128) mounted with the corner of the plates (109) so that the operator may hold
10 the tray (103) and place it inside the housing (101) for the decontamination of the mask
(104) and remove the same from the housing (101) once the operation is completed.
In an embodiment, the plates (109) are positioned equidistant from each other. In an
embodiment, the tray (103) is configured to allow the placement of the mask (104) so
that the all the intricate and complex parts of mask (104) is fully exposed to the
15 disinfectants gas and thereby enhance the exposure of the articles to the ozone gas.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure one end of the plates (109) comprises a
plurality of pipe (110) configured to receive the ozone gas from the circulation unit
(107). The plate (109) further comprises a plurality of perforations (111) formed on a
20 surface of plate (109) and is configured to uniformly distribute the ozone gas received
from pipe. The surface of plate (109) also comprises a plurality of fixtures (112)
positioned on the surface of plate (109) to hold the mask (104) in the pre-calculated
position and to sanitize the mask (104) uniformly.
25 In an embodiment of the present disclosure, four perforations (111) are present around
the mask (104) so to sanitize the mask (104) properly. Thus, once the disinfectant gas
is generated, it is circulated inside the chamber (102) through the pipes (8) present at
one end of the plate (109) . Due to the presence of perforations (111) on the surface of
plate (109), the masks (104) which is placed over the perforations (111) are exposed
17
uniformly to the disinfectant gas and thus enhancing the exposure of the mask (104) to
the ozone gas.
As shown in figures 7-11, the circulation unit (107) is fluidly connectable with a flow
5 distribution channel (113). The flow distribution channel (113) comprises the flow
distribution pipe (114) configured with an outlet pipe of the circulation unit (107). As
illustrated in figures 10-12, the flow distribution pipe (114) is branched into multiple
conduits (115) and the multiple conduits (115) are branched into plurality of tubes
(116).
10
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of tubes (116) is configured
with the plurality of pipes (110) of the plates of the tray (103). The ozone gas generated
in the chamber (102) is received by the blower. The outlet pipe (115) of blower is
configured with the fluid distribution pipe (114) of the flow distribution channel (113).
15 During the distribution of the ozone inside the chamber (102) by the flow distribution
channel (113), the ozone pipe (117) is closed by means of an ozone depletion valve
(120) so that the ozone from the blower (107) is circulated to the flow distribution pipe
(114) and not to the ozone pipe (117). The blower (107) receives ozone from the
opening (108) in the housing (101) and through the flow distribution pipe (114),
20 multiple conduits (115) and plurality of tubes (116) is uniformly distributed inside the
chamber (102).
The ozone received in the plate (109) of the tray (103) exits from the perforations (111)
thereby the ozone comes in contact with the internal surface of the mask (104). Since
25 the mask (104) is a critical and essential component, it requires proper cleaning and
decontamination and with sufficient quantity of ozone suitable for removing all the
bacterial, virus and other infectants.
18
In accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure and as shown in Figures
7-13, the decontamination apparatus (100) comprises a means of reducing the
disinfectant gas. In accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure the
means of reducing the disinfectant gas may be an ozone reducer (106) . The ozone
5 reducer (106) is fluidly connectable with the chamber. The ozone reducer (106) is
configured to convert the ozone gas formed in the chamber (102) into oxygen gas . The
ozone reducer (106) may be placed outside to the housing (101). The ozone reducer
(106) is configured with an ozone pipe (117) fluidity connected with the chamber (102)
and circulation unit (107). The ozone pipe (117) having first end (129) configured with
10 the output pipe (115) of the blower and a second end (130) disposed in the chamber
(102) . The ozone reducer (106) comprises a swirler (118) configured to increases the
turbulence of the ozone flowing in it and a UVC bulb (119) adapted to reduce the
ozone formed in the chamber (102) into oxygen gas.
15 The swirler has corrugated surface which are coated or layered or sprayed with the
ozone reducer (106) agents such as silver titanium dioxide (Ag-TiO2) or manganese
oxide ( Mn3O4/MnO) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or any other suitable catalyst for
reducing the ozone gas into oxygen gas . The UVC bulb (119) is adapted to form UV
radiation of wavelength 254 nm. During the working of the apparatus, once the ozone
20 lamp (105) is stopped, the UV lamp (119) is switched on, which generates UVC
radiation to dissociates ozone gas into oxygen. S
Since, ozone is harmful to the human beings and is considered one of the pollutants,
thus it is required reduce the level of ozone in the chamber (102). The ozone gas is
25 recirculated from the chamber (102) to the ozone reducer (106) continuously till ozone
gas is fully reduced and converted to oxygen gas.
In an embodiment, the valve is fluidity connected with the ozone reducer (106) and the
circulation unit (107) which is configured to control the flow of ozone gas inside the
19
ozone reducer. The ozone depletion valve (120) may be a solenoid valve which is
actuated by the control unit (125). In an embodiment an exhaust vent (121) is
configured to discharge the deozonized air from chamber (102) and is configured to
circulate fresh oxygen inside the chamber (102) to ensure that the mask (104) is
5 properly clean from ozone gas.
Figure 5 shows the arrangement of the mask (104) on each plate (109) of the tray (103).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure 18 masks (104) are placed in the tray (103)
for the decontamination in a single cycle. Also, the number of masks (104) may be
10 increased by changing the dimension of the apparatus .
The following paragraph describes the method for sanitizing the mask (104) or any
other item to be sanitized using the decontamination apparatus in accordance with
embodiment of present disclosure. The various cycles during the operation of
15 decontamination apparatus are defined as under :
(a) Vacuum Cycle : In order to ensure zero ozone leakage from the apparatus , negative
pressure is created inside the chamber (102)by blower. A partial vacuum is a vacuum
with low amounts of matter enclosed. The pressure of is in the range of -20 kPa to -60
20 kPA
(b) Ozonation Cycle: Ozone is generated using the ozone lamp of required
concentration.
25 (c) Decontamination Cycle : During the decontamination cycle, ozone is circulated to
the mask (104) s using a blower and the fluid distribution channel.
20
(d) Ozone reduction Cycle: After the decontamination cycle is over, ozone is passed
through the ozone reduction which reduces the ozone concentration to zero very
rapidly.
5 (e) Aeration Cycle : After the ozone is depleted completely, fresh air is pumped inside
the chamber (102)and de-ozonised air is pumped out.
Referring to figures 1-13, during the working of the decontamination apparatus in
accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, the mask (104) is properly
10 placed on the tray (103) and the tray (103) is positioned inside the chamber. Once the
tray (103) with the mask (104) is properly placed then the door (124) is closed. If the
door (124) is not properly closed the screen displays an error message. The operator
may open the door again to rectify the obstruction and close it properly. Once the door
(124)is properly closed the apparatus (100) creates a negative pressure (vacuum) inside
15 the chamber (102)in order to ensure zero ozone leakage from the apparatus .
The negative pressure is created inside the chamber (102) using a blower. The negative
pressure is maintained in the chamber (102) until the decontamination process is
completed. In case the vacuum is not stable, the automated system highlights an error
20 and allows the operator to open the door only after dropping the ozone concentration
to zero ppm and close it again properly.
The chamber (102) is airtight and concentration of ozone in the chamber (102) is
measured by the sensor and monitored by the control unit (125). The negative pressure
25 ensures that the door (124) collapse inside and hence increase the effectiveness of
sealing. Also, since the pressure inside the chamber (102) is less than atmospheric
pressure, in case of any leakage is developed in the apparatus the leakage may always
be of air to inside chamber (102)rather than ozone leaking outside.
21
After creation of negative pressure, ozonation cycle takes place and ozone is generated
using ozone lamp of required concentration and proper distribution of ozone is ensured
by the blower. The ozone generation continues inside chamber (102) until the ozone
level inside the chamber (102) reaches to 100 ppm. Then, the decontamination time of
5 15 minutes is scheduled by the control unit(125). The ozone is uniformly recirculated
within chamber (102) by the circulation unit (107) and fluid distributing channel (113).
During this decontamination cycle, ozone is circulated to the masks(104) using a
blower (107) and the fluid distribution channel (113) and allowed to disinfect the masks
(104) for a fixed period of time. In case of power failure, the cycle resumes from the
10 same state.
Once the ozone decontamination process is completed, the ozone lamp (105) is
switched off by the control unit (124). Also, the control unit activates the ozone
depletion valve (120) and opens the ozone depletion valve (120). The control unit (124)
15 controls the time of the decontamination cycle and also facilitates in switching on/off
of different components. Once the desired decontamination level (>100PPM) is
achieved, the ozone lamp (105) may be stopped after the time of exposure. The control
unit (124) is also configured to initiate the ozone reduction cycle once the
decontamination is completed. Due to high pressure inside the chamber (102) and
20 opening of the valve, the ozone gas flows from the chamber (102 )to the ozone reducer
(106) through the ozone pipe (117).
The ozone gas is received from the opening (108) of the housing (101) by the inlet
pipe of the blower (107). Since the outlet pipe (115) of the blower (107) is configured
25 with the first end (129) of the ozone pipe (117) and the ozone depletion valve (120) is
open, the ozone from the chamber (102) flows inside the ozone reducer (106). Once
ozone reaches the ozone reducer (106) the UVC bulb (119) is switched on by the
control unit (124) and ozone is reduced into oxygen gas. The ozone reducing catalyst
also enhances the ozone reduction process. The output from the reducer from the
22
second end (130) of the ozone pipe is again recirculated inside the chamber (102) and
this till 0 PPM is achieved. In an embodiment, the ozone reducer (106) may be operated
simultaneously with the UVC bulb (119) for reducing the ozone into oxygen. Once the
level of ozone reaches the optimal level, and UV lights are switched off using timer for
5 complete safety of the operator and finally the decontamination cycle is completed.
The control unit (124) detects the ppm level of ozone gas inside the chamber (102)
during the ozone reduction cycle.
After the ozone level reaches 0 ppm in the chamber (102), the aeration cycle begins in
10 order to vent out the existing air inside the chamber (102) and provide proper
ventilation. The fresh air is pumped inside the chamber (102)and de-ozonized air is
pumped out. Fresh air pumped into the masks (104) to ensure that no residue remains
in it. After the aeration cycle is complete, every component is switched off, and the
door is de-activated and apparatus is ready to be opened again. After the aeration, the
15 apparatus automatically allows the door to open with a beep sound. The door may be
unlocked only after the concentration of the ozone in the chamber (102) drops down to
the safe limits. After the decontamination cycle is completed, information will be saved
and can be extracted as per our requirement.
20 The following paragraphs describes various components and working of
decontamination apparatus in accordance with the alternate embodiment of present
disclosure.
Figure 14-18 illustrates the different view of a decontamination apparatus (200) in
25 accordance with the alternate embodiment of the present disclosure. The term
“decontamination apparatus ” or “apparatus ” are interchangeably used in the present
disclosure. The apparatus in accordance with the alternate embodiment is compact and
portable which may easily carry from one place to another.
23
Referring to Figures 1 and 5, the decontamination apparatus (200) comprises a housing
(201) defining a chamber (202) adapted to receive a tray (203) configured to hold the
articles (204) to be sanitized. In the present disclosure the article (204) is mask or
plurality of masks however the article to be sanitized is not limited to only mask and
5 may be other equipment or components such as surgical instruments or any other
suitable articles. The housing (201) has a rectangular structure and having top wall,
side walls and bottom wall defining the chamber (202) therein.
In an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing (201) may be a
10 rectangular or spherical or cuboidal or other shape. The tray (203) which is configured
to hold the mask (204) may be disposed in the chamber (202). In an embodiment, the
housing (201) comprises a closable opening for accessing the chamber(202) and to
place the mask (204) on the tray (203). In an alternate embodiment, the chamber (202)
may be closable by an electromagnetic energized door (224).The door (224) is mounted
15 with the housing (201) and is configured to operate the opening and closing of the
chamber (202) in order to receive the tray (203) inside the chamber(202). The door
(224) in the present disclosure may also have control switch which may not allow the
cycle to be initiated unless door is sealed and locked properly.
20 In an alternate embodiment, a control unit (225) along display unit (226) is positioned
proximate to the housing (201) for detecting the effectiveness (ppm concentration) of
the decontamination. The control unit (225) acts like a processor which checks the
functioning of each component of the apparatus and raises an alert in case of
malfunctioning of certain components of the apparatus. The control unit (225)
25 comprises a programmable logic controller and HMI screen and control the complete
cycles.
In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus (200) comprises a means of generating a
disinfectant gas. In the alternate embodiment of the present disclosure the means of
24
generating the disinfectant gas is an ozone lamp (205) disposed inside the chamber
(202) which is configured to generate ozone gas. In an alternate embodiment of the
present disclosure, the decontamination apparatus (200) comprises at least one ozone
lamp (205) adapted to generate ozone gas. The ozone lamp (205) is adapted to generate
5 UVC radiation of the wavelength of 180-253 nm for generating ozone and acts as a
disinfectant gas to sanitize the mask. In the present disclosure the “ozone gas” may be
interchangeably used as “disinfectant gas”. The ozone lamp (205) ionizes the oxygen
present in the chamber and convert the oxygen gas into ozone gas.
10 As shown in figure 21 the tray (203) comprises plurality of plates (210) arranged
vertically with a gap between the plates (210) and pluralities of hooks (229) on each
plate (210) in order to hold the mask (204) with the tray (203). The plates (210) are
positioned equidistant from each other. In an alternate embodiment, the tray (203) is
configured to allow the placement of the mask (204) so that the all the intricate and
15 complex parts of mask (204) is fully exposed to the disinfectants gas and thereby
enhance the exposure of the articles to the ozone gas.
As illustrated in figure 23 the mask is positioned with a fixture (208) in order to increase
the surface of mask (204) for sanitation. The fixture (204) is necessary to keep the
20 surface of mask (204) exposed to the disinfectant gas and the shape, size and overall
structure of the mask is maintained by the fixture.
In an alternate embodiment, the mask is secured inside a sterile package (209). The
sterile package (209) is having a semi permeable membrane configured to allow the
25 ozone gas inside the mask in order to sanitize the mask properly. The sterile package
(209) is required to keep the mask in the protected environment after the
decontamination so that the mask is not exposed to the outside environment. The sterile
package (209) helps to keep the sanitized mask (204) away from any forms of bacteria,
virus etc. which might harm the sanitized mask if the sterile package is not present. In
25
an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the mask (204) may be configured
with or without the sterile package (209).
In an alternate embodiment and as illustrated in figures 19 and 20 a pump (207) is
5 fluidly connectable with the chamber (202). The pump (207) is configured to create a
pressure inside the chamber lower than the atmospheric pressure thereby improving
exposure of the articles to the ozone gas. Due to presence of partial vacuum inside the
chamber the ozone gas expands quickly and is uniformly distributed in the entire
chamber (202) and sanitize the mask (204) present in the chamber. A fan (211) is also
10 positioned in the chamber to uniformly distribute the ozone gas.
As shown in figures 19 and 20 the pump (207) is disposed inside the housing (201)
adjacent to the chamber (202). The pump (207) is having an inlet pipe (212) disposed
inside the chamber (202) and an outlet pipe (213) branched into exit pipe (214) and
15 ozone pipe (215). The ozone pipe (215) is configured with an ozone reducer (206)
which is having first end (216) configured with the outlet pipe (213) of the pump (207)
and the second end (217) is disposed inside the chamber (202).
An ozone depletion valve (221) is also configured with the ozone pipe (215) to control
20 the flow of ozone gas inside the ozone reducer (206) . The exit pipe (214) comprises
an exit valve (218) to control the flow of gas in the exit pipe (214) . The exit pipe is
having a first end (219) configured with the outlet pipe (213) of the pump (207) and
the second end (220) disposed outside the housing (201) . In an alternate embodiment
of the present disclosure, a single pump (207 ) is used for vacuum generation, for ozone
25 reduction cycle and chamber evacuation.
The negative pressure or partial vacuum is created inside the chamber (202) by the
pump (207). The pump (207) sucks the air from the chamber (202) and is discharged
to the environment by means of the exit pipe (214). The exit valve (218) is opened
26
during vacuum cycle and the ozone depletion valve (221) is closed so that the air from
the chamber(202) passes through the exit pipe (214) and thus partial vacuum is created
in the chamber (202). Once the partial vacuum is created, the ozone bulb (205) is
switched on creating the ozone and disinfecting the mask (204) placed in the
5 chamber(202) .
Referring to figures 14-16 the ozone formed in the chamber (202) is circulated through
fan (211) present inside the chamber (202) of the housing (201). Since the mask (204)
is a critical and essential component, it requires proper cleaning and disinfection with
10 sufficient quantity of ozone suitable for removing all the bacterial, virus and other
infectants. The negative pressure also assists in uniform distribution in the chamber
(202) and penetration into the masks (204). In an embodiment of the present disclosure,
the range of negative pressure can be between -0.6 Bar to -0.2 Bar as optimum
considering the wall thickness of the chamber, leakage prevention and penetration into
15 the masks’ layers.
In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus comprises a control unit (225) along display
unit (226). The control unit (225) is in electronic communication with a plurality of
sensors for detecting the effectiveness (concentration of ozone) of the disinfection. The
20 control unit (225) acts like a processor which checks the functioning of each component
of the apparatus and raises an alert in case of malfunctioning of certain components of
the apparatus . The control unit (225) controls the time of the disinfection cycle and
also facilitates in switching on/off of components.
25 In accordance with the alternate embodiment of the present disclosure and as shown
in Figures 14 and 19, the apparatus (200) comprises a means of reducing the
disinfectant gas. In accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure the
means of reducing the disinfectant gas may be an ozone reducer (206) which is fluidly
connectable with the chamber (202) and is configured to reduce the level of ozone gas
27
into oxygen gas The ozone reducer (206) is placed within the housing (201) and
adjacent to the chamber (202). The ozone reducer (206) is configured with the ozone
depletion valve (221) which may be a solenoid valve which is in fluid flow
communication the chamber (202). The ozone reducer (206) is a cylindrical section
5 defined by an inner wall and outer wall. The inner wall of the ozone reducer (206) is
coated with a catalyst.
The ozone reducer comprises a catalyst coating (222) on an inner wall of the ozone
reducer which are coated or layered or sprayed with the ozone reducer agents such as
10 silver titanium dioxide (Ag-TiO2) or manganese oxide ( Mn3O4/MnO) or hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2) or any other suitable catalyst reducing the ozone into oxygen gas and
a porous media (227). The porous media (227) is a type of uncoated oxidation filter.
Once the ozone disinfection process is completed, the control unit (225) activates the
ozone depletion valve (221).
15
During the ozone reduction cycle, the exit valve (218) is close, and the ozone depletion
valve (221) is open. Th inlet pipe (212) of the pump (207) receives the ozone gas and
since the exit valve (218) is closed, thus the ozone gas passes through the ozone pipe
(215) and comes in contact with ozone reducer (206).
20
The ozone from the chamber (202) is circulated to the ozone reducer (206) with the
application of the pump (207) and once ozone comes into the contact with the catalyst
coated on the inner wall of the reducer (206), the reduction of ozone into oxygen starts.
The output from the ozone reduce is again recirculated inside the chamber (202) and
25 the cycle is repeated till optimum level is achieved.
In accordance with the alternate embodiment of the present disclosure and as shown in
Figures 1, the apparatus (200) comprises a means of venting out the existing air inside
the chamber and providing proper aeration. In an embodiment of the present
28
disclosure, a filter (228) may be located outside the housing (201) and fluidity
connectable with the housing. the filter (228) is a HEPA filter (228). The filter (228)
prevents external pollutants to enter the chamber during aeration cycle when the
ambient air is discharged into the chamber by an exhaust vent (223). The exhaust vent
5 (223) is positioned in vicinity of ozone reducer (206) to vent out the de-ozonized air.
Once the cycle is completed, the control unit (225) activates a solenoid valve and with
the application of the pump (207) de-ozonized air is discharged outside the housing (1)
by the exit pipe.
10 The following paragraph describes the method for disinfecting the mask or any other
item to be disinfected by the apparatus as disclosed in the alternate embodiment of the
present disclosure. The various cycles during the operation of decontamination
apparatus are defined as under :
15 (a) Vacuum Cycle : In order to ensure zero ozone leakage from the apparatus , negative
pressure is created inside the chamber by blower. A partial vacuum is a vacuum with
low amounts of matter enclosed. The pressure of is in the range of -60 kPa to -20 kPA
(b) Ozonation Cycle: Ozone is generated using the ozone bulb of required
20 concentration.
(c) Decontamination Cycle : During the decontamination cycle, ozone is circulated to
the masks using a blower and the fluid distribution channel.
25 (d) Ozone reduction Cycle: After the decontamination cycle is over, ozone is passed
through the ozone reduction which reduces the ozone concentration to zero very
rapidly.
29
(e) Aeration Cycle : After the ozone is depleted completely, fresh air is pumped inside
the chamber and de-ozonised air is pumped out.
Firstly, the mask is properly placed on the fixture and then the door is closed. Once the
5 door is properly closed the apparatus creates a negative pressure (vacuum) inside the
chamber in order to ensure zero ozone leakage from the apparatus . The negative
pressure is created inside the chamber using the pump. The negative pressure is
maintained in the chamber until the disinfection process is completed.
10 After creation of negative pressure, ozone is generated using ozone bulb of required
concentration. The ozone generation continues inside chamber until the ozone level
inside the chamber reaches in the range of 3000-6000 PPM*min. Further, if the
concentration of ozone fluctuates due to external factors, the apparatus would
automatically adjust the cycle time to reach the pre-determined ozone dosage in the
15 range of 3000-6000 PPM*min.
The ozone formed inside a chamber is uniformly spread and penetrated into filtration
pores of masks due to the vacuum created inside the chamber and placing of the blower
near the ozone lamp to circulate the generated ozone. During ozonation cycle, both the
20 exit valve and ozone depletion valve are closed. In an embodiment of the present
disclosure, in order to generate required dosage of ozone, flexible disinfection cycle
takes into account all the external factors, like temperature, pressure, relative humidity,
influencing ozone concentration.
25 As disclosed above the apparatus is equipped with the ozone reducer and once the
decontamination cycle is completed, the ozone is passed through the ozone reducer
wherein ozone in the chamber is re-circulated through a catalyst coated on the inner
wall of the ozone reducer which reduces ozone to oxygen thereby decreases ozone
30
concentration. The concentration is continuously measured by strategically placed
sensors and provides input to control unit.
After the ozone level is reduced to lower than safe limit of 0.1 PPM, the aeration cycle
5 begins in order to vent out the existing air inside the chamber and provide proper
ventilation. In aeration cycle air from ambient atmosphere is spread into the chamber
through the filter so that inner layers of the mask also get washed from ozone. The filter
prevents external pollutants to enter the chamber during aeration cycle. The aeration
cycle is repeated at least of 6 times with 5 minutes interval to totally eliminate ozone
10 residue to far below safe limit. After the aeration cycle is complete, everything is
switched off and the door is de-activated and apparatus is ready to be opened again.
After the ventilation, the apparatus automatically allows the door to open to access
disinfected masks.
15 The present disclosure solves the problems associated with the prior arts as the present
apparatus disinfect masks from SARS-COVID19 virus the N95 masks are exposed to
3000-6000 PPM*min dosage of ozone. Further, 6000-18000 PPM*min dosage of
ozone is maintained to disinfect them from various bacteria (E.coli, Salmonella Typhi,
P aeruginosa, MRSA, Streptococcus pneumoniae). Also, uniform spreading and
20 penetration of ozone into filtration pores of masks is ensured by creating vacuum inside
the chamber and placing blower near the UV-C light to circulate the generated ozone
thus it eliminates the requirements of special fixtures and piping system for distribution
of ozone.
25 In an embodiment of the present disclosure, for sterile packs, ozone dosage of 12000
PPM*min to 18000 PPM*min is maintained to achieve SAL of 10-6 for all viruses and
bacteria and the relative humidity in the range of 60%-90%. In an embodiment, the
mask with the sterile packs requires higher ozone dosage in comparison of the mask
31
without the sterile packs. The ozone dosage lies in the range of 3000-6000 PPM*min
when only mask in placed inside the chamber without sterile packs.
The present disclosure solves the problems associated with the prior arts as the
5 apparatus sterilizes 50 N95 masks in 90 minutes and there is no damage to masks as
the mechanism depends only on cold decontamination, hence there is no damage to the
masks.
Since the apparatus is specially designed to ensure that ozone is pumped through pores
10 to ensure uniform exposure of ozone on all surfaces. In the present disclosure, as the
ozone is generated using atmospheric oxygen and reduced back to the same hence there
is no requirement of handling any hazardous sterilant and no consumable is required.
There is low decontamination cycle time because ozone being a gas and very strong
15 oxidizing agent it can rapidly spread, penetrate and sterilize the mask in very low time
of exposure and also with no residual it does not require long durations of aeration
cycles ensuring very quick decontamination cycle time.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this
20 disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many
changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the
principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the nature of the
disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing
25 descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as
a limitation.
32
Equivalents:
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are
explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the description.
Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as
5 to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are
intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments
herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the
embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting
the scope of the embodiments herein.
10
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general
nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge,
readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments
without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and
15 modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and
range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the
phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not
of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms
of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments
20 herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the
embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises”
or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer
25 or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other
element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
33
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more
elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the
disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
5 Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like that has
been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for
the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form
a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to
the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
10
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or
quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than
the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within
the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to
15 the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this
disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many
changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the
20 principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the nature of the
disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing
descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as
a limitation.
25
34
LIST OF REFERNCE NUMERALS
First Embodiment Alternate Embodiment
Decontamination Apparatus (100) Decontamination Apparatus (200)
Housing (101) Housing (201)
Chamber (102) Chamber (202)
Tray (103) Tray (203)
Articles /Mask (104) Articles /Mask (204)
Ozone Lamp (105) Ozone Lamp (205)
Ozone Reducer (106) Ozone Reducer (206)
Circulation Unit (107) Pump (207)
Opening (108) Fixture (208)
Plates (109) Sterile Package (209
Plurality of pipes (110) Plate (210
Plurality of perforations (111) Fan (211)
Plurality of fixtures (112) Inlet pipe of Pump (212)
Flow Distribution Channel (113) Outlet pipe of Pump (213)
Flow Distribution Pipe (114) Exit pipe (214)
Multiple Conduits (115) Ozone pipe (215)
Plurality of tubes (116) First end of ozone pipe ozone (216)
Ozone pipe (117) Second end of ozone pipe (217)
Swirler (118) Exit valve (218)
UVC bulb (119) First end of Exit Pipe (219)
Ozone Depletion Valve (120) Second end of Exit Pipe (220)
Exhaust vent (121) Ozone Depletion Valve (221)
Base structure (122) Catalyst coating (222)
Stretcher Assembly (123) Exhaust vent (223)
35
Door (124). Door (224)
Control Unit (125) Control Unit (225)
Display Unit (126) Display unit (226
Inlet pipe of Blower (127) Porous Media (227)
Handles (128) filter (228)
First end of Ozone Pipe (129) Hook (229)
Second end of Ozone Pipe (130)

WE CLAIM

1. A decontamination apparatus (100,200) comprising:
a housing (101,201) defining a chamber (102,202) adapted to receive a tray (103,203)
5 configured to hold the articles (104,204) to be sanitized;
an ozone lamp (105,205) disposed inside the chamber (102,202) which is configured
to generate ozone gas;
an ozone reducer (106,206) fluidly connectable with the chamber (102,202) configured
to convert the ozone gas formed in the chamber (102,202) into oxygen gas .
10
2. The decontamination apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein a circulation
unit (107) fluidly connectable with the chamber (102); wherein the circulation
unit(107) is configured to receive ozone generated in the chamber (102) through an
opening (108) in the housing (101) is configured to circulate the ozone gas inside the
15 chamber (102) to enhance the exposure of the articles (104) to the ozone gas.
3. The decontamination apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the articles are mask
(104) or pluralities of masks or surgical instruments or any other suitable articles.
20 4. The decontamination apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tray (103)
comprises one or more plates (109) arranged vertically with a gap between the plates
(109) wherein each plate (109) comprises :
a plurality of pipes (110) configured to receive the ozone gas from the
circulation unit (107) ;
25 a plurality of perforations (111) formed on a surface of plate (109) and is
configured to uniformly distribute the ozone gas received from pipe (110) ;
a plurality of fixtures (112) positioned on the surface of plate (109) to hold the
article (104) in the pre-calculated position and to sanitize the mask (104) uniformly.
37
5. The decontamination apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the circulation
unit (107) is fluidly connectable with a flow distribution channel (113) wherein the
flow distribution channel (113) comprises a flow distribution pipe (114) configured
with an outlet pipe (115) of the circulation unit (107).
5
6. The decontamination apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flow
distribution pipe (114) is branched into multiple conduits (115) and the multiple
conduits (115) are branched into plurality of tubes (116) which are configured with the
plurality of pipes (110) of the plates of the tray (103) .
10
7. The decontamination apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ozone gas is
received in the plate (109) of the tray (103) and exits from the perforations (111)
thereby the ozone gas comes in contact with the internal surface of the mask.
15 8. The decontamination apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the circulation unit
(107) is a blower which may be located inside or outside the housing.
9. The decontamination apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ozone
reducer (106) is configured with an ozone pipe (117) fluidity connected with the
20 chamber (102) and circulation unit (107) and the ozone reducer (106) comprises :
a swirler (118) configured to increases the turbulence of the ozone flowing in it ;
a UVC bulb (119) adapted to reduce the ozone formed in the chamber into oxygen gas.
10. The decontamination apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein an ozone
25 depletion valve (120) fluidity connected with the ozone reducer (106) and the
circulation unit (107) is configured to control the flow of ozone gas inside the ozone
reducer (106).
38
11. The decontamination apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the swirler
(118) has corrugated surface which are coated or layered or sprayed with the ozone
reducer agents such as silver titanium dioxide (Ag-TiO2) or manganese oxide (
Mn3O4/MnO) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or any other suitable catalyst for reducing
5 the ozone gas into oxygen gas .
12. The decontamination apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ozone gas
is recirculated from the chamber (102) to the ozone reducer (106) continuously till
ozone gas is reduced to oxygen gas.
10
13. The decontamination apparatus as claimed in claim 1 an exhaust vent (121) is
configured to discharge the deozonized air from chamber (102) and is configured to
circulate fresh oxygen inside the chamber (102) to ensure that the mask (104) is
properly clean from ozone gas.
15
14. The decontamination apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ozone
lamp (105) is configured to generate ozone inside the chamber (102) until the ozone
level inside the chamber (102) reaches in the range of 3000-6000 PPM*min.
20 15. A decontamination apparatus (200) comprising:
a housing (201) defining a chamber (202) configured to receive a tray (203) which is
adapted to hold the articles (204) to be sanitized;
an ozone lamp (205) disposed in the chamber (202) which is adapted to generate ozone
gas inside the chamber (202);
25 a pump (207) fluidly connectable with the chamber (202); where in the pump (207) is
configured to create a pressure inside the chamber (202) lower than the atmospheric
pressure thereby improving exposure of the articles (204) to the ozone gas,
an ozone reducer (206) fluidly connectable with the chamber (202); wherein the ozone
reducer (206) is configured to covert ozone gas into oxygen gas.
39
16. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 14 wherein the article
(204) to sanitized are mask or pluralities of masks or surgical instruments or any other
suitable articles.
5
17. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 16 wherein the mask
(204) is configured with a fixture (208) in order to increase the surface of mask (204)
for sanitation and is secured inside a sterile package (209).
10 18. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 14 wherein the sterile
package (209) is having a semi permeable membrane configured to allow the ozone
gas inside the mask in order to sanitize the mask (204) properly.
19. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ozone
15 lamp (205) is configured to generate ozone inside the chamber (202) within the range
of 3000-6000 PPM*min wherein the chamber (202) is having mask (204).
20. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ozone
lamp (205) is configured to generate ozone inside the chamber (202) within the range
20 of 12000 PPM*min to 18000 PPM*min wherein the chamber (202) is having mask
(204) secured within the sterile package (209) and relative humidity of 60%- 90 % is
maintained inside the chamber (202).
21. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the partial
25 vacuum in the chamber (202) lies within the range of -0.6 bar to -0.2 bar.
22. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 14 wherein the tray (203)
comprises plurality of plates (210) and pluralities of hooks (229) on each plate (210) in
order to hold the mask(204) with the tray (203) .
40
23. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 14 wherein a fan (211) is
positioned in the chamber (202) to uniformly distribute the ozone gas.
5 24. The decontamination apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the pump (207)is
disposed inside the housing (201) adjacent to the chamber (202) having an inlet pipe
(212) disposed inside the chamber (202) and an outlet pipe (213) branched into exit
pipe (214) and ozone pipe (215) wherein the ozone pipe (215) is configured with the
ozone reducer (206).
10
25. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 14 wherein the ozone
pipe (215) having first end (216) configured with the outlet pipe (213) of the pump
(207) and the second end (217) is disposed inside the chamber (202).
15 26. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 14 wherein the exit pipe
(214) comprises :
an exit valve (218) to control the flow of gas in the exit pipe (214);
a first end (219) configured with the outlet pipe (213) of the pump (207) and the second
end (220) disposed outside the housing (201).
20
27. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 14 wherein an ozone
depletion valve (221) is configured with the ozone pipe (215) to control the flow of
ozone gas inside the ozone reducer (206) .
25 28. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 14 wherein the ozone
reducer (206) comprises :
a catalyst coating (222) on an inner wall of the ozone reducer which are coated or
layered or sprayed with the ozone reducer agents such as silver titanium dioxide (Ag-
41
TiO2) or manganese oxide ( Mn3O4/MnO) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or any other
suitable catalyst reducing the ozone into oxygen gas and a porous media ( )
29. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 14 wherein the ozone gas
5 is recirculated from the chamber (202) to the ozone reducer (206) continuously till
ozone gas is fully reduced to oxygen gas
30. The decontamination apparatus (200) as claimed in claim 16 wherein an exhaust
vent (223) is configured to vent out the deozonized air and to circulate fresh oxygen
10 gas inside the chamber (201) to ensure that the mask (204) is properly clean from
ozone.