Device for producing an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A device for producing an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution when exposed to water comprising:
- a membrane shell defining a compartment which includes one or more dry chemical components capable of producing chlorine dioxide gas when exposed to water; and
wick means connected to said membrane shell and extending into said compartment for absorbing water and transporting water into said compartment whereby when said device is exposed to water said wick means absorbs water and transports water into said compartment, said chemical component(s) dissolve in the water and produce chlorine dioxide gas in said compartment, and chlorine dioxide gas exits said compartment through said membrane shell.
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Abstract
A device for producing an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution when placed in water. The device includes a membrane shell that defines a compartment which includes one or more dry chemicals (e.g., a metal chlorite and an acid) capable of producing chlorine dioxide gas when exposed to water. Wick means extend into the compartment for absorbing water and transporting water into the compartment such that the chemical(s) in the compartment dissolve in the water and produce chlorine dioxide. In one embodiment, the membrane is formed of a material that allows the passage of gas (e.g., chlorine dioxide) but is impervious to liquid (e.g., water). In another embodiment, the wick means is a wick member which divides the compartment into first and second compartment sections. One chemical (metal chlorite, for example) is contained within the first compartment section and another chemical (acid, for example) is contained within or can easily be placed in the second compartment section. When the device is placed in water, water enters the device by way of the wick means and possibly the membrane shell. The chemicals dissolve in the water and react to produce chlorine dioxide gas. The chlorine dioxide gas then passes through the membrane shell and possibly the wick member into the surrounding water transforming the water into an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution. The solution can then be used, for example, as a disinfectant solution.
91 Citations
57 Claims
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1. A device for producing an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution when exposed to water comprising:
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a membrane shell defining a compartment which includes one or more dry chemical components capable of producing chlorine dioxide gas when exposed to water; and
wick means connected to said membrane shell and extending into said compartment for absorbing water and transporting water into said compartment whereby when said device is exposed to water said wick means absorbs water and transports water into said compartment, said chemical component(s) dissolve in the water and produce chlorine dioxide gas in said compartment, and chlorine dioxide gas exits said compartment through said membrane shell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 43, 44)
said first compartment section includes a metal chlorite component, said metal chlorite component being sealed in said first compartment section; and
said second compartment section includes an sealable opening therein for allowing an acid component to be placed in said second compartment section prior to exposure of said device to water.
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27. The device of claim 21 wherein:
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said first compartment section includes an acid component, said acid component being sealed in said first compartment section; and
said second compartment sections includes a sealable opening therein for allowing a metal chlorite component to be placed in said second compartment section prior to exposure of said device to water.
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28. The device of claim 1 wherein said compartment includes a metal chlorite component and an acid component, and said device further comprises a manually openable ampule, said ampule being positioned in said compartment and containing said acid component, said ampule being impervious to water and preventing said acid component from coming into contact said metal chlorite component until said ampule is manually opened.
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29. The device of claim 1 wherein said compartment includes a metal chlorite component and an acid component, and said device further comprises a manually openable ampule, said ampule being positioned in said compartment and containing said metal chlorite component, said ampule being impervious to water and preventing said metal chlorite component from coming into contact said acid component until said ampule is manually opened.
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30. The device of claim 1 wherein said compartment includes a metal chlorite component and has a sealable opening therein for allowing an acid component to be placed in said compartment prior to exposure of said device to water.
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31. The device of claim 1 wherein said compartment includes an acid component and has a sealable opening therein for allowing a metal chlorite component to be placed in said compartment prior to exposure of said device to water.
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32. The device of claim 1 wherein said wick means is a wick member which divides said compartment into a plurality of compartment sections.
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33. The device of claim 1 wherein said wick means comprises at least two wick members, said wick members dividing said compartment into at least two compartment sections.
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34. The device of claim 1 further comprising weight means attached to one of said membrane shell and said wick means for causing said device to sink when placed in a body of water.
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35. The device of claim 1 further comprising a water-resistant package surrounding and enclosing said membrane shell and said wick means.
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36. The device of claim 1 wherein said membrane includes a plurality of openings therein for facilitating the passage of liquid into and out of said device.
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43. The device of claim 28 wherein said membrane shell comprises two panel members fastened together to form said compartment.
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44. The device of claim 43 wherein said wick member is sandwiched between said panel members.
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37. A device for producing an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution when placed in water comprising:
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a membrane shell defining a compartment, said membrane shell allowing the passage of chlorine dioxide gas from said compartment but being impervious to water, said compartment including a metal chlorite component and an acid component;
a wick member connected to said membrane shell, said wick member extending into said compartment and dividing said compartment into a first compartment section containing said metal chlorite component and a second compartment section containing said acid component, said wick member being capable of absorbing water and transporting water into said first and second compartment sections whereby when said device is placed in water said wick member absorbs water and transports water into said compartment, said metal chlorite and acid dissolve in the water, traverse said wick divider, and react to produce chlorine dioxide gas in said compartment, and chlorine dioxide gas passes through said membrane shell. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
said first compartment section includes a metal chlorite component, said metal chlorite component being sealed in said first compartment section; and
said second compartment section includes a sealable opening therein for allowing an acid component to be placed in said second compartment section prior to placement of said device in water.
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48. The device of claim 37 wherein:
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said first compartment section includes an acid component, said acid component being sealed in said first compartment section; and
said second compartment sections includes an sealable opening therein for allowing a metal chlorite component to be placed in said second compartment section prior to placement of said device in water.
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49. The device of claim 37 further comprising means attached to one of said membrane shell and said wick member for causing said device to sink when placed in a body of water.
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50. The device of claim 37 further comprising a water-resistant package surrounding and enclosing said membrane shell and said wick member.
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51. The device of claim 37 wherein said membrane shell includes a plurality of openings therein for facilitating the passage of liquid into and out of said device.
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52. A kit for allowing a device for producing an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution when the device placed in water to be assembled at the point of use comprising:
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a first chemical unit including;
a first membrane shell;
a first wick member connected to said first membrane shell and forming a first compartment section between said first membrane shell and said first wick member, said first compartment section containing a metal chlorite component, said first wick member being capable of absorbing water and transporting water into said first compartment section;
a second chemical unit including;
a second membrane shell;
a second wick member connected to said second membrane shell and forming a second compartment section between said second membrane shell and said second wick member, said second compartment section containing an acid component, said second wick member being capable of absorbing water and transporting water into said second compartment section; and
means attached to at least one of said first chemical unit and said second chemical unit for attaching said first and second chemical units together to assemble said device, whereby when said device is placed in water said first and second wick members absorb water and transport water into said first and second compartment sections, metal chlorite in said first compartment section and acid in said second compartment section contact the water, dissolve in the water, traverse the wick dividers, and react to produce chlorine dioxide in said compartment sections, and said chlorine dioxide passes from said compartment sections through said first and second membrane shells into the water into which the device is placed. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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Specification