Devices, compositions, and methods for use in surface decontamination
Inventors
Jin, Katherine • Tyan, Kevin • KANG, JASON • Saatori, Sarah-Marie • Chong, Aaron • Pruitt, Joseph W. • Muntner, Donald A. • McNeely, Noah • Schiff, David R. • Ridley, Jeremy M. • Slattery, Reile M. • Srinivasan, Tarun • Singh, Yuvprakash
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11464371-B2
Publication Date
2022-10-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided are devices, compositions, and methods for surface disinfection and decontamination; the devices generally adapted to contain a single or multi-component indicator composition, and optionally a disinfectant composition, and to dispense the indicator composition and optional disinfectant composition to a disinfectant solution, a surface, or a disinfectant article upon actuation of the device; also provided is an article of manufacture in the form of a removable cartridge adapted to fit a device described here, which may be pre-filled with a single or multi-component indicator composition as described here, and/or with a disinfectant composition, and one or more optional additives.
Core Innovation
A device is described for applying a composition to a wipe dispensed through the device. The device includes a housing at least partially surrounding an interior volume, and the housing defines a dispensing aperture extending through an exterior wall. A lower end region of the housing includes an opening through which at least one wipe is drawn into the interior volume from a canister holding a plurality of wipes, and the lower end region includes one or more connecting features.
Within the interior volume, the device includes a dispensing mechanism positioned within the housing. The dispensing mechanism includes a plurality of rollers configured to capture and direct the wipe through the interior volume toward the dispensing aperture. An application mechanism is positioned within the interior volume relative to the dispensing aperture. A processor is in operative communication with a sensor and an input, where the sensor communicates information to the processor related to the wipe directed toward the dispensing aperture.
The described system further characterizes operation using sensor information and processor control that can track wipe dispensing and coordinate timing. The processor can synchronize actions with timing information, and can deactivate mechanisms based on sensor information and timing behavior to prevent unwanted outcomes described in the document, such as drying during idle periods. The disclosure also describes cartridges that dispense multi-component indicator compositions, with separate chambers/components to reduce premature reaction and to support visual color change that fades to clear to indicate coverage and contact time.
The disclosure further describes compositions including an indicator composition and, optionally, a disinfectant composition that includes listed disinfectant types. The document describes colorants and related fade-time modulation by catalysts, with optional additives such as surfactants and pH modulators, and optional corrosion inhibitors. The multi-component arrangements described use separated compartments for components, including examples of separate colorant and modulator components, and optionally separate disinfectant components to support controlled visual indication of coverage and contact time.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 and the provided claim set cover the core device architecture for dispensing wipes and applying a composition using a roller-based dispensing mechanism, an application mechanism, and sensor/processor coordination. The included claim features also refine wipe counting by roller revolutions, configurable time/selectable time ranges, and mechanism control or inactivation based on sensor information.
Device applying a composition to a wipe using a dispensing aperture and roller-based dispensing
A device comprising a housing surrounding an interior volume with an exterior wall defining a dispensing aperture, a lower end region having an opening to draw wipes into the interior volume from a canister, and connecting features on the lower end region.
Roller-based wipe capture and direction toward the dispensing aperture
A dispensing mechanism positioned within the interior volume including a plurality of rollers configured to capture and direct the at least one wipe through the interior volume toward the dispensing aperture.
Application mechanism positioned relative to the dispensing aperture
An application mechanism positioned within the interior volume relative to the dispensing aperture.
Processor and sensor communicating information related to directed wipes
A processor in operative communication with a sensor and an input, the sensor configured to communicate to the processor information related to the at least one wipe directed toward the dispensing aperture.
Across the independent claim scope described, the main inventive features combine a housing defining a dispensing aperture, a lower wipe intake opening, a roller-based dispensing mechanism that directs wipes toward the aperture, an application mechanism positioned relative to the aperture, and processor-controlled operation based on sensor information related to the directed wipes. The provided material further identifies dependent refinements for wipe counting, timing, and inactivation based on sensor information.
Stated Advantages
Visual color change that fades to clear to indicate coverage and contact time.
Prevents drying during idle periods by deactivating mechanisms based on sensor information and time behavior.
Documented Applications
Surface-disinfection decontamination using devices that dispense indicator compositions and optionally disinfectant compositions onto disinfectant wipes/surfaces with visual indication of coverage and contact time.
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