Compositions and methods for UV sterilization
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
A61L-002/00
H01J-037/20
A61L-002/10
출원번호
US-0650028
(2012-10-11)
등록번호
US-9387268
(2016-07-12)
발명자
/ 주소
Farren, Alexander
출원인 / 주소
Farren, Alexander
대리인 / 주소
Duane Morris LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
15인용 특허 :
34
초록▼
Provided herein are systems, ultraviolet (UV) devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization, more specifically, systems, devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization of a container, room, space or defined environment. The systems, UV devices, and methods are particularly u
Provided herein are systems, ultraviolet (UV) devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization, more specifically, systems, devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization of a container, room, space or defined environment. The systems, UV devices, and methods are particularly useful for the UV disinfection and sterilization of a container used in the food and dairy industry and for containers used in the process of fermentation for an alcoholic beverage. Provided are also systems, UV devices, and methods for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present in a container, room, space or defined environment preferably for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present on an interior surface of a container, room, space or defined environment.
대표청구항▼
1. A method for ultraviolet (UV) sterilization of an interior surface of a container, the method comprising the steps of: (a) movably placing a portable UV device comprising a germicidal UV light source and a circuit board on or at an opening of a container;(b) movably and inwardly inserting the ger
1. A method for ultraviolet (UV) sterilization of an interior surface of a container, the method comprising the steps of: (a) movably placing a portable UV device comprising a germicidal UV light source and a circuit board on or at an opening of a container;(b) movably and inwardly inserting the germicidal UV light source through the opening of the container; and(c) activating the germicidal UV light source, whereby sterilization of the interior surface of the container is initiated; wherein the germicidal UV light source comprises a UV lamp;wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of:(A) comprising a radiofrequency identifier reader;(B) communicating with a radiofrequency identifier;(C) controlling the movement of the germicidal UV light source within the container;(D) controlling the rate of descent of the germicidal UV light source within the container;(E) controlling a positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container;(F) controlling an on/off status of the motor, wherein the motor controls the positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container;(G) controlling an on/off status of the germicidal UV light source based on measuring whether a pre-determined UV intensity has been attained;(H) controlling extension of the germicidal UV light source from a housing;(I) controlling retraction of the germicidal UV light source into the housing; and(J) responding to a jammed position status of the germicidal UV light source. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: (d) moving the germicidal UV light source to a first vertical position within the container. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of: (e) moving the germicidal UV light source from the first vertical position to a horizontal position within the container. 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of: (f) moving the germicidal UV light source from the horizontal position to a second vertical position within the container. 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the alcoholic beverage is selected from the group consisting of beer, wine, gin, vodka, and whisky. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the alcoholic beverage is wine. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, when placed on or at the opening of the container, the portable UV device covers at least in part the opening of the container. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the germicidal UV light source is a pulsed germicidal UV light source. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container is a container for fermenting an alcoholic beverage. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container is a container for storing or transporting a dairy product, a liquid dairy, a liquid dairy composition or a dry dairy composition. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein one or more species of microorganisms is present on the interior surface of the container and wherein the activation of the germicidal UV light source results in inhibiting the growth of the one or more species of microorganisms, and wherein the one or more species of microorganisms is selected from the group consisting of Candida, Kloeckera, Hanseniaspora, Zygosaccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, Torulaspora, Brettanomyces, Saccharomycodes, Pichia, Williopsis, Pediococcus, Lactobacillus, Oenococcus, Hansenula, Metschnikowia, Debaryomyces, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces bayanus, Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium diphtheria, Salmonella paratyphi, Salmonella typhosa, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexerni, Staphylococcus albus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus hemolyticus, Streptococcus lactis, Streptococcus viridians, Vibrio comma, Brettanomyces (Dekkera), lactic acid bacteria, Acetobacter, and Leuconostoc. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the growth of the one or more species of microorganisms is inhibited by at least 3 log. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the portable UV device comprises a housing. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the portable UV device comprises a housing from which the germicidal UV light source is released. 15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: (d) moving the germicidal UV Light source longitudinally within the container to a predetermined position. 16. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: (d) moving the germicidal UV Light source laterally within the container to a predetermined position. 17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the UV lamp is selected from the group consisting of a low-pressure lamp, a medium pressure lamp, a high pressure lamp, and an ultra high-pressure lamp. 18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the UV lamp is selected from the group consisting of a mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, a spectral calibration lamp, and an electrodeless lamp. 19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the UV light source produces UV light within a wave-length range selected from the group consisting of from about 200 nm to about 280 nm, from about 280 nm to about 315 nm, and from about 315 nm to about 400 nm. 20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the container is on top of the container and the germicidal UV light source is inserted into the container from the top of the container, the opening of the container is at a bottom of the container and the germicidal UV light source is inserted into the container from the bottom of the container, or the opening of the container is on a side of the container and the germicidal UV light source is inserted into the container from a side of the container. 21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a closure having an opening, wherein the portable UV device is positioned on top of the closure and wherein the germicidal UV light source is moved through the opening in the closure of the container into the container. 22. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: (d) removing the germicidal UV light source from the container upon completion of the sterilization of the interior surface of the container. 23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of (B) communicating with the radiofrequency identifier;(C) controlling the movement of the germicidal UV light source within the container;(D) controlling the rate of descent of the germicidal UV light source within the container;(E) controlling the positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container; and(F) controlling the on/off status of the motor, wherein the motor controls the positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container. 24. The method according to claim 1, wherein the functionality of the circuit board is (C) controlling the movement of the germicidal UV light source within the container. 25. The method according to claim 1, wherein the functionality of the circuit board is (G) controlling the on/off status of the germicidal UV light source based on measuring whether a predetermined UV intensity has been attained. 26. A method for ultraviolet (UV) sterilization of an interior surface of a container, the method comprising the steps of: (a) attaching a UV device to an upper perimeter of a container; wherein the UV device comprises: (i) a germicidal UV light source comprising one or more UV lamps;(ii) a telescopic arm;(iii) a means for moving the germicidal UV light source to a predetermined first vertical position;(iv) a means for moving the germicidal UV light source from the first vertical position to a horizontal position; and(v) a means for moving the germicidal UV light source from the horizontal position to a second vertical position;(b) moving the germicidal UV light source of the UV device to a first vertical position;(c) moving the germicidal UV light source of the UV device from the first vertical position to a horizontal position;(d) moving the germicidal UV light source of the UV device from the horizontal position to a second vertical position; and(e) activating the germicidal UV light source. 27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the container is a container for fermenting an alcoholic beverage selected from the group consisting of beer, wine, gin, vodka, and whisky. 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the alcoholic beverage is wine. 29. The method according to claim 26, wherein the one or more UV lamps are attached to a housing. 30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the housing is attached to a first end of the telescopic arm by a first pivot. 31. The method according to claim 30, wherein a second end of the telescopic arm is attached to the UV device by a second pivot. 32. The method according to claim 26, wherein (v) is a rope, cable, or wire permitting moving the germicidal UV light source to a downward position and, after completion of the sterilization of the interior surface of the container, to an upward position within the container. 33. The method according to claim 26, wherein the one or more UV lamps are selected from the group consisting of a mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, a spectral calibration lamp, and an electrodeless lamp. 34. A method for ultraviolet (UV) sterilization of an interior surface of a container, the method comprising the steps of: (a) movably and inwardly inserting through an opening of a container a germicidal UV light source of a portable UV device; and(b) activating the germicidal UV light source, whereby sterilization of the interior surface of the container is initiated; wherein the germicidal UV light source comprises at least one UV lamp;wherein the portable UV device comprises a circuit board;wherein the circuit board comprises a functionality selected from the group consisting of:(A) comprising a radiofrequency identifier reader;(B) communicating with a radiofrequency identifier;(C) controlling the movement of the germicidal UV light source within the container;(D) controlling the rate of descent of the germicidal UV light source within the container;(E) controlling the positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container;(F) controlling an on/off status of the motor, wherein the motor controls the positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container;(G) controlling an on/off status of the germicidal UV light source based on measuring whether a pre-determined UV intensity has been attained;(H) controlling extension of the germicidal UV light source from a housing;(I) controlling retraction of the germicidal UV light source into the housing; and(J) responding to a jammed position status of the germicidal UV light source. 35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) placing the germicidal UV light source on or at a bottom of the container. 36. The method according to claim 34, wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) moving the germicidal UV light source within the container to a pre-determined position. 37. The method according to claim 34, wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) moving the germicidal UV light source from a horizontal position to a vertical position. 38. The method according to claim 34, wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) moving the germicidal UV light source into an angular position. 39. The method according to claim 34, wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) moving the germicidal UV light source longitudinally in the container. 40. The method according to claim 34, wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) moving the germicidal UV light source laterally in the container. 41. The method according to claim 34, wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) rotating the germicidal UV light source in the container. 42. The method according to claim 34, wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) programming the portable UV device to obtain a predetermined UV light intensity. 43. The method according to claim 42, wherein step (c) comprises an algorithm taking into account one or more of a parameter selected from the group consisting of size of the container, shape of the container, intensity of the at least one UV lamp, and distance of the at least one UV lamp from the interior surface of the container to be sterilized. 44. The method according to claim 34, wherein the opening of the container is on top of the container and the germicidal UV light source is inserted into the container from the top of the container, the opening of the container is at a bottom of the container and the germicidal UV light source is inserted into the container from the bottom of the container, or the opening of the container is on a side of the container and the germicidal UV light source is inserted into the container from a side of the container. 45. The method according to claim 34, wherein the container is a container for fermenting an alcoholic beverage. 46. The method according to claim 45, wherein the alcoholic beverage is wine. 47. The method according to claim 45, wherein the alcoholic beverage is beer. 48. The method according to claim 45, wherein the alcoholic beverage is gin, vodka, or whisky. 49. The method according to claim 34, wherein the container is a container for water, milk, coffee, tea, juice, or a carbonated beverage. 50. The method according to claim 34, wherein the container is selected from the group consisting of a vat, a silo, a tub, a basket, a case, a box, a barrel, a storage bin, a container for a biological fluid, a beverage container, and an aquarium. 51. The method according to claim 50, wherein the container for the biological fluid is selected from the group consisting of a container for blood, a container for a blood product, a container for a fermentation product, a container for a cell culture product, and a container for a biotechnology product. 52. The method according to claim 34, wherein the container is a container for storing or transporting a dairy product, a liquid dairy, a liquid dairy composition or a dry dairy composition. 53. The method according to claim 34, wherein the interior surface of the container comprises etched aluminum, foil aluminum, polished aluminum, chromium, glass, nickel, silver, stainless steel, tri-plated steel, water paint, white cotton, white oil paint, white paper, white porcelain or white wall plaster. 54. The method according to claim 34, wherein the container is made of stainless steel, wood, plastic, concrete, a polymer, or glass. 55. The method according to claim 34, wherein the germicidal UV light source comprises a plurality of UV lamps. 56. The method according to claim 55, wherein members of the plurality of UV lamps are arranged in a cluster. 57. The method according to claim 56, wherein the cluster is selected from a cluster comprising at least two UV lamps, a cluster comprising at least three UV lamps, a cluster comprising at least four UV lamps, a cluster comprising at least five UV lamps, a cluster comprising at least six UV lamps, a cluster comprising at least seven UV lamps, and a cluster comprising at least eight UV lamps. 58. The method according to claim 55, wherein members of the plurality of UV lamps are arranged adjustably so that they can be positioned at varying angles with respect to each other. 59. The method according to claim 58, wherein the angles are between 0 and 90 degrees. 60. The method according to claim 55, wherein a member of the plurality of UV lamps can be moved from a closed configuration position into an open configuration position. 61. The method according to claim 55, wherein the plurality of UV lamps comprises a first UV lamp and a second UV lamp. 62. The method according to claim 61 wherein the first UV lamp and the second UV lamp are spaced apart. 63. The method according to claim 61, wherein the first UV lamp and the second UV lamp are arranged perpendicular with respect to each other. 64. The method according to claim 61, wherein the first UV lamp and the second UV lamp are arranged adjustably so that they can move in a circular motion. 65. The method according to claim 34 wherein the at least one UV lamp is selected from the group consisting of a hot cathode lamp, a slimline lamp, a high output lamp, and a cold cathode lamp. 66. The method according to claim 34, wherein the at last one UV lamp is selected from the group consisting of a low pressure UV lamp, a medium pressure UV lamp and a high pressure UV lamp. 67. The method according to claim 34, wherein the germicidal UV light source is a pulsed germicidal UV light source. 68. The method according to claim 34, wherein the at least one UV lamp is a mercury UV lamp. 69. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device further comprises a frame and wherein the germicidal UV light source is attached to the frame. 70. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device further comprises a spring, a hinge or a UV lamp module swing and wherein the spring, the hinge or the UV lamp module swing permits the at least one UV lamp to move from a closed position into an exposed position for sterilization. 71. The method according to claim 34, further comprising the step of: (c) placing a detector at an interior location within the container, wherein the detector measures a UV intensity level. 72. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device further comprises a detector. 73. The method according to claim 72, wherein the detector measures a UV intensity level. 74. The method according to claim 73, wherein the germicidal UV light source is shut off when a specified UV intensity level is attained. 75. The method according to claim 72, wherein the detector is connected to the germicidal UV light source. 76. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device further comprises a housing. 77. The method according to claim 76, wherein the housing is selected from the group consisting of a mesh cage, a housing, which allows UV light to pass through, a housing comprising a protective sleeve, a housing comprising a fan cooling system, a housing comprising a reflector, a housing attached to a bracket, a housing attached to a parallelogramming arm, a housing attached to a central sleeve, a housing attached to a scissor boom, a removable housing, and a housing which may fold open. 78. The method according to claim 76, wherein the housing surrounds the at least one UV lamp. 79. The method according to claim 76, wherein the housing is made of a polymer. 80. The method according to claim 76, wherein the housing is made of teflon. 81. The method according to claim 76, wherein the housing permits passing through of UV light without the at least one UV lamp being released from the housing. 82. The method according to claim 76, wherein the housing is a housing which does not allow UV light to pass through and wherein the at least one UV lamp can be released from the housing. 83. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device further comprises a motor, wherein the motor controls the positioning of the germicidal UV light source within the container. 84. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device further comprises an optical component selected from the group consisting of a reflector, a shutter, a lens, a splitter, and a mirror. 85. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device further comprises and a means for attaching the portable UV device or a part thereof to the container and wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) temporarily attaching the portable UV device or part thereof to the container. 86. The method according to claim 85, wherein the means for attaching is selected from the group consisting of a fastener, a screw, a mounting tab, a bracket, and a hanger. 87. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device comprises a rope, a wire, or a cable, wherein the rope, the wire or the cable is connected to the UV light source and wherein the rope, the wire or the cable permits moving the UV light source from a first position within the container to a second position within the container. 88. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device comprises a control box comprising an on/off switch to activate and/or shut off the germicidal UV light source. 89. The method according to claim 88, wherein the control box further comprises a lamp indicator showing whether power is sent to the germicidal UV light source. 90. The method according to claim 34, wherein one or more species of microorganisms is present on the interior surface of the container and wherein the activation of the germicidal UV light source results in inhibiting the growth of the one or more species of microorganisms. 91. The method according to claim 90, wherein the one or more species of microorganisms is selected from the group consisting of Candida, Kloeckera, Hanseniaspora, Zygosaccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, Torulaspora, Brettanomyces, Pichia, Hansenula, Metschnikowia, Debaryomyces, Saccharomycodes, Williopsis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces bayanus, Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium diphtheria, Salmonella paratyphi, Salmonella typhosa, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexerni, Staphylococcus albus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus hemolyticus, Streptococcus lactis, Streptococcus viridians, Vibrio comma, Brettanomyces (Dekkera), lactic acid bacteria, Pediococcus, Lactobacillus, Oenococcus, Acetobacter, and Leuconostoc. 92. The method according to claim 34, wherein the UV light source produces a UV light intensity within a range of between 1,300 μWs/cm2 to 440,000 μWs/cm2. 93. The method according to claim 34, wherein the functionality of the circuit board is (G) controlling the on/off status of the germicidal UV light source based on measuring whether a predetermined UV intensity has been attained. 94. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device further comprises a means for attaching the portable UV device or a part thereof to the container and wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) permanently attaching the portable UV device or part thereof to the container. 95. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device further comprises a means for attaching the portable UV device or a part thereof to the container and wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) attaching the portable UV device or part thereof to the container for a time necessary to perform UV sterilization of the interior surface of the container. 96. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device further comprises a means for attaching the portable UV device or a part thereof to the container and wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) attaching the portable UV device or part thereof to the container for an extended period of time before or after step (b). 97. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device further comprises a means for attaching the portable UV device or a part thereof to an object or structure in a room, a space or defined environment and wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) attaching the portable UV device or part thereof to the object or structure in the room, the space or defined environment. 98. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable UV device further comprises a means for attaching the portable UV device or a part thereof to a floor, ceiling or wall of a room, a space or defined environment and wherein the method further comprises the step of: (c) attaching the portable UV device or part thereof to the floor, ceiling or wall of the room, the space or defined environment.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (34)
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