Infectious agent air treatment system, apparatus, and method
US12226731B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 2021 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D2257/91
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An air treatment system, e.g., used in a PPE mask, contains media with an infectious agent attenuator that attenuates or inactivates infectious agents in air flowing through passages in a media, the attenuator composed of moisture-activated biocide, e.g., organic acid like citric acid, and a humectant, e.g., gelling humectant like sorbitol, which captures moisture from the air to maintain biocide activation. A surfactant, such as a rhamnolipid surfactant, which attracts and encapsulates infectious agents in the air can be included. The attenuator has a pH≤5, preferably ≤4, more preferably ≤3.5, is kept activated at or below the desired pH by humectant capturing moisture in the breath of a person wearing a mask with the media. A preferred biocide is composed of a solution containing about 88% water and 12% of a mixture that is at least 80% citric acid and no more than 20% sorbitol.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.