Ozone generator

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and forms of apparatus for sterilizing various objects with ozone. The contents of a container may be sterilized by attaching a lid with an ozone generator to the container and generating ozone. Clothing may be treated by attaching the clothing to an ozone generator with a housing in the shape of a clothes hanger and generating ozone. Alternatively, the ozone generator in the shape of a clothes hanger may be placed in a closet with clothing to be treated. The power supply for the ozone generator may be a portable power supply, or power may be supplied from an adapter from an electrical outlet. Shoes may be deodorized by placing an ozone generator with an oblong shape in the shoes and generating ozone. A medical device may be sterilized by attaching the medical device to a sterilizing tip attached to a tubular screen, where the tubular screen is attached to the tip at one end and to an ozone generator at the other end, energizing the ozone generator and passing an oxygen-containing gas through the ozone generator to generate ozone.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for sterilizing the contents of a container comprising: 
 providing an ozone generator mounted in a housing having the shape of a lid to the container;    depositing materials intended for sterilization in the container;    joining the housing and ozone generator to the container;    energizing the ozone generator with electric power to generate an electric corona; and    passing an oxygen containing gas through the electric corona so as to generate ozone, thereby sterilizing the contents of the container.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ozone generator comprises two electrodes.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the ozone generator further comprises a portable power supply, a timer joined to the portable power supply, a switch to the timer, and a high frequency converter joined to the power supply and the electrodes.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the ozone generator further comprises an adapter for an electrical outlet.  
     
     
         5 . A method for treating clothing with ozone comprising: 
 providing an ozone generator mounted in a device having the shape of a clothes hanger: 
 attaching clothing intended for treating to the device having the shape of a clothes hanger.  
 energizing the ozone generator with electric power to generate an electric corona; and  
 passing an oxygen containing gas through the electric corona so as to generate ozone, thereby treating the clothing with ozone.  
   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the ozone generator comprises two electrodes.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the ozone generator further comprises a portable power supply, a timer joined to the portable power supply, a switch joined to the timer, and a high frequency converter joined to the power supply and the electrodes.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the ozone generator further comprises an adapter for an electrical outlet.  
     
     
         9 . A method for treating clothing in a closet with ozone comprising: 
 providing an ozone generator mounted in a device having the shape of a clothes hanger: 
 placing the device having the shape of a clothes hanger in the closet with said clothing;  
 energizing the ozone generator with electric power to generate an electric corona; and  
 passing an oxygen containing gas through the electric corona so as to generate ozone, thereby treating the clothing in the closet with ozone.  
   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the ozone generator comprises two electrodes.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the ozone generator further comprises a portable power supply, a timer joined to the portable power supply, a switch joined to the timer, and a high frequency converter joined to the power supply and the electrodes.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the ozone generator further comprises an adapter for an electrical outlet  
     
     
         13 . A method for deodorizing shoes comprising: 
 providing an ozone generator with a case of oblong shape;    placing the ozone generator in the case in a shoe;    energizing the ozone generator with electric power to generate an electric corona; and    passing an oxygen containing gas through the electric corona so as to generate ozone, thereby deodorizing the shoe.    
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the ozone generator comprises two electrodes.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the ozone generator further comprises a portable power supply, a timer joined to the portable power supply, a switch joined to the timer, and a high frequency converter joined to the power supply and the electrodes.  
     
     
         16 . A method for sterilizing a medical device comprising: 
 providing an ozone generator with a tubular shaped reflecting screen, wherein the screen is connected at a first end to an inlet that can be joined to a source of an oxygen containing gas and at a second end to a sterilizing tip;    joining a source of oxygen containing gas to the inlet;    attaching a medical device to be sterilized to the sterilizing tip;    energizing the ozone generator with electric power to generate an electric corona; and    passing an oxygen containing gas through the electric corona so as to generate ozone, thereby sterilizing the medical device.    
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the ozone generator comprises two electrodes.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for sterilizing the contents of a container comprising; 
 an ozone generator;    a housing for the ozone generator having the shape of a lid to the container; and    a power source for the ozone generator.    
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for treating clothing with ozone comprising: 
 an ozone generator;    a housing for the ozone generator having the shape of a clothes hanger; and    a power source for the ozone generator.    
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for sterilizing a medical device comprising; 
 an ozone generator; and    a tubular shaped reflecting screen, said screen having two ends, wherein the screen is connected at a first end to a source of oxygen containing gas and at a second end to a sterilizing tip, wherein the medical device to be sterilized is connected to the sterilizing tip.