US 12,305,377 B2
System and method for disinfection of a plumbing system associated with liquid waste
William H. Guilford, Charlottesville, VA (US); Amy J. Mathers, Charlottesville, VA (US); and Shireen M. Kotay, Charlottesville, VA (US)
Assigned to University of Virginia Patent Foundation, Charlottesville, VA (US)
Appl. No. 16/969,637
Filed by University of Virginia Patent Foundation, Charlottesville, VA (US)
PCT Filed Feb. 26, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/019556
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 13, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/168836, PCT Pub. Date Sep. 6, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/635,652, filed on Feb. 27, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/810,061, filed on Feb. 25, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0399874 A1, Dec. 24, 2020
Int. Cl. E03C 1/126 (2006.01); C02F 1/02 (2023.01); F16L 53/38 (2018.01); F16L 59/02 (2006.01); C02F 103/00 (2006.01)
CPC E03C 1/126 (2013.01) [C02F 1/02 (2013.01); F16L 53/38 (2018.01); F16L 59/024 (2013.01); C02F 2103/003 (2013.01); C02F 2209/02 (2013.01); C02F 2303/04 (2013.01)] 116 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thermal disinfection system for a liquid-carrying conduit in a plumbing system, the thermal disinfection system comprising:
a heating device configured for thermal contact with at least a portion of said liquid-carrying conduit, thereby defining a thermal contact region of said liquid-carrying conduit, wherein said liquid-carrying conduit comprises thermally conductive material or non-heat-resistant material;
a thermal insulating layer disposed on said heating device configured to be located on a surface of said heating device opposite from said liquid-carrying conduit; and
wherein said heating device is configured to heat and dry a lumen defined by said liquid-carrying conduit along said thermal contact region to a specified temperature to prevent or inhibit microbial activity from advancing through said lumen defined by said liquid-carrying conduit.