Apparatus and method for disinfecting objects

An apparatus for electrolytically disinfecting an object which comprises:

• an electrolytic cell containing at least one pair of electrodes, said electrodes being positioned within said cell such that when said cell receives an electrolyte containing solution therein, said electrodes will be at least partially immersed in said solution;
• and
• means for holding said object to be disinfected comprising a plurality of sections, which can be joined to form walls defining a container sufficient to receive said object to be disinfected and a portion of said electrolyte containing solution in the interior of said container, at least wherein a portion of at least one of said plurality of sections is formed of an electrically conductive material which functions as a bipolar electrode when a potential is impressed across said electrodes;
• and
• wherein said container is of sufficient size so as to be capable of being immersed into said electrolyte containing solution, when said cell receives said electrolyte containing solution, between said electrodes;
• is capable of holding said object to be disinfected completely submerged in said electrolyte containing solution and permitting said electrolyte containing solution to surround said container between the walls thereof and each electrode;
• and has an aperture sufficient that said surrounding electrolyte containing solution is in electrolytic contact with the electrolyte containing solution within said container;
• and wherein said electrically conductive material is in electrolytic contact with the contents of said container when said container is immersed in said electrolyte containing solution.

An apparatus for electrolytically disinfecting an object which comprises:

• an electrolytic cell containing at least one pair of electrodes, said electrodes being positioned within said cell such that when said cell receives an electrolyte containing solution therein, said electrodes will be at least partially immersed in said solution;
• and
• a plurality of electrically conductive substrate having means for holding said object to be disinfected upon each of which an object to be disinfected may be supported, said electrically conductive substrate being of sufficient size so as to be capable of being immersed into the solution, when said cell receives said solution, between said electrodes, such that the electrolyte completely surrounds said holding means and said object;
• and wherein said substrate functions as bipolar electrodes when a potential is impressed across said electrodes.