Method for supplying sterilization/deodorization gas and apparatus therefor

A sterilization/deodorization gas supply system comprising:

• a sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus comprising:
• a cartridge container containing stabilized chlorine dioxide in an organic gelatinous agent form;
• a gas discharge unit;
• ultraviolet radiation means for projecting ultraviolet radiation onto the stabilized chlorine dioxide gel in said cartridge container to release the chlorine dioxide in dry, gaseous form;
• said ultraviolet radiation means being located within the gas discharge unit and the cartridge container being in an underlying relationship to the ultraviolet radiation means and detachably coupled to the gas discharge unit the cartridge container being located such that the chlorine dioxide gas produced is dispersable within an air stream of an air channel within the gas discharge unit;
• and
• means for directing the chlorine dioxide gas produced and dispersed in the air stream outside the gas discharge unit through a discharge port for sterilization/deodorization purposes;
• and
• an absorption means for absorbing stabilized chlorine dioxide gas that has passed through an object to be sterilized and deodorized.

A method for generating a sterilization/deodorization gas comprising the step of irradiating gelatinous stabilized chlorine dioxide with ultraviolet radiation to release the chlorine dioxide in dry gaseous form to comprise the sterilization/deodorization gas, the chlorine dioxide gas being generated in a sterilization/deodorizing gas system comprising:

• a sterilization/deodorization gas supply apparatus comprising:
• a cartridge container containing stabilized chlorine dioxide in an organic gelatinous agent form;
• a gas discharge unit;
• ultraviolet radiation means for projecting ultraviolet radiation onto the stabilized chlorine dioxide gel in said cartridge container to release the chlorine dioxide in dry, gaseous form;
• said ultraviolet radiation means being located within the gas discharge unit and the cartridge container being in an underlying relationship to the ultraviolet radiation means and detachably coupled to the gas discharge unit, the cartridge container being located such that the chlorine dioxide gas produced is dispersable within an air stream of an air channel within the gas discharge unit;
• and
• means for directing the chlorine dioxide gas produced and dispersed in the air stream outside the gas discharge unit through a discharge port for sterilization/deodorization purposes.