WO2004056401A1 - Kit and method for disinfection of objects - Google Patents

Abstract

A kit of articles and a method are provided, for disinfection of an object suspect of being infected. The kit contains a list of instructions for guiding an untrained user to operate chemical disinfection in a manner safe to both user and environment. The kit also contains a disinfectant and a container which is sealingly closeable and openable, for receiving therein both the disinfectant and the object. The disinfection is achieved by insertion of the disinfectant together with the object in the container, then closing the container and waiting for a delay of time before opening the container to retrieve the disinfected object. The disinfectant is sodium dichloro-isocyanurate, or is selected from the group of chlorine compounds, ammonium salts, oxidants, and oxidizing agents.

Description

KIT AND METHOD FOR DISINFECTION OF OBJECTS

The present application is related to US Provisional Application Serial No. 60/434,536 filed on 19 December 2002, the priority date of which is claimed herein, and the contents of which is incorporated herein in whole by reference.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the disinfection of objects, and in particular, to kits for in situ do-it-yourself chemical disinfection of objects suspect of being infected, whereby an untrained user follows a list of instructions as a guide for operation of chemical disinfection in situ in do-it-yourself mode, in a manner safe to the user and to the environment.

Background Art Means for disinfection are developed and implemented ever since medical, industrial and other facilities have required disinfected objects and substances for their specific work. Numerous devices and methods have been disclosed, requiring equipment, materials and trained staff. Among those, the following two US Patents are provided as an example. US Patent No. 5,447,684 to Williams, referred to below as the '684 patent, teaches sterilization devices, rapid sporicidal compositions, sterilization methods, etc. In the '684 patent, there is disclosed a non- woven fabric containing anionic and cationic surfactants in different areas of the fabric. In one embodiment, an envelope has a chamber with a liner of such a non-woven fabric containing the anionic and cationic surfactants, wherein an object is introduced, and from which air is drawn to achieve vacuum. A germicide is introduced into the chamber to saturate the liner and an interaction occurs. It is noted that the process requires a germicide, an anionic surfactant and a cationic surfactant.

US patent No. 5,783,146 to Williams Jr., referred to below as the ' 146 patent, divulges a rapid sporicidal composition comprising a germicide and a cationic surfactant. Implementation of the ' 146 patent is similar to that of the '684 patent, but for operation of the invention taught in the ' 146 patent, there is need for a germicide and a cationic surfactant.

Nowadays, the need for disinfection is even more relevant. The use of chemical and biological means as weapons is a threat to individuals, since the days of dissemination by mail of envelopes containing infectious substances. In the year 2001, the USA suffered from a wave of envelopes sent by mail, containing anthrax spores. Since exposure to anthrax spores may result in the death of an individual coming in direct contact with the infected article, suspect envelopes were removed and inserted by crews of specialists into heavy hermetically closed containers for transport to specialized laboratory facilities. Once there, the envelopes were cautiously opened and their contents carefully inspected. The whole process of removal from domicile to laboratory until end of inspection is lengthy, cumbersome, and expensive.

It is therefore natural that in actual life, when there is need for disinfection, attention is turned to a laboratory with suitable equipment, disinfection material, and trained personnel, which unfortunately, is not always available when required. Unavailable means here: too far away to be of practical help, or not working on that day, or closed at that hour till another workday.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide hand-portable means whereby an untrained adult could use a kit for disinfection of suspect objects by operating in do- it-yourself mode and following a list of instructions. Operation of the kit must evidently be safe to the user and harmless to the environment for disposal of the kit and of the articles it contains, either before or after use, as common waste, such as household waste. Furthermore, it would also be advantageous to provide disinfection means, which could disinfect an object even when enveloped by a wrapping. In addition, should the object be a sheet of paper with writing and other inscriptions thereon, such as a letter sent by mail, then, it would be beneficial if the letter would remain legible after disinfection, when safe for handling and reading. Disclosure of the Invention

Particulars are sometimes faced with the problem of handling objects suspect of being infected. Such objects may be intentionally infected, and when so, enveloped in a wrapping to conceal their contents. For example, an envelope sent by mail or delivered to a mailbox may be infected. Usually, there is a lack of means for handling such an object at domicile, without causing damage thereto and without spoiling the contents thereof.

A solution to the problem of handling an objects suspect of being infected is to provide means for the disinfection in situ of such objects. The response to the need is provided as a kit of articles for disinfection, operable for turning the object into a disinfected object, by chemical disinfection. The hand-portable kit contains also a list of instructions to be followed for guiding an untrained user to operate chemical disinfection in situ in do-it-yourself mode, in a manner safe to the user and to the environment. There is thus no need for further equipment. Furthermore, basic facilities such as electricity or vacuum are not required.

The kit contains at least detailed instructions of use, a disinfectant and a container. The disinfectant is provided as a given amount of chemical disinfectant, for preparing an active disinfecting solution, by dissolving the given amount of disinfectant in a determined quantity of water. The kit further contains a container of flaccid rigidity, with an outside and a chamber inside, which is sealingly closeable and openable, for receiving therein both the disinfectant and the object. The disinfection of the object is achieved by inserting the active disinfecting solution and the object inside the container, then sealingly closing the container and waiting for a delay lasting for a specific duration of time. Such a delay is for example, 12 hours. Thereafter, the container is opened to retrieve the disinfected object therefrom.

When an impermeable wrapping envelopes the suspect object, then a perforator is used as a means for opening, through the wrapping, a passage allowing fluid flow communication from an outside of the impermeable wrapping, and through the impermeable wrapping, up to the object.

The kit permits disinfection in situ, at low cost, and in safety for the user. Furthermore, the kit, which is small and hand portable, is configured for do-it- yourself operation by an untrained user. For disposal, the kit is treated as common waste, and is safe to the environment either prior or after use, just as household waste.

When the suspect wrapped package contains written material such as a letter, the letter remains legible and unspoiled after the disinfection process. Other contents remain unspoiled for use after the treatment.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The different embodiments of kits described below contain various articles, but a disinfectant and a flaccid or a rigid container are the bare minimum. Additional articles are mainly instructions for operation, a vessel, if required, for preparing the active disinfecting solution in situ, if ready active disinfection products are not provided in the kit, and protective hand gloves. All the various kit articles listed below are hand portable.

In a first preferred embodiment, the disinfectant is supplied as a determined amount of solid substance, optionally replaced by a liquid disinfectant. As a solid substance, the disinfectant is preferably provided as a powder, but if desired, flakes, grains, granules, pellets, tablets, a paste, or the like will also do. A gel is also an alternative.

In the preferred embodiments, the disinfectant is selected as a commercially available substance, proven over the years as safe to the users and effective as a disinfectant. Sodium dichloro-isocyanurate is the disinfectant selected for the preferred embodiments, and is referred to below as "the disinfectant", but chlorine compounds are also suitable and effective. The disinfectant is well known in the art, and is also recognized as NaDCC or SIDC. The selected disinfectant is a mixture of one active disinfecting material and one non-disinfecting material. The active disinfecting material is NaDCC, making up 92% of the disinfectant. The non-disinfecting material is Sodium Bicarbonate, or NaHCO3 by its chemical formula, which is an effervescing agent, and makes up for 8% of the disinfectant. To obtain an active disinfecting solution, the given amount of disinfectant is dissolved in situ in a determined quantity of water. Thereby, obtaining a 1% active chemical mixture, as an active solution with a pH = 5. Water is defined as any water except wastewater. Thus, the water used for the dissolution of the disinfectant is possibly potable water, non-potable water, or even an aqueous solution, but not wastewater.

The active disinfecting solution reacts to release active reaction products. It is accepted by convention that reference to the active disinfecting solution relates to that solution per se, or to the active gaseous reaction products released therefrom, or to both.

As an alternative, single or more disinfecting materials such as chlorine compounds, ammonium salts, oxidants, and oxidizing agents may also be used. Furthermore, a colorant is optionally added to the disinfectant.

In the first preferred embodiment, the container is an envelope-container, or EC for short, such as a mail envelope, flaccid and pliable, defining an outside and an inside forming a chamber. The size of the EC (envelope-container) suits, for example, A4-format sheets of paper. Furthermore, the EC is hermetically sealable e.g. with a self-adhesive flap, or a sealing lip or strip, or by other means Moreover, the EC is openable after being sealed, and has an impermeable outside, so that once sealed, it is impervious to fluids.

Still in the first preferred embodiment, the EC has an inert liner covering the chamber inside thereof. The liner is made of liquid and humidity retaining material, such as an inert non-woven material, or any other substance or substrate able to accept, hold, and exude the active disinfecting solution. The same liner accommodates the retention therein of the active disinfecting solution as well as its release therefrom and of the reactive disinfection products.

Once sealed close, a slight pressure, such as hand pressure, is applied on the EC to ensure contact of the liner with the object suspect of being infected, and oozing therefrom of the reactive disinfection products. Since the EC is flaccid, the inside thereof conforms to contact the object and diffuses the reactive disinfection products.

As preferred, there is thus a direct contact with the suspect object.

The suspect object is possibly wrapped, such as, but not limited to, a mail envelope wrapping and containing an anthrax-infected letter. In that case, the active disinfecting solution, and/or the gaseous reaction products must penetrate the wrapping, or the mail envelope. The necessary diffusion and penetration process operates well for common permeable wrappings, such as mail-envelopes, which are permeable to liquid and moisture.

However, should the suspect envelope be impermeable, then it must be perforated by suitable means. To that end, use is made of a perforator or of a cutter for opening a passage from an outside of the impermeable wrapping and through the impermeable wrapping for allowing fluid flow communication from an outside of the impermeable wrapping and up to the object. The perforator is configured for receiving the impermeable wrapping of the object and for operation by application of pressure. Repetitive perforation is also feasible. Likewise, piercing or cutting a passage for the reactive disinfection products to penetrate to the inside of the wrapping enveloping the suspect object is easily achieved. The perforator is operated immediately after the container is sealed closed, and before starting the wait for the delay to lapse. The term perforator is used below as a generic term for utensils allowing punching, piercing, cutting, or otherwise opening a passage in a wrapping. Perforators, pierces, cutters and the like are known to the art. A simple example is a stapler, or a single-hole or other paper punch. An instrument resembling a small stapler may have two arms, pivotally attached at a one end and open but closeable at their free end. When closed to meet, the free ends operate in association to perforate, punch, pierce, or cut a passage through the wrapping of the object, according to end- effectors coupled to the free ends, which are accordingly, punches, or pins, or blades. All there is needed is to open a passage through the wrapping of the suspect object. For a suspect mail-envelope, a perforator is possibly pre-positioned inside the flaccid container: the suspect mail-envelope is inserted between the arms, or self-openable jaws of the perforator, and then, after the container is sealed, the perforator is operated by pressing down on the flaccid container, to perforate the mail envelope.

The active disinfecting solution, or its gaseous reaction products do not affect the inscriptions made on the paper of an infected letter. Thus when a suspect object containing written material is processed and turned into a disinfected object, the written material remains legible. The disinfection process does not alter the legibility of inscriptions made on paper by printing and by hand writing methods. The same holds evidently for drawings and not only for inscriptions. Once disinfected, a previously infected letter is safe for handling and for reading. The kit configured as the first preferred embodiment also contains a vessel for preparing the active disinfecting solution in situ. Preferably, this vessel is a box with a sealingly closeable lid, or a bottle with a tightly closeable cap, or else, a cup and a stirring wand. For a box, the given amount of disinfectant is provided inside therein. To prepare the active disinfecting solution, the box is opened and filled with water up to a level mark indicated thereon. Then the box is sealed close and vigorously shaken for some 30 to 60 seconds, until the disinfectant has dissolved, or most of it has dissolved, whereby the solution is ready for use. Next, the box is opened, and so is the container: the active disinfecting solution is poured into the container, here the EC, onto the inert liner, and absorbed by the liner. The suspect object is entered into the EC, preferably deposited on the liner, then sealed closed, and a slight pressure is applied on the -flaccid EC to preferably but not necessarily, ensure contact between the object and the liner.

Optionally, the given amount of chemical disinfectant is supplied in a bag. The disinfectant is emptied into a cup, water is added up to a level indication inscribed on the cup, wherein it dissolves, or most of it dissolves, when stirred for some 30 to 60 seconds.

The water used for the dissolution of the disinfectant is possibly potable water, non-potable water, or even an aqueous solution, but not wastewater. When practical, the determined quantity of water needed for the preparation of the active disinfecting solution is added as an article of the kit. Thereby, even though water is available where there is life, the term "in situ" keeps its meaning as "anywhere" in that respect too.

Preferably, two pair of gloves, such a surgical latex gloves are added to the kit, for handling the suspect object before and after the disinfection process. The first pair of gloves protects the hands from spillovers during preparation of the disinfecting solution and from touching the suspect object. The second pair of gloves is used after disinfection, to protect the skin of the hands from direct contact with remnants of the active reaction products. The wearing of gloves is in line with nowadays practice to provide gloves even for protecting the skin against common household dishwashing liquids. The embodiment of the first preferred kit may include more than one container. For example, ECs of various sizes, or ECs of various rigidity, such as flaccid, and/or semi-rigid. Rigid containers are also practical when appropriately equipped.

The kit of the first preferred embodiment is used as described below. 1. 1. A kit and the object, which is suspect, are prepared for disinfection. The kit is opened in situ to retrieve the articles contained therein. The list of instruction is read first and the instructions are followed.

1.2. A pair of gloves is worn and the active disinfecting solution is prepared, as described above. 1.3. The active disinfecting solution is poured into the EC, in the chamber inside, onto the liner, and is absorbed thereby.

1.4. The object is introduced into the EC and brought to rest on the liner. When a perforator is present inside the EC for perforating an impervious wrapping, then the object is positioned appropriately to be received for operation of the perforator after the container is sealed close.

1.5. The container is sealed close. When present, a perforator is operated to perforate or pierce the wrapping enveloping the object. Light pressure is then applied on the EC for conformance and for the active disinfecting solution to ooze out of the liner and onto the treated object. The first pair of gloves may now be discarded with the other used articles, as safe common waste.

1.6. A wait is started, which ends after a delay of up to 12 hours, according to the disinfection material supplied with the kit.

1.7. The second pair of gloves is worn. The EC is opened to retrieve the object from the chamber inside as a disinfected object. The articles of the kit are now safely discarded as common, environmental-safe waste.

In a second preferred embodiment, the kit contains a sprayer, or spraying bottle, which is openable and closeable, two pairs of gloves, and operation instructions. The sprayer is provided with a given amount of disinfectant inside therein. To prepare the active disinfecting solution, the required determined quantity of water is added up to a marked level sign, after which the sprayer is closed, and vigorously shaken for some 30 to 60 seconds, to produce the active disinfecting solution. The object is entered into an EC preferably without a liner covering the chamber inside, but not necessarily so, held in the chamber inside by one hand, and sprayed with the active disinfecting solution. If desired, the disinfectant contains a colorant, whereby a user easily detects which areas of the object have been sprayed. Next, the EC is closed and sealed, and after a delay of up to 12 hours, is retrieved from the chamber inside as a disinfected object, thus in disinfected condition.

The kit of the second preferred embodiment is used as described below.

2.1. A kit and the object are taken out in preparation for disinfection. The kit is opened to retrieve the articles contained therein. The list of instruction is read first and the instructions are followed. 2.2. A pair of gloves is worn and the active disinfecting solution is prepared, as described above.

2.3. The object is held by one hand and introduced inside the EC, in the chamber inside, while the other hand holds the sprayer. The active disinfecting solution is sprayed on the whole external surface of the object, and is then deposited inside the EC. A liner may be present but is not necessary. When a perforator is present inside the EC for perforating an impervious wrapping, then the object is positioned appropriately to be received for operation of the perforator after the container is sealed close, as described above.

2.4. The container is sealed close. When present, a perforator is operated to pierce the wrapping enveloping the object. The first pair of gloves may now be discarded with the other used articles, as safe common waste.

2.5. A wait is started, which ends after a delay of up to 12 hours, according to the disinfection material supplied with the kit.

2.6. The second pair of gloves is worn. The EC is opened to retrieve the suspect object from the chamber inside as a disinfected object. The articles of the kit are now safely discarded as common, environmental safe waste.

In a third preferred embodiment, the kit contains an EC with a liner on the chamber inside, just as with the EC of the first preferred embodiment, but the disinfection material is readily retained in solid state in the liner. Two pairs of gloves, and operation instructions are also contained as articles in the kit of the third embodiment. Thus a liner of inert material, such as non-woven material, covers the chamber inside, with the disinfectant being retained in solid state in the liner in a marked location. Then, an active disinfecting solution is prepared in situ, by pouring a determined quantity of water on the marked location of the liner for dissolving the disinfectant. The determined quantity of water is for example, the contents of a cup provided in the kit and filled up to a level mark. Then, the suspect object is inserted in the chamber inside and preferably deposited on the marked location prior to sealingly closing the container. The wait for the completion of the 12 hours delay is now started. The kit of the third preferred embodiment is used as described below.

3.1. A kit and the object are prepared for disinfection. The kit is opened in situ to retrieve the articles contained therein. The list of instruction is read first and the instructions are followed.

3.2. A pair of gloves is worn and the active disinfecting solution is created by pouring a determined quantity of water on an area marked on the liner.

3.3. The object is introduced into the EC, and preferably rested on the marked area of the liner. When a perforator is present for perforating an impervious wrapping, the object is positioned appropriately to permit operation of the perforator after the container is sealed close, as described above.

3.4. The container is sealed close. When present, a perforator is operated to perforate or pierce the wrapping enveloping the object. Light pressure is then applied on the EC for conformance and for the active disinfecting solution to ooze out of the liner and onto the treated object. The first pair of gloves may now be discarded with the other used articles, as safe common waste.

3.5. A wait is started, which ends after a delay of up to 12 hours, according to the disinfection material contained in the liner. 3.6. The second pair of gloves is worn. The EC is opened to retrieve the object from the chamber inside, as a disinfected object. The articles of the kit are now safely discarded as common, environmental-safe waste.

In a fourth preferred embodiment, the kit contains an EC without a liner, or plain EC for short, but not necessarily so, and a sealed package with two wet towels inside, soaked with a ready for use active disinfecting solution, two pairs of gloves, and operation instructions. In operation, the wet towels are wrapped around the suspect object, which is then inserted inside the plain EC and the process continues by waiting for the lapse of the delay, to continue as described in the first preferred embodiment. Alternatively, the EC without a liner is opened, a first towel is deposited on one inside wall of the plain EC, and next the object is deposited thereon and covered with the second towel. The kit of the fourth preferred embodiment is used as described below.

4.1. A kit and the object are prepared for disinfection. The kit is opened in situ to retrieve the articles contained therein. The list of instruction is read first and the instructions are followed.

4.2. A pair of gloves is worn, and the two towels are retrieved from their sealed package.

4.3. The object is wrapped inside the two towels, and a light pressure is applied on the towels, which are then introduced into the plain EC. Alternatively, the suspect object is inserted between both towels, and introduced into the plain EC. Often, one single towel is sufficient. 4.4. The plain EC is then sealed close. A light pressure is then applied on the plain EC after being closed, as described above. The first pair of gloves may now be discarded with the other used articles, as safe common waste.

4.5. A wait is started, which ends after a delay of up to 12 hours, according to the disinfection material soaked in the towels. 4.6. The second pair of gloves is worn. The container is opened to retrieve the object as a disinfected object. The articles of the kit are safely discarded as common, environmental safe waste.

Various features of the kits and of the methods for disinfection have been presented in four different, but not limiting examples. These all have a delay for disinfection that is not necessarily 12 hours but depends on the kind of disinfection product used. For disinfecting materials such as chlorine compounds, ammonium salts, oxidants, and oxidizing agents that delay will range from as short as half an hour, and up to 12 hours. The liner, when necessary, is a flaccid substrate, lining the chamber inside, functionally able to receive, hold, and release a selected disinfectant. The disinfection is achieved by transmission of the active disinfecting solution to the object by diffusion, without relevance to the type of disinfection product used. Tests

An object enveloped by a permeable wrapping was simulated by a standard mail envelope containing a sheet of paper, and contained 2*10⁶ spores of bacillus subtilis var niger, procured as a SGM strip of biological indicator, from Biotech Inc., Montana, USA, which was inserted in the envelope. The sheet of paper, of A4 format, had markings and inscriptions made thereon in printing, by different methods, such as laser printing, ink injection printing, as well as hand-marked inscriptions applied by use of various pens, felt-tip markers, and pencil leads.

Two methods were tested, each with a different kit. In the two tests, the disinfectant was a mixture of 92%> of sodium dichloro-isocyanurate with 8% of sodium bicarbonate, acquired off-the-shelf as a dry solid disinfectant.

The first test, made with a first kit, related below as kit A, had a container with a liner of non- woven absorbent material inside the container. A l% active disinfecting solution was prepared by mixing the 0.75 g of disinfectant with 75 ml of tap water, and stirred for dissolution for 30 to 60 seconds. The obtained active disinfecting solution was used as is, even if not completely dissolved, and poured onto the absorbent material, onto which the envelope was rested, for diffusion of the active disinfecting solution into the envelope. The container was then sealed close.

The second test, performed with a second kit, referred to below as kit B, without any liner inside the container, has a sprayer into which 20 ml of active disinfecting solution was prepared. A 1% active disinfecting solution was prepared by mixing the 0.20 g of disinfectant with 20 ml of tap water, and stirred for dissolution for 30 to 60 seconds. The obtained active disinfecting solution was used as is, even if not completely dissolved, and sprayed directly onto both sides of the envelope, for diffusion into the envelope. The envelope was then inserted inside the container, which was sealed close.

The spore strips were treated and cultured under standard procedures. In brief, the biological indicator strips were inserted aseptically into a vial containing soybean casein digest broth, as a "real estate biological culturing set", provided by Biotech Inc., Montana, USA. The vial incubated a 37 °C for seven days, and was checked every day for growth during the incubation period. As a positive control, the same procedure was repeated without the active disinfectant mixture in the solution. Growth of bacteria appeared after one day of incubation on all positive controls.

In the first test, nine infected envelopes treated at three different occasions with the kit A, provided the following results.

Table 1 The first test, summarized in Table 1, was thus completely successful. In the second test, ten infected envelopes treated at three different occasions with the kit B, provided the following results.

Table 2 The second test, summarized in Table 2, was thus but 96.7% successful. The single failure is perhaps best explained by the fact that a smaller amount of active disinfectant solution was used when compared with the first test, that the active disinfectant solution was sprayed, and thus depended of the care of the operator. Therefore, further tests will check the amount of active disinfectant solution to be sprayed and the advantage of adding a colorant as a feedback to the operator regarding the surfaced on the envelope, which was actually sprayed. A summary of the results shows that:

1. Both kits A and B kill spores contained inside envelopes.

2. The kits are safely disposable as environmental- friendly common waste.

3. There is no risk to the operator. 4. No need for training to use the kits.

5. Fine-tuning of the process is required to achieve 100% success in all cases.

The various embodiments presented above exemplify kits and methods applicable for the disinfection of objects. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. For example, more articles may be contained in each kit, e.g. vessels and pads, or other application methods could be used, such as swabs and brushes. Furthermore, depending on the relative size of the object to be disinfected and of the container, or EC, it is sometimes practical to disinfect more than one object simultaneously in the same container, side to side without touching each other. The kit and method are thus appropriate for the simultaneous disinfection of at least one object into a disinfected at least one object. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A kit of hand-portable articles for disinfection of an object suspect of being infected, to obtain a disinfected object, comprising: a list of instructions to be followed for guiding an untrained user to operate chemical disinfection in situ in do-it-yourself mode, in a manner safe to the user and to the environment, a disinfectant, supplied as a given amount of substance selected as sodium dichloro-isocyanurate, and a container of flaccid rigidity with an outside and a chamber inside, which is sealingly closeable and openable, for receiving therein both the disinfectant and the object, wherein disinfection of the object is achieved by following instructions for handling the disinfectant and for insertion thereof together with the object in the chamber inside, then sealingly closing the container and waiting for a delay lasting for a specific duration of time before opening the container to retrieve the disinfected object from the chamber inside, and whereby disinfection is achieved in transmission by diffusion of the active disinfecting solution to the object.

2. The kit according to Claim 1, wherein: handling the disinfectant further comprises: preparing an active disinfecting solution in situ by dissolving the disinfectant in a determined quantity of water, and the container further comprises: a liner covering the chamber inside, whereon the active disinfecting solution is poured and onto which the object is deposited prior to sealingly closing the container.

3. The kit according to Claim 1, wherein: the object is either one of both enveloped by a wrapping and unwrapped.

4. The kit according to Claim 1 , wherein: the object is enveloped by either one of both a permeable and an impermeable wrapping.

5. The kit according to Claim 2, further comprising: a perforator provided as an article of the kit and residing in the chamber inside, for use when the object is enveloped inside an impermeable wrapping, the object further comprising: an impermeable wrapping enveloping the object inside therein, wherein the perforator provided in the chamber inside is configured for receiving the impermeable wrapping and for opening therethrough a passage allowing fluid flow communication from an outside thereof and through the impermeable wrapping to the object, and wherein the perforator is operated after the container is sealingly closed and prior to waiting for the delay to start, whereby disinfection is achieved by transmission of the active disinfecting solution to the object by diffusion.

6. The kit according to Claim 2, wherein: the articles comprised therein are environmentally safe for disposal as common waste, before and after obtaining a disinfected object.

7. The kit according to Claim 5, wherein: the object is a substrate bearing inscriptions, which remain legible when obtained as a disinfected object.

8. The kit according to Claim 5, wherein: the object is a sheet of paper bearing inscriptions, which remain legible when obtained as a disinfected object.

9. The kit according to Claim 5, wherein: disinfection of an object enveloped by a wrapping is achieved by transmission of the active disinfecting solution by diffusion, comprising use of a perforator when the wrapping is not permeable, for opening a passage for fluid flow communication from an outside through the wrapping and to the object.

10. The kit according to Claim 1, wherein: the disinfectant is provided inside a sprayer, which is openable and closeable, and contains therein the given amount of disinfectant, and handling the disinfectant further comprises: opening the sprayer and adding a determined quantity of water inside thereof, after which the sprayer is closed and shaken for dissolution of the disinfectant in situ into an active disinfecting solution, wherein the object is held in the chamber inside and the sprayer is operated to spray the active disinfecting solution onto the object before sealingly closing the container.

1 1. The kit according to Claim 10, further comprising: a perforator provided as an article of the kit and residing in the chamber inside, for use when the object is enveloped inside an impermeable wrapping, the object further comprising: an impermeable wrapping enveloping the object inside therein, wherein the perforator provided in the chamber inside is configured for receiving the impermeable wrapping and for opening therethrough a passage allowing fluid flow communication from an outside thereof and through the impermeable wrapping to the object, and wherein the perforator is operated after the container is sealingly closed and prior to waiting for the delay to start, whereby disinfection is achieved by transmission of the active disinfecting solution to the object by diffusion.

12. The kit according to Claim 10, wherein: the object is a sheet of paper bearing inscriptions, which remain legible when obtained as a disinfected object.

13. The kit according to Claim 10, wherein: the articles comprised therein are environmentally safe for disposal as common waste, before and after obtaining a disinfected object.

14. The kit according to Claim 1, wherein: the container further comprises: a liner covering the chamber inside, with the disinfectant being retained in solid state in the liner in a marked location, and handling the disinfectant further comprises: preparing an active disinfecting solution in situ by pouring a determined quantity of water on the marked location of the liner for dissolving the disinfectant, and the object being inserted in the chamber inside and deposited on the marked location prior to sealingly closing the container.

15. The kit according to Claim 14, further comprising: a perforator provided as an article of the kit and residing in the chamber inside, for use when the object is enveloped inside an impermeable wrapping, the object further comprising: an impermeable wrapping enveloping the object inside therein, wherein the perforator provided in the chamber inside is configured for receiving the impermeable wrapping and for opening therethrough a passage allowing fluid flow communication from an outside thereof and through the impermeable wrapping to the object, and wherein the perforator is operated after the container is sealingly closed and prior to waiting for the delay to start, whereby disinfection is achieved by transmission of the active disinfecting solution to the object by diffusion.

16. The kit according to Claim 15, wherein: the object is a sheet of paper bearing inscriptions, which remain legible when obtained as a disinfected object.

17. The kit according to Claim 15, wherein: the articles comprised therein are environmentally safe for disposal as common waste, before and after obtaining a disinfected object.

18. The kit according to Claim 1, further comprising: at least one towel impregnated with an active disinfecting solution created by dissolving the disinfectant in a determined amount of water, with the object being wrapped inside the at least one towel prior to insertion thereof in the chamber inside and sealingly closing the container.

19. The kit according to Claim 18, wherein: the object is an envelope containing a sheet of paper bearing inscriptions, which remain legible when obtained as a disinfected object.

20. The kit according to Claim 18, wherein: the articles comprised therein are environmentally safe for disposal as common waste, before and after obtaining a disinfected object.

21. The kit according to Claim 1, 10, 14, or 18, wherein: the disinfectant is selected from the group of disinfectants consisting of chlorine compounds.

22. The kit according to Claim 1, 10, 14, or 18, wherein: the disinfectant is selected from the group of disinfectants consisting of ammonium salts, oxidants, and oxidizing agents.

23. The kit according to Claim 1, 10, 14, or 18, wherein: the delay lasts for 12 hours.

24. The kit according to Claim 1, 10, 14, or 18, wherein: the delay ranges from half an hour to 12 hours, according to the selected disinfectant.

25. A method for guiding an untrained user to perform chemical disinfection of at least one object suspect of being infected to obtain an at least one disinfected object by following a list of instructions for operating in situ a kit of hand-portable articles in do-it-yourself mode, in a manner safe to the user and to the environment, comprising the steps of: preparing an active disinfecting solution in situ by dissolving a disinfectant supplied in the kit as a given amount of a commercially available substance and selected as a chlorine compound in a determined quantity of water, using a container of flaccid rigidity supplied in the kit and is sealingly closeable and openable, and comprising an outside and a chamber inside covered with a liner configured receiving, holding, and releasing the active disinfecting solution and for receiving the at least one object thereon, inserting the at least one object in the chamber inside onto the liner holding the active disinfecting solution, and closing the container sealed and waiting for a delay lasting for a specific duration of time before opening the container to retrieve the disinfected at least one object from the chamber inside, whereby disinfection is achieved in transmission by diffusion of the active disinfecting solution to the at least one object.

26. The method according to Claim 25, wherein: the active disinfecting solution is poured onto the liner prior to insertion of the at least one object.

27. The method according to Claim 25, wherein: the disinfectant is retained in solid state in the liner in a marked location, and the active disinfecting solution is prepared in situ by pouring a determined quantity of water on the marked location for dissolving the disinfectant.

28. The method according to Claim 25, further comprising the steps of: using a perforator provided as an article of the kit and residing in the chamber inside, for use when the at least one object is enveloped inside an impermeable wrapping, configuring the perforator for receiving the impermeable wrapping and for opening therethrough a passage allowing fluid flow communication from an outside thereof and through the impermeable wrapping to the at least one object, and operating the perforator after the container is sealingly closed and prior to waiting for the delay to start, whereby disinfection is achieved by transmission of the active disinfecting solution to the at least one object by diffusion.

29. The method according to Claim 28, wherein: the at least one object is a sheet of paper bearing inscriptions, which remain legible when obtained as a disinfected at least one object.

30. The method according to Claim 28, wherein: the articles comprised in the kit are environmentally safe for disposal as common waste, before and after obtaining a disinfected at least one object.

31. A method for guiding an untrained user to perform chemical disinfection of an at least one object suspect of being infected to obtain a disinfected at least one object by following a list of instructions for operating in situ a kit of hand-portable articles in do-it-yourself mode, in a manner safe to the user and to the environment, comprising the steps of: supplying a given amount of chlorine compound, and a container as articles comprised in the kit, providing an active disinfecting solution created by dissolving the chlorine compound available as a commercially disinfectant, in a determined quantity of water, using the container, which is sealingly closeable and openable, and comprising an outside and a chamber inside into which the active disinfecting solution and the at least one object are inserted, and closing the container sealed and waiting for a delay lasting for a specific duration of time before opening the container to retrieve the disinfected at least one object from the chamber inside, whereby disinfection is achieved by transmission of the active disinfecting solution to the at least one object by diffusion.

32. The method according to Claim 31 , further comprising the steps of: providing a sprayer as an article of the kit, wherein the sprayer is openable and closeable, and contains therein the given amount of disinfectant, opening the sprayer and adding a determined quantity of water inside thereof, after which the sprayer is closed and shaken for dissolution of the disinfectant in situ into an active disinfecting solution, and holding the at least one object in the chamber inside and operating the sprayer for spraying the active disinfecting solution onto the at least one object before sealingly closing the container.

33. The method according to Claim 31, further comprising the steps of: providing a perforator residing in the container as an article of the kit, and configured for opening a passage allowing fluid flow communication from an outside thereof and through an impermeable wrapping, enveloping the at least one object, and operating the perforator when the at least one object is enveloped inside an impermeable wrapping, after the container is sealingly closed and prior to waiting for the delay to start, whereby disinfection is achieved by transmission of the active disinfecting solution to the at least one object by diffusion.

34. The method according to Claim 33, wherein: the at least one object is a sheet of paper bearing inscriptions, which remain legible when obtained as a disinfected at least one object.

35. The method according to Claim 33 , wherein: the articles comprised in the kit are environmentally safe for disposal as common waste, before and after obtaining a disinfected at least one object.

36. The method according to Claim 31, further comprising the steps of: providing as an article of the kit, at least one towel impregnated with an active disinfecting solution created by dissolving the disinfectant in a determined amount of water, and wrapping the at least one object inside the at least one towel prior to insertion thereof in the chamber inside and sealingly closing the container, whereby disinfection is achieved by transmission of the active disinfecting solution to the at least one object by diffusion.

37. The method according to Claim 36, wherein: the at least one object is a sheet of paper bearing inscriptions, which remain legible when obtained as a disinfected at least one object.

38. The method according to Claim 36, wherein: the articles comprised in the kit are environmentally safe for disposal as common waste, before and after obtaining a disinfected at least one object.

39. The method according to Claim 25 or 31 , wherein: the disinfectant is selected as sodium dichloro-isocyanurate.

40. The method according to Claim 25 or 31, wherein: the disinfectant is selected from the group of disinfectants consisting of ammonium salts, oxidants, and oxidizing agents.

41. The method according to Claim 25 or 31 , wherein: the delay lasts for 12 hours.

42. The method according to Claim 25 or 31 , wherein: the delay ranges from half an hour to 12 hours, according to the selected disinfectant.