Abstract: An ultraviolet disinfection (UV) system for gases including a UV light-ready gas purifier having at least one portal in the gas purifier for receiving UV light input from a UV light source, which is removably connected to the gas purifier via a connector at the portal, and positioned to provide a focused, controllable UV light output that has at least one UV dose zone for providing effective sterilization of microorganisms and disinfection within an interior of the gas purifier. The light source is positioned within a housing that is external to the gas purifier and capable of being connected thereto via optical connectors, such as fiber optic transmission lines. A method for UV disinfection of the interior of gas purifiers is also included in the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to an odor dispensing device comprising a housing and a disc shaped cartridge (3, 32) adapted to move around its rotation axis and having a plurality of discrete radially arranged compartments (5, 33), each compartment (5, 33) containing an odorant or an odorant carrier (6, 58), said housing containing means for positioning the cartridge (3, 32), means for producing an airstream to a pre-selected compartment (5, 33) in response to a signal emanating from a computer control module, a microprocessor, an optical system or a timing mechanism and means for temporarily subjecting the odor carrier (6, 58) within the compartment (5, 33) to the airstream so that an odor is discharged from the cartridge (3, 32), and entrained in the airstream, wherein the cartridge (3, 32) has a basic body (4, 34) with bottom (4f, 51) and compartments (5, 33) separated by walls, which compartments (5) of the cartridge (3) can be tightly closed and opened by covers (11) working in axial direction of the cartridge (

Abstract: A sterilization tray has a smooth exterior, ruggedness, light weight, high thermal conductivity, comfortable gripping surfaces, stackability, and low cost construction. The tray is constructed of stamped and folded sheet metal, but in such a way as to provide rounded corners. A molded handle insert is attached to the ends of the tray to provide the multiple utility of reducing the number of handles required, maximizing space utilization, providing a comfortable gripping surface on the outside and inside of the tray, and providing stackability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of decontaminating surfaces on a living creature. A beam of electrons is generated with an electron beam generator operating in the range of about 40 kv to 60 kv. The beam of electrons exit the electron beam generator through an exit window. The surfaces on the living creature are irradiated with the beam of electrons. The beam of electrons are of an energy sufficient to decontaminate the surfaces without damaging living tissue.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for inhibiting adhesion of bacteria to the surface of a biomedical device comprising contacting the surface of said biomedical device with a cationic polysaccharide in aqueous solution having an ionic strength of from about 0.01 to about 0.13.

Abstract: A fragrance emanating device for freshening atmospheric air has (i) a closed container for accommodating a liquid fragrance composition in its interior, (ii) an emanator having a surface open to the ambient air for evaporation of the liquid fragrance composition, and (iii) a conduit linking the emanator surface with the liquid fragrance composition in the interior of the container. The components of the device are so dimensioned that, in use, thermal expansion of air and/or liquid in the container, resulting from an increase in temperature, causes a portion of the fragrance composition to travel along the conduit from the container to the emanator surface, and thermal contraction of the air and/or liquid in the container, resulting from a decrease in temperature, causes air from the atmosphere to enter the container via the conduit.

Abstract: A metering valve for delivering liquids from a reservoir includes a rotatable valve plug having at least one well in the valve plug. The valve plug prevents direct communication across the valve. Rotating the valve plug transfers the liquid from the reservoir into the well on the valve plug. Rotating the valve plug further transfers the liquid in the well from the valve plug to the point of delivery. The rotation of the valve plug can be repeated to transfer more liquid. The metering valve can be used to deliver vaporizable germicides to a sterilization chamber. A single metering valve can be used to deliver varying amounts of vaporizable germicide to different sizes of sterilization chamber by rotating the valve plug an appropriate number of times. The valve plug can contain multiple wells to deliver large volumes of liquid quickly.

Abstract: A sterilization system seals a first end portion of a first tube and a second end portion of a second tube under sterile conditions. The sterilization system includes a sterilization chamber and an electron gun which generates a distribution of electrons in the sterilization chamber. The sterilization system further includes a spindle and a holder which places and rotates a connector in the distribution of electrons. The sterilization system further includes first and second tube holders each having curved walls movably coupled to the sterilization chamber to move between a first position where the respective end portion is separated from the connector and a second position where the respective end portion is coupled to the connector. Each curved wall has a shape such that x rays generated within the sterilization chamber undergo at least three interactions with the curved walls before propagating outside the tube holders.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing, storing and transporting instruments is formed of a liquid crystal polymer, such as a wholly aromatic polyester. The container is strong yet has thin walls so that condensation is minimized. Suitable polymers include wholly aromatic polyesters such as: polybenzoate-naphthalate; polybenzoate-terephthalate-bisphenol-isophthalate; polybenzoate-terephthalate-ethylene glycol; and polynaphthalate-amino terephthalate.

Abstract: This invention relates to barrier methods for preserving sensitive biological materials as a porous foam, subsequently crushing the foam to form a powder, and optionally formulating mixtures of preserved powdered biological materials. The invention also encompasses an apparatus for integrating the methods of foam formation and subsequent crushing of the preserved biological materials using barrier technology.

Abstract: The present invention involves a sterilization system for running high amperage current through a dental or medical handpiece to be sterilized thereby heating the handpiece to a point of sterilization. The system includes a controller, a high amperage current source, and a handpiece receptacle. The handpiece receptacle includes clamps to hold the handpiece in place and a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the handpiece. The controller controls the amount of current supplied by the high amperage current source to the handpiece according to the temperature of the handpiece. After the handpiece has been at or above the sterilization temperature for the required period of time, the controller stops the flow of current to the handpiece.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed to reduced or eliminate the occlusion of the device in the container during the cleaning or sterilizing process, preferably with the use of a support and a controllable opening or interface. By changing the configuration of the support, the contact pattern between the device and the support can be modified to reduce occlusion during a cleaning, disinfecting or sterilization procedure.

Abstract: A method and unit sterilizing sheet packaging material for producing sealed packages of pourable food products, the method including the step of directing on to opposite faces of the packaging material respective low-voltage electron beams, each having an energy of at most 100 keV. The unit includes generating devices for generating the low-voltage electron beams.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the sterilization and disinfection of agricultural and botanical products such as botanical powders. More particularly, the present invention is directed towards the use of HBS technology whereby contaminated agricultural products are contacted, at ambient pressure, with an oxidant such as nascent oxygen or hydroxyl radicals thus resulting in the oxidization and destruction of the contaminating microorganisms.

Abstract: A device containing a light source, a sample support and a temperature control compartment. The sample support is positioned to support multiple sample vessels for irradiation by the light source. The temperature control compartment maintains the temperature of the sample vessels within a desired range. The light source, sample support and temperature control compartment are all contained within an opaque housing.

Abstract: Method, composition and system for generating chlorine dioxide gas in a controlled release manner by combining at least one metal chlorite and a dry solid hydrophilic material that reacts with the metal chlorite in the presence of water vapor, but does not react with the metal chlorite in the substantial absence of liquid water or water vapor to produce chlorine dioxide gas in a sustained amount of from about 0.001 to 1,000 ppm.

Abstract: A method for continuous heat sterilization of liquid includes a continuous pre-heating step of preheating the liquid, a final heating step of heating the preheated liquid to reach a predetermined sterilizing temperature, a holding step of holding the liquid which has reached the predetermined sterilizing temperature for a predetermined period of time, and a cooling step of cooling the held liquid. The final heating step comprises the following steps (a) and (b): (a) a step of continuously pressurizing the liquid by a high pressure pump; and (b) a step of releasing the liquid continuously to a normal pressure within a time period of less than 10 seconds after the pressurizing step to thereby make the liquid reach the predetermined sterilizing temperature. An apparatus for automatically carrying out the method is provided. According to the continuous heat sterilization method and apparatus, scorch during the final heating step is dispensed with and accordingly, a long period of continuous operation is feasible.

Abstract: Sterilization or bacteriostasis is carried out using cellulose acetate. The cellulose acetate exhibits an excellent antibacterial property with respect to fungi such as Trichophyton, etc. and bacteria such as, for example, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli O-157 or Methicillin tolerance Staphylococcus aureus. The cellulose acetate may be mixed with resin such as, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene, and this mixture may be used to produce fibers. Then, a textile product may be manufactured using the fibers thus produced. The cellulose acetate may be dissolved in a mixed solvent of ethyl acetate, ethanol, and methyl alcohol, so that a coating material is prepared. This coating material is applied to an object to be sterilized and then is dried to form a coating film made of cellulose acetate. This coating film exhibits the antibacterial property.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating an aqueous flow colonised by cells by applying a pulsed electric field, the intensity of the field being less than 1 kV/cm. It also relates to the application of this method to eliminating Legionella and to a method for destroying Legionella.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting biomass includes a closed loop circuit having an extraction vessel (11), an evaporator (12), a compressor (13), a condenser (14) and (optionally) a storage reservoir (15) operatively connected in series. A pumped recirculation loop (20) recirculates a portion of the output of the extraction vessel (11) for further contact with biomass. One or more modifiable resistances to flow (12;23) control the flow of solvent around the recirculation loop (20) and the main closed loop.