Abstract: A method for sterilizing a plastic bottle in an aseptic filling system according to which at least an inner surface or an outer surface of a bottle is sterilized by injecting a heated sterilizing fluid at 65° C.-90° C. while maintaining internal pressure of the bottle at 1 kPa-20 kPa.

Abstract: Aeration drying and disinfecting grain crops in bulk and pretreating seeds includes passing through a bulk of grain crops and seeds disinfecting and drying agents including an ozone and air mixture and surrounding air, subdividing the disinfecting and drying agents into a plurality of streams spaced from one another in a vertical direction, and passing the streams at different heights through levels located at corresponding heights of the bulk of grain crops and seeds transversely in a substantially horizontal direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sanitizing, decontaminating, deodorizing, conditioning, drying, treating, cleaning, modifying and/or otherwise improving an atmosphere within a container. The container can be a bag or other housing for equipment, food and/or suitable material. Ozone is generated within an atmosphere that is exposed to the materials. The generated ozone is mixed with the atmosphere. At least a portion of the generated ozone is then removed from the mixed atmosphere. The apparatus and method of this invention can be used to treat contaminated sports equipment and the like, as well as to treat food storage atmospheres, such as those exposed to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Abstract: A product packaging for a solid product comprises a base, a lid, and a seal. The base has a top, sides, and a bottom forming a cavity configured and arranged to receive a solid product, and the base has an exterior surface. A texture is on the exterior surface of the base, whereby the texture enhances a user's ability to grip the base when the base is inverted. The seal interconnects the top of the base and the lid and allows the lid to be peeled away from the top of the base.

Abstract: A water chlorinating device having a vessel (2) in turn having a bottom portion (6) for containing water; a grille (10) located over the bottom portion and for supporting a solid chemical chlorinating substance (11); a spray device (13) for directing at least one water jet on to the grille (10); and a mixing nozzle (29) located inside the bottom portion (6), at the bottom of the vessel (2), and for agitating the water in the bottom portion (6) by means of a water jet.

Abstract: There is provided a sterilizing apparatus which is capable of sterilizing articles, such as test tubes, flasks, beakers, scalpels, forceps and so on, with high efficiency in a short time. The sterilizing apparatus includes a sterilizing gas generator 42 that supplies sterilizing gas into a chamber 4. The sterilizing gas generator 42 atomizes a sterilizer solution (oxygenated water) by means of an ultrasonic vibrator 46. The sterilizing apparatus further includes an ultraviolet generator (ultraviolet lamp 50) that irradiates gas in the chamber 4 with an ultraviolet ray. The sterilizing apparatus further includes a door 14 for blocking an opening 2A of the chamber 4 in a free-opening/closing manner and a locking device 52 for prohibiting the door 14 from being opened. The sterilizing apparatus further includes a controller 60 for controlling the locking device 52 to prevent the door 14 from being opened from start of the sterilization process to end of the decomposition process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens care kit for disinfecting and cleaning contact lenses. The lens care kit of the invention allows customers to visually identify when their lenses are disinfected, clean, and ready to wear. The invention is relied on color change to indicate the readiness of disinfection and cleaning of contact lenses.

Abstract: An integrated disposable includes a test strip and a lancet packet coupled to the test strip. The lancet packet includes a sterility sheet enclosing at least a portion of a lancet to maintain the sterility of the lancet. The lancet packet and the sterility sheet, in particular, allow the lancet to be sterilized separately from the test strip. The lancet in one form is incorporated into a lancet tape that is sterilized in a continuous, reel-to-reel sterilization process. The lancet tape in one form is sterilized using an electron beam sterilization process. With electron beam sterilization, sterilization is enhanced by irradiating both sides of the tape with electron beams. Sterilization can adversely affect chemical reagents in the test strip. To alleviate this chemistry degradation issue, the lancet packet is attached to the test strip after the lancet is sterilized.

Abstract: An air freshener includes a housing having at least a first compartment and a second compartment, each of the first and second compartments having vents. The air freshener includes a first fan unit disposed within the first compartment and a second fan unit disposed within the second compartment. The air freshener also includes a first fragrance emitting substance disposed within the first compartment proximate the first fan unit and a second fragrance emitting substance disposed within the second compartment proximate the second fan unit. A programmable processor is operatively connected to a power source and the first and second fan units and configured to drive at least one of the first and second fan units so as to promote discharge of one of the first and second fragrance emitting substances from the housing.

Abstract: An ablutionary installation including a mixing valve having respective inlets for hot and cold water and an outlet for temperature controlled water, a temperature sensor for monitoring outlet water temperature and providing a signal representative of the outlet water temperature to an electronic controller, a user interface permitting selection of outlet water temperature up to a pre-determined temperature, the electronic controller being operable to compare the selected and sensed outlet water temperatures for controlling the mixing valve to adjust the ratio of hot and cold water delivered to the outlet according to the selected outlet water temperature, and apparatus for initiating a disinfection cycle to deliver water to the outlet at a temperature higher than the pre-determined temperature, wherein the initiating apparatus includes an operating sequence with at least two inputs.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for purifying polluted air consisting of particle phase pollutants and gaseous phase pollutants, the apparatus (10) comprising: a dust level sensor (23) to measure the amount of particle phase pollutants in the polluted air; a dust removal component (14) to remove the particle phase pollutants from the polluted air; a catalyst filtering core (17) to decompose the gaseous phase pollutants by chemical reaction; a valve (22) for selectively controlling a path of air flow within the apparatus (10) and is movable between an open position and closed position, the valve (22) being positioned downstream from the dust removal component (14); wherein if the amount of particle phase pollutants measured by the dust level sensor (23) is above a predetermined value, the valve (22) is moved to the open position to enable the air to bypass the catalyst filtering core (17); and if the amount of particle phase pollutants measured by the dust level sensor (23) is less than a predetermined value, the valve (22)

Abstract: A cooking device includes a cooking chamber; a first deodorization region along which air from the cooking chamber flows and in which a plasma discharge is generated for removing odor-producing materials generated in the cooking chamber from the air; and a bypass region along which air from the cooking chamber flows to bypass the first deodorization region.

Abstract: Methods of removing odors, particularly odors within enclosed environments are provided which employ nanocrystalline metal oxide and metal hydroxide particles. The nanocrystalline particles are dispersed within an enclosed space so as to contact exposed surfaces located within the space such as walls, floors, upholstery, and the like and adsorb odor-causing materials located within the enclosed space.

Abstract: Solutions for limiting the undesirable spread of pathogens by indirect contact are provided. The solutions involve event-controlled self-sterilization of contact surfaces on articles or fixtures. A self-sterilizing contact surface structure allows chemical sterilizing agents to controllably flow in response to a contact event, from within the article to exude upon a portion of the contact surface.

Abstract: Solutions for limiting the undesirable spread of pathogens by indirect contact are provided. The solutions involve event-controlled self-sterilization of contact surfaces on articles or fixtures. A self-sterilizing contact surface structure allows chemical sterilizing agents to controllably flow in response to a contact event, from within the article to exude upon a portion of the contact surface.

Abstract: A pre-assembled orthopaedic implant adapted for improved gas sterilization. The implant includes a first component adapted for assembly with a second component such that a mating surface of the first component is in close proximity with a mating surface of the second component. At least one gas conduit associated with the mating surface of the first component facilitates a sterilizing gas to penetrate into and dissipate from the interface defined by the mating surfaces.

Abstract: A sterilization system for dental and orthodontic tools is provided with a transport rack dimensionally sized to hold a plurality interchangeable cassettes. The interchangeable cassettes are designed and intended to hold kits of dental or orthodontic tools and are provided with top opening, double-hinged covers which lay flat on the surface when opened and used at a dental workstation.

Abstract: An air quality modification apparatus for dispensing a volatile material, such as for scenting the air, controlling pests, allergen control, or the like, includes an electric motor having a rotor and a coil. When electric current is applied, the coil produces both heat and an electromagnetic field that causes rotation of the rotor. A source of the volatile material is located adjacent to the coil so as to be volatilized by the coil's heat. An impeller, attached to the rotor, moves air across the volatile material and blows the vapors away from the apparatus. Energy efficiency is provided by employing the electric motor coil as the source of heat to vaporize the volatile material. Also disclosed is a refill supply of a volatile material for use with such an air quality modification apparatus.