Patents by Inventor Matthew C. Mitchell

Matthew C. Mitchell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7811531
    Abstract: An integrated duct system is utilized to admit an antimicrobial vapor into a vehicle to decontaminate the contents and surfaces of the vehicle and subsequently to remove the vapor. The ducts comprise an air conditioning and/or heating duct, a decontamination duct for admitting an antimicrobial vapor, an auxiliary circulation duct for diffusing the vapor throughout the vehicle, and an aeration duct for removing the vapor from the vehicle, as well as a catalytic converter for detoxifying the antimicrobial vapor before removal. The integrated decontamination system is suitable for the chemical or biological decontamination of vehicles, provides enhanced vapor delivery and distribution on a rapid basis and also provides for rapid aeration for removing the antimicrobial vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Steris, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Mielnik, Matthew C. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20100034707
    Abstract: An integrated duct system is utilized to admit an antimicrobial vapor into a vehicle to decontaminate the contents and surfaces of the vehicle and subsequently to remove the vapor. The ducts comprise an air conditioning and/or heating duct, a decontamination duct for admitting an antimicrobial vapor, an auxiliary circulation duct for diffusing the vapor throughout the vehicle, and an aeration duct for removing the vapor from the vehicle, as well as a catalytic converter for detoxifying the antimicrobial vapor before removal. The integrated decontamination system is suitable for the chemical or biological decontamination of vehicles, provides enhanced vapor delivery and distribution on a rapid basis and also provides for rapid aeration for removing the antimicrobial vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: STERIS Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Mielnik, Matthew C. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7578969
    Abstract: A system for handling items (10) such as mail includes an enclosure (25), which is capable of being isolated from the surrounding environment and from a chamber (27) of a decontamination system (22) fluidly connected therewith. The enclosure includes an opening (42) sized for receiving a container (14) containing potentially contaminated items, such as incoming mail. Manipulators (44) allow the mail to be sorted in the enclosure without risk of contaminating an operator or the surrounding environment. Mail to be decontaminated is conveyed between the enclosure and the chamber while being isolated from the surrounding environment. Vapor hydrogen peroxide or other decontaminant gas is used to decontaminate the enclosure, container, and any residual mail in the enclosure which is determined to be unsuited for ethylene oxide processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Mielnik, Matthew C. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20090047173
    Abstract: A system for handling items (10) such as mail includes an enclosure (25), which is capable of being isolated from the surrounding environment and from a chamber (27) of a decontamination system (22) fluidly connected therewith. The enclosure includes an opening (42) sized for receiving a container (14) containing potentially contaminated items, such as incoming mail. Manipulators (44) allow the mail to be sorted in the enclosure without risk of contaminating an operator or the surrounding environment. Mail to be decontaminated is conveyed between the enclosure and the chamber while being isolated from the surrounding environment. Vapor hydrogen peroxide or other decontaminant gas is used to decontaminate the enclosure, container, and any residual mail in the enclosure which is determined to be unsuited for ethylene oxide processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Mielnik, Matthew C. Mitchell