Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for cold pasteurizing a food product such as a ground beef food product, using visible and near infrared light. The invention includes radiating the food product with pulsed near infrared light having a wavelength capable of penetrating the food product to at least about one centimeter in depth and further, radiating nonionizing radiation into the food product to inactivate bacterium, particularly iron dependent bacterium, therein. The nonionizing radiation preferably includes visible and near infrared wavelengths, with ultraviolet wavelengths filtered therefrom. The invention may further include using a pulsed heat exchanger to supercool the food product during the pulsed radiation treatment.

Abstract: A process is provided for sanitizing fresh foods and beverage products using multiple stages of exposure to different wavelengths of ultraviolet, near infrared and infrared light. A food or beverage product is exposed to ultraviolet light at germicidal wavelengths in order to inactivate undesirable microorganisms on the product. The exposure to ultraviolet light causes damage to the organoleptic qualities product which are subsequently restored by photoreactivation upon exposure of the product to a source of polychromatic near infrared light. In addition, prior to the inactivation of microorganisms, the food or beverage may be exposed to a source of infrared light in order to inactivate enzymes responsible for decomposition of the product. Apparatus suitable for practicing the process of the present invention is also provided, including specific platform arrangements for sanitizing solid, liquid and fluid food and beverage products.

Abstract: An apparatus for cold pasteurization of food products sized and adapted for domestic use, is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a source of ultraviolet radiation disposed within the housing and having germicidal wavelengths, and a rotatable basket for containing a food product and exposing the product to the source of ultraviolet radiation in order to inactivate pathogens on the food product. A mistifier is provided for directing an aqueous rinse into the basket and onto the food product in order to prevent degradation of organoleptic qualities of the product which may be caused by the ultraviolet treatment. The aqueous rinse may be tap water and the water directed onto the source of ultraviolet radiation in order to sterilize the tap water. An outlet is provided for dispensing the sterilized water for consumption.

Abstract: The present invention discribes a rotatable print drum apparatus for supporting thereon a printable medium having leading and trailing edges. The print drum comprises a relieved support surface for supporting the print medium wherein the relieved surface is formed with a recessed surface and a plurality of ribs protruding from the recessed surface in order to minimize contact of the print medium with the support surface of the drum.

Abstract: Atmospheric water extractor apparatus and method including a compressor an evaporator and one or more removable reservoirs for collecting drinkable water that has condensed on the evaporator.First and second chambers are provided separated by free-floating piston for alternately condensing refrigerant gas in the first chamber and storing refrigerant liquid in the second chamber, and condensing refrigerant gas in the second chamber, and storing refrigerant liquid in the first chamber. Lines inter-connecting the compressor, evaporator, condenser and the first and second chambers of the gas piston cylinder enable the compressor to alternately introduce refrigerant gas into the first chamber and move refrigerant liquid into the evaporative means by displacement of the free-floating piston and introduce refrigerant gas into the second chamber and move refrigerant liquid into the evaporator by first displacement of the free-floating piston.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to securing a sheet medium onto a support surface and, more particularly, to a print drum for supporting a flexible film sheet medium on a relieved support surface so as to desensitize to medium to the effects of debris contamination and air turbulence for allowing the sheet to be imprinted with consistent resolution.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for peeling a laminate containing image media wherein the leading edge portion of the laminate is struck by beater blades to initially separate the leading edge portion of one layer from the laminate. The separated leading edge portion is then transported into a nip defined by a peel surface and a lower peel roll after which the leading edge portion is bent about the peel surface by a folder driven by a linkage mechanism. While the leading edge portion of the laminate is bent, one layer is held by a vacuum device while the remainder of the laminate returns to its path of travel under its own resiliency. The separated layer is then peeled from the laminate by take-away rolls while guided by the peel surface. The remainder of the laminate is guided by a deflector roll to move along the path at a predetermined angle while the layer is being peeled. In one method, the layer is peeled at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the laminate.

Abstract: Refrigeration apparatus and method generally include a compressor for compressing refrigerant gas to a liquid, an evaporator for evaporating refrigerant liquid to refrigerant gas and cooling in atmosphere adjacent the evaporator and a condenser for rejecting the heat of compression of hot refrigerant vapor to the atmosphere adjacent to the condenser. First and second chambers are provided separated by free-floating piston for alternately condensing refrigerant gas in the first chamber and storing refrigerant livid in the second chamber, and condensing refrigerant gas in the second chamber and storing refrigerant livid in the first chamber.

Abstract: A system for sheetwise dry processing thermographic print media is disclosed. The media is a laminate of a substrate with an attached frangible tab, a peel sheet and an adhesive image forming layer. A feeder feeds the sheets one at a time from a first position and orientation to a second position and orientation with the tab at a trailing end. A print roller is mounted for reversible rotation in infeed and outfeed directions. The print roller has clamps for engaging the sheet as received from the sheet feeder. A thermal printer cooperates with the print roller for thermally exposing the substrate. A peeler receives the sheet from the print roller with the tab at the leading edge. The peeler captures the film and engages the tab bending the substrate about the score line causing it to fracture. The peeler pulls the substrate and adhered image layer apart from peeler sheet to thereby produce a peeled substrate with an image layer and a waste peeler sheet.

Abstract: A solar array maximum power point tracking system for regulating the power output of a solar array associated with a spacecraft. An on-board computer measures the bus voltage and current from the solar array and generates a power calculation of the solar array power output. The on-board computer applies a first reference signal to a remote error amplifier representative of an incremental change in the solar array power. Additionally, the solar array bus voltage is applied to the remote error amplifier such that the remote error amplifier senses the solar array bus voltage and generates an output voltage indicative of the change of the solar array power. The output voltage of the error amplifier is applied to a power processor unit. The output voltage from the remote error amplifier and the bus voltage are applied to a power stage within the power processor unit. The power stage generates an output current that is applied to an arcjet thruster.

Abstract: A switching device for simultaneously controlling AC power to an electrical appliance and providing an infrared mute and unmute signal to an infrared-controlled device in response to initiation and termination of a telephone call includes a circuit for connecting said switching device to a telephone line, having tip-and-ring connectors, and a telephone; an AC plug for connecting said switching device to an AC outlet; an AC power-controlled outlet for receiving electrical appliance plugs. An infrared-controlled circuit is provided for decoding an existing infrared emitting device and for emitting an infrared signal suitable for muting the infrared controlled device; and a control circuit is provided for simultaneously controlling power to said AC power-controlled outlet and causing said infrared circuit to emit the infrared signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating layers of a laminated thermographic media is disclosed. The apparatus has a torque roll cooperating with a pair of peel rolls which breaks a tab on the media without a hard stop thereby avoiding shock induced premature delamination. After the media is initially delaminated, a deflector roll operable independently of the peel rolls engages the backside of the substrate for establishing a deflector angle. An anti-skew system is also incorporated for aligning the media with the torque roll and peel rolls.

Abstract: There are method and apparatus for automatically clamping and cinching a flexible sheet medium on a rotatable supporting surface with clamping and cinching forces which independently increase as function of the rotational speed of the support surface. The clamp applies such forces to at least one edge of the sheet medium in a manner so that the sheet edge will not bend or push the sheet edge away from a pivot axis of the clamp so as to reduce sheet medium separation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for sanitizing citrus fruit which includes an ultraviolet radiation station for both irradiating of fruit with ultraviolet light and generating ozone. An infrared radiation station is provided for irradiating the ultraviolet light irradiated fruit with infrared light and an ozone tank is utilized for exposing the ultraviolet light and infrared light irradiated fruit to a mixture of water and ozone. The ozone generated at the ultraviolet radiation station is collected and thereafter introduced into the ozone tank.