Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for sterilizing a container prior to filling the container with a pumpable food product such as milk, juice, water, soup or yogurt. The present invention uses UV radiation to transform oxygen into ozone at the filling station. The ozone flows into the container thereby sterilizing the container. Subsequently, the container is filled with a desired product and sealed. A preferred source of UV radiation is an excimer lamp.

Abstract: A method and system for disinfecting contact lenses with iodine using a neutralizing solution having a first, rapid neutralizing component which completes its reaction with available iodine in less than five seconds and a second, slower neutralizing component which completes its reaction with available iodine in about 3 to 30 minutes.

Abstract: Heart valves or other components for replacement of heart or other bodily organs and tissue prostheses or synthetic prosthetic materials are effectively sterilized by treatment with a coupling agent known to create amide linkages between amines and carboxylic acids in the presence of a lower alkanol. Such treatment has been shown to be bactericidal when carried out at 40.degree. C. for over 1 hour. The sterilization treatment preferably employs EDC as a water-soluble coupling agent plus an optional coupling enhancer such as sulfo-NHS or NHS, in the presence of isopropanol or an equivalent alkanol. Such sterilization treatment is preferably carried out at a temperature above ambient temperature in a buffered aqueous solution. The treatment leaves no residuals other than ones which are nontoxic and biocompatible, does not affect the resistance of the tissue to thermal denaturation and to digestion by proteolytic enzymes, and surprisingly also increases the resistance of fixed biological tissue to calcification.

Abstract: A steam sterilizer device having a steam generation system is disclosed. The steam generation system has a fluid connection to a water source (1) to provide water to a venturi apparatus (27) for the selective creation of a vacuum in a sterilization chamber (71). A fluid connection to a particle filter (33) and a reverse osmosis filter (37) is also provided and water passed through the filters is delivered by a metering pump (53) to a steam generating apparatus (59) which in turn supplies steam to a the chamber (71). The chamber (71) is provided with a discharge conduit including a mixing chamber (31) and a split tubing air break (131).

Abstract: An air filtration and purification system, particularly adapted for treating contaminated air within a preselected zone of a building interior space, includes a filter and purifier unit comprising first and second stage particle filters, an odor neutralizer comprising an ozone generator, an activated carbon adsorbent media for extracting gaseous compositions exposed to the ozone injected into the airflow stream and an ultrahigh efficiency final stage particle filter. All filter units and the ozone generator are disposed in a cabinet together with one or more air propulsion fans interposed between the second stage particle filter and the adsorbent media. The system is particularly configured for removing air containing tobacco smoke and other contaminants from smoking areas of restaurants and other places of business and may be configured to return purified and odorized air through ceiling ducts to form an air curtain defining the zone.

Abstract: A method for disinfecting a needle of a tagging gun is disclosed. The device used in the method includes a container having sides, a bottom and an open end opposite the bottom. A user breakable capsule is located inside the container with a liquid disinfectant inside the capsule. A needle penetratable seal seals the open end of the container until such time as the device is needed. When the capsule is broken, the disinfectant is released into the container and the tagging gun needle is pushed through the seal into contact with the disinfectant. In the preferred embodiment, a finger guard is attached adjacent to the open end of the container for helping to prevent the user from contacting the point of the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a liquid spray from two jets of fluid which issue from a pair of opposing nozzles and interact, wherein the fluid is supplied to the nozzles under fully turbulent conditions such that random variations in the momentum of the fluid as it leaves the nozzles occur which results in random variations in the orientation of the resultant spray of liquid drops.

Abstract: A method for cleaning an article, such as a used kidney dialyzer, requiring sterilization includes the steps of manually rinsing the article with purified water, inserting the article into an automated reuse apparatus which utilizes ozonated water, and sterilizing the article for a predetermined period of time with ozonated water wherein the ozonated water flows through the article for sterilizing it. The step of inserting the article into the automated reuse apparatus includes the steps of rinsing the article with ozonated water, reversing the flow of ozonated water through the article for backwashing the article, and conducting testing cycles wherein the article is tested for leaks therein and for ensuring it can contain a predetermined quantity of fluid. Preferably, the predetermined period of time of the sterilizing step is approximately thirty minutes. An apparatus for producing ozonated water is further disclosed.

Abstract: A funeral deodorant comprising an active deodorant component obtained from pyroligneous liquid is applied to a dead body for preventing and masking odors therefrom.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for disinfecting a medical sharp. A disinfectant housing is integrally coupled to a syringe housing having a needle. The disinfectant housing includes a disinfectant reservoir for holding disinfectant and a reservoir sleeve which is displaceable after use of the syringe to enclose the tip of the needle and apply disinfectant to the needle which remains in a fixed position relative to the syringe housing before and after use.

Abstract: A steam sterilization device (10) including a chamber (12) having a slidable sealable door (30). A flexible insulating plastic member (74) covers the sealable door (30). The sterilization device (10) includes a frame (20, 22, 24, 28, 50) supporting the chamber (12). A front wall (60) of molded plastic covers the frame. A stop bracket (46) is secured to a door track (36) at the appropriate location below the door to limit travel. At least one counter weight (42) is secured to the door (30) by a cable (38) and a guide member (44) surrounds the counter weight.

Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to provide a method for preventing the deterioration of rubber products on storage, and maintaining quality of the rubber products good. The method of the present invention is characterized in that the rubber products are sealed in a container having gas barrier properties from which an oxygen and moisture are substantially removed, and in the above method, is characterized in that the rubber products are sealed in a container having gas barrier properties, together with an oxygen absorbent which requires no moisture for absorbing an oxygen and a dehydrating agent, and further preferably, is characterized in that the oxygen absorbent comprises an unsaturated fatty acid compound and/or a chain hydrocarbon polymer having unsaturated group as main agents and an oxygen absorbing accelerator.

Abstract: In the process for the ozone treatment of hot water in the hot water supply system of a building for the purpose of disinfection of the water, the hot water is led into a treatment tank (3). Here the pressure is reduced to a level below that in the pipes of the hot water supply system, an ozone-containing gas being continually introduced into the water, which gas passes through the water in the form of bubbles, the ozone being given up to the water. The remaining gas subsequently undergoes transition to a gaseous state in the upper part of the tank, from which the gas is drawn off. The treated water is then fed into the hot water supply system of the building, the pressure being restored by means of at least one pump to the level of the operating pressure within the hot water supply system. The method can be used to remove harmful micro-organisms such as legionella pneumophila from hot water systems without raising the temperature to around 70.degree. C.

Abstract: A germicidal water cleansing apparatus having an ellipsoid chamber which contains UV lamps along the major axis of the ellipsoid. Each of the ends of the ellipsoid has an opening to allow the entry and exit of a liquid. The chamber is formed from an ultraviolet reflective material such as spun aluminum to allow uniform dispersion of the ultraviolet radiation throughout the chamber. The liquid is drawn through the chamber at a rate to assure a high kill rate of microorganisms present in the liquid.

Abstract: In a device for providing a substituate to a device for removing toxic substances from the blood which employs volumetric balancing of the fluid, an equalization chamber (11, 20) communicates with first and second inlet lines (9, 18) respectively, of a balancing chamber (14). Moreover, a buffer chamber (23) communicates with the first and/or second outlet line (15, 22) of the balancing chamber (14). The volume prevailing in the buffer chamber (23) that communicates with the first or second outlet line (15 or 22) can be so varied that the volume expands when the second or first equalization chamber (20 or 11) is emptied, and is reduced when the second or first equalization chamber is filled. As a result, the discontinuous pulse is smoothed on the outlet side of the balancing chamber.

Abstract: An ozone sterilizer includes a generator capable of generating a gas containing at least about 10% by weight ozone, a holding tank, a humidification chamber for receiving the ozonated gas and humidifying it to form a sterilant including at least about 8% by weight ozone at a humidity of at least about 60%, a vent for bleeding sterilant from the humidification chamber over a first catalyst, a sterilization chamber for receiving a controlled flow of sterilant which is in fluid communication with a pump for evacuating the sterilization chamber over a second catalyst, a vent for bleeding the sterilant from the sterilization chamber and a heater for providing warm air drawn into the sterilization chamber by the pump.

Abstract: A sensor detects when a probe contacts liquid in a container due to a change in frequency of a probe oscillator. The sensor can have its output compared to a reference level to determine the presence or absence of liquid wherein the reference level is changed to follow the output of the detector. In one embodiment, it can be determined that liquid has been contacted when a count has been reached several times in a row (the count being a function of the probe output and changeable). In another embodiment of the invention, it can be determined that liquid has been contacted when a count has been reached within a certain threshold several times in a row, while still having the reference count change to follow the probe output (regardless of the threshold). A digital counter can be provided to determine the frequency of the probe oscillator. A reference counter can also be provided to tune the count (frequency) from the probe oscillator counter to thereby compensate for drift.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preserving an adhesive tape or an article using the same which comprises enclosing an adhesive tape or an article using the same in a container having a gas barrier property, substantially capable of removing both oxygen and moisture, and then, sealing the container to remove substantially both oxygen and moisture from the container.

Abstract: A germicidal lamp is disclosed. The lamp's tube has a single stem and may be installed in the lamp's fixture without touching the tube's envelope. The fixture includes a mounting mechanism and a damping mechanism which ease installation and render the tube less susceptible to adverse forces.

Abstract: A hand sanitizing apparatus which uses at least two electrostatic emitters to dispense germicidal fluid to substantially all the surfaces of a user's hands when both hands are placed in proximity to the electrostatic emitters. The apparatus comprises a frame on which are mounted electrostatic emitters in preferably two cells which separate spray directed at one hand from spray directed at the other hand, a reservoir of germicidal fluid in fluid communication with the electrostatic emitters, a power source adapted to supply electrostatic energy to the electrostatic emitters, and a dispensing cycle actuator which is operated by the user to distribute electrostatic energy from the power source to the electrostatic emitters so that a predetermined quantity of germicidal fluid is directed from each electrostatic emitter toward each of the user's hands during the dispensing cycle. In one embodiment each hand is sprayed with an opposite charge.