Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting products is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a tank for holding a liquid for receiving microorganisms from the products. The tank comprises a barrier separating the tank to provide two regions of liquid, the two regions of liquid comprising a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is arranged to provide an open channel for the liquid through the tank to enable a product to be carried into, along, and out of a flowpath through the channel; and the second region holds liquid adjacent to at least one ultrasonic transducer for providing ultrasonic energy to the product via the liquid in the second region and through the barrier.

Abstract: A high dielectric strength insulator for use in insulating an electrode for a cold plasma generator, the high dielectric strength insulator comprising a base material having a high dielectric strength of at least 70 kV/mm, and a coating layer formed on the base material, wherein the coating layer is at least one of: formed from a material having a dielectric strength equal to or greater than the base material, formed from a material having a surface hardness greater than that of the base material, and non-porous.

Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting products is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a tank for holding a liquid for receiving microorganisms from the products. The tank comprises a barrier separating the tank to provide two regions of liquid, the two regions of liquid comprising a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is arranged to provide an open channel for the liquid through the tank to enable a product to be carried into, along, and out of a flowpath through the channel; and the second region holds liquid adjacent to at least one ultrasonic transducer for providing ultrasonic energy to the product via the liquid in the second region and through the barrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilising a packaged product (16) such as food or drink comprises a pair of gas filled electrodes (1, 2) connected to a power supply (18) for generating a high voltage pulses between the electrodes (1, 2) sufficient to ionise the gas therein and to create a high electromagnetic field therebetween. A reflector (7) is provided for directing the generated field towards the package (16), such that the electromagnetic field penetrates through the wall of the package (16) and forms cold plasma from the trapped air inside the package (16). This cold plasma comprises ozone and other reactive oxygen based species which have a high oxidizing potential and kill all microorganisms in contact with the ozone and reactive species resulting in the disinfection of the product as well as the interior of the sealed package.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating ozone inside packaged articles comprises an electrode assembly in which coplanar electrodes are supported along a contact surface. The electrodes are solid state conductive electrodes. These electrodes may be interdigitated and/or arranged with uniform spacing therebetween along a portion of their length. Where the electrodes are straight they may be parallel, but other shapes can also be evenly spaced. In some examples the electrodes are partially insulated and partially exposed. In some examples the electrodes are embedded/potted in an insulator to exclude air spaces from around the electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilising a packaged product (16) such as food or drink comprises a pair of gas filled electrodes (1, 2) connected to a power supply (18) for generating a high voltage pulses between the electrodes (1, 2) sufficient to ionise the gas therein and to create a high electromagnetic field therebetween. A reflector (7) is provided for directing the generated field towards the package (16), such that the electromagnetic field penetrates through the wall of the package (16) and forms cold plasma from the trapped air inside the package (16). This cold plasma comprises ozone and other reactive oxygen based species which have a high oxidizing potential and kill all microorganisms in contact with the ozone and reactive species resulting in the disinfection of the product as well as the interior of the sealed package.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus for sterilizing drinks comprises an elongated tubular duct (110) and an elongated UV light source (111) extending longitudinally along the duct (110). The fluid flows longitudinally along the duct (110) in a thin annular low passage (114) which extends around the UV light source (111). A mixing device (112), disposed between adjacent longitudinal portions of the duct (110), diverts the fluid from a first portion of the passage (114) through fluid mixing means (113, 116) in the device (112) and returns the mixed fluid to a second portion of the passage (114). Micro-organisms in the fluid flow are killed as they come close to the light source (111). The mixing device (112) mixes the flow and returns it to the flow passage (114). A plurality of mixing devices along the duct (110) increases the likelihood that microorganisms receive a sufficient lethal dose of UV radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed are packet sterilisers for sterilising packaged articles.

Abstract: A fluid steriliser comprising a fluid duct having a UV transmissive wall providing a surface area for irradiation, wherein the cross section of the duct is between 1×10?4 m2 and 5×10?2 m2 and the thickness of the duct defines the depth of fluid flow adjacent the UV transmissive wall of no more than 50mm; a source of UV radiation arranged to irradiate fluid flowing in the duct through the UV transmissive wall such that the UV radiation incident on fluid in the duct has a UV power density; a plurality of mixing stages configured to provide turbulent flow in the fluid and spaced apart along the length of the duct wherein the segments of the duct between the mixing stages are arranged to provide flow adjacent the UV transmissive wall; a flow control means arranged to control the linear speed of fluid flow along the duct based on the length of the duct and the UV power density so that at least 300 Joules of UV energy per square metre of the surface area for irradiation is provided to the fluid during the dwell tim

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus for sterilizing drinks comprises an elongated tubular duct (110) and an elongated UV light source (111) extending longitudinally along the duct (110). The fluid flows longitudinally along the duct (110) in a thin annular low passage (114) which extends around the UV light source (111). A mixing device (112), disposed between adjacent longitudinal portions of the duct (110), diverts the fluid from a first portion of the passage (114) through fluid mixing means (113, 116) in the device (112) and returns the mixed fluid to a second portion of the passage (114). Micro-organisms in the fluid flow are killed as they come close to the light source (111). The mixing device (112) mixes the flow and returns it to the flow passage (114). A plurality of mixing devices along the duct (110) increases the likelihood that microorganisms receive a sufficient lethal dose of UV radiation.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus particularly for sterilizing drinks comprises an elongate tubular duct (110) and an elongate UV light source (111) extending longitudinally of the duct (110). The fluid flows longitudinally of the duct (110) in a thin annular low passage (114) which extends around the UV light source (111). A mixing device (112) disposed between adjacent longitudinal portions of the duct (110) for diverts all of the fluid flowing along a first portion of the passage (114) through fluid mixing means (113,116) in the device (112) and returns the mixed fluid to a second portion of the passage (114). Micro-organisms in the thin flow of fluid are killed as they come within close proximity of the light source (111). The mixing device (112) causes all of the flow to be thoroughly mixed and returned to the flow passage (114). The provision of a plurality of mixing devices along the length of the duct (110) increases the likelihood that all microorganisms receive a sufficient lethal dose of UV radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating ozone inside packaged articles comprises an electrode assembly in which coplanar electrodes are supported along a contact surface. The electrodes are solid state conductive electrodes. These electrodes may be interdigitated and/or arranged with uniform spacing therebetween along a portion of their length. Where the electrodes are straight they may be parallel, but other shapes can also be evenly spaced. In some examples the electrodes are partially insulated and partially exposed. In some examples the electrodes are embedded/potted in an insulator to exclude air spaces from around the electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating ozone inside packaged articles comprises an electrode assembly in which coplanar electrodes are supported along a contact surface. The electrodes are solid state conductive electrodes. These electrodes may be interdigitated and/or arranged with uniform spacing therebetween along a portion of their length. Where the electrodes are straight they may be parallel, but other shapes can also be evenly spaced. In some examples the electrodes are partially insulated and partially exposed. In some examples the electrodes are embedded/potted in an insulator to exclude air spaces from around the electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating ozone inside packaged articles comprises an electrode assembly in which coplanar electrodes are supported along a contact surface. The electrodes are solid state conductive electrodes. These electrodes may be interdigitated and/or arranged with uniform spacing therebetween along a portion of their length. Where the electrodes are straight they may be parallel, but other shapes can also be evenly spaced. In some examples the electrodes are partially insulated and partially exposed. In some examples the electrodes are embedded/potted in an insulator to exclude air spaces from around the electrodes.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus particularly for sterilizing drinks comprises an elongate tubular duct (110) and an elongate UV light source (111) extending longitudinally of the duct (110). The fluid flows longitudinally of the duct (110) in a thin annular low passage (114) which extends around the UV light source (111). A mixing device (112) disposed between adjacent longitudinal portions of the duct (110) for diverts all of the fluid flowing along a first portion of the passage (114) through fluid mixing means (113,116) in the device (112) and returns the mixed fluid to a second portion of the passage (114). Micro-organisms in the thin flow of fluid are killed as they come within close proximity of the light source (111). The mixing device (112) causes all of the flow to be thoroughly mixed and returned to the flow passage (114). The provision of a plurality of mixing devices along the length of the duct (110) increases the likelihood that all microorganisms receive a sufficient lethal dose of UV radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting fluids comprises a thin flow channel 12 which extends between a pair of parallel discs 16,18. The fluid to be treated flows radially of the discs 16,18 through the flow channel 12 where it is irradiated axially of the discs by ultra-violet light emitted by one or more lamps 14. At least one of the discs 16,18 is rotated to cause relative movement therebetween. The relative rotation of the discs 16,18 creates a turbulent flow of fluid within the flow channel 12 to ensure that the fluid circulates and swirls close to the opposed surfaces of the discs, thereby ensuring that all parts of the fluid are exposed to an intense dose of ultra-violet radiation. The thin planar flow channel 12 enables a relatively large volume of fluid to be efficiently disinfected since the ultra-violet radiation can pass axially of the discs 16,18 through the thin fluid layer over the large surface area of the discs 16,18 without suffering from significant UV absorption.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A treatment chamber disposed between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet. A plurality of plate members are mounted in the treatment chamber. The plane of the plate members is orientated substantially in line with the direction of fluid flow through the chamber between the inlet and the outlet. The plates have at least one major surface comprising a photo catalyst. Irradiating means is provided for irradiating the photo catalytic surfaces with an activating radiation. In use the plates are rotated and the fluid is forced to flow between portions of the plates which are rotating against the direction of fluid flow. The rotation ensures that the photo catalytic surfaces of the plates are fully exposed to the activating radiation and also causes a turbulent fluid flow between the plates to ensure that any molecules in the fluid flow come into contact with the activated photo catalytic surfaces.

Abstract: An irradiation device, for example a UV irradiation device for disinfecting waste water, is arranged to emit radiation from a source and through an outer wall which is permeable to fluid. Means are provided for varying the fluid pressure behind the inner surface of the outer wall, to cause fluid to permeate through it, either inwardly or outwardly. The arrangement serves to maintain the outer surface of the permeable wall clear of contaminants.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus comprises a plurality of elongate UV lamps 13 mounted in a duct 10 and a cleaning assembly 14 comprising a plurality of cleaning heads 20 which are rotated around respective lamps and are simultaneously driven longitudinally thereof to clean the lamps 13 and the internal surface of the duct 10. The cleaning heads 14 each comprise a plurality of portions 28 of titanium dioxide which are biased against the surface of the respective lamps 13 and which produce hydroxyls and oxygen free radicals in the presence of water and oxygen. Hydroxyls and oxygen free radicals are highly reactive and will break down the cells and molecules of the accumulated material on the lamps.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus comprises a duct portion (10) having an elongated tubular duct (12), inlet and outlet ports at or adjacent opposite ends of the duct (12), a separate vane portion (11), mounted internally of the duct (12) and carrying a helical guide vane (17), which extends longitudinally of the duct (12) between said inlet and outlet ports (13,14) to promote a helical fluid flow therebetween, and an elongated ultra-violet light source (22) extending longitudinally of the duct (12). The helical guide vane (17) is formed on the separate vane portion (11) f the apparatus and thus the apparatus is simple to construct, since the helical guide vane (17) is formed prior to insertion into duct (12).