Abstract: Methods of generating performic acid by contacting aqueous oxidizing agent and aqueous formic acid source in liquid phase are disclosed. A system and apparatus for the in situ production of the performic acid chemistries is further disclosed. In particular, a continuous flow reactor is provided to generate performic acid at variable rates. Methods of employing the oxidizing biocide for various disinfection applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for measuring one or more target analyte concentrations, particularly peroxyacid compounds, in a process solution, for example, in industrial and commercial water. These systems and methods include automated methods to measure the target analyte concentration in the process solution. The methods have the advantage of providing a large dynamic range for measurement and can be used in a wider range of process solutions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for on-site, continuous generation of peracid chemistry, namely peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions, are disclosed. In particular, an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system is designed for on-site generation of peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions from sugar esters. Methods of using the in situ generated peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: An antimicrobial lighting system includes an antimicrobial lighting array that emits antimicrobial light within one or more antimicrobial wavelength ranges to inactivate one or more microorganisms on common touch surfaces. The common touch surfaces may include, for example, restaurant menus, airline safety instructions, pamphlets, instruction cards, or other common touch objects having a generally flat form factor, or that can be reduced to a flat form factor. Application of the antimicrobial light to the common touch surfaces may improve hygiene of such common touch surfaces and may help maintain microbial growth below acceptable levels.

Abstract: Methods of generating performic acid by contacting aqueous oxidizing agent and aqueous formic acid source in liquid phase are disclosed. A system and apparatus for the in situ production of the performic acid chemistries is further disclosed. In particular, a continuous flow reactor is provided to generate performic acid at variable rates. Methods of employing the oxidizing biocide for various disinfection applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: An antimicrobial lighting system is used to reduce microbial growth on surfaces in or on air conditioning and/or heating equipment. In some examples, antimicrobial light within one or more antimicrobial wavelength ranges is applied to inactivate one or more microorganisms on target surface(s) within or on a packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC). The antimicrobial light may include light within a first antimicrobial wavelength range and/or light within a second antimicrobial wavelength range. The antimicrobial lighting system may include an array of individually controllable antimicrobial light segments. An array controller may individually control activation of the one or more antimicrobial light segments based on the status information or commands received from a PTAC controller or from an external computing device.

Abstract: A soil-based coupon having an electronically readable verification code printed thereon is used for verification of soil removal by a cleaning process. The coupon includes a soil overlay covering the verification code. The verification code is at least partially revealed by removal of all or part of the soil overlay during the cleaning process. If the data encoded in the verification code can be correctly decoded after completion of the cleaning process, the cleaning process can be verified. The soil overlay can be designed to match the application. The coupons may be used in a cleaning process verification procedure in which one or more computing devices analyze images of the verification codes to determine whether or not cleaning processes can be verified.

Abstract: A lighting array including one or more antimicrobial light segments, each light segments including one or more antimicrobial light sources, is configured to emit light sufficient to inactivate one or more microorganisms on a touch screen display surface. The lighting array may individually control activation of the one or more antimicrobial light segments based on user presence information, time of day information, and/or touch screen display usage information. A touch screen display assembly includes a housing, a touch screen display and a lighting array including one or more antimicrobial light segments.

Abstract: An antimicrobial lighting system is used to reduce microbial growth on surfaces in or on air conditioning and/or heating equipment. In some examples, antimicrobial light within one or more antimicrobial wavelength ranges is applied to inactivate one or more microorganisms on target surface(s) within or on a packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC). The antimicrobial light may include light within a first antimicrobial wavelength range and/or light within a second antimicrobial wavelength range. The antimicrobial lighting system may include an array of individually controllable antimicrobial light segments. An array controller may individually control activation of the one or more antimicrobial light segments based on the status information or commands received from a PTAC controller or from an external computing device.

Abstract: A soil-based coupon having an electronically readable verification code printed thereon is used for verification of soil removal by a cleaning process. The coupon includes a soil overlay covering the verification code. The verification code is at least partially revealed by removal of all or part of the soil overlay during the cleaning process. If the data encoded in the verification code can be correctly decoded after completion of the cleaning process, the cleaning process can be verified. The soil overlay can be designed to match the application. The coupons may be used in a cleaning process verification procedure in which one or more computing devices analyze images of the verification codes to determine whether or not cleaning processes can be verified.

Abstract: Experimental color data obtained from a plurality of cleaning process verification coupons is used to determine optimized cleaning process parameters in an automated cleaning machine. Color data may also be obtained from cleaning process verification coupon(s) to verify the efficacy of a real-world cleaning processes in an automated cleaning machine and/or to obtain one or more suggested corrective action(s) in the event the cleaning process yields an unsatisfactory cleaning result. Based on the optimized cleaning process parameters, an automated cleaning machine may automatically adjust one or more cleaning process parameters to correct for non-optimized parameters sensed during execution of a cleaning process to help prevent an unsatisfactory cleaning result.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for configuring product packaging and removal of the packaging from a product is disclosed. The labeled product packaging includes a shrink wrap packaging adapted for sealing around a product. A predefined point of failure is configured in the packaging and includes a failure mode for when pulled in at least one direction. A label is sealed to the packaging and adhered to the predefined point of failure in covering relation over the predefined point of failure. Lifting the label from the packaging tears open the packaging starting at the predefined point of failure so the product can be removed from the packaging.

Abstract: Methods and systems for temperature-controlled, on-site generation of peracids, namely peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions are disclosed. In particular, methods for using an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system overcome the limitations of temperature on the kinetics of the peracid generation and/or peracid decomposition inside an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system. The methods include the controlling of the temperature of at least one raw starting material, namely water, to improve upon methods of on-site generation of peracids. The methods allow for the generation of user-selected chemistry without regard to the ambient temperatures of the raw starting materials and/or the biocide formulator or generator system.

Abstract: An automated cleaning machine may include one or more short cleaning cycles in which the duration of a cleaning cycle is shortened relative to the duration of a default cleaning cycle. During a short cleaning cycle, other cleaning cycle parameters may also be adjusted to ensure that the articles subjected to the short cleaning cycle are adequately cleaned and sanitized. For example, the wash temperature, rinse temperature, and/or cleaning product amounts or concentrations, may be adjusted to account for the shortened duration of the cleaning cycle. The automated cleaning machine may further include one or more short cycle mode(s) during which short cleaning cycle parameters are used and one or more default cycle mode(s) during which default cleaning cycle parameters are used.

Abstract: A system for controlling the initiation of a cleaning process for an interior of an appliance may include a detection sensor and a processor in communication with the detection sensor. The detection sensor may be configured to generate detection sensor data based on a sensed condition in a field of detection of the detection sensor which may comprise one or more pre-determined locations. The processor may control the initiation of an appliance cleaning process. The appliance cleaning process may comprise receiving detection sensor data representative of a first time and a second time, generating an initial condition based on the received detection sensor data representative of the first time, and generating a new condition based on the received detection sensor data representative of the second time. The processor may be additionally configured to compare the initial condition and the new condition and determine if cleaning product is present.

Abstract: A lighting array including one or more antimicrobial light segments, each light segments including one or more antimicrobial light sources, is configured to emit light sufficient to inactivate one or more microorganisms on a touch screen display surface. The lighting array may individually control activation of the one or more antimicrobial light segments based on user presence information, time of day information, and/or touch screen display usage information. A touch screen display assembly includes a housing, a touch screen display and a lighting array including one or more antimicrobial light segments.

Abstract: An automated cleaning machine may include one or more short cleaning cycles in which the duration of a cleaning cycle is shortened relative to the duration of a default cleaning cycle. During a short cleaning cycle, other cleaning cycle parameters may also be adjusted to ensure that the articles subjected to the short cleaning cycle are adequately cleaned and sanitized. For example, the wash temperature, rinse temperature, and/or cleaning product amounts or concentrations, may be adjusted to account for the shortened duration of the cleaning cycle. The automated cleaning machine may further include one or more short cycle mode(s) during which short cleaning cycle parameters are used and one or more default cycle mode(s) during which default cleaning cycle parameters are used.

Abstract: A soil-based coupon having an electronically readable verification code printed thereon is used for verification of soil removal by a cleaning process. The coupon includes a soil overlay covering the verification code. The verification code is at least partially revealed by removal of all or part of the soil overlay during the cleaning process. If the data encoded in the verification code can be correctly decoded after completion of the cleaning process, the cleaning process can be verified. The soil overlay can be designed to match the application. The coupons may be used in a cleaning process verification procedure in which one or more computing devices analyze images of the verification codes to determine whether or not cleaning processes can be verified.

Abstract: A lighting array including one or more antimicrobial light segments, each light segments including one or more antimicrobial light sources, is configured to emit light sufficient to inactivate one or more microorganisms on a touch screen display surface. The lighting array may individually control activation of the one or more antimicrobial light segments based on user presence information, time of day information, and/or touch screen display usage information. A touch screen display assembly includes a housing, a touch screen display and a lighting array including one or more antimicrobial light segments.

Abstract: Systems and/or methods for the monitoring and/or control of thermal sanitization in automated cleaning machines are described. A cleaning machine controller may predict a number of heat unit equivalents that will be delivered during a cleaning process based on a sump temperature difference (i.e., a change in the temperature of the cleaning solution in the sump) experienced at or near the beginning of the cleaning process. One or more cleaning process parameters may be adjusted and/or controlled based on the sump temperature difference in order to ensure that a target number of heat unit equivalents are delivered in order to achieve thermal sanitization of the wares subjected to the cleaning process.