Abstract: Methods and apparatus for disinfecting and/or filtering fluids, such as water, are disclosed. One embodiment is directed to a method of providing treated fluid, comprising acts of receiving the fluid into a chamber, filtering the fluid of particulate matter and/or chemicals within the chamber, disinfecting the fluid with an ultraviolet light source within the chamber, and dispensing the fluid from the chamber. Methods and apparatus for improving the efficiency of a light source, such as a light source used for ultraviolet disinfection, are also disclosed. Another embodiment is directed to an improved-efficiency ultraviolet disinfection device, comprising a chamber, and a black body radiator disposed therein and adapted to emit light in the ultraviolet spectrum. At least a portion of the chamber is constructed and arranged to reflect an amount of emitted light that is sufficient to cause regenerative heating of the black body radiator back toward the black body radiator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for indicating a successful sterilization or disinfection of an object are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, an object to be sterilized or disinfected by an ultraviolet sterilization/disinfection device comprises material responsive to ultraviolet light to indicate successful sterilization or disinfection of the object through exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Methods of sterilizing or disinfecting an object are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method comprises introducing at least a first portion of an object into a sterilizer/disinfector, sealing light within the sterilizer/disinfector using at least a second portion of the object to form a light seal, and automatically, upon detection of completion of the light seal to a certain degree, flashing ultraviolet light onto the at least first portion of the object within the sterilizer/disinfector.

Abstract: A retainer including a pin adapted for attachment to a mounting member for supporting a stack of sheets having one or more openings; the pin having a shank portion for insertion into the one opening, an outer end portion defining a pair of parallel bores with transversely spaced apart axes, and an inner end portion attachable to the support member; and a spring clamp having a pair of leg portions with outer end portions joined by a yoke portion and inner ends each joined to a journal portion received by a different one of the bores and retainer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region through a bandage. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method, comprising acts of determining the transmissivity of at least a portion of a bandage to ultraviolet light, and selecting an intensity of ultraviolet light to be applied through at least a portion of the bandage. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of sterilizing or disinfecting a region underneath a bandage on a patient. A further embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region of tissue of a patient. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp and a bandage adapted to transmit at least some of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bandage, comprising an ultraviolet light-transmissive film, and a color-changing material coupled to the film to indicate an exposure of the film to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region through a bandage. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method, comprising acts of determining the transmissivity of at least a portion of a bandage to ultraviolet light, and selecting an intensity of ultraviolet light to be applied through at least a portion of the bandage. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of sterilizing or disinfecting a region underneath a bandage on a patient. A further embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region of tissue of a patient. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp and a bandage adapted to transmit at least some of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bandage, comprising an ultraviolet light-transmissive film, and a color-changing material coupled to the film to indicate an exposure of the film to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region through a bandage. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method, comprising acts of determining the transmissivity of at least a portion of a bandage to ultraviolet light, and selecting an intensity of ultraviolet light to be applied through at least a portion of the bandage. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of sterilizing or disinfecting a region underneath a bandage on a patient. A further embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting a region of tissue of a patient. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp and a bandage adapted to transmit at least some of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a bandage, comprising an ultraviolet light-transmissive film, and a color-changing material coupled to the film to indicate an exposure of the film to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method including an act of applying ultraviolet light to a region of tissue on a patient and/or to a catheter inserted into the patient to sterilize or disinfect the region. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for performing the method. The apparatus comprises a housing and an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp disposed within the housing. The housing includes a light seal to substantially prevent light from traveling beyond the housing and the region of tissue during sterilization or disinfection. A further embodiment of the invention is directed to a device for use with a catheter and an ultraviolet light-emitting lamp. The device comprises a reflective surface adapted to be coupled to a catheter to direct light emitted by the ultraviolet light-emitting lamp to a portion of the catheter near an entrance site of the catheter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting using ultraviolet light. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for sterilizing or disinfecting at least a portion of an interior surface of a catheter, the interior surface being defined by a wall. The method comprises acts of identifying a stagnation zone in the catheter, and transmitting ultraviolet light through the wall at the stagnation zone. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an ultraviolet light-transmissive catheter. The catheter comprises a wall defining an interior of the catheter, and a region of the wall adapted to transmit ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting irregularly-shaped objects. One embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus including a substantially light-tight housing, at least one ultraviolet light-emitting lamp disposed within the housing, and a drum to change the orientation of the object in the housing so that light emitted by the at least one lamp contacts substantially all of the exterior surfaces of the object. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a batch process that includes enclosing an object within a substantially light-tight housing, and changing the orientation of the object in the housing while irradiating the object with ultraviolet light so that the ultraviolet light contacts substantially all exterior surfaces of the object.

Abstract: A device that sterilizes or disinfects an object includes a housing having an opening for at least partially receiving an object, at least one movable member, attached to the housing, that moves between an open position and a closed position, an ultraviolet light source within the housing, and an actuator that prevents the light source from emitting UV radiation until an object is placed at least partially within the opening of the housing and the movable member is in its closed position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilizing small objects. A small object is inserted into a chamber formed in the sterilizer. A portion of the small object mates with a lockout device to disable the lockout device. After the lockout device is disabled, the sterilizer produces at least one flash of high intensity ultraviolet light produced by an ultraviolet light source. The ultraviolet light flash kills microorganisms on the surface of the small object. The chamber of the sterilizer may be lined with a reflective coating to disperse the ultraviolet light around the chamber so that most, if not all, of the small object within the sterilizer is exposed to the ultraviolet light.

Abstract: An illuminated sign, readable during the night or day, and suitable for use as a house number display, uses a single illuminatable panel, on which a number of stencils are plac critical flicker frequency ed. Each stencil is a rectangular piece of opaque material, such as plastic or metal, in which a central cutout is made in the shape of a number. Several of these stencils are arrayed in front of the illuminatable panel, so that only the light coming through the central cutouts is visible through the stencils. The illuminatable panel is made of an array of LED's, with a diffuser to produce a uniform illumination, and is powered by one or more batteries. A light detector senses the onset of dusk, which activates the illuminatable panel, turning it on, and leaving it on for four or more hours. A constant-current electronic system powers the LEDs, which are pulsed on and off at a speed greater than 90 Hz, which makes the sign appear to the human eye as constantly illuminated.

Abstract: An illuminated sign, readable during the night or day, and suitable for use as a house number display, uses a single illuminatable panel, on which a number of stencils are plac critical flicker frequency ed. Each stencil is a rectangular piece of opaque material, such as plastic or metal, in which a central cutout is made in the shape of a number. Several of these stencils are arrayed in front of the illuminatable panel, so that only the light coming through the central cutouts is visible through the stencils. The illuminatable panel is made of an array of LED's, with a diffuser to produce a uniform illumination, and is powered by one or more batteries. A light detector senses the onset of dusk, which activates the illuminatable panel, turning it on, and leaving it on for four or more hours. A constant-current electronic system powers the LEDs, which are pulsed on and off at a speed greater than 90 Hz, which makes the sign appear to the human eye as constantly illuminated.

Abstract: A pre-press process employs color accurate instant photography so that the customer and/or his photographer adjust lighting and exposure at the photography session to achieve approved reflection originals. The photographs are judged under controlled lighting against a standard background in device such as a potable illuminator. Since any deficiencies are corrected by recreating an improved original, the session produces a job output which is 100% suitable for color accurate scanning and separation without the intervention of the pre-press operator. Originals are suitable as proofs for the printer to match. Novel means are employed to achieve rapid, colorimetrically calibrated scanning with standard equipment, and the colorimetry of the prior art is improved to deal effectively with whitepoint and blackpoint misalignment.

Abstract: A pre-press process employs color accurate instant photography so that the customer and/or his photographer adjust lighting and exposure at the photography session to achieve approved reflection originals. The photographs are judged under controlled lighting against a standard background in device such as a portable illuminator. Since any deficiencies are corrected by recreating an improved original, the session produces a job output which is 100% suitable for color accurate scanning and separation without the intervention of the pre-press operator. Originals are suitable as proofs for the printer to match. Novel means are employed to achieve rapid, colorimetrically calibrated scanning with standard equipment, and the colorimetry of the prior art is improved to deal effectively with whitepoint and blackpoint misalignment.

Abstract: Gas flow metering using a capacitance measurement and comprising a taut elastomeric membrane, preferably tubular in form, which expands or contracts as a function of flow rate past it to an extent determined by Bernouilli's principle. The thus changing distance between this membrane and one or more external electrodes measured by capacitance change or other means is correlatable with the instantaneous flow rate and such measurement can be made essentially without regard to entrained solids or liquids in the gas flow, phase and temperature changes (moderate) within the gas flow or mixture or changing composition therein and with rapid response and low back pressure.

Abstract: A keyswitch apparatus for electronic typewriter keyboards and the like including a circuit board having at least one pair of electrical conductors, each conductor having contact means, at least one single-piece spring and contact system, each including a frame portion adapted for directly mounting to the circuit board and at least one spring and contact unit.