Abstract: An apparatus that monitors a concentration of a sanitizer is provided. The apparatus includes a housing that defines a fluid passage and encloses an onboard power source. A light source supported by the housing is to be energized by the onboard power source to emit light that is at least partially attenuated by the sanitizer in the sanitizing composition. A light sensor separated from the light source by the fluid passage senses the light transmitted by the light source that has been at least partially attenuated by the sanitizer composition within the fluid passage and transmits a signal indicative of the sensed light. Electronic control circuitry converts the signal into a sensed concentration of the sanitizer in the sanitizer composition and an alert system is activated by the electronic control circuitry to issue a notification that conveys information about the sensed concentration of the sanitizer.

Abstract: Provided is a decontamination apparatus including a base, and a source that emits UVC light at a suitable intensity to at least partially decontaminate a target object and render the target object pathogen reduced. An adjustable support is coupled to the base and includes an adjustment mechanism that can be manipulated to adjust a position of the source relative to the base. A controller is operatively connected to the source to control emission of the UVC light and establish at least one of a suitable duration of a decontamination process and a suitable intensity of UVC light to render the target object pathogen reduced.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method that provides a brewing machine that produces a static water pressure with a variable water pressure. A first portion of an adaptor includes a peripheral wall that defines a region that receives heated water at a first pressure. A plurality of flanges protrude outwardly from the peripheral wall and cooperate with a group head of the brewing machine that is configured to receive and support a portafilter. A second portion is separate from the first portion, and arranged below the first portion to receive a portafilter basket. A conduit conveys water between the first portion and the second portion. A pressure regulator in fluid communication with the internal passage adjusts the heated water from the first pressure to a second pressure that is less than the first pressure, to be introduced to coffee in the portafilter basket at the second pressure.

Abstract: A roaster and method for roasting coffee beans is provided, and includes a drum that extends axially along a rotational axis, and a motor that rotates the drum about the rotational axis. A bean inlet port is located adjacent to a first end of the drum, and receives coffee beans to be introduced to the drum for roasting. A heater generates a heated gas by elevating a temperature of a gas to at least a roasting temperature, and a nozzle directs the heated gas generally toward the coffee beans within the drum while the drum is rotated by the motor. A collection bin adjacent to a second end of the drum collects the coffee beans exiting the drum after the coffee beans are roasted by the heated gas while traveling through the drum between the inlet port and the collection bin.

Abstract: Provided is a decontamination apparatus including a base, and a source that emits UVC light at a suitable intensity to at least partially decontaminate a target object and render the target object pathogen reduced. An adjustable support is coupled to the base and includes an adjustment mechanism that can be manipulated to adjust a position of the source relative to the base. A controller is operatively connected to the source to control emission of the UVC light and establish at least one of a suitable duration of a decontamination process and a suitable intensity of UVC light to render the target object pathogen reduced.

Abstract: Provided is a decontamination apparatus including a base, and a source that emits UVC light at a suitable intensity to at least partially decontaminate a target object and render the target object pathogen reduced. An adjustable support is coupled to the base and includes an adjustment mechanism that can be manipulated to adjust a position of the source relative to the base. A controller is operatively connected to the source to control emission of the UVC light and establish at least one of a suitable duration of a decontamination process and a suitable intensity of UVC light to render the target object pathogen reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing coffee grounds for a coffee brewing process includes a control system that receives a coffee order. The coffee order includes information indicative of a composition of coffee beans ordered, and a quantity of the coffee beans to be included in the composition. A metering device receives the coffee beans from a hopper assembly, and is controlled by the control system to: measure the quantity of the coffee beans to be included in the composition, and output the quantity of the coffee beans measured from an outlet aperture. An inlet aperture of a grinder receives the measured quantity of the coffee beans output through the outlet aperture of the metering device and grinds the coffee beans to produce ground coffee. A nozzle is arranged to introduce moisture to the ground coffee output by the grinder, producing ground and moistened coffee that is dispensed for brewing coffee in fulfillment of the coffee order.

Abstract: Provided is a decontamination apparatus for rendering an object pathogen reduced. The decontamination apparatus includes a frame to be positioned in suitable proximity to the object to enable the decontamination apparatus to perform a decontamination process that achieves at least a predetermined minimum level of pathogen reduction on the computer peripheral. A light source coupled to the frame to be transported along a decontamination path emits ultraviolet light suitable to deactivate at least a portion of a pathogen population on the computer peripheral. A shield interferes with transmission of the ultraviolet light in directions generally away from the computer peripheral, and a controller operates the light source and transports the light source along the decontamination path during the decontamination process.

Abstract: Provided is a method and an apparatus for indicating minimum exposure of a surface to UVC light emitted by a source during a decontamination process to achieve a desired level of pathogen reduction. The apparatus includes a photochromic material to be applied to, or applied adjacent to the surface. The photochromic material is to exhibit a visible response to receiving the minimum exposure to the UVC light, and exhibit the visible response to a lesser extent after the photochromic material ceases to be exposed to the UVC light emitted by the source. A protective layer of material that is substantially transparent to the UVC light emitted by the source is positioned over the photochromic material to be disposed between the source and the photochromic material during the decontamination process.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for disinfecting objects of various shapes and sizes. The apparatus includes a housing enclosing a disinfecting chamber, and an ultraviolet light source arranged to emit ultraviolet light into the disinfecting chamber to deactivate at least a portion of a biologically-active contagion present on the object. A peripheral wall of the housing that extends about a portion of the disinfecting chamber comprises an ultraviolet-reflective material so that the ultraviolet light impinging on the peripheral wall is reflected generally away from the peripheral wall and toward an interior of the disinfecting chamber. A door is adjustable between open and closed orientations. A floor at the bottom of the disinfecting chamber includes an ultraviolet-reflective surface that reflects the ultraviolet light impinging on the floor generally away from the floor toward the interior of the disinfecting chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a decontamination apparatus for rendering an object pathogen reduced. The decontamination apparatus includes a frame to be positioned in suitable proximity to the object to enable the decontamination apparatus to perform a decontamination process that achieves at least a predetermined minimum level of pathogen reduction on the computer peripheral. A light source coupled to the frame to be transported along a decontamination path emits ultraviolet light suitable to deactivate at least a portion of a pathogen population on the computer peripheral. A shield interferes with transmission of the ultraviolet light in directions generally away from the computer peripheral, and a controller operates the light source and transports the light source along the decontamination path during the decontamination process.

Abstract: Provided is a decontamination apparatus for decontaminating an enclosed room. The decontamination apparatus includes a source including a UVC bulb and a reflective shield arranged adjacent to the UVC bulb and configured to reflect UVC light emitted by the UVC bulb toward a region of the enclosed room to be decontaminated. A mounting system that is adjustable secures the source at a desired location within the enclosed room. A controller is operatively-connected to the source to terminate operation of the UVC bulb in response to a determination that an occupant is present within the enclosed room.

Abstract: Provided is a method and an apparatus for indicating minimum exposure of a surface to UVC light emitted by a source during a decontamination process to achieve a desired level of pathogen reduction. The apparatus includes a photochromic material to be applied to, or applied adjacent to the surface. The photochromic material is to exhibit a visible response to receiving the minimum exposure to the UVC light, and exhibit the visible response to a lesser extent after the photochromic material ceases to be exposed to the UVC light emitted by the source. A protective layer of material that is substantially transparent to the UVC light emitted by the source is positioned over the photochromic material to be disposed between the source and the photochromic material during the decontamination process.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for disinfecting objects of various shapes and sizes. The apparatus includes a housing enclosing a disinfecting chamber, and an ultraviolet light source arranged to emit ultraviolet light into the disinfecting chamber to deactivate at least a portion of a biologically-active contagion present on the object. A peripheral wall of the housing that extends about a portion of the disinfecting chamber comprises an ultraviolet-reflective material so that the ultraviolet light impinging on the peripheral wall is reflected generally away from the peripheral wall and toward an interior of the disinfecting chamber. A door is adjustable between open and closed orientations. A floor at the bottom of the disinfecting chamber includes an ultraviolet-reflective surface that reflects the ultraviolet light impinging on the floor generally away from the floor toward the interior of the disinfecting chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a decontamination cover to be applied over an object to be decontaminated. The decontamination cover includes a sheet-like body formed from a pliable material, and includes an outward-facing surface that is substantially opaque to UVC light and an inward-facing surface that is to be arranged opposite a surface of the object to be decontaminated. A plurality of UVC sources are exposed at the inward-facing surface, and a plurality of spacers are arranged among the UVC sources to maintain a suitable separation between the UVC sources and the surface of the object to be decontaminated. This suitable separation promotes complete coverage of the surface with UVC light emitted by the UVC sources.

Abstract: Provided are a device and method for oxygenating fecal matter in a patient. The device includes an interior material defining a plurality of oxygen packets including oxygen to be introduced into the patient's digestive tract. An outer coating applied to an exterior of the interior material protects the interior material from an environment of the patient's digestive tract when the device is consumed, and is dissolved by a substance within the patient's digestive tract to expose the interior material to the patient's digestive tract after a delay.

Abstract: Provided is a decontamination apparatus for decontaminating an enclosed room. The decontamination apparatus includes a source including a UVC bulb and a reflective shield arranged adjacent to the UVC bulb and configured to reflect UVC light emitted by the UVC bulb toward a region of the enclosed room to be decontaminated. A mounting system that is adjustable secures the source at a desired location within the enclosed room. A controller is operatively-connected to the source to terminate operation of the UVC bulb in response to a determination that an occupant is present within the enclosed room.

Abstract: Provided is a method and an apparatus for indicating minimum exposure of a surface to UVC light emitted by a source during a decontamination process to achieve a desired level of pathogen reduction. The apparatus includes a photochromic material to be applied to, or applied adjacent to the surface. The photochromic material is to exhibit a visible response to receiving the minimum exposure to the UVC light, and exhibit the visible response to a lesser extent after the photochromic material ceases to be exposed to the UVC light emitted by the source. A protective layer of material that is substantially transparent to the UVC light emitted by the source is positioned over the photochromic material to be disposed between the source and the photochromic material during the decontamination process.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for disinfecting objects of various shapes and sizes. The apparatus includes a housing enclosing a disinfecting chamber, and an ultraviolet light source arranged to emit ultraviolet light into the disinfecting chamber to deactivate at least a portion of a biologically-active contagion present on the object. A peripheral wall of the housing that extends about a portion of the disinfecting chamber comprises an ultraviolet-reflective material so that the ultraviolet light impinging on the peripheral wall is reflected generally away from the peripheral wall and toward an interior of the disinfecting chamber. A door is adjustable between open and closed orientations. A floor at the bottom of the disinfecting chamber includes an ultraviolet-reflective surface that reflects the ultraviolet light impinging on the floor generally away from the floor toward the interior of the disinfecting chamber.

Abstract: Provided are a device and method for oxygenating fecal matter in a patient. The device includes an interior material defining a plurality of oxygen packets including oxygen to be introduced into the patient's digestive tract. An outer coating applied to an exterior of the interior material protects the interior material from an environment of the patient's digestive tract when the device is consumed, and is dissolved by a substance within the patient's digestive tract to expose the interior material to the patient's digestive tract after a delay.