Abstract: Fold-flat personal respiratory protection devices that have a flat substantially rectangular central portion having first and second edges, at flat first member joined to the first edge of the central portion through either a fold-line, seam, weld or bond, said fold, bond, weld or seam of the first member being substantially coextensive with said first edge of said central portion, and a flat second member joined to the second edge of the central portion through either a fold-line, seam, weld or bond, the fold, bond, weld or seam of the second member being substantially coextensive with said second edge of said central portion. At least one of the central portion and first and second members are formed from filter media.

Abstract: Devices and methods to prevent airway collapse are disclosed. The device includes a mouthpiece featuring a positioning aid adjustable by inflation accomplished via a gas exchange port attachable to a source of pressure and a breathing tube. Inflation causes an asymmetric protrusion on the mouthpiece, preferably above the breathing tube so that the positioning aid fits into the roof of the mouth. Preferably, tongue movement is at least partially restricted. An additional device featuring a wearable battery operated compressor is further disclosed. A device in the form of a pacifier is disclosed as a preferred embodiment for use in young patients. Preferably, devices are supplied as articles of manufacture. Use of disclosed devic3es constitute methods of preventing collapse of the upper airway.

Abstract: A long term oxygen therapy system having an oxygen supply directly linked with a patient's lung or lungs may be utilized to more efficiently treat hypoxia caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The system includes an oxygen source, one or more valves and fluid carrying conduits. The fluid carrying conduits link the oxygen source to diseased sites within the patient's lungs. A collateral ventilation bypass trap system directly linked with a patient's lung or lungs may be utilized to increase the expiratory flow from the diseased lung or lungs, thereby treating another aspect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The system includes a trap, a filter/one-way valve and an air carrying conduit. In various embodiments, the system may be intrathoracic, extrathoracic or a combination thereof. A pulmonary decompression device may also be utilized to remove trapped air in the lung or lungs, thereby reducing the volume of diseased lung tissue.

Abstract: An improved breathing devise, for use in the nasal passageways. This nasal breathing apparatus utilizes a flexible tube, that defines two centrally adjacent notches, spaced apart by a central tube portion. The terminating ends of the tube preferably have a portion of the circumferential tube removed, so that the ends define curved flanges. The section of modified tubing is bent approximately 90 degrees from the central portion, with the arcual outer surfaces of the tube ends being placed directly into the nasal passageways. The flexible tube will urge the nasal passageway walls apart, thereby increasing the overall diameter of said passageways. Airflow is not significantly restricted, due to the tubular configuration of the apparatus, which conforms to the nasal passageway shape it contacts. The central tube portion is capable of receiving an aromatic plug, which releases chemical substances adjacent to the nasal openings.

Abstract: A method of treatment of symptoms of fibromyalgia, is disclosed. The affected patient is gowned with a radiation-shielding textile for an extended period of time, either by fashioning a garment from the textile or using a sheet or cover, or fashioning a wrap. The radiation-shielding textile found to be suitable is a cloth woven of yarn consisting of a textile fibre, such as nylon, and from two to thirty-five percent by weight of electrically conductive filament, preferably stainless steel.

Abstract: A therapeutic eye and eyelid cover provides heated saturated air to the covered tissue and a transparent front (18, 19) to enable clear vision during use. The cover includes heating means (17) and means (22) for saturating the air enclosed against the face with water vapor, preventing evaporation from the eye and eye lids and enhancing heat transfer to the covered tissue. The transparent front is constructed to prevent condensation and maintain clear vision at all times during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of hemostasis, including methods, compositions, and devices that can be employed to achieve hemostasis at an increased rate. More specifically the present invention relates to hemostatic compositions that achieve a hemostatic effect at a distance from the site of application of the composition, and a method for administering such a composition to effectively reduce localized vascular complications associated with treating a breach or puncture in a vein or artery and reduce the time to achieve hemostasis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling optical aberrations to alter modulation transfer functions by providing an ocular system comprising a predetermined corrective factor to produce substantially corrective stimuli for repositioning medium- and high-spatial frequency peaks relative to one another to alter accommodative lag. The invention will be used to provide continuous, useful clear visual images while simultaneously retarding or abating the progression of myopia or hypermetropia.

Abstract: A device for combining groups of at least two different types of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters in the tobacco industry in a continuous process includes a plurality of independent functional units that are each designed as a module.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus which embodies an optical measuring assembly serving to ascertain the transverse dimensions (such as diameters) of at least substantially cylindrical rod-shaped articles, preferably cigarettes or other rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, and includes a radiation source employing at least one first preferably circular array of light emitting diodes or the like, an evaluating unit employing at least one preferably circular array of signal generating charge coupled devices or the like, and a control unit which regulates the operation of batches of neighboring diodes and receives preferably short-lasting signals from the charge coupled devices located in the shadow produced by the article which is coaxial with and is spacedly surrounded by the two arrays. The article can be stationary or it can move (such as axially) relative to the coaxial arrays.

Abstract: The invention is a holder-filter for tobacco products such as cigarettes. The filter removes tarry materials present in combustion products as aerosol droplets or vapors by passing the combustion products through a restricted passage to impinge on a cool surface of an annular sealed chamber formed between two o-rings, to change direction of the combustion products and expand them into the annular sealed chamber such that the tarry materials congeal on the surfaces of the annular sealed chamber.

Abstract: The disposable unit for cigarette butts is simply a cylinder shaped container with a bottom and removable top. When the top of the unit is removed and an inner seal, the unit will allow easy access for a smoker to extinguish smoking material. The cylinder unit will contain a material that is a fire retardant and also is odor absorbent. The top may be placed back on the unit to maximize odor control or fixed to the bottom. The unit will fit into most cup holding devices in automobiles or stand independently.

Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter assembly that includes an impervious sealed canister at least partially filled with an active medium for modifying the characteristics of mainstream tobacco smoke. Placement of the active medium in the sealed canister maintains its freshness and activity level over extended periods of time. Valve structure on opposite ends of the canister have normally closed positions for sealing the active medium within the impervious canister. The valve structures also have open positions upon the application of draw upon the cigarette so that mainstream smoke generated by the tobacco rod when lighted passes through the open valve structures and the active medium within the canister. The active medium inside the canister may be activated carbon for removing selected constituents from mainstream tobacco smoke and/or flavor enhancing compositions for imparting flavors to the smoke, for example.

Abstract: A series of cigarette-type articles contained in a retail package, each comprising a tobacco-filled cylinder having a filter tip attached to each of its opposite ends, whereby each such article can provide two filter tip cigarettes by the user breaking or severing the tobacco-filled cylinder between the two filter tips. The breakage or severing can occur at variable locations between said filter tips to produce cigarettes of varying length. The tobacco-filled cylinder of each said article has a length of between 2 inches and 3½ inches. The invention also includes a process for producing such cigarette-type articles and a procedure for preparing them for smoking.

Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an off-line manner to a continuous paper sheet web that is later used for cigarette manufacture. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an on-line manner to continuous paper web moving through an operating cigarette making machine. The coating formulation is applied to the paper web using roll applicator techniques, ink jet printing techniques or electrostatic precipitation techniques. Liquid coating formulation are curable, and are virtually absent of solvent or liquid carrier. Radiation, such as ultraviolet or electron beam radiation, is used to solidify and fix polymerizable liquid components of the coating formulation that have been applied to the paper web.

Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an off-line manner to a continuous paper sheet web that is later used for cigarette manufacture. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an on-line manner to continuous paper web moving through an operating cigarette making machine. The coating formulation is applied to the paper web using roll applicator techniques, ink jet printing techniques or electrostatic precipitation techniques. Liquid coating formulation are curable, and are virtually absent of solvent or liquid carrier. Radiation, such as ultraviolet or electron beam radiation, is used to solidify and fix polymerizable liquid components of the coating formulation that have been applied to the paper web.

Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an off-line manner to a continuous paper sheet web that is later used for cigarette manufacture. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an on-line manner to continuous paper web moving through an operating cigarette making machine. The coating formulation is applied to the paper web using roll applicator techniques, ink jet printing techniques or electrostatic precipitation techniques. Liquid coating formulation are curable, and are virtually absent of solvent or liquid carrier. Radiation, such as ultraviolet or electron beam radiation, is used to solidify and fix polymerizable liquid components of the coating formulation that have been applied to the paper web.

Abstract: A printing unit for applying print marks to a wrapping strip in a cigarette rope machine of the tobacco processing industry is provided. The printing unit includes at least one printing cylinder, a counter-pressure cylinder in contact with the at least one printing cylinder, and a fastening device adapted to jointly attach and detach the at least one printing cylinder and the counter-pressure cylinder to the cigarette rope machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter tow made from crimped endless cellulose acetate filaments, whereby the filaments form at least two connected fibre bundles with the same filament titre of at least 600 filaments. The filament titres differ from bundle to bundle by at least 1 dtex Furthermore a filter tow is disclosed with a crimp ratio of more than 40%, said filaments comprising at least 22 crimp turns per filament length.

Abstract: A smoking filter contains a hydrotalcite compound exhibiting a lamellar structure in which a large number of octahedral layers of a metal hydroxide are laminated one upon the other. The smoking filter permits selectively removing formaldehyde contained in mainstream smoke.

Abstract: A cigarette filter that includes a multiple section filter which reduces the level of predetermined smoke constituents. The filter (130) consists of a fibrous filter plug (132) located at the mouth-end of the cigarette, a section (136) containing a selective adsorbent material, and a section (134) containing a general adsorbent material. The selective adsorbent material, such as a phenol-formaldchyde resin matrix surface-functionalized with mainly primary and secondary amine functional groups, removes specific smoke constituents from the tobacco smoke. The general adsorbent material, such as activated charcoal, is preferably capable of adsorbing a range of chemical compounds without a high degree of specificity. Structurally, the fibrous filter plug, the selective adsorbent section, and the general adsorbent section are co-axially aligned it tandem.

Abstract: This hairpiece is based on soft, elastic straps, which should stretch and connects together in a framework, in a ladderlike way, in which wefts of hair are attached. This array is surrounded by and connected to a soft, elastic strap in the form of a peripheral loop that allows the hairpiece to be easily put on and can be comfortably worn allowing air to get to the head without the feeling of a head covering wig cap. This framework allows the wearer's natural hair to be brought easily through the open areas between the framework and mingle with hair on the hairpiece. The hair on the hairpiece could be synthetic hair or human hair.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manicure, which is necessary cosmetics of modern women, and more particularly to a manicure container capable of constantly, and smoothly discharging a manicure liquid, thereby making it easy and simply to coat the manicure liquid on a fingernail and replace an inferior brush with a new one. The present invention provides a manicure container capable of making it conveniently and easy to treat a fingernail or a toenail by forceably coupling a manicure container with a brush rod and discharging a constant amount of the manicure liquid. In addition, the manicure container of the present invention can minimize a disappearance of the manicure liquid to the air due to its volatility. Further, after coating the manicure liquid on a fingernail or a toenail, the brush used can be prevented from being hardened and an inferior brush can be replaced with a new one.

Abstract: A sticker for the application of hair is very easy to apply and very comfortable for the user and it comprises adhesive laminar support, anti allergic and transpiring, having a first side wherein hair is ran into and a second side suitable to be directly adhered on skin. The related manufacturing process comprises the steps of: providing of an adhesive laminar support, anti allergenic and transpiring; providing a quantity of hair in proximity to this laminar support, each hair having an end apt to be run into said laminar support; and generating an electrostatic field at the laminar support so as to positioning said ends against the laminar support, causing them to run into the laminar support.

Abstract: A basic yet effective right and left two-piece sideburn shaving guide invention, comprised of adhesive paper light in tack yet strong enough to work on users face without pulling out hair. Element 1 is the grid with fifty-four different positions used adjacent with users outside corner eyelid. Element 2 is the base of invention parallel with grid for easy and fast application positioning of the sideburn design. Element 3 is a shaving guide. Right and left shaving guide pieces are mirror images of one another.

Abstract: An improved mascara brush comprises a twisted wire core holding a plurality of radially extending bristles forming a brush at an end of the core. The wire of the twisted wire core has a diameter of about 0.028 inch to about 0.040 inch, and the twisted wire core has a pitch of about 0.140 inch to about 0.250 inch. Preferably, the twisted wire core has a pitch of about 0.150 inch to about 0.200 inch. The bristle density of the bristles per turn of the wire core will vary according to the diameter of the bristles,; the full range of the bristle density is 10-80 bristles per turn.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for curling hair comprising means for rotating the heads wherein a guide groove is formed at a bottom surface of the other end in each grip, receiving groove is formed at an upper surface of the other end in each grip, and each receiving groove has a step portion and a through hole at a center thereof, wherein an end of a cover in each head is bent to form a guide to be inserted into the guide groove of each grip, a connecting piece is coupled with each cover by bolt, and each connecting piece has a recess and an irregular portion formed at a bottom surface of the recess, and wherein an intermitting piece having an irregular portion formed at an upper surface thereof is accommodated in the recess of each connecting piece and is fastened to a button provided to each head by a bolt, a pushing part is provided between a bottom surface of each button and the step portion of each receiving groove supported by a spring, and each connecting piece is separated from each i

Abstract: A hair wrapping device has a handle portion and a carousel structure. An electric drive in the handle rotates the carousel about a central passage. The carousel structure includes bobbins and structures for allowing decorative strands on the bobbins to be directed into the central passage along with a tress of hair. When the drive is energized the carousel structure rotates and wraps each decorative strand around the tress as the wrapping device is moved along the tress of hair.

Abstract: An interchangeable hair band system is provided with number of variously sized and shaped and colored elasticized bands, which are interchangeable with a number of variously sized and shaped decorative elements and support rings. The interchangeable hair band system comprises an elasticized band, a decorative element with a loop capable of being removably attached to the elasticized band, a support ring that has a center opening therethrough and a double hook means. The S-shaped double hook fits through the center opening in the support ring with the hooks engaging the loop of the decorative element on one side and the elasticized band on another side of the support ring. The support ring contacts and mates with the shape and style of the decorative element and also conceals the loop of the decorative element.

Abstract: A hair styling device includes a housing having a chamber to receive hair of user, and one or more retaining members attached or extended from the lower peripheral portion of the housing. The retaining members each may include a leg extended from the lower peripheral portion of the housing, to form a slot between the leg and the housing, and to receive the hair of the user between the leg and the housing, and to secure the housing onto the hair of the user without additional hair pins or hair bands or hair nets or hair clips. The retaining member may include one or more swellings to engage with and to further secure the housing onto the hair of the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for applying a substance, the device comprising:

Abstract: An all-in-one toothbrush that can be used at home or on the go for complete dental hygiene. Though it is the size of a regular toothbrush, it has added features for further benefits. The hollow handle conceals the refillable toothpaste, the dental floss and the tongue cleaner and the self adhering plastic cap covering the head of the toothbrush guarantees the bristle stay in shape and prevents the toothpaste from crusting. The toothbrush is not only compact and convenient because all the essential elements are housed within, but the simple exchanging of only the toothbrush head allows for use by additional users. This interchangeability and the refillable feature also make it both economically rewarding and environment friendly.

Abstract: In an applicator for a decoration lip cream or lip-care cream or the like of comparatively soft plastic material for being mounted on a stem or a stem connection attachment, it is provided, for defined and efficient application accompanied with accurate contouring, that the applicator has a surface comprising a plurality of ribs and grooves.

Abstract: A method for removing residues from a substrate. The residue is removed by exposing the substrate to a hydrogen-based plasma. After the substrate is exposed to the hydrogen-based plasma, the substrate may optionally be immersed in an aqueous solution including hydrogen fluoride.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a method of cleaning a material stack 2that has a hard mask top layer 8. The method involves cleaning the material stack 2with a fluorine-based plasma etch. The method further involves rinsing the material stack 2with a wet clean process.

Abstract: To shorten the time required to clean a printing mask used in printing solder paste pattern, an unused surface of a cotton cleaning sheet is brought into contact with a transfer surface of a printing mask while a feed roller, suction roller, take-up roller, solvent dispenser and air blower are moved horizontally in an integral fashion in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which a tape substrate is conveyed, thereby cleaning the printing mask along the shorter, widthwise direction of the tape substrate.

Abstract: Wafer cleaning apparatus include a cleaning tub configured to receive a wafer to be cleaned. A wafer cleaning unit coupled to the cleaning tub is configured to provide wafer cleaning solution to the wafer. A probe is positioned in the cleaning tub proximate the wafer. The probe is configured to provide megasonic vibrational energy to a surface of the wafer and/or the wafer cleaning solution to separate contaminants from the surface of the wafer. A probe cleaning unit is configured to provide a probe cleaning solution to the probe to clean the probe. Methods of using the wafer cleaning apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A cover (1) for a carpet kicker head (2) that covers the carpet kicker needles (7) on the base of the head. The cover has fastening means (8) on a distal end (17) to connect it around a needle adjustment knob (10) on the top of the kicker head and fastening means on the proximal end (16), which may include tie straps (9), snaps (19) or hook and loop fastening material (18) to secure it around a bar (4) connecting the head and a knee kicking. panel (5) on the other end, during use of the cover on the carpet kicker head to install carpet, carpet fibers (14) which become imbedded between the carpet kicker needles can be easily removed by unfastening the proximal end of the cover and pulling it in a downward direction (15), resulting in the carpet fibers being quickly and easily removed from the teeth on the base of the head, thereby eliminating the need for tedious removal by using one's fingers.

Abstract: In a method of producing a glass substrate for a magnetic disk, a principal surface of a glass substrate is subjected to polishing in order to impart a texture thereon. Thereafter, a treating liquid is supplied onto the principal surface of the glass substrate. While a tape is pressed against the principal surface of the glass substrate, the principal surface is cleaned.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing operations on a surface of an electronic substrate, the apparatus comprising a frame, a dispenser coupled to the frame to dispense material onto the electronic substrate, a stencil coupled to the frame having at least one aperture to receive the material to be deposited through the aperture onto the surface of the electronic substrate, a controller that controls dispensing of materials on substrates, and a cleaning system coupled to the frame and coupled to the controller for removing material from the stencil, wherein the cleaning system uses carbon dioxide particles for removing the residue from the stencil.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning machine for uniformly spreading a dry carpet cleaning powder onto a surface and working the dry carpet cleaning powder into the surface. The cleaning machine includes base having a hopper integrally formed therein, distribution slots on the bottom of the hopper, a rotary powder agitator inside the hopper, wheels for supporting the base over a floor surface and for rotating the powder agitator, a metering gate for controlling the dispensing of the dry carpet cleaning powder, a trigger located on the cleaner handle for controlling the metering gate, and a plurality of motor driven vertical axis rotary brushes for working the dry carpet cleaning powder into the carpet. The dry carpet cleaning powder is dispensed onto the carpet and allowed to sit for a short period of time to allow the dry carpet cleaning powder to absorb the dirt contained in the carpet.

Abstract: A cleaning device (10) used in a cleaning treatment, in which deposits adhering to an object to be cleaned are removed by a recycled cleaning liquid, comprises a first sensor (11) generating a first signal representing a cleanness of the cleaning liquid before use in the cleaning treatment, a second sensor (13) generating a second signal representing a cleanness of the cleaning liquid after use in he cleaning treatment, and a cleaning-end-judgement section (20) acquiring a difference between the first and second signals to judge that the cleaning treatment has been completed when the acquired difference is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for interior cleaning and by cleaning, removing noxious gas and/or restoring the operating efficiency of organically contaminated hydrocarbon processing equipment in a safe and effective manner and in a very short period of time, without a need to manually enter an unsafe environment and mechanically remove organic contaminants. Used is a formulation of non-aqueous, monocyclic saturated terpene mixed with a non-ionic surfactant package. The terpene-based chemical is injected into organically contaminated equipment using a novel process involving high-pressure steam to form a very effective cleaning vapor.

Abstract: A decontamination system for victims of chemical, biological, radiological, or other harmful exposure. The system effectively isolates a contaminated patient during a gross washing process and provides the highest level of protection to unit operators that may be dressed in street clothes. The system comprises an isolation apparatus, a washing chamber, an output enclosure, a method of passing a non-ambulatory patient through the system and a waste collection system. The parts of the system may function together as a single, integral unit for mass decontamination at the site of exposure. Further, the system may be used for non-ambulatory and ambulatory humans and/or animals and possibly equipment and other objects.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward cleaning semiconductor substrates by dividing a processing chamber into a high-pressure compartment and a low-pressure compartment using a baffle. The baffle may include a pattern of nozzles that provide a flow path between the high pressure compartment and the low pressure compartment and that maintain the two compartments at substantially different pressures. A ratable substrate support is positioned within the low pressure compartment, and an inlet port injects a cleaning mist and a carrier gas into the high pressure compartment. The pressure differential between the two compartments accelerates the droplets from the cleaning mist through the nozzles of the baffle into the low pressure compartment toward the substrate, where a portion of the cleaning mist impacts on the surface of the substrate to form a liquid film or to eject elements of the surface film on the wafer.

Abstract: By constructing tank cleaning equipment according to the invention such that it comprises a cleaning jetting part (7, 9) as well as a suction part (4), the equipment can work with the same cleaning medium which is recirculated. This saves supply of fresh cleaning medium, and since used medium is thus not discharged, it is not necessary to establish deposit facilities to avoid pollution. Furthermore, this equipment according to the invention may advantageously be used for keeping so-called drilling mud in a mixed and thus ready-to-use state, even when left to stand for an extended period of time in a tank. The nozzle jets (10) thus keep the mud in the tank in a constantly mixed state, and the mud can therefore be sucked through the suction pipe (20) for pumping in the drill pipe, it being ensured that the mud is homogeneous and has a suitable viscosity.

Abstract: A method for the reprocessing of a device having internal passageways by applying a fluid at a plurality of pressures to the internal passageways of the device to permit reuse of the device in a clean environment includes applying a fluid having a single input pressure to a pressure differentiation device having first and second pressure control fittings for providing first and second differing pressure outputs in accordance with the single input pressure and transmitting the fluid at the first and second differing pressures from the pressure differentiation device to the internal passageways. The internal passageways are reprocessed with the transmitted fluid at the first and second differing pressures, whereby the internal passageways are reprocessed at differing pressures in accordance with the single input pressure.

Abstract: A method for the reprocessing of a device having internal passageways by applying a fluid at a plurality of pressures to the internal passageways of the device to permit reuse of the device in a clean environment includes applying a fluid having a single input pressure to a pressure differentiation device having first and second pressure control fittings for providing first and second differing pressure outputs in accordance with the single input pressure and transmitting the fluid at the first and second differing pressures from the pressure differentiation device to the internal passageways. The internal passageways are reprocessed with the transmitted fluid at the first and second differing pressures, whereby the internal passageways are reprocessed at differing pressures in accordance with the single input pressure.

Abstract: A cleaning solution for a cured anti-reflective layer (AFC layer) component and a method of cleaning an anti-reflective layer component by using the same, wherein the cleaning solution comprises about 5-30% by weight of ammonium hydroxide, about 23-70% by weight of an organic solvent and about 10-50% by weight of water. When an organic material is spattered to adjacent equipment during implementing a coating process onto a wafer, the equipment is detached and then is dipped into the cleaning solution. Thereafter, the equipment is rinsed and dried. Cured and non-cured organic materials are advantageously removed. Cured organic materials left for a period of time, particularly anti-reflective layer components are advantageously removed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the removal of a number of molecular contaminants from surfaces within a device. A purge gas containing oxygen and/or water is introduced into the interior of the device, contacting at least a portion of the interior surfaces. A contaminated purge gas is produced by transferring a portion of the contamination from the interior surfaces into the purge gas. The contaminated purge gas is removed from the device and the process is continued until the contaminant concentration in the contaminated purge gas is below a predetermined level.