Apparatus For Treating Solid Article Or Material With Fluid Chemical Patents (Class 422/292)
  • Patent number: 11926017
    Abstract: A cleaning process monitoring system, comprising: a cleaning container comprising an inlet for receiving a cleaning solution and an outlet for draining a waste solution; a particle detector coupled to the outlet and configured to measure a plurality of particle parameters associated with the waste solution so as to provide a real-time monitoring of the cleaning process; a pump coupled to the cleaning container and configured to provide suction force to draw solution through the cleaning system; a controller coupled to the pump and the particle detector and configured to receive the plurality of particle parameters from the particle detector and to provide control to the cleaning system; and a host computer coupled to the controller and configured to provide at least one control parameter to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Charlie Wang, Yu-Ping Tseng, Y. J. Chen, Wai-Ming Yeung, Chien-Shen Chen, Danny Kuo, Yu-Hsuan Hsieh, Hsuan Lo
  • Patent number: 11904065
    Abstract: Mobile apparatus and methods for ultraviolet (UV) light sanitization of an aircraft. The mobile apparatus generally comprises a mobile platform, such as a trolley, that has integrated therewith circuitry and devices that control and actuate ultra-violet C-spectrum (UV-C) light sources that are mechanically coupled to the trolley. The proposed mobile apparatus includes a controller that receives input from an operator and, optionally, from dosimeters mounted on the proposed system and/or within the aircraft. Based on the inputs received, the controller provides guidance to the operator in the form of alerts and messages, as well as automatically adjusting components of the mobile apparatus to adapt itself to a specific aircraft type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Sunit Kumar Saxena, Stephen F. Yates
  • Patent number: 11858707
    Abstract: A contact lens package kit is described that includes a contact lens packages, wherein each contact lens package includes a base member having a cavity and a sealing member coupled to the base member. An unworn contact lens is provided in a packaging solution within the sealed cavity. The base member is a thermoplastic material (or other recyclable material) and includes a substantially planar surface surrounding the cavity to provide a sealing surface for the sealing member. The kit also includes at least one fastener configured to retain a plurality of base members from each of the contact lens packages after the contact lens is removed from the cavity. A recyclable thermoplastic contact lens assembly is also described, that includes empty contact lens packages attached to a fastener. A method to recycle used contact lens packages, such as curbside recycling, is further described that uses the fastener, and the fastener itself is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: COOPERVISION INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Javier E. Alayon Rivera, Cataldo Zucaro, Brittany Whitenack, Lucas Sievens Figueroa, Jesus Javier Rivera Velez
  • Patent number: 11833475
    Abstract: A filtering device is used for obtaining a chemical liquid by purifying a liquid to be purified and includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a filter A, at least one filter B different from the filter A, and a flow path that includes the filter A and the filter B arranged in series and extends from the inlet portion to the outlet portion. The filter A has a porous membrane made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and a resin layer disposed to cover at least a portion of the surface of the porous membrane, and the resin layer includes a resin having a neutral group or an ion exchange group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kamimura, Satomi Takahashi, Tadashi Omatsu, Tetsuya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11819582
    Abstract: Modular apparatus and methods for ultraviolet (UV) light sanitization of an aircraft. The modular apparatus generally comprises a base frame that is universal, and multiple interchangeable modular kits to adapt the base frame to different aircraft cabin geometries. The base frame has integrated therewith circuitry and devices that control ultra-violet C-spectrum (UVC) light sources that are located on a frame of the modular kit. Various embodiments of the modular kits have five parts, and assemble the same way, for different aircraft cabin geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Sunit Kumar Saxena
  • Patent number: 11759749
    Abstract: A filtering device for obtaining a chemical liquid by purifying a liquid to be purified has an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a filter A, at least one filter B different from the filter A, and a flow path which includes the filter A and the filter B arranged in series between the inlet portion and the outlet portion and extends from the inlet portion to the outlet portion, in which the filter A has a porous base material made of polyfluorocarbon and a coating layer which is disposed to cover the porous base material and contains a first resin having a hydrophilic group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Omatsu, Tetsuya Kamimura, Tetsuya Shimizu, Satomi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11745142
    Abstract: A filtering device is for obtaining a chemical liquid by purifying a liquid to be purified and has an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a filter A, a filter B different from the filter A, and a flow path extending from the inlet portion to the outlet portion, in which the filter A and the filter B are arranged in series between the inlet portion and the outlet portion and have, and the filter A is selected from the group consisting of predetermined filters A1, A2, and A3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kamimura, Tadashi Omatsu, Tetsuya Shimizu, Satomi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11697578
    Abstract: Flavor and additive delivery systems and methods for beverage dispensers are disclosed. An example beverage dispenser includes flavor containers configured to contain flavor mixtures, a manifold configured to blend water with flavor mixtures, a flowrate sensor configured to detect a current flowrate of the water flowing to the manifold, memory configured to store instructions related to dispensing the water and the flavor mixtures, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a request for a selected beverage, identify a ratio between the water and one or more of the flavor mixtures for the selected beverage, transmit a water control signal to cause the water to flow at a requested water flowrate, and transmit one or more first flavor control signals to cause one or more of the flavor mixtures to flow from the flavor containers based on the ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John Conway, Cesar Ramirez, Erik Lynch, Bart Peeters, Robert Zudic, Marilyn Bombard, Samuel Goodrow
  • Patent number: 11660361
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the plasma treatment of containers. The essential aspect according to the method according to the invention is that, after the plasma treatment at the plasma station and before the container is filled, at least the container interior of the container is at least partially ventilated with a sterilization medium, i.e. is loaded with a sterilization medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Franz Vorwerk, Igor Singur, Sebastian Kytzia
  • Patent number: 11650011
    Abstract: A method of using a vacuum chamber to assist in detecting and removing moisture from an instrument having a lumen, e.g., an endoscope is disclosed. Second derivatives of pressure with respect to time are calculated and differences therebetween summed. These summations may be compared to a threshold value to determine whether residual moisture remains on the instrument in the chamber. The vacuum chamber may include a rack for hanging instruments having lumens, such as endoscopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: ASP GLOBAL MANUFACTURING GMBH
    Inventors: Doug Vo Truong, Todd Morrison
  • Patent number: 11559596
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly comprising includes a vehicle door panel, a vehicle door handle operably connected to the door panel so as to enable operation of a door latch by the door handle, and at least one sanitizer dispensing mechanism having at least a first nozzle coupled to the vehicle door panel and structured to discharge a sanitizing material onto an exterior surface of the door handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Ino.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Harris, Scott Louis Frederick
  • Patent number: 11534644
    Abstract: A system for asbestos neutralization, that includes a neutralization unit having a module configured for sorting of asbestos waste, an asbestos waste grinder; a concentrated sulfuric acid tank, a vat containing a hot diluted acid solution, for which temperature is between 70° C. and 100° C., in which grinded asbestos waste containing asbestos is dipped, the solution is configured for neutralizing asbestos contained in the grinded asbestos waste, a filtration unit to separate, at the end of the neutralization reaction, a solid inert waste from a liquid phase of the diluted acid solution, a regeneration unit for the diluted acid solution, which adjusts the hydrogen potential of the extracted liquid phase by adding concentrated sulfuric acid from the tank, and means for transferring the regenerated solution into the vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventor: Paul Poggi
  • Patent number: 11490787
    Abstract: A leak tester of the present disclosure includes: an air pump for supplying air into the endoscope device; a pressure sensor that detects a pressure inside the endoscope device, and a control unit that controls operation of the air pump and the pressure sensor. The control unit executes: a first process of judging whether an internal pressure of the endoscope device has dropped by a first pressure value within a first time span after start of a wet test; a second process of judging whether the internal pressure has further dropped by a second pressure value different from the first pressure value within a second time span different from the first time span in a case where the internal pressure has dropped by the first pressure value in the first process; and a process of judging pass or fail in the wet test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ichiro Moritomo
  • Patent number: 11495810
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a power management system (e.g., a power management for a fuel cell or a fuel cell system) includes a fuel cell to generate an electrical power output; a metastable hydrogen carrier to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell; a heater coupled with the metastable hydrogen carrier; and a controller coupled to the heater to control a rate of hydrogen release from the metastable hydrogen carrier. A method of operating a fuel cell system includes controlling an electrical power input to a heater utilizing a controller; heating a metastable hydrogen carrier to a temperature by the heater and to generate hydrogen to feed a fuel cell. The heater is coupled to the controller, and the controller controls the electrical power input to the heater according to a relationship between a rate of hydrogen release and the temperature and a composition of the metastable hydrogen carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: HRL LABORATORIES, LLC
    Inventors: Cullen M. Quine, John J. Vajo, Jason A. Graetz
  • Patent number: 11426601
    Abstract: A system and method for ultraviolet light-mediated hand sanitization and hands-free selection of content presented by a hand sanitizer station. The method includes detecting, using a sensor, an initiation event; responsive to the detection of the initiation event, activating an ultraviolet light source and sanitizing a surface of an object within a compartment adjacent to the ultraviolet light source; and visually presenting a graphic element associated with content on a display for presentation to a user, the display communicatively coupled to the ultraviolet light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Hygenia UVC LLC
    Inventors: George Scritchfield, Nigel Waites
  • Patent number: 11344643
    Abstract: A sterilization, disinfection, sanitization, or decontamination system having a chamber defining a region, and a generator for creating a free radical effluent with reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and other species and/or a vaporizer. A closed loop circulating system without a free-radical destroyer is provided for supplying the mixture of free radicals from the generator mixed with the hydrogen peroxide solution in the form of the effluent to the chamber. The system is used in sterilizing, disinfecting, sanitizing, or decontaminating items in the chamber or room and, with a wound chamber, in treating wounds on a body. The wound chamber may be designed to maintain separation from wounds being treated. Various embodiments can control moisture to reduce or avoid unwanted condensation. Some embodiments can be incorporated into an appliance having a closed space, such as a washing machine. Some embodiments may include a residual coating device that deposits a bactericidal coating on sterilized items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Sterifre Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Czeslaw Golkowski, Rick Shea, Jonathan W. Greene, Mark Golkowski, Danwei Ye, Robert Allen, Ben Parker, Sergey Makarov, Jason R. Ertel
  • Patent number: 11253622
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sterilization apparatus and a sterilization method. The sterilization method includes: an operation in which a sterilant injection block for containing a sterilant and providing a sterilant injection path for injecting the sterilant or a vacuum packaging pouch having the sterilant injection block is mounted inside a vacuum chamber; and an operation in which the vacuum chamber is operated in a chamber mode in which the vacuum chamber is used as a sterilization container when only the sterilant injection block is mounted and the vacuum packaging pouch is operated in a pouch mode in which the vacuum packaging pouch is used as a sterilization container when the vacuum packaging pouch is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: PLASMAPP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Youbong Lim
  • Patent number: 11110641
    Abstract: To provide a method and an apparatus for sterilizing a preform that can reduce the amount of the remaining hydrogen peroxide in sterilization of a preform, a sterilizer at least containing 30% by mass or less of hydrogen peroxide and a solvent having a boiling point of 85° C. or lower is gasified, the sterilizer gas is blasted to the preform, and the preform to which the sterilizer has been blasted is heated to a temperature suitable for molding by blasting hot air or without blasting hot air. Alternatively, after the preform is irradiated with light containing ultraviolet rays, the sterilizer gas is blasted to the preform, and the preform is heated to a temperature suitable for molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hayakawa, Yuiko Wada
  • Patent number: 11097027
    Abstract: A system and method for holding and sanitizing handheld implements. The system uses a container filled with a body of open cell foam. The body of the open cell foam has hollow shafts formed therein for holding the implements. The hollow shafts in the body of open cell foam are accessible through the open top of the container. A volume of a liquid disinfectant is poured into the container. The liquid disinfectant is at least partially absorbed by the body of open cell foam. This moistens the walls of the hollow shafts with disinfectant. As handheld implement is inserted into a hollow shaft, it is physically wiped and coated with the liquid disinfectant without being submerged in liquid disinfectant. When the implement is drawn out of the tubular shaft, it is clean, sanitized and ready to use without the need to dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Maura Elizabeth Erwin
  • Patent number: 10994254
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for measuring and/or controlling mass flow/concentration of a catalytically reactive gas within a mixed gas stream by determining thermal rise due to decomposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: RASIRC, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Spiegelman, Russell Holmes, Christopher Ramos
  • Patent number: 10933153
    Abstract: Systems and methods for securely delivering, transferring ownership, storing, accessing and receiving or returning an item from another are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system and method are provided to securely receive a variety of different sizes and types of packages at one or more locations, including but not limited to on or adjacent a recipient's property. In another embodiment, the system and method allow a user to receive, store and/or return an item without exposing the item to loss, damage, spoilage or other events that would impair the value of the items. Methods of utilizing the systems described herein are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: DLVR, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Ross Shell, Sameer Goswami
  • Patent number: 10864291
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for cleaning, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing a device. More specifically, a first treatment chamber can be configured to conduct a first treatment stage therein at a first pressure, a first temperature, and a first sterilant concentration. A first passage can be operatively connected to the first treatment chamber and a second treatment chamber can be operatively connected to the first passage and in communication with the first chamber via the first passage. The second chamber can be configured to conduct a second treatment stage therein at a second pressure, a second temperature, and a second sterilant concentration. An object can be treated in the first treatment chamber and moved to the second treatment chamber via the first passage to be treated in the second treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: ASP GLOBAL MANUFACTURING GMBH
    Inventor: Morris Fuller Fox, III
  • Patent number: 10772491
    Abstract: A method of cleaning an endoscope in a computer-controlled washer/disinfector comprising the steps of connecting each lumen of an endoscope to a fluid distribution system for selectively conveying pressurized air or pressurized fluids through lumens in an endoscope; identifying the type of endoscope to be cleaned in said washer/disinfector; determining a blockage threshold flow coefficient for each lumen for said endoscope to be cleaned; pressurizing each lumen in said endoscope individually and determining an actual flow coefficient through said lumen; determining whether said endoscope is suitable for cleaning by comparing said actual flow coefficients for a lumen in said endoscope to said blockage threshold flow coefficient for said lumen; and determining whether a connection to a lumen in said endoscope is properly connected based upon said flow coefficient through said lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: STERIS INC.
    Inventors: Alain Chouinard, Louis Martineau, Nicolas Verreault, Maxime Robert
  • Patent number: 10688448
    Abstract: The present invention provides a porous body having high strength, a small pore size, and excellent homogeneity. The porous body of the present invention includes polytetrafluoroethylene and has a microstructure that includes nodes and fibrils. The microstructure further includes, in addition to the nodes and the fibrils, fused points where a fibril that links two nodes and another fibril that links another two nodes are fused with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Chaen, Taku Yamanaka, Kohei Yasuda, Masahiko Yamada, Nobuki Uraoka, Tomohisa Konishi, Kunihiko Inui, Yoshiyuki Shibuya, Makoto Ono
  • Patent number: 10543293
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical dressing that has a modular structure consisting of at least two layers and that is able to cleave incorporated photolabile nitric oxide donors in an adjoining absorption module by means of the emission of electromagnetic radiation from a light module, so that the photolytically generated nitric oxide can be used to enhance medical therapies in humans and animals as well as to generate NO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: BSN medical GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph V. Suschek
  • Patent number: 10465364
    Abstract: A water discharge apparatus WD executes a water film formation step of ejecting running water and forming a water-splash suppression water film of the running water on a surface of a sterilization object, before executing a sterilization step of discharging sterilization water from a sterilization water ejection unit 20 toward the sterilization object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nogoshi, Masahiro Kuroishi, Takamasa Suzuki, Kenta Suzuki, Yusuke Nakamura, Koki Nagano
  • Patent number: 10456707
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactor, and according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reactor comprising a housing provided with a reaction space, a tube disposed inside the housing, an impeller provided inside the housing to allow reactants in the reaction space to flow into and out of the tube and a nozzle provided to spray a liquid from the reaction space toward the housing wall surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Dae Hun Kim, Jun Won Choi, Seung Hyun Yoon, Ye Hoon Im, Chang Hoon Kang, Myeong Yeon Keum, Seong Gu Kim
  • Patent number: 10335507
    Abstract: A fill assembly sterilization system for a blow/fill/seal machine utilizes a closed loop circulation of sterilant containing gas. A typical sterilant is nitrogen dioxide. The closed loop includes a shroud that defines a plenum and encloses the fill system. Optionally, at least one high efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filter is provided in the closed loop. Sterility assurance level of 10?6 can be achieved by subjecting the fill system to the sterilizing gas for at least 20 minutes at a temperature in the range of about 18° C. to about 30° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Weiler Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Reed, Andrew W. Goll, Jeffrey D. Stanley
  • Patent number: 10322431
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and methods are presented for a new and improved ultrasonic aerosol generation apparatus and air/gas and deployed aerosol movement system, which is able to increase and improve the reliability and quality of coverage and treatment of the various targeted surfaces within an enclosed space, with the generated and deployed disinfecting aerosol, by providing an improved system to detect one or more of any layers and stratifications of gas(s) and deployed aerosols within the atmosphere of the treated area(s) at any time, and a means to remove and effectively disrupt, the said layers, so the deployed aerosol can effectively treat the targeted area(s), as well as additional enhancements to the systems used for processing the atmosphere in the targeted area(s) after the treatment cycle has completed deploying the aerosol, such as improving the cleaning of the dehumidification device, and the effective operation of the dehumidification and filter components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Ricciardi, Carl L. Ricciardi
  • Patent number: 10316141
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to a combination axial fan and LED lighting system configured to fit into the footprint of a standard ceiling tile. Disclosed embodiments further include ceiling tiles with a built-in fan and/or LED lighting. The disclosed systems may include a housing container and an axial fan. The fan has a fan cavity including air diversion mechanism to direct air from the fan cavity toward the lighting and fan components. The inventions include an airflow surface to direct air existing the fan cavity along an LED light fixture. Moreover, disclosed embodiments include one or more UV light sources which irradiate contaminants as air flows through the ceiling tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: WLC Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrin Niemiec, William Carlson
  • Patent number: 10213803
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and methods are presented for a new and improved ultrasonic aerosol generation apparatus and air/gas and deployed aerosol movement system, which is able to increase and improve the reliability and quality of coverage and treatment of the various targeted surfaces within an enclosed space, with the generated and deployed disinfecting aerosol, by providing an improved system to detect one or more of any layers and stratifications of gas(s) and deployed aerosols within the atmosphere of the treated area(s) at any time, and a means to remove and effectively disrupt, the said layers, so the deployed aerosol can effectively treat the targeted area(s), as well as additional enhancements to the systems used for processing the atmosphere in the targeted area(s) after the treatment cycle has completed deploying the aerosol, such as improving the cleaning of the dehumidification device, and the effective operation of the dehumidification and filter components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Baumgartner, Jonathan J. Ricciardi, Carl L. Ricciardi
  • Patent number: 10195632
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and methods are presented for a new and improved ultrasonic aerosol generation apparatus and air/gas and deployed aerosol movement system, which is able to increase and improve the reliability and quality of coverage and treatment of the various targeted surfaces within an enclosed space, with the generated and deployed disinfecting aerosol, by providing an improved system to detect one or more of any layers and stratifications of gas(s) and deployed aerosols within the atmosphere of the treated area(s) at any time, and a means to remove and effectively disrupt, the said layers, so the deployed aerosol can effectively treat the targeted area(s), as well as additional enhancements to the systems used for processing the atmosphere in the targeted area(s) after the treatment cycle has completed deploying the aerosol, such as improving the cleaning of the dehumidification device, and the effective operation of the dehumidification and filter components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Baumgartner, Jonathan J. Ricciardi, Carl L. Ricciardi
  • Patent number: 10183144
    Abstract: A device disclosed herein includes a tubular member which is flexible and configured to receive ultraviolet (UV) light from a UV illumination coupler. The tubular member contains a lumen defining a longitudinal interior space within the tubular member, a tubular body bounded by an inner wall defining an outer boundary of the lumen and an outer wall defining an outer surface of the tubular member, at least one optical fiber disposed outside of the interior space not parallel to an axis of the lumen and adapted to receive the UV light from the UV illumination coupler, and a protective component adapted to prevent substantively all of the UV light emitted from the optical fiber from exiting the outer wall. Methods for producing and using such devices are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: The University of Maryland, Baltimore, The United States of America as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Cha-Min Tang, Paul E. Bigeleisen, Samuel M. Galvagno, Jr., Mark E. Shirtliff
  • Patent number: 10060156
    Abstract: The sanitizer door knob system has a door knob assembly that emits sanitizing liquid when turned in either direction. In a set, only one knob will emit the sanitizer fluid. The inside of the knob that does emit the liquid has a pull rod that pulls an internal pump upon the turning of the knob and cause the sanitizing liquid to be projected from its reservoir tube. A slider cap on the exterior of the knob opens to allow the sanitizer to be emitted. Door knob assembly may comprise a recoil spring on both the first and second door knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher Shack
  • Patent number: 9896865
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a door handle sanitizing cassette that is installed within an internal cavity formed within a door. Prior to the installation, the cassette is fitted with all required door hardware and the equipment necessary to spray the door handles with a sanitizing liquid each time the door is opened or at preset intervals. The invention is designed to provide an inexpensive and easily installed system in public buildings to substantially reduce the spread of infectious disease by eliminating contaminated surfaces on the door handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventor: Gregory Samaras
  • Patent number: 9649397
    Abstract: Provided is a sterilizer for medical instruments including a sterilization chamber defining an inner space configured for containing medical instruments and pressurized sterilization fluid; a hatch configured to hermetically seal the inner space; a closure system configured to firmly constrain the hatch to the sterilization chamber; at least one discharge valve configured for placing the inner space in connection for fluid passage with an outside space; and a control unit configured to control the discharge valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: NAKANISHI INC.
    Inventors: Mariapia Ghilardi, Daniele Ongaro
  • Patent number: 9601317
    Abstract: A cold plasma jet hand sanitizer and method of use are provided. A pair of opposing two-dimensional arrays of atmospheric pressure cold plasma jets is used to create a sterilizing volume. Any object placed into that volume will have its surface sterilized. The opposing arrays of plasma jets are operated electrically 180 degrees out of phase so that the opposing arrays of plasma jets essentially fire into each other in the absence of an intervening object, or directly impinge on the surface of an intervening object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bovie Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Konesky
  • Patent number: 9545458
    Abstract: A system including a steam generation system and a chamber. The steam generation system includes a complex and the steam generation system is configured to receive water, concentrate electromagnetic (EM) radiation received from an EM radiation source, apply the EM radiation to the complex, where the complex absorbs the EM radiation to generate heat, and transform, using the heat generated by the complex, the water to steam. The chamber is configured to receive the steam and an object, wherein the object is of medical waste, medical equipment, fabric, and fecal matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Willam Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Nancy J. Halas, Peter Nordlander, Oara Neumann
  • Patent number: 9532649
    Abstract: The specification discloses a method for containing spills on shelving and the like, and the resulting support members made in accordance with the method, by providing the generally flat top surface of a support with a hydrophobic surface which is arranged in a spill containment pattern and which is generally in the plane of the top surface of the support. The majority of the top surface of the support consists of one or more spill containment areas which are of a non-hydrophobic nature and which are bounded by the hydrophobic surfaces, such that spills on the shelving collect in the non-hydrophobic spill containment area or areas and are prevented from spreading by the hydrophobic surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SSW Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John Patrick Driver, Matthew McMillin, Bradley M. Nall
  • Patent number: 9505604
    Abstract: Dispensing device (1) provided with an additive (2) for dispensing a dose of an additive to a liquid that is flowing in a pipe, and this device (1) is provided with fastening means to fasten the housing (6) to a water pipe, whereby the dispensing device (1) is provided with audio means (11) that are blocked by the presence of the. additive (2) itself and are unblocked when the additive (2) is entirely or almost entirely consumed and the audio means (11) generate sound in the unblocked state in a mechanical way under the influence of the liquid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: DOTRACO, naamloze vennootschap
    Inventor: Guido Ivo Cesar Van de Moortele
  • Patent number: 9505598
    Abstract: A sterilizing machine for sterilizing bottle seals includes a rotor with vertically-oriented seal holders disposed on its periphery. Each seal holder accommodates a seal stack. As the rotor rotates, the seal holder carries the stack from a seal input, past first and second stations, to a seal output. The first station has a sterilizing-agent sprayer with successive outlets spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction by one seal diameter. The sprayer is directed toward a seal holder for applying sterilizing agent onto individual seals held therein. The second station is an activating and/or drying station downstream of the first station in the rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Niehr, Jürgen Vorwerk, Igor Singur
  • Patent number: 9506002
    Abstract: A waste processing system to dry, condense and sterilize waste materials to a final product for reuse enhances efficiency while eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. The system includes a mixing chamber with blades to shred the waste materials, a pressurized chamber operably connected to the mixing chamber and including a heating ducting operated by a control system, the control system able to heat the waste materials received by the pressurized chamber from the mixing chamber to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range for a time period to eliminate moisture from the waste materials, and an auger housed within the pressurized chamber and operably connected to an auger motor. The auger extrudes the heated waste materials through an outlet in the pressurized chamber to form the final product for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: VALENCIA PARTNERS, LLC
    Inventor: John Wishard
  • Patent number: 9491953
    Abstract: A control system for monitoring an antimicrobial application system may include a controller having a monitoring program including an operations unit and an interface unit. The operations unit may include a sensor module operatively coupled to a plurality of sensors positioned to detect operation data associated with the application system in real-time. An adjustment module may adjust the operation of the application system. An analysis module may analyze real-time operation data and initiate a specified response when the analysis indicates that a trigger event has occurred. The response may include issuing a notification to a notification device or initiating the adjustment module to perform a control operation to modify the operation of the antimicrobial application system. A remote monitoring center may control multiple and remote application systems. Mobile devices and a control panel may be operable to interface with operations of the antimicrobial application system via the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Safe Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Massey, Tim Yeaman
  • Patent number: 9474816
    Abstract: An electrostatic spraying system for decontamination of a vehicle is described. The system includes a wheeled platform sized to fit inside the vehicle, at least one tank operable to contain one or more decontaminant agents, the tanks supported by said wheeled platform, a plurality of nozzles affixed to the wheeled platform, wherein each nozzle is positioned for distribution of the decontaminant agents in at least one pre-determined direction, an electrostatic charging system connected to each of the nozzles for applying an electrostatic charge to the decontaminant agents as the agents are dispersed, and at least one compressor in communication with the tanks for pressurizing the decontaminant agents. The one or more compressors are capable of providing a pressure sufficient to provide a constant distribution of the decontaminant agents through the electrostatic nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Shawn Hyunsoo Park, James J. Sheahan, Jr., Charles E. Morris
  • Patent number: 9463259
    Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus provides a structure for feeding a sterilizer left in a vaporizing chamber configured to gasify the sterilizer, into a sterilizing chamber, to stimulate a sterilizing action while reducing waste of the sterilizer. The sterilizing apparatus includes a first atmosphere opening valve configured to perform an opening/closing operation to control communication between the atmosphere and the vaporizing chamber for vaporizing the sterilizer before the sterilizer is injected into the sterilizing chamber, and after a sterilizing gas vaporized in the vaporizing chamber is injected into the sterilizing chamber by vacuuming the vaporizing chamber with a vacuum pump, the vaporizing chamber and the atmosphere communicate with each other when the first atmosphere opening valve is opened while the vaporizing chamber and the sterilizing chamber communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignees: ELK CORPORATION, CANON MARKETING JAPAN KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA ELQUEST
    Inventor: Yasushi Hanada
  • Patent number: 9439991
    Abstract: A method for decontaminating a medical device includes enclosing the medical device in an enclosure including a fog-permeable layer and an exterior port member coupled to the fog-permeable layer. The exterior port member of the enclosure is coupled to a chemical dispersing interface in a decontamination chamber. A pressure in the decontamination chamber is reduced to a sub-atmospheric pressure in a first evacuation step. A room temperature decontaminating fluid is introduced as a fog into the decontamination chamber. The fog is held in the decontamination chamber for a decontaminating time. The pressure in the decontamination chamber is reduced to a sub-atmospheric pressure in a second evacuation step. The decontamination chamber is vented to atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MEDIVATORS INC.
    Inventors: Mason Schwartz, Jonathan K. Olson, Thomas M. Gentle, Jr., John E. Marxer, Michael P. Petersen
  • Patent number: 9393077
    Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, a medical sterile container has a container interior for accommodating articles to be sterilized. The medical sterile container comprises a pressure-activatable sterilization status detection device for detecting a sterilization status of the sterile container. In a second aspect of the invention, a method for determining the sterilization status of a medical sterile container having a container interior for accommodating articles to be sterilized is provided. While the sterile container is undergoing a sterilization process in a sterilization apparatus, pressure differences to which the sterile container is thereby subjected are detected, and the sterilization status sterile is allocated to the sterile container if during the sterilization process a limit value for a pressure gradient per time unit is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventor: Stefan Schuster
  • Patent number: 9393338
    Abstract: A device and method for air purification used in cooling, heating and air ventilation systems. The device has at least one UV light source positioned on an inside portion of a movable access panel so that it moves with the access panel from a first position where the UV source directs UV light towards the inside of the system to purify the air stream inside and to remove contaminants from the surfaces inside the system, to a second position where the UV source directs UV light towards the space surrounding the system so that it purifies the air in the room where the system is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: OY HALTON GROUP LTD.
    Inventors: Andrey V. Livchak, Rick A. Bagwell
  • Patent number: 9345262
    Abstract: An antimicrobial application system is disclosed, comprising an antimicrobial application unit and a recycle unit. An initial, dilute antimicrobial composition is prepared. The composition is provided to the antimicrobial application unit and applied to workpieces, such as raw poultry. After application to the workpieces, the composition is returned to the recycle tank. The concentration of the antimicrobial in the recycle tank is monitored, and additional antimicrobial is automatically added if the concentration of the antimicrobial in the composition falls below a desired amount. The composition is periodically diverted to a capture tank, and the antimicrobial is selectively removed from the composition. The removed antimicrobial and remaining composition are then disposed of in appropriate manners. The antimicrobial is preferably a quaternary ammonium compound, is more preferably an alkylpyridinium chloride, and is most preferably cetylpyridinium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Safe Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. Nolen, Joe Rheingans, Kelly Wayne Beers
  • Patent number: 9315399
    Abstract: Process and apparatus is provided for making a solution of sodium carbonate (soda ash) and water by which the soda ash is delivered in dry, particulate form to a silo, while air is being exhausted from the silo, dehumidifying air from the silo and discontinuing the dehumidifying of air while soda ash is being delivered to the silo, delumping soda ash in the silo, and then delivering water to a mixing vessel and transferring particulate soda ash to the treating vessel, in which it is mixed and the resulting solution is then discharged. The solution can be delivered to a storage tank or vessel and then to either a single or multiple outlet dosing station and/or some of the solution can be returned to a storage silo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: RDP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Christy, Michael Quici