Abstract: A tamper evident closure, intended primarily for a luer-slip or like frictional connection between one or more components associated with the closure and a syringe or other medical device, includes a housing having an open end and a tip cap disposed within the housing. An indicator member is connected to the housing in at least partially covering relation to the open end and includes an access opening disposed in accessible relation with the tip cap. A cover is removably disposed in overlying engagement with at least a portion of said indicator member in covering relation to the access opening. The indicator member has an inner segment disposed in contiguous surrounding relation to the access opening and has a reduced breakaway resistance, capable of being easily ruptured, ripped or torn during passage of said tip cap through the access opening, concurrent to the tip cap being connected to the medical device.

Abstract: Methods of reclaiming plastic from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste and manufacturing recycled medical devices are described. Recycled medical devices made from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste are also described.

Abstract: The invention discloses a portable sterilizer for use when filling containers for transporting goods under aseptic conditions, which provides increased transport capacity, more flexible formats and connections for the containers, while facilitating handling of the goods, and which comprises a portable boiler, systems for pre-washing using chemicals and other means necessary for sanitizing all the parts thereof. For washing, it uses chemicals, circulation waters and the hot water (or any other liquid poured into said boiler) produced from the liquid phase inside said portable boiler. The device may include a pump for pressure washing with other types of cleaners, cold water, chemicals, etc.; For sterilizing, it uses the vapour phase of water or other liquids in said portable boiler, ultraviolet rays and/or another means of sterilization, and it is connected between the outlet of the pasteurization system of a production plant and the return lines of said pasteurizer.

Abstract: When a polyethylene bag with medical wastes received therein is supplied to a cylindrical-shaped housing and a compression device is used to lower a piston to compress the medical wastes, the piston is repeatedly caused to go up and down to accomplish stepwise compression whereby the polyethylene bag with medical wastes received therein is prevented from entering into a clearance between an inner wall of the cylindrical-shaped housing and the piston and from bursting due to rapid compression, and when cake obtained by melt sterilization and volume reduction with heating compression is discharged, a gate is fully opened to lower a lower surface of a heating device of the piston to a point distant several millimeters from an upper surface of a heating device of the gate to enable forcedly scraping off the cake adhering to the heating device tightly joined to the piston upon closing of the gate.

Abstract: Disinfection of waste can be carried out by applying sufficient vacuum to suck waste pieces through a processing system, the vacuum creating a wind inside the system that sweeps up the waste pieces, suspends them in air, and keeps them separate from one another, thereby exposing substantially all surfaces of the waste pieces to the sprayed disinfectant.

Abstract: Methods of reclaiming plastic from infectious medical waste and manufacturing medical devices from reclaimed plastic are described. Medical devices made from plastic reclaimed from infectious medical waste are also described.

Abstract: Biowaste sterilizers are described. In one implementation an exemplary system has waste transport vessels that can be intermittently heated and pressurized, for example, with steam, and are interconnected to provide multiple sterilization pathways for waste as the waste is transported. Selected sterilization pathways may depend on attributes of the waste. Sterilization factors, such as mechanical shredding, application of steam, application of pressure, maintenance of temperature, separation of liquid, etc., are integrated into the waste transport features of the system, which can be made compact to save space while processing relatively large bulk amounts of materials, such as medical wastes. The system maintains safe isolation of bio-hazardous components in the waste from the external environment. A system controller provides parameters management, smart sterilization cycle control, quality assurance, safety management, diagnostics, and reporting over a network.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste comprises a gravity drop steam heating tower for heating the waste to the biological kill temperature using pressurized steam, a first feed member for feeding the waste to be sterilized to the gravity drop steam heating tower, and a vaporization system. The vaporization system includes a heating chamber for facilitating vaporization of liquids in the waste, a conveying member for conveying the waste from the lower end portion of the gravity drop steam heating tower into and through the heating chamber, and a vaporization chamber for receiving the waste from the heating chamber and for releasing vapor entrained in the waste into the vaporization chamber.

Abstract: A disposal device for collecting bags for bodily fluids has a receptacle for receiving at least one collecting bag containing bodily fluid, a comminution unit (2) for comminuting the collecting bag, a fluid collecting basin (5) for receiving the bodily fluid, a particle collecting container (8) for receiving the comminuted collecting bag, and at least one decontamination unit (7) for the decontamination of the collecting bag and the bodily fluid.

Abstract: The sterilizing tool is configured to wipe debris from and to sterilize and/or dry a working end-site of medical device; using a wiping, twisting, dabbing, push/pull, and/or screwing motion around all of the surface aspects of the device to be sterilized. Additionally, the sterilizing tool is configured to form fit to the surfaces of the end-site and to apply an inclusive layer of an anti-pathogenic agent to the inner and outer surfaces of the working end-site. The sterilizing tool may be frictionally engaged with and retained on the working end-site until removed and the end-site is ready for use. The sterilizing tool is intended for a one time, single use, disposable application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating mold spores, pathogens and odor from material like equine bedding. The apparatus includes two or more pairs of augers including blades to control the size of the material and to move it in a zigzag fashion through heat.

Abstract: A sterilization method and an installation for producing sterile bottles by blow molding sterilized preforms includes, at the spraying station, the flow of sterilizing product atomized onto each preform whose temperature (T1) is less than the condensing temperature (Tc) of the sterilizing product so that a film of mist of the sterilizing product deposits by condensation at least onto the inner wall to be sterilized, and, at the activation station of the sterilizing product of the sterilizing unit, each preform treated in the aforementioned manner is heated by radiation to a temperature (T2) greater than or equal to the activation temperature (Ta) in order to sterilize at least the inner wall of the preform.

Abstract: Disinfection of waste can be carried out by first cutting the waste into small pieces to expose surfaces in the waste and then simultaneously spraying the waste pieces with disinfectant and agitating them. The waste pieces are agitated by applying sufficient vacuum to suck the waste pieces through a processing system, the vacuum creating a wind inside the system that sweeps up the waste pieces, suspends them in air, and keeps them separate from one another, thereby exposing substantially all surfaces of the waste pieces to the sprayed disinfectant.

Abstract: A containerized medical waste treatment system for sterilizing and processing waste. The system includes an elongate, substantially enclosed container-like structure with an access door on at least one lateral side to accommodate the entry of moveable carts containing medical waste. The system further includes an autoclave for sterilizing medical waste, a shredder for processing the load after sterilization, a tipper for transferring the waste held in carts into the shredder, and a moveable roof panel for providing clearance for a cart that has been elevated by the tipper. At least one conveyor belt for receiving and directing sterilized, shredded waste into a previously positioned waste container is included. The system can perform an autoclave sterilization method which includes relatively short evacuation and heating cycles to remove air pockets within the mass of the load to reduce autoclave treatment times.

Abstract: Disinfection of waste can be carried out by first cutting the waste into small pieces to expose surfaces in the waste and then simultaneously spraying the waste pieces with disinfectant and agitating them. The waste pieces are agitated by applying sufficient vacuum to suck the waste pieces through a processing system, the vacuum creating a wind inside the system that sweeps up the waste pieces, suspends them in air, and keeps them separate from one another, thereby exposing substantially all surfaces of the waste pieces to the sprayed disinfectant.

Abstract: A method of densifying polypropylene includes steps of reducing expanded polypropylene into relatively small particles and heating and compressing the particles to form densified polypropylene. The expanded polypropylene can be reduced to intermediate pieces prior to reduction to the small particles. The combination of the particle size, heat, and compression effects lasting densification of the polypropylene. An apparatus for densifying polypropylene includes a grinder to generate particles of expanded polypropylene and a densifier that heats and compresses the particles into densified polypropylene.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for continuously and efficiently treating volume-reduced polystyrene resin in gel state, thereby removing solvent and recovering resin. A volume-reduced gel-state polystyrene resin is heated in the separation/recovery apparatus under ambient pressure or reduced pressure, for removal of solvent and recovery of resin.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing biomedical waste comprises a waste input container having an input door in a top thereof and an output door in a bottom thereof. A shredder is mounted under the output opening and is operative to shred waste to a desired maximum size. A processing chamber is located under the shredder such that, when the output door is open, solid waste deposited in the waste input container passes through the output opening and through the shredder, and shredded waste drops into the processing chamber. Ozone gas is directed into the processing chamber, and an ozone indicator indicates ozone concentration. Exhausts are selectively operative to exhaust the atmosphere from the processing chamber and waste input container.

Abstract: Disinfection of waste can be carried out at ambient temperature and pressure by first cutting the waste into small pieces to expose surfaces in the waste and then spraying the waste pieces with disinfectant. Effective disinfection is obtained thereby without having to heat, cool, or pressurize the waste during cutting or disinfection.

Abstract: Disinfection of waste can be carried out at ambient temperature and pressure by first cutting the waste into small pieces to expose surfaces in the waste and then spraying the waste pieces with disinfectant. Effective disinfection is obtained thereby without having to heat, cool, or pressurize the waste during cutting or disinfection.

Abstract: Bio-waste sterilizers are described. In one implementation an exemplary system has waste transport vessels that can be intermittently heated and pressurized, for example, with steam, and are interconnected to provide multiple sterilization pathways for waste as the waste is transported. Selected sterilization pathways may depend on attributes of the waste. Sterilization factors, such as mechanical shredding, application of steam, application of pressure, maintenance of temperature, separation of liquid, etc., are integrated into the waste transport features of the system, which can be made compact to save space while processing relatively large bulk amounts of materials, such as medical wastes. The system maintains safe isolation of bio-hazardous components in the waste from the external environment. A system controller provides parameters management, smart sterilization cycle control, quality assurance, safety management, diagnostics, and reporting over a network.

Abstract: Method and device for producing fuel from molded biomass in which the biomass used is dried biological wastes or fermentation products resulting from wet and/or dry fermentation, and/or silage products, and/or other dry or moist biological wastes.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device mounted on a framework comprising an upper compartment (2) feeding waste (1), equipped with a hopper (6), an intermediate shredding compartment (3), including cutting tools (5), and a lower compartment (4) for disinfecting and evacuating residues.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nipple sterilizer which may easily sterilize the nipple of a nursing bottle. According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a nipple sterilizer comprising a body 10 which has an opening 12 at its lower surface and is to be mounted at a nursing bottle 2 in order that the nipple 6 of the bottle 2 may be inserted through the opening 12 and may be covered thereby, a sterilization lamp 20 which is positioned inside the body 10 and sterilizes the nipple 6, an electric power source 30 which is positioned inside the body 10 in order to be connected to the sterilization lamp 20, a switch 40 which is electrically connected between the electric power source 30 and the sterilization lamp 20 and makes the sterilization lamp 20 switched on and off.

Abstract: There is provided a treatment method of efficiently separating an additive component from a resin component for the purpose of treating and recycling a thermoplastic resin composition containing an additive. The treatment method includes heating and agitating the thermoplastic resin composition containing the additive together with a solvent for dissolving at least part of the additive at a temperature ranging from the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic resin to the boiling point of the solvent inclusive, and separating and recovering the solvent in a liquid state in which at least part of the additive is dissolved, so that at least part of the additive is separated and removed from the thermoplastic resin composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combination instrument steriliser (13, 210) and biomedical waste processor (15, 211). Both units are supplied steam from a common steam boiler (30, 212). In preferred embodiments, the waste processor utilises a shredder comprising a planetary gear box (127) with rotating cutting heads (120, 200).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing expanded thermoplastic microspheres, comprising charging thermally expandable microspheres into an expansion device comprising rotating feeding means enveloped by a hollow body, and one or more scrapers. The invention further relates to an expansion device for expanding thermoplastic microspheres.

Abstract: A wood gasification apparatus in which cellulosic material is transported by an auger through a housing and heated to vaporize at least a portion of the cellulosic material by frictional heating. The auger and housing define a spiral void through which the cellulosic material is propelled from the inlet to the outlet, and which continually decreases in volume from the inlet to the outlet. The ever decreasing volume of the void increases the pressure on the cellulosic material and maximizes the frictional heating until the material reaches a vaporization temperature.

Abstract: An improved dry heat method and apparatus for thawing frozen biological fluids utilizing electrically heated plates and oscillatory motion to enhance heat transfer by mixing as the fluid thaws. Bags of frozen fluid to be thawed are lightly squeezed between two heating plates, one of which is gently oscillated to facilitate mixing of the thawing fluid, increasing heat transfer and reducing time required for thawing. Direct contact of the heating plates against the bag surfaces increases heat transfer by eliminating insulative effects of another bag wall and a water boundary layer, compared to water bath units. Flat (or curved to conform to bag) heat pipes are preferred as heating plates compared to plain aluminum sheet. Flat heat pipes have the property of an isothermal heating surface, thus maximizing heat transfer to the coldest areas, preventing hot spots, and simplifying heating plate temperature control.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a pharmaceutical composition containing a suspension of a pharmaceutical comprises rapidly heating the pharmaceutical composition from ambient temperature to an elevated temperature, maintaining it at or above the elevated temperature for a period of time, and rapidly cooling the pharmaceutical composition to ambient temperature.

Abstract: An improved dry heat method and apparatus for thawing frozen biological fluids utilizing electrically heated plates and oscillatory motion to enhance heat transfer by mixing as the fluid thaws. Bags of frozen fluid to be thawed are lightly squeezed between two heating plates, one of which is gently oscillated to facilitate mixing of the thawing fluid, increasing heat transfer and reducing time required for thawing. Direct contact of the heating plates against the bag surfaces increases heat transfer by eliminating insulative effects of another bag wall and a water boundary layer, compared to water bath units. Flat (or curved to conform to bag) heat pipes are preferred as heating plates compared to plain aluminum sheet. Flat heat pipes have the property of an isothermal heating surface, thus maximizing heat transfer to the coldest areas, preventing hot spots, and simplifying heating plate temperature control.

Abstract: A mobile self-contained apparatus and process for grinding, grating, macerating, chemically disinfecting, and drying infectious waste material. A trailer (10) contains a hopper (27), a grinder/grater (28), an enclosed conveyor system, drying and filter apparatus, and sources of power, chemical disinfectant, and fresh water. Bagged infectious waste material in a cart is lifted and dumped into the hopper, sprayed with a sodium hypochlorite disinfectant solution, fed to the grinder/grater, ground, grated, and macerated into small particles of confetti-like material, sprayed again, immersed in the disinfectant solution, conveyed by an upwardly inclined screw conveyor (34) and thoroughly mixed therein, dried, passed into a vertical screw conveyor (47), and passed to a discharge screw conveyor (50) which discharges the dry confetti-like material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for processing waste. The system controls pressure and temperature in a treatment vessel to provide a more efficient process. A system for shredding the waste in the vessel is used to improve process efficiency and provides a more compact waste product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sterilizing fungi and bacteria in a spore state for sterilizing fungi and bacteria in a spore state for sterilizing fungi and bacteria in a spore state and a sterilizer thereof. In particular, the invention is directed to a method of sterilizing sterilization targets adhering onto target-adhering things such as containers, packing materials, conveying tools, etc. or sterilization targets contained in target-containing things such as liquid, air, raw materials, etc. and also a sterilizing device thereof. Some of fungi and bacteria in a spore state are strong to ultraviolet rays, and some of them are strong to heat. So, both the fungi and so on which are strong to ultraviolet rays and those which are strong to heat can be effectively sterilized by performing successively the sterilization by UV radiation and heat.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combination instrument steriliser (13, 210) and biomedical waste processor (15, 211). Both units are supplied steam from a common steam boiler (30, 212). In preferred embodiments, the waste processor utilises a shredder comprising a planetary gear box (127) with rotating cutting heads (120, 200).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method is provided for producing a safely disposable end product from waste matter containing undesirable materials, such as infectious, biohazardous, hazardous, or radioactive elements. The method comprises the steps of providing a highly basic solvent, immersing the waste matter containing the undesirable materials within the highly basic solvent, and heating the solvent. The waste matter containing the undesirable materials is allowed to remain within the solvent until digested, thereby forming a solution void of any infectious or biohazardous elements and/or containing a concentration of radioisotope below the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) for release to a sanitary sewer as defined in applicable federal regulations.

Abstract: The invention concerns homogeneous at least partial sterilisation or homogeneous complete pasteurisation of a substrate. In a first step of the method, the substrate is loaded via a loading area of a sealed hollow vessel at a first end of the vessel. A fluid for moistening said substrate may be introduced into the vessel, the vessel being further provided with means for at least partly sterilising or pasteurising the moistened substrate. In a second step, the substrate is passed through a bounded zone of transport towards the front of the machine until it reaches the other end of thereof. In a third step, the substrate is passed through a zone of transport towards the rear of the vessel so as to return the substrate to the first end, the zones of transport towards the front and towards the rear being separated from each other by a tubular partition. During the return transport the substrate may be subjected to tumbling.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus in which pressure provides precise control over the timing and preferably synchronization of chemical reactions, particularly enzymatic reactions.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally separating mercury and organic contaminants from inert substrate materials (such as soil, sludges, sediments, drilling muds and cuttings), comprising an essentially air-tight processing chamber having a substrate inlet and a substrate outlet, said chamber having two or more troughs for processing of the substrate, a means for indirectly heating the chamber, a means for moving substrate through the two or more throughs of the chamber from the substrate inlet to the substrate outlet, and a vapour condensate handling system for removing and condensing vapours from the chamber for processing to remove and recover contaminants.

Abstract: A fluid conveyor jet moves flexible containers or bags along a trough from one station to the next in the trough in a process which efficiently heats or cools the contents of the containers. Side fluid jets positioned along opposite sides of the trough direct heating or cooling fluid (water) on the flexible containers at the stations. They direct the fluid generally in spaced horizontal planes on the flexible containers therebetween causing (1) the central contents of the containers to move away from central areas of the container towards the sides to promote temperature transfer between the contents and cooling or heating fluid from the fluid jet conveyor and the fluid jets and (2) the containers to rotate generally about axes parallel to a longitudinal axis of the trough also helping in the cooling or heating process. The side fluid jets are operatively positioned below the waterline of the trough.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for treating contaminated materials, specially infected materials, which are fed to endless screws (5, 12) via a feed hopper (2) and are heated, disinfected or sterilized in addition to being discharged through an ejection system (21).

Abstract: A fluid conveyor jet moves flexible containers or bags along a trough from one station to the next in the trough in a process which efficiently heats or cools the contents of the containers. Side fluid jets positioned along opposite sides of the trough direct heating or cooling fluid (water) on the flexible containers at the stations. They direct the fluid generally in spaced horizontal planes on the flexible containers therebetween causing (1) the central contents of the containers to move away from central areas of the container towards the sides to promote temperature transfer between the contents and cooling or heating fluid from the fluid jet conveyor and the fluid jets and (2) the containers to rotate generally about axes parallel to a longitudinal axis of the trough also helping in the cooling or heating process. The side fluid jets are operatively positioned below the waterline of the trough.

Abstract: This invention relates to barrier methods for preserving sensitive biological materials as a porous foam, subsequently crushing the foam to form a powder, and optionally formulating mixtures of preserved powdered biological materials. The invention also encompasses an apparatus for integrating the methods of foam formation and subsequent crushing of the preserved biological materials using barrier technology.

Abstract: A process for producing a processed organic product containing organic matters superior in the nutrient balance and exhibiting high performances in retention of water and in permeation of gas using an apparatus for effecting the process, in which fibrous organic substance contained in the raw material can be loosened and be subjected to axial splitting and breaking down into short fragments, permitting thus to supply the apparatus with raw materials containing longer fibrous organic substance, such as plant bodies, directly as such, for realizing a biological or biochemical reaction while eliminating injurious microbes.

Abstract: A garbage processor has a vessel for receiving garbage, a rotary pulverizer/stirrer for crushing and stirring the garbage in the vessel and a first heater for drying the garbage in the vessel. A steam is generated upon heating and drying of the garbage. An air blower feeds a high pressure an ambient air into the vessel to force the steam out of the vessel. A steam separator is provided for separating the steam into a water and a gas. A second heater is provided downstream of the steam separator for oxidizing the gas emanating from the steam separator to reduce a smell of the gas. The gas is deodorized before it is discharged to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An system for treatment of infectious waste including a impactor coupled to a mixing drum that can be pressurized, infectious waste and a treatment fluid comprising a substance effective in killing pathogenic organisms being introduced directly into the impactor where the waste is pulverized forming unrecognizable particulate matter mixed with fluid, and the waste from there being introduced into the drum for mixing and subsequently pressure treatment by providing a superatmospheric pressure in the drum to drive chemicals effective in killing pathogenic organisms into voids in the solids and also into spore walls and cell membranes to provide a more speedy and effective kill.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for processing waste. The system controls pressure and temperature in a treatment vessel to provide a more efficient process. A system for shredding the waste in the vessel is used to improve process efficiency and provides a more compact waste product.

Abstract: The invention is a method and an apparatus for the sterilization and/or heat treatment of product with the product being introduced in batches into a pressure vessel which lies substantially horizontal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for degerminating drugs in a vacuum drying system comprising a multi-blade stirrer under the conditions of reduced pressure, keeping the active ingredients intact and largely destroying toxic mould fungi.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for rapidly thawing a frozen blood plasma unit. The holder maintains a plasma unit pouch submerged in a manner which affords substantial thermal contact between the plasma unit and the fluid bath. The fluid is manipulated to provide a kneading effect on the exterior surface of the bag to enhance thawing efficiency.