Abstract: An apparatus and process for supplying ozonated rinse water in a closed loop recirculating system to a rinsing apparatus for articles is described. The apparatus provides a pressure differential bypass line for providing a constant recirculating flow of ozonated water from a venturi directly to a water storage tank, bypassing the rinsing apparatus. Also included are a supply line to the rinsing apparatus and a diverted supply line for diverting flow back to the storage tank and bypassing the rinsing apparatus. The supply line and the diverted supply line have a normally closed solenoid valve and a normally open solenoid valve, respectively, for controlling the flow of ozonated water between them and maintaining and regulating pressure and volume of water for optimizing injection of ozone into the water and for maintaining ozone in the water.

Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for detecting viable bacteria or microorganisms at the completion of a sterilization cycle using rapid biological detection systems. The results of the detection systems can be read visually by non-technical personnel within one hour of the sterilization cycle at room temperature, resulting in a quick, cost-effective, and easy-to-use method or diagnostic kit.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a method and apparatus for controlling microbial growth in air handling systems employing heat exchanging coils, water pans, or the like, exposed to moisture and subject to microbial contamination. Condensation apparatus located within a chamber defined in an air handling system is disinfected by temporarily interrupting normal air flow, sealing the chamber with respect to the air handling system, introducing an anti-microbial growth gaseous disinfectant into the chamber, removing the anti-microbial gas from the chamber after disinfecting the condensation apparatus and then restoring normal air flow through the chamber. The preferred anti-microbial gas is produced by using an ozone generator in conjunction with an auxiliary air flow system.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for recovering a sterilizing gas, in particular ethylene oxide (ETO), materials to be sterilized are sterilized in a sterilizing chamber with a sterilizing gas and a gas flow is withdrawn from the sterilizing chamber. At least part of the sterilizing gas contained in said gas flow is liquefied and separated. The gas flow freed from liquefied sterilizing gas is returned to the sterilizing chamber whilst at the same time at least a part of the separated sterilizing gas is replaced by addition of inert-rendering gas, reducing the concentration of the sterilizing gas in the sterilizing chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for sterilizing a medical unit having at least two connections for a fluid flow pathway where a sterilizing medium flows through the medical unit.Medical units of this type are e.g. medical filters, in particular dialyzers. A high degree of sterility is here required. This is accomplished through the steps of:(a) inserting the medical unit into a system under pressure-tight coupling of the at least two connections to a feed conduit and discharge conduit of the system under atmospheric conditions;(b) passing the sterilizing medium from the system through the medical unit for a given period of time;(c) closing the at least two connections in the coupled state and in a germproof manner, without the same being opened, on completion of the sterilization operation; and(d) removing said medical unit from said system as a sterile medical unit with closed connections.

Abstract: In a medical instrument sterilization system that preferably utilizes humidified ozone as a sterilization agent or sterilizing effluent, the system provides for ozone generation, humidification of that ozone and its transfer to for circulation in a primary sterilization chamber wherein medical instruments are scoured clean and sterilized by passage of the humidified ozone therethrough, and for venting the used ozone to a destruction chamber for heat destruction. The invention is in a secondary safety chamber for containing the primary sterilization chamber wherein sterilization operations take place that is locked and sealed during the sterilization cycle and provides for separately sensing and venting for destruction any sterilizing agent as escapes from the primary sterilization chamber.

Abstract: A vapor recovery apparatus which withdraws multicomponent vapor mixtures from processing apparatus (such as gas sterilizers) by condensation at two or more progressively colder levels while maintaining an appropriate balance between components during steps of capture and phase change. Two cold traps provide progressive partial condensation at multiple temperature levels and serve to reduce input energy requirements at least 50% compared to a single cold level. The components in the recovered mixture may include (a) recyclable ozone depleting, global warming and valuable CFCs or HCFCs, (b) hazardous materials and (c) contaminants such as water vapor and air. The system maintains safe balance of component materials by immediately and constantly draining the condensate from a warmer temperature stage into the liquid holding section of a colder trapping zone.

Abstract: An isothiocyanate vapor-generating agent containing a solution of an isothiocyanate dissolved in an oily liquid having a vapor pressure of 2 mmHg or less at 30.degree. C. A germ-desroying treatment method using vapors of an isothiocyanate and a germ-destroying treatment apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided wherein a plant for filling vials and similar containers comprising syringes and filling nozzles as well as nozzles for nitrogen injection is submitted to one or more washings and to a steam sterilization. Sterile nitrogen is then fed to the plant at slight overpressure to maintain the plant in sterile condition until it is used again. The device to carry out the method comprises a line for nitrogen injection, of the type normally used for nitrogen injection into vials, provided with an offtake connected by means of valves to the lines for water and steam feeding in order to alternatively feed water, steam or nitrogen to the syringes and filling nozzles, and steam or nitrogen to the injection nozzles and to the sterile filter for nitrogen filtration. The device is preferably automatically operated.

Abstract: A container sterilization system adaptable to a forming, filling and sealing machine used to process containers for liquids or spoonable food products. The system is a single pass vapor generator including ductwork interconnecting a suitable blower for directing a flow through sterilization stations; a duct heater; a vapor generation stack; a suitable vapor delivery inlet manifold and an associated exhaust manifold; and a drying air inlet manifold and an associated exhaust manifold, with containers being conveyed laterally intermediate the inlet manifolds and the exhaust manifolds. The directed flow is a mixture of air, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and vaporized water.

Abstract: A sterilizing gas mixture, containing ethylene oxide and a diluent, is used to sterilize articles in a sterilizing chamber. When the sterilization has been completed, the chamber is purged of sterilizing gas, usually in two or more purging cycles. During the first purging cycle, the spent sterilizing gas mixture is directed to a condenser, where the residual ethylene oxide and diluent are liquefied. During the second and subsequent purging cycles, the additional sterilizing gas mixture remaining in the chamber is conveyed to a disposal unit to dispose of the remaining ethylene oxide. The disposal unit can be a catalytic device which converts the ethylene oxide to carbon dioxide and water. Alternatively, the disposal unit can be a chemical device, such as an acid scrubber which converts the ethylene oxide into a non-toxic substance. Thus, virtually none of the ethylene oxide vents to the outside.

Abstract: A method of treating an article with a mixture of ethylene oxide gas, air, and an inert gas which makes possible reuse of the ethylene oxide for an indefinite number of successive treatment cycles. The gas mixture is refortified with ethylene oxide when necessary. Nonflammability is maintained by removing air from the treatment tank before the mixture is admitted into the tank by the evacuation of the tank to a predetermined pressure, the admitting of an inert gas to the tank to a predetermined pressure, and the subsequent removal of the resulting air and inert gas mixture from the tank by evacuation to a predetermined pressure, the air removal resulting in an air proportion less than or equal to that proportion residing in the treatment mixture that is maintained in the holding tank.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing objects to be sterilized is disclosed, in which an object to be sterilized such as a hand piece is preliminarily brought into a wetted state, and then accommodated and air-tightly closed up within a sterilizing chamber communicated with an oxygen cylinder, oxygen fed from the oxygen cylinder is introduced into an ozonizer to produce ozonized oxygen gas having an ozone concentration of at least 10000 ppm, preferably 15000 ppm or higher, then the ozonized oxygen as is made to pass through the sterilizing chamber after it has been heated up to perfectly replace air within the sterilizing chamber by the ozonized oxygen gas, also moisture adhered to the objects to be sterilized is partly evaporated, subsequently the communication between the sterilizing chamber and the oxygen source is interrupted, the ozonized oxygen gas is circulated through the sterilizing chamber and the ozonizer while it is heated up at the inlet of the sterilizing chamber to thereby enhance the ozone concentration up

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a material web is disclosed and involves directing a material web toward the inlet of a chamber having constriction zones located therein whose flow area is less than the flow area of other portions of the chamber. The material web is moved through the inlet and through the constriction zone while a gaseous sterilizing agent is introduced into the chamber on one side of the constriction zone and while a vacuum is being drawn in the chamber from an opposite side of the constriction zone. The constriction zone causes the gaseous sterilizing agent to accelerate and flow in close contact with the material web at very high speed to ensure that the gaseous sterilizing agent contacts and is uniformly distributed over the whole width of the material web so that effective sterilization of the entire material web takes place.

Abstract: A single-chamber apparatus and method are described for in-situ generation of dangerous polyatomic gases and radicals from solid or liquid source materials contained within a porous foamed structure. A cooled cathode is provided for establishing a plasma discharge within the chamber, and a heat source is provided to maintain the porous foamed structure within a fixed temperature range chosen such that the source material is removed from the porous foamed structure by evaporation induced by heat from the heat source while at the same time preventing consumption by evaporation of the porous foamed structure itself.

Abstract: A container sterilization system adaptable to a forming, filling and sealing machine used to process containers for liquids or spoonable food products. The system is a closed loop system including ductwork interconnecting a suitable blower for directing through the closed loop a flow of a mixture of air, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and vaporized water; a duct heater; one of a vapor generation pool or a vapor generation stack with heat exchanger; a suitable vapor delivery inlet manifold and an associated exhaust manifold; and a drying air inlet manifold and an associated exhaust with containers being conveyed laterally intermediate the inlet manifolds and the exhaust manifolds.

Abstract: A recirculating high velocity hot air sterilization device includes a housing having a chamber therein. A corrugated, perforated jet curtain plate is disposed within the chamber and partially defines an air supply plenum positioned outwardly of the chamber, the plenum having an electric heating element operatively positioned therein. Spaced apart from the jet curtain plate within the chamber is a nonperforated deflector plate which extends parallel to the jet curtain plate and may be of a flat or corrugated configuration. A blower is connected to the housing and creates therein a recirculating flow of heated air which sequentially flows into the air supply plenum across the heating element, outwardly in a forward direction through the perforations in the jet curtain plate and into the housing chamber, back into the blower, and then into the air supply plenum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a material with gas or vapour, especially a fumigant, comprises a sealable enclosure device, a pump which may have an inlet for the agent and a heat reservoir, and a long flexible hose to allow the enclosure to be evacuated after treatment and the effluent discharged outside the premises where the material is treated.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for recovering one or more components of a sterilizing gas. Typically, the sterilizing gas is ethylene oxide, mixed with a relatively inert diluent such as a halocarbon. The sterilizing gas discharged from a sterilizing chamber is cryogenically cooled in a condenser, such that the ethylene oxide and the diluent are liquefied. The remaining gaseous impurities, such as air, are removed from the condenser, filtered, and vented to the atmosphere. The liquefied mixture of ethylene oxide and diluent is periodically drained from the condenser, and filtered to remove impurities. This liquid mixture can then be separated into its constituent components for later use. The liquid mixture can also be vaporized and combined with fresh ethylene oxide, as needed, to produce a fresh sterilizing gas mixture which is recycled to the sterilizing chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for generating a reagent of sulfur trioxide in a carrier. A source of sulfur trioxide, a carrier, and oleum are introduced into a reagent generator. The sulfur trioxide, carrier, and oleum are then contacted to provide a reagent of sulfur trioxide in the carrier. Separate oleum and sulfur trioxide in carrier phases are formed, and oleum is removed from the reagent generator. The sulfur trioxide in carrier reagent is then ready to be used, preferably in a process to treat the surfaces of polymeric resin material such as medical devices fabricated from a variety of polymeric resins. The carrier may be either a liquid halocarbon solution or an inert gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing packaging material is provided. The apparatus includes a container or bath for containing a liquid sterilant through which the packaging material is drawn and guided. The container having an entry opening and exit opening, and guide rollers. At least one spray nozzle located at a position above the level of liquid sterilant for spraying the packaging material with recirculated filter liquid sterilant after it has passed through the liquid sterilant bath is provided.

Abstract: For safe removal and collection of chemical sterilants such as ethylene oxide from a sterilization process, steam or other substantially condesable, inert dilutent gas is used to extract and to transport sterilant from the inside of sterilized materials and the sterilizing chamber into a collection tank. The sterilant and the condensable dilutent are separated when the mixture is discharged from the sterilizing chamber such that virtually all of the sterilant can be collected as a liquid by compression and/or refrigeration at practical pressures and temperatures.

Abstract: Chemical sterilants such as ethylene oxide are recovered from sterilization processes and converted into safer chemical compounds by non-catalytic hydrolysis.

Abstract: A chamber, in which an atmosphere comprising a toxic vapor is established, is pneumatically isolated from the ambient environment. The isolation technique permits objects to be sterilized to be conveyed into and removed from the chamber without leakage of vapor from the chamber or of air into the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sonicating an article such that the liquid used as the sonication medium cannot recontaminate the article. A sonication medium in the form of a film of liquid is streamed over the article. A probe of a sonic horn is positioned in sonic energy transfer relationship to the sonication medium next to the article. Sound waves transmitted through the sonication medium dislodge particles from the article and into the sonication medium. The sonication medium carrying dislodged particles is drained away after passing the probe of the sonic horn. A subsequent sterilization means can be used to further clean the article. The article can be a web of packaging material used subsequent to sterilization for forming into individual containers for the aseptic packaging of foodstuffs or the like.

Abstract: A method of sterilization for hospital and field use in which an article to be sterilized is submerged in water and ozone, which is supplied from a separate source, is bubbled through said water and over said article so as to provide an ozone concentration in excess of water saturation alone. Such a process can be used to kill even the most difficult bacteria and spores in shorter times than ethylene oxide sterilizers and further can be used for instruments which cannot stand steam temperatures or pressure changes.

Abstract: A combination unsaturated chemical vapor sterilization system and a steam sterilization system utilizing the same sterilizing chamber. It includes a pressure chamber in communication with a source of sterilizing chemicals and water, transport means to selectively deliver sterilizing chemicals or water into the chamber, a heating element to heat the interior of the chamber, and a microprocessor control panel operably associated with the heating element and transport means to control the sterilant composition, the temperature and the pressure within the chamber at any given time in accordance with a preselected setting.

Abstract: An ozonized oxygen fed from an ozonizer is passed to a reaction tower to treat an object material. In recovering non-reacted oxygen from the reaction tower to reuse in the ozonizer, zeolite is used as an adsorbent to remove impurities contained in the recovered oxygen, such as water, volatile organic materials and CO.sub.2 gas so that a raw material oxygen without containing any impurity is fed to the ozonizer to increase the ozonizing efficiency.

Abstract: An object such as a food packaging material is sterilized first by immersion in a nontoxic sterilizing liquid and then by exposure to ultraviolet irradiation. The sterilizing liquid can be either an organic acid solution or hot water. Alternatively, the object is simultaneously treated with both sterilizing agents, by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays while being dipped in the sterilizing liquid. The liquid is reconditioned, as by filtration and ultraviolet irradiation while being recirculated through a closed circuit. The apparatus is disclosed as adapted for the sterilization of a continuous strip of food packaging film.

Abstract: A dry deodorizing apparatus. More particularly, it relates to a dry deodorizing apparatus wherein bad smell components in the gas to be treated is oxidized and removed by ozone and bromine and hydrobromine acid and, in addition, the ozonizing material such as ozone and bromine entrained by the air to be treated is removed with an adsorbent or a decomposing agent so that no secondary environmental pollution due to ozonizing material takes place.

Abstract: A long sheet material to be sterilized is passed through an atmosphere of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 mist of low concentration and of droplet particle size of approximately 10 microns at room temperature for approximately one second and is then irradiated for approximately one second with ultraviolet-ray lamps positioned to irradiate opposite surfaces of the sheet material each at a distance of approximately 20 mm therefrom, whereby the material is thoroughly sterilized as a result of the synergistic effect produced by the combination of these two sterilization steps.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the method and apparatus, the oxidant is loaded upon a support bed and is continuously regenerated by an ozone generator located upstream from the support bed. The ozone generator has a capacity less than the peak load requirement for the oxidant but fully regenerates the oxidant during low load periods. An ozone detector is located downstream from the support bed and includes a control circuit for selectively deactivating the ozone generator when the ozone downstream from the support bed exceeds a predetermined level. The support bed is composed of inert or adsorbing granular material. In a second embodiment, an aqueous solution containing a water soluble oxidant is applied to the support bed and is rinsed out following a purification cycle. The rinsed oxidant is replaced by fresh oxidant from a reservoir and the rinsed, spent oxidant is regenerated in an electrolytic or chemical regenerator and returned to the oxidant reservoir.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sterilizing medical devices and the like. The apparatus comprises means for the recirculation of a sterilant gas and a diluting gas through narrow passages in the medical device in sufficient quantity and for sufficient time to sterilize bacteriologically, and then to aerate, exposed passage surfaces. The method comprises the circulation of a sterilant gas through a contaminated device bacteriologically to sterilize exposed surfaces, and thereafter to remove the sterilant gas by purging with sterile air or other inert gas.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing with a mixture of ethylene oxide gas and an inert gas which makes possible reuse of the ethylene oxide for an indefinite number of successive sterilization cycles. The gas mixture is refortified with ethylene oxide when necessary. A portion of it is periodically vented when the increasing proportion of air produces a mixture which approaches the region of flammability of the mixture and is replaced with the inert gas to reduce the proportion of air in the mixture.