Radiant energy – Supported for nonsignalling objects of irradiation – With source support
Patent
1997-11-20
2000-02-22
Anderson, Bruce C.
Radiant energy
Supported for nonsignalling objects of irradiation
With source support
25045411, G01N 2300, G01N 2100
Patent
active
060283157
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to cleaning apparatus and, particularly but not exclusively, to apparatus adapted to dry and sterilise containers used to contain liquids such as cosmetics, toilet preparations and the like.
In recent years, environmental issues have become of increasing interest and one particular concern is the question of waste disposal. One particular problem is the amount of packaging material used in products, some of which is immediately discarded once the product is purchased, whilst the product container is disposed of once the product is used. The products themselves are frequently supplied in so-called disposable containers such as bottles formed of synthetic plastics material or glass. This packaging is traditionally disposed of by dumping or incineration. These methods have a number of disadvantages, namely the loss of material, the energy use of production and the problems associated with finding sufficient sites to accommodate the rubbish and the inherent pollution problems when a wide variety of materials is dumped in one site. A further problem is that much of the dumped material is non-biodegradable and therefore remains in the ground as a potential pollutant for many hundreds of years.
It has been proposed to re-use containers by offering a refill service in which the containers are re-used a number of times. In order to reduce the problems of cost and transport in transporting empty containers back to a central factory or warehouse, there are advantages in refilling containers at local centres such as retail shops. One problem associated with such local refilling is the problem of ensuring that the containers are clean and sterile so that the new product is not contaminated as soon as it is placed in the container. Known methods consist of the purchaser or shop simply washing the containers out using the normal water supply but this method does not ensure that the container is satisfactorily clean and sterile and also raises further environmental problems.
It has been found that one of the reasons why customers do not use the existing refill systems as much as they might is the length of time it takes to clean and dry the containers and actually carry out the refilling operation. It is one object of the present invention to develop apparatus to speed up this process so that the time the refilling service takes is sufficiently short to encourage the customer to use the service.
The present invention seeks to provide apparatus which could be used in a small shop, or even in domestic premises, to ensure that bottles are dry and sterile before re-use.
According to the present invention there is provided sterilising apparatus for sterilising a container, the apparatus comprising an elongate member adapted to emit ultra violet light having sterilising properties when energised, and a shield substantially surrounding said member and being adapted to shield said elongate member from physical damage, wherein, in order to sterilise the interior of a container, the elongate member is located at least partially within the container and energised.
A preferred form of the apparatus includes a microwave generator, adapted to generate microwaves, the elongate member being adapted to emit ultra violet light when irradiated by operation of said microwave generator, the shield being transparent to microwaves.
In one embodiment, the elongate member and the surrounding shield are disposed in an upstanding manner in a chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the elongate member and the surrounding shield are mounted on a side wall of the chamber which is preferably opposite a door of the chamber. In another embodiment, the chamber incorporates a hinged door, the elongate member and the shield being mounted on the inner surface of said door so that when the door is opened the elongate member and shield are clearly exposed to facilitate the placement of a container over the shield. Operation of the sterilising apparatus may be triggered by closing the door to thereby close a contact which then initiates irrad
REFERENCES:
patent: 2194463 (1940-03-01), Powley
patent: 4786812 (1988-11-01), Humphreys
patent: 4981651 (1991-01-01), Horng
patent: 5166528 (1992-11-01), Le Vay
patent: 5614151 (1997-03-01), Le Vay et al.
Bailey William
Little Richard
Anderson Bruce C.
The Body Shop International Plc
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