초록 ▼

A portal-based system for ultraviolet disinfection (UV) of containers and appliances, the system including a container with a housing having at least one portal for receiving UV light input for transmission into the container. The portal is designed such that a fiber optic transmission line is remov

A portal-based system for ultraviolet disinfection (UV) of containers and appliances, the system including a container with a housing having at least one portal for receiving UV light input for transmission into the container. The portal is designed such that a fiber optic transmission line is removably connectable to it. This system may include at least one portal optical component positioned between the portal and the interior of the appliance, thereby producing an enhanced sterilization of microorganisms within the container and/or appliance.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A portal-based appliance system for ultraviolet disinfection (UV) of interior surfaces and contents of containers, the system comprising the container having a housing with at least one portal positioned on the housing of the container for receiving UV light input into the container from a UV lig

1. A portal-based appliance system for ultraviolet disinfection (UV) of interior surfaces and contents of containers, the system comprising the container having a housing with at least one portal positioned on the housing of the container for receiving UV light input into the container from a UV light source, the portal further including an interface device having at least one interface optical device for controlling and directing the UV light to provide a focused, controlled light output in order to enhance the disinfection of the appliance or container interior for sterilizing the interior surfaces and contents of the container. 2. The UV system according to claim 1, wherein the portal is connectable to fiber optic transmission lines. 3. The UV system according to claim 2, wherein the portal is a fiber optic transmission line-ready portal. 4. The UV system according to claim 3, wherein the fiber optic transmission line-ready portal includes a fiber optic transmission line fastener. 5. The UV system according to claim 1, wherein the interface device further provides for protection to appliance components. 6. The UV system according to claim 5, wherein the interface device is UV-transmissive. 7. The UV system according to claim 1, wherein the container is used for animal housing. 8. The UV system according to claim 1, further including at least one portal optical component positioned between the portal opening and the interior of the appliance. 9. The UV system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one portal optical component is UV transmissive. 10. The UV system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one portal optical component is UV reflective. 11. The UV system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one portal optical component is selected from the group consisting of reflectors, shutters, lenses, splitters, focalizers, mirrors, rigid and flexible light guides, homogenizer, mixing rods, manifolds, couplers, filters, gratings, diffracters, color wheels, and combinations thereof. 12. The UV system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one portal optical component includes at least one photocatalyst that degrades compounds contacting the surface of the portal optic. 13. The UV system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one photocatalyst is selected from the group consisting of TiO2, WO2, ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, and PtTiO 2 and the like. 14. The UV system according to claim 1, wherein the container is an appliance selected from the group consisting of fluid-treatment appliances, fluid-dispensing appliances, fluid-storage appliances, fluid-manufacturing appliances, and combinations thereof. 15. The UV system according to claim 1, wherein the container is an individual use container. 16. The UV system according to claim 15, wherein the container is a beverage container. 17. The UV system according to claim 16, wherein the beverage container is selected from the group consisting of water, coffee, tea, milk, juice, carbonated beverage, wine, beer, and combinations thereof. 18. The UV system according to claim 15, wherein the container is a biological fluid container. 19. The UV system according to claim 18, wherein the container is used to contain blood, blood products, fermentation products, cell culture products, biotechnology products, and combinations thereof. 20. A portal system for ultraviolet disinfection (UV) of appliances, the system comprising at least one portal for receiving UV light input, the at least one portal further including a corresponding at least one interface device having at least one interface optical device for controlling and directing the UV light input to provide a focused controlled light output in order to enhance the disinfection of the appliance interior for sterilizing the interior surfaces and contents of the appliances. 21. The UV system according to claim 20, wherein the portal is connectable to fiber optic transmission lines. 22. The UV system according to claim 21, wherei n the portal is a fiber optic transmission line-ready portal. 23. The UV system according to claim 22, wherein the fiber optic transmission line-ready portal includes a fiber optic transmission line fastener. 24. The UV system according to claim 20, wherein the portal includes an interface device for providing protection to appliance components. 25. The UV system according to claim 24, wherein the interface device is UV-transmissive. 26. The UV system according to claim 20, further including at least one portal optical component positioned between the portal opening and the interior of the appliance. 27. The UV system according to claim 26, wherein the at least one portal optical component is UV transmissive. 28. The UV system according to claim 26, wherein the at least one portal optical component is UV reflective. 29. The UV system according to claim 26, wherein the at least one portal optical component is selected from the group consisting of reflectors, shutters, lenses, splitters, focalizers, mirrors, rigid and flexible light guides, homogenizer, mixing rods, manifolds, couplers, filters, gratings, diffracters, color wheels, and combinations thereof. 30. The UV system according to claim 26, wherein the at least one portal optical component includes at least one photocatalyst that degrades compounds contacting the surface of the portal optic. 31. The UV system according to claim 30, wherein the at least one photocatalyst is selected from the group consisting of TiO2, WO2, ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, and PtTiO 2 and the like.