Disclosed is a process for treating at least one hollow body made of thermoplastic material, such as a preform or a cap, the treatment process successively including at least the following steps: a first step, consisting in treating at least the inside of the hollow body using hydrogen peroxide; a second step, consisting in heating the hollow body; a third step, consisting in treating the hollow body with plasma in order to reduce the concentration of hydrogen peroxide residues. Also disclosed is a plant for manufacturing containers in which the process is carried out in particular by way of a unit for the plasma treatment of the preforms.

A method and apparatus for sterilizing a medical instrument, such as a dental instrument. The method includes placing the medical instrument in a chamber, providing a sterilizing agent including recombined ionized humidified air, controlling the temperature of the medical instrument and/or the chamber such that the temperature of the medical instrument is below the temperature of chamber, and at least partially condensing the sterilizing agent onto the instruments.

A method and apparatus for sterilizing a medical instrument, such as a dental instrument. The method includes placing the medical instrument in a chamber, providing a sterilizing agent including recombined ionized humidified air, controlling the temperature of the medical instrument and/or the chamber such that the temperature of the medical instrument is below the temperature of chamber, and at least partially condensing the sterilizing agent onto the instruments.

A purification device for cleaning one or more surfaces of a vehicle, the purification device configured to apply a purification process onto the one or more surfaces of the vehicle, the purification device includes a heating device for increasing a temperature of the surface.

A purification device for cleaning one or more surfaces of a vehicle, the purification device configured to apply a purification process onto the one or more surfaces of the vehicle, the purification device includes a heating device for increasing a temperature of the surface.

A method of sterilizing an article includes receiving the article in a sterilization chamber. The method also includes applying a vacuum to a first pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes introducing a sterilant into the sterilization chamber. The method also includes maintaining the first pressure in the sterilization chamber for a first period of time. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a second pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes maintaining the second pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a third pressure. The method also includes maintaining the third pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to atmospheric pressure. The method further includes between venting and maintaining steps applying a vacuum to a fourth pressure less than 100 torr, introducing additional sterilant, and maintaining the fourth pressure.

A method of sterilizing an article includes receiving the article in a sterilization chamber. The method also includes applying a vacuum to a first pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes introducing a sterilant into the sterilization chamber. The method also includes maintaining the first pressure in the sterilization chamber for a first period of time. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a second pressure less than 100 torr. The method also includes maintaining the second pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to a third pressure. The method also includes maintaining the third pressure. The method also includes venting the sterilization chamber to atmospheric pressure. The method further includes between venting and maintaining steps applying a vacuum to a fourth pressure less than 100 torr, introducing additional sterilant, and maintaining the fourth pressure.

The use of plasma to clean or sterilize items can be particularly advantageous for items that cannot be readily washed or cleaned by standard methods. The toxicity and complications generating sufficient plasma makes it hard to use for such purposes. The subject invention addresses the problem by generating a minimal amount of highly reactive plasma to sterilize an item. This is achieved by reducing the amount of space and ambient air around and within the item. In this way, the plasma generated fills only the required volume of the item to be cleaned and the plasm is directed at the object, not directed at or released into non-target areas.

The use of plasma to clean or sterilize items can be particularly advantageous for items that cannot be readily washed or cleaned by standard methods. The toxicity and complications generating sufficient plasma makes it hard to use for such purposes. The subject invention addresses the problem by generating a minimal amount of highly reactive plasma to sterilize an item. This is achieved by reducing the amount of space and ambient air around and within the item. In this way, the plasma generated fills only the required volume of the item to be cleaned and the plasm is directed at the object, not directed at or released into non-target areas.

An air purification apparatus and methods of air purification and treatment using ionization is disclosed. In some embodiments, an ion generator apparatus comprises a modular electrode and a housing connected to the modular electrode. The modular electrode includes an elongated conduit body comprising a power receiving end and a conduit connecting end opposite the power receiving end; and a plurality of ion generating elements occupying different radial positions around a perimeter of the conduit body, the ion generating elements generating negative ions or positive ions in response to an applied alternating current. A first electrical connector on the power receiving end is connectable to a second electrical connector on the conduit connecting end of another conduit body, such that a plurality of conduit bodies can be connected together in a series. The housing is connected to a power receiving end of one of the conduit bodies of the modular electrode.