The invention relates to an apparatus for disinfecting, in particular sterilizing, objects or solids, preferably pieces of protective equipment, in particular protective masks or protective clothing, with a treatment chamber for receiving one or more objects or solids, preferably one or more pieces of protective equipment, with a closable airlock through which objects or solids, preferably pieces of protective equipment, can be introduced into the treatment chamber and/or removed from the treatment chamber and with a generation unit for generating reactive species in a gas stream. The generation unit includes discharge means configured to generate an electrical discharge in the gas stream. The generating unit is arranged such that the gas stream, during operation, passes from the generating unit into the treatment chamber. The invention further relates to a use of the apparatus.

Provided herein is a method of treating material that is contaminated with a virus, comprising exposing the material to vapor, wherein the vapor is produced by heating and/or vaporizing a dry cleaning solvent, and wherein the method at least partially deactivates the virus.

A filtering facepiece respirator decontamination device includes an enclosure defining a UV irradiation chamber, at least one UV lamp positioned in the irradiation chamber, a moveable drawer comprising a platform for positioning a respirator, wherein the moveable drawer can move to a closed position in the respirator positioned on the platform is located in the irradiation chamber, a switch for detecting that the drawer is in the closed position, and a controller for activating the at least one UV lamp based on the switch detecting that the drawer is in the closed position.

Articles, compositions, and methods for treating textiles and other materials with an antimicrobial compound during laundry and/or drying cycles are described. The articles and compositions include a metal ion having antimicrobial efficacy. Methods include the use of the articles and compositions in laundry and/or drying cycles to provide antimicrobial treatment of the textiles and materials.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for cleaning materials, such as flooring and upholstery. In some cases, the systems and methods use an electrolytic cell to electrolyze a solution comprising sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium acetate, sodium percarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and/or any other suitable chemical to generate electrolyzed alkaline water and/or electrolyzed oxidizing water. In some cases, the cell comprises a recirculation loop that recirculates anolyte through an anode compartment of the cell. In some cases, the cell further comprises a senor and a processor, where the processor is configured to automatically change an operation of the cell, based on a reading from the sensor. In some cases, a fluid flows past a magnet before entering the cell. In some additional cases, fluid from the cell is conditioned by being split into multiple conduits that run in proximity to each other. Additional implementations are described.

A method of manufacturing an aqueous freshening composition having a plurality of particles suspended by a structurant system is provided. The method includes the steps of: mixing an aqueous carrier and at least 80 wt. % of ion-forming water-soluble ingredients of the freshening composition to form an aqueous premix; subsequently mixing a first polysaccharide into the aqueous premix; mixing a second polysaccharide into the aqueous premix after mixing the first polysaccharide into the aqueous premix to form a structured aqueous composition; and dispersing a plurality of particles into the structured aqueous composition to form the freshening composition.

The present disclosure provides designs for an electrically heated respirator/face mask to kill or deactivate airborne viruses and bacteria by creating a seamless thermal and/or humidity chamber/barrier around the wearer's nose and mouth area; in addition to efficiently filtering the tiny particles according to NIOSH N95 standards, it reduces the chance of contracting the disease. The designs include various combinations: a disposable or reusable N95 respirator with or without an exhalation valve, disposable or reusable medical face mask, both with or without integrated and replaceable filter layers, and a reusable respirator with filter cartridges. Each design is comprised of multiple layers with an active thermal filter with a heating element, which is made of graphene. The respirator is connected via a USB cable to a power unit. A control module is used to turn the device on and off and control the inner temperature and humidity optionally through sensors.

A hand sanitization system, a sanitization machine, and hand coverings containing markings for use with the sanitization machine are disclosed. The hand sanitization machine is capable of sanitizing hand coverings that were traditionally disposed of after one use. The hand coverings may contain indicators that signal when they have been sterilized.

A disinfecting floor mat having a disinfecting wet station (or wet side) onto which a user may step and wet the bottoms of his/her shoes with a disinfecting and/or cleaning solution are described. The wet section can comprise a shallow pool over which an elastomeric cover is provided that has small holes. slits or other openings distributed thereon permitting the solution to flow therethrough when the cover is stepped upon to make contact with the shallow pool bottom. A reservoir of cleaning solution can be provided that is in fluid communication with the shallow pool to help ensure it remains full. Optionally, the floor mat can further include a drying section (or dry side) located next to the wet section to permit a user to substantially dry the bottoms of his/her shoes after disinfecting the shoe bottoms in the wet section.

A UV sanitizing device including a sanitizing interface having a top surface arranged to support a device positioned above the sanitizing interface where the sanitizing interface includes a translucent material arranged to allow UV light to pass through An adjustable UV emission interface, positioned adjacent to the sanitizing interface, arranged to adjustably conform to the shape of a device facing the sanitizing interface, and arranged to emit the UV light toward the sanitizing interface in the shape of the device. The adjustable UV emission interface includes UV emission interface cells such that, when a first portion of the UV emission interface cells is activated and a second portion of the UV emission interface cells is deactivated, the UV emission interface conforms to the shape of the device. Each cell of UV emission interface cells includes a sensor arranged to detect a portion of the device facing the sanitizing interface.