An apparatus for sterilising a packaged product (16) such as food or drink comprises a pair of gas filled electrodes (1, 2) connected to a power supply (18) for generating a high voltage pulses between the electrodes (1, 2) sufficient to ionise the gas therein and to create a high electromagnetic field therebetween. A reflector (7) is provided for directing the generated field towards the package (16), such that the electromagnetic field penetrates through the wall of the package (16) and forms cold plasma from the trapped air inside the package (16). This cold plasma comprises ozone and other reactive oxygen based species which have a high oxidizing potential and kill all microorganisms in contact with the ozone and reactive species resulting in the disinfection of the product as well as the interior of the sealed package.

A method for designing a new product includes automatically identifying a plurality of components of stored products, wherein the plurality of components is associated with an existing component included in a design of the new product, automatically selecting a new component from among the plurality of components, wherein a relationship between the existing component and the new component optimizes a design objective for the new product, automatically adding the new component to the design for the new product, and iteratively repeating the identifying, the selecting, and the adding until a stopping criterion is met, wherein the design for the new product is complete when the stopping criterion is met.

A method for decontaminating articles having porous outer surfaces. The method includes providing a decontamination chamber; conveying the articles through the decontamination chamber at a predetermined speed wherein the speed is selected such that the articles are disposed in the decontamination chamber for a predetermined period of time; providing a source of sterliant vapor, the source providing the sterilant vapor at a temperature within a predetermined acceptable temperature range and at a concentration within a predetermined acceptable concentration range; conveying a sterilant vapor from the source of sterilant vapor to the decontamination chamber; and exposing the articles to the sterilant vapor. The predetermined period of time and the predetermined acceptable concentration range of the sterilant vapor are selected such that the sterilant vapor does not penetrate the porous outer surfaces of the articles.

The present disclosure relates to a method for protecting stored agricultural dry products during storage, consisting of a controlled release system of essential oils and a shell for allowing oil diffusion in vapour phase towards the outer atmosphere without direct contact of the support material with stored products. This system is characterized by being suitable for use within containers for protecting stored dried agricultural plant products for a long period of time, in particular more than 4 weeks, more preferably more than 8 or 12 weeks.

Technologies for providing a gas inlet and gas outlet to a compartment are described. In embodiments, the technologies include a dual channel connector unit that includes an inlet passageway and an outlet passageway. In embodiments at least a portion of the outlet passageway is disposed radially around the inlet passageway. The connector unit is configured to install into a portion (e.g., wall, bottom, top, or lid) of a compartment. Systems and methods including such connector units are also described.

Disclosed is system for inactivating bacteria and/or reducing microbial count on product, in particular a food product, susceptible to microbial presence, said system comprising a processing chamber which is operably connected to i) a means for generating UV-C light, ii) a means for generating hydrogen peroxide vapor and/or means for generating ozone, and iii) a heat source. Also disclosed is a method for inactivating bacteria and/or reducing microbial count on a product, in particular food product, which is susceptible to microbial presence, said method comprising subjecting said product in a processing chamber to exposure with ultraviolet C (UV-C) light and hydrogen peroxide vapor and/or ozone, and heat, for a processing time of between 5-120 seconds, wherein the hydrogen peroxide vapor is present at up to 12% v/v solution, and the temperature inside the processing chamber is maintained between about 22? C. and 60? C.

Disclosed is system for inactivating bacteria and/or reducing microbial count on product, in particular a food product, susceptible to microbial presence, said system comprising a processing chamber which is operably connected to i) a means for generating UV-C light, ii) a means for generating hydrogen peroxide vapor and/or means for generating ozone, and iii) a heat source. Also disclosed is a method for inactivating bacteria and/or reducing microbial count on a product, in particular food product, which is susceptible to microbial presence, said method comprising subjecting said product in a processing chamber to exposure with ultraviolet C (UV-C) light and hydrogen peroxide vapor and/or ozone, and heat, for a processing time of between 5-120 seconds, wherein the hydrogen peroxide vapor is present at up to 12% v/v solution, and the temperature inside the processing chamber is maintained between about 22? C. and 60? C.

Device and method suitable for disinfecting herbs using plasma are disclosed. The device comprises a chamber and two sets of electrodes in an opposed position one relative to the other, inside the chamber. Each electrode in one set has a counterpart electrode in the other set, the two electrodes positioned facing each other and being configured to connect to a RF HV power supply, to produce a plasma-generating EM field in the space between the electrodes. The device further comprises a dielectric carrier positioned inside the chamber in the space between the two sets of electrodes, the carrier being dimensioned and configured to carry herbs in granular form such as powder or particles thereon. A portable sealable container comprising a unidirectional valve is also disclosed, configured to store herbs thereinside during plasma treatment in the device, and to store the disinfected herbs after treatment under vacuum. A device for disinfecting herbs by evaporating a disinfection agent in an evacuated chamber is also disclosed where plasma is used in any of several methods to enhance, improve and expedite the disinfection process.

Systems and methods for treating large quantities of potatoes, other tubers, vegetables, produce, and/or other crops are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a crop storage facility configured in accordance with the present technology includes a treatment system configured to distribute a treatment agent configured to inhibit spoilage of the crops. The treatment system can include a combination of two or more chemical compositions configured to release different concentrations of the treatment agent to produce a desired level of the treatment agent in the storage facility.

Systems and methods for treating large quantities of potatoes, other tubers, vegetables, produce, and/or other crops are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a crop storage facility configured in accordance with the present technology includes a treatment system configured to distribute a treatment agent configured to inhibit spoilage of the crops. The treatment system can include a combination of two or more chemical compositions configured to release different concentrations of the treatment agent to produce a desired level of the treatment agent in the storage facility.