Device, System and Method for Treating an Object with Plasma

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a device, system, and method for treating various objects—especially irregularly shaped or raw food items like eggs, fruits, vegetables, or packaging—with plasma. The invention uses a gas-tight chamber with flexible, elastic walls that can conform to the shape and size of the object, ensuring the plasma generated between two electrodes closely interacts with the object's surface. This enables effective surface decontamination, sterilization, or modification. The system is modular, allowing treatment of multiple objects simultaneously, and can be adapted for different types of plasma discharge methods.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Sterilization and decontamination of raw food products (such as eggs, fruit, vegetables) without heat or chemicals.
• Sterile treatment of packaging materials (bottles, caps, boxes) before food filling.
• Medical equipment or device surface sterilization.
• Cleaning and preparation of surfaces for coating or modification in industrial processes.
• Inline automated food processing lines requiring rapid and repeatable decontamination.
• Simultaneous plasma treatment of multiple items in manufacturing or packaging plants.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Effectively kills bacteria and pathogens on irregularly shaped objects without damaging their properties.
• Reduces or eliminates the need for chemical sterilization agents, making the process safer for food and less environmentally harmful.
• Flexible and adaptable fit around various surfaces ensures uniform plasma exposure and minimal gas usage, improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Self-sterilizing setup means less maintenance and higher process safety.
• Modular system design allows easy scaling and high throughput in industrial applications.
• Reduces risk of taste or odor changes common with traditional gas or chemical treatments.

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Patent Abstract

The device for treating an object with plasma comprises a jacket apparatus (10) which forms, or can form, a substantially gas-tight holding chamber (15) in which an object (1) to be treated can be accommodated. The device comprises a first electrode (20) and a second electrode (21), wherein the two electrodes (20, 21) are arranged with reference to the jacket apparatus (10) such that a plasma (2) can be generated in the holding chamber (15) of the jacket apparatus (10). A wall (13) of the jacket apparatus (10) forming the holding chamber (15) of the jacket apparatus (10) has a modulus of elasticity of Ew