Patent ID: 7294318

Claim:
An apparatus for sterilizing an article, comprising: a framework having opposed upstream and downstream ends; a first water chamber mounted to said upstream end of said framework, said first water chamber configured for holding a first quantity of water and defining a first water level; a conveyor extending through said first water chamber for conveying the article through said first quantity of water beneath said first water level; a sterilizing chamber mounted to said framework downstream from said first water chamber, said sterilizing chamber defining an enclosed space and having an entrance and an exit above said first water level; wherein said conveyor extends between said entrance and said exit for moving the article through said sterilizing chamber enclosed space along a conveyance path; a vacuum pump coupled to said sterilizing chamber for withdrawing air from the article being conveyed along said conveyance path, said vacuum pump causing a reduced air pressure within said sterilizing chamber; an ozone generator coupled to said sterilizing chamber for introducing ozone into said sterilizing chamber as the article is moved therethrough; an oxygen tank operatively connected to said ozone generator for supplying oxygen to said ozone generator for ozone production; an ozone filter coupled to said sterilizing chamber and having a non-consumable catalyst for converting said ozone into oxygen; a second water chamber mounted to said framework downstream from said sterilizing chamber, said second water chamber configured to hold a second quantity of water and defining a second water level; and wherein said conveyor extends through said second water chamber for conveying the article through said second quantity of water below said second water level.