Systems and methods for treating a contaminated container

Abstract

A disinfecting device for use in disinfecting a container, wherein the device includes a light source configured to emit an antimicrobial wavelength on one or more surfaces of the container as the container passes through the disinfecting device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device for disinfecting a container, said device comprising:
 a housing having an upstream opening, a downstream opening, and an interior, said upstream opening comprising a channel to receive a rim of a container;   a pathway extending between the upstream opening and the downstream opening, said pathway comprising a lateral channel in alignment with the channel of the upstream opening, said pathway further comprising a support surface having a length that is approximately equal to a length of a container; and   a light source positioned within the housing and in proximity to the pathway, said support surface being interposed between the light source and the upstream opening, wherein the light source is configured to emit an antimicrobial wavelength.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the light source is a pulsed gas discharge lamp. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the light source is a UV lamp. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the upstream opening comprises an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the open position permits passage of a container into the upstream opening, and wherein the closed position is achieved when a container is positioned within the upstream opening. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the closed position substantially prevents the antimicrobial wavelength from passing through the upstream opening. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the downstream opening comprises an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the open position permits passage of a container into the downstream opening, and wherein the closed position is achieved when a container is positioned within the downstream opening. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the closed position substantially prevents the antimicrobial wavelength from passing through the downstream opening. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the pathway comprises a conveyor. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the conveyor is at least partially transparent to the antimicrobial wavelength. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the conveyor is a solid surface comprising at least one of a translucent material, a transparent material, and an optically clear material. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the conveyor is configured to convey a container through the interior in less than approximately 30 seconds. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the container is a security bin. 
     
     
         35 . A device for disinfecting a container, said device comprising:
 a housing having an upstream opening, a downstream opening, and an interior;   a pathway extending between the upstream opening and the downstream opening, said pathway comprising a proximal support surface and a distal support surface, said proximal support surface having a length that is approximately equal to a length of a container, and said distal support surface having a length that is less than a length of a container; and   a light source positioned in proximity to the pathway and between the proximal support surface and the distal support surface, wherein the light source is configured to emit an antimicrobial wavelength.   
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the light source is a pulsed gas discharge lamp. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the light source is a UV lamp. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the upstream opening and the downstream opening each comprise an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 38 , wherein the open position permits passage of a container into the upstream opening or the downstream opening, and wherein the closed position is achieved when the container is positioned within the upstream opening or the downstream opening. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein the closed position substantially prevents the antimicrobial wavelength from passing through the upstream opening or the downstream opening.