Stephen Devon Carter

US Patent:

6447718, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Nov 10, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/437358

Inventors:

Stephen Douglas Carter - Stone Mountain GA 30087
Kenneth Arthur Cunefare - Atlanta GA

Assignee:

Stephen Douglas Carter - Stone Mountain GA

International Classification:

A61L 200

US Classification:

422 20, 422 28, 422 33, 422292, 422295, 422297, 422300, 422128, 95 30, 55275

Abstract:

An apparatus and associated method for decontaminating contaminated matter, such as an object or substance, with ultrasonic transient cavitation is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a container for containing a contaminated object, a pressure source for pressurizing the container to a predetermined pressure, a vibration source operably connected to the container, and a cleaning solution comprising a predetermined concentration of a volatile substance. The presence of the volatile substance in the cleaning solution, along with the pressurization and vibration thereof, enhances the effect of ultrasonic transient cavitation and improves decontamination of the contaminated matter. An associated method of decontaminating contaminated matter further comprises submerging the contaminated matter, such as a medical or dental instrument, in a cleaning solution having a predetermined concentration of a volatile substance, pressurizing the container, and vibrating the cleaning solution to produce ultrasonic transient cavitation therein.

US Patent:

6913171, Jul 5, 2005

Filed:

Apr 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/409292

Inventors:

Stephen P. Carter - Galivants Ferry SC, US

Assignee:

M&R Printing Equipment, Inc. - Glen Ellyn IL

International Classification:

A41H033/00

US Classification:

223 37

Abstract:

An apparatus for automatically folding garments while preventing garment retrograde is disclosed and claimed. The present invention is preferably embodied having a first conveyor surface comprised of at least a single continuous belt supported by at least two rollers, and a second conveyor surface comprised of at least a single continuous belt supported by at least two rollers, the second conveyor surface being spaced a distance from and aligned parallel and superior to the first conveyor surface to create a garment pathway therebetween, the spaced distance being sufficient to allow each surface to contact a garment passing through the pathway. A folding plate assembly is preferably positioned within the garment pathway, between a garment inlet positioned at a first end of the garment pathway and a garment outlet positioned at the opposite end of the garment pathway. A garment entering the apparatus at the inlet is contacted and moved by both conveyor surfaces through the garment pathway and is acted on by the folding plate assembly before being then discharged from the garment pathway at the garment outlet as a folded garment.

US Patent:

20010050295, Dec 13, 2001

Filed:

May 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/865723

Inventors:

Stephen Carter - Galivants Ferry SC, US

International Classification:

A41H033/00

US Classification:

223/037000

Abstract:

An improved bottom pulling infeed system for a garment folding machine is described. The garment pulling belt assembly provides two individual garment pulling belts in spaced apart relation to each other. Each belt is supported by a plurality of rollers. The lower belt is synchronized with the upper belt, and the top belt includes first and second rollers. The bottom belt moves in a continuous clockwise rotation, while the upper belt moves in counterclockwise rotation. The lower conveyer belt is longer in its run which passes on its return trip through a tube. The tube extends along the entire length of the folding section of the machine, and is followed by a pair of stabilizing guide rollers. The tube insures that garments will not be caught up in the conveyor belt on their return trip.

US Patent:

56860455, Nov 11, 1997

Filed:

Apr 19, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/425855

Inventors:

Stephen D. Carter - Stone Mountain GA

International Classification:

A61L 200

US Classification:

422 20

Abstract:

Methods for sterilizing an instrument contaminated with biological matter are disclosed. The apparatus generally includes a container for containing a room temperature antimicrobial solution and a lid that can seal the container such that a gas is trapped within the container and above the antimicrobial solution. The apparatus provides a pressure, independent of heat, within the sealed container to greater than one atmosphere. Vibration is also provided to vibrate the container, and its contents, such that biological matter on the instruments is removed and all microbes on the instrument are exposed to the antimicrobial solution. The pressure drives and forces the antimicrobial solution into the cracks and crevices of the instrument and also into the outer membrane of the microbe, which can be first softened or attenuated by the vibrations. The method of sterilization generally includes submerging the instrument in the room temperature antimicrobial solution, sealing the container to trap a gas above the antimicrobial solution, increasing the pressure, independent of heat, within the container to force the antimicrobial solution into the cracks and crevices of the instrument and into contact with the microbe(s), and vibrating the container to remove matter from the instrument and to soften the outer membrane of the microbe.

US Patent:

56836554, Nov 4, 1997

Filed:

Nov 29, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/563989

Inventors:

Stephen D. Carter - Stone Mountain GA

International Classification:

A61L 200

US Classification:

422 28

Abstract:

The apparatus of this invention can be used to disinfect a writing instrument used by a health care professional when working with a patient. The apparatus includes an absorbent material pad that has a breach formed, for example, with a slit or a series of slits extending entirely through the pad. The pad is soaked with disinfecting fluid, and a writing instrument is inserted through the breach in the pad to disinfect the writing instrument. To hold the pad in a fixed position, the apparatus includes a holder with first and second members that can be joined together or separated to allow insertion or removal of the pad. The first and second members of the holder define respective apertures that are aligned with the breach in the pad when the first and second members are joined together to enclose the pad. The holder is attached to a body that supports the holder at a sufficiently high level that the writing instrument, when inserted through the pad and the holder, will not be obstructed by the surface upon which the apparatus rests. The apparatus also includes several features to stabilize the apparatus and to minimize spillage or waste of the disinfecting fluid.

US Patent:

52884627, Feb 22, 1994

Filed:

May 18, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/885661

Inventors:

Stephen D. Carter - Stone Mountain GA
James W. Brazell - Atlanta GA

Assignee:

Stephen D. Carter - Stone Mountain GA

International Classification:

H61L 200

US Classification:

422 39

Abstract:

A sterilization apparatus has a chamber within a housing in which the materials to be sterilized are placed and the chamber is supplied with liquid under pressure. A pressure sensitive, rapid acting implosion cartridge is in communication with the chamber and acts to depressurize the chamber in milliseconds when the desired sterilization pressure is reached. The cartridge then reseals the chamber for a subsequent pressure build-up.

US Patent:

D3795195, May 27, 1997

Filed:

Nov 1, 1995

Appl. No.:

D/049018

Inventors:

Stephen D. Carter - Stone Mountain GA

Assignee:

Calgene, Inc. - Davis CA

International Classification:

2401

US Classification:

D24217