AU9495998A

AU9495998A - Method and apparatus for producing purified or ozone enriched air

Info

Publication number: AU9495998A
Application number: AU94959/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Craig Andrews; Jerry Nelson
Original assignee: ECO AIRE Co Inc
Current assignee: ECO-AIRE COMPANY Inc
Priority date: 1997-09-18
Filing date: 1998-09-18
Publication date: 1999-04-05
Also published as: WO1999013922A1; CA2304070A1

Description

WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PURIFIED OR OZONE ENRICHED AIR 1 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 2 This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. Patent Application Serial 3 No. 08/932,101, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Removing Contaminants from a 4 Contaminated Air Stream", filed on September 17, 1997. In addition, this application claims 5 priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/059,284, entitled "Method and 6 Apparatus for Producing Purified or Ozone Enriched Air", filed on September 18, 1997 and 7 from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/094,574, entitled "Method and 8 Apparatus for Producing Purified or Ozone Enriched Air to Remove Contaminants from 9 Objects", filed on July 29, 1998. The disclosures in the above-referenced patent applications 10 are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 11 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 12 1. Technical Field 13 The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for producing purified or ozone 14 enriched air. In particular, the present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for exposing 15 a contaminated air stream to ozone generating and germicidal radiation to remove contaminants 16 from that air stream and produce sterilized air or air having a particular ozone concentration level. 17 2. Discussion of Related Art 18 Currently, there are numerous devices known as deodorizing machines utilizing ozone 19 and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation to sanitize and deodorize air in a treated space (i.e., typically a 20 room). Generally, these devices generate large amounts of ozone gas to attain the ozone 21 concentration level necessary to facilitate deodorizing and sterilizing the air. Since ozone 22 concentration levels required for sterilization are sufficiently high to be dangerous to people 23 and/or animals, the use of these devices is typically limited to odors whose removal is difficult 24 (i.e., smoke from fires, organic material spilled on clothing, etc.). Further, when the devices are 1 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 used in the proximity of people and/or animals, health authorities require that ozone 2 concentrations be reduced to safe levels. However, these reduced or "safe" levels tend to be too 3 low to effectively deodorize and clean the air. Moreover, such devices typically use the 4 germicidal qualities of the ultraviolet radiation to destroy bacteria in the air, but generally either 5 expose the treated space to high levels of radiation, thereby posing health risks to people and/or 6 animals, such as eye trauma and skin lesions, or use very low levels of radiation requiring long 7 exposure times. 8 The prior art attempts to obviate the aforementioned problems by exposing air from the 9 treated space to ozone or UV radiation internally of a device to thereby shield against the above 10 mentioned harmful effects. For example, Burt (U.S. Patent No. 3,486,308) discloses an air 11 treatment device having a UV radiation source to sterilize air and a plurality of baffles disposed 12 within the interior of the device housing. The baffles increase an air flow path within the device 13 beyond the dimensions of the device housing to expose the air to radiation for greater periods of 14 time. The UV source produces radiation at a particular intensity to avoid production of ozone. 15 Japanese Publication JP 1-224030 discloses an air cleaner including an ozone generating 16 section, on ozone-air mixing section and a filter section. The filter section may include a pair of 17 filters having an alkaline component and ozone-purifying material, respectively. Alternatively, 18 the filter section may include a single filter having both an alkaline component and ozone 19 purifying material to clean air. The air cleaner further includes a winding air flow path for the 20 air stream to traverse during cleaning. 21 The prior art devices disclosed in the Burt patent and Japanese Publication suffer from 22 several disadvantages. In particular, the Burt device does not utilize ozone, thereby typically only 23 removing bacterial contaminants (e.g., germs) within an air stream and enabling non-bacterial or 24 other contaminants, such as odor causing contaminants, to be returned to a surrounding 25 environment. Conversely, the air cleaner disclosed in the Japanese Publication employs only 26 ozone to clean the air, thereby possibly destroying only a portion of bacterial contaminants within 27 the air stream while returning residual bacterial contaminants to a surrounding environment. 28 The prior art attempted to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages by employing 2 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 ozone in combination with UV radiation to remove virtually all contaminants from an air stream. 2 In particular, Chesney (U.S. Patent No. 2,150,263) discloses a system for internally cleaning, 3 sterilizing and conditioning air within the system. A stream of air is washed and subsequently 4 exposed to UV radiation which generates ozone such that the combination of UV radiation and 5 ozone destroys virtually all bacteria in the air stream. Excess ozone is removed via pumps and 6 utilized for various purposes. 7 Hirai (U.S. Patent No. 5,015,442) discloses an air sterilizing and deodorizing system 8 wherein UV radiation generates ozone to oxidize and decompose odor-causing components in 9 the air. The ozone is then removed by a catalyzer in conjunction with, and prior to, germicidal 10 UV radiation where the UV radiation also removes germs and sterilizes the air. 11 Monagan (U.S. Patent No. 5,601,786) discloses an air purifier including a housing having 12 an irradiation chamber, an air inlet for directing air into the irradiation chamber, a radiation source 13 disposed within the irradiation chamber and an air outlet formed in the housing for discharging 14 air to the environment. The radiation source preferably emits ozone-producing radiation within 15 one wavelength interval, and germicidal radiation within another wavelength interval, whereby 16 the emitted radiation serves to destroy microorganisms and deodorize the air. 17 LeVay et al (U.S. Patent No. 5,614,151) discloses an electrodless sterilizer using 18 ultraviolet and/or ozone. The sterilizer includes an energy source to excite a gas contained within 19 a bulb and produce ultraviolet radiation, preferably strongest at 253.7 nanometers, that may be 20 utilized to sanitize substances. Further, the radiation may be used to generate ozone that, either 21 alone or in combination with the radiation, may sanitize substances. The bulb may be shaped to 22 enable substances to pass through the bulb for sterilization, or to enclose and shield objects within 23 the bulb from the energy source. Moreover, the bulb may be located at the end of a waveguide, 24 or radiation may be transmitted from the bulb via an optic feed to sanitize inaccessible surfaces 25 or substances. In addition, an ozone generator may be utilized to apply ozone to an external 26 substance, whereby flexible hosing connected to the ozone generator includes a nozzle to control 27 discharge of ozone onto a substance. 28 The Chesney, Hirai, Monagan and LeVay et al systems suffer from several disadvantages. 29 Specifically, the Chesney and LeVay et al systems typically utilize a single wavelength of UV 3 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 radiation (e.g., approximately 254 nanometers) which may not be optimal for both generating 2 ozone and destroying bacteria. In fact, this wavelength is generally utilized for its germicidal 3 effects and tends to destroy ozone, thereby degrading the effect of ozone within the air stream. 4 Although the Monagan system utilizes a radiation source emitting ozone-producing and 5 germicidal radiation, an air stream is exposed to each type of radiation simultaneously, thereby 6 enabling the germicidal radiation to destroy produced ozone and degrade the effect of ozone 7 within the air stream. Further, the Chesney system includes a relatively lengthy compartment for 8 treating air, thereby increasing the size and cost of the system. The Hirai system typically utilizes 9 independent radiation sources to generate ozone and germicidal radiation, thereby increasing 10 system cost and complexity. Moreover, the Hirai system does not provide a safety feature where 11 the ozone generating source may be operable when the germicidal or ozone removing source 12 becomes inoperable, thereby leading to emissions of dangerous ozone concentrations from the 13 system. In addition, the Hirai system employs a relatively short, narrow area for ozone 14 generation, while the Monagan system includes a radiation source having adjacent portions 15 emitting ozone generating and germicidal radiation, and a substantially linear path disposed 16 within an irradiation chamber for an air stream to traverse the radiation source. Thus, the effects 17 of ozone within an air stream in the Hirai and Monagan systems are degraded since there is 18 generally a minimal amount of time and/or space for the ozone to interact with the air prior to 19 exposure to germicidal radiation. 20 Although the LeVay et al system may sanitize substances via ozone and ultraviolet 21 radiation, the ozone is typically generated by a single wavelength of radiation (e.g., approximately 22 254 nanometers) that tends to destroy ozone as described above, thereby minimizing the effects 23 of ozone on the substance. The LeVay et al patent further discloses systems for applying 24 ultraviolet radiation or ozone to surfaces of substances external of those systems. The radiation 25 may be applied to the external substance via a light pipe or optic feed, while ozone may be 26 applied via a nozzle disposed at an end of flexible hosing attached to an ozone generator. 27 However, these devices may not fully expose the substance surfaces to the ultraviolet radiation 28 or ozone, thereby incompletely sanitizing the substance. Moreover, the ultraviolet radiation or 29 ozone is applied to the substance surfaces typically without preventive or containment measures, 4 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 thereby enabling radiation and ozone to be released to the surrounding environment and cause 2 possible harm to people and/or animals in the vicinity of the substance as described above. 3 OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 4 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to remove contaminants from air 5 within a treated space without emitting ozone or ultraviolet radiation into that treated space 6 endangering people and/or animals. 7 It is another object of the present invention to reduce costs and minimize the size of an 8 ozone generating chamber within a system for removing contaminants from a contaminated air 9 stream by utilizing an ozone chamber configured to reduce air through-flow velocity (i.e., increase 10 the amount of time air resides within the ozone chamber to reduce air flow velocity through the 11 ozone chamber) to enable ozone generated in the ozone chamber to interact and mix with an air 12 stream. 13 Yet another object of the present invention is to maintain ozone concentration levels at 14 low or "safe" levels in a system for removing contaminants from a contaminated air stream by 15 utilizing a single radiation source in the system to emit radiation of different wavelengths from 16 different sections of the source to generate ozone and perform germicidal functions on the air 17 stream, respectively. The entire single radiation source can become disabled only as a unit, 18 thereby preventing generation of ozone when the germicidal radiation or ozone-removing section 19 is inoperable. 20 Still another object of the present invention is to utilize ozone and germicidal radiation 21 to remove contaminants from various objects, such as food, kitchen utensils or any other items. 22 A further object of the present invention is to produce purified and/or ozone enriched air 23 for application to, or treatment of various wounds or skin conditions on, various portions of the 24 human anatomy. 25 The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and in combination, and it is not intended 26 that the present invention be construed as requiring two or more of the objects to be combined 27 unless expressly required by the claims attached hereto. 28 According to the present invention, a method and apparatus for removing contaminants 5 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 from a contaminated air stream is accomplished by a system in which air is drawn in as a stream 2 into the system housing toward its base and flows through an ozone generating chamber. An 3 ozone generating ultraviolet (UV) radiation source disposed within the ozone chamber emits 4 ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of approximately 185 nanometers to irradiate the air and 5 generate ozone which oxidizes contaminants (e.g., bacteria, virus, odor-causing element, etc.) 6 residing in the air stream. The ozone chamber is typically configured to include winding or other 7 types of air flow paths, or to induce a vortical air flow to reduce air through-flow velocity and 8 maintain the air stream within the ozone chamber for a residence time sufficient for the ozone to 9 interact with the air. Subsequent to traversing the ozone chamber, the air stream enters a 10 germicidal chamber disposed adjacent the ozone chamber. The germicidal chamber may also be 11 configured to have winding or other types of air flow paths, and includes a germicidal UV 12 radiation source. The germicidal UV radiation source irradiates the air stream and destroys 13 bacteria and breaks down ozone residing therein. The germicidal UV radiation source generates 14 radiation having a wavelength of approximately 254 nanometers to destroy bacteria, viruses, mold 15 spores and ozone remaining after the interaction of air and ozone in the ozone chamber. The 16 radiation source typically includes a single combination UV radiation emitting bulb with different 17 sections of the bulb emitting radiation of different respective wavelengths (e.g., 185 and 254 18 nanometers). The different sections of the bulb are disposed in the corresponding ozone and 19 germicidal chambers. Alternatively, the radiation sources may all be implemented by separate 20 independent bulbs emitting radiation having wavelengths of approximately 185 or 254 21 nanometers depending upon the chamber in which the bulb is disposed. The bulbs may be 22 powered by a conventional AC ballast (for use in stationary areas), or a conventional DC ballast 23 connected to a battery or other DC power source to enable the system to be portable and used in 24 mobile environments (e.g., cars, boats, trucks, trailers, etc.). 25 The resulting sterilized air from the germicidal chamber may pass through a catalytic 26 converter disposed adjacent the germicidal chamber to remove any remaining ozone by either 27 converting the ozone back to oxygen, or filtering the ozone from the air stream. An internal fan 28 disposed adjacent the ozone chamber draws air into the system from the base and through the 29 chambers. The system is typically constructed of injection molded plastic, whereby the system 6 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 housing includes two symmetrical halves. Alternatively, the system may be constructed of foam 2 having a plastic or other suitable rigid covering. Symmetrical portions of the ozone and 3 germicidal chamber configurations are molded into the respective symmetrical halves such that 4 the symmetrical halves are connected (e.g., snapped or otherwise fastened together) to form the 5 system. In addition, the system may include a bulb holder that is disposed on the system top 6 surface and extends into the system interior to secure the bulb. The bulb holder extracts the bulb 7 from the system upon removing the bulb holder from the system top surface. 8 Alternatively, the system may be configured for installation within a wall or ceiling. 9 Specifically, a ceiling or wall unit has substantially the same configuration described above 10 except that the ceiling unit includes a pair of ozone chambers and a pair of germicidal chambers. 11 The ozone and germicidal chambers within each pair are respectively disposed adjacent each 12 other, and function in parallel in substantially the same manner described above. The ozone and 13 germicidal chambers are each constructed within a block of foam wherein the ozone chambers 14 each include a winding path to reduce air through-flow velocity and enable generated ozone to 15 mix and interact with an air stream. Air is directed by the ozone chambers to a corresponding 16 germicidal chamber to remove bacteria from the air stream as described above. The germicidal 17 chambers are disposed adjacent a corresponding ozone chamber and share a common area formed 18 within the foam block. A combination bulb (i.e., emitting radiation of two different wavelengths 19 as described above) and an additional radiation source emitting germicidal radiation are disposed 20 within each germicidal chamber, while a fan, disposed proximate the germicidal chambers, draws 21 air through the system. 22 The system may be further utilized in combination with ceiling fans to sterilize air in a 23 treated space. In particular, the system is substantially similar to, and functions in substantially 24 the same manner as, the systems described above except that the ceiling fan system is of sufficient 25 size to be mounted on a ceiling fan motor and may not include an internal fan. Ceiling fan motion 26 circulates air through the system ozone and germicidal chambers wherein the air is treated as 27 described above and returned to a surrounding environment. 28 The systems described above may further include a filter for removing particulate matter 29 from an air stream prior or subsequent to treatment by that system. Further, the systems described 7 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 above may include a lens or other device to intensify and focus radiation in the ozone and 2 germicidal chambers. The systems described above may be utilized within or in combination 3 with various devices, such as garage door openers, air thermal treatment units (e.g., heaters and 4 air conditioners), ventilation systems or ducts, pet litter boxes, etc., to remove contaminants from 5 an air stream in the vicinity of the devices and return purified air to the surrounding device 6 environment. 7 Moreover, the system may be utilized to remove contaminants from objects. Specifically, 8 the system is similar to the systems described above except that an object is exposed to ozone and 9 germicidal radiation. A combination radiation source is utilized to produce ozone and irradiate 10 the object with germicidal radiation. A system ozone chamber produces ozone and includes a 11 tortuous or winding path to enable the produced ozone to interact with the air. The ozonated air 12 subsequently interfaces the object, while a system germicidal chamber exposes the object to 13 germicidal radiation to remove residual contaminants and ozone. The system includes a 14 conveyer belt or other transport mechanism to transport the object through the system for 15 treatment. Alternatively, the system may include a single treatment chamber having independent 16 ozone generating and germicidal radiation sources. Each radiation source is enabled for a 17 predetermined time interval to generate ozone to interact with the object and subsequently expose 18 the object to germicidal radiation as described above. 19 In addition, the system may be utilized to produce purified and/or ozone enriched air for 20 application to, or treatment of wounds or skin conditions on, various portions of the human 21 anatomy. Specifically, the system is substantially similar to the air purification systems described 22 above and further includes a hose extending from the system to a sleeve for application of the 23 purified and/or ozone enriched air. The sleeve covers a bodily portion of interest and maintains 24 purified and/or ozone enriched air about that body portion. Alternatively, the purified and/or 25 ozone enriched air may be directed into a body suit, body chamber or hand compartment for 26 treatment of the corresponding human anatomy. 27 The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will 28 become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of specific 29 embodiments thereof, particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings 8 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate like components. 2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 3 Fig. 1 is a side view in perspective of a system for removing contaminants from a 4 contaminated air stream to produce purified or ozone enriched air including a combination 5 exhaust vent and bulb holder to facilitate placement and removal of an ultra-violet (UV) radiation 6 emitting bulb within the system interior according to the present invention. 7 Fig. 2 is a top view of the combination exhaust vent and bulb holder of the system of Fig. 8 1. 9 Fig. 3 is a side view in elevation and partial section of the system of Fig. 1. 10 Fig. 4 is a side view in elevation and partial section of an alternative configuration for the 11 ozone and germicidal chambers of the system of Fig. 1 according to the present invention. 12 Fig. 5 is a perspective view in partial section of the system of Fig. 4 diagrammatically 13 illustrating the air flow path through that system. 14 Fig. 6 is a side view in elevation and partial section of yet another configuration for the 15 ozone and germicidal chambers of the system of Fig. 1 according to the present invention. 16 Fig. 7 is a side view in elevation and partial section of still another configuration for the 17 ozone and germicidal chambers of the system of Fig. 1 according to the present invention. 18 Fig. 8 is a side view in elevation and partial section of a helical configuration for the 19 ozone and germicidal chambers of the system of Fig. 1 according to the present invention. 20 Fig. 9 is a perspective view in partial section of a portion of the system of Fig. 1 having 21 a further configuration for the ozone and germicidal chambers according to the present invention. 22 Fig. 10 is a perspective view in partial section of the system of Fig. 1 having an ozone 23 chamber configured for selectively producing a vortical or radial air flow through the ozone 24 chamber according to the present invention. 25 Fig. 11 is a top view in plan of the ozone chamber of Fig. 10 having inlet passages and 26 a valve to control air flow through and within the ozone chamber according to the present 27 invention. 28 Fig. 12 is a front view in elevation of the valve of Fig. 11. 9 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 Fig. 13 is an exploded view in perspective of a system for removing contaminants from 2 a contaminated air stream to produce purified or ozone enriched air, typically configured for 3 installation within a ceiling or wall according to the present invention. 4 Fig. 14 is a view in perspective of a portion of the system of Fig. 13 diagrammatically 5 illustrating the air flow path through the system. 6 Fig. 15 is an exploded view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of the system of 7 Fig. 13. 8 Fig. 16 is a view in perspective of a system for removing contaminants from a 9 contaminated air stream to produce purified or ozone enriched air, typically configured for 10 installation on a ceiling fan, diagrammatically illustrating air flow entering and being exhausted 11 from the system according to the present invention. 12 Fig. 17 is a view in perspective of the system of Fig. 16 mounted on a ceiling fan. 13 Fig. 18 is a view in elevation and partial section of a portion of a system for removing 14 contaminants from a contaminated air stream including a filter for removing particulates from the 15 air stream according to the present invention. 16 Fig. 19 is a side view in elevation and partial section of a system for producing purified 17 or ozone enriched air having an ozone chamber that intensifies and focuses radiation onto an air 18 stream to enhance generation of ozone according to the present invention. 19 Fig. 20 is a view in perspective and partial section of an exemplary system disposed 20 within a garage door opener for removing contaminants from a contaminated air stream within 21 a garage according to the present invention. 22 Fig. 21 is a view in elevation and partial section of an exemplary system disposed within 23 an air thermal treatment unit for removing contaminants from a contaminated air stream 24 according to the present invention. 25 Fig. 22 is a view in elevation and partial section of an exemplary system disposed within 26 a ventilation system or duct for removing contaminants from a contaminated air stream according 27 to the present invention. 28 Fig. 23 is a view in perspective of an exemplary system disposed within or proximate a 29 pet litter box for removing contaminants from a contaminated air stream according to the present 10 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 invention. 2 Fig. 24 is a side view in elevation and partial section of a system for removing 3 contaminants from various objects utilizing ozone and germicidal radiation according to the 4 present invention. 5 Fig. 25 is a view in perspective and partial section of an alternative embodiment of the 6 system of Fig. 24. 7 Fig. 26 is a view in elevation and partial section of the system of Fig. 25. 8 Fig. 27 is a view in elevation and partial section of an alternative configuration of the 9 system of Fig. 26. 10 Fig. 28 is a view in perspective of a sleeve for applying purified or ozone enriched air to 11 a body segment, such as an arm, according to the present invention. 12 Fig. 29 is a view in perspective of a body suit for applying purified or ozone enriched air 13 to a substantial portion of a body according to the present invention. 14 Fig. 30 is an exploded view in perspective of a body chamber for applying purified or 15 ozone enriched air to a substantial portion of a body according to the present invention. 16 Fig. 31 is an exploded view in perspective of a system for applying purified or ozone 17 enriched air to a user's hands according to the present invention. 18 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 19 A system for removing contaminants from a contaminated air stream to produce purified 20 or ozone enriched air including a combination exhaust vent and bulb holder is illustrated in Figs. 21 1 - 3. Specifically, system 2a includes a generally cylindrical housing 5 extending from a base 22 3, ozone and germicidal chambers 8, 16, an ultraviolet (UV) radiation source 36, typically 23 implemented by a combination ultraviolet radiation emitting bulb and disposed at the approximate 24 center of the ozone and germicidal chambers, a ballast (not shown), preferably conventional, for 25 supplying current to radiation source 36, and an internal fan (not shown) for drawing air through 26 the system. The radiation source may be implemented by a single bulb having an ozone section 27 12 and germicidal section 14 emitting radiation at different wavelengths (e.g., 185 and 254 28 nanometers) from the ozone and germicidal sections, respectively. Alternatively, the radiation 11 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 source may be implemented by two independent bulbs disposed in the respective ozone and 2 germicidal chambers. Housing 5 includes an intermediate portion that has a cross-sectional 3 dimension slightly larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of the housing end portions such 4 that the housing has a shape similar to a barrel. Base 3 is typically constructed of an upper and 5 lower support 15, 17 (Fig. 1), whereby the supports are attached to each other via legs or 6 connectors 18 disposed between the supports. Lower support 17 serves as a stand for the system, 7 while upper support 15 typically contains the system electrical components, such as a ballast and 8 fan (not shown) for supplying current to the radiation source and directing air through the system, 9 respectively. However, the fan may be disposed anywhere in the system capable of directing air 10 through the system, while the electrical components may be disposed in the system in any fashion. 11 Legs 18 separate upper and lower supports 15, 17 by a slight distance to form an air intake 7 that 12 serves to permit air to enter the system. Base 3 may alternatively be constructed of a single 13 support configured to enable air to enter the system. 14 Air from a surrounding environment is drawn into the system through air intake 7 via the 15 internal fan (not shown) and is directed by the internal fan and the housing internal structure to 16 flow into ozone chamber 8, typically disposed above and adjacent the internal fan and air intake. 17 Ozone chamber 8 includes ozone section 12 of radiation source 36 and a path 10 that serves to 18 decrease air through-flow velocity (i.e., the path increases residence time of an air stream within 19 the ozone chamber, thereby decreasing velocity of the air stream through the chamber) and 20 enhance ozone distribution within the air stream. The end of radiation source 36 adjacent ozone 21 section 12 is placed within a power connector 19 disposed at the approximate center of the bottom 22 portion of the ozone chamber. It is to be understood that the terms "top", "bottom", "upper", 23 "lower", "front", "rear", "back", "side", "horizontal" and "vertical" are used herein merely to 24 facilitate descriptions of points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any specific 25 configuration or orientation. Power connector 19 provides current from a ballast (not shown) to 26 radiation source 36, and may be implemented by any conventional or other type of connector. 27 The end of radiation source 36 adjacent germicidal section 14 is placed within a bulb holder 30 28 of an exhaust vent 28, whereby the exhaust vent is disposed on the system top surface with the 29 bulb holder extending from the exhaust vent into the system interior. The radiation source 12 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 extends from power connector 19 toward bulb holder 30 with the ozone and germicidal sections 2 disposed at the approximate center of the respective ozone and germicidal chambers. 3 Alternatively, system 2a may be configured such that radiation source 36 has a portion of 4 germicidal section 14 disposed within the ozone chamber to enable the path to combine the 5 effects of ozone producing and germicidal radiation to further remove contaminants from the air 6 stream and to control the ozone concentration within the air stream (i.e., the greater the germicidal 7 portion disposed in the ozone chamber, the lower the ozone concentration within the air stream). 8 Path 10 receives an air stream entering ozone chamber 8 from the approximate bottom 9 center of the ozone chamber proximate ozone section 12 and transversely directs the air stream 10 away from ozone section 12 toward housing 5. Ozone section 12 generates ozone within the air 11 stream, while path 10 reduces air through-flow velocity and enables the ozone to mix and interact 12 with the air stream to oxidize contaminants. A plurality of reversing passages 31 form path 10, 13 whereby the passages are defined by spaces between a plurality of walls 20, 29. Walls 20, 29 are 14 disposed within the ozone chamber between upper and lower ozone dividers 25, 27 that define 15 the confines of the ozone chamber. Walls 20 each extend from an end of upper divider 25 16 substantially parallel to each other toward lower divider 27, whereby the length of each wall 20 17 is slightly less than the distance between the upper and lower dividers to form a gap that enables 18 the air stream to enter and traverse succeeding passages 31. Similarly, walls 29 each extend from 19 an intermediate portion of lower divider 27 such that ozone section 12 is disposed between walls 20 29 and walls 29 are disposed between walls 20. Walls 29 each extend from lower divider 27 21 toward upper divider 25, whereby the length of each wall 29 is slightly less than the distance 22 between the upper and lower dividers to form a gap that enables the air stream to enter and 23 traverse succeeding passages 31. The upper and lower ozone dividers maintain the air stream 24 within ozone chamber 8, and isolate the ozone chamber from the remaining portions of the 25 housing. Ozone dividers 25, 27 typically extend across the housing interior to prevent the air 26 stream from bypassing portions of path 10. Lower divider 27 includes an opening toward its 27 intermediate portion to permit the air stream to enter ozone chamber 8, while upper divider 25 28 is of sufficient size to form gaps between the upper divider periphery and housing 5 to permit air 29 to enter germicidal chamber 16 from the ozone chamber. Housing 5 and its internal structural 13 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 components may be constructed of injection molded plastic, foam or other material and molded 2 within substantially symmetrical halves of the housing. In other words, symmetrical portions of 3 walls 20, 29, ozone dividers 25, 27 and the remaining structural components of housing 5 (e.g., 4 the germicidal chamber) may be molded into corresponding halves of housing 5 such that when 5 the halves are connected (e.g., the halves may be snapped together or otherwise connected 6 utilizing any connection technique), the ozone chamber, path and other housing components are 7 formed. 8 Upon entering ozone chamber 8 from air intake 7, the air stream traverses path 10 wherein 9 the air through-flow velocity is reduced to enable ozone, generated by ozone section 12, to mix 10 with the air stream to oxidize and remove contaminants within the air stream. Further, when a 11 portion of germicidal section 14 is disposed within the ozone chamber, radiation emitted from 12 the germicidal section enhances removal of contaminants from the air stream. Once the air 13 stream traverses path 10, the air stream leaves the ozone chamber and enters germicidal chamber 14 16. Germicidal chamber 16 includes germicidal section 14 of radiation source 36 that emits UV 15 radiation to destroy contaminants and ozone within the air stream. Housing 5 may include 16 reflective material within the germicidal chamber to enhance the germicidal effect of radiation 17 emitted from germicidal section 14. The germicidal chamber typically shields a user from any 18 visual UV light, and is isolated from the ozone chamber. The sterilized air from the germicidal 19 chamber is exhausted from the system through exhaust vent 28 to the surrounding environment. 20 Exhaust vent 28 is substantially elliptical, but may be of any shape, and is disposed at the 21 approximate center of the system top surface. Exhaust vent 28 includes bulb holder 30 having 22 a user gripping portion 32 disposed at the approximate center of the exhaust vent. Gripping 23 portion 32 is typically substantially circular, but may be of any shape. Bulb holder 30 further 24 includes a bulb receptacle 21 that typically extends from the approximate center of gripping 25 portion 32 into the germicidal chamber to engage the end of radiation source 36 adjacent 26 germicidal section 14 as described above. Receptacle 21 may include any type of clamp, brace, 27 bracket, receptacle or other mechanism for engaging the radiation source. Bulb holder 30 28 facilitates removal and placement of radiation source 36 within the system interior. In particular, 29 removal of radiation source 36 from the system interior is facilitated by extracting bulb holder 14 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 30 from the system via gripping portion 32. Since radiation source 36 is attached to the bulb 2 holder, the radiation source is also extracted, thereby disconnecting the radiation source from 3 power connector 19. Thus, the radiation source is disabled prior to removal from the system 4 interior to prevent exposure to direct UV light. Conversely, placement of a UV bulb into the 5 system is facilitated by disposing bulb holder 30, containing a UV bulb, back onto the system, via 6 gripping portion 32, with the bulb extending into power connector 19. The bulb is enabled when 7 the bulb is disposed within power connector 19 and gripping portion 32 is placed on the system 8 top surface, thereby preventing exposure to direct UV light. System 2a may be of any shape or 9 size with the bulb holder disposed on the system in any fashion at any location. The housing and 10 its internal structure may be constructed of any suitable material and, by way of example only, 11 the system may include a height of approximately thirteen inches with the housing being 12 constructed of injection molded plastic. The ozone generation and application of germicidal 13 radiation may be controlled to produce ozone enriched air having a particular ozone concentration 14 level for various applications as described below. 15 System 2a may include various configurations to reduce air through-flow velocity and 16 enhance distribution of ozone within the air stream as illustrated, by way of example only, in Figs. 17 4 - 5. Specifically, ozone chamber 8 includes substantially annular upper and lower ozone 18 dividers 25, 27. The opening within upper divider 25 has dimensions slightly greater than 19 radiation source 36 such that the radiation source is disposed through that opening. Similarly, the 20 opening in lower divider 27 has dimensions greater than the dimensions of the upper divider 21 opening to enable air, drawn through the system by the internal fan as described above, to enter 22 the ozone chamber through the lower divider opening proximate ozone section 12 of radiation 23 source 36. A substantially cylindrical tube 23 extends between the upper and lower divider 24 openings from the periphery of the lower divider opening to form an air flow passage defined by 25 the space between tube 23 and housing 5. Tube 23 includes a cut-out portion 24 extending 26 between the upper and lower dividers that permits air to flow into and through the ozone chamber 27 passage to a germicidal chamber entrance 26 disposed adjacent upper divider 25 to permit air to 28 enter germicidal chamber 16. 29 Germicidal chamber 16 includes a substantially cylindrical tube 34 that extends from 15 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 upper divider 25 coincident tube 23. Upper divider 25 is substantially annular as described above 2 and includes a cut-out portion coincident entrance 26 to permit air to enter the germicidal 3 chamber. An elevated portion or ledge 37 is disposed slightly above upper divider 25 and 4 coincident the upper divider cut-out portion to define entrance 26. Air from ozone chamber 8 is 5 directed by ledge 37 through entrance 26 into the germicidal chamber proximate germicidal 6 section 14 disposed within the interior of tube 34. The air traverses a passage defined by the 7 space between tube 34 and housing 5 to a germicidal chamber exit 38 angularly offset from 8 entrance 26 by approximately 180 degrees. A substantially annular upper germicidal chamber 9 divider 39 maintains the air within the passage and includes a slot to form the germicidal chamber 10 exit. 11 The air flow path through the system of Fig. 4 is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 5. 12 Specifically, air, drawn through the system by the internal fan as described above, enters ozone 13 chamber 8 proximate ozone section 12 via the opening within lower divider 27. The air flows 14 through cut-out portion 24 into a passage defined between tube 23 and housing 5 toward entrance 15 26, whereby the air stream may flow toward entrance 26 from cut-out portion 24 in either a 16 clockwise or counter-clockwise direction within the passage. The air is directed by ledge 37 17 through entrance 26 into germicidal chamber 16 proximate germicidal section 14 disposed within 18 the interior of tube 34. Air flows above ledge 37 toward exit 38 in upper divider 39 in either a 19 clockwise or counter-clockwise direction within a passage defined between tube 34 and housing 20 5. Air exits the germicidal chamber via exit 39 for return to a surrounding environment. 21 An alternative configuration for the ozone and germicidal chambers is illustrated in Fig. 22 6. Specifically, the ozone and germicidal chamber configurations may be formed by a pair of "U" 23 shaped walls 41, 43 having the open portions of the walls extending substantially horizontal and 24 arranged in facing relation. Wall 41 includes straight or linear portions 45, 49 connected via a 25 curved portion of wall 41, while wall 43 includes straight or linear portions 47, 51 connected via 26 a curved portion of wall 43. The walls are arranged such that the linear portions 45, 49 of wall 27 41 are interleaved with the linear portions 47, 51 of wall 43 to form a winding path defined by 28 the space between the interleaved portions and the interior of walls 41, 43. In other words, walls 29 41, 43 are arranged such that linear portion 47 of wall 43 is disposed at the approximate center 16 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 between linear portions 45, 49 of wall 41, while linear portion 49 of wall 41 is disposed at the 2 approximate center between linear portions 47, 51 of wall 43. The air flow, drawn through the 3 system by the internal fan as described above, is directed through the winding path (i.e., as shown 4 by the arrows in Fig. 6) to remove contaminants as described above. Walls 41, 43 define the 5 ozone and germicidal chamber configurations, whereby radiation source 36 is disposed through 6 linear portions 45, 47, 49, 51 such that ozone section 12 is disposed between interleaved portions 7 45, 47 defining ozone chamber 8, while germicidal section 14 is disposed between interleaved 8 sections 47, 49 and 49, 51 defining germicidal chamber 16. The winding path reduces air 9 through-flow velocity within the ozone and germicidal chambers to enhance distribution of ozone 10 in the air stream and to enable exposure of the air stream to germicidal radiation for longer 11 periods of time. 12 Yet another configuration for the ozone and germicidal chambers is illustrated in Fig. 7. 13 Specifically, the ozone and germicidal chamber configurations may be formed by a pair of 14 substantially parallel walls 53, 55. Wall 53 has a greater length than wall 55 and includes dividers 15 57, 59, 61 respectively extending toward wall 55 from each end and an intermediate portion of 16 wall 53. Wall 55 is disposed coincident an intermediate portion of wall 53 and includes dividers 17 63, 65 respectively extending toward wall 53 from each end of wall 55. Dividers 57, 59, 61, 63, 18 65 extend sufficient distances from their respective walls such that the dividers from walls 53, 19 55 are interleaved to form a winding path through the ozone and germicidal chambers. In other 20 words, walls 53, 55 are arranged such that divider 63 is disposed at the approximate center 21 between dividers 57, 59, while divider 65 is disposed at the approximate center between dividers 22 59, 61. The interleaved dividers form reversing passages defined by the spaces between the 23 interleaved dividers and walls 53, 55. Radiation source 36 is disposed through dividers 57, 59, 24 61, 63, 65, whereby ozone section 12 is disposed between dividers 57, 59 of wall 53 defining 25 ozone chamber 8, while germicidal section 14 is disposed between dividers 59, 61 defining 26 germicidal chamber 16. Air, drawn through the system by the internal fan as described above, 27 is directed through the winding path (i.e., as shown by the arrows in Fig. 7) of reversing passages 28 to remove contaminants as described above. The winding path reduces air through-flow velocity 29 within the ozone and germicidal chambers to enhance ozone distribution within the air stream and 17 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 to enable exposure of the air stream to germicidal radiation for longer periods of time. 2 Still another configuration for the ozone and germicidal chambers is illustrated in Fig. 8. 3 Specifically, the ozone and germicidal chamber configurations may be formed by a helical or 4 spiral structure 67 extending through the ozone and germicidal chambers. Radiation source 36 5 is disposed through the approximate center of helical structure 67, whereby the structure spirals 6 about ozone section 12 and germicidal section 14 of radiation source 36 within the ozone and 7 germicidal chambers. Ozone section 12 typically occupies approximately one-third of the bulb 8 and is disposed within ozone chamber 8, while germicidal section 14 occupies the remaining 9 approximate two-thirds of the bulb and is disposed within germicidal chamber 16. An air stream 10 is directed by a fan 22, disposed adjacent ozone chamber 8, to traverse a helical path 10 formed 11 by structure 67 through the ozone and germicidal chambers to remove contaminants as described 12 above. Path 10 forces the air stream to spiral about ozone section 12 within ozone chamber 8, 13 thereby reducing air through-flow velocity to enhance ozone distribution within the air stream. 14 The air stream continues traversing the helical path, and enters germicidal chamber 16 to expose 15 the air stream to germicidal radiation. The helical path enables exposure of the air stream to the 16 germicidal radiation for longer periods of time to further remove ozone and contaminants from 17 the air stream. 18 A further configuration for the ozone and germicidal chambers is illustrated in Fig. 9. 19 Specifically, ozone chamber 8 and germicidal chamber 16 include a substantially cylindrical 20 configuration having an inlet 69 disposed proximate ozone chamber 8. The ozone and germicidal 21 chambers each occupy approximately one-half of the substantially cylindrical configuration 22 wherein a helical divider 71 isolates each chamber. Radiation source 36 is disposed through 23 divider 71 such that ozone section 12 resides within ozone chamber 8, while germicidal section 24 14 is disposed within germicidal chamber 16. Inlet 69 tangentially directs air, drawn through the 25 system by the internal fan as described above, into the ozone chamber such that the air stream 26 flows about ozone section 12 adjacent the ozone chamber walls. Ozone generated by ozone 27 section 12 mixes and interacts with the air to remove contaminants as described above. The air 28 stream flows in this fashion toward helical divider 71, whereby the air stream traverses passages 29 formed in the helical divider to enter germicidal chamber 16. The helical nature of divider 71 18 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 enables isolation of the ozone and germicidal chambers, while permitting the air stream to flow 2 in a consistent manner from the ozone chamber into the germicidal chamber. Air flows through 3 the germicidal chamber in a similar fashion to remove bacteria from the air stream as described 4 above. 5 Alternatively, ozone chamber 8 may be configured to include a vortex chamber 73 to 6 selectively produce a vortical or radial air flow within the ozone chamber as illustrated in Fig. 10. 7 In particular, ozone chamber 8 may include a substantially conical vortex chamber 73 having an 8 air inlet 69 disposed proximate the section of vortex chamber 73 having the greater cross 9 sectional dimensions. Germicidal chamber 16 is typically substantially cylindrical and disposed 10 adjacent vortex chamber 73 proximate a vortex chamber outlet 91 or, in other words, the section 11 of the vortex chamber having the lesser cross-sectional dimensions. A helical divider 71 is 12 disposed between the ozone and germicidal chambers to isolate those chambers. Radiation source 13 36 is disposed through helical divider 71 such that ozone section 12 is disposed through the 14 approximate center of the vortex chamber, while germicidal section 14 is disposed through the 15 approximate center of the germicidal chamber. Alternatively, radiation source 36 may be 16 implemented by independent sources, whereby a substantially annular ozone generating radiation 17 source may be disposed about the periphery of the vortex chamber to generate ozone, while a 18 second radiation source may be disposed in the germicidal chamber to emit germicidal radiation. 19 Air inlet 69 directs the air stream, drawn through the system by the internal fan as described 20 above, into the ozone chamber wherein the air stream is selectively induced to flow tangentially 21 about ozone section 12 along the vortex chamber walls, or radially toward the vortex chamber 22 outlet into the germicidal chamber. A vortical flow reduces air through-flow velocity and enables 23 ozone generated in the ozone chamber to mix and interact with the air stream to oxidize 24 contaminants as described above. A vortical flow is initiated by inlet 69 tangentially directing 25 an air stream into vortex chamber 73. The air stream flows about ozone section 12 along the 26 ozone chamber walls. The tangential air circulation reduces air through-flow velocity and enables 27 generated ozone to mix and interact with the air stream. In essence, the air stream velocity about 28 ozone section 12 increases, while centrifugal force maintains the air stream away from the 29 radiation source. The centrifugal force generally reduces air through-flow through the vortex 19 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 chamber to maintain the air stream within the ozone chamber. The centrifugal force may become 2 sufficient to prevent virtually all of the air stream from flowing into the germicidal chamber. At 3 lower speeds, the centrifugal force has some effect, but permits the air stream to flow into the 4 germicidal chamber via divider 71. Conversely, when the air stream is divided and the resulting 5 streams are tangentially directed into the vortex chamber in opposing directions, a radial flow is 6 produced, thereby causing air to flow toward the vortex chamber outlet and enter the germicidal 7 chamber with minimal residence time in the ozone chamber. 8 In order to selectively produce a vortical or radial flow within the ozone chamber, the 9 ozone chamber may include a control assembly as illustrated in Figs. 11 - 12. In particular, vortex 10 chamber 73 includes inlet passages 75, 77 that tangentially direct air into the vortex chamber in 11 opposing directions (i.e., passage 75 directs air into the vortex chamber in a counter-clockwise 12 direction, while passage 77 directs air into the vortex chamber in a clockwise direction). A valve 13 79 is disposed at a junction where inlet passages 75, 77 and inlet 69 interface to direct air from 14 inlet 69 through either or both of the passages. The valve is typically in the shape of a disk having 15 a substantially elliptical opening 83 disposed coincident the inlet passages. Another opening (not 16 shown) is disposed on the rear surface of the valve to permit air flow through the valve. A valve 17 actuator 81 is disposed on the valve top surface to control manipulation of the valve and the 18 amount of air flow through each inlet passage. The actuator may be controlled by various 19 mechanical, electrical or other conventional control devices. Air traverses opening 83 to enter 20 inlet passages 75, 77, whereby actuator 81 is manipulated to rotate valve 79 to control placement 21 of opening 83 in relation to the inlet passages to permit air to enter either one or both of the 22 passages. When actuator 81 is manipulated to enable valve 79 to direct air through a single 23 passage, the air enters the vortex chamber and circulates about the radiation source as described 24 above to reduce air through-flow velocity and to enable the generated ozone to mix and interact 25 with the air. When actuator 81 is manipulated to enable valve 79 to direct air through both inlet 26 passages, the opposing air streams enter the vortex chamber and interface to produce a radial flow 27 that reduces residence time within the ozone chamber and causes the air to flow toward the vortex 28 chamber outlet and into the germicidal chamber as described above. Thus, controlling air 29 through-flow velocity or residence time within the ozone chamber enables control of the ozone 20 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 generated, and hence, the ozone concentration within the air stream. In other words, manipulation 2 of valve 79 via actuator 81 permits certain quantities of air to traverse the inlet passages, thereby 3 controlling the air flow pattern and residence time within the chamber that determines ozone 4 concentration within the air stream. Other mechanisms may be utilized to control air flow in the 5 vortex chamber, such as disposing spiral or other types of walls within the vortex chamber to 6 direct air flow. For an example of the structure, operation and control of flow utilizing vortex 7 chambers and other fluid regulators, reference is made to U.S. Patent Nos. 3,198,214 (Lorenz) 8 and 4,276,943 (Holmes), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their 9 entireties. 10 It is to be understood that vortex chamber 73 may include any shape or dimensions, 11 whereby air may enter the vortex chamber and be directed toward a vortex chamber outlet. For 12 example, in applications requiring compact systems, the ozone and/or vortex chamber may be 13 implemented by a passage having a relatively small depth, while maintaining residence time 14 within the ozone chamber for interaction of ozone with the air stream by producing a vortical 15 flow as described above. In addition, ozone concentration may be controlled by periodically 16 switching between a vortical and radial flow, or permitting the appropriate amounts of air to flow 17 in inlet passages 75, 77 to control residence time within the ozone chamber as described above. 18 A system for removing contaminants from an air stream to produce purified or ozone 19 enriched air, typically for installation within a ceiling or wall, is illustrated in Fig. 13. System 2b 20 is similar to system 2a of Fig. 1 described above except that system 2b includes a modified 21 housing and a plurality of radiation sources 36, 62. Specifically, system 2b includes a cover or 22 housing 40, chamber block 42, electrical component assembly 44, and a base 46. Base 46, 23 typically constructed of molded plastic or other suitably sturdy material, includes substantially 24 rectangular front, rear, side and bottom walls 90, 92, 94, 96, respectively, that collectively define 25 a base interior. The bottom wall is substantially flat, while the front, rear and side walls are 26 slightly tilted outward to expand the base interior. The upper portions of the front, rear and side 27 walls are not tilted, but rather, extend in a substantially vertical fashion to form a base periphery 28 98. An intake vent 48 is disposed on base front wall 90, while an exhaust vent 50 is disposed on 29 base rear wall 92. Base 46 may further include dividing walls (not shown) to prevent contact 21 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 between the incoming contaminated air from intake vent 48 and the outgoing sterilized air to be 2 exhausted through exhaust vent 50, and to distribute the incoming air stream from intake vent 48 3 to different ozone chambers as described below. A platform (not shown) is disposed slightly 4 below base periphery 98 to cover and form an air chamber within the base interior. The platform 5 is substantially rectangular and includes dimensions slightly less than the dimensions of periphery 6 98 to form gaps or openings between the platform and periphery adjacent the intake and exhaust 7 vents. The openings enable incoming air to enter the system from intake vent 48, and enable 8 outgoing air from the system to be exhausted through exhaust vent 50. The system may be 9 inserted within a ceiling or wall such that only base 46 is visible within a room to enable the 10 intake and exhaust vents to respectively receive and exhaust air to the room. 11 Chamber block 42 is typically a substantially rectangular block having cross-sectional 12 dimensions slightly less than base 46 in order to be disposed on the base platform. Block 42 is 13 typically constructed of expandable polypropylene close cell foam, a lightweight and sound and 14 shock absorption material. However, chamber block 42 may be constructed of any other 15 materials capable of forming ozone and germicidal chambers as described below. Chamber block 16 42 includes a pair of isolated ozone chambers 8a, 8b and a pair of germicidal chambers 16a, 16b, 17 whereby each ozone and germicidal chamber functions in substantially the same manner as the 18 respective ozone and germicidal chambers described above. Specifically, ozone chambers 8a, 8b 19 each include a respective path 10 a, 10 Ob formed into the foam block serving to reduce air through 20 flow velocity and enhance ozone distribution within the air stream as described above. The paths 21 are each essentially defined by a winding groove or channel formed in the chamber block to 22 reduce air through-flow velocity and mix generated ozone with the air stream to remove 23 contaminants as described above. Paths 10a, 10b are each formed toward the front portion of the 24 chamber block and extend toward the rear block portion into respective germicidal chambers 16a, 25 16b. Paths 10a, 10b tend to be mirror images of each other and direct air streams to enter the 26 respective germicidal chambers. 27 Germicidal chambers 16a, 16b are formed in chamber block 42 adjacent respective ozone 28 chambers 8a, 8b. The air streams from ozone chamber paths 10a, 10b enter the respective 29 germicidal chambers from opposing sides of the chamber block. The germicidal chambers are 22 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 collectively defined by a substantially rectangular recess formed in the chamber block, whereby 2 the germicidal chambers are typically not isolated, but rather, share a common area. Air streams 3 from the ozone chambers are directed through the respective ozone chamber paths and enter 4 germicidal chambers 16a, 16b or, in other words, the chamber block recess. The ozone and 5 germicidal chambers each include radiation sources, whereby the radiation sources are disposed 6 on electrical component assembly 44 for disposal within chamber block 42 as described below. 7 The ozone and germicidal chambers may alternatively include any of the configurations 8 described above to reduce air through-flow velocity and enable generated ozone to mix with the 9 air as described above. The ozone generation and application of germicidal radiation may be 10 controlled to produce ozone enriched air having a particular ozone concentration level for various 11 applications as described below. 12 Electrical component assembly 44 is typically constructed of sheet metal or other suitably 13 sturdy material and preferably includes two combination radiation sources 36 described above, 14 two radiation sources 62 emitting germicidal radiation similar to germicidal section 14 of 15 radiation source 36, fan 52 and other electrical components for the system, such as ballasts (not 16 shown). The assembly typically includes a top wall 54, a front wall 56 and a rear wall 58. Each 17 wall is substantially rectangular wherein the front and rear walls respectively extend from the top 18 wall front and rear edges substantially perpendicular to the top wall. Top wall 54 has dimensions 19 slightly less than the dimensions of the recess within chamber block 42 forming the germicidal 20 chambers such that assembly 44 is inserted within that recess. Rear wall 58 extends from top wall 21 54 for a distance substantially similar to the depth of the chamber block recess such that fan 52 22 is substantially flush with a recess peripheral edge when assembly 44 is disposed within the 23 recess. Front wall 56 extends from top wall 54 substantially parallel to rear wall 58 for a distance 24 slightly less than the extension of the rear wall. Front wall 56 includes an opening 60 disposed 25 toward the approximate center of each front wall side edge, and a pair of receptacles 64 (not 26 shown on front wall 56 in Fig. 13) disposed between openings 60. Similarly, rear wall 58 27 includes a receptacle 64 disposed coincident each opening 60 and receptacle 64 disposed on front 28 wall 56. Openings 60 disposed on front wall 56 and their corresponding receptacles 64 disposed 29 on rear wall 58 each receive a combination radiation source 36 such that the ozone section of the 23 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 radiation source extends through opening 60 and is disposed external of the assembly, while 2 germicidal section 14 remains within the assembly. Similarly, corresponding receptacles 64 3 disposed on the front and rear walls receive radiation sources 62. Receptacles 64 disposed on rear 4 wall 58 typically include connectors to provide current to the radiation sources from a ballast (not 5 shown). Fan 52 is attached to rear wall 58 below the radiation sources, and is typically 6 implemented by a barrel or other type of fan or blower device to draw air through the system. 7 Assembly 44 is disposed within the chamber block recess forming the germicidal 8 chambers as described above. Top wall 54 is disposed toward the recess bottom, while rear wall 9 58 is positioned toward the rear portion of the recess with front wall 56 disposed adjacent the 10 ozone chambers. Ozone sections 12 of combination radiation sources 36 extend through openings 11 60 in assembly front wall 56 into respective ozone chambers 8a, 8b, via a gap provided in the 12 chamber block between the ozone and germicidal chambers, to provide necessary radiation to 13 generate ozone as described above. A germicidal section 14 of a radiation source 36 and an 14 adjacent radiation source 62 of assembly 44 are disposed within each germicidal chamber. Thus, 15 each germicidal chamber includes a germicidal section of the combination radiation source and 16 an additional radiation source to generate the required germicidal radiation. Since the germicidal 17 chambers share a common area, the radiation sources disposed on assembly 44 combine to 18 remove contaminants and ozone from the air streams received from the respective ozone 19 chambers. Chamber block 42 may be constructed of a light colored or white foam having 20 sufficient reflective properties to reflect radiation from the radiation sources within the ozone and 21 germicidal chambers. The reflective property of the ozone and germicidal chambers increases 22 radiation intensity to enhance the effects of the ozone generating and germicidal radiation 23 described above. 24 Chamber block 42, having assembly 44 disposed therein as described above, is placed on 25 the base platform, whereby cover 40 is placed over the chamber block and attached to the base. 26 Cover 40 is typically constructed of injection molded plastic or other suitably sturdy material, 27 and includes substantially rectangular top, front, rear and side walls 84, 85, 86, 87, respectively, 28 that collectively define the cover interior. The bottom portions of the front, rear and side walls 29 include a ledge 88 transversely extending from the respective walls to enable attachment of the 24 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 cover to the base. The cover interior includes dimensions slightly larger than chamber block 42 2 to receive and cover the chamber block as described above. System 2b is typically installed 3 within a ceiling or wall, whereby air enters the system via intake 48 and sterilized air is returned 4 to the environment via exhaust vent 50 (i.e., as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 13) as described 5 above. 6 The air flow path through system 2b is substantially similar to the air flow paths through 7 the systems described above and is illustrated in Fig. 14. It is to be understood that Fig. 14 8 illustrates system 2b in an inverted position relative to Fig. 13 for illustrative purposes and that 9 system 2b is typically mounted in a ceiling or wall in the manner and orientation described above 10 and shown in Fig. 13. Initially, air enters the system via intake vent 48 (Fig. 13) and is divided 11 into two air streams for entry into respective ozone chambers 8a, 8b. The base may include 12 dividers disposed adjacent the intake vent to direct the air stream into the respective ozone 13 chambers. Each air stream enters the respective ozone chamber paths 10a, 10b wherein a 14 corresponding ozone section 12 provides radiation to generate ozone to oxidize and remove 15 contaminants from the respective air streams in substantially the same manner described above. 16 Upon traversing the ozone chamber paths, each air stream enters a corresponding germicidal 17 chamber 16a, 16b. The germicidal chambers are not isolated, whereby the air streams from the 18 ozone chambers may interface. The air streams within the germicidal chambers are irradiated by 19 germicidal sections 14 and radiation sources 62 of electrical component assembly 44 (Fig. 13) to 20 remove contaminants and ozone from the air streams in substantially the same manner described 21 above. Air from a surrounding environment is drawn into the system and through the chambers 22 via fan 52, whereby the fan further directs treated air back into base 46 to be exhausted from the 23 system through exhaust vent 50. The system may be of any dimensions, and include any quantity 24 of ozone and germicidal chambers and/or radiation sources. By way of example only, the system 25 typically includes a length of approximately twenty-four inches, a width of approximately twenty 26 four inches, and an approximate height of eight inches. 27 Alternatively, system 2b may include a divider 66 to direct air to and from the system as 28 illustrated in Fig. 15. Specifically, system 2c is substantially similar to system 2b described above 29 for Fig. 13 except that a divider 66 is disposed between base 46 and chamber block 42. System 25 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 2c illustrated in Fig. 15 is inverted relative to system 2b shown in Fig. 13, however, system 2c 2 of Fig. 15 is typically mounted in substantially the same manner and at substantially the same 3 orientation as system 2b described above and shown in Fig. 13. Divider 66 is typically 4 constructed of expandable polypropylene close cell foam or other suitable material, and includes 5 openings that are disposed coincident portions of the ozone and germicidal chambers. The 6 openings permit air from intake vent 48 to enter the ozone chambers and enable air from the 7 germicidal chambers to be exhausted through exhaust vent 50. Divider 66 includes dimensions 8 substantially similar to the cross-section of chamber block 42 and further includes supports or 9 braces 68. The supports are disposed on divider 66 coincident portions of the ozone chambers 10 where ozone sections 12 of the respective radiation sources 36 reside to secure the ozone sections 11 within ozone chambers 8a, 8b when divider 66 is disposed over chamber block 42. The system 12 includes slightly modified ozone chamber paths that provide gaps and/or recesses in the foam for 13 receiving supports 68 and ozone sections 12 of radiation bulbs 36. In addition, system 2c may 14 further include storage compartments 70 disposed on chamber block 42 adjacent germicidal 15 chambers 16a, 16b for storing additional or spare radiation sources. Air is drawn into and is 16 treated by system 2c in substantially the same manner described above for system 2b. 17 A system for removing contaminants from contaminated air to produce purified or ozone 18 enriched air, typically for use in combination with conventional ceiling fans, is illustrated in Figs. 19 16 - 17. Specifically, system 2d typically includes a housing 80, preferably in the shape of a disk, 20 having an intake vent 72 disposed on the housing bottom surface and exhaust vents 74 extending 21 about the housing periphery. The system receives air from intake vent 72 and returns sterilized 22 air to the environment through exhaust vents 74 (i.e., as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 16). 23 System 2d includes dimensions sufficient to mount the system on a bottom surface of a motor 24 housing 76 for a conventional ceiling fan 78 having fan blades 82. The system generally includes 25 ozone and germicidal chambers having any of the configurations described above, but preferably 26 the vortex chamber configuration, to reduce air through-flow velocity and treat air in substantially 27 the same manner described above. Radiation sources for the system may include the radiation 28 sources described above having appropriate dimensions to accommodate housing 80. 29 Alternatively, the radiation sources may include substantially annular or doughnut shaped 26 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 combination or single wavelength UV radiation emitting bulbs to accommodate the system 2 housing, whereby the ozone and germicidal chambers may be disposed along different and 3 corresponding sections of the combination bulb. 4 System 2d typically utilizes the air circulation generated by ceiling fan 78 to draw air 5 through the system and, thus, may not necessarily include an internal fan. Specifically, ceiling 6 fan 78 typically circulates air in a room or other space, whereby air is drawn up to the fan toward 7 motor housing 76 and is transversely directed away from the fan via the motion of fan blades 82. 8 When system 2d is mounted on motor housing 76 as described above, air drawn to the motor 9 housing is forced into intake vent 72 and through system 2d, whereby sterilized air from exhaust 10 vents 74 is transversely directed away from the fan back to the room or space in accordance with 11 the fan generated air circulation. The ozone generation and application of germicidal radiation 12 may be controlled to produce ozone enriched air having a particular ozone concentration level for 13 various applications as described below. It is to be understood that the systems described above 14 may equally be utilized with ceiling fans, whereby the systems are disposed proximate the fans 15 and provide treated air to the air circulation path generated by the fan in substantially the same 16 manner described above. 17 The systems described above may be constructed of any suitable materials, however, 18 certain materials, such as plastics, may be vulnerable to ozone and germicidal radiation. In order 19 to prevent damage to those systems utilizing vulnerable materials, the ozone and germicidal 20 chamber structures may be lined with metallic sheets or a metallic coating that can withstand 21 ozone and ozone generating and germicidal radiation. Further, the metallic sheets or coating may 22 reflect the ultraviolet energy radiation to increase radiation intensity within the chambers to 23 enhance ozone formation and removal of contaminants. 24 Enhanced contaminant removal from an air stream may be accomplished by disposing 25 filters or other devices within the systems described above to remove particles, such as smoke, 26 residing within the air stream, as illustrated, by way of example only, in Fig. 18. Specifically, 27 system 2e is substantially similar to system 2a described above and further includes a filter 93 28 disposed adjacent and below the opening within lower ozone divider 27 permitting the air stream 29 to enter the ozone chamber. Filter 93 removes smoke and other particles from the air stream, 27 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 while system 2e removes other contaminants within the air stream via ozone and germicidal 2 radiation as described above. Further, filter 93 may be of any shape or size, and by way of 3 example only, is implemented by a substantially annular filter to encompass the lower divider 4 opening or entrance to the ozone chamber. Filter 93 may be implemented by various 5 conventional or other types of filters capable of trapping particulate matter, and may be disposed 6 at any location within the system. For an example of utilizing filters to remove particles from air, 7 reference is made to U.S. Patent Nos. 5,186,903 (Cornwell) and 5,221,520 (Cornwell), the 8 disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 9 Alternatively, system 2e may further use electrical techniques to remove particles from 10 air. For example, filter 93 may include a precipitator having plates separated by a particular 11 distance. An air stream passes between the plates, whereby an electrostatic field residing between 12 the plates causes smoke or other particles to separate from the air stream and cling to the plates. 13 The filter may be disposed anywhere in the system to remove the particles from the air stream, 14 while the system removes other contaminants within the air stream via ozone and germicidal 15 radiation as described above. For an example of electrically removing particles from an air 16 stream, reference is made to U.S. Patent Nos. 3,785,124 (Gaylord) and 3,788,041 (Gaylord), the 17 disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 18 It is to be understood that filter 93 may be disposed within any of the above-described 19 systems in substantially the same manner described above to remove particles from the air stream. 20 Further, any other conventional or other techniques for particle removal may be utilized by the 21 systems, such as filtering, charging particles for attraction to a particular structure, or washing the 22 air stream. 23 In addition to the foregoing, the systems described above (e.g., the systems typically 24 including an internal fan) may remove or reduce contaminants within an air stream without 25 activation of the radiation sources. In particular, activation of the ballasts and internal fan, 26 especially within systems utilizing sheet metal or other conductors, removes or reduces 27 contaminants in the air stream. The interaction of the fan with the air stream in combination with 28 the ballasts and mechanical structure of the systems ionizes the air stream and produces an 29 electrical field that reduces or removes contaminants within the air system. This effect may be 28 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 produced and utilized by the systems in conjunction with the radiation sources to provide 2 enhanced air purification, or may be utilized as a separate operating mode of the systems. For an 3 example of an electric field removing or reducing contaminants within the air, reference is made 4 to U.S. Patent No. 3,976,448 (Eng et al) the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by 5 reference in its entirety. 6 Various configurations may be employed within the systems described above to produce 7 purified or ozone enriched air. In particular, ozone generation within the ozone chamber may be 8 enhanced by increasing the intensity of and focusing the ozone generating radiation on an air 9 stream as illustrated, by way of example only, in Fig. 19. Specifically, system 2f is similar to 10 system 2a described above and includes ozone chamber 8 and germicidal chamber 16. Ozone 11 chamber 8 includes an ozone generating radiation source 102, reflector 104, lens 106 and channel 12 108. Source 102 may be implemented by an independent radiation source emitting ozone 13 generating radiation, or by ozone section 12 of the combination bulb described above. Reflector 14 104 is preferably, but not necessarily, a substantially parabolic reflector and encompasses 15 radiation source 102 to reflect radiation emitted from the radiation source toward an air stream. 16 The reflector extends between upper and lower ozone dividers 25, 27, whereby radiation source 17 102 is disposed within the confines of the reflector. Reflector 104 may be implemented by any 18 conventional reflector or other device capable of reflecting radiation. Lens 106 is spaced from 19 source 102 and reflector 104 and extends between upper and lower ozone dividers 25, 27 to form 20 channel 108 defined in the space between the lens and housing 5. The lens intensifies and focuses 21 radiation emitted by source 102 and reflected by reflector 104 onto the air stream to enhance 22 generation of ozone within the ozone chamber, and may be implemented by any conventional or 23 other type of lens that is capable of intensifying and focusing radiation. Lower divider 27 24 includes an opening defined adjacent lens 106 to permit air to enter the ozone chamber and 25 traverse channel 108. The intense radiation produced by reflector 104 and lens 106 enhances 26 ozone generation and permits use of an ozone chamber having smaller dimensions. 27 A soaking chamber 110 may be disposed adjacent or within ozone chamber 8 to enable 28 generated ozone to mix and interact with the air stream to oxidize contaminants as described 29 above. Soaking chamber 110 may include a winding or other type of path 10, similar to the paths 29 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 described above, to enhance distribution of ozone within the air stream. In particular, system 2f 2 includes a germicidal divider 101 disposed between upper divider 25 and the germicidal chamber. 3 The germicidal divider includes a length slightly less than the distance between the housing walls 4 to form a gap to permit the air stream to enter the germicidal chamber. Germicidal divider 101 5 includes walls 103 that each extend from the germicidal divider toward upper divider 25. The 6 upper divider similarly includes a wall 105 that extends from the upper divider toward germicidal 7 divider 101. Walls 103, 105 each include lengths less than the distance between the germicidal 8 and upper dividers to form respective gaps between walls 103 and upper divider 25, and between 9 wall 105 and germicidal divider 101. Wall 105 is disposed between walls 103 to form successive 10 passageways collectively defining serpentine path 10, whereby the gaps enable the air stream to 11 traverse succeeding passageways and enter the germicidal chamber. Germicidal chamber 16 12 receives the air stream from ozone chamber 8 or soaking chamber 110 and exposes the air to 13 germicidal radiation to remove ozone and bacteria as described above. A combination radiation 14 source as described above may be utilized, however, portions of the combination radiation source 15 may be shielded to only permit radiation emissions from sections of the bulb encompassed by 16 reflector 104 and disposed in the germicidal chamber. 17 The systems described above may be further adapted for various applications. For 18 example, the systems may be of any size or shape and include DC ballasts for powering the 19 radiation sources in order to be transportable and/or utilized in various vehicles (e.g., cars, boats, 20 trucks, buses, trains etc.). The DC ballasts may receive power from conventional batteries, 21 cigarette lighters or other DC power sources to purify air within a surrounding environment or 22 vehicle interior. Alternatively, the system may be adapted to attach to a wall inside a boat and 23 include the capability to utilize AC or DC power (i.e., the system may include AC and/or DC 24 ballasts). 25 A carbon-monoxide sensor may be disposed within the systems described above to enable 26 the systems to remove carbon-monoxide or other contaminants within garages or homes as 27 illustrated, by way of example only, in Fig. 20. In particular, the carbon-monoxide system may 28 be similar to the stand, wall or ceiling, or ceiling fan units (e.g., systems 2a - 2d, 2f with system 29 2d including an internal fan) described above and include a conventional carbon-monoxide sensor 30 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 166. The carbon-monoxide system may further be configured to remove smoke and other 2 particles (e.g., system 2e) as described above. Upon detecting a predetermined concentration of 3 carbon-monoxide within a garage or room 170, the sensor automatically initiates power to the 4 carbon-monoxide system to remove carbon-monoxide and other contaminants (e.g., smoke) from 5 the air as described above. Further, the carbon-monoxide system may be attached to or disposed 6 within a garage door opener 168, and may be further configured to remove smoke and other 7 particles from the air (e.g., system 2e) as described above. Upon detecting a predetermined 8 concentration of carbon-monoxide within garage 170, the carbon-monoxide sensor automatically 9 initiates power to the carbon-monoxide system to remove the carbon-monoxide and other 10 contaminants from the air (e.g., fumes and smoke from a vehicle exhaust) as described above. 11 Alternatively, the systems may be utilized with garage door opener 168 with or without the 12 carbon-monoxide sensor and be initiated in response to activation of the garage door opener or 13 other activation mechanism to eliminate carbon-monoxide and exhaust emitted from an incoming 14 or outgoing vehicle, or other contaminants within the garage. For example, the systems may be 15 activated for a predetermined time period or until carbon-monoxide levels are below a particular 16 threshold. 17 Heating and air conditioning units may utilize the systems (e.g., systems 2a - 2f) described 18 above to remove bacteria and contaminants from air being treated by these units as illustrated, 19 by way of example only, in Fig. 21. Specifically, the systems described above may be disposed 20 either prior or subsequent to a thermal treatment device 172 disposed within a unit 174 (e.g., 21 heater or air conditioner) to remove contaminants from air treated by the units and circulate 22 purified air back to a surrounding environment as described above. Similarly, and referring to 23 Fig. 22, the systems (e.g., systems 2a - 2f) described above may be disposed within a ventilation 24 system or duct 176 of an aircraft, train, bus or other vehicle to purify air within and return purified 25 air to cabins, passenger cars or vehicle interiors in substantially the same manner described above. 26 Referring to Fig. 23, pet litter boxes, especially cat litter boxes, tend to enable various 27 odor causing and other contaminants to reside in the air. In order to purify the air contaminated 28 by pet litter boxes, the systems (e.g., systems 2a - 2f) described above may be adapted to fit within 31 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 or onto a pet litter box 180 to remove contaminants from the air as described above. The litter 2 box may include a conventional weight sensor 178 disposed at any location within the litter box 3 floor to detect when a pet enters the litter box. Upon detecting the presence of the pet within the 4 litter box, the weight sensor initiates power to the litter box system to remove contaminants from 5 the air as described above. The pet litter box system is typically activated for a predetermined 6 time period to ensure removal of contaminants from the air due to pet activity within the litter 7 box. 8 Ozone in combination with germicidal radiation may be utilized to remove contaminants 9 from various objects, such as food (e.g., meat, chicken, etc.), kitchen utensils (e.g., cutting boards, 10 knives, forks, etc.), or other instruments. These items may contain various microbes, such as E 11 coli or salmonella, that may cause illness. An exemplary system for removing contaminants from 12 objects is illustrated in Fig. 24. Specifically, system 2g has a similar configuration to the systems 13 described above and includes ozone chamber 8, germicidal chamber 16 and top, bottom and side 14 walls 132, 134 and 136, 138, respectively, that collectively define a system interior. A radiation 15 source 36 extends through both chambers with ozone section 12 and germicidal section 14 16 respectively disposed in the ozone and germicidal chambers. Alternatively, each chamber may 17 include an independent radiation source. An internal fan (not shown) draws air into ozone 18 chamber 8 and directs the air to flow proximate ozone section 12 to generate ozone. The ozone 19 chamber may further include a soaking chamber 110 to enable the ozone to mix and interact with 20 the air, whereby the soaking chamber may include a winding or other type of path to enhance 21 distribution of ozone within the air. In particular, soaking chamber 110 includes top and bottom 22 walls 107, 109, while the ozone chamber includes a side wall 111 that, in combination with the 23 system top and side walls 132, 136, isolates the ozone chamber within the system. Top wall 107 24 extends from system side wall 136 toward side wall 111, while bottom wall 109 extends from 25 side wall 111 toward system side wall 136. Walls 107, 109 each have a length less than the 26 distance between system side wall 136 and side wall 111 to form respective gaps adjacent side 27 wall 111 and system side wall 136 to permit an air stream to respectively enter and exit the 28 soaking chamber. Top wall 107 includes dividers 113 extending from the top wall toward bottom 29 wall 109, while bottom wall 109 includes dividers 115 extending from the bottom wall toward 32 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 top wall 107. Dividers 113, 115 each include lengths less than the distance between top and 2 bottom walls 107, 109 to form respective gaps between dividers 113 and bottom wall 109, and 3 between dividers 115 and top wall 107. Dividers 113, 115 are interleaved to form successive 4 passageways collectively defining serpentine path 10, whereby the gaps enable the air stream to 5 traverse succeeding passageways and interact with an object. The ozone enriched air from the 6 soaking chamber is further directed toward a conventional conveyor belt or transport device 112 7 containing objects, whereby the ozone oxidizes and removes contaminants from the objects as 8 described above. 9 The object containing ozone is subsequently transported, via conveyor belt 112, through 10 the germicidal chamber and exposed to germicidal radiation to remove bacteria and ozone from 11 the object as described above. Conveyor belt 112 extends through the ozone and germicidal 12 chambers external of the system housing through doors 128, 130 forming a system entrance and 13 exit toward the ozone and germicidal chambers, respectively. The doors maintain ozone and 14 germicidal radiation within the system housing, and may be implemented by any conventional 15 doors or other devices that may be controlled to open and close, or automatically return to a 16 closed position after opening. Conveyor belt 112 receives various objects, such as food, kitchen 17 utensils or other instruments toward the system entrance and transports these objects through the 18 system for removal of contaminants via ozone and germicidal radiation as described above. The 19 rate of conveyor belt 112 is controlled to ensure an appropriate amount of residence time within 20 the ozone and germicidal chambers to remove the contaminants. 21 Alternatively, the system for removing contaminants from objects described above may 22 include a single chamber as illustrated in Figs. 25 - 26. Specifically, system 2h includes a 23 treatment chamber 114 having an ozone generating radiation source 116 and a germicidal 24 radiation source 62. The system includes substantially rectangular top and bottom walls 125, 127, 25 front and rear walls 129, 131, and side walls 117, 119 that form a box-like housing 5 and 26 collectively define a system interior. A door 118 may be disposed on front wall 129 to facilitate 27 placement and removal of objects within the system. Sources 62, 116 are generally disposed in 28 the upper portion of the system substantially in parallel to each other, and extend from the front 29 to the rear of the system. Alternatively, the housing may include a door disposed on top wall 125 33 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 with the ozone generating and germicidal radiation sources extending from the top toward the 2 bottom of the housing. A fan 22 is disposed proximate ozone radiation source 116 to direct air 3 toward that source to generate ozone. A soaking chamber 110 is disposed adjacent ozone 4 radiation source 116 to enable generated ozone to mix and interact with the air. A divider 121 5 extends from the system top wall toward the chamber floor to isolate the ozone source and 6 soaking chamber from the germicidal radiation source, while dividers 123, 133 extend between 7 housing side wall 117 and divider 121 to define and isolate the soaking chamber. The soaking 8 chamber typically includes a winding or other type of path 10 to enhance distribution of ozone 9 within the air stream as described above. The path is formed by a series of interleaved dividers 10 135, 137 directing the air stream in a serpentine fashion. In particular, dividers 135 each extend 11 from divider 121 toward side wall 117. The length of each divider 135 is less than the distance 12 between side wall 117 and divider 121 to form respective gaps between divider 135 and that side 13 wall. Similarly, divider 137 extends from side wall 117 toward divider 121. The length of 14 divider 137 is less than the distance between side wall 117 and divider 121 to form a gap between 15 divider 137 and divider 121. Divider 137 is disposed between dividers 135 to form successive 16 passageways collectively defining serpentine path 10, whereby the gaps enable air to traverse 17 succeeding passageways. Opening 139 is defined in wall 123 toward divider 121, while opening 18 141 is defined in divider 133 toward side wall 117. The openings enable the air stream to traverse 19 path 10 and treat an object residing on the treatment chamber floor. The ozone flows with the air 20 stream toward the object to oxidize and remove contaminants from the object as described above. 21 Subsequently, the object is exposed to germicidal radiation from germicidal radiation source 62 22 to remove bacteria and ozone from the object as described above. 23 The system may include a microprocessor or other control circuitry to initiate power to 24 fan 22 and ozone radiation source 116 for a predetermined time interval to enable generation of 25 ozone and oxidation of contaminants as described above. Upon expiration of the predetermined 26 interval, power is disabled to fan 22 and ozone radiation source 116 to prevent ozone generation. 27 The ozone concentration may thus be controlled based on the length of this interval. Germicidal 28 radiation source 62 is initiated subsequent to expiration of the ozone generation interval to expose 29 the object to germicidal radiation to remove bacteria and ozone from the object as described 34 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 above. The germicidal source is similarly activated for a predetermined time interval, and then 2 disabled to permit removal of the object from the system. An alarm or other indicator may be 3 disposed on the system to indicate completion of the treatment. The ozone generation and 4 germicidal intervals and other parameters may be programmed into the system via a control panel 5 132 typically disposed adjacent door 118. Further, this system may be installed within or 6 combined with microwave ovens to remove contaminants from foods prior to cooking, or to 7 remove contaminants from various objects (e.g., kitchen utensils, silverware, etc.). 8 An alternative embodiment for removing contaminants from objects utilizing ozone 9 enriched air is illustrated in Fig. 27. System 2i is similar to system 2h except that a combination 10 radiation source 36 is utilized to produce ozone enriched air for removing contaminants from 11 objects. Specifically, system 2i includes a treatment chamber 114 for exposing objects to ozone 12 enriched air, ozone and germicidal chambers 8, 16, radiation source 36 and fan 22. System 2i 13 includes substantially rectangular top and bottom walls 125, 127, front and rear walls (not 14 shown), and side walls 117, 119 that form a box-like housing 5 and collectively define a system 15 interior. A door may be disposed on the front wall (not shown) to facilitate placement and 16 removal of objects within the system. 17 Ozone and germicidal chambers 8,16 are generally disposed in the upper portion of the 18 system adjacent each other and extend between system housing side walls 117, 119. A wall 143 19 extends from side wall 117 toward side wall 119 for a distance slightly less than the distance 20 between the side walls, thereby forming a gap between wall 143 and system side wall 119. The 21 gap enables treated air to enter treatment chamber 114. Ozone chamber 8 includes ozone section 22 12 of radiation source 36 and a series of overlapping dividers 145, 147. Divider 145 extends from 23 system top wall 125 toward wall 143, while divider 145 extends from wall 143 toward system top 24 wall 125. Dividers 145, 147 have lengths less than the distance between top wall 125 and wall 25 143 to form respective gaps between divider 145 and wall 143, and between divider 147 and top 26 wall 125. Dividers 145, 147 form succeeding passageways that collectively define serpentine 27 path 10, whereby the gaps enable the air to traverse succeeding passages. An air stream enters 28 the system via an air intake (not shown) defined in the system housing and is directed into ozone 29 chamber 8 by fan 22 disposed adjacent the air intake. The air stream traverses serpentine path 35 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 10, whereby the air stream is exposed to ozone generating radiation that produces ozone within 2 the air stream. The serpentine path enables the ozone to mix and interact with the air stream to 3 remove contaminants. 4 The air stream subsequently enters germicidal chamber 16. The germicidal chamber 5 includes germicidal section 14 emitting germicidal radiation to remove residual contaminants and 6 ozone from the air stream. Additional overlapping dividers 149, 151 are disposed within the 7 germicidal chamber to direct the air stream in a serpentine fashion and prevent the germicidal 8 radiation from entering the treatment chamber. Divider 149 extends from top wall 125 toward 9 wall 143, while divider 151 extends from wall 143 toward top wall 125. Dividers 149, 151 each 10 have a length less than the distance between top wall 125 and wall 143, whereby respective gaps 11 are formed between divider 149 and wall 143, and between divider 151 and top wall 125. The 12 dividers form succeeding passageways that collectively direct air in a serpentine fashion, whereby 13 the gaps enable air to traverse succeeding passages. The overlapping arrangement of dividers 14 149, 151 prevent germicidal radiation from entering the treatment chamber. The purified or 15 ozone enriched air enters the treatment chamber to remove contaminants from objects disposed 16 within the treatment chamber. The system may include a microprocessor or other control 17 circuitry to initiate and disable power to fan 22 and radiation source 36 to produce purified or 18 ozone-enriched air for a predetermined time interval. The ozone concentration within the air 19 stream may be controlled in various manners as described above. An alarm or other indicator 20 may be disposed on the system to indicate completion of treatment, while treatment intervals and 21 other parameters may be programmed into the system via a control panel (not shown) as described 22 above. 23 Ozone enriched air may be produced and exhausted from the systems described above 24 whereby the ozone concentration within the ozone enriched air may be controlled in various 25 fashions. For example, the residence time of the air within the ozone and germicidal 26 chambers may be adjusted to produce a desired ozone concentration. The residence time may 27 be controlled via configuration of the path, controlling flow within the vortex chamber as 28 described above, adjusting the size of the chambers or any other techniques. Further, the 29 intensity of radiation in each chamber (e.g., the size of the radiation sources), or the portion of 36 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 the germicidal radiation source in the ozone chamber may be adjusted to control ozone 2 concentration. Intensity of radiation may be controlled by periodically disabling or shielding 3 the ozone or germicidal radiation source to respectively control generation or destruction of 4 ozone. Alternatively, the systems described above may include a single chamber exposing air 5 to various combinations of ozone generating and germicidal radiation to produce either 6 purified air or various levels of ozone enriched air. 7 Ozone enriched and/or purified air may be utilized for treatment of various wounds or 8 skin conditions, such as post-op infections, nosocomial infections, pressure sores (e.g., ulcers), 9 skin infections (e.g., topical), burns and general wound treatment. A sleeve for applying purified 10 or ozone enriched air from a system to a body segment is illustrated, by way of example only, in 11 Fig. 28. Specifically, system 2j is substantially similar to the systems (e.g., systems 2a - 2f) 12 described above and produces purified or ozone enriched air. A reusable or disposable sleeve 120 13 is disposed over a body segment, such as an arm, and is connected to system 2j via a detachable 14 hose 122. Sleeve 120 is typically tubular, and of sufficient size to encompass and provide a slight 15 distance between the sleeve and a particular body segment. For example, a sleeve may be 16 constructed to attach to a lower torso above the waist, a leg, arm or other body segment. Purified 17 or ozone enriched air from system 2j is directed through hose 122 to sleeve 120, via the system 18 internal fan, a pump or other device, and resides in the space between the sleeve and body 19 segment to treat and remove contaminants from that body segment. Elastic or other bands 140 20 are disposed toward the ends of sleeve 120 to form a relatively tight seal between the body 21 segment and sleeve to generally maintain the purified and/or ozone enriched air within the 22 confines of the sleeve. System 2j may include sensors, a microprocessor and/or other control 23 circuitry to control treatment of the body segment. In particular, system 2j may control ozone 24 concentration levels and cycle times for filling or removing air from the sleeve. In addition, 25 pressure levels and cycle times for applying and relieving pressure may also be controlled by 26 system 2j during treatment to create a pressurized environment. These treatment parameters may 27 be preset or programmed within system 2j for treatment of the body segment via sleeve 120. 28 In order to treat a substantial portion of a body, a body suit 124 may be utilized to apply 29 purified or ozone enriched air to the body as illustrated, by way of example only, in Fig. 29. The 37 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 body suit configuration functions in substantially the same manner as the sleeve configuration 2 described above except that the body suit covers a substantial portion of a body. Specifically, 3 body suit 124 is connected to system 2j via detachable hose 122, and covers substantially an entire 4 body except for feet, hands, neck and head. Suit 124 typically includes pantlegs 153, 155, sleeves 5 157, 159 and zipper or fastener 126, and is typically of sufficient size to encompass and provide 6 a slight distance between the suit and body segments. Hose 122 typically extends between suit 7 pantleg 155 and system 2j, but the hose may be connected to the body suit at any location. The 8 front portion of suit 124 includes a zipper or other fastener 126 to enable the suit to be placed on 9 and removed from a person's body, while maintaining a relatively tight seal between the body suit 10 portions fastened together. Purified or ozone enriched air from system 2j is directed through hose 11 122, via the system internal fan, pump or other device, to body suit 124 and resides in the space 12 between the body suit and body to treat the body in accordance with the parameters programmed 13 into system 2j described above. The body suit sleeves, pantlegs and neck portion each include 14 elastic bands 140 disposed along the periphery of the respective portions to form a relatively tight 15 seal between the body suit and body to generally maintain the purified or ozone enriched air 16 within the confines of the body suit. Suit 124 may be of various sizes to accommodate different 17 sized people, and may be configured to cover any portion of a body. 18 Alternatively, system 2j may be connected to a body chamber 126 to apply purified or 19 ozone enriched air to a body as illustrated, by way of example only, in Fig. 30. Specifically, body 20 chamber 150 is substantially cylindrical having substantially symmetrical upper and lower 21 portions 138, 152 attached to each other via a hinge 134 or other connector to enable the upper 22 and lower portions to be manipulated for entry and exit from the body chamber. However, the 23 body chamber may be of any shape, may be oriented in any manner, and may open in any fashion. 24 A person 144 lays within chamber 150 with the person's head extending external of the chamber 25 and residing within partial opening 146 defined in the lower portion proximal end. In other 26 words, the entire body except for the head is disposed within the chamber. A partial opening 148 27 is defined in upper portion 138, whereby the partial openings encompass a person's neck when 28 the chamber is in the closed position. An opening 142, defined in the lower portion distal end, 29 receives hose 122 and permits purified or ozone enriched air from system 2j to enter the body 38 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 chamber. The purified or ozone enriched air is directed through hose 122, via the system internal 2 fan, pump or other device, into body chamber 150 to treat the body in accordance with the 3 parameters programmed into system 2j described above. Partial openings 146, 148 each include 4 a flap or other type of material to form a relatively tight seal between the body and the partial 5 openings to generally maintain the purified or ozone enriched air within the body chamber. Body 6 chamber 150 may be of various sizes to accommodate various sized people, and may be 7 configured to cover any portion of a body. 8 A further application for purified or ozone enriched air is to remove contaminants from 9 hands, especially hands of employees of restaurants or other food service establishments, as 10 illustrated, by way of example only, in Fig. 31. Specifically, a small compartment 160, similar 11 to the body compartment described above, may be attached to system 2j via hose 122 to receive 12 purified or ozone enriched air. A person inserts their hands 162 into the compartment, via 13 openings 164 defined in the compartment exterior surface, to enable ozone to remove any 14 contaminants from the hands as described above. The openings may be of any size or shape, may 15 be disposed at any location, and typically include flaps or other material to generally maintain the 16 purified or ozone enriched air in the compartment. The compartment may further include an 17 additional chamber (not shown) having a germicidal radiation source, whereby the hands are 18 inserted into the germicidal chamber after exposure to ozone to remove ozone and bacteria from 19 the hands in substantially the same manner described above. 20 It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above and illustrated in the 21 drawings represent only a few of the many ways of implementing a method and apparatus for 22 producing purified or ozone enriched air. 23 The bulb holder system may be of any shape or size, and may be constructed of any 24 suitable materials. The bulb holder system components may be arranged in any manner within 25 the system housing and the base may be implemented by any stand or base capable of supporting 26 that system and its electrical components. The ballasts for the radiation sources may be 27 implemented by any conventional DC (e.g., for portable systems) or AC ballast or other circuitry 28 to supply current to the radiation sources. The radiation source may be implemented by a single 29 bulb or device capable of emitting radiation at the prescribed wavelengths, or independent sources 39 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 each emitting radiation at a specified wavelength. The system may include any quantity of 2 radiation sources (e.g., at least one) of any shapes disposed in any manner within the system. The 3 bulb holder may be implemented by any gripping or other device capable of manipulating the 4 bulb. The exhaust vent may be of any shape and may be integral with or independent of the bulb 5 holder (i.e., the bulb holder and vent may be implemented by separate devices). The internal fan 6 may be implemented by any quantity of any conventional or other types of fans or devices for 7 drawing air through the system, such as a fan, blower or device to create a differential pressure 8 in the system to cause air flow through the system. The fan or other devices may be disposed in 9 the system in any manner capable of directing air through the system. Further, the fan or devices 10 may include variable flow rates to cause air to flow through the system at various rates. For 11 example, larger areas may require greater flow rates to enable air within these larger areas to be 12 rapidly and efficiently treated by the system. The system may include any quantity (e.g., at least 13 one) of any shaped ozone and germicidal chambers. 14 The bulb holder system may be constructed by any quantity of pieces having any portion 15 of the system molded therein whereby the pieces may collectively be attached in any manner to 16 form the system. The bulb connector may be implemented by any conventional or other type of 17 connector. The path may be any path or other configuration capable of reducing air through-flow 18 velocity and enabling the ozone to mix and interact with the air. The ozone chamber may include 19 a portion of the germicidal section of the radiation source to combine the effects of both types of 20 radiation to enhance removal of contaminants. Further, the systems described above may include 21 a catalytic converter or other filter disposed adjacent the germicidal chamber to remove residual 22 ozone from the air stream. 23 The various ozone and germicidal chamber configurations may be of any size and may 24 be oriented in any fashion, may be implemented by any suitable materials as described above, 25 may utilize any of the radiation sources described above, and may be implemented in any of the 26 systems described above. Further, the radiation source may include any proportion of ozone 27 section to germicidal radiation section, whereby the ozone section includes a lesser portion of the 28 source than the germicidal section for the various configurations. Moreover, the combination 29 radiation source only operates when both sections are operable to prevent ozone generation 40 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 without germicidal radiation to destroy the ozone. 2 The vortex chamber may be of any shape, preferably forming a loop, and include any 3 dimensions. The vortex chamber may further include any quantity of inlets, valves, tangential 4 or other inlet passages to regulate vertical and radial flow. The valve may be of any shape and 5 may be implemented by any device capable of directing flow into passages. The valve openings 6 may be of any shape and disposed on the valve in any manner capable of regulating air flow. The 7 vortex chamber may include any quantity of radiation sources of any shape (e.g., doughnut shape) 8 to generate the ozone. The germicidal chamber may be of any shape accommodating the vortex 9 chamber. 10 The ceiling or wall unit may be of any size or shape, or constructed of any suitable 11 material and may include any of the ozone and germicidal chamber configurations described 12 above. The ceiling unit may include any quantity of radiation sources described above disposed 13 in any manner within the chambers. The electrical assembly may be constructed of any suitable 14 material and may support any quantity of electrical components, fans, radiation sources or other 15 components. Further, the electrical and other components may be disposed on the assembly in 16 any fashion. The fan may be implemented by any quantity of any conventional fans or other types 17 of devices described above and disposed anywhere in the system for directing air through the 18 system. The fans or devices may include variable flow rates as described above. The base may 19 be configured to direct air to and from the chambers in any fashion. The ceiling unit components 20 (e.g., block, cover, base, etc.) may be connected or fastened by any conventional or other 21 fastening techniques. 22 The ceiling fan unit may be of any size or shape and utilize any of the ozone and 23 germicidal chamber configurations or radiations sources described above. The unit may be 24 disposed on the ceiling fan in any manner capable of enabling the ceiling fan to circulate air 25 through the system. Further, any other units may be utilized with the ceiling fan by disposing the 26 units proximate the fan. The ceiling fan unit may be similarly utilized with any fan or blower 27 device capable of circulating air through the system. The ceiling fan unit may be constructed of 28 any suitable materials. 29 The particulate filter may be disposed at any location within the systems described above 41 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 to remove particles. The filter may be of any quantity, shape or size, may be any conventional 2 or other types of filters for removing particles and may utilize any conventional or other 3 techniques for particle removal, such as electrostatic fields, charging particles for attraction to 4 structures, washing the air, etc. 5 The systems described above may include any type of lens or other devices within the 6 ozone or germicidal chambers capable of directing and intensifying radiation. Further, the 7 systems may include any quantity of lenses, reflectors or radiation sources of any shape or size 8 arranged in any fashion to intensify the radiation. 9 The systems described above may be disposed proximate or within various devices (e.g., 10 garage door openers, pet litter boxes, ventilation systems or ducts, air thermal treatment units, 11 etc.) at any location and in any fashion to purify air prior or subsequent to traversing the devices. 12 The systems may be disposed in any area and may include any types of sensors to initiate 13 operation in response to detection of any levels of various substances. Further, the systems may 14 include sensors to initiate system operation in response to detection of any types of events, such 15 as pets entering or leaving litter boxes, activation of a garage door opener, activation of a 16 ventilation or air thermal treatment system, predetermined time intervals of operation, etc. 17 The system for removing contaminants from objects passing through the system may 18 include any quantity of combination or independent radiation sources of any shape or size 19 arranged in any fashion. The soaking chamber may include any suitable configuration to mix 20 ozone with the air stream. The ozone and germicidal chambers may be configured and disposed 21 within the system in any suitable fashion. The system may remove contaminants from various 22 objects, such as food, kitchen utensils, instruments or any other items. The objects may be 23 transported through the system via a conveyer belt or any other transport mechanism (e.g., 24 suspending the object through the system), whereby the rate of transport may be varied to control 25 exposure to ozone and germicidal radiation. The system may be of any size or shape to 26 accommodate various sized objects. The system entrance and exit may disposed at any suitable 27 location, while the system may be accordingly configured for reception and transmission of 28 objects through the entrance and exit. 29 The systems for removing contaminants from objects having a single treatment chamber 42 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 may be programmed to treat objects for any desired time intervals, and may include any quantity 2 of combination or independent radiation sources arranged in any fashion. The systems may be 3 of any size or shape to accommodate various objects. The soaking and ozone chambers may 4 include any suitable configuration to mix the ozone with the air stream. The object may be any 5 type of object, such as food, kitchen utensils, instruments or any other items. The systems may 6 further be incorporated into or combined with microwave ovens to both sanitize and cook foods. 7 The systems may include any quantity or type of door or other device enabling entry of objects, 8 whereby the door may be disposed at any location, while the system is accordingly configured to 9 receive objects through the door. The systems may include any conventional or other control pad 10 and processor or control circuitry to control system operation as described above. 11 The body sleeve may be of any shape or size to accommodate any body segment. The 12 hose may be any conventional or other type of hose. The systems described above may be 13 connected to any quantity and any combination of sleeves, suits, body chambers or hand 14 compartments. The body suit may be of any size and configured to cover and treat any desired 15 body segments. The suit may be integral, or include separate portions each capable of attachment 16 to collectively form the suit. The suit may include any type of fastening device and may include 17 any mechanism to enable placement over a body. The sleeve and suit may be constructed of any 18 suitable materials. The body chamber may be of any shape or size, and may be configured to 19 receive any portion of a body. The body chamber and hand compartment may be constructed of 20 any suitable materials. The hand compartment may be of any shape or size, and include any 21 shaped or sized openings defined at any location. Further, the sleeve, suit, chamber and 22 compartments may be further configured and utilized for treatment of objects or animals. 23 It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments 24 discussed herein, but may be implemented in any manner that utilizes ozone generation in 25 combination with a configuration that reduces air through-flow velocity to enable the ozone to 26 interact with the air, (e.g., any path configuration or other mechanism to reduce air through-flow 27 velocity) and germicidal radiation to remove contaminants from an air stream. 28 From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that the invention makes available 29 a novel method and apparatus for producing purified or ozone enriched air wherein air is exposed 43 WO 99/13922 PCT/US98/19633 1 to UV radiation at a first wavelength to generate ozone which oxidizes contaminants in the air, 2 while traversing an ozone chamber configured to reduce air through-flow velocity and to enhance 3 ozone distribution in the contaminated air. Subsequently, the air is exposed to UV radiation at 4 a second wavelength to destroy bacteria and ozone in the air. 5 Having described preferred embodiments of a new and improved method and apparatus 6 for producing purified or ozone enriched air, it is believed that other modifications, variations and 7 changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It 8 is therefore to be understood that all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to 9 fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 44

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for removing contaminants from a contaminated air stream received from a surrounding environment to produce purified or ozone enriched air comprising: an air intake to receive an air stream from the surrounding environment; an ozone chamber including an ozone generating radiation source for irradiating the air stream to produce ozone to remove contaminants from within the air stream, and ozone distribution means for reducing air stream through-flow velocity to increase residence time of said air stream in said ozone chamber to enable the produced ozone to thoroughly mix and interact with and ozonate the air stream and thereby enhance removal of contaminants from within the air stream; a germicidal chamber for receiving said air stream from said ozone chamber and including a germicidal radiation source for irradiating the air stream to remove residual contaminants and ozone therefrom; an exhaust to return the air stream from said germicidal chamber to the surrounding environment; and air flow control means for directing the air stream to flow through said system.

2. The system of claim 1 further including: a particulate filter to remove particulate matter residing within said air stream.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said ozone chamber further includes: a reflector disposed proximate said ozone generating radiation source to reflect radiation emitted from said ozone generating radiation source toward said air stream; and a lens to intensify and focus said reflected radiation toward said air stream to enhance production of ozone within said ozone chamber.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said surrounding environment is a pet litter box, and said air intake includes means for receiving said air stream from said pet litter box.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said surrounding environment is an interior of an air thermal treatment unit, and said air intake includes means for receiving said air stream from said air thermal treatment unit interior.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said surrounding environment is an interior of a ventilation system, and said air intake includes means for receiving said air stream from said ventilation system interior.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said surrounding environment is an interior of a vehicle, and said air intake includes means for receiving said air stream from said vehicle interior.

8. A system for removing contaminants from a contaminated air stream received from a surrounding garage environment comprising: a garage door opener located in said garage environment; and an air sterilization device coupled to said garage door opener for receiving the contaminated air stream from the surrounding garage environment and exposing the contaminated air stream to ozone and germicidal radiation to remove contaminants residing within the contaminated air stream and return sterilized air to the surrounding garage environment.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said air sterilization device includes: a sensor to detect levels of a particular substance within said surrounding garage environment and initiate system operation in response to said levels exceeding a predetermined threshold.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said substance is carbon-monoxide.

11. A system for producing ozone enriched air to remove contaminants from objects comprising: an air intake to receive an air stream from a surrounding environment; air flow control means to direct the air stream to flow through the system; and a working chamber including: receptacle means for supporting an object within said working chamber; an ozone generating radiation source for irradiating the air stream to produce ozone; a soaking chamber disposed proximate said ozone generating radiation source and including ozone distribution means for increasing residence time of said air stream in said soaking chamber to enable the produced ozone to thoroughly mix and interact with and ozonate the air stream, and guide means to direct said ozonated air toward said object to interact with and remove contaminants from said object; and a germicidal radiation source for irradiating the object to remove residual contaminants and ozone therefrom.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said ozone generating radiation source and said germicidal radiation source correspond to ozone and germicidal sections of a radiation bulb emitting radiation having different wavelengths at different sections of said bulb.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said working chamber includes: an ozone chamber for irradiating said air stream to produce ozone, wherein said ozone chamber houses said ozone section of said radiation bulb and said soaking chamber; and a germicidal chamber for irradiating the object to remove residual contaminants and ozone therefrom, wherein said germicidal chamber houses said germicidal section of said radiation bulb.

14. The system of claim 13 further including: transport means for transporting said object through said ozone and germicidal chambers to successively expose said object to said ozonated air and germicidal radiation.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein said ozone generating radiation source and said germicidal radiation source are each independent radiation sources, and said system further includes: control means to enable said ozone generating radiation source for a first predetermined time interval and enable said germicidal radiation source for a second predetermined time interval; wherein said control means enables said germicidal radiation source subsequent to expiration of said first predetermined time interval.

16. A system for producing ozone enriched air to remove contaminants from objects comprising: an air intake to receive an air stream from a surrounding environment; air flow control means for directing the air stream to flow through said system; and a treatment chamber including: receptacle means for supporting an object within said treatment chamber; an ozone chamber having an ozone generating radiation source for irradiating the air stream to produce ozone to remove contaminants from within the air stream, and ozone distribution means for increasing residence time of said air stream in said ozone chamber to enable the produced ozone to thoroughly mix and interact with and ozonate the air stream and thereby enhance removal of contaminants from within the air stream; a germicidal chamber for receiving said air stream from said ozone chamber and including a germicidal radiation source for irradiating the air stream to remove residual contaminants and at least a portion of ozone therefrom to produce ozone enriched air; and guide means to direct said ozone enriched air toward said object to interact with and remove contaminants from said object.

17. A system for producing purified or ozone enriched air for application to an object comprising: an air intake to receive an air stream from a surrounding environment; air flow control means for directing the air stream to flow through said system; an ozone chamber including an ozone generating radiation source for irradiating the air stream to produce ozone to remove contaminants from within the air stream, and ozone distribution means for increasing residence time of said air stream in said ozone chamber to enable the produced ozone to thoroughly mix and interact with and ozonate the air stream and thereby enhance removal of contaminants from within the air stream; a germicidal chamber for receiving said air stream from said ozone chamber and including a germicidal radiation source for irradiating the air stream to remove residual contaminants and at least a portion of ozone therefrom to produce purified or ozone enriched air; an applicator for interfacing and applying said purified or ozone enriched air to said object; and a tubular member to transport said purified or ozone enriched air from said system to said applicator.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said applicator includes a sleeve.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein said object is at least a portion of a human body and said applicator includes a body suit to encompass at least said portion of said body.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein said object is a human body and said applicator includes a body chamber for receiving and enclosing substantially the entire body.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein said object is a human hand and said applicator includes a compartment for receiving said human hand.

22. In an air sterilization system having an air intake, ozone and germicidal chambers and an exhaust, a method of removing contaminants from a contaminated air stream received from a surrounding environment to produce purified or ozone enriched air comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an air stream from the surrounding environment via the air intake; (b) directing the air stream to flow through the system; (c) irradiating the air stream within the ozone chamber via an ozone generating radiation source to produce ozone to remove contaminants from within the air stream; (d) reducing air stream through-flow velocity to increase residence time of the air stream in the ozone chamber to enable the produced ozone to thoroughly mix and interact with and ozonate the air stream and thereby enhance removal of contaminants from within the air stream; (e) irradiating the air stream received from the ozone chamber within a germicidal chamber via a germicidal radiation source to remove residual contaminants and ozone therefrom; and (f) returning the air stream from the germicidal chamber to the surrounding environment via the exhaust.

23. The method of claim 22 further including the step of: (g) removing particulate matter residing within the air stream via a particulate filter.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein step (c) further includes: (c.1) reflecting radiation emitted from the ozone generating radiation source toward the air stream; and (c.2) intensifying and focusing the reflected radiation toward the air stream to enhance production of ozone within the ozone chamber.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the surrounding environment is a pet litter box, and step (a) further includes: (a.l) receiving the air stream from the pet litter box.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the surrounding environment is an interior of an air thermal treatment unit, and step (a) further includes: (a.1) receiving the air stream from the air thermal treatment unit interior.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein the surrounding environment is an interior of a ventilation system, and step (a) further includes: (a.l) receiving the air stream from the ventilation system interior.

28. The method of claim 22 wherein the surrounding environment is an interior of a vehicle, and step (a) further includes: (a.l) receiving the air stream from the vehicle interior.

29. A method of removing contaminants from a contaminated air stream received from a surrounding environment comprising the steps of: (a) coupling an air sterilization system to a garage door opener; (b) receiving the contaminated air stream from the surrounding environment via the air sterilization system; and (c) exposing the contaminated air stream to ozone and germicidal radiation, via the air sterilization system, to remove contaminants residing within the contaminated air stream and return sterilized air to the surrounding environment.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the air sterilization system includes a sensor, and step (c) further includes: (c.1 ) detecting levels of a particular substance within the surrounding environment via the sensor; and (c.2) initiating system operation in response to the levels exceeding a predetermined threshold.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein step (c .1 ) further includes : (c.1.1) detecting levels of carbon-monoxide within the surrounding environment.

32. In an air sterilization system having an air intake, a working chamber and an exhaust, a method of producing ozone enriched air to remove contaminants from objects comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an air stream from a surrounding environment via the air intake; (b) directing the air stream to flow through the system; (c) disposing and supporting an object within the working chamber; (d) irradiating the air stream within the working chamber via an ozone generating radiation source to produce ozone; (e) increasing residence time of the air stream within a soaking chamber disposed proximate the ozone generating radiation source to enable the produced ozone to thoroughly mix and interact with and ozonate the air stream; (f) directing the ozonated air toward the object to interact with and remove contaminants from the object; and (g) irradiating the object within the working chamber via a germicidal radiation source to remove residual contaminants and ozone therefrom.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the ozone generating radiation source and the germicidal radiation source correspond to ozone and germicidal sections of a radiation bulb emitting radiation having different wavelengths at different sections of the bulb, wherein step (d) further includes: (d.l) irradiating the air stream via the ozone section of the radiation bulb; and step (f) further includes: (f.1) irradiating the object via the germicidal section of the radiation bulb.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the working chamber includes an ozone chamber housing the ozone section of the radiation bulb and the soaking chamber, and a germicidal chamber housing the germicidal section of the radiation bulb, wherein step (d.1) further includes: (d.1.1 ) irradiating the air stream via the ozone section of the radiation bulb within the ozone chamber; and step (f .1 ) further includes : (f .1.1 ) irradiating the obj ect via the germicidal section of the radiation bulb within the germicidal chamber.

35. The method of claim 34 further including the step of: (h) transporting the object through the ozone and germicidal chambers to expose the object to the ozonated air and germicidal radiation.

36. The method of claim 32 wherein the ozone generating radiation source and the germicidal radiation source are each independent radiation sources, wherein step (d) further includes: (d.1 ) enabling the ozone generating radiation source for a first predetermined time interval; and step (g) further includes: (g.l) enabling the germicidal radiation source for a second predetermined time interval subsequent to expiration of the first predetermined time interval.

37. In an air sterilization system having an air intake, a treatment chamber including ozone and germicidal chambers, and an exhaust, a method of producing ozone enriched air to remove contaminants from objects comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an air stream from a surrounding environment via the air intake; (b) directing the air stream to flow through the system; (c) disposing and supporting an object within the treatment chamber; (d) irradiating the air stream within the ozone chamber via an ozone generating radiation source to produce ozone to remove contaminants from within the air stream; (e) increasing residence time of the air stream in the ozone chamber to enable the produced ozone to thoroughly mix and interact with and ozonate the air stream and thereby enhance removal of contaminants from within the air stream; (f) irradiating the air stream from the ozone chamber within the germicidal chamber via a germicidal radiation source to remove residual contaminants and at least a portion of ozone therefrom to produce ozone enriched air; and (g) directing the ozone enriched air toward the object to interact with and remove contaminants from the object.

38. A method of applying purified or ozone enriched air from an air sterilization system to a portion of a body, wherein the air sterilization system includes an air intake, ozone and germicidal chambers, and an exhaust, said method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an air stream from a surrounding environment via the air intake; (b) directing the air stream to flow through the system; (c) irradiating the air stream within the ozone chamber via an ozone generating radiation source to produce ozone to remove contaminants from within the air stream; (d) increasing residence time of the air stream in the ozone chamber to enable the produced ozone to thoroughly mix and interact with and ozonate the air stream and thereby enhance removal of contaminants from within the air stream; (e) irradiating the air stream from the ozone chamber within the germicidal chamber via a germicidal radiation source to remove residual contaminants and at least a portion of ozone therefrom to produce purified or ozone enriched air; (f) interfacing an applicator to the body portion; and (g) transporting the purified or ozone enriched air from the air sterilization system to the applicator for applying the purified or ozone enriched air to the body portion.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the applicator includes a sleeve, and step (f) further includes: (f.l) interfacing the sleeve to the body portion.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein the applicator includes a body suit, and step (f) further includes: (f.l) encompassing a substantial portion of the body within the body suit.

41. The method of claim 38 wherein the applicator includes a body chamber, and step (f) further includes: (f.1 ) enclosing substantially the entire body within the body chamber.

42. The method of 38 wherein the applicator includes a compartment, and step (f) further includes: (f.1) inserting a user's hands within the compartment.