BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the death care industry, great precaution is taken when handling a dead body of a human or animal. Because a body begins to decay virtually immediately upon death, the risk of infection or sickness from contact with the body fluids or gaseous emissions is present from the time of death on. For instance, sicknesses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and staph may be contracted from physical contact with the body fluids of a dead body, and tuberculosis may be contracted from exposure to the off-gas or vapors emitted by a dead body.

Accordingly, since various blood-borne pathogens and airborne blood diseases may be contracted from contact with the body fluids or the vapors from a dead body, steps are generally taken by those handling dead bodies to curb or eliminate the risk of contamination. Currently, organizations such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) regulate the death care industry at both the Federal and state levels. For instance, when working in the field, personnel handling a dead body must exercise a level of care referred to in the industry as "universal precaution" when handling a dead body located at the scene of an accident, a fire or a crime. In accordance with "universal precaution," all body and blood fluids are treated as though they are contaminated. In funeral homes and mortuaries, additional precautions may be taken. These additional precautions may include the use of personal protective equipment such as respirators, gloves, half masks, safety goggles, fluid-repellent coveralls and shoe covers.

Thus, significant efforts are made in order to reduce the risk associated with exposure to contaminants from a dead body. However, for various reasons, it is still oftentimes difficult to avoid exposure to the contaminants from a dead body, particularly the vaporous off gassing or emissions caused by bacteria and the decomposition of a dead body.

For instance, a dead body may have to be visually identified or inspected several times prior to delivery to a funeral home or mortuary. This requires the opening the body bag in which

the dead body is stored which allows the vapors in the body bag to escape. Once at the funeral home or mortuary, various procedures such as autopsies or embalming of the dead body are performed which may take anywhere from several hours to several days.

A dead body is preferably embalmed at a mortuary or funeral home with an embalming fluid such as formaldehyde as soon as possible in order to preserve and prevent the decomposition of the dead body. However, it may be several days to several weeks in certain circumstances before a dead body is embalmed, such as in the case of a mass death from a natural disaster or human tragedy, particularly in Third World nations. Moreover, formaldehyde is a carcinogenic material, and therefore, exposure to formaldehyde may be dangerous.

Various devices for preserving dead bodies are described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 806,756 to James M. Stafford, U.S. Patent No. 1,096,816 to Lawrence et al., and U.S. Patent No. 2,882,584 to Ralph Kidd. Each of the above patents is directed to an airtight casket. In the '756 patent to James M. Stafford, a combustible agent is ignited within an airtight casket to consume the air therein, and thereby creating a partial vacuum for preserving the dead body within the casket. The '816 patent to Lawrence et al. discloses a receptacle adapted to contain chlorine or other efficient gas that can be released within a casket for embalming a dead body. Lastly, the '584 patent to Ralph Kidd teaches the replacement of the air in a casket with a gas such as inert nitrogen to retard the deterioration of a dead body within the casket. While the patented systems described above may have some merit, they fail to provide a workable system that reduces the risk of contamination from exposure or handling of a dead body prior to burial. These systems, as described above, may operate to preserve a dead body once placed in a casket or burial vault, but they do not appear to provide functionality in regard to the transporting a dead body or in regard to the temporary storage of a dead body while various operations are being performed thereon.

Thus, heretofore unaddressed need exist in the industry for a system and method that reduces the risk of contamination associated with handling a dead body prior to burial, particularly the off-gas or vapors emitted by a dead body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for temporarily storing or transporting dead bodies.

It is another object of the present invention to reduce the risk of contamination from bacteria and viruses associated with dead bodies.

It is another object of the present invention to reduce the odor associated with dead bodies.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved body bag

system.

These and other objects of the present invention are provided for by systems and methods for storing and transporting a dead body which include the exposure of the dead body to a predetermined amount of ozone within a confined area of a limit volume. In particular, the present invention comprises a sealable container such as a body bag and an ozone generator that produces ozone that is introduced into the sealable container. The ozone acts as a natural purifier, and oxidizes the bacteria and viruses associated with a dead body.

Consequently, the odor and dangerous contaminants associated with a dead body are reduced, if not eliminated altogether. This is a significant advancement in industry because the present invention may substantially reduce the risk associated with the handling of a dead body.

Thus, people who work with dead bodies may be less likely to contract a disease or virus such as tuberculosis, staph or HIV from exposure to a dead body. The people that work with dead bodies may be less likely to be exposed to the pungent and offensive odors associated with a dead body. Moreover, ozone may operate to reduce the risk of exposure to formaldehyde by reducing the amount of formaldehyde in a work area.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a system for containing a dead body comprises a means for containing a dead body, wherein the means for containing defines a chamber in which the dead body can reside. The system further comprises a means for generating ozone and a means for delivering the ozone to the chamber defined by the means for containing the dead body. The means for containing the dead body may comprise a body bag (also referred to as a disaster pouch) or a cover configured to fit over a dead body lying on a substantially planar surface such that the cover includes a peripheral edge that substantially seals to the planar surface. The means for delivering the ozone to the means for containing the dead body may comprise a flexible conduit made of plastic or vinyl or another suitable ozone resistant material. The means for generating ozone may include an ozone generator that produces a sufficient concentration of ozone to and oxidizes the bacteria, odor and viruses associated with a dead body, preferably between 0-1.5 grams of ozone per hour. The amount of ozone generated by the ozone generator is preferably controlled by a control mechanism associated with the ozone generator that allows the amount of ozone generated to be predetermined.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a system for reducing the risk of contamination from a dead body comprises a container configured to receive a dead body, and an ozone generator that outputs a selectable quantity of ozone that is delivered to the container. Preferably, the container comprises a body bag that includes an aperture for coupling to the ozone generator, or a cover configured to fit over a dead body lying on a substantially planar surface, wherein the cover includes a peripheral edge that substantially seals to the planar surface. The ozone generator outputs a concentration of

ozone sufficient to oxidize the odor and contaminants in the container. Preferably, the ozone generator produces between 0-1.5 grams of ozone per hour, and includes a controller for pre- selecting the amount of ozone generated.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for reducing the risk of contamination from the dead body comprises the steps of generating a predetermined amount of ozone, and delivering the ozone to a container configured for receiving a dead body. The ozone is preferably delivered to the container via a flexible conduit. The amount of ozone delivered is preferably between 0-1.5 grams per hour.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a body bag for holding a dead body comprises a substantially waterproof enclosure, a first sealable opening that is configured to receive a dead body, and a second sealable opening that is configured to receive a conduit suitable for delivering ozone to the enclosure. The disaster pouch may include a periphery to which a plurality of hand straps is attached in a spaced apart relationship for carrying the body bag. In addition, the body bag may include poles that pass through the hand straps to assist in carrying the body bag. The body bag may also comprise a substantially white liner attached to an inside surface of the body bag for gathering body fluids and assisting in their identification. Further, the body bag may comprise an identification pouch attached to the body bag. The identification pouch may include a transparent panel for viewing identification markings inside the identification pouch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ozone body bag system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the body bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the nozzle of the feeder hose positioned within an aperture in the body bag, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the ozone generator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a side perspective view of the ozone generator of FIG. 1 without a lid.

FIG. 4C is an exploded perspective view of the ozone tube in FIG 4B.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a prep table hood in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the elements are not necessarily drawn to scale. Further, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views.

With reference to FIG. 1, illustrated is an ozone body bag system 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The ozone body bag system 10 is configured to reduce the risk of bacterial and viral contamination associated with decomposed, burned or infested dead bodies. For purposes of the present disclosure, references to a dead body may include human and animal cadavers. The ozone body bag system 10 can be utilized during storage or transportation of a dead body, as well as in numerous other applications where there exists a risk of contamination from a dead body or where it may be desirable to reduce the odor associated with a dead body.

The ozone body bag system 10 comprises a body bag assembly 12, an ozone generator 14, and an ozone feeder hose 16 connected to the output of the ozone generator 14 at one end, and the body bag assembly 12 at the opposite end. Ozone generated by the ozone generator 14 is delivered from the ozone generator 14 to the body bag assembly 12 via the ozone feeder hose 16. The ozone enters the body bag assembly 12 and essentially inflates the body bag with ozone-enriched air. Advantageously, the ozone within the body bag assembly 12 oxidizes pathogenic bacteria, infectious diseases, and offensive and pungent odors associated with a dead body residing within body bag assembly 12.

The body bag assembly 12 comprises a strong, flexible, waterproof, odorproof pouch 18 made, for example, of cordura nylon of 1000 denier weight, manufactured by E. 1. du Pont de Nemours and Company, and available through numerous distributors such as Seattle Textile, Seattle, Washington, USA. The Cordura nylon is preferred because it is tear-resistant and will hold up through rigorous abuse. The pouch 18 comprises a top panel 20 that is attached to a bottom panel 22 (FIG. 2). It is preferred that the bottom panel 22 and top panel 20 be attached at a their respective peripheral edges by double-sided sealing tape (not shown). A strip of double-sided sealing tape having a width of approximately one inch may be sandwiched between the bottom panel 22 and the top panel 20 at the peripheral edges thereof. The sealing tape is preferably model ST-52 fusible tape manufactured by Bemis Associates, Inc., Shirley, Maine, USA. The two panels 20 and 22 are sewn together using a zigzag safety stitch that passes through the sealing tape. A preferred thread is Tex-80 nylon thread, available through A&E Thread, Mount Holy, North Carolina, USA. Further, nylon

binding 24 is stitched about the outside edges of the pouch 18 in order to further seal and leakproof the pouch 18.

A liner (not shown), preferably vinyl plastic, is provided on the inside of pouch 18 adjacent to the bottom panel 22. The vinyl plastic liner preferably has a substantially white or milky-white color in order to assist in the identification of body fluids.

A suitable material for the plastic liner is 8-gauge vinyl plastic, such as that manufactured by O'Sullivan Corporation, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA. In addition, the plastic liner adds further waterproofing to the pouch 18. Thus, the fluids inside that pouch 18 can be more effectively contained within the pouch 18 and off anyone carrying the body bag assembly 12, or from leaking in a vehicle or storage area where the body bag assembly 12 is placed.

As found with most conventional body bags, pouch 18 includes a panel opening 30 for enabling the ingress and egress of a dead body. The panel opening 30 is preferably sealed using a slide fastener such as a double slide zipper. For identification purposes, an identification pouch 32 is provided on the top panel 20. The identification pouch provides for quick and easy identification of the dead body within the pouch 18. The identification pouch 32 includes a transparent window, much like a luggage identification tag, for viewing/reading information inside the identification pouch 32 such as written notations or bar code data, or for viewing the dead body within the pouch 18. Thus, the identification pouch 32 may include a disposable grease pen and identification card for recording identification information that can be viewed through the window 34. In addition, an inkpad for fingerprinting and a chemical light stick can also be stored in the identification pouch 32.

With reference now to FIG. 2, support webbing 36 is provided along the bottom panel 22 of the pouch 18 to facilitate the mobility of the body bag assembly 12. The support webbing 36 comprises lengthwise and widthwise straps attached to the pouch 18 and extending at least from edge to opposing edge. The support webbing 36 may be attached to the bag by an adhesive or by stitching. At the support webbing 36 also includes extensions to the straps that are looped to form handles 38. Carrying poles 40 can be threaded through the handles 38 to form a self-contained stretcher, which further facilitate the mobility of the body bag assembly 12. The poles 40 are preferably formed of fiberglass with vinyl rubber end caps. In addition, the poles 40 are preferably formed from two or more pieces that can be secured together via locking pins or other suitable mechanism as are well known to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the poles 40 can be assembled and disassembled with relative ease, and stored in a relatively small space.

With reference back to FIG. 1, the pouch 18 includes a self-sealing aperture 42 for receiving the ozone feeder hose 16. In particular, the ozone feeder hose 16 is fitted with a nozzle 44 that is configured to fit snugly within aperture 42. The nozzle 44 of the ozone feeder hose 16 is also configured to be secured in place within aperture 42 by, for

instance, a Velcro connection mechanism 46, as illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other suitable mechanisms such as a snap or hook and loop can be utilized to secure the nozzle 44 within the aperture 42. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of the self-sealing aperture 42 includes Velcro strips 50 that secure and seal a flap 52 that covers the aperture 42 when the hose 16 is not attached to the pouch 18. However, when the nozzle 44 of hose 16 is inserted within opening 42, the flap 52 is pulled back and secured to the nozzle 42 via the Velcro connection mechanism 46. In particular, a top Velcro patch 46a that is attached to the flap 52 is secured to a bottom Velcro patch 46b that is attached to the nozzle 44. Thus, the Velcro connection mechanism 46 essentially operates to secure the nozzle 44 within the opening 42 while in use.

With general reference to FiGs. 4A-4C, illustrated are several views of the ozone generator 14. It should be noted at this point that while the embodiment of ozone generator 14 described below is designed to produce a constant amount of ozone, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the ozone generator 14 may be configured to generate a variable amount of ozone as may be desired in certain applications. However, for purposes of disclosing the present invention, the ozone generator 14 produces a constant amount of ozone sufficient to kill the bacteria and odor associated with a dead body in the pouch 18, typically between 0-1.5 grams of ozone per hour. In a preferred embodiment, the ozone generator 14 produces 1.0 grams of ozone per hour.

The ozone generator 14 includes an activation switch 50 for turning the ozone generator 14 on and off. A fuse holder 52 is conveniently located at the front of the ozone generator 14 in order to facilitate replacement of fuses. A funnel outlet 54 couples the ozone generator 14 to the ozone feeder hose 16, as shown in FIG. 4A. A lid 55 covers the internal components of the ozone generator 14.

In FIG. 4B, the ozone generator 14 is illustrated without the lid 55. As shown, the ozone generator 14 comprises an ozone tube 56 disposed between support cones 58 and 60. At the inlet to the ozone tube 56, a fan assembly 60 operates to facilitate the flow of air through ozone tube 56 in the direction shown by arrows 61. The airflow enters the ozone feeder tube 16 and then passes into the body bag assembly 12. The fan assembly 60 preferably operates at approximately 1900 RPMs, passing 80 cubic feet per minute (cfm). In addition, the fan assembly is preferably fitted with an electrostatic filter (not shown) to filter the air entering the ozone generator 14. A transfoneWpower source unit 62 provides power to the ozone tube 56 via power line 64. The transfoner/power source unit 62 is powered by a 110 volt AC source such as a wall outlet. However, an inverter may be utilized to enable operation of the ozone generator 14 at approximately 12 volts so that the generator 14 can be powered by an automobile battery (for instance, via a cigarette lighter), as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

As illustrated in FIG. 4C, the ozone tube 56 comprises a first tubular electrode 64 concentrically aligned about a second tubular electrode 66, wherein the first electrode 64 and the second electrode are separated from one another by a dielectric member 68. The dielectric member 68 is preferably made of glass or ceramic. The concentrically aligned electrodes 64, 66 are respectively connected to opposite terminals of the transformer/power source unit 62 so that a potential difference can be created across the electrodes 64, 66. In a preferred embodiment, an approximately 8,000-10,000 volt charge is placed across the electrodes 64, 66. The electric charge across electrodes 64, 66 generates sparks therebetween that fuses oxygen in the air passing through ozone tube 56 so as to form ozone. Specifically, electrostatic or corona discharges occur which cause the oxygen (02) to break down into charged oxygen atoms (20) some of which combine to form molecules of ozone (03), which can be generally represented by the following reaction: 20 + O2 o 03.

The ozone acts as an oxidizing agent which destroys bacteria, odor, mildew, mold, viruses (such as HIV, tuberculosis and staph) and other biohazardous materials. The ozone subsequently breaks down into oxygen (02) which is normally beneficial and naturally occurring in the environment. The ozone generated in ozone tube 56 is pushed through funnel outlet 54 into the ozone feeder hose 16 for delivery to the body bag assembly 12. As noted above, the transformer/power source unit 62 may be configured to provide a variable voltage to the electrodes 64, 66 so as to generate a selectable and/or programmable amount of ozone.

It should be noted that while ozone generator 14 is described herein for purposes of disclosing the present invention, there are numerous other well know ozone generator designs that are equally well suited for operation in the ozone body bag assembly 10 of the present invention. For instance, each one of U.S. Patent No. 4,603,031 to Gelbman, U.S. Patent No. 4,690,803 to Hirth, and U.S. Patent No. 5,503,809 to Coate et al. discloses an ozone generator that may be suitable for operation with the present invention.

In operation, once a dead body has been placed in pouch 18 and panel opening 30 has been closed, flap 52 of aperture 42 is opened and nozzle 44 of the ozone feeder hose 16 is inserted into the aperture 42. The top Velcro patch 46a is then connected to the bottom Velcro patch 46b in order to substantially close the aperture 42 and secure the ozone feeder hose 16 to the pouch 18. The ozone generator can then be actuated by the activation switch 50. The ozone generator 14 then produces approximately 1.0 grams of ozone per hour which is delivered to the body bag assembly 12 via the ozone feeder hose 16.

The ozone that enters the pouch 18 oxidizes the bacteria, odor, and other contaminants associated with the dead body contained therein. If used in conjunction with a transportation vehicle, the ozone generator may be powered by a 12 volt source such as a cigarette lighter by utilizing an inverter.

In alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the present invention may comprise a removable hood 70 configured to sit or rest on a substantially planar surface such as an embalming/autopsy table 72. In this embodiment, the hood 70 is provided with an ozone injection hole 74 configured to receive an ozone feeder hose 75 which is coupled to an ozone generator 78. The ozone generator 78 and the ozone feeder hose 76 are substantially similar to ozone generator 14 and feeder hose 16 described above with reference to the body bag system 10. The hood 70 is also provided with handles 80 on each side so that the hood 70 can be easily manipulated over a dead body on the table 72. The hood 70 includes an edge 82 that is configured to create a seal that is substantially airtight with the embalming/autopsy table 72. Accordingly, a dead body resting on an embalming/autopsy table 72 can be covered by the hood 70 and immersed in ozone-enriched air generated by the ozone generator 78, so as to eliminate the airborne and surface contaminants associated with a dead body. The ozone injection hole 74 is provided with a cap 75 for a sealing hole 74 when the ozone feeder hose 76 is not connected thereto.

The hood is preferably made of vinyl plastic that is both ozone and formaldehyde resistant. For example, 1 50 weight vinyl plastic is suitable. Such plastic can be obtained from Plastech Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The hood 70 can be formed via numerous methods, such as vacuum forming, preferably with a wall thickness of 0.150 inches.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.