STERILIZATION METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GAMING EQUIPMENT
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sterilizing unit for sterilizing gaming items comprising:
- a housing;
a light generating sterilizing source;
a conveyor system having at least a first conveyor portion and a second conveyor portion, each conveyor portion placed such that a plurality of surfaces of the gaming item are directly exposed to the light generating sterilizing source; and
where the first conveyor portion includes a first plurality of seats for nesting of at least one of the gaming items, and where the second conveyor portion includes a second plurality of seats for nesting at least one of the gaming items, where the first and second conveyor portions are placed relative to one another such that movement of the gaming item from the first conveyor portion to the second conveyor portion causes the gaming item to change orientation when nested in the second conveyor portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Enclosures that include light generating sterilization sources and conveying systems for sterilizing gaming items are disclosed. Also disclosed are gaming equipment or tables having user interface portions coated or treated with a photo-catalyst for maintaining sterility of the user interface.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A sterilizing unit for sterilizing gaming items comprising:
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a housing; a light generating sterilizing source; a conveyor system having at least a first conveyor portion and a second conveyor portion, each conveyor portion placed such that a plurality of surfaces of the gaming item are directly exposed to the light generating sterilizing source; and where the first conveyor portion includes a first plurality of seats for nesting of at least one of the gaming items, and where the second conveyor portion includes a second plurality of seats for nesting at least one of the gaming items, where the first and second conveyor portions are placed relative to one another such that movement of the gaming item from the first conveyor portion to the second conveyor portion causes the gaming item to change orientation when nested in the second conveyor portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A sterilizing unit for sterilizing gaming items comprising:
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a housing; a sterilizing means; a conveyor system having at least a first conveyor portion and a second conveyor portion, each conveyor portion placed such that the gaming item is exposed to the sterilizing source; and where the first conveyor portion includes a first plurality of seats for nesting of at least one of the gaming items, and where the second conveyor portion includes a second plurality of seats for nesting at least one of the gaming items, where the first and second conveyor portions are placed relative to one another such that movement of the gaming item from the first conveyor portion to the second conveyor portion causes the gaming item to change orientation when nested in the second conveyor portion. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for providing a gaming item sterilization system, the method comprising:
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creating a sterilization path having a light-based sterilization source within an enclosure; advancing the gaming item on a conveyor through a portion of the sterilization path, such that at a plurality of surfaces of the gaming item are directly exposed to the sterilization source advancement through the sterilization path; and directly exposing each surface of the gaming item to the light-based sterilization source for a sufficient time to significantly sterilize all surfaces of the gaming item without damaging the gaming item. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A self-sterilizing casino gaming machine for engaging a user in a casino game, the machine comprising:
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a display portion for visually displaying the game; and a user interface comprising one or more portions allowing the user to engage in the game and affect the display portion, where at least a portion of the user interface comprises a photo-catalyst material that when irradiated with UV light, sterilizes the portion of the user interface. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A self-sterilizing casino gaming table comprising:
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a playing surface having at least a covering portion containing visual marks of a casino game; and a photo-catalyst material located on at least a surface of the covering portion without obscuring the visual marks of the casino game, where when irradiated with UV light, the photo-catalyst material sterilizes the covering portion.
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37. The casino gaming table 36, where the photo-catalyst material comprises TiO2.
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38. The casino gaming table 36, where the covering portion comprises a felt material.
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39. The casino gaming table 36, further comprising at least one illumination source placed within a line-of-sight of the surface of the covering material.
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40. The casino gaming table 39, where the illumination source comprises a UV light source coupled to a power supply such that the light source is configured to generate light between 100 and 400 nanometers wavelength.
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41. The casino gaming table 39, where the illumination source is located behind a covering, such that the covering prevents an individual from being irradiated by the illumination source.
Specification