Portable sterilization device for footwear utilizing germicidal UV-C radiation

• US 20120045363A1
• Filed: 08/20/2010
• Published: 02/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hepco Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Hepco Medical LLC
• Inventors: Gil, Patricia
• Granted Patent: US 8,624,202 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/26 Textiles, e.g. towels, beds, cloths

Abstract

A portable sterilization device using direct UV-C radiation to sterilize the bottom of footwear from known, multiple sources of contamination including bacteria and viruses. This portable device will offer a safe sterilization method for the general public, both in-home and in commercial use.

Claims

1. A portable sterilization device utilizing direct UV-C radiation for sterilizing the bottom of footwear from known multiple sources of contamination including bacteria and viruses;

molds; and

dust mite and fleas. This device is comprised of a low profile base having a glass platform which allows the UV-C radiation to radiate through it. A UV-C bulb assembly which includes a parabolic reflector within the base will direct the UV-C radiation to the bottom of footwear. The device is activated by a person stepping upon the glass platform for the purpose of exposing the bottom of his footwear to the UV-C radiation which will render bacteria and viruses harmless.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein a protective shield over the glass platform will eliminate any exposure to the UV-C radiation for the person stepping on the device

3. A device as in claim 1, wherein the protective shield contains a set of protective brushes that allow the person to step on to the glass platform and that simultaneously close around the person'"'"'s ankle.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein a rechargeable DC battery is the portable power source or, in the alternative, the device can be connected directly to AC power bypassing the DC battery.

5. A device as in claim 1, wherein a DC/AC power inverter provides the power source for the UV-C bulb assembly or, as an alternative, the device is connected directly to an AC power sour.

6. A device as in claim 1, wherein spring-loaded actuators, calibrated to sense the presence of a person'"'"'s weight stepping on the glass platform.

7. A device as in claim 5, wherein spring-loaded actuators are used to activate micro-switching devices.

8. A device as in claim 1, wherein a motion sensing switch senses the presence of a person'"'"'s footwear inside the device.

9. A device as in claim 7, wherein the motion sensing switch, having a built-in timer, will determine the duration of the UV-C exposure time.

10. A device as in claim 8, wherein the built-in timer will activate an audible and/or visual indicators that will allow the person stepping on the glass platform to know when the sterilization time is complete.

11. A device as in claim 1, wherein the electrical and electronic controller circuitry is comprised of the micro-switching devices and motion sensing switch. Both micro-switching devices and motion sensing switch must be activated at the time a person steps on the glass platform. This will ensure that there will be no accidental operation of the device until such time that a person steps on the glass platform.

12. A device as in claim 1, wherein the electrical and electronic controller circuitry is comprised of the micro-switching devices and motion sensing switch. Both micro-switching devices and motion sensing switch must operate in sequence in order for the UV-C bulbs to operate. This will ensure that there will be no accidental operation of the device until such time that a person steps on the glass platform.

13. A device as in claim 1, wherein the parabolic reflector under the UV-C bulb will reflect, concentrate and direct UV-C radiation upwards towards the bottom of footwear.

14. A device as in claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises of a glass platform made in a way to bear weight of a person standing on it but does not the block UV-C radiation.

15. A device as in claim 3, wherein the LED indicators will show if the battery requires charging or, in the case of a direct operation bypassing the battery, will indicate that the unit is ready for operation.

16. A method of utilizing a portable sterilization device to sterilize the bottom of footwear that uses UV-C radiation to destroy, or disrupt the natural reproduction of bacteria and viruses. A method providing a safe device allowing untrained persons a way to sterilize the bottom of their footwear through UV-C radiation which is harmful to humans. A method which protects users from harmful UV-C radiation by activating the device only when the micro-switches and the motion sensing devices are triggered in sequence. A method which protects users from harmful UV-C radiation by shielding the person standing on the device, through the use of a protective shield and protective brushes that allows only the exposure of the bottom of footwear to UV-C radiation.