DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING THE MICROBIAL LOAD ON AN OBJECT USING A UV LIGHT SOURCE

• US 20140186500A1
• Filed: 12/23/2013
• Published: 07/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Lu, Sangwei
• Application Number:
  US14/139,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20140186500A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/248
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/28 with ultraviolet light

Abstract

The present disclosure provides devices for reducing the microbial load on objects (e.g., edible plant matter). In certain aspects, the devices include a UV light source and at least a portion of a tumbler composed of a UV light transmissive material. Aspects of the invention also include methods for reducing the microbial load on an object using a UV light source.

Claims

1. A device for reducing the microbial load on an object, the device comprising:

a container comprising an interior and an exterior;

a UV light source configured to illuminate at least a portion of the interior of the container; and

a tumbler configured for insertion into the container and comprising a UV light transmissive material.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises at least one UV light-reflective interior surface.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the container is shaped as a rectangular box.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one UV light source is operably coupled to a timer component configured to turn off the UV light source after a predetermined time.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a kinetic component configured to move the tumbler within the container.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tumbler further comprises at least one opening.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the tumbler further comprises a lid removably coupled to the tumbler and configured to at least partially cover the at least one opening in the tumbler.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein when the lid is coupled to the tumbler, the lid and tumbler form a water-tight cavity within the tumbler.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tumbler is shaped as a cylinder having a first end and a second end and a long axis of symmetry extending from the first end to the second end and about which the tumbler is symmetrical.

22. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tumbler has an open configuration and a closed configuration.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein when the tumbler is in a closed configuration, the tumbler forms a water-tight cavity within the tumbler.

24. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a power source operably connected to the at least one UV light source.

25. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be lifted by an average adult human.

26. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tumbler comprises an exterior surface and a single continuous interior surface defined by a solid sheet of the UV light transmissive material.

27. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tumbler comprises a polymer.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein the tumbler comprises ethylene tetrafluoroethylene.

29. The device according to claim 1, wherein the object is edible plant matter.

30. The device according to claim 1, wherein the container further comprises a door configured to have an open configuration and a closed configuration.

31. The device according to claim 30, wherein when the door is in an open configuration, the interior of the container is accessible.

4. (canceled)

7-13. -13. (canceled)

18-21. -21. (canceled)

32. A method of reducing the microbial load on an object comprising:

placing an object in a device comprising;

a container;

a UV light source configured to illuminate the interior of the container; and

a tumbler configured for insertion into the container and comprising

a UV light transmissive material; and

tumbling the object in the device while the object is illuminated with UV light.

33-37. -37. (canceled)