Portable sterilization device for footwear utilizing germicidal UV-C radiation

• US 8,624,202 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2010
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hepco Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Hepco Medical LLC
• Inventors: Gil, Patricia
• Primary Examiner(s): CHORBAJI, MONZER R
• Application Number:
  US12/860,721
• Publication Number:
  US 20120045363A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 250/453.11, 250/454.11, 250/492.1, 250/494.1, 250/504.R, 422/1, 422/22, 422/24, 422/186.3, 607/88, 607/94
• US Class Current: 250/492.1
• 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, dust mite, and fleas, the portable sterilization device comprising:

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 low-profile base that directs the UV-C radiation to the bottom of the footwear;

a protective shield over the glass platform for shielding from exposure to the UV-C radiation, the protective shield having 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; and

further comprising spring-loaded actuators, calibrated to sense the presence of a person'"'"'s weight stepping on the glass platform, activating the UV-C bulb assembly responsive the presence of the person'"'"'s weight stepping on the glass platform, wherein the spring-loaded actuators comprise micro-switching devices

whereas the portable sterilization device is activated by a person stepping upon the glass platform, thereby exposing the bottom of the footwear to the UV-C radiation, thereby rendering bacteria and viruses harmless.

2. The portable sterilization device as in claim 1, wherein the UV-C bulb assembly is powered by a rechargeable battery or, directly by AC power.

3. The portable sterilization device as in claim 2, further comprising LED indicators that are illuminated if the rechargeable battery requires charging.

4. The portable sterilization device as in claim 1, wherein the UV-C bulb assembly is powered by a DC/AC power inverter.

5. The portable sterilization device as in claim 1, wherein further comprising a motion sensing switch that senses the presence of a person'"'"'s footwear inside the portable sterilization device, thereby activating the UV-C bulb assembly responsive the presence of the person'"'"'s footwear inside the device.

6. The portable sterilization device as in claim 5, wherein the motion sensing switch further comprises a built-in timer, the timer determines the duration of the UV-C exposure.

7. The portable sterilization device as in claim 6, wherein the built-in timer activates an audible and/or visual indicator when the duration of the UV-C exposure is complete.

8. The portable sterilization device as in claim 1, wherein the parabolic reflector reflects, concentrates, and directs the UV-C radiation upwards towards the bottom of the footwear.

9. The portable sterilization device as in claim 1, wherein the low profile base 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.