Heat-sanitization of surfaces
First Claim
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1. A self-sanitizing article, comprising:
- an electromagnetic radiation waveguide structure; and
an outer surface region disposed proximate to the electromagnetic radiation waveguide structure,wherein the outer surface region has a selected electromagnetic radiation absorber portion and forms the exterior of at least one of an electronic display screen or an electronic touch screen,wherein the electromagnetic radiation waveguide structure is configured to flow selected electromagnetic radiation energy internally therethrough substantially parallel to the outer surface region, andwherein the selected electromagnetic radiation absorber portion is disposed relative to the waveguide structure so that it is coupled to and heated by the electromagnetic radiation energy flow to a positive temperature to heat-sanitize an exposed portion of the outer surface region.
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Abstract
Solutions for limiting the undesirable spread of pathogens by indirect contact are provided. The solutions involve heat-sanitization of contact regions on articles or fixtures by flowing selected electromagnetic radiation energy through underlying waveguide structures substantially parallel to the contact regions.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A self-sanitizing article, comprising:
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an electromagnetic radiation waveguide structure; and an outer surface region disposed proximate to the electromagnetic radiation waveguide structure, wherein the outer surface region has a selected electromagnetic radiation absorber portion and forms the exterior of at least one of an electronic display screen or an electronic touch screen, wherein the electromagnetic radiation waveguide structure is configured to flow selected electromagnetic radiation energy internally therethrough substantially parallel to the outer surface region, and wherein the selected electromagnetic radiation absorber portion is disposed relative to the waveguide structure so that it is coupled to and heated by the electromagnetic radiation energy flow to a positive temperature to heat-sanitize an exposed portion of the outer surface region. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A self-sanitizing article, comprising:
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an electromagnetic radiation waveguide structure; an outer surface region disposed proximate to the electromagnetic radiation waveguide structure; and a status indicator configured to indicate a sanitization state of the outer surface region, wherein the outer surface region has a selected electromagnetic radiation absorber portion, wherein the electromagnetic radiation waveguide structure is configured to flow selected electromagnetic radiation energy internally therethrough substantially parallel to the outer surface region, and wherein the selected electromagnetic radiation absorber portion is disposed relative to the waveguide structure so that it is coupled to and heated by the electromagnetic radiation energy flow to a positive temperature to heat-sanitize an exposed portion of the outer surface region.
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4. A self-sanitizing article, comprising:
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an electromagnetic radiation waveguide structure; an outer surface region disposed proximate to the electromagnetic radiation waveguide structure, wherein the outer surface region has a selected electromagnetic radiation absorber portion, wherein the electromagnetic radiation waveguide structure is configured to flow selected electromagnetic radiation energy internally therethrough substantially parallel to the outer surface region, and wherein the selected electromagnetic radiation absorber portion is disposed relative to the waveguide structure so that it is coupled to and heated by the electromagnetic radiation energy flow to a positive temperature to heat-sanitize an exposed portion of the outer surface region; a radiation source configured to provide the selected electromagnetic radiation energy to the waveguide structure; and a contact sensor configured to determine if a contact has been made to an exposed portion of the outer surface region and to accordingly activate the radiation source to provide the selected electromagnetic radiation energy to the waveguide structure for heat-sanitization of the exposed portion of the outer surface region. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification