Germicidal apparatuses with configurations to selectively conduct different disinfection modes interior and exterior to the apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a germicidal source;
a power circuit coupled to the germicidal source;
a chamber dimensionally configured to contain the germicidal source, wherein the chamber is arranged within the apparatus such that a port of the chamber which is dimensionally configured to receive the germicidal source is in linear alignment with the germicidal source, and wherein the germicidal source and/or the chamber are linearly displaceable within the apparatus such that the germicidal source may be contained within the chamber and may be at least partially arranged exterior to the chamber for respectively different modes of operation for the apparatus;
a processor; and
a storage medium having program instructions which are executable by the processor for;
activating the power circuit to operate the germicidal source when the germicidal source extends outside the chamber; and
activating the power circuit to operate the germicidal source when the germicidal source is encased within the chamber.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses are provided which include one or more germicidal sources, power circuitry coupled to the germicidal source/s, and a shield. The shield and/or at least one of the germicidal source/s are moveable within the apparatus and the apparatus is configured such that the shield and/or the germicidal source/s may be brought in and out of proximity with the other and upon doing so germicide projected from one or more of the germicidal source/s is either substantially contained in the apparatus or is projected exterior to the apparatus for different disinfection modes of the apparatus. The apparatuses include a processor and processor-executable program instructions for activating the power circuitry to operate the at least one germicidal source when the germicidal source is not encased within the apparatus and for activating the power circuitry to operate at least one germicidal source when the germicidal source/s are encased within the apparatus.
137 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a germicidal source; a power circuit coupled to the germicidal source; a chamber dimensionally configured to contain the germicidal source, wherein the chamber is arranged within the apparatus such that a port of the chamber which is dimensionally configured to receive the germicidal source is in linear alignment with the germicidal source, and wherein the germicidal source and/or the chamber are linearly displaceable within the apparatus such that the germicidal source may be contained within the chamber and may be at least partially arranged exterior to the chamber for respectively different modes of operation for the apparatus; a processor; and a storage medium having program instructions which are executable by the processor for; activating the power circuit to operate the germicidal source when the germicidal source extends outside the chamber; and activating the power circuit to operate the germicidal source when the germicidal source is encased within the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus, comprising:
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multiple germicidal sources; power supply circuitry coupled to the multiple germicidal sources; a shield, wherein the shield and/or at least one of the multiple germicidal sources are moveable within the apparatus and the apparatus is configured such that the multiple germicidal sources and the shield are collectively either; in proximity with each other such that germicide projected from one or more of the multiple germicidal sources is substantially contained in the apparatus;
orout of proximity with each other such that germicide projected from at least one of the multiple germicidal sources is projected exterior to the apparatus; a sensor to detect when the multiple germicidal sources and the shield are said in proximity with each other and/or said out of proximity with each other; an electronic user interface comprising input controls allowing selection of different disinfection modes conducted by the apparatus, wherein the different disinfection modes comprise a first disinfection mode for primarily disinfecting medium inside the apparatus and a second disinfection mode for primarily disinfecting a medium exterior to the apparatus; a processor; and a storage medium having program instructions which are executable by the processor for; receiving input from the electronic user interface regarding a selected disinfection mode; upon receiving input of the first disinfection mode; determining from the sensor whether the shield and the multiple germicidal sources are said in proximity with each other or said out of proximity with each other; upon determining the shield and the multiple germicidal sources are said not in proximity with each other, activating a corrective action for at least one of the multiple germicidal sources and/or the shield to be moved in said proximity with each other; and upon determining the shield and multiple germicidal sources are said in proximity with each other, activating the power supply circuitry to selectively operate a first subset of the multiple germicidal sources; and upon receiving input of the second disinfection mode; determining from the sensor whether the shield and the multiple germicidal sources are said in proximity with each other or said out of proximity with each other; upon determining the shield and the multiple germicidal sources are said in proximity with each other, activating a correction action for at least one of the multiple germicidal sources or the shield to be moved said out of proximity with each other; and upon determining the shield and the multiple germicidal sources are said out of proximity with each other, activating the power supply circuitry to selectively operate a second subset of the multiple germicidal sources different from the first subset of multiple germicidal sources. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus, comprising:
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multiple germicidal sources; power supply circuitry coupled to the multiple germicidal sources; a shield configured in accompaniment with features of the apparatus to form a chamber sufficient to encase the multiple germicidal sources, wherein the shield and/or at least one of the multiple germicidal source are moveable within the apparatus and the apparatus is configured such that; the multiple germicidal sources may be encased within the chamber during operation of the apparatus; and
eitherat least one of the multiple germicidal sources may be arranged exterior to the chamber during operation of the apparatus;
orthe chamber is disassembled by movement of the shield and the multiple germicidal sources are exposed to an ambient of the apparatus during operation of the apparatus; a sensor to detect whether the multiple germicidal sources are encased in the chamber and/or detect whether the multiple germicidal sources are not encased in the chamber; an electronic user interface; a processor; and a storage medium having program instructions which are executable by the processor for; receiving input from the electronic user interface to start operation of the apparatus; upon receiving the input, determining from the sensor whether the multiple germicidal sources are encased in the chamber or not encased in the chamber; upon receiving input that the multiple germicidal sources are encased within the chamber, activating the power supply circuitry to selectively operate a subset of the multiple germicidal sources; and upon receiving input that the multiple germicidal sources are not encased within the chamber, activating the power supply circuitry to selectively operate a different subset of the multiple germicidal sources. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification