Hard-surface disinfection system

• US 8,575,567 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2010
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Surfacide, LLC
• Original Assignee: Surfacide, LLC
• Inventors: Lyslo, Waldemar John, Schwartz, Mark Howard, Pettis, Stephen Boyd
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnston, Phillip A
• Application Number:
  US12/963,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20110215261A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 250/455.11
• US Class Current: 250/455.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• 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 2202/16 Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/25 Rooms in buildings, passenger compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/111 Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/14 using electrical feedback from LEDs or from LED modules
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

UV hard-surface disinfection system that is able to disinfect the hard surfaces in a room, while minimizing missed areas due to shadows by providing multiple UV light towers that can be placed in several areas of a room such that shadowed areas are eliminated and that can be transported by a cart that is low to the ground such that the towers may be loaded and unloaded easily by a single operator. The system is able to be controlled remotely, such that during activation of the system, no operator is present, and to automatically cut power to all towers in the event that a person enters the room.

Claims

1. A disinfection system comprising:

a plurality of independently placeable light assemblies; and

a control station in data communication with the plurality of light assemblies;

wherein said control station is capable of remotely controlling activation and deactivation of said plurality of light towers.

2. The disinfection system of claim 1 wherein said control station is sized and shaped to receive and transport the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of each of the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies comprises an ultraviolet C light source.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of each of the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies comprises an ultraviolet LED light source.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of each of the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies comprises a telescoping handle.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies supplies energy to another independently placeable light assemblies.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies comprises a motion detector.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies comprises a fluence sensor.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies comprises a protective sleeve.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies comprises an audible element.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the control station comprises a user interface.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the control station is in wireless communication with the plurality of placeable light assemblies.

13. A method for disinfecting an enclosed space comprising:

positioning a plurality of independently placeable light assemblies throughout an enclosed space;

supplying energy to the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies;

establishing data communication between a control station and the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies; and

controlling remotely the plurality of placeable light assemblies using the data communication.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of positioning a plurality of independently placeable light assemblies throughout the enclosed space comprises determining a positioning of the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies that minimizes creation of shadows within the enclosed space.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of supplying energy to the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies comprises at least one of the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies supply energy to another of the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of establishing data communication between a control station and the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies comprises employing a wireless network.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of controlling remotely the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies using the data communication comprises placing said control station outside of said enclosed space and activating the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies with said control station.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of ensuring that the enclosed space is not entered into while the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies are activated.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of preventing activation of the plurality of independently placeable light assemblies upon detection of motion within the enclosed space.

20. A hard-surface disinfection system comprising

a plurality of independent ultraviolet light emitting assemblies;

a cart that controls and transports the plurality of independent ultraviolet light emitting assemblies.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein at least one of the plurality of independent ultraviolet light emitting assemblies comprises a sensor.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein at least one of said plurality of independent ultraviolet light emitting assemblies comprises a variable power output.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein said variable power output comprises a variable output transformer.