PH12016000334B1

PH12016000334B1 - Touchfree disinfecting apparatus

Info

Publication number: PH12016000334B1
Application number: PH12016000334A
Authority: PH
Inventors: Grace A El-Estwani Mary
Original assignee: El Estwani Mary Grace
Priority date: 2016-09-24
Filing date: 2016-09-24
Publication date: 2018-04-11
Also published as: PH12016000334A1

Abstract

The invention discloses a touchfree disinfecting apparatus which comprises a disinfecting enclosure having an automatic cover being open/close by means of touchfree light switch. The disinfecting enclosure having an ultraviolet (UV) lamp secured inside preferably mounted in the automatic cover. The cover may be open/close by means of touchfree light switches respectively. Disinfecting enclosure is configured to contain surgical tools, drinking cup, etc. such that the enclosure may be open and close without the use of hands thereby preventing the spread of germs and bacteria.

Description

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TOUCHFREE DISINFECTING APPARATUS pir PO

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to disinfecting apparatus but more particularly to a touchfree disinfecting apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disinfection with ultraviolet (UV) light can dramatically increase the storage and shelf life of many manufactured products. Extending shelf life by a safe and relatively inexpensive process allows the manufacturers of these products to reduce the use of chemical preservatives and disinfectants. UV light disinfection systems offer the advantage of lower operation costs as compared with conventional chemical additives and cleaning agents. UV light disinfection systems are utilized in many industries as an environmentally safe and regulation free method of sterilization. Additionally, UV disinfection systems are free from consumer or environmental concerns that are often voiced regarding conventional chemical disinfection methods. UV disinfection systems have been used successfully in many drinking and process water applications, and in hospitals, pharmaceutical and beverage production.

Bacteria, molds and viruses substantially absorb UV wavelengths of 210 nm and 310 nm. It is understood that this absorbed UV radiation adversely affects the survivability of many pathogens, such as bacteria, molds and viruses. Standard, commercially available UV lamps can efficiently emit a broad germicidal spectrum that includes these specific wavelengths of UV light, and in the intensity required for effective control. A UV dose of approximately 0.1 joules/cm? is considered effective in controlling these pathogens. Disinfection is a term that is typically employed to describe the elimination of substantially all pathogens with very few survivors, while the term sterilization is employed to describe the total elimination of all pathogens, without any survivors.

In recent society, there has been a trend toward increased sanitization of 3¢ everyday objects and surfaces that one tends to come in contact with. This trend is evidenced by a quick trip to one's local store, where one will find the shelves lined with antibacterial soap, hand lotion, sanitizer, antibacterial surface cleaner, air filtration systems and the like.

However, there are times or situations wherein a person cannot perform handwashing in order to eliminate germs and bacteria, for example, when a doctor performs a lengthy surgery to a patient or animal in a medical or veterinary clinic respectively, wherein the doctor's hands are exposed to blood and bacteria, but felt thirsty and wants to drink, it is harmful to use his/her hands to handle a drinking cup.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a touchfree disinfecting apparatus that will disinfect surgical and/or medical tool in an operating room or clinic.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a touchfree disinfecting apparatus that will enable a doctor to drink during lengthy medical or surgical procedure without the need to hold the drinking cup.

Still and object of the present invention to provide a touchfree disinfecting apparatus that disinfects the drinking cup when not in use.

Further object of the present invention to provide a touchfree disinfecting apparatus that will prevent the spread of bacteria in a given room or space such as medical, dental or surgical clinic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will be clarified upon presentation of the following detailed descriptions taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing thereon the preferred embodiment of disinfecting enclosure of touchfree disinfecting apparatus according to present invention:

Fig. 2 is another perspective view showing thereon the preferred embodiment of control panel of touchfree disinfecting apparatus according to present invention;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the manner of turning the UV light on/off and opening/closing the automatic cover of disinfecting enclosure; and

Fig. 4 is a preferred schematic diagram of electrical components of the touchfree disinfecting apparatus according to present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a touchfree disinfecting apparatus generally designated as 10. Apparatus 10 comprises a disinfecting enclosure 12 having an automatic cover 14. Enclosure 12 is generally a rectangular parallelepiped and can be made to be longer as presented in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 depending on the desired size of the user. An ultraviolet (UV) lamp 16 is secured inside the disinfecting enclosure 12, particularly mounted in the cover 14.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of an automatic control enclosure 18 operably connected to the disinfecting enclosure 12 and arranged in an ; adjacent manner with each other. Automatic control enclosure 18 is configured to automatically open-close the automatic cover 14 and switch on-off the UV lamp 16.

Enclosure 18 comprises inside a driving motor 19 as illustrated in Fig. 4 which operably connects and actuates the automatic cover 14 through known mechanical and electric means.

Referring still in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a plurality of L-shaped light switch brackets 22 are spacedly mounted in front of the automatic control enclosure 18 arranged in a vertical manner. Light switch brackets 22 having a first protrusion 24 mounted in front wall of automatic control enclosure 18 and a second protrusion 26 extending perpendicularly from the first protrusion 24 thereby defining an L-shaped light switch brackets 22.

Referring alone in Fig. 1, there is shown an embodiment of a plurality of light switches 28a, 28b, 28c each being secured to each second protrusion 26. Based on the preferred embodiment, there are three light switches 28a, 28b, 28¢ wherein the uppermost switch 28a is used to on/off the UV lamp 16. The three light switches 28a, 28b, 28c¢ differ in color for properly identifying the purpose or use of each.

Light switches 28a, 28b, 28¢ are electrically connected to the driving motor 19 and to the UV lamp 16. The middle switch 28b is used for opening the cover 14 while the lowermost switch 28c is used for closing the cover 14. In specific embodiment, uppermost switch 28a is used to on/off UV lamp 16. It is understood, however, that the position of light switches 28a, 28b, 28c is a design choice and can be interchanged. Also, the number of switches can be increased and its colors can easily be modified by person skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment shown in

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the automatic control enclosure 18 comprises three L-shaped light switch brackets 22 and three L-shaped light counteractors 30 opposing the light switch brackets 22.

Light switches 28a, 28b, 28¢ are light dependent resistors (LDR) known in the art. An LDR or a photo resistor is a device whose resistivity is a function of the incident electromagnetic radiation. Hence, they are light sensitive devices. They are also called as photo conductors, photo conductive cells or simply phatocells. They are made up of semiconductor materials having high resistance. Photocells or LDR's are non-finear devices. Their sensitivity varies with the wavelength of light incident on them. Some photocells might not at all response to a certain range of : 20 wavelengths. Based on the material used different cells have different spectral response curves. Hence, the switches 28a, 28b, 28c or LDRs are electrically connected to a light-sensitivity adjuster 29a, 29b, 29¢. Fig. 2 shows the adjusters 29a, 29b, 29c¢ which are adjustable depending on the brightness or darkness of the room where the apparatus 10 is used or installed.

Fig. 1 vis-a-vis Fig. 2 depicts a plurality of L-shaped light counteractors 30 spacedly mounted in front of the automatic control enclosure 18 in a vertical manner and being generally identical to the L-shaped light switch brackets 22 whereby each counteractors 30 having a counteracting protrusion 32 opposing each of said second protrusion 26 such that said counteracting protrusion 32 and second protrusion 26 defining therebetween a finger switch gap 34 configured to accommodate a human's finger.

Fig. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment on how to operate the apparatus 10 particularly on how to turn the UV lamp 16 on/off and how to open/close the cover 14. Light switches 28a, 28b, 28¢ is activated through light interruption by inserting a finger “F” in gap 34. For example, in order to open UV lamp 16, light switch 28a being interrupted by finger “F” allowing the current to flow to the lamp 16. Opening and closing cover 14 is by means of the same procedure of interrupting switches 28b and 28c respectively.

One preferred application of apparatus 10 is in a medical, veterinary, dental or surgical clinic wherein a doctor cannot perform handwashing to eliminate germs and bacteria, for example, when a doctor performs a lengthy surgery to a patient or animal, the doctor's hands are exposed to blood and bacteria, but felt thirsty and wants to drink, a drinking cup (not shown) may just be accessed touchfree inside the disinfecting enclosure 12. With this, the spread of bacteria in a given room or space such as medical, dental or surgical clinic will be prevented. Disinfecting enclosure 12 may also contain surgical or dental tools that need to be disinfected.

Referring now to Fig. 4, there is shown a preferred schematic diagram 100 depicting the interconnection of light switches 28a, 28b, 28c to the lamp 16, timer 40 motor 19 and other electronic components known to a person skilled in the art. A power source 36 is electrically connected to the driving motor 19 and to the ultraviolet lamp 16 through switches 28a, 28b, 28c. UV lamp 16 is being electrically connected to a timer 40. Timer 40 can be preset to automatically turn on or turn off the UV lamp 16 within the set time. Power source 36 is preferably a rechargeable battery which may appear in one, two or more pieces inside the automatic control enclosure 18.

The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration such as shape, contour and configuration, material and quantities without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

Co : LETT CLAIMS: 201s Hie il 18 WL P y . "1:99

1. A touchfree disinfecting apparatus (10) comprising: a disinfecting enclosure (12) having an automatic cover (14), a ultraviolet lamp (16) being secured inside said disinfecting enclosure (12); a automatic control enclosure (18) operably connected to said disinfecting enclosure (12), said automatic control enclosure (18) configured to automatically open-close said automatic cover (14) and switch on-off said ultraviolet [amp (16), wherein said automatic control enclosure (18) comprises a driving motor (19) operably connected to said automatic cover (14), a plurality of L-shaped light switch brackets (22) spacedly mounted in front of said automatic control enclosure (18) in a vertical manner, said light switch brackets (22) having a first protrusion (24) mounted to said automatic control enclosure (18) and a second protrusion (26) extending perpendicularly from said first protrusion (24), a plurality of light switches (28a, 28b, 28c) each being secured to each of said second protrusions (26), said light switches (28a, 28b, 28c) being electrically connected to said driving motor (19) and to said ultraviolet lamp (16), a plurality of L-shaped light counteractors (30) spacedly mounted in front of said automatic control enclosure (18) in a vertical manner and being generally identical to said L-shaped light switch brackets (22) whereby each counteractors (30) having a counteracting protrusion (32) opposing each of said second protrusion (26) such that said counteracting protrusion (32) and second protrusion (26) defining therebetween a finger switch gap (34) configured to accommodate a human's finger, and a power source (36) electrically connected to said driving motor (19) and to said ultraviolet tamp (16).

2. The touchfree disinfecting apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said light switches (28a, 28b, 28c) being light dependent resistors (LDR).

3. The touchfree disinfecting apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein said LDR being electrically connected to a light-sensitivity adjuster (29a, 29b, 29c).

4. The touchfree disinfecting apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said ultraviolet lamp (16) being electrically connected to a timer (40).

5. The touchfree disinfecting apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said automatic control enclosure (18) comprises three L-shaped light switch brackets (22) and three L-shaped light counteractions (30) opposing said light switch brackets (22).