WO2009147628A1

WO2009147628A1 - Sterilization apparatus for devices with buttons, keys and similar

Info

Publication number: WO2009147628A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/052342
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianfranco Danti; Luca Danti
Original assignee: Lualda S.R.L.
Priority date: 2008-06-03
Filing date: 2009-06-03
Publication date: 2009-12-10

Abstract

A sterilization apparatus for keyboards (11; 110), and in particular for devices (11; 110) with buttons, keys and similar, comprises at least a source (12; 111) emitting sterilizing radiations, a screen (13; 112) covering a device (11; 110) with buttons, keys and similar to be sterilized, encompassing said source (12; 111) and showing at least a window (14; 117) allowing the passage of the sterilizing radiations emitted by at least a switched on source (12; 111), and control means (15; 113) to switch on and switch off at least a source (12; 111).

Description

STERILIZATION APPARATUS FOR DEVICES WITH BUTTONS, KEYS, AND SIMILAR

DESCRIPTION

This invention refers to a sterilization apparatus for devices with buttons, keys, and similar, such as computer keyboards, keypads, mouses.

Nowadays, it is known that the control keyboards for the processing devices, commonly known as computers or PC (acronym for the English words "Personal Computer"), and the related mouses are receptacles for germs and bacteria.

The same hygienic problems are found in payment terminals such as P.O.S. (acronym for the English words Point-Of-Sale) terminals since these terminals are handled continuously by different persons all day.

The above-mentioned devices have many interstices where dust and organic residues amass and become preferential seats for germs and bacteria to nest and proliferate.

In particular, the physiological skin exfoliation of the users causes a dispersion and amass of skin residues among the keys and interstices of keyboards and keypads utilized for many hours a day, for instance in the offices or shops.

As is known, today it is not usual to disinfect the PC keyboards, the keypads and the like since no simple efficient method is known for this kind of disinfection.

Nowadays, the cleaning of the keyboard is done by utilizing compressed air devices which blow in air at high speed in the interstices among the keys and in the other fissures of the keyboards in order to remove the amassed residues.

However, although the application of said solution is simple and rapid, said solution can not remove the bacterial cultures and the mould developed in the recesses of the keyboard and therefore, said solution removes only the rough dirt and does not sterilize the keyboard.

In order to efficiently disinfect a keyboard, for instance with alcohol or other disinfectants, today it is necessary firstly to disconnect the keyboard or the device equipped with pushbuttons (mouse, payment P.O.S. terminal) from the electric net to avoid short-circuits caused by the electric conductivity of the disinfectants utilized. Then, it is necessary to disassemble the device to remove the upper mask from the frame and to remove the keys in order to reach and disinfect the lower sector.

As is known, said operation is laborious and complex and therefore, it is performed rarely to the detrimental of the health of the user of the keyboard.

The aim of this invention is to carry out a sterilization apparatus for devices with buttons, keys and the like, permitting an efficient sterilization of mouses and keyboards of computers, keypads and P.O.S. payment terminals.

Another aim of this invention is to carry out an apparatus for a sterilizing device that permits to sterilize keyboards for computers, and similar devices equipped with pushbuttons and/or keys in a simple easy way.

Another aim of this invention is to carry out a sterilization apparatus to be utilized in an easy and safe way.

Another aim of this invention is to carry out a simple sterilization apparatus which is easy to utilize and its cost of production is rather low.

All the above aims and other ones, which will be evident below, are reached with a sterilization apparatus for devices with buttons, keys, and similar, in particular for the sterilization of computer keyboards, characterized in that it comprises:

- at least a source of sterilizing radiations, namely, a lamp emitting sterilizing radiations, a screen covering a device with buttons, keys, and similar, encompassing said source and showing at least a window allowing the passage of the sterilizing radiations emitted by said at least a switched-on lamp,

- control means to switch on and switch off at least a source. In addition, said aims are reached advantageously by an analogous sterilizing structure the screen of which is so shaped to encompass at least a mouse for personal computer or a P.O.S. payment terminal.

Further features and advantages of this invention will better appear from the following specification of a preferred non-limiting embodiment of the sterilization apparatus according to the invention as well as from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sterilization apparatus according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a wiring diagram of a sterilization apparatus according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view, partially sectioned, of a sterilization apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a plan view, seen from below, of a sterilization apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view, seen from below, of an improved sterilization apparatus according to a version of the invention; - Figure 6 is a top perspective view of an improved sterilization apparatus according to a version of the invention;

- Figure 7 is a lateral sectioned view of an improved sterilization apparatus according to a version of the invention;

- Figure 8 is a bottom plan of an improved sterilization apparatus according to a version of the invention; Figure 9 is a wiring diagram of an improved sterilization apparatus according to a version of the invention.

With reference to the Figures 1 to 4, number 10 denotes a sterilization apparatus on the whole for the sterilization of keyboards 11, and in particular for the sterilization of computer keyboards. The peculiar feature of this sterilization apparatus is to comprise the following components:

- two lamps 12 emitting sterilizing radiations,

- a screen 13 covering keyboards 11 and encompassing the lamps 12 has a window 14 for the passage of the sterilizing radiations emitted by the switched-on lamps 12, - control means 15 to switch on and switch off the lamps 12.

In alternative embodiments, which are substantially equivalent and included in the scope of protection of the invention, a sterilization apparatus according to the invention may comprise an only lamp emitting sterilizing radiations or a plurality of lamps emitting sterilizing radiations and therefore, there may be an only window or a plurality of windows.

Advantageously, the lamps 12 are ultraviolet emission lamps, in particular C ultraviolet emission, commonly called UV-C.

More particularly, the screen 13 is shaped substantially like a parallelepiped and covers, completely or partially, conventional PC keyboards or other kinds of electronic processors. In addition, a face of the screen 13 is open with a window 14 so that it is possible to position the screen 13 on a keyboard 11 with the opening turned towards the keyboard. In this way, the switched-on lamps 12 can irradiate the keyboard.

Preferably, the control means 15 are provided with a safety device 16 that prevents the lamps 12 from being switched-on when the window 14 is not positioned on an article to be sterilized. In particular, the screen 13 has a frame 17 through which the screen 13 rests on the article to be sterilized.

Advantageously, the safety device 16 comprises a pushbutton switch 18 which protrudes from the frame 17 running round the window 14. Concerning the pushbutton switch 18, there are provided two main forms of pushbutton switch. In a first form, the pushbutton switch 18 extends from the frame 17 and interrupts the electric circuit 19 feeding the lamps 12. In a second form, the pushbutton switch 18 fits in the inside of the frame 17 at least partially and does not interrupt the electric circuit 19.

When the screen 13 is not put with its frame 17 on the article to be sterilized, the pushbutton switch 18 extends from the frame and the electric circuit 19 feeding the lamps

12 is interruped.

Vice versa, when the frame 17 rests on a keyboard 11 or on a support plane, the pushbutton switch 18 fits in the inside of the frame 17 so that the lamps 12 are switched on.

In addition, the scope of this invention includes a plurality of pushbutton switches or technically equivalent devices.

Preferably, the screen 13 comprises reflecting means 20 which reflect the sterilizing radiations emitted by the lamps 12 towards the window 14.

Advantageously, said reflecting means 20 comprise at least a reflecting surface 21 which is opposite to the window 14 in respect to the lamps 12. Advantageously, the control means comprise a main switch 22 which is connected with the electric circuit 19 and is operated by the user to switch on or switch off the lamps 12.

When the pushbutton switch 18 does not interrupt the electric circuit 19, the user can close the electric circuit 19 by means of the main switch 22 on feeding the lamps 12 with the electric current and switch them on. In addition, the control means comprise, advantageously, a timer 23 for the switching-on of the lamps 12, the timer being connected with the electric circuit 19. The utilization of a sterilization apparatus according to the invention takes place as follows. The user covers a keyboard 11 or a part of a keyboard with the screen 13, the window 14 and the lamps 12 being turned towards the keyboard or the part of keyboard. Once the screen 13 has been put on its frame 17 to have the pushbutton switch reentered in the frame, the user switch on the lamps 12 by closing their electric circuit 19 by means of the main switch 22. In this way, the keyboard or the part of keyboard is radiated and sterilized by the emissions of the lamps 12.

The timer 23 switches off the lamps 2 automatically after a fixed period, valued for the obtention of an efficient sterilization, for instance for about 7 seconds for the elimination of bacteria or for about 150 seconds for the elimination of moulds by the lamps 12 which are placed at a sufficient distance to effect the sterilization of the surface concerned. According to a version of the invention and with reference to Figures 5 to 9, number 110 denotes an improved sterilization apparatus on the whole for devices with buttons, keys, and similar, comprising two lamps 111 emitting sterilizing radiations, a covering screen 112 covering a device with pushbuttons, keys and the like to sterilize and encompassing the lamps 111, control means 113 to switch on and switch off the lamps 111. The screen 112 is so shaped that it can encompass at least a mouse 114 for a personal computer or a P.O. S. payment terminal 115.

The screen 112 consists of a box body produced for instance in a molding process of plastic material. Even for this version of the invention, in alternative embodiments that are substantially equivalent and fall under the scope of the invention, an improved sterilization apparatus according to the invention may comprise an only lamp emitting sterilizing radiations or it may comprise a plurality of lamps. Analogously, instead of an only window there may be provided more windows.

Advantageously, the lamps 111 are ultraviolet emission lamps, in particular C-ultraviolet emission lamps. This kind of ultraviolet emissions are commonly known as UV-C.

Advantageously, the structure of the screen 112 is substantially a two-volume structure defining two communicating compartments 112a and 112b of different heights.

The first compartment 112a is higher than the second compartment 112b.

The first compartment 112a is shaped to receive for instance a POS payment terminal 115 while the second compartment 112b is shaped to encompass a mouse 114.

In the inside of the screen 112 a reflecting panel 116 is positioned opposite to the lower opening 117 of the screen 112 between the lamps 111 and the top of the box body forming the screen 112.

Preferably, the control means 113 comprise a safety device 119 preventing the lamps 111 from switching on when the opening 117 is not placed on an article to be sterilized.

The safety device 119 comprises a pushbutton switch 120 protruding in the lower edge of the screen 112.

Concerning the pushbutton switch 120, two main forms are provided. In a first form, the pushbutton switch comes out of the box 120a in which it is included and interrupts the electric circuit 121 feeding the lamps 111. In a second form, the pushbutton switch is, at least partially, reentered in the box 120a and does not interrupt the electric circuit 121.

Consequently, when the opening 117 of the screen 112 does not rest oh the article to be sterilized, the pushbutton switch 120 is extended from the box 120a and the electric circuit

121 feeding the lamps 111 is interrupted. Vice versa, when the pushbutton switch 120 is reentered in the box 120a and the screen 112 rests on a plane, the switching-on of the lamps 111 is made possible. Opportunely, the control means comprise a main switch 122 connected with the electric circuit 121 and operated by the user to prevent or allow the switching on of the lamps 111. When the pushbutton switch 120 does not interrupt the electric circuit 121, the user can close the electric circuit by means of the main switch 122 on feeding the lamps 111 with the electric current so that the lamps 111 are switched on.

Advantageously, the control means comprise a timer 123 for the switching on of the lamps 111, which timer is connected with the electric circuit 121. An improved sterilization apparatus according to the invention is utilized as follows. The user covers a mouse 114 and/or a P.O.S. terminal 115 with the screen 112. Once the screen 112 has been arranged in such a way that the pushbutton switch 120 is reentered in the screen itself, the user switches on the lamps 111 by closing their electric circuit 121 by means of the main switch 122. In this way, the mouse 114 or the P.O.S. terminal 115 are irradiated and sterilized by the emissions of the lamps 111.

Even in this case, the timer 123 puts out the lamps 111 automatically after a fixed lighting period, valued in order to obtain an efficient sterilization, for instance about 7 seconds for the elimination of bacteria or about 150 seconds for the elimination of molds, by means of lamps 111 put at a useful distance to effect the sterilization of the surface concerned.

According to a version of the invention, the inside of a sterilizating structure can comprise a detecting means to detect the presence of a device to be sterilized and control the switching-on of the lamps emitting the sterilizing radiations. Said detecting means can be provided as an alternative or in conjunction with the so-described control means. The control means may be mechanical control means, such as, for instance, a cam or another kind of leverage, or electronic control means such as, for instance, a position sensor. According to another version of the invention, a sterilization apparatus may comprise, in addition to all the above-described elements, a fan or another element for the movement of air to make bacteria and other corpuscles move so that the source emitting sterilizing radiations acts more efficiently.

It can be seen how the invention achieves the purpose and aims proposed by carrying out a sterilization apparatus allowing, in a simple easy way, to effect an efficient sterilization of devices equipped with keys, pushbuttons such as PC keyboards, mouses, keypads, P.O.S. payment terminals.

In addition, a sterilization apparatus according to the invention is easy to be used and safe during the utilization. The structure according to the invention is transportable easily and can be used for he sterilization of more devices. For instance, concerning offices or other work environments where a plurality of personal computers with respective keyboards are used, it is sufficient to have an only sterilization apparatus to sterilize more keyboards since the sterilizing structure can be carried easily.

The so-conceived invention is susceptible of several modifications and variants, all of them being included in the scope of protection of this invention. In addition, all the details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. For instance, as to the lamp emitting sterilizing radiations it is possible to utilize not only a lamp for ultraviolet emissions but also other sources emitting sterilizing radiations, for instance one or more LED devices.

The materials used as well as the actual dimensions and forms will be chosen according to the need and on the base of the known art. In fact, according to the variants to be considered as included in the scope of protection of the invention, the screen of a sterilization apparatus can be shaped to suitably cover a P.O.S. payment terminal or a computer mouse or a notebook.

When the characterizing elements and the mentioned techniques in any claim are followed by reference signs, such signs have been put to improve the intelligibility of the claims and therefore, such reference signs do not have any restricting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by said reference signs as an example.

Claims

1. Sterilization apparatus for devices (11; 110) with buttons, keys, and similar, characterized in that it comprises:

- at least a source (12; 111) emitting sterilizing radiations, - a screen (13; 112) covering a device (11; 110) equipped with buttons, keys, and similar to be sterilized, encompassing said source (12; 111) and comprising at least a window (14; 117) allowing the passage of the sterilizing radiations emitted by said at least a source (12; 111) if switched on,

- control means (15; 113) to switch on and switch off said at least a source (12; 111). 2. Sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least a source is a lamp

(12; 111) emitting C ultraviolet rays.

3. Sterilization apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein said control means (15; 113) comprise a safety device (16; 119) which prevents the switching on of said at least a source (12; 111) when said at least a window (14; 117) is not put on a sector to be sterilized.

4. Sterilization apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein said screen (13; 112) comprises a frame (17) which runs round at least a window (14; 117) and through which the screen (13; 112) rests on the sector to be sterilized, said safety device (16; 119) comprising at least a pushbutton switch (18; 120) which protrudes from said frame (17) out of said screen (13; 112) and can reenter in said frame (17) to allow the switching on of said source (12; 111) which, otherwise, would be prevented.

5. Sterilization apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein said screen (13; 112) comprises reflecting means (20; 116) reflecting sterilizing radiations emitted by at least a source (12; 111) towards at least a window (14; 117).

6. Sterilization apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein said reflecting means (20; 116) comprise at least a surface which reflects said sterilizing radiations and is opposite to at least a window (14; 117) in respect to at least a source

(12; 111). 7. Sterilization apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein said control means comprise a timer (23; 123) for the switching on of said at least a source (12;

111). 8. Sterilization apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein said screen

(13; 112) is a box body open in the lower part. 9. Sterilization apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein said screen

(13) is substantially shaped like a parallelepiped, a side of the parallelepiped being at least a window (14). 10. Sterilization apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein said screen

(13) is shaped to encompass at least a keyboard. 11. Sterilization apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said screen (112) is shaped to encompass at least a mouse for personal computer (114) or a P. O. S. payment terminal (115).

12. Sterilization apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least a fan is included in the inside of the screen (13; 112) to move air and remove bacteria and other corpuscles from the device to be sterilized in order to make the action of the sterilizing radiations more efficient.

13. Sterilization apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein said screen (13; 112) is molded from a plastic material.