WO2021243384A1 - A sanitizing device - Google Patents

A sanitizing device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021243384A1
WO2021243384A1 PCT/ZA2020/050039 ZA2020050039W WO2021243384A1 WO 2021243384 A1 WO2021243384 A1 WO 2021243384A1 ZA 2020050039 W ZA2020050039 W ZA 2020050039W WO 2021243384 A1 WO2021243384 A1 WO 2021243384A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light source
target surface
sanitizing
microprocessor
sanitizing device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2020/050039
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jonathan O'CONNELL
Original Assignee
Oconnell Jonathan
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Oconnell Jonathan filed Critical Oconnell Jonathan
Publication of WO2021243384A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021243384A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/26—Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/08—Radiation
    • A61L2/10—Ultraviolet radiation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/24—Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a sanitizing device for sanitizing items that are frequently touched by humans and therefore pose a high risk for disease transmission.
  • Keypads of electronic devices such as those of computers, alarms, and card payment terminals frequently come into contact with the human skin, thereby posing a high risk of disease transmission if they have been touched by a person carrying an infectious disease.
  • the inventor therefore believes, that a need exists for providing a device that can sanitize surfaces that are frequently touched by persons thoroughly without requiring human intervention and without having to use a liquid disinfectant.
  • a sanitizing device including:-
  • the light source which in use emits a sanitizing light, the light source being arranged to be spaced apart from a target surface to be sanitized so that, when light is emitted from the light source, the target surface is illuminated and sanitized.
  • the light source may be embedded in a mounting arrangement for mounting it over the target surface. In this manner, the light source may be mounted over a target surface such as, for example, an elevator button panel, a keypad of an alarm system, a door handle, and the like.
  • the device may further include a receiving formation for in use receiving a device including the target surface to be sanitized therein.
  • the receiving formation may be configured and dimensioned to receive a card payment terminal therein and the target surface may be a keypad of the card payment terminal.
  • the light source may emit UVC light having a wavelength of between 200 and 280 nm, preferably 254 nm.
  • the UVC light source may be an array of LED UVC lights.
  • the light source may emit Far-UVC light having a wavelength of between 207-222 nm, preferably 222 nm.
  • the Far-UVC light source may be a filtered excilamp.
  • UVC light can penetrate the human skin and may cause cancer as well as cateracts
  • Far-UVC light is preferably used as it does no penetrate the human skin and is effective at a low intensity of 2 mJ/cm 2 .
  • the device may include one or more motion and/or heat sensors arranged to sense when an object (typically a hand of a user) enters a predetermined zone around the target surface.
  • the motion and/ or heat sensors may be arranged in electrical communication with the light source and a microprocessor.
  • the microprocessor may transmit a signal to the light source to de-activate it when an object is sensed in the predetermined zone around the target surface. In this manner, potential exposure of the object to UVC light is inhibited. Once the object is removed from the predetermined zone around the target surface and can no longer be sensed, the microprocessor may transmit a signal to the light source to re-activate it.
  • the motion and/ or heat sensor may be selected from the group including: an infrared sensor, a microwave sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor.
  • the microprocessor may include a timing device which may automatically de-activate the light source once it has been active for a sufficient amount of time to sanitize the target surface and no object has been sensed in the predetermined zone around the target surface during that time.
  • the light source may additionally be coupled to a manual switch that permits manual de-activation of the light source.
  • the microprocessor may test the motion and/ or heat sensor at predetermined intervals. In the event that a faulty sensor is detected and/or in the event that the microprocessor stops functioning, the light source is automatically de activated.
  • Figure 1 shows a left side view of a sanitizing device including a mounting arrangement for a light source and a receiving formation for receiving a device including the target surface to be sanitized therein in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a front view of the device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional view of the device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 shows a left side view of a sanitizing device in accordance with the present invention in use.
  • reference numeral 10 generally indicates an embodiment of a sanitizing device in accordance with the present invention.
  • a sanitizing device 10 includes a light source 12 which in use emits a sanitizing light, the light source being arranged to be spaced apart from a target surface 14 to be sanitized so that, when light is emitted from the light source 12, the target surface 14 is illuminated and sanitized.
  • the light source 12 is embedded in a mounting arrangement 16 for mounting the light source 12 over the target surface 14.
  • the device 10 further includes a receiving formation 18 for in use receiving a device 20 including the target surface 14 to be sanitized therein.
  • the receiving formation 18 of the embodiment shown is configured and dimensioned to receive a card payment terminal 22 therein and the target surface 14 is a keypad 24 of the card payment terminal 22.
  • the light source 12 emits UVC light having a wavelength of between 200 and 280 nm, preferably 254 nm.
  • the UVC light source is typically an array of LED UVC lights. Although it is preferable to use a Far-UVC light source, at present a UVC light source is used for cost reasons.
  • the device 10 includes a motion sensor 26 arranged to sense when an object (typically a hand of a user) enters a predetermined zone around the target surface 14.
  • an object typically a hand of a user
  • the motion sensor 26 is arranged in electrical communication with the light source 12 and a microprocessor (not shown).
  • the microprocessor transmits a signal to the light source 12 to de-activate it when an object is sensed in the predetermined zone around the target surface 14. In this manner, potential exposure of the object to UVC light is inhibited.
  • the microprocessor transmits a signal to the light source 12 to re-activate it.
  • the motion sensor 26 is an infrared sensor.
  • the microprocessor includes a timing device which automatically de-activates the light source 12 once it has been active for a sufficient amount of time to sanitize the target surface 14 and no object has been sensed in the predetermined zone around the target surface 14 during that time.
  • the light source 12 is additionally be coupled to a manual switch that permits manual de-activation of the light source 12.
  • the microprocessor tests the motion sensor 26 at predetermined intervals. In the event that a faulty sensor is detected and/or in the event that the microprocessor stops functioning, the light source 12 is automatically de activated.
  • the configuration of the device 10 allows the target surface 14 to be located in close proximity to the light source 12 for sanitizing purposes. In this manner, the intensity of the UV light can be kept low whilst still achieving thorough sterilization of the target surface 14.
  • the mounting arrangement 16 for the light source 12 is hingedly connected to the remainder of the device 10 so that is can be displaced closer to or further away from the target surface 14.
  • Apertures 28 are provided in a rear wall 30 of the device 10 to allow the device to be connected to a source of electrical power.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Abstract

A sanitizing device 10 includes a light source 12 which in use emits a sanitizing light, the light source being arranged to be spaced apart from a target surface 14 to be sanitized so that, when light is emitted from the light source 12, the target surface 14 is illuminated and sanitized. The light source 12 is embedded in a mounting arrangement 16 for mounting the light source 12 over the target surface 14. The device 10 further includes a receiving formation 18 for in use receiving a device 20 including the target surface 14 to be sanitized therein.

Description

A SANITIZING DEVICE
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a sanitizing device for sanitizing items that are frequently touched by humans and therefore pose a high risk for disease transmission. Background to the Invention
Keypads of electronic devices such as those of computers, alarms, and card payment terminals frequently come into contact with the human skin, thereby posing a high risk of disease transmission if they have been touched by a person carrying an infectious disease. The same applies to buttons or door handles that are regularly touched by a variety of persons.
Whereas wiping down or spraying such frequent contact areas with a disinfectant on a regular basis mitigates the transmission of diseases to some extent, some surfaces are too sensitive to be repeatedly disinfected with a fluid, in addition to which the disinfection is not always thorough enough to prevent disease transmission. The constant wiping or spraying of surfaces is also labour intensive and time-consuming.
The inventor therefore believes, that a need exists for providing a device that can sanitize surfaces that are frequently touched by persons thoroughly without requiring human intervention and without having to use a liquid disinfectant.
In the specification that follows, the term “sanitize” is to be interpreted as meaning the inactivation and/or destruction of bacteria and viruses.
Summary of the Invention
According to the invention, there is provided a sanitizing device including:-
- a light source which in use emits a sanitizing light, the light source being arranged to be spaced apart from a target surface to be sanitized so that, when light is emitted from the light source, the target surface is illuminated and sanitized. The light source may be embedded in a mounting arrangement for mounting it over the target surface. In this manner, the light source may be mounted over a target surface such as, for example, an elevator button panel, a keypad of an alarm system, a door handle, and the like. The device may further include a receiving formation for in use receiving a device including the target surface to be sanitized therein.
In one embodiment, the receiving formation may be configured and dimensioned to receive a card payment terminal therein and the target surface may be a keypad of the card payment terminal. The light source may emit UVC light having a wavelength of between 200 and 280 nm, preferably 254 nm. The UVC light source may be an array of LED UVC lights.
Alternatively, the light source may emit Far-UVC light having a wavelength of between 207-222 nm, preferably 222 nm. The Far-UVC light source may be a filtered excilamp.
As UVC light can penetrate the human skin and may cause cancer as well as cateracts, Far-UVC light is preferably used as it does no penetrate the human skin and is effective at a low intensity of 2 mJ/cm2.
The device may include one or more motion and/or heat sensors arranged to sense when an object (typically a hand of a user) enters a predetermined zone around the target surface. The motion and/ or heat sensors may be arranged in electrical communication with the light source and a microprocessor. The microprocessor may transmit a signal to the light source to de-activate it when an object is sensed in the predetermined zone around the target surface. In this manner, potential exposure of the object to UVC light is inhibited. Once the object is removed from the predetermined zone around the target surface and can no longer be sensed, the microprocessor may transmit a signal to the light source to re-activate it. The motion and/ or heat sensor may be selected from the group including: an infrared sensor, a microwave sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor.
The microprocessor may include a timing device which may automatically de-activate the light source once it has been active for a sufficient amount of time to sanitize the target surface and no object has been sensed in the predetermined zone around the target surface during that time.
The light source may additionally be coupled to a manual switch that permits manual de-activation of the light source.
As an additional safety feature, the microprocessor may test the motion and/ or heat sensor at predetermined intervals. In the event that a faulty sensor is detected and/or in the event that the microprocessor stops functioning, the light source is automatically de activated.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The invention will now be described by way of the following preferred but non-limiting embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:-
Figure 1 shows a left side view of a sanitizing device including a mounting arrangement for a light source and a receiving formation for receiving a device including the target surface to be sanitized therein in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a front view of the device of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional view of the device of Figure 1 ; and
Figure 4 shows a left side view of a sanitizing device in accordance with the present invention in use.
In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an embodiment of a sanitizing device in accordance with the present invention.
A sanitizing device 10 includes a light source 12 which in use emits a sanitizing light, the light source being arranged to be spaced apart from a target surface 14 to be sanitized so that, when light is emitted from the light source 12, the target surface 14 is illuminated and sanitized.
The light source 12 is embedded in a mounting arrangement 16 for mounting the light source 12 over the target surface 14. The device 10 further includes a receiving formation 18 for in use receiving a device 20 including the target surface 14 to be sanitized therein.
As can best be seen in Figure 4, the receiving formation 18 of the embodiment shown is configured and dimensioned to receive a card payment terminal 22 therein and the target surface 14 is a keypad 24 of the card payment terminal 22. The light source 12 emits UVC light having a wavelength of between 200 and 280 nm, preferably 254 nm. The UVC light source is typically an array of LED UVC lights. Although it is preferable to use a Far-UVC light source, at present a UVC light source is used for cost reasons.
The device 10 includes a motion sensor 26 arranged to sense when an object (typically a hand of a user) enters a predetermined zone around the target surface 14.
The motion sensor 26 is arranged in electrical communication with the light source 12 and a microprocessor (not shown). The microprocessor transmits a signal to the light source 12 to de-activate it when an object is sensed in the predetermined zone around the target surface 14. In this manner, potential exposure of the object to UVC light is inhibited.
Once the object is removed from the predetermined zone around the target surface 14 and can no longer be sensed, the microprocessor transmits a signal to the light source 12 to re-activate it.
In the embodiment shown, the motion sensor 26 is an infrared sensor. The microprocessor includes a timing device which automatically de-activates the light source 12 once it has been active for a sufficient amount of time to sanitize the target surface 14 and no object has been sensed in the predetermined zone around the target surface 14 during that time. The light source 12 is additionally be coupled to a manual switch that permits manual de-activation of the light source 12.
As an additional safety feature, the microprocessor tests the motion sensor 26 at predetermined intervals. In the event that a faulty sensor is detected and/or in the event that the microprocessor stops functioning, the light source 12 is automatically de activated.
The configuration of the device 10 allows the target surface 14 to be located in close proximity to the light source 12 for sanitizing purposes. In this manner, the intensity of the UV light can be kept low whilst still achieving thorough sterilization of the target surface 14.
The mounting arrangement 16 for the light source 12 is hingedly connected to the remainder of the device 10 so that is can be displaced closer to or further away from the target surface 14.
Apertures 28 are provided in a rear wall 30 of the device 10 to allow the device to be connected to a source of electrical power.
It is to be appreciated, that the invention is not limited to any specific embodiment or configuration hereinbefore generally described and/or illustrated.

Claims

Claims:
1. A sanitizing device including:- a light source which in use emits a sanitizing light, the light source being arranged to be spaced apart from a target surface to be sanitized so that, when light is emitted from the light source, the target surface is illuminated and sanitized.
2. A sanitizing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source is embedded in a mounting arrangement for mounting it over the target surface.
3. A sanitizing device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the device further includes a receiving formation for in use receiving a device including the target surface to be sanitized therein.
4. A sanitizing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the receiving formation is configured and dimensioned to receive a card payment terminal therein and the target surface is a keypad of the card payment terminal.
5. A sanitizing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source emits UVC light having a wavelength of between 200 and 280 nm.
6. A sanitizing device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the wavelength is 254 nm.
7. A sanitizing device as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the UVC light source is an array of LED UVC lights.
8. A sanitizing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light source emits Far-UVC light having a wavelength of between 207-222 nm.
9. A sanitizing device as claimed in claim 8. Wherein the wavelength is 222 nm.
10. A device as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the Far-UVC light source is a filtered excilamp.
11. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device includes one or more motion and/or heat sensors arranged to sense when an object enters a predetermined zone around the target surface.
12. A device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the motion and/ or heat sensors are arranged in electrical communication with the light source and a microprocessor and wherein the microprocessor transmits a signal to the light source to de activate it when an object is sensed in the predetermined zone around the target surface.
13. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein, once the object is removed from the predetermined zone around the target surface and can no longer be sensed, the microprocessor transmits a signal to the light source to re-activate it.
14. A device as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the motion and/ or heat sensor is selected from the group including: an infrared sensor, a microwave sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor.
15. A device as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the microprocessor includes a timing device which automatically de-activates the light source once it has been active for a sufficient amount of time to sanitize the target surface and no object has been sensed in the predetermined zone around the target surface during that time.
16. A device as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the microprocessor tests the motion and/ or heat sensor at predetermined intervals and, in the event that a faulty sensor is detected and/or in the event that the microprocessor stops functioning, the light source is automatically de-activated.
17. A sanitizing device according to the invention, substantially as hereinbefore described or exemplified.
18. A sanitizing device as specifically described with reference to or as illustrated in any one of the accompanying drawings.
19. A sanitizing device including any new and inventive integer or combination of integers, substantially as herein described.
PCT/ZA2020/050039 2020-05-28 2020-07-13 A sanitizing device WO2021243384A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA2020/03169 2020-05-28
ZA2020/03169A ZA202003169B (en) 2020-05-28 2020-05-28 A sanitizing device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2021243384A1 true WO2021243384A1 (en) 2021-12-02

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PCT/ZA2020/050039 WO2021243384A1 (en) 2020-05-28 2020-07-13 A sanitizing device

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ZA (1) ZA202003169B (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2473669A (en) * 2009-09-21 2011-03-23 Duncan Richard Louttit Improvements in sterilization apparatus
WO2015051024A1 (en) * 2013-10-01 2015-04-09 Vioguard LLC Touchscreen sanitizing system
US20170333582A1 (en) * 2016-05-19 2017-11-23 Michael Davis Keypad sterilizer
US20180339075A1 (en) * 2017-05-26 2018-11-29 Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc. Surface Treatment with Ultraviolet Light
EP3434289A1 (en) * 2017-07-26 2019-01-30 ABB Schweiz AG Switching self-sanitizing device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2473669A (en) * 2009-09-21 2011-03-23 Duncan Richard Louttit Improvements in sterilization apparatus
WO2015051024A1 (en) * 2013-10-01 2015-04-09 Vioguard LLC Touchscreen sanitizing system
US20170333582A1 (en) * 2016-05-19 2017-11-23 Michael Davis Keypad sterilizer
US20180339075A1 (en) * 2017-05-26 2018-11-29 Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc. Surface Treatment with Ultraviolet Light
EP3434289A1 (en) * 2017-07-26 2019-01-30 ABB Schweiz AG Switching self-sanitizing device

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Publication number Publication date
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