WO2022034617A1

WO2022034617A1 - System and method for disinfecting paper-type articles

Info

Publication number: WO2022034617A1
Application number: PCT/IN2021/050777
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ankush RAINA; Robin George Mammen; Kiran Suresh; Akshay Vivek Singhal; Hemant CHARAYA; Kartik Hajela; Pankaj Sharma; Jai Saxena
Original assignee: Log 9 Materials Scientific Private Limited
Priority date: 2020-08-13
Filing date: 2021-08-13
Publication date: 2022-02-17

Abstract

A disinfection apparatus (100) is provided for disinfecting one or more paper-type articles. Receptacles (126) accommodate one or a stack of articles within a chamber (117). A disinfection element(s) (128) heats air and the 5 article(s), while another disinfection element(s) (133) simultaneously emits an ultraviolet radiation within the chamber to inactivate pathogens present on each article, in a disinfection cycle. A hot-air circulation assembly (120) circulates the heated air inside the chamber for removing moisture expelled from article surfaces and ruffles the articles for uniformly disinfecting each article, 10 maintaining a uniform temperature in each article, and allowing uniform exposure of each article to the ultraviolet radiation within the chamber. A cooling assembly (121) decreases temperature inside the chamber to bring temperature of the article(s) to a safe temperature range. The disinfection apparatus implements a synergy of thermal and ultraviolet disinfection without 15 having to unwind the articles.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISINFECTING PAPER-TYPE ARTICLES

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of the provisional patent application titled “Disinfection Oven for Documents and Currency Notes”, application number 202041034961, filed in the Indian Patent Office on 13^th August 2020. The specification of the above referenced patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical field

[0002] The present invention is generally related to the field of disinfection, sanitization, and hygiene. The present invention is particularly related to using a combination of disinfection techniques for disinfecting articles. The present invention is more particularly related to removing, inactivating, or killing pathogens present on surfaces of paper-type articles such as currency notes, documents, stacks of paper-type articles, and the like, using a synergy of ultraviolet (UV) and thermal disinfection.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] Pathogens are microorganisms that cause diseases or elicit serious health issues when they enter human and animal bodies. Humans, typically, get exposed to these harmful pathogens by directly touching surfaces contaminated with these pathogens. This mode of transmission is referred to as “surface-to- human transmission” and poses a great risk of transmitting pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can spread diseases through an entire community. One approach to prevent or hamper the transmission of pathogens is by disinfecting surfaces of articles before touching or using the articles.

[0004] Pathogens can be inactivated or killed, for example, by: (a) using alcohol-based chemicals that denature protective outer layers of pathogens; (b) ultraviolet (UV) irradiation that prompts an irrevocable chemical change in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)of the pathogens and renders the pathogens inactive to multiply further; and (c) subjecting the pathogens to inhabitable elevated temperatures. The above-mentioned approaches for disinfection are individually constrained by their limitations. For example, aerosols of chemical sanitizers that are used for disinfection have a negative impact on human health. Ultraviolet sanitization requires complete exposure of the surfaces of the articles to ensure each unit area obtains a sufficient dosage of ultraviolet radiation to facilitate an irreversible chemical reaction to the DNA of each pathogen, which makes ultraviolet sanitization a time-consuming process. Moreover, moisture or water molecules absorb most of the energy irradiated on the surfaces of articles, which is exacerbated in paper-type articles such as paper and currency notes as these articles absorb moisture from ambient air. The presence of moisture or droplets on the surfaces of the articles substantially increases the dosage of ultraviolet radiation required for disinfecting the surfaces of the articles and consequently prolongs the disinfection cycle. Furthermore, due to the susceptibility of various materials to heat, the application of heat for surface sanitization is substantially restricted.

[0005] Paper-type articles, for example, currency notes, bills, documents, papers, and the like are exchanged between a myriad of people every day, and as a result, these articles play a prominent role in transmitting harmful pathogens especially during the course of an epidemic or a pandemic. Therefore, there is a need for disinfecting paper-type articles to break the chain of surface-to-human transmission. Conventional solutions disinfect paper-type articles based on chemical treatments, ultraviolet irradiation, or a combination thereof. However, liquid components of aerosols generated not only substantially deter the physical integrity of paper- type articles, but also leads to a plethora of health issues in humans. Moreover, exposing paper- type articles to ultraviolet radiation to reach a required dosage of ultraviolet radiation by irradiating each article separately makes the overall process cumbersome and time-consuming. Furthermore, when a chemical treatment and ultraviolet irradiation are carried out together, due to the water droplets sitting on the surfaces of the articles, the ultraviolet dosage required to inactivate the pathogens increases further and hence the duration of ultraviolet exposure also increases, which further prolongs the disinfection cycle.

[0006] Hence, there is a long-felt need for a system and a method for disinfecting one or more articles, for example, paper-type articles such as currency notes, bills, documents, papers, and the like. Moreover, there is a need for disinfecting a stack of paper-type articles together without having to manually separate them for disinfection and restack them thereafter. [0007] The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages, and problems are addressed herein, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

OBJECTIVES OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The primary objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a system comprising a disinfection apparatus configured, for example, as a disinfection chamber, and a method for disinfecting one or more articles, for example, paper-type articles such as currency notes, bills, stacks of documents, papers, and the like.

[0009] Another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus for disinfecting one or more stacks of articles, for example, paper-type articles such as currency notes, bills, documents, papers, and the like, without manually unwinding or separating them for implementing a disinfection process thereon.

[0010] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus for disinfecting surfaces of one or more articles using a dual combination of heating and ultraviolet (UV) germicidal irradiation.

[0011] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus configured to execute a disinfection cycle comprising a heating cycle in tandem with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, for inactivating pathogens present on the surfaces of the articles.

[0012] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus configured to execute a cooling cycle for bringing temperature of the articles positioned inside the disinfection apparatus to a safe temperature range before the articles are handled post the disinfection cycle.

[0013] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to receptacles configured, for example, in perforated drawers, in the disinfection apparatus for accommodating and with holding the articles there within during the disinfection cycle.

[0014] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a heating element in the disinfection apparatus for raising the temperature of air inside a chamber of the disinfection apparatus.

[0015] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus where the temperature of the air in the chamber during the disinfection cycle is in a range of, for example, about 40 degree Celsius (°C) to about 150°C.

[0016] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a hotair circulation assembly in the disinfection apparatus for regulating circulation of heated air inside the chamber.

[0017] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a hotair circulation assembly comprising air nozzles positioned on side walls of the chamber of the disinfection apparatus, and a fan positioned on an upper wall of the chamber for dispensing heated air through the air nozzles.

[0018] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus where a flow rate of the heated air circulated inside the chamber is adjusted by controlling the speed of the fan of the hot-air circulation assembly.

[0019] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus where the air nozzles of the hot-air circulation assembly on the side walls are aligned with the level of the receptacles for directing heated air into the stacks of articles accommodated therein.

[0020] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus comprising ultraviolet light sources, for example, ultraviolet lamps, ultraviolet light emitting devices (LEDs), and the like, positioned on the side walls of the chamber for inactivating any traces of pathogens released from the surfaces of the articles into the heated air circulating inside the chamber during the disinfection cycle.

[0021] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus where the heated air directed into the receptacles causes ruffling of the articles in the stack accommodated therein for uniform thermal disinfection of each article in the stack.

[0022] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a plurality of receptacles in the disinfection apparatus that allows rushing of air therein at a high pressure for ruffling the articles in the stack accommodated in the receptacles.

[0023] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to close the receptacles in the disinfection apparatus to preclude any transfer of the articles from one stack to another during the disinfection cycle.

[0024] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus where the ruffling process produces air flow through the stack of articles contained therein for maintaining individual articles in the stack at the same temperature.

[0025] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus where the ruffling process exposes all articles in the stack to the ultraviolet germicidal irradiation from all dimensions.

[0026] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus where the heated air circulated inside the chamber removes moisture or water droplets present on the surfaces of the articles, thereby decreasing the level of the dosage of ultraviolet radiation required for inactivating the pathogens present on the articles.

[0027] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus comprising a cooling assembly for facilitating a rapid drop in temperature inside the chamber, after completion of the disinfection cycle.

[0028] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a cooling assembly comprising one or more control valves, a fan, and an air conditioning system for executing the cooling cycle.

[0029] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus where the control valves of the cooling assembly remain closed during the heating cycle.

[0030] Yet another objective of the embodiment herein is to provide a disinfection apparatus where the control valves of the cooling assembly are selected from a group consisting of solenoid valves and non-retum valves (NRVs).

[0031] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

[0032] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0033] The present invention addresses the above-recited need for a system comprising a disinfection apparatus and a method for disinfecting one or more articles, for example, paper-type articles such as currency notes, bills, receipts, documents, papers, and the like. Moreover, the present invention addresses the above-recited need for disinfecting a stack of paper-type articles, for example, a stack of documents, a stack of papers, books, files, and the like, together without having to manually unwind or separate them, or take them apart for disinfection and restack them thereafter. The disinfection apparatus disclosed herein inactivates pathogens, for example, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms sitting on the surfaces of any paper-type article, for example, a currency note, a paper, or a bill present as a single article or present in a bundle or a stack. The disinfection apparatus disinfects the articles without burning or damaging the quality of the material of the articles. [0034] According to one embodiment herein, the disinfection apparatus disclosed herein is configured as a disinfection chamber for disinfecting stacks or bundles of paper-type articles. In addition to stacks or bundles of paper-type articles, the disinfection apparatus is also configured to disinfect single pieces of paper-type articles. The disinfection apparatus comprises a housing, a plurality of receptacles, a plurality of disinfection elements, a hot-air circulation assembly, and a cooling assembly. The housing of the disinfection apparatus comprises a chamber defined by surrounding walls. The surrounding walls of the chamber comprise an upper wall, a floor, side walls, a rear wall, and a front wall with an opening. The opening of the front wall is closed by a door operably coupled to the housing.

[0035] According to one embodiment herein, the receptacles of the disinfection apparatus are detachably positioned within the chamber. Each of the receptacles is configured to accommodate one or a stack of articles there within. The receptacles are made of materials that are not susceptible to corrosion in high humidity and temperature. For example, the receptacles are made of aluminium, stainless steel, galvanized mild steel, and the like. Each of the receptacles comprises perforations for allowing a flow of air through one or the stack of articles accommodated within each of the receptacles. In an embodiment, the receptacles are contained in one or more receptacle holders. The receptacle holders are configured, for example, as perforated drawers. The receptacle holders with the receptacles are configured to be positioned on support platforms provided inside the chamber. In an embodiment, the receptacle holders are configured to be moved into, out of, or within the chamber, for example, using levelers, wheels, rollers, and the like. In an embodiment, the receptacles are closed in the disinfection apparatus to preclude any transfer of the articles from one stack to another during the disinfection cycle.

[0036] According to one embodiment herein, the disinfection elements of the disinfection apparatus are operably coupled to one or more of the surrounding walls of the chamber. One or more of the disinfection elements are configured to heat air and, in turn, one or the stack of articles, inside the chamber in a disinfection cycle, and simultaneously another one or more of the disinfection elements are configured to emit an electromagnetic radiation within the chamber to inactivate pathogens present on one or the stack of articles in the disinfection cycle. In an embodiment, the disinfection elements comprise one or more heating elements and one or more ultraviolet light sources. In an embodiment, the heating elements are operably coupled to the side walls of the chamber for heating the air and, in turn, one or the stack of articles, inside the chamber. In an embodiment, the ultraviolet light sources are operably coupled to the upper wall, the floor, and/or the side walls of the chamber. The heating of one or the stack of articles to an elevated temperature expels moisture present on surfaces of each of the articles, which decreases the ultraviolet dosage required for disinfecting the surfaces of each article. The ultraviolet light sources emit an ultraviolet radiation for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation within the chamber to inactivate the pathogens present on one or the stack of articles. The ultraviolet light sources inactivate any traces of pathogens that may have come off from the surfaces of the articles and expelled into the heated air circulating inside the chamber during the disinfection cycle. The disinfection apparatus, therefore, implements a synergy of thermal and ultraviolet disinfection of one or a stack of articles. That is, the disinfection apparatus implements a dual combination of heating and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation for surface disinfection where the temperature maintained inside the chamber during the disinfection cycle falls in the range of, for example, about 40 degree Celsius (°C) and about 150°C.

[0037] According to one embodiment herein, the hot-air circulation assembly of the disinfection apparatus is operably coupled to another one or more of the surrounding walls of the chamber. The hot-air circulation assembly is configured to circulate the heated air inside the chamber for removing the expelled moisture from the surfaces of each of the articles. The hot-air circulation assembly is also configured to inject the heated air into one or the stack of articles for ruffling one or the stack of articles to uniformly disinfect each of the articles, maintain a uniform temperature in each of the articles, and allow uniform exposure of each of the articles to the electromagnetic radiation, for example, the ultraviolet radiation, from all dimensions within the chamber. In an embodiment, the hot-air circulation assembly comprises a plurality of air nozzles and a fan. In an embodiment, the air nozzles are positioned on the side walls of the chamber. In an embodiment, the fan of the hot-air circulation assembly is positioned on the upper wall of the chamber and operably coupled to the air nozzles. The fan is configured to produce a current of air inside the chamber and dispense the air through the air nozzles. The air nozzles of the hot- air circulation assembly are aligned with a level of the receptacles for directing the heated air at a high pressure into one or the stack of articles accommodated therein and ruffling one or the stack of articles to uniformly disinfect each of the articles, maintain the uniform temperature in each of the articles, and allow the uniform exposure of each of the articles to the electromagnetic radiation, for example, the ultraviolet radiation, from all dimensions within the chamber. This mutual arrangement of the air nozzles with the receptacles facilitates lateral injection of heated air inside the receptacles. The heated air injected through the air nozzles on the side walls of the chamber ruffles the bundle or stack of articles. The expulsion and removal of the moisture present on the surfaces of each of the articles by the heating elements and the hot-air circulation assembly decrease a level of dosage of the electromagnetic radiation, for example, the ultraviolet radiation, required for inactivating the pathogens present on one or the stack of articles. The temperature of the air in the chamber during the disinfection cycle is in a range of, for example, about 40°Cand about 150°C.

[0038] According to one embodiment herein, the cooling assembly of the disinfection apparatus is operably coupled to another one or more of the surrounding walls of the chamber. The cooling assembly is configured to decrease temperature of the air inside the chamber after the disinfection cycle to bring the elevated temperature of one or the stack of articles to a safe temperature range. In an embodiment, the cooling assembly comprises one or more control valves, a fan, and an air conditioning system positioned at another one or more of the surrounding walls of the chamber. In an embodiment, the cooling assembly is positioned on an upper wall of the housing. The control valve(s) is configured to remain closed during the heating of the air inside the chamber. That is, the control valve(s) remains closed during a heating cycle and open during a cooling cycle.

[0039] According to one embodiment herein, the cooling assembly comprises one or more vents positioned on a covering member of the housing for exhausting the heated air from the chamber and allowing replacement of the heated air with cool ambient air. The covering member is removably attached to the upper wall of the chamber and the housing. In another embodiment, the cooling assembly comprises an air conditioning system operably coupled to another one or more of the surrounding walls of the chamber for producing cool air and exhausting the heated air from the chamber. The cool air produced by the air conditioning system decreases temperature of the air inside the chamber after the disinfection cycle to bring the elevated temperature of one or the stack of articles to a safe temperature range.

[0040] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0042] FIG.l illustrates a front isometric view of a disinfection apparatus for disinfecting one or more articles, according to one embodiment herein.

[0043] FIG.2 illustrates a block diagram of the disinfection apparatus, according to one embodiment herein.

[0044] FIG.3 illustrates a front isometric view of the disinfection apparatus, showing internal components of the disinfection apparatus, according to one embodiment herein.

[0045] FIG.4 illustrates a perspective view of a receptacle holder comprising multiple receptacles for accommodating one or more articles to be disinfected there within, according to one embodiment herein.

[0046] FIG.5 illustrates a sectional view of the disinfection apparatus, showing internal components positioned in a chamber of the disinfection apparatus for executing a disinfection cycle, according to one embodiment herein.

[0047] FIG.6 illustrates a top, rear perspective view of the disinfection apparatus with a covering member removed from a housing of the disinfection apparatus, showing components of a cooling assembly of the disinfecting apparatus, according to one embodiment herein.

[0048] FIG.7 illustrates a partial internal view of the chamber of the disinfection apparatus, showing a cooling cycle executed within the chamber for decreasing temperature of air inside the chamber after the disinfection cycle, according to one embodiment herein.

[0049] FIG.8 illustrates a flowchart of a method for disinfecting one or more articles using the disinfection apparatus, according to one embodiment herein.

[0050] The specific features of the present invention are illustrated in some drawings and not in others for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0051] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0052] The present invention addresses the above-recited need for a system comprising a disinfection apparatus and a method for disinfecting one or more articles, for example, paper-type articles such as currency notes, bills, receipts, documents, papers, and the like. Moreover, the present invention addresses the above-recited need for disinfecting a stack of paper-type articles, for example, a stack of documents, a stack of papers, books, files, and the like, together without having to manually unwind or separate them, or take them apart for disinfection and restack them thereafter. The disinfection apparatus disclosed herein inactivates pathogens, for example, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms sitting on the surfaces of any paper-type article, for example, a currency note, a paper, or a bill present as a single article or present in a bundle or a stack. The disinfection apparatus disinfects the articles without burning or damaging the quality of the material of the articles.

[0053] FIG.l illustrates a front isometric view of a disinfection apparatus 100 for disinfecting one or more articles, according to one embodiment herein. The disinfection apparatus 100 disclosed herein disinfects one or more articles, for example, paper-type articles such as currency notes, bills, receipts, documents, papers, and the like. As used herein, “paper-type articles” comprise articles made of paper- like materials, articles configured in the form of sheets of paper, and the like. Moreover, the disinfection apparatus 100 disclosed herein disinfects a stack or a bundle of paper-type articles, for example, a stack of documents, a stack of papers, books, files, and the like, together without having to manually unwind or separate them, or take them apart for disinfection and restack them thereafter. In addition to stacks or bundles of paper-type articles, the disinfection apparatus 100 is also configured to disinfect single pieces of paper-type articles. The disinfection apparatus 100 disclosed herein inactivates or kills pathogens, for example, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms sitting on the surfaces of any paper-type article, for example, a currency note, a paper, or a bill present as a single article or present in a bundle of articles or a stack of articles.

[0054] According to one embodiment herein, as illustrated in FIGS.1-7, the disinfection apparatus 100 disclosed herein is configured as a disinfection chamber for disinfecting stacks or bundles of paper- type articles. As illustrated in FIG.l, the disinfection apparatus 100 comprises a housing 101 defined by surrounding walls, for example, an upper wall 102, side walls 103 and 104, a floor 105, a rear wall 106, and a front wall 107 with an opening 107aas illustrated in FIGG. The opening 107a of the front wall 107 is closed by a door 111 operably coupled to the housing 101. A user of the disinfection apparatus 100 may open the door 111 of the disinfection apparatus 100 to access an internal chamber 117 illustrated in FIGG, place individual pieces of articles or one or more stacks of articles to be disinfected into receptacles 126 provided in the internal chamberl l7 illustrated in FIGG, and then close the door 111 to execute a disinfection cycle.

[0055] According to one embodiment herein, the disinfection apparatus 100 comprises a covering member 108 removably attached to the upper wall 102 of the housing 101. The covering member 108 encloses internal components, for example, a cooling assembly 121, a motor 129, and electric ballast devices 135of the disinfection apparatus 100 that are operably coupled to the upper wall 102 of the housing 101 as illustrated in FIGS.5-6. In an embodiment, one or more vents 109 of the cooling assembly 121 are positioned on the covering member 108 of the housing 101 as illustrated in FIG.l, for exhausting heated air from the disinfection apparatus 100 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG.5. The vents 109 are positioned on the top of the disinfection apparatus 100 to expel the heated air pushed by cool, ambient air from the bottom of the disinfection apparatus 100. In an embodiment, the vents 109 provide access of ambient air to the disinfection apparatus 100 during a cooling cycle as disclosed in the detailed description of FIGs.5-7.

[0056] According to one embodiment herein, the disinfection apparatus 100 comprises a control panel 110 positioned, for example, on the covering member 108 as illustrated in FIG.l. The control panel 110 comprises control elements, for example, power on/off buttons, touch interface elements, and the like, for allowing a user to trigger the disinfection cycle, select settings for temperature control, pressure control, and the like, activate sensors provided in the disinfection apparatus 100, control valves, locks, and the like. In an embodiment, the control panel 110 comprises indicators 110a and 110b, for example, light emitting diode (LED) indicators configured to indicate different operations of the disinfection apparatus 100. In an embodiment, the indicator 110a is a red LED indicator configured to indicate any error in the functioning of any component of the disinfection apparatus 100. For example, the indicator 110a turns on and displays a red light if the door 111 is not closed properly, articles are not placed in the receptacles 126 properly, or disinfecting elements such as heating elements 128 and ultraviolet light sources 133illustrated in FIG. 5, are not working properly and the like. In an embodiment, the indicator 110b is a green LED indicator configured to indicate that the disinfection cycle is complete and that the disinfection apparatus 100 is in a safe condition to remove the articles out of the chamber 117 of the disinfection apparatus 100. In another embodiment, the control panel 110 comprises audio indicators, for example, beep mechanisms, configured to alert a user that temperature within the chamber 117 has dropped to a safe temperature range, for example, between about 30°C to about 60°C, for handling of the articles placed inside the chamber 117.

[0057] According to one embodiment herein, the disinfection apparatus 100 is configured to automatically start the disinfection cycle in the chamber 117 when the articles are placed in the receptacles 126 and the door 111 of the disinfection apparatus 100 is closed. This is achieved by a sensor (not shown in FIG 1) which senses the closure of the door 111 and automatically triggers the disinfection cycle once the door 111 is closed. In another embodiment, the disinfection apparatus 100 is configured to automatically shut down operations in the chamber 117 on completion of the disinfection cycle. Further, the disinfection apparatus 100 is configured to indicate the completion of the disinfection cycle using one of the indicators, for example, 110b. The control panel 110 allows regulation of the temperature during a heating cycle that constitutes the disinfection cycle, and during a cooling cycle. Such regulation could be done either through a hard button (not shown in FIG.l) embodied on the control panel 110 or through a controller based software communicatively coupled to the disinfection apparatus 100. In an embodiment, the control panel 110 operates in multiple modes for example, a temperature control mode, a moisture control mode, and a disinfection cycle control mode. The control panel 110 comprises a display unit 110c for displaying real-time moisture level, real time temperature inside the chamber 117 at given time interval, and time remaining for the completion of the disinfection cycle. FIG.2 illustrates a block diagram of the disinfection apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG.2, the control panel 110 of the disinfection apparatus 100 is operably coupled to multiple components within the chamber 117 of the disinfection apparatus 100. In an embodiment, the components such as receptacle holders 118 containing the receptacles 126 illustrated in FIGS.3-4, disinfection elements 119, for example, the heating elements 128 and the ultraviolet light sources 133 illustrated in FIG.5, a hot-air circulation assembly 120, and a cooling assembly 121, are positioned in the chamber 117 and operably coupled to supplementary components as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the control panel 110 is operably coupled to a temperature control system 113 comprising a temperature sensori 13a or a resistance temperature detector, for example, a PT 100 sensor, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. The temperature control system 113 allows monitoring of the temperature inside the housing 101 and time lapsed during the disinfection cycle.

[0058] According to one embodiment herein, one or more moisture level sensors 112are provided in the disinfection apparatus 100 for detecting the moisture level in the disinfection apparatus 100. The moisture level sensors 112 are operably coupled to the temperature control system 113 via the control panel 110. The temperature control system 113, in operable communication with the moisture level sensors 112, controls the temperature within the disinfection apparatus 100 based on the detected moisture level.

[0059] According to one embodiment herein, an external refrigeration system 115 is operably coupled to the disinfection apparatus 100. This external refrigeration system 115 is, for example, any standard refrigeration system known in the art. The external refrigeration system 115 is configured to facilitate cooling of extracted air and releasing of the cooled air back to the chamber 117, for example, via chiller pipes. In another embodiment, the disinfection apparatus 100 is retrofitted with a refrigeration system 114 to facilitate faster cooling of the disinfected articles during the cooling cycle when the temperature difference between the outside air and the inside air of the chamber 117 is not sufficient to bring down the temperature of the articles in a desired time frame. The refrigeration system 114 comprises one or more pumps, compressors, valves, and thermostats and any other component as known in the art. When in operation, instead of the ambient air, the cooled air from the refrigeration system 114 is fed into the chamber 117, through chiller pipes, to facilitate a higher rate heat transfer and thereby faster cooling.

[0060] According to one embodiment herein, the cooling assembly 121 comprises an air conditioning system 116operably coupled to one or more of the surrounding walls of the chamber 117 for producing cool air and exhausting the heated air from the chamber 117. The cool air produced by the air conditioning system 116 decreases temperature of the air inside the chamber 117 after the disinfection cycle to bnng the elevated temperature of one or the stack of articles to a safe temperature range.

[0061] FIG.3 illustrates a front isometric view of the disinfection apparatus 100, showing internal components of the disinfection apparatus 100, according to one embodiment herein. A user may access the opening 107a of the front wall 107 of the housing 101 by opening the door 111 of the disinfection apparatus 100. The housing 101 of the disinfection apparatus 100 comprises a chamber 117defined by surrounding walls, for example, 117a, 117, 117c, and 117d as illustrated in FIG. 5. The surrounding walls of the chamber 117comprise an upper walll l7a, a floorl l7b, side wallsl l7c and 117d, and a rear wall (not shown), and a front wall with an opening. The front wall with the opening coincides with the opening 107a of the front wall 107 of the housing 101.

[0062] According to one embodiment herein, the door 111 is operably coupled to the housing 101, for example, via a hinged connection. In an embodiment, the door 111 is provided with a lock 122 that is operably coupled to a positive interlocking system 123 and a relay switch 124 to ensure the door 111 stays closed during the course of a disinfection cycle being executed in the chamber 117 of the disinfection apparatus 100 and until the temperature inside the disinfection apparatus 100 achieves a safe temperature range, for example, between about 30°C to about 60°C, to allow handling of the disinfected articles accommodated inside the chamber 117. In an embodiment, a heat-resistant gasket 125 is attached on an inner periphery of the door 111 for preventing any leakage of electromagnetic radiation, for example, ultraviolet radiation, emitted from the chamber 117. The heat-resistant gasket 125 creates a static seal between the inner periphery of the door 111 and the front wall 107 of the housing 101.

[0063] According to one embodiment herein, the disinfection apparatus 100 comprises multiple receptacle holders 118 configured to contain or hold multiple receptacles 126 in the chamber 117. Each of the receptacles 126 is configured to accommodate one or a stack of articles there within. The receptacles 126 of the disinfection apparatus 100 are detachably positioned within the chamber 117. In an embodiment, the receptacle holders 118 containing the receptacles 126 are configured to be moved into, out of, or within the chamber 117. In this embodiment, the receptacle holders 118 are equipped with moving mechanisms, for example, wheels, rollers, and the like for drawing the receptacle holders 118 out of the chamber 117 and sliding the receptacle holders 118 into the chamber 117. As illustrated in FIG.3, multiple support platforms 127 are connected at predetermined distances from each other inside the chamber 117. Opposing ends of the support platforms 127 are attached, for example, to the side walls 117c and 117d of the chamber 117. The support platforms 127 are configured to support the receptacle holders 118 holding the receptacles 126. In an embodiment, the receptacle holders 118 are configured, for example, as perforated drawers. The receptacle holders 118 with the receptacles 126 are configured to be positioned on the support platforms 127 provided inside the chamber 117. In an embodiment, each receptacle holder 118 is divided into two or more sections 118a and 118b for accommodating a larger number of bundles or stacks of paper-type articles, for example, bundles of currency notes, paper stacks, and the like. The configuration of the receptacle holder 118 and the receptacles 126 allows different stacks of articles to be accommodated in different receptacles 126 without intermixing the articles from one stack to another stack.

[0064] FIG.4 illustrates a perspective view of a receptacle holder 118comprising multiple receptacles 126 for accommodating one or more articles to be disinfected there within, according to one embodiment herein. The receptacles 126 are made of materials that are not susceptible to corrosion in high humidity and temperature. For example, the receptacles 126 are made of aluminium, stainless steel, galvanized mild steel, and the like. In an embodiment, each of the receptacles 126 comprises perforations 126a for allowing a flow of air through one or a stack of articles accommodated within each of the receptacles 126. The perforations 126a in the receptacles 126 allow heated air to rush into the receptacles 126 at a high pressure and allow electromagnetic radiation, for example, ultraviolet radiation, to fall onto the articles accommodated in the receptacles 126 without any obstruction.

[0065] According to one embodiment herein, the rushing of the heated air at high pressure through the perforations 126a of the receptacles 126 also promote ruffling of the articles in each stack. Ruffling is process of disordering or disarranging a bundle or a stack of articles through an external force. This ruffling process causes air flow through each stack, thereby maintaining all individual articles in each stack at the same temperature. Due to ruffling, air passes through the stack and ensures maintenance of a uniform temperature through the stack enough to inactivate or kill pathogens present on the articles in the stack. Maintaining a uniform temperature across the stack of articles allows each article in the stack to be disinfected at the same level. Moreover, because ultraviolet germicidal disinfection occurs on exposed surfaces only, ruffling allows each article in the stack to get exposed to the ultraviolet radiation uniformly, thereby resulting in the same level of ultraviolet germicidal disinfection. The ruffling process, therefore, increases exposure of all articles of the stack to ultraviolet germicidal irradiation from all dimensions. Individual articles or stacks of articles, for example, books, a stack of papers, a stack of documents, bundles of currency notes, and the like, are placed in the receptacles 126 in the chamber 117 illustrated in FIG.3, prior to initiating a disinfection cycle in the disinfection apparatus 100 illustrated in FIGS.1-3. The receptacles 126 withhold the stacks of articles during the disinfection cycle. In an embodiment, the receptacles 126are closed in the disinfection apparatus 100 to preclude movement or transfer of the articles from one stack to another during the disinfection cycle.

[0066] FIG.5 illustrates a sectional view of the disinfection apparatus 100, showing internal components positioned in the chamber 117 of the disinfection apparatus 100 for executing a disinfection cycle, according to one embodiment herein. In addition to the housing 101 with the chamber 117 and the receptacles 126 illustrated in FIGS.1-4, the disinfection apparatus 100 comprises multiple disinfection elements, for example, 128 and 133, a hot-air circulation assembly 120, and a cooling assembly 121. The disinfection elements, for example, 128 and 133, of the disinfection apparatus 100 are operably coupled to one or more of the surrounding walls, for example, 117c, 117d and 117a, 117b respectively, of the chamberll7. One or more of the disinfection elements, for example, 128, are configured to heat air and, in turn, one or the stack of articles, inside the chamber 117in a disinfection cycle, and simultaneously another one or more of the disinfection elements, for example, 133, are configured to emit an electromagnetic radiation within the chamber 117 to inactivate pathogens present on one or the stack of articles in the disinfection cycle. In an embodiment, the disinfection elements comprise one or more heating elements 128and one or more ultraviolet light sources 133. The disinfection cycle comprises a heating cycle executed by the heating elements 128 and an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation cycle executed by the ultraviolet light sources 133. In an embodiment, the heating elements 128 are operably coupled to the side walls 117c and 117d of the chamberl l7 as illustrated in FIG.5, for heating the air and, in turn, one or the stack of articles, inside the chamber 117. The heating elements 128 are made one or more materials selected, for example, from nichrome, Kanthal® ironchromium- aluminum alloys, cupronickel, silicon carbide, and the like, and any combination thereof. The heating elements 128 are configured in different shapes, for example, in the form of coils, wires, ribbons, and the like. The heating elements 128 are activated after the articles are loaded into the receptacles 126 contained in the chamber 117. The heating elements 128 are activated when the heating cycle starts to elevate the temperature of the air inside the chamber 117 to carry out thermal disinfection of the articles. The heating of one or the stack of articles to an elevated temperature, for example, about 150 C, expels moisture present on surfaces of each of the articles.

[0067] According to one embodiment herein, the ultraviolet light sources 133 comprise, for example, mercury-based ultraviolet lamps, ultraviolet lightemitting diodes (LEDs), and the like. In an embodiment, the ultraviolet light sourcesl33 are operably coupled to the upper walll 17a, the floorl 17b, and/or the side walls 117c and 117d of the chamberl l7, for example, using holders or metallic clips. For example, in FIG.5, ultraviolet light sources 133 such as ultraviolet lamps are operably coupled to the upper wall 117a and the floor 117b of the chamber 117. Electronic ballast devices 135 control a power supply to the ultraviolet light sources 133. The ultraviolet light sources 133 carry out ultraviolet disinfection of the articles. The ultraviolet light sources 133 emit an ultraviolet radiation for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation within the chamber 117 to inactivate the pathogens present on one or the stack of articles. The wavelength of the ultraviolet radiation from the ultraviolet light sources 133 falls in the range of, for example, 100 nanometers (nm) to about 270 nm. The ultraviolet light sources 133 inactivate any traces of pathogens that may have come off from the surfaces of the articles and expelled into the heated air circulating inside the chamber 117 during the disinfection cycle. The disinfection apparatus 100, therefore, implements a synergy of thermal and ultraviolet disinfection of one or a stack of articles. That is, the disinfection apparatus 100 implements a dual combination of heating and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation for surface disinfection where the temperature maintained inside the chamber 117dunng the disinfection cycle is in the range of, for example, about 40 degree Celsius (°C) and about 150°C.

[0068] According to one embodiment herein, the hot-air circulation assembly 120 of the disinfection apparatus 100 is operably coupled to another one or more of the surrounding walls, for example, 117a, 117c, and 117d of the chamber 117. The hot-air circulation assembly 120is configured to circulate the heated air inside the chamber 117 for removing the expelled moisture from the surfaces of each of the articles. The circulating, heated air in the chamber 117 removes any moisture or water droplets present on the surfaces of the articles, thereby decreasing the level of ultraviolet dosage required for pathogen inactivation. This allows truncating the time required for ultraviolet exposure of the articles to disinfect the surfaces of the articles. The hot-air circulation assembly 120 regulates the circulation of the heated air inside the chamber 117 and maintains a uniform temperature inside the chamber 117 during the disinfection cycle. The hot-air circulation assembly 120 is also configured to inject the heated air into one or the stack of articles for ruffling one or the stack of articles to uniformly disinfect each of the articles, maintain a uniform temperature in each of the articles, and allow uniform exposure of each of the articles to the electromagnetic radiation, for example, the ultraviolet radiation, from all dimensions within the chamber 117.

[0069] According to one embodiment herein, the hot-air circulation assembly 120 comprises a fan 130, for example, a blower fan, and multiple air nozzles 131. In an embodiment, the fan 130 of the hot-air circulation assembly 120 is positioned on the upper wall 117a of the chamber 117 and is operably coupled to the air nozzles 131. The fan 130 is operably connected to a motor 129. The motor 129 regulates the speed of the fan 130. The air inside the chamber 117 that is heated by the heating elements 128 is continuously recirculated by the fan 130 mounted on top of the chamber 117. The flow rate of the circulated, heated air inside the chamber 117 is tuned by controlling the speed of the fan 130. As the air contacts the heated elements 128 during circulation, the temperature of the air increases. The fan 130 is configured to produce a current of air inside the chamber 117 and dispense the air heated by the heating elements 128 through the air nozzles 131. In an embodiment, the air nozzles 131 are positioned on the side walls 117c and 117d of the chamber 117 as illustrated in FIG.5. The air nozzles 131 are aligned with a level of the receptacles 126 for directing the heated air at a high pressure into one or the stack of articles accommodated therein and ruffling one or the stack of articles to uniformly disinfect each of the articles, maintain the uniform temperature in each of the articles, and allow the uniform exposure of each of the articles to the electromagnetic radiation, for example, the ultraviolet radiation, from all dimensions within the chamber 117. The air nozzles 131 laterally injects the heated air into the receptacles 126 containing the articles, which are positioned on the support platforms 127. The lateral injection of the heated air inside the receptacles 126 causes ruffling of the articles in the stacks for uniform thermal and ultraviolet germicidal disinfection of each article. The expulsion and removal of the moisture present on the surfaces of each of the articles by the heating elements 128 and the hot-air circulation assembly 120 decrease a level of dosage of the electromagnetic radiation, for example, the ultraviolet radiation, required for inactivating the pathogens present on one or the stack of articles. The temperature of the air in the chamber 117 during the disinfection cycle is in a range of, for example, about 40°C and about 150°C.

[0070] According to one embodiment herein, after completion of the disinfection cycle, the disinfection apparatus 100 automatically triggers a cooling cycle using the cooling assembly 121. The cooling assembly 121 of the disinfection apparatus 100 is operably coupled to another one or more of the surrounding walls, for example, 117a of the chamberl l7 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 6. The cooling assembly 121 is configured to decrease the temperature of the air inside the chamber 117 after the disinfection cycle to bring the elevated temperature of one or the stack of articles to a safe temperature range. In an embodiment, the cooling assembly 121 comprises cooling air dispensers 138 configured to introduce ambient air from an external environment into the chamber 117 to decrease the temperature of the air inside the chamber 117. The cooling assembly 121 facilitates a rapid drop in the temperature inside the chamber 117, post the disinfection cycle. The disinfection apparatus 100 comprises a temperature insulation jacket 134 for maintaining a uniform, stable temperature profile inside the chamber 117. The disinfection apparatus 100 comprises cool air dispensers 138 for introducing cool ambient air into the chamber 117.

[0071] FIG.6 illustrates a top, rear perspective view of the disinfection apparatus 100 with the covering member 108 shown in FIG.l and FIG.3, removed from the housing 101 of the disinfection apparatus 100, showing components of the cooling assembly 121 of the disinfecting apparatus 100, according to one embodiment herein.

[0072] According to one embodiment herein, the cooling assembly 121 is positioned on an upper wall 102 of the housing 101. In an embodiment, the cooling assembly 121 comprises one or more control valves 137 and 140 and one or more fan or fan and motor systems 136 and 139 positioned at one or more of the surrounding walls of the chamber 117. In an embodiment, the fan and motor systems 136 and 139 and the control valves 137 and 140 of the cooling assembly 121 are operably coupled to the upper wall 102 of the housing 101. The fan and motor system 136 is configured to expel out heated air from inside the chamber 117 of the disinfection apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG.5. The control valves 137 and 140, for example, solenoid valves or non-retum valves (NRVs), of the cooling assembly 121 are configured to support the operation of the fan and motor systems 136 and 139 respectively. The control valves 137 and 140 are configured to remain closed during heating of the air inside the chamber 117 that is, during the heating cycle of the disinfection cycle, and only open when a cooling cycle starts. The control valves 137 and 140 allow flow of air inside the chamber 117, which is heated during the heating cycle to carry out thermal disinfection of the articles and exhausted through the vents 109 when cool ambient air enters the chamber 117, thereby cooling down the articles post the heating cycle. To preclude a continuous exchange of heated air and cool, ambient air that would prolong the heating cycle and consume more energy, the control valves 137 and 140 are opened only during the cooling cycle and closed during the disinfection cycle. The fan and motor system 136 draws ambient air into the chamber 117 and dispenses the ambient air to an air channell32 illustrated in FIG. 5through the control valve 137. During the cooling cycle, the control valve 140 opens and the fan and motor system 139 expels the heated air outside the disinfection apparatus 100. The cool ambient air is introduced into the air channels 132 through the cool air dispensers 138 illustrated in FIG.5.

[0073] According to one embodiment herein, the cooling assembly 121 comprises one or more vents 109 positioned on the covering member 108 of the housing 101 as illustrated in FIG.l and FIGG to exhaust the heated air from the chamber 117 and allow replacement of the heated air with cool air produced by the fan and motor systems 136 and 139. The covering member 108 is removably attached to the upper wall 117a of the chamber 117and the upper wall 102 of the housing 101 as illustrated in FIG.l and FIGG. In another embodiment, the air conditioning system 116 of the cooling assembly 121 produces cool air and exhausts the heated air from the chamber 117. The cool air produced by the air conditioning system 116 decreases temperature of the air inside the chamber 117 after the disinfection cycle to bring the elevated temperature of one or the stack of articles to a safe temperature range. The cooling cycle decreases the temperature of the air inside the chamber 117, for example, from about 120°C- 150°C to about 30°C-60°C.

[0074] FIG.7 illustrates a partial internal view of the chamber 117 of the disinfection apparatus 100, showing a cooling cycle executed within the chamber 117 for decreasing temperature of air inside the chamber 117 after the disinfection cycle, according to one embodiment herein. The cooling cycle decreases the temperature of the articles placed inside the chamber 117 of the disinfection apparatus 100. On completion of the disinfection cycle, the cooling assembly 121 illustrated in FIGS.5-6, automatically initiates the cooling cycle. In the first stage of the cooling cycle, cool ambient air 701 flows through the air channel 132. In the second stage of the cooling cycle, the cool ambient air 702 enters the chamber 117 of the disinfection apparatus 100 through cool air dispensers 138 illustrated in FIG. 5. In the third stage of the cooling cycle, due to low density of the heated air 703 contained in the chamber 117 after the heating cycle, the heated air 703 starts to rise up and is replaced with the incoming cool ambient air 702. In the final stage of the cooling cycle, the heated air 704 reaches the upper wall 102 of the housing 101 and expels out through the vents 109 configured in the covering member 108 of the housing 101 illustrated in FIG.l and FIGG. The cooling cycle ensures that all articles placed inside the chamber 117 are brought to a safe temperature range before handling, after the disinfection cycle.

[0075] FIG.8 illustrates a flowchart of a method for disinfecting one or more articles using the disinfection apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1-7, according to one embodiment herein. In the method disclosed herein, a user places one or more articles, for example, bundles of currency notes and stacks of papers, to be disinfected or sterilized inside the receptacles of the disinfection apparatus and activates a disinfection cycle via the control panel. The receptacles accommodate 801 the articles there within. The disinfection elements, in communication with the hot-air circulation assembly of the disinfection apparatus, execute 802 the disinfection cycle in the chamber of the disinfection apparatus. For example, the heating elements embedded in the side walls of the chamber, in communication with the hot-air circulation assembly, execute a heating cycle 802a comprising heating air and in turn, the articles, inside the chamber, circulating the heated air inside the chamber for removing moisture expelled from surfaces of each of the articles, and injecting the heated air into the articles for ruffling the articles placed within the receptacles, while the ultraviolet light sources simultaneously execute ultraviolet germicidal irradiation 802b inside the chamber in tandem with the heating cycle to inactivate pathogens present on the articles. Ruffling the articles allows uniform disinfection of each of the articles, maintenance of a uniform temperature in each of the articles, and uniform exposure of each of the articles to the ultraviolet radiation within the chamber.

[0076] According to one embodiment herein, the time duration of the heating cycle is, for example, between about 10 minutes to about 80 minutes. This time duration is a factor of temperature at which disinfection of the articles inside the chamber is required. Higher the temperature inside the chamber, at which the articles are disinfected, lower are the chances of any pathogen surviving during the disinfection process. The time duration of the heating cycle is configured based on optimal disinfection requirements. The fan of the hot-air circulation assembly recirculates the heated air in the chamber. The disinfection cycle disinfects the articles by simultaneous thermal disinfection caused by the heated air and ultraviolet disinfection caused by ultraviolet germicidal irradiation from the ultraviolet light sources operably coupled to the walls of the chamber. After completion of the disinfection cycle, the cooling assembly of the disinfection apparatus executes 803 a cooling cycle to decrease the temperature of the air inside the chamber to bring the temperature of the articles to a safe temperature range. The time duration of the cooling cycle varies, for example, from about 15 minutes to about 60 minutes. This time duration is a function of temperature at which the disinfection of the articles inside the chamber is carried out. The chamber and the articles placed inside the receptacles contained in the chamber are cooled by replacing the heated air inside the chamber with much cooler ambient air.

[0077] According to one embodiment herein, consider an example of a method for disinfecting one or more articles using the disinfection apparatus 100 shown in FIGS.1-7, configured as a disinfection chamber, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The disinfection cycle starts by placing stacks of articles, for example, currency notes, bills, documents such as papers, books, files, and the like, in receptacles contained in receptacle holders configured, for example, as perforated drawers, provided inside the chamber of the disinfection apparatus. During the disinfection process, air inside the chamber is heated using the heating elements and recirculated using the fan of the hot-air circulation assembly. The heated air is directed through the air nozzles of the hot-air circulation assembly, that are positioned on the side walls of the chamber, and laterally injected into the receptacles containing the stacks of articles. High pressure of the heated air causes ruffling of the stacks of articles, which ensures a uniform temperature is maintained across the stacks of articles, thereby resulting in uniform thermal disinfection of each article in each stack. The ultraviolet light sources, for example, the ultraviolet lamps, of the disinfection apparatus execute ultraviolet germicidal irradiation on the stacks of articles. Ruffling of the stacks, caused by the pressurized, heated air, facilitates exposure of the ultraviolet germicidal radiation on each article present inside each stack. Elevated temperatures inside the disinfection apparatus remove moisture or water droplets present on the surfaces of the articles, thereby optimizing the process of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. Removal of the moisture or water droplets present on the surfaces of the articles results in bringing down the ultraviolet dosage for inactivation of pathogens and therefore truncates the time duration of the disinfection cycle. Moreover, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation also kills any air bound pathogen that may have come off from the surfaces of the articles during the disinfection cycle.

[0078] According to one embodiment herein, after the completion of the disinfection cycle, the cooling cycle starts in which temperature of the disinfection apparatus and the articles accommodated in the receptacles in the chamber is brought down at a rapid rate to ensure the articles are safe for handling by a user. The program of the cooling cycle in the disinfection apparatus is set to start automatically once the disinfection cycle is completed without any user intervention. The cooling cycle involves substituting or replacing the heated air present inside the chamber with cooler, ambient air. The fans of the cooling assembly draw or suck the ambient air from the ambient environment and force the ambient air down towards the bottom of the disinfection apparatus from where the ambient air enters the chamber. The heated air, due to its lower density, rises up and expels out from the vents positioned on the top of the disinfection apparatus.

[0079] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.

[0080] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims submitted below. The scope of the invention will be ascertained by the following claims.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A disinfection apparatus (100) for disinfecting one or more articles, the disinfection apparatus (100) comprising: a housing (101) comprising a chamber (117) defined by surrounding walls (117a, 117b, 117c, 117d); a plurality of receptacles (126) detachably positioned within the chamber (117), wherein each of the receptacles (126) is configured to accommodate one or a stack of articles there within; a plurality of disinfection elements (128, 133) operably coupled to one or more of the surrounding walls (117a, 117b, 117c, 117d) of the chamber (117), wherein one or more of the disinfection elements (128) are configured to heat air and, in turn, the one or the stack of articles, inside the chamber (117) in a disinfection cycle, and simultaneously, another one or more of the disinfection elements (133) are configured to emit an electromagnetic radiation within the chamber (117) to inactivate pathogens present on the one or the stack of articles in the disinfection cycle; a hot-air circulation assembly (120) operably coupled to another one or more of the surrounding walls (117a, 117c, 117d) of the chamber (117), wherein the hot-air circulation assembly (120) is configured to: circulate the heated air inside the chamber (117) for removing moisture expelled from surfaces of each of the articles; and inject the heated air into the one or the stack of articles for ruffling the one or the stack of articles to uniformly disinfect the each of the

38 articles, maintain a uniform temperature in the each of the articles, and allow uniform exposure of the each of the articles to the electromagnetic radiation from all dimensions within the chamber (117); and a cooling assembly (121) operably coupled to another one or more of the surrounding walls (117a) of the chamber (117), wherein the cooling assembly (121) is configured to decrease temperature of the air inside the chamber (117) after the disinfection cycle. The disinfection apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the each of the receptacles (126) comprises perforations (126a) configured to allow a flow of the air through the one or the stack of articles accommodated within the each of the receptacles (126). The disinfection apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more of the disinfection elements comprise heating elements (128) configured to heat the air and, in turn, the one or the stack of articles, inside the chamber (117), and wherein the heating of the one or the stack of articles to an elevated temperature expels moisture present on the surfaces of the each of the articles. The disinfection apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the another one or more of the disinfection elements comprise ultraviolet light sources (133) configured to emit an ultraviolet radiation for ultraviolet germicidal

39 irradiation within the chamber (117) to inactivate the pathogens present on the one or the stack of articles.

5. The disinfection apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the expulsion and removal of the moisture present on the surfaces of the each of the articles by the one or more of the disinfection elements (128) and the hotair circulation assembly (120) decrease a level of dosage of the electromagnetic radiation required for inactivating the pathogens present on the one or the stack of articles.

6. The disinfection apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hot-air circulation assembly (120) comprises: a plurality of air nozzles (131) positioned on a side pair of the surrounding walls (117c, 117d) of the chamber (117); and a fan (130) positioned on an upper one of the surrounding walls (117a) of the chamber (117) and operably coupled to the air nozzles (131), wherein the fan (130) is configured to produce a current of air inside the chamber (117) and dispense the air through the air nozzles (131).

7. The disinfection apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the air nozzles (131) of the hot-air circulation assembly (120) are aligned with a level of the receptacles (126) for directing the heated air at a high pressure into the one or the stack of articles accommodated therein and ruffling the one or the stack of articles to uniformly disinfect the each of the articles,

40 maintain the uniform temperature in the each of the articles, and allow the uniform exposure of the each of the articles to the electromagnetic radiation from all dimensions within the chamber (117).

8. The disinfection apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature of the air in the chamber (117) during the disinfection cycle is in a range of about 40 degree Celsius and about 150 degree Celsius.

9. The disinfection apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling assembly (121) comprises one or more control valves (137, 140), a fan (136, 139), and an air conditioning system (116) positioned at another one or more of the surrounding walls (117a) of the chamber (117), and where the one or more control valves (137, 140) are configured to remain closed during the heating of the air inside the chamber (117).

10. The disinfection apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cooling assembly (121) comprises one or more vents (109) positioned on a covering member (108) of the housing (101) for exhausting the heated air from the chamber (117) and allowing replacement of the heated air with cool ambient air, wherein the covering member (108) is removably attached to an upper one of the surrounding walls (117a) of the chamber (117).

11. The disinfection apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surrounding walls of the chamber (117) comprise an upper wall (117a), a floor (117b), side walls (117c, 117d), a rear wall, and a front wall with an opening, wherein the opening of the front wall is closed by a door (111) operably coupled to the housing (101).

12. The disinfection apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the articles are paper-type articles comprising currency notes, bills, receipts, documents, and papers.

13. A method for disinfecting one or more articles using a disinfection apparatus (100) comprising a chamber (117) defined by surrounding walls (117a, 117b, 117c, 117d), the method comprising steps of: accommodating (801) one or more stacks of articles within one or more receptacles (126) detachably positioned within the chamber (117) of the disinfection apparatus (100); executing a disinfection cycle (802) by a plurality of disinfection elements (128, 133) operably coupled to a first set of one or more surrounding walls (117a, 117b, 117c, 117d) of the chamber (117), in communication with a hot-air circulation assembly (120) operably coupled to a second set of one or more surrounding walls (117a, 117c, 117d) of the chamber (117), wherein the disinfection cycle comprises a heating cycle, an electromagnetic germicidal irradiation and a cooling cycle, wherein the heating cycle (802a) is configured to heat air and, in turn, the one or the stack of articles, inside the chamber (117), circulate the heated air inside the chamber (117) for removing moisture expelled from surfaces of each of the articles, and inject the heated air into the one or the stack of articles for ruffling the one or more stack of articles to uniformly disinfect the each article, maintain a uniform temperature in the each article, and allow uniform exposure of the each article to the electromagnetic radiation from all dimensions within the chamber (117); and wherein the electromagnetic germicidal irradiation (802b) configured to simultaneously emit an electromagnetic radiation within the chamber (117) to inactivate pathogens present on the one or the stack of articles; and wherein the cooling cycle (803), executed by a cooling assembly (121) operably coupled to the second set of one or more surrounding walls (117a) of the chamber (117), wherein the cooling cycle is configured to decrease temperature of the air inside the chamber (117) after the disinfection cycle. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein each receptacle (126) comprises perforations (126a) for allowing a flow of the air through the one or more stack of articles accommodated within the each of the receptacles (126).

43