WO2022216952A1

WO2022216952A1 - Uv disinfection and charging cabinet

Info

Publication number: WO2022216952A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/023869
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael P. Murphy; George C.w. RUNGER
Original assignee: Proximity Systems, Inc.
Priority date: 2021-04-07
Filing date: 2022-04-07
Publication date: 2022-10-13

Abstract

A cabinet for disinfecting and/or charging a mobile device. A plurality of UV light sources within the cabinet shine disinfecting UV light on the mobile device(s) inside. The cabinet includes dividers and a ledge for propping up the mobile device(s) to maximize exposure to UV lights. A plurality of charging ports is positioned in the cabinet to allow for the use of charging cables to charge the mobile device(s) inside. The door handles on the cabinet door include recessed pockets which are exposed to UV light, thereby disinfecting the surfaces which are touched when the door is opened.

Description

UV DISINFECTION AND CHARGING CABINET

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 63/171,641 filed on April 7, 2021 , the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cabinet for storing, disinfecting, and/or charging portable / mobile devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cabinet which disinfects the mobile devices using ultraviolet (UV) light and includes connections for charging the devices. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As more companies, hospitals and the like are switching to digital recordkeeping, and the use of tablets or other mobile devices, there is a need to charge the mobile devices and disinfect them between use. The prior art teaches various cabinets to accomplish the goals. US 8,296,493 (‘493 Patent) is directed to a cabinet which charges portable devices and uses UV light to disinfect them. The ‘493 Patent includes a complex mechanism for shining the UV light to every surface, including through the charging components to disinfect the inside of the charging port. US 10,439,408 is directed to a modular cell phone storage locker having a charging port and disinfecting device in each compartment. Other devices, such as those shown in US 8,964,405 hold a single device at a time for disinfection and charging. All prior art cited in this paragraph is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a cabinet for disinfecting a plurality of mobile devices.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a cabinet for disinfecting and charging a plurality of mobile devices, the mobile devices not necessarily all being of the same type.

In still a further aspect, the present invention relates to a cabinet for charging and disinfecting a plurality of mobile devices in which the cabinet also disinfects the cabinet door handles. These and further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, wherein reference is made to the figures in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cabinet of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is another perspective of the cabinet of Fig. 1 with the doors open. Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the cabinet of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of the cabinet of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a partial view of a door of the cabinet of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cabinet of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a partial view of the inside of the cabinet of Fig. 6.

Fig .8 is a perspective view of a device holder which can be removable attached in the cabinet of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a front view of the holder of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a partial view of the inside of the cabinet of Fig. 6 with headphones hanging from hooks.

Fig. 11 is another view of the inside of the cabinet of Fig. 6 showing the hooks.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a rack for holding virtual reality headsets which can be removably placed in the cabinet of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein the term mobile device is intended to refer to any mobile device which is typically handled by a person and includes, but is not limited to, laptops, tablets, cell phones, handheld scanners, headphones, virtual reality headsets, and video game controllers.

Turning first to Fig. 1, there is shown, generally as 10, one embodiment of the cabinet of the present invention. The cabinet 10 is formed from enclosure 12 which includes ceiling 11 , floor 7, side walls 13, rear wall 9, front wall 8, and one or more doors 14 having handles shown generally as 15. Cabinet 10 further includes digital display 16, and lock 17. It will be understood that cabinet 10 can also be configured to have only a single door 14. In a preferred embodiment, side walls 13 have recessed handles 5

With respect to Figs. 2 and 3, there is shown the interior of cabinet 10. Mobile devices D1 and D2 are depicted to show the preferred use of cabinet 10. Mobile devices D1 and D2 are held in place by dividers 20. As seen in Fig. 2, mobile device D1 is of a one-piece tablet configuration and mobile device D2 is a laptop or a tablet within a clam-shell type case. Mobile device D2 is positioned such that it straddles one of the dividers 20. Dividers 20 are generally L-shaped preferably formed from aluminum or other material which reflects UV light, and have perforations therethrough to minimize the amount of UV light blocked by the dividers.

UV light sources 30 are positioned throughout the cabinet 10. In the embodiment depicted as cabinet 10, there are eight UV light sources 30, though of course the exact number and placement of the UV lights can vary. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, there are four UV light sources 30 positioned in the top of cabinet 10 and, though not all are visible, there are two more UV light sources 30 positioned at the bottom, front of the cabinet 10 and two more UV light sources 30 positioned in the rear of cabinet 10, slightly above the bottom. UV light sources 30 can be in the form of cold cathode fluorescent (CCFL) bulbs, mercury vapor bulbs or UV light emitting diodes (LEDs). The configuration of UV light sources 30 can vary. For example, instead of two lights sources next to one another, there may be one long UV bulb extending across the cabinet, or there may be a strand of UV LEDs mounted along the length of the cabinet. UV light sources 30 can emit any UV wavelength, e.g. UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C. In a preferred embodiment, UV light sources 30 emit UV-C light, more preferably in wavelengths from 260-275 nm.

Turning to Fig. 3, there can be seen one arrangement of the various components of cabinet 10. The interior of cabinet 10 includes a raised floor 50 and an inner wall 52. Floor 50 and wall 52 are preferably made of aluminum to reflect UV light throughout cabinet 10. There are open areas 54 and 56 beneath floor 50 and behind wall 52, respectively. Control box 60 is shown in Fig. 3 positioned in area 56. Control box 60 can house various control mechanisms, including driver boards, programmable controllers, power supplies, and, as will be discussed more fully later, charging ports. It will be understood that the exact positioning of control box 60 can vary. Open areas 54 and 56 accommodate electrical wiring and connections between control box 60 and UV light sources 30. Further, areas 54 and 56 can be used for cable management for charging cords and the like, as needed.

In a preferred embodiment, dividers 20 are removably positioned within enclosure 12. Dividers 20 can be held in place by any means well known to those skilled in the art. For example, floor 50 and wall 52 can include openings which receive inserts / tabs extending from dividers 20.

Extending along wall 52 is a ledge 58. Mobile devices being disinfected are positioned in cabinet 10 with one end up on ledge 58 (see mobile device D1 in Fig. 3). At least one UV light source 30 is positioned beneath ledge 58 such that UV light can reach the bottom edge/side of the mobile device. Because Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, only one UV light source 30 is shown beneath the ledge 58, but the embodiment shown includes two UV light sources 30 next to each other, beneath ledge 58. In a preferred embodiment, ledge 58 has a series of openings / perforations along it to allow UV light to shine through. In a preferred embodiment, floor 50 does not extend all the way to the rear of cabinet 10. As already discussed, there is an open area 56 in the rear of cabinet 10. Thus, floor 50 preferably does not extend beyond wall 52 in the rear. Additionally, as seen in Fig 3, two UV light sources 30 are disposed beneath the level of floor 50. Thus, there must be openings in floor 50 or else the UV light sources 30 positioned under floor 50 would only shine onto the underside of floor 50. In a preferred embodiment there are a plurality of slots or grating 51 in floor 50. Slots or grating 51 allows UV light to shine up from beneath floor 50. The slots or grating can be positioned throughout floor 50 to maximize the transmission of UV light to the mobile devices being disinfected. It will be appreciated that the exact position of UV light sources 30 under floor 50 can vary and the positioning and angle of slots 51 in floor 50 can likewise vary to maximize transmission of UV light to the mobile devices being disinfected. It will also be appreciated that a plurality of reflectors or reflective surfaces can be used throughout cabinet 10 to direct the UV light to desired areas.

Turning now to Fig. 4, there is shown the rear of cabinet 10. In a preferred embodiment, rear wall 9 includes rear panel 62 which is removable to allow for easy access to control box 60, and to add / remove charging cables as needed. Rear panel 62 can be removably attached in ways well known to those skilled in the art, e.g., with threaded screws.

In a preferred embodiment, wall floor and wall 52 are connected to each other and form a removable insert 55 within enclosure 12. As will be described more fully hereafter, insert 55 can be removed through rear panel 62 to allow for easier replacement / reconfiguration of dividers, racks, or the like. In this way, the cabinet is customizable to disinfect and/or charge different devices of different size and shape. Removable insert 55 can be held in place within cabinet 10 by any manner well known to those skilled in the art. For example, insert 55 may be held in place using hooks or screws, or insert 55 may include one or more legs which prop insert 55 up on the floor of cabinet 10.

Turning to Fig. 5, there is shown an enlarged image of one of doors 14 and handle shown generally as 15. One of the key advantages of the present invention over prior art disinfection cabinets is that the handle 15 is disinfected by the UV light sources 30 inside cabinet 10. Door 14 includes a door panel 64. As depicted, door panel 64 is of a plastic material such as acrylic or high impact polystyrene, which is generally transparent to allow one to see the contents of the cabinet, but does not allow UV light to pass through. The exact material of door panel 64 may vary and need not be transparent. There is an opening 70 in door panel 64. Behind opening 70 is a recessed wall 72, a side wall 74, and a lower wall 76. An upper wall similar to lower wall 76 is also present, but not visible in the figure. Walls 72, 74, and 76 form a pocket 80. UV light from UV light sources 30 shines into pocket 80 and disinfects the inner surfaces of pocket 80. In a preferred embodiment, additional walls and/or reflectors are positioned near pocket 80 to better direct the light into pocket 80. In a most preferred embodiment, the walls and reflectors are positioned such that UV light does not shine out beyond cabinet 10, thus protecting the user from UV exposure. To open door 14, a user can reach through opening 70 into pocket 80 and pull on the inner surface of door panel 64. The inner surface of door panel 64 which is touched by the user will have been disinfected by the UV light during the last disinfection cycle.

To disinfect a mobile device, the user would open door 14 and place the device inside the cabinet 10, either between two dividers 20 or, in the case of a device having a clamshell configuration / case, straddling one of dividers 20. The device is positioned with one end on upraised ledge 58. If desired, and as discussed more fully below, the user can plug the device in to a charging cable positioned within cabinet 10 and connected to a charging port in control box 60.

The user then closes the door 14. Cabinet 10 includes one or more door sensors 19 which detect if either of doors 14 is open. In a preferred embodiment, the door sensors 19 are magnetic contact switches. If a door 14 is opened while the cabinet is in a disinfection cycle, i.e. , the UV light sources 30 are on, the UV light sources 30 will automatically be turned off. This is to protect the user from exposure to UV light. When door sensors 19 indicate that both doors 14 have been closed, the cabinet 10 automatically initiates a disinfection cycle, i.e., turns the UV light sources 30 on. A disinfection cycle can last for any predetermined amount of time, e.g., 20 seconds. At the end of the disinfection cycle, the UV lights are turned off again. In a preferred embodiment, the disinfection cycle is initiated by the signal indicating that one or both doors have been closed after being opened. In this regard, there is no programming or settings to be adjusted by the user. Closing both doors automatically starts the disinfection cycle. If desired, a delay can be programmed such that the disinfection cycle does not start until a certain number of seconds have elapsed after the doors are closed. The automatic disinfection upon closing of the doors means the user does not need to push additional power buttons or program any settings. Additionally, the cabinet can be programmed to run disinfection cycles periodically, regardless of whether the doors have been opened/closed or not. For example, a disinfection cycle could run every hour regardless of whether the door has been opened since the last disinfection cycle.

The display screen 16, is preferably an LCD, and can display various pieces of information, including but not limited to, whether a disinfection cycle is currently running, the time of the last disinfection cycle, whether any of the UV lights are

- IQ - starting to age / have failed, whether the doors have not been securely closed. In a preferred embodiment, each UV light position has an assigned number (e.g., 1- 8), so the alert can direct the user to exactly which bulb needs attention. The cabinet 10 can also include audible signals to indicate completion of a disinfection cycle, a door left open beyond a certain period of time, a bulb failure, etc. The cabinet 10 can be powered by batteries or may include a power cord.

If desired additional sensors which detect the presence of a user may be incorporated. For example, a motion sensor may be employed which detects if a person is close to the cabinet and pauses the disinfection cycle while the person is present. In particular, a motion sensor could be positioned to detect if a person reaches into pocket 80 to open the doors during a disinfection cycle. The detection of movement near pocket 80 would shut off any disinfection cycle and protect the user from exposure to any UV before they opened the cabinet doors.

In addition to disinfecting devices, the present invention can charge the mobile devices in the cabinet. In this regard, control box 60 can include power a supply system and a plurality of electrical outlets, USB ports, and/or other appropriate charging ports for charging devices. As used herein, the term “charging ports” is intended to include any electrical outlet, USB port, and any other appropriate charging port of any configuration. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of charging ports are positioned along the upper facing surface of control box 60. Charging cables suitable for the devices in question can be plugged into the charging ports, and the other end of the cables draped over the top of wall 52. Wall 52 may include a plurality slots or openings therein for cable management. The user can then connect the mobile device to the appropriate charging cable. This also allows for different devices and different brands to be charged, simply by using different charging cables, as necessary. As described above, rear panel 62 of cabinet 10 can be removed for easy access to control box 60 and for switching out charging cables if needed. It will also be appreciated that while depicted as a single unit, control box 60 can comprise multiple distinct and separate units which are operatively connected to control the cabinet operations.

The cabinet 10 of the present invention presents multiple advantages over the prior art. The raised ledge 58 ensures the bottom edges of the devices are disinfected. The initiation of disinfection cycles by closing the door, eliminates the need for the user to program in specific cycles or press buttons to initiate the cycle. The disinfection occurs automatically. The door open sensors 19 interrupt the disinfection cycle and protect the user from UV exposure. The recessed door handle pockets allow for the surfaces contacted by the user when opening the doors to be disinfected. The display informs the user whether the devices inside are being disinfected or have been disinfected. In this way, the user is assured of retrieving a cleaned device without first contaminating their own hands by touching a dirty cabinet door. The charging cables for the devices can easily be switched out as needed by removing the rear panel of the cabinet. The disinfecting and charging cabinet of the present invention is user friendly, safe, and provides improved disinfection of the devices and the door handles.

Turning to Fig. 6, there is shown generally as 25 another embodiment of the present invention. Cabinet 25 differs from cabinet 10 with respect to the door handles 15’, the dividers 20’, and some features of the removable insert 55’. When describing cabinet 25 components which are the same as cabinet 10 will use the same reference characters. Any features not expressly described herein as being different from cabinet 10 are thus included within cabinet 25, e.g., UV light sources 30, control box 60, etc. Cabinet 25 is formed from enclosure 12 which includes ceiling 11, floor 7, side walls 13, rear wall 9, front wall 8, and one or more doors 14. The doors 14 of cabinet 25 do not have recessed handles which can be disinfected by light from UV light sources 30, but rather have outwardly projecting door handles 15’. Floor 50’ and wall 52’ of cabinet 25 are similar to respective floor 50 and wall 52. It will be appreciated that like cabinet 10, the areas 54 and 56 below floor 50 and behind wall 52, respectively, are present in cabinet 25 below floor 50’ and behind wall 52’ though such areas are only depicted in Fig. 3. In a preferred embodiment, floor 50’ and wall 52’ are connected to form a removable insert 55’. Wall 52’ includes one or more openings 100. Openings 100 allow for charging cables to extend from the area 56 behind wall 52’. As seen in Figs. 7 and 11, openings 100 are just above ledge 58 in wall 52’ but it will be understood that the exact number and placement of openings 100 can vary. Wall 52’ also includes one or more elongate slots 110 and diagonal ledge 120. In a preferred embodiment, ledge 120 includes one or more receiving grooves 130, the use of which will be discussed more fully hereafter.

Cabinet 25 also includes cable management brackets 105 which are removably attached near doors 14. Cable management brackets 105 have a plurality of hooks 106 for receiving the ends of one or more charging cords which are connected to charging ports in control box 60. Thus, charging cords / cables which are plugged into control box 60 can extend through openings 100 to cable management brackets 105 wherein the ends of the charging cords / cables can drape over hooks 106 until they are needed for charging mobile devices.

The dividers used for supporting mobile devices in cabinet 25 are semi- flexible divider rods 20’. As best seen with reference to Fig. 6, the ends of divider rods 20’ are received in receiving grooves 130 in wall 52’ and openings 140 in floor 50’. Divider rods 20’ are preferably formed from aluminum and can snap into and out of place in the cabinet.

Turning to Figs. 8 and 9, insert 55’ is shown outside cabinet 25. Instead of divider rods 20’, Fig. 8 depicts an another support in the form of rack 150. Rack 150 supports mobile devices D3 which are generally smaller than tablets, e.g., cell phones, handheld scanners, or the like. Rack 150 is removably positioned on insert 55’. Rack 150 has two mounting hooks 152 which removably hook onto ledge 120 and two support legs 155 which rest on floor 50’. Rack 150 holds a plurality of mobile devices D3 in a plurality of cradles 154. In a preferred embodiment, each cradle 154 holds device D3 at an angle to increase the surface area exposed to the UV light sources 30 above and below rack 150. Cradles 154 preferably have an open configuration which allows UV light to reach devices D3. Thus for example, each cradle 154 may have a lower ledge 156 and an open supporting frame 158 on which device D3 rests. Cradles 154 can be made of any material, including UV transmissive/transparent materials which allow the UV light to pass through cradle 154 to disinfect device D3. As depicted in the drawings, rack 150 includes two rows of cradles 154, but it will be appreciated that the exact positioning and number of cradles 154 can vary.

Turning to Figs. 10 and 11 there is shown the inside of cabinet 25 without dividers or racks. Instead, cabinet 25 is configured to disinfect headphones H which are hanging from hooks 162 on brackets 160. Brackets 160 are removably attached to the ceiling 11 of cabinet 25 by means well known to those skilled in the art, e.g., by screws. If desired brackets 160 can be made of a UV transmissive material which allows UV light to pass through brackets 160. Turning to Fig. 12 there is shown a rack 170 for supporting virtual reality headsets V. Rack 170 can be removably positioned on floor 50’ of cabinet 25 for disinfecting headsets V. Rack 170 is preferably an open frame which maximizes exposure of the headsets V to UV light. It will also be appreciated that rack 170 could be made of a UV transmissive material which allows the UV light to pass through rack 170 to headsets V.

Although some features have been shown in the embodiment 10 of Figs. 1- 5 and other features have been shown in the embodiment 25 of Figs. 6-12, it will be appreciated that either embodiment can include the various features. For example, without wishing to be limited, the embodiment of Figs. 1-5 can use the removable divider rods, cable management brackets, headphone hooks, etc.

The operation of cabinet 25 is the same as that of cabinet 10. To disinfect a mobile device, the user would open door 14 and place the device inside the cabinet 25, either between/over two dividers, on an appropriate rack, or hanging from a hook. If desired, the user can plug the device in to a charging cable positioned within cabinet 25. The user then closes the door 14. Cabinet 25 includes one or more door sensors 19 which detect if either of doors 14 is open. In a preferred embodiment, the door sensors are magnetic contact switches. If a door 14 is opened while the cabinet is in a disinfection cycle, i.e. , the UV light sources 30 are on, the UV light sources 30 will automatically be turned off. This is to protect the user from exposure to UV light. When door sensors 19 indicate that both doors 14 have been closed, the cabinet 25 automatically initiates a disinfection cycle, i.e., turns the UV light sources 30 on. A disinfection cycle can last for any predetermined amount of time, e.g., 20 seconds. At the end of the disinfection cycle, the UV lights are turned off again. If desired, the cabinet can be programmed with a delay between the doors 14 being closed and the initiation of the disinfection cycle.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein in some detail, this has been done solely for the purposes of explaining the various aspects of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment shown and described is exemplary, and various other substitutions, alterations and modifications, including but not limited to those design alternatives specifically discussed herein, may be made in the practice of the invention without departing from its scope.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A cabinet for disinfecting mobile devices, comprising: an enclosure having a ceiling, a floor, a rear wall, two side walls, and a front opening comprising at least one door with a door handle,; a removable insert comprising an inner floor spaced from the floor of said enclosure and an inner wall generally parallel to and spaced from the rear wall of said enclosure; at least one UV light source positioned in said enclosure for shining UV light onto mobile device(s) within said enclosure; a control system operative to turn said UV lights on and off; at least one sensor connected to said at least one door and operative to transmit signals to said control system to indicate said at least one door being open or being closed; wherein said control system is configured to turn said UV lights on for a predetermined period of time upon receiving a signal that said at least one door is closed, and said control system is configured to turn said UV lights off or keep said UV lights off upon receiving a signal that said at least one door is open.

2. The cabinet of claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of dividers removably connected to said removable insert.

3. The cabinet of claim 2, wherein said dividers are generally L-shaped and have a plurality of perforations therethrough.

4. The cabinet of claim 2, wherein said dividers are elongate rods.

5. The cabinet of claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of charging ports; a power supply for powering said charging ports.

6. The cabinet of claim 5, further comprising: at least one charging cable connectable to one of said charging ports for charging a mobile device inside the cabinet.

7. The cabinet of claim 1 , wherein said door handle includes a recessed pocket, whereby said recessed pocket is exposed to UV light when said UV light source is turned on.

8. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of UV light sources positioned in said enclosure for shining UV light onto mobile device(s) within said enclosure.

9. The cabinet of claim 8, wherein said removable insert has a plurality of openings in said inner floor.

10. The cabinet of claim 9, wherein at least one of said plurality of UV light sources is mounted beneath said removable insert, and another of said plurality of UV light sources is mounted to the ceiling of said cabinet.

11. The cabinet of claim 1 , wherein said inner wall has at least one opening therethrough whereby a charging cable / cord can extend therethrough.

12. The cabinet of claim 1, further comprising a rack removably positioned on said removable insert for supporting a plurality of mobile devices.

13. The cabinet of claim 12, wherein said rack is at least partially made of a UV transmissive material.

14. The cabinet of claim 1, further comprising at least one hook removably mounted on the ceiling of said cabinet.