Patent ID: 6301359
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: A61L,H04M,H04R

Abstract:
A sterilizer for suppressing germs on a telephone handset having an earpiece and a mouthpiece, the sterilizer comprising:a telephone handset cradle;a telephone handset cover hingedly attached to the telephone cradle and positioned to cover the telephone handset when the telephone handset cover is closed over the telephone handset when the telephone handset is in the on-hook position;a sterilizer switch biased to an off position, positioned to engage the telephone handset cover when the telephone handset cover is closed over the telephone handset;a timed power circuit connected to the sterilizer switch for providing timed application of power;a first ultraviolet (UV) source mounted within the telephone handset cover and connected to the timed power circuit for receiving the timed application of power, the first UV source being positioned to illuminate the telephone handset when the telephone handset cover is closed over the telephone handset; anda power supply connected to the timed power circuit;wherein, when the sterilizer switch is switched to an on position upon engaging the telephone handset cover when the telephone handset cover is closed over the telephone handset, the timed power circuit is caused to provide the timed application of power to the first UV source, and wherein, when the telephone handset cover is not closed over the telephone handset, no power is supplied to the first UV source.