VIBRATING SHAKER TRAY DISINFECTANT DEVICE THAT USES ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

A disinfectant device provides a solution to disinfect bulk quantities of small items such as food items. The disinfectant device has a housing, an inlet, an outlet, a shaker tray positioned to descend from a first height on the inlet side to a second height on the outlet side, the second height lower than the first height, wherein the shaker tray is configured to shake or vibrate via a motor, and at least one disinfecting light is positioned within the housing and above the shaker tray, the light configured to disinfect items passing on the shaker tray. The disinfectant device may have a hopper having a gate to the shaker tray. The gate may be manually operated or actuated by a motor to control the number of items on the shaker tray at any given time, thereby ensuring adequate exposure to the disinfecting light.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a device to disinfect items. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a device to disinfect bulk quantities of small items.

BACKGROUND

Infectious diseases commonly spread through the direct transfer of bacteria, viruses, or other microbes from contact with contaminated surfaces. Accordingly, disinfecting surfaces of items is important to maintaining health throughout the world. When surfaces are not disinfected to remove the viruses and bacteria thereon, people may become ill. Disinfection of small items in bulk, such as fruit, nuts, olives, or other items is accomplished in the prior art via washing, spraying with chemicals, air scrubbing, vacuuming, brushing, and other methods. However, despite the efforts of the prior art, bacteria and other contaminants remain. Additionally, chemical sprays and soaps may not be suitable for eating if not thoroughly washed, posing a hazard to consumers. Accordingly, there is a need for a disinfectant device that can thoroughly disinfect bulk quantities of small items without using chemicals or soaps. The present disclosure seeks to solve these and other problems.

SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In some embodiments, a disinfectant device comprises a housing, an inlet, an outlet, a shaker tray positioned to descend from a first height on the inlet side to a second height on the outlet side, the second height lower than the first height, wherein the shaker tray is configured to shake or vibrate via motor, and at least one disinfecting light is positioned within the housing and above the shaker tray, the light configured to disinfect items passing on the shaker tray. In some embodiments, the disinfectant device comprises one or more doors/gates for controlling the number of items passing through the inlet. In some embodiments, the disinfectant device comprises one or more fans.

In some embodiments, the inlet comprises a hopper having a gate to the shaker tray. The gate may be actuated by a motor and a controller. In some embodiments, the controller uses one or more sensors to detect items in the hopper and to detect items on the shaker tray.

In one method of use, bulk items (e.g., nuts, berries) are fed into the inlet where they drop into the hopper leading to the shaker tray. A gate is positioned at the bottom of the hopper, controlling access to the shaker tray. The gate may be manually actuated (e.g., hand-maneuvered rod) or controlled by a motor and a controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions depict only example embodiments and are not to be considered limiting in scope. Any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Reference to the drawings is done throughout the disclosure using various numbers. The numbers used are for the convenience of the drafter only and the absence of numbers in an apparent sequence should not be considered limiting and does not imply that additional parts of that particular embodiment exist. Numbering patterns from one embodiment to the other need not imply that each embodiment has similar parts, although it may.

It should be understood that the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence, arrangement, or with any particular graphics or interface. Indeed, the steps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried out in various sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention.

The term “coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.). While ultraviolet (UV) light is used as an example throughout, it will be appreciated that any light, or electromagnetic wavelength of light, capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms is contemplated herein as a “disinfecting light.”

As previously discussed, there is a need for a disinfectant device that can thoroughly disinfect bulk quantities of small items without using chemicals or soaps. The disinfectant device disclosed herein seeks to solve these and other problems.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 1-5, a disinfectant device100comprises a housing102, an inlet104, an outlet106, a shaker tray108, an at least one disinfecting light110. The inlet104comprises a hopper112for holding bulk items that are in need of disinfecting. A gate114separates the hopper112from an interior116of the housing102. In some embodiments, the gate114is manually adjustable by a user, such as by withdrawing or inserting a gate rod118. For example, when the gate rod118is in a fully inserted position in the housing102, the gate114prevents items from passing from the hopper112to the interior116. A user may control the number of items that may pass from the hopper112to the interior116, and therefore the shaker tray108, by withdrawing the gate rod118from the housing102to a desired position. In other words, at least a portion of the gate rod118is accessible from outside the housing102where it may be actuated by a user. For example, the gate rod118may be threaded so as to allow for minor adjustments. A user may withdraw or insert the gate rod118to the desired position so that the desired flow of items from the hopper112to the shaker tray108is achieved. The gate114may also be controlled via a motor, as discussed later herein.

The hopper112may further comprise an inlet door120, which may be hinged or removable, to prevent unwanted items from falling into the hopper112. If the gate114is open, items pass from the hopper112to the shaker tray108. As shown, the shaker108has a first height at a first end122and a second, lower height, at a second end124. In other words, the shaker tray108descends from the side with the inlet104to the outlet106. As a result, the items may be gravity fed from the hopper112down the shaker tray108and out the outlet106. To ensure that the items are distributed and disinfected on all surfaces as they travel down the shaker tray108, the shaker tray108comprises one or more vibrating and/or shaker motors126. To allow for movement, the shaker tray108may be supported via one or more springs127A-B or shock absorbers129A-B or some combination. In other words, as the motor126vibrates/shakes the shaker tray108, the springs127A-B and/or shock absorbers129A-B allow the shaker tray108to shake and/or vibrate while absorbing/dampening the resulting movement.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 6, the shaker tray108may be supported by one or more linear actuators128A-B. In some embodiments, the linear actuators128A-B are hydraulic and are coupled to a motorized pump130and hydraulic reservoir132that controls the linear actuators128A-B. The motorized pump130may be configured to vary the hydraulic pressure, thereby causing the linear actuators128A-B to alternate rapidly, thereby shaking the shaker tray108. In some embodiments, a controller (e.g., microcontroller)134may be used to control the motorized pump130. It will be appreciated that the linear actuators128-B need not by hydraulic, but can also be electric and driven electrically by one or more motors.

Returning back toFIG. 2, a controller134may also be used control the vibrating/shaking motor126that is coupled to the shaker tray128. Further, the controller134may receive signals from one or more sensors. For example, in some embodiments, a hopper sensor136detects the presence of items within the hopper112. For example, if the controller134determines, via the hopper sensor136, that there are no items in the hopper112, the controller may turn off the motor126. Further, an outlet sensor138may be positioned near the outlet106to detect the speed or number of items exiting the outlet106. The controller134may then adjust the speed of the motor126to either increase or decrease the flow of items as they pass down the shaker tray108to the outlet106. In some embodiments, the gate114may comprise a switch140for turning on/off the motor126and/or controller134. For example, when the gate114is in a closed position, the switch140(or alternatively, a sensor) is in a first position, cutting power to the motor126. When the gate114is in a lifted, or open, position, the switch140is in a second position, providing power to the motor126and/or controller134. In other words, if the gate114is closed and no items are entering the shaker tray108, there is no need to shake or vibrate the shaker tray108. Once the gate114is opened, the motor126may turn on to shake or vibrate the shaker tray108. In some embodiments, even when the gate114is open, the controller134receives signals from the hopper sensor136and/or outlet sensor138to control the power status of the motor126.

In some embodiments, the shaker tray108may exit the interior116of the housing102at the outlet106. The outlet106may comprise a shield107to protect items as they exit the outlet106and to direct the items into a receiver or onto a conveyor belt, as desired by a user. Further, in some embodiments, the housing102may comprise one or more fans142A-B to allow airflow in the interior116of the housing102. The fans may have hoods144A-B to prevent unwanted items from coming into contact with the fans142A-B, respectively. Further, the housing102may be supported legs146A-D.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 7, the gate114may be controlled via a gate motor148. Further, the gate motor148may operable via a controller134. For example, the controller134may determine, via hopper sensor136, whether there are items in the hopper112. If items are detected, the controller initiates the gate motor148to raise the gate114, thereby opening it and allowing items to flow from the hopper112to the first end122of the shaker tray108. Additionally, the controller134(or a separate controller) may initiate the vibrating/shaking motor126so that items may be distributed and gravity fed down the shaker tray108to the second end124and to the outlet106. The gate motor148and the vibrating/shaking motor126may be adjusted by the controller134in response to signals from the outlet sensor138. In other words, if the controller determines, via the outlet sensor138, that items are exiting too rapidly or in too great of quantities, the controller may reduce the opening of the gate114and/or slow the frequency of the vibrating/shaking motor126. In some embodiments, the housing102may comprise a viewing window150so that a user can view the items on the shaker tray108so as to ensure even distribution and exposure to the disinfecting light108. The viewing window150may have a cover to prevent light from escaping when not being used, and may also have tint or other film thereon for ease of viewing therethrough. The sensors disclosed herein may be of any suitable type, including infrared, laser, mechanical switches, or others.

Accordingly, in one method of use, bulk items (e.g., nuts, fruits, or other items, including non-food items) are fed into the inlet104where they drop into the hopper112leading to the shaker tray108. A gate114is positioned at the bottom of the hopper112, controlling the flow of items to the shaker tray108. The gate114may be manually actuated or electrically controlled. As items enter the interior of the housing116and onto the shaker tray108, a shaking/vibrating motor126shakes/vibrates the shaker tray108so that the items are gravity fed from the inlet104to the outlet106. By shaking/vibrating, the items are distributed along the shaker tray108where they are exposed to disinfecting light110. Further, the shaking/vibrating causes the items to alternate surfaces on the shaker tray108, thereby ensuring that all surfaces of the items are exposed to the disinfecting light110and thereby disinfected. Once disinfected, the items exit the outlet106. It will be appreciated that the pitch of the of the shaker tray108from the first end122to the second end124may be varied to change the speed with which items are gravity fed, in addition to changing gate114height and intensity of the shaking/vibrating motor126.

As a result, the disinfecting device disclosed herein overcomes shortcoming in the prior art by thoroughly sanitizing small items in bulk without harsh chemicals or other treatments.

Further, although generally referred to herein as a “disinfecting device,” it is understood that a disinfecting device of the present disclosure may disinfect, sterilize, sanitize, or otherwise treat and clean the surface of a contaminated item to achieve a lessened state or condition of contamination. Housing102may include an exterior material having a first property or function, and an interior material having a second property or function that is different than the first property or function. For example, in at least one embodiment, the housing102may include an exterior material that is structurally rigid and opaque, and an interior material that is reflective. In some embodiments, the interior material of the housing102may include a coating applied to an inner surface of the exterior material of the housing102.

It will also be appreciated that systems and methods according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise properties or features (e.g., components, members, elements, parts, and/or portions) described in other embodiments. Accordingly, the various features of certain embodiments can be compatible with, combined with, included in, and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment unless so stated. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include said features, members, elements, parts, and/or portions without necessarily departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.