Sanitization device for footwear

The present disclosure relates to a portable and foldable sanitization device for sanitization of a user's footwear. The device comprising a back panel housing and a front panel which are operatively coupled with each other through a coupling means. The back panel includes a dirt removal mat on which a user scrubs footwear to dislodge any solid particulate tagged with the footwear. Furthermore, the front panel includes a clear plastic UV transparent sheet and a UV transparent lattice type support structure along with ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources. When the user places the footwear on the lattice type support structure, the presence of footwear is detected and UV radiation on the footwear, thereby sanitizing the footwear.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to sanitization of footwear, and more particularly relates to a portable sanitization device incorporating a dirt removal mat and ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources to disinfect the footwear of a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Background of the Invention includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

A floor mat is utilized by a user for wiping dirt off of his/her footwear or feet. The floor mat is primarily used to reduce solid particulates which are attached to the bottom of the footwear. After wiping on the mat, the footwear has reduced dirt and assists in minimizing and avoiding slips, trips, and falls and also keeps the location clean and hygienic.

Generally, the floor mat is widely accepted for cleaning the underneath of footwear and adopted even in various sensitive locations, for example, Intensive Care Units (ICU), surgery wings, sterile areas of a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit, food packaging and manufacturing locations etc. The user wearing the footwear walks on roads, public toilets, malls, parks, and other open areas from where the footwear is more prone to nosocomial infections/microorganisms. People having these infections embedded in the footwear when they visit these sensitive locations, contaminate the floor and at times become a primary source of spreading serious diseases to other people. These infections/microorganisms can be dangerous. Also, this can be particularly dangerous as people travel from country to country carrying microorganisms that are not indigenous to the region to which they are going.

In order to overcome spreading of these infections, various means to prevent transmission have been used. One wisely used method is to take off the footwear at the entrance to such areas and put on a sanitary shoe cover. However, taking off your shoes, and/or putting on sanitary shoe covers and then putting your shoes back on again can be a cumbersome process, particularly in residential areas, and the footwear can still transmit infections.

The following references may be relevant to the claimed invention:

Although various devices and systems have been proposed to sanitize footwear, for example with floor mats and disinfectants, they fail to disclose a device that has all of the elements and benefits of the device described and claimed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to sanitization of footwear, and more particularly relates to a portable sanitization device incorporating dirt removal mat and ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources to disinfect the footwear/foot of a user.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a sanitization device for sanitization of a footwear that comprises:a back panel housing having an inner surface, an outer surface and surrounding edges;a front panel housing having an inner surface, an outer surface and surrounding edges;a coupling means included along a portion of the surrounding edges of each housing panel arranged to foldably couple the back panel housing and the front panel housing to i) permit the folding of the housings toward each other to enable the inner surface of the front panel to face the inner surface of the back panel to form a closed sanitation device and ii) to permit the unfolding of the housings away from each other to enable the outer surface of the front panel and the outer surface of the back panel to be substantially coplanar to rest on a floor and form an open sanitation device;the back panel housing comprises:a dirt removal mat mounted to the inner surface of the back panel, wherein the dirt removal mat comprises one or more dirt removal means to remove the dirt from the footwear;the front panel housing comprises a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the second compartment is arranged on top of the first compartment;the first compartment comprises:a battery for direct current (DC) supply;a ballast arranged to receive the direct current (DC) supply from the battery and convert the direct current (DC) supply into alternating current (AC) supply;the second compartment comprises:one or more ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources, which when the UV radiation emitting sources receive the AC current supply, emit UV radiation;one or more limit switches, wherein the one or more limit switches are arranged to control the AC current supply, to the one or more ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources for a predetermined time interval;a UV transparent layer overlaying the UV radiation emitting sources;wherein when the opened sanitation device is positioned on the floor the user steps on the dirt removal mat to remove dirt from the footwear and then steps on the UV transparent layer to expose the footwear to the emitted UV radiation.

The one or more UV radiation emitting sources emit UV radiation with wavelength selected from a range of 10 nm to 400 nm.

In another embodiment, the UV transparent layer is made of a polymer material selected from the group of Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC), polypropylene, polyethylene, quartz, Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) and Polymethylpentene (PMP).

In yet another embodiment, the portable sanitization device further comprises a size detection means to detect the size and a surface area of the footwear.

In still another embodiment, the portable sanitization device further comprises a UV opaque layer wherein the UV opaque layer is arranged to cover a portion of the front panel housing to prevent the UV radiation emission escaping into the environment.

In yet another embodiment, the coupling means include one or more hinges.

In another embodiment, the portable sanitization device further comprises a charging unit to charge the battery.

In another embodiment, the portable sanitization device further comprises the charging cord stored below the dirt removal mat.

In another embodiment of the present invention the sanitization device further comprises:one or more sensors configured to sense the presence of the footwear;a UV transparent layer overlaying the UV radiation emitting sources;a memory unit;one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are coupled to the memory unit and operable to execute the one or more routines, whereinthe one or more routines include:a footwear presence sensor data retrieval engine, wherein the footwear presence sensor data retrieval engine retrieves a presence information of the footwear from the one or more sensors;a UV radiation emitting source activation engine, wherein the UV radiation emitting source activation engine is operable to activate the one or more UV radiation emitting sources to emit UV radiation, if presence of the footwear is determined; anda UV radiation emitting source control engine, wherein UV radiation emitting source control engine is operable to control the configured one or more UV radiation emitting sources, to emit the radiation of a predetermined wavelength for a predetermined period of time, on the footwear for sanitization.

The portable sanitization device may further include at least one indicator to indicate the footwear is sanitized.

In another embodiment the portable sanitization device further includes a sanitization status transmission engine, wherein the sanitization status transmission engine transmits the sanitization status of the footwear over a communication network to one or more electronic computing devices.

In an embodiment, the sensor is selected from a group of a temperature sensor, a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a LIDAR sensor, a radio sensor, a hall effect sensor, a sound navigation ranging (Sonar) sensor, an occupancy sensor, a vibration sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an image sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a gyroscope, a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, a thermal sensor and a face recognition sensor.

The portable sanitization device may further include at least one indicator to indicate the battery status and/or a charging unit arranged to charge the battery.

Another aspect of this invention is directed to a method of sanitizing a user's footwear, the method comprising:providing the aforedescribed portable sanitization device;unfolding of the back panel housing and the front panel housing away from each other to enable an outer surface of the front panel and an outer surface of the back panel to be substantially coplanar to rest on a floor and form an open sanitation device;placing the open portable sanitization device on the floor;placing the footwear, on the dirt removal mat, arranged on an inner surface of a back panel housing;scrubbing, the footwear on the dirt removal mat, to remove the dirt from the footwear;placing the footwear on an inner surface of a front panel housing; andactivating one or more ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources to emit UV radiation of a predetermined wavelength for a predetermined period of time for the sanitization of the footwear; andremoving the footwear from the front panel housing.

The drawings are not presented to scale but are only used to illustrate the principles of the invention. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1. is a perspective view of the folded portable sanitization device100. The portable sanitization device100includes two surfaces namely the back panel housing102and the front panel housing104. The back panel housing102is affixed on top of the front panel housing104.

The back panel housing102includes the outer surface106, the inner surface (not shown) opposite to the outer surface106, and the four surrounding edges108a,108b,108cand an edge (not shown) opposite to the108b. Collectively and interchangeably the four surrounding edges referred to as surrounding edges108hereinafter.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the front panel housing104includes the outer surface (not shown) that acts as a base on which the portable sanitization device100rests on the floor/ground, the inner surface (not shown) which is opposite to the outer surface of the front panel housing104and faces the inner surface of the back panel housing102during folded position, and four surrounding edges. The four surrounding edges are110a,110b, and two edges (not shown) opposite to110aand110b.

The back panel housing102and the front panel housing104are coupled with each other, through the coupling means (not shown). The coupling means are arranged along a portion of the surrounding edges108of the back panel housing102and/or the front panel housing104to permit folding and unfolding of the portable sanitization device100. During folding of the portable sanitization device100, the coupling means permits, the inner surface of back panel housing102and the inner surface of front panel housing104to face each other. In simple terms, the term “coupling means” as used herein refers to a mechanical arrangement, that when in operation, allows or restricts movement of the back panel housing102with respect to the front panel housing104. As a non-limiting example of coupling means includes hinges, fabrics, a ball-and-socket joint, a swivel joint, a knuckle joint, revolute joint, bolted joint, screw joint, revolute joint, a helical joint, a joint, a rivet, a hook, and the like.

As seen inFIG. 1, when the sanitization device100is in folded position, the housings102and104are locked/engaged with each other through a lock/latch112. The lock112is provided with two states, that is a locked state and an unlocked state. The lock112in the unlocked state allows the back panel housing102to move away from (unfold) the front panel housing104and restricts such when in the in the locked state (folded).

Still referring toFIG. 1, the portable sanitization device100may also include a power switch114, an overlay116, a handle118, one or more legs120and a power inlet122. The power inlet122enables a power chord to be inserted and charge an enclosed battery. In use, the power switch114is set to ON mode to enable power distribution among various electronics/electrical components of the portable sanitization device100. However, when the power switch114is set in OFF mode, no power is supplied to such components. The overlay116is a flap kind of structure that extends from the surrounding edges of the front panel housing104and overlaps to the back panel housing102. The overlay116can be made of rubber, leather, foam etc.

The sanitization device further includes a handle118that is used by the user to carry the portable sanitization device100. The sanitization device100is light weight and portable and is easy for the user to relocate wherever the portable sanitization device100is required. The handle118can be used to unfold the folded portable sanitization device100and/or used to carry the folded sanitization device. The sanitization device100includes the one or more legs120to provide anti slip feature when the sanitization device is in unfolded position. It prevents the sanitization device from moving when a user is using the device for dirt removal and subsequent sanitization of footwear. The legs120assist in maintaining the unfolded sanitization device slightly above the ground. The legs120can be made of any material such as a rubber, a plastic, or combinations thereof or any other material that prevents slippage of the device100when placed on the ground. Although, only one leg120is depicted, a greater number of legs may be used. The front panel housing104can also comprise one or more legs120.

FIG. 2. is a perspective view of the unfolded portable sanitization device100. To unfold the portable sanitization device100, the lock112is released to disengage the back panel housing102from the front panel housing104. In one embodiment, the lock112can be released automatically when the user is in close proximity to the portable sanitization device100. In another embodiment, the lock112can be released manually, through pressing a button, rotating a knob, and the like.

After the release of the lock112, the back panel housing102and the front panel housing104are unfolded from each other and the back panel housing102and the outer surface of the front panel104are positioned to be substantially coplanar with each other to enable the device100to rest on the floor and form the unfolded portable sanitization device100. A lattice type support panel202is affixed above the front panel104above a plastic UV transparent sheet (414) described below in reference toFIG. 4b. The lattice type support panel202may be made from, for example, Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC), polymeric material, polypropylene, polyethylene, quartz, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) and Polymethylpentene (PMP) and may also be a metal lattice. The lattice202enables the UV radiation to pass through the lattice type support panel202to irradiate the footwear placed above it (described below).

Referring toFIG. 2, the portable sanitization device100may include one back panel housing102and one front panel housing104. In another embodiment, the portable sanitization device100may include multiple back panel housings102and one front panel housing104. In yet another embodiment, the portable sanitization device100may include multiple back panel housings102and multiple front panel housings104. In alternate embodiment, the portable sanitization device100may include one back panel housing102and multiple front panel housings.

It is contemplated (not shown) that the coupling means attached to the panel housings102and104can enable connections between multiple portable sanitization devices. Additionally, it is contemplated that multiple housings102and104can enable multiple users to use multiple portable sanitization devices100simultaneously. In another embodiment, the back panel housing102and front panel housing104can be disconnected from each other and placed at some distance from each other, for an instance, 5-10 meters. Also, the back panel housing102can be placed right of the front panel housing104or to the left depending on different cultures, customs and/or interior configurations.

Although, the dimensions of the back panel housing102and the front panel housing104are shown to be about the same size and thickness, the length, width, thickness, design, material used for making both the panel housings102and104can be different.

FIG. 3, a perspective view showing the various elements of the back panel housing102and their relationship to each other. Notably, the back panel housing102includes in the inner surface the dirt removal mat302mounted therein. The inner surface of the back panel housing102includes grooves/recessed area in which the dirt removal mat302may be positioned or fitted via screws, hooks, Velcro, loop fastener assembly, an adhesive or other coupling means.

The dirt removal mat302can include a dirt removal means304such as apertures, treads, grips, bristles, engraved cups, convex structures, ridges, crumples, projection creases, dents, lumps, teeth structure on which the user scrubs or wipes the footwear to remove the dirt from the footwear. Under the dirt removal mat, a reservoir306can be arranged to receive dirt that is dislodged after scrubbing the footwear. The dirt removal mat302and the reservoir306can be detachable from the back panel housing102as it would be comfortable to wash the dirt removal mat302and the reservoir306to dispose of the collected dirt and dust.

The dirt removal mat302may be made of materials such as molded plastic, natural rubber (NR), silicone rubber, foam, silicone, styrene butadiene, chloroprene, fluorocarbon, polyisoprene, cut polymeric sheet, ethylene-propylene, polyurethane, and other polymeric materials, such as nylon-6 in form of a porous structure and may also include a water/fluid absorption layer capable of cushioning the feet. The portable sanitization device100, and in particular the dirt removal mat302, may further comprise a suitable drying mechanism to evaporate water, moisture, vapor or any other liquid material which may be present on the footwear.

In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 3, a sanitization indicator308can be placed in the portable sanitization device100to indicate the sanitization status of the footwear. The sanitization indicator(s) may be selected from a group of LED lights, a sound buzzer, and a vibrator. For example, a green LED illumination indicator can indicate that sanitization is complete, whereas yellow LED illumination indicator can indicate that sanitization is only partially complete and red color LED illumination can indicate that sanitization is required. The dirt removal mat302weight, dimensions, color, treads, grips, bristles/apertures, geometric shape can vary.

FIG. 4Ais a perspective view showing the various elements of the front panel104first compartment including the housing and their relationship to each other. Notably, after the user has scrubbed their footwear on the dirt removal mat302, the user places the footwear on the front panel housing104. The front panel housing104comprises two compartments, the first compartment402that comprises the battery404and the ballast406.

FIG. 4Bis an perspective view showing the various elements of the front panel second compartment including the housing and their relationship to each other. The second compartment408is arranged on top of the first compartment402when viewing the sanitization device in unfolded position. The second compartment408comprises one or more limit switches/limit switch410, the UV radiation emitting sources (412-1,412-2which are collectively and interchangeably referred to as UV radiation emitting sources412hereinafter) and the UV transparent layer414made of clear plastic that permits UV radiation therethrough.

Referring toFIGS. 4A and 4B, the battery404, under the control of limit switches410, supplies DC to the ballast406. The ballast406is arranged to receive the DC from the battery404and convert received DC into AC. Although, the ballast406is configured for DC to AC conversion, however, any other electronic device, for an instance, a power inverter can be configured for DC to AC conversion. The ballast406, after conversion of DC to AC, supplies AC to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources412.

The one or more limit switches410are arranged to control the supply of DC to the ballast406. The term “control” refers that power is withdrawn by the battery404only whenever required by the portable sanitization device100and interrupt/stop thereafter. In one embodiment, DC is supplied only for a predetermined time interval after which DC supply can be interrupted. For an instance, DC is supplied to the ballast406only for 2 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 60 seconds, 120 seconds, 150 seconds etc. or automatically when the user places the footwear on the portable sanitization device100or automatically when the user is in close proximity to the portable sanitization device100. Beneficially, the limit switches410ensure avoidance of overflow of DC or supplying DC for a longer duration when the portable sanitization device100is not in use, thereby safeguards the components from damage. Once the ballast406receives DC supply, under the control of limit switches410, the ballast406converts DC to AC and supplies AC to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources412.

The ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources412, responsive to receipt of the AC from the ballast406, emits UV radiation with wavelength selected from a range of 10 nm to 400 nm. In simple terms, the wavelength can be 315 nm to 400 nm (ultraviolet A), 280 nm to 315 nm (ultraviolet B), 100 nm to 280 nm (ultraviolet C), 300 nm to 400 nm (near ultraviolet), 200 nm to 300 nm (middle ultraviolet), 122 nm to 200 nm (fair ultraviolet), 121 nm to 122 nm (Hydrogen Lyman-alpha), 10 nm to 200 nm (vacuum ultraviolet), 10 nm to 121 nm (extreme ultraviolet).

The UV transparent layer414overlays on the UV radiation emitting sources412to enable transfer of the emitted UV radiation to the footwear. The UV transparent layer414may be made from a polymeric material, for example, a Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC), polypropylene, polyethylene, quartz, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) and Polymethylpentene (PMP).

When the UV transparent layer414receives the UV radiation from the UV radiation emitting sources412, a UV opaque layer is also provided to prevent the UV radiation emission in areas other than the footwear area and only to the area that is occupied by the footwear.

Such footwear size and surface area can be detected by the footwear size detection means. In one embodiment, the UV opaque layer can be placed under the UV radiation emitting sources412to prevent the passing of UV radiation to the battery404and ballast406. In such case, the emitted UV radiation can only be passed through the UV transparent layer414that is located above the UV radiation emitting sources412. Additionally, a lattice type support panel202(FIG. 2) is also placed on top of the UV transparent layer414. Both the UV transparent layer414and the lattice type support panel202in combination enable the sanitization device to support the weight of the user while stepping on the device to sanitize their footwear.

The battery404, the ballast406, the limit switches410, the ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources412, and the UV transparent layer414may be fitted in separate sections. Alternatively, all the battery404, the ballast406, the limit switches410, the ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources412, and the UV transparent layer414can be encased in one, and supported by416the lattice type support panel.

In one embodiment, the limit switches410is lever arm that is located below the lattice type panel416.

The components such as the battery404, the ballast406, the limit switches410, the ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources412, and the UV transparent layer414are only exemplary and one or more other components can also be configured within the portable sanitization device100. Such exemplary components can be a rectifier, an operational amplifier, a user weighing scale, a display screen etc. All such components are within the scope of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, a charging unit can be arranged to charge the battery404. The portable sanitization device100may further include at least one indicator (not shown) to indicate status of the battery404. For example, the status of the battery404can be displayed on the display screen indicating the percent charged, a pointing device indicator can be utilized, different color LEDs to indicate different statuses such as full charge, low charging, medium level charging. The battery404can be charged through a power cord. The power cord can be arranged to be stored below or around the dirt removal mat302. In an example, the charging can be performed through a wired means, a wireless means, an infrared source etc. The charging unit can be plugged into a standard 120 volt power outlet for the charging of the portable sanitization device100.

The battery404can be a primary battery, a secondary (rechargeable) battery, Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, Nickel Cadmium (Ni—Cd) battery, Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery, and Lead-Acid battery. Although the present disclosure describes only one battery404, a greater number of batteries of the same or different types can be arranged in the portable sanitization device100. In an example, a rechargeable lithium battery of 12 volts can be arranged to supply DC to the ballast406.

Exemplary UV radiation emitting sources412can be UVC light emitting sources, bactericidal lamps, ultraviolet light tubes, a broad spectrum UV lamp, a clean room UV lamp, a compact UV lamp, a creative nail UV lamp, a deep UV lamp, a fluorescent UV lamp, a high intensity UV lamp, a high power UV lamp, a mercury UV lamp, a specialized UV gas-discharge lamp, a ultraviolet light-emitting diode (LED), a UV bulb, a UV electrodeless lamp, and an incandescent lamp. For exemplary purpose, the two germicidal bulbs of 17 Watt, 425 ma 42 Volt UV light tubes can be mounted to UV connectors which in turn are electrically connected to the ballast406. In an embodiment, the UV radiating emitting sources412can be static and fixed in the electrical connectors to receive voltage and emit UV radiation. In another embodiment, the UV radiating emitting sources412can be fixed in the electrical connectors which in turn connected with a slider. When slider slides the UV radiating emitting sources412also slides.

FIG. 5. represents the sensors and different engines included in the portable sanitization device100and their relationship to each other. As mentioned above, the portable sanitization device100comprises the dirt removal mat302, the battery404, the ballast406, the UV radiation emitting sources412and the UV transparent layer414. The portable sanitization device100may also include the footwear presence detection sensor502and the engines such as the footwear presence sensor data retrieval engine504, the UV radiation emitting source activation engine506, and the UV radiation emitting source control engine508. The footwear presence sensor data retrieval engine504, the UV radiation emitting source activation engine506and the UV radiation emitting source control engine508are electronically and digitally communicably coupled with each other. The memory unit510and the processor512may also be included in the portable sanitization device100. The memory unit510may have included therein routines associated with the engines which are operable by the processor512.

In use, the user scrubs the footwear on the dirt removal mat302and then places the footwear on the front panel housing104. The battery404supplies DC to the ballast406that converts DC to AC which is supplied to ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources412. Additionally, the ballast406also supplies AC to the memory unit510, the processor512and the one or more sensors such as the footwear presence detection sensor502. In an alternate embodiment, only the UV radiation emitting sources412operate on AC, other components such as sensors, memory unit510and processor512can operate on DC.

The footwear presence detection sensor502, senses the presence of the footwear/user. The footwear presence detection sensor502may also communicate with other sensors, for example, an occupancy sensor to detect the user presence, a heartbeat sensor to sense heartbeat of the user to confirm human presence, an image sensor to recognize the user body parts shape, a passive infrared (PIR) sensor as PIR is sensitive to the user's skin, a proximity sensor to sense the user proximity with the portable sanitization device100, an infrared detector, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a LIDAR sensor, a radio sensor, a hall effect sensor, a sound navigation ranging (sonar) sensor, a vibration sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an image sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a gyroscope, a face recognition sensor etc. The sensors may be configured for detecting the presence of a user. In response to the presence of a user, the sensor may send a signal to the portable sanitization device100.

Such sensors may be included in, mounted to or in communication with the portable sanitizing device100. For example, the sensors may be placed at a location that is away from the portable sanitizing device100, but where the sensor can still detect the presence of a user. As a non-limiting example, the sensor may be placed at an entryway or above the portable sanitizing device100. In some embodiments, the user may manually activate the portable sanitizing device100or by using a remote control or other method for sending a signal to the electrical circuit, which activates the portable sanitizing device100.

Additionally, other footwear/foot related information can also be determined by the sensors such information include pressure, symmetry, timing, balance, orthotics, type of microorganism tagged, detailed images, statistical graphs pertaining to center of pressure and maximum pressure throughout plantar contact, size, surface area.

The footwear presence information determined by the footwear presence detection sensor502, and/or other footwear/foot related information is transmitted to the footwear presence sensor data retrieval engine504. The footwear presence sensor data retrieval engine504, which when executed by the processor512, processes footwear presence information and/or other footwear/foot related information. The processing of data confirms the footwear presence. The footwear presence sensor data retrieval engine504transmits the presence confirmation data to the operatively coupled UV radiation emitting source activation engine506.

The UV radiation emitting source activation engine506, which when executed by the processor512, activate the one or more UV radiation emitting sources412to emit UV radiation. The UV radiation emitting source activation engine506, activates the UV radiation emitting sources412for UV radiation emission, only if presence of the footwear is determined by the aforementioned sensors. If the footwear is not present over the front panel housing104, no activation is performed. The UV radiation emitting source activation engine506communicates the activation information to the UV radiation emitting source control engine508.

The UV radiation emitting source control engine508, which when executed by the processor512, upon receiving the activation information, controls the configured one or more UV radiation emitting sources412, to emit the radiation of a predetermined wavelength for a predetermined period of time, on the footwear for sanitization. The emitted UV radiation is passed to the footwear through the UV transparent layer414to kill the microorganisms and complete sanitization.

The portable sanitization device100may additionally include a sanitization status transmission engine, wherein the sanitization status transmission engine transmits, over a communication network, the sanitization status of the footwear. The communication network may be a short-range communication and/or a long-range communication. The status is communicated to one or more electronic computing devices. In such case, the electronic computing devices can be selected from a group of a smartphone, a server, a laptop, a computer, and the like.

The portable sanitization device100may also include microorganism/microbes detection sensors to identify the category of microorganism that is tagged with the footwear. Exemplary microorganisms can be mycobacteria,Clostridium difficile, Escherichia coli, hepatitis A, B and C viruses, methicillin resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA),Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Nocardia asteroides, Pneumocystis carinii, Proteus mirabilis, rotaviruses, rubella virus,Staphylococcus aureus, agalactiae, pyogenes, tuberculosis, vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus, viridansStreptococcusand any kind of pathogens that are capable of infecting.

The portable sanitization device100can be provided with USB port, card reader to transmit or receive various other software programs, say an advertisement to be displayed on the display screen configured on the portable sanitization device100.

The portable sanitization device100may also be provided with heat dissipating mechanisms such as openings, fans which can continuously dissipate the heat generated due to operation of various electronic components.

The portable sanitization device100may also include a container to hold a liquid solution comprising a one or more disinfectants, multiple spraying jets to spray the liquid solution on various areas of the footwear. The spraying jets may be in communication with the processor512and various sensors. The processor512can selectively activate one or more jets to spray the liquid solution. The liquid solution comprising an alcohol (e.g. isopropyl alcohol, Ethyl alcohol), a peroxide (e.g. hydrogen peroxide), a chlorine backd (e.g. sodium hypochlorite), an aldehyde (e.g. formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde), an Iodophoric compound (e.g. Iodine solution), a phenolic compound (e.g. chloroxylenol, para-tertiary butylphenol, para-tertiary amylphenol), a quaternary ammonium compound (e.g. didecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, fragrance/perfume, a deodorizing agent (e.g. a charcoal, an activated carbon, a zeolite, a silica gel, a bentonite, a carbon nanotube, an alumina etc.) and dioctyl dimethyl ammonium bromide) etc.

The portable sanitization device100can be utilized in various places such as a food processing facility, a hospital, a pharmaceutical production facility, a hotel, a house, a kitchen, a public toilet, an airport, a super market, a pathological/scientific laboratory, a research center, an university, a shopping mall/complex, a governmental establishments, an office, an old age home, a school, a college, an automobile, a kindergarten or any other suitable places where higher hygienic/aseptic environment is required.

The portable sanitization device100can be designed to accommodate different type footwear, e.g., boots, shoes, sneakers, heeled footwear, slippers, skates, sandals, flip flops, clogs, swimfins, sanitizing slippers, etc. depending on the environment in which it is used.

The portable sanitization device100can be coated with insulation layer. Such coating can be of ceramic, plastic, asbestos, glass, wooden, and the like.

The portable sanitization device100can be provided with rubber feet or an anti-slip elements120arranged on the bottom surface of the portable sanitization device100to keep the portable sanitizing device100in one place without movement during use.

Optionally, an antistatic agent can be deployed over the dirt removal means304to prevent dust particles from being aired when the user steps onto the back panel housing102or the front panel housing104. The antistatic material may be any or a combination of long-chain aliphatic amines (optionally ethoxylated) and amides, quaternary ammonium salts (e.g., behentrimonium chloride or cocamidopropyl betaine), esters of phosphoric acid, polyethylene glycol esters, or polyols, and the like.

In operation, in order to enhance overall efficiency of the portable sanitization device100, when emitted UV radiation is below 240 nm, O2molecules are split into two O1atoms. The split O1atom combines with other O2molecules to form ozone. Ozone is very effective in killing microorganisms. Alternatively, the DNA of the microorganisms can be disrupted by the emitted UV radiation and sanitizes the footwear.

FIG. 6is a schematic view illustrating the relationship between the various electrically connected elements of the portable sanitization device100, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the battery404, the ballast406, the limit switches410, the power switch114and the UV lamps412-1and412-2as ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources are electrically connected with each other. Upon activating the ON mode of the power switch114, the battery404supplies DC to the ballast406through the limit switches410to control the overflow of DC. The ballast406converts DC to AC and supplies AC to the two UV lamps412-1and412-2. The UV lamps412-1and412-2, upon receiving AC, emit UV radiation.

FIG. 7illustrates an exemplary flow diagram depicting steps involved in footwear sanitization, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an implementation, the proposed method can include, a step (702), unfolding of the portable sanitation device100; at step (706), placing the open portable sanitization device100on the floor; at step (708), placing the footwear, on the dirt removal mat302, arranged on an inner surface of a back panel housing102; at step (710), scrubbing, the footwear on the dirt removal mat302, to remove the dirt from the footwear; at step (712), placing the footwear on an inner surface of the front panel housing104; and at step (714), activating one or more ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting sources412to emit UV radiation of a predetermined wavelength for a predetermined period of time for the sanitization of the footwear; and at step (716), removing the footwear from the front panel housing104. Further, the method also comprises: emitting the UV radiation of predetermined wavelength selected from a range of 10 nm to 400 nm; detecting the size and the surface area of the footwear; notifying a sanitization status to the user; and folding the back panel housing102and the front panel housing104toward each other to enable the inner surface of the front panel104to face the inner surface of the back panel housing102to form a closed sanitation device100.

Elements

The invention has been described with reference to various specific and illustrative aspects of the present invention and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the description.