Abstract:
A germicidal irradiation approach to killing germs on conveyors and other check out surfaces in stores, such as grocery stores, which sell articles such as food items where possible contamination from leaks and the like is a concern. An adaptable, portable ultraviolet light apparatus is provided to irradiate surfaces such as conveyor belts.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to advantageous methods and apparatus for killing germs on checkout system surfaces, and more particularly to arrangements for employing an ultraviolet (UV) light apparatus to irradiate surfaces such as checkout conveyor belts. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    When shopping for groceries or other items, who has not encountered a situation where one is asked to place an item on a checkout conveyor belt or other checkout system surface where you are not sure about what has been recently placed on that surface? Or, alternatively, one may be exposed to a particular situation where one has observed someone place a leaking item like a poultry product where the leak has smeared the surface and caused concerns about salmonella or other germs contaminating items later placed on the conveyor. 
         [0003]    While checkout clerks are trained to actively to respond to such spills with products such as Windex™ and paper towels, even a small amount of unaddressed contamination may leave questions in a consumer&#39;s mind. Further, as self-checkout increases and demands on the time of checkout clerks increase, less time and opportunities may exist for appropriate prophylactic action to be taken. 
         [0004]    Perhaps, as a consequence, various complex conveyor belt cleaning apparatuses have been described. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,225,915 and 6,971,503 which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. However, such arrangements are relatively complex, and if built into the conveyor and not seen by consumers may fail to ease the consumer&#39;s fears about germs and the like. Also, if built into a conveyor belt system, such an approach does not provide for ready retrofitting to an existing store system, nor would it have the flexibility of being moved from one checkout station to another as needed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Among its several aspects, the present invention addresses an ultraviolet light arrangement to provide germicidal irradiation which may be readily adapted to a wide array of existing and future checkout systems. 
         [0006]    Among its several aspects, the present invention addresses approaches which stores can easily retrofit to their current conveyor belt and other systems. The UV germicidal irradiation approach involves fewer moving parts than an active belt cleaning system so that a reduced number of parts are employed which can break or wear out. The UV light approach also involves less ongoing maintenance as there is no water or cleaning fluid to replace or refill. Also, the UV light system is readily visible to the customer so the customer will see it and know it is working thereby addressing concerns about germs and the like. Additionally, this approach may be cheaper as there are not any fans, pumps, or the like involved. 
         [0007]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, as well as further features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a checkout system modified in accordance with the present invention to employ an ultraviolet light apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a further checkout system modified in accordance with the present invention to employ an ultraviolet light apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a further checkout system modified in accordance with the present invention to employ an ultraviolet light apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an ultraviolet light suitable for user in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an ultraviolet light apparatus suitable for use in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an ultraviolet light apparatus suitable for use in  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a control system for integrating the monitoring of belt motion and selective germicidal irradiation thereof in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , system  10  is configured as a full-service checkout island and includes bagging portion  12 , scanning portion  14 , and receiving portion  16 . 
         [0016]    Bagging portion  12  includes customer service table  18 , conveyor  26 , cash drawer  28 , bagging shelf  30 , and receipt printer  31 . 
         [0017]    Customer service table  18  provides a convenient writing surface and includes card reader with pin keypad  20 , customer receipt printer  22 , and customer display  24 . 
         [0018]    Card reader  20  is operational in both full and self-service configurations. 
         [0019]    Printer  22 , though present in the full-service configuration, is intended primarily for operation as a receipt printer during the self-service mode of operation. Printer  31  is used for full-service operation. 
         [0020]    Customer display  24  operates as a customer information terminal during full-service operation and a customer-operated transaction terminal during self-service operation. Customer display  24  is preferably connected to a store network. An NCR 7401 computer terminal is suitable for use as customer display  24 . 
         [0021]    Conveyor  26  supports and transports merchandise items to bagging shelf  30 . Conveyor  26  preferably telescopes to allow a portion of bagging portion  12  to be lowered to become a bagging shelf in the self-service mode of operation. 
         [0022]    Cash drawer  28  is operated by a full-service checkout employee and allows the employee to process cash and check payments and dispense change. 
         [0023]    Scanning portion  14  includes terminal interface  32 , dual-aperture bar code scanner  34 , and terminal  33 . 
         [0024]    Terminal interface  32  provides an operator with control during a full-service checkout operation. Terminal interface  32  includes either a display and keypad or a touch screen and is mounted above the vertical aperture portion of dual-aperture bar code scanner  34 . An NCR Dynakey® terminal is suitable for use as terminal interface  32  although it will be recognized other terminals may also suitably be employed. 
         [0025]    Dual-aperture bar code scanner  34  includes vertical aperture and horizontal aperture. Horizontal aperture is substantially flush with the top surface of scanning portion  14  and may be part of a scale weigh plate if dual-aperture bar code scanner  34  is equipped with a scale. An NCR 7875 scanner is suitable for use as scanner  34 . 
         [0026]    The vertical aperture and its associated scanner housing portion are above the top surface of scanning portion  14 . The vertical aperture faces an operator during scanning. Thus, in the full-service configuration of  FIG. 1 , full-service checkout employee  54  can easily scan merchandise items using scanning light beams from both vertical and horizontal apertures. 
         [0027]    Terminal  33  is located within scanning portion  14 . Terminal  33  is preferably connected to a store network. During full-service operation, terminal  33  controls card reader  20 , cash drawer  28 , receipt printer  31 , terminal interface  32 , and dual-aperture scanner  34 . 
         [0028]    Receiving portion  16  includes conveyor belt  38 . An ultraviolet light apparatus  40  in accordance with the present invention is attached to front end of  39  system  10  prior to the beginning of conveyor belt  38 . Further details of this ultraviolet light apparatus  40  are shown in  FIG. 3  and described below. 
         [0029]    During full-service operation, customer  53  approaches receiving portion  16  and places merchandise items on conveyor belt  38 . As the conveyor belt  38  moves it is irradiated with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation by ultraviolet light apparatus  40 . 
         [0030]    Employee  54  scans barcoded merchandise items using dual-aperture bar code scanner  34 . Employee  54  may alternatively process bar coded merchandise items by entering price look-up numbers into terminal interface  32 . Employee  54  also processes non-barcoded items, such as produce items using the scale of dual-aperture bar code scanner  34  and terminal interface  32 . Employee  54  moves all merchandise items to bagging portion  12 . 
         [0031]    Customer  53  moves to customer service table  18  to wait for all items to be processed by employee  54  and to complete payment. While waiting, customer  53  may view promotional material displayed by display  24  or use customer display to find information about products, answer surveys, or select coupons. Payment may be recorded by card reader  20 . 
         [0032]    Following payment, employee  54  hands a receipt from receipt printer  31  to customer  53 . Customer  53  then removes the items from bagging portion  12 . 
         [0033]    Further details of the system  10  are found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,758 which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In the system shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,758, the scanner  34  can be rotated to face the customer as further described therein for use in a self-checkout mode of operation. It will be appreciated that an ultraviolet lighting arrangement in accordance with the present invention can be employed in a wide variety of checkout and self-checkout contexts. 
         [0034]    As examples,  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate further checkout systems  110  and  210 , respectively, employing UV light apparatus  140  and  240 , respectively, in accordance with the present invention. Checkout station  110  may suitably include a feeder unit  114  and a checkstand  118 . Feeder unit  114  includes a feeder belt  120  and housing  122  for the motor and control circuitry that operates feeder belt  120 . Feeder unit  114  is movably coupled to checkstand  118  so the feeder belt may be aligned with scanner/scale unit  126 . Checkstand  118  includes scanner/scale unit  126 , consumer terminal  134 , a payment terminal  138  for entry of payment data, and receipt printer  144 . Scanner/scale unit  126  uses a laser shining on a glass or other transparent platen to input data from bar codes applied to products or packages. Unit  126  may also include a scale for measuring the weight of articles that are sold on a price/unit of weight basis. Consumer terminal  134  displays article data as it is entered through scanner/scale unit  126 . Payment terminal  138  may be any known POS terminal that incorporates a card reader  132  to support credit card, debit card, and other payment methods. A receipt printer provides a consumer with a receipt itemizing the articles purchased and the method of payment. Further details of check stand  110  are found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,796 assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0035]    As seen in  FIG. 2 , the system  110  further includes a UV light apparatus  140  described in further detail in connection with  FIG. 5  below. The UV light apparatus  140  shines ultraviolet germicidal irradiation on feeder belt  120 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  shows a self-checkout terminal  210  used in a supermarket setting. The terminal  210  includes a product weight scale  212  and a scanner  214  associated with the scale. A bagging scale  220  is provided adjacent the scanner to support grocery bags into which the customer places each newly scanned item. The terminal  210  includes a basket scale  219  configured to support a shopping basket  223  full of products. Each of the scales  212 ,  219  and  220  include at least one weight detector, such as a pressure sensor or a load cell sensor, which is operable to generate a signal in response to the weight of the item placed on the scale. A kiosk  224  includes a display  232 , data input device  234  and a payment device  230 . A computer or processor  226  is resident within the terminal and executes various software routines associated with the self-checkout process. 
         [0037]    An ultraviolet light apparatus  240  clips onto a top edge  215  of scanner  214  to illuminate the top surface bagging scale  220  with UV germicidal irradiation as discussed further below. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective cutaway view of an exemplary UV light apparatus  40  attached to lead end  39  of the system  10  to illuminate conveyor belt  38  with UV germicidal irradiation as it cycles beneath. As seen in  FIG. 4 , UV light apparatus  40  comprises two L-shaped clamping brackets  42  and  44 , a stiffening and tightening rod  46  having a keyed end  47  for adjustment, a reflective hood arrangement  48 , and a UV bulb or source  49 , such as a mercury lamp. To prevent incidental exposure to store workers and customers, the height of light  40  will preferably be shallow and hood  48  will be angled to shield observer&#39;s eyes and to direct germicidal irradiation downward to the belt  38 . In  FIG. 4 , the height has been exaggerated for ease of illustration and the hood has not been extended and angled so that lamp  49  can be illustrated. It will be recognized a taller unit can be utilized where the unit is to be used solely after hours or other times when customers and store workers are not in the store. 
         [0039]    To install the UV light apparatus  40 , an operator utilizes a tool matching the keyed end  47  to loosen the rod  46 . In a simple embodiment, a Philips head screw driver may match a Philips keyed end  47 . A threaded end of rod  46  fitting a threaded opening in L-shaped clamp  44  is turned by turning the keyed end  47  thereby spreading clamps  42  and  44  apart slightly with each turn. If vandalism or meddling is a problem, a special tool and more complex matching key-shaped end  47  may be employed to complicate or eliminate such problems. 
         [0040]    With clamps  42  and  44  slightly spread to facilitate installation, the clamps  42  and  44  are slipped down over the lead end  39  of a checkout station such as system  10 . Then, the tightening rod  46  is tightened to clamp the UV light  40  in place. It will be noted that such an arrangement has the advantage of allowing a store to move a UV light apparatus  40  to wherever in the store it is needed. 
         [0041]    In one embodiment where a power outlet is readily available, a plug  50  is employed to provide power for UV light apparatus  40 , and an on and off switch  52  may be utilized to turn the UV light apparatus  40  on and off. Where power is not readily available, a rechargeable battery and charging circuitry may be included in the body of hood arrangement  48 . In this arrangement, plug  50  may be detachable and used where and when power is available or to recharge the UV light apparatus during periods of non-use or when recharging is necessary. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment of a UV light apparatus according to the present invention suitable for use as the UV light apparatus  140  of  FIG. 2 . In this arrangement, at least part of the power for operation is derived from the belt  120 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , a wheel  144  on a shaft  146  is spring biased by a spring  147  against the belt  120 . As belt  120  moves, wheel  144  turns rotating shaft  146 . A gear or other mechanism, such as gears  148  and  149  can be utilized to drive a generator (not shown) which is utilized to charge a battery to power the UV light apparatus  140 . To conserve power, a detector mechanism may be suitably employed to detect rotation of the shaft  146  or movement of belt  120  as discussed further below in connection with  FIG. 7 . Upon detection of such movement, the UV light apparatus  140  is then turned on. Such an arrangement or a variation thereof allows the flexibility to operate for extended periods without external power as the power derived from movement of the belt  120  supplements or recharges the battery of the UV light apparatus  140 . 
         [0043]    Additionally in  FIG. 5 , a suction clamping or magnetic attachment mechanism  143 , if appropriate, in portion  142  attaches to top surface  115  of lead end  117  of checkout system  110 . 
         [0044]    It will be noted that the enclosure of UV light apparatus  140  may be made of lightweight aluminum with a reflective interior so that UV germicidal irradiation from bulb  150  shown in dashed lines if effectively directed downwards to the belt as bulb  150  is substantially completely enclosed by the reflective enclosure. This enclosure reduces the chance of inadvertent harmful exposure to the UV germicidal irradiation. 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  shows an alternative embodiment of a UV light apparatus according to the present invention suitable for use as the UV light apparatus  240  of  FIG. 3 . The UV light apparatus  240  has pairs of clips  242  and  244  which clip onto top edge  215  of scanner scale  212 . Hood  248  reflects UV germicidal irradiation down from bulb or source  249  to the top surface of the scanner scale  212 . To avoid exposure, the apparatus  240  would be clipped on prior to store closing, plugged in using plug  250 , turned on using switch  252 , and an internal timer would then turn bulb  249  after a predetermined time. An infrared sensor  254  to detect body heat could be optionally included to detect human presence by sensing body heat nearby and a control system responsive thereto would turn off the apparatus  240 . 
         [0046]    While the embodiments described up to now have been relatively simple for reasons of cost effectiveness, ease of retrofitability, and the like, it will be recognized that a wide variety of more complex control arrangements may be employed where it is possible to wire control circuitry of a UV light apparatus, such as, UV light apparatus  140 , for example, into the belt motor control circuitry for controlling movement of a belt, such as belt  120 . 
         [0047]    In such a circumstance, it may be advantageous to use a programmed microprocessor control system  700 , such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 7 . In the control system  700 , processor  710  receives a plurality of inputs including the output of an optical detector  712  which detects motion of the belt  120 , a stain detector  714  which optically scans the belt  120  and produces an output indicating a stain has been detected, a timing circuit  716  and an infrared (IR) sensor  718  for sensing human presence within a predetermined distance of the apparatus  140 . While these exemplary inputs  712 ,  714 ,  716  and  718  are shown, it will be recognized that others may replace them or be added thereto. 
         [0048]    Processor  710  is further illustrated as producing outputs which drive a UV germicidal irradiation source  722 , such as lamp or bulb  150 , and control belt motor control circuitry  724 . In one exemplary operation, after store hours, UV light apparatus  140  is to be employed to irradiate the entire belt  120  for a predetermined time, such as ten minutes. Assuming the footprint of the base of apparatus  140  is one foot by the width of the belt, a first one foot portion of belt  120  is irradiated for ten minutes. The belt  120  is then advanced one foot and irradiated and the process is continued until completed. In an alternative approach, the belt  120  may be advanced under stain detector  714 . As stains are detected, the belt  120  is stopped and irradiated so that particular attention is applied to questionable areas. A record of stains recently treated could be stored in memory so that a control processor determination could be made not to retreat the same spot over and over. 
         [0049]    While the present invention has been disclosed in the context of various aspects of presently preferred embodiments, it will be recognized that the invention may be suitably applied to other environments consistent with the claims which follow.