Abstract:
A clothes dryer is provided which incorporates ultraviolet light sources to aid in the sterilization of the clothing as it is dried. A series of ultraviolet emitters, envisioned to be germicidal lamps, are located around the perimeter of the drying drum inside of the dryer. As the clothes dryer operates, these lamps are energized, and their light passed thru clear panels into the drying drum where they can aid in the killing of germs, bacteria and the like. Such a feature is envisioned as being particularly useful in hospitals, centers where biological studies are performed, or for those who are particularly susceptible to infectious diseases.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention contains subject matter that was first described in Disclosure Document Registration 524, 106 filed on Jan. 6, 2003 under 35 U.S.C. §122 and 37 C.F.R. §1.14. As such, it is respectfully requested that said Disclosure Document remain a permanent part of the file history of the present application and be relied upon during the pending prosecution, and for any other matters that may arise. 
   There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to clothes dryers and, more particularly, to a clothes dryer with an integral ultraviolet light for purposes of reducing germs and bacteria. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   In recent society, there has been a trend toward increased sanitization of everyday objects and surfaces one tends to come in contact with. This trend is evidenced by a quick trip to a local store where one will find the shelves lined with antibacterial soap, hand lotion sanitizer, anti-bacterial surface cleaner, HEPA air filtration systems and the like. However, the one object that we all touch every day, our clothing, remains untouched by this trend. Even with the clothing being washed daily, small microorganisms, either picked up throughout the day, or even in the water used to wash the clothes, remain on the clothing and can lead to further disease transmission. This same problem exists for bed linens, towels and other textiles that one comes in contact with every day. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related:
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,340 discloses an utraviolet, antibacterial, antifungal dryerlight.   U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,678 discloses an armoire adaptable to a sauna, drum dryer, and tubular lighted clothing dryer with humidity damper control of exhaust gases.   U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,725 discloses a compact microwave clothes dryer and method.   U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,831 discloses an infrared-radiating clothes dryer.   U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,750 discloses a clothes dryer with Peltier effect heating, infrared heating, and vacuum drying capabilities.   U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,907 discloses a method and apparatus for drying clothes.   And, U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,932 discloses an efficiency clothes dryer.   

   Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method of sanitizing clothes as they are dried. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved clothes dryer. 
   It is a feature of the present invention to provide an adaptation of a conventional dryer in which UV radiation is permitted to sterilize the drum contents via a radiation source outside the drum. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a clothes dryer is provided which incorporates ultraviolet light sources to aid in the sterilization of the clothing as it is dried. A series of ultraviolet emitters, envisioned to be germicidal lamps, are located around the perimeter of the drying drum inside of the dryer. Similarly, ultraviolet emmitters can alternately or additionally be placed along the back of the clothes drum as well. As the clothes dryer operates, these lamps are energized, and their light is passed thru clear panels and/or perforated panels into the drying drum where they can aid in the killing of germs, bacteria and the like. Such a feature is envisioned as being particularly useful in hospitals, centers where biological studies are performed, or for those who are particularly susceptible to infectious diseases. 
   The use of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light allows for the sterilization of clothing in a quick, easy and effective manner which does not take any extra time or processing beyond that normally required to dry clothes in a dryer. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as taken along a line I—I as seen in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as taken along a line II—II as seen in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, as taken along a line II—II as seen in  FIG. 1 , and 
       FIG. 5  is an electrical schematic of the circuitry. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the  FIGS. 1 through 5 . 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. It is envisioned that the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10  would be of the customary size and style associated with a conventional clothes dryer as found in a domestic residence. The clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10  is equipped with an access door  15 , for inserting and removing clothes, bed linens, towels and other fabric-based articles typically dried in a clothes dryer. The clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10  is depicted as a front loading model for purposes of illustration, though it is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention. A plurality of conventional control circuitry  20  is provided on an upper panel face  25  of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10 . Also located on the upper panel face  25  is an ultraviolet light control switch  30  which provides ON and OFF control functionality over the sterilization process associated with the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10 . In the ON position, ultraviolet light rays are applied to fabric articles located inside of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10 . This feature allows for the reduction of germs, bacteria and other living organisms that may be present on the fabric articles. In the OFF position, the ultraviolet light sources, which will be described in greater detail herein below, are de-energized, thus allowing the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10  to function as a conventional clothes dryer when drying fabric articles which do not require the reduction of germs, bacteria, and the like. Additionally, in the OFF position, the user will experience additional energy savings as well as increasing the life expectancy of the ultraviolet light sources. Located above the ultraviolet light control switch  30  is an operational indicator light  35  which provides operational indication of the ultraviolet light sources. Finally, an ultraviolet light source malfunction indicator light  40  provides indication to the user that one or more of the ultraviolet light sources, which will be described in greater detail herein below, are not operational and require repair or replacement. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a sectional view of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as taken along a line I—I as seen in  FIG. 1 , is depicted. This FIG clearly depicts the view as seen along a surface perpendicular to a central axis of a rotating drying drum  45 . The rotating drying drum  45  is accessed through the access door  15 , as shown in FIG.  1 . The rotating drying drum  45  rotates about a center axis as depicted by a first rotational direction arrow  50 . Located around the perimeter of the rotating drying drum  45  are a series of sets of ultraviolet light source  55 , reflector  60  and ultraviolet light detector  65 . It is envisioned that placement of the ultraviolet light source  55  can alternately be made behind or along the rear of the rotating drying drum in order to provide an alternate design incorporating the teachings of the present invention. For the purposes of illustration, there are four sets shown in  FIG. 2 , but are not intended to be a limiting factor. A quantity of one set will provide the functionality of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10 , though additional sets, up to four and beyond, will provide increased coverage and a more thorough reduction of germs and bacteria. The ultraviolet light source  55  is envisioned to be of a fluorescent tube variety and positioned such that its central axis is parallel to the central axis of the rotating drying drum  45 . The reflector  60  is of a partial cylindrical shape whose axis is also parallel to the ultraviolet light source  55  and rotating drying drum  45 . An ultraviolet light detector  65 , designed to produce an electrical signal in the presence of ultraviolet radiation, is positioned between the ultraviolet light source  55  and the reflector  60 . The ultraviolet light detector  65  will be described in greater detail herein below, and will serve to indicate to the user that one or more of the ultraviolet light source  55  are nonoperational. Located below the rotating drying drum  45  is a conventional drying mechanism  70  envisioned to be of either the gas or electric variety, or other conventional or novel drying means such as infrared, microwave, or the like. The functionality provided via the ultraviolet light source  55  will be provided with dryers operating on electric or gas, and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 3 , a sectional view of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as taken along a line II—II as seen in  FIG. 1 , is depicted. This FIG clearly depicts the view as seen along a surface parallel to the central axis of the rotating drying drum  45 . A clear window  75 , envisioned to be made of tempered glass, Plexiglas®, Lexan®, or other material which will allow ultraviolet radiation to pass through, is provided in the exterior perimeter of the rotating drying drum  45 . Visible behind the clear window  75  is one of the ultraviolet light source  55 . As the drum rotates in a direction as indicated by a second rotational directional arrow  80 , the clear window  75  will pass by the ultraviolet light source  55 , which is stationary. It should be noted that the clear window  75  will pass by multiple ultraviolet light source  55  in the case of more than one ultraviolet light source  55  as shown by the example of four in FIG.  2 . In such a manner, the ultraviolet radiation is allowed free access to the interior of the rotating drying drum  45  while still containing the fabric-based articles contained within. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 4 , a sectional view of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, as taken along a line II—II as seen in  FIG. 1 , is depicted. This FIG clearly depicts the view as seen along a surface parallel to the central axis of the rotating drying drum  45 . A perforated openings  85  is provided in the exterior perimeter of the rotating drying drum  45 . Said perforated opening  85  utilizes individual openings  90  of a sufficient diameter to allow ultraviolet light to pass unrestricted, yet are small enough to contain the fabric-based articles inside of the rotating drying drum  45 . Visible behind the perforated openings  85  is one of the ultraviolet light source  55 . As the drum rotates in a direction as indicated by the second rotational directional arrow  80 , the perforated openings  85  will pass by the ultraviolet light source  55 , which is stationary. It should be noted that the perforated opening  85  will pass by multiple ultraviolet light source  55  in the case of more than one ultraviolet light source  55  as shown by the example of four in FIG.  2 . In such a manner, the ultraviolet radiation is allowed free access to the interior of the rotating drying drum  45  while still containing the fabric-based articles contained within. 
   Referring finally to  FIG. 5 , an electrical schematic of the circuitry associated with the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10  is disclosed. Electrical power is provided by a line voltage  95  as customarily and usually provided as part of a conventional clothes dryer. The line voltage  95  enters the conventional control circuitry  20  which is well known in the art. An output signal  100  is provided from the conventional control circuitry  20  which is energized and provides operating current whenever the rotating drying drum  45 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 , is operational and rotating. Thus, when the conventional control circuitry  20  completes the drying cycle, the output signal  100  is also de-energized thus removing power from the ultraviolet light source  55 . The output signal  100  is then routed through the ultraviolet light control switch  30 , which allows user control of whether or not the ultraviolet light source  55  should be operated. As aforementioned described, there may be occasions upon which the user does not desire the operation of the ultraviolet light source  55 . The output of the ultraviolet light control switch  30  is then routed through a door interlock switch  105 , which opens the circuit whenever the access door  15 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is opened. In such a manner, the user is protected from inadvertent exposure to ultraviolet radiation if the access door  15  is left open prior to activation, or opened during activation. At this point, electrical power is then applied to the series of ultraviolet light sources  55  in a parallel circuit arrangement as shown. Power is likewise applied to the operational indicator light  35  to indicate operation. Electrical power from both sides of the door interlock switch  105  are applied to an ultraviolet sensor circuit  110 , which relies on input signals from the ultraviolet light detectors  65 , of which one is provided for every ultraviolet light source  55 . If the ultraviolet sensor circuit  110  detects operation of the circuitry as provided by the permissives supplied by the conventional control circuitry  20 , the ultraviolet light control switch  30  and the door interlock switch  105 , yet no corresponding ultraviolet signature is detected by the ultraviolet light detector  65 , the ultraviolet sensor circuit  110  will supply an output signal to the ultraviolet light source malfunction indicator light  40  as aforementioned described in FIG.  1 . It is envisioned that the conventional control circuitry  20  would provide a flashing signal to the ultraviolet light source malfunction indicator light  40  to indicate the non-operational ultraviolet light detector  65 . (i.e., two flashes in a row would indicate the second ultraviolet light source  55  is non operational, while four flashes would indicate the fourth ultraviolet light source  55 , and so on and so forth). 
   It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. While the features and the benefits associated with the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10  could be adapted for use with existing clothes dryers, it is envisioned that they would be most likely enjoyed as an integral part of a new clothes dryer. After the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10  is purchased, it would be installed like a conventional clothes dryer, thus requiring a connection to an electrical supply, perhaps a natural gas supply and an exhaust system. After such installation and verification, the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10  is ready for use. 
   To use the present invention, the user would load wet or damp fabric-based items into the rotating drying drum  45  of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10  through the access door  15 . Said items are envisioned to be clothing, bed linens, bath towels, and similar items typically cleaned and dried in a conventional washer and dryer set. After loading, the user would select the appropriate drying time and drying settings on the conventional control circuitry  20 . The operation of the rotating drying drum  45  initially places the ultraviolet light control switch  30  in its default, ON position. Should operation not be desired, the ultraviolet light control switch  30  would be placed in the OFF position. At this point, the drying cycle would commence and drying of the fabric-based items would begin, with sterilization being provided by the ultraviolet light source  55  should it be desired. Operation of the ultraviolet light source  55  is verified by the operational indicator light  35 . Should the ultraviolet light source malfunction indicator light  40  be illuminated or flashing, the user is alerted to a non-operational ultraviolet light source  55  inside of the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10 , and corrective measures such as repair or replacement would be taken. After operation, which takes no more or less time that a conventional clothes dryer, the items are removed, and the clothes dryer with ultraviolet light  10  is then ready to repeat this cycle as needed. 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.