Patent Publication Number: US-2022226526-A1

Title: Portable sanitizing mat

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to sanitizing apparatuses. More particularly, it relates to a mat for that can be used to disinfect and illuminate the interior of an enclosed space. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In light of the Covid-19 outbreak it has become increasingly important to disinfect all commonly used surfaces, especially interior surfaces, as well as commonly occupied areas such as bathrooms. The usually enclosed tight confines of e.g., a bathroom or a vehicle interior provides a perfect environment for the spread of pathogens. The problem is exacerbated when people and items, e.g., packages, are constantly entering an enclosed space and potentially depositing pathogens therein. Packages from a high traffic area like the interior of grocery stores have a good probability of depositing pathogens wherever they are stored or transported. Moreover, aerosolized pathogens produced by, e.g., coughing or sneezing can remain in an area for some time after they are emitted. Accordingly, methods and apparatuses have been devised to deal with this problem. 
     United States Patent Application 20170100989 discloses methods and systems for reducing microbial contamination and growth in an automotive HVAC system by irradiating one or more air contacting surfaces of the HVAC system with antimicrobial UV-C light. This type of application is very environmentally specific and cannot be adapted to any other use. Moreover, it is not in any way portable. 
     While these and other prior art methods are generally effective for their intended purposes, they are singular in their utility. 
     The present invention is directed to a disinfecting mat useful for disinfecting the interiors of or specific targeted surfaces within enclosures which has both a disinfecting and illuminating function. The mat may be positioned on any surface, or may optionally be used in a free standing mode and includes an arrangement of UV-C lamps or strips of UV-C emitting LEDs. The mat is foldable or rollable for stowing purposes. The UV lighting is preferably primarily powered by a home or mobile electrical system, and gives off radiation which disinfects the targeted area while unoccupied. The mats, which are lightweight, may be used in any enclosed space needing disinfection. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a major object of the invention to provide a disinfecting mat assembly. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an improved mat that can disinfect an enclosed space such as a vehicle interior. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an improved automotive mat that uses UV lighting to disinfect. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an improved disinfecting mat that can be powered by a local electrical system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a mat assembly formed in accordance with the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of a mat assembly formed in accordance with the invention positioned on a surface in an enclosure. 
         FIG. 3  shows a diagram illustrating the electrical connections of the mat assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates the inventive sanitizing mat assembly, generally indicated by the numeral  10 . The assembly  10  has the ability to disinfect, using UV radiation, a good part of the interior of an enclosed space. The assembly  10  also provides additional interior lighting, the lighting having a decorative aspect. 
     Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is a disinfection method that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) light to kill or inactivate microorganisms. One mechanism by which UV-C deactivates microorganisms is by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions. The administration of UV-C radiation is becoming widely adopted by many hospitals as a more effective and reliable means of surface disinfection, as compared to the use of chemical cleaning agents alone. The effectiveness of germicidal UV-C irradiation depends on factors such as the length of time a microorganism is exposed to UV-C, the intensity and wavelength of the UV-C radiation, the presence of particles that can protect the microorganisms from UV, and a microorganism&#39;s ability to withstand UV-C during its exposure. In air and surface disinfection applications, a UV-C radiation source will disinfect the air and surfaces of an interior space which receives the radiation. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is now a great need to disinfect all areas and surfaces that are exposed to people (or objects), especially in an enclosed environment like a vehicle interior. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for sanitizing and disinfecting an enclosed space such, which apparatus functions to provide both a disinfectant and a uniquely aesthetic auxiliary interior light arrangement. The apparatus preferably uses UV-C, but may also use UV-B or UV-A ultraviolet radiation. 
     The main body of the apparatus  10  is a mat  20  which is foldable or collapsible for stowage. The collapsible or rollable mat  20  which may be deployed in a bathroom, vehicle or other enclosed space, has a lateral and longitudinal dimension when in the extended state. The mat  20  may be sufficiently flexible to be rolled into a tube or otherwise compacted to fit in a small space. The mat  20  would also come in a variety of sizes varying from several inches to several feet in length so that at least some of the mats  20  are small enough to be portable or carried on a person. For example, an  8  inch mat  20  may be rolled into a tube and stored in a pocketbook. Cardboard covered with reflective bubble wrap insulation, or other similar lightweight materials are preferably used. A reflective material will enhance emission of radiation as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. The mat  20  may, e.g., be optionally made of a rubber or plastic webbing material to provide flexibility. The mat  20  has two sides, an upper outward facing side  26 , and lower or underside  28 . The mat  20  is designed to be as lightweight as possible to enhance portability regardless of material. 
     A number of features are included with the mat  20  to facilitate positioning in a number of areas. These positioning means as described below, allow for the mat  20  to be positioned as needed to emit radiation in the most effective pattern. For mats of all sizes, a collapsible stand such as a hinged flap  23  or like assembly is used to allow the mat  20  to be positioned in an upright position to irradiate a wall for example. Also, as the mat  20  is very lightweight, it can be hung from a wall or other vertical surface, with one or more apertured straps  25  attached to the mat  20  serving as an attachment means. The strap  25  may be secured to the wall using a thumbtack or other small non destructive fastening means so that the mat  20  may be positioned to irradiate a room or a nearby object. Both the strap  25  and flap  23  can be attached to the underside  28  of the mats  20  by Velcro or equivalent means. Mats  20  can be placed on a ceiling as by thumbtacks, to irradiate downwardly. As the mats are lightweight and thin, they may be hung without fear of injury or damage if they are dislodged. In short, mat  20  can be free standing or attached to virtually any surface in order to irradiate a desired area or object. Mats  20  maybe connected in series or parallel to the same power source  29  in the same manner as strings of decorative lights, with each mat  20  having circuitry for determining if sufficient power is available for operation as will be explained in more detail later. 
     The UV illumination is provided by a strip  21  of individual LED UV lights  22  of the kind commonly commercially available. The lights  22  are preferably UV-C, but may be UV-B or UV-C, and are positioned about the edges of the mat  20  by adhesive or the like. There may be two or three (or more) strips  21 about the edges of the mat  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 , this to increase the intensity and dispersion of the radiated illumination. The perimeter positioning of the strips allows illumination from the lights  22  to be as widely dispersed as possible for a given size of the mat  20 . 
     Power for the strip  21  may be supplied primarily by the local AC or DC source, as LED UV strips can be powered by AC or DC. If used in a structure such as the home or office, the local AC source  29  may be used. The mat  20  may include a built in or detachable battery  31  that is preferably rechargeable. A vehicle battery  31  may be used when the mat  20  is positioned within a vehicle. To that end, the lights  22  are connected to the vehicle auxiliary power outlet via wire  42 . The wire  42  may also be connected to a USB outlet or other power source. If used in an enclosed space having 120V AC power, the strip  21  may be connected to an outlet via a power converter. 
     As UV lamps give off very bright and unusually colored light, the lights  22  may also be used to present an aesthetically pleasing interior lighting option, especially when used in a vehicle. The lights may be seen from a distance and produce a striking visual. 
     In order to prevent excessive battery  31  drain, circuitry  30  is provided to automatically shut the strip  21  down after a predetermined amount of time, typically about 30 minutes. The circuitry  30  is in the form of a microprocessor capable of receiving inputs from sensors and switching power to the strip  21 . 
     A solar panel  32  may be provided with the assembly of the invention, the solar panel detachable from the assembly  10  so as to be stored when not in use. The solar panel  32  is electrically connected to circuitry  30 , the circuitry determining if there is sufficient power available to power the lights  22 . Circuitry  30  can also condition and regulate the power output from the solar panel  32 . 
     Circuitry  30  may also include a sensor for detecting a signal from a transmitting fob  34 , this can be the only on switch for safety purposes. The fob  34  is like that used for a keyless entry system, and transmits a low level activation signal which triggers a switch in the circuitry  30  which activates the strip  21 . In this manner, the user is never accidentally irradiated while the strip  21  is active. Alternatively, a smartphone application can be downloaded, the application allowing the user to transmit a code for activating the strip  21  using a smartphone. It should be appreciated that as circuitry  30  is connected by wire  42  to the mat  20  it can be extended some distance from the mat  20  to receive a signal from the fob  34 . Thus, if the mat  20  is disposed in a vehicle, the circuitry  30  and sensor can be positioned near a window. 
     In use, the user can position the mat  20  (or mats) as needed within an enclosure. One or more mats  20  would be positioned for the most effective treatment. For example, if used to disinfect a vehicle after a number of passengers have exited, it would be desirable to treat for aerosolized pathogens so that mats  20  positioned on the seats and ceiling would be most effective, as opposed to the vehicle floor. If a number of packages have been resting on the seats, a ceiling mat placement would be most effective. The mats may have a built in battery  31  as explained above, or be plugged into an AC or DC source. Thus, one or more mats  20 , which mats can be carried in luggage, may be carried by a user to disinfect e.g., a hotel bathroom by plugging into the local AC source. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims: