Abstract:
An apparatus for sterilizing includes receptacle having a base and left and right end surfaces; a cover for closing the apparatus, the cover having an outer surface, an inner surface and left and right end surfaces; a first UV light source positioned on the inner surface of the cover; a second UV light source positioned within the receptacle; and at least one article-receiving panel positioned over the second light source of the base of the receptacle.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 (e) of provisional application Ser. No. 61/403,995, filed Sep. 25, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A. Area of Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to sterilization, and more particularly, to sterilization of household and other articles by employing ultraviolet (UV) radiations. 
         [0004]    B. Prior Art 
         [0005]    In past few decades, there has been a widespread increase in awareness of the potentially harmful effects that microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria and viruses can have on humans. Consequently, there have been several attempts to provide devices that sterilize food, liquids, toys, toothbrush and other similar items. 
         [0006]    Generally, anti-bacterial products are employed to fight against transmittal of germs. For example, many hand soaps have added anti-bacterial ingredients. Sterilization devices are primarily aimed at sanitization of objects that may have bacteria upon their surface. Additionally, such sterilization devices are necessary for all age groups, such as, for example, infants, wherein minimizing the presence of bacteria is particularly important because they are more susceptible to infection. The risk of infection increases further as infants have a tendency to place toys and other objects, potentially contaminated with undesirable pathogen, within their mouths. Typically, undesirable pathogen that cause such infection include:  Streptococcus  Group B,  Streptococcus  Group A,  Hemopholis Influenza, Streptococcus Pneumonia , Marsa,  Pseudomonas Aeruginosa , influenza virus and the like. 
         [0007]    Conventionally, several approaches for sanitizing surfaces of personal hygiene articles may be known, but, all known conventional methods and devices have one or more disadvantages. 
         [0008]    One traditional approach includes soaking the articles (such as toothbrush), in a chemical disinfectant. However, chemical disinfectants may not reach all of the surfaces of the articles, such as the surfaces between tightly compacted bristles found in many toothbrushes. Furthermore, this approach may be ineffective especially if the exposure of the articles to the chemical disinfectant is brief. In addition, such chemical disinfectants may be relatively costly and may have to be frequently resupplied. Accordingly, use of chemical disinfectants may not be the entirely preferred one as it suffers from various disadvantages. 
         [0009]    Previous approaches further include sanitization of personal hygiene articles by employing microwave energy. However, it may be problematic because of the electrical arcing that may occur with metal used in the articles. Moreover, most households may not be equipped with a microwave apparatus outside of the kitchen. Therefore, use of this approach may be inconvenient for a majority of household users. 
         [0010]    In addition to the above, a common problem encountered by almost all the currently known approaches is that contaminants may be allowed to enter the system during and/or after the sanitization process. This may reverse the effects of the sanitization process, thereby making the sanitization process less effective. 
         [0011]    The general use of UV sterilizers by physical therapists, aestheticians and other such professionals wishing to sterilize their tools and equipment has long been known in the art. The preferred frequency of UV light used therein is 254 nanometers. As above noted, such general purpose sterilizers are not optimal in terms of internal or external geometry for the specific purposes as described above. Prior art patents or patent literature exists for certain special-purpose UV products, such as United States Patent Application Publication U.S. 2008/0044326 A1 (2008) to Shin, entitled Sterilizer for Baby Products. This sterilization system is applicable for only short range, i.e., in the order of 1 to 2 centimeters from the UV source. Similarly, WIPO Application Publication No. WO 02/056920 A2 (2002) to Jenkins et al, entitled Method and Apparatus for Rapidly Sterilizing Small Objects is, similarly to the disclosure of Shin, adapted for short range sterilization and, as in Shin, lacks any internal reflective surfaces which could operate to enhance the effect of the applied radiation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,928 (2000) to Roberts, entitled Writing Implement Sterilization Apparatus is a special purpose UV sterilization device applicable in geometry and other respects only to the sterilization of writing implements. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, there exists a need for sterilizers for sanitizing multiple articles, which are free from above-mentioned problems associated with existing techniques, and provide additional advantages in terms of effectiveness, size, cost, safety, usage convenience and the like. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    An apparatus for sterilizing household articles includes a receptacle having a base, and left and right ends thereof; a cover for closing the apparatus, the cover having an outer surface, an inner surface and left and right ends; at least a first UV light source positioned on the inner surface of the cover; at least a second UV light source positioned within the receptacle; and at least one article-receiving panel positioned over said second light source of said base surface of said receptacle. 
         [0014]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for the sterilization of household and other articles that is not inherently limited to the geometry or size of the article to be sterilized and includes upper and lower UV light sources internal to the sterilizing apparatus while providing flexibility in the manner of positioning within the sterilizing receptacle of the articles to be sterilized. 
         [0015]    Another object is to provide an apparatus of the above type in which the effectiveness of the UV radiation emitted by the UV light source of the invention is enhanced through the use of reflective surfaces internal to the apparatus. 
         [0016]    It is a yet further object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the above type in which internal supportive panels or shelves thereof are UV transmissive in order to enhance the effect of UV radiation upon the articles to be sterilized. 
         [0017]    The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the herein set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention, and Claims appended herewith. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates an apparatus for sterilizing multiple articles, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates the apparatus for sterilizing multiple articles in an open position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the apparatus for sterilizing multiple articles. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross sectional view of the apparatus for sterilizing multiple articles, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross sectional view of the apparatus for sterilizing multiple articles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    As may be seen in  FIGS. 1-5 , there is provided an apparatus  7  for sterilizing various articles  9 , which includes a receptacle  10  having a base  15  and end regions  20  and  21 , as well as a cover  25  for covering the receptacle  10 . The cover member  25  includes an outer surface  30 , an inner surface  35  and end regions  40  and  41 . The apparatus further includes a first light source  45  positioned on the inner surface  35 ; which is preferably curved, of the cover  25 , a second light source  50  positioned on the base  15  of the receptacle  10 , and a panel member  55  positioned over the second light source  50  of the base  15  of the receptacle  10 . See  FIG. 2 . Generally, the inner surface  35  of the covering member  25  and the base  15  of the receptacle  10  are reflective in nature. Furthermore, the cover  25  is probably curvilinear in shape and an optionally height adjustable panel member  55  is a quartz sheet, or other UV transmissive material. It will be appreciated that more than one light source  45 / 50  may be employed in the cover  25  and/or in the receptacle  10  depending upon the requirements of the sterilizing multiple articles  9 . 
         [0024]    According to an aspect of the present invention, the various articles  9  may include keys, cell phones, television remote controllers, video games, and the other similar household items or non-household items. 
         [0025]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the receptacle  10  is securable to the cover  25  via a coupling member  80  or the like. Generally, the coupling member is a hinge, and the end regions  20 / 21  of the receptacle  10  includes a half of the hinge mounted on an upper edge of the receptacle  20 , and the cover  25  includes a second half of the hinge  80  mounted on an edge of the cover opposite said first half of the hinge. Subsequently, the first half of the hinge mates with the second half, thereby forming the coupling member  60 . However, other similar coupling members may also be employed. That is, the apparatus for sterilizing multiple articles  9  further may include a lock for locking the cover member  25  to the receptacle  10 . Generally, such a lock includes a clasp to lock the cover member  25  and the receptacle  10  in a closed position. Other similar locking mechanisms may also be employed. 
         [0026]    According to a further aspect of the invention, the first light source  45  and the second light source  50  are connected to a power source  65  capable of powering a UV light output, e.g., 1800 watts. Generally, UV light kills micro-organisms by damaging their DNA or RNA. More specifically, UV radiation disrupts the chemical bonds that hold the sub-units or segments of DNA or RNA together in the micro-organism. Consequently, the micro-organisms cannot repair such damage and due to lack of proper functioning of their reproductive mechanisms, they die or are rendered inert. 
         [0027]    According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus for sterilizing multiple articles  9  further includes a power circuit timer  70  (see  FIG. 1 ) for providing a timed application of power from the power source  65  to the first light source  45  and the second light source  50 , and an indicating element  75  mounted on the outer surface  30  of the covering member  25 . The indicating member  75  provides an indication whether the first light source  45  and/or the second light source  50  are in operation or not. Generally, the indicating member  75  is translucent, i.e. the indicating element  75  is partially shaded with a view to prevent harmful radiation from leaking-out of the apparatus. 
         [0028]    In a further aspect of the invention, the apparatus for sterilizing multiple articles  9  further includes a first padding surface  85  and/or a second padding surface  90  (see  FIG. 4 ) for preventing leakage of radiation, in which the first padding surface  85  and the second padding surface  90  line the interiors of the covering member  25  and the receptacle  10  respectively. Generally, both padding surfaces are rubber or rubber-like in character. 
         [0029]    In an alternate embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the apparatus for sterilizing multiple articles  9  includes more than one panel members  55  positioned over the second light source  50  of the base surface  15  of the receptacle  10 . Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that multiple panel members  55  may further be employed, thereby providing provisions for sterilizing large number of articles simultaneously. 
         [0030]    Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that the above-mentioned apparatus for sterilizing multiple articles also may be designed in a manner such that it opens from the front, instead of the top, and various such alternate embodiments may be designed as per the requirements of a user. 
         [0031]    Accordingly, while there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention within the scope of the Claims appended herewith.