Abstract:
An apparatus and method is disclosed for systematically disinfecting shopping carts and other containers utilized in grocery stores by consumers to temporarily carry food items while shopping. The system consists of a hollow, inverted U-shaped housing that defines a cart passageway through which a shopping cart may be passed and disinfected. The system includes internal electrical elements, a fluid reservoir, a pump that pumps disinfecting fluid to several nozzles, a rechargeable battery, and is on wheels so that the system may be operated in an area of choosing independent from a power outlet. For disinfecting, carts are positioned in front of the cart passageway and pushed through while nozzles positioned in the cart passageway are actuated. A fine mist of disinfecting fluid envelopes all surfaces of the cart as it passes through the cart passageway, thereby sanitizing the entire surface area of the cart without accumulating residue.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of filing priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 and 37 C.F.R. §1.78 of the co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/404,684 filed Oct. 7, 2010, for a Santizit-Shopping Cart Sanitizing Spray Machine. All information disclosed in that prior pending provisional application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to washing and sanitizing systems. In greater particularity, the present invention relates to washing bays and car or automobile washing systems. In greater particularity, the present invention relates to disinfecting systems for articles placed into a controlled sanitizing area. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Our society is a mobile one. Travel from one country to another across multiple continents, sometimes in a single 24 hour period, is common place for human beings today. Infectious disease follow humans wherever they go and our societal mobility, while enhancing business and prosperity, brings with it the spread of disease across many time domains. While most diseases are spread with human to human contact or proximity, many diseases are also spread through germs acquired through contact surfaces. Consumers are rapidly becoming aware of this exposure threat. 
         [0004]    During the last decade, consumers have watched as infectious diseases have sprung from Asia and quickly spread to other continents, mostly from people traveling for business and pleasure. Adding to this the increasing awareness of the historical effects of past influenza epidemics, pandemic illness outbreaks, and the current incurability of many human viruses, the current consuming public has become very aware of the potential for catching diseases from contact with germs. Videos of Asian populations wearing surgical masks in public such as in affluent Japan heighten the awareness. Hence, consumers now look for and routinely take advantage of antibacterial and anti-viral procedures available to them in retail store locations. Further, retail stores are taking active measures to reduce the spread of germs to consumers visiting their stores. 
         [0005]    One area of significant concern is grocery outlets. A grocery outlet not only exposes consumers to human spread contagions, but food borne illnesses that are spread by germs are encountered throughout the entire store. Also, consumers use various styles of shopping carts such as a standard wheeled cart or a small hand basket and germs are spread to users through contact with the handles and surrounding structure of each cart or container. Shopping carts and hand baskets come into contact with more customers and more food products than any other area of a grocery store, and store customers generally do not clean their hands before utilizing shopping carts or hand baskets, and they do not wear protective gloves to shield themselves from exposure to the number of possible germs that may reside on the shopping cart or basket. 
         [0006]    Grocery stores are aware of this concern by consumers. In response, the average grocery store may pressure wash carts and hand baskets with water (not killing any germs) periodically, say every 6 months or so. Because retail storeowners have needed to make some effort to address the concentration of germs on shopping carts and hand baskets, some stores have begun providing alcohol-based wipes and hand sanitizing liquid adjacent to the carts and baskets so that customers may attempt to address the germ problem themselves. The consumer can apply the hand sanitizer to their hands, before and after shopping, and they can use the alcohol wipes to disinfect shopping cart or basket surfaces. Unfortunately, alcohol wipes address only a small percentage of the contact potential of a cart surface, and there is no quality control as to how well or poorly a consumer might attempt to disinfect their hands or a cart surface. 
         [0007]    Hence, what is needed is a system to efficiently and systematically sanitize grocery carts and baskets while avoiding inconvenience to consumers so that the risk of exposing customers to germs and disease during their shopping experience is avoided. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An apparatus and method for systematically disinfecting shopping carts and other containers utilized in grocery stores by consumers to temporarily carry food items while shopping. The system consists of a hollow, inverted U-shaped enclosure or housing that defines a cart passageway through which a shopping cart may be passed and disinfected. The housing is hollow and contains a disinfecting liquid reservoir, a pump having a tube that is directed into the reservoir, a pressure accumulator, several nozzles arranged around the interior of the cart passageway, and some external controls to turn on the nozzles when a user pushes a cart into the disinfecting area. The system also includes a battery and charging system, and some control electronics, so that the system may be operated in an area of choosing independent from a power outlet. The bottom of the system includes wheels and a handle is attached to one end so that the system may be moved to any advantageous location within or without a store. The apparatus also includes a hand sprayer on one side so that a consumer or store employee may apply disinfectant on demand to specific areas of a cart or to a shopping basket. For disinfecting, carts are positioned in front of the cart opening in the housing and pushed through while the nozzles are actuated. A fine mist of disinfecting fluid envelopes all surfaces of the cart as it passes through the cart passageway, thereby sanitizing the entire surface area of the cart. Because the mist that is emitted from the apparatus nozzles is very fine, little or no residue accumulates on the carts or in the vicinity of the disinfecting apparatus. 
         [0009]    Other features and objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description as well as a study of the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    A shopping cart disinfecting system incorporating the features of the invention is depicted in the attached drawings which form a portion of the disclosure and wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  a front perspective view of the shopping cart disinfecting system showing its exterior; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a front view of the shopping cart disinfecting system; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a rear view of the shopping cart disinfecting system; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2C  is a left side view of the shopping cart disinfecting system; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2D  is a right side view of the shopping cart disinfecting system showing the positioning of the hand sprayer and external control elements; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view having the front face of the invention removed to show key interior elements of the shopping cart disinfecting system; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective interior view of the left access door in the open position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective interior view of the upper access door in the open position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4C  is a magnified view of a spray nozzle tip in an access door; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the shopping cart disinfecting system showing the dynamics of sanitizing a shopping cart; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is process flow diagram showing the steps in disinfecting one or more shopping carts using the described shopping cart disinfecting system. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Referring to the drawings for a better understanding of the function and structure of the invention,  FIG. 1  shows the system  10  ready for sanitizing shopping carts  96 . The system  10  is comprised of a fiberglass shell or housing  11 , hollow on the interior, and formed into an inverted U-shape. The fiberglass shell or housing  11  has a front  12  and rear  13  section joined together with a hard plastic molding  16 . The joined sections form a front face or surface area  17 , a rear facing surface area  18 , left and right sides ( 19 ,  22 ) having left and right surface areas ( 20 ,  22 ), and a top or upper portion  23  with a top surface  24 . The left  19 , right  21  sides and the upper portion  23  connecting the two to form a bounded interior disinfection zone  94 . The disinfection zone  94  has left and right surfaces ( 26 ,  27 ), and an upper surface area  28 . Each of these surface areas includes an access door ( 36 ,  37 , and  38 ) with hand laches  41 , and the side access doors ( 36 ,  37 ) includes key access locks  42  as shown and as will be further described below. A level indicator window  44  is formed in front surface  17  to allow viewing of fluid levels in a disinfectant storage container inside housing  11 . The underside of house  11  includes a base plate  31 , having an upper surface  32  and an under surface  33 . 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-2D , it may be seen in  2 A that the system has a front actuation button  49  for activating the system  10 , and specifically initiating the spraying cycle. A pair of wheels are affixed to frame  62  within the left side  19  and extend through two slots  35  ( FIG. 1 ) formed in housing  11  at the juncture of the lower edge of left side surface  20  and bottom surface  29  of housing left side  19 . A countervailing handle  51  is affixed to right side surface  22  and upon the lifting of right side  21  wheels  34  will contact any ground surface supporting the system  10  and allow it to be easily moved and rotated as desired to reposition the system as needed. Wheels  34  are positioned on frame  62  such that the wheels do not contact the supporting ground until tilted by the lifting of opposite side end  21 . Hence, the system  10  is very stable when resting in a horizontal position. 
         [0024]    On the interior of left side  19  fluid tank  63  rests on frame  62  and frame  62  is sized to hold the tank securely. Window  44  allows for viewing of a graduated measuring scale formed in the front side of tank  63  which has a translucent exterior so that a user can see the amount of fluid left in tank  63 . 
         [0025]    On the interior of right side  21 , system  10  includes a battery  81  and charger  82 . Control panel  83  are connected to charger  82  and battery  81  to provide power to the system and to monitory and control the distribution of the power throughout the system  10  to power, for example, pump  71 . The charger and battery are affixed directly to the fiberglass walls of housing  11  and need no separate support frame. Charger  82  is connected to power outlet  82  to allow for a plug and wire to connect system  10  with a standard household electrical outlet to charge battery  81 . Access panel  46  defines control elements  47  a key switch and  48  a stop indicator light that are affixed to and extending through the right side surface  22 . Stop indicator light  48  is used to advise the operator of warning conditions in the system  10 , such as for example when fluid levels have dropped below a certain threshold inside tank  63 . Key switch  47  it typically a 3 position switch providing for an off position and two operating modes for system  10 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a cut-away view of the system  10  showing key internal components. Tank  63  holds approximately 7 gallons of sanitizing fluid. Fluid is added to tank  63  by opening access door  36  and removing screw top lid  64 . Filters  66 ,  67  are fixed to the top and bottom of tank fluid access riser tube  65  for keeping debris that enter into fluid tank  63  from being sucked into the internal fluid lines of the invention  10 . A float sensor  68  is positioned in the bottom of tank  63  and provides a signal to control module  83  when the tank is empty forcing the suspension of pump operation until fluid is replaced in the tank  63 . A network of fluid tubes travels throughout the inside of housing  11  to connect the tank  63 , pump  71 , accumulator  77  and nozzles  86 . The tubing  73  is resilient enough to hold sanitizing fluid under at least 100 psi pressure for an extended period of time and includes connectors (not shown) for connecting the tubing  73  to the various internal components in the system. Nylon type tubes provide sufficient resiliency and durability to satisfy this requirement. Pump  71  can be a 12 Volt diaphragm type pump, such as manufactured by Shurflo Pump Manufacturing Co. of Cypress, Calif., under the name 8000 Series Diaphragm Pump. The pump  71  can produce 100 psi and 1.15 gallons per minute through lines  73 , as needed, but typical flow rates are much less than 100 psi since spray nozzles  86  generally would not allow fluid to drain quickly enough for pump  71  to meet its flow rate upper limit. Tank accumulator  77 , such as a model  181 - 201  type also available from Shurflo, keeps lines  73  under pressure within a typical range of 65-100 psi to each nozzle, but is also reduces the actuation load on pump  71  by allowing it to cycle on and off less frequently while still managing a maximum pressure of 100 psi and a minimum pressure of 65 psi, as directed by internal logic in the pump&#39;s electronics. Control module  83  is microprocessor controlled and provides power to operate pump  71  which maintains the pressure in lines  73  as described above. Control module  83  also is connected with wiring  76  to each solenoid  87  at each nozzle  86 , start-stop switch  49 , key control switch  47 , as well as providing power to pump  71 . Battery  81  provides power to control module  83 , pump  71  (via module  83 ), and all control lines for switches and solenoids. Charger  82  is connected to an external plug  84  to provide 12 Volt power to battery  81  for its charging. The control module  83  may be re-programmed as needed to accommodate the various needs of a shopping venue and their employees. Further information regarding the type of microprocessor used in control module  83  and the firmware residing therein is omitted as such a control system and software is well understood in the industry and not necessary for a complete understanding of the herein described system. 
         [0027]    Various types of sanitizing fluid may be used in system  10 , but the inventors have found that a diluted solution of “66” manufactured by Staples Contract &amp; Commercial (Product Item No. STP660001-B) works satisfactorily as a solution to be held by tank  63 . The standard dilutions instructions that come with 66 and associated with this product will achieve satisfactory sanitization results when carts are sanitized in accordance with the herein provided methods. 
         [0028]    Hand sanitizing sprayer  56  is positioned on the exterior of right side of the housing  11  and is connected by a coiled tube to tubing  73  via connector  59 . The sprayer  56  is fluidly connected to accumulator  77  via fluid lines  73  such that between 65-100 psi fluid pressure is available at all times to the hand sprayer  56 . When not in use, the handle of sprayer  56  may be loosely hooked onto mobility handle  51 . 
         [0029]    A closer view of the access doors of the system  10  and their elements may be seen in  FIGS. 4A-4C .  FIGS. 4A and 4B  shows left access door  36  and upper access door  38  in their open positions, each held to interior surface of housing  11  with hinges  39 . Right access door  37  is a mirror image of left access door  36 . Each access door  36 ,  37 ,  38 , includes a lock  42 , and rotating plastic latches  41  to secure each access door in a closed position. Nozzles  86  are affixed on the interior of each access door and positioned with tips  89  penetrating through the composite plastic of each doors&#39; surface (see  FIG. 4C ). Solenoids  87  are positioned adjacent to each nozzle  86  to control the flow of sanitizing fluid to each nozzle. A tube  73  connects each nozzle to accumulator tank  77  and electrical wiring  76  operatively connects each solenoid to control module  83 . A small bracket  91  is riveted  88  (See  FIG. 4C ) to the surface of each door and holds each nozzle and solenoid in place. By placing a spray nozzle  86  in each access door, cart passageway or cart disinfecting zone  94  is surrounded by three intersecting spray patters such that each cart passing through the zone  94  will have 100 percent of its surface areas covered by sanitizing fluid. 
         [0030]    The dynamics of sanitizing a cart  96  may be seen in  FIG. 5 . As discussed previously, nozzles  86  are positioned around cart passageway  94  to create a disinfection zone when solenoids actuate nozzles  86 . Accumulator tank  77  maintains a pressure of between 65 and 100 psi inside all hoses or tubing  73  that connects each spray nozzle  86  to accumulator  77 . Spray nozzle  86  positioned in upper access door  38  is configured to provide a fan type spray pattern with a dispersion angle of 95 degrees. At between 65 and 100 psi, nozzle  86  in door  38  will provide an approximate flow volume of between 0.040 and 0.052 gallons per minute, at a maximum particle size of approximately 175 microns. Left  36  and right  37  access door nozzles  86  are also configured to provide a fan type spray pattern with a dispersion angle of 80 degrees. At between 65 and 100 psi, nozzles  86  in left and right access doors provide an approximate flow volume of between 0.031 and 0.040 gallons per minute, at a maximum particle size of approximately 150 microns. The inventors have found that the optimal speed of causing a shopping cart to pass through the sanitization zone  94  is one foot per second at these spray rates. The configuration and placement of the spray nozzles  86  around the disinfection zone  94 , at the above specified flow and particle sizes, and speeds, allows for maximum surface coverage of a shopping surface when caused to pass through the zone  94 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , it may be seen that three principle modes are utilized in system  10  in sanitizing a shopping cart or basket, as shown in block  102 . After initiating the system, the system  10  will either be used to sanitize a single cart  103 , or used to sanitize an entire collapsed or folded cart column  104 . A cart column is a series of shopping carts grouped and engaged into an interlocking and stacked configuration to save space, as is known by any grocery worker. If neither of these cart configurations is to be sanitized by the system  10 , then the hand sprayer  56  is to be used 105 to sanitize either a single cart or other carrying container, such as a hand basket. 
         [0032]    If a single cart is to be sanitized, three position key switch  47  is turned to the appropriate mode  107  and the cart is positioned  108  adjacent to the sanitization zone  94 . Start-stop button  49  is then depressed  109  to activate solenoids  87  which initiates spray from nozzles  86  into zone  94 . The cart is then pushed through the sanitization zone  94  at approximately 1 foot per second speed  111 . As the cart is passes through the zone, all surface areas will be covered and sanitized. Control module  83  keeps track of the expended flow time during fluid release and shuts off each spray nozzle  86  via solenoids  87  after three seconds have elapsed  112 . After the cart has passed through the zone  94 , the cycle ends  106 . 
         [0033]    A cart column can also be sanitized with equally successful results. If a column is to be sanitized  104 , key switch  47  is turned to a continuous or column mode  113 . The stacked carts are then moved 114 such the first cart is adjacent to the sanitation zone  94 . The start-stop button  49  is depressed and the solenoids are opened after a 5 second delay  118  and the nozzles then begin to spray fluid. The first stacked cart is then pushed through the sanitization zone and the entire cart column moved at approximately 1 foot per second through the cart passageway or zone  94  until all of the carts have been moved through the system  121 - 122 . After the last cart has been pushed through, the key switch  47  is rotated to its off position to turn off system  10  or the start-stop button is again depressed to stop the cycle  123 . Start-stop button  47  may be repeatedly depressed to toggle on and off the spray nozzles as needed to position and re-position stacked carts through the sanitization zone  94 . This ends the stacked column sanitization process. 
         [0034]    While I have shown my invention in one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the inventors contemplate that the system would be used for articles different than shopping carts and baskets, such as for example wheel chairs, hand carts, and baby strollers. To that end, the firmware in controller  83  can be adjusted to control the functioning (e.g. timing) of the nozzles and the positioning of the nozzles can be easily altered to suit different sizes of articles.