Portable antimicrobial ultra violet sterilizer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sterilization unit consisting of a cubical enclosure which uses a sequenced supply of ozone and ultraviolet radiation in the C band (UVC) wave length to sterilize. In use, an article to be sterilized is positioned atop a glass plate mounted between two sources of UVC radiation sources and ozone is first supplied to the enclosure for a period of 15 seconds to 60 minutes followed by a supply of UVC radiation for a period of 15 seconds to 60 minutes.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM AND RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority from provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 61 / 171,346 filed Apr. 21, 2009. Said application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates generally to sterilizing systems, and more particularly, to a portable antimicrobial ultraviolet sterilizer for inactivating bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, viroids and spores.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]The use of portable sterilizing devices is known in the prior art. By way of illustration, medical facilities generally sterilize equipment by using autoclaves having a pressurized steam and superheated water process. This process is commonly used in microbiology, medicine, body piercing, veterinary science, dentistry, podiatry and metallurgy. Autoclaves are also used in curing carbon-fiber composite parts and rubber parts and for the treatment and steriliz...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023]It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a UV sterilizer that can be operated by a hand crank.

[0024]It is yet another object of this invention to provide a UV sterilizer that is economical from the viewpoint of the manu

Problems solved by technology

This steam sterilization process requires many steps and resources.

Drawbacks of these autoclaves include high energy consumption, time waste due to multiple step disinfecting sequences, environmentally toxic and costly harsh germicidal chemicals, and the deteriorating effects of the steam process on stainless steel surfaces.

There are also well known safety risks attendant with high power and high pressure machinery such as autoclaves, namely, where the water inside the autoclave has managed to become superheated, the pressure gauge may not indicate the presence of steam even though the temperature may be significantly higher than the local boiling point for water.

If the autoclave is opened in this state and the superheated water is disturbed, a steam explosion becomes possible.

This phenomenon can easily produce fatal burns to people in the vicinity of the explosion.

Other inherent limitations of this prior art technology exist because damp heat is used, and thus heat labile products (such as some plastics) cannot be sterilized this way or they will melt.

The prior art sterilization systems such as steam autoclaving, even at

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