Extending UV emitter life

Abstract

A method and apparatus detect the presence of the feet of a user and emits ultraviolet light (and generate ozone) towards the feet of the user when the presence of the feet (e.g., feet or shoes) are detected. To increase the life of ultraviolet emitters within the device and to provide fast response time, the ultraviolet emitters are continuously powered (when a power source is connected). The method and apparatus includes louvers or shutters that move from a closed position to an open position by way of a mechanical linkage upon receiving force from the weight of the user and move from the open position to the closed position upon detecting that the weight of the user abates.

Description

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a user's feet; when the user's feet are detected (e.g., barefoot or wearing shoes), the apparatus emits ultraviolet light (and generates ozone) towards the user's feet. To extend the lifespan of the ultraviolet emitter within the apparatus and to achieve a rapid response, the ultraviolet emitter remains continuously powered when connected to a power source. This method and apparatus include louvers or baffles that operate via a mechanical linkage mechanism: when subjected to a force applied by the user's weight, they move from a closed position to an open position; and when the user's weight is detected to be removed, they move back from the open position to the closed position. Abstract

Claims

Claims:

1. A foot / shoe sanitization device comprising: at least one ultraviolet emitter housed within an enclosure, a top section of the enclosure having at least one opening for passing of ultraviolet light from the at least one ultraviolet emitter, the at least one ultraviolet emitter continuously powered to emit the ultraviolet light, the enclosure having a bottom section; means for selectively occluding each of the at least one opening, the means for selectively occluding having an open position in which each of the at least one opening allows passage of the ultraviolet light and a closed position in which each of the at least one opening is occluded for blocking the passage of the ultraviolet light, the means for selectively occluding biased into the closed position; and means for detecting a force applied to the top section of the enclosure, the means for detecting the force controls the means for selectively occluding to move from the closed position into the open position upon detecting a predetermined force applied to the top section, thereby, releasing the ultraviolet light through the at least one opening of the top section when the predetermined force is applied to the top section.

2. The foot / shoe sanitization device of claim 1, wherein when means for detecting the force detects an abatement of the force of less than the predetermined force applied to the top section, controlling the means for selectively occluding to move from the open position into the closed position, thereby, preventing the ultraviolet light from escaping the enclosure through the at least one opening of the top section when the force applied to the top section less than the predetermined force.

3. The foot / shoe sanitization device of claim 1, wherein the at least one ultraviolet emitter emit light in a 254 nm wavelength and in a 180 nm wavelength.

4. The foot / shoe sanitization device of claim 1, further comprising means for sealing the at least one opening.

5. The foot / shoe sanitization device of claim 4, wherein the means for sealing the at least one opening comprises a material selected from a group consisting of fused silica and fused quartz.

6. The foot / shoe sanitization device of claim 1, wherein the means for detecting the force applied to the top section of the enclosure comprises a bottom enclosure biased away from the topsection by at least one compression spring and a linkage between the top section and the bottom enclosure, the linkage is operatively interfaced to means for selectively occluding to move the means for selectively occluding from the closed position to the open position as the top section moves towards the bottom enclosure responsive to the force applied to the top section.

7. The foot / shoe sanitization device of claim 1, wherein the means for detecting the force applied to the top section of the enclosure signals an electronic circuit within the enclosure such that the electronic circuit operates the at least one ultraviolet emitter at full power output in the open position and the electronic circuit operates the at least one ultraviolet emitter at less-than the full power output in the closed position.

8. The foot / shoe sanitization device of claim 1, further comprising a seal between the top section of the enclosure and the bottom section of the enclosure, the seal reducing ozone from escaping out of the enclosure.

9. A foot / shoe sanitization device comprising: at least one ultraviolet emitter housed within an enclosure, a top section of the enclosure having at least one opening for passing ultraviolet light from the at least one ultraviolet emitter, the at least one ultraviolet emitter continuously powered to emit the ultraviolet light, the enclosure having a bottom section; a louver, the louver slideably interfaced to the enclosure beneath the top section, the louver having at least one louver opening, the louver is movable between an open position in which the at least one louver opening aligns with the at least one opening of the top section and a closed position in which the louver blocks each of the at least one opening of the top section, the louver biased in the closed position; springs, the springs biasing the top section of the enclosure away from the bottom section of the enclosure; and a mechanical linkage coupled between the top section of the enclosure and the bottom section of the enclosure such that, upon a predetermined force applied to the top section of the enclosure moves the top section of the enclosure towards the bottom section of the enclosure, the mechanical linkage moves the louver from the closed position towards the open position, enabling the ultraviolet light to exit through the at least one opening of the top section.

10. The foot / shoe sanitization device of claim 9, wherein the at least one ultraviolet emitter emits the ultraviolet light in a 254 nm wavelength and in a 180 nm wavelength.

11. The foot / shoe sanitization device of claim 9, further comprising means for sealing the at least one opening.

12. The foot / shoe sanitization device of claim 11, wherein the means for sealing the at least one opening comprises a material selected from a group consisting of fused silica and fused quartz.

13. The foot / shoe sanitization device of claim 9, further comprising a sensor, the sensor detecting a force applied to the top section of the enclosure such that the sensor is configured to signal an electronic circuit within the enclosure to operate the at least one ultraviolet emitter at full power output in the open position and the sensor is configured to signal the electronic circuit to operate the at least one ultraviolet emitter at less-than the full power output in the closed position.

14. The foot / shoe sanitization device of claim 9, further comprising a seal between the top section of the enclosure and the bottom section, the seal reducing ozone from escaping out of the enclosure.

15. A method of sanitizing a foot / shoe, the method comprising: upon receiving input power, continuously emitting ultraviolet light from at least one ultraviolet emitter housed within an enclosure; selectively occluding openings in a top section of the enclosure, thereby controlling an amount of the ultraviolet light escaping through the openings; upon detecting a force applied to the top section of the enclosure, unblocking the openings in the top section, thereby increasing the amount of the ultraviolet light leaving the enclosure through the openings; and upon detecting abatement of the force applied to the top section of the enclosure, occluding the openings in the top section, thereby reducing the amount of the ultraviolet light leaving the enclosure through the openings.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one ultraviolet emitter emitting the ultraviolet light in a 254 nm wavelength and in a 180 nm wavelength.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising sealing the openings with a material that allows passage of the ultraviolet light in a 254 nm wavelength and in a 180 nm wavelength.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the material is selected from a group consisting of fused silica and fused quartz.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising circuitry the circuitry operating the at least one ultraviolet emitter at full power output upon detecting the force applied to the top section of the enclosure and the circuitry operating the at least one ultraviolet emitter at less-than the full power output upon detecting the abatement of the force applied to the top section of the enclosure.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a seal between the top section of the enclosure and a bottom section of the enclosure, the seal reducing ozone from escaping out of the enclosure.

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