Sanitizing device for clothing accessories and small commonly used articles, in particular for shoes

Abstract

The invention relates to a sanitizing device (10) for clothing accessories and small personal items, in particular for shoes, comprising a housing space (20) formed inside a main body (12) of the device (10) adapted to accommodate said accessories and small personal items to be sanitized. Said device comprises emission means of ultraviolet rays, preferably of type C or UV-C rays, arranged inside the housing space (20) in association with said accessories and small personal items so as to irradiate them with their own UV-C rays, wherein the housing space (20) is substantially closed when said emission means are operative in emitting the UV-C rays for sanitization, and wherein the radiating means are supported by a structure which extends at least partially within said housing space and is provided with at least two lateral faces facing the internal surfaces of the housing space and carrying said radiating means.

Description

SANITIZING DEVICE FOR CLOTHING ACCESSORIES AND SMALL COMMONLY USED ARTICLES, IN PARTICULAR FOR SHOESDESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention concerns a sanitizing device for clothing accessories and small articles, particularly intended for sanitizing shoes.

[0002] The field of application is that of sanitizing devices for clothing accessories, in particular shoes, as well as small personal commonly used articles, wherein with this terminology there are preferably intended all those objects which are simply handled and have overall dimensions not substantially greater than those of a pair of shoes, such as for example mobile phonesbut also wallets, key holders, eyeglasses and similar items. In the following of the document said clothing accessories and small personal articles can also be referred to with the term “articles”.

[0003] In recent years it has become a pressing need to be able to sanitize said articles, in particular shoes which come into contact with walking surfaces continuously crossed by people, animals and things, which are therefore more likely to act as a vehicle of contagion. The 2019 global pandemic related to COVID has made this need emerge, which is still felt today, although the COVID- 19 phenomenon has become endemic.

[0004] It is known in the prior art to sanitize such articles by means of manual operations using biochemical products dedicated to this purpose. Said biochemical products are not capable of ensuring the certain destruction of viruses except through careful manual rubbing operations on the articles, operations which are laborious and demanding to be carried out with the necessary care. Devices for the virucidal treatment of such articles are also known; in particular, known is the device which is the subject of Italian utility model No. 202020000006332, which constitutes the pre-characterizing portion of the claims annexed to the present description.

[0005] The present invention aims at solving the drawbacks of the known artmentioned above and at improving existing devices by providing a sanitizing device for clothing accessories and small articles, in particular but not only for shoes with particular regard to their soles, which ensures a rapid and efficient sanitization of the articles.

[0006] An object of the invention is to achieve a certain elimination of viruses and / or bacteria possibly present on the sanitized articles, preserving their integrity and functionality by optimally exploiting the known effects of ultraviolet radiation on bacteria and viruses.

[0007] Another object is to achieve the sanitization of the articles through simple and intuitive operations, in a practical and functional manner.

[0008] Another object is to sanitize the articles by means of a sanitizing device which is easy and safe to set, start and use.

[0009] A further object is to provide a device with high performance, portable and optionally modular.

[0010] To achieve these objects, the present invention relates to a sanitizing device for clothing accessories and small articles, in particular for shoes, according to the features of the appended claims.

[0011] The invention concerns a sanitizing device for clothing accessories and small articles, in particular for shoes and the soles of said shoes, which is provided with a storage space obtained inside a main body of the device and adapted to accommodate said accessories and small articles for their sanitization, said device being provided with at least one opening for the insertion and removal thereof.

[0012] A peculiarity of the finding is that the sanitizing device comprises means for emitting ultraviolet rays of IIV-C type arranged inside the storage space in a specific configuration for the treatment of said accessories and small articles in such a way as to invest the same with their own IIV-C rays. The specific arrangement allows to optimize the sanitizing effect, thereby improving the capability of destroying viruses and bacteria.

[0013] Furthermore, the storage space is closed when said emission means areoperative in emitting the ultraviolet rays for the sanitization, and safety means are provided to prevent the diffusion of radiation outside the device, i.e. there is no emission when the device is open.

[0014] Advantageously, the presence of means for emitting ultraviolet rays of UV-C type allows a perfect and rapid sanitization of the accessories and small articles on which said emission impinges, working synergically with the arrangement of the emitting devices inside the container.

[0015] An advantage is that the sanitization takes place in a closed environment and protected from any leakage of the ultraviolet rays from the storage space, therefore without ocular risks for users of the sanitizing device. Accordingly, the sanitization takes place in an efficient, practical and safe manner.

[0016] A further advantage is that the device has a simple construction, and is practical and economical to use and to maintain.

[0017] The invention achieves the intended and further objects by means of a sanitizing device for clothing accessories and small articles, in particular for shoes, comprising a storage space obtained inside a main body of the device adapted to accommodate said accessories and small articles to be sanitized, said device comprising means for emitting ultraviolet rays of UV-C type arranged inside the storage space in association with said accessories and small articles in such a way as to invest the same with their own UV-C rays, wherein the storage space is closed when said emission means are operative in emitting the ultraviolet rays for the sanitization.

[0018] Said means for emitting ultraviolet rays are supported by an intermediate radiating element arranged on the bottom of the device and preferably integrated in a removable tray intended to contain the objects to be sanitized, tray which is positioned or positionable on the bottom of the device. Said intermediate radiating element has an elongated shape and supports emission means arranged on or within two main surfaces, inclined and opposite, in specific positions such as to optimize the diffusion of the radiation produced by said emission means. The intermediate radiating element is arranged within the housing space so as to define two opposite regions of the internal space, which are intended toaccommodate, in use, the objects to be sanitized. In one embodiment the intermediate radiating element has a prismatic conformation, for example with triangular or trapezoidal base, with the two inclined surfaces forming the lateral faces of the prism and intended to host the emission means. Conformation and arrangement of the intermediate radiating element is such as to support the emission means in a manner adapted to emit sanitizing radiation in opposite directions and towards the objects positioned within the device

[0019] In the embodiment where the intermediate radiating element is provided in the bottom part of the inner space, said intermediate radiating element preferably extends along the median area of the bottom of the device in the part adapted to contain the objects to be sanitized, separating into two symmetrical portions the lower area of the storage space. It may be made in a single piece with the bottom or provided as part of the inner tray, fixed or fixable separately on the bottom of the device, for example by means of joints, screws or other mechanical connection means. The two inclined surfaces, converging towards the upper part, determine a shape adapted to generate a bilateral radiating field at least partially directed towards the objects to be sanitized when these are placed on the bottom.

[0020] The cross section of the intermediate radiating element may be triangular, trapezoidal or of an equivalent shape, provided that it has two inclined and opposite emitting surfaces. Additional surfaces can be provided e.g when the prism has trapezoidal section. The extension of the structure is not limited: it may develop over the entire length of the bottom or be limited to a central portion, depending on the dimensions of the device.

[0021] In particular, in the prismatic embodiment, the prism, preferably regular, preferably has a triangular base structure and develops over a certain length. As better visible from the appended figures, the prism is arranged in a lying position so that the two bases are substantially orthogonal to the bottom of the enclosure and facing the lateral (peripheral) walls thereof, within the lower half-shell. In addition to the bases of the prism, two flat faces are thus defined, on or within which elements for emitting ultraviolet rays are arranged. The third face of thetringular prism may also not be present as a flat surface but may be an open or partially open surface, leaving accessible the inner area between the other two flat faces, the open-face configuration is advantageous for optimizing the plastic molding processes of the tray.

[0022] The base of the prism is preferably triangular; however, equivalent variants with bases of different shapes are conceivable (for example rectangular bases, where the prism thus becomes a more generic parallelepiped). Furthermore, the invention places no limit on the length (intended as the distance between the bases) of the prism, except for the condition that said prism must be housed inside the enclosure. In other words, the prism may be shorter than the transverse dimension (thus along one of the two orthogonal axes lying on a plane parallel to the bottom plane) of the enclosure measured along the direction in which it is arranged. In any case, the prism or, in general, the intermediate radiating element divides the support surface on the bottom of the removable tray or of the container itself into a certain number (two in the example) of substantially identical portions, said bottom portions being intended to receive the object or accessory to be sanitized, possibly two accessories such as for example a pair of shoes in the embodiment shown in the figures

[0023] In this way it is possible to simplify the structure and construction of the device and to achieve the bactericidal and virucidal capabilities thanks to the presence of an intermediate structure with two opposite faces hosting the emission means from which the IIV-C radiations are emitted. Advantageously, this allows to obtain a greater radiation coverage, generated by a single body, inside the storage space and therefore towards the articles to be sanitized. It also allows to simplify the implementation and wiring portion and offers a technical space for housing at least part of the electronics associated with the UVC emission elements and / or other electronic components, as well as ribs 43 for connecting and supporting the faces of the radiating element.

[0024] This arrangement is particularly advantageous also because it allows to obtain the maximum exposure on specific surfaces of the articles, for example the soles of shoes, simply by placing the object with said surface oriented towardsthe face of the prism from which the sanitizing rays originate. Compared to the known art, this improvement makes it possible to avoid grid or mesh structures which were found to hinder the propagation of rays and consequently to leave “dirty” (unsanitized) areas on the articles.

[0025] The symmetry of the intermediate radiating element and of the supporting space when delimited by said structure advantageously allows the device to operate effectively simultaneously on a pair of objects, such as for example a pair of shoes

[0026] According to a further improvement, the lateral faces of the prism, or more generally of the intermediate radiating element, are inclined with respect to said third face e.g respect to the bottom of the device by an angle between 45° and 85°, preferably between 75° and 80°. In the case in which the prism is in a resting position on the bottom (or anchored to the upper part), an inclination close to 90° means a substantially vertical emission wall. The condition of 90° occurs when the prism has a rectangular base.

[0027] The emission means are arranged in a central area of the storage space parallel to a longitudinal or transverse axis of the device in such a way as to define two portions of said storage space, preferably two portions of equal surface. As better visible from the figures, it is possible to arrange the emission means in a central area on the bottom (or also, alternatively, on the top) of the storage space according to an arrangement which divides into two similar parts the area in which they are arranged, so as to create two seats for accommodating, each, one article to be sanitized such as for example one shoe which can be laid on the bottom and arranged with the sole directly facing the emission surfaces of the intermediate radiating element.

[0028] In a further non-essential variant, which may be combined in an obvious way with the other features of the invention, a plurality of emission groups may be provided, dividing the space into more portions so as to accommodate more than two articles. For example, in the case of shoes, the emission means may be divided into two groups and arranged on the bottom of the enclosure in such a way as to partition it into three compartments, where the central compartment islarger for containing two shoes while the lateral compartments are smaller (ideally half of the large one) and contain one shoe each.

[0029] By extension of this concept, the invention also covers configurations with a plurality of emission groups and therefore two or more of said central compartments, although a high number of compartments is not advisable for purely commercial and practical reasons of device dimensions.

[0030] In one variant, the main body comprises two half-shells of substantially equal shape which are mutually hinged along part of a peripheral edge of both half-shells in such a way as to form an openable and closable shell which, when closed, defines and delimits said closed storage space. Although the invention does not exclude alternative configurations, such as a box with a liftable lid for introducing the articles, the two half-shell variant is preferable not only for aesthetic reasons but also for reducing production costs: in fact, the presence of two identical half-shells allows the use of a single plastic mold to produce both parts.

[0031] In a further variant, the device comprises an inner tray, preferably removable, having a shape compatible with the shape of the lower part of the storage space, said means for emitting ultraviolet rays being incorporated or incorporable in said inner tray. As better visible from the figures, the inner tray integrates the intermediate radiating element, which in one embodiment has a prismatic conformation (as mentioned, not necessarily with a triangular base) and provides a significant number of advantages: for example, it offers a lower space for housing cables and electrical / electronic components, it makes it easier to remove residues, and furthermore, it is possible to manufacture the device easily with different materials, for example concentrating antibacterial plastics in the inner tray itself, which is the part that comes into contact with the articles resting therein.

[0032] Preferably, the sanitizing device comprises means for indicating the operating state of the device in the form of one or more luminous and / or acoustic indicators indicating, among other things, the operation of the device, any treatment in progress, the time elapsed from the start of the treatment and / or theremaining time to the completion of the treatment.

[0033] In a further variant, which is likewise non-essential and freely combinable with the other features of the device, a communication and control unit is provided for exchanging operating and configuration data to and from an external computer server, so as to interoperate with a control software such as an application for PC or smartphone capable of reading and / or setting one or more operating parameters, possibly on multiple authorization levels (user, administrator) and / or on preset or configurable settings (for example, intensity and / or duration of the treatment as a function of the type of bacterium or virus to be eliminated).

[0034] In a further variant, at least part of one or more internal walls of the enclosure facing the storage space are provided with reflecting surfaces and / or comprise photocatalytic material, preferably applied by coating. The presence of reflecting surfaces — a term which includes light (white) colourings or mirror-like surfaces — facilitates the reflection of the ultraviolet rays towards the enclosure and thus increases the exposure of the articles to be treated, while also reducing the generation of infrared rays and therefore the undesired heating of the device.

[0035] The reflecting surfaces as defined above may be made directly by using light-coloured materials for the inner part of the enclosure, or by the application of films, or by the application of coatings on the internal walls.

[0036] Alternatively or in combination, photocatalytic materials may also be used, such as for example titanium dioxide, which, as known, accelerate chemical reactions under the influence of light and, when exposed to UV light, generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can decompose organic substances and inactivate microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria.

[0037] In one variant, the enclosure is at least partially made of and / or at least partially coated internally with antibacterial plastics, that is, polymeric materials that prevent the growth and proliferation of bacteria through the incorporation of antibacterial additives, such as silver nanoparticles, zinc oxide, or organic antimicrobial compounds, which release ions or active molecules against bacteria. For example, such materials may include (without limitation): antibacterial polypropylene (PP), antibacterial polyethylene (PE), antibacterialPVC, antibacterial polycarbonate (PC), antibacterial ABS.

[0038] Preferably, the ultraviolet means are dimensioned to emit luminous radiation such that the luminous power emitted per unit of volume is within the range between 50 and 200 W / m3. In one embodiment, a container having an internal volume of about 0.04 m3, corresponding to a storage space of substantially parallelepiped shape with sides of about 40 cm, 40 cm and 25 cm, is irradiated with a total luminous power of about 3 watts, i.e. radiant power.

[0039] In one variant, the device comprises a safety device adapted to interrupt the sanitization when the storage space is not completely closed. Preferably, said safety device comprises a magnetic switch located on or near an edge of the portions of the main body of the sanitizing device and adapted to interfere in a closed-circuit position when the enclosure is in the closed position.

[0040] The device is designed to operate at low voltage (12 or 24 VDC) and is preferably powered by an AC / DC power supply or DC / DC converter which connects to the device by means of a power connector.

[0041] Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the detailed description that follows a preferred embodiment of the invention, provided purely by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the appended figures, wherein:- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a sanitizing device for clothing accessories and small articles according to the invention in an open condition;- Figure 2 shows a second perspective view of a variant with inner tray and separate illumination means;- Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the inner tray;- Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the inner tray;- Figure 5 shows a sectional side view of the device with the outline of a shoe positioned inside the device itself;- Figure 6 shows the results of a sanitization treatment performed by means of the device according to the invention.

[0042] With reference to the above figures, 10 indicates as a whole a sanitizing device for clothing accessories and small articles, in particular for shoes, provided with a storage space 20 adapted to accommodate accessories and small articles to be sanitized. More in detail, the storage space 20 is obtained inside and substantially delimited by a main body 12 of shell shape comprising two halfshells, an upper one 121 and a lower one 122, mutually hinged along a portion of a peripheral edge 123 by suitable hinges 124.

[0043] Inside the enclosure 10, in the lower part 122, an inner tray 40 is provided or removably housed, provided with said intermediate radiating element 30 which rises from the bottom and divides the useful space into two lateral portions 41. Said portions are adapted to respectively accommodate two articles, for example two shoes, as illustrated in the section of Figure 5. Variants are possible, as already described, with two or more of said structures arranged or formed on the bottom, so as to accommodate more than two objects, one in each bottom portion created by subdivision of the same bottom by the intermediate radiating element.

[0044] The intermediate radiating element 30 is configured to act both as a mechanical support and as a functional element, internally housing at least part of the electronics and wiring, and supporting on its two opposite inclined surfaces the LED emission means intended for generating IIV-C radiation for sanitization.

[0045] The power-on control 132, interfaced in a known manner with the electronics of the device, may be of mechanical type or preferably of touch type, and may be associated with commands based on the duration or intensity of the pressure. For example, a prolonged pressure may switch between turning on and off the device, while a shorter or repeated pressure may vary the intensity or duration of the treatment. Furthermore, in more advanced embodiments, the control may allow selection among different wavelengths emitted by the emission means.

[0046] In this embodiment the device has dimensions such as to contain a pair of shoes to be sanitized, to be positioned in the two bottom portions on which they rest and preferably with their shoes facing the intermediate radiating element, thus arranged symmetrically with respect to the intermediate radiatingelement, at an optimal distance from said emission means 31 for efficient and rapid sanitization.

[0047] In this way, said emission means 31 are arranged inside the storage space 20 and emit, in use, radiations in such a manner as to invest the contained articles at an optimal distance for their efficient operation. Advantageously, this allows a perfect and rapid sanitization of said accessories and small articles, since IIV-C type rays are known to have the ability to destroy any type of virus and bacterium possibly present on the surfaces on which they impinge. Advantageously, thanks to the inclined and converging arrangement of the surfaces of the radiating element, the distribution of the radiation results uniform and free of shadow zones.

[0048] The emission means 31 are associated with a control unit 50, in electrical connection with the power-on control 132 and with the operating indicators 131 , in particular of the luminous LED type, for controlling the start of the sanitization operation and for indicating the same operation when activated and / or the state of the device. A safety device (not shown) may be provided to interrupt the sanitization when the main body 12 is not closed, to avoid possible passage of light through the opening between the half-shells; for example, a magnetic safety switch or alternatively a push-button switch located near a portion of the upper edge 123 of the main body 12 and adapted to interfere in a closed-circuit ON position when the device is in the closed position, for example by pressing the button of said push switch.

[0049] More in detail and advantageously, the means for emitting ultraviolet rays of IIV-C type consist of a pair of illuminating LED bodies, schematically shown as flat plates and indicated with 31. Said type of emission means provides for the emission of UV-C rays with times and modes programmed by the control unit, thus optimizing the sanitization times and simplifying the use of the device. The specific double-faced arrangement of the emission means allows to fully exploit the bactericidal and virucidal properties of the radiation.

[0050] Preferably, said LEDs are of surface mount type and mounted in a known number on a PCBA, said PCBA being configured so as to be arranged / supportedon one side of the intermediate radiating element, with a second PCBA on the opposite side of said elemet. Said LEDs may be single-chip UVC LEDs (single LED diode mounted on a package) or organized in modules or arrays of UVC LEDs (multiple LED diodes configured in a matrix on a single package), possibly provided with integrated optical lenses to focus or diffuse the ultraviolet light, possibly based on aluminum nitride and particularly effective for the production of UVC light at wavelengths below 280 nm.

[0051] Each board is configured to orient, taking into account the arrangement resulting from the integration of the board itself within the intermediate radiating element, the LEDs in opposite and symmetrical directions with respect to the vertical axis of the device, generating two radiation beams converging towards the lateral portions of the storage space.

[0052] With regard to the wavelength, the considered range is between 100 nm and 280 nm, preferably between 250 and 275 nm. In antibacterial applications, the specific wavelength of about 254 nm is also preferable, because this wavelength is particularly effective in killing or inactivating microorganisms. UVC radiation at this wavelength damages the DNA or RNA of microbes, preventing their replication and functionality.

[0053] In Figure 4 the bottom of the inner tray 40 can be seen, on the face intended to face the bottom of the lower half-shell 122. In the section of Figure 4 it can be observed how the inner tray rests inside the main body and on its bottom. Four supporting and fixing feet 42 are provided in corresponding positions, and it can also be observed that the intermediate radiating element 30 is here made in an open prismatic form, within which the two PCBA boards containing the LEDs are positioned and held in place by ribs 43 for reinforcement and retention of the structure. The LEDs are therefore installed on one face of the PCBA and arranged so as to radiate towards the storage space. The internal space between the boards is available for the wiring and circuitry of the LED power supply.

[0054] As better visible from Figures 2-5, the inner tray has a configuration that integrates or supports the intermediate radiating element 30, which extends along the longitudinal axis of the tray itself. The arrangement of the intermediateradiating element is such as to define two symmetrical lateral resting areas adapted to accommodate each one article to be treated.

[0055] The intermediate radiating element 30 is shaped as an element of triangular or trapezoidal section, with the vertex facing upward, so as to present two opposite inclined emission surfaces, each provided with a plurality of UVC LED sources. The two surfaces internally delimit a technical compartment which may act as a housing for the electronic modules and as a passage for the wiring.

[0056] The two emission surfaces form an angle between 45° and 85°, preferably between 70° and 80°, with respect to the plane of the bottom of the inner tray, and are oriented so as to direct the IIV-C radiation beams towards the respective lateral portions of the storage space, obtaining a bilateral and converging irradiation on the objects to be treated.

[0057] Each of the inclined surfaces is constituted by a removable or replaceable LED module, mounted on a PCBA board fixed by means of guides, joints or screws. The modules comprise parallel rows of UVC LEDs, possibly with integrated lenses or diffusers to uniform the light distribution.

[0058] The intermediate radiating element may be covered or protected by a UV-C transparent plate (for example made of quartz or specific polycarbonate), which protects the LEDs and promotes a uniform diffusion of light.

[0059] The particular geometry of the intermediate radiating element 30 allows to obtain a symmetrical and divergent emission adapted to cover both lateral zones of the storage space 20 without hindering the resting of the articles on the bottom. This avoids the use of grids or intermediate supports on the bottom which could reduce the radiating effectiveness, instead ensuring a homogeneous and complete sanitization.

[0060] The intermediate radiating element 30 may be made in a single piece with the inner tray 40, by monolithic molding, or as a separate component mechanically fixed. In both cases, the junction is preferably continuous and shielded by reflecting surfaces or gaskets to avoid light dispersion and to maintain maximum irradiation efficiency.

[0061] The inner tray 40 acts simultaneously as a support base and as a reflecting base, while the intermediate radiating element defines a dual-surface radiating chamber. The interaction between the two inclined emission surfaces generates a three-dimensional and symmetrical light field, with higher efficiency and lower energy consumption compared to devices with single or planar sources.

[0062] The bottom and the lateral walls of the inner tray and / or of the half-shells may be treated with reflective or metallized finishes to direct the IIV-C radiation towards the upper and lateral regions of the articles, producing controlled multiple reflections and ensuring a uniform distribution of the light flux.

[0063] The resting surfaces of the inner tray, corresponding to the two lateral areas 41 , are preferably flat, uniform and smooth, allowing correct positioning of the articles and ensuring that the radiation from the surfaces of the intermediate radiating element also reaches the lower parts of the objects to be treated. This, even in combination with realizations with removable tray, facilitates the cleaning operations of the device from possible residues left by the sanitized objects.

[0064] The device has been subjected to performance tests following a procedure for verifying the effectiveness of sanitization. The procedure followed the following steps:- Reconstitution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain ATCC 27853.- Preparation of serial dilutions of the strain for inoculation on plates.- Execution of four tests at decreasing serial dilutions.- For each dilution tested, three TSA plates were inoculated on the surface:• one without treatment,• one treated for 1 minute with the device with a Petri dish without lid and the inoculated medium facing the light emission,• one treated for 5 minutes with the device with a Petri dish without lid and the inoculated medium facing the light emission.

[0065] The treated and untreated plates were incubated at 37°C for 48 hoursand examined at the end of the incubation period. The results obtained are shown in Figure 6, where in the first row the four initial dilutions (10,000, 1 ,000, 100, 15 colonies) can be observed, while in the second row the complete absence of bacteria can be observed after 5 minutes of treatment (case a, starting from dilution A of 10,000 colonies) and after 1 minute (cases b, c, d starting from dilutions respectively of 1 ,000, 100 and 15 colonies).

[0066] In a non-essential variant, the upper shell 121 of the main body 12 is composed of two distinct parts, comprising an internal structural portion and an external (top) cover, removable and replaceable.

[0067] The cover (top) is preferably fastened by elastic joints, magnets or snap systems, allowing a rapid replacement without tools. It may be made of coloured, translucent or metallized plastic material, and in different colour or surface finish combinations.

[0068] This configuration allows to customize the external appearance of the device and, above all, to make several similar devices immediately distinguishable when used in shared environments or placed nearby, such as gyms, laboratories or public spaces.

[0069] The technical advantage of this further and optional variant lies in the immediate visual and / or tactile identification of each device among a plurality of nearby devices, which can be associated with a particular user, function or workstation, improving the organization of use and reducing the risk of accidental exchange.

[0070] It is clear that further variants are possible to a person skilled in the art with respect to the sanitizing device for clothing accessories and small articles, in particular for shoes, according to the present invention, as it is also clear that in its practical embodiment the shapes of the illustrated details may differ and may be replaced with technically equivalent elements.

[0071] Nomenclature10 — Device as a whole20 — Storage space— Main body — Upper half-shell — Lower half-shell — Peripheral edge — Hinges — Power and control button — Operating light indicator — Intermediate radiating element — Emission means I UV-C LED board — Inner tray — Lowered space for article — Supporting feet — Ribs — Control unit

Claims

CLAIMS1. Sanitizing device (10) for clothing accessories and small personal items, in particular for shoes or footwear, comprising a housing space (20) formed inside a main body (12) of the device (10) adapted to receive said accessories and small personal items to be sanitized, said device comprising emission means of ultraviolet type C rays or IIV-C rays arranged inside the housing space (20) in such a manner as, when in use, to irradiate the objects contained with IIV-C rays, wherein the housing space (20) is closed when said emission means are operative and the emission is inhibited when the housing space is not closed, characterized in that the emission means are supported by an intermediate radiating element (30) which extends at least partially within said housing space (20) and has at least two opposite lateral faces facing the internal surfaces of the housing space, said lateral faces being inclined with respect to the bottom plane of the device and configured to support said IIV-C emission means on both said faces of the intermediate radiating element (30) for a symmetrical distribution of the radiation toward opposite portions of the housing space (20), the intermediate radiating element (30) defining within said housing space (20) said opposite portions (41 ) of the housing space suitable for accommodating said accessories to be sanitized.

2. Sanitizing device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the ultraviolet ray emission means operate with radiation having a wavelength between 100 nm and 285 nm, preferably between 250 nm and 275 nm, and even more preferably of about 254 nm.

3. Sanitizing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate radiating element (30) has an open prismatic shape with an open triangular base and defines a longitudinalduct (43) extending along the main axis of the housing space (20),[0001 ]the emission means being arranged on at least part of the two inclined lateral faces of said intermediate radiating element (30).

4. Sanitizing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two lateral faces of the intermediate radiating element (30) are inclined with respect to the bottom of the device by an angle comprised between 45° and 85°, preferably between 75° and 80°.

5. Sanitizing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate radiating element has an elongated shape and a central longitudinal arrangement within the housing space (20), with its main axis arranged parallel to a longitudinal or transverse axis of the device, in such a manner as to define said portions (41 ) of the housing space, preferably of equivalent surface area, said portions being irradiated from UV-C rays coming from opposite sides of the intermediate radiating element.

6. Sanitizing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (12) comprises two half-shells (121 , 122) of substantially equal shape, arranged in an opposing manner and mutually hinged along part of a peripheral edge (123), in such a manner as to form said main body (12) in the form of an openable and closable shell which, when closed, defines and delimits the housing space (20).

7. Sanitizing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a removable inner tray (40), fixed or fixable to the main body (12), having a configuration compatible with the lower half-shell (121 ) or with the lower part of the housing space (20), preferably occupying the entire horizontal surface of said lower part, [0002]wherein the intermediate radiating element (30) is integral or madeintegral with said tray (40) and supports the IIV-C emission means.

8. Sanitizing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the IIV-C emission means are configured to emit radiation of an intensity in the range between 10 and 200 W / m3of the volume of the housing space, preferably between 50 and 100 W / m3.

9. Sanitizing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of one or more internal walls of the enclosure (12) and / or of the intermediate radiating element (30) facing the housing space (20) are provided with reflective surfaces and / or comprise photocatalytic material preferably applied by coating.

10. Sanitizing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the enclosure (12) and / or the tray (40) and / or the intermediate radiating element (30) are at least partially made of antibacterial plastic materials or plastics added with antimicrobial agents.

11. Sanitizing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate radiating element (30) comprises an internal duct (43) extending along its main axis, intended to facilitate air circulation or to contain electronic connection elements.

12. Sanitizing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the emission means comprise at least two electronic boards (31 ) of PCBA type arranged on opposite faces of the intermediate radiating element (30).

13. Sanitizing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the control means (131 ) comprise an electronic control unit with automatic timing functions and safety interlock for the immediate interruption of UV emission in case of opening of the main body (12).

14. Sanitizing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate radiating element (30) is provided with microtextured or satin-finished surfaces adapted to diffuse the ultraviolet radiation more uniformly within the housing space (20).

15. Sanitizing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate radiating element (30) and the tray (40) are made in a single thermoplastic injection-molded piece, forming a monolithic and self-supporting structure.

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