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Patent 2129026 Summary

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2129026
(54) English Title: RESTROOM ORGANIZER AND STERILIZING APPARATUS
(54) French Title: APPAREIL DE SALLE DE BAIN COMPRENANT UN DISPOSITIF POUR LA STERILISATION
Status: Dead
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A45D 34/06 (2006.01)
  • A47K 5/00 (2006.01)
  • A61L 2/04 (2006.01)
  • A61L 2/10 (2006.01)
  • A61L 2/20 (2006.01)
  • A61L 2/24 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • CHOI, MIN KI (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • CHOI, MIN KI (United States of America)
(71) Applicants :
  • CHOI, MIN KI (United States of America)
(74) Agent: BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(86) PCT Filing Date: 1993-02-01
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 1993-08-05
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/US1993/000885
(87) International Publication Number: WO1993/014668
(85) National Entry: 1994-07-27

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
1992/1590 Republic of Korea 1992-02-01
1992/11676 Republic of Korea 1992-07-01
1992/18525 Republic of Korea 1992-09-29
PCT/US92/03013 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (Intl. Bureau of) 1992-04-10

Abstracts

English Abstract

2129026 9314668 PCTABS00024
The present invention relates to a restroom organizer and
toothbrush sterilizing apparatus (1) which includes a toothbrush
sterilizer (4), a toothpaste dispenser (2), a soap supplier (7a) and a
control circuit (11). Various sanitizers (4) are disclosed for
disinfecting and deodorizing various articles and the atmosphere.
The invention also discloses various compartments for storing items
to be sanitized.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



PCT/US93/00885
CLAIMS
1. A sterilization apparatus, comprising:
a main block;
a means for sterilization attached within the main block;
a means for controlling said sterilization means;
a removable storage case mounted within said main block and having a means
for draining said storage case built in to a lower end
of said storage case.
2. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sterilization means
comprises an ozone apparatus.
3. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sterilization means
comprises an ultraviolet light.
4. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sterilization apparatus
further includes a heat lamp mounted within the main block.
5. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sterilization apparatus
further includes a reflection surface connected to the main block.
6. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said ozone apparatus includes
a pair of catalyst filters, a ceramic electrode placed between said catalyst filters and
a fan located on one end of one of said catalyst filters.
7. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 further including an electric toothpaste
dispenser mounted proximate said sterilization apparatus, a soap supplied mounted
proximate said sterilization apparatus and a central electric control circuit for
controlling said sterilization apparatus, said electric toothpaste dispenser and said soap
supplier.
8. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 further including an electric toothpaste
dispenser mounted proximate said sterilization apparatus.
9. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 when said sterilizations means includes
a means for periodically turning on said sterilization means.
10. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said removable storage case
includes a plurality of compartments for storing a variety of different articles.
11. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said removable storage case
includes a bottom having a surface slanted from the vertical.
12. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said removable storage case
includes a main body and wherein said draining means comprises a housing which fits
over said main body.


Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


` 93/14668 ~ O 2 I 2 9 ~ ~ ~ Pcr/us93/oc88s

~ESTROOM ORG~IZER AND S~ERILI~G APP~ATU~;

This in~e~tiorl pro~ndes a restroom or~er which combines toiletries9 valqous
necessities and electric app~ratu~ together to be used in a re~troom in a more eompact fashîon.

There are mally items wl~ich can be used to c~ean and ~ke up an individual'~ body.
The~eitems areiErequently spread aroundthe reatroom. For e:cample,eachindi~idualtake~ or her
toothbrush fronn the stornge ca~e, gets the to~hpa~te firoDn a separate tube, ~e~ns ~he~ teeth a~d
retu~n~ the tube and brush to the~ stors~e case3. Or, anind~ndu~ may use a~ elecb~ toothb~ush
m the restroom and setit o~ an elec~c cbarg~ng appar~tu3 out ofthe re~t~oom if~herei3 no faui~ty
in the bathrocnL YYhen a~ md~du~uvaAhe~he~ ~u`rthey takethe properam olunt of~ha~npoo fi~om
a bottle by t~ ~he bottle up~de-doum and then pUtt~lg the bottle b~u~k hl ~ phce. ~er ~/s3bing
their hair ~he ~vidual ~rill go to the counter or ~ to put lotio~s and ~ther cream~ on ~heir body.
Thu~, the various toilet nec~}i~s are ~pread about the bathroom and ne~d to be ~ra~ged in a more
eompact manner. The purpose of thi~ e~tion is to group these nec~ties anto one automated
compound or or~er. Another purpo~e of the irven~ion i3 to build an o~er for electlqe device~
which include~ an AC-DC converter for an ele~ toothpa~te dispe~er, an electric tsothbrush aIld it~
s~ted ch~r~ng app~ us9 a ~terilizer, electric ra~or and ib chargi~Dg apparatu~ and a toiletry æet
and soap ~upplier. The ~y~tem sl~o mcludes a~ electric ~t ~or control o~ the organizer.

There ~re two kiDd~ of ~erili$er~, slle ~or domesti~ u~e ~nd allother for profe3~ional
u~e.

Irhe domestic ~terilizer consi~ts of a sterilizing ~ht and is operated by ~ ~witch when
~0 it is needed. The profe~ nal sSerilizer i~ ~tructu~ed and u3ed ~or a 9pe~1C purpose. It ~ limited to
BteriliZ~ Ollly 8peCiflC item8. For i~taD~e, a ~thbru~h sterilizer cannot be used for any other item
ea~cept îor a toothbrush, and th~ ~t~ ligh~ bulb ~vhich i~ the es~ential c~mponent 8t~1~ on f~r a
unnece~ length of time. lllereîore, it waste more electricity and shortens the light bulbs life.

I'he sterilizer i8 designed to improve upon t~e above ~dhortcominga It t~ on andoff when the door i~ opened and closed ald the sterilizing light tumæ, on for a preset pe~od of thne.
For e~ple, the ~,6n be designed to turn on for two minutes while the ~,terilization proce~, i~,
carried our with the mu~ic or a melody playing during thi~ process. The sterilizer ~an also be designed
to then tum of ~ for example, for three minute~, und turn on, for e~ample, for two minutes ~th the
music on, and so on.

Other improYements in thi~, mvention mcludes the stor~ge ca~e which 8toc~8
toothbru~,hes, razors, so~p~ and other necear,ities. ~e storage ~e can be rotated forward or


~U'3~'1T~JTE S~,EE~
, . .

WO 93/14668 ~ 9 ~ ~ !;j 2 . Pcr/usg3/oo8r~

backward and ~ replaceable with a ~econd storage ~3e de~igned to contain baby nipples and a baby
bottle for an infant when they req~re ~terilization.

Another ~mprovel:nent of thi~ imreIltion ~ that the sterilizer c~n be combined with
other apparatuses. In other words, the ~terilizer can be ~uilt as one compartment in the or~er,
5 negt to the toothpaste dispen~er or it can built inside the Soothp~te di~pen~er for combined use.

Another embodiment of the sterili~g in~re~io~ generally comp~e~ sn impro~red
toothb~h sterilizing apparatus havmg a~ ozone ~ystem built mto a toothbrush storaKe compartment
which sterilize~ the toothbrush and get~ ~dl of fo~l odora

SeYeral prior ~ terilizers generllly c~D~ist of an ultra~iolet ~ay ligbt or a~ frared
10 ray li~ht sterilizatioll ~tem located at the upper part of the ~ block. These de~rice8 sterilize the
objects t~ro~h rays of lig~t. Although, this ~ an e~ective me~s ~ sterili~ation, the~e ~re
shortco~ ~uch a~ the wastiIlg of electIicity by lea~ li~hta o~ for long periodsof time and the
need to replace bulbs when a fihment h~3 burned out. The ozo~e ~terili~ing apparatus ~8 designed to
impro~e upon the shortco~.

16 Fig. 1 is a firorlt ele~ational ~iew of tbe restroo~ organizeP 1nveIltion.

Fig. 2 i~ a froIIt ele~ation~l view of the soap supplier eompart~n~t.

Fig. 3 is a partial seetion view of the ultraviolet stcrilizer compartme~.

Fig. 41 is an electrical circlait dia~ for the restroo~ orgaDizer.

Fig 6 is a partial section ~Jiew of a second embodiment of the sterilizer.

Fig. 6 is a top view of the storage case.

Fig. 7 is a right ~ide view of the stor~ge case.

Fig. 8 i9 a aectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a partial section ~riew of the st~ræge cas~ in use.

Fig. 10 is a partial ~ection ~new of another embodiment of the storage case.



~!~BST'iT~lrE ~,E~ i
. .

~''' 93/14668 212 3 a ~?, PCT/USg3~00885

Fig. lOA is a side view of another storage ca~e embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a sectionsl ~iew taken along line 11-11 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 12 is n f~ont ~ew of another embodime~t of the inve~tion combini~ the ~terilizer
~lR a built in feature on the fro~t door of a toothpaste dispenser.

6 ~ig. 13 is a ~ectioDal view ~en aloDg line 13-13 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 ~ an ~nlar~ed partial section view of ~nother tray mou~t option to that shown
in Fig. 13.

Fie. 1~ a p~iv~ view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 16 is the electri~l circuit dia~ of the ste~ilizi~g light alld the musi~ b~x of the
10 sterilizer.

F~. 17 i~ a ~ide cross 8eCtil~Ilal of another sterilizer embodimeDt, the ozone ~t~g
apparatus.

Fig. 18 is a c~ ectio~ riew of ~not}ler em~e~ ~f the toothbru~h ozone
EltBriliZiDg apparatu~.

Fig. 19. is an ea~oded ~,rie~ of the ozone app~ratus .


- ReferrinE~ to Fig. 1 the automated bathroom organizer or compound 1 is showll. This
org~nizer 1 irlclud~ an AGDC con~erter 21 (Fig. 3), an electric toothpa~te di~pen~er 2, an electric
toothb~sh 3a and its ele~ric ~argiIIg ~ppar~tus 3b, a toothbrush sterilizer 4, arl elect~ic razor 6a and
it~ electric chargmg apparatl3s 6b, a 11~/22OV concentre 6, a toiletrg set and 81JElp ~upplier
compar~ment 7a through 711, ~d a central electric circuit 11 to control the ~pparatu~. The or~er
1 has one or more ~ hoo~ 8 for h~ng a hair d~er or other utensil.

Referring to IFig. 3 o~ embodiment of the toothbrush ~terilizer 4 is ~hown. The
~terilizer 4 include~ brusll holder~ 20, and ul~a~iolet æterilizing light 12, a perceive ~witch 14 whic~
operates the sterili~ng light 12 when a ban~ng tootbbru~h 22 is perceived to b~ ng in the
sterilizer 4 by a cover 13 which i~ built under the perceive switch 14 to turn on the ~terilizer 4.



3UaS~I I UT~ 5H,-tT

WV 93/14668 ~ 9 ~s~J `~ PCI`/US93/0~)8~'

A user can pull out the toothb~h 22 which has been sterilized by ultraviolet rays and
rot~te cover 13 upward ~nthout touching She perceive ~witch 14. When She user pushes the cover 13
unSh the toothbrush 22 to hang it af~er use, thell the ~pout l~a of the cover touches the percei~e
switch 14 to tum the ul~ ~iolet ~ht 12 on for a pre~et period of time. r~e light 12 turn~ of ~ a~er
6 the preset period of time has pa~8ed at which time the Soothbrush 22 will be ~terilized throu~ the
electric ~t 11.

~ shown in Fig. 1 the electric con~entre 6 include~ a 110V concentre ~a n ~nd a 220V
concentre 10a-n for selec~ve u~e dependent upon the electric ~a~ty of the item to be plug~ed i~ to
olle of the outlets.

Re~e~n~ to Fig. 3 or~le of the toilet~ ~et/so~p supplier~ of th~ ventio~ ~ showrl. The
~upp~ier 7a conai~ of a c~nt~iner holder 17 which is fi~ced b3r a ~ge 18 to the ~upplier 7a Con~ner
holder 17 can thus be rotated for ea~e of loading, unloading or filliDg a coI~ ner 23. A push button
or clamp 16 i~ resilie~ly fi~ed by a ~p~ 16 or fi~ed by ~ tbreaded ha~dle, etc. in the upper part of
the con~er holder 17, and a soleD.oid v~lve 24 i~ located below the c~ aer 23 for dispensin~ a
16 pre~et and de~red aznount of 80ap or toiletry contai~ed within the coIltainer ~3.

The central ele~ric con~rol circuit 11 of lthe automnted or~er 1 is structured as
follow~ re~errmg to l?ig. 4: a main switch MSW which cDntrolE the el~tricity of the or~er l; a l~np
PL di~lEly~ whether the circuit 11 i8 on or oi~ A~])C converter 21~ built ~to the control cir~ut
11; an ele~ric toothpa~te dispeI~ser 2 which dispen3e~ a de~ed ~mount of toothp~te ~utomatically
by in~erting the toothbru~h into the dispen~er (~s expl~ ed in U.S. Patent No. 6,060,77S and U.S.
application No. 07/6~8,71gl incorporated herein ~y reference). The toothbrush ~teri3izer 4 turn~ of~
automatical~r after the sterilizing light 12 ~ been tuYned on for a pref~ed period of time to sterilize
the toothbrush 22 a~ter the toothbru~h 22 ~a8 bee~ erted as explained aboYe; electric cl~r~g
~pparaha~ 3b and 5b ~or the electric toothbru~h and electric tazor can also be used as known to one
of ordinary 8kill m the art; 7a is an e~ample of a toiletry set or soap supplier and 7n es~presses that
multiple ~et~ ~ the ~me ~tru~ture may be added on to the or~er 1.

The solelloid ~valve circuit SD-SDn of the toilet set and BOap ~upplier 7a-7n is a kind
~timer circuit to set-~the period of opening and clo8ing time o~th~ 801elll)id vahre S-~n, and con~i8ts
of a tran~istor I rl, time pulse circuit Q1 switch SW1 and ea~pressing Lamp L1.

V~he~ the ~er t~ns on one of the switches SW1-SWn of the circuit 11 the ~electedtran~istor of l~ q~ turn~ on for the pul~e period of the selected time pulse c~it of Q1-Qn. Then

~"~93/14668 5 21 ~ J ~ PClr/US93/00885

the selected solenoid valve of S1-Sn opers~tes for that period to dispense the desired amount o~ toiletly
or 80ap.

In thi~ mve~ion the diqpen~ g of the toilet~ and/or soap are controlled by the
electrical circL~t 11, but the di8pen~ing co~d al~ be controlled by a me~cal mearL~ (push/pull, etc).

The automated organizer 1 described above doe~ not need an electria~l conttol ~tem
~or each apparatu~ ~nd 80me of the iteD~ such as the e~ectric ra~or 6a ~Ivill have tlheir ~wl~ control
E y8t~1L

A user ~an 8have with the electric razor 5a, take the ~terilized koothbl~h 22 out firom
th~ too thb~ush gteri1izer 4 to obtain a deE~ired amourlt of toothpaste from the autwn~tic toothpff~te
dispenæer 2 to clea~ or her teetb, bathe them~ehre~ with soap i~om the ao~p ~uppliler 7a by pu~hing
h~dle 16, then put on lotio~ or cream fir~Dm the toiletr~ supplier 7a-7n ~nd then make up their hair
w~th the ~ai~r d~er h~g on lla~r hook 8. Therefore, olle ean ~e up t:heir body more
nveniel~tly and aimply whil~ the bathroom space is utiliz~ more ef~e~r~ely.

~ther embodime~t of tlhe ~terilizer eomp~tment is 8how~ ig. 6~ The ~terilizer
31 ~ used to sterilize neoe~sitie~ req~g daily sanit~io~ (i.e. toothbrushes, shaving razors,
deaners, ear swabs, baby bottles and Dipp~e~ for infaIIts).

~Fig. 6 sh~ws one e~ample of the ~terilizer mventiQn in operati~n whiclh c~n be bou~ht
~ a ~eparate' component, together wi~ the toothp~te diE penser 32 or together with the Qr~er.
l~e ~terilizer 31 ~hown ~8 b~lt a8 a e~m~rtment nest to the toothpaste ~nser 32 o~ the stand
33. The ~ter:i3izer 31 is electricslly connected to the toothpaste dispenser 32 ~y the electri~ wire 34
o~ the ~tand 5~3 ~o th~t sterilization of the l;oothbrush and ~ng of toothpsste c~ both be camed
ou1; eonveniently. The stand 33 i~ opti~al since the sterilizer 31 and/or the tooth~rush di3pe~er 82
ca~ be wall mounted as wel2. The ~I;e~er 31 mcludes a ~terilizing light 3~, a reflectiol~ mQrror 37 and
~ upper mam bloclk 359 a ~witch 38 locQted on ~he main block 36 and the door 39 which regulates the
26 sterilization ~ht 3~ and the mlL~ic eircuit 41. A stor~ge case 40 i~ placed below the ~teriLization light
36 m the main block ~6 ~nd can be rotat~d forward and ba~kward. An electric ~t ~hown in Fig.
16 tD tl~e ste~i~o~ light 36 and ~ m~c ~ystem 41 orl and o~ pe~iodi~ally. The reflectiorl
~or 37 e~end~ or connect~ to an ul~ olet ray blocking plate 43. Ventilation hole~ 42 are loc~ted
il~ the main block 35 behind the ultraviolet ray blocl~ing plate 43 to prevene the ultra~Jiolet ray8 o~ ht
firom ref~ out of the main blos~k 35 w~ile mo~ture conta3~ed within the ~ blsck can ~rent
throu~h th~ ventilatio~ holea 42.




TITI '~F .~HFF:T

Wo93/146~8 ~Q~ 6 P~r/usg3/oo8Pr

A srnall switch 3~ such a~ a micro 8witch 19 equipped in the main bloc~k 35 and can be
tripped by a prong 44 located on the door 39. The elect~c ~t will be off when the door 3g is open
a3 shown in Fig. 5. The switch ~ystem a~30 act~ as a safety feature to preveI~t the user from beLng
exposed to }~Irmful ultraviolet rays which would occur if the Bterilization 3igbt 36 remained on while
5 the door 39 is open.

Referring to Figure~ the storage ~e 40 C0118i8tB of a main bod~ 5:L and a ho~
52 which c~n be f~ed to snap to the lower part of the main bod~ ~1. The hou~ng 62 is de~ed to
hold water dripping firom storage compartments ~5. Hou3ing or ~,vater tray 62 can be ea~b removed
from main b~dy 51 and both p~ may be r~ed or de~ed.

Stor ge compartments 63a ~d ~5b are deaigned to store toothbrushels, r~or~, tooth
t~rter cleaners, ear ~wabs, etc., m the mai~ r 6L

With the housing 52 ~pped to the main body 61 with a holding phte 66 and a
ret~iner ~4 formed at both sides of the main body 61, the ~torage ca~e 40 can be set up m the ~
block 36 on the hinge a:l~les 46, 47 (Pag. 5). The notch 57 of the retainer ~6 on bol;h ~des of the
hou~ing 52 fits o~rer the hinge a~les 46, 47 of t~ m~ 6.

The storage case 40 ean be ~et ofl~firom the ~ ertic~ m t~e ~ blo~ 3~i ~nce the~of hinge ~cles 4~, 47 and the mam block 3~ allows the stor~ge case 40 to rotate forward and bac~ward
as showz~ in Fig. 9.

The retainers 64 on both sidles of the storage c~se 40 preYen~ the sto~e case 40 fi om
20. overt~ along the a~ of the hinge a~ 46, 47 on the notches 6~.

A user should pull the ~torage ~e 4C for tilti~g ff the notche~ 57 fitting hingeB 40, 47
at both sides o:f the 3tor~ge ~se 40 are formed in the firont part of the ca~e 40. The 51;0~ge case 40
can also be de~igned to fall forwhrd aut~matically if the notc~e~ 27 ~nd fitting hinge~ 4~, 47 are formed
in the b~k part of the case 40.

~5 Fig. 1~8~0w8 another ~torage ca~e ~o embodiment in use. If necess~ the ~torage
ca~e 40 ~hown in F~es ~3 can be removed ~om the main blocl~ 35 and the other storage case 50
for holding a ni~ple and a mil~ bottle for a~ iDfant can be inserted for sterilization of l;he~e article~.
A holding b~ 58 ~n the middle o the reflectio~ plate 69 holds a ~ipple to be ste~ ed both on the
in~ide and the outside of the I~ipple andl a rece~sed sea~ 60 holds a milk bottle at a lo~er part of the
case 50.



SiJB~TITl~T~ SHE~T

V 93/14668 7 21 2 ~ PCI/US93/00$85

Fig. lOa shows another embodiment of a storage ~se 50a which caII be mounted on
prong~ (not shDwn) within the main block 35. The ~torage ca~e 60a functions a3 a shelf UpOIl which
a bottle or other article can be placed. A reflection plate 59a can also be placed on the ~torage case
~Oa RRflection plate ~9a ~cludes holding bars 58a for the mounting of nipples or other articles.
5 Reflection plateB 59 and 59a may be made of chrome or some other material which promotes the
re~lectior~ of light ~or sterilizing on the inside and outside o~ articles ~uch ~8 nipples.

Figures 12-13 ~how ~nother embodiment of the ~terilizer in operation. The sterilizer
70 i8 built in combination with the electric toothp~ste di~penser BO whi~h i~ de~ed ~ U.S. Patent
No. 6,0~0,773 and U.S. application no. 07/698,714, both incorporated herein by refere~ce. I'his
toothpaste di~penser 70 includes a motor as~embly 71, ~n elevator a~sembl~T 72, a roller a3~embly 7~,
w~i~h is ascended and descended ~r the eleYator a~embly 72, a tube gras3pmg ~embly 74 ~or holding
the nozzle oî the toothp~ste tube 76 and a toothpaste di~ellsing as~emb~y 7~ (a mor~ detsiled
e~p~nation of the operatio~ of the dis~enser and the ~ ture of the di~enser are described in the
above listed IJ.S. Patent and App1ication). Door assembly 81 i~ hinged to rotate st sxle 83 of the
toothpaste dispenser 70.

In the embodime~t of She inventio~ ~OWIl in Fig. 14, the ~terilizer 80 is b~t in the
door assembly 81 or firont portion of the toothpaste dispeIIser 7û. An upper storage compartment 82
i~ attached or clipped to the ba~ide of the toothp~te repl~cement door assembly 81a of the
toot~pa~te dispe~er 70 for e~e~i~e ut~ization of Epace ~uch that the dispe~ser 70 and the ste.riiizer
80 can be harmoI~ized together. The door assembly 81 i9 hinged to ro~te on hinge axle 83a of the
toothpaste dispe~ser 70. I)oor assembly 81 includes a ledge 8~a which can be used for a cup or other
article. Upper storage comp~ent 82 and lower storage compartment 84 can be hullg on prong~i or
ledges molded in to the door a~sembly 81a or ~t the toothpaste dispen~er 70. The storage
compartments 82 and 84 can be designed in a ~ariety of fashioDs. For in~tance storage compartmerlt
26 ~2 Lncludes a drip cup 8& which can be di~connected from the comp~rtment 82 for cleaI~ing.

An ultraviolet li~t 87 with a reflection m~Tor 89 and an optional heating lamp 88 for
ele~ating temperatures or d~irlg are built into the upper pos tion of the sterilizer 80. A lower storage
c~se 84 and a cup 85 are mounted in the lower portion of the sterilizer 80.

- The bottom 90 of storage case 84 is formed with a s~nted or declined surface 90 as
shown in l~ig. 14 so that one end of the stored item (such ~s a toothbrush) will be sl~nted from the
versicle Pg~in.st the ~rall ~or m~imum e~ ure of the item to direct ultr~iolet rays. l~e ~up 86 can
be snapped intl~ the cup holder prong~ 86 as shown in Fig. 11.




SUBST~TUT~ S~E~

WO 93/1~668 ~ P~/US93/~08~'

The sterilizer 31 or 80 of this embodiment of the invention can be mounted next to
the toothpaste dispenser 70 or built in combination wi~ the di9penser 70.

A user can take out the sanitized and dried object~ by opening the door 39 or o~g
the door assembly 81 and can dispense toothpaste ~rom the electric di~ er 32, 70 automatically and
5 conve~ently. Milk bottle~ or other mi~ellaDeou3 iten~ can be saniti~ed more readily by chan~g
storage cases.

~ efemng to Fig. 16 the electlic circl3it of the sterilization light 36 and music ~ystem
41 of the sterilizer i3 shoYm. PS i3 a switch at ~e electri~ source; PL i9 a lamp sho~ whether the
electri~ connection B on or of ~; T is a tran~ormer converting AC to DC; BD is a bridge diode, 3~ i~ a
10 sterilization light; R1 is a relay 8witch w]liCh tur~s o~whe~ fhe doo~ is opened and t~ ol~ when the
door i~ cl~ed; 41 i3 a music eircuit M with a 3IlUSiC phone P; Q is a pul3e counter and pulse circuit
counting pulse~ repeatingalld ~reating per~dic p~s ~u~h as th~ periodic pul~e cwuit ~rhich creates
a pulse for two minutes to the ~terilizer every 30 minutes; ~d Q2, Q3 are swit~ trans~stors to
convert the relay ~tch 38 on and o~.

1~ The opera~ian of the elec~i~ ~t i~ ~ fiollows:

When the ~terilizer of thi~ invention is opePated"n other w~rds, when the door i~ cloRed, and
the relay ~it as at "On" position and She ~ elec~ric ~ource is at "On" po~ition, the la~p PL ~howing
the electric connectioll turns on, then the electricq~y L~9 supplied through the tran~ormer T to the
~erili~ing light 3~ and melody circuit 41 to l;um on. ~eam~vhile, DC 12 volt electricity i~ supplied
20 through the DC 13V rectifier bridge circuit BD. Elect~city i~ ~upplied to the pul~e counter, pulse
~it Q and pr~et periodie pul~e for e~csmplQ ~or two ~utes, a~d the tr~ tor Q1, Q~ tu~ns of~
a~er they ~re at "On" position ~or the two minute perind. A1809 the relay 38 i~ tumed of~ and
ele~tricity i~ discom~ected to t~n off the light 36 and the melodb 41.

The ~terilizing light ~6 snd music 41 turn on ~ for the pul~e period (2 mmutes)
25 af~er counting the preset period ~for e~nple 30 minutcs), and the above described acti~rity i8 repeated


Meanwhile, when the user ope~ the door 39 while the ~terilization light 36 and music
41 are being operated, the re3ay or 9~Qtch 38 turns of ~ and the ~terilization light 36 and music 41 tum
of~. When the door 39 is clo~ed th~ sterilization light 3B and the music 41 are operated peAodically,
30 for e~ample, repeatedly for two minute3 every 30 minuteY.



51JE~STITIJTE SHrET

~' `g3/14668 9 ' ~ PCI'/US~3/0~885
, ~ ~
Referring to Fig. 17 an e~ample of an o~one device 1~ built into the stora~e
compartment 110 of an electric toothpaste di~penser 120 is ~hown. Details of the electric toothpaste
disperLser are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,050,773 and U.S. Application No. 079~98,71~, both
incorporated herein by reference and details of the storage compartment 110 are described above with
the nzone apparatu~ 100 replacing ultraviolet lighting.

Refemng to Fig. 1~ the ozone apparatus 100 consist~ of a pair of c~talyst filters 102,
103, a cerRmic electrode 104 pl~ced between the filter~ 102, 103 and a fan 105. l~e ozone atmosphere
i~ created by the electric dis~rge between the cer~c electrodes lQ4. The fan lQ5 then pull~ the
ozone atmosphere through the E ystem to sterilize ~e toothbrushe~ and other articles, includ;ng the
10nozzle o~ the toothpaste tube. The ozone apparatus sucks polluted air in the toothb~sh storage room
110 or in the t~thp~ste di~penser 120 by the î~n 105. O~idation is creAted by high volt~ge electric
di~charge between the ce~c electrodes 104. The ozolle destroy~ foul odar~, germs, etc. O~one, 03,
is produced when an electric spark i~ passed throug~ air or wygen. Ozone is a powerful o~ndizing
sgent which can be used for sterilization to disinfect and deodo~ze air, water, and ~urface~ requiring
15disinfection and deodorization. D~ d;~sinfection and deodorizatiorl the ozone is comrerted to o~gen
containing polluted a~ which circlllates back to the ozone apparatus 100 fior re-o~dation. Therefore,
the ozone apparatus 100 keep~ the entire ~tem dean.

F~. 18. 3hows another embodiment of the ozone steriliz~ apparatu~ with the ozoneapparatw 100 buil~ inside the toothbru~h ~torage room 112. The toothbrush storage room 112 consi~ts
20of an outside cani~ter 107, a rotatable inner canister 108, and a cover 109. The ozone apparatus 100
built and a~tached ~ide the inner cani~ter 108. The inner ~nister 108 has ~olded toothbru~h
~torage comparments 113, drainage ducts 114, and end wall 116 with atmo~phere retum openings 116
~nd ~n ozone feed tube 117 for circulation within the toothbrush storage room 112 and the inner
cani~ter 108. In this m~ner the ozone app~ratu3 sterilizes harmful mi~obes on toothbrushe3 118
26~tored in the stoa age room 112 w~ile disinfecting and deodDriz~ ~e atmo~phere inside of the storage
room 112 and inner ca~ ter 108. The outside ~ster 107 includes passag0s 119 80 that the molded
toothbru~h s~o~age compartments 113 can drain through ducts 114 and passages 119.

The preferred embodiment of thi3 iIlYention ha3 bee~l ~howII and described above. It
is to be understood t~ 'minor change~ in the details, con~truction and ~Tangement oi the parts may
- 30me made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed.




SUBSTlTllTE ~E~,

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(86) PCT Filing Date 1993-02-01
(87) PCT Publication Date 1993-08-05
(85) National Entry 1994-07-27
Dead Application 1996-08-03

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $0.00 1994-07-27
Reinstatement: Failure to Pay Application Maintenance Fees $200.00 1995-03-28
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 1995-02-01 $50.00 1995-03-28
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
CHOI, MIN KI
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Representative Drawing 1998-07-28 1 16
Drawings 1993-08-05 15 615
Claims 1993-08-05 1 79
Abstract 1993-08-05 1 62
Cover Page 1993-08-05 1 33
Description 1993-08-05 9 673
Office Letter 1995-05-03 1 20
International Preliminary Examination Report 1994-07-27 7 252