UV-BASED SELF STERILIZING PEN HOLDER

PORTE-PLUME A STERILISATION AUTOMATIQUE PAR RAYONNEMENT ULTRAVIOLET

English Abstract

This is a device developed with the purpose of exposing small commonly handled
items
such as writing implements to moderate or high levels of ultraviolet (UV)
light with the
intent of rendering exposed exterior surfaces sterilized. The design is
scalable with the
option of using it either in a portable fashion or a desktop environment. The
device has a
particular suitability to medical facilities, offices and high traffic public
area
environments.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege
is
claimed are defined as follows.
1. A system designed to expose small items including most writing implements
to
UV light with the purpose of killing surface microorganisms.
2. A reflective internal coating may be used to contain the light and improve
system
efficiency.
3. A timer circuit or basic switch may be implemented to operate the running
time
for the device.
4. A variety of UV producing light sources producing a high intensity UV light
within the range of 400 nm to 10 nm may be utilized with a technical
preference
to light emitting diodes.

Description

CA 02635250 2008-06-20
Specification
This invention relates to the sterilization of small items such as writing
instruments using
ultraviolet light (UV) to kill the microscopic organisms on the surface of
pens, markers,
pencils etc. The design is a system optimized for use on items such as pens
and other
writing implements in a variety of work environments or for home use.
Presently there are few practical options for the sterilization of writing
implements being
either exposure to a sterilizing chemical such as alcohol or a relatively
large UV sterilizer
such as those used in the hair care industry. Neither of these options is
considered
practical in an office or home setting and neither is commonly employed.
The miniaturized UV sterilizer is both aesthetically and technically superior
to the
existing technologies as it is small thus taking up little valuable desk
space, has the
potential for delivering a substantial amount of UV light and when implemented
using
UV LED technology it uses a minimal amount of electrical energy.
The design consists of two primary components as shown in figure 1. The first
is the UV
light source which may be based on a variety of different sources producing a
variety of
UV wavelengths ranging from 400 nm to 10 nm with the most germicidal
wavelengths at
185 nm and 254 nm. The second component is designed to contain the UV light
and
prevent it from escaping, being absorbed or reaching sensitive surfaces such
as human
skin or eye tissue.
The UV light source is ideally based on UV light emitting diodes or UV LED
technology.
The benefits are a lower energy consumption rate, highly focused light within
a tight
targeted bandwidth, small size and the low associated cost of assembly due to
the
increased popularity of LED flashlights. The light source may be powered
either from
onboard batteries or from an external power source.
As an optional design characteristic the system is designed to be wider at the
base of the
container section with a cone at its center. This is developed as a means of
maintaining
adequate clearance between items and as a means of converging radiation into a
smaller
space, hence increasing the energy density within the pen holder for enhanced
disinfection. The LEDs may be angled towards the side surfaces to reduce the
amount of
light directly lost through the top opening. The inside surfaces of the
container is lined
with a reflective material such has aluminum or another reflective metal foil
which both
contains the light and reflects it back against the pens surface increasing
both the
efficiency and safety of the device.
The system may be run continuously or may have a timer circuit installed to
shut off the
light after a desired amount of time. The trigger for this device may be any
one of a
variety of different mechanisms including a user operated push button, small
motion
sensor or an impact switch within the casing which detects when a pen impacts
the base
of the chamber.

CA 02635250 2008-06-20
A variety of different shapes may be used for the enclosure depending on the
environment and usage type. Open top cones such as that shown in figure 1 are
suitable
for office use while small portable versions and fully enclosed cases also
have
applications in a variety of environments.