Patent Application
20230020383
The present invention relates generally to the field of doormats. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel sanitizing doormat for disinfecting bottom of footwear, feet, and animal paws using Far-UVC light. The doormat has Far-UVC light sources for emitting Far-UVC light towards a platform of the doormat on which a user or animal stand. The light sources are automatically activated when a user or animal stand on the platform and emit Far-UVC light for a predetermined duration. The doormat eradicates up to 99% pathogens and can be used in homes, offices, schools, hospitals, hotels, airports, fitness centers, and more. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, the greatest source of multiple contamination agents introduced to interiors of homes, hospitals, schools, and offices is carried on contaminated bottoms, of footwear. For providing protection from such contamination, conventional doormats are used. A doormat is a flat object, generally rectangular or oval, usually placed immediately outside or inside the entrance to a house or other building, to allow people to easily scrub, wipe, and/or slide the soles of their shoes on the doormat before entering. A doormat is sometimes also known as a welcome mat, as its location at an entrance constitutes a “welcome” to visitors, and may therefore also bear some word, message, or sign of greeting. Without use of a conventional doormat, people often track dirt, germs, viruses, and bacteria into a home or building via their shoes (i.e. bottom of shoes). This may put other people at risk for contracting illnesses. Many contaminants are brought into a home or business on the bottoms of feet, shoes, and animal paws.
Conventional doormats are used for only removing dirt and debris by scrubbing or wiping their footwear thereon by users. Footwear of users, and paws and legs of animals, carry pathogens and microorganisms that require a more thorough cleaning and disinfection. Conventional doormats do not provide the capability of disinfection of footwear. Further, other methods such as chemical and steam cleaning are difficult to deploy and are also ineffective. Chemicals can also be spread on floors which may prove hazardous. People desire a way of providing effective cleaning and sanitization using the doormats so as to provide effective protection from contamination.
Methods such as hand wash, use of sanitizers and others are available for hand sanitization, but a similar method for effective killing of pathogens from the bottom of feet, footwear, and animal paws is heretofore not known.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a doormat apparatus that can disinfect and sanitize footwear, feet, paws, and others placed on the doormat. There is also a long felt need in the art for a doormat that can eradicate up to 99% of pathogens. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a doormat that can be used in homes, offices, hospitals, airports, and more. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a doormat apparatus that provides a chemical free treatment for feet, paws, and footwear to kill pathogens. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a doormat that eliminates the risk for contracting illnesses due to contamination caused by dirty and contaminated footwear, feet, and paws. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved doormat that effectively kills pathogens from the bottom of feet, footwear, and animal paws and ensures cleanliness and eradication of contaminants.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a footwear sanitizing doormat device. The doormat device includes a housing, a platform supported by the housing and circumscribed by a nylon border. The platform can be configured to support footwear, feet, and paws placed thereon. The platform is further configured to permit transmission of Far-UVC therethrough, a pressure sensor for detecting pressure on the platform, a source of Far-UVC light disposed within the housing for emitting Far-UVC light, and a timer for starting a countdown timer for which the source of Far-UVC light emits the Far-UVC light wherein the source of Far-UVC light is automatically activated when pressure is detected by the pressure sensor.
In this manner, the sanitizing doormat of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a doormat designed with integrated UV lights to sanitize shoes, feet, and paws before entering a home or building, and offers a way to ensure cleanliness by eliminating germs viruses, and fungi at the door. The UV light eradicates up to 99% of contaminants and automatically stops emitting UV light after a threshold or predeterminable time period.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a footwear sanitizing doormat device. The footwear sanitizing doormat device is configured to sanitize shoes, feet, and paws, and offers a way to ensure cleanliness by eliminating germs, viruses, and fungi at the door. The device further comprising a generally rectangular housing, a platform supported by the housing and enclosed by a nylon border, wherein the platform is configured to support shoes, feet, and paws placed thereon. The platform is further configured to permit transmission of ultraviolet light therethrough, a pressure sensor for detecting pressure on the platform, a source of ultraviolet light disposed within the housing for emitting ultraviolet light, and a timer for starting a countdown timer for which the source of ultraviolet light emits the ultraviolet light wherein the source of ultraviolet light is automatically activated when pressure is detected by the pressure sensor.
In yet another embodiment, the platform is made from a transparent or translucent material.
In yet another embodiment, the platform is made of one or more from transparent glass, translucent glass, fused silica, or quartz wherein the glass is slightly flexible.
In yet another embodiment, a sanitizing device for shoes, feet, and paws is disclosed. The sanitizing device comprising a housing, an ultraviolet light source adapted to emit ultraviolet light, a platform supported by the housing on which shoes, feet, and paws are placed, wherein the platform includes a plurality of sections for placing the shoes, feet, and paws thereon. The ultraviolet light source is designed to emit ultraviolet light towards the sections and is placed along the nylon border wherein the ultraviolet light source is automatically activated when shoes, feet, or paws are placed on one or more of the sections and is deactivated after a preconfigured time period by a timer.
In yet another embodiment, the sanitizing device includes a built-in power source for providing power to the ultraviolet light source.
In yet another embodiment, the platform includes a discontinuous ultraviolet protective layer preventing ultraviolet light to pass through the platform wherein the layer is not present underneath the sections thereby allowing ultraviolet to pass for sanitizing shoes, feet, and paws placed on one or more of the sections.
In yet another embodiment, the ultraviolet light source is provided power using an external power supply.
In yet another embodiment, the ultraviolet light source provides a Far-UVC light in the range from about 207 nm to about 222 nm.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for disinfecting feet and shoes of a person and paws of an animal is disclosed. The apparatus having a platform surrounded by a nylon border, the platform is configured to allow germicidal ultraviolet light to pass through to reach feet, shoes, paws placed on a top surface of the platform, a germicidal ultraviolet light source for emitting germicidal ultraviolet light through the platform, a power supply for providing power to the germicidal ultraviolet light source, a timer for automatically deactivating the germicidal ultraviolet light source and a sensor for automatically activating the germicidal ultraviolet light source when feet, shoes, or paws are detected on the platform.
In yet another embodiment, the sensor is a pressure sensor and is coupled to the platform.
In yet another embodiment, the apparatus is configured to be cleaned using a chemical free cleaner.
In yet another embodiment, the apparatus is flexible and washable.
In yet another embodiment, the apparatus includes a generally rectangular, square, oval, or circular shape.
In yet another embodiment, the platform includes a specific area through which the germicidal ultraviolet light is passed therethrough.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a doormat apparatus that can disinfect and sanitize footwear, feet, paws, and others placed on the doormat. There is also a long felt need in the art for a doormat that can eradicate up to 99% of pathogens. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a doormat that can be used in homes, offices, hospitals, airports, and more. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a doormat apparatus that provides a chemical free treatment for feet, paws, and footwear to kill pathogens. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a doormat that eliminates the risk for contracting illnesses due to contamination caused by dirty and contaminated footwear, feet, and paws. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved doormat that effectively kills pathogens from the bottom of feet, footwear, and animal paws, and ensures cleanliness and eradication of contaminants.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel sanitizing device for disinfecting bottom of shoes, feet, and animal paws. The sanitizing device comprising a housing, an ultraviolet light source adapted to emit Far-UVC ultraviolet light, a platform supported by the housing on which shoes, feet, and paws are placed, the platform having a plurality of sections for placing the shoes, feet, and paws thereon, the ultraviolet light source is designed to emit Far-UVC ultraviolet light towards the sections and is placed along the nylon border wherein the ultraviolet light source is automatically activated when shoes, feet, or paws are placed on one or more of the sections and can be autonomously deactivated after a preconfigured time period by a timer.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The platform 104 is preferably translucent but can be transparent or opaque based on preference of users and manufacturing designs. For providing sanitization, the doormat apparatus 100 has one or more germicidal ultraviolet light sources 108,110 in the form of ultraviolet light lamps and are positioned inside the housing 102 and preferably along the border 106. The germicidal ultraviolet light sources 108,110 are configured to emit germicidal ultraviolet light (UV light) towards the platform 104 such that the platform 104 allows the UV light to pass through thereby enabling sanitization of the feet, shoes, or paws placed on the platform 104. The germicidal ultraviolet light sources 108,110 can have optional reflectors for reflecting the UV light towards the platform 104. The light sources 108,110 can be mounted proximal to opposing ends of the platform 104.
The doormat 100 includes a pressure sensor 112 that is adapted to detect pressure on the platform 104. When pressure is detected on the platform 104 by the pressure sensor 112, then, the germicidal ultraviolet light sources 108,110 are automatically activated for emitting the germicidal UV light towards the platform 104. In the present embodiment, the doormat 100 has integrated and rechargeable battery 114 for providing power to the germicidal ultraviolet light sources 108,110. Alternatively, external power supply may be used for providing power to the germicidal ultraviolet light sources 108,110 as best shown in
The germicidal ultraviolet light sources 108,110 are configured to emit UV light in the germicidal range (preferably in the Far-UVC range) and having a wavelength in the range from about 207 nm to about 222 nm, and more specifically having a wavelength in the range from about 208 nm to about 220 nm. The germicidal UV light emitted by the germicidal ultraviolet light sources 108,110 deactivates DNA of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens and thus provides a complete sanitization. Further, the UV light can sanitize the shoes, feet, or paws of animals within 5-10 seconds without causing any hazard to the skin of a user or animal standing on the platform 104.
A timer module 116 positioned inside the housing 102 is configured to activate a countdown timer once the germicidal ultraviolet light sources 108,110 are activated. The use of the timer module 116 autonomously deactivates the germicidal ultraviolet light sources 108,110 when the preconfigured countdown timer period has elapsed. This ensures that the germicidal ultraviolet light sources 108,110 are not unnecessarily activated for extended periods of time and also helps in conserving power.
It should be understood that although the sanitization from pathogens is the main feature and application of the doormat apparatus 100, the platform 104 is also designed to capture dirt and debris from shoes, feet, and paws and can be used to scrub and wipe feet for removing dirt and debris. Further, the platform 104 can withstand the weight or pressure of a heavy person standing on the platform 104. The doormat 100 can also be cleaned with an organic chemical free cleaner for reuse.
The platform 304 includes a discontinuous ultraviolet blocking layer 312 that covers the platform 304 except at the positions underneath the sections 306a-d. This allows transmission of Far-UVC light through the platform 304 only at the sections 306a-d. This embodiment provides more protection to the user and animal standing on the platform 304 from ultraviolet light.
The doormat 300 includes a pressure sensor 314 for detecting pressure on the platform 304 for automatically activating the germicidal ultraviolet light sources 308,310. The doormat 300 includes a power port 316 for receiving power from an external supply for providing power to the germicidal ultraviolet light sources 308,310. Similar to the doormat 100 of
The D-shaped doormat 508 includes a D-shaped platform 510 on which a user or animal can stand for disinfecting bottom of footwear, feet, or paws and is surrounded by a designer border 512.
It should be appreciated that the doormats 100,300 can eradicate up to 99 percent of contaminants and comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate different sized doorways and can be used in homes, offices, schools, hospitals, hotels, airports, fitness centers, government agencies, and more.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “sanitizing doormat”, “footwear sanitizing doormat device”, “device”, “footwear, feet and animal paws disinfecting doormat apparatus”, and “doormat” are interchangeable and refer to the footwear, feet and animal paws disinfecting doormat apparatus 100,300 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the footwear, feet and animal paws disinfecting doormat apparatus 100,300 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the footwear, feet and animal paws disinfecting doormat apparatus 100,300 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the footwear, feet and animal paws disinfecting doormat apparatus 100,300 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the footwear, feet and animal paws disinfecting doormat apparatus 100,300 are important design parameters for user convenience, the footwear, feet and animal paws disinfecting doormat apparatus 100,300 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/223,227, which was filed on Jul. 19, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63223227 | Jul 2021 | US |
