Article sanitizer

Abstract

An article sanitizer includes a rigid opaque enclosure open at a door side thereof. An enclosure door is adapted to selectively close the door side of the enclosure. At least one UV bulb is fixed to at least one bulb fixture within the enclosure and extends at least partially into the open internal space of the enclosure. A cage is fixed around each sanitizer bulb. An article fastener is fixed with the cage and is adapted to be selectively fastened to the article for securing the article thereto. An electronic circuit is electrically connected to each sanitizer bulb and is adapted to power each bulb for a present period of time. A switch may be included proximate the door and adapted to electrically close when the door is closed to prevent bulb activation when the door is open. A wheeled support stand may be fixed with the enclosure.

1 . A sanitizer for an article, comprising:
 a rigid opaque enclosure open at a door side and including at least one bulb attachment means fixed internally thereto at one end thereof, the enclosure including an open internal space therein;   an enclosure door adapted to selectively close the door side of the enclosure, substantially sealing the open space therein;   at least one sanitizer bulb fixed to the bulb attachment means and extending at least partially into the open internal space of the enclosure;   a rigid, at least partially non-opaque cage fixed around each sanitizer bulb;   a means for fastening fixed to the cage and adapted to be selectively fastened to the article;   an electronic circuit means electrically connected to each sanitizer bulb and adapted to power each bulb for a preset period of time;   whereby with the article fixed around the cage and to the means for fastening, and with the door closed and the electronic circuit activated, each sanitizer bulb is illuminated for the present period of time to sanitize the article.   
     
     
         2 . The sanitizer of  claim 1  wherein each bulb attachment means is a fluorescent bulb socket, and wherein each sanitizer bulb is a UV fluorescent sanitizer bulb. 
     
     
         3 . The sanitizer of  claim 1  wherein the cage is a formed from a metallic mesh. 
     
     
         4 . The sanitizer of  claim 1  wherein the cage is formed from a non-opaque plastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The sanitizer of  claim 1  wherein the means for fastening is a pair of hooks, each for securing to a hooking point of the article. 
     
     
         6 . The sanitizer of  claim 1  wherein the one end of the enclosure is a bottom end, such that each sanitizer bulb extends upwardly from the bottom end of the enclosure, and wherein the bag fastening means is the cage acting with gravity to hold the article when inverted onto the cage. 
     
     
         7 . The sanitizer of  claim 1  wherein the electronic circuit means includes a switch proximate the door and adapted to close when the door is closed, such that each sanitizer bulb cannot be illuminated unless the door is closed. 
     
     
         8 . The sanitizer of  claim 1  wherein the electronic circuit means includes a mechanically-driven timer means. 
     
     
         9 . The sanitizer of  claim 1  further including a support stand fixed to a bottom end of the enclosure, the support stand adapted for holding the enclosure above a ground surface for convenient loading and unloading of the article. 
     
     
         10 . The sanitizer of  claim 9  wherein the support stand further includes a pair of wheels at a lower end thereof, such that the enclosure and support stand may be tilted backward such that each wheel engages the ground surface for rolling the sanitizer therealong. 
     
     
         11 . The sanitizer of  claim 7  wherein the enclosure further include a non-UV light bulb for illuminating the internal space of the enclosure when the switch detects that the door is not closed, the non-UV light bulb electrically connected to the electronic circuit means. 
     
     
         12 . The sanitizer of  claim 11  wherein the non-UV light bulb is an incandescent bulb. 
     
     
         13 . The sanitizer of  claim 11  wherein the non-UV light bulb is at least one white-colored LED. 
     
     
         14 . A sanitizer for a bag having at least one handle, comprising:
 a rigid opaque enclosure open at a door side and including at least one fluorescent bulb socket fixed internally thereto at one end thereof, the enclosure including an open internal space therein;   an enclosure door adapted to selectively close the door side of the enclosure, substantially sealing the open space therein;   at least one fluorescent UV sanitizer bulb fixed to the fluorescent bulb socket and extending at least partially into the open internal space of the enclosure;   a rigid, at least partially non-opaque metallic mesh cage fixed around each sanitizer bulb;   a pair of handle hooks fixed to the cage and each adapted to be selectively fastened to one handle of the bag for securing the bag around the cage;   an electronic circuit electrically connected to each sanitizer bulb and adapted to power each bulb for a preset period of time, the electronic circuit including a switch proximate the door and adapted to close when the door is closed, such that each sanitizer bulb cannot be illuminated unless the door is closed;   a support stand fixed to a bottom end of the enclosure, the support stand adapted for holding the enclosure above a ground surface for convenient loading and unloading of the bag, the support stand including a pair of wheels at a lower end thereof, such that the enclosure and support stand may be tilted backward until each wheel engages the ground surface for rolling the sanitizer therealong;   a non-UV light bulb for illuminating the internal space of the enclosure when the switch detects that the door is not closed, the non-UV light bulb electrically connected to  20  the electronic circuit;   whereby with the bag fixed around the cage and to the handle hooks, and with the door closed and the electronic circuit activated, each sanitizer bulb is illuminated for the present period of time to sanitize the inside of the bag.