Apparatus and method for sanitizing articles

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for sanitizing an article, the apparatus comprising a housing defining an enclosed internal chamber and having an opening at a door side into the chamber. A door is configured to selectively close the door side of the housing for substantially sealing the chamber. A UV light source is disposed internally of the housing for irradiating the chamber, and an electronic circuit is electrically connected to the UV light source and adapted to power the UV light source for a predetermined period of time. A reflector unit is disposed on one of the walls, the reflector unit including a reflective section projecting outwardly at an angle with respect to the wall. With the article placed in the chamber and the door closed and the electronic circuit activated, the UV lamp is illuminated for the predetermined period of time for sanitizing the article.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for sanitizing an article, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing including a plurality of walls defining an enclosed internal chamber and having an opening at a door side into the chamber;   a door configured to selectively close the door side of the housing for substantially sealing the chamber;   a UV light source disposed internally of the housing for irradiating the chamber;   an electronic circuit electrically connected to the UV light source and adapted to power the UV light source for a predetermined period of time; and   a reflector unit disposed on at least one of the walls, the reflector unit including a reflective section projecting outwardly at an angle with respect to the at least one of the walls,   
       wherein with the article placed in the chamber and the door closed and the electronic circuit activated the UV lamp is illuminated for the predetermined period of time for sanitizing the article. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for sanitizing an article as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a tray configured to be received in the chamber of the housing, the adapted for supporting the article. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for sanitizing an article as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the tray comprises a wire mesh. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for sanitizing an article as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the UV light source provides an intensity of about 7200 μW/cm 2  of UV light at about one foot. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for sanitizing an article as recited in  claim 1 , the reflective section of the reflector unit is angled with respect to the wall by at least about 135 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for sanitizing an article as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of the walls of the housing comprises a front wall and an opposite rear wall, a pair of side walls interconnecting the front wall and the rear wall, a floor interconnecting the lower edges of the front wall, the rear wall and the side walls, and a ceiling interconnecting the upper edges of the front wall, the rear wall and the side walls. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for sanitizing an article as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the UV light source extends along the rear wall. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for sanitizing an article as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of UV light sources extending along the plurality of the walls of the housing.