Shoe disinfecting device

Abstract

A shoe disinfecting device has a base and a lid defining an interior compartment to hold liquid disinfecting solution. The lid is upwardly biased (e.g., spring loaded) from a compressed position to an extended position and includes openings for passage of solution between the interior and a lid upper surface. Pressurization of the solution within the interior, responsive to forces depressing the lid from the extended to the compressed position, causes expelling of the solution through the openings and onto the upper surface. Upon release of the depressing force, biasing of the lid from the depressed to the extended position creates a vacuum within the interior and pulls remaining solution from the upper surface back into the interior. A removable disinfecting liquid container is in fluid communication with the interior via a liquid pump controlled to pump solution from the container to maintain sufficient quantities of solution within the interior.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe disinfecting apparatus, comprising:
 a base having peripheral side walls extending upwardly from a first end configured for placement on a floor;   a lid associated with the base at a second end opposite the first end to define an interior compartment configured to hold a liquid disinfecting solution, wherein the lid is upwardly biased from a compressed position to an extended position;   the lid further comprising a plurality of openings there through and configured to allow passage of liquid disinfecting solution between the interior compartment and an upper surface of the lid;   wherein pressurization of the liquid disinfecting solution within the interior compartment, responsive to a force depressing the lid from the extended position to the compressed position, causes expelling of the liquid disinfecting solution through the openings and onto the upper surface of the lid;   wherein upon release of the force depressing the lid, biasing of the lid from the depressed position to the extended position creates a vacuum within the interior compartment and pulls at least some of any remaining liquid disinfecting solution from the upper surface of the lid back through the openings and into the interior compartment; and   a removable disinfecting liquid container in fluid communication with the interior compartment via at least a liquid pump, wherein the liquid pump is configured to pump liquid disinfecting solution from the container and into the interior compartment to maintain a sufficient quantity of liquid disinfecting solution within the interior compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe disinfecting apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a controller configured to electrically actuate the liquid pump. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe disinfecting apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising spring loading means for upward biasing of the lid from the compressed position to the extended position. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe disinfecting apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of upright bristles extending upwardly from the upper surface of the lid, wherein the lid is configured such that pressurization of the liquid disinfecting solution within the interior compartment, responsive to the force depressing the lid from the extended position to the compressed position, causes expelling of the liquid disinfecting solution through the openings and onto the plurality of upright bristles.