Decontamination system and decontamination unit housing equipped with remote control
AssigneeDiversey, Inc.
InventorRoderick M. Dayton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided is a decontamination apparatus and method involving a base, and a plurality of sources that each emit UVC light to render a target object pathogen reduced. A plurality of adjustable supports couple the sources to the base, and a controller is coupled to the base to be operatively connected to the sources to control emission of the UVC light. A housing is removably installed on the base to protect the plurality of sources. A remote control is provided to the housing and includes a user interface that receives a input from a user and transmits a control instruction to the controller based on the input received, resulting in desired operation of the sources by the controller.
Claims20
A decontamination apparatus comprising:
- a base;
- a plurality of sources that each emit UVC light at a suitable intensity to at least partially decontaminate a target object on which the UVC light is imparted to render the target object pathogen reduced;
- a plurality of adjustable supports coupling the sources to the base, wherein each of the adjustable supports is adjustable relative to another one of the adjustable supports to independently position the plurality of sources for emitting the UVC light in different directions, and comprises an adjustment mechanism that is to be manipulated to move the sources coupled to the adjustable supports relative to the base between:
- (i) a stowed state, and (ii) a deployed state in which the sources emit the UVC light to render the target object pathogen reduced;
- a controller that is coupled to the base and operatively connected to the sources to control emission of the UVC light;
- a housing comprising a protective shell that defines an interior space in which the sources, in the stowed state, are received while the housing is removably installed on the base, wherein the protective shell of the housing extends about the plurality of sources, and protects the plurality of sources in the stowed state against direct impacts while the housing is installed on the base;
- and
- a remote control supported by the housing so the remote control is removable from the base as a portion of the housing, wherein the remote control comprises a user interface that receives an input from a user and a housing transmitter that transmits a control instruction to the controller based on the input received at the user interface from a location remote from the base to result in desired operation of the sources.
A method of decontaminating a target object within a room and minimizing exposure of an occupant of the room to UVC light, the method comprising:
- independently supporting, relative to a base, a plurality of sources that each emit UVC light at separate positions that are each a suitable distance from the target object to at least partially decontaminate the target object with the UVC light emitted;
- establishing a communication channel between:
- (i) a controller operatively connected to the sources to control emission of the UVC light, and (ii) a remote control that is supported by a housing to be installed on the base, wherein the housing comprises a protective shell that extends about the plurality of sources while the housing is installed on the base, and the plurality of sources in a stowed state are received in an interior space defined by the protective shell, to protect the plurality of sources against direct impacts while the plurality of sources are in the stowed state;
- with the controller, receiving a control instruction transmitted by the remote control supported by the housing, the housing supporting the remote control at a remote location relative to the base, outside of the room, wherein the control instruction is indicative of user input entered at a user interface of the remote control at the remote location;
- and
- activating the sources according to the control instruction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.