# US 11,077,218 B1 · Payment terminal sanitizing device

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- Number: US 11,077,218 B1
- Document ID: US11077218B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 17/208,311
- Filed: 2021-03-22
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2020-03-24
- Applicants: Patrick Gagnon; Grace Rose Gagnon
- Inventors: Patrick Gagnon; Grace Rose Gagnon
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077218B1

## CPC

- A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation
- G07G 1/0018: {Constructional details, e.g. of drawer, printing means, input means}
- G06Q 20/204: {comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit}
- G06Q 20/206: {comprising security or operator identification provisions, e.g. password entry}
- G07F 7/005: {Details or accessories}
- G07F 7/088: {the card reader being part of the point of sale [POS] terminal or electronic cash register [ECR] itself}
- A61L 2103/00: Materials or objects being the target of disinfection or sterilisation
- A61L 2202/11: Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
- A61L 2202/14: Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- G07G: REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00})

## Abstract

A payment terminal sanitizing device includes a housing having a base member configured to removably secure to a payment terminal. The base member includes tabs and slots that engage corresponding tabs and slots on the payment terminal. A top cover is removably secured to the base member. The sides of the top cover and base member curve outwardly to form an interior volume between the top cover and base portion. The interior volume includes a plurality of brackets configured to support individual UV lights that are positioned on opposing sides of the interior of the housing. The UV lights are operably connected to a power source, such as a wall outlet, for example. The UV lights are oriented such that they illuminate or irradiate the input mechanisms of the payment terminal, in order to prevent the spread of germs between individual users of the payment terminal.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A payment terminal sanitizing device, comprising:
a housing comprising a top cover removably secured to a base member;
the base member removably securable to a payment terminal;
the top cover and base member defining an interior volume;
a plurality of brackets positioned within the interior volume, the plurality of brackets configured to support a UV light within the interior volume, the plurality of brackets comprising at least one cradle member attached to the top cover and at least one cradle member attached to the bottom cover, such that the UV light is supported between the cradle members;
wherein the UV light is oriented to irradiate an input mechanism of the payment terminal when the base member is removably secured thereto.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 1, wherein the UV light is an ultraviolet light bulb.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 1, wherein the UV light is an ultraviolet light emitting diode.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 1, wherein the UV light is operably connected to a power source.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 1, further comprising a power inverter configured to receive electrical power via a connection to a wall outlet.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 1, wherein the UV light comprises a UVC light configured to emit light having a wavelength between the range of one hundred nanometers and two-hundred eighty nanometers.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 1, whereby the housing defines a central opening that permits access to the input mechanism of the payment terminal.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 1, wherein each bracket of the plurality of brackets includes a curved interior edge that contours to an exterior surface of the UV light.

### Claim 9

A payment terminal sanitizing device, comprising:
a housing comprising a top cover removably secured to a base member, wherein the housing further comprises an upper end portion and a pair of side portions extending downwardly from opposing sides of the upper end portion;
the base member removably securable to a payment terminal;
the top cover and base member defining an interior volume;
a pair of UV lights comprising a UV light secured within each side portion of the housing;
a plurality of brackets positioned within the interior volume, the plurality of brackets configured to support a UV light within the interior volume, the plurality of brackets comprising at least one cradle member attached to the top cover and at least one cradle member attached to the bottom cover, such that the UV light is supported between the cradle members;
wherein the UV light is oriented to irradiate an input mechanism of the payment terminal when the base portion is removably secured thereto.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 9, wherein each UV light is an ultraviolet light bulb.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 9, wherein each UV light is an ultraviolet light emitting diode.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 9, wherein each UV light is operably connected to a power source.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 9, further comprising a power inverter configured to receive electrical power via a connection to a wall outlet a power inverter configured to receive electrical power via a connection to a wall outlet.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 9, wherein each UV light comprises a UVC light configured to emit light having a wavelength between the range of one hundred nanometers and two-hundred eighty nanometers.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 9, wherein the pair of side portions of the housing extend inwardly to cover above each UV light of the pair of UV lights, whereby the housing defines a central opening that permits access to the input mechanism of the payment terminal.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The payment terminal sanitizing device of claim 9, wherein each bracket includes a curved interior edge that contours to an exterior surface of each UV light.