# US 11,992,567 B2 · Bristle ring diffuser > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,992,567 B2 - Document ID: US11992567B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/520,951 - Filed: 2021-11-08 - Published: 2022-05-12 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2020-11-06 - Assignees: Western Technology, Inc. - Applicants: Western Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Michael S. Kralik - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11992567B2 ## CPC - A46B 15/0034: {with a source of radiation, e.g. UV, IR, LASER, X-ray for irradiating the teeth and associated surfaces} - A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation - A46B 5/0095: {Removable or interchangeable brush heads} - A46B 9/025: {the bristles or the tufts being arranged in an angled position relative to each other} - A46B 17/065: {Sterilising brushes; products integral with the brush for sterilising, e.g. tablets, rinse, disinfectant} - A61L 2/26: Accessories - A46B 2200/30: Brushes for cleaning or polishing - A61L 2202/11: Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps - A61L 2202/121: Sealings, e.g. doors, covers, valves, sluices - A61L 2202/15: Biocide distribution means, e.g. nozzles, pumps, manifolds, fans, baffles, sprayers - A61L 2202/16: Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles - A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G) - 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) ## Abstract A bristle ring diffuser for diffusing UV light is described herein. In one example, the radiation diffuser cone comprises a base and a plurality of bristles. The base has an interface which is coupleable to an object having an ultraviolet (UV) light source. The base also has an aperture which aligns with the UV light source when the interface is coupled to the UV light source. The plurality of bristles is arranged about the aperture and extend from the base. The plurality of bristles is opaque to UV light and is angled away from a central axis of the aperture. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bristle ring diffuser, comprising: a base comprising: an interface which is coupleable to an object having an ultraviolet (UV) light source, and an aperture which aligns with the UV light source when the interface is coupled to the UV light source; and a plurality of bristles arranged about the aperture and extending from the base, the plurality of bristles being opaque to UV light and being angled away from a central axis of the aperture. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, wherein the bristles of the plurality of bristles overlap to form an opaque curtain. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, wherein each bristle of the plurality of bristles is reflective to UV light. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bristles form a frustoconical shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, wherein each bristle of the plurality of bristles has a rectangular cross-section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, wherein each bristle of the plurality of bristles has a curved cross section with an apex of the curved cross section pointing away from the central axis of the aperture. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, wherein each bristle of the plurality of bristles curves away from the central axis of the aperture. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bristles has a length selected to ensure a predetermined minimum exposure to the UV light source at a distal end of the plurality of bristles. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 8, wherein the predetermined minimum exposure is a dosage of UV light sufficient to disinfect a surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, wherein each of the bristles of the plurality of bristles has a stiffness selected to dislodge particulate matter on a surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, wherein the bristles of the plurality of bristles are arranged in a plurality of overlapping rows of bristles. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of bristles include a dosage indicator scale along a length of the respective bristles. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of bristles are light pipes with a proximal end oriented to collect at least a portion of the UV light. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of bristles have an outwardly curved profile from a central aperture axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, wherein the UV light source has a conical apex angle and the plurality of bristles are angled to match the conical apex angle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The bristle ring diffuser of claim 1, further comprising a band-pass filter attached to the base and oriented to span the aperture. ### Claim 17 A kit for modifying an object having an ultraviolet (UV) light source, the kit comprising: a bristle ring diffuser comprising: a base comprising: an interface which is coupleable to the object having the UV light source, and an aperture which aligns with the UV light source when the interface is coupled to object; and a plurality of bristles arranged about the aperture and extending from the base, the plurality of bristles being opaque to UV light and being angled away from a central axis of the aperture; and instruction detailing how to attach the base to the object. ### Claim 18 A system for disinfecting a surface, comprising: an object having a UV light source; and a bristle ring diffuser comprising: a base coupled to the object having an ultraviolet (UV) light source, the base comprising an aperture aligned with the UV light source; and a plurality of bristles arranged about the aperture and extending from the base, the plurality of bristles being opaque to UV light and being angled away from a central axis of the aperture. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the UV light source projects a conical pattern having a conical apex angle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of bristles is angled to match the conical apex angle. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of bristles has a length selected to ensure a predetermined minimum exposure to the UV light source at a distal end of the plurality of bristles. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein the predetermined minimum exposure is a dosage of UV light sufficient to disinfect a surface. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein each bristle of the plurality of bristles has a curved cross section with an apex of the curved cross section pointing away from the central axis of the aperture. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein each bristle of the plurality of bristles are reflective to UV light.