# US 11,992,568 B2 · Sterilization apparatus using plasma and ultraviolet light and sterilization system comprising the same

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- Number: US 11,992,568 B2
- Document ID: US11992568B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/978,528
- Filed: 2020-05-13
- Published: 2023-03-30
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2019-09-11
- Assignees: Jin Oh Kim
- Applicants: Jin Oh Kim
- Inventors: Jin Oh Kim
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11992568B2

## CPC

- A61L 2/14: Plasma, i.e. ionised gases
- A61L 2/208: Hydrogen peroxide
- A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation
- A61L 2/24: Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
- B64F 1/368: {Arrangements or installations for routing, distributing or loading baggage}
- A61L 2103/23: {Containers other than laboratory or medical, e.g. bottles or mail}
- 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 2202/16: Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles
- 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)
- B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

Disclosed are a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing an object using plasma and ultraviolet light and a sterilization system for an airport including the same. The sterilization apparatus includes a first sterilizer configured to radiate plasma rays toward a sterilization space, a second sterilizer configured to radiate ultraviolet light toward the sterilization space, a sensing unit configured to sense whether an object is placed in the sterilization space, and a controller configured to control an operation of the second sterilizer based on information sensed by the sensing unit.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sterilization apparatus, comprising:
a housing forming a sterilization space;
a first sterilizer configured to radiate plasma rays toward the sterilization space;
a second sterilizer configured to radiate ultraviolet light toward the sterilization space;
a sensing unit configured to sense whether an object is placed in the sterilization space; and
a controller configured to control an operation of the second sterilizer based on information sensed by the sensing unit;
wherein the controller is configured to,
while the plasma ray is radiated toward the sterilization space,
operate the second sterilizer to radiate the ultraviolet light toward the object in response to sensing that the object is brought into the sterilization space.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sterilization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to stop the operation of the second sterilizer not to radiate the ultraviolet light, in response to sensing that the object is brought out of the sterilization space.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The sterilization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an entrance through which the object is brought into the sterilization space, and an exit through which the object is brought out of the sterilization space, and
the object is supported and conveyed by a conveyor belt disposed along a path passing through the sterilization space.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The sterilization apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
a cover member provided in the housing to cover the entrance and the exit, and configured to block exposure of the plasma ray and the ultraviolet light to the outside of the sterilization space.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The sterilization apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cover member is configured to operate to open the entrance and the exit when the object passes through the entrance and the exit.

### Claim 6

A sterilization apparatus, comprising:
a housing forming a sterilization space;
a first sterilizer configured to radiate plasma rays toward the sterilization space;
a second sterilizer configured to radiate ultraviolet light toward the sterilization space;
a sensing unit configured to sense whether an object is placed in the sterilization space; and
a controller configured to control an operation of the second sterilizer based on information sensed by the sensing unit,
wherein the second sterilizer comprises:
a light emitting member disposed on a side of the sterilization space to emit the ultraviolet light; and
a support member provided in the housing to cover the light emitting member, the support member including at least one perforation penetrating through a surface thereof to allow the ultraviolet light to pass therethrough, and
wherein the support member includes a polycarbonate material to ensure the heat resistance to the ultraviolet light.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The sterilization apparatus of claim 6, wherein the perforation includes a horizontal slit and a vertical slit, when viewed in a direction in which the ultraviolet light is radiated.