Ultraviolet Light Sanitizing Method and Apparatus

A disinfection unit, comprising:

• at least one ultraviolet light source for producing ultraviolet light for disinfecting an item;
• a housing having a substantially box-like exterior with a flat bottom, the housing defining a cavity to house the ultraviolet light source, the housing having a reflective interior having a spherical configuration with a diameter defining a central axis, wherein the spherical configuration causes the ultraviolet light produced by the at least one ultraviolet light source to be redirected, and wherein the central axis is unobstructed;
• a shelf positioned above a bottom portion of the cavity to support the item, the shelf comprising a first flat surface and a second flat surface opposite and parallel to the first flat surface, the shelf capable of passing the ultraviolet light produced by the at least one ultraviolet light source there through to disinfect an entire surface area of the item;
• an ultraviolet light sensor positioned on the housing inside the cavity to detect the intensity of the ultraviolet light;
• and
• an indicator operatively coupled to the ultraviolet light sensor to alert when the ultraviolet light is below a predetermined threshold.