# US 2019/0314536 A1 · Device for reducing germs on a writing instrument or stylus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0314536 A1 - Document ID: US20190314536A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/468,770 - Filed: 2017-12-21 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-30 - Inventors: Miriah Gilliam-Perkins - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190314536A1 ## CPC - A61L 2/24: Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation - A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation - A61L 2/26: Accessories - A61L 2/28: Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation or disinfection, e.g. indicators which change colour - B43K 23/00: Holders or connectors for writing implements; Means for protecting the writing-points {(B43K27/003 takes precedence)} - B43K 29/00: Combinations of writing implements with other articles - A61L 2/18: Liquid substances - 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) - B43K: IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING (containers, casings or accessories for cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soap, lipstick, make-up A45D34/00, A45D40/00) ## Abstract A germ-reducing pen container including a body having a hollow passageway extending therethrough from an insertion end to a distal end for receiving a pen, the hollow passageway having at least one ultraviolet C light operatively attached thereto, an indicator on an outer surface of the body, and a dispensing mechanism operatively attached at the insertion end for dispensing the pen. A method of reducing germs on a pen, by inserting a pen into a body of a germ-reducing pen container, applying ultraviolet C light to the pen, killing the germs on the pen, indicating that the pen has been cleaned, and dispensing the pen. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A germ-reducing pen container comprising: a body including a hollow passageway extending therethrough from an insertion end to a distal end for receiving a pen, the hollow passageway having at least one ultraviolet C light operatively attached thereto; an indicator on an outer surface of said body; and a dispensing mechanism operatively attached at said insertion end for dispensing said pen. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 1, wherein said body further includes a USB port and USB rechargeable battery. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 1, wherein said body is a shape chosen from rectangular and oblong. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 1, wherein said body can hold multiple pens within said hollow passageway. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 1, wherein said germ-reducing pen container is portable. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 1, wherein said hollow passageway is open at said insertion end and closed at said distal end. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 1, wherein said hollow passageway is substantially pen-shaped. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 1, further including an antimicrobial sponge operatively attached to said insertion end at said hollow passageway. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 8, wherein said antimicrobial sponge changes color when due to be replaced. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 1, wherein said at least one ultraviolet C light is attached in a radial design around said hollow passageway. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 1, wherein multiple ultraviolet C lights are operatively attached in rows along said hollow passageway. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 1, wherein said indicator is a light surrounding said hollow passageway at said insertion end. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 1, wherein said dispensing mechanism includes a mechanism chosen from the group consisting of flywheel, spring, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 1, further including an on/off switch operatively attached to said body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The germ-reducing pen container of claim 1, further including a clip operatively attached to said body. ### Claim 16 A method of reducing germs on a pen, including the steps of: inserting a pen into a body of a germ-reducing pen container; applying ultraviolet C light to the pen; killing the germs on the pen; indicating that the pen has been cleaned; and dispensing the pen. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein said inserting step further includes the step of swiping the pen with an antimicrobial sponge and reducing germs on the pen. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, after said inserting step, further including the step of detecting the presence of a pen within a hollow passageway of the body, and actuating ultraviolet C lights. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein said indicating step is further defined as turning on an indicator light when the pen is cleaned. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein said dispensing step is further defined as dispensing the pen through an insertion end of the body.