Microwave-actuated ultraviolet sterilizer
OwnerThurston C. Le Vayinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A microwave activated ultraviolet sterilizer for surface sterilization of articles such as baby bottles, contact lenses and the like permits rapid irradiation and easy operation. The sterilizer includes a substantially non-conducting housing, a plurality of transparent ultraviolet lamps disposed within the housing, and a microwave source, such as a conventional home microwave oven. In use, the sterilizer is placed within the oven and derives its power from the oven's microwave field.
Claims20
A method of sterilizing an object using ultraviolet light emitted from a gas capable of emission of ultraviolet light in response to microwaves, comprising the steps of:
- placing an object to be sterilized in position to receive ultraviolet light emitted from at least one bulb containing the gas, and
- irradiating the bulb with microwaves to stimulate the gas to emit ultraviolet light at the object,
- wherein the at least one bulb and the object are placed in a microwave oven, and the step of irradiating comprises turning on the oven.
A device for sterilization of articles comprising a sterilizer unit containing a gas capable of emitting ultraviolet light in response to microwaves, and a microwave source for irradiating the gas to cause the gas to emit ultraviolet light, wherein the sterilizer unit comprises a microwave-transparent housing and a plurality of bulbs, containing the gas, mounted inside the housing for irradiating ultraviolet light at an object disposed in the housing.
A device for sterilization of articles comprising a sterilizer unit containing a gas capable of emitting ultraviolet light in response to microwaves, and a microwave source for irradiating the gas to cause the gas to emit ultraviolet light, wherein the sterilizer unit comprises an elongate bulb containing the gas and a non-conductive base for mounting the bulb, whereby a microwave transparent bottle may be supported with the bulb inside for sterilizing the inside of the bottle.
A device for sterilization of articles comprising a sterilizer unit containing a gas capable of emitting ultraviolet light in response to microwaves, and a microwave source for irradiating the gas to cause the gas to emit ultraviolet light, wherein the sterilizer unit comprises a quartz bulb containing the gas, and the bulb has a beaker-like shape for containing liquids, whereby the liquids may be placed in the bulb for sterilization.
A device for sterilization of articles comprising a sterilizer unit containing a gas capable of emitting ultraviolet light in response to microwaves, and a microwave source for irradiating the gas to cause the gas to emit ultraviolet light, wherein the sterilizer unit comprises at least one quartz bulb containing the gas, and wherein the at least one bulb comprises a hollow non-conductive base having two wells formed of a UV-transmitting material, and the gas is disposed in the hollow base, whereby liquid may be placed in each well along with an object to be sterilized.
A device for sterilization of articles comprising a sterilizer unit containing a gas capable of emitting ultraviolet light in response to microwaves, and a microwave source for irradiating the gas to cause the gas to emit ultraviolet light, wherein the sterilizer unit comprises at least one bulb containing the gas and a relatively small amount of a conductive material.
A device for sterilization of articles comprising a sterilizer unit containing a gas capable of emitting ultraviolet light in response to microwaves, and a microwave source for irradiating the gas to cause the gas to emit ultraviolet light, wherein the sterilizer unit comprises a non-conductive base, and a bulb containing the gas, and wherein the bulb has a hook-like shape, whereby a baby bottle nipple may be frictionally supported in the hook for sterilization of the nipple.
A device for sterilization of articles comprising a sterilizer unit containing a gas capable of emitting ultraviolet light in response to microwaves, and a microwave source for irradiating the gas to cause the gas to emit ultraviolet light, wherein the sterilizer unit comprises at least one quartz bulb containing the gas, and wherein there is one bulb which is adapted to be supported inside a non-conductive base having a beaker-like shape for containing liquids.
A device for sterilization of articles comprising a sterilizer unit containing a gas capable of emitting ultraviolet light in response to microwaves, and a microwave source for irradiating the gas to cause the gas to emit ultraviolet light, wherein the sterilizer unit comprises a container for holding a liquid, a lid for the containing, and a bulb containing the gas and fixed to the lid, whereby the bulb is immersible in the liquid by positioning the lid on the container.
A device for sterilization of articles comprising a sterilizer unit containing a gas capable of emitting ultraviolet light in response to microwaves, and a microwave source for irradiating the gas to cause the gas to emit ultraviolet light, wherein the microwave source is a microwave oven and the sterilizer unit is disposed in the oven.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.