System for germicidal disinfecting of food inside of refrigerators using ultraviolet radiation

Abstract

A device for disinfecting food stored in a refrigerated compartment, utilizing radiation emitted in the ultraviolet wavelengths between 200 and 300 nanometers emitted by a lamp. The lamp is installed on an upper surface of an enclosed refrigerator compartment lined with a reflective lining adapted to reflect radiation in the ultraviolet wavelengths. A raised grill is provided within the enclosed compartment for the placement of food products for disinfecting above a lower surface of the compartment, permitting reflected ultraviolet radiation to impact the underside of the food products. A switch triggered by the opening and closing of a door on the refrigerator, and a timer activated by the switch, activate the ultraviolet lamp after a predetermined period has elapsed from closure of the refrigerator door. The timer is further configured to switch off the ultraviolet lamp after the food placed in the compartment has been exposed to the emitted ultraviolet radiation for a period of time sufficient to destroy any contaminating micro-organism. A display panel positioned on the exterior surface of the refrigerator is configured to provide an operator with a means to control the operation of the ultraviolet lamp and an indication of both the operating status of the ultraviolet light and of the environmental conditions within the refrigerated compartment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.