Oh, patents! UV sanitizing light with integrated motion detection (2)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The award-winning invention recited in US2015343104A1 titled Radiated energy sterilization device and associated method relates to an electromagnetic UV radiation-emitting lighting system for sanitizing the frequently-used surfaces of a room, while also detecting the presence of occupants in the room. The UV radiation-emitting lighting system is designed to detect occupants in a the room, because UV radiation is generally considered harmful to skin and eyes. This invention is used in hospital settings for decontamination purposes, within the context of the prevention of HAIs (hospital-acquired infections).  However, much renewed interest for this invention now also exists within the context of the COVID 19 pandemic, currently phasing-in the re-opening of economic activity.  

The disclosed UV radiation-emitting lightbulb system with an integrated motion detection sensor was invented by the LightingScience Group Corp. A company with a large portfolio of patents and awards-winning products, connected to NASA collaborations and circadian rhythm research.

The abstract of this invention is included below, below together with the patent Figure 5, illustrating the inventive UV radiation-emitting, sanitizing lightbulb with integrated motion control. sensor. Specifically, Figure 5 depicts: the sterilization device 100, the UV emitting device 101, the detector 102, and a source of visible light 103 (on a different spectrum), so that the sterilization device 100 might function both as lighting, when the room is occupied, and as a sanitizing device when the room is vacated. This particular embodiment of the invention also includes a titanium dioxide (TiO2) dispersal system (104) for added photocatalysis, found most reactive in combination with 265 nm wavelength UV light.  

In general, the description of the invention provided in the patent is unlimited to the specified embodiments. Many different variations of the specification remain within the scope of the invention. Variations in terms of the configuration of the light bulbs, the types of sensors and objects or persons detected, the modes, intesity and duration or timing of light emission, as well as the integrated processors to control emission and detection, as well as TiO2 dispersal, when such an option is included.  

 A sterilization device comprising an ultraviolet (UV) electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitting device, a detector configured to detect occupancy of a room associated with the sterilization device, and a controller operably connected to each of the UV EMR emitting device and the detector. The detector is configured to send a signal indicating occupancy to the controller upon a detection of occupancy. The controller is configured to operate the UV EMR emitting device to emit UV EMR only upon receiving a signal indicating no occupancy. [Abstract US2015343104A1]

References

Lighting Science Group Corp. : https://lsgc.com/

LightFair Internation 2012 (May 11, 2012) Lighting Science Group Ushers In The Light Ages With Advanced LED Lighting Intelligence, Control And Design  https://www.ledinside.com/showreport/2012/5/lsg_201205_lfi

Terminology - Face shields (visières de protection) (8) HappyShield (UK and AU)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The University of Cambridge (UK), Department of Architecture, Natural Material Innovation Group, and The University of Queensland (Australia), School of Engineering Folded Structures Lab, jointly designed a face shield, designated the HappyShield (logo included). The HappyShield is further characterized as “Curved crease origami face shield for infection control”. The HappyShield was created within the context of the COVID 19 pandemic, in response to the shortage of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment).

The HappyShield design comprises a single sheet of 0.5 mm-thick PET or Acetate, which is curved-crease-folded twice to provide extra protection from fluids and sprays, coming from above. Once double-creased, the face shield distance from the user’s face is also adjustable. A 20 mm wide elastic strap, threaded through attachment holes, on each side of the shield, alternatively through friction clips first, secures the HappyShield to the user’s head. The HappyShield is intended to be easily washable for decontamination, and re-usable between shifts.

 The HappyShield was designed specifically for ultra swift, mass-manufacture, at low cost, keeping in mind global disruptions in supply chains, and the greater impact in less-wealthy countries. Thus, the Happyshield design supports several production processes, in particular: Hand-creasing, Laser cut, and Laser-cut + pressure creasing.

An image of the HappyShield Hand creasing template, extracted from the GitHub project files, is included below, together with an image of the assembled HappyShield. A Youtube video is also included to show the various features and assembly of the HappyShield. Incidentally, the GitHub project files also contain many Instagram widgets to illustrate instructions and various aspects of the HappyShield

References

GitHub HappyShield documentation files: https://github.com/HappyShield/happyshield.github.io

Github HappyShield project:https://happyshield.github.io/en/

GitHub HappyShield template files: https://github.com/HappyShield/HappyShield

The University of Cambridge (UK) - Department of Architecture - The Natural Material Innovation Group: https://www.natmat.group.cam.ac.uk/

The University of Queensland (AU) - School of Engineering - Folded Structures Lab.   https://www.civil.uq.edu.au/icarus/folded-structures-lab-various-topics 

YouTube video of the HappyShield: https://youtu.be/NzHtaLhImxM