Oh, patents! UV light sole-sanitizing technology (3)

Copyright © Francoise Herrmann

According to a University of Arizona-Rockport Shoes study cited in the patent US9272058B1, titled Sanitizing device, system and methods of use thereof, the transfer rate of pathogens, from footwear to uncontaminated surfaces, ranges between 90 and 99% (CIRI, 2001). This means that such pathogens as Escherichia Coli (E. Coli), Klebisiella Pneumonia,  and Serratia Ficaria, respectively responsible for extensive gastrointestinal, lung, and kidney damage, might easily be transferred into homes and workplaces simply when people are walking in (Barker et al. 2001). To resolve this problematic situation, the invention recited in US9272058B1 offers a UV light sanitizing solution. A solution requiring that a user stand on a UV light-emitting platform, for approximately 8 seconds, during which time the UVC radiation emitted will damage the DNA/RNA of pathogens, in turn making it impossible for any bacteria and/or viruses transported on the soles of the wearer’s shoes to replicate, and thus contaminate ambulatory surfaces.

Within the context of the COVID 19 pandemic and phased re-opening of the economy, this invention has generated renewed interest at hospitals, restaurants and other community and residential facilities (ABC News, 2020).  

The abstract of this invention is included below, together with the patent Figure 1, showing the UVC radiation-emitting platform, on which the wearer stands for shoe sole decontamination. This invention is otherwise versatile, in that the UV light-emitting source also functions as a wand, that might be removed from the platform box for sanitizing additional objects.  

A device that eliminates contaminants before they can be transmitted throughout a structure. The device may include a platform housing a disinfection source for selectively emitting UV-C light. The platform has a top. The top has two areas that pass the UV-C light with the remaining area of the top unable to pass the UV-C light. The two areas of the top are capable of supporting a person standing on the areas with a foot respectively on each area. The disinfection source is configured to emit the UV-C light when a person stands on the two areas, but not when there is no person standing on the two areas. The disinfection source may be removable from the platform for use in disinfecting objects.

 [Abstract US9272058B1] 

In particular, the patent Figure 1 depicts the device 10 comprising a substantially square box housing 12, with four sides 22a, 22b, 24a and 24b, built together to support the weight of a standing adult. The platform 20, on top of the housing 12, has two transparent shoe-print openings 26a and 26b, on which the user stands, and through which UV light is emitted, via a tubular UVC light source 14, for the purposes of sanitizing the user’s soles. The tubular UVC light source 14 may turn on and off automatically, as the user steps on and off the platform 20, so that no UVC light is emitted when noone is standing on the platform 20. 

The shoe-print openings 26a and 26b may be of any shape and size, without departing from the scope of the invention. For users with shoe sizes larger than the shoe print, repeat exposures to UVC light are recommended. For users with shoe sizes smaller than the shoe print, the unobstructed effects of any surrounding UVC light radiation are specified insignificant, in terms of potential harm, to the user standing on the device, or to additional people in close proximity.

Otherwise, the housing 12 is substantially hollow, with an opening 28, through which the tubular UVC light source 14 may be removed for use as a portable UVC sanitizing wand 40 (not depicted on Figure 1). The device 10 is powered by regular household current via a power cord 30. The device also has a switch 32, which may include a delay timer for the purposes of giving the user time to step onto the platform 20, prior to activation of the sanitizing UVC light.

Several marketed embodiments of this invention already exist. The YouTube video below demonstrates use of the Healthy Sole Plus System., a system that was laboratory-tested for effectiveness, in March 2020, against both SARS CoV1 and SARS-CoV2 (Sattar, 2020). The Healthy Sole Plus System includes a UV light shield in the toe portion of the platform, as well as onscreen means to assist with correct sole positioning on the platform. 

References

Barker, J. Stevens, D. and S.F Bloomfield (2001) Spread and prevention of some common viral infections in community facilites and domestic homes. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2001 (91) pp. 2-21. DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2672.2001.01364.x   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11442709/  

CIRI Staff (May 3, 2008) Study reveals high levels of bacteria on footwear. The Cleaning Industry Research Institute. https://www.ciriscience.org/a_96-Study-Reveals-High-Bacteria-Levels-on-Footwear

Healthy Sole Plus - https://www.healthysoleplus.com/

Holmes, H. (March 31, 2020) A sanitizer station promises to sanitize the soles of your shoes to kill viruses – ABC News. https://wjla.com/features/7-on-your-side/a-sanitizer-station-promises-to-sanitize-the-soles-of-your-shoes  

Sattar, S. (2020) Assessment of HealthySole UV Shoe Sanitizer Device for Decontaminating Hard, Non-Porous Environmental Surfaces: Testing against Human Respiratory Coronavirus 229E (ATCC VR-740) as a representative Healthcare-Associated Pathogen. CREM Co. Labs, Ontario, Canada.   https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c8d3c8f8dfc8c140ce20014/t/5e90d20060774a716d3d1c2a/1586549249068/CREM+CO+Final+Report+for+HealthySole+PLUS.pdf