Ultraviolet-based bathroom surface sanitization

{
  "publication_number": "US9757486B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Ultraviolet-based bathroom surface sanitization",
  "abstract": "A solution for cleaning and/or sterilizing one or more surfaces in a bathroom is provided. The sterilization can be performed using ultraviolet sources, which can emit ultraviolet radiation directed onto the surface(s). The cleaning can be performed using a fluid, such as water, that is flowed over the surface(s). The surface(s) can include at least a seat of a toilet and/or other surfaces associated with the toilet.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system comprising: a toilet including a seat; a fluorescent ultraviolet source configured to emit ultraviolet radiation directed at the seat to excite a fluorescent signal from a target contaminant; a fluorescent sensor for detecting the fluorescent signal and evaluating a presence of the target contaminant; and a sterilizing ultraviolet source configured to emit ultraviolet radiation directed at the seat to sterilize the seat.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, wherein the toilet further includes a cover for removably covering the seat, wherein the sterilizing ultraviolet source is located in the cover.",
    "3. The system of claim 2, wherein the cover includes means for maintaining a target spacing between the cover and the seat.",
    "4. The system of claim 3, wherein the toilet further includes a bowl, wherein the bowl includes a support surface for supporting the seat, and wherein the support surface extends beyond an outer edge of the seat to support the cover.",
    "5. The system of claim 4, wherein the cover and the support surface of the bowl form a watertight connection, and wherein the system further includes a set of fluid sources for cleaning the seat using a fluid.",
    "6. The system of claim 1, wherein the toilet further includes: a cleaning chamber; means for moving the seat into the cleaning chamber; and a set of fluid sources for cleaning the seat using a fluid within the cleaning chamber, wherein the sterilizing ultraviolet source is located within the cleaning chamber.",
    "7. The system of claim 6, wherein the means for moving includes a hinged connection mechanism for rotating the seat into a substantially vertical orientation within the cleaning chamber.",
    "8. The system of claim 6, wherein the sterilizing ultraviolet source is isolated from an area for the seat by a removable ultraviolet transparent material.",
    "9. A system comprising: a toilet, wherein the toilet includes a fluid source for cleaning a seat of the toilet with a fluid; and a set of ultraviolet sources configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed onto a set of surfaces associated with the toilet, wherein the set of surfaces includes at least the seat of the toilet, wherein the set of ultraviolet sources includes at least one ultraviolet source mounted above the toilet.",
    "10. The system of claim 9, wherein the set of ultraviolet sources includes at least one ultraviolet source located in a cover for the seat.",
    "11. The system of claim 9, wherein the set of surfaces further include at least one of: a rim of a bowl of the toilet, a flush mechanism, and a floor adjacent to the toilet.",
    "12. The system of claim 9, wherein the toilet further includes a cover for removably covering the seat, wherein the cover forms a channel having a watertight connection with a rim of a bowl of the toilet, and wherein the cover includes: a first section forming the channel and including an inlet for enabling the fluid to enter the channel; and a second section including at least one ultraviolet source of the set of ultraviolet sources and an ultraviolet transparent material separating the at least one ultraviolet source from the channel.",
    "13. The system of claim 12, wherein the cover further includes an inlet for introducing air into the channel.",
    "14. The system of claim 13, wherein the cover includes a third section located between the first section and the second section, wherein the third section includes a fan for circulating the air.",
    "15. The system of claim 9, wherein the set of ultraviolet sources includes: a fluorescent ultraviolet source configured to emit ultraviolet radiation directed at at least one of the set of surfaces to excite a fluorescent signal from a target contaminant; and a sterilizing ultraviolet source configured to emit ultraviolet radiation directed at the at least one of the set of surfaces to sterilize the at least one of the set of surfaces.",
    "16. A bathroom including: a set of fixtures, wherein at least one of the set of fixtures includes: a fluorescent ultraviolet source configured to emit ultraviolet radiation directed at a surface of the fixture to excite a fluorescent signal from a target contaminant; a fluorescent sensor for detecting the fluorescent signal and evaluating a presence of the target contaminant; and a sterilizing ultraviolet source configured to emit ultraviolet radiation directed at the surface to sterilize the surface.",
    "17. The bathroom of claim 16, wherein the at least one of the set of fixtures is one of: a toilet or a bidet.",
    "18. The bathroom of claim 16, wherein at least one of the set of fixtures includes a fluid source for cleaning the surface with a fluid.",
    "19. The bathroom of claim 18, wherein the fluid source is located within a cleaning chamber of the at least one of the set of fixtures.",
    "20. The bathroom of claim 18, wherein the at least one of the set of fixtures further includes an air source for introducing air for drying the surface after the cleaning."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The disclosure relates generally to surface sterilization, and more particularly, to sterilization of a surface, such as one or more components of a toilet, using ultraviolet light.\n\nThe bathroom (e.g., water closet or lavatory) is the single, most polluted room in any home or public building. The continual use of bleaches, detergents and antibiotics to clean the bathroom are harmful to the environment and produce resistant strains, which become progressively more difficult to control. The use of chemicals is short lived and is generally used after such pollution has become established. Nevertheless, there is a general concern with both the public and health authorities that cleanliness around lavatories needs continuous attention.\n\nThere have been a number of approaches describing toilets with a self-cleaning bowl. Cleaning a toilet is important for both aesthetic and health reasons. In addition to the waste that may soil the toilet bowl, a great many water supply systems provide water having bacteria, minerals, or other matter that cause stains and deposits when the water is left stagnant for any period of time, particularly around the water line of a toilet. Cleaning toilets is not a pleasant task and few people are likely to enjoy the job. As a result, a toilet may not be cleaned for a long period of time. The longer the time between cleanings, the more difficult the task becomes, e.g., because the stains set into the porcelain and require major scrubbing and chemicals to remove them.",
  "cpc": [
    "A61L 2/10",
    "A47K 13/302",
    "E03D 11/02",
    "E03D 9/04",
    "E03D 9/08"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A47K 17/00",
    "E03D 9/00",
    "A61L 2/10",
    "E03D 9/08",
    "A47K 13/00",
    "A47K 13/30"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Sensor Electronic Technology Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Alexander Dobrinsky",
    "Michael Shur",
    "Remigijus Gaska"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-11-06",
  "publication_date": "2017-09-12",
  "grant_date": "2017-09-12",
  "priority_date": "2014-11-06",
  "application_number": "US-201514934464-A",
  "family_id": "55909847",
  "cited_by_count": 53,
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}