WO2021255761A1

WO2021255761A1 - System and method for disinfecting surfaces of articles transported on a conveyor system

Info

Publication number: WO2021255761A1
Application number: PCT/IN2021/050593
Authority: WO
Inventors: Akshay Vivek Singhal; Hemant CHARAYA; Ankush RAINA; Prithvi Kadadaravalli BASAVARAJU; Anirudh Kothimangalam NANDAKUMAR; Kartik Hajela; Pankaj Sharma
Original assignee: Log 9 Materials Scientific Private Limited
Priority date: 2020-06-18
Filing date: 2021-06-18
Publication date: 2021-12-23

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for disinfecting all the surfaces of articles (101) transported on a conveyor system (102) in a disinfection chamber (100) through ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The disinfection chamber comprises an external disinfectant module (104), an internal disinfectant module (107) and a mobile disinfectant module (108c). The external disinfectant module is a hollow cuboidal or curved structure designed to mechanically couple with one section of a conveyor system. The internal disinfectant module is designed to disinfect the lower surface of the article on the conveyor system. The mobile disinfectant module is designed to disinfect articles not transported as individual entities on a conveyor system. The mechanical design of the system is such that the exterior of the system is not exposed to the UV radiation produced inside the disinfection chamber.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISINFECTING SURFACES OF

ARTICLES TRANSPORTED ON A CONVEYOR SYSTEM

A) CROSS REFERENCETO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present invention is a Non Provisional Patent Application claims the priority of and filed in continuation to the Indian Provisional Patent Application (PPA) with serial number 202041025789 filed on June 18, 2020 with the title, “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISINFECTION OF ARTICLES TRANSPORTED ON A CONVEYOR SYSTEM”, and the contents of which are incorporated in entirety as reference herein.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

[0002] The present invention is generally related to a field of hygiene, sanitization and disinfection. The present invention is generally related to a system and method for disinfecting articles transported on a conveyor system. The present invention is particularly related to a system and method for continuously disinfecting all surfaces of articles transported on a conveyor system using a disinfection chamber and an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation.

Description Of Related Art [0003] Ultraviolet (UV) based disinfection has been in use for quite some time.

Being a non-contact method that is easily implemented, UV bulbs or LEDs are widely utilized in various disinfection applications, including handheld disinfection systems, static disinfection systems and portable mobile disinfection systems.

[0004] Since infections are spread through touch, it becomes a necessity to disinfect all the surfaces of an item or article that is handled by humans. More importantly, it is vital to ensure that the disinfection is completely successful, as an improper disinfection is more harmful than not disinfecting. The process of disinfecting all possible surfaces of an item or article, which has a possibility of coming in contact with human skin is very difficult. For instance, a package delivered to a recipient or a luggage used by a traveller is exposed to various environments and they are to be thoroughly disinfected. Apart from posing a danger to the owner of the package or luggage, since these articles are handled by a plurality of individuals, the chances of infection increase manifold if they are not disinfected effectively.

[0005] The manual handling of an article is minimized by the use of automation techniques such as a conveyor system. However, there exists a danger of an infection staying in the conveyor system, resulting in infecting a plurality of articles transported by it. The articles and the conveyor system are further to be disinfected by a human. Currently existing disinfection solutions require a human to handle either the disinfection apparatus or the article to be disinfected, or both. This causes further dangers of infection or exposure to hazardous radiation for the human.

[0006] Therefore, there exists a need for a disinfection chamber for complete disinfection of articles transported on a conveyor system. There is also a need for a disinfection chamber to disinfect all surfaces of articles transported through a conveyor system. There is a further need for a disinfection chamber to disinfect articles that are placed in specified containers and transported through a conveyor system. Still further there is a need for a disinfection chamber for complete disinfection of articles transported on a conveyor system using ultraviolet irradiation.

[0007] The abovementioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for enabling a chamber for disinfecting all the surfaces of articles such as Baggage, trolleys, handbags, electronic devices, personal belongings etc., transported on a conveyor system.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation based closed and contained disinfection chamber for disinfecting articles transported on a conveyor system. [0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system to disinfect articles that are placed in specified containers and transported through a conveyor system.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a disinfection chamber that enables effectively disinfecting all the surfaces of moving articles inside the chamber through UV irradiation. [0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a contained and closed chamber for disinfecting articles inside the chamber through UV irradiation without exposing the exterior of the chamber to the UV radiation. [0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the disinfection chamber as an add-on chamber to any conventional conveyor system, without affecting the performance of the conveyor system.

[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism to activate the UV irradiation in the disinfection chamber only when an article to be disinfected and being transported on a conveyor system is present inside the chamber.

[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of optimum designs and shapes of the disinfection chamber such that the maximum intensity of the UV radiation from the plurality UV irradiation sources fitted inside the chamber is directed at the articles in the disinfection chamber for enabling effective and complete disinfection.

[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of UV irradiation sources positioned at strategic locations inside the disinfection chamber of different shapes of the disinfection chamber to enable effective and complete disinfection of the articles in the chamber.

[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile disinfectant module designed to store articles that are not transported as individual entities but as atleast one article in a group on a conveyor system, and wherein the mobile disinfectant module comprises a plurality of UV bulbs/Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) on the inner bottom surface.

[0018] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mesh surface in the mobile disinfectant module, for receiving and supporting/holding the articles to be disinfected. The inner bottom surface of the mesh are fixed/mounted with the UV bulbs/LEDs to disinfect the bottom surface of the articles.

[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide slidable contactor terminals on the side surfaces of the mobile disinfectant module, to act as an electromechanical switch to activate the UV bulbs/LEDs in the mobile disinfectant module only when the mobile disinfectant module is present/positioned inside the disinfection chamber.

[0020] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an internal disinfectant module that is designed to house the UV bulbs/LEDs in cavities between the moving surfaces of the conveyor system to disinfect the bottom surface of articles that are transported by the conveyor system.

[0021] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a concave structured disinfection chamber for maximizing the intensity of the UV irradiation emitted from the UV bulbs/LEDs fixed on pre-set locations on the inner surface of the disinfection chamber and incident on articles transported on a conveyor system, which is completely covered/sealed by the disinfection chamber.

[0022] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The following details present a simplified summary of the embodiments herein to provide a basic understanding of the several aspects of the embodiments herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the embodiments herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the embodiments herein or to delineate the scope of the embodiments herein. Its sole purpose is to present the concepts of the embodiments herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. [0024] The other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein will become readily apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

[0025] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for providing a disinfection chamber for disinfecting all the surfaces of articles transported on a conveyor system using UV irradiation. The embodiments of the present invention disclose an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-based disinfection chamber for disinfecting articles transported on a conveyor system.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a non-contact system is provided for disinfecting surfaces of a plurality of articles transported on a conveyor system. The system comprises of a disinfection chamber and a computing module. The disinfection chamber comprises a power supply module configured to power the disinfection chamber, an external disinfectant module coupled to a section of the conveyor system and configured to disinfect one or more side surfaces and a top surface of the plurality of transported articles, an internal disinfectant module configured to disinfect a bottom surface of the plurality of transported articles, and a control module in communication with the computing module configured to monitor functioning of the system in real-time, and jointly activate the external disinfectant module and the internal disinfectant module to disinfect all surfaces of the plurality of articles transported on the conveyor system.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for non-contact based disinfection of all surfaces of the plurality of articles transported on the conveyor system. The method may comprise arranging a power supply module, an external disinfectant module, an internal disinfectant module, a control module, and a sensor module to form a disinfection chamber. The method further comprises powering the disinfection chamber by the power supply module, configuring the external disinfectant module on a section of the conveyor system for disinfecting one or more side surfaces and a top surface of the plurality of transported articles. Further, the method comprises configuring an internal disinfectant module for disinfecting a bottom surface of the plurality of transported articles, and monitoring functioning of the system in real-time, using a computing module in communication with the control module and jointly activate the external disinfectant module and the internal disinfectant module for disinfecting all surfaces of the plurality of transported articles. [0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided for disinfecting articles transported on a conveyor system through UV irradiation. The system comprises a conveyor system on which articles are transported. The system further comprises a disinfection chamber which includes an external disinfection module, an internal disinfection module, a mobile disinfection module, power supply module, a power rails module, a control module, a sensor module and a power supply module. The disinfection chamber is further connected to a computing module that is configured to monitor the functioning of the system in real-time. The sensor module is further configured to detect malfunctioning of any part of the disinfection chamber, including but not limited to the UV irradiation sources, and raise an alert/alarm through the computing module.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disinfection chamber are provided/constructed in a plurality of optimum designs and shapes such that the maximum intensity of the UV radiation from the plurality UV irradiation sources fixed inside the chamber is directed at the articles in the disinfection chamber for an effective and complete disinfection. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of UV irradiation sources is provided and placed at strategic locations and positions of the disinfection chamber arranged in a plurality of mutually different shapes and design/shape to enable effective and complete disinfection of the articles in the chamber.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an external disinfection module is provided in the disinfection chamber. The external disinfection module is a hollow cubical or curved structure that is designed to mechanically couple with one section of the conveyor system. The interior of the external disinfection module acts as a closed and contained space for disinfecting articles transported in the conveyor system that is enclosed by the hollow structure. The interior surface of the structure is lined with the plurality of ultraviolet bulbs/LEDs for irradiating the articles. The interior surface of the structure is a reflective surface to maximize the effect of irradiation. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the materials used for creating the reflective surface include but not limited to, aluminum, silver, stainless steel and aluminized polymer films or combination of such materials thereof. The design of the structure and the placement of the ultraviolet bulbs/LEDs is such that the UV irradiation disinfects all the surfaces of the article in the conveyor system except the surface of the article that rests on the bottom surface of the conveyor system. The two end surfaces of the structure/chamber, through which the articles enter and exit the structure, and the exterior surface of the structure are designed with materials that absorb the UV radiation produced in the interior of the structure/chamber. The mechanical design of the whole arrangement is such that the exterior of the structure/chamber is not exposed to the UV radiation produced inside the structure/chamber.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an internal disinfection module is provided in the disinfection chamber. The internal disinfection module is designed/configured to disinfect the lower surface of the article that is placed on the conveyor system. A section of the conveyor system, that is enclosed by the hollow cuboidal or curved structure of the external disinfection module, is designed/arranged with a plurality of rollers that act as the surface of the conveyor system for transporting the article to be disinfected. The rollers structures are designed and fitted to remain stationary and allow the articles to move on their surface through a rolling motion of the structures. The rollers are not arranged continuously and are separated by regular intervals to form /gaps in between adjacent two rollers. The bottom surface of the articles are exposed through the intervals/gaps/recesses/space between the roller. The bottom surface of the article exposed through the gap between the rollers are irradiated with UV light emitted from the plurality of UV bulbs/LEDs installed below the rollers. The UV bulbs/LEDs are configured to get activated, when an article moves on the rollers and to disinfect the bottom surface of the article through the UV irradiation emitted at the gaps between the rollers. When the external disinfection module and the internal disinfection module are together activated, all the surfaces of the article passed through the conveyor system in the disinfection chamber are disinfected.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile disinfection module is provided in the disinfection chamber. The mobile disinfection module is designed to store the articles that are not transported as individual entities but as atleast one or other articles in a group on a conveyor system. The mobile disinfection module comprises a plurality of the UV bulbs/LEDs on the inner bottom surface. A mesh surface is provided above the UV bulbs/LEDs for supporting and holding the articles to be transported and disinfected. The side surface of the mobile disinfection module is provided with a slidable contactor terminal that acts as an electromechanical switch. The slidable contactor terminal and a plurality of power rails provided on the surface of the conveyor system are configured to activate the UV bulbs/LEDs in the external disinfection module and the mobile disinfection module only when the mobile disinfection module is positioned/present inside the hollow structure of the external disinfection module. When the external disinfection module and the mobile disinfection module are activated together, all or the entire surfaces of the article in the mobile disinfection module are disinfected. [0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a computing module is configured to control the intensity of the plurality of UV bulbs/LEDs in the disinfection chamber based on a speed of conveyor system and a time spent by or a residual/resident time of the articles to be disinfected inside the disinfection chamber. The computing module is also configured to control the speed of the conveyor system when the intensity of the UV irradiation is fixed or unchanged, in order to ensure a complete and effective disinfection of articles.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of disinfection chambers is configured to be employed in a plurality of different locations of a conveyor system for disinfecting articles transported by the conveyor system. The plurality of disinfection chambers is also configured to be connected with one another through electromechanical means, to provide a plurality of configurations to disinfect articles transported by the conveyor system, and wherein a type of connection and a total number of disinfection chambers to be connected are dependent on an amount of articles to be disinfected.

[0035] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating the preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which: [0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for disinfecting articles transported on a conveyor system in a disinfection chamber through UV irradiation, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 2a illustrates an isometric view or a top side perspective view a cuboidal external disinfectant module in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 2b. illustrates a side view a cuboidal external disinfectant module in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 2c illustrates a front view of a cuboidal external disinfectant module in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0041] FIG. 3a illustrates an isometric view or a top side perspective view of a hemi spherical shaped external disinfectant module in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 3b illustrates a side view of a hemispherical shaped external disinfectant module in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0043] FIG. 3c illustrates a front view of a hemispherical shaped external disinfectant module in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0044] FIG.4a illustrates a side view a cuboidal external disinfectant module and internal disinfectant module in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG.4b illustrates a front view of a cuboidal external disinfectant module and internal disinfectant module in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG.5a illustrates a side view of a hemispherical shaped external disinfectant module and internal disinfectant module in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0047] FIG.5b illustrates a front view of a hemispherical shaped external disinfectant module and internal disinfectant module in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG.6a illustrates an isometric view of a mobile disinfectant module assembly in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0049] FIG.6b illustrates an exploded perspective view of a mobile disinfectant module assembly in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] FIG.7a illustrates an isometric view an external disinfectant module and a mobile disinfectant module in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0051] FIG.7b illustrates a top view of an external disinfectant module and a mobile disinfectant module in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 7a-7c illustrates a side view of an external disinfectant module and a mobile disinfectant module in a disinfection chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Although the specific features of the embodiments herein are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the embodiments herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0055] As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. [0056] The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

[0057] The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.

[0058] The term “automatic” and variations thereof, as used herein, refers to any process or operation done without material human input when the process or operation is performed. However, a process or operation can be automatic, even though performance of the process or operation uses material or immaterial human input, if the input is received before performance of the process or operation. Human input is deemed to be material if such input influences how the process or operation will be performed. Human input that consents to the performance of the process or operation is not deemed to be material.

[0059] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for providing a disinfection chamber for disinfecting all the surfaces of articles transported on a conveyor system using UV irradiation. The embodiments of the present invention disclose an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-based disinfection chamber for disinfecting articles transported on a conveyor system. [0060] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a non-contact system is provided for disinfecting surfaces of a plurality of transported articles being transported on a conveyor system the system comprising a disinfection chamber and a computing module. The disinfection chamber comprises a power supply module configured to power the disinfection chamber, an external disinfectant module coupled to a section of the conveyor system and configured to disinfect one or more side surfaces and a top surface of the plurality of transported articles, an internal disinfectant module configured to disinfect a bottom surface of the plurality of transported articles, and a control module in communication with the computing module configured to monitor functioning of the system in real-time, and jointly activate the external disinfectant module and the internal disinfectant module to disinfect all surfaces of the plurality of articles transported on the conveyor system.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for non-contact based disinfecting of all surfaces of a plurality of transported articles transported on a conveyor system. The method may comprise arranging a power supply module, an external disinfectant module, an internal disinfectant module, a control module, and a sensor module to form a disinfection chamber, powering the disinfection chamber by the power supply module, configuring the external disinfectant module on a section of the conveyor system for disinfecting one or more side surfaces and a top surface of the plurality of transported articles. Further, the method comprises configuring an internal disinfectant module for disinfecting a bottom surface of the plurality of transported articles, and monitoring functioning of the system in real-time, using a computing module in communication with the control module and jointly activate the external disinfectant module and the internal disinfectant module for disinfecting all surfaces of the plurality of transported articles.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided for disinfecting articles transported on a conveyor system through UV irradiation. The system comprises a conveyor system on which articles are transported. The system further comprises a disinfection chamber which includes an external disinfection module, an internal disinfection module, a mobile disinfection module, power supply module, a power rails module, a control module, a sensor module and a power supply module. The disinfection chamber is further connected to a computing module that is configured to monitor the functioning of the system in real-time. The sensor module is further configured to identify a malfunctioning of any part of the disinfection chamber, including but not limited to UV irradiation sources, and raise an alert/alarm through the computing module.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disinfection chamber are provided/constructed in a plurality of optimum designs and shapes such that the maximum intensity of UV radiation from a plurality UV irradiation sources fixed inside the chamber is directed at the articles in the disinfection chamber for an effective and complete disinfection. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of UV irradiation sources is provided and placed at strategic locations and positions for the disinfection chamber arranged in a plurality of mutually different shapes and design/shape to enable effective and complete disinfection of the articles in the chamber. [0064] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an external disinfection module is provided in the disinfection chamber. The external disinfection module is a hollow cubical or curved structure that is designed to mechanically couple with one section of a conveyor system. The interior of the external disinfection module acts as a closed and contained space for disinfecting articles transported in the conveyor system that is enclosed by the hollow structure. The interior surface of the structure is lined with a plurality of ultraviolet bulbs/LEDs for irradiating the articles. The interior surface of the structure is a reflective surface to maximize the effect of irradiation. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the materials used for creating the reflective surface include but not limited to, aluminum, silver, stainless steel and aluminized polymer films or combination of such materials thereof. The design of the structure and the placement of the ultraviolet bulbs/LEDs is such that the UV irradiation disinfects all the surfaces of the article in the conveyor system except the surface of the article that rests on the surface of the conveyor system. The two ends of the structure/chamber, through which the articles enter and exit the structure, and the exterior surface of the structure are designed with materials that absorb the UV radiation produced in the interior of the structure/chamber. The mechanical design of the whole arrangement is such that the exterior of the structure/chamber is not exposed to the UV radiation produced inside the structure/chamber.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an internal disinfection module is provided in the disinfection chamber. The internal disinfection module is designed/configured to disinfect the lower surface of the article that is placed on a conveyor system. A section of the conveyor system, that is enclosed by the hollow cuboidal or curved structure of the external disinfection module, is designed/arranged with a plurality of rollers that act as the surface of the conveyor system for transporting the article to be disinfected. The rollers structures are designed and fitted to remain stationary and allow the articles to move on their surface through a rolling motion of the structures. The rollers are not arranged continuously and are separated by regular intervals to form /gaps in between adjacent two rollers. The bottom surface of the articles are exposed through the intervals/gaps/recesses/space between the roller. The bottom surface of the article exposed through the gap between the rollers are irradiated with UV light emitted from the plurality of UV bulbs/LEDs installed below the rollers. The UV bulbs/LEDs are configured to get activated, when an article moves on the rollers and to disinfect the bottom surface of the article through the gaps between the rollers. When the external disinfection module and the internal disinfection module are together activated, all the surfaces of the article passed through the conveyor system in the disinfection chamber are disinfected.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile disinfection module is provided in the disinfection chamber. The mobile disinfection module is designed to contain articles that are not transported as individual entities on a conveyor system. The mobile disinfection module comprises a plurality of UV bulbs/LEDs on the inner bottom surface. A mesh surface is provided above the UV bulbs/LEDs for supporting and holding the articles to be transported and disinfected. The side surface of the mobile disinfection module is provided with a slidable contactor terminal that acts as an electromechanical switch. The slidable contactor terminal and a plurality of power rails provided on the surface of the conveyor system are configured to activate the UV bulbs/LEDs in the external disinfection module and the mobile disinfection module only when the mobile disinfection module is positioned/present inside the hollow structure of the external disinfection module. When the external disinfection module and the mobile disinfection module are activated together, all or the entire surfaces of the article in the mobile disinfection module are disinfected.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a computing module is configured to control the intensity of the plurality of UV bulbs/LEDs in the disinfection chamber based on a speed of conveyor system and a time spent by or a residual/resident time of the articles to be disinfected inside the disinfection chamber. The computing module is also configured to control the speed of the conveyor system when the intensity of the UV irradiation is fixed or unchanged, in order to ensure a complete and effective disinfection of articles.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of disinfection chambers is configured to be employed in a plurality of different locations of a conveyor system for disinfecting articles transported by the conveyor system. The plurality of disinfection chambers is also configured to be connected with one another through electromechanical means, to provide a plurality of configurations to disinfect articles transported by the conveyor system, and wherein a type of connection and a total number of disinfection chambers to be connected are dependent on an amount of articles to be disinfected.

[0069] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for enabling a chamber for disinfecting all the surfaces of articles transported on a conveyor system. The present invention is more particularly related to providing an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation based closed and contained disinfection chamber for disinfecting articles transported on a conveyor system.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided for disinfecting articles transported on a conveyor system through UV irradiation. The system comprises a conveyor system on which articles are transported. The system further comprises a disinfection chamber which includes an external disinfectant module, an internal disinfectant module, a mobile disinfectant module, power supply module, a power rails module, a control module, a sensor module and a power supply module. The disinfection chamber is further connected to a computing module that is configured to monitor the functioning of the system in real-time. The sensor module is further configured to identify a malfunctioning of any part of the disinfection chamber, including but not limited to UV irradiation sources, and raise an alert/alarm through the computing module.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disinfection chamber are provided/constructed in a plurality of optimum designs and shapes such that the maximum intensity of UV radiation from a plurality UV irradiation sources fixed inside the chamber is directed at the articles in the disinfection chamber for an effective and complete disinfection. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of UV irradiation sources is provided and placed at strategic locations and positions for the disinfection chamber arranged in a plurality of mutually different shapes and design/shape to enable effective and complete disinfection of the articles in the chamber. [0072] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an external disinfectant module is provided in the disinfection chamber. The external disinfectant module is a hollow cubical or curved structure that is designed to mechanically couple with one section of a conveyor system. The interior of the external disinfectant module acts as a closed and contained space for disinfecting articles transported in the conveyor system that is enclosed by the hollow structure. The interior surface of the structure is lined with a plurality of ultraviolet bulbs/LEDs for irradiating the articles. The interior surface of the structure is a reflective surface to maximize the effect of irradiation. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the materials used for creating the reflective surface include but not limited to, aluminum, silver, stainless steel and aluminized polymer films or combination of such materials thereof. The design of the structure and the placement of the ultraviolet bulbs/LEDs is such that the UV irradiation disinfects all the surfaces of the article in the conveyor system except the surface of the article that rests on the surface of the conveyor system. The two ends of the structure/chamber, through which the articles enter and exit the structure, and the exterior surface of the structure are designed with materials that absorb the UV radiation produced in the interior of the structure/chamber. The mechanical design of the whole arrangement is such that the exterior of the structure/chamber is not exposed to the UV radiation produced inside the structure/chamber.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an internal disinfectant module is provided in the disinfection chamber. The internal disinfectant module is designed/configured to disinfect the lower surface of the article that is placed on a conveyor system. A section of the conveyor system, that is enclosed by the hollow cuboidal or curved structure of the external disinfectant module, is designed/arranged with a plurality of rollers that act as the surface of the conveyor system for transporting the article to be disinfected. The rollers structures are designed and fitted to remain stationary and allow the articles to move on their surface through a rolling motion of the structures. The rollers are not arranged continuously and are separated by regular intervals to form /gaps in between adjacent two rollers. The bottom surface of the articles are exposed through the intervals/gaps/recesses/space between the roller. The bottom surface of the article exposed through the gap between the rollers are irradiated with UV light emitted from the plurality of UV bulbs/LEDs installed below the rollers. The UV bulbs/LEDs are configured to get activated, when an article moves on the rollers and to disinfect the bottom surface of the article through the gaps between the rollers. When the external disinfectant module and the internal disinfectant module are together activated, all the surfaces of the article passed through the conveyor system in the disinfection chamber are disinfected.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile disinfectant module is provided in the disinfection chamber. The mobile disinfectant module is designed to contain articles that are not transported as individual entities on a conveyor system. The mobile disinfectant module comprises a plurality of UV bulbs/LEDs on the inner bottom surface. A mesh surface is provided above the UV bulbs/LEDs for supporting and holding the articles to be transported and disinfected. The side surface of the mobile disinfectant module is provided with a slidable contactor terminal that acts as an electromechanical switch. The slidable contactor terminal and a plurality of power rails provided on the surface of the conveyor system are configured to activate the UV bulbs/LEDs in the external disinfectant module and the mobile disinfectant module only when the mobile disinfectant module is positioned/present inside the hollow structure of the external disinfectant module. When the external disinfectant module and the mobile disinfectant module are activated together, all or the entire surfaces of the article in the mobile disinfectant module are disinfected.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a computing module is configured to control the intensity of the plurality of UV bulbs/LEDs in the disinfection chamber based on a speed of conveyor system and a time spent by or a residual/resident time of the articles to be disinfected inside the disinfection chamber. The computing module is also configured to control the speed of the conveyor system when the intensity of the UV irradiation is fixed or unchanged, in order to ensure a complete and effective disinfection of articles.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of disinfection chambers is configured to be employed in a plurality of different locations of a conveyor system for disinfecting articles transported by the conveyor system. The plurality of disinfection chambers is also configured to be connected with one another through electromechanical means, to provide a plurality of configurations to disinfect articles transported by the conveyor system, and wherein a type of connection and a total number of disinfection chambers to be connected are dependent on an amount of articles to be disinfected.

[0077] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for disinfecting articles transported on a conveyor system through UV irradiation. The illustrated system comprises a disinfection chamber 100, a plurality of transported articles 101 and a computing module 110. The disinfection chamber 100 includes a conveyor system 102, a power supply module 103, an external disinfectant module 104, power rails module 105, sensors module 106, an internal disinfectant module 107, a mobile disinfectant module 108 and a control module 109.

[0078] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disinfection chamber 100 comprises, a power supply module 103 configured to power the disinfection chamber 100, an external disinfectant module 104 coupled to a section of the conveyor system 102 and configured to disinfect one or more side surfaces and a top surface of the plurality of transported articles 101, an internal disinfectant module 107 configured to disinfect a bottom surface of the plurality of transported articles 101 and a control module 109 in communication with the computing module 110 configured to monitor functioning of the system in real-time, and jointly activate the external disinfectant module 104 and the internal disinfectant module 107 to disinfect all surfaces of the plurality of transported articles 101 transported on the conveyor system 102.

[0079] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disinfection chamber 100 also comprises a mobile disinfectant module 108. The mobile disinfectant module 108, when activated jointly with the external disinfectant module 104, disinfects all surfaces of a plurality of transported articles 101. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the mobile disinfectant module 108 comprises a mesh-arrangement 108b to hold a plurality of transported articles 101 to be disinfected, and a plurality of UV irradiation sources 108c positioned on bottom interior of the mobile disinfectant module 108. [0080] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the mobile disinfectant module 108 and the external disinfectant module 104 are activated jointly when a sliding contactor terminal 108a, and the power rails module 105 arranged on the conveyor system 102 activates the plurality of UV irradiation sources 108c on bottom interior of the mobile disinfectant module 108c and the plurality of UV irradiation sources 104b positioned on interior surfaces of the external disinfectant module 104.

[0081] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present disclosure provides that the external disinfectant module 104 may comprise plurality of UV irradiation sources 104b positioned on interior surfaces of the external disinfectant module 104. Furthermore, the internal disinfectant module 107 may comprise a plurality of UV irradiation sources 107a positioned in between gaps disposed between rollers of the conveyor system 102.

[0082] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disinfection chamber 100 may also comprise a sensor module 106 configured to identify any malfunctioning of any part of the disinfection chamber 100 and raise an alert or alarm in communication with the computing module 110.

[0083] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the external disinfectant module 104 and the internal disinfectant module 107 are cuboidal or hemi spherical shaped for maximizing intensity of UV irradiation emitted from the plurality of UV irradiation sources such as UV bulbs or LEDs.

[0084] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the plurality of articles 101 to be disinfected are transported as a standalone entity on a conveyor system 102, the articles may be disinfected upon joint activation of the external disinfectant module 104 and the internal disinfectant module 107.

[0085] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the plurality of articles 101 comprises articles which are not transported as a standalone entity on the conveyor system 102, the articles may be disinfected upon joint activation of the mobile disinfectant module 108 and the external disinfectant module 104.

[0086] Referring now to FIG. 2a-2c, these figures illustrate isometric view, side view and front view of an example implementation of a cuboidal external disinfectant module. FIG. 2a illustrates an enclosure arrangement 104a comprising materials that absorb UV irradiation and prevent the exposure of the exterior of the external disinfectant module 104 from being exposed to UV irradiation. FIG. 2b and 2c illustrate a plurality of UV bulb/LEDs 104b (referenced above) positioned in the interior of the external disinfectant module 104, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Referring now to FIG. 3a-3c, these figures illustrate isometric view, side view and front view of an example implementation of a dome-shaped external disinfectant module.

[0088] FIG. 4a and 4b illustrate side view and front view of an example implementation of a cuboidal external disinfectant module and internal disinfectant module. The internal disinfectant module 107 comprises a plurality of UV bulbs/LEDs 107a (referenced above in this description above). [0089] FIG. 5a and 5b illustrate side view and front view of an example implementation of a dome-shaped external disinfectant module and internal disinfectant module.

[0090] FIG. 6a illustrates an isometric view of an example implementation of a mobile disinfectant module. The mobile disinfectant module 108 is designed to contain a plurality of articles to be disinfected 101. The mobile disinfectant module 108 also comprises sliding contactor terminal 108a.

[0091] FIG. 6b illustrates an exploded view of a mobile disinfectant module. The mobile disinfectant module 108 includes a sliding contactor terminal 108a, a mesh- arrangement 108b for holding a plurality of articles to be disinfected and a plurality of UV bulbs/LEDs 108c on the bottom interior of the module.

[0092] FIG. 7a-7c illustrate isometric view, top view and side view of an example implementation of an external disinfectant module and mobile disinfectant module. The sliding contactor terminal 108a and a plurality of power rails 105 provided on the surface of the conveyor system 102 are configured to activate the UV bulbs/LEDs 104b in the external disinfectant module 104 and the UV bulbs/LEDs 108c mobile disinfectant module 108 only when the mobile disinfectant module 108 is inside the hollow structure of the external disinfectant module 104.

[0093] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such as specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.

[0094] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.

[0095] Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein with modifications.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION [0096] The advantages of the present invention is providing a system and method for enabling a chamber for disinfecting all the surfaces of articles transported on a conveyor system. The present invention is more particularly related to providing an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation based closed and contained disinfection chamber for disinfecting articles transported on a conveyor system. The present invention disinfects all the surfaces of the articles transported on the conveyor system, including the bottom surface that rests on the conveyor system. The present invention is designed to be added-on to any conventional existing conveyor system and disinfect a plurality of moving articles being transported, without affecting the performance of the conveyor system. The present invention also provides a design for a mobile disinfectant module that enables disinfecting a plurality of articles that are not individually transported on the conveyor system. The present invention provides a contained and closed chamber for disinfecting articles inside the chamber through UV irradiation without exposing the exterior of the chamber to the UV radiation.

[0097] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.

[0098] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the appended claims.

[0099] Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A non-contact system for disinfecting surfaces of a plurality of articles (101) transported on a conveyor system (102), the system comprising a disinfection chamber (100) and a computing module (110), wherein: the disinfection chamber (100) comprises: a power supply module (103) configured to power the disinfection chamber

(100); an external disinfectant module (104) coupled to a section of the conveyor system (102) and configured to disinfect one or more side surfaces and a top surface of the plurality of transported articles (101); an internal disinfectant module (107) configured to disinfect a bottom surface of the plurality of transported articles (101); and a control module (109) in communication with the computing module (110) configured to: monitor functioning of the system in real-time, and jointly activate the external disinfectant module (104) and the internal disinfectant module (107) to disinfect all surfaces of the plurality of transported articles (101) transported on the conveyor system (102).

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external disinfectant module (104) comprises a plurality of UV irradiation sources (104b) positioned on interior surfaces of the external disinfectant module (104), and wherein the internal disinfectant module

(107) comprises a plurality of UV irradiation sources (107a) positioned in between gaps disposed between rollers of the conveyor system (102). 3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disinfection chamber (100) further comprises a mobile disinfectant module (108) which when activated jointly with the external disinfectant module (104) disinfects all surfaces of a plurality of transported articles (101), wherein the mobile disinfectant module (108) comprises a mesh- arrangement (108b) to hold a plurality of transported articles (101) to be disinfected, and a plurality of UV irradiation sources (108c) positioned on bottom interior of the mobile disinfectant module (108), and wherein the mobile disinfectant module (108) and the external disinfectant module (104) are activated jointly when a sliding contactor terminal (108a), and the power rails module (105) arranged on the conveyor system (102) activates the plurality of UV irradiation sources (108c) on bottom interior of the mobile disinfectant module (108c) and the plurality of UV irradiation sources (104b) positioned on interior surfaces of the external disinfectant module (104).

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of articles (101) to be disinfected upon joint activation of the external disinfectant module (104) and the internal disinfectant module (107) comprises articles which are transported as a standalone entity on the conveyor system (102).

5. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of articles (101) to be disinfected upon joint activation of the mobile disinfectant module (108) and the external disinfectant module (104) comprises articles which are not transported as a standalone entity on the conveyor system (102).

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disinfection chamber (100) comprises a sensor module (106) configured to identify any malfunctioning of any part of the disinfection chamber (100) and raise an alert or alarm through the computing module (110).

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external disinfectant module (104) and the internal disinfectant module (107) are cuboidal or hemi-spherical shaped for maximizing intensity of UV irradiation emitted from the plurality of UV irradiation sources, and wherein the plurality of UV irradiation sources are selected from a group comprising UV bulbs and LEDs. 8. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of UV irradiation sources are arranged at strategic locations of the disinfection chamber (100) and wherein the plurality of UV irradiation sources are arranged in a plurality of mutually different shapes to enable complete disinfection of the articles in the chamber. 9. A method for non-contact based disinfecting of all surfaces of a plurality of transported articles (101) transported on a conveyor system (102), the method comprising: arranging a power supply module (103), an external disinfectant module (104), an internal disinfectant module (107), a control module (109), and a sensor module (106) to form a disinfection chamber (100); powering the disinfection chamber (100) by the power supply module (103); configuring the external disinfectant module (104) on a section of the conveyor system (102) for disinfecting one or more side surfaces and a top surface of the plurality of transported articles (101); configuring an internal disinfectant module (107) for disinfecting a bottom surface of the plurality of transported articles (101); and monitoring functioning of the system in real-time, using a computing module

(110) in communication with the control module (109) and jointly activate the external disinfectant module (104) and the internal disinfectant module (107) for disinfecting all surfaces of the plurality of transported articles (101). 10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein disinfecting all surfaces of a plurality of transported articles (101) further comprises activating a mobile disinfectant module (108) jointly with the external disinfectant module (104), providing a mesh-arrangement (108b) on the mobile disinfectant module (108) for holding a plurality of transported articles (101) to be disinfected, positioning a plurality of UV irradiation sources (108c) on bottom interior of the mobile disinfectant module (108), and wherein jointly activating mobile disinfectant module (108) and the external disinfectant module (104) comprises a sliding contactor terminal (108a), and the power rails module (105) arranged on the conveyor system (102) activating the plurality of UV irradiation sources (108c) on bottom interior of the mobile disinfectant module (108c) and the plurality of UV irradiation sources (104b) positioned on interior surfaces of the external disinfectant module (104).