U.S. patent application number 14/823171 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-16 for disinfecting apparatus for restraining devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is Shawki Sobhy. Invention is credited to Shawki Sobhy.
Application Number | 20170043044 14/823171 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57909283 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170043044 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sobhy; Shawki |
February 16, 2017 |
Disinfecting Apparatus for Restraining Devices
Abstract
A disinfecting apparatus for cleaning, disinfecting, and
sanitizing restraining devices used by law enforcement and
correctional facilities is designed to allow the disinfectant
solution to evaporate that comprises a compartment that includes an
interior chamber and a door, a disinfectant chamber for retaining
the disinfectant solution, a plurality of jets, at least one
plenum, an air compressor for conveying the disinfectant solution
from the disinfectant chamber to the compartment through the
plurality of jets, a power switch, and an electrical power plug to
electrically connect the disinfecting apparatus to a power supply.
The rear wall of the compartment includes a plurality of support
structures to support a plurality of restraining devices within the
interior chamber. The outer side of the rear wall of the
compartment includes a mounting system that secures the
disinfecting apparatus to a vertical, planar surface.
Inventors: |
Sobhy; Shawki; (Oak Lawn,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sobhy; Shawki |
Oak Lawn |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57909283 |
Appl. No.: |
14/823171 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 2/24 20130101; A61L
2202/15 20130101; B08B 3/02 20130101; A61L 2/18 20130101; A61L 2/22
20130101; A61L 2202/17 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61L 2/18 20060101
A61L002/18; A61L 2/24 20060101 A61L002/24 |
Claims
1. A disinfecting apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting at least
one restraining device, the disinfecting apparatus comprising: a. a
compartment that defines an interior chamber, said compartment
having a top wall opposite a bottom wall, a left wall opposite a
right wall, and a rear wall having a first side and a second side
opposite said first side; b. a door in moveable communication with
said compartment, said door adapted to alternately open and close
access to said interior chamber; c. a disinfectant chamber in
communication with said compartment, said disinfectant chamber
adapted to retain a disinfectant solution; d. a plurality of jets
disposed in at least one of said top wall, bottom wall, left wall,
and right wall, said plurality of jets adapted to convey said
disinfectant solution to said interior chamber in one of a pulsed
spray and a continuous spray; e. at least one plenum enclosing an
outer surface of at least one pressurized wall, the at least one
plenum adapted to convey the disinfectant solution from the
disinfectant chamber to each jet of the plurality of jets located
on the at least one pressurized wall with an equal pressure to each
jet, wherein the at least one pressurized wall comprises at least
one of the top wall, bottom wall, left wall, and right wall; f. an
air compressor adapted to convey at least one of the disinfectant
solution from said disinfectant chamber to said compartment and
high pressure compressed air to said compartment; g. a power switch
in communication with said compartment, said power switch having an
ON position and an OFF position; and h. an electrical power plug
adapted to electrically connect to a power source.
2. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a. a
plurality of support structures disposed on the first side of said
rear wall, each said support structure adapted to support the at
least one restraining device.
3. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a. a
mounting system disposed on the second side of said rear wall, said
mounting structure adapted to secure the disinfecting apparatus to
a vertical, planar surface.
4. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a. a
light indicator panel having at least one of a low liquid light
indicator, an in-use light indicator, a ready light indicator, and
a power light indicator, said light indicator panel disposed on one
of said bottom wall and said plenum; b. said low liquid light
indicator adapted to signal when the disinfectant solution is below
a predetermined level within said disinfectant chamber; c. said
in-use light indicator adapted to signal when said disinfecting
apparatus is in a cycle of operation; d. said ready light indicator
adapted to signal when said disinfecting apparatus is ready to
commence a cycle of operation; and e. said power light indicator
adapted to signal when said power switch is in the ON position and
said disinfecting apparatus is receiving electrical power from said
power source.
5. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the door includes
a sealing gasket adapted to form an air tight seal between said
door and said compartment when said door is closed.
6. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a. a
sensor disposed on said door, said sensor adapted to detect when
said door is open; and b. said disinfecting apparatus deactivating
said air compressor and automatically shutting off said
disinfecting apparatus when said sensor detects that said door is
open.
7. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a. a
timer disposed on said door, said timer adapted to maintain said
door closed and locked for a predetermined amount of time and
adapted to unlock said door when the predetermined amount of time
has elapsed.
8. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the disinfectant
chamber includes a clear display window adapted to indicate the
amount of disinfectant solution remaining within said disinfectant
chamber.
9. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a. a
kill switch adapted to immediately shut off said disinfecting
apparatus in an emergency situation.
10. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a.
an aperture disposed in said disinfectant chamber and allowing
access to said disinfectant chamber, said aperture adapted to
receive said disinfectant solution; and b. a removable cover
adapted to engage said aperture and close access to said
disinfectant chamber.
11. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
jets include stainless steel tips.
12. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a
start button adapted to commence a cycle of operation.
13. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the removable
cover includes one of a sealing plug and a screw cap.
14. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
jets are adapted to convey high pressure compressed air to said
interior chamber.
15. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a
removable tray disposed below said bottom wall, said removable tray
adapted to collect said disinfectant solution.
16. The disinfecting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the removable
cover includes a chain connected to an outer chamber surface of
said disinfectant chamber.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a disinfecting apparatus
for restraining devices, and more particularly, to a disinfecting
apparatus that cleans, disinfects, and sanitizes restraining
devices used by law enforcement and correctional facilities and
that is designed to allow the disinfectant solution to
substantially evaporate, eliminating the need for plumbing.
[0003] Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Law enforcement and correctional facilities utilize a wide
variety of restraining devices such as handcuffs, shackles, and
chains, to restrain individuals in their custody. The handcuffs,
shackles, and chains make contact with the skin of the individual
being restrained and with the skin of the law enforcement personnel
applying the handcuffs, shackles, and chains. Over time, the
restraining devices become dirty and can become contaminated with
bacteria and disease. The restraining devices must be routinely
cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized in order to prevent
contamination and the spread of bacteria and disease. The
disinfecting apparatus of the present invention is designed to
clean, disinfect, and sanitize a plurality of restraining devices
in a sealed chamber using an evaporating disinfectant solution or
substantially evaporating disinfectant solution, eliminating the
need for plumbing, drainage, or a backflow prevention device. The
disinfecting apparatus of the present invention may also utilize a
standard disinfectant solution as well.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,582,654 discloses a fluid spray system for
cleaning and sterilizing medical devices on a rack that includes a
fluid delivery system for an automated processor and includes spray
nozzles for spraying and washing microbial decontaminant and
rinsing solutions over a lumened device, such as an endoscope. The
fluid delivery system also includes connection ports for connecting
with internal passages of the device. A removable rack specially
configured for the particular device, positions the device within a
chamber. The spray nozzles are located on rear and side walls and
on a door of the chamber and the nozzles are adapted to spray the
device from all directions. Sets of the spray nozzles are pulsed in
sequence so that the spray jets do not cancel each other out.
Leaking connectors connect the automated processor connection ports
with inlet ports of the device and allow a portion of the cleaning,
decontaminant, and rinsing solutions to leak from each inlet port.
A computer control system controls cleaning, decontamination,
rinsing, and drying stages of a cycle, which are all carried out
within the chamber. The system disclosed in the '654 patent
includes a collection tank that receives the sprayed
washing/decontaminant solution as it drips off the items. The '654
patent does not disclose a disinfecting apparatus that uses a
substantially evaporating disinfectant solution, thereby
eliminating the need for plumbing, drainage, and a backflow
prevention device. The '654 patent also does not disclose a
disinfecting apparatus that includes at least one plenum that
connects a plurality of jets and evens out the pressure between
each jet.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,943 discloses a liquid cleaning and
sterilization system that includes a fluid delivery system for an
automated processor that delivers washing, microbial decontaminant,
and rinse fluids to spray nozzles in a chamber for spraying the
fluids over a lumened device, such as an endoscope. The fluid
delivery system also delivers the fluids to connection ports that
connect with internal passages of the device. Leaking connectors
connect the automated processor connection ports with the inlet
ports of the device and allow a portion of the washing,
decontaminant, and rinsing solutions to leak from each inlet port.
A computer control system controls cleaning, decontamination,
rinsing, and drying stages of a cycle, which are all carried out
within the chamber. A door locking and latching mechanism ensures
that the door remains locked during the washing, decontamination,
and rinse cycle to avoid accidental injury to an operator from
strong chemicals used in the system. The system disclosed in the
'943 patent includes a collection tank that receives the sprayed
washing/decontaminant solution as it drips off the items. The '943
patent does not disclose a disinfecting apparatus that uses a
substantially evaporating disinfectant solution, thereby
eliminating the need for plumbing, drainage, and a backflow
prevention device. The '943 patent also does not disclose a
disinfecting apparatus that includes at least one plenum that
connects a plurality of jets and evens out the pressure between
each jet.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,884,392 discloses an apparatus and method
for steam reprocessing flexible endoscopes. The reprocessing system
deploys steam to disinfect and/or sterilize the endoscopes, and
designs, components, and methods for reducing or balancing the
reprocessing cycle time and the effects of thermal expansion and
contraction on the endoscopes. In one embodiment, the apparatus
includes an enclosure having a reprocessing bay for receiving the
endoscope and a steam source in fluid communication with the
reprocessing bay. A fluid sprayer is included for spraying steam
onto the external surface of the endoscope. In another embodiment,
the method includes placing the endoscope into a steam reprocessing
bay of a reprocessing apparatus, applying steam to the exterior
surface of the endoscope, flowing steam through the lumen of the
endoscope, and controlling a dimensional change to the endoscope
during the reprocessing method. The apparatus of patent '392
connects to a cold and hot water source that is used in the steam
generator. The '392 patent does not disclose a disinfecting
apparatus that uses a substantially evaporating disinfectant
solution, thereby eliminating the need for plumbing, drainage, and
a backflow prevention device. The '392 patent also does not
disclose a disinfecting apparatus that includes at least one plenum
that connects a plurality of jets and evens out the pressure
between each jet.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 7,886,753 discloses a disinfection apparatus
for disinfecting liquid cleaning of health care objects and the
like. The disinfection equipment includes a washing system for
supplying liquid to a chamber that is adapted to hold the objects
during cleaning, a pump for pumping liquid in the washing system,
and at least one collection space connected to the inlet of the
pump for collecting liquid from the chamber to the pump. The
collection space is defined by at least one partition that has an
extent horizontally from the inlet of the pump and that screens the
inlet of the pump from liquid descending into the chamber at least
nearing the inlet of the pump. The apparatus of patent '753
includes a drain pump that is connected to a sump for discharging
used liquid to a drain. The '753 patent does not disclose a
disinfecting apparatus that uses a substantially evaporating
disinfectant solution, thereby eliminating the need for plumbing,
drainage, and a backflow prevention device. The '943 patent also
does not disclose a disinfecting apparatus that includes at least
one plenum that connects a plurality of jets and evens out the
pressure between each jet.
[0009] The prior art to date does not disclose a disinfecting
apparatus that is designed to use a substantially evaporating
disinfectant solution, thereby eliminating the need for plumbing,
drainage, and a backflow prevention device. None of the prior art
can be combined in a way to suggest the necessary modifications to
produce the disinfecting apparatus of the present invention. There
is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation that would have enabled a
person of ordinary skill in the art to modify any prior
disinfecting apparatus in the manner embodied in the present
invention.
[0010] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a
disinfecting apparatus for restraining devices that is designed to
use an evaporating disinfectant solution, thereby eliminating the
need for plumbing, drainage, and a backflow prevention device.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
disinfecting apparatus for restraining devices that includes at
least one plenum that connects a plurality of jets and evens out
the pressure applied to each jet.
[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a disinfecting apparatus for restraining devices that is designed
to use an evaporating disinfectant solution that does not leave any
biohazard residue.
[0013] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a disinfecting apparatus for restraining devices that reduces or
eliminates human contact with the disinfectant solution.
[0014] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a disinfecting apparatus for restraining devices that cleans,
disinfects, and sanitizes restraining devices used by law
enforcement and correctional facilities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The disinfecting apparatus for restraining devices of the
present invention is designed to clean, disinfect, and sanitize
restraining devices used by law enforcement and correctional
facilities. The disinfecting apparatus is particularly designed to
allow the disinfectant solution to substantially evaporate, thereby
eliminating the need for plumbing, drainage, or a backflow
prevention device. The disinfecting apparatus comprises a
compartment that includes an interior chamber and a door, a
disinfectant chamber for retaining a disinfectant solution, a
plurality of jets, at least one plenum, an air compressor for
conveying the disinfectant solution from the disinfectant chamber
to the compartment through the plurality of jets, a power switch,
and an electrical power plug to electrically connect the
disinfecting apparatus to a power supply. The compartment includes
a top wall, a bottom wall, a left wall, a right wall, and a rear
wall having a first side and a second side opposite the first side.
The plurality of jets are disposed in at least one of the top wall,
bottom wall, left wall, and right wall of the compartment. The
plenum is located on at least one of the top wall, bottom wall,
left wall, and right wall of the compartment, each plenum
connecting the plurality of jets on that particular wall and
evening out the pressure applied to each jet. The plurality of jets
conveys the disinfectant solution in a pulsed spray or a continuous
mist spray to the restraining devices within the interior chamber
of the compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present invention is further described with reference to
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of
a disinfecting apparatus for restraining devices of the present
invention showing a transparent door.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Law enforcement and correctional facilities utilize a wide
variety of restraining devices, such as handcuffs, shackles, and
chains, to restrain individuals in their custody. Over time, and
through contact with surfaces and the skin of the individual being
restrained and the law enforcement personnel applying the
restraining device, the restraining devices become dirty and can
become contaminated with dirt, bacteria, and disease. The
restraining devices must be routinely cleaned and disinfected in
order to prevent contamination and the spread of bacteria and
disease. The disinfecting apparatus for restraining devices of the
present invention is adapted to allow law enforcement personnel and
correctional facility personnel to clean, disinfect, and sanitize a
plurality of restraining devices safely within a sealed
compartment, reducing or eliminating atmospheric contamination and
biohazard residue.
[0019] In a first embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, the disinfecting
apparatus 10 of the present invention comprises a compartment 12
that defines an interior chamber 13 and includes a door 14, a
plurality of jets 16, an air compressor 18, at least one plenum 20,
a disinfectant chamber 22 in communication with compartment 12, and
an electrical power plug 32. The air compressor 18 conveys a
disinfectant solution from the disinfectant chamber 22 to
compartment 12 through the plurality of jets 16. The compartment 12
includes a top wall 44 opposite a bottom wall 46, a left wall 48
opposite a right wall 50, and a rear wall 52 having a first side
and a second side opposite the first side. The plurality of jets
are disposed in at least one of the top wall 44, the bottom wall
46, the left wall 48, and the right wall 50 of compartment 12. The
plenum 20 is located on at least one of the top wall 44, bottom
wall 46, left wall 48, and right wall 50 of compartment 12. The
plenum 20 connects to the plurality of jets 16 located on that
particular wall of compartment 12 in which the plenum 20 is located
and the plenum 20 is adapted to even out the pressure to each jet
in the plurality of jets 16 on that particular wall. The plurality
of jets 16 conveys the disinfectant solution in a pulsed spray or a
continuous mist spray to the restraining devices within interior
chamber 13 of compartment 12. The plurality of jets 16 can also
include stainless steel tips.
[0020] The first side of rear wall 52 of compartment 12 includes a
plurality of support structures 34, such as hooks, adapted to hold
at least one restraining device (not shown) per support structure
34 within interior chamber 13 and allowing the disinfecting
apparatus 10 to potentially clean a plurality of restraining
devices at one time. The rear wall 52 further includes a mounting
system 30, located on the second side of rear wall 52 opposite the
first side that includes the plurality of support structures 34,
the mounting system 30 securing the disinfecting apparatus 10 to a
vertical, planar surface.
[0021] The top portion of compartment 12 includes a power switch
26, a start button 27, and a light indicator panel 28 disposed on
plenum 20. The light indicator panel 28 includes at least one of a
low liquid light indicator 36, an in-use light indicator 38, a
ready light indicator 40, and a power light indicator 42. The low
liquid light indicator 36 is illuminated when the disinfectant
solution reaches a predetermined level within the disinfectant
chamber 22. The in-use light indicator 38 is illuminated once the
start button 27 is pressed and the disinfecting apparatus 10 is in
a cycle of operation. The ready light indicator 40 is illuminated
when the disinfecting apparatus 10 is ready to commence a cycle of
operation. The power light indicator 42 is illuminated when the
power switch 26 is in the ON position, the electrical power plug 32
is electrically connected to a power source, and the disinfecting
apparatus 10 is receiving power from the power source.
[0022] Door 14 includes a sealing gasket (not shown) that forms an
air tight seal between door 14 and compartment 12 when door 14 is
closed and prevents the disinfectant solution from escaping from
interior chamber 13 of compartment 12 into the atmosphere. Door 14
includes a sensor (not shown) that shuts off air compressor 18 to
terminate the cycle of operation of disinfecting apparatus 10 when
the sensor detects that door 14 is opened during the cycle of
operation. In a second embodiment, door 14 includes a timer (not
shown) that maintains door 14 closed and locked for a predetermined
amount of time while the disinfecting apparatus 10 is in a cycle of
operation. Once the cycle of operation completes and the timer
expires, door 14 is unlocked and the user can open door 14. In a
third embodiment, the disinfecting apparatus 10 includes an
emergency kill switch (not shown) that allows a user to immediately
shut off the disinfecting apparatus 10 in an emergency situation
when the emergency kill switch is activated.
[0023] The disinfectant chamber 22 is adapted to retain a
predetermined amount of disinfectant solution and includes a clear
display 24 that indicates the amount of disinfectant solution
remaining within the disinfectant chamber 22. The disinfectant
chamber 22 includes an aperture 58 allowing access to the interior
of the disinfectant chamber 22 and a removable cover 60 closing
access to the interior of the disinfectant chamber 22 when
removable cover 60 engages aperture 58. The removable cover 60 is
connected to the disinfectant chamber 22 through a chain 61 or
similar means. In one embodiment, cover 60 includes one of a plug
having a sealing gasket and a screw cap. The disinfectant solution
is poured into the disinfectant chamber 22 through aperture 58.
[0024] When the disinfecting apparatus 10 is in a cycle of
operation, the disinfectant solution, under the force of air
compressor 18, is conveyed from disinfectant chamber 22 to the
plurality of jets 16 to provide a pulsed spray or a continuous
spray mist of disinfectant solution to the restraining devices
within interior chamber 13 of compartment 12 and suspended from the
plurality of support structures 34. The disinfectant solution can
be conveyed directly from the disinfectant chamber 22 to the
plurality of jets 16 or can be conveyed from the disinfectant
chamber 22, through plenum 20, and then to the plurality of jets
16. The disinfectant solution is only dispensed from disinfectant
chamber 22 when door 14 is in the closed position and an air tight
seal has formed between door 14 and compartment 12.
[0025] The disinfecting apparatus 10 is a plug and go apparatus
that only requires the user to engage electrical power plug 32 with
a power source for operation. To use disinfecting apparatus 10, the
user places restraining devices upon support structures 34 within
interior chamber 13 of compartment 12 and closes door 14, forming
an air tight seal between compartment 12 and door 14. When power
switch 26 is placed in the ON position and the start button 27 is
pressed, the air compressor 18 forces the disinfectant solution
from disinfectant chamber 22 to the plurality of jets 16. Plenum 20
connects the plurality of jets 16 and ensures that the disinfectant
solution is evenly dispensed from each jet 16. The disinfectant
solution is dispensed from jets 16 in a pulsed spray or in a
continuous spray mist onto restraining devices. Air compressor 18
is shut down to terminate the cycle of operation of disinfecting
apparatus 10 if the sensor (not shown) has detected that door 14
has been opened prior to termination of the cycle of operation of
the disinfecting apparatus 10. In the first embodiment of the
present invention, the disinfectant solution substantially
evaporates over a predetermined amount of time and the user can
then open door 14. In the second embodiment of the present
invention, the timer (not shown) maintains door 14 closed and
locked for a predetermined amount of time while the disinfecting
apparatus 10 is in a cycle of operation. Once the timer expires,
door 14 is unlocked and the user can then open door 14. The
disinfecting apparatus 10 and air compressor 18 are also shut down
to immediately terminate the cycle of operation of the disinfecting
apparatus 10 if the emergency kill switch is activated in an
emergency situation.
[0026] In a fourth embodiment, the air compressor 18 forces the
disinfectant solution from disinfectant chamber 22 to the plurality
of jets 16. The disinfectant solution is dispensed from jets 16 in
a pulsed spray or in a continuous spray mist onto the restraining
devices within compartment 12. The air compressor 18 subsequently
forces high pressure compressed air through the plurality of jets
16 to assist in evaporating the disinfectant solution and drying
the restraining devices within compartment 12. A removable tray
(not shown) is included below bottom wall 46 of compartment 12 to
collect any remaining disinfectant solution that has not yet
evaporated.
[0027] The foregoing description of an illustrated embodiment of
the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was
selected to best explain the principles of the invention and
practical application of these principles to enable others skilled
in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be
limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set
forth below.
* * * * *