Keycard sanitizer

Abstract

The invention is directed to a keycard sanitizer. The sanitizer employs one or more of three different methods to sanitize keycards turned in by customers: ultraviolet light projectors, sanitizer sponges, and sanitizer sprayers. A plurality of drying sponges and a sanitizer drain are also provided. Preferably, a detachable feeder tray and a detachable receiver tray are provided to feed keycards into a card entrance slot on the sanitizer, and receive keycards as they are expelled from an exit slot on the sanitizer, respectively. The sanitizer enables the management of a business to sanitize keycards and reissue the keycards to incoming customers, saving the expense of discarding and replacing used keycards.

Claims

1. A keycard sanitizer which is mounted on four flexible feet and employs one or more of three different methods to sanitize keycards turned in by customers: ultraviolet light projectors, sponges, and sprayers, with a plurality of drying sponges being also provided.

2. The keycard sanitizer of claim 1, wherein preferably, a detachable feeder tray and a detachable receiver tray are provided to feed keycards into a card entrance slot on the front surface of the sanitizer, and receive keycards as they are expelled from an exit slot one the rear surface of the sanitizer, respectively.

3. The keycard sanitizer of claim 1, wherein electric servomotors power a series of rollers which propel the keycards through the sanitizer, from the card entrance slot, through the sanitizing method or methods provided, through the drying sponges, and out through the exit slot.

4. The keycard sanitizer of claim 1, wherein a detachable AC power cord is also provided, which may be inserted into a power cord socket provided on the side surface of the sanitizer.

5. The keycard sanitizer of claim 1, wherein the user may feed returned keycards by hand into the card entrance slot, and remove sanitized keycards from the exit slot by hand as they are expelled

6. The keycard sanitizer of claim 1, wherein alternatively, the user may attach the feeder tray and the receiving tray to the sanitizer, insert one or more keycards into the feeder tray, and remove the sanitized keycards from the receiving tray upon completion.

7. The keycard sanitizer of claim 1, wherein sprayers are provided, applying sanitizer fluid to both sides of the keycard, with excess fluid drains into a sanitizer drain, which is provided; and a door is provided on the top surface, which may be opened to enable the replenishment of a reservoir of sanitizing fluid within the sanitizer.

8. The keycard sanitizer of claim 4, wherein sponges are provided which become moistened by the sanitizing fluid from the reservoir, and then apply the sanitizing fluid to the keycard.

9. The keycard sanitizer of claim 4, wherein ultraviolet light projectors, which are powered by the power cord, are provided; the door, the reservoir, and the sanitizer drain are removed from the design.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sanitizer 10, the cover 11, the activation button 12, the feet apertures 13, and the card entrance slot 14.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sanitizer 10, the cover 11, the activation button 12, the feet apertures 13, and the card exit slot 15.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sanitizer 10, the cover 11, the activation button 12, and the feet apertures 13.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sanitizer 10, the cover 11, and the feet apertures 13.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a front transparency view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sanitizer 10, the activation button 12, the sanitizer sprayers 16, the rollers 17, and the reservoir 18.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a rear transparency view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sanitizer 10, the activation button 12, the sanitizer sprayers 16, the rollers 17, and the reservoir 18.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a front perspective transparency view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the sanitizer 10, the activation button 12, the sanitizer sprayers 16, the rollers 17, and the reservoir 18.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective transparency view of the third exemplary embodiment, displaying the sanitizer 10, the activation button 12, the sanitizer sprayers 16, the rollers 17, and the reservoir 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is a keycard sanitizer 10. The sanitizer 10 enables the management of a hotel or motel to sanitize keycards and reissue the keycards to incoming guests, saving the expense of discarding and replacing used keycards. The sanitizer may also be used by banks and other financial institutions, hospitals, casinos, colleges and universities, and similar institutions where encoded cards are temporarily provided to customers and other non-staff persons.

[0025] The sanitizer 10 is mounted on four flexible feet, which may be extended vertically from feet apertures 13, and provides a removable cover 11. The sanitizer 10 employs one or more of three different methods to sanitize hotel and motel keycards turned in by guests: ultraviolet light projectors, sanitizer sponges, and sanitizer sprayers 16. A plurality of drying sponges are also provided. A detachable feeder tray and a detachable receiver tray may also be provided to feed keycards into a card entrance slot 14 on the front surface of the sanitizer 10, and receive keycards as they are expelled from an exit slot 15 on the rear surface of the sanitizer 10, respectively.

[0026] Electric servomotors power a series of rollers 17 which propel the keycards through the sanitizer 10, from the card entrance slot 14, through the sanitizing method or methods provided, through the drying sponges, and out through the exit slot 15. A detachable AC power cord is also provided, which may be inserted into a power cord socket provided on the side surface of the sanitizer 10.

[0027] The first exemplary embodiment is a sanitizer 10 which provides sanitizer sprayers 16. A cover 11 is provided, which may be opened to enable the replenishment of a reservoir 18 of sanitizing fluid within the sanitizer 10. The sanitizer fluid is applied to both surfaces of the keycard by the sanitizer sprayers 16, and excess fluid drains into a sanitizer drain, which is provided. Internal components may be configured differently from the configuration shown in the drawings.

[0028] The second exemplary embodiment is similar in structure and function to the first exemplary embodiment, with the following modifications. Instead of sprayers 16, the second exemplary embodiment provides sanitizer sponges. The sanitizing fluid from the reservoir 18 moistens the sanitizer sponges, which then apply the sanitizing fluid to the keycard.

[0029] The third exemplary embodiment is similar in structure and function to the first exemplary embodiment, with the following modifications. Instead of sprayers 16, the third exemplary embodiment provides ultraviolet light projectors, which are powered by the power cord. In the third exemplary embodiment, the reservoir 18 and the sanitizer drain 17 are removed from the design.

[0030] To use the first, second, or third exemplary embodiment, the user may feed returned keycards by hand into the card entrance slot 14, and remove sanitized keycards from the exit slot 15 by hand as they are expelled. Alternatively, the user may attach the feeder tray and the receiving tray to the sanitizer 10, insert one or more keycards into the feeder tray 19, and remove the sanitized keycards from the receiving tray 20 upon completion.

[0031] The sanitizer 10, the cover 11, the card entrance slot 14, the exit slot 15, the sanitizer sprayers 16, the reservoir 18, the ultraviolet light projectors, the sanitizer drain, the power cord socket, the feeder tray, the receiving tray, and the servomotors are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials, such as steel, aluminum alloy, and plastic. The feet and the rollers 17 are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material such as rubber, plastic, or silicon. The power cord is preferably manufactured from braided copper alloy wire sheathed in plastic.

[0032] Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

[0033] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.