The present disclosure generally relates a washing machine and, in particular relates to an apparatus for destroying harmful microorganism like bacteria, fungi, viruses from clothes, specifically the clothes used by medical professionals.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. [0003] Disinfecting objects, materials, tissues and even body parts is an essential healthy practice followed worldwide especially to avoid contamination or infection from disease causing microorganisms flourishing all around. In circumstances, when disease causing microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, fungi etc. build in large numbers around vulnerable populations of the elderly, immuno-compromised or the very young, they can wreak havoc and thereby constitute a health hazard. To combat such dangers, various methods of sterilization and disinfection are constantly researched and developed. Professionals and scientists are continually seeking more effective, less expensive and more environmentally friendly ways to destroy or inactivate unwanted viruses, bacteria, and fungi. [0004] It is commonly recognized that to disinfect an object is to rid the object of a percentage of live microorganisms.
[0005] Common methods to achieve disinfection, can be use of harsh chemicals, irradiation, steam and other methods, certain disadvantages including high cost, large time, high energy requirements, high intensity of time and labor, harmful radiations on body and harmful chemical environmental effects may accompany each of these. A constant struggle exists to achieve the highest level of microorganism eradication, while preserving the viability and characteristics of the underlying object, tissue or matter; using the least amount of energy, and having the least environmental impact.

[0006] There are many different apparatuses available for disinfecting clothes, but they all have the disadvantage that complicated technical facilities are required to operate them. Use of such an apparatus in not always possible, especially at home, because of the high costs incurred and these do not provide options for bulk sterilization.
[0007] During an epidemic situation (large-scale infectious disease transmission caused by infectious bacteria and viruses), hospitals use a large amount of disposable medical materials such as protective clothing, masks and gloves every day, and a large amount of medical waste is generated daily, therefore a serious matter occurs to find a place to dispose these waste. The conventional sterilization and disinfection system is difficult to meet the requirements under the epidemic situation, so that the reduction of medical waste becomes an urgent matter; on the other hand, the large amount of daily replacement of the protective materials also poses a great challenge to the supply of the protective materials, thus disinfecting and reusing of the protective materials are very important.
[0008] At present, most of medical materials are basically stacked together for performing ultraviolet sterilization, but light cannot penetrate through all the medical materials properly. Therefore, existing sterilization equipment cannot thoroughly sterilize the protective products, which harms bodies of patients and medical professionals. Also, the medical materials disinfected by the existing sterilization and disinfection apparatus has a large peculiar smell, and the comfort of the medical professionals is seriously affected, thus the existing sterilization and disinfection apparatus cannot meet the requirements of the medical professional.
[0009] Therefore, there is a need to overcome above mentioned problems of prior art by bringing a solution that is cost efficient, easily usable, environmentally friendly, and destroys harmful microorganism like bacteria, fungi, viruses from clothes while preserving the viability and characteristics of the clothes.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
disinfecting and drying clothes, which can overcome deficiencies associated with
the known arts.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
disinfecting clothes specifically the clothes used by medical professionals.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
disinfecting soft tissue clothes like disposable face-mask, personal protective
equipment (PPE), and gloves.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
efficiently destroying disease causing microorganisms.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
preserving the viability and characteristics of the clothes while disinfecting.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
disinfecting the clothes without using water.
[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus
for disinfecting the clothes that is quick, cost efficient, easily usable, offers bulk
sterilization and is environmentally friendly.
[0017] The other objects and preferred embodiments and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following description of
the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying examples
and figures, which are not intended to limit scope of the present invention in any
manner.
SUMMARY
[0018] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in detailed description section. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0019] The present disclosure generally relates a washing machine and, in
particular relates to an apparatus for destroying harmful microorganism like
bacteria, fungi, viruses from clothes, specifically the clothes used by medical
professionals.
[0020] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a clothes disinfecting
apparatus may including a first cabinet adapted to accommodate and disinfect the
clothes, and second cabinet adapted to dry the disinfected clothes The first cabinet
may include a container fluidically coupled with a set of nozzles, and the set of
nozzles configured to spray one or more fluids stored in the container on the
accommodated clothes, and a frame may be rotatably coupled within the first
cabinet that may facilitate in spreading the one or more fluids inside the first
cabinet. The apparatus may include a second cabinet adapted to receive and dry
the clothes and may be positioned adjacent to the first cabinet, and the second
cabinet may include a drying unit for drying the disinfected clothes.
[0021] In an aspect, the apparatus may include a driving unit having a set of
shafts that accommodate the clothes, and may be moved between a first position
and a second position, such that in the first position the set of shafts and the
clothes may be inside the first cabinet, and in the second position the set of shafts
and the clothes may be inside the second cabinet.
[0022] In an aspect, the driving unit may include a rotary motion producing
means and a linear motion producing means coupled with the rotary motion
producing means, such that the rotary motion producing means may convert
rotary motion to linear motion that enables moving of the set of shafts.
[0023] In an aspect, a set of hanger may be provided within the apparatus for
holding the clothes, and the set of hangers may be removably attached on the set
of shafts.
[0024] In an aspect, a motor may be operatively coupled with the frame to
rotate the frame.
[0025] In an aspect, a pumping unit may be fluidically configured with the
apparatus for enabling flow of the one or more fluids in between the container and

a set of conduits, such that the set of conduits may enables flow of the one or
more fluids in between the container and the set of nozzles.
[0026] In an aspect, one or more actuators may be positioned at the apparatus,
the one or more actuators may be operatively coupled with the pumping unit, the
motor, the drying unit, and the driving unit, such that upon actuation at least one
of the one or more actuators may enable at least one operation of the apparatus.
[0027] In an aspect, the drying unit may include any or a combination of fan,
heater, and blower that facilitates in supplying air to the second cabinet for drying
the clothes, and the temperature of air may be controllable by the one or more
actuators.
[0028] In an aspect, the one or more fluids may include any or a combination
of alcohol, vinegar, sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, and ethanol.
[0029] In an aspect, a set of wheels may be coupled with a bottom of the first
cabinet and the second cabinet to move the apparatus.
[0030] In an aspect, wherein a power supply unit may be operatively coupled
to the apparatus, and configured to supply electrical power to the apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a
part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of the present disclosure.
[0032] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of
the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0033] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a disinfecting and drying apparatus,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. IB is a backside view of a first cabinet of the apparatus, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 1C is an interior view of the first cabinet of the apparatus, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. ID is a perspective view of a motor attached to the first cabinet of
the apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a driving unit of the apparatus, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 3 is an interior view of the second cabinet of the apparatus, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the apparatus to enables operation
in the apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION
[0040] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. [0041] The present disclosure generally relates a washing machine and, in particular relates to an apparatus for destroying harmful microorganism like bacteria, fungi, viruses from clothes, specifically the clothes used by medical professionals.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 1A, the proposed apparatus (100) can include a first cabinet (102) adapted to accommodate and disinfect the clothes, and a second cabinet (104) adapted to dry the disinfected clothes. The second cabinet (104) can be adjacently positioned to the first cabinet (102) that can facilitate in transferring clothes from the first cabinet (102) to the second cabinet (104) automatically. The first cabinet (102) of the invention can be observed with greater detail in FIG. IB. [0043] In an embodiment, the first cabinet (102) and the second cabinet (104) can have a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and two opposite sides. Also, a door can be coupled to the first cabinet (102) in order to load the clothes and another door can be coupled to the second cabinet (104) to remove the clothes after drying. [0044] FIG. IB depicts inside view of the first cabinet (102) which can include a container (106) for storing one or more fluids and a set of nozzles (108) for spraying the one or more fluids on the clothes accommodated in the first

cabinet (102). In an exemplary embodiment, the container (106) can be of any shape such as cylindrical, rectangle and the likes, and the size of the container (106) can be pre-determined according to size of the apparatus (100). [0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more fluids can include, but not limited to alcohol, vinegar, sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, ethanol, and solution of Azadirachta indica (powder made of neem tree). [0046] It is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that while various embodiments of the present invention have elaborated upon the use of fluids selected from alcohol, vinegar, sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, ethanol, and solution of Azadirachta indica however, the present invention is not just limited to be implemented using the above mentioned fluids only, but can also include all other fluids as well, and all such embodiments are well also within the scope of the present invention.
[0047] In an embodiment the first cabinet (102) can include a pumping unit (110) adapted to enable flow of the one or more fluids in between the container (106) and the set of nozzles (108). The set of nozzles can be provided on any of a wall of the first cabinet (102) for spraying the one or more fluids received from the container (106) on the clothes.
[0048] In an embodiment, a set of conduits (112) can be provided in the first cabinet (102) for enabling flow of the one or more fluids in between the container (106) and the set of nozzles (108). In an exemplary embodiment, the set of conduits (112) can include a main conduit (112-A), and plurality of small conduits (112-B) as shown in FIG. IB, such that a first side of each of the plurality of small conduits (112-B) can be connected to the main conduits (112-A), and a second side thereof can be connected to at least one of the nozzle the set of nozzles (108). [0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the pumping unit (110) can include connectors integrated on the outer body of a pump, which assist in connecting the container (106) and the set of conduits (112) with the pumping unit (110). [0050] In another exemplary embodiment, the container (106), the set of nozzles (108), the pumping unit (110), and the set of conduits (112) can be arranged on the rear side of the first cabinet (102). Also, a back cover (not shown)

can be detachably coupled with said wall to protect all components configured,
and the back cover can be detached to reload the one or more fluids in the
container, when finished.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 1C, a frame (114) can be rotatably connected inside
the first cabinet (102) for spreading the one or more fluids inside the first cabinet
(102). Also, a horizontal rod (116) can be provided in the first cabinet (102) for
providing support to the frame (114).
[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the frame (114) can have a set of first
member arranged longitudinally with respect to two sides of the first cabinet
(102), and a set of second member can be circularly arranged at a front end and a
rear end of the set of first member to provide supports to the set of first member
[0053] In an embodiment, the horizontal rod (116) can be provided in the first
cabinet (102) for providing support to the frame (114), such that a first part of the
horizontal rod (116) can be attached to the front end of the frame (114), and a
second part of the horizontal rod (116) can be attached to the rear end of the frame
(114).
[0054] In an embodiment, a motor (118) shown in FIG- ID can be operatively
coupled with the horizontal rod (116) such that when the motor (118) rotates
causes the horizontal rod (116) to rotate axially, and thereby the frame (114) can
be rotated, that enables the spreading the one or more fluids, sprayed through the
set of nozzles over the clothes accommodated in the first cabinet (102).
[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, the apparatus (100) can include a driving unit
(202) for transferring the disinfected clothes from the first cabinet (102) to the
second cabinet (104). The driving unit (202) can have a set of shafts (204) that
accommodate the clothes and moves between a first position and a second
position, such that in said first position the set of shafts (204) can be in the first
cabinet (102), and in said second position the set of shafts (204) can be in the
second cabinet (104).
[0056] In an embodiment, a set of hangers (206) (collectively referred as
hangers (206), and individually referred as hanger (206)) can be provided within
the apparatus (100) for holding the clothes. The hangers (206) can be removably

attached on the set of shafts (204). In an exemplary embodiment, each item of the clothes can be hanged in a separate hanger (206).
[0057] In an embodiment, the driving unit (202) can include a rotary motion producing means (not shown), and a linear motion producing means (not shown) such that the linear motion producing means coupled with the rotary motion producing means for converting rotary motion to linear motion that enables moving of the set of shafts (204) from the first cabinet (102) to the second cabinet (104).
[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, the rotary motion producing means and the linear motion producing means can include any or a combination of electric motor, shaft, worm, wheel, rollers, nuts, the set of shafts (204) and the likes. [0059] In an embodiment, the rotating motion producing means can be movable coupled with the linear motion producing means such that when the rotating motion producing means rotates, the linear motion producing means automatically moves from the first cabinet (102) to the second cabinet (104), thereby the set of shafts (204) accommodating the clothes holding on the plurality of hangers (206) also moves from the first cabinet (102) to the second cabinet (104).
[0060] Referring to FIG. 3, the second cabinet (104) can include a drying unit (120) for drying the disinfected clothes received from the first cabinet (102). In another embodiment, the drying unit (120) can include any or a combination of fan, heater, blower, and the likes that facilitates in supplying air to the second cabinet (104) for drying the clothes.
[0061] In an embodiment, the apparatus (100) can include one or more actuators (126) as shown in FIG. 4 (collectively referred as actuators (126), and individually referred as actuator (126) hereinafter) for controlling the pumping unit (110), the motor (118), the drying unit (120), and the driving unit (202). [0062] In an embodiment, the actuators (126) can be any or a combination of switch, button, relay, knob and the likes. In an exemplary embodiment, the motor (118) and the pumping unit (110) can be controlled through a first actuator (126), and the drying unit (120) can be controlled through a second actuator (126).

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, the temperature of air generated by the drying unit (120) in the second cabinet (104) can be controlled by the second actuator (126).
[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the one or more actuators (126) can be operatively coupled with the driving unit (202) such that upon actuating the actuator, the linear motion producing means can move from the first cabinet (102) to the second cabinet (104), and upon actuating the at least one of the one or more actuators (126) again the linear motion producing means can be moved from the second cabinet (104) to the first cabinet (102). [0065] In an embodiment, a power supply unit can be operatively coupled to the apparatus (100), where the power source can include any or a combination of rechargeable battery, rechargeable cell, electrochemical cells, storage battery, secondary cell, capacitor bank, and the likes.
[0066] In an embodiment, the apparatus (100) can include a power supply unit operatively coupled to the one or more actuators (126), and the power source is configured to supply electric power to the one or more actuators (126). [0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus (100) can include a power cord which includes a conventional plug that can be plugged into an ordinary wall socket and upon turning on wall socket, the electric power can be supplied to the power supply unit that can facilitate in flowing of electric power to the actuators (126), consequently the disinfecting and the drying process can be initiated. [0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus (100) can include a charging port which facilitates in charging the apparatus (100), where a cable can be coupled to supply power from the power supply unit, and the power supply unit can include any or a combination of rechargeable battery, lithium (Li) ion cell, rechargeable cells, solar cell, solar battery, electrochemical cells, storage battery, and secondary cell.
[0069] In an embodiment, the apparatus (100) can include a set of wheels (128) that enables moving the apparatus (100) from a first position to second position. The set of wheels (128) can be coupled on each corner of the bottom of the first cabinet (102) and the second cabinet (104).

[0070] In an embodiment, the apparatus (100) can help in conserving water and is thus very useful in areas where water is scarce or not easily available, thus cheaper to use on regular basis and requires less resources as compared to other process for disinfecting the clothes.
[0071] In an embodiment, the apparatus (100) can be capable of removing even those microorganisms which might not be completely removed by washing the clothes, for example viruses responsible for diseases like Ebola, Covid-19 and the like.
[0072] In an embodiment, the apparatus (100) can be useful for disinfecting soft tissue clothes like disposable face-mask, personal protective equipment (PPE), gloves and the likes used by medical professionals, which are otherwise difficult to disinfect and have to be discarded after single use. Using the current technology, even such items can be disinfected and used multiple times. [0073] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0074] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for disinfecting and
drying clothes, which can overcome deficiencies associated with the known arts.
[0075] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for disinfecting clothes
specifically the clothes used by medical professionals.
[0076] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for disinfecting soft
tissue clothes like disposable face-mask, personal protective equipment (PPE),
and gloves.
[0077] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for efficiently destroying
disease causing microorganisms.

[0078] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for preserving the viability and characteristics of the clothes while disinfecting. [0079] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for disinfecting the clothes without using water.

We Claim:

1. A clothes disinfecting apparatus comprising:
a first cabinet adapted to accommodate and disinfect the clothes, the first cabinet comprising:
a container positioned within said first cabinet, said
container fluidically coupled with a set of nozzles, wherein the set
of nozzles configured to spray one or more fluids stored in the
container on the accommodated clothes;
a frame rotatably coupled within the first cabinet, the frame
facilitates in spreading the one or more fluids inside the first
cabinet.
a second cabinet adapted to receive and dry the clothes, the second cabinet configured adjacent to the first cabinet, and comprising a drying unit for drying the disinfected clothes, wherein the apparatus comprising a driving unit having a set of shafts that accommodate the clothes, and moves between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the set of shafts and the clothes are inside the first cabinet, and in the second position the set of shafts and the clothes are inside the second cabinet.
2. The clothes disinfecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
driving unit comprising:
a rotary motion producing means; and
a linear motion producing means coupled with the rotary motion producing means, wherein the rotary motion producing means convert rotary motion to linear motion that enables moving of the set of shafts.
3. The clothes disinfecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a set of hanger is provided within the apparatus for holding the clothes, wherein the set of hangers are removably attached on the set of shafts.
4. The clothes disinfecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a motor is operatively coupled with the frame to rotate the frame.

5. The clothes disinfecting apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein a pumping unit is fluidically configured with the apparatus for enabling flow of the one or more fluids in between the container and a set of conduits, wherein the set of conduits for enabling flow of the one or more fluids in between the container and the set of nozzles.
6. The clothes disinfecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more actuators are positioned at the apparatus, the one or more actuators are operatively coupled with the pumping unit, the motor, the drying unit, and the driving unit, wherein upon actuation, at least one of the one or more actuators enables at least one operation of the apparatus.
7. The clothes disinfecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drying unit comprises any or a combination of fan, heater, and blower, that facilitates in supplying air to the second cabinet for drying the clothes, wherein the temperature of air is controllable by the one or more actuators.
8. The clothes disinfecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the one or more fluids comprises any or a combination of alcohol, vinegar, sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, and ethanol.
9. The clothes disinfecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a set of wheels are coupled with a bottom of the first cabinet and the second cabinet to move the apparatus.
10. The clothes disinfecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a power supply unit operatively coupled to the apparatus, and configured to supply electrical power to the apparatus.