The present invention relates generally to sanitizing devices or disinfectant systems, and particularly to a shoe sole sanitizer. More specifically it is ashoe sole sanitizer with contact time alert useful especially to prevent COVID-19 these days.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The world today is facing a global pandemic Covid-19 Novel Corona Virus known to cause deadly respiratory infection/failure. Due to multiple reasons including but not limited to inadequate precautions and other reasons globally, the virus has rapidly spread to countries pan globe and the cause of multiple deaths worldwide. Unlike previous deadly viruses like HIV etc.COVID-19poses the greater problem of communicability by social contact and that is the key reason for a rapid global spread. World Health Organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19infection as a worldwide pandemic.
Importance of the present invention:
As per known facts of today, the virus spreads through personal contacts such as touch, hug or shaking hands. Once it reaches the human it affects the respiratory organs and finally results in fatality. From few published reports, it is also known that shoes could be the carrier of COVID-19 or any other threatened viruses. Scientists have evidence that the floor surfaces of hospitals, offices, educational institutes, stations, shops which are in contact of various numbers of people including the patients, in these cases, shoes are the vehicles of viruses, through which corona or any other viruses can be spread out. Further, a CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) report also confirms that the novel coronavirus can travel 13 feet through the air and be carried around on people’s shoes and almost half of the Wuhan hospital’s ICU staff’s shoes tested positive of COVID-19.
The task is very difficult and cumbersome to change the shoes every time before entering the office,educational institutes, hospital, shops or any other public areas. They need to replace every time the proper sanitized shoes, and again change it before going back. In the meantime the original pair of shoes needs to be kept safe.
In case of sterilization, it is very important that the thing to be sterilized must be exposed to sterilization effect for a minimum time period. In case this time period is not maintained, proper sterilization may not take effect and some virus and bacteria may still remain on the thing to be sterilized. Therefore a need is felt to develop a simple, cost-effective method to sanitize the shoe sole whereby each person has to put three steps @ 20 seconds per step which is the recommended time for proper sanitization and the same is recorded and an alert is issued in case this time is not fulfilled.
Prior art Patents and Publications
Patent Application No. US20090098031 discloses “Method and apparatus for sanitizing shoe soles”
The invention discloses a shoe sole sanitizing device that is made up of a tray having a reservoir containing a sanitizing solution, a perforated grate with scraping edges on the tray being of a resiliency sufficient to be depressed beneath the upper surface of said solution when stepped on by a wearer, and a drain for removal of used solution and particles which collect in the reservoir. In one version, the fill and drain system may be mounted within the tray, or mounted on the tray in a portable version that may be easily moved from place to place, or in another version may have greater capacity for high volume use.
The present invention provides a low cost, simple shoe sanitizer that consists of disinfectant storage unit, the plurality of adjustable wheels, a sponge mat, a storage tank, a pump, sensors, controller and alarm. The above invention is different from the present invention as the above invention provides a perforated grate with scraping edge on the tray but it does not provide any alarm to make sure about the sanitizing contact time.
Patent Application No. WO2015157499A1 discloses “Sanitizing device”
The above invention discloses the shoe sole sanitizer that provides a UV radiation emitting system that kills microbial pathogens deposited on shoe sole surfaces.
The above invention is different from the present invention as the the present invention does not use UV radiation.
Patent Application No. US8895938 discloses “Footwear sanitizing and deodorizing system exposing light-activated photocatalytic oxidation coating”
The above invention discloses ultraviolet (UV) light to activate a photocatalytic oxidation coating applied to interior portions of footwear alters the environment inside a shoe or other footwear to destroy microorganisms or inhibit their growth.
The above invention is different from the present invention as the present invention does not useultraviolet (UV) light.
Patent Application No. US2604377 discloses “Disinfectant mat”
The invention discloses a disinfectant device for use in disinfecting soles of shoes of a person who applies his weight onto the device comprising a shallow container having side walls, a plurality of individual, nipple-like projections projecting upwardly from the bottom of the container a distance at least equal to the thickness of a shoe sole, but terminating below the side walls
The working model of the above invention is different from the present invention. The present invention provides a low cost, simple shoe sanitizer that consists of the disinfectant storage unit, the plurality of adjustable wheels, a sponge mat, a storage tank, a pump, two kinds of sensors, controller and alarm. The sensor based alarm is provided to make sure about the recommended sanitizing contact time, whereas the above invention does not provide this.
Patent Application No. US6146588A discloses “Shoe sanitizer”
In the above invention a shoe sanitizer and method for sanitizing shoes are disclosed. The shoe sanitizer includes a platform having a raised central portion and two lowered side portions which are on opposite sides of and adjacent to the central portion. The central portion and the two side portions have respective reservoirs with open upper ends. Absorbent pads are placed in each of the reservoirs. A sanitizing solution is placed in the reservoir of the central portion and saturates the respective absorbent pad. The absorbent pads located in the reservoirs of the side portions of the platform are dry. A person sanitizes the bottom of a pair of shoes he is wearing by first placing a lower portion of one shoe in the reservoir of the central portion and wetting the bottom of the shoe with the sanitizing solution. Then, the shoe is removed from the sanitizing solution and placed into the one of the reservoirs of the two side portions which corresponds to the foot on which the shoe being treated is worn. The bottom of the shoe is pressed against an absorbent pad to transfer the sanitizing solution from the shoe to the absorbent pad, drying the shoe. This process is repeated for the shoe being worn on the other foot of the user, utilizing the central reservoir to apply the sanitizing solution and the reservoir of the other of the two side portions to absorb the sanitizing solution and dry the second shoe.
The design of the above invention is different from the present invention. The sanitizer has raised central portion and absorbent pads are placed in each of the reservoirs.A sanitizing solution is placed in the reservoir of the central portion and absorbent pad helps to drying the shoes. The present invention does not provide any absorbent pad to drying the shoe out, but a sensor based alarm which can effectively make sure about the recommended sanitizing contact time.
Patent Application No. US20150132183A1 discloses “Apparatus for destroying pathogens associated with footwear”
The above invention discloses an apparatus for destroying microorganisms includes a housing, a platform, a reflective tray, and a source of ultraviolet light.
The above invention is different from the present invention as the present invention does not useultraviolet (UV) light.
Patent Application No. US2070858 discloses “Apparatus for disinfecting shoes and the like”
This invention relates to heating devices adapted for insertion into shoes and the like for disinfecting the same. The invention includes a process of disinfecting shoes and the like by heat treatment. More specifically, this invention relates to a device for insertion into shoes to heat the same and kill germs therein.
The above invention is different from the present invention as the above invention uses heating mechanism in the device to kill the germs, unlike the present invention.
Patent Application No. US20040078909 discloses “Disinfecting mat for cleaning shoes”
The above invention discloses a disinfecting mat that enables better cleaning of shoes of a person through multi-functional capabilities. The mat has three discrete sections, with each section carrying out a different function in cleaning the shoes. A first section has a laterally extending bristle brush for cleaning material from the shoes while the second section includes a reservoir containing a liquid disinfectant that is transferred to the shoe of the user by an endless belt that dips into the reservoir and carries the disinfectant to the upper surface of the belt to be transferred to the shoes. Finally, in a third section there is a stationary wiping mat to enable the user to brush the shoes across the mat to rid the shoe of remaining material as well as dry the shoe from the liquid disinfectant. All of the sections are convenient to the user and housed within a unitary molded base.
The working model of the above invention is different from the present invention. The present invention does not provide bristle brush to clean the material and endless belt to carry the disinfectant from reservoir to the shoe contact. The present invention provides a low cost, simple shoe sanitizer that consists of the disinfectant storage unit, the plurality of adjustable wheels, a sponge mat, a storage tank, a pump, sensors, controller and alarm. The sensor based alarm is provided to make sure about the recommended sanitizing contact time.
Patent Application No. US8631533 discloses “Footwear cleaner and disinfectant”
The above invention discloses an apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting footwear or the foot of a user. More particularly, a user controlled multi-functioning device that performs both cleaning and disinfecting of footwear upon contact. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus includes one or more cleaning rollers physically contacting the footwear or foot and one or more disinfectant sources, which may be radiation sources that emits UV rays e.g., or charge particle source that emits a cold plasma blast.
The above invention is different from the present invention as the the present invention does not provide ultraviolet (UV) light.
Patent Application No. US5071628 discloses “Device for disinfection of soles of shoes”
The above invention provides a device providing a reception surface for shoe soles to be disinfected, beneath which an element impregnated with a disinfection liquid, the complete assembly being contained in a shallow tray or reservoir which is placed on the ground or embedded in this latter. The tray or reservoir contains a certain quantity of disinfection liquid and above the level of this liquid is a rigid plate which bears on the bottom of the tray or reservoir, for example by means of spacer members or ribs. The impregnation element consists of a sheet of porous material stretched over and supported by the rigid plate. At least one of the edges of the sheet dips into the disinfection liquid contained in the tray or reservoir and serves as a capillary wick to impregnate the sheet with disinfectant. A perforated covering element covers the impregnation sheet so as to constitute the receiving surface for the shoes to be disinfected.
The present invention provides a low cost, simple shoe sanitizer that consists of disinfectant storage unit, the plurality of adjustable wheels, a sponge mat, a storage tank, a pump, sensors, controller and alarm. The working method of the above invention is different from the present invention as the above invention provides a reservoir that serves as a capillary wick and it does not provide any alarm to make sure about the sanitizing contact time, unlike the present invention.
Patent Application No. US8533888 discloses “Shoe cleaning doormat device”
The above invention discloses a shoe cleaning doormat device for cleaning and disinfecting the soles of shoes and feet prior to a user's entry into a dwelling or building. The device is a doormat having a cleaning assembly having a disinfecting cleaning material surface and drying portions. Both portions are housed within a mat frame and exposed to a user through cutouts in the mat's upper surface. A disposable roll of moist, disinfecting wipe material provides the cleaning and disinfecting surface. An advancing button is operatively connected to the roll so that a user may obtain an unused portion of the roll by pressing the button. After shoes or feet are cleaned, they can be dried by rubbing on the drying portions of the device, which comprise a removable, moisture-absorbing material.
In the above invention, the doormat provides a disposable roll of moist, disinfecting wipe material for cleaning and disinfecting purposes. An advancing button is provided for the operation. The present invention does not provide any button but the sensors which activate/deactivate the timer. It also providesthe effective sensor based alarm to make sure about the sanitizing contact time.
P atent Application No. US8973197 discloses “Sanitizing floor mat”
The above invention is comprised of an antibacterial doormat system for cleaning, disinfecting and detection of bacteria and other organisms on footwear to control spread of biological infections and contamination. The device provides at least one bio sensor system that includes an infrared array for projecting infrared light onto the footwear, and laser array for projecting laser light onto the footwear.
In the above invention, the doormat provides one bio sensor that includes infrared light and laser array, which makes it different from the present invention, as the present one does not use any infrared light.
Patent Application No. US8161590 discloses “Apparatus for cleaning and sanitizing shoes”
The above invention disclosed a shoe cleaning apparatus, formed with a series of rotary brushes operable to clean the bottom of a shoe placed thereon and spring-loaded linear side brushes to clean the sides of the shoe. A supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid is retained in an elevated tank that feeds by gravity into the rotary brushes for application to the bottom of the shoe being cleaned.
In the above invention, the apparatus is having series of rotary brushes to clean the bottom and sides of the shoe, whereas the present invention does not have any rotary brushes.The present invention also provides the effective sensor based alarm to make sure about the sanitizing contact time.
Patent Application No. US20150096597 discloses “Apparatus for Sanitizing and Cleaning Soles of Feet and Footwear”
The above invention disclosed an apparatus for automatically cleaning and sanitizing soles of bare feet and footwear, said apparatus including a plurality of nozzle heads that spray cleaning and sanitizing fluid through a platform onto feet and footwear placed on the top surface of the platform. A sensor plate initiates the cleaning and sanitization process when activated, and a visual display and audible tones alert a user as to the current step being executed by the automated cleaning apparatus. A refillable or replaceable canister or aerosol can of cleaning and sanitizing fluid is housed within the automated cleaning apparatus for supplying said liquid via a tubing system to the plurality of nozzle heads that are directed onto the platform.
The above invention is close to the present invention, as the invention poses a platform with sanitizer and a sensor plate that activates at the time of shoe/feet sanitization. A visual display and audible tonesalsoalert the user. But in the present invention, as per WHO recommendation to prevent the COVID-19, 1% of sodium hypochlorite solution has been used as disinfectant. In the process of sanitization, each person has to put three steps @ 20 seconds per step, which will be recorded by the sensor to fulfil the recommended sanitization contact time. This makes the difference and the upgradation of any of the published invention with the present one.
Journals and Books:
Mahmoud A. Ghannoum, Nancy Isham, Lisa Long, 2012. Optimization of an Infected Shoe Model for the Evaluation of an Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer Device. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association,Vol - 102 (4), page 309–313.
In this study, an in vitro model for culturing dermatophytes in footwear is developed. This model is used to evaluate the effectiveness of a commercial ultraviolet shoe sanitizer in eradicating the fungal elements residing in shoes.
The above publication is different from the present invention as the above study is about the ultraviolet shoe sanitizer, whereas the present inventionis not so.
Commercial information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9hrIDvysH4
Shoe sanitizing station helps fight bacteria in hospitals – This technology is based on UV ray.
The above invention is different from the present invention as the above one is based on ultraviolet rays, whereas the present inventionis not so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awtLCIbLSbs
SaniStride® shoe sanitizing stride mat demonstration – This is manual shoe sanitizer. Someone has to put the sanitizer manually in to the mat.
The above invention is different from the present invention as the above one is manual shoe sanitizer mat, whereas the present invention is automatic with the sensor alarm.
https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/lokozo-uv-mat-shoe-sanitizer-40-22238856833.html
LOKOZO-UV-Mat Shoe Sanitizer-40 – This shoe sanitizer is based on UV ray.

The above invention is different from the present invention as the above one is based on ultraviolet rays, whereas the present inventionis not so.
From the above, it is clear that there is no disclosure in any of the prior arts regarding the shoe sole sanitizer with the perfect contact-time alert, described in the present invention. If the shoes are sanitized using any of the prior art methods/devices but the contact time is less, there is no use of sanitization as the viruses need to be put in contact with the disinfectant for certain minimum time period below which these will not be completely killed and if even a single one is left, it will again multiply and the whole exercise will be useless. Hence it is very important to make the shoes in contact with disinfectant for a certain time period to eliminate bacteria and virus completely.
Therefore the present invention is novel and unique in view of absence of any such system/device to achieve alert for minimum contact time.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the invention is to disclose a shoe sole sanitizer to stop spreading viruses.
One more object of the present invention is to disclose a shoe sole sanitizer which has a contact-time alert, is very economical, simple and easy to implement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a simple, cost-effective shoe sole sanitizer with the recommended contact-time alert that disinfects the pedestrian’s shoe soles. This is helpful to the people or the visitors entering the offices, organizations, educational institutes, homes, hospitals, shops, theatres, and such other public places for the sanitizing process. The primary components of the said system consist of:
- adisinfectant reservoir tank fitted with nozzles on both sides (along length)
- plurality of adjustable wheels
- sensors to activate, deactivate the timer and record the time
- siren alert
- blinking light
- controller
- storage tank to store the disinfectant liquid
- pump and
- sponge mat to hold disinfectant liquid.

In the present invention, as per WHO recommendation to prevent the COVID-19, 1% of sodium hypochlorite solution has been used as disinfectant solution. In the process of sanitization, each person has to put three steps @ 20 seconds per step, which will be recorded by the sensor to fulfill the recommended sanitization contact time.If the contact of shoe sole with the mat is in less than the recommended time, the siren alert and blinking light will be activatedto complete the process properly.The present invention is simple but special and reliable to sanitize the shoe sole to stop spreading viruses significantly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1: Proposed design of shoe sole sanitizer
Numbering Details:
1.Disinfectant reservoir tank fitted with nozzles on both sides (along length)
2. Adjustable wheels to move the sanitizer at any location
3. First Sensor to activate timer and record the time of start of walk
4.Nozzles to release the flow of disinfectant
5. Siren alert and Blinking Light
6. Controllerwith inbuilt timer
7. Main Storage tank
8. Pump
9. Sponge matspread over the disinfectant reservoir tank
10. Second Sensor to record the time in between the walk
11. Third Sensor to deactivate the timer after completion of walk

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a simple, cost-effective shoe sole sanitizer with the perfect contact-time alert that disinfects the pedestrian’s shoe soles. This is helpful to the people or the visitors entering the offices, organizations, educational institutes, homes, hospitals, shops, theatres and such other public places and can stop spreading viruses significantly.
The following description with theaccompanying drawing is provided to bring clarity to the various features of the invention.
Constructional Details:
The present invention is a novel shoe sole sanitizer that primarily consists of movable disinfecting storage unit to sanitize the pedestrian’s shoes while stepping and passing over the system to enter the offices, organizations, educational institutes, homes, hospitals, shops, theatres, and such other public places. The apparatus consists of disinfectant reservoir tank (1) (7) whichstores the disinfectant liquid and it is fixed with plurality of adjustable wheels (2) to move the system to other place.User has to walk the path over the sponge mat (9)in three steps. Thedisinfectant fluid (1% of sodium hypochlorite solution)is dispensedover the sponge mat (9)through a series of nozzles on both sides (along the length) (4).These nozzles(4)are connected to pump (8)which is further connected toStorage tank (7).Threephoto sensors (3, 10,11)are provided along the sponge mat (9)to record the time to activate and deactivate the supply of disinfectant liquid.Sensors are further connected with the preprogrammed controller (6) consisting of timer circuit.First sensor (3) activates controller to release the fluid through nozzles (4), records the time and sends signal to siren alert and blinking light (5) when thepedestrian moves over the sponge mat. The second sensor (10)alsorecords the time and sends signal to siren alert and blinking light(5). The third sensor (11) records the time and sends signal to siren alert and blinking light(5) anddeactivates controller to stop the supply of fluidafter the pedestrianfully crosses the sponge mat (9).
Working methods of the present invention:
The present invention is simple, economic and easy to implement at the entry ofthe offices, organizations, educational institutes, homes, hospitals, shops, theatres, and such other public places. When the visitor/pedestrian wants to enter, he/she has to go through the system to sanitize his/her shoe soles. As the visitor/pedestrian moves over the sponge mat (9), the first sensor (3)activates controller to release the disinfectant liquid (1% of sodium hypochlorite solution) onto the sponge mat (9) with the help of nozzles (4), records the time which should be 20 seconds and sends signal to siren alert and blinking light (5). Second sensor (10) also records the time of second step which should be 20 seconds and sends signal to siren alert and blinking light(5).Finally when the visitor/pedestrian crosses the path completely, the third sensor (11) records the time of third stepwhich should be 20 seconds and sends signal to siren alert and blinking light(5)and deactivates controller(6) to stop the supply of fluid after the pedestrian has fully crossed the sponge mat (9).
The total time for which the shoes of the visitor/pedestrian remain in contact with the disinfected liquid, is thus recorded and if the contact of shoe sole with the mat is less than the recommended time, the controller (6) activates the siren and blinking light (5) to alert the visitor/pedestrian tocomplete the process properly.
In the recommended process of sanitization, each person has to put three steps @ 20 seconds per step for complete sanitization. Present invention records this time with the help of by the sensors. Pre- programmed Controller (6)is used to record the said time and also to activateand deactivate thesupply of fluid from storage tank (7) through pump (8) with the help of multiple spray nozzles(4).

Novelty, Inventive steps and Industrial Applications of the present Invention

NOVELTY
The novelty in the present invention lies in the fact that a simple, cost-effective shoe-sole sanitizing system that ensures the recommended contact-time for sanitization.In the process of sanitization, each person has to put three steps @ 20 seconds per step, which is recorded by the sensors to fulfill the recommended sanitization contact time.If the contact of shoe sole with the disinfectant liquid is less than the recommended time, the siren alert and blinking light will be activated to complete the process properly. Therefore the present invention is developed so as to fully sanitize the shoes as per WHO guidelines for a minimum requisite time. This unique idea has not been disclosed in any of the prior art patents or publications.
INVENTIVE STEP
The technical advancement of knowledge lies in disclosing a unique idea of providing the siren alert, when the contact time of shoe sole and the disinfectant is less than the WHO recommended time to complete the sanitization process properly. Installing three sensors at three stepping points along with alert signals is not done before in any of the sanitization systems. The proposed process is to put three steps @ 20 seconds per step, which will be recorded by the sensors to fulfill the recommended sanitization contact time. Further the activation and deactivation of disinfectant liquid as per the steps of the visitor is also unique and is achieved with the help of pump and nozzles. Wastage of disinfectant liquid is thus reduced and minimum time needed to disinfect the shoes is also maintained.
Thus the present invention is unique, special and reliable to sanitize the shoe sole and helps to stop spreading viruses significantly.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION
Needless to say, that the present system would be the primary requirement in the view of present global crisis. It is an industrially most viable system as on today. As the system does not include any UV ray process, it is economical and easy to implement. The system can be made and sold at an industrial level and the production may run into thousands of such systems.

WE CLAIM:

1.A shoe sole sanitizer with contact time alertconsisting of:
- disinfectant reservoir tank(1) (7)withdisinfectant fluid (1% of sodium hypochlorite solution)fixed with plurality of adjustable wheels(2) to move the system to other place;
- sponge mat (9) suitable for three steps of walking;
- a series of nozzles(4)on both sides along the length to dispense disinfectant fluid;
- pump (8) connected toseries of nozzles(4)on one side andtostorage tank (7)on the other side;
- photo sensors (3, 10, 11) connected with the preprogrammed controller (6) consisting of timer circuit, provided along the sponge mat (9) to record the time to activate and deactivate the supply of disinfectant liquid;
- siren alert and blinking light (5);
WHEREIN:
- The first sensor (3) activates preprogrammed controller (6) to release the fluid through nozzles (4), records the time and sends signal to siren alert and blinking light (5) when thepedestrian moves over the sponge mat;
- The second sensor (10) alsorecords the time and sends signal to siren alert and blinking light(5);
- The third sensor (11) records the time and sends signal to siren alert and blinking light(5) and deactivates preprogrammed controller (6)to stop the supply of fluid after the pedestrian fully crosses the sponge mat (9).
2. The shoe sole sanitizer as claimed in claim1 WHEREIN the controller (6) activates the siren and blinking light (5) to alert the visitor/pedestrian to complete the process properly in case the total time for which the shoes of the visitor/pedestrian remains in contact with the disinfected liquid is less than the recommended time of @ 20 seconds per step.

3. The shoe sole sanitizer as claimed in claim1 WHEREIN the Pre- programmed Controller (6) records the total time for which the shoes of the visitor/pedestrian remains in contact with the disinfected liquidand activates and deactivates the supply of fluid from storage tank (7) through pump (8) with the help of multiple spray nozzles (4).