DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of disinfecting devices. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a disinfection / sterilization system using Ultraviolet C (UV-C) light, wherein the UV-C light is used to disinfect the surface of the packaging placed within the chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic which has disrupted lives throughout the world, and has significantly impacted the F&B industry, with the paramount importance of restaurants being to serve safe and sterile food. It has particularly impacted commercial kitchens, which are employing the best industry practices on hygiene to consistently serve their customers. Food delivery platforms have deployed hygiene related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in their logistics supply chain, including constant swab testing and temperature checks.

However, the best practices employed in commercial places may still not eradicate completely, the chances of the presence of small pathogen vitiating customer experience. It is therefore the need of the hour in a commercial place to ensure that all products, food, beverage packaging, etc. leaving the place is hygienic, safe and sterile. The UV-C light is known to possess germicidal properties and is known and used in the scientific community as an Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI). Overexposure to UV-C can cause several health issues, such as erythema to the skin and photokeratitis to the eyes.

The common method of production of UV-C light for disinfection is through fluorescent lamps which emit radiation of the wavelength of 254 nm ± 10nm. In most applications where the system is operated manually, the UV lamps are turned off. When the operator opens the system, UV lamps are known to lose their life / longevity after very few ON-OFF (switching) cycles and lamps need to be frequently replaced. However, it has been noticed that such UV lamps tend to have a longer life if they’re continuously kept ON. The need of the hour therefore, is to design a system which will not only maintain the long life of the UV lamps by not having to switch them off, but will also be safe for constant human operation.

US Patent Publication No. US6881964B2 discloses a UV spot curing lamp assembly comprises an integral filter support and shutter stop mechanism. The assembly includes a UV lamp and a light guide spaced therefrom for receiving filtered light from the lamp and for directing light through the light guide to a selected target or work site for curing materials thereat. A filter plate in the form of a borosilicate glass, having a selected thickness for the particular application, is disposed in relatively close proximity to the entrance surface of the light guide. A movable shutter plate, having an opening there through, is disposed between the filter and the light guide entrance surface. The shutter is movable from a first position wherein the opening is in registry with the light guide entrance surface to receive light from the lamp to a second position wherein a solid portion of the shutter plate blocks light from being received by the light guide entrance surface. Effective cooling of the lamp assembly is provided by a fan by which forced air is drawn over the lamp and the integral filter support and shutter stop, and by an internal mounting system configured to direct the drawn air for effective convective heat dissipation.

US Patent Publication No. US5595118A discloses a dryer apparatus in combination with a printing press for drying printed matter and coatings on containers as they are received from the printing press, including a shroud assembly for housing a shutter assembly and a UV lamp assembly for drying printed matter and coatings on the containers. The UV lamp assembly includes a housing, a UV lamp mounted in the housing, and a UV reflector mounted in the housing for directing UV light in a light path toward the containers; and guide rails and guide tracks for moving the UV lamp assembly between an operational position in the shroud assembly and a non-operational position outside the shroud assembly to allow the UV lamp to be serviced or changed. The shutter assembly includes a clam-type shutter, a shutter shaft for pivotally mounting the shutter located inside the shroud assembly, and a piston-cylinder mounted outside the shroud assembly for pivotally moving the shutter between a light-blocking position between the UV lamp and the containers, and a light-drying position wherein the shutter is moved out of the light path of the UV lamp to dry the containers. There is a second embodiment having dual UV lamp assemblies and dual shutter assemblies which operate in cooperation with each other within a shroud assembly.

Korean Patent Publication No. KR101719389B1 discloses a UV lamp assembly having rotary shutters. Each rotary shutter has a concave wall with a reflective concave surface. The rotary shutters can be collectively rotated between the open position and the closed position. In the open position, the rotary shutters do not block the UV light of the UV lamps from leaving the UV lamp assembly, but in the closed position the rotary shutters block UV light from leaving the UV lamp assembly.

US Patent Publication No. US5595118A discloses an ultraviolet area sterilizer or disinfector is incorporated into a building structure where concern exists regarding the presence of pathogenic bacteria on environmental surfaces. Ultraviolet C (UV-C) generators generate UV-C that is directed to architectural partitions of an enclosed area. The architectural partitions reflect UV-C to kill pathogens in the enclosed area. The device transmits a calculated dose of UV-C from a fixture mounted to an architectural partition in the enclosed area. Once an effective cumulative dose of UV-C has been reflected to radiation sensors, as measured by the sensors, the device shuts down. The device may allocate power to specific UV-C emitters so as to direct UV-C radiation more uniformly throughout the area, as measured by the sensors.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the present disclosure is to provide a UV-C disinfectant system, which is safe for constant human operation, provides minimal exposure to the UV-C radiation, and helps in prolonging life of the fluorescent UV lighting system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is achieved by a disinfection chamber of claim 1.

The disinfection chamber includes a space inside the chamber to keep an item to be disinfected, a UV-C Light source located inside the space inside the chamber, a door which can be in a locked state or an unlocked state, and a light obscuring means can be in a covered state to cover the UV-C light when the door is in unlocked state, and to be in an uncovered state to uncover the UV-C Light source when the door is in locked state. The feature of this invention helps to avoid direct exposure of the UV -C light to the user while operating the disinfection chamber, and also enhances the life of the UV-C Light source, as it is not required to be switched on and off again and again while operating the chamber multiple times in a day, especially in a commercial kitchen.

According to on embodiment of the disinfection chamber, the chamber includes an obscuring operating means which operates the light obscuring means to be in the covered state and the uncovered state. This helps in automated movement of the obscuring means without manual intervention,

According to another embodiment of the disinfection chamber, the chamber includes a door locking means adapted to operate the door to be in the locked state and the unlocked state. This helps in automated locking of the doors without manual intervention

According to yet another embodiment of the disinfection chamber, wherein the door locking means generates a door locking signal when the door is locked, the disinfection chamber further includes a microcontroller which receives and processes the door locking signal, and generates a uncover trigger. The obscuring operating means receives and processes the uncover trigger, and operates the light obscuring means to be in the uncovered state. This embodiment is helpful to further automate uncovering of the obscuring means with respect to the locking of the door, and provides a seamless and completely automated operation of the disinfection chamber when it is ensured that the person operation in away from any possibility of UV-C exposure after locking the door.

According to one embodiment of the disinfection chamber, wherein the obscuring operating means operate the light obscuring means to be in the covered state, after the light obscuring means remains in the uncovered state for a predefined time interval, and when the light obscuring means attains the uncovered state, the obscuring operating means generates a door unlocking signal, and the microcontroller receives and processes the door unlocking signal and generates an unlock trigger, and the door locking means receives and processes the unlock trigger and to unlock the door. This embodiment is helpful as it further automates the process of operating of the door and light obscuring means post-disinfection procedure. It makes the operating of the disinfection chamber seamless without any human intervention requirements.

According to another embodiment of the disinfection chamber, the chamber includes an operation input means which receives operation initiation input to start disinfection operation and to forward it to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller receives and processes the operation initiation input to generate a door lock trigger, and the door operating mechanism receives and processes the door lock trigger to lock the door. This embodiment provides a level of human intervention required to only activate the disinfection operation inside the chamber when the operation in put is received. It is pertinent to be noted that after whole day’s use or where there is a long break, the machine need not be in operation, and at that time the UV-C lamp also be switched off, and at the start of the next day or after the break, the UV-C lamp is re-initiated to be in use for the longer period when the disinfection operation is required almost continuously, may be with short intermitted breaks between the orders. This embodiment is especially useful to provide a human control when the UV-C lamp is required to be forcefully switched off for a longer period, and keeping the UV-C lamp during those time would unnecessary be a wastage of power, and also result in shortening of workable life of the UV-C lamp

According to yet another embodiment of the disinfection chamber, the chamber includes a door sensor which senses closing of the door and generates a door closing information. Further, the microcontroller receives and processes the door closing information along with the operation initiation input and generates the door lock trigger. This embodiment provides an efficient and automatic way of generating door lock trigger.

According to one embodiment of the disinfection chamber, wherein if the door closing information refers to non-closing of the door, the microcontroller on processing the door closing information along with the operation initiation input, generates an indication related to non-closing of door. This embodiment is helpful to automatically identify any errors by the operator while closing of the door which is significant for starting lifting of the obscuring means. This further helps in any delay in order processing or non-performance of operation on any orders. As the user checks any such error indication, he can correct his error by properly closing the door, so that the disinfection operation can begin on articles of the orders placed inside the disinfection chamber.

According another embodiment of the disinfection chamber, the chamber includes one or more process indication output devices which indicates progress of disinfection process, and are functionally coupled to the microcontroller, such that the microcontroller generates a process signal related to progress of disinfection process, and the process signal is received and rendered by the one or more process indicators to indicate progress of the disinfection process. This embodiment is helpful for providing information on progress of disinfection process, so that the operator of the device can be updated on it, and as soon the process is completed, he can open the door, and take out the articles of order further in line with delivery of the order.

According to yet another embodiment of the disinfection chamber, wherein one of the process indication output devices is an alarm which receives the process signal related to completion of the disinfection process, and generates a sound indicative of completion of disinfection process. This embodiment provides another helpful way regarding completing of the order. In a busy work environment, a user is performing multiple tasks, and he cannot keep his eyes on a visual based indicator, and hence the sound-based indicators are helpful to get an attention of the operator of the device timely and easily.

According to one embodiment of the disinfection chamber, wherein the door locking means is based on electromagnetic locking technique. This embodiment provides another type of efficient locking technique for the door of the chamber.

According another embodiment of the disinfection chamber, wherein the light obscuring means is provided in proximity to the UV-C light source. This embodiment is helpful to provide more space inside the chamber for the operator to operate and work out. Also, the proximity of the obscuring means to the lamp helps to minimize possibilities of escaping of the light beyond the obscuring means.

According to yet another embodiment of the disinfection chamber, wherein the UV-C light source is placed inside the disinfection chamber on a back wall opposite to the door. This embodiment provides an appropriate location for placement of the UV-C lamp inside the disinfection chamber, so that firstly the obscuring of the UV-C lamp can be easily combined with, and secondly, substantial working space for the operator can be provided inside the chamber when the UV-C lamp is obscured.

According to one embodiment of the disinfection chamber, wherein the space inside the chamber has one or more reflective surfaces. This embodiment is helpful to enhance the coverage of the disinfection operations to maximum possible surface of the article placed inside for disinfection, while keeping the requirement for number of UV lamps lower.

According to another embodiment of the disinfection chamber, the chamber includes one or more shelves to place the item to be disinfected, wherein in the shelves has a property to allow at least passing of UV-C light partially. This embodiment is helpful to process multiple articles or food items to be disinfected at the same time, as well as covering maximum possible surface of each of the articles while disinfecting each of the articles.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above and further aspects will become apparent by referring to the drawings and the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended specification. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a Disinfection chamber along with various automation components, with the door of the chamber in an open state.

Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the exemplary embodiment of the Disinfection chamber of Fig. 1 along with various automation components, with the door of the chamber in a closed state

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

The present disclosure discloses a Light Source-Obscuring UV-C Disinfection Chamber, comprising a body with inner surface having reflective surfaces, UV-C light sources for disinfection, a light obscuring means, an auto locking door with a door locking means and shelves for placing objects, which allow passing of UV-C light through them. The auto locking door whenever opened, the light obscuring means sheaths the light source, thereby protecting the operator when the door of the said chamber is opened. Then, when the operator so wishes, he / she places the objects / packaging on the shelf inside the chamber and closes the door. Upon the closing of the door, the disinfection cycle automatically starts, and the light obscuring means disengages and the door automatically locks until the time of disinfection elapses. Once the disinfection time lapses, the light obscuring means reengages and covers the lamps, the door unlocks and the operator is then allowed to retrieve the objects / packaging from the chamber by pulling the door handle. A door locking means is adapted to operate the autolocking door in the locked and unlocked position. In this way, switching off of the UV-C light sources can be eliminated, thereby maintaining life of the UV-C light sources, while also protecting the operator for UV radiation, which is absorbed by the said light obscuring means.

The embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

Fig. 1 and 2 are discussed together, as the difference between the figures are only related to the states of the door of the chamber and the state of the obscuring means.

The present disclosure discloses a disinfection chamber 1. The disinfection chamber 1 includes a body with inner surface having reflective surfaces 23, an UV-C light sources 2 for disinfection, a light obscuring means 4, a door 3 with a door locking means 9 and shelves 25 for placing items or articles to be obscured.

In one embodiment, the shelves 25 may be made of transparent glass or fiber material, or a wire mesh which allows the passing of UV-C light through them. In another embodiment, the shelves 25 may be made up of any other material which allow the passing of UV-C light through them.

The door 2 is whenever opened, the light obscuring means 4 sheaths the light source 2, thereby protecting an operator of the chamber when the door 2 of the said chamber is opened. Then, when the operator so wishes, he / she places the objects / packaging on the shelf 25 inside the chamber 1 and closes the door 3. Upon the closing of the door 3, the disinfection cycle automatically starts, and the light obscuring means 4 disengages and the door 3 automatically locks until the time of disinfection elapses. Once the disinfection time lapses, the light obscuring means 4 reengages and covers the lamps, the door 3 unlocks and the operator is then allowed to retrieve the objects / packaging from the chamber 1 by pulling a door handle 26.

A door locking means 9 operates the door 3 to be either in the locked state 7 and the unlocked state 25. In this way, switching off of the UV-C light sources 2 can be eliminated, thereby maintaining life of the UV-C light sources 2, while also protecting the operator from UV radiation’s exposure, which is obscured by the said light obscuring means 4.

The light obscuring means 4 can be in the form of a tarpaulin sheet, blinds or flaps which actuate and cover/obscure the UV-C light source 2, when the door 3 is opened. In another embodiment, the light obscuring means 4 can be of any other form till the time it satisfies the functionality required for obscuring the UV-C light source 2 when the door 3 is the unlocked state 25, and for exposing the UV-C light source 2 when the door 3 is in locked state 7. Shutters, Flaps, or any geometric shape which obscures a given solid volume can be used for the same.

The UV-C Light source 2 are provided the space inside the disinfection chamber 11 on a back wall opposite to the door 3. In an alternate embodiment, the light source 2 can also be provided on the side walls, however, accordingly the obscuring means 4 has to be adapted to be placed in such a way, so that they can come in action to obscure the light source 2 completely from exposure to the operator whenever the door is open.

The light obscuring means 4 is provided in proximity to the UV-C light source 2. In the current embodiment, the light obscuring means 4 is provided on the top wall of the chamber 1, very near to the back of wall of the chamber 1. This helps to keep the light obscuring means 4 in close proximity to the light source 2, even when the light obscuring means 4 is in the covered state 5. This helps even to provide sufficient space inside the chamber 1 to place the items inside. In one embodiment, the light obscuring means 4 need not be in proximity to the light source 2, and can be placed at any other location, however, still ensuring that the light obscuring means 2 completely covers the light source 2 when the door is opened.

The light obscuring means 4 is operable using an obscuring operating means 8 which operates the light obscuring means 4 to be in the covered state 5 and the uncovered state 6. It is to be noted that this obscuring operating means 8 can be executed completely manually, such as by providing rolling winding and unwinding mechanism operated using lever, or using semi-automatic mechanism, where a push-button kind of trigger can be provided, which can wind and unwind the light obscuring means 4, or using completely automated mechanism. One aspect of the complete automated mechanism is implemented in this embodiment of the chamber 1, as discussed below.

For locking the door 3 automatically, the door locking means 9 uses electromagnetic locking technique. However, instead of this technique, any other locking techniques can be used which is secure, and further help in automation of the functioning of the disinfection chamber 1. In an alternate embodiment, the locking can be carried out manually, however, as soon the locking is ensured, a manual or any other automatic mechanism can be used to further effectuate the light obscuring means 4 to be in the uncovered state 6. And, similarly, when the disinfection operation is completed, and the light obscuring means 4 is unrolled or moved into the covered state 4, some signals must be raised, so that the operator can identify that it is now safe to unlock the door 3, and take the item out of the chamber 2.

Whenever the door 3 is locked, the door locking means 9 generates a door locking signal 10. A microcontroller 11 of the disinfection chamber 1 receives and processes the door locking signal 10, and thereby generates and sends an uncover trigger 12 to the obscuring operating means 8. The obscuring operating means 8 after receiving the uncover trigger 12, processes the same and operates the light obscuring means 4 to be in the uncovered state 6, as shown in Fig. 2.

Further, in one embodiment, when the disinfection cycle is complete, which may be known through an indicator provided in the chamber 1, the obscuring means 8 if operated manually or semi-manually shall bring the light obscuring means 4 into the covered state 5, and thereafter, further manually the door 3 can be unlocked using the door locking means 9.

However, in the current embodiment, which provided an automated solution, after completion of the disinfection cycle, which is for a predefined interval, the obscuring operating means 8 operates the light obscuring means 4 to be in the covered state 5, as shown in Fig. 1. Thereafter, the obscuring operation means 8 generates a door unlocking signal 13, which is received and processed by the microcontroller 11 to generate an unlock trigger 14. Thereafter, the door locking means 9 receives and processes the unlock trigger 14, and operates the door 3 to be in an unlocked state 25, thereby unlocking the door 3.

In the current embodiment, the disinfection does not start just when the door is closed. This is kept in line with the fact that closure of the door 3 do not always means that a item is kept inside the chamber 1 for disinfection, and accordingly the door 3 is closed for further operation. However, the door 3 can be closed when the order volume is low, and the chamber 1 is idle, and in such scenario the disinfection is not required. However, this do not mean another order may not come in next few minutes, hence the UV-C lamp cannot be switched off. To handle, such scenario, a manual intervention is provided to start the disinfection cycle only when it is required. Accordingly, when the operator gives an operation initiation input 16 through an operation input means 15. The operation input means 15 after receiving the input 16, forwards it to the microcontroller 11, which processes the operation initiation input 16 to generate a door lock trigger 17. The microcontroller 11 sends this door lock trigger 17 to the door locking means 9, which then processed the door lock trigger 17 to lock the door 3. However, in one embodiment, this additional manual intervention may not be required, and accordingly, whenever the door 3 is closed, it is further locked, and the obscuring means 4 can be in uncovered state. And, thereafter, when a predefined period is passed, and according the obscuring means 4 moves into the covered state, however the operator does not open the door even after unlocking, the obscure means 4 remains in covered state till the next time the door 3 is opened and further closed again, and thereafter the door 3 is locked.

In furtherance, a disinfection chamber 1 is further provided with a door sensor 18, like magnetic door read switch, which senses the opening and closing of the door 3. When the door 3 is closed, a door closing information 19 is sent to the microcontroller 11, and it processes the door closing information 18 along with the operation initiation input 16 and generates the door lock trigger 17. If the door closing information 19 refers to non-closing of the door 3, the microcontroller (11) on processing the door closing information 19 along with the operation initiation input 16, generates an indication 20 related to non-closing of door 3. In one scenario, such an intervention from the microcontroller 11 is not required for locking the door, rather any electro-magnetic technique can be used to ensuring the locking of door automatically when the door is properly closed.

A process indication output device 21 is provided as part of the disinfection chamber 1, which indicates the progress of the disinfection process going on inside the disinfection system. This happens with the help of the microcontroller 11, which generates a process signal related to progress of the disinfection process, and sends it to the process indication output device 21, which thereby renders it to indicate the progress of the disinfection process. In one embodiment, the process indication output device 21 can be an alarm also, which receives the process signal related to completion of the disinfection process, and generates a sound indicative of completion of disinfection process. In other embodiments, any visual indication-based devices 21 can be used, such as LED source, which changes colors to indicate completion of disinfection process.

In one embodiment, an Emergency Stop button can be provided in case of any unforeseen incidents while operating the UV-C disinfectant system.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 Disinfection chamber
2 UV-C Light source
3 Door
4 Light obscuring means
5 Covered state of light obscuring means
6 Uncovered state of light obscuring means
7 Locked state of the door
8 Obscuring operating means
9 Door locking means
10 Door locking signal
11 Microcontroller
12 Uncover trigger
13 Unlocking signal
14 Unlock trigger
15 Operation input means
16 Operation initiation input
17 Door lock trigger
18 Door sensor
19 Door closing information
20 Indication
21 Process indication output device
22 Process signal
23 Reflective surface
24 Shelves
25 Unlocked state of the door
26 Door handle

¬¬¬
Applicant Name: REBEL FOODS PRIVATE LIMITED Total Number of Sheets: 2
Sheet Number: 1

Fig. 1

RAJ LATHA KOTNI
Agent for the Applicant
INPA - 1081

Applicant Name: REBEL FOODS PRIVATE LIMITED Total Number of Sheets: 2
Sheet Number: 2

Fig. 2
RAJ LATHA KOTNI
Agent for the Applicant
INPA - 1081

,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A disinfection chamber (1) comprising:
- a space inside the chamber to keep an item to be disinfected;
- a UV-C Light source (2) located inside the space inside the chamber (11);
- a door (3) which is adapted to be in a locked state (7) and an unlocked state; and
- a light obscuring means (4) adapted to be in a covered state (5) to cover the UV-C light Source (2) when the door (3) is in unlocked state, and to be in an uncovered state (6) to uncover the UV-C Light source (2) when the door (3) is in locked state.

2. The disinfection chamber (1) as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- an obscuring operating means (8) adapted to a operate the light obscuring means (4) to be in the covered state (5) and the uncovered state (6).

3. The disinfection chamber (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2 comprising:
- a door locking means (9) adapted to operate the door (3) to be in the locked state (7) and the unlocked state (25).

4. The disinfection chamber (11) according to the claim 3, wherein the door locking means (9) adapted to generate a door locking signal (10) when the door (3) is locked, the disinfection chamber (1) comprising:
- a microcontroller (11) adapted to receive and process the door locking signal (10), and to generate an uncover trigger (12),
wherein the obscuring operating means (8) receives and processes the uncover trigger (12), and operates the light obscuring means (4) to be in the uncovered state (6).

5. The disinfection chamber (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the obscuring operating means (8) operate the light obscuring means (4) to be in the covered state (5), after the light obscuring means (4) remains in the uncovered state (6) for a predefined time interval, and when the light obscuring means (4) attains the uncovered state (6), the obscuring operating means (8) generates a door unlocking signal (13), and the microcontroller (11) is adapted to receive and process the door unlocking signal (13) and generates an unlock trigger (14), and the door locking means (9) is adapted to receive and process the unlock trigger (14) and to unlock the door (3).

6. The disinfection chamber (11) as claimed in claim 4 or 5 comprising:
- an operation input means (15) adapted to receive operation initiation input (16) to start disinfection operation and to forward it to the microcontroller (11), the microcontroller (11) is adapted to receive and process the operation initiation input (16) to generate a door lock trigger (17), and the door locking means (9) adapted to receive and process the door lock trigger (17) to lock the door (3).

7. The disinfection chamber (1) as claimed in claim 6 comprising:
- a door sensor (18) adapted to sense closing of the door (3) and to generate a door closing information (19), wherein the microcontroller (11) is adapted to receive and process the door closing information (19) along with the operation initiation input (16) to generate the door lock trigger (17).

8. The disinfection chamber (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein if the door closing information (19) refers to non-closing of the door (3), the microcontroller (11) on processing the door closing information (19) along with the operation initiation input (16), generates an indication (20) related to non-closing of door (3).

9. The disinfection chamber (1) as claimed in claims 4 to 8 comprising:
- a one or more process indication output devices (21) adapted to indicate progress of disinfection process, and to be functionally coupled to the microcontroller (11), such that the microcontroller (11) is adapted to generate a process signal (22) related to progress of disinfection process, and the process signal (22) is received and rendered by the one or more process indication output device (21) to indicate progress of the disinfection process.

10. The disinfection chamber (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein one of the process indication output devices (21) is an alarm adapted to receive the process signal (22) related to completion of the disinfection process, and generates a sound indicative of completion of disinfection process.

11. The disinfection chamber (1) as claimed in claims 3 to 10, wherein the door locking means (9) is based on electromagnetic locking technique.

12. The disinfection chamber (1) as claimed in claim 1 to 11, wherein the light obscuring means (4) is provided in proximity to the UV-C light source (2).

13. The disinfection chamber (1) as claimed in claim 1 to 12, wherein the UV-C light source (2) are provided the space inside the disinfection chamber (11) on a back wall opposite to the door (3).

14. The disinfection chamber (1) as claimed in claims 1 to 13, wherein the space inside the chamber (1) has one or more reflective surfaces (23).

15. The disinfection chamber (11) as claimed in claims 1 to 14 comprising:
- one or more shelves (24) to place the item to be disinfected, wherein in the shelves (24) have a property to allow at least passing of UV-C light partially.

Dated this 4th day of December 2020


RAJ LATHA KOTNI
Agent for the Applicant
INPA - 1081