초록 ▼

An apparatus for sterilizing and/or disinfecting water in a water dispenser. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet light source which includes an ultraviolet light bulb or lamp, a power source for providing power to the ultraviolet light bulb, and a non-glass or non-quartz protective sleeve which s

An apparatus for sterilizing and/or disinfecting water in a water dispenser. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet light source which includes an ultraviolet light bulb or lamp, a power source for providing power to the ultraviolet light bulb, and a non-glass or non-quartz protective sleeve which surrounds the ultraviolet light bulb. The ultraviolet light bulb preferably includes a casing for holding a starting gas and a vaporizable material, and at least one electrode electrically coupled to the power source for exciting the starting gas and the vaporizable material within the casing. The casing is made of soft glass or quartz material, and the protective sleeve is a fluoropolymer sleeve which surrounds the soft glass or quartz casing. The fluoropolymer sleeve may comprise any suitable fluoropolymer material, such as Teflon.RTM. products like PTFE, FEP, PFA, AF, Tefzel.RTM. ETFE, and the like. In addition, some silicon based materials or other UV transmissive non-glass materials can be used for the protective sleeve.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]providing an ultraviolet light source comprising an ultraviolet light bulb and a power source for providing power to said ultraviolet light bulb, said ultraviolet light bulb comprising a first end portion, a second end portion, and an elongated body portion formed between s

[What is claimed is:] [1.]providing an ultraviolet light source comprising an ultraviolet light bulb and a power source for providing power to said ultraviolet light bulb, said ultraviolet light bulb comprising a first end portion, a second end portion, and an elongated body portion formed between said first end portion and said second end portion, said elongated body portion comprising a fluoropolymer material, and said first and said second end portions being covered by first and second end caps, respectively, said first and said second end caps forming a seal with said fluoropolymer material;placing in said water dispenser at least said ultraviolet light bulb;illuminating said ultraviolet light bulb so that an ultraviolet light is generated, killing microorganisms in said water. [15.]providing an ultraviolet light source comprising an ultraviolet light bulb and a power source for providing power to said ultraviolet light bulb, said ultraviolet light bulb comprising a quartz or glass casing and at least one base, said at least one base comprising an electrode electrically coupled to said power source for causing said ultraviolet light bulb to emit ultraviolet light, said casing being substantially surrounded by a fluoropolymer material, and said at least one base being covered by at least one end cap, said at least one end cap forming a seal with said flouropolymer material;placing in said water dispenser at least said ultraviolet light bulb;illuminating said ultraviolet light bulb so that an ultraviolet light is generated, killing microorganisms in said water. [26.]providing an ultraviolet light source comprising an ultraviolet light bulb and a power source for providing power to said ultraviolet light bulb, said power source for causing said ultraviolet light bulb to emit ultraviolet light, the entirety of said ultraviolet light bulb being coated by a fluoropolymer material, such that said ultraviolet light bulb is hermetically sealed by said fluoropolymer material;placing in said water dispenser at least said ultraviolet light bulb;illuminating said ultraviolet light bulb so that an ultraviolet light is generated, killing microorganisms in said water. [35.]providing an ultraviolet light source comprising an ultraviolet light bulb and a power source for providing power to said ultraviolet light bulb, said power source for causing said ultraviolet light bulb to emit ultraviolet light, the entirety of said ultraviolet light bulb being surrounded by a protective bag comprising a fluoropolymer material, such that said ultraviolet light bulb is hermetically sealed by said protective bag;placing in said water dispenser at least said protective bag and said ultraviolet light bulb;illuminating said ultraviolet light bulb so that an ultraviolet light is generated, killing microorganisms in said water.