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A writing instrument sterilization device having an automatic dispensing delivery mechanism for recycling multiple writing instruments and automatically delivering a single sterilized writing instrument on demand. The writing instrument sterilizer is comprised of a housing having a collection apertu

A writing instrument sterilization device having an automatic dispensing delivery mechanism for recycling multiple writing instruments and automatically delivering a single sterilized writing instrument on demand. The writing instrument sterilizer is comprised of a housing having a collection aperture for receiving at least one writing instrument and a discharge aperture for dispensing the writing instrument. The writing instrument is conveyed on track that is disposed within the housing and extends between the collection aperture and the discharge aperture. A UV illumination source sterilizes the writing instrument by emitting radiation to the surface of the writing instrument. An automatic dispensing delivery mechanism is provided to move an ejector member from a first writing instrument receiving position to a second writing instrument dispensing position.

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1. A writing instrument sterilizer, comprising: a housing comprising a collection aperture configured to receive at least one writing instrument and a discharge aperture configured to dispense the writing instrument;a track disposed within the housing that extends between the collection aperture and

1. A writing instrument sterilizer, comprising: a housing comprising a collection aperture configured to receive at least one writing instrument and a discharge aperture configured to dispense the writing instrument;a track disposed within the housing that extends between the collection aperture and the discharge aperture upon which the writing instrument is transferred, wherein at least a portion of the track slopes downward from the collection aperture;an illumination source that sterilizes the writing instrument by emitting radiation to the surface of the writing instrument; andan automatic delivery mechanism operable to move an ejector member configured to move the writing instrument from a first instrument receiving position to a second instrument dispensing position. 2. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 1, further comprising a top panel, a bottom panel and side panels. 3. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 1, wherein the writing instrument is conveyed under the force of gravity. 4. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 1, wherein the track is comprised of a bottom track having a guide which guides the writing instrument from the collection aperture to the discharge aperture and prevents more than one writing instrument from overlapping with an adjacent writing instrument. 5. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the track between the collection aperture and the discharge aperture is a substantially continuous elongated shape constructed to permit the passage of one writing instrument while preventing the writing instruments from overlapping with each other. 6. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 1, wherein the illumination source is irradiated to all surfaces of the writing instrument for a predetermined period of time sufficient to completely sterilize the writing instrument. 7. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 1, wherein internal surfaces of the housing are reflective to reflect the radiation from the illumination source to the surface of the writing instrument. 8. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 1, wherein the automatic delivery mechanism comprises an ejector member that rotates from the first instrument receiving position to the second instrument dispensing position. 9. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 8, wherein the ejector member longitudinally extends along, and is fastened to, an axis of a pivot rod disposed in at least a partially covered relation over the elongate slot of the discharge aperture. 10. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 8, further comprising a frame including a collection opening connected to a discharge opening by a pair of vertical support members connected to a pair of base support members, wherein the collection opening is defined by an elongated collection frame comprising an upper longitudinal member, a lower longitudinal member, and a pair of side members; andwherein the discharge opening is defined by an elongated discharge frame comprising an upper longitudinal member, a lower longitudinal member, and a pair of side members. 11. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 10, wherein the pivot rod is pivotally braced by the discharge frame, and wherein at a first end, the pivot rod is pivotally journalled to a first side member of the discharge frame and at second end of the discharge frame, the pivot rod is pivotally disposed through the second side member of the discharge frame and coupled to a drive motor. 12. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 1, wherein the ejector member includes a plurality of legs extending radially outward from the pivot rod so that a gap formed between two adjacent legs is large enough to permit entry of one writing instrument within the gap such that when the drive motor is actuated, the pivot rod rotates in a first direction thereby radially driving the ejector member from the first instrument receiving position to the second instrument dispensing position. 13. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 1, wherein the automatic delivery mechanism includes a drive motor having a drive motor output shaft with a drive gear whose drive gear teeth are matingly engaged with slave gear teeth of a slave gear fastened to the pivot rod, wherein when the drive motor is actuated, rotation of the drive gear urges the rotation of the slave gear so that the pivot rod urges the ejector member to move from the first instrument receiving position to the second instrument dispensing position. 14. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 13, wherein the drive motor is actuated in response to detection of a moving object in close relation to a dispensing switch. 15. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 14, wherein the drive motor is actuated in response to activation of at least one Of an input switch and an illumination switch. 16. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 1, wherein illumination of the light source is halted in response to receipt of a control signal from a safety sensor. 17. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 1, wherein illumination of the light source is continued until a contaminant sensor has issued a control signal indicative of the surface of the writing instrument to be dispensed being contaminant free. 18. A writing instrument sterilizer, comprising: a housing comprising a collection aperture configured to receive at least one writing instrument and a discharge aperture configured to dispense the writing instrument;a track disposed within the housing that extends between the collection aperture and the discharge aperture upon which the writing instrument is transferred, wherein at least a portion of the track slopes downward from the collection aperturea controller that controls a circuit for sterilizing and dispensing of the writing instrument, comprising: an illumination source that sterilizes the writing instrument in response to an instruction from the controller to emit radiation to the surface of the writing instrument; andan automatic delivery mechanism operable to move an ejector member configured to move a writing instrument from a first instrument receiving position to a second instrument dispensing position in response to an instruction from the controller. 19. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 18, wherein the controller instructs the drive motor to be actuated in response to a control signal received from a dispensing switch that detected movement of an object in close relation to the dispensing switch. 20. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 18, wherein the controller instructs the drive motor to be actuated in response to a control signal received from at least one of an input switch and an illumination switch. 21. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 18, wherein the controller instructs the light source to halt operation in response to a control signal received from a safety sensor. 22. The writing instrument sterilizer as recited in claim 18, wherein the controller instructs the light source to continue to illuminate a sterilizing dosage of radiation to the writing instrument in response to a control signal received from contaminant sensor indicating that the surface of the writing instrument is not substantially contaminant free. 23. A writing instrument sterilizer, comprising: a housing comprising a collection aperture configured to receive at least one writing instrument and a discharge aperture configured to dispense the writing instrument;a track disposed within the housing that extends between the collection aperture and the discharge aperture upon which the writing instrument is transferred, wherein at least a portion of the track slopes downward from the collection aperturea controller that controls a circuit for sterilizing and dispensing of the writing instrument, comprising: an illumination source providing ultraviolet light at a wavelength of approximately 254 nanometers for sterilizing the writing instrument in response to an instruction from the controller to emit radiation with an intensity range of 1000-100,000 microwatts/cm2 to the surface of the writing instrument; andan automatic delivery mechanism operable to move an ejector member configured to move the writing instrument from a first instrument receiving position to a second instrument dispensing position in response to an instruction from the controller.