Disinfecting floor mats may be achieved by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In one general implementation, a disinfecting floor mat may include a UV LED array, a base, and a transparent cover. The UV LED array may have a top surface, a bottom surface, a perimeter and include multiple UV-emitting LEDs. The base may be configured to receive the UV LED array. The transparent protective cover may include a top surface of an encapsulating sheet for encapsulating the array or a top surface of a non-encapsulated protective sheet, the cover comprised of polyurethane and having substantial strength to withstand a person standing directly thereon with shoes on. The LED array is adapted to irradiate at least a portion of a bottom surface of a shoe positioned on the protective cover.

A dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, includes a mechanism for modifying odor. The mechanism for modifying odor includes an ozone generator for odor neutralization in a dishwasher cavity and a system for fragrance introduction into the dishwasher cavity. A control device has stored therein a process, which firstly provides for the odor neutralization by the ozone generator and then introduction of a new fragrance by the system for fragrance introduction.

A system for dosing substances such as cleaning and/or care agents is disclosed. The system includes a dosing device, at least one energy source, a control unit, a sensor unit, and at least two cartridges for respectively accommodating at least one of the cleaning and/or care agents. The at least two cartridges are capable of being coupled to the dosing device.

A self-cleaning window blind includes a thin layer of photocatalytic material on at least one surface of the slats. The window blind includes an ultraviolet light source which directs ultraviolet light onto the photocatalytic material. Consequently, the window blind is not dependent on available sunlight. The ultraviolet light source is located in either the headrail or the bottom rail of the window blinds. Upon exposure to ultraviolet light, organic material on the slats which may include dust, grease, or microorganisms, is converted to carbon dioxide and water. One or both of the horizontal edges of the slats may include a lip which collects water formed by the photocatalytic reaction. In some embodiments, the slats are slightly convex. This shape may inhibit water from collecting in droplets on the slat and help direct the water towards the lip. Consequently, water spots are not created on the slats.

A shoe treating apparatus having a cabinet including at least one storage space, a rotatable duct part disposed in an upper portion of the storage space and configured to rotate toward the interior of the storage space, a treatment part configured to provide treatment on a shoe, and a processor configured to control an operation of the rotatable duct part and electrically connected to the treatment part is provided. The processor may, based on detecting a shoe in the storage space, rotate the rotatable duct part toward the interior of the detected shoe and may control treatment on the detected shoe through the rotatable duct part after the rotatable duct part is rotated toward the interior of the detected shoe. A method of operating a shoe treating apparatus is also provided.

Devices, systems and methods for cleaning and disinfecting footwear items are disclosed herein. In an aspect a cleaning belt element is configured to rotate a cleaning belt in a continuous loop around a first rotating cylinder and a second rotating cylinder wherein the first rotating cylinder and the second rotating cylinder are connected by the cleaning belt. In another aspect, a containment element is configured to receive the footwear item wherein the containment element comprises a shroud, one or more bristle protruding from at least one inside wall of the shroud, and a transparent floor layer wherein the received footwear item rests. In yet another aspect, an ultraviolet light element is configured to emit ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet light source wherein the ultraviolet light source is located below the transparent floor layer.

Method and apparatus for treating dishware, in which the method comprises the steps of providing a treatment composition comprising a photoactive component, contacting in an appliance the treatment composition with the dishware, and irradiating the treatment composition with visible light. The step of irradiating the treatment composition with visible light is performed with a source of light that is tool free insertable into and removable from the appliance.

We disclose a self-cleaning window blind which includes a thin layer of photocatalytic material on at least one surface of the slats. The window blind includes an ultraviolet light source which directs ultraviolet light onto the photocatalytic material. Consequently, the window blind is not dependent on available sunlight. The ultraviolet light source may be located in either the headrail or the bottom rail of the window blinds. Upon exposure to ultraviolet light, organic material on the slats which may include dust, grease, or microorganisms, may be converted to carbon dioxide and water. One or both of the horizontal edges of the slats may include a lip which may collect water formed by the photocatalytic reaction. In some embodiments, the slats are slightly convex. This shape may inhibit water from collecting in droplets on the slat and help direct the water towards the lip. Consequently, water spots are not created on the slats.

Devices, systems and methods for cleaning and disinfecting footwear items are disclosed herein. In an aspect, an apparatus is disclosed comprising an ultraviolet light element configured to emit ultraviolet light toward a top covering element configured to receive one or more contaminated item, wherein the ultraviolet light element is located within a lower frame element. In another aspect, a grating element is disclosed comprising a frame of bars configured to support the one or more contaminated item; wherein the grating element is a ceiling enclosure portion of the lower frame element. In yet another aspect, a brush frame element mounted to an underside of the grating element is disclosed, wherein the brush frame element comprises a set of brush strips configured to protrude through at least one space between the frame bars.

The invention concerns a household appliance, the household appliance comprising: a washing chamber for washing of items to be cleaned; a water system configured to feed water to and from the washing chamber for cleaning and/or rinsing of the items therein; wherein the water system comprises a UV-treatment chamber for disinfection and/or sterilization of water to be fed to the washing chamber during operation of the household appliance, wherein the UV-treatment chamber is provided with at least a first UV-light source arranged to direct UV-light towards water present in the UV-treatment chamber. The UV-treatment chamber is further provided with at least a first UV-light reflector. The invention also concerns a method for operating a household appliance.