Money Launderer

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus that is contained inside the confined space of a Point of Sale Cash Register, Cash Drawer and is designed specifically to sterilize currency and or additional items placed inside the drawer, automatically. The invention includes UVC lighting source(s), either CCFL tube (spanning the length of the enclosure, and located centrally above the denomination separation slots, or by high powered LED-UVC with printed circuit board and located directly above the tray/till slots). The upper, interior surface of the enclosure is lined with highly reflective material. Each slot in the cash tray/till is also lined with highly reflective material. The system is controlled electronically, via an external power supply, that is connected to a dedicated circuit board, which is located in the rear of the enclosure, and is activated by a photo sensor each time the drawer is opened. A programmable timer initializes at the moment the drawer is fully closed. The cycle stops when the drawer is either opened, or the integrated timer expires. A safeguard against undesired leakage from the front of the enclosure, around the drawer opening, is addressed by equipping the cash drawer with a ‘lipped’ door that attaches directly to the horizontally, sliding drawer. The lip wraps around all four sides of the embodiment. UVC is known to be harmful and should be used with necessary precautions in all applications. A counter can be integrated into the circuit to numerically count actual usage over time.

Claims

1. Effective disinfection of currency inside cash drawer Magnetic tape is positioned between each divider in the cash tray/till to attract microorganisms to the outside edges of the effected media Reflective material lines the upper surface of the embodiment and antimicrobial/reflective material covers each slot in the sliding tray

2. Space limitations of a standard cash drawer custom designed high intensity UVC Germicidal lamp source 4 mm diameter×300 mm length (space limitations inside cash drawers)

3. Safe Door with extrusion that surrounds the exterior shell to prevent accidental UV overexposure and or leakage. Door panel lip LED that illuminates when the system is in operation

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention can be installed in existing Point of Sale systems using only components (retro-fit consisting of: UV Germicidal lamp, 5V invertor, relay switch, magnets, reflective material, proximity sensor, power supply, wiring), or manufactured using the same components.

[0008] In the retro-fit case, a 4 mm diameter×310 mm long lamp is typically used. In general, a magnetic capacitive proximity sensor is used to detect the drawer, activate the lamp and begin the timed disinfection cycle when the drawer is fully closed.

[0009] The manufactured case will typically use LED's (light emitting diodes) that are attached to a printed circuit board and mounted on the top inner surface of the enclosure. The drawer is composed of carbon steel (powder coated). The LED board is connected to another circuit board inside the rear area of the drawer that includes the integrated circuit microchip, timer, photo sensor controller, counter, etc.

[0010] The CFL UVC-Germicidal lamp is ˜5 mm in diameter and ˜310 mm long and are composed of quartz glass. They range between 3˜5 watts each. Each lamp is positioned directly above the center of the trays', cash slots. The lamps have two lead wires on either end that are connected to a 5V-high voltage DC invertor. The invertor is connected to the proximity sensor and relay. The sensor is generally placed in a position where it can detect the rear of the cash tray as it locks into position after being closed (on the side of most models by drilling a hole in the exterior casing and mounting it via two nuts). All electronics are powered from a 12V AC/DC power adapter that plugs into a standard 120V AC outlet. The system is integrated into existing POS systems with little to no modifications (depending on the model).

Finally, a new clip system is used to replace old style, spring clips. A magnetic clip system (ferromagnetic clip) is used in each slot to effectively attract any active microorganisms that may be present on the cash. Additionally, due to known penetration issues at the 180-280 nm wavelength, the magnet(s) are used to attract the organism to an opening on either side and between the bills, thus increasing the overall efficacy of the system.

[0011] In the description from Humphreys, et al. patent, the device is roughly the size of an ATM machine. Additionally, claiming the use of multiple UV lights (lamps) and also thermal lamps. There is a fan that must be present for the system to perform adequately.

[0012] In this invention, reflective material (in general mylar coating, mirrored aluminum, etc.) is on the top of the inner shell of the drawer and lines each individual slot in the sliding tray/till for maximum coverage and effectiveness. The sliding drawer has a face that completely wraps around the opening of the outer casing to prevent leakage, whereby protecting the operator from any exposure to UV radiation. An exterior LED is mounted on the front of the drawer to indicate lamp operation/lamp replacement. A UVC warning label is placed on the front of the drawers' exterior face, between the LED indicator lamp and the manual key/lock. The system has a safety switch located inside the enclosure towards the rear (slotted 2-way beam switch). If the tray is removed, the light will not function.