22 patents in this list

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Mobile phones are constant companions, yet they harbor bacteria and germs, often more than a typical toilet seat. The surfaces of phone cases provide an ideal environment for microbes, thriving in warmth and moisture from daily handling. This invisible threat poses significant health risks, especially in environments where hygiene is paramount.

Professionals face the challenge of maintaining device cleanliness without sacrificing usability or convenience. Traditional cleaning methods are not always practical or effective, and frequent disinfection can be cumbersome. The need for reliable, easy-to-implement solutions is more pressing than ever.

This page explores a range of practical approaches to this issue. It covers antimicrobial covers, UV light disinfection systems, and disposable protective cases designed to inhibit microbial growth. These solutions aim to enhance device hygiene, offering peace of mind and reducing the risk of contamination in everyday and professional settings.

1. Protective Enclosure for Electronic Devices with Transparent Layers and Bottom Fastening Mechanism

Janet Cochran, 2023

A protective cover for electronic devices like smartphones and tablets encloses the device completely to prevent germs and bacteria from touching the screen and body. The cover has a transparent front and rear layers that allow the touchscreen and camera to be used while sealed. It fastens with a zipper or flap at the bottom to enclose the device fully. This provides a barrier against external contaminants without needing frequent cleaning or harsh chemicals. The cover can also have coatings like antimicrobial or anti-static.

2. Protective Phone Case with Integrated Retractable UV Light Disinfection Module

Peter Garth Levandowski, John Phillip Levandowski, II, 2023

A UV light disinfection feature integrated into a protective phone case provides a portable and convenient way to disinfect surfaces using UV light. The case has a flat UV light module that nests in a recess when not in use. It is tethered to the case with a cable that is also stored in a recessed channel. This allows the UV light panel to be easily accessed and used to disinfect surfaces like phone screens and case surfaces. The battery and control board for the UV light are also stored flatly in the case.

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3. Mobile Phone Case with Integrated UV-C Light Source for Inward Sterilization

Zeinab Bazzi, 2022

A selective sterilization system for mobile phone cases keeps phones clean and germ-free. The system has a UV-C light source that is activated when the phone is placed in the case. The UV-C light kills germs and sterilizes the phone and case. The UV-C light is contained within the case and directed only inward, so it doesn't harm the user.

4. Stretchable Antimicrobial Fabric Case with Overlapping Layers for Electronic Devices

Phillip Jack SNOKE, Justin BAUM, 2022

This is an antimicrobial protective case for electronic devices like cell phones that can be stretched to fit devices of different sizes and provides antibacterial action. The case is made of a soft, stretchable fabric enhanced with antimicrobial metals or compounds. It has overlapping layers joined except for an opening. The fabric stretches to match the device size and snugly encloses it. The inner surfaces are soft to avoid scratching. This allows the case to be stretched around the device, maintaining contact with surfaces for antibacterial action and reaching depressions.

5. Sterile Adhesive Cover for Full Enclosure of Touchscreen Devices

Jose M. Schmidt, Veronica Schmidt, 2022

Disposable, sterile cover for touchscreen devices like smartphones and tablets that fully encloses the device and prevents contamination from viruses and bacteria without affecting functionality. The cover has a clear, adhesive body that attaches to the touchscreen and rear of the device. It provides a sealed barrier that prevents direct contact with germs. The cover can be easily replaced after each use to maintain hygiene.

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6. Elastic Sanitary Covers with Integrated Connective Strip for Communication Device Earpiece and Mouthpiece

Jose Llaca, 2021

Sanitary covers for communication devices like phones to prevent spread of germs and viruses between multiple users. The covers have two parts that fit over the mouthpiece and earpiece to create physical barriers. A connective strip connects them. The covers can be easily installed and removed without mechanical fastenings. They are made of elastic material to conform to device shapes. The covers can be cleaned before and after use.

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7. Mobile Device Disinfection System with UV-Transmissive Cases and Integrated Charging

UV Partners, Inc., 2021

Disinfection systems for mobile devices that provide reliable, automated, and safe disinfection while also charging the devices. The systems use UV light for disinfection but with features to prevent overdosing and user exposure. The devices are placed in UV-transmissive cases that allow 360-degree disinfection of the device and case. The cases can have UV-reflective layers to direct UV light. The disinfection chargers have sensors to shut off UV when opened and log exposure. The cases and chargers have interfaces to show disinfection and charge status.

8. Invertible Device Covers with Integrated UV-C Light Sources for Enclosure Sanitization

Glenn D. Goodman, Brian Axler, Gary Goodman, 2021

Invertible device covers can sanitize electronic devices like tablets, smartphones, earbuds, and laptops. The cases have UV-C light sources that can be turned on to sanitize the enclosed device when it is not in use.

9. Stretchable Pouch with Silver-Infused Fabric for Passive Sanitization of Electronic Devices

Donn Molineux, 2021

A reusable, stretchable pouch made from a silver-infused fabric to clean and sanitize electronic devices like smartphones and laptops without liquids or chemicals. The pouch has a silver-impregnated yarn woven into a fabric that cleans and disinfects the devices when stored inside. The silver inhibits bacterial growth and kills pathogens like viruses and fungi. The pouch conforms to the device shape and covers most surfaces to provide thorough cleaning. It can be reused multiple times without cleaning between uses. The silver-infused fabric provides passive sanitization without liquids or chemicals.

10. Disposable Mobile Device Case with Barrier Material and Removable Fastener

Ashley Tener, 2021

A disposable case for mobile devices like smartphones provides protection against infectious agents like viruses and bacteria. The case has a removable fastener, such as a strap or drawstring, that can be attached to retain the device inside. The case material is made of a barrier material like nitrile rubber that prevents viruses and bacteria from penetrating. The case can convert between a relaxed configuration for inserting the device and a fitted configuration with the fastener to secure it.

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11. Disposable Electronic Device Isolation Bag with Touchscreen-Compatible Panel and Adhesive Seal Flap

Boehringer Technologies, LP, 2020

Disposable bag for isolating electronic devices like phones and tablets to prevent cross-contamination. The bag has two panels that seal shut around the device with a fold-over flap secured by adhesive. One panel is touchscreen compatible. The bag may contain antimicrobial agents and include a tear line to open it after use. It can be dispensed from a stack in a dispenser.

12. Dispenser Housing with Slot and Narrow Section for Hygienic Protective Bag Retrieval

MOBILE GUARD RX, LLC, 2020

Dispensing system for hygienic protective bags for mobile devices to prevent contamination and spread of germs. The system has a dispenser housing with a slot for withdrawing a protective bag from a roll. The slot width is larger than the bag width to allow easy retrieval. The slot intersects with a narrower section to facilitate opening the bag. This prevents contamination of multiple bags in the roll. An external shelf below the slot supports the opened bag and device.

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13. Stretchable Electronic Device Case with Silver-Impregnated Antimicrobial Fabric and WiFi Signal Amplification

Donn Molineux, 2019

A stretchable, antimicrobial case for electronic devices that self-sanitizes the device and prevents contamination. The case made from a stretchable fabric impregnated with silver particles that inhibit microbial growth. It has an opening to insert the electronic device and finger pockets to hold it. The case amplifies WiFi signals when in contact with the device.

14. Sterilizable Enclosure with Pivoting Base and Sealing Frame for Portable Electronic Devices

Stryker Corporation, 2018

Sterilizable enclosure for securing portable electronic devices like iPads in medical environments to prevent contamination and enable easy sterilization. The enclosure has a pivoting base and frame that close around the device with a seal in between. This seals off the device from contaminants. A transparent panel abuts the touchscreen for operation. A locking mechanism secures the enclosure shut.

15. Disposable Protective Sleeve with Removable Expandable Sheet and Top Fastener for Sealed Enclosure of Electronic Devices

Nice Touch, LLC, 2018

Disposable protective sleeve for electronic devices that prevents contamination and transmission of bacteria between users by creating a sealed barrier around the device. The sleeve has a front and back panel with a removable expandable sheet that folds inward to seal the bottom. The top is sealed with a fastener. This allows the device to be placed inside and used while sealed in the sleeve. The expandable sheet can expand to stand the sleeve upright. The sleeve is disposed of after each use to prevent contamination transfer.

16. Portable Device Casing with Integrated UV LED Sterilization Mechanism

Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd., 2018

Portable terminal sterilization system that can be carried along with the device and easily sterilize it without requiring separate equipment. The system uses UV LEDs in the device's casing or cover to sterilize the device's surfaces. The UV LEDs can be activated by pressing a protrusion or winding/unwinding a cover section. The UV LEDs are powered by the device's NFC antenna. A rotating cover can also be used to shield the UV LEDs during sterilization.

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17. Cell Phone Case with Integrated Antimicrobial and Fragrance Additive

Al Santelli, 2017

Cell phone case with antimicrobial and fragrance properties. The case has an additive inside that provides desired functions without using a propellant. The additive can be a fragrance to improve the scent of the case, and also an antimicrobial agent like silver to make the case antimicrobial. This reduces or eliminates bacteria on the case surface. The antimicrobial properties of the case can be 99.9%.

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18. Mobile Communication Device Housing with Embedded Biocidal Agents

Steven Powell, 2017

Antimicrobial mobile communication devices like smartphones with housing embedded or coated with biocides to inhibit microbial growth on the device. The biocides can be organic or inorganic, like silver and zinc ions or nanoparticles, distributed throughout the case and touchscreen. This provides antimicrobial protection without the need for cleaning since the biocides are an integral part of the device. It enables using the devices in sterile environments like operating rooms where contamination is a concern.

19. Detachable Electronic Device Cover with Light-Activated Antifungal Coating and Detection-Induced Activation Mode

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, 2017

Antifungal cover for electronic devices like smartphones with a detachable cover having an antifungal coating that can be attached to the device to protect the display from fungal growth. When the cover is on, the display emits light to activate the antifungal properties of the coating. The device detects when the cover is attached and switches to an antifungal mode where the display emits the activating light. This provides an easy and cost-effective way to make displays antifungal without applying separate substances.

20. Antimicrobial Enclosure for Wireless Electronic Devices with Integrated Coating

Clear Image, dba Clear Bags, 2016

Antimicrobial covers for wireless electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria in medical facilities. The covers have an enclosure with openings to insert and remove the device. The enclosure is made of a material with an antimicrobial coating throughout. This limits germ transfer between devices and surfaces by containing them inside the covered device. The covers can be chemically treated or made from antimicrobial polymers to provide long-lasting antimicrobial protection.

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Long-term germ prevention, material durability, and user-friendliness are some of the problems these solutions address. The examined patents illustrate numerous ways, including complete device enclosure, the creation of antimicrobial materials, and integrated UV light disinfection.