Boeing Seeks Patent for UV, Germ-Zapping Lavatory

Introduction

Boeing Aircraft has applied for a patent to protect its self-cleaning lavatory prototype that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to kill 99.9 percent of germs in three seconds.

Patent Filing Process

The UV light disinfects all of the lavatory’s surfaces after each use without harming the lavatory’s user, Boeing stated in a March 3 news release citing its patent concept to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

UV Light Safety

Unlike the UVA or UVB light that are used by tanning beds, said the aircraft manufacturer, the UV light flooding the lavatory is not harmful, except to micro-organisms, because the UV light goes on after the user has left the lavatory.

Jeanne Yu's Thoughts

"We're trying to alleviate the anxiety we all face when using a restroom," said Jeanne Yu, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Director of Environmental Performance.

Additional Features

The self-cleaning lavatory also has touchless controls for its devices, which includes a self-deploying toilet seat. A hands free door latch and a vacuum vent system are under study.

Positioning of Lights

"In the prototype,” Yu said, “we position the lights throughout the lavatory so that it floods the touch surfaces like the toilet seat, sink and countertops with the UV light once a person exits the lavatory. This sanitizing even helps eliminate odors."

Future Plans

Boeing said further tests must be conducted before the UV self-cleaning lavatory can be marketed to the flying industry.

Conclusion

Boeing Aircraft has developed a self-cleaning lavatory prototype that uses UV light to kill 99.9% of germs in just three seconds. The UV light disinfects all surfaces of the lavatory after each use without harming the user. Unlike tanning beds, the UV light used in the lavatory is not harmful to humans.

Jeanne Yu, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Director of Environmental Performance, stated that the goal is to alleviate anxiety when using a restroom. The prototype lavatory also features touchless controls, a self-deploying toilet seat, a hands-free door latch, and a vacuum vent system. Further tests are needed before the lavatory can be marketed to the flying industry.