Walmart Inc.
Shopping cart with sterilization mechanism

Abstract:

A sterilization mechanism for a shopping cart is described. The shopping cart includes a frame, a basket portion mounted to the frame, and a handle portion mounted to the frame and including a top and bottom section. The shopping cart includes a cleanliness sensor configured to detect a cleanliness level of the handle portion. The shopping cart includes a sterilization mechanism for killing microorganisms on the handle portion detachably mounted to the handle portion. The sterilization mechanism includes an ultraviolet light source disposed within the body of the sterilization mechanism and configured to be actuated into a light-emitting position when the cleanliness level is detected to be equal to or above a predetermined cleanliness threshold. In the light-emitting position, the ultraviolet light source is configured to emit ultraviolet light onto the handle portion to sterilize both the top and bottom sections of the handle portion from a mounted position.