Writing utensil sterilization apparatus

1. A writing utensil sterilization apparatus comprising:

a housing comprising an inlet for receiving a writing utensil into the housing and an outlet for dispensing the writing utensil from the housing;

a UV light source disposed within the housing for emitting UV light; and

a path disposed within the housing for guiding the writing utensil from the inlet to the outlet while exposing the writing utensil to the UV light.

2. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inlet comprises a sloping surface for guiding the writing utensil to the path disposed within the housing.

3. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inlet comprises an orifice having the shape of a slot.

4. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a lid, and wherein the inlet is disposed in the lid of the housing.

5. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outlet comprises a door having a front side and a back side.

6. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a motor disposed within the housing, and wherein the door is connected to the motor.

7. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a user interface for actuating the motor as a function of a user input to open the door.

8. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the user interface is a touch-free interface.

9. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the touch-free interface is selected from a group consisting of motion sensors, proximity sensors, optical sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and voice or audio responsive sensors.

10. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the user interface further comprises a touch-based interface in addition to the touch-free interface.

11. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the door comprises a catch disposed on the back side of the door for receiving the writing utensil.

12. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the catch comprises a first receiving element in contact with a first end of the writing utensil and a second receiving element in contact with a second end of the writing utensil.

13. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 12 , wherein a utensil pick-up area is located between the first receiving element and the second receiving element over which a middle portion of the writing utensil is suspended.

14. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a surface disposed within the housing comprises reflective material for directing the UV light to contact the writing utensil as it is guided by the path.

15. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the surface comprises a surface of the path.

16. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the path comprises a ramp extending between the inlet and the outlet.

17. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a utensil separator for separating one writing utensil from a plurality of writing utensils disposed on the path.

18. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outlet is disposed in a front portion of the housing.

19. A writing utensil sterilization apparatus comprising:

a user interface for receiving a user input;

an enclosure having an inlet for receiving a writing utensil into the enclosure and an outlet for dispensing the writing utensil from the enclosure in response to the user input;

a UV light source disposed within the enclosure for emitting UV light enclosed by the enclosure; and

a ramp disposed within the enclosure extending between the inlet and the outlet for guiding the writing utensil from the inlet to the outlet in exposure to the UV light.

20. The writing utensil sterilization apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the user interface includes a touch-free sensor.