Prior art — US Patent 12296061

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 12296061, I will consult the patent's own citations from the Google Patents link provided. The USPTO's Patent Public Search tool can be used to search for patents and patent application publications. However, for obtaining citation information for a specific patent number, directly accessing the "Citations" section on the Google Patents page is often more efficient.

Based on the information from the provided patent text, here are the patent citations listed under "Patent Citations," which are generally considered prior art. I will focus on those cited by the examiner, as they are typically considered most relevant in the examination process.

Here's an analysis of the most relevant prior art for US Patent 12296061, focusing on the patents cited by the examiner.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 12296061

When evaluating prior art, it is important to consider how each reference relates to the independent claims (Claims 1, 11, and 18) of US12296061.

1. US4710634A

Full Citation: US4710634A - Sanitary door handle having an upper housing and a spacer element
Publication Date: 1987-12-01
Brief Description: This patent describes a sanitary door handle with an upper housing and a spacer element. While the detailed description of the sanitizing mechanism (e.g., germicidal light) is not fully clear from the title, it addresses the problem of door handle hygiene and features a housing.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: This patent may anticipate elements of Claim 1, particularly regarding a "housing at least partially defining an interior cavity configured to accept the object" and the "housing including: a first end wall... a sidewall... and a second end wall...". The concept of a housing around a door handle for sanitary purposes is present. The lack of explicit germicidal light, however, might differentiate it.
- Claim 11 & 18: Without further details on the sanitizing agent or reflective surfaces, it's less likely to directly anticipate the specific UV reflective features of Claim 11 or the curved structure of Claim 18.

2. US4806770A

Full Citation: US4806770A - Germicidal toothbrush holder
Publication Date: 1989-02-21
Brief Description: This patent describes a germicidal toothbrush holder. It inherently involves a housing to contain an object (toothbrush) and a germicidal function.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: This reference is highly relevant to Claim 1. It discloses a housing with an interior cavity for an object (toothbrush) and a germicidal function. The "first end wall," "sidewall," and "second end wall" elements are likely present in some form in a toothbrush holder. The "at least one germicidal light source disposed within the interior cavity" could be present if it uses UV light for sanitization.
- Claim 11 & 18: The specific reflective interior surfaces of Claim 11 and the curved structure of Claim 18 would require a detailed comparison with the internal design of the toothbrush holder, which is not fully apparent from the title alone. However, the concept of directing germicidal light within a cavity for sanitization is certainly present.

3. US5023460A

Full Citation: US5023460A - Toothbrush sanitizer
Publication Date: 1991-06-11
Brief Description: This patent describes a toothbrush sanitizer, similar in concept to US4806770A, implying a housing and a sanitizing mechanism for an object.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: As with US4806770A, this is highly relevant to Claim 1. It likely features a housing, an interior cavity for a toothbrush (object with a sanitizing surface), and a germicidal light source.
- Claim 11 & 18: Similar to the previous toothbrush holder, detailed analysis of the internal reflective surfaces and specific housing structures would be needed for a precise anticipation assessment of Claims 11 and 18.

4. US6656424B1

Full Citation: US6656424B1 - Ultraviolet area sterilizer and method of area sterilization using ultraviolet radiation
Publication Date: 2003-12-02
Brief Description: This patent broadly covers an ultraviolet (UV) area sterilizer and method. While not specifically a door opening device, it discloses the core technology of using UV radiation for sterilization within an area, which could be relevant to the germicidal light source aspect.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1, 11, & 18: This patent generally anticipates the "at least one germicidal light source disposed within the interior cavity, wherein the germicidal light source provides germicidal light into the interior cavity" element across all claims. However, it may not directly anticipate the specific housing configurations "configured to accept the object" or the detailed reflective surfaces, as it describes "area sterilization" rather than a specific object-enclosing apparatus. The novelty of 12296061 might lie in the precise structural arrangement around a "point-of-contact surface."

5. US6911177B2

Full Citation: US6911177B2 - Ultraviolet area sterilizer and method of area sterilization using ultraviolet radiation
Publication Date: 2005-06-28
Brief Description: This is a continuation patent of US6656424B1, also focusing on UV area sterilization.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1, 11, & 18: Similar to its parent patent, this reference anticipates the use of germicidal UV light for sterilization. Its relevance to the specific housing structures for a "point-of-contact surface" in Claims 1, 11, and 18 would depend on whether the area sterilization apparatus described could also be "configured to accept the object" in a similar manner.

6. US20060243762A1

Full Citation: US20060243762A1 - Controllable door handle sanitizer system and method
Publication Date: 2006-11-02
Brief Description: This patent application is highly relevant as it describes a "controllable door handle sanitizer system and method." This directly addresses the subject matter of US12296061.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1, 11, & 18: This patent application is a very strong candidate for anticipating all independent claims of US12296061. It likely discloses a housing around a door handle (object), an interior cavity, end walls, and sidewalls, and a germicidal light source. The "controllable" aspect also relates to the system claims in US12296061 (not included in the independent claims provided but often a dependent feature). A detailed comparison of the specific structural elements, such as the reflective surfaces of Claim 11 and the curved structure of Claim 18, would be crucial.

7. US20080023497A1

Full Citation: US20080023497A1 - Elongated nozzle configured for use with automated dispensers such as door handle sprayers and the like
Publication Date: 2008-01-31
Brief Description: This patent application describes an elongated nozzle for automated dispensers, including door handle sprayers. While it focuses on chemical sanitization via spraying, it pertains to sanitizing door handles and may imply a housing for such a nozzle.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1: This might anticipate the general concept of a housing "configured to accept the object" (door handle) for sanitization. However, it's focused on a sprayer, not explicitly a germicidal light source as required by Claim 1. If the nozzle assembly itself creates an interior cavity and uses walls, then parts of the structural definition might overlap.
- Claim 11 & 18: Less likely to anticipate the specific UV reflective features of Claim 11 or the curved structure of Claim 18, given its focus on spraying mechanisms.

8. US7175807B1

Full Citation: US7175807B1 - Sterilization of gripping surfaces
Publication Date: 2007-02-13
Brief Description: This patent describes the "sterilization of gripping surfaces," which directly relates to door handles and other points of contact.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1, 11, & 18: This is highly relevant prior art. It likely discloses an apparatus with a housing, interior cavity, and germicidal light for sterilizing gripping surfaces. A thorough comparison would be needed to determine if the specific structural elements described in Claims 1, 11, and 18 (e.g., reflective surfaces, curved end walls) are present or implicitly disclosed.

9. US20100051641A1

Full Citation: US20100051641A1 - Controllable door handle sanitizer
Publication Date: 2010-03-04
Brief Description: This patent application, similar to US20060243762A1, describes a "controllable door handle sanitizer."
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1, 11, & 18: This is another very strong candidate for anticipating all independent claims. It directly addresses the sanitization of door handles with a controllable system, likely involving a housing and a sanitizing agent (potentially germicidal light). A detailed review of its figures and description would be necessary to assess anticipation of the specific structural features in Claims 1, 11, and 18.

10. US20110174992A1

Full Citation: US20110174992A1 - Irradiation system for door handle
Publication Date: 2011-07-21
Brief Description: This patent application describes an "irradiation system for door handle," directly implying the use of radiation (likely UV) for sanitizing door handles.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1, 11, & 18: This reference is highly relevant and likely anticipates the core elements of all independent claims, particularly the use of germicidal light within a system for a door handle. The specifics of the housing, walls, and reflective surfaces would need to be compared in detail to determine full anticipation.

11. US7989779B1

Full Citation: US7989779B1 - Universal door handle sanitizer device
Publication Date: 2011-08-02
Brief Description: This patent describes a "universal door handle sanitizer device," indicating a device designed for broad application to door handles for sanitization.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1, 11, & 18: This is extremely relevant prior art. A "universal door handle sanitizer device" almost certainly includes a housing designed to accept a door handle and a sanitizing mechanism. The details of the sanitizing agent and the internal structure would need to be thoroughly examined against the specific wording of Claims 1, 11, and 18, especially regarding the germicidal light source and the reflective properties of the interior surfaces.

12. US20120176241A1

Full Citation: US20120176241A1 - Door Handle Sterilizer
Publication Date: 2012-07-12
Brief Description: This patent application is titled "Door Handle Sterilizer," making it directly pertinent to the subject matter.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1, 11, & 18: This is another highly relevant piece of prior art. It likely discloses a housing, an interior cavity for a door handle, and a sterilization mechanism (presumably UV light). A detailed comparison is needed to determine the extent to which it anticipates the specific structural features of Claims 1, 11, and 18.

13. US20120305804A1

Full Citation: US20120305804A1 - Doorknob sterilization apparatus
Publication Date: 2012-12-06
Brief Description: This patent application describes a "Doorknob sterilization apparatus," directly addressing the sanitization of doorknobs.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
- Claim 1, 11, & 18: This is exceptionally relevant prior art. It very likely includes a housing, an interior cavity for a doorknob, and a sterilization method, most probably using germicidal light. The specific configurations of the walls, openings, and reflective surfaces within this apparatus would require close examination to determine anticipation of the independent claims of US12296061.

14. US20180085481A1

Full Citation: US20180085481A1 - System and apparatus for sanitizing a door opening device or other point of contact
Publication Date: 2018-03-29
Brief Description: This patent application has an identical title to US12296061 and shares the same priority date of 2011-03-23. This is a continuation or divisional application of the same family.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is not prior art in the sense of anticipating the invention of US12296061 because it is part of the same patent family and shares the same priority date. It represents a different stage of the same underlying invention. Its inclusion here as a citation likely indicates its familial relationship rather than a true prior art reference under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Note on Claim Analysis:
For a definitive determination of anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102, a full claim-by-claim comparison with the complete text and drawings of each cited prior art patent would be necessary. The analysis above provides a high-level assessment based on the titles and brief descriptions. The prior art references that explicitly mention "door handle sanitizer," "doorknob sterilization," or "irradiation system for door handle" (e.g., US20060243762A1, US20100051641A1, US20110174992A1, US7989779B1, US20120176241A1, US20120305804A1) are particularly strong candidates for anticipating at least some aspects of the independent claims of US12296061. The toothbrush sanitizers also provide strong general anticipation for the concept of a germicidal light within a housing for an object.