Sanitizing mailbox apparatus and method

A mailbox for destroying contaminants of and removing particulate matter from mail, the mailbox comprising:

• an inner container defining an inner chamber having an inlet and an outlet;
• a fan operable to circulate fluid through the inner chamber;
• an ozone generator operable to provide ozone to the inner chamber to destroy contaminants;
• and
• a filter element positioned to remove particulate matter from the inner chamber.

A method for sanitizing mail, the method comprising:

• providing a mailbox including an inner chamber and a selectively closable access opening;
• inserting an article of mail into the inner chamber;
• closing the access opening;
• generating a flow of fluid including increased levels of ozone through the inner chamber upon closing of the access opening;
• filtering the flow of fluid to remove particulate matter from the flow of fluid;
• and
• indicating that the mail has been sanitized.

A method for sanitizing an article comprising:

• providing a container defining an inner chamber and having a selectively closable access opening;
• inserting an article to be sanitized into the inner chamber;
• closing the access opening;
• generating a flow of fluid through the inner chamber;
• moving the container to agitate the article in the inner chamber;
• and
• adding ozone to the flow of fluid to substantially destroy biological contaminates in the inner chamber.