Method and system for detecting biological and chemical hazards in mail
AssigneePitney Bowes Inc.
InventorsRobert A. Cordery, Karin A. Russo, Ronald P. Sansone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for detecting chemical or biological hazards in items is provided. An incoming mail mailbox includes a sampler to sample air from a letter that is tested using a first sensor and then placed in a receptacle having an environment that is tested using a second sensor.
Claims11
An incoming mail receptacle for detecting hazards in a mail piece comprising:
- a segregated incoming mail air sampler for collecting an air sample having an incoming mail opening and a lockable door for the opening;
- a hazard detector to test the sample and for providing a hazard indication;
- a transport mechanism for moving the mail piece from the air sampler into a collection chamber if no hazard is detected;
- a hazard indicator connected to the hazard detector for alerting a user of a hazard;
- wherein the airsampler includes
- a mail piece transport system for feeding a mail piece through the sampler;
- a movable surface for applying force to an edge of the mail piece to form a pillow deformation in the mail piece;
- and
- a flattener for flattening the pillow deformation to eject and collect an air sample from the mail piece.
A mail piece air sampler comprising:
- a mail piece transport system for feeding a mail piece through the sampler;
- a movable surface for applying force to an edge of the mail piece to form a pillow deformation in the mail piece;
- and
- a flattener for flattening the pillow deformation to eject and collect an air sample from the mail piece.
A method for detecting hazards in a mail piece using a incoming mail receptacle comprising a segregated incoming mail air sampler for collecting an air sample having an incoming mail opening and a lockable door for the opening, a hazard detector to test the sample and for providing a hazard indication, a transport mechanism for moving the mail piece into a collection chamber if no hazard is detected and a hazard indicator connected to the hazard detector for alerting a user of a hazard, comprising:
- detecting the presence of a mail piece;
- importing the mail piece into the segregated incoming mail sampler;
- collecting the air sample;
- testing the air sample for hazards;
- transporting the mail piece to the collection chamber of no hazard is detected;
- and
- providing a hazard indication if a hazard is detected,
- wherein the air sampler includes a mall piece transport system for feeding a mail piece through the sampler;
- a movable surface for applying force to an edge of the mail piece to form a pillow deformation in the mail piece;
- and
- a flattener for flattening the pillow deformation to eject and collect an air sample from the mail piece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.