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AssigneesLambda Technologies, Inc., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
InventorsWilliam L. Geisler, Howard M. Reisner, Richard S. Garard
Estimating the term…
Systems and methods for neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces via variable frequency microwave processing are provided. Mail pieces are initially screened to identify suspicious characteristics or indications of potentially harmful contents. Mail pieces are swept with variable frequency microwaves selected to neutralize pathogens contained within each mail piece without harming the mail piece or other contents thereof. The temperature of each mail piece may be monitored during microwave processing to identify mail pieces containing potentially harmful substances and/or devices. Mail pieces can be irradiated via additional forms of radiation to neutralize pathogenic material on outside surfaces thereof.
A method of neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising sweeping each mail piece with at least one range of microwave frequencies selected to neutralize pathogens contained within the mail piece without harming the mail piece and contents thereof, and wherein sweeping each mail piece with at least one range of microwave frequencies comprises passing each mail piece adjacent to a microwave diffuser plate positioned between the mail piece and a source of the at least one range of microwave frequencies, wherein the diffuser plate includes an array of apertures formed therein that facilitates even distribution of microwave energy.
A system for neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising:
A method of processing a plurality of mail pieces for delivery to respective destinations, comprising:
A method of neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising:
A method of neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising:
A method of neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising sweeping each mail piece with a plurality of ranges microwave frequencies selected to neutralize pathogens contained within the mail piece without harming the mail piece and contents thereof, wherein the plurality of ranges of microwave frequencies have a central frequency selected to disrupt a helix strand of a nucleic acid of the pathogen.
A method of neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising sweeping each mail piece with at least one range of microwave frequencies selected to neutralize pathogens contained within the mail piece without harming the mail piece and contents thereof, wherein the at least one range of microwave frequencies has a central frequency selected to disrupt a helix strand of a nucleic acid of the pathogen.
A method of neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising sweeping each mail piece with at least one range of microwave frequencies selected to neutralize pathogens contained within the mail piece without harming the mail piece and contents thereof, wherein the at least one range of microwave frequencies has a central frequency selected to modify a capsid enclosing a nucleic acid of the pathogen.
A method of neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising sweeping each mail piece with at least one range of microwave frequencies selected to neutralize pathogens contained within the mail piece without harming the mail piece and contents thereof, wherein the at least one range of microwave frequencies has a central frequency selected to selectively couple with water molecules inside a capsid enclosing a nucleic acid of the pathogen to disrupt the nucleic acid.
A system for neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising:
A system for neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising:
A system for neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising:
A method of neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising:
A method of neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising:
A method of neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising:
A method of neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising sweeping each mail piece with a plurality of ranges microwave frequencies selected to neutralize pathogens contained within the mail piece without harming the mail piece and contents thereof, wherein the ranges of microwave frequencies have a central frequency selected to modify a capsid enclosing a nucleic acid of the pathogen.
A method of neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising sweeping each mail piece with a plurality of ranges microwave frequencies selected to neutralize pathogens contained within the mail piece without harming the mail piece and contents thereof, wherein the ranges of microwave frequencies have a central frequency selected to selectively couple with water molecules inside a capsid enclosing a nucleic acid of the pathogen to disrupt the nucleic acid.
A system for neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising:
A system for neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.