Systems and methods for processing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces
First Claim
1. 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.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
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.
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Citations
62 Claims
- 1. 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.
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18. A system for neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising:
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a conveyor for advancing a plurality of mail pieces along a first direction; and
a variable frequency microwave source operably associated with the conveyor and configured to sweep each mail piece on the conveyor with at least one range of microwave frequencies selected to neutralize pathogens contained within a mail piece without harming the mail piece and contents thereof. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of processing a plurality of mail pieces for delivery to respective destinations, comprising:
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removing mail pieces having suspicious characteristics from the plurality of mail pieces;
sweeping each remaining mail piece with at least one range of microwave frequencies selected to neutralize a pathogen contained therewithin without harming the mail piece or the contents thereof;
monitoring the temperature of each mail piece being swept with the at least one range of microwave frequencies; and
removing mail pieces having a temperature above a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A system for neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces, comprising:
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a first conveyor for advancing a plurality of mail pieces along a first direction;
a second conveyor operably associated with the first conveyor and that is configured to apply compressive force to mail pieces advancing along the first direction; and
a variable frequency microwave source operably associated with the first and second conveyors and configured to sweep each mail piece on the first conveyor with at least one range of microwave frequencies selected to neutralize pathogens contained within a mail piece without harming the mail piece and contents thereof. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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Specification