System and method of detecting, neutralizing, and containing suspected contaminated articles

• US 20030136920A1
• Filed: 12/31/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Davis, Charles E., Flores, Juan E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,247,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/455.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/082 X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/084 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/122 Chambers for sterilisation

Abstract

A comprehensive system and method of rendering the mail safe for handling and for detecting and containing suspect pieces and which can be fitted or retrofitted into mail and package processing facilities with relative ease. The system of the present invention includes a mail tray initial neutralizing sub-system, a subsequent neutralizing sub-system, an analyzing (potentially hazardous material detection) sub-system, a diverting mechanism, and a receiving and holding sub-system (secure out-sort pocket). All components can be controlled or operate in conjunction with a processing/computing sub-system. A feeder sub-system provides the mail from trays, after initial neutralization by the initial neutralizing sub-system, to the mail transport system.

Claims

1. A method for rendering mail items safe for handling, the method comprising the steps of:

neutralizing the mail items to render the mail items substantially safe for handling before entering a transport sub-system;

providing the mail items to the transport sub-system;

exposing outer surfaces of at least one of the mail items to neutralizing radiation while the at least one of the mail items is being transported by the transport sub-system;

analyzing the at least one of the mail items;

diverting the at least one of the mail items based on said analysis.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of neutralizing the mail items comprises the steps of:

receiving an incoming tray having the mail items disposed therein;

exposing the mail items in the incoming tray to neutralizing radiation while agitating the incoming tray.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of neutralizing the mail items further comprises the steps of:

emptying the incoming tray onto a receiving tray;

exposing the mail items in the receiving tray to neutralizing radiation while agitating the receiving tray.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of exposing the outer surfaces of the at least one of the mail items comprises the steps of:

exposing the outer surfaces of the at least one of the mail items to neutralizing radiation while the at least one of the mail items is being transported under a housing to substantially avoid escape of neutralizing radiation.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of exposing the outer surfaces of the at least one of the mail items further comprises the step of:

removing by-products of the exposure to the neutralizing radiation.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of analyzing the mail items comprises the steps of:

transporting the at least one of the mail items through an operational area;

sensing the presence of a potentially hazardous material in the at least one of the mail items.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

receiving and holding the diverted at least one of the mail items.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of receiving and holding said diverted one of the mail items further comprises the steps of:

isolating the diverted at least one of the mail items.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of receiving and holding said diverted one of the mail items further comprises the steps of:

neutralizing the diverted at least one of the mail items.

10. A system for rendering mail items safe for handling, the system comprising:

a neutralizing sub-system capable of rendering the mail items substantially neutralized and safe for handling before entering a transport sub-system;

a neutralizing sub-system capable of exposing outer surfaces of at least one of mail items to neutralizing radiation while the mail items are being transported by the transport sub-system;

an analyzing sub-system capable of obtaining, while the mail items are being transported by the transport sub-system, an indication of whether the at least one of the mail items contains potentially hazardous materials;

a diverting mechanism capable of diverting mail items.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising:

a receiving and holding sub system capable of receiving the diverted mail items.

12. The system of claim 10 further comprising:

a processing and computing sub-system.

26. The system of claim 10 wherein the analyzing sub-system further comprises:

at least one sensor capable of providing an indication of a presence of hazardous materials in at least one mail item;

at least one processor receiving and processing data from said at least one sensor.

27. The system of claim 10 wherein the neutralizing sub-system capable of substantially neutralizing mail items before entering a transport sub-system further comprises:

a structure capable of receiving an incoming tray and having a movable section;

an actuator device operably connected to the structure; and

,

a neutralizing radiation source in operational relationship to the incoming tray.

28. The system of claim 10 wherein the neutralizing sub-system capable of neutralizing outer surfaces of at least one of mail items further comprises:

a housing having a first open end, a second open end;

at least one radiation source substantially located within said housing and capable of substantially illuminating the outer surfaces of the at least one mail item;

an interlock system capable of preventing operation of the at least one radiation source under preselected conditions.

30. The method of claim 28 further comprising the steps of:

emptying the incoming tray onto a receiving tray;

exposing the mail items in the receiving tray to neutralizing radiation while agitating the receiving tray.

13. An neutralizing system for rendering mail pieces substantially safe for handling, the neutralizing system comprising:

a structure capable of receiving an incoming tray and capable of movement;

an actuator device operably connected to the structure; and

,

a neutralizing radiation source in operational relationship to the incoming tray.

14. The neutralizing system of claim 13 wherein the structure comprises a frame, the frame capable of receiving and holding the incoming tray and capable of movement with respect to another section of the structure.

15. The neutralizing system of claim 14 wherein the frame includes removable retainers capable of retaining the incoming tray.

16. The neutralizing system of claim 13 further comprising:

a receiving tray capable of receiving contents of the incoming tray;

another structure capable of receiving and holding the receiving tray and capable of constrained movement;

another actuator device operably connected to the another structure; and

another neutralizing radiation source in operational relationship to the receiving tray.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising:

a conveying sub system capable of conveying the receiving tray away from the frame.

18. A neutralizing system for exposing outer surfaces of at least one mail item while the at least one mail item is being transported by a transport system, the neutralizing system comprising:

a housing having a first open end, a second open end;

at least one radiation source substantially located within said housing and capable of substantially illuminating the outer surfaces of the at least one mail item;

an interlock system capable of preventing operation of the at least one radiation source under preselected conditions.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising:

a first radiation blocking component disposed in the interior of said housing and capable of preventing radiation from emanating from the first open end; and

,

a second radiation blocking component disposed in the interior of the housing and capable of preventing radiation from emanating from the second open end.

20. The system of claim 18 further comprising:

a filtering sub-system capable of removing by-products produced by the at least one radiation source.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein a path traversed by the at least one mail item within the housing while being transported by the transport system constitutes a non-collinear path.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein a mid-width at a mid-point between the first open end and the second open end is larger than a first end width at the first open end and is larger than a second end width at the second open end.

23. A receiving and holding device for receiving items being diverted from a transport system, the device comprising:

a container having and outer surface, an inner chamber, and an opening in a pre-selected portion of the container, the opening permitting items to pass through the outer surface and enter the inner chamber;

a cover movably disposed with respect to the opening, the cover enabling unidirectional passage of objects from outside the container into the inner chamber;

the container having a component capable of being operably connected to the transport system.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

a locking mechanism capable of locking the cover and disabling the unidirectional passage.

25. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

a radiation source substantially located in the inner chamber.

29. A method for rendering mail pieces substantially safe for handling, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an incoming tray having the mail items disposed therein;

exposing the mail items in the incoming tray to neutralizing radiation while agitating the incoming tray.

31. A method for exposing outer surfaces of the at least one mail item, the method comprising the steps of:

exposing the outer surfaces of the at least one mail item to neutralizing radiation while the at least one mail item is being transported under a housing to substantially avoid escape of neutralizing radiation.