Systems and methods for residue collection
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for collecting residues from mail pieces comprising:
- arranging mail pieces so as to place the mail pieces in a generally singular layer;
providing said mail pieces to a chamber;
within said chamber, flowing air over said mail pieces so as to lift a residue from the exterior of at least one of said mail pieces; and
transporting said air and said residue to a detector capable of detecting the presence of said residue.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for the detection of substances (particularly particulate substances) within mail pieces, specifically letters and other “flats” of mail. In particular, the systems and methods are for the detection of residues of Chemical or Biological Warfare Agents (CBWAs) which may be present within the mail pieces. The system is principally designed to be included as part of Dual Pass Rough Cull System (DPRCS) for the collection and detection of the residue when the contaminated mail piece first enters a mail facility and before it is intermingled with other mail pieces.
35 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method for collecting residues from mail pieces comprising:
-
arranging mail pieces so as to place the mail pieces in a generally singular layer;
providing said mail pieces to a chamber;
within said chamber, flowing air over said mail pieces so as to lift a residue from the exterior of at least one of said mail pieces; and
transporting said air and said residue to a detector capable of detecting the presence of said residue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method for detecting the presence of residues on mail pieces comprising:
-
separating and removing thicks from said mail pieces;
arranging said remaining mail pieces horizontally in a singular layer;
allowing gravity to pull said single layer of mail pieces into a chamber;
within said chamber, compressing said mail pieces so as to aerosolize a residue present on one of said mail pieces;
flowing air over said one of said mail pieces so as to transport said residue to a detector capable of detecting the presence of said residue; and
detecting the presence of said residue. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification