Method and system for detecting biological and chemical hazards in mail

• US 6,613,571 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2001
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Russo, Karin A., Cordery, Robert A., Sansone, Ronald P.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, LYLE
• Application Number:
  US09/683,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20030113230A1
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 422/62, 422/63, 422/67, 422/68.1, 422/81, 422/83, 422/99, 422/104, 422/105, 436/43, 436/48, 436/52, 436/104, 436/177, 436/1, 312/1, 229/929, 738/630.1, 738/634.1, 738/635.1, 738/637.1, 738/639.1, 738/648.1, 738/648.3, 738/64
• US Class Current: 436/48
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/1221 comprising means to detect or prevent a terrorist attack, e.g. to detect anthrax-laced letters
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1207 for posting letters combined with franking apparatus G07B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 1/00 Measures preceding sorting according to destination
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2202 involving separation of sample components during sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2226 Sampling from a closed space, e.g. food package, head space
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/022 sampling for security purposes, e.g. contraband, warfare agents
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/025 postal items
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2223 aerosol sampling devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2241 purpose-built sampling enclosure for emissions
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 9/00 Prospecting or detecting by methods not provided for in groups G01V1/00 - G01V8/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 229/929 Vented envelope
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114165 with step of insertion or removal from test line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/117497 with a continuously flowing sample or carrier stream
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]

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.

Claims

1. 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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a controller connected to the air sampler, hazard detector, transport mechanism and hazard indicator for coordinating sample collection, hazard detection and hazard indication;

a vacuum system connected to the controller having a vacuum source for collecting the sample;

a filter connected to the vacuum system for filtering the exhaust from the vacuum source; and

a latch mechanism connected to the controller for locking the lockable door.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a scale operatively connected to the collection chamber for detecting the presence of mail pieces.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a communications device for remotely alerting the user of a hazard.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein:

the communications device includes a cellular link.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a fluorometer hazard detector and a DNA analysis hazard detector.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a fluorometer hazard detector.

8. 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.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein

the mail piece transport system includes a continuous loop driven by an electric motor with a vacuum hold down system for holding a mail piece in place.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein

the flattener includes a plurality of wheels.

11. 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.