Systems and methods for residue collection

• US 6,941,794 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2003
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc (Leonardo S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Engineered Support Systems Incorporated (Leonardo S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Wagy, James, Osterhorn, Dennis, Nelgner, William J., Lybarger, Brian, Blumfelder, William, Schenken, David, Matteoni, Joseph, Strohmeyer, James J., Tehan, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rogers, David A.
• Application Number:
  US10/449,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20040255701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 73/232, 73/280.1, 73/310.1, 73/310.2, 73/310.3, 73/310.4, 73/310.7, 738/632.1, 738/632.2, 738/632.3, 738/643.3, 340/540, 340/632, 435/287.1
• US Class Current: 73/28.01
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 1/00 Measures preceding sorting according to destination
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/22 in the gaseous state specially adapted for biological material G01N33/497; measuring breath flow A61B5/087
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2202 involving separation of sample components during sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2214 by sorption
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/24 Suction devices G01N1/22 - G01N1/2294 take precedence
• 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

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.

Claims

1. A residue collection system comprising:

an aerosol chamber including;

an internal area;

an intake plenum, said intake plenum being capable of collecting air from said internal area; and

a set of pinch rollers, said pinch rollers being capable of compressing a mail piece located within said internal area;

wherein said mail piece can be directed into said pinch rollers, said pinch rollers compressing said mail piece so as to force out some internal air from within said mail piece into said internal area, said internal air including a residue of a substance present in said mail piece;

wherein said intake plenum can take in at least a portion of said internal air including said residue from said internal area;

wherein said intake plenum can supply said internal air including said residue to a detection system capable of detecting said residue; and

wherein said residue collection system is part of a Dual Pass Rough Cull System (DPRCS), said DPRCS serving to provide said mail piece to said aerosol chamber.

2. The residue collection system of claim 1 wherein said mail piece is a letter.

3. The residue collection system of claim 1 wherein said mail piece is a flat.

4. The residue collection system of claim 1 wherein said residue is indicative of a Chemical or Biological Warfare Agent (CBWA) being present in said mail piece.

5. The residue collection system of claim 1 wherein said air passes through a cyclonic separator system before reaching said detector.

6. The residue collection system of claim 1 wherein said set of pinch rollers comprises a pair of pinch rollers where one of said pinch rollers is a drive pinch roller and one is an idler pinch roller.

7. The residue collection system of claim 6 wherein said idler pinch roller is spring-mounted.

8. The residue collection system of claim 1 wherein said DPRCS includes a delayering conveyor.

9. The residue collection system of claim 8 wherein said delayering conveyor utilizes gravity separation.

10. The residue collection system of claim 1 wherein said DPRCS includes a cull conveyor.

11. The residue collection system of claim 10 wherein said DPRCS includes a delayering conveyor.

12. The residue collection system of claim 11 wherein said delayering conveyor is located after said cull conveyor.

13. The residue collection system of claim 12 wherein said delayering conveyor utilizes velocity differential separation relative to said cull conveyor.

14. The residue collection system of claim 12 wherein said delayering conveyor utilizes gravity separation.