Systems and methods for residue collection with improved letter handling capability

• US 8,033,158 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2007
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc (Leonardo S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc (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): Rogers; David A.
• Application Number:
  US11/955,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20110214483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,399 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, 209/606, 209/655, 209/659, 209/663, 435/287.1, 340/540, 340/632
• US Class Current: 73/28.01
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 1/00 Measures preceding sorting according to destination
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/02 Devices for withdrawing samples sampling of foundation soil E02D1/04; collecting or conveying radioactive samples G01T7/00, e.g. G01T7/02, G01T7/08
• 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 1/2211 with cyclones
• 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 2015/019 Biological contaminants; Fouling

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. The system also utilizes aerosol chambers using at least two arrays of pinch rollers to provide for decreased incremental changes on mail pieces and decrease the likelihood of mail piece damage.

Claims

1. A residue collection system for collecting residues, the system comprising:

a housing which substantially encloses an internal volume;

at least two pinching means located within said internal volume, each of said at least two pinching means compressing a mail piece passing through said pinching means to expel air from internal said mail piece;

means for feeding said mail piece to said housing via gravity;

air intake means for collecting at least a portion of said air expelled by at least one of said pinching means from said internal area and for maintaining said internal volume at a negative pressure;

residue detection means for detecting the presence of a residue if said residue is present in said portion; and

air handling means for providing said portion to said residue detection means.

2. 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.

3. The residue collection system of claim 1 wherein said residue collection system is placed in a mail facility after of a Dual Pass Rough Cull System (DPRCS).

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

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

6. The residue collection system of claim 1 wherein said mail piece is part of a stream of mail wherein no mail piece is entirely covering another mail piece.

7. The residue collection system of claim 1, wherein said system receives a mail stream which has previously passed through a means for segregation.

8. The residue collection system of claim 1 also including means for aerosolizing a residue present on the exterior of said mail piece, if said exterior of said mail piece includes said residue.

9. A residue collection system for collecting residues, the system comprising:

an aerosol chamber including;

a housing which substantially encloses an internal volume;

a means for maintaining said internal volume at a negative pressure;

a first means for compressing located within said internal volume and capable of compressing a mail piece passing through said first means for compressing so as to expel air from internal said mail piece;

a second means for compressing located within said internal volume and capable of compressing said mail piece passing through said second means for compressing so as to expel air from internal said mail piece; and

means for providing said mail piece to said housing via gravity;

means for transporting at least a portion of said air expelled from internal said mail piece from said internal area to a residue detector.

10. The residue collection system of claim 9 wherein said air expelled from internal said mail piece includes a residue indicative of a Chemical or Biological Warfare Agent (CBWA) present in said mail piece.

11. The residue collection system of claim 9 wherein said residue collection system is placed in a mail facility after of a Dual Pass Rough Cull System (DPRCS).

12. The residue collection system of claim 9 wherein said mail piece is a letter.

13. The residue collection system of claim 9 wherein said mail piece is a flat.

14. The residue collection system of claim 9 wherein said mail piece is part of a stream of mail wherein no mail piece is entirely covering another mail piece.

15. The residue collection system of claim 9, wherein said system receives a mail stream which has previously passed through a means for segregation.

16. The residue collection system of claim 9 also including means for aerosolizing a residue present on the exterior of said mail piece, if said exterior of said mail piece includes said residue.