WO2003104087A3 - Handling potentially contaminated mail - Google Patents

Handling potentially contaminated mail Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003104087A3
WO2003104087A3 PCT/US2002/036105 US0236105W WO03104087A3 WO 2003104087 A3 WO2003104087 A3 WO 2003104087A3 US 0236105 W US0236105 W US 0236105W WO 03104087 A3 WO03104087 A3 WO 03104087A3
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bag
decontamination
contents
mailbox
interior
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/036105
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2003104087A2 (en
Inventor
Oscar Lee Avant
Original Assignee
Us Postal Service
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Us Postal Service filed Critical Us Postal Service
Priority to AU2002367939A priority Critical patent/AU2002367939A1/en
Publication of WO2003104087A2 publication Critical patent/WO2003104087A2/en
Publication of WO2003104087A3 publication Critical patent/WO2003104087A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
    • A47G29/12—Mail or newspaper receptacles, e.g. letter-boxes; Openings in doors or the like for delivering mail or newspapers
    • A47G29/1207—Mail or newspaper receptacles, e.g. letter-boxes; Openings in doors or the like for delivering mail or newspapers for posting letters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00 
    • A47G29/12—Mail or newspaper receptacles, e.g. letter-boxes; Openings in doors or the like for delivering mail or newspapers
    • A47G29/122—Parts, details, or accessories, e.g. signalling devices, lamps, devices for leaving messages
    • A47G2029/1221—Parts, details, or accessories, e.g. signalling devices, lamps, devices for leaving messages comprising means to detect or prevent a terrorist attack, e.g. to detect anthrax-laced letters

Abstract

A decontamination bag is positioned in the interior space of a public mailbox. The decontamination bag receives mail that is deposited in the mailbox. A postal worker, upon retrieving mail from the mailbox, closes the decontamination bag. The decontamination bag is equipped with an exit valve and an intake valve. Air from the interior of the bag may be sampled for contaminants that may be carried by letters or mailpieces through an exit valve. A decontaminating agent may be introduced to the interior of the decontamination bag through the intake valve. The contents of the decontamination bag are thereby purified within the bag. After decontamination, the contents of the decontamination bag may be purged and fresh air may be reintroduced into the bag. The decontamination bag may then be opened in order to retrieve its contents.
PCT/US2002/036105 2001-11-08 2002-11-08 Handling potentially contaminated mail WO2003104087A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002367939A AU2002367939A1 (en) 2001-11-08 2002-11-08 Handling potentially contaminated mail

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US33701401P 2001-11-08 2001-11-08
US60/337,014 2001-11-08

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003104087A2 WO2003104087A2 (en) 2003-12-18
WO2003104087A3 true WO2003104087A3 (en) 2004-10-07

Family

ID=29735951

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2002/036105 WO2003104087A2 (en) 2001-11-08 2002-11-08 Handling potentially contaminated mail

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (2) US6892934B2 (en)
AU (1) AU2002367939A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2003104087A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040024278A1 (en) * 2001-10-26 2004-02-05 Lockheed Martin Corp., A Maryland Corporation Single station hazardous material detection and neutralization system for letters and packages
US7040529B2 (en) * 2001-12-04 2006-05-09 Lockheed Martin Corporation Drop box for isolating received items
US7159762B2 (en) * 2001-12-04 2007-01-09 Lockheed Martin Corporation Public drop box for isolating received items
US6789727B2 (en) * 2001-12-10 2004-09-14 Lockheed Martin Corporation Mail processing apparatus and collection box with a mail article sealer
WO2003050005A2 (en) * 2001-12-10 2003-06-19 Lockheed Martin Corporation Closeable mail receptacle for isolating received mail in public drop boxes
US20040211923A1 (en) * 2003-04-24 2004-10-28 Bridges John H. Anthrax remediation and response
US7459700B2 (en) * 2002-04-24 2008-12-02 United States Postal Service Anthrax remediation and response
US20040076544A1 (en) * 2002-10-09 2004-04-22 Hung Dao Method and apparatus for scanning and sterilizing mail received at a drop box
US7175068B2 (en) * 2003-05-23 2007-02-13 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method and apparatus for containing mail articles deposited in a mail drop box
US7340970B2 (en) 2003-12-19 2008-03-11 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and device for isolating, collecting and transferring hazardous samples
US7491548B2 (en) * 2003-12-19 2009-02-17 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and device for collecting and transferring biohazard samples
US7060927B1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2006-06-13 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system for isolating and testing biological contaminants in mail packages
EP3178752B1 (en) 2014-08-04 2019-03-20 Grupo P.I. Mabe, S.A. de C.V. Bag for packing disposable hygiene items
US20220034761A1 (en) * 2020-07-29 2022-02-03 Shazi S. Iqbal Microbial sample collection, transport and processing apparatus and method
US11653781B2 (en) * 2021-07-13 2023-05-23 Sheila R. Miller Safe “4U” mailbox

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US5931189A (en) * 1993-12-15 1999-08-03 New West Products, Inc. One way valve for use with vacuum cleaner attachment

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US378955A (en) * 1888-03-06 Edward a
US2468897A (en) * 1947-02-10 1949-05-03 Walter F Rothe Mailbag
US3620265A (en) * 1970-07-09 1971-11-16 Lif O Gen Inc Method for sterilizing gas containers and filling same with a sterile gas
US3986914A (en) * 1972-02-11 1976-10-19 Uly-Pak, Inc. Heat-sealing method for plastic containers
FR2475679A1 (en) * 1980-02-12 1981-08-14 Calhene CIRCUIT FOR VENTILATION AND FILTRATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT CONTENT IN A SEALED ENCLOSURE
US4363438A (en) * 1980-07-07 1982-12-14 Charlie Connor Mail box
US4802773A (en) 1984-08-07 1989-02-07 Hospital For Joint Diseases Orthopedic Inst. Bag for mail and the like
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US5020194A (en) * 1990-03-07 1991-06-04 Mobil Oil Corporation Leakproof zipper with slider
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JP3621418B2 (en) * 1994-08-26 2005-02-16 エス．シー．ジョンソン ホーム ストーレイジ，インコーポレーテッド Freezer storage bag
US5779973A (en) * 1997-04-01 1998-07-14 Steris Corporation Vapor phase interstitial microbial decontamination of overwrapped IV bags
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US6085906A (en) * 1998-12-18 2000-07-11 Lambert; Francis Vacuum sealing system
US6367294B1 (en) 1999-10-29 2002-04-09 John F. Pauley Mailbox locks, mailbox locking systems, and locking mailboxes
US6866184B2 (en) * 2001-10-23 2005-03-15 James T. Wood Mail container with contaminant indicator
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AU2002342285A1 (en) * 2001-11-02 2003-05-19 Jones, Leland, Ray Securing and handling of mail
US20040027036A1 (en) * 2001-11-02 2004-02-12 Jim Hall System for safely inspecting matter possibly containing chemical or biological agents
DE10153420A1 (en) * 2001-11-03 2002-06-13 Manfred Baumgaertner Post office plastic mail bag for placement in public mail boxes has air lock arrangement
AU2002367476A1 (en) * 2001-11-05 2003-09-29 Cdg Technology, Inc. Parametric decontamination of bio-contaminated facilities using chlorine dioxide gas
US6524846B1 (en) * 2001-11-05 2003-02-25 William L. Robinson, Jr. Biological toxin detection system for mailed materials
AU2002367835A1 (en) * 2001-11-05 2003-10-13 Cdg Technology, Inc. Method and system for processing bio-contaminated articles

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US461381A (en) * 1891-10-13 Paul e
US2421221A (en) * 1946-08-02 1947-05-27 Walter F Rothe Letter box
JPH0329750A (en) * 1989-06-20 1991-02-07 Tokiko Giken Kk Bag for clothes
US5339959A (en) * 1992-03-02 1994-08-23 Qci, Inc. Disposable medical waste bag
US5931189A (en) * 1993-12-15 1999-08-03 New West Products, Inc. One way valve for use with vacuum cleaner attachment

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 0151, no. 60 (M - 1105) 22 April 1991 (1991-04-22) *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20050008533A1 (en) 2005-01-13
WO2003104087A2 (en) 2003-12-18
US7198749B2 (en) 2007-04-03
AU2002367939A1 (en) 2003-12-22
AU2002367939A8 (en) 2003-12-22
US20030127505A1 (en) 2003-07-10
US6892934B2 (en) 2005-05-17

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