Hazardous material detection system for use with mail and other objects

Abstract

A portable detection system ( 10 ) for hazardous materials including explosives and infectious or hazardous biological agents readily adapted to conventional mail collection boxes ( 12 ), rural mailboxes ( 100 ), mailbags ( 40 ), and the like. The system includes a fan ( 14 ) and a sensor ( 16 ). The fan ( 14 ) provides sufficient airflow to circulate the air within a mailbox such that the internal air after coming in contact with the contents is directed the sensor for analysis. The air quality can be determined visually ( 137 ), audibly ( 138 ), or electronically ( 139 ). Consequently once such detection is made and the air is verified as being safe, the contents can be removed safely. If it is determined that the air contains some type of hazardous material, further steps can be taken to specifically locate the source of such hazardous material. An alternative embodiment includes a filter ( 15 ) to improve fan efficiency.

1 . (canceled)  
   
   
       2 . A method to detect hazardous materials within a chamber of a mail collection receptacle comprising the steps of: 
 sensing air in the chamber of the mail collection receptacle for hazardous materials;    indicating when the presence of hazardous material within the air of the mail collection receptacle is sensed; and    ceasing said step of sensing after an indication of the presence of hazardous material within air of the mail collection receptacle,    wherein said step of sensing ceases after a predetermined time has elapsed without the indication of the presence of hazardous material within the air of the mail collection receptacle.    
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . A method to detect hazardous materials within a chamber of a mail collection receptacle comprising the steps of: 
 creating an air-stream in the chamber of the mail collection receptacle;    using the air-stream for agitating and conveying particulates within the mail collection receptacle;    sensing air in the chamber of the mail collection receptacle for hazardous materials;    indicating when the presence of hazardous material within the air of the mail collection receptacle is sensed; and    ceasing the air stream and said step of sensing after an indication of the presence of hazardous material within air of the mail collection receptacle; and    alternatively ceasing the air stream after a predetermined time has elapsed without the indication of the presence of hazardous material within air of the mail collection receptacle.    
   
   
       5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A method to detect hazardous agents in a mail collection receptacle comprising the steps of: 
 depositing mail articles within the mail collection receptacle;    agitating the mail collection receptacle;    sensing for the presence of hazardous agents; and    indicating the presence of hazardous agents in the mail collection receptacle when such agents are sensed,    wherein said agitating step comprises the steps of picking up and shaking the mail collection receptacle.    
   
   
       11 . The method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said agitating step comprises the step of depositing mail articles within the mail collection receptacle.  
   
   
       12 . A method to detect hazardous agents in a mail collection receptacle comprising, the steps of: 
 depositing mail articles within the mail collection receptacle;    agitating the mail collection receptacle;    sensing for the presence of hazardous agents; and    indicating the presence of hazardous agents in the mail collection receptacle when such agents are sensed,    wherein said indicating step comprises changing in color of a test strip.    
   
   
       13 . A method to detect hazardous agents in a mail collection receptacle comprising the steps of: 
 depositing mail articles within the mail collection receptacle;    agitating the mail collection receptacle;    sensing for the presence of hazardous agents; and    indicating the presence of hazardous agents in the mail collection receptacle when such agents are sensed,    wherein said indicating step comprises sounding of an audio alarm.    
   
   
       14 . A method to detect hazardous agents in a mail collection receptacle comprising the steps of: 
 depositing mail articles within the mail collection receptacle;    agitating the mail collection receptacle;    sensing for the presence of hazardous agents; and    indicating the presence of hazardous agents in the mail collection receptacle when such agents are sensed, wherein said indicating step comprises transmitting a signal to a remote monitoring station.    
   
   
       15 . The method as defined in claim  9 A method to detect hazardous agents in a mail collection receptacle comprising the steps of: 
 depositing mail articles within the mail collection receptacle;    agitating the mail collection receptacle;    sensing for the presence of hazardous agents; and    indicating the presence of hazardous agents in the mail collection receptacle when such agents are sensed,    wherein the method is carried out in a vehicle.