The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 29, 2005
Filed:
Aug. 12, 2002
William L. Geisler, Lake Oswego, OR (US);
Howard M. Reisner, Durham, NC (US);
Richard S. Garard, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
William L. Geisler, Lake Oswego, OR (US);
Howard M. Reisner, Durham, NC (US);
Richard S. Garard, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Lambda Technologies, Inc., Morrisville, NC (US);
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods for neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces via variable frequency microwave processing are provided. Mail pieces are initially screened to identify suspicious characteristics or indications of potentially harmful contents. Mail pieces are swept with variable frequency microwaves selected to neutralize pathogens contained within each mail piece without harming the mail piece or other contents thereof. The temperature of each mail piece may be monitored during microwave processing to identify mail pieces containing potentially harmful substances and/or devices. Mail pieces can be irradiated via additional forms of radiation to neutralize pathogenic material on outside surfaces thereof.