US20030136824A1 - Mailbox - Google Patents
Mailbox Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030136824A1 US20030136824A1 US10/309,450 US30945002A US2003136824A1 US 20030136824 A1 US20030136824 A1 US 20030136824A1 US 30945002 A US30945002 A US 30945002A US 2003136824 A1 US2003136824 A1 US 2003136824A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- mailbox
- sanitizing
- kit
- sanitizing device
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Abandoned
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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
- A47G29/1209—Rural letter-boxes
-
- 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
-
- 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
Definitions
- the invention relates to the field of mailboxes. More particularly, the invention relates to a mailbox for a residence or a business. More particularly yet, the invention relates to a mailbox that sanitizes mail deposited therein.
- a mailbox or receptacle that is capable of sanitizing mail deposited within the box. What is further needed is such a mailbox that effectively destroys infectious agents, without the mail first having to be opened, and without damaging the contents of the mail. What is yet further needed is such a mailbox that is affordable, simple to install and maintain, and inexpensive to operate.
- a mailbox that is equipped with means for destroying infectious agents.
- Such means include ultra-violet (UV) lights and, optionally, an ultra-sound unit and/or a bactericidal mister.
- UV lights are arranged within the mail-receiving portion of the mailbox and subject the mail deposited therewithin to bactericidal UV radiation.
- the mail correspondence has been enclosed in specially constructed safety envelopes that allow the UV-light rays to pass through the outer barrier of the envelope and to radiate the contents.
- the envelopes are described in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/286 202 filed on Nov. 2, 2002, by the inventor of the present application.
- a conventional ultra-sound unit is also mounted within the mail-receiving portion of the mailbox and is provided to improve the efficacy of the UV-light radiation by scattering the UV light so that the light impinges upon the pieces of mail within the mailbox from many different directions. It is also known that ultra-sound at high frequencies can destroy the outer cell wall of bacteria and other micro-organisms. Ideally, the ultrasound unit emits sound at a frequency of 200 kHZ or greater, that promotes the destruction of micro-organisms and, in this way, supports the sanitizing power of the UV light.
- the mailbox is adaptable to operate with power from a number of different energy sources.
- the mailbox operates alternatively with 12 V DC, 110 V AC or 220 V AC and is connected by a conventional power cable to a conventional power outlet.
- a solar energy source may also be provided as well as any number of other types of energy.
- power source redundancy is provided, as a safety feature to ensure reliable operation of the mailbox. If more than one source of energy is provided, the mailbox is equipped with a switching device that selects the most efficient energy source, and switches to another energy source in the case of power failure of one or the other sources.
- the mailbox is equipped with a mister, that is, a device that sprays a bactericidal mist.
- the mister requires some maintenance in that it must be filled with the substance to be sprayed. Because of the maintenance and the higher operating costs to operate the mister, it is ideally operated on demand, i.e., selectively switched on and off or connected to a transducer or other control device that switches the mister on when mail is deposited within the mailbox and switches it off after a predetermined period of time, after a certain volume of bactericidal mist has been disseminated, or when the mail is removed from the mailbox.
- the UV lights and the ultra-sound emitter unit are continuously operational or connected to a timer or other control device that switches the lights and the ultra-sound unit on at a certain period time before the mail is delivered or when the mail is deposited, and switches them off a period of time after the mail is deposited, or when the mail is removed.
- the scope of the present invention includes a ready-to-operate mailbox assembly, or a kit for retrofitting a conventional mailbox.
- the kit includes UV lights, power cables and sockets, and optionally an ultra-sound unit and/or a mister, each with the appropriate mounting bracket for installing the devices in already existing conventional mailboxes.
- FIG. 1A is a side view of a schematic illustration of the Preferred Embodiment of the invention, showing the internal mail-receiving portion of the mailbox.
- FIG. 1B is a frontal view of the Preferred Embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, illustrating the internal mail-receiving portion of the mailbox, as seen through the access door.
- FIGS. 1A and 1B show the Preferred Embodiment of a sanitizing mailbox 10 according to the invention.
- the sanitizing mailbox 10 comprises a conventional mailbox housing 1 with a mail-receiving portion 1 A and an access door 1 B.
- a plurality of UV-lights 2 are arranged inside the mail-receiving portion 1 A, so as to irradiate mail that is deposited within the mailbox 10 .
- the UV-lights 2 in the Preferred Embodiment are light tubes that extend along a substantial portion of the mail-receiving portion 1 A and a total of four lights is provided; two along the upper and two along the lower portion of the mailbox housing 1 .
- an additional sanitizing device 3 which, in the embodiment shown, is an ultra-sound emitter device.
- Each of the lights 2 and the additional sanitizing device 3 are connected by connecting cables 12 to an electrical socket 13 , which in turn is connected to a power cable 11 that is plugged into a conventional 110 -V household socket.
- the additional sanitizing device 3 may also include other suitable devices, such as a mister or fogging device that sprays an anti-bacterial mist.
Abstract
A mailbox for residential or business use that sanitizes mail deposited within it. The mailbox is equipped with one or more sanitizing devices such as a UV light, an ultra-sound unit, a heating element, and/or a misting device that dispenses a bactericidal mist.
Description
- This application claims priority from provisional application No. 60/336,840 filed on Dec. 4, 2001.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to the field of mailboxes. More particularly, the invention relates to a mailbox for a residence or a business. More particularly yet, the invention relates to a mailbox that sanitizes mail deposited therein.
- 2. Description of the Prior Art
- The threat of dissemination of harmful infectious agents via the mail engenders insecurity and fear in broad sections of the general population. Conventional mailboxes are passive receptacles that provide no protection against such infectious agents.
- What is needed, therefore, is a mailbox or receptacle that is capable of sanitizing mail deposited within the box. What is further needed is such a mailbox that effectively destroys infectious agents, without the mail first having to be opened, and without damaging the contents of the mail. What is yet further needed is such a mailbox that is affordable, simple to install and maintain, and inexpensive to operate.
- For the reasons cited above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mailbox that sanitizes mail that is deposited in it. It is a further object to provide such a mailbox that effectively destroys infectious agents contained within an envelope, without the envelope having to be opened in order to expose the infectious agents to sanitizing agents. It is a yet further object to provide such a mailbox that destroys the infectious agents without damaging the contents of the mail. It is a still yet further object to provide such a mailbox that is simple to install, requires low maintenance, and is inexpensive to operate.
- The objects are achieved by providing a mailbox that is equipped with means for destroying infectious agents. Such means include ultra-violet (UV) lights and, optionally, an ultra-sound unit and/or a bactericidal mister. The UV lights are arranged within the mail-receiving portion of the mailbox and subject the mail deposited therewithin to bactericidal UV radiation. Ideally, the mail correspondence has been enclosed in specially constructed safety envelopes that allow the UV-light rays to pass through the outer barrier of the envelope and to radiate the contents. The envelopes are described in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/286202 filed on Nov. 2, 2002, by the inventor of the present application. A conventional ultra-sound unit is also mounted within the mail-receiving portion of the mailbox and is provided to improve the efficacy of the UV-light radiation by scattering the UV light so that the light impinges upon the pieces of mail within the mailbox from many different directions. It is also known that ultra-sound at high frequencies can destroy the outer cell wall of bacteria and other micro-organisms. Ideally, the ultrasound unit emits sound at a frequency of 200 kHZ or greater, that promotes the destruction of micro-organisms and, in this way, supports the sanitizing power of the UV light.
- The mailbox is adaptable to operate with power from a number of different energy sources. For example, the mailbox operates alternatively with 12 V DC, 110 V AC or 220 V AC and is connected by a conventional power cable to a conventional power outlet. A solar energy source may also be provided as well as any number of other types of energy. Ideally, power source redundancy is provided, as a safety feature to ensure reliable operation of the mailbox. If more than one source of energy is provided, the mailbox is equipped with a switching device that selects the most efficient energy source, and switches to another energy source in the case of power failure of one or the other sources.
- Optionally, the mailbox is equipped with a mister, that is, a device that sprays a bactericidal mist. The mister requires some maintenance in that it must be filled with the substance to be sprayed. Because of the maintenance and the higher operating costs to operate the mister, it is ideally operated on demand, i.e., selectively switched on and off or connected to a transducer or other control device that switches the mister on when mail is deposited within the mailbox and switches it off after a predetermined period of time, after a certain volume of bactericidal mist has been disseminated, or when the mail is removed from the mailbox.
- The UV lights and the ultra-sound emitter unit, if provided, are continuously operational or connected to a timer or other control device that switches the lights and the ultra-sound unit on at a certain period time before the mail is delivered or when the mail is deposited, and switches them off a period of time after the mail is deposited, or when the mail is removed.
- The scope of the present invention includes a ready-to-operate mailbox assembly, or a kit for retrofitting a conventional mailbox. The kit includes UV lights, power cables and sockets, and optionally an ultra-sound unit and/or a mister, each with the appropriate mounting bracket for installing the devices in already existing conventional mailboxes.
- FIG. 1A is a side view of a schematic illustration of the Preferred Embodiment of the invention, showing the internal mail-receiving portion of the mailbox.
- FIG. 1B is a frontal view of the Preferred Embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, illustrating the internal mail-receiving portion of the mailbox, as seen through the access door.
- FIGS. 1A and 1B show the Preferred Embodiment of a sanitizing
mailbox 10 according to the invention. The sanitizingmailbox 10 comprises aconventional mailbox housing 1 with a mail-receivingportion 1A and anaccess door 1B. A plurality of UV-lights 2 are arranged inside the mail-receivingportion 1A, so as to irradiate mail that is deposited within themailbox 10. As can be seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the UV-lights 2 in the Preferred Embodiment are light tubes that extend along a substantial portion of the mail-receivingportion 1A and a total of four lights is provided; two along the upper and two along the lower portion of themailbox housing 1. - Also shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is an additional
sanitizing device 3, which, in the embodiment shown, is an ultra-sound emitter device. Each of thelights 2 and the additionalsanitizing device 3 are connected by connectingcables 12 to anelectrical socket 13, which in turn is connected to apower cable 11 that is plugged into a conventional 110 -V household socket. It should be understood that the additional sanitizingdevice 3 may also include other suitable devices, such as a mister or fogging device that sprays an anti-bacterial mist. - The embodiment of the invention described herein is merely illustrative of the present invention. It should be understood that variations in construction of the present invention may be contemplated in view of the following claims without straying from the intended scope and field of the invention herein disclosed.
Claims (14)
1. A mailbox for sanitizing mail, said mailbox comprising:
a mailbox housing; and
a sanitizing device installed within said mailbox-housing for rendering harmless infectious agents contained in pieces of mail deposited in said mailbox.
2. The mailbox of claim 1 , wherein said sanitizing device is an ultra-violet (UV) light.
3. The mailbox of claim 2 , wherein said ultra-violet (UV) light includes one or more lights.
4. The mailbox of claim 2 , wherein said sanitizing device further includes an ultra-sound unit that is mounted within said mailbox.
5. The mailbox of claim 2 , wherein said sanitizing device further includes a misting device that is mounted within said housing and that dispenses a bactericidal mist.
6. The mailbox of claim 2 , wherein said sanitizing device further includes a heating element that is mounted on said mailbox so as to obtain a predetermined temperature within said mailbox when said heating element is in operation.
7. The mailbox of claim 1 further comprising an energy source for operating said sanitizing device.
8. The mailbox of claim 6 , wherein said energy source includes one or more sources from the group consisting of electrical energy, solar energy, and wind energy.
9. A sanitizing kit for retrofitting a mailbox, said kit comprising a sanitizing device, an energy source, and a connecting cable for connecting said sanitizing device to said energy source.
10. The sanitizing kit of claim 9 , wherein said sanitizing kit includes a sanitizing device, a mounting bracket for mounting said sanitizing device within said mailbox, and a power cable for connecting said sanitizing device to said energy source.
11. The sanitizing kit of claim 9 , wherein said sanitizing device is a UV light.
12. The sanitizing kit of claim 9 , wherein said sanitizing device is an ultra-sound unit.
13. The sanitizing kit of claim 9 , wherein said sanitizing device is a heating element.
14. The sanitizing kit of claim 9 , wherein said sanitizing device is a mister that dispenses bactericidal mist.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/309,450 US20030136824A1 (en) | 2001-12-04 | 2002-12-04 | Mailbox |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US33684001P | 2001-12-04 | 2001-12-04 | |
US10/309,450 US20030136824A1 (en) | 2001-12-04 | 2002-12-04 | Mailbox |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030136824A1 true US20030136824A1 (en) | 2003-07-24 |
Family
ID=26976825
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/309,450 Abandoned US20030136824A1 (en) | 2001-12-04 | 2002-12-04 | Mailbox |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20030136824A1 (en) |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030127506A1 (en) * | 2001-12-05 | 2003-07-10 | Fritz Braun | Decontaminating mailbox |
US20030161757A1 (en) * | 2002-02-27 | 2003-08-28 | Evans Charles E. | Method of sterilizing mail |
US20040140347A1 (en) * | 2002-03-11 | 2004-07-22 | Gueorgui Mihaylov | Sanitizing secure and safe mail box |
US20060144801A1 (en) * | 2003-07-08 | 2006-07-06 | Mario Swinnen | Device and process for treating cutting fluids using ultrasound |
US20070173193A1 (en) * | 2005-12-16 | 2007-07-26 | Li Richard Q | Dangerous Mail Handler |
US20070269876A1 (en) * | 1996-07-04 | 2007-11-22 | Ashland Licensing And Intellectual Property Llc | Device and process for treating a liquid medium |
US20080118396A1 (en) * | 2004-06-23 | 2008-05-22 | Ashland, Inc. | Devices and Methods for Treating Fluids Utilized in Electrocoating Processes with Ultrasound |
US7448859B2 (en) | 2004-11-17 | 2008-11-11 | Ashland Licensing And Intellectual Property Llc | Devices and method for treating cooling fluids utilized in tire manufacturing |
US7632413B2 (en) | 2002-11-04 | 2009-12-15 | Ashland Licensing And Intellectual Property Llc | Process for treating a liquid medium using ultrasound |
US20210106160A1 (en) * | 2019-10-11 | 2021-04-15 | Drop Box Unlimited LLC | Securable delivery storage system |
US20220008578A1 (en) * | 2020-05-21 | 2022-01-13 | Securum Capsa, Inc. | Package receiving locker |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6171548B1 (en) * | 1997-12-29 | 2001-01-09 | Spectrum Environmental Technologies, Inc. | Surface and air sterilization using ultraviolet light and ultrasonic waves |
US20020154011A1 (en) * | 2000-12-14 | 2002-10-24 | Merih Pasin | Appliance for cleaning and refreshing fabrics with a built-in working indicator |
US20030082073A1 (en) * | 2001-10-31 | 2003-05-01 | Mankovitz Roy J. | Apparatus and method for decontaminating mail |
US20030086818A1 (en) * | 2001-11-06 | 2003-05-08 | Holley Merrel Truly | Portable mail sterilizer which counters biological and chemical warfare agents |
US20030086821A1 (en) * | 2001-11-08 | 2003-05-08 | Matthews Robert R | Apparatus for the treatment and destruction of harmful pathogens enclosed in postal and delivery items |
-
2002
- 2002-12-04 US US10/309,450 patent/US20030136824A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6171548B1 (en) * | 1997-12-29 | 2001-01-09 | Spectrum Environmental Technologies, Inc. | Surface and air sterilization using ultraviolet light and ultrasonic waves |
US20020154011A1 (en) * | 2000-12-14 | 2002-10-24 | Merih Pasin | Appliance for cleaning and refreshing fabrics with a built-in working indicator |
US20030082073A1 (en) * | 2001-10-31 | 2003-05-01 | Mankovitz Roy J. | Apparatus and method for decontaminating mail |
US20030086818A1 (en) * | 2001-11-06 | 2003-05-08 | Holley Merrel Truly | Portable mail sterilizer which counters biological and chemical warfare agents |
US20030086821A1 (en) * | 2001-11-08 | 2003-05-08 | Matthews Robert R | Apparatus for the treatment and destruction of harmful pathogens enclosed in postal and delivery items |
Cited By (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100279373A1 (en) * | 1996-07-04 | 2010-11-04 | Ashland Licensing And Intellectual Property Llc | Device and process for treating a liquid medium |
US7718073B2 (en) | 1996-07-04 | 2010-05-18 | Ashland Licensing And Intellectual Property Llc | Device and process for treating a liquid medium |
US20070269876A1 (en) * | 1996-07-04 | 2007-11-22 | Ashland Licensing And Intellectual Property Llc | Device and process for treating a liquid medium |
US8097170B2 (en) | 1996-07-04 | 2012-01-17 | Ashland Licensing And Intellectual Property Llc | Process for treating a liquid medium |
US20030127506A1 (en) * | 2001-12-05 | 2003-07-10 | Fritz Braun | Decontaminating mailbox |
US20030161757A1 (en) * | 2002-02-27 | 2003-08-28 | Evans Charles E. | Method of sterilizing mail |
US20040140347A1 (en) * | 2002-03-11 | 2004-07-22 | Gueorgui Mihaylov | Sanitizing secure and safe mail box |
US7632413B2 (en) | 2002-11-04 | 2009-12-15 | Ashland Licensing And Intellectual Property Llc | Process for treating a liquid medium using ultrasound |
US7514009B2 (en) | 2003-07-08 | 2009-04-07 | Ashland Licensing And Intellectual Property Llc | Devices and processes for use in ultrasound treatment |
US7404906B2 (en) * | 2003-07-08 | 2008-07-29 | Ashland Licensing & Intellectual Property Llc | Device and process for treating cutting fluids using ultrasound |
US20060144801A1 (en) * | 2003-07-08 | 2006-07-06 | Mario Swinnen | Device and process for treating cutting fluids using ultrasound |
US20080118396A1 (en) * | 2004-06-23 | 2008-05-22 | Ashland, Inc. | Devices and Methods for Treating Fluids Utilized in Electrocoating Processes with Ultrasound |
US9102553B2 (en) | 2004-06-23 | 2015-08-11 | Solenis Technologies, L.P. | Devices and methods for treating fluids utilized in electrocoating processes with ultrasound |
US7448859B2 (en) | 2004-11-17 | 2008-11-11 | Ashland Licensing And Intellectual Property Llc | Devices and method for treating cooling fluids utilized in tire manufacturing |
US20070173193A1 (en) * | 2005-12-16 | 2007-07-26 | Li Richard Q | Dangerous Mail Handler |
US20210106160A1 (en) * | 2019-10-11 | 2021-04-15 | Drop Box Unlimited LLC | Securable delivery storage system |
US11534015B2 (en) * | 2019-10-11 | 2022-12-27 | Drop Box Unlimited | Securable delivery storage system |
US20220008578A1 (en) * | 2020-05-21 | 2022-01-13 | Securum Capsa, Inc. | Package receiving locker |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |