Patent ID: 7073371
Filing Date: 2006-07-11
Classification: B07C,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for detecting the presence of residues on mail pieces comprising: separating and removing thicks from said mail pieces; arranging said remaining mail pieces horizontally in a singular layer; allowing gravity to pull said single layer of mail pieces into a chamber said chamber including an outer shell defining an internal volume, said outer shell having an entrance port for allowing mail to enter said internal volume and an exit port for allowing mail to exit said internal volume, but otherwise substantially sealing said volume, said chamber further including an intake within said outer shell; within said chamber, compressing said mail pieces so as to aerosolize a residue present in one of said mail pieces; within said chamber, flowing air over said one of said mail pieces and into said intake, said flow into said intake being sufficient to maintain said internal volume at a negative pressure and to transport said residue to a detector capable of detecting the presence of said residue; and detecting the presence of said residue.