Patent ID: 6888085
Filing Date: 2005-05-03
Classification: B07C,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. In a mail processing system having a plurality of processing paths, a method for testing a mail piece for a contaminant comprising transporting the mail piece along a first processing path; detecting the mail piece at a predetermined location along the first processing path; stopping the mail piece near the predetermined location; penetrating the mail piece with at least a portion of a probe; collecting a sample of air from within the mail piece utilizing the probe; analyzing the sample of air from within the mail piece to determine if a contaminant may be present; passing the mail piece from the first processing path to a normal processing path if it is determined that a contaminant is not present in the mail piece; and diverting the mail piece from the first processing path to a reject processing path if it is determined that a contaminant is present in the mail piece.