Patent ID: 6646270
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
A germicidal mailbox comprising:an outer housing, said outer housing being opaque to ultraviolet light and having one or more access doors; said outer housing enclosing an interior cage, said cage being at least large enough to receive articles of mail of standard sizes, said cage being rotatable along a longitudinal axis; an electric motor electrically connected to a first circuit and being in series with a first switch, and having a physical interconnection to said cage for rotating said cage when said motor and said first circuit are activated by closing said first switch; an ultraviolet lamp located within said housing and outside of said cage, said lamp being electrically connected to a second circuit being in series with a second switch, said lamp being physically situated to irradiate the interior of said cage when said second circuit is actuated by closing said second switch; said first switch becoming closed upon the occurrence of a first predetermined event, and said second switch becoming closed upon the occurrence of a second predetermined event; said lamp, when activated for a predetermined length of time, radiating ultraviolet light at a wavelength sufficient to render microbes located on articles of mail situated within said cage incapable of transmitting disease to humans; a power source connected to said first and second circuits such that, when said first and second switches are closed, said cage will rotate and articles of mail contained within said cage will tumble, and said lamp will radiate ultraviolet light sufficient to render microbes within said cage harmless.