Abstract:
A system and a method to detect biological and chemical agents in a sealed contained at, for example, a mail-processing center. The system includes filtration and vacuum subsystems cooperatively working to draw an air sample from the interior of the particulate containment system for evaluation by a biosensor or chemical analyzer to detect the presence of a contaminant. The vacuum subsystem includes a vacuum generator, flow meters, and pressure regulators to accommodate the varying volume within the particulate containment system. The filtration system includes an inlet filter and a high efficiency particle air filter (HEPA) filter. The inlet filter removes coarse impurities, such as dust and dirt, from the incoming air to improve sensor efficiency. The HEPA removes contaminants from the air sample prior to being released to the surrounding environment, thereby eliminating the possibility of spreading the contamination outside the particulate containment system. Additionally, an agitating means is connected to the particulate containment system to loosen contaminants and create a contaminated air cloud, thereby increasing the concentration of contaminants in the interior of the particulate containment system to facilitate air sampling. The agitation can be performed using rectilinear motion or rotary motion. When rotary motion is used, the system includes a rotary cylinder having radially extending chambers for holding tubs of bulk mail, which tubs become agitated during the rotary cycle of the cylinder, thereby allowing for controlled release of contaminants within the tub. Samples of air from within the tub are tested for hazardous materials. Tubs having uncontaminated mail continue downstream for further processing and handling.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This invention claims priority of:  
         [0002]     Utility Application Ser. No. 10/314,631, “MAIL TUB WITH AIR PORTS,” filed Dec. 9, 2002,  
         [0003]     Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/344,848, “CLOSED LOOP SYSTEM FOR AIR SAMPLING OF CONTAINED MAIL PRODUCTS” filed Dec. 31, 2001, and utility application Ser. No. 10/201,169 filed Jul. 22, 2002;  
         [0004]     Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/344,847, “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTAMINATION DETECTION WITHIN A SEALED CONTAINER,” filed Dec. 31, 2001, and  
         [0005]     Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/358,577, “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED HAZARDOUS MATERIAL DETECTION,” filed Feb. 21, 2002. All the above-mentioned provisional applications are hereby incorporated by reference.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     This invention relates generally to the containment, sensing and neutralizing of hazardous material in or on articles in an enclosure, and, more particularly to the containment within a controlled space of a biological agent or other hazardous material or the like disposed in or on an article, such as a piece of mail.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The recent incidents of anthrax-laced letters being transported through the United States Postal Service (USPS) facilities to unsuspecting recipients has alarmed the nation and the world. Currently, the tainted letters are discovered after the recipient accepts delivery or by alert postal employees noticing white powder that could be anthrax on mail parcels or pieces, sorting and distribution equipment, or themselves. There appears to be no current security devices or procedures that are available to intercept such letters at the earliest source of introduction into the USPS system, for example at the mailbox or post office drop box or mail collection tub, or upon entry into a sorting facility or sorting system to test them for hazardous material, and to neutralize such material when it is found.  
         [0008]     Currently when there is suspicious mail, it is all bulk irradiated as was done during the recent anthrax problem thereby delaying some mail for months and damaging or destroying some of the mail due to problems caused by the irradiation. For example some of this irradiated mail became brittle and pieces broke off.  
         [0009]     Almost all mail articles at one time or another are collected and transported to postal facilities by way of mail tubs. Therefore, mail tubs can be the first point of containment if a hazardous material is detected prior to the exposure of its air and contents at a postal facility.  
         [0010]     Mail is also distributed in large trucks such as tractor/trailers, and this provides another opportunity to detect hazardous material on or in the mail.  
         [0011]     Some mail tubs have lids or covers, but they are not airtight vessels. Mail articles that contain hazardous material within or on the outer surface contaminate not only the other mail articles within the mail collection tub, but also the mail collection tub air. The agitation of the mail collection tub in transport or by routine handling by the postal employees can cause the hazardous material to form a plume or aerosol. There is also a threat of contaminating postal employees by inhaling the contaminated air as well as by direct contact to skin tissue.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention provides systems and sub-systems, and parts thereof for containing the mail at the earliest opportunity (or somewhere down the distribution line) determining whether there is hazardous material present on or in the mail, removing the mail that has hazardous material detected, from the normal distribution/sorting system, and neutralizing the hazardous material.  
         [0013]     In accordance with the present invention there is a particulate containment system capable of being connected to a biohazard detection system for analysis of the contents within the particulate containment system. Additionally, the particulate containment system can be attached to an agitation system that disturbs particulates settled on objects within the particulate containment system. An air stream can be formed within the particulate containment system to transport the disturbed particulates to an air outlet connected to the biohazard detection system. This can be, for example, by creating an air cloud with the particulate contained therein.  
         [0014]     Agitation may be provided in various manners, including by using air currents to do so, although many embodiments also rely upon physical agitation in addition to any air currents which may be used.  
         [0015]     One embodiment of the particulate containment system is equipped with one-way valves to seal the air within a container and which are capable of being connected to a closed-loop or an open-loop biohazard detection system for air sample evaluation. Air is drawn out of the particulate containment system by the biohazard detection system equipped with a mechanism for causing air flow, such as a fan to provide positive pressure, or a vacuum to provide negative pressure. The one-way valves, or dripless quick disconnect couplings which could be used instead of the one-way valves, will open when subjected to a predetermined positive pressure (discussed in detail below). The number of valves is determined by the size of the container.  
         [0016]     An embodiment of the particulate containment system may include a substantially rigid container having, a bottom, and sides with generally perpendicularly aligned walls forming a chamber, a rim defining an open top, and a lid. The lid is configured to substantially form an airtight seal when engaged with the rim. There is an air inlet that may automatically open to draw air into the chamber and which prohibits air from exiting the chamber. There may be an air outlet that may automatically open to exhaust air from the chamber and prohibit air from entering into the chamber, or dripless quick disconnect couplings may be used. Thereby, fresh or recirculated air is drawn into the chamber by at least one one-way inlet and potentially contaminated air is drawn out of the chamber by at least one one-way outlet to allow for sampling for possible biological or other hazardous material contamination. Other embodiments of automatic air inlets and outlets include manually operated mechanisms and plugs.  
         [0017]     Another feature of the container may include and arrangement for raising the mail from the bottom of the container, such as by using standoffs along the bottom of the container to facilitate airflow movement through the chamber when the lid is engaged to the rim of the container and, for example, a vacuum source is applied to at least one one-way outlet. The standoffs elevate mail articles above the bottom of the container, thereby creating a space where solid particulates, including contaminates, may settle. When air passes through the space, an air stream disturbs the solid particulates causing an increase in the concentration of particulates in the air stream and, thereby increasing the probability of detection of contamination by the biohazard detection system. Alternatives to the standoffs includes a mesh screen insert having legs made of suitable material such as wire or plastic or a subfloor with openings located above the bottom.  
         [0018]     A further feature which may be used in the particulate containment system includes channels along the walls of the container to facilitate airflow movement through the chamber similar to the raised standoffs mentioned above in order to permit flow of air and particulates.  
         [0019]     The particulate containment system can be attached to an agitation system to loosen particulates to further increase the concentration of contaminants in the chamber to facilitate air sampling. The agitation system can include a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, and linear and/or rotary actuator.  
         [0020]     Agitation mechanisms may be used in a continuous system in which the containers are temporarily halted from their forward motion to be agitated, and during or after which the air is sampled, after which the containers continue their travel.  
         [0021]     For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a mail container system illustrating airflow intake and circulation, and a schematic representation of such system cooperating with a vacuum or air/biosensor mechanism;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is partial sectional view of the lid and container rim usable in the  FIG. 1  container and other embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic cross-section view of a mesh insert usable in the  FIG. 1  container and other embodiments of the particulate containment system;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a subfloor with holes;  
         [0026]      FIGS. 4A-4C  are schematic cross-sectional views of alternative air intake and air outlet embodiments usable in the  FIG. 1  container and other embodiments of the particulate containment system, and  FIG. 4D  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 1 , showing a containment system in which valves are mounted into openings in the side thereof;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of one type of agitation and air system;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a schematic isometric view of an agitation tray usable in the  FIG. 5  agitation system;  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of another type of agitation system showing a particulate containment system being fed into a chamber of a rotary cylinder and a particulate containment system being ejected from a chamber of the rotary cylinder;  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a schematic, pictorial representation of the rotary cylinder usable in the  FIG. 7  agitation system and other embodiments of the agitation system;  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram of the control system usable in the  FIGS. 7 and 8  agitation system and other embodiments of the agitation system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]      FIG. 1  shows a particulate containment system  10  usable with the present invention which includes a substantially rigid container  12  and having a lid  14 . An air outlet  16  and an air intake  18  are provided in container  12  for sampling air in the particulate containment system  10  for prohibited and possibly hazardous material including biological contamination, such as anthrax, and explosives  
         [0033]     An embodiment of the container  12 , when it is a mail tub, includes a bottom wall  19 , sidewalls  20   a ,  20   a ′, end walls  20   b ′,  20   b ′, a lip  22  forming an open end  21 , and molded standoffs  23  along the bottom wall  19 . The container  12  may be a unitary molded structure made of any substantially rigid material, examples of which include plastic, rubber, and metal. Vertical channels  24  add strength to the container  12  and assure an unobstructed path for any particulates to travel to the air outlet  16  when a vacuum or like is applied to air outlet  16  or blower or like is applied to air intake  18 . Additionally, the two opposing end walls  20   b ′,  20   b ′ include handhold indentations  25  near the open end  21  for lifting the container  12 . The interior and exterior of the container  12  are configured to nest one container within another container for storage. For this purpose, the four walls may be constructed to narrow slightly from the top toward the bottom.  
         [0034]     In the particulate container  12 , a lid  14  is provided which is suitably sized and contoured to tightly fit about the lip  22  of container  12 , as illustrated in FIG.  2 . The lid  14  is preferably a unitary molded, generally rectangle structure made of any substantially rigid material, examples of which include plastic and rubber, which is of a sufficient width and length to extend longitudinally outwardly over the lip  22  of container  12 . The edge  15  of the lid  14  is, for example, a C shape configuration forming a substantially airtight seal with the lip  22  of the container  12  and is independent of pressure.  
         [0035]     The molded standoffs  23  ( FIG. 1 ) prevent mail articles from resting directly on the bottom wall  19  of the container  12  and assures an unobstructed path for any particulates to travel to the air outlet  16  when a vacuum or like is applied. Additionally, the molded standoffs  23  add strength to the container  12 . An alternative to molded standoffs  23  or protrusions is a mesh insert  26  having legs  33  that raise the mesh structure  35  above the bottom wall  19 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . The mesh insert  26  can be made of any suitable material, such as wire or plastic, that has sufficient strength and durability. A second alternative to molded standoffs  23  is a subfloor  27  with perforations or holes  31 , illustrated in  FIG. 3B . The mesh insert  26  and subfloor  27  each provides a settling area  29  for loose particles from the objects to collect for the detection process. In either construction the vertical channels  24  extend down below the mesh insert  26  or subfloor  27 .  
         [0036]     The container  12  ( FIG. 1 ) preferably includes air intake  18  and air outlet  16  that can be arranged to be automatically opened when coupled to the biohazard detection system  11  with a negative or positive pressure device, such as a vacuum or blower or fan. The biohazard detection system can be a closed-loop system or open-loop system. The air intake  18  and air outlet  16  may be self-sealing when not attached to, for example, the biohazard detection system  11 . The attachment of the biohazard detection system  11  will automatically open the air intake  18  and air outlet  16  to allow air samples to be drawn from the container  12 . The air intake  18  and air outlet  16  may be similar to air chucks on a compressed air system.  
         [0037]     The air vent  18  can be located anywhere on container  12 , but is preferred on an end wall  20   b  near the top open end  21 . Similarly, the vacuum port  16  can be located anywhere on container  10 , but is preferred on the opposing end wall  20   b  of the air vent  18  and near the bottom wall  19  of the container  12 . The preferred locations are advantageous because air is drawn from the top of the container  10  where high concentration airborne contaminants are likely. Additionally, contaminants that settle on the bottom  19  will also by drawn from the container  10  as air travels to the vacuum port positioned the bottom wall  19 .  
         [0038]     In another embodiment, the air intake  18  and the air outlet  16  operate based on pressure differential. One-way valves may be installed within the air outlet  16  and air intake  18  for automatic closure to seal the interior of the particulate containment system  10  when vacuum is not applied, thereby assuring contaminants do not migrate into the surrounding environment. Another manner of accomplishing this is to use a HEPA filter which air is drawn through before exiting the container so that no contaminants can exit the container. For illustration purposes, examples of the above-mentioned valves are provided below.  
       EXAMPLE 1  
       [0039]     Air can be forced into the container  12  by an air supply line connected to the air intake  18 . In this case, the pressure within the container  12  is more than the pressure on the outside of the container  12  or on the high-pressure side of the air intake  18 . Therefore, the air intake  18  opens when the pressure applied by the air supply reaches a pre-determined pressure differential level between the container internal pressure and the pressure outside the container. Once the air intake  18  opens, the pressure within the container  12  begins to rise. The air outlet  16  opens when the container pressure reaches a level greater than a predetermined level. The container air can now freely flow to the bio-detection system for analysis.  
       EXAMPLE 2  
       [0040]     The air can be drawn out of the container  12  by a vacuum line connected to the air outlet  16 . In this case, the pressure within the container  12  is less than the pressure on the outside of the container  12  or on the low-pressure side of the air outlet  16 . Therefore, the air outlet  16  will open when the pressure applied by the vacuum decreases to a pre-determined level. Once the air outlet  16  opens, the pressure within the container  12  begins to drop and becomes lower than the pressure on the outside of the container or on the high-pressure side of the air intake  18 . Therefore, the air intake  18  will open when the container pressure reaches a predetermined level. The container air can now freely flow to the bio-detection system for analysis.  
         [0041]     In a further embodiment of the particulate containment system  10 , the air intake  18  and air outlet  16  are simple port holes that are plugged with stoppers (not shown) sized to tightly fit within the port holes. Since the closure of the holes allows for the possibility of air leaking or migrating out of the container  12  while the stoppers are being installed, the operator may allow sufficient time to elapse after air sampling before disconnecting, for example the bio-detection system, from the holes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the air quality of the surrounding environment. Such a time delay will allow the particulates concentrated in the disturbed air to settle and the container pressure to stabilize to approximately ambient pressure. Once the air currents have sufficiently stopped within the container  12 , then the bio-detection system can be disconnected and stoppers inserted in the port holes. Now the container  12  can be transported safely to the next processing station.  
         [0042]     In additional embodiments of the particulate containment system  10 , air intake  18  and air outlet  16  are a combination of three embodiments described above. For example, an automatic opening device in combination with a pressure sensitive opening device or an automatic opening device in combination with a stopper device or a pressure sensitive opening device with a stopper device. The combinations are interchangeable with the air intake  18  and the air outlet  16 . One such arrangement is shown in  FIG. 4D . The air intake  18  can be located anywhere on container  12 , but is preferred on an end wall  20   b  near the top open end  21 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Similarly, the air outlet  16  can be located anywhere on container  12 , but is preferred on the opposing end wall  20   b  of the air intake  18  and near the bottom wall  19  of the container  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The preferred locations are advantageous because air is drawn from the top of the container  12  where high concentration airborne contaminants are likely. Additionally, particulates that settle on the bottom  19  will also by drawn from the container  12  as air travels to the air outlet positioned the bottom wall  19 .  
         [0043]     Alternative embodiments of the particulate containment system  10  can position air intake  18  and air outlet  16  along substantially the same horizontal plane in a sidewall of a container. There are many possible embodiments. One such embodiment for illustrations purposes is along a lower horizontal plane of the container near the bottom, as illustrated  FIG. 4A . In this case, the largest concentration of particulates is along the bottom and blowing or drawing air through this portion of the container may result in the maximum probability of detecting a contaminant. A second location is near the top of the container to analyze a plume of highly concentrated particulates, as illustrated  FIG. 4B . A third location is along a lower horizontal plane but in the same wall, as illustrated in  FIG. 4C . The optimal location for the air intake  18  and the outlet  16  is determined by the system used to sample the air from within the container  12 .  FIG. 4D  shows a container having a construction somewhat similar to the one shown in  FIG. 1 . However, there are openings in opposite sides which contain valves which assist in the operation.  
         [0044]     When a vacuum pump is used, air may pass from the outside environment into the vacuum mail tub  10  through air vent  18  into the mail tub  10 . The air exits through the vacuum port  16  when a commercially available vacuum with a biological agent sensor attachment (not shown) is attached to vacuum port  16 . The air samples  14  from the mail tub  10  are analyzed to detect a biological agent or other contaminant. If such a contaminant is detected, the vacuum port  16  and the air vent  18  can be plugged with self-sealing plugs (not shown) to seal the contaminant in the mail tub and be transported to a decontamination center for further processing. If desired HEPA filters may be used for this purpose.  
         [0045]     The particulate containment system  10  and the embodiments thereof can be connected to a biohazard detection system  11  that agitates the contents of the particulate containment system  10 . The particulate containment system  10  can be further enhanced to accommodate special fixturing to secure the particulate containment system  10  to the agitation system, such as by locating pin holes  94  (See  FIG. 4D ) to receive locating pins of the agitation system for alignment and agitation purposes. One such biohazard detection system  11  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0046]     This embodiment of the biohazard detection system  11  includes a vacuum generator  28  and an air duct system  30  connected to an air outlet  16  of the particulate containment system  10 , which includes the container or tub  12 . The tub  12  also includes an air intake  18  to which the air duct system  30  can be connected to form a vent system to draw air out of the tub  12  for analysis. A sensor  32  is connected to the air duct system  30  between the air outlet  16  and the vacuum generator  28 . The sensor  32  can be one or more conventional sensors capable of detecting biological and chemical contaminants, such as anthrax or small pox, explosives or some other type of hazardous material. A high efficiency particle air filter (HEPA)  34  is attached to the outlet  36  of the air duct system  30  to filter out contaminants before being exhausted into surrounding atmosphere.  
         [0047]     The vacuum which is used to draw air through the tub  12  is produced using compressed air created by the vacuum generator  28  or material transfer pump. The vacuum pulls the air through a manifold  38 , which can house the sensor  32 . The manifold  38  also can house a flow meter  40  and regulator  42  to adjust the air flow as required to match the tub  12  size and the density of the materials (such as loose filled or densely packed) inside the tub  12 .  
         [0048]     The biohazard detection system  11  includes an inlet air filter  44 , inlet flow meter  46  and an ionizer  48  connected to the air duct system upstream of the particulate containment system air intake  18 . Air being drawn from outside is rough filtered by the inlet air filter  44  to remove dust and large particles. The inlet flow meter  46  assures the appropriate air mass enters the air duct system  30 . The ionizer  48  removes the static electric charge from the air to help eliminate static electricity inside the tub  12 , thereby facilitating better movement of particles into the air stream. This embodiment of the biohazard detection system  11  is shown with all three components connected to the air duct system  30 . However, alternative embodiments are envisioned that include only one or two or none of the above-mentioned components depending on the system specification.  
         [0049]     The tub  12  or other particulate containment system is capable of being attached to a particulate agitation system  50  to loosen contaminants within the particulate containment system  10 . The particulate agitation system  50  can be of any mechanical or electrical mechanism that disturbs particulates contained on or in objects within the particulate containment system  10  including rotation and linear movement. One embodiment of the particulate agitation system  50  provides a linear back and forth motion as indicated by arrow  51  in  FIG. 6  causing the tub contents to mix and collide with each other in a non-destructive manner, thereby shaking loose the contaminates from the contents. Some of the contaminants will settle on the floor  19  of the tub  12 . The agitation can be achieved pneumatically with the use of air cylinder(s)  52  or electrically with an electronic linear actuator or hydraulically with a hydraulic cylinder. Each method is adjustable for length of stroke and speed/cycle time. Once the contents of the tub  12  are in motion or sufficiently agitated, air pressure or vacuum can be used to transfer suspended particles to the sensor  32 . The particulate agitation system  50  includes an agitation tray  54  connected to the air cylinder(s)  52 .  
         [0050]     The agitation tray  54  includes one or more recesses  56  on a top surface  58  to seat the tubs  12 . The agitation tray  54  is made of suitable material, such as metal, plastic or wood. The recesses  56  are of sufficient depth, length and width for the tub  12  to seat securely during agitation without the use of a locking device. However, alternative embodiments may include a locking device (not shown).  
         [0051]     The air cylinders  52  are fixedly attached to an agitation base  60  and the agitation tray  54  is in moveable contact with the agitation base  60 . The moveable relationship between the agitation tray  54  and the agitation base  60  can be created by many different embodiments known to those skilled in the art. For example, the agitation tray  54  can include conventional wheels or the agitation base  60  can include conventional conveyor rollers. Alternatively, the agitation tray  54  and agitation base  60  can be made of complimentary materials that have low contact friction allowing sufficient relative movement where the bottom surface  62  of the agitation tray  54  and top surface  64  of the agitation base  60  are in direct contact, and no rollers or wheels would be required.  
         [0052]     Another embodiment of the particulate agitation system of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The particulate containment system  10  is placed on an entrance roller conveyor  66  and transferred by the entrance roller conveyor  66  towards a rotary cylinder  68 . The speed of the entrance roller conveyor  66  may be adjusted to ensure the productive capacity of the mail facility by allowing adjustment of the loading speed of the particulate containment systems  10  onto the entrance roller conveyor  66  and successive insertion of the particulate containment systems  10  into the rotary cylinder  68 .  
         [0053]     The rotary cylinder  68 , located at the end of the entrance roller conveyor  66 , rotates about a horizontal axis  70  and has a plurality of radially extending chambers  72 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . A motor  88  drives and provides rotary motion to the rotary cylinder  68 . Each radially extending chamber  72  is of sufficient depth, length, and width for a particulate containment system  10  to fit securely therein and is located on the rotary cylinder  68  such that alignment of each chamber  72  with the entrance roller conveyor  66  occurs. The particulate containment systems  10  (or tubs  12 ) are individually inserted into the chambers  72  in succession, each tub  12  being fed into a corresponding chamber  72  by a driving mechanism  74 .  
         [0054]     The driving mechanism  74  may be, for example, a pneumatic pusher capable of engaging the tubs  12  and dragging the tubs into the chamber  72  and then disengaging from the tubs  12 . As the tubs  12  are fed into the chamber  72 , the air outlet  16  and air intake  18  are aligned and engage onto respective air outlet mating nozzle  76  and air intake mating nozzle  78  within the chamber  72 . The mating nozzles  76  and  78  are attached to a vacuum manifold  80  and air manifold  82 , respectively, which are connected to an air sampling system  84 . The mating nozzles  76  and  78  for both the air intake  18  and air outlet  16  may be located on the end wall  87  of the chamber  72 . However, the mating nozzles  76  and  78  may be located on any wall of the chamber  72  and may be separately located on one or more walls depending upon the air outlet  16  and air intake  18  configuration of the tub  12  being used. Once the air outlet  16  and air intake  18  of the tubs  12  are engaged with the mating nozzles  76  and  78 , the rotary cylinder  68  will index to the next position, allowing an empty chamber  72  to move into position at the end to the entrance roller conveyor  66  for the introduction of the next tub  12 . Once the tub  12  is engaged with a chamber  72 , the rotational cycle of the cylinder  68  provides for the rotation of the particulate containment system  10  thereby agitating the contents contained therein. Agitation of the contents is this manner allows, for example, the letters and mail parcels to mix and collide with each other in a non-destructive manner, but with enough force to loosen a portion of any contaminates contained therein or thereon to create a contaminated air cloud, thereby increasing the concentration of contaminants in the interior of the tubs  12  to facilitate air sampling.  
         [0055]     After a predetermined interval and number of rotation cycles, sampling of the air within each tub  12  commences. Sampling may occur within each individual chamber  72  in succession or may occur simultaneously among all chambers  72 . Rotary speeds of the cylinder  68  may be adjusted to ensure the productive capacity of the mail facility by allowing for successively engaging all chambers  72  within the rotary cylinder  68 , sufficient agitation of the tubs  12 , and air sampling of the particulate containment systems  10 . This provides a synchronization, with minimum tolerance margins, of the steps for feeding the particulate containment systems  10  onto the entrance roller conveyor  66  and sampling of the air within each particulate containment system  10  contained in a chamber  72 .  
         [0056]     In one embodiment of the biohazard detection system  11 , a vacuum subsystem is used for air sampling. Air passes from the outside environment into the particulate containment system  10  through the air manifold  82  and air intake mating nozzle  78  of the chamber  72  and air intake  18  into the particulate containment system  10 . The air exits through the air outlet  16  when a commercially available vacuum system with an appropriate hazardous material sensor attachment is attached to the vacuum manifold  80  that connects to air outlet  16  of the tubs  12  via the air outlet mating nozzle  76  of the chamber  72 . The air samples from the particulate containment system  10  are analyzed to detect contaminants. If such a contaminant is detected, the tub  12  is transported to a decontamination center for further processing.  
         [0057]     Tubs  12  in which no contamination is detected are ejected from the chamber  72  by a chamber ejection mechanism  85  onto an exit conveyer belt  86  that will feed the particulate containment system  10  downstream for further standard processing. In one embodiment, the chamber ejection mechanism  85  is a pneumatic pusher capable of engaging the tub  12  and pushing the tub out of the chamber  72  and onto an exit roller conveyer  86 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the tub  12  is ejected onto the exit roller conveyer  86  upside down (i.e., lid  14  in contact with the exit roller conveyer  86 ) such that the container  12  may be separated from the lid  14  thereby allowing the letters and mail parcels contained within the particulate containment system  10  to drop onto the exit roller conveyer  86  and fed to other automation or culling/sorting areas.  
         [0058]     An example of an implementation of the controller  90  with a biohazard detection system is illustrated in  FIG. 9  where the controller  90  is operably connected to the biohazard detection system  11  of  FIG. 7 . The controller  90  can also be integral to a mail processing/sorting system.  
         [0059]     In another embodiment of the biohazard detection system  11 , a neutralizing agent can be introduced into a tub  12  found to be contaminated through, for example, the air intake  18  in order to decontaminate the contents of the tub  12  while the tub is still located within the chamber  72 .  
         [0060]     In one embodiment, multiple rotary cylinders  68  may be installed within the mail processing center, each having a diverting conveyer system for contaminated mail tubs so as not to impede mail flow requirements.  
         [0061]     The preferred and alternative embodiments of the biohazard detection systems  11  are capable of being operably connected to a controller  90  or like to sequence tasks and control the functions of the systems  11 , such as motors, actuators, sensors, fans, vacuums, blowers, and conveyor belts  
         [0062]     It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments, improvements, details, and uses can be made consistent with the letter and spirit of the foregoing disclosure and within the scope of this patent, which is limited only by the following claims, construed in accordance with the patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.