Patent Publication Number: US-2003223904-A1

Title: UV bulk mail irradiation system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to the field of germicidal systems employing microorganism-destroying ultraviolet lights. In particular, the present invention relates to a system for producing enough watts of C-band UV energy in a sterilization chamber to disinfect mail contaminated with anthrax bacteria and anthrax spores in five (5) minutes of less.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] After Sep. 11, 2001, it has become very apparent that our mail system has become a biohazard target for Terrorist across the globe. Numerous deaths have resulted from our citizens coming in contact with mail pieces infected with anthrax. These mail pieces were either filled with anthrax or they were laced with the biohazard due to cross-contamination from mail pieces travelling in our mail system.  
       [0003] The current methods that are being tried in an effort to sterilize the mail have been ineffective, unsafe, and damaging to the mail content. Using this invention is safe for the user and does not damage the content of the mail.  
       [0004] The C-band ultraviolet light used in this invention has always been known for its germicidal properties. Especially, the C-band ultraviolet light spectrum of 254 nm, which has been found to disrupt and mutilate pathogens DNA, leading to pathogens cell death.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] The present invention is a chamber for disinfecting mail that has become contaminated by pathogens and spores such as Bacillius anthracis (anthrax bacteria) and Bacillius magaterium sp. (anthrax spores). Ultraviolet lights of sufficient intensity are positioned within a disinfecting chamber where they irradiate mail pieces contaminated with pathogens and spores such as Bacillius anthracis (anthrax bacteria) and Bacillius magaterium sp. (anthrax spores). The sterilization chamber has an entrance and an exit. The contaminated mail pieces are brought in through the entrance, placed in the chamber, the doors are sealed, and he irradiation process begins. After the mail pieces are decontaminated, they are removed, a new batch of mail pieces takes their place, and the decontamination process starts all over again 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0006] The present invention consists of a chamber 8 feet wide, 8 feet high, and 16 feet long with wood surfaces covered with aluminum paint or reflectant material. In the chamber, there are 18 fixtures, each containing 4 lamps putting out 13.8 watts of ultraviolet light energy each (see table 1 and table 2 below). These lamps are located one (1) meter (393 inches) in parallel about a center point were 90-98 number 10 mail envelopes (4⅛ in.×9½ in) will be placed for disinfection.  
     [0007] Chamber Specifications:  
                               TABLE 1                          Chamber width   8   Ft   243.84   cm       Chamber height   6   Ft   243.84   cm       Chamber depth   16   Ft   487.68   cm       Fixture containing 4 lamps   59.2   Watts       Lamp UV power   13.8   Watts       # of lamps   72       Lamp model   G36T6L       Lamp arclength   36   In   91.44   cm       Lamp diameter   15.6   Mm   1.58   cm       Lamp radius           0.79   cm       Reflectivity   65   %   Aluminum   Paint                             Lamp spacing   Axis-to-axis   2   cm                                 Center point   x-coord       121.92   cm           y-coord       121.92   cm           z-coord       243.84   cm       Front end of lamps   z-coord       198.12   cm       Back end of lamps   z-coord       289.56   cm                  
 
     [0008]               TABLE 2                          Lamp fixtures coordinates (4 lapms each fixture)                                         Lamp fixture   x1   y1   z1   x2   y2   z2       #   cm   cm   cm   cm   cm   cm                                                 1   116.92   213.36   198.12   116.92   213.36   289.56       2   118.92   213.36   198.12   118.92   213.36   289.56       3   120.92   213.36   198.12   120.92   213.36   289.56       4   122.92   213.36   198.12   122.92   213.36   289.56       5   124.92   213.36   198.12   124.92   213.36   289.56       6   126.92   213.36   198.12   126.92   213.36   289.56       7   213.36   123.92   198.12   213.36   123.92   289.56       8   213.36   121.92   198.12   213.36   121.92   289.56       9   213.36   119.92   198.12   213.36   119.92   289.56       10   126.92   30.48   198.12   126.92   30.48   289.56       11   124.92   30.48   198.12   124.92   30.48   289.56       12   122.92   30.48   198.12   122.92   30.48   289.56       13   120.92   30.48   198.12   120.92   30.48   289.56       14   118.92   30.48   198.12   118.92   30.48   289.58       15   116.92   30.48   198.12   116.92   30.48   289.56       18   30.48   119.92   198.12   30.48   119.92   289.56       17   30.48   121.92   198.12   30.48   121.92   289.86       18   30.48   123.92   198.12   30.48   123.92   289.56                    
     [0009] During the disinfection process, the average surface intensity will be at least 4690 μW/Cm 2  (see table 3). The time to sterilize mail contaminated with anthrax spores is estimated to be five (5) minutes or less (see FIG. 1).  
               TABLE 3                          Average Surface Intensity - Horizontal Plane                                 Overhead lamps   2304   μW/Cm 2             Side lamps   158   μW/Cm 2             Total planar Intensity   2462   μW/Cm 2             Reflective intensity at 65%   2228   μW/Cm 2             Total planar intensity at surface 65%   4690   μW/Cm 2             reflectivity