Abstract:
Disclosed is a mailbox sanitization device employing ultraviolet lamps mounted therein. The lamps are activated after placement of mail, postcards, packages and the like into the mailbox for approximately 60 seconds. The ultraviolet lamp may further produce residual ozone sufficient to destroy most viruses found on the materials placed within the mailbox. The mailbox may be operated in remote areas by use of low voltage or in a commercial setting for protection of postal employees.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention is directed to the field of mailboxes and in particular to mailbox utilizing ultraviolet lamps for localized surface treatment of mail.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The ability for germs to be transmitted from person to person is well known. Various products, such as sanitization solutions, and techniques, such as frequent hand washing, are known to help prevent the spread of viruses. Typically the transmission of germs from one person to another is by accident.  
           [0003]    For example, in a residential situation a postal delivery person sorts mail by their delivery address where the mail is deposited in a box located at the recipient&#39;s residence. It is not unusual for the postal worker to handle thousands of pieces of mail each day, as well as open hundreds of mailboxes, each of which may hold various strands of germs. Further, the postal delivery person may shake the hand of numerous patrons, open building doors and mailboxes, any of which may harbor germs. If the postal worker wears gloves, he may protect himself but not the mail. Thus, a virus may be received as as a neighbor sneezing while depositing his mail and the postal worker and becoming the unsuspecting carrier for the germs.  
           [0004]    As evident by the ease of transporting germs, postal workers also need protection from the public as they are constantly exposed to the germs carried by the mail. Gloves are a known option but typically are not worn due to apparently inconveniences has from heat, lost of dexterity, and allergic reaction that some individuals have to gloves such as those made from latex.  
           [0005]    Of current concern is that a segment of the population does not care to abide by common cleanliness etiquette, or maliciously attempts to spread viruses. The mail has been found to be easy way of transporting spores used to intentionally cause harm to unsuspecting victims. In such instances the unsuspecting handler of mail, as well as the recipient, can be subjected to dangerous viruses.  
           [0006]    Thus, what is lacking in the art is a device that automatically subjects mail to ultraviolet radiation for purposes of destroying germs by use of a conventional style mailbox container.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Disclosed is a mailbox that is modified to include an ultraviolet light source. Mail placed into the mailbox is subjected to intense ultraviolet light by use of 254 nm lamps for destruction of germs, or 185 nm lamps that are capable of providing producing ultraviolet light and residual ozone.  
           [0008]    In a preferred embodiment mail items, such as postcards, envelopes, brochures, cd&#39;s, and so forth) are placed inside a mailbox container housing ultraviolet lamps. When the mailbox door is closed, the ultraviolet lamp is activated for a period of about 60 second. During this process, the mail is subjected to a very high level of ultraviolet light for purposes of killing germs. Depending on the type of germicidal lamp employed, the ultraviolet light may also create an ozone residual to destroy germs that are hidden from the radiation light.  
           [0009]    The mailbox ultraviolet lamps may be operated by a remotely located low voltage electrical source (e.g. 12 volts DC), solar power, or battery power. When the mailbox is mounted to a secure structure, the unit may be operated directly on 120 volts AC.  
           [0010]    Thus an objective of the invention is to teach the use of a mailbox as a microbial/germicidal sanitization container.  
           [0011]    Yet another objective of the invention is to disclose a the use of a residential mailbox for purposes of treating mail before receipt by a mailman or a patron.  
           [0012]    Another objective of the invention is to provide an ultraviolet light mailbox that operates on low voltage.  
           [0013]    Still another objective to the invention is to provide a commercial mailbox receptacle for treatment of mail and protection of postal employees.  
           [0014]    Another objective of the instant invention is to employ ultraviolet lamps that produce ozone.  
           [0015]    Yet still another objective of the instant invention is to provide a viewing port to safely determine operation of the ultraviolet lamps.  
           [0016]    Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ultraviolet light mailbox of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the inside of the ultraviolet light mailbox;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is an end view of the ultraviolet light mounted bracket; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a simplified electrical schematic depicting power routing for the ultraviolet light mailbox.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    Although the invention will be described in terms of a specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.  
         [0022]    Now referring to FIG. 1, set forth is a pictorial of a mailbox  10  having a conventional shape and further defined as a housing  12  having an interior  14  and an open end  16 . A door  18  has an inner surface  20  and an outer surface  22 . The door  18  is pivotly attached by hinge member  24  to the open end  16  of the housing  12 . In a conventional format the mailbox may have a flag  26  that can be raised to indicate to a postal worker that items are inside the mailbox for pickup. In this embodiment the mailbox  10  is mounted on a post  28 . In the interior  14  of the housing  12  is a first ultraviolet lamp  30  positioned so as to provide effective distribution of ultraviolet light to the mail. The ultraviolet light recommended is either a 254 nm wave length capable of providing germicidal destruction or a 185 nm capable of producing radiant light and a residual amount of ozone. The lamp  30  is protected by a galvanized screen  32  preferably constructed from 19 gauge wire. Similarly a lower lamp  34  is located along the bottom surface  36  of the housing  12  and also protected by a galvanized screen  38 . Preferably the interior  14  of the housing  12  is coated with galvanized paint due to the reflective properties of galvanized material which enhances operation of the ultraviolet light, but further provides a material of construction which inhibits growth of bacteria. The screen material allows full passage of ultraviolet light but prevents mail insertion from collapsing the screen so as to cause breakage to the lamps. In instances where excessive mail may be placed within the mailbox, mail slots may be used to organize the mail to allow separation and enhanced contact with the ultraviolet light. In instances where packing of porous materials is expected, the use of the ultraviolet light capable of producing a residual amount of ozone is preferred to allow for proper disinfection. It should be noted that common spreading of germs is located on the outside surface of the mail, especially those being last handled. Thus, the interaction of the ultraviolet light from the bottom surface and the top surface of the mailbox with reflecting side surfaces, is deemed sufficient for most installations. Referring now to FIG. 2, shown is the ultraviolet lights  30  and  34  placed along the interior  14  of the housing  12 . Switch mechanism  40  is available for engaging door  22  for purposes of operating a timer  42  that allows operation of the lamps  30  and  34 . Timer operation of approximately 60 seconds is deemed suitable for the radiant light. Depending upon the type of lamps employed and the particular installation, a ballast or transformer  42  may be located at the mailbox. For instance, in commercial applications such as those where the recipient of the mail is the United States Postal Service, the mailbox would be considered a commercial box and the use of a locally mounted ballast may be preferred. However, in residential applications where the mailbox may be located along the outer property edge, where it is acceptable to accidents, (e.g. lawn mowers, wayward automobiles and so forth) preferably the higher voltage is maintained in the residents housing struture and low voltage is brought to the lamps. If destruction of the mailbox assembly occurs, electrification would not be a result.  
         [0023]    As shown in FIG. 3, a conventional mailbox may be modified by the use of a lower plate of galvanized steel  46  Galvanized channel  48  is mounted thereon for holding of the lamp retainer  50 . The screening material  38  is located above the assembly again to prevent damage to the lamps. In such instances, 19 gauge galvanized steel is found to be sufficient to provide support and sufficient rigidity for the handling of most packages.  
         [0024]    As shown in FIG. 4, a common voltage source such as 120 volts AC is found in the home and can be delivered to a low voltage transformer  62  that supplies power to the mailbox located switch  40  and timer  42 . Upon closing of the switch  40  the timer is energized which allows low voltage power to be delivered to the lamps  30  and  34 , depending upon the type of pre-heat unit  66  that is employed.  
         [0025]    Ideally, the Postal worker would only accept mail placed in the residential mail box. The Postal worker would know where the mail came from and that it had been radiated. Similarly, a mail patron would only accept mail from a postal worker after it has been treated by the light radiation.  
         [0026]    It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification.