초록

A mailbox contains a UV lamp to produce UV and ozone. The lamp is activated when the mailbox door is closed to destroy biological materials in the mail box.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for decontaminating mail comprising:a mail box;a mail box door on the mail box;a door lock;means for operating the door lock in response to a door lock signal to lock the door;means for providing a first signal when mail has been inserted into the mailbox;means for decontaminating conten

1. A system for decontaminating mail comprising:a mail box;a mail box door on the mail box;a door lock;means for operating the door lock in response to a door lock signal to lock the door;means for providing a first signal when mail has been inserted into the mailbox;means for decontaminating contents of the mail box; andcontrols means, activated by the first signal, that in response thereto, produces, for a time interval, said door lock signal, generates a predetermined delay time, and following the predetermined delay time, operates the decontaminating means. 2. The system described in claim 1, wherein the means for decontaminating comprises a source of ultra violet light and ozone. 3. The system described in claim 1, wherein the means for decontaminating comprises a source of ultra violet light and ozone. 4. The system described in claim 3, further comprising:means for manually activating and deactivating said control means. 5. The system described in claim 3, further comprising means for providing an error signal indicating that the source is not operating. 6. The system described in claim 5 wherein said means for providing a error signal comprises means for detecting UV. 7. A method for using a system for decontaminating mail, wherein the system comprises a mail box, a mail box door on one end of the mail box, a decontamination device in the interior of the mail box, and an electronic lock on the mail box door, the method comprising:sensing the closing of the mail box door;generating a first signal when mail has been inserted in the mailbox;generating a predetermined time delay in response to the first signal;activating the decontamination device in the interior of the mail box for a time interval when the door is closed and after the predetermined time delay;activating the electronic lock on the door while the device is activated; anddeactivating the electronic lock after the time interval expires. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said device produces UV and ozone. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing indications of the status of the device. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein providing indications of the status of the device comprises sensing UV in the interior of the mailbox. 11. A system for decontaminating mail comprising:a mail box;a mail box door on the mail box;a door lock;means for operating the door lock in response to a door lock signal to lock the door;means for providing a first signal when mail has been inserted into the mailbox;means for decontaminating contents of the mailbox; andcontrols means, activated by the first signal, that, in response thereto: (i) produces for a time interval said door lock signal, (ii) generates a predetermined time delay, (iii) after the predetermined time delay, operates the decontaminating means; and (iv) unlocks door lock after the time interval has expired.