Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of disinfecting and/or decontaminating articles, and more specifically to a system and method of efficiently disinfecting and/or decontaminating articles such as pieces of mail that may have been exposed to diverse biological and/or chemical contaminants.

Abstract: A system and method of disinfecting and/or decontaminating articles such as pieces of mail that have been exposed to diverse biological and/or chemical contaminants. The system includes an enclosure having a door, an input port, and an output port, a mail tumbling drum, a radiation beam source and applicator, an electromagnetic field source and applicator, an ultraviolet radiation source and applicator, a chemical decontamination unit, and a status indicator. The enclosure door is opened, a quantity of mail is placed in the tumbling drum inside the enclosure, and the door is closed. At the end of a predetermined delay time, radiation beams, electromagnetic fields, ultraviolet radiation, and chemical decontaminates are applied to the mail for a predetermined time, and in predetermined combinations and sequences, thereby destroying essentially all biological viruses, bacteria, spores, pollutants, and bomb material that may be on or within the pieces of mail.

Abstract: An obstruction detection apparatus is provided for use in closing a power driven vent, such as a window, that is located in an opening. When the vent includes a first closing edge that moves as the vent is closed and the opening includes a second closing edge that is contacted by the first closing edge when the vent is in a fully closed position, the apparatus includes a detector configured to detect an obstruction at points all along the second closing edge without requiring contact between the obstruction and the vent and to deliver a detection signal when an obstruction is detected. A controller is connected to the detector for receiving the detection signal and delivering a corresponding alarm signal.

Abstract: An obstruction detection apparatus is provided for use in closing a power driven vent, such as a window, that is located in an opening. When the vent includes a first closing edge that moves as the vent is closed and the opening includes a second closing edge that is contacted by the first closing edge when the vent is in a fully closed position, the apparatus includes a detector configured to detect an obstruction at points all along the second closing edge without requiring contact between the obstruction and the vent and to deliver a detection signal when an obstruction is detected. A controller is connected to the detector for receiving the detection signal and delivering a corresponding alarm signal.