Patent · US Expired

Odorant and marker capsule for deterring mailbox vandalism

US7014098B1 · kind B1 · utility

0Cited by
8References
8Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 14, 2004
Grant dateMar 21, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 27, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA47G2029/1221
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Mailbox vandalism is deterred by depositing a noxious material on a tool or weapon used by a vandal to smash a mailbox. The noxious material may be provided in a capsule fastened to a traffic-facing side of the mailbox so that a vandal's blow directed at the mailbox succeeds in fracturing the capsule and coating the vandal's tool or weapon with a noxious material. The capsule or capsules may contain any of a variety of malodorants, colorants, irritants and adhesives. The overall container may be configured as a composite capsule in which the noxious material is held within an inner glass capsule protected from environmental and accidental damage by a surrounding, relatively easily broken, outer capsule directly fastened to the protected mailbox.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.