Abstract: Sorting apparatus comprising conveying means for conveying input objects into to the apparatus, extraction means for extracting from the conveying means input objects identified as belonging to a particular object-class processing means arranged to received input data corresponding at least to the portions across the conveying means of said identified input objects and to output control signals corresponding to the input data to the extraction means to effect extraction of said identified input objects, where the extraction means comprises an array of nozzles extending in a direction (z) across the conveying means, each of which is independently operable under control of the processing means to produce an air jet in a generally upward direction (y), and is arranged to activate sub-groups of nozzles corresponding to, and in response to, said control signals, characterised in that the conveying means has a partially open surface arranged to convey input objects over the array of nozzles, in that the array of no

Abstract: In order to eliminate addressing errors on postal articles in a process (8, 10) of sorting, routing, and delivery performed by a postal operator on mail articles (3?) handed over to the operator by a sender of mail articles constituting a client of the postal operator, respective mail article identity numbers (I) are generated for the mail articles to be processed in the sorting, routing, and delivery process, said identity numbers (I) being applied to the respective mail articles in machine readable form (5) and being recorded in an electronic file (F) in association with data (A) giving the postal addresses of the mail articles. These mail article identity numbers (I) or “extended client codes” are generated by the mail article sender and they are applied by the sender to the mail articles prior to handing them over to the postal operator.

Abstract: A method for organizing the picking up of soiled garments, cleaning them and returning of them to a customer is disclosed that greatly improves the efficiency and speed of current methods by retaining the garments of a specific route together in an identifiable collection and working in a just in time flow. Upon the arrival of the soiled garments at the cleaning plant, garments from each route are cleaned and dried in identifiable collections according to the route on which the garments were picked up. The garments are then sorted by customer on each route and wearer at each customer at which point the garments are ready for return to the customer.

Abstract: A method and system for packaging batches of elongate, non-symmetrical products that are soft and/or flexible in nature, such as fish, in which the products are arranged in mutually reversed orientations for maximized utilization of package space. The products are weighed for determining their individual weights and a computerized control is used to selectively accumulate the products on the basis of product weight and other predetermined criteria, to merge the products into groups, and to automatically deposit the products into boxes with a mutual reversed orientation.

Abstract: In a tape cassette including a cassette shell in which a tape reel having a tape-shaped recording medium wound therearound is accommodated, and a front lid which serves to cover the front surface side of the tape-shaped recording medium exposed to the front face of the cassette shell and is provided to the cassette shell so as to be movable between a lid-closed position at which it covers the front surface side of the tape-shaped recording medium and a lid open position at which the front surface side of the tape-shaped recording medium is opened, the front lid comprises a main portion for covering the front surface side of the tape-shaped recording medium and a side surface portion projecting backward from the side edge of the main portion, and a lid lock member for locking the front lid at the lid-closed position is provided to the inner surface of the side surface portion of the front lid so as to be rotatable inside the side surface portion of the front lid.