Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting overlapped mail pieces when sorting batches of flat mail pieces as the pieces are conveyed on their narrow sides, whereby the sorted mail pieces are moved successively standing on their narrow sides in a longitudinal direction along a bed or path. Positioned below the path is an electronic line camera arranged with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the feed direction of the sorted mail pieces that scans the lower narrow edges of the mail pieces through a gap in the bed. In one aspect, two sources of light, such as light emitting diodes, are positioned laterally from the line camera diagonally illuminate the mail pieces from below as the mail pieces pass over a window in the path so that the edges of the scanned narrow sides are emphasized by shadowing.

Abstract: A process for forming a circuit pattern on a substrate includes steps of forming a number of electrical circuits on a substrate, which circuits include an electrically conductive bus that interconnects the circuits, covering the electrical circuits with a soldermask, leaving electrical contact portions exposed, electroplating the exposed electrical contacts with a conductive surface finish by using the bus to electrolytically apply the surface finish, and then severing the bus at locations between circuits so that the circuits are electrically isolated from each other. The process may be used to make circuit boards and especially integrated circuit packages.

Abstract: A method of replacing an existing underground pipe, especially a sanitary sewer line, uses a boring machine that advances a drill string of hollow rods through the existing pipe.

Abstract: A drill bit configured for use in horizontal directional boring includes a spoon-shaped body with a rearwardly angled or inclined arcuate front end face that widens from a leading edge to a trailing edge in a circumferential direction, the front face sloping rearwardly from a leading side surface to a trailing edge in a circumferential direction, the leading and trailing side surfaces extending rearwardly in from the front end face. The leading side surface is wider than the trailing side surface. In one configuration, the front end surface and leading side face are each provided with a plurality of carbide inserts or studs which may be arranged in a row.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device for transporting and expelling material to be conveyed, especially flat postal items. The inventive device comprises vertically pivotable conveying modules that are arranged one behind the other. The aim of the invention is to reduce the closing time required by the pivoted conveyor module component to go back to the level of the succeeding conveyor module component. The component of the conveyor modules is designed in such a way that said component can also be driven in the vertical direction, whereby said component is the front component when seen in the conveying direction. Immediately after a material to be conveyed (3) has been expelled and when the next material to be conveyed (3) is transported further, said front component of the conveyor module (1) that succeeds the expelling conveyor module (1) is pivoted against the component that is pivoted for expelling.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating information between subscribers over power transmission lines which normally convey electrical power to a plurality of diverse electrical sites for providing electrical power to electrical devices disposed at these diverse electrical sites. The subscribers on the communication network are located at these electrical sites. The electrical power conveyed over the power transmission lines is in the form of electromagnetic radiation which has an electrical field component and an associated magnetic field component. The information, such as telephonic voice communication or other data, is transmitted in the magnetic field component of the electromagnetic radiation carried over the power transmission line, such as by exciting the field with a MASER, in order to enable communication between the subscribers at the various electrical sites.

Abstract: An impactor for use with a directional boring machine for replacement of underground pipes includes a bursting head having a rearwardly opening recess and a front end opening that communicates with the recess. An inlet pipe is connected at its front end to a distal end of the drill string and extends into the recess of the bursting head through the front end opening. A striker is mounted for sliding movement along the inlet pipe, and a distributing mechanism responsive to pressure fluid supplied through the drill string and inlet pipe causes the striker to reciprocate in the rearwardly opening recess of the head to deliver forward impacts against the bursting head. The striker and distributing mechanism are mounted in a tubular housing, and a pulling connection is provided by which the impactor can be pulled by the drill string while the striker is delivering impacts against the head in the same direction as a pulling force exerted by the drill string.

Abstract: A method for use by a presort mailer in creating a mailing consisting of a multitude of mail pieces addressed to a predetermined list of recipients having predetermined addresses is disclosed, including the steps of: (a) determining a batch scheme applicable to the mailing, wherein the batch scheme specifies batches of mail pieces to be grouped together, the batch scheme being based on a multi-pass mail piece sort scheme such that each batch contains mail pieces that can be sorted to mail carrier delivery order on a last pass of the multi-pass sort scheme; and (b) creating the mail pieces of the mailing in an order so that the batches of mail pieces to be grouped together according to the batch scheme are created consecutively. In one embodiment, the multi-pass sort scheme may be based on a predetermined set of numbered delivery points each corresponding to a ZIP+4 destination code.

Abstract: An improved jogger includes a sidewall with a guide groove, a chain defining a closed path including a sloped loading end and a straight transport section, the sloped loading end being angled toward the transport section in the direction of the travel of the chain at least two sprockets, the sprockets defining the slope of the sloped loading end of the closed path, a plurality of fingers coupled to the chain at spaced apart intervals, the fingers receiving flat articles therebetween at the sloped loading end and conveying the articles along the horizontal transport section and a plurality of guides coupled to the fingers, the guides engaging the guide groove and orienting fingers in a position perpendicular to the horizontal transport section as the fingers are carried into the sloped loading end.

Abstract: An impactor for use with a directional boring machine having a drill string connectable to the impactor for pulling the impactor through an existing pipeline uses rotation of the drill string to drive an internal striker. The internal striker delivers impacts in the pulling direction to an impactor housing as the impactor housing tows a replacement pipe behind it. The impactor housing is free to move axially in response to impacts from the striker over a limited distance in the pulling direction independently of the replacement pipe and drill string.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of processing an information form such as a postal change of address form. Such a form includes various data elements, such as a name of a person submitting the form and the information on which action is to be taken. In the case of mail forwarding, these data elements would include, for example, the name of the person that wishes mail to be redirected, an old address to which mail for that person was previously sent, and a new address to which mail for that person should be sent.

Abstract: A mail case system includes facilitates sequence-sorting various types of mail together into individual bags that each represent unique delivery points. The mail case uses multi-bag inserts so that the bags for several stops can be set up quickly for sorting. At the end of the sorting operation, the entire insert may be pulled down from the case as a single unit to maintain the established delivery point sequence. This eliminates the carrier's need to find separation points or to combine selections from multiple sequenced stacks of mail during the delivery operation. This results in a dramatic improvement in delivery efficiency.

Abstract: A sign kit according to the invention includes a stiff backing in a predetermined size and a transparent cover sheet having dimensions sufficient to cover one face of the backing. Suitable means for mounting a sign, such as a built in stand or hanger, may be included along with a flexible sheet such as a sheet of paper printed on a front face thereof with sign information and adhered by a rear face thereof with an adhesive to a front face of the backing. The sign kit provides makes it possible to use desktop publishing, i.e., personal computers and software, to prepare professional quality signs in various sizes shapes and designs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a user with task-specific information that includes a portable instruction system that may be worn by a user, and includes, a computer sufficiently lightweight and designed to be worn by a user to which a memory has been connected. The system includes a display device that can receive display signals from the computer for visual display to the user and an input device by which the user enters commands to the computer. An instructional program is provided that the computer accesses and stores in memory in response to a user command and displays information concerning a task to be performed by the user on the display device in response to commands from the user.

Abstract: A method of singulating and feeding a random mix of thick and thin flat articles includes: (a) sensing whether a flat article is positioned on a feed conveyor in a position for removal from the feeder conveyor with a sensor, (b) advancing the feed conveyor with a first motor an incremental step to place a series of flat articles positioned on edge in a position for removal from the feed conveyor each time the sensor detects the absence of a flat article for removal from the feed conveyor, (c) counting each incremental advance of the feed conveyor, (d) incrementally advancing the stack of flat articles with a jogger driven by a second motor after the feed conveyor has moved a predetermined number of incremental steps to load additional flat articles on the feed conveyor, the jogger tending to edge the flat articles for removal from the feed conveyor; and (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) while sequentially removing flat articles from the feed conveyor on a one-by-one basis as the feed conveyor is advanced.

Abstract: In a network-based mail processing system and method of the invention, the originating presort bureau or node is defined as the first bureau to receive and process mail, usually near the point of creation. Each presort bureau or node in the network is generally also a destination bureau or node since each processes mail from other nodes for delivery to recipients in its respective region by the postal regional sorting centers associated with its destination codes. Interactive network processing enables higher density of sorts at destination nodes and reduces overall sorts, postage, and sort costs over non-interactive processing centers. The term “presort bureau” is used to connote a service bureau or any other entity which is a) part of the enterprise network, b) processes mail created and entered by itself or by mailers it services, and/or c) processes mail interactively with other network nodes. A similar network is described for mail-like items.

Abstract: A method of slitting a flexible conduit in an underground bore, the conduit having entry and exit ends thereof exposed for access, includes: (1) fitting a retainer to flexible underground conduit adjacent to the entry end thereof, the retainer securing the flexible conduit to limit longitudinal movement thereof relative to the bore, (2) passing pulling means through the flexible conduit; (3) connecting the pulling means to a pipe slitter, and (4) pulling the pipe slitter through the retainer and flexible conduit to slit the conduit, the retainer holding the flexible conduit taut as the slitter passes through the conduit. In one embodiment, the retainer is a shoring clamp assembly including a pair of ring clamps that are secured onto a split end of the flexible conduit and transfer the longitudinal forces applied to the conduit during the slitting operation to an adjacent structure such as a pit wall, thereby holding the conduit taut during the slitting operation.

Abstract: A captured belt path selection device includes a first fixed frame including a plurality of fixed, vertically oriented belts mounted thereon and a second moveable frame including a plurality of vertically oriented movable selector belts and guide rollers mounted thereon, the moveable frame being positioned adjacent to and over the fixed frame, the moveable selector belts and guide rollers being vertically offset from the fixed belts so that the moveable belts and guide rollers pass above and below at least a portion of a fixed belt as the second frame is moved from a first position to a second position. At least a first one of the moveable belts and a fixed belt transport media therebetween along a first path when the moveable, frame is in a first position and at least a second one of the moveable belts and a fixed belt transport media therebetween along a second path when the moveable frame is in a second position.

Abstract: A double catheter includes an outer, resilient catheter having shape memory and a hook-shaped distal end, an inner, pliable catheter slidably disposed in the outer catheter and of greater length than the outer catheter so that a distal end portion of the inner catheter can be extended or retracted from a distal end opening of the outer catheter to vary the overall length of the double catheter, the inner catheter preferably having an internal lumen suitable for the introduction of contrast media, and a mechanism operable from the proximal end of the outer catheter for changing the curvature of the hook shaped distal end of the outer catheter. Such a catheter of the invention can cannulate the coronary sinus without significant manipulation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device for unloading a mail piece container, open at the top, with sidewalls that slant toward the outside, that is loaded with mail pieces that stand upright next to one another. According to the invention, the mail piece stack, after having been compressed, is held by holding supports that are inserted into the container and that feature driven revolving conveyor bands. While the supports are being inserted, the conveyor bands are driven in such a way that the conveyor band segments in contact with the mail piece stack are motionless with respect to the mail pieces. Next, the container is tilted by >90° along with the mail pieces and the holding supports. After the container is tilted back somewhat, a base plate is inserted and the whole ensemble is tilted back to the point where the stack stands on the horizontally positioned base plate. Then the container is removed towards the bottom.