Abstract: Many tools and other items include a shaft. A restraining device is disclosed for restraining such an item when the item is not in use. In one embodiment, the restraining device includes at least one of: (i) a thumb-receiving surface for receiving a force by a thumb to pivot an arm open; and (ii) a finger-receiving surface for receiving a force by at least one finger to pivot the arm open. The restraining device may be used in restraining a reaching device in a rural mail carrier's vehicle. An apparatus is therefore also disclosed that, in one embodiment, includes a supporting body securable to a vehicle seat. The supporting body supports a tray for holding mail. The restraining device is connected to the supporting body.

Abstract: Any of various types of mail management information may be synthesized from data associated with physical mail items. For example, addresses, complete with addressee names, could be synthesized from data collected from physical mail items. Confidence information which indicates a measure of confidence that each synthesized address is a valid address could also be generated from the collected data. Intelligence functions may be provided to enhance address synthesis capabilities. More generally, input data for synthesis of mail management information could include data collected from physical mail items, other mail management information, or both. Features such as service delivery compliance management, network proficiency management, delivery route proficiency management, customer compliance management, a visibility service, address cleansing, delivery notification, addressee verification, synthesis of statistics, and/or synthesis of behavioral patterns could be implemented.

Abstract: A reaching device that in one embodiment comprises an elongated member, a jaw, and an actuator for opening and closing the jaw. The jaw includes a pair of holding members, one of which has a tapered lateral side edge. In one embodiment, the reaching device may allow a rural mail carrier to remain seated in the driver's side of a conventional (North American) vehicle, reach through the passenger's window, and perform the following tasks: open a mail box, retrieve mail from the mail box, place mail into the mail box, close the mail box, and raise or lower the indicator flag on the side of the mail box.

Abstract: Electronic content management systems and methods are disclosed. Geographic locator addresses such as mailing addresses are associated with respective, unique, geo-specific electronic addresses. For example, unique electronic addresses may be generated based on information specifying geographic locator addresses. The electronic address associated with a geographic locator address, to which information is to be distributed, may then be determined, and electronic content which includes the information to be distributed can be made available through the electronic address. The geo-specific nature of the electronic addresses may also be used to make electronic content that has local significance available through an electronic address. A user system may determine a type of the electronic content obtained through an electronic address and process the electronic content according to the determined type.

Abstract: A material handling device includes a base, a side, a support member, and a resilient biasing member. The side extends from the base and defines a device interior with the base. The support member is disposed within the device interior proximate the side. The support member includes a cam and is rotatable between a material handling device stacking position and a material handling device nesting position. The biasing member is coupled to the side and is configured to engage the cam and thereby urge the support member into one of the stacking and nesting positions. The resilient biasing member is also configured to effect a translation of the support member towards the side as the support member rotates from a position intermediate the stacking and nesting positions to the one of the stacking position and nesting positions.

Abstract: Many tools and other items include a shaft. A restraining device is disclosed for restraining such an item when the item is not in use. In one embodiment, the restraining device includes at least one of: (i) a thumb-receiving surface for receiving a force by a thumb to pivot an arm open; and (ii) a finger-receiving surface for receiving a force by at least one finger to pivot the arm open. The restraining device may be used in restraining a reaching device in a rural mail carrier's vehicle. An apparatus is therefore also disclosed that, in one embodiment, includes a supporting body securable to a vehicle seat. The supporting body supports a tray for holding mail. The restraining device is connected to the supporting body.

Abstract: There is provided a reaching device particularly suitable for rural mail delivery. In one embodiment, the reaching device comprises an elongated member, a jaw, and an actuator for opening and closing the jaw. The jaw includes a pair of holding members, one of which has a tapered lateral side edge. In an illustrated embodiment, a reaching device is provided that allows a rural mail carrier to remain seated in the driver's side of a conventional (North American) vehicle, reach through the passenger's window, and perform the following tasks: open a mail box, retrieve mail from the mail box, place mail into the mail box, close the mail box, and raise or lower the indicator flag on the side of the mail box.

Abstract: A material handling device includes a base, a side, a support member, and a resilient biasing member. The side extends from the base and defines a device interior with the base. The support member is disposed within the device interior proximate the side. The support member includes a cam and is rotatable between a material handling device stacking position and a material handling device nesting position. The biasing member is coupled to the side and is configured to engage the cam and thereby urge the support member into one of the stacking and nesting positions. The resilient biasing member is also configured to effect a translation of the support member towards the side as the support member rotates from a position intermediate the stacking and nesting positions to the one of the stacking position and nesting positions.

Abstract: Electronic content management systems and methods are disclosed. Geographic locator addresses such as mailing addresses are associated with respective, unique, geo-specific electronic addresses. For example, unique electronic addresses may be generated based on information specifying geographic locator addresses. The electronic address associated with a geographic locator address, to which information is to be distributed, may then be determined, and electronic content which includes the information to be distributed can be made available through the electronic address. The geo-specific nature of the electronic addresses may also be used to make electronic content that has local significance available through an electronic address. A user system may determine a type of the electronic content obtained through an electronic address and process the electronic content according to the determined type.

Abstract: Electronic content management systems and methods are disclosed. Geographic locator addresses such as mailing addresses are associated with respective, unique, geo-specific electronic addresses. For example, unique electronic addresses may be generated based on information specifying geographic locator addresses. The electronic address associated with a geographic locator address, to which information is to be distributed, may then be determined, and electronic content which includes the information to be distributed can be made available through the electronic address. The geo-specific nature of the electronic addresses may also be used to make electronic content that has local significance available through an electronic address. A user system may determine a type of the electronic content obtained through an electronic address and process the electronic content according to the determined type.

Abstract: Any of various types of mail management information may be synthesized from data associated with physical mail items. For example, addresses, complete with addressee names, could be synthesized from data collected from physical mail items. Confidence information which indicates a measure of confidence that each synthesized address is a valid address could also be generated from the collected data. Intelligence functions may be provided to enhance address synthesis capabilities. More generally, input data for synthesis of mail management information could include data collected from physical mail items, other mail management information, or both. Features such as service delivery compliance management, network proficiency management, delivery route proficiency management, customer compliance management, a visibility service, address cleansing, delivery notification, addressee verification, synthesis of statistics, and/or synthesis of behavioural patterns could be implemented.

Abstract: A postage stamp which has a unique identifier bar code is provided which allows the prevention of various fraudulent stamp usages. A system for identifying mail pieces with stolen stamps is provided in which a database of unique identifiers of stolen stamps is maintained, and in which the unique identifiers of stamps on originating mail pieces are compared to the unique identifiers in the database and with the mail piece being segregated if one of the stamps has been stolen. A method of preventing stamp reuse is also provided in which at an originating mail processing apparatus unique identifier bar codes on stamps are read and sent to a national circulation database together with an identification tag applied to the mail piece and information identifying a destination mail processing plant. The national circulation database makes a determination of whether the stamp has been reused, and if so sends a message to the destination mail processing plant which segregates the mail piece when it arrives.

Abstract: A system for identifying mail pieces with stolen stamps is provided in which a database of unique identifiers of stolen stamps is maintained, and in which the unique identifiers of stamps on originating mail pieces are compared to the unique identifiers in the database and with the mail piece being segregated if one of the stamps has been stolen. A method of preventing stamp reuse is also provided in which at an originating mail processing apparatus unique identifier bar codes on stamps are read and sent to a national circulation database together with an identification tag applied to the mail piece and information identifying a destination mail processing plant. The national circulation database makes a determination of whether the stamp has been reused, and if so sends a message to the destination mail processing plant which segregates the mail pieces when it arrives.

Abstract: A sizing device or gauge is provided for measuring whether an article such as a package for delivery has dimensions that lie within predetermined values of length, width and volume. The sizing device is formed by a receptacle that has a flat rectangular base wall which defines predetermined maximum values of length and width for the item, and a pair of adjacent upstanding side walls portions of which decrease in height away from adjoining ends of the walls, the height decrease being in inverse relation to the square of a respective one of the maximum height and width values. The device is useful for example in determining whether items meet the specifications of a delivery service segregating items into different categories.

Abstract: A postal service purchasing system involves the mailer entering information, such as delivery address, weight of mail piece, services required, about each mail piece using for example a personal computer. Electronic postal counter software installed at the mailer's premises causes the information entered to generate a barcode identifier for each mail piece and this barcode identifier is printed on the mail piece. An electronic manifest containing the identifier for the mail pieces is transmitted to a computer at the Post Office Premises. As each mail piece is subsequently sorted the identifier information is captured and reconciled with the information on the electronic manifest.

Abstract: A postal service purchasing system involves the mailer entering information, such as delivery address, weight of mail piece, services required, about each mail piece using for example a personal computer. Electronic postal counter software installed at the mailer's premises causes the information entered to generate a barcode identifier for each mail piece and this barcode identifier is printed on the mail piece. An electronic manifest containing the identifier for the mail pieces is transmitted to a computer at the Post Office Premises. As each mail piece is subsequently sorted the identifier information is captured and reconciled with the information on the electronic manifest.

Abstract: A lid has a manually operable latching arrangement which prevents inadvertent disengagement of the lid from a container body even during severe service conditions. Latching is effected by a captive plate on the lid, the plate carrying a latching strap and a blocking member. In the latching position, the blocking member engages under a lip or flange at the upper edge of the container body, and the plate is retained in the latching position by engagement of the latching strap with an abutment in the lid.

Abstract: A bar code for mail pieces uses bars each of which has four possible states. Two different bars indicate the start of the code and the same two bars in the same order indicate the end of the code. A data content identifier follows the start bars and this indicates the structure and length of the following data field so that when the code is read it will be recognized and read properly. The use of the data content identifier allows the code to be used for different customer and Post Office applied applications in which the code structure, length and content varies. The data field may contain a postal code with or without an address locator, a machine ID, customer information and service information. The code may include a country code field for mail pieces that are being mailed to a different country. The code may also include a field indicating whether the codeword is complete or whether it has to be concatenated with a preceding or subsequent codeword.

Abstract: An electronic access control mailbox system comprises a plurality of mail box stations. Each station consists of a locker of mail box compartments each having a door with electrically controllable solenoid operated latch, a card reader, and a local controller electrically coupled to the solenoid of each compartment door. A central controller is in electrical communication with the card reader and the local controller of each mail box station. Identification data read at the card reader of each mail box station is communicated to the central controller for processing and the central controller in turn communicates a command to the local controller for controlling operation of the solenoid operated latches of each compartment door in response to the identification data road. The system offers secure electronic access to the mail boxes which are under centralized control and monitoring.

Abstract: A composite stamp has two parts that are used in combination to provide the finished stamp on a piece of mail. One part bears a decorative design, and the second part bears the normal identifying postage-related information including country, denomination, etc. and also has an area on which the first part is to be adhered. Both parts have adhesive backs and may, for example, be provided in dry-peelable form on a suitable carrier substrate.