Abstract: A cushioning structure is provided for safely transporting goods, comprising a main frame with at least one bearing surface, carrier foil bonded to the bearing surface, fully covering the at least one bearing surface, and covering the area between the bearing surfaces as a carrying surface for the goods, wherein the main frame comprises multiple foldable inner and outer side flaps able to be folded into multiple supporting elements to support the bearing surface with a height defined by the dimensions of the outer side flaps, wherein the carrier foil comprises a first foil, preferably an urethane foil, and a second foil, preferably an urethane foil, and an air cushion between the first and the second foils. Further, a container is provided configured to be reducible in size, comprising the cushioning structure, a method to load the goods into the container and a method to collapse the empty container.

Abstract: A system and method for processing mailpieces within a mail transportation and distribution system includes first and second distribution centers, and an electronic parcel compartment facility located near the second center. Data, about the mailpiece and recipient, is acquired from the mailpiece. Destination information for a compartment facility is associated with the mailpiece. The information is compared with a registered customer database. A re-routing instruction is ascertained from the customer data. The second center is ascertained. The mailpiece is sorted in the first center based on the destination. Data about the mailpiece and destination is transmitted to a second data processor of the second center. The mailpiece is transported to the second center. Information identifying the mailpiece is acquired with a reading device. The destination is determined based on information identifying the mailpiece, which is sorted based on the destination. The information is transmitted to a mobile device.

Abstract: There is provided a method for the tracking of goods in logistic chains. The goods are sent from a sender to a receiver by a logistics service firm, acting on behalf of a customer. An exemplary method comprises using a telematics apparatus for sending at least location information to a central relay, for monitoring by the logistics service firm and for providing to customers in a members' area of a communication network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing postal items with postal prepayment impressions, characterized in that data are generated in the customer system that are encrypted in such a manner that the value transfer center is able to decrypt them. To this end, the data are transmitted from the customer system to the value transfer center. The value transfer center then decrypts the data and re-encrypts them with a code not known to the customer system and transmits the encrypted data to the customer system.

Abstract: The subject innovation provides a tamper-evident closure of a box with alarm sensor providing a latch with at least one side flap and an opening wherein the width of the opening, is smaller than the width of the latch and the expandable at least one side flap; wherein the at least one side flap is foldable prior insertion into the opening; wherein the at least one side flap is expandable after insertion into the opening; and wherein the latch and/or at least one side flap are provided with at least one layer of an electrical conducting material.

Abstract: A vacuum gripper is provided for picking up and setting down unit loads by layer, comprising a surface having suction openings, connected to a vacuum supply, and device for temporarily connecting the suction openings. The vacuum gripper comprises at least two air channels, connecting suction openings. Each air channel is connected by a valve to a central, linear vacuum supply channel connected to the vacuum supply. The valve comprises at least one tappet, whose movement makes possible controlling opening and closing the valve. The tappets are arranged in a straight row, and are automatically moved in a position where the valve is closed. The tappets are functionally connected to a mechanical actuating device, extending along the row, comprising mechanically movable control elements for sequential actuation. The control elements automatically restore the tappets to a position where the valve is closed, making possible closing the related valves sequentially.

Abstract: There is provided a receptacle for a modular telematic unit. An exemplary receptacle comprises a body, at least one housing, and at least one solar panel. The body comprises at least two rails positioned opposite from each other. The housing is configured to be detachably slid into the rails. The solar panel is configured to be detachably slid into the rails. An outer surface of the solar panel, when slid into the rails, is slanted at an angle ? relative to at least one outer surface of the body. The outer surface of the body is positioned opposite the solar panel.

Abstract: A network node provides an Internet service executed in a server for Internet marketplace users. An outer connector receives a request initiated in a user computer, and transmits to the user computer a result from the provider server. The service is requested via an Internet marketplace website on a server connected to the user computer. The outer connector is adapted to change the format of the request and the result for the Internet marketplace. A transformation unit is connected to the outer connector, and adapted to ascertain a provider server for the service based on the request, and addressing the request to the provider server. The node comprises a unit adapted to verify user authorization to access the service, based on an Internet marketplace profile. An inner connector is connected to the transformation unit for transmitting the request to, and receiving the result from, the provider server.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for sorting mailpieces in which a mailpiece is diverted into a sorting compartment of a sorting machine as a function of a sorting code associated with the mailpiece, where several sorting code ranges are each associated with a sorting compartment. An exemplary method comprises associating at least one first sorting code range with at least another sorting code range which is a subrange of the first sorting code range and checking consecutively for the sorting code ranges associated with each other whether the sorting code belongs to the sorting code range. The exemplary method further includes diverting the mailpiece into the sorting compartment that is associated with the last sorting code range for which the sorting code belongs to the sorting code range.

Abstract: A method and device for franking mailpieces. An operating unit, which is separated from a franking unit, transmits a transaction request to an authorization unit. The authorization unit ascertains an authorization of a user of the operating unit on the basis of an authorization profile. The transmitted transaction request is authenticated by the authorization unit according to the ascertained authorization. The authorization unit converts the authenticated transaction request into a transaction job. The transaction job is transmitted to the franking unit. The authorization unit is authenticated in the area of the franking unit. The transaction job is processed in the franking unit and the result of the execution of the transaction job is sent out by the franking unit.

Abstract: There is provided a storage medium for use as a source of energy for vehicles. An exemplary storage medium comprises a data memory that stores information about the charge status of the storage medium. The exemplary storage medium also comprises a SIM card.

Abstract: There is provided a system for determining sorting information for a mailpiece. An exemplary system comprises a control unit that is located in a first mail center. The control unit is configured to send reading requests based on received mailpiece images to a reading unit in which the sorting information can be determined The control unit comprises a first standard interface for feeding mailpiece images. The system also comprises a transmission unit that is configured to receive a mailpiece image of the mailpiece in a second mail center and to transfer the mailpiece image to the control unit via the first standard interface. The control unit generates a reading request for the reading unit pertaining to the mailpiece image.

Abstract: There is provided a container with a pallet with a loadable upper side and a closable sidewall. The container comprises at least three sides to be placed on top of the pallet in order to define a loadable volume. The container is adapted to be collapsed in case of no loaded objects onto the upper side of the pallet. The container comprises shelves suitable to be loaded with objects and at least one side of the sidewall is suitable to be opened in order to load the pallet randomly under the shelf and on the shelf. The shelves are mounted to one of the sides of the sidewall by mounting means. The container comprises at least a first shelf mounted on a first side of the sidewall and at least a second shelf mounted on another side opposite to the first side suitable to be connected with shelf connection means.

Abstract: There is provided a container that comprises a pallet and a sidewall. The sidewall has an open base to be placed on top of the pallet defining an internal space for loading at least one object. At least the pallet comprises at least one first connector suitable to removable fix the sidewall on top of the pallet. The sidewall comprises at least one second connector suitable to fit into the at least one first connector. The first connector comprises a locking device suitable to apply a minimum pressure to be overcome with a nose of the second connector arranged parallel to the sidewalls pushing down the locking device during inserting and removal of the second connector to and from the first connector.

Abstract: There is provided a method for planning the travel route of a transport vehicle by which a plurality of transported items are transported. The method comprises providing an RFID tag for each transported item, wherein RFID antennas on the transport vehicle determine the load of the transport vehicle in that the individual RFID tags of the transported items are scanned inside the transport vehicle. The method also comprises scanning the RFID tags belonging to the transported items before the transport vehicle is loaded, via a reading process on an RFID packing bench. The route is planned at least on a basis of destination addresses for the transported items. The route may be changed dynamically on the basis of current traffic conditions and on the basis of items that have been newly loaded into the transport vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for sorting mailpieces in which data objects that are relevant for the sorting of the mailpieces are processed, and a result of the processing of a data object in a first data processing system is transmitted to a second data processing system for further processing. An exemplary method comprises providing in the first and second data processing systems a definition list that contains associations between the data objects and an unambiguous identifier and in which attributes of the data objects are indicated, whereby the unambiguous identifier of the data object is contained in the result of the processing of the data object, and whereby the second data processing system ascertains the attributes of the data object on the basis of the definition list and carries out the further processing of the result of the processing of the data object in the first data processing system on the basis of the ascertained attributes.

Abstract: There is provided a forklift truck for lifting and moving goods placed on a palette. An exemplary forklift truck comprises a lifting device that is vertically positioned with a lift pole. The lifting device comprises a horizontal bar to which at least two parallel forks are fixed. The forklift truck also comprises a guidance system that includes at least one optical positioning aid, and a central processing unit to which the rangefinder units are connected. The guidance system further comprises at least three rangefinder units for measuring range data. One of the at least three rangefinder unit is located at each front-end of the two forks. Additionally, one of the at least three rangefinder units and one optical positioning aid are located at the horizontal bar of the lifting device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transporting physical objects, wherein at least one physical object is transported from a sending station to a receiving station, wherein the transport occurs through at least one physical router, wherein the physical router executes a decision about further parameters of transport to another physical router or to the receiving station. The method is carried out in that a central control computer receives information for handling and moving the physical objects and that the central control computer influences supplies for transport means and/or the transport means according to environmental data.

Abstract: There is provided a suction gripper. An exemplary suction gripper comprises at least one needle adapted to grip an object. Also provided is a method of gripping an object. An exemplary method of gripping an object comprises gripping the object with a suction gripper comprising at least one needle adapted to grip the object to a suction gripper body.

Abstract: There is provided a method for detecting a machine-readable code that has been applied onto a mailpiece. An exemplary method comprises checking in at least one area of a surface of the mailpiece whether at least two parallel lines are present in the at least one area of the surface, at least two of the parallel lines being at a distance from each other that corresponds to a module width, at least one of the lines having a width that equals the module width. The exemplary method also comprises detecting modules of a data matrix code, in at least one partial area of the surface that is adjacent to one of the lines, taking into account the detection of the at least two parallel lines, the data matrix code having modules of the module width.