Abstract: An entity detection method and system are provided for monitoring an area. The method comprises providing an illuminated band extending continuously along an extremity of the area; providing an optical detector having an image sensor adapted to capture an image, the illuminated band being viewable by the image sensor and being capturable in the image, a space between the band and the image sensor being part of the area; storing a detection threshold; analyzing the image to detect a discontinuity in the continuous illuminated band apparent on the image, comparing the detected discontinuity to the detection threshold; and indicating a status of the area to be one of a presence of an entity and an absence of the entity based on the comparing.

Abstract: A driving mechanism having a braking system, for use on a storage unit movable about guiding tracks, The driving mechanism comprises a frame rotatably carrying at least one driving wheel, which in turn rollably engages a floor-embedded guiding track, A toothed wheel rotatably carried by the frame is operatively connected to the driving wheel and rotates in synchronism therewith, and defines at least one first interlock member, The driving mechanism also comprises a gravity-biased second braking member defining at least one second interlock member, said second braking member movably mounted to the frame so as to be movable between a standby position in which the second interlock member clears the first interlock member, and a braking position in which the second interlock member is interlocked with the first interlock member to block rotation of the rotary first braking member and thus of the driving wheel, The second braking member is biased under the action of gravity towards the braking position when it is

Abstract: A driving mechanism having a braking system, for use on a storage unit movable about guiding tracks. The driving mechanism comprises a frame rotatably carrying at least one driving wheel, which in turn rollably engages a floor-embedded guiding track. A toothed wheel rotatably carried by the frame is operatively connected to the driving wheel and rotates in synchronism therewith, and defines at least one first interlock member. The driving mechanism also comprises a gravity-biased second braking member defining at least one second interlock member, said second braking member movably mounted to the frame so as to be movable between a standby position in which the second interlock member clears the first interlock member, and a braking position in which the second interlock member is interlocked with the first interlock member to block rotation of the rotary first braking member and thus of the driving wheel.

Abstract: The shelving system has a number of electrically powered shelf units movable over ground, each shelf unit including an electronic circuit controlling the displacement of the shelf unit, a power cord connected to the shelf unit with of a power terminal rod, for feeding power to the shelf unit, and a network cable connected to the shelf unit with a network terminal rod, for allowing information to be exchanged with the electronic circuit. The shelving system further has a wire track that may be embedded in the ground, the wire track including an elongated main body having a hollow power wire channel housing the power cord and having an elongated opening allowing access to the power wire channel and forming an elongated power raceway allowing the power terminal rod to extend from the power wire channel to the shelf unit through the power raceway and to slide along the power raceway.

Abstract: The hybrid shelving unit comprises first and second spaced-apart end frame portions, an intermediate frame portion located spacedly between the first and second end frame portions, a first spacer element attached to the first end frame portion and linking the first end frame portion and the intermediate frame portion, a second spacer element different from the first spacer element, attached to the second end frame portion and linking the second end frame portion and the intermediate frame portion, first brackets attaching the first spacer element to the intermediate frame portion, second brackets different from the first brackets and attaching the second spacer element to the intermediate frame portion, first shelves located and supported between the first end frame portion and the intermediate frame portion, and second shelves located and supported between the second end frame portion and the intermediate frame portion.

Abstract: Process for gas-phase polymerization carried out in two interconnected polymerization zones, to which one or more .alpha.-olefins CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHR are fed in the presence of catalyst under reaction conditions and from which the polymer product is discharged. The process is characterized in that the growing polymer flows through a first polymerization zone under fast fluidization conditions, leaves said first zone and enters a second polymerization zone through which it flows in a densified form under the action of gravity, leaves said second zone and is reintroduced into the first polymerization zone, thus establishing a circulation of polymer around the two polymerization zones. The novel process allows olefins to be polymerized in the gas phase with high productivity per unit volume of the reactor without incurring the problems of the fluidized-bed technologies of the known state of the art.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a modular rail for use in the assembly of a mobile filing and storage system that includes cabinets each equipped with a roller carriage in their lower part. The rail is a longitudinal metallic extrusion that has a cross-section that defines a first open side section adapted to receive therein one side of a floor structure over which the system is mounted, an intermediate second section adapted to receive thereon roller members of the system carriage and a third section that consists of a first groove adapted to receive levelling bolts for vertically adjusting the extrusion relative to a floor on which the system is supported and a second groove adapted to removably receive a cover adapted to extend over the first groove. The cover is removed when the rail is used for expanding the system.