Abstract: A system and method for securing the connection between carts that are configured to connect to each other to form a train of carts, as well as for securing the connection between a cart and a tugger that tows the carts. The system and method involves providing a spring biased blocking plate that is positioned above the boss of the drawbar when the drawbar is engaged with a hitch plate. The blocking plate limits vertical movement of the drawbar thereby preventing inadvertent disconnection of the drawbar from the hitch plate.

Abstract: For an enterprise system, a data system has data records identifying logical items and logical containers that correspond to physical items and physical containers, the data records reflecting the storage of physical items and physical containers with other physical containers. An indication is received that a particular physical item has been moved from a first physical container to as second physical container. At least one identified data record is identified that reflects the storage of the physical item in the first physical container. The identified data records are updated to reflect the storage of the physical item in the second physical container.

Abstract: A display fixture includes a magnetic focal wall and an auxiliary support member. The magnetic focal wall includes a magnetic panel, which is substantially planar, and a perforated panel, which is substantially planar and defines a plurality of perforations. The magnetic panel defines a front surface. The perforated panel is coupled with the magnetic panel such that the perforated panel extends in a substantially parallel plane with and in front of the magnetic panel. The auxiliary support member is configured to support a product thereon away from the magnetic focal wall and includes a magnet on a rear side thereof sized to fit within any one of the plurality of perforations such that the magnet of the auxiliary member is magnetically coupled with the magnetic panel through one of the plurality of perforations and the auxiliary support member extends forwardly from the perforated panel supported by the magnetic focal wall.

Abstract: For an enterprise system in which physical items are stored in physical container and in which physical container are stored in other physical containers, a data system has data records identifying logical items and logical containers that correspond to the physical items and physical containers, the data records further reflecting the storage of physical items and physical containers with other physical containers. Some of the items are identified as as high-priority items. Containers to hold the high-priority items in transit are identified. Excess capacity in the containers is identified. Low-priority items to be sent are identified. The high-priority items and the low-priority items are aggregated into a list of items-to-be-moved. A list of tasks includes instructions to move the items-to-be-moved from their respective starting logical locations to the containers is made and distributed.

Abstract: A method of ring spinning cotton polyester blended yarn. The method is robust and can be used to manufacture the yarn even from polyester fibers that are produced from recycled materials. A new ring spun cotton polyester yarn is also provided. The yarn has few defects and can be effectively dyed when woven into cloth.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method performed by data processing apparatuses includes receiving map data that identifies a layout of physical objects within a physical area, identifying contiguous groups of the physical objects as composite objects, selecting bounding algorithms to use for generating graphical shapes for the composite objects, generating graphical shapes by applying the selected bounding algorithms to the composite objects, and testing the graphical shapes against one or more criteria. For candidate graphical shapes that fail a test, a new bounding algorithm can be selected and the generating and the testing can be repeated using the new bounding algorithm. A simplified graphical map can be output that represents the physical objects within the physical area using the graphical shapes.

Abstract: A container assembly comprising a container and a closure. The container includes a body defining a storage chamber and a neck. The neck extends away from the body and defines an open mouth providing access to the storage chamber. The neck further defines an exterior surface and at least two latching protrusions extending radially outwardly from the exterior surface. The closure includes a top wall, a cylindrical wall extending downwardly from the top wall, a first lug extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical wall, and a second lug extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical wall. A top surface of the first lug and a top surface of the second lug are each positioned a substantially identical distance away from the top wall and the first lug and the second lug are each configured to selectively lock with a common one of the at least two latching protrusions.

Abstract: A social media platform and system provides a graphical user interface for creating social media posts and tagging one or more products. The platform and system further provides a graphical user interface for presenting social media posts which include the tags of products. In response to a user input via the graphical user interface, the platform and system can present product elements representative of the tagged products in a content stream.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method performed by data processing apparatuses includes receiving order data that defines one or more orders for items to be transported, selecting a first combination of policies for a plurality of sub-processes, each policy representing a strategy for performing a respective sub-process included in an overall process for transporting the items, performing a first simulation based on the first selected policy combination, selecting a second, different combination of policies for the plurality of sub-processes, performing a second simulation based on the second selected policy combination, comparing results of the first simulation and results of the second simulation, and based on the comparison, selecting one of the first combination of policies or the second combination of policies as an optimized policy combination.

Abstract: An endcap header assembly includes a primary frame and an auxiliary frame. The primary frame includes a back wall, a top wall extending forwardly from the back wall, and a bottom wall extending forwardly from the back wall opposite the top wall to define a sign holder track in front of the back wall and at least partially open opposite the back wall. The auxiliary frame includes a primary panel, a top panel, and a bottom panel extending across a bottom of the primary panel. The top and bottom panels collectively define a first auxiliary sign reception track on a first side of the primary panel and a second auxiliary sign reception track on a second side of the primary panel. The auxiliary frame is configured to be slidably and selectively received within the sign holder reception track in a first configuration and a second configuration.

Abstract: In some implementations, a warehouse management system is used. An order manager receives an order requiring an item to be moved to a first physical location. Data of the order is stored. The data for the order is accessed. A target item matching the required item to be moved is identified. Data representing a logical location of a target item is accessed. The workload manager identifies based on the data representing the logical location of the target item one or more tasks that are configured to move the target item to the first location.

Abstract: A mobile payment system for a retail environment enables customers to securely use their mobile device to pay for goods purchased at a point-of-sale (POS) system, regardless of whether the mobile device has cellular service or is connected to a network.

Abstract: A photorealistic scene generation system includes a virtual reality (VR) headset, a VR controller, and a VR processor. The VR headset visually presents a user with a 3D virtual environment. The VR controller receives input from the user. The VR processor communicates with the VR headset and the VR controller and instructs the VR headset to display the 3D virtual environment having an interactive vantage point based on movement of the user based on positional data received from the VR headset and instructs the VR headset to display a source zone superimposed over the 3D virtual environment. The source zone provides visual representations of physical items previously selected for use in styling the 3D virtual environment. The VR processor is programmed to direct movement of one of the visual representations from the source zone and to move the selected one of the visual representations into the 3D virtual environment.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for predicting a search term of a search are disclosed. The method includes building, by a server, a search prediction dictionary database, the search prediction dictionary database including a plurality of search terms and a plurality of prediction scores corresponding to the plurality of search terms; receiving, by the server, one or more characters from a user device over a network, the one or more characters corresponding to the search; identifying, by the server, one or more predicted search terms based on the one or more characters, the identifying including determining one or more of the plurality of search terms including the one or more characters; and providing, by the server, a search term prediction list including the one or more predicted search terms to the user device for display on a display device of the user device.