Abstract: A mail processing system includes a mail processing facility with at least one negative pressure zone which is negative with respect to a positive pressure zone external to the facility. The facility further includes a first area in the facility for receiving mail, a second area in the facility for sorting and inspecting the mail, a third area in the facility for temporarily storing mail that has been sorted and inspected, and a response system for responding to a mail threat being detected.

Abstract: A method for separating metallic carbon nanotubes and semi-conducting carbon nanotubes includes providing a suspension containing a plurality of individual metallic carbon nanotubes and semi-conducting carbon nanotubes in a liquid, for which the dielectric constant ?L meets the requirement: ?M>?L>?H, wherein ?M is the dieletric constant of the metallic carbon nanotubes and ?H is the dielectric constant of the semi-conducting carbon nanotubes. A a non-homogeneous electric alternating field is applied to the suspension to create spatially separate species of the metallic carbon nanotubes and the semi-conducting carbon nanotubes. At least one of the separate species is then removed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of processing an image containing written information include the steps of (a) scanning a surface of an object to obtain an image of the surface represented by first image data, (b) creating second image data from the first image data, the second image data having a lower data density than the first image data, (c) analyzing the second image data with first image analysis logic to decode the written information, and (d) if the written information cannot be decoded to a desired extent from the second image data, analyzing the first image data with second image analysis logic different from the first image analysis logic to decode the written information. Steps (a) and (b) preferably use a single scanning device to create the high data density image (e.g., color or grayscale) from which the lower data density image (e.g., binary or black and white) can then be created. The resulting two-stage image analysis provides a significant improvement in OCR results.

Abstract: An article sortation system includes a plurality of transport units which are movable along a conveying path between induction stations and discharge stations along each side of the conveying path. Each transport unit has side by side loading and support capability and is operable to receive packages from induction stations and discharge the packages at an appropriate discharge station. The system includes a control which determines the destination of articles and resolves blocking conditions between articles at the induction stations or at the transport units. The system may include a reinduction station for receiving an article from a transport unit and reinducting the article onto a transport unit, in order to resolve a blocking condition between a pair of articles on the respective transport unit.

Abstract: A sheet material guiding mechanism for guiding the edge portion of sheet material comprises a movable side guide capable of sliding corresponding to the sizes of sheet material, and being fixable in any position within the sliding area; a sheet guide section provided for the movable side guide in order to regulate the position of sheet material by butting against the edge of the sheet material; and an inner-side operating section provided for the movable side guide, being capable of releasing the fixed condition of the movable side guide by depression, hence making it possible to provide a sheet material guiding mechanism having a simple structure at lower costs, and producing the suppression effect against the skew of the sheet material with the easy operation that copes with disability.

Abstract: A method has been developed for the post-synthesis separation of nanotubes by size and/or type. Solubilized, functionalized nanotubes are passed over a GPC column such that length-separated fractions are collected. These length-separated fractions can then further be separated by diameter or type. Particularly useful are methods for separating nanotubes into metallic and semiconducting fractions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closed air circulation system for an apparatus used for sorting wood chips, containing chips in a variety of sizes and/or fines particles, in a wood chips processing chamber, in separate fractions by means of a gas flow, which is delivered from one or more nozzle chambers by way of a nozzle slit into the wood chips processing chamber and which applies an impulse action to the processing-bound wood chips sliding along an inclined support surface. Air is circulated from the wood chips processing chamber by way of a dedusting cyclone into said one or more nozzle chambers. The wood chips processing chamber is maintained at a negative pressure by regulating the volume of air removed from the chamber. A conduit extending between the wood chips processing chamber and the one or more nozzle chambers is open to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A sorting method and apparatus which permits a high sorting speed during the sorting of a group of objects is disclosed. The method and apparatus can be carried out automatically and with simple equipment in some preferred embodiments.

Abstract: An adjustable apparatus for sizing objects, mainly delicate foods, by the rotation of a set of at least 7 rollers, each roller having one less tooth so that the rollers move at progressively higher revolutions per minute, from the in-feed shear roller of 144 revolutions per minute to the discharge roller of 210 revolutions per minute. The rollers are shaped and finished by 7 to 12 flats, alternated with a crown in between each flat, cut the horizontal length of the roller. The rollers are then sandblasted over the entire circumference of the surface to a depth range of 280 to 300 micro-inches.

Abstract: A screening machine comprises a screen frame elastically supported on a fixed base and comprising screen cheeks and screen frame crossbeams which connect the screen cheeks, a drive for oscillating the screen frame, and a swing frame elastically coupled to the screen frame. The swing frame comprises thrust rods elastically coupled to the screen cheeks, fastening components projecting from the thrust rods and extending parallel to the screen cheeks, swing frame crossbeams arranged on each fastening component which connect the thrust rods, and at least two screening surfaces formed by screening mats extending substantially parallel to each other, the screening mats being alternately compressed and stretched in sections by being alternatingly fastened to the swing frame crossbeams and the screen frame crossbeams.

Abstract: The multi-purpose rake includes a rake head and a detachable pole for pulling the rake across a surface. The rake head has a frame with two arced end ribs, an upper and a lower crossbar extending between the end ribs. The upper crossbar has a sleeve or other attachment means extending therefrom for receiving and retaining one end of the pole. A wire mesh cage is formed into an arc to conform to the end ribs and is attached to the ribs and the upper and lower crossbar. In the preferred embodiment, the end ribs are formed from a continuous panel so that the ends of the rake head are fully closed. The detachable pole is preferably constructed in multiple sections that can be broken down for easy transport. Optional clips or other retainers may be disposed on the rake head for retaining the pole sections for easy transport and storage. An optional handhold can be provided for facilitating transport of the disassembled rake.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for use in separating mixtures. A slurry including a separation liquid and one or more particulate media materials is provided. A classification separation is performed on the slurry to produce a classified media having a controlled particle size distribution of the particulate media materials. The classified media is combined with a mixture to be separated to generate a separation mixture. A density separation is performed on the separation mixture. The particle size distribution can be controlled based in part on characteristics of components of a separation system to be used in subsequent density separations.

Abstract: A material classifier includes a cyclone including a cyclone inlet, a cyclone outlet, a blower and a blower discharge; an air diffuser connected at a diffuser inlet to the cyclone outlet and at a diffuser outlet to an air lock such that the cyclone and air diffuser are in fluid communication; wherein the diffuser including a central cylindrical portion including an air inlet for admitting controlled amounts of diffuser air around substantially the entire cylinder outer periphery of the central cylindrical portion, wherein the material classifier separating fine particles from coarse particles and discharging the fine particles together with air out the blower discharge, and discharging the coarse particles through the air lock, such that varying the amount of diffuser air one can control the size of the fine particles being separated from the coarse particles.

Abstract: The combination of a first and a second product mail streams wherein the first stream includes wrapped products and the second stream includes unwrapped products.

Abstract: An automated storage system for storing and picking articles delivered on incoming load carriers such as pallets comprises a device (depalletizer) for separating the article packing units, a tray storage facility (130) for storing the packing units (15) on trays (10), a take-off conveying system (42, 45, 135) for removing and feeding the packing units (15) in sequence for loading onto order load carriers, and a loading station (140) for loading the packing units (15) in a defined loading sequence onto order load carriers (20) for dispatch e.g. by lorry. The invention enables fully mechanized and automated storage and picking of the articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides various processes for selectively removing undesirably sized catalyst particles from a reaction system. In one embodiment, a plurality of catalyst particles, having a first median particle diameter, is withdrawn from the reaction system and is directed to a separation unit such as a counter flow cyclone separator. In the separation unit, the particles are separated into a small catalyst stream and a large catalyst stream, the small catalyst stream having a second median particle diameter less than the first median particle diameter, and the large catalyst stream having a third median particle diameter greater than the first median particle diameter. At least a portion of the small or large catalyst stream is then directed back to the reaction system in order to maintain a desirable particle size distribution therein.

Abstract: A method of regulating sorting systems, in particular multi-stage sorting systems, in paper production and a sorting system working in accordance with the method are described, in which the fiber suspension supplied in each case to a sorting stage is separated into at least one fine fraction and one coarse fraction and at least one portion of a coarse fraction is sorted again and at least the fine fraction thereby obtained is returned to the sorting process, with the mass flows at the input side and the output side being detected at each sorting stage of the sorting system by online measurement and/or by calculation and the values obtained being supplied to a processor associated with the sorting system for mathematical modeling and state regulation of the sorting system and with the mass flows at the output side and/or selectable machine parameters of the sorting system being influenced in dependence on pre-settable target parameters such as production, efficiency, fiber loss and the like.

Abstract: A method for processing polycrystalline silicon workpieces to form size distributions of polycrystalline silicon pieces suitable for use in a Czochralski-type process includes: (1) preparing a polycrystalline silicon workpiece by a chemical vapor deposition process; (2) fracturing the polycrystalline silicon workpiece into a mixture of polycrystalline silicon pieces, where the polycrystalline silicon pieces have varying sizes; and (3) sorting the mixture of polycrystalline silicon pieces into at least two size distributions. Step (2) may be carried out by a thermal shock process. Step (3) may be carried out using a rotary indent classifier.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically sorting and packing batches of products, such as, for instance, eggs or fruits which are each provided with an origin code. The method includes supplying first batches of coded products to a sorting apparatus and simultaneously assigning the corresponding codes to fields of a register of a computer program. The products are subjected to criteria in at least one classification apparatus and the products are marked with classification data as obtained with the classification apparatus, while for each individual product the codes and the data are assembled with the computer program in fields of the register to form a label. The classified products are sorted and subsequently packaged to form second, sorted batches of products at packing stations of a packing apparatus.

Abstract: A device for the elimination of trims of rolls or logs of sheeted material able to be arranged downstream of a cutting-off machine of at least one roll or log cut into rolls and little rolls or upstream trims (15?) and/or downstream trims (15), all made to advance one after the next on a transporter (11, 11?) associated with a feed plane (13, 13?), wherein the feed plane (13, 13?) has an opening (17) of a size at least equal to that of the diameter of a log, in which said little rolls or upstream trims (15?) and/or downstream trims (15) fall, the opening (17) being closed by a mobile wall (18) in response to a signal and/or according to a predetermined step, also foreseeing gripper elements from above (20–23) of some of said rolls (14) which are only activated when said mobile wall (18) for closing said opening (17) is absent.