Abstract: A storage device processing system that includes at least one automated transporter, at least one rack accessible by the at least one automated transporter, and multiple test slots housed by the at least one rack. Each test slot is configured to receive a storage device for testing. The storage device processing system includes a conveyor arranged in a loop around and being accessible by the at least one automated transporter. The conveyor receives and transports the storage device thereon. The at least one automated transporter is configured to transfer the storage device between the conveyor and one of the test slots of the at least one rack.

Abstract: Tooling is described for securing to the movable end of a computer-controlled robotic arm, by which articles can be picked up, optionally rotated and lowered into a new position. The tooling comprises two blades each having a leading edge and trailing edge, movable between a first position in which their leading edges are separated by a large gap and a second position in which the leading edges overlap, or are in contact or are separated by a smaller gap. A movement restraining mechanism is included which comprises at least one resiliency deformable member located above the plane containing the two blades and spaced therefrom by a distance which is less than the thickness of each article to be picked up by the tooling. In use, as the tooling is lowered onto an article. the underside of the deformable member engages the upper surface of the article and becomes deformed in order to accommodate the thickness of the article before the blades make contact with a surface on which the article rests.

Abstract: One code address correction service. A carrier of items provides a sender of an item an address change service for an undeliverable address. The item includes a human readable address and a machine readable code. The machine readable code identifies at least the sender. The carrier scans the machine readable code to identify the sender and creates an address change record for the sender. The address change record includes the undeliverable address. The carrier then sends the address change record to the sender.

Abstract: A method for storing inventory items in an inventory system includes receiving a replenish request identifying an inventory item to be stored in an inventory system and determining a classification of the inventory item to be stored. The method also includes selecting an inventory holder from a plurality of inventory holders based, at least in part, on the classification of the inventory item to be stored and a classification of one or more other inventory items currently stored in the selected inventory holder. Additionally, the method includes transmitting information identifying the selected inventory holder to a mobile drive unit.

Abstract: A remote conveyor belt monitoring system for monitoring an operation of a conveyor belt at a first geographic location. A local HMI is operable to acquire and store data representing conveyor belt conditions and operating characteristics. First and second computers at different geographic locations acquire the data via an internet. Thus, data relating to the operating conditions of the conveyor belt can be remotely consolidated and monitored by computers at different global locations.

Abstract: A device for treating foodstuffs, in which the foodstuffs are conveyed by a conveyor belt through a treatment zone, such as tunnel freezers for freezing foodstuffs. The conveyor belt is supported by a frame on which sliding rails are mounted to reduce friction. The conveyor belt is guided over these sliding rails. To prevent hygiene problems such as those occurring due to gaps formed when the sliding rails are mounted on the carrier, the sliding rails are designed as self-supporting elements. The sliding rails here are preferably simply placed on the transverse bars of the supporting frame.

Abstract: A method for retrieving inventory items within an inventory system includes receiving a retrieval request that identifies an inventory item and selecting, from a plurality of inventory stations, an inventory station to fulfill an order associated with the retrieval request. The method also includes selecting an inventory holder from a plurality of inventory holders that store the inventory item and selecting, from a plurality of mobile drive units, a mobile drive unit to move the selected inventory holder to the selected inventory station.

Abstract: A method of transferring storage devices within a storage device testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to substantially simultaneously retrieve multiple storage devices presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to substantially simultaneously deliver each retrieved storage device to a respective test slot of the storage device testing system and substantially simultaneously insert each storage device in the respective test slot.

Abstract: An automated store comprising at least a plurality of shelves, on which objects are able to be disposed, and a transfer device able to move each of said objects towards a specific shelf; the transfer device comprises a supporting base, able to be disposed aligned and co-planar with each of said shelves, on which each object is able to be temporarily disposed; the automated store also comprises translation means able to thrust at least one object at a time from the supporting base to the specific fixed shelf and vice versa, and electronic command and control means, able to define a position of temporary collocation for the objects on the supporting base, according to the destination of the objects on the specific fixed shelf, in order to allow the translation means to thrust the objects into a corresponding storage position on the specific fixed shelf (aligned with said position of temporary collocation.

Abstract: A method and system for inventory placement according to expected item picking rates. In one embodiment, a method may include determining a respective expected picking rate for each of a number of inventory items, and dependent upon the expected picking rate, selecting a corresponding one of a number of zones of an inventory storage area for each of the items. The zones may be physically arranged within the inventory storage area such that a first, innermost zone is successively and at least partially surrounded by one or more other zones. The method may further include storing each of the items within the corresponding zones, such that the expected picking rates of members of a given group of items stored in a given zone are less than the expected picking rates of members of another group of items stored in a successive zone that at least partially surrounds the given zone.

Abstract: A substrate transfer apparatus transfers substrates stored in a first substrate storage case, which has support grooves in its inner wall, along the support grooves to substrate storage surfaces included in a second substrate storage case.

Abstract: A method of assembling pallets 14, 20, 28 containing first stock units 50 for use in the fulfillment of stock orders, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of first pallets 14 each containing a quantity of the first stock units 50 and moving a portion of the first stock units 50 from at least one of the first pallets 14 onto one or more second pallets 20 in establishing desired quantities of the first stock units 50 in the first and second pallets 14, 20 for use in the fulfillment of the stock orders. In one form, the sequence of order fulfillment is controlled to increase the quantity of first stock units on the first pallets used in fulfilling the stock orders. A distribution system and control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roller for a conveyor comprising a cylindrical core defining a support surface; a helical groove disposed in said support surface and lagging bonded to said support surface.

Abstract: A mail processing system in which an estimated group of mail pieces is sorted in a mailroom area and delivered to a preset number of mailboxes is provided. The mail processing system includes a memory for storing information related to sorting and delivery and a processor that uses the sorting and delivery related information to determine, (i) an amount of time required to sort the estimated group of mail pieces, and (ii) an amount of time required to deliver the estimated group of mail pieces to the mail boxes. Operation of the mailroom may be evaluated by comparing a sum of the amount of time required to sort the estimated group of mail pieces and the amount of time required to deliver the estimated group of mail pieces to the preset number of mail boxes with an amount of time available for both sorting the estimated group of mail pieces and delivering the mail pieces to the preset number of mail boxes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing tobacco-oriented goods are disclosed. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a pick-up signal from a pick-up sensor. The pick-up signal is indicative of the picking up of a tobacco product unit that has been pre-sorted based on inclusion in an associated order. Also received is a put-down signal from a put-down sensor. The put-down signal is indicative of the fact that the tobacco product unit has been put down. A determination is made, based on a system parameter, whether the pick-up signal is properly associated with the put-down signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the transfer of a load hanging at a load rope of a crane or excavator comprising a slewing gear, a luffing mechanism and a hoisting gear comprising a computer-controlled regulator for the damping of the load oscillation which has a trajectory planner, a disturbance observer and a state regulator with a pre-control, wherein the working space is first fixed by selection of two points, with one of the two points being fixed as the destination point by direction presetting by means of the hand lever and with the nominal speeds for the slewing gear and the luffing mechanism being preset by the hand lever signals.

Abstract: A transfer method employs a transfer system including a semiconductor handling device and an automatic transfer device. The semiconductor handling device includes a first transfer mechanism and a first optically coupled parallel I/O communications interface. The automatic transfer device includes a second transfer mechanism and a second optically coupled parallel I/O communications interface. The transfer method includes a successive transfer notifying step wherein the automatic transfer device and the semiconductor handling device notify each other that a successive transfer is possible via an optical communications between the first and the second optically coupled parallel I/O communications interface in case where a plurality of objects to be processed are able to be successively transferred one by one between the first and the second transfer mechanism; and a successive transfer step wherein the objects are transferred one by one between the first and the second transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder capable of storing inventory items and a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is capable of moving to a first point with the inventory holder at least one of coupled to and supported by the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is additionally capable of determining a location of the inventory holder and calculating a difference between the location of the inventory holder and the first point. The mobile drive unit is then capable of determining whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance. In response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance, the mobile drive unit is also capable of moving to a second point based on the location of the inventory holder, docking with the inventory holder, and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to the first point.

Abstract: A warehousing system includes a container for storing at least one item, a first electronic (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID)) module associated with the first container, and a controller which wirelessly communicates with first electronic module, for directing a transfer of said at least one item to and/or from said first container. The inventive system may include, for example, a hybrid retail/warehouse system which includes a facility having a shelving area, and a picking area adjacent to the shelving area, and a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area.

Abstract: A system for assembling a building lumber package includes a lumber sorter sequentially receiving a plurality of boards of different dimensions and selectively placing boards into a plurality of bins, a computer programmed to receive a list of different dimension lumber, to designate one or more bins for accumulating the lumber designated on the list, to receive dimension information identifying each board received by the sorter, and to control the lumber sorter to place boards designated on the list into bins designated for accumulating lumber identified on the list The system may process a plurality of orders for building lumber packages at essentially the same time. Lumber at a lumber mill is sorted into building lumber packages at the lumber mill and stacked and strapped by automated stackers and strappers at the lumber mill. The building lumber packages may be shipped directly from the lumber mill to a building site.