Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and apparatus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology for collecting air samples and identifying biological agents in the air sample. The apparatus is capable of detecting transient events such as bacillus anthracis in a piece of mail being processed on high-speed mail processing equipment.

Abstract: An item delivery and retrieval system including a storage subsystem and a computer subsystem. The storage subsystem includes a secure enclosure having an item storage carousel including internal controller apparatus. The computer subsystem is embodied in internet web page based customized application software for implementing an application interface of selectively configurable ActiveX controls for providing user access, such as an employee of a delivery service company and/or a customer of the delivery service company and customer access to one or more storage bins located behind a set of normally closed doors, for providing access control to the bins, and for managing the location of the items in the storage subsystem. The doors are opened when proper identification is provided by the customer so as to permit retrieval of items located in specifically designated bin(s) or to return items thereto.

Abstract: An item delivery and retrieval system including a storage subsystem and a computer subsystem. The storage subsystem includes a secure enclosure having an item storage carousel including internal controller apparatus. The computer subsystem is embodied in internet web page based customized application software for implementing an application interface of selectively configurable ActiveX controls for providing user access, such as an employee of a delivery service company and/or a customer of the delivery service company and customer access to one or more storage bins located behind a set of normally closed doors, for providing access control to the bins, and for managing the location of the items in the storage subsystem. The doors are opened when proper identification is provided by the customer so as to permit retrieval of items located in specifically designated bin(s) or to return items thereto.

Abstract: An item delivery and retrieval system including a storage subsystem and a computer subsystem. The storage subsystem includes a secure enclosure having an item storage carousel including internal controller apparatus. The computer subsystem is embodied in internet web page based customized application software for implementing an application interface of selectively configurable ActiveX controls for providing user access, such as an employee of a delivery service company and/or a customer of the delivery service company and customer access to one or more storage bins located behind a set of normally closed doors, for providing access control to the bins, and for managing the location of the items in the storage subsystem. The doors are opened when proper identification is provided by the customer so as to permit retrieval of items located in specifically designated bin(s) or to return items thereto.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and apparatus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology for automatically collecting air samples and identifying biological agents in the air sample. A fully automated system is provided that is capable of detecting transient events such as bacillus anthracis in a piece of mail being processed on high-speed mail processing equipment.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and apparatus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology for collecting air samples and identifying biological agents in the air sample. The apparatus is capable of detecting transient events such as bacillus anthracis in a piece of mail being processed on high-speed mail processing equipment.

Abstract: An item delivery and retrieval system including a storage subsystem and a computer subsystem. The storage subsystem includes a secure enclosure having an item storage carousel including internal controller apparatus. The computer subsystem is embodied in internet web page based customized application software for implementing an application interface of selectively configurable ActiveX controls for providing user access, such as an employee of a delivery service company and/or a customer of the delivery service company and customer access to one or more storage bins located behind a set of normally closed doors, for providing access control to the bins, and for managing the location of the items in the storage subsystem. The doors are opened when proper identification is provided by the customer so as to permit retrieval of items located in specifically designated bin(s) or to return items thereto.

Abstract: In a method and system for automatically forming a plurality of packages of groups of articles, the articles move along a conveying path in a substantially continuous motion. The selected articles are transferred to selected buffer storage assemblies in response to selection control signals from a central processing unit. The central processing unit generates the control signals according to predetermined packaging criteria. The groups of articles are stored in the buffer assemblies in a layer corresponding to one layer of a plurality of layers to be assembled in one of the plurality of packages. The entire layer in the buffer assembly is then transferred into an associated package at one time after assembly of that layer is completed from the accumulation of individual articles transferred from the conveying path.

Abstract: A modular mail processing method and control system for sorting pieces of incoming, internal, and outgoing mail including a plurality of sorting bins which correspond to either mail stops or zip codes depending on which sort plan is selected. The modular mail processing method and control system permitting mixed pieces of mail of various sizes to be sorted. Additionally, an internal mail envelope, which has address regions consisting of blocks, may be utilized in connection with the modular mail processing method and control system in order to allow accurate detection of handwritten addresses.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating individual flat articles of random thickness from one end of a stack of such articles and delivering separated articles, on command, to a transport device. Included in the apparatus is a pick-off device having a friction surface drivable in a direction of article delivery and oriented to engage an exposed surface on one article at the one end of the stack and advance the one article in the direction of delivery, an anti-doubling device for restricting advancing movement of other articles by the pick-off device, a delivery device having a drivable friction nip for pulling a separated article from the pick-off device in the direction of article delivery, and a control system for operating the pick-off device and the delivery device to position each separated article in the friction nip in readiness for delivery, on command, to the transport device.

Abstract: A modular mail processing method and control system that includes a plurality of induction transport modules and a stacker/transport module. The system maintains a real time statistics concerning the mail flowing through the system. The modularity of the system increases its flexibility in adapting to sorting either incoming or outgoing mail. In addition, a variety of readers and printers can be employed in the system to meet the needs of a particular customer.

Abstract: A transport/stacker module provides for a vertical stacking of mail bins. Carriers traveling in a transport path have openable and closable doors at both ends, and a frame of the transport/stacker module is provided with cam actuators to open the doors after the carriers pass turnaround areas and close the doors before the carriers enter the turnaround areas. A rake mechanism disposed above each bin is provided with a snubber which engages a mail piece prior to rake tines of the rake mechanism.

Abstract: A document transfer system for receiving a cluster of stacked documents within the first end of an output holder and, by using movable partitions, advancing the clusters to the second end of the output holder, thereby permitting a next document cluster to be received within the output holder at the first end. A document cluster at the second end of the output holder is then, using extendable and retractable gates, transferred from the output holder to a separate holder for further processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the throughput of a multiple pass document sorting device that sorts documents into a plurality of output holders by automatically displacing the sorted documents within the receiving areas of each output holder into a transitional area to make the receiving areas available. In this manner a next sorting pass may be initiated, using documents from the transitional area from the output holders, without the need to empty all of the output holders before a sorting pass can be initiated.

Abstract: A method for increasing the throughput of a multiple pass document sorting device that sorts documents into a plurality of output holders by automatically displacing the sorted documents within the receiving areas of each output holder into recirculation holders. The recirculation holders are then sequentially aligned with the input holder and the associated document cluster is transferred to the input holder. In this manner a next sorting pass may be initiated, using documents from the recirculation holders, with documents being sorted into the available output holders.

Abstract: An axial lead forming machine is presented which is capable of trimming, shaping, and electrically verifying the characteristics of axial components under computer control. Two die cutting and bending assemblies are incrementally moved horizontally over the wire leads of an axial component, which is suspended between them. A set of counters, lead screws, and two electric motors initially hold the two die assemblies in a known position defined as a "home" location. By correlating the number of leads per inch on the lead screws and counting the number of rotations of the electric motor, the lead forming mechanism is capable of communicating to a computer the exact location of the hammer, anvil and cutting edge of the die assemblies so that a programmable setting of the trimming and shaping of the axial leads may be accomplished automatically under computer direction.