Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for facilitating synchronized delivery of shipments/items scheduled to be delivered to multiple serviceable points located nearby one another. Various embodiments identify nearby serviceable points based on an identification of serviceable points being located along a common street segment. Accordingly, serviceable point data identifying corresponding street segment identifiers are stored for a plurality of serviceable points. Thereafter, shipping data for a first shipment to be delivered to a first serviceable point is received, and a determination is made whether a second shipment scheduled to be delivered to a second serviceable point is available for synchronized delivery with the first shipment. The determination comprises determining whether the street segment corresponding to the first serviceable point is the same as and/or is connected to the street segment corresponding to the second serviceable point.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and media are provided herein for synchronizing delivery between two or more shipments, each shipment associated with one or more items. For example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device detects a geocode for a first serviceable point, the geocode corresponding to a latitude and longitude coordinate (and an altitude in some aspects). A record may be stored at a database, the record comprising shipment data for a shipment of an item and the geocode for the first serviceable point. Another shipment may be determined to be within a range of a time associated with the shipment data for the shipment. The other shipment may also have a second serviceable point within a threshold distance of the first serviceable point. Based on the range of time and the threshold distance, an indication (that the shipments are available for synchronized delivery) may be provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for facilitating synchronized delivery of shipments/items scheduled to be delivered to multiple serviceable points located nearby one another. Various embodiments identify nearby serviceable points based on an identification of serviceable points being logically clustered. Accordingly, various embodiments store a record for a serviceable point comprising data identifying the serviceable point and data identifying a second serviceable point. Thereafter, shipping data for a first shipment to be delivered to the serviceable point is received, and the record for the serviceable point is accessed to retrieve the data identifying the second serviceable point. A second shipment scheduled to be delivered to the second serviceable point is identified, and an indication is provided that the first and second shipments are eligible for synchronized delivery.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for facilitating synchronized delivery of shipments/items scheduled to be delivered to multiple serviceable points located nearby one another. Various embodiments identify nearby serviceable points based on an identification of serviceable points being associated with a common geographic descriptor. Accordingly, various embodiments receive shipping data for a first shipment to be delivered to a first serviceable point and a second shipment to be delivered to a second serviceable point. A first geographic descriptor is identified as associated with the first serviceable point and a second geographic descriptor is identified as associated with the second serviceable point, and a determination is made whether the first and second geographic descriptors are the same. Upon a determination that the first and second geographic descriptors are the same, an indication is provided that the first and second shipments are eligible for synchronized delivery.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for facilitating synchronized delivery of shipments/items scheduled to be delivered to multiple serviceable points located nearby one another. Various embodiments identify nearby serviceable points based on an identification of serviceable points being located along a common street segment. Accordingly, serviceable point data identifying corresponding street segment identifiers are stored for a plurality of serviceable points. Thereafter, shipping data for a first shipment to be delivered to a first serviceable point is received, and a determination is made whether a second shipment scheduled to be delivered to a second serviceable point is available for synchronized delivery with the first shipment. The determination comprises determining whether the street segment corresponding to the first serviceable point is the same as and/or is connected to the street segment corresponding to the second serviceable point.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for facilitating synchronized delivery of shipments/items scheduled to be delivered to multiple serviceable points located nearby one another. Various embodiments identify nearby serviceable points based on an identification of serviceable points being located along a common street segment. Accordingly, serviceable point data identifying corresponding street segment identifiers are stored for a plurality of serviceable points. Thereafter, shipping data for a first shipment to be delivered to a first serviceable point is received, and a determination is made whether a second shipment scheduled to be delivered to a second serviceable point is available for synchronized delivery with the first shipment. The determination comprises determining whether the street segment corresponding to the first serviceable point is the same as and/or is connected to the street segment corresponding to the second serviceable point.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for facilitating synchronized delivery of shipments/items scheduled to be delivered to multiple serviceable points located nearby one another. Various embodiments identify nearby serviceable points based on an identification of serviceable points being located within a common geofenced area. Accordingly, a geofence is defined surrounding a geographical area comprising a plurality of serviceable points. The geofence is associated with a record for a serviceable point located within the geofenced area, wherein the record comprises a physical address and a geocode for the serviceable point. Thereafter, shipping data for a shipment to be delivered to the serviceable point is received, and is compared to a database of shipments to determine whether a second shipment is to be delivered to a second serviceable point located within the same geofenced area.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for facilitating synchronized delivery of shipments/items scheduled to be delivered to multiple serviceable points located nearby one another. Various embodiments identify nearby serviceable points based on an identification of serviceable points within a common delivery density area. In various embodiments, serviceable point data identifying a serviceable point cluster are stored for a plurality of serviceable points. Shipping data for a first shipment to be delivered to a first serviceable point is then received, and a determination is made whether a second shipment is scheduled to be delivered to a second serviceable point within the same cluster as the first serviceable point. Historical delivery activity is identified for the serviceable point cluster, and is compared with a threshold frequency.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for encouraging online merchants to tender shipments according to specified criteria such that its delivery can be synchronized with anticipated and/or forecasted deliveries to the same or nearby addresses. In this way, a more efficient delivery of the shipment may be achieved. The encouragement or incentive may be in the form of a decrease in shipping cost for the particular shipment, a general shipping discount for selecting a threshold number of incentivized shipments, or some other incentive schedule. In some embodiments, the incentives may not be financially based and instead may be reductions in emissions, fuel consumption, improved customer experience (e.g., multiple deliveries at the same time versus separate deliveries) and the like. Of course, any combination of incentives may be provided both financial and otherwise.

Abstract: A polymer composition that contains a liquid crystalline polymer and a pearlescent filler is provided. By selectively controlling the type and relative concentration of these components, the polymer composition and shaped parts formed therefrom can be achieved that have a pearly luster appearance similar to parts plated with metals, such as copper, brass, or bronze.

Abstract: A polymer composition that contains a liquid crystalline polymer and a pearlescent filler is provided. By selectively controlling the type and relative concentration of these components, the polymer composition and shaped parts formed therefrom can be achieved that have a pearly luster appearance similar to parts plated with metals, such as copper, brass, or bronze.

Abstract: A lighting system having a controller, a plurality of lights, and a bidirectional bus interconnecting the controller with the lights. The controller controls of the status of the various lights including the on/off state and intensity of the light by transmitting not only commands along the bidirectional bus, but also the address of the individual lights along the bus to the lights. This address is decoded by a circuit associated with each light to permit the lights to be individually controlled if desired.

Abstract: A shaped part that is formed from a polymer composition that contains a liquid crystalline polymer and a metallic pigment is provided. By selectively controlling the type and relative concentration of these components, the polymer composition and shaped parts formed therefrom can have a metallic-like appearance. In addition to possessing an aesthetically pleasing appearance similar to stainless steel articles, the metallic-like appearance can also provide a signal to a user that the foodstuff article can be safely heated in an oven or stove.

Abstract: A polymer composition that contains a liquid crystalline polymer and a metallic pigment formed from metal particles and a carrier resin is provided. The polymer composition also contains an organophosphorous antioxidant that can help reduce the production of odorous compounds at high temperatures. The carrier resin used to form the metallic pigment may also be selectively controlled to minimize the production of odorous compounds. For example, the carrier resin may be a nonpolar wax with a relatively low acid value (e.g., polyolefin wax).

Abstract: A first bore is formed in a liquid ring pump. A shaft is in the first bore. A second bore is formed in the pump and is axially inward of the first bore. A first and second seal are in the second bore and around the shaft. The second seal is axially outward of the first seal. The second seal is free of an abutment axially outward of it and abutting up against it.

Abstract: A spray generator is provided that generates a spray of droplets by the interaction of opposed jets of fluid. The generator comprises a rigid central member defining a central axis, and fluid passageways formed in a block of material leading to two or more pairs of opposed fluid outlets. The outlets of each pair are separated from each other and arranged to generate opposed jets of fluid along an axis parallel to the central axis. Further, the pairs are equi-angularly spaced about the central axis. The outlets of each pair are maintained in axial alignment with each other and at a predetermined axial spacing from each other by a rigid connection between the central member and the block of material. The two or more pairs of outlets together generate a spray of droplets extending 360 degrees about the central axis.