Abstract: According to one aspect, a supporting truck for a crane comprises a load bearing member and a frame rigidly coupled to the load bearing member. A plurality of substantially equally spaced and substantially equally sized wheels is rigidly journaled in the frame at substantially equal heights such that the wheels have a single degree of freedom comprising rotational movement with respect to the frame and the load bearing member. The load bearing member and the frame have a moment of inertia of at least a particular value to cause the wheels to experience substantially equal loading by forces applied to the load bearing member.

Abstract: A device and method for sequencing trays includes a tray receiving conveyor and a recirculating conveyor. Trays are placed on the recirculating conveyor and merged with ejected trays into a multiple of sequenced trays at one or more merge locations. The system can include more than one merge location, with one of the merge locations providing a merge of trays into a contiguous sequence of trays.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described which optimize a business process through adaptive learning. Incoming customers are profiled and based on the customer's profile, a corresponding set of actions may be generated. From this set of actions, an algorithm is used to select a discrete action which is then presented to the customer. The customer's response to the presented action may in turn be used to forecast future customer responses and update the selection algorithm. These methods and systems allow attainment of a specific objective through progressive optimization of a business process.

Abstract: An operational process for product distribution includes grouping product into groups when the product is in a first sort level and sorting the groups of product, in a first pass operation, to a second level sort. The method further includes sequencing the second level sort product including late arriving product, in a second pass operation, into a sequence of product. A machine readable code can also be used to implement the functionality of the operational process.

Abstract: An operational process for product distribution includes grouping product into groups when the product is in a first sort level and sorting the groups of product, in a first pass operation, to a second level sort. The method further includes sequencing the second level sort product including late arriving product, in a second pass operation, into a sequence of product. A machine readable code can also be used to implement the functionality of the operational process.

Abstract: A system and method that sequences product to increase machine throughput. A plurality of input feeding devices each randomly receives products from a stream of product. A plurality of output groups corresponding to the plurality of input feeding devices are provided during a first pass phase and a second pass phase. The plurality of input feeding devices feed the product to output bins of the plurality of output groups. A control has a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation for a first pass phase and a second pass phase, respectively. In the first mode, the control allows all input feeding devices of the plurality of input feeding devices complete access to all output groups of the plurality of output groups during the first pass phase. In the second mode, the control constrains placement of the products to output groups assigned in the first pass phase such that the groupings of the products to the assigned output groups remain constant between the first pass phase and the second pass phase.

Abstract: A device and method for sequencing trays includes a tray receiving conveyor and a recirculating conveyor. Trays are placed on the recirculating conveyor and merged with ejected trays into a multiple of sequenced trays at one or more merge locations. The system can include more than one merge location, with one of the merge locations providing a merge of trays into a contiguous sequence of trays.

Abstract: A device and method for sequencing trays includes a tray receiving conveyor and a recirculating conveyor. Trays are placed on the recirculating conveyor and merged with ejected trays into a multiple of sequenced trays at one or more merge locations. The system can include more than one merge location, with one of the merge locations providing a merge of trays into a contiguous sequence of trays.

Abstract: A system and method for stacking and storing a plurality of trays includes a stacker system and a buffer system. The stacker system includes a component, e.g., a platform, which moves a tray between a raised position and a lowered position. The buffer system includes a plurality of opposing projections for capturing the tray when the component is in the raised position.

Abstract: An operational process for product distribution includes grouping product into groups when the product is in a first sort level and sorting the groups of product, in a first pass operation, to a second level sort. The method further includes sequencing the second level sort product including late arriving product, in a second pass operation, into a sequence of product. A machine readable code can also be used to implement the functionality of the operational process.

Abstract: An operational process for product distribution includes grouping product into groups when the product is in a first sort level and sorting the groups of product, in a first pass operation, to a second level sort. The method further includes sequencing the second level sort product including late arriving product, in a second pass operation, into a sequence of product. A machine readable code can also be used to implement the functionality of the operational process.

Abstract: A system and method that sequences product to increase machine throughput and capacity. The system includes a plurality of input feeding devices each randomly receiving product received from a stream of product and a plurality of output groups each having output bins. A control has a mode which constrains the input feeding devices to (i) feeding non-rejected product from the stream of product to assigned output groups of the plurality of output groups associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of input feeding devices based on a code associated with each of the product, and (ii) feeding rejected product to at least one output bin in a single group of the plurality of output groups such that each of the plurality of input feeders has access to the at least one output bin. The method includes feeding the non-rejected and rejected product to appropriate output bins such that the rejected product is provided to an output bin which is accessible by any of the input feeding devices.

Abstract: A publicly accessible drop box for isolating items deposited therein, includes a securable enclosure, a depository port, a closeable container having an opening and located within the securable enclosure, and a closure device for closing the opening prior to removal of the container. The depository port may include a housing forming a reception chamber having an entrance, wherein the housing is rotatably mounted within the drop box. The drop box may include a view port to allow viewing of the opening of the closeable container. The drop box may include a manipulation device extending into the securable enclosure to enable manipulation of the closure device or to enable movement of any items in proximity to the opening of the container.

Abstract: An operational process for product distribution includes grouping product into groups when the product is in a first sort level and sorting the groups of product, in a first pass operation, to a second level sort. The method further includes sequencing the second level sort product including late arriving product, in a second pass operation, into a sequence of product. A machine readable code can also be used to implement the functionality of the operational process.

Abstract: A method and system can be used to determine an optimal price of a commodity on a spot market. Market state conditions can be generated using historical data, such as transactional and other data. The market state conditions may include nearly any number of attributes, and the forecast market state conditions may include a forecast price for the commodity during the next time period. The historical data and market state condition may be used in a clustering module that separates the data into clusters. The cluster with the market state condition is identified, and the data in that cluster is used to generate a price-demand curve for the next time period. The price for the commodity on the spot market during that time period can be determined consistent with the company's business rules.

Abstract: A tow bar for connecting and controlling two autonomous vehicles with respect to one another. The tow bar including a plurality of sections with at least one sensors mounted or coupled onto each, for measuring and determining the orientation of one autonomous vehicle in relation to the other autonomous vehicle. A signal may be transmitted to either or to both of the autonomous vehicles to control propulsion and/or steering and/or braking of the vehicles when an adjustment is required to maintain stability of the tandem vehicles.

Abstract: A tow bar for connecting and controlling two autonomous vehicles with respect to one another. The tow bar including a plurality of sections with at least one sensor, mounted or coupled onto each, for measuring and determining the orientation of one autonomous vehicle in relation to the other autonomous vehicle. A signal may be transmitted to either or to both of the autonomous vehicles to control propulsion and/or steering and/or braking of the vehicles when an adjustment is required to maintain stability of the tandem vehicles.

Abstract: A publicly accessible drop box for isolating items deposited therein, includes a securable enclosure, a depository port, a closeable container having an opening and located within the securable enclosure, and a closure device for closing the opening prior to removal of the container. The depository port may include a housing forming a reception chamber having an entrance, wherein the housing is rotatably mounted within the drop box. The drop box may include a view port to allow viewing of the opening of the closeable container. The drop box may include a manipulation device extending into the securable enclosure to enable manipulation of the closure device or to enable movement of any items in proximity to the opening of the container.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for detecting contaminated objects, for example mail pieces, through use of a pinching device that compresses the objects, thereby possibly releasing potential contaminant-containing particles into the air in a closed chamber. Whatever particles are in the closed chamber mix with the air in the closed chamber and form cavity air, which is captured by a detection and alert mechanism.

Abstract: A publicly accessible drop box for isolating items deposited therein, includes a securable enclosure, a depository port, a closeable container having an opening and located within the securable enclosure, and a closure device for closing the opening prior to removal of the container. The depository port may include a housing forming a reception chamber having an entrance, wherein the housing is rotatably mounted within the drop box. The drop box may include a view port to allow viewing of the opening of the closeable container. The drop box may include a manipulation device extending into the securable enclosure to enable manipulation of the closure device or to enable movement of any items in proximity to the opening of the container.