Abstract: There is provided systems and methods involving a portable distribution center for distributing merchandise in response to emergencies. The distribution center includes a transport vehicle with a locomotion system for movement of the transport vehicle to an emergency location. It also includes a conveyor system for sortation and distribution of merchandise items upon arrival at the emergency location. The conveyor system includes merchandise identifier for reading identification data from merchandise item; a plurality of sortation units for moving merchandise items to uniquely identified destination lanes; and a control circuit configured to: assign merchandise items to uniquely identified sortation destination lanes; receive identification data; and communicate with the plurality of sortation units. The distribution center also includes a power supply for energizing the conveyor system and a communication system.

Abstract: A direction indicator placed on one site of a sorting block indicates, for a given good, the direction towards a nominated slot through which the good is to be placed in the block. This arrangement makes it possible for the hauler to immediately put a good into a nominated slot without looking around at sorting blocks at large, which will lead to the improvement of work efficiency. Moreover, because this will moderate the burden imposed on the hauler, the number of wrongly hauled goods would be greatly reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting documents. The documents are scanned to determine a characteristic of each document and then sorted in response to the scanned characteristic. In particular, a method is provided for multi-pass processing of documents. In accordance with one method, each document is assigned a logical sort number corresponding to the recipient of the document. The documents are then sorted in sequential order according to the logical sort numbers. A method is also provided that compares data scanned during a pass with data obtained during a previous pass to determine the recipient of the document. In addition a method is provided for marking the documents and sorting the documents so that the markings provide indicators of pre-defined groups of documents.

Abstract: A random-access card file system formed by card-storing cartridges, each capable of accommodating at least one deck of cards, and an automatic card selector adapted to extract any desired card therefrom regardless of its location in the cartridge. Each card in the deck includes an upstanding tab whose longitudinal position is related to a particular point on an incremental linear scale extending the full length of the deck. The selector includes a carriage movable to a position in registration with any desired incremental point on the scale, the carriage supporting a crane having a card picker thereon, whereby when the carriage is set to a particular scale point and a switch is actuated, the crane completes an operating cycle in the course of which it bows down over the cartridge to enable the picker to engage and clamp onto the tab of the selected card and to then lift the card to withdraw it from the cartridge.

Abstract: A machine-retrievable card and associated card retrieval apparatus and method therefor is disclosed in which the card is provided with a code-notched sorting edge located between the leading and trailing card edges which has (a) a predetermined configuration of complementary and primary digit code teeth which are retained and removed, respectively, to encode the card with a particular digit, and (b) an acquisition tooth at the leading edge and associated acquisition slot, and (c) a return tooth displaced inwardly of the trailing edge by an associated notch. The card retrieval apparatus includes complementary and primary code blades which selectively engage associated complementary and primary code slots of the card, respectively, as well as an acquisition blade and a return blade which cooperate with the acquisition and return teeth, respectively.

Abstract: A retainer element is adapted to prevent randomly filed cards, microfiche, microfiche jackets, or microfilm jackets, from accidental fall from capsules in which they are stored. The retainer element automatically moves to a card-protecting position responsive to removal of the capsule from an information retrieval device, so that cards cannot become lost or misplaced at any time when a capsule is not within the information retrieval device. The retainer element is automatically moved, however, to a card-freeing position responsive to insertion of the capsule in the retrieval device. With the capsule in the retrieval device, a control finger is moved to a position overlying the corners of the cards, microfiche, microfiche jackets, or microfilm jackets, at a particular stage of the selection cycle, and becomes a fulcrum about which selected cards pivot to positions in which the selected cards are engaged in an internal notch of the associated capsule, to facilitate their removal.

Abstract: A machine-retrievable card and associated card retrieval apparatus and method therefor is disclosed in which the card is provided with a code-notched sorting edge located between the leading and trailing card edges which has (a) a predetermined configuration of complementary and primary digit code teeth which are removed and retained, respectively, to encode the card with a particular digit, and (b) an acquisition tooth at the leading edge and associated acquisition slot, and (c) a return tooth at the trailing edge and an associated notch. The card retrieval apparatus includes complementary and primary code blades which selectively engage associated complementary and primary code slots of the card, respectively, as well as a pair of acquisition blades and a pair of return blades which cooperate with the acquisition and return teeth, respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and retrieving large volumes of microfiche data, and a related method for its operation. The apparatus includes a number of conventional microfiche storage carousels, all mounted on a rotatable turntable to provide the increased storage capacity. Upon selection of a particular fiche for display, the turntable is rotated, if necessary, in an optimum direction and at an optimum speed, until the selected carousel reaches an operative position with respect to a retrieval station, which is then moved to an operative position with respect to the carousel for withdrawal of the selected fiche within the carousel.

Abstract: A microfiche carrier assembly is provided comprising a core of flexible but relatively rigid sheet material having a thin cover sheet provided with an adhesive surface for securing the cover sheet to the core so as to seal both faces and one end of the core. The cover sheet extends beyond the other end of the core to provide overhanging flaps forming a pocket therebetween with the adhesive surfaces of the flaps facing inwardly. A marginal edge of a microfiche is positioned in the pocket and is secured therein by the flaps. The microfiche carrier assembly is also provided with selector means in the form of a perforation at a predetermined location in a selector field to permit retrieval of a selected microfiche from a deck of microfiche carrier assemblies contained, for example, in a magazine.

Abstract: A machine-retrievable card and associated card retrieval apparatus and method therefor is disclosed in which the card is provided with a code-notched sorting edge located between the leading and trailing card edges which has (a) a predetermined configuration of complementary and primary digit code teeth which are removed and retained, respectively, to encode the card with a particular digit, and (b) an acquisition tooth at the leading edge and associated acquisition slot, and (c) a return tooth at the trailing edge and an associated notch. The card retrieval apparatus includes complementary and primary code blades which selectively engage associated complementary and primary code slots of the card, respectively, as well as a pair of acquisition blades and a pair of return blades which cooperate with the acquisition and return teeth, respectively.