Abstract: A particle collection device includes a collection sheet and a frame on which the collection sheet is mounted. The collection sheet includes a base sheet, a magnetic substance, and a metal protrusion disposed on the base sheet to be adjacent to the magnetic substance.

Abstract: Provided is an information providing method of an electronic apparatus. The information providing method includes identifying an operation target set including a plurality of operation cells, identifying at least one operation cell for which item sorting is completed among the plurality of operation cells included in the operation target set, and displaying information on or regarding an operation cell selected based on priority order information from among the identified at least one operation cell.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for optimizing sorting and loading of packages are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a memory storing instructions and may include at least one processor configured to execute the instructions. The system may perform operations including receiving data comprising a plurality of package identifiers associated with a plurality of packages. The operations may include determining a plurality of block areas associated with delivery locations for the plurality of packages. The operations may further include determining a delivery route by determining a first set of routes, determining optimal combinations of the inputs for each set of routes and determining a shortest route associated with the optimal combinations. The operations may include determining an order in which to load each of the packages into a delivery vehicle. The operations may further include generating instructions for causing a device to display a visual representation of the loading order.

Abstract: A tray for vibratory conveying of food articles from a hopper is provided. The tray includes a tray body, food inlet portion, and a food outlet portion. An upwardly extending dividing member divides the tray into at least two food inlet conveyor passageways, the inlet conveyor passageways merging into a single food passageway that extends to the food outlet portion. The single food passageway may have an initially wide portion and subsequently narrow to a narrow portion as it approaches a discharge end. This arrangement helps to declump food items, preferably causing food items the size of chicken nuggets to be conveyed in a single-file arrangement along the single food passageway. The single food passageway is preferably non-linear, and may, for example, have a zigzag or serpentine configuration to promote accurate dispensing of food items.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device useful for separating manure from bedding material when mucking an animal's stall. The device has a handle and a scoop. The scoop has a blade and multiple holes which allow bedding material, such as wood chips, to fall through but which is small enough to retain manure clumps in the scoop. A method of use of the device is also taught.

Abstract: A device and method to sort high security lock pins to characterize their length, wedge direction, and slot position comprises a lock pin decoding body containing lock pin cavities that receive high security lock pins and orient them in a uniform way by fitting a tab on the upper end of the lock pins in a notch, thereby revealing whether the lock pins have a slot positioned in the “left”, “center” or “right” positions, which can be read from indicia on the lock pin decoding body, and further revealing if the lock pins have a “fore” or “aft” facing wedge, which can also be read from indicia on the lock pin decoding body.

Abstract: A tray assembly has a tray and a divider assembly removably connected to the tray. The tray has a base, a first side fixedly attached to the base, a second side fixedly attached to the base and the first side, a third side opposite the first side and fixedly attached to the base and the second side, and a fourth side opposite the second side and pivotally connected to the base.

Abstract: System and method for modular sorting stations. A sorting station may be subdivided into two or more modular bins. A modular bin may be partitioned into compartments. Each compartment may be configured to receive one order including one or more items. Modular bins may be partitioned into compartments of different sizes to receive orders of different sizes. A modular bin may be removed from a sorting station and conveyed to a packing station for packing or other sorting station to continue sorting. Picked items may be received and sorted for rebinning into the modular bins manually or using an automated sorting mechanism. A control system may direct the sorting and rebinning operation. Modular sorting stations may be located adjacent to packing stations or, alternatively, away from packing stations and, when a modular bin is complete, it may be conveyed to an appropriate packing station for packing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods which use a tray to hold and transfer objects, such as produce. The tray has at least one opening to permit the user to manipulate the tray during transfer without touching the contents held within the tray. The tray has an open end with a curved edge to reduce damage to the contents when transferring contents from the tray to a container. The tray is preferably constructed from a plastic-like material.

Abstract: The multi-purpose rake includes a rake head and a detachable pole for pulling the rake across a surface. The rake head has a frame with two arced end ribs, an upper and a lower crossbar extending between the end ribs. The upper crossbar has a sleeve or other attachment means extending therefrom for receiving and retaining one end of the pole. A wire mesh cage is formed into an arc to conform to the end ribs and is attached to the ribs and the upper and lower crossbar. In the preferred embodiment, the end ribs are formed from a continuous panel so that the ends of the rake head are fully closed. The detachable pole is preferably constructed in multiple sections that can be broken down for easy transport. Optional clips or other retainers may be disposed on the rake head for retaining the pole sections for easy transport and storage. An optional handhold can be provided for facilitating transport of the disassembled rake.

Abstract: A fold down sorting pan for providing a surface for sorting small objects. The fold down sorting pan includes a mounting portion adapted for mounting to a wall or countertop. A support arm is pivotally coupled to the mounting portion. A tube is coupled to a bottom of the support arm. An extension arm extends from the tube. A pan is coupled to the extension arm.

Abstract: A lawn and garden pan having a substantially horizontal bottom wall panel having a substantially triangular configuration. The front end of the pan is open and it has numerous teeth extending forwardly along its entire length. The bottom wall panel has numerous sifting holes spread out over substantially its entire surface. The left and right side walls extend upwardly from the lateral edges of the bottom wall panel and their top ends curl outwardly and downwardly to form an inverted U-shaped configuration that forms a natural contour to seat between the palm of a person's hand and the thumb. A person can grip the pan for holding purposes along the entire length of the edges of the pan except its front end into which lawn debris can be raked or swept.

Abstract: The Plastic Magnetic Sweeper is designed with lightweight plastic. Its overall weight is eighteen pounds or less. The load release system is contained inside handle. The Plastic Magnetic Sweeper is light weight for easy storage. The Plastic Magnetic Sweeper has a removeble wheel support bracket that is optional for use. The overall design of this tool is new to the art of removing metal objects from floors.

Abstract: A hand-held jeweler's vacuum comprises an elongated vacuum member with an opening at one end, motor drive means located at the other end and an aperture in the bottom of the elongated member. A detachable box member is mounted beneath the aperture to receive stones and metal pieces. Internally, a mesh filter and a vacuum filter are positioned in the intake path at approximately a 45 degree angle to the air flow and a pre-determined distance apart. In operation, the vacuum picks up metal and stones which are stopped by the mesh filter and the vacuum filter from proceeding through the vacuum filter and the stones and metals fall into the box. The stones and metals can the be removed while other particles are collected in the storage space beyond the filters. The invention permits the salvage of small stones and precious metals which otherwise would be lost during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A hand held tool for gathering and later releasing metallic particles such as paper clips or a spilled box of pins or tacks includes a handle with a magnetic attached at the bottom and a sweeper cover covering the magnet and hinged to the handle. Ferrous particles are gathered on the surface of the sweeper cover and later released by pivoting the magnet away from the cover.

Abstract: A pill guide for use in combination with pill, capsule and caplet dispensing trays has a tapered guide channel for removable attachment to the pill return outlet of the tray. The guide combines with adjacent wall portions of the tray return outlet to form a convergent funnel, through which unwanted pills may be discarded back to the bulk supply from where they came. The pill guide may incorporate a guidance lip to facilitate alignment of the tray with the bulk receptacle.

Abstract: A magnetic sweeper for collecting magnetically attractable debris from parking areas and the like using magnets in an aluminum tube. A collector plate is hinged to the tube in the magnetic zone so that the collector plate can be pivoted away from the magnet to release accumulated debris from the influence of the magnets. Steel latch plates on the collector plate hold it against the magnets in operation.

Abstract: A cart that is useful to contain, store and/or transport lawn and/or garden debris and filter or screen this debris into different size classifications.

Abstract: A sorting tool comprising a flat thickness of rigid material (14) on which lie a multiplicity of removable, individually labeled, equal-sized and uniformly stacked sheets of material of known thickness (16). A chamber (18) formed in the sheets by the removal of a large area of material in their center contains the objects to be sorted. A pallet (22) with a flat adhesive (26) surface is used to select and remove the objects. The individual thickness of the sheets determines the size range and their collective thickness determines the minimum size of the selected objects. Appropriate holders for round or irregularly shaped objects may be inserted in the chamber.

Abstract: The invention is a parts sorting tray in which small parts of any similar nature may be isolated and dumped into individual containers after they have been separated into four (or more) sorting chutes; the tray, to be known as "Quick Sort" uses only gravity to function, and can be easily cast from a flexible plastic material such as polyethylene.

Abstract: A tray for receiving a multiplicity of small objects, such as pills, nuts and bolts or sundry items, to be sorted and/or counted. The tray includes an integral funnel-shaped outlet for dispensing or discharging the sorted and counted objects. A series of score lines or lines of weakness are provided around the surface of the funnel-shaped outlet at its discharge end to enable the discharge end of the outlet to be cut to a desired diametrical outlet size corresponding to the size of the objects to be counted out and/or sorted in the tray and poured through the funnel-shaped into a dispensing or storage bottle or container. In a second embodiment, removably-securable separate funnel-sections are provided, with each having the size entrance mouth but different size exit mouth.

Abstract: A carpet sweeper for removing metallic staples, paper clips and the like from carpet wherein a semi-circular wire mesh fabric is secured to the forward end of a housing or base member and a magnet is secured to the bottom of the base member and extends along the trailing edge of the wire mesh fabric. The wire mesh fabric dislodges the metallic fasteners from the carpet and the magnet attracts and accumulates the dislodged fasteners. A scraper is removably mounted on the housing for removing the accumulated fasteners from the surface of the magnet, and a rod having a slotted magnetic end is provided for manually removing deeply embedded metallic fasteners from the carpet.

Abstract: A sort tray characterized by two sorting sections hinged together along a common wall. The sorting sections, which are substantially mirror images of each other, can be folded together to allow compact storage of the sort tray. Sliding gates are provided at the mouths of the sorting sections to permit the contents of one of the sorting sections to be poured out without pouring out the contents of the other section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating the spheres from the non-spheres in a large number of particles of lamp fill material of substantially equal mass in which the spheres are placed in the grooves of an inclined surface to roll downwardly thereon under the influence of gravity. The grooves are configured to limit the contact with the particles to two points intermediate the depth of the groove so as to keep the particles out of contact with the bottom of the groove. Vacuum pick-up means are used to remove those particles which do not roll down the grooves because of their spherical irregularities. The surfaces in contact with the lamp fill material are made of stainless steel and the entire operation is conducted within the confines of a dry box to minimize contamination.

Abstract: A device for cleaning or refining herbage or herbal substances which operates to separate out twigs, seeds or other roughage by an agitating and straining process. The device includes a cylindrical main body internally divided into a pair of chambers by a fixed strainer or wire screen with a pair of removable end caps enclosing the chambers at each end of the cylinder. A plurality of metallic balls, preferably four, are loosely confined within one of the chambers within which the herbage to be refined is introduced. Vigorous shaking of the device will cause refined herbage to pass from the chamber containing the balls, through the strainer or screen and into the other chamber where the refined herbage may be collected in one of the end caps.