1. A method for security screening a package, which comprises the steps of:
(a) providing a package having initial contents;
(b) providing a first image of the package showing the initial contents;
(c) sending the package to a shipping station to be shipped;
(d) scanning the package;
(e) creating a second image of the package showing the shipping contents;
(f) comparing the second image with the first image; and
(g) segregating the package if the second image differs at least a predetermined amount from the first image.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (a), an optimal packing configuration of the initial contents is determined using an optimal packing method and system and wherein the initial contents are packed in the package using the optimal packing configuration.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein in step (b), the optimal packing method and system creates the first image based on the optimal packing configuration.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first image is a three-dimensional image.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first image contains multiple views.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein after step (b), the first image is stored as a three-dimensional bar code which is affixed to the package.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the three-dimensional bar code contains other information such as package destination, package size and package weight.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (f), the first image and the second image are compared using a computer program having pattern recognition features.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (f), the first image and the second image are visually compared.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein after step (f), if the second image differs from the first image less than the predetermined amount, the package is shipped.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein after step (b), the first image is stored in a database spaced apart from the package and the package is provided with a tracking number and wherein in step (f), the tracking number is used to retrieve the first image from the database.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the first image is created when the initial contents are packed into the package.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the first image shows a configuration of the initial contents of the package and the second image shows a configuration of the shipping contents of the package and wherein in step (f), the configuration of the initial contents of the package is compared with the configuration of the shipping contents of the package.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein a CT scanner is provided at the shipping station and wherein in step (d), the package is scanned using the CT scanner.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein an X-ray machine is provided at the shipping station and wherein in step (d), the package is scanned using the X-ray machine.
16. A method for security screening a package, which comprises the steps of:
(a) providing a package having initial contents;
(b) providing a first image of the initial contents of the package;
(c) storing the first image in a storage media;
(d) sending the package to a place to be shipped;
(e) scanning the package;
(f) creating a second image of the shipping contents of the package;
(g) retrieving the first image from the storage media;
(h) comparing the second image and the first image; and
(i) segregating the package if the second image differs a predetermined amount from the first image.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein in step (a), an optimal packing configuration of the initial contents is determined using an optimal packing method and system and wherein the initial contents are packed in the package using the optimal packing configuration.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein in step (b), the first image is created based on the optimal packing configuration.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein the first image and the second image are three-dimensional images.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein the first image and the second image contain multiple views.
21. The method of claim 16 wherein in step (b), the storage media is a three-dimensional bar code which is affixed to the package.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the three-dimensional bar code contains other information such as package destination, package size and package weight.
23. The method of claim 16 wherein in step (g), the first image and the second image are compared using a computer program having pattern recognition features.
24. The method of claim 16 wherein in step (g), the first image and the second image are visually compared.
25. The method of claim 16 wherein after step (g), if the second image differs from the first image less than the predetermined amount, then the package is shipped.
26. The method of claim 16 wherein after step (b), the storage media is a database spaced apart from the package and the package is provided with a tracking number and wherein in step (f), the tracking number is used to retrieve the first image from the database.
27. The method of claim 16 wherein the first image is created when the initial contents are packed in the package.
28. The method of claim 16 wherein the first image shows a configuration of the initial contents of the package and the second image shows a configuration of the shipping contents of the package and wherein in step (g), the configuration of the initial contents of the package is compared with the configuration of the shipping contents of the package.
29. The method of claim 16 wherein a CT scanner is provided at the shipping station and wherein in step (d), the package is scanned using the CT scanner.
30. The method of claim 16 wherein an X-ray machine is provided at the shipping station and wherein in step (d), the package is scanned using the X-ray machine.
31. A method for security screening a package, which comprises the steps of:
(a) providing a first image of a configuration of initial contents of the package;
(b) storing the first image in a storage media;
(c) sending the package to a shipping station;
(d) scanning the package prior to departure of the package from the shipping station;
(e) creating a second image of a configuration of the shipping contents of the package;
(f) retrieving the first image from the storage media;
(g) comparing the second image to the first image; and
(h) segregating the package if the second image differs at least a predetermined amount from the first image.
32. The method of claim 31 wherein in step (a), the first image is created when the initial contents of the package are packed in the package using an optimal packing method and system.
33. The method of claim 31 wherein a scanner connected to a computer system having pattern recognition software is provided, wherein in step (d), the package is scanned using the scanner and the second image is stored in the computer system, wherein, in step (f), the first image is retrieved and stored in the computer system and wherein in step (g), the second image and the first image are compared using the pattern recognition software of the computer system.
34. A system for security screening a package, which comprises:
(a) a first computer system having a first computer program for:
(i) creating and storing a first image of a configuration of the initial contents of the package;
(b) a scanner for scanning the package to determine a configuration of the shipping contents of the package and for creating a second image of the configuration of the shipping contents of the package prior to loading of the package onto a commercial vehicle; and
(c) a means for comparing the first image to the second image to determine whether the configuration of the initial contents of the package is essentially similar to the configuration of the shipping contents of the package.
35. The system of claim 34 wherein the means for comparing the first image to the second image is a second computer system having pattern recognition software.
36. The system of claim 34 wherein the means for comparing the first image to the second image is visual comparison.
37. The system of claim 34 wherein the scanner is a three-dimensional scanner.
38. The system of claim 34 wherein the first image is stored in a three-dimensional bar code affixed to the package.
39. The system of claim 38 wherein a bar code reader is provided to retrieve information stored in the bar code.
40. The system of claim 34 wherein the first computer program encrypts the first image before storing the first image.
41. The system of claim 34 wherein the first computer program stores other information such as package size, package weight, package contents and package destination with the first image.
42. The system of claim 34 wherein the first computer system includes an optimal packing computer program which determines an optimal packing configuration for the initial contents of the package and wherein the first computer system creates the first image using data generated by the optimal packing computer program.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A transportation unit comprising:
a transportation member having a surface with a contact angle \u03b8 relative to n-dodecane between 10\xb0 and 45\xb0 (10\xb0\u2266\u03b8\u226645\xb0) and a mirror index M between 60 and 200 (60\u2266M\u2266200); and
a cleaning member for cleaning foreign matters attached to the surface of the transportation member.
2. The transportation unit according to claim 1, wherein said transportation member has the surface with the contact angle \u03b8 relative to n-dodecane between 10\xb0 and 45\xb0 (10\xb0\u2266\u03b8\u226645\xb0) when the surface has the mirror index M between 60 and 95 (60\u2266M\u226695), said transportation member having the surface with the contact angle \u03b8 relative to n-dodecane between 25\xb0 and 45\xb0 (25\xb0\u2266\u03b8\u226645\xb0) when the surface has the mirror index M between 95 and 200 (95\u2266M\u2266200).
3. The transportation unit according to claim 1, wherein said transportation member is formed of a polyamide-imide.
4. The transportation unit according to claim 1, wherein said transportation member contains carbon black in an amount between 3 weight % and 40 weight % relative to a solid component of the transportation member.
5. The transportation unit according to claim 1, wherein said transportation member contains carbon black in an amount between 3 weight % and 40 weight % relative to a solid component of the transportation member, said transportation member having a Young’s modulus equal to or greater than 2,000 MPa.
6. The transportation unit according to claim 1, wherein said transportation member contains an oil repellent component in an amount between 0.05 weight % and 0.30 weight % relative to a solid component of the transportation member.
7. The transportation unit according to claim 1, wherein said transportation member contains an oil repellent component in an amount between 0.13 weight % and 0.30 weight % relative to a solid component of the transportation member.
8. The transportation unit according to claim 6, wherein said transportation member contains the oil repellent component having a fluoroalkyl group as a main chain.
9. The transportation unit according to claim 1, wherein said transportation member is formed of a belt.
10. The transportation unit according to claim 1, wherein said transportation member is formed of an endless belt.
11. The transportation unit according to claim 1, wherein said transportation member is formed of a belt, said cleaning member being arranged to abut against the belt.
12. An image forming apparatus comprising the transportation unit according to claim 1.
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said transportation member has the surface with the contact angle \u03b8 relative to n-dodecane between 10\xb0 and 45\xb0 (10\xb0\u2266\u03b8\u226645\xb0) when the surface has the mirror index M between 60 and 95 (60\u2266M\u226695), said transportation member having the surface with the contact angle \u03b8 relative to n-dodecane between 25\xb0 and 45\xb0 (25\xb0\u2266\u03b8\u226645\xb0) when the surface has the mirror index M between 95 and 200 (95\u2266M\u2266200).
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said transportation member contains an oil repellent component in an amount between 0.05 weight % and 0.30 weight % relative to a solid component of the transportation member.
15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said transportation member contains carbon black in an amount between 3 weight % and 40 weight % relative to a solid component of the transportation member.
16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said cleaning member includes an elastic member.
17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said cleaning member includes a urethane rubber.
18. An image forming apparatus comprising the transportation unit according to claim 1; an image supporting member arranged to face the transportation member; and a transfer portion arranged on an opposite side of the image supporting member to face the transportation member.
19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said transportation member has the surface with the contact angle \u03b8 relative to n-dodecane between 10\xb0 and 45\xb0 (10\xb0\u2266\u03b8\u226645\xb0) when the surface has the mirror index M between 60 and 95 (60\u2266M\u226695), said transportation member having the surface with the contact angle \u03b8 relative to n-dodecane between 25\xb0 and 45\xb0 (25\xb0\u2266\u03b8\u226645\xb0) when the surface has the mirror index M between 95 and 200 (95\u2266M\u2266200).
20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said transportation member contains an oil repellent component in an amount between 0.05 weight % and 0.30 weight % relative to a solid component of the transportation member.