A computer controlled mail piece assembly and wrapping system discloses a process for culling candidate mail pieces from bulk mail pieces, a mail piece feeder, a mail piece reader coupled to the feeder that identifies suitable candidate mail pieces, a collator coupled to the feeder for collating multiple identified mail pieces, a buffer coupled to the collator for regulating the delivery rate of the multiple mail pieces exiting to a wrap inserter, a wrap inserter coupled to the buffer for wrapping mail pieces and selected inserts into a mailing container, a printer interfaced with the wrap inserter for printing information onto the mailing container; an outstacker coupled to the wrap inserter for transferring envelope wrapped mail pieces and selected inserts to a desired location, and a computer with suitable programming for operating the system.

A sorting system has a sorting area and a controller system that receives luggage-related sorting information for each piece of luggage. A transport mechanism transports the luggage into a sorting area which includes a sorting area with at least one make-up-place connected to the transport mechanism. The make-up-place sorts sorts the luggage according to at least one item of luggage-related sorting information. Movable load devices receive the pieces of luggage sorted by the at least one make-up-place. The controller system assigns each piece of luggage according to at least one luggage-related information to a particular movable load device and the controller system is also adapted to select a make-up-place for each piece of luggage and to send the piece of luggage to the selected make-up-place to be loaded into the assigned movable load device.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are fed into the apparatus at an input station having a scanning station. The scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item. The items are then loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles are individually driven to sort destinations. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered. A re-induction conveyor may be provided for receiving select items from the vehicles and conveying the items back to the input station for re-processing. Additionally, a controller is provided to control the movement of the vehicles based on a characteristic each item being delivered by each vehicle.

A multi-tiered automated parcel sortation system is utilized to sort parcels according to a common destination. A first tier includes an automated sorter configured to transport parcels from a source location to a release destination. A second tier includes accumulation containers each associated with a shipping destination, and the release destination within the first tier is a positioned directly above the accumulation container associated with the shipping destination of the parcel. Once transported to the release destination, a parcel is released into the accumulation container, and once the accumulation container is filled, the accumulation of parcels within the container is released into a third tier, which may include conveyors or autonomous guided vehicles with transport containers. In the third tier, the parcels are transported away for further processing.

Systems, methods, and devices for designating a location for a delivery item that is being sorted by an operator. The operator scans the delivery address of the item using a particular scanner. Using the delivery address and other information from the scanner that was used, the system determines a sort output location for the item and identifies an indicator device (e.g., an LED device) that corresponds to the sort output location. The system then commands the indicator device to present or display a designator. For example, the indicator device may be commanded to illuminate a light, such as an LED. The operator of the scanner then places the item at the location corresponding to the illuminated light designator.

Automated (e.g., robotic) mail tagging, traying, sleeving, and palletizing devices are disclosed. A monitoring system is also disclosed. In embodiments, the monitoring system is configured to operate with (e.g., monitor and/or control) one or more of the automated devices disclosed herein to facilitate actual physical mail matches the digital files provided to the USPS for postage discounts received on same mail. By comparing the digital information regarding the mail item identifier, the tray identifier, and the pallet identifier with the stored physical information received from the one or more scanners; and identifying whether or not any discrepancies exist between the digital information regarding the mail item identifier, the tray identifier, and the pallet identifier and the stored physical information received from the one or more scanners users can ensure actual physical mail matches the digital files submitted to USPS for postage discounts of same mail.

Automated (e.g., robotic) mail tagging, traying, sleeving, and palletizing devices are disclosed. A monitoring system is also disclosed. In embodiments, the monitoring system is configured to operate with (e.g., monitor and/or control) one or more of the automated devices disclosed herein to facilitate actual physical mail matches the digital files provided to the USPS for postage discounts received on same mail. By comparing the digital information regarding the mail item identifier, the tray identifier, and the pallet identifier with the stored physical information received from the one or more scanners; and identifying whether or not any discrepancies exist between the digital information regarding the mail item identifier, the tray identifier, and the pallet identifier and the stored physical information received from the one or more scanners users can ensure actual physical mail matches the digital files submitted to USPS for postage discounts of same mail.

A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.

A semi-automated bulk sorting system includes a primary conveyor having a proximate end and a distal end, where the proximate end of the primary conveyor is configured for collecting outbound parcels and cartons that are to be sorted. The system includes a manual sort center coupled downstream from the primary conveyor and configured to partially sort the parcels and cartons. A parcel final sortation zone is coupled downstream from the manual sort center for receiving the partially sorted parcels and is configured to finally sort the parcels for delivery. In addition, the system includes a plurality of carton palletization zones coupled downstream from the manual sort center for receiving the sorted cartons and to palletize the sorted cartons for delivery.

Systems and methods for handling a plurality items by using a sorter to receive items and obtain item information and delivery destinations from the items. A run manifest is generated having an item identifier and a destination for each of the plurality of items. The run manifest data is used in a routing module to generate dynamic routes for delivering the plurality of items, and generating a sequence identifier for each of the plurality of items according to the dynamically generated routes.