An article sorting system includes: a sorting container support apparatus including a plurality of sorting container support units; a plurality of sorting containers supported by the sorting container support units; an automatic sorting apparatus that is arranged adjacent to the sorting container support apparatus and configured to automatically sort a plurality of articles into a plurality of articles; a work area that is set up adjacent to the sorting container support apparatus on a side opposite to the automatic sorting apparatus and in which an operator performs a sorting operation to sort articles into the plurality of sorting containers supported by the sorting container support units; and an operation display apparatus. The operation display apparatus displays, toward the work area, operation instruction-related information on each of the plurality of sorting container support units or each of the plurality of sorting containers.

An article sorting system includes: a sorting container support apparatus including a plurality of sorting container support units; a plurality of sorting containers supported by the sorting container support units; an automatic sorting apparatus that is arranged adjacent to the sorting container support apparatus and configured to automatically sort a plurality of articles into a plurality of articles; a work area that is set up adjacent to the sorting container support apparatus on a side opposite to the automatic sorting apparatus and in which an operator performs a sorting operation to sort articles into the plurality of sorting containers supported by the sorting container support units; and an operation display apparatus. The operation display apparatus displays, toward the work area, operation instruction-related information on each of the plurality of sorting container support units or each of the plurality of sorting containers.

The sorting installation (1) of the invention includes sorting outlets (2) aligned along a sorting conveyor (3), each outlet being provided with a recess (4) for receiving a tray (5) in which sorted mailpieces (6) are stored. The installation also includes a tray conveyor (8) that extends in a certain conveying direction (F2) under the sorting outlets for the purpose of transporting trays filled with sorted mailpieces from the sorting outlets to a feed inlet (7) of the sorting conveyor. The installation further includes a shuttle robot (9) suitable for traveling on the floor (S1) in autonomous manner along the sorting outlets, the robot including handling means (12) suitable for extracting a tray from a recess of a sorting outlet and for placing it lengthwise on the tray conveyor.

The sorting installation (1) of the invention includes sorting outlets (2) aligned along a sorting conveyor (3), each outlet having a recess (4) for receiving a tray (5) in which sorted mailpieces (6) are stored, and also a tray conveyor (8) that extends under the sorting outlets for moving full trays. The installation further includes a shuttle robot (9) provided with a chute (14) having a bottom end (14a) that is slidingly attached to a guide rail (10) extending along the tray conveyor, the shuttle robot being designed to extract a tray full of mail automatically from a recess in a sorting outlet and to drop it onto the top portion of the chute in such a manner that, on reaching the bottom of the chute, the tray is injected onto the tray conveyor under the effect of gravity.

A high throughput sorting device is disclosed. The device includes a first sorter and a second sorter, each of the first and second sorters having a plurality of cells each configured to support, carry, and deposit an item. The device can also include at least one shared chute extending below a portion of the first sorter and a portion of the second sorter. The at least one chute can be configured to receive an item deposited by each of the plurality of cells and transport the item to an endpoint. The device can also include a base configured to support the at least one shared chute and the first and second sorters.

A receiving bin for a sorting machine is movable between an operative configuration and an inoperative configuration. In the operative configuration, the receiving bin is configurable for receiving a rejected product from the sorting machine. In an inoperative configuration, the receiving bin is configurable for servicing and maintenance. The receiving bin has an inlet chute, a transfer chute, and, optionally, a mechanism of altering the configuration connects the inlet chute and the transfer chute. In one arrangement, the inlet chute and the transfer chute are sufficiently exposed to a waterjet during a cleaning event, for maintaining aseptic conditions and a hygienic environment. This is especially useful the sorting machine is commissioned in a production plant where food items such as meat, fish, or dairy products are processed and packaged.

A method of processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects and directing the plurality of objects toward an input area from at least one input conveyance system, acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at the input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device, and moving the acquired object toward an identified processing location using the programmable motion device, said identified processing location being associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing location being provided as one of a plurality of processing locations that are radially spaced from the programmable motion device.

A multi-level induction station is disclosed. The multi-level induction station includes multiple sorting levels arranged in a vertical stacked configuration; a vertically traveling automated lift that carries articles vertically between the sorting levels along a frame positioned proximate to the multiple sorting levels; an information acquisition device positioned to read information from an article on the lift; multiple transport devices positioned on the sorting levels to receive the articles; and a control system that directs the multi-level induction station to determine a destination for an article and direct the lift to a platform where a transport device is at an article-receiving position at the sorting level to receive the article.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to form groups at respective sort destinations. A scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item fed into the apparatus. The items are 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. When an item to be manually sorted is encountered, a visual alert aligned with a selected destination is activated until manual transfer is confirmed.

An order fulfillment system is disclosed in which objects to be collected into orders are provided in output totes. The system includes a primary sortation system that includes a loop conveyance system that moves objects around a closed loop that includes a plurality of primary sortation exits, each of which leads to a location inside the closed loop, and a secondary sortation system that includes a plurality of secondary conveyances, each of which receives an object at one of the plurality of primary sortation exits, and conveys the object to one of a plurality of totes, the plurality of totes being within the closed loop of the primary sortation system.