A method to sort objects in a sorting installation. The objects are conveyed on a sorter of the sorting installation. In a first distribution pass a few of the objects conveyed on the sorter are brought by the sorter into retrieval end stations of the sorting installation and others of the objects conveyed on the sorter are brought by the sorter into a collection end station of the sorting installation and, with a transport facility of the sorting installation, objects are automatically transported away from the collection end station and automatically brought back to the sorter. The objects brought back from the collection end station to the sorter by the transport facility are brought by the sorter into one of the end stations in a second distribution pass.

A method to sort objects in a sorting installation. The objects are conveyed on a sorter of the sorting installation. In a first distribution pass a few of the objects conveyed on the sorter are brought by the sorter into retrieval end stations of the sorting installation and others of the objects conveyed on the sorter are brought by the sorter into a collection end station of the sorting installation and, with a transport facility of the sorting installation, objects are automatically transported away from the collection end station and automatically brought back to the sorter. The objects brought back from the collection end station to the sorter by the transport facility are brought by the sorter into one of the end stations in a second distribution pass.

Provided is a package sorting method, a sorting area layout, a sorting system, and a path optimization method. The package sorting method includes: dividing a sorting area into at least a first logical partition close to a first item collecting area and a second logical partition close to a second item collecting area, where the first logical partition includes a first item dropping area, and the second logical partition includes a second item dropping area. By this method, a total path of package delivery is reduced.

A stacked-package detection system for a matrix sorter detects stacked packages by comparing weight or dimension measurements on primary sorters from those measurements on secondary sorters. Weight or dimension increases for a package on a secondary sorter indicate a stack of packages. A recirculation system diverts packages identified on the secondary sorters as stacked packages back into bulk flow to be reprocessed by the primary or secondary sorters.

A stacked-package detection system for a matrix sorter detects stacked packages by comparing weight or dimension measurements on primary sorters from those measurements on secondary sorters. Weight or dimension increases for a package on a secondary sorter indicate a stack of packages. A recirculation system diverts packages identified on the secondary sorters as stacked packages back into bulk flow to be reprocessed by the primary or secondary sorters.

According to an embodiment, a conveyance assisting apparatus includes a placement portion, a base portion, a support portion, a moving device, and a projecting portion. The placement portion has a placement surface on which a package is placed. The base portion is fixed to a conveyance apparatus including a door portion to be opened/closed between a closed-position and an open-position. The support portion is on the base portion and supports the placement portion so that the placement portion is movable in a first-direction between a first-position where the placement portion covers the door portion and a second-position where the placement portion uncovers the door portion. The moving device is on the base portion and configured to move the placement portion. The projecting portion is on the placement surface and extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

According to an embodiment, a conveyance assisting apparatus includes a placement portion, a base portion, a support portion, a moving device, and a projecting portion. The placement portion has a placement surface on which a package is placed. The base portion is fixed to a conveyance apparatus including a door portion to be opened/closed between a closed-position and an open-position. The support portion is on the base portion and supports the placement portion so that the placement portion is movable in a first-direction between a first-position where the placement portion covers the door portion and a second-position where the placement portion uncovers the door portion. The moving device is on the base portion and configured to move the placement portion. The projecting portion is on the placement surface and extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

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 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.