A sorting conveyor and bagging device for selectively depositing packages in bags through collapsible openings in the bags themselves or in sleeves protruding from the mouths of bags. Sliders are positioned between the bags at the ends of chutes. Actuators slide the sliders along the slide tracks to selectively open and position the opening to one bag to receive packages from the chute while the opening to the other bag is closed and positioned out of the way.

Devices and systems are provided for improved article sortation. An example sortation device includes a frame and a sortation table movably attached to the frame. The sortation table defines a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body extending therebetween. The second end pivotally attaches the sortation table to the frame, and the body defines a first surface configured to support an article thereon. The sortation device performs a tilt operation in which the sortation table rotates about the pivotal attachment between the second end and the frame in a first direction. The sortation device also performs a bomb bay operation in which the sortation table rotates about the pivotal attachment between the second end and the frame in a second direction opposite the first direction. An example sortation system is provided that includes two or more of the example sortation devices.

A method and apparatus are provided for storing and retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. A storage and retrieval system stores and retrieves items as needed and transfer items from storage locations to transfer locations. A separate picking system conveys the items from the transfer locations to a picking station or an input out station so that the item can be selected.

A sorting apparatus is provided for sorting selected magnetically attractable articles from a stream of articles including non-selected magnetically attractable articles. The apparatus may include a conveyor for conveying the stream of articles. The conveyor may include a conveyor belt formed in an endless loop including a discharge end configured to launch the stream of articles off the conveyor. A conveyor guide may be located inside of the endless loop adjacent the discharge end. The conveyor guide may be configured to support the conveyor belt such that the conveyor belt slides on the conveyor guide along a downwardly curved path. An array of magnets may be arranged inside of the endless loop for interacting with the stream of articles as the stream of articles passes off the discharge end.

A sorting apparatus is provided for sorting selected magnetically attractable articles from a stream of articles including non-selected magnetically attractable articles. The apparatus may include a conveyor for conveying the stream of articles. The conveyor may include a conveyor belt formed in an endless loop including a discharge end configured to launch the stream of articles off the conveyor. A conveyor guide may be located inside of the endless loop adjacent the discharge end. The conveyor guide may be configured to support the conveyor belt such that the conveyor belt slides on the conveyor guide along a downwardly curved path. An array of magnets may be arranged inside of the endless loop for interacting with the stream of articles as the stream of articles passes off the discharge end.

An automated system for transferring articles from a container. An item transfer system includes retainers configured to secure a first tray and a second tray, a movable paddle assembly, a frame, and a plurality of actuators. The system is configured to transfer articles from the first tray to the second tray by an automated process including securing the articles within the first tray with the paddle assembly, rotating the frame by approximately 90° to 100°, moving the paddle assembly in a series of linear translations to remove the items from the first tray and place the items into the second tray, rotating the frame back to its initial orientation, and releasing the items into the second tray.

Systems and methods can enhance efficiencies of order fulfillment processes. For example, this document describes systems and methods for optimizing the efficiency of automated order sortation processing lines to expedite order processing in a cost-effective manner. In some embodiments, this innovation includes a fast, efficient method for supplying items to order sortation process lines so that they operate at peak efficiently, and the workers are utilized at a high level of efficiency.

Systems and methods can enhance efficiencies of order fulfillment processes. For example, this document describes systems and methods for optimizing the efficiency of automated order sortation processing lines to expedite order processing in a cost-effective manner. In some embodiments, this innovation includes a fast, efficient method for supplying items to order sortation process lines so that they operate at peak efficiently, and the workers are utilized at a high level of efficiency.

A sorting device and a method for sorting articles at delivery points are shown, the sorting device having a conveying device comprising transport platforms that are movable along a transport direction for transporting the articles and for delivering the articles to the delivery points, with the transport platforms having a bearing surface for the articles and with at least one transport platform having a first delivery device for vertically delivering the articles from the bearing surface to at least one first delivery point. To provide a sorting device for reliable and careful joint sorting of articles with different transport and delivery requirements, at least one transport platform has a second delivery device for laterally delivering the articles from the bearing surface to at least one second delivery point.

A sorting apparatus is provided. The sorting apparatus includes: at least one set of sorting units; where a sorting unit of the at least one set of sorting units includes: a timing belt, where two ends of the timing belt are fixed; a trolley track arranged in parallel with the timing belt; and a distribution trolley, where the distribution trolley comprises a driving assembly and a guide assembly, the driving assembly comprises a driving motor and a timing belt pulley, the driving motor drives the timing belt pulley to cooperate with the timing belt and move along the timing belt; and the guide assembly of the distribution trolley is configured to cooperate with the trolley track to guide a moving direction of the distribution trolley.