System and method are provided where parcels or packages are associated or grouped, into logical group or logical containerization of parcels or packages, without need for physical container, such that parcels or packages can be tracked as a group, for example with a unique group ID. Logical group may be tracked within specified logical zone on conveyor, transported, sorted and/or otherwise processed as unique logical group without need to be contained in physical container. System and method for automated sortation can accumulate set number or set volume of packages, and then process the accumulated set number or volume of packages, including automatically closing a container filled with the packages.

An economic self-service terminal with simple but high safety features is described here.

In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes a set of pallets to hold a set of parcels. The system also includes a conveyor system to move the set of pallets to and from a transportation pod. The system further includes a lift system to lift the set of pallets to different heights within the transportation pod. The system further includes a storage system to store a set of parcels. The system further includes a mechanical arm to move the set of parcels from the storage system to the set of pallets.

A parcel handling and tracking system allows an all-around scanning of identifying features thanks to a scanning window, where the parcels are configured to sit at the scanning window on a resting surface of the parcel itself. The scanning window is light permeable to allow reading of the identifying features at the resting surface, possibly together with other identifying features at surfaces of the parcel other than the resting surface.

The invention relates to a method which comprises determining first geometry information of a first object stream of a plurality of objects, which are transported on a first conveyor. The method also comprises determining second geometry information of a second object stream of a plurality of objects which are transported on a second conveyor. The first conveyor is configured to transport objects at a first speed, and the second conveyor is configured to transport objects at a second speed. The first conveyor and the second conveyor are arranged in such a way that the objects which are transported by the first conveyor move onto the second conveyor. The method also comprises adjusting the first speed of the first conveyor and/or adjusting the second speed of the second conveyor on the basis of the determined first geometry information and/or the determined second geometry information.

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.

Features for systems and methods for loading items into a tray are disclosed. The system may have an item conveyor configured to move the items towards a tray conveyor. The tray conveyor may be configured to move trays to receive items from the item conveyor into the tray. One or more sensors may detect the height of the items on the item conveyor and/or in the tray, and/or the position of the trays on the tray conveyor. A controller may receive data related to the one or more detected heights of the items and/or the position of the trays on the tray conveyor and correspondingly control movement of the item and/or tray conveyors for efficient loading of items into the tray and efficient movement of the trays for further processing. Tray conveyor movement sensors may detect movement of the trays or tray conveyors for further control or reliability of the system.

A method to optimize operation of a parcel terminal having a mast and a loader attached thereto, the mast being configured to move horizontally within the parcel terminal and the loader being configured to move vertically within the parcel terminal and the method comprises synchronizing by using a computing device, a horizontal movement of the mast and a vertical movement of the loader based on the calculated horizontal travel time and the calculated vertical travel time. The method enables longer lifetime of participating components as well as longer service intervals of the terminal.

A singulation conveyor for conveying and separating piece goods, in particular packages and/or consignments, along at least one transport track bearing the piece goods items is described, wherein in the transport track, in some sections, finger elements adjustable between a lower setting and an upper setting are provided, and wherein the free ends of the finger elements in the upper setting are arranged in an upper position above an adjoining region of the transport track in such a way as to manipulate the motional direction and/or the motional speed of respectively individual piece goods items independently of other piece goods items.

System includes an article supply location that 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 one or more removal devices that transport the container to a location of further processing. System further includes a control system 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, deposit the article in the destination container, and transport the destination container to a location for further processing by manipulation of the removal device.