Within a sortation center, robotic drives may coordinate to sort packages. In some instances, first robotic drives on a third floor may deposit packages into first chutes that transfer the packages to a second floor. Awaiting second robotic drives on the second floor may receive the packages and may deposit the packages into second chutes that transfer the packages to a first floor. At the first floor, the packages may arrive into a container associated with shipping the packages. Depositing the packages in the first chutes may align the packages with a respective container on the first floor in a first direction and depositing the packages in the second chutes may align the packages with their respective container on the second floor in a second direction.

Sorting device comprising several sorting carts, which can be moved along a sorting track in a transport direction and in each case are provided with a load receiving device for controlled receipt and delivery of individually packaged goods, with a quantity of discharge points at which individually packaged goods can be specifically delivered according to a respective sorting destination from the sorting carts, wherein each discharge point has a width, wherein the width of at least some discharge points can be adjusted while the sorting device is operating, and method for sorting individually packaged goods using the device.

A device for sorting objects includes an input conveyor device with a plurality of input storage devices, which are movable in an input conveying direction. A loading station loads each input storage device with one object. An output conveyor device has a plurality of output storage devices, which are movable in an output conveying direction. A sorting end point discharges the objects. A first transfer region, in which the input conveyor device and the output conveyor device are arranged, allows objects to be transferred from the input storage devices into the output storage devices. A second transfer region, separate from the first transfer region, in which the output conveyor device and the sorting end point are arranged transfers objects from the output storage devices to the sorting end point. An additional sorting end point in the second transfer region enables more flexibly operation of the sorting device.

An Escort-Based Sorting (EBS) mail sorting and distribution center system configured and controlled for optimum mail flow and dispatch, minimal sorting center space usage, and elimination of peripheral storage and retrieval equipment. A plurality of input stations each include a mechanism for loading mailpieces and obtaining mailpiece data. A plurality of sorting banks each having a plurality of sorting modules, each sorting module adapted for the face-to-face conveyance of mailpieces for sorting by transferring select mailpieces from a first to a second conveyance path. The sorting modules define at least one row and a plurality tiers operatively coupled by a plurality of elevators. The elevators move mailpieces to and from tiers of the respective sorting bank. A system controller, operatively coupled to the input stations, sorting banks, and elevators, creates an association between the mailpiece information and the escort device, and sorts and dispatches mailpieces according to a dispatch schedule.

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 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. The system may also include vehicles having edge-detection assemblies for detecting items being loaded onto or discharged from the vehicles.

A sorting facility for sorting articles by a plurality of connected conveyance carriages. The sorting facility includes a supervisory controller managing a position of each of the conveyance carriages, a trigger sensor detecting each of the conveyance carriages, and a belt conveyor provided on each of the conveyance carriages. The supervisory controller identifies each of the conveyance carriages that should deliver the articles to the chute based on the managed position of each of the conveyance carriages. The supervisory controller instructs the belt conveyor provided in each of the conveyance carriages identified to start a delivery operation of each of the articles at timing when each of the conveyance carriages identified is detected by the trigger sensor.

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.

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.

The present application discloses a system, a method, and a computer system for correlating information to facilitate automated sortation. The method includes (i) receiving, by one or more processors, a first optical sensor data comprising a first element of routing data required to route an item but not a second element of routing data required, in addition to the first element, to route the item, (ii) obtaining the second element of routing data from a second optical sensor data, and (iii) causing the item to be routed based at least in part on the first element of routing data and the second element of routing data.