Methods, apparatus, computing devices, computing entities, and/or the like associated with a robotic sortation system are provided. An example method may include receiving imaging data associated with a first item at a first sorting location of a material handling system, determining a sorting destination for the first item based at least in part on the imaging data, determining a plurality of first-tier robotic devices and a plurality of second-tier robotic devices based at least in part on the first sorting location and the sorting destination, and generating a first sortation scheme for the first item.

A method and system for sorting workpieces, such as chicken nuggets. The sorting system includes a conveyor system that advances in a forward direction and one or more blow off bars positioned over the conveyor system. The blow off bars extend along the forward advancing direction. The blow off bars include one or more valved nozzles connected to a pressurized source of a fluid, and the nozzles are positioned to discharge the fluid across the conveyor system.

A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location 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 a control system. The control system is 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 and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.

A cross belt sorting trolley is provided, including an upper conveying unit and a lower frame. A folding plate is horizontally mounted on a side of each side plate. A first bending connecting plate or a second bending connecting plate is vertically connected to the side of each side plate. The folding plate is an integral horizontal plate-like component. A plurality of uniform circular arc-shaped sections are arranged on an outer side edge of the folding plate. The plurality of uniform circular arc-shaped sections of folding plates on both sides of the cross belt sorting trolley engage with each other. A plurality of folding plate fixing plates are mounted on a side portion of each side plate. The plurality of folding plate fixing plates are provided with bending portions. Side portions of the plurality of folding plate fixing plates are fixedly connected to side plates.

A cross belt sorting trolley is provided, including an upper conveying unit and a lower frame. A folding plate is horizontally mounted on a side of each side plate. A first bending connecting plate or a second bending connecting plate is vertically connected to the side of each side plate. The folding plate is an integral horizontal plate-like component. A plurality of uniform circular arc-shaped sections are arranged on an outer side edge of the folding plate. The plurality of uniform circular arc-shaped sections of folding plates on both sides of the cross belt sorting trolley engage with each other. A plurality of folding plate fixing plates are mounted on a side portion of each side plate. The plurality of folding plate fixing plates are provided with bending portions. Side portions of the plurality of folding plate fixing plates are fixedly connected to side plates.

Provided is an optical sorter including a chute arranged in an inclined manner such that objects to be sorted flow down, an optical detecting unit configured to detect the objects to be sorted at a detection position, and an ejector unit configured to sort and remove the objects to be sorted based on a result of detection obtained by the optical detecting unit. The optical detecting unit includes an illuminating unit configured to illuminate the detection position, and an imaging unit configured to image the objects to be sorted at the detection position. The chute is provided with an optical detection slit orthogonally crossing a flowing down direction of the objects to be sorted. The optical detecting unit images the objects to be sorted flowing down on the chute with the imaging unit using a position at which the optical detection slit is provided as the detection position.

Embodiments relate to a crop harvesting apparatus configured to garner or harvest crops from plants via vacuum suction and sort the garnered crops via a quick-switching gate system. A vacuum source generates the vacuum suction for the apparatus so that crops are garnered (or plucked) from the plant via suction through an end-effector, which are then transferred to a crop sorter by way of tubing that has a smooth inner surface. The crop sorter utilizes a gate system that exploits vacuum suction from the vacuum source and gravity to quickly and effectively sort the garnered crops into a hopper and a rejection bin.

Embodiments relate to a crop harvesting apparatus configured to garner or harvest crops from plants via vacuum suction and sort the garnered crops via a quick-switching gate system. A vacuum source generates the vacuum suction for the apparatus so that crops are garnered (or plucked) from the plant via suction through an end-effector, which are then transferred to a crop sorter by way of tubing that has a smooth inner surface. The crop sorter utilizes a gate system that exploits vacuum suction from the vacuum source and gravity to quickly and effectively sort the garnered crops into a hopper and a rejection bin.

An article sorting nesting device includes an article delivery device, a rack assembly and a collection device under operation by a controller to transport, sort and nest random articles into a particular configuration. The rack assembly is arranged at an angle and incrementally displaced relative to the delivery device to position empty shelves adjacent the delivery device to successively receive the articles by gravity. The controller controls which articles from the shelves are delivered in sequence to a collection device based on a sensed length, width or color of each article. The collection device collects the selected sequential articles and arranges them in the particular configuration.

Systems and methods for vacuum extraction for material sorting applications are provided. In one embodiments, a vacuum object sorting system comprises: a vacuum extraction assembly that includes at least one vacuum extractor device having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to convert a controlled compressed air stream into a channeled vacuum airflow entering the inlet and exiting the outlet; and an object recognition device coupled to sorting control logic and electronics, wherein the controlled compressed air stream is controlled in response to a signal generated by the object recognition device; wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to capture a target object identified by the sorting control logic and electronics utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, and further utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, to pass the target object through the inlet and outlet to a deposit location.