Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for automated item sortation and container handling. In one embodiment, an example method may include determining, by a controller, a first item identifier of a first item at an induction portion of a sortation system, determining an order identifier associated with the first item identifier, and determining a first container associated with the order identifier. The method may include causing a first mobile carrier unit to receive the item, and causing the first mobile carrier unit to deliver the first item to the first container.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to rotary sortation and storage systems may include a central beam, and a plurality of storage modules coupled to the central beam. Each storage module may include a plurality of trays arranged around the central beam. The plurality of trays may be configured to rotate around the central beam, and each tray may also be configured to extend or retract relative to the central beam. Further, each storage module may be configured to rotate the plurality of trays around the central beam independently of other storage modules, and each tray may also be configured to extend or retract relative to the central beam independently of other trays. Accordingly, the rotary sortation and storage systems may increase storage density while also facilitating various processes with improved speed, efficiency, throughput, and flexibility.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for automated gates to secure mobile carrier unit payloads. In one embodiment, an example system for a mobile carrier unit of a sortation system may include an automated gate configured to block an open end of the mobile carrier unit in a first position, and to unblock the open end of the mobile carrier unit in a second position, and a controller configured to control operation of the gate. The controller may be configured to determine that the conveyor belt is activated, cause the automated gate to move to the second position, determine that the item is off the conveyor belt, and cause the automated gate to move to the first position.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for automated item sortation and container handling. In one embodiment, an example method may include determining, by a controller, a first item identifier of a first item at an induction portion of a sortation system, determining an order identifier associated with the first item identifier, and determining a first container associated with the order identifier. The method may include causing a first mobile carrier unit to receive the item, and causing the first mobile carrier unit to deliver the first item to the first container.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and techniques for determining a pack station for storing inventory in a materials handling facility, routing item packages to pack stations based on size ranges for custom containers and optimizing dimensions of custom containers based on dimensions of a shipping container. For example, the systems described herein may allocate a percentage of inventory to a custom inventory location that is physically near custom container forming devices, thereby reducing the cost to pick, sort, pack and route items for shipment, storing or otherwise handling in a custom container.

Abstract: Conveying systems for transporting sealed containers, such as boxes, may be provided with one or more delta robots configured to cut one or more adhesive tapes or other layers provided on the sealed containers. The delta robots may include one or more blades or other cutting implements on end effectors, which may be repositioned by the delta robots in response to instructions. Such instructions may be generated based on images or imaging data captured from the sealed containers, which may be analyzed to recognize features, locations and orientations of the adhesive tapes or other layers applied across faces, seams or edges of the sealed containers. Using such robots, the sealed containers may be partially or completely opened prior to reaching one or more workers, who may quickly and efficiently access the internal contents of such containers with limited effort.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for material handling in an order fulfillment center. Embodiments may include one or more flexible, modular processing modules that may be configured to receive one or more inventory items that are to be processed for shipment. The received inventory items may correspond to single-item customer orders, or to multi-item customer orders. A pre-packaging station of the processing module may be configured to receive the one or more inventory items and to perform pre-packaging operations to produce a pre-packaged unit. The pre-packaged unit may include the one or more inventory items and a pre-packaging substrate. The processing module may also include an inspection station configured to automatically verifying one or more dimensions of the pre-packaged unit. The processing module may further include a packaging station configured to perform packaging operations to produce a packaged unit.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and techniques for determining a pack station for storing inventory in a materials handling facility, routing item packages to pack stations based on size ranges for custom containers and optimizing dimensions of custom containers based on dimensions of a shipping container. For example, the systems described herein may allocate a percentage of inventory to a custom inventory location that is physically near custom container forming devices, thereby reducing the cost to pick, sort, pack and route items for shipment, storing or otherwise handling in a custom container.

Abstract: A flexible, non-linear, unit-level sortation system for sorting mixed collections of items into orders. Collections of unsorted items for fulfilling requests are delivered to one or more singulation stations. At a singulation station, individual units of items are selected from a collection, associated with particular conveyance receptacles, and placed into the receptacles, with one and only one unit per receptacle. The receptacles may be inducted into a conveyance mechanism under the direction of a control system. The receptacles are not fixed to the conveyance mechanism. The control system may direct the conveyance mechanism to route the receptacles to a particular one of one or more sorting stations. At a sorting station, the units may retrieved from receptacles and placed into locations corresponding to particular orders under control or direction of the control system. The conveyance mechanism may, but does not necessarily, return empty conveyance receptacle to a singulation station.

Abstract: A flexible, non-linear, unit-level sortation system for sorting mixed collections of items into orders. Collections of unsorted items for fulfilling requests are delivered to one or more singulation stations. At a singulation station, individual units of items are selected from a collection, associated with particular conveyance receptacles, and placed into the receptacles, with one and only one unit per receptacle. The receptacles may be inducted into a conveyance mechanism under the direction of a control system. The receptacles are not fixed to the conveyance mechanism. The control system may direct the conveyance mechanism to route the receptacles to a particular one of one or more sorting stations. At a sorting station, the units may retrieved from receptacles and placed into locations corresponding to particular orders under control or direction of the control system. The conveyance mechanism may, but does not necessarily, return empty conveyance receptacle to a singulation station.

Abstract: A flexible, non-linear, unit-level sortation system for sorting mixed collections of items into orders. Collections of unsorted items for fulfilling requests are delivered to one or more singulation stations. At a singulation station, individual units of items are selected from a collection, associated with particular conveyance receptacles, and placed into the receptacles, with one and only one unit per receptacle. The receptacles may be inducted into a conveyance mechanism under the direction of a control system. The receptacles are not fixed to the conveyance mechanism. The control system may direct the conveyance mechanism to route the receptacles to a particular one of one or more sorting stations. At a sorting station, the units may retrieved from receptacles and placed into locations corresponding to particular orders under control or direction of the control system. The conveyance mechanism may, but does not necessarily, return empty conveyance receptacle to a singulation station.

Abstract: A flexible, non-linear, unit-level sortation system for sorting mixed collections of items into orders. Collections of unsorted items for fulfilling requests are delivered to one or more singulation stations. At a singulation station, individual units of items are selected from a collection, associated with particular conveyance receptacles, and placed into the receptacles, with one and only one unit per receptacle. The receptacles may be inducted into a conveyance mechanism under the direction of a control system. The receptacles are not fixed to the conveyance mechanism. The control system may direct the conveyance mechanism to route the receptacles to a particular one of one or more sorting stations. At a sorting station, the units may retrieved from receptacles and placed into locations corresponding to particular orders under control or direction of the control system. The conveyance mechanism may, but does not necessarily, return empty conveyance receptacle to a singulation station.