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: Methods and apparatus for material handling in an order fulfillment center. An order fulfillment system may include inventory storage, a processing area, and a control system. The inventory storage may in some instances include two storage areas, and in some cases the processing area may be disposed between the two storage areas. The processing area may include a router module that is configured to receive inventory items that have been picked from the inventory storage. Inventory items may be received by the router module via conveyance receptacles (e.g., totes, bins) that are conveyed using a conveyor mechanism. The processing area may also include a plurality of processing modules that may be configured to receive inventory items from the router module. In some instances, the processing modules may receive the inventory items via conveyance receptacles that are conveyed using the conveyor mechanism.

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: Methods and apparatus for material handling in an order fulfillment center. An order fulfillment system may include inventory storage, a processing area, and a control system. The inventory storage may in some instances include two storage areas, and in some cases the processing area may be disposed between the two storage areas. The processing area may include a router module that is configured to receive inventory items that have been picked from the inventory storage. Inventory items may be received by the router module via conveyance receptacles (e.g., totes, bins) that are conveyed using a conveyor mechanism. The processing area may also include a plurality of processing modules that may be configured to receive inventory items from the router module. In some instances, the processing modules may receive the inventory items via conveyance receptacles that are conveyed using the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for material handling in an order fulfillment center. An order fulfillment system may include inventory storage, a processing area, and a control system. The inventory storage may in some instances include two storage areas, and in some cases the processing area may be disposed between the two storage areas. The processing area may include a router module that is configured to receive inventory items that have been picked from the inventory storage. Inventory items may be received by the router module via conveyance receptacles (e.g., totes, bins) that are conveyed using a conveyor mechanism. The processing area may also include a plurality of processing modules that may be configured to receive inventory items from the router module. In some instances, the processing modules may receive the inventory items via conveyance receptacles that are conveyed using the conveyor mechanism.

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.