Auto induction from autobagger to sorting robot

1 . A system for packing and sorting, comprising:

a server comprising a memory, a processor, and a sortation engine;

a 3D (three-dimensional) sorting system comprising:

two shelves, each shelf composed of a plurality of storage locations vertically arranged on the shelf, each storage location configured to accept therein an article receptacle; and,

an article lift translating along three axes about a conveying rail frame, the conveying rail frame arranged between the two shelves and parallel to at least one of the two shelves, the article lift configured to sort an article received at the article lift to one of an article receptacle located at one of the plurality of storage locations of a shelf responsive to instructions received from the server;

and,

an automated packaging device configured to:

receive one or more articles sorted by the 3D sorting system through an opening of a repository of the automated packaging device, and

seal the repository to form a package.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the 3D sorting system is configured to consolidate orders whereby the one or more articles associated with an order are sorted into a respective article receptacle.

3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a package sorting system configured to: direct a package computer controlled vehicle to move to a receiving position about the automated packaging device for receiving the package from the automated packaging device, and direct the package computer controlled vehicle to transport and deposit the received package into a package receptacle.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the package computer controlled vehicle traverses a package sorting platform.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein one of:

an elevator transfers the package computer controlled vehicle from a floor level to a package sorting platform spaced apart from the floor level; or

the package computer controlled vehicle deposits the package at a lift of a post-packing sorting system.

6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a primary sorting system, wherein an output of the primary sorting system is provided as an input to the 3D sorting system.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the primary sorting system comprises one or more of a: conveyor, robotic arm sorter, tilt tray sorter, sweep sorter, activated roller sorter, cross belt sorter, and split tray sorter.

8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the primary sorting system comprises a plurality of article computer controlled vehicles, wherein the primary sorting system is configured to direct the article computer controlled vehicles to transport and deposit the one or more articles to be packaged at the lift of the 3D sorting system.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the article computer controlled vehicles traverse an article sorting platform spaced apart from a package sorting platform, wherein package computer controlled vehicles traverse the package sorting platform.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the package sorting platform is arranged above or below the article sorting platform in a vertically stacked configuration.

11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein an elevator is configured to transfer the article computer controlled vehicles between a floor level and one of: the article sorting platform and the package sorting platform.

12 . A system for packing and sorting, comprising:

a server comprising a memory, a processor, and a sortation engine,

an automated packaging device configured for:

receiving one or more articles through an opening of a repository of the automated packaging device, and

sealing the repository to form a package;

and,

an article receptacle transport system configured to direct a receptacle computer controlled vehicle to transport the article receptacle to a delivery position about the automated packaging device.

13 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising:

a package sorting system configured to:

direct a package computer controlled vehicle to move to a receiving position about the automated packaging device for receiving the package from the automated packaging device; and,

direct the package computer controlled vehicle to transport and deliver the received package to a post-packing sorting system.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein one of:

an elevator transfers the package computer controlled vehicle from a floor level to a package sorting platform spaced apart from the floor level; or

the package computer controlled vehicle deposits the package at a lift of a post-packing sorting system.

15 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising a primary sorting system configured to deliver the one or more articles to a secondary sorting system.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the secondary sorting system configured to consolidate one or more articles associated with an order to an article receptacle.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein an article receptacle transport system is configured to direct a receptacle computer controlled vehicle to transport the article receptacle to a delivery position about the automated packaging device.

18 . A system for packing and sorting, comprising:

a server comprising a memory, a processor, and a sortation engine;

a system for consolidation of articles into an order;

an automated packaging device configured to:

receive one or more articles through an opening of a repository of the automated packaging device, and

seal the repository to form a package;

and,

a robotic arm configured to transfer the package for delivery to a post-packing sorting system.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the robotic arm is configured to transfer the package to a conveyor system for delivery to the post-packing sorting system.

20 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the robotic arm is configured to transfer the package to a robotic vehicle for delivery to the post-packing sorting system.