Dynamic conveyor system for custom sized packaging

A method of transporting a packaging container, the method comprising:

• positioning a packaging container between a first sled and a second sled of a conveyor system;
• moving one or both of the first sled and the second sled towards the packaging container;
• securing the packaging container between the first sled and the second sled by applying a compressive force to the packaging container by the first and second sleds;
• and
• moving the first sled and the second sled along a rail of the conveyor system to transport the packaging container along the rail.

A computer system for high-speed and high-efficiency packaging of items, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• one or more computer-readable media having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors configure the computer system to perform at least the following:
• receive a particular packaging container on a particular dynamic transportation mechanism, wherein the particular dynamic transportation mechanism is configured to automatically physically size itself to carry the particular packaging container;
• associate, with the one or more processors, the particular packaging container with a particular donor bin, wherein the particular donor bin contains at least one of the one or more target products;
• generate a queue command that is configured to cause the particular dynamic transportation mechanism to physically move itself into a queue of a set of dynamic transportation mechanisms;
• receive a request to package a second packaging container with a particular item, wherein the particular item is also associated with the particular donor bin;
• and
• generate a packing command that is configured to cause both:
• the particular dynamic transportation mechanism to physically move itself out of the queue and to a particular packing station where the particular donor bin is located, and
• a second dynamic transportation mechanism associated with the second packaging container to physically move itself to the particular packing station.

A conveyor system, comprising:

• a rail having one or more channels therein;
• and
• a sled operatively associated with the rail, the sled comprising:
• a body;
• one or more wheels mounted on the body and configured to move through the one or more channels in the rail;
• and
• a holding device connected to the body, the holding device being configured to engage a packaging container to move the packaging container along the rail, wherein the holding device comprises a horizontal surface configured to extend at least partially underneath the packaging container and a vertical surface configured to engage a vertical side of the packaging container, wherein the holding device is pivotally connected to the body by a pivot device, wherein the pivot device comprises a first half and a second half, wherein:
• the first half comprises a body with one or more magnetic members mounted therein and one or more limit channels formed therein;
• and
• the second half comprises a body with one or more magnetic members mounted therein and one or more limit pins extending therefrom, the one or more limit pins being configured to extend into the one or more limit channels.