Automated packing system

A computer-implemented method comprising:

• transferring one or more items into an item-consolidation area of a transfer station;
• transmitting, by one or more processors, a first actuation signal to an actuation mechanism of the transfer station to actuate into an open position, the actuation mechanism controlling movement of the one or more items from the item-consolidation area to a carton-receiving area of the transfer station including pivoting one or more doors at a passage between the item-consolidation area and the carton-receiving area to the open position, the carton-receiving area holding a carton, the open position allowing the one or more items to move from the item-consolidation area to the carton-receiving area, pivoting the one or more doors to the open position including translating a support member horizontally, the support member providing vertical support to the one or more doors via one or more contact points coupled with the support member when the one or more doors are in a closed position, the one or more contact points contacting varying points of the one or more doors at varying angles of the one or more doors as the support member translates horizontally;
• receiving, by the one or more processors, a confirmation message indicating that the one or more items have been transferred from the item-consolidation area to the carton-receiving area;
• and
• transmitting, by the one or more processors, a second actuation signal to the actuation mechanism to actuate into the closed position.

A system, comprising:

• means for receiving one or more items;
• means for receiving a carton;
• means for transferring the one or more items from the means for receiving the one or more items into the carton including:
• one or more door members at a passage between the means for receiving the one or more items and the means for receiving the carton, the one or more door members pivoting to close the passage and pivoting to open the passage, and
• an actuation mechanism including a support member that provides vertical support to the one or more door members via one or more contact points coupled with the support member when the one or more door members are in a closed position, the support member translating horizontally, the one or more contact points contacting varying points of the one or more door members at varying angles of the one or more door members as the support member translates horizontally;
• and
• means for transmitting a first actuation signal to the means for transferring the one or more items, the first actuation signal causing the one or more items to be transferred from the means for receiving the one or more items into the carton.