Autonomous devices, systems, and methods for packing unfolded laundry articles

An autonomously operating system for packing unfolded laundry articles, comprising:

• a container configured to receive a plurality of unfolded laundry articles dropped from a height above into the container;
• a movable surface configured to receive the container thereon, the movable surface comprising at least one of a driven conveyor, driven pusher, and driven rollers;
• at least one actuator configured to impart motion to the received plurality of unfolded laundry articles disposed in the container, the at least one actuator comprising at least one of a drive motor configured rotate the at least one of the driven conveyor, driven pusher, and driven rollers;
• at least one plunger to compress the plurality of unfolded laundry articles within the container, the at least one plunger being operably connected to a linear actuator;
• at least one sensor disposed proximate the movable surface, the at least one sensor being configured to detect one or more container fill heights along a top surface of the plurality of unfolded laundry articles disposed within the container;
• and
• a controller in operable communication with the at least one actuator, the linear actuator of the at least one plunger, and the at least one sensor, the controller being configured to
• instruct the at least one actuator to move the container back and forth two or more times,
• instruct the at least one plunger to lower and compress the plurality of unfolded laundry articles,
• receive an output signal from the at least one sensor indicative of one or more container fill heights along the top surface of the plurality of unfolded laundry articles,
• analyze the received output signal to determine whether the container fill heights detected along the top surface of the plurality of unfolded laundry articles comprise a maximum height variation within a threshold range, and
• based on an analysis indicative of the maximum height variation being within the threshold range, instruct the drive motor of the movable surface to transit the container to a packing station for receiving one or more folded laundry articles atop the compressed plurality of unfolded laundry articles.