Article sorting system and method

A system for sorting articles to one or more destinations, the system comprising:

• an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted;
• a first computer-controlled mobile transport device having a first position in which an article is stowed about the device and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal destination container;
• a platform elevated from a first surface, wherein the first computer-controlled mobile transport device traverses the platform and the stowed articles are deposited into a destination container positioned proximal the platform;
• a control system configured to:
• receive a first order for a plurality of disparate articles found within the article supply location;
• assign a first destination container of a plurality of destination containers to the first order to direct the first computer-controlled mobile transport device to deposit a first article and a second article into the first destination container based on a product type of each article, the first and second articles selected from the plurality of disparate articles, wherein the first and second articles from the article supply location are both deposited at a same instant onto the first computer-controlled mobile transport device;
• direct the first computer-controlled mobile transport device to transport and deposit both the first and second articles in the first destination container in a single trip by manipulation of the first computer-controlled mobile transport device from the first position to the second position;
• determine the first order has been completed;
• receive a second order for a plurality of disparate articles found within the article supply location;
• assign a second destination container of the plurality of destination containers to the second order to direct a second computer-controlled mobile transport device to deposit a third article and a fourth article into the second destination container based on a product type of each article, the third and fourth articles selected from the plurality of disparate articles, wherein the third and fourth articles from the article supply location are both deposited at a same instant onto the second computer-controlled mobile transport device, wherein the second computer-controlled mobile transport device has a first position in which an article is stowed about the device and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal destination container, wherein the second computer-controlled mobile transport device traverses the platform;
• direct the second computer-controlled mobile transport device to transport and deposit both the third and fourth articles in the second destination container in a single trip by manipulation of the second computer-controlled mobile transport device from the first position to the second position;
• and
• determine the second order has been completed.

A system for sorting articles to one or more destinations, the system comprising:

• an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted;
• a first computer-controlled mobile transport device having a first position in which an article is stowed about the device and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal destination container;
• a platform elevated from a first surface, wherein the first computer-controlled mobile transport device traverses the platform and the stowed articles are deposited into a destination container positioned proximal the platform;
• a control system configured to:
• receive a first order for a plurality of disparate articles found within the article supply location;
• assign a first destination container of a plurality of destination containers to the first order to direct the first computer-controlled mobile transport device to deposit a first article and a second article into the first destination container based on a product type of each article, the first and second articles selected from the plurality of disparate articles, wherein the first and second articles from the article supply location are both deposited at a same instant onto the first computer-controlled mobile transport device;
• direct the first computer-controlled mobile transport device to transport and deposit both the first and second articles in the first destination container in a single trip by manipulation of the first computer-controlled mobile transport device from the first position to the second position;
• determine the first order has been completed;
• direct removal of the first destination container for shipment processing, and direct placement of a replacement destination container at a location of the removed first destination container;
• or
• direct removal of all articles in the first destination container for shipment processing and assign a third order to the first destination container.

A control system configured for use with sorting of a plurality of disparate articles, the control system comprising a memory and a processor, the control system configured to:

• receive a first order for a plurality of disparate articles found within an article supply location;
• assign a first destination container of a plurality of destination containers to the first order to direct a first computer-controlled mobile transport device to deposit a first and a second article into the first destination container based on a product type of each article, the first and second articles selected from the plurality of disparate articles, wherein the first and second articles from the article supply location are both deposited at a same instant onto the first computer-controlled mobile transport device;
• direct the first computer-controlled mobile transport device to transport and deposit both the first and second articles in the first destination container in a single trip by manipulation of the first computer-controlled mobile transport device from a first position to a second position;
• and
• determine the first order has been completed.