Sorting system for groups of items having recirculation

A sorting system, comprising:

• an inlet area, for receiving items to be sorted;
• an outlet device, comprising a plurality of outlet receptacles, the output receptacles being detachable to allow the removal of items therefrom;
• a plurality of storage receptacles, mounted for circulation past the inlet area and the outlet device;
• and
• a control system;
• wherein an incoming item is passed from the inlet area to a storage receptacle;
• wherein the control system receives data identifying each item within the system;
• wherein output receptacles are assigned to groups of items having particular common characteristics;
• and
• wherein the control system:
• determines when output receptacles should be detached to allow the removal of items therefrom;
• determines the assignment of output receptacles to groups of items;
• and
• when a storage receptacle containing an item belonging to a group having no output receptacle assigned thereto, approaches the outlet device, determines whether to assign an output receptacle to said group or whether to recirculate said item within said storage receptacle, such that the number of said groups can exceed the number of output receptacles.