PORTAL OF PICK AND PLACE ROBOTS FOR SORTING OBJECTS AND USE

A sorter system for handling a stream of objects of various shapes and sizes in bulk, e.g. 3D bulk. A first feeder section transports the objects in a first transport direction to a portal structure carrying a plurality of gantry robots, e.g. 3-10 robots, which can move along the portal structure. The robots pick objects from the first feeder section and places the objects in destination bins, e.g. roller cages, arranged in two lines within reach of the robots. Preferably, the first feeder section, the portal structure and the destination bin lines are parallel. A scanner reads information on each object regarding a destination bin for each object. The robots are controlled to either place the objects directly in their destination bins or to park objects on an intermediate parking space, e.g. one or more feeder sections, e.g. comprising an additional feeder section transporting objects in opposite direction of the first transport direction. Such intermediate parking allows coordination between the robots to optimize a total handling capacity. Objects not picked from the first feeder section may be returned to a position upstream of the first feeder section. The robots preferably place the objects in the destination bins at the lowest point available for the object to provide a careful handling and a high packing density in the destination bins. Such system provides a high sorting capacity at a small area.