A system for sorting a plurality of vessels, comprising: a sorting unit configured to sort a plurality of vessels, wherein each vessel is configured to hold a sample and comprises an identification region for providing information related to a sorting group into which the sample is to be sorted, and wherein the sorting unit comprises: (i) a first transfer belt configured to individually transport each of the plurality of vessels from an entry position to a second position within the sorting unit; (ii) a scanning unit positioned adjacent to the second position and configured to read the identification region on each of the plurality of vessels, wherein the scanning unit comprises a reader that reads the identification region and stores the information related to each of the vessels as the vessel is sorted by the system; (iii) an end component that receives the vessel from the first transfer belt and positions the vessel at the second position for reading by the scanning unit; (iv) at least one nesting belt (125; 126; 127) configured to position each of the plurality of scanned vessels for transport to a designated collection point, wherein the at least one nesting belt (125; 126; 127) advances in timed intervals and comprises a plurality of stages; and (v) a manipulator configured to physically manipulate each of the plurality of scanned vessels and individually transfer individual vessels from the end component to the at least one nesting belt (125; 126; 127), wherein the position of the vessel on the at least one nesting belt (125; 126; 127) is stored by the system; and at least one runner positioned at an exit position of the sorting unit and configured to physically manipulate each of the plurality of scanned vessels and transfer each of the vessels from the at least one nesting belt (125; 126; 127) to a designated collection point. a sorting unit configured to sort a plurality of vessels, wherein each vessel is configured to hold a sample and comprises an identification region for providing information related to a sorting group into which the sample is to be sorted, and wherein the sorting unit comprises: (i) a first transfer belt configured to individually transport each of the plurality of vessels from an entry position to a second position within the sorting unit; (ii) a scanning unit positioned adjacent to the second position and configured to read the identification region on each of the plurality of vessels, wherein the scanning unit comprises a reader that reads the identification region and stores the information related to each of the vessels as the vessel is sorted by the system; (iii) an end component that receives the vessel from the first transfer belt and positions the vessel at the second position for reading by the scanning unit; (iv) at least one nesting belt (125; 126; 127) configured to position each of the plurality of scanned vessels for transport to a designated collection point, wherein the at least one nesting belt (125; 126; 127) advances in timed intervals and comprises a plurality of stages; and (v) a manipulator configured to physically manipulate each of the plurality of scanned vessels and individually transfer individual vessels from the end component to the at least one nesting belt (125; 126; 127), (i) a first transfer belt configured to individually transport each of the plurality of vessels from an entry position to a second position within the sorting unit; (ii) a scanning unit positioned adjacent to the second position and configured to read the identification region on each of the plurality of vessels, wherein the scanning unit comprises a reader that reads the identification region and stores the information related to each of the vessels as the vessel is sorted by the system; (iii) an end component that receives the vessel from the first transfer belt and positions the vessel at the second position for reading by the scanning unit; (iv) at least one nesting belt (125; 126; 127) configured to position each of the plurality of scanned vessels for transport to a designated collection point, wherein the at least one nesting belt (125; 126; 127) advances in timed intervals and comprises a plurality of stages; and (v) a manipulator configured to physically manipulate each of the plurality of scanned vessels and individually transfer individual vessels from the end component to the at least one nesting belt (125; 126; 127), wherein the position of the vessel on the at least one nesting belt (125; 126; 127) is stored by the system; and at least one runner positioned at an exit position of the sorting unit and configured to physically manipulate each of the plurality of scanned vessels and transfer each of the vessels from the at least one nesting belt (125; 126; 127) to a designated collection point.