Patent ID: 7084365

Claim:
A method of sorting items, comprising the steps of: introducing unsorted items into a first sorting station of the type which includes a first conveyor; performing a first sorting process on said unsorted items at said first sorting station, including the steps of: identifying a first class of said items characterized by a first characteristic and a second class of said items characterized by a second characteristic; assembling a first plurality of said first class of items into a first region of said first conveyor such that said first area is devoid of items from said second class; assembling a second plurality of said second class of items into a second region of said first conveyor such that said second area is devoid of items from said first class; and permitting items from said first and second classes to be assembled into a non-discrete region of said conveyor during said assembling steps, wherein said non-discrete region is exclusive of and located between said first and said second regions; performing a second sorting process, subsequent to said first sorting process, including the steps of: transferring said first plurality of items from said first region to a first takeaway bin; and transferring said second plurality of items from said second region to a second takeaway bin.