assort, sort, a sort

Assort or assort ( one word, double 's' )  means to arrange or distribute according to kind or type--
Let's straighten these out, and then we'll assort them among the work bins.
Open all the packages, and assort the candy among the treat bags.
Assort also means to associate or to have social relations with--
He is on probation, and is forbidden to assort with known criminals.

Sort or sort means to classify or separate according to type or kind--
Can you sort these according to size?
Make sure to sort the laundry before putting it in the washer.

A sort or a sort ( two words, single 's' ) means one ( a ) of a type, kind, or classification ( sort )--
He put together a sort of video security device, using an old camera and a motion detector.
It's hard to describe, other then to say that it's a sort of  wallet or clutch.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We were told to sort these according to shape, and then to assort them among a set of trays moving along a sort of assembly line."

Note--"sorted" is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "sort", meaning to classify or separate by type or kind--
This is a sorted pile of laundry.
"Assorted" is the past tense of "assort", meaning to distribute according to type, also used as an adjective ( describes something ), meaning of mixed types or kinds--
Buy a bag of assorted candy when you go to the store.
Note # 2--not to be confused with "sordid", meaning filthy, low, or squalid, literally or figuratively--
Don't let him choose the movie; he'll come back with a sordid melodrama.
Note # 3--the two words "as sort",  meaning for example ( as ) separate according to type ( sort ), might be used together in a sentence--
They were given directions such as "sort these by size".