Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for non-contact processing a substrate, for example a glass substrate, overtop a gas layer. The support apparatus includes a plurality of gas bearings positioned on a pressure box supplied with a pressurized gas. Some embodiments are directed to a method of supporting and transporting softened glass. The method includes placing the glass in proximity to a gas bearing device having a support surface with a plurality of outlet ports disposed therein. Some embodiments are directed to a glass processing apparatus comprising an air table configured to continuously transport and support a stream of glass and a plurality of modular devices supported by a support structure and disposed above the air table. Some embodiments are directed to a method for flattening viscous glass using a two-sided gas bearing device or a one-sided gas bearing device.

A conveying apparatus can comprise one or more support members defining an interior passage and a first plurality of apertures. A first cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a first end portion of a support area can be greater than a second cross-sectional area of the interior passage at a second end portion of the support area. A tube can extend within the interior passage and comprises a second plurality of apertures. Methods are also provided for conveying a ribbon with one or more support members.

A printer includes a substrate support, a printhead assembly, first and second actuators, and a controller. The printhead assembly deposits material on a substrate supported on the substrate support. The first actuator is disposed at a side of the substrate support and coupled to a first linear track disposed along the side of the substrate support and oriented in a first direction. The second actuator is disposed at an end of the substrate support and coupled to a second linear track disposed along the end of the substrate support and oriented in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second actuators are positioned to engage with the substrate simultaneously. The controller moves the first and second actuators together to rotate the substrate.

Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for non-contact processing a substrate, for example a glass substrate, overtop a gas layer. The support apparatus includes a plurality of gas bearings positioned on a pressure box supplied with a pressurized gas. Some embodiments are directed to a method of supporting and transporting softened glass. The method includes placing the glass in proximity to a gas bearing device having a support surface with a plurality of outlet ports disposed therein. Some embodiments are directed to a glass processing apparatus comprising an air table configured to continuously transport and support a stream of glass and a plurality of modular devices supported by a support structure and disposed above the air table. Some embodiments are directed to a method for flattening viscous glass using a two-sided gas bearing device or a one-sided gas bearing device.

A printer includes a substrate support, a printhead assembly, first and second actuators, and a controller. The printhead assembly deposits material on a substrate supported on the substrate support. The first actuator is disposed at a side of the substrate support and coupled to a first linear track disposed along the side of the substrate support and oriented in a first direction. The second actuator is disposed at an end of the substrate support and coupled to a second linear track disposed along the end of the substrate support and oriented in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second actuators are positioned to engage with the substrate simultaneously. The controller moves the first and second actuators together to rotate the substrate.

A mattress topper for fitting to a mattress may include a lower layer, a side layer configured to extend down along a side of the mattress, and an upper layer overlaying the lower layer and at least partially disposed between the lower layer and the side layer. The mattress topper may also include a seam including threads and extending along peripheral edges of the lower layer and the upper layer and extending through the lower layer, upper layer, and side layer, the lower layer and side layer bearing the threads of the seam. An air table may include a top panel including a plurality of vents extending through the top panel. A method of making a mattress topper with an air table may include lifting the mattress topper with the air table while performing sewing procedures on the mattress topper.

A roller conveyor having a bed of rollers supported by air bearings and driven by a linear-motor stator. The rollers are made of electrically conductive or magnetic material to operate as rotors forming linear motors with the linear stator. Air bearings support the ends of the rollers. Intermediate air bearings support the middle of long rollers in wide conveyors.

The apparatus for diverting objects such as containers, bundles, packages, which are conveyed on a transport apparatus, comprises a first transport device, on which the objects are transported in a single row, a second transport device, which is arranged to the side of the first transport device, and a diverting device, which is provided on one side of the transport apparatus and by means of which an object to be diverted is diverted from the first transport device onto the second transport device. The apparatus furthermore comprises a rail, which is provided on a side of the transport apparatus situated opposite the diverting device, and a device for generating an air jet, wherein the device for generating the air jet is configured such that the air jet which is generated runs parallel to the rail.

A glass processing apparatus to convey a glass sheet along a conveyance path can include a plurality of air bars spaced apart from each other along a first direction extending perpendicular to a central axis. Each air bar can include a surface with a plurality of fluid outlet ports. The glass processing apparatus can include a plurality of plates, and at least one of the plurality of plates can be positioned between ones of the plurality of air bars. Each plate can include a surface with a plurality of fluid inlet ports. The plurality of air bars and the plurality of plates can be symmetrically arranged relative to the central axis. Methods of processing a glass sheet can include emitting fluid from the plurality of fluid outlet ports of each of the plurality of air bars, thereby providing a cushion of fluid.

The apparatus for diverting objects such as containers, bundles, packages, which are conveyed on a transport apparatus, comprises a first transport device, on which the objects are transported in a single row, a second transport device, which is arranged to the side of the first transport device, and a diverting device, which is provided on one side of the transport apparatus and by means of which an object to be diverted is diverted from the first transport device onto the second transport device. The apparatus furthermore comprises a rail, which is provided on a side of the transport apparatus situated opposite the diverting device, and a device for generating an air jet, wherein the device for generating the air jet is configured such that the air jet which is generated runs parallel to the rail.