An improved gripper mechanism for a palletizer apparatus is configured to receive articles from an associated infeed conveyor in any one of a plurality of orientations of the gripper mechanism relative to the infeed conveyor, thus desirably reducing the cycle time required for each of the articles to be handled and positioned by the gripper mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, the gripper mechanism is configured to receive articles through any one of the four sides of the mechanism, thereby desirably reducing the cycle time required for returning the gripper mechanism to a position and orientation for receiving the next successive article from the infeed conveyor.

A method is provided for measuring optical characteristics of a glass sheet as the glass sheet is conveyed in a system for fabricating glass sheets including one or more processing stations and one or more conveyors for conveying the glass sheet during processing. The method comprises providing a background screen including contrasting elements arranged in a pre-defined pattern and a camera for acquiring an image of the background screen; acquiring data associated with a shape of a glass sheet travelling on a conveyor upstream from the background screen; removing the glass sheet from the conveyor; and positioning the glass sheet between the camera and the screen and thereafter acquiring an image of the background screen; re-positioning the glass sheet for continued movement of the glass sheet on the conveyor; and performing one or more processing operations using the acquired image data to analyze the optical characteristics of the glass sheet.

A processing system including a singulation system is disclosed. The singulation system includes a conveying system for moving objects to be sorted from a source area along a first direction, a detection system for detecting objects at the conveying system, and for selecting certain selected objects for removal from the conveying system, and a removal system for removing the certain selected objects from the conveying system for providing a singulated stream of objects.

An automated system and method wrap the fastening ties around the body of a continuous stream of facemasks in a facemask production line. The facemasks are oriented such that each facemask has a leading pair of ties and a trailing pair of ties extending from a body in a conveying direction of the production line. At a wrapping station in the production line, the body is subsequently clamped with a clamping device of an automated robotic arm. The robotic arm is driven in the conveying direction while rotating the clamping device and body relative to a rotation axis through the body to cause the leading and trailing pairs of ties to wrap around the body. The robotic arm then deposits the facemask with wrapped ties onto the conveyor.

A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

A conversion assembly for transferring an item from a first tray to a second tray. The conversion assembly includes a paddle assembly, a first tine assembly comprising one or more tines coupled to a first rotating shaft, and a second tine assembly comprising one or more tines coupled to a second rotating shaft. The first tine assembly is configured to facilitate emptying the item from the first tray onto the paddle assembly and the second tine assembly is configured to facilitate moving the first tray to a second conveyor while the item remains on the paddle assembly. The first tine assembly alters an orientation of the second tray to a position to receive the item from the paddle assembly, and wherein the paddle assembly is configured to move the second tray and the item back onto a first conveyor.

A processing system including a singulation system is disclosed. The singulation system includes a conveying system for moving objects to be sorted from a source area along a first direction, a detection system for detecting objects at the conveying system, and for selecting certain selected objects for removal from the conveying system, and a removal system for removing the certain selected objects from the conveying system for providing a singulated stream of objects.

A processing system including a singulation system is disclosed. The singulation system includes a conveying system for moving objects to be sorted from a source area along a first direction, a detection system for detecting objects at the conveying system, and for selecting certain selected objects for removal from the conveying system, and a removal system for removing the certain selected objects from the conveying system for providing a singulated stream of objects.

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.