CONVEYOR SYSTEM WITH DISTRIBUTED ARTICLE MANIPULATION

摘要

A system (20, 22) and method for manipulating articles (38) includes providing a bed (30) having at least one conveying surface. The conveying surface is adapted to move articles (38) in a direction of conveyance from an upstream end to a downstream end of the bed. At least one sensor (36, 34a, 34b, 34c) is provided to determine the position of any articles (38) on the bed (30). Selected articles are moved in the direction of conveyance at a speed that is generally higher than articles traveling on the bed that have yet to be manipulated and the articles are selectively rotated.