Vacuum conveyor system for removing articles, such as containers, from trays

A transfer system, comprising:

• a supply conveyor defining a downstream end, wherein the supply conveyor is configured to convey articles in trays toward the downstream end, wherein each article defines a top and a bottom;
• a discharge conveyor having an upstream end spaced in a downstream direction from the downstream end of the supply conveyor;
• and
• a separation and transfer arrangement interposed between the downstream end of the supply conveyor and the upstream end of the article discharge conveyor, wherein the separation and transfer arrangement includes an article transport member located above the articles at the downstream end of the supply conveyor that acts on the upper ends of the articles to suspend the articles therebelow, wherein the article transport member advances the articles from the downstream end of the supply conveyor to the upstream end of the discharge conveyor, and wherein the transfer system further includes a tray transport member extending from the downstream end of the supply conveyor, wherein the downstream end of the supply conveyor and the upstream end of the discharge conveyor are at generally the same elevation, and wherein the tray transport member advances the trays downwardly in an upstream-to-downstream direction so that the trays are positioned below the upstream end of the discharge conveyor as the articles are deposited on the upstream end of the discharge conveyor by the article transport member.