Flattening and item orientation correction device

An item manipulation apparatus comprising:

• a first arm assembly comprising a first arm, a second arm parallel to the first arm, a first shaft disposed between the first arm and the second arm at a first location along the first arm and the second arm, and a first head attachment disposed between the first arm and the second arm at a second location along the first arm and the second arm;
• a first driver coupled to the first shaft and configured to control movement of the first arm assembly about a first axis extending along a length of the first shaft;
• a second driver coupled to first head attachment and configured to control movement of the first head attachment about a second axis extending along a length of the first head attachment;
• and
• a second arm assembly comprising a second head attachment, wherein the second head attachment comprises:
• a third arm, a fourth arm parallel to the third arm, a second shaft disposed between the third arm and the second arm at a first location along the third arm and the fourth arm, wherein the second head attachment is disposed between the third arm and the fourth arm at a second location along the third arm and the fourth arm;
• a third driver coupled to the second shaft and configured to control movement of the second arm assembly about a third axis extending along a length of the second shaft;
• and
• a fourth driver coupled to the second head attachment and configured to control movement of the second head attachment about a fourth axis extending along a length of the second head attachment.

A method for manipulating an item on a conveyor belt, the method comprising:

• detecting a presence of the item on the conveyor belt;
• upon determining that a predetermined condition for manipulating the item is satisfied, determining a type of a manipulation to apply to the item on the conveyor belt;
• selecting a first set of manipulation devices of a manipulation apparatus to manipulate the item instead of a second set of manipulation devices of the manipulation apparatus, based on the type of manipulation, wherein the first set of manipulation devices include a first type of head attachment and the second set of manipulation devices include a second type of head attachment wherein the first head attachment comprises a brush configured to uncrinkle items;
• and
• controlling the first set of manipulation devices to apply the type of manipulation to the item on the conveyor belt.