an apparatus is provided for removing and transporting articles , such as contact lens sections from a manufacturing line to inspection and packaging stations . the lenses are deposited in a transparent plastic primary package which carries the lenses through the inspection station and becomes part of the primary package when a cover is sealed thereto . the invention includes various assemblies , including lens transfer assemblies , deionized water filling and removal assemblies , a water degassing assembly , a lens inspection assembly , and a lens package sealing assembly . the lenses are removed from pallets at a post hydration station , transported and spatially redistributed , and deposited in the primary packages disposed on a second set of pallets . the packages on the second set of pallets are filled with degassed deionized water . the contact lenses and packages are then transported to an inspection station . after inspection , the lenses and packages are transported to a water removal assembly , and then to another transfer assembly . this transfer assembly separates those lenses which passed inspection from those which did not , and places those that did in a consolidating assembly . the lenses and packages are then filled with saline solution and a foil label is then sealed thereto to form the primary package .