Equipment and methods for treating objects
US11167565B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2017 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 15, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2203/01
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Machinery and techniques are disclosed for applying treatment processes to surfaces of objects arranged in a form of an array of objects, and for inspecting surface areas of the objects in such object arrays before and/or after applying the surface treatment processes thereto. The treated objects are held by an array of grippers/mandrels, each gripper/mandrel is configured to receive a respective object of the array, and to controllably generate gripping contact with internal surface(s) of the received object, for attaching the object thereto. A gripper of some embodiments comprises a body assembly configured to be at least partially received inside the object and comprising a hollow part extending along a length thereof, one or more friction imparting elements located in or on the body assembly and configured to change between an engaged state in which contact with inner surface of the object placed over the gripper is established therewith, and a released state in which there is no contact with the inner surface of the object, and an attachment mechanism configured to cause the one or more friction imparting elements to engage the inner surface of the object when said object is p…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.