Patent · US Active

Vacuum lifter

US11673754B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
7References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 10, 2018
Grant dateJun 13, 2023
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 9, 2040

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65H2406/363
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles comprises an upper chassis, a modular lower suction plate supported beneath the chassis, a controller and a source of vacuum air pressure, the suction plate comprising a suction lifting surface for providing vacuum lifting pressure to said articles. The modular suction plate has plural side-by-side modules, each module providing a different portion of the suction lifting surface and having one or more air outlets, outlets of one module separate from outlets of other modules and in fluid communication with the corresponding portion of the suction lifting surface and not with different portions of the suction lifting surface. The chassis comprises at least one air outlet connected to said source of vacuum air pressure, and a plurality of separate air flow channels through the chassis. Each air flow channel has an associated air flow valve and a valve actuator.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.