Vacuum pickup cup
US3934916A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 1974 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66C1/0243
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An article transfer apparatus and method is provided wherein a plurality of article pickup heads mounted on a movable support means is operative to pick up a plurality of spaced articles at a transfer station and move the articles to an output area while the array of articles is being compacted or spread, as desired. The adjustment of the space between the articles is accomplished by making the pickup heads in the form of collapsible suction cups with anti-collapse stiffening means on one side of the cups to tilt the articles either inwardly or outwardly with respect to the original article pattern. The stiffening means in the suction cup includes wedge members mounted in annular folds of the cup and interconnecting beads between the wedge members. The bottom fold is normally not provided with a wedge member and the lip serves to seal the cup on the article. A bifurcated wedge member is provided on the top of the cup and serves to cooperate with index means on the movable support. A second support means with pickup heads to handle a second array may be provided with mechanical mechanism to shift the two supports toward or away from each other.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.