Patent · US Expired

Vacuum sheet applicator

US3952478A · kind A · utility

64Cited by
7References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 10, 1974
Grant dateApr 27, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 10, 1994

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65B25/08
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A sheet applicator for applying individual thin, flexible sheets of paper or similar material to a series of relatively thick, flat articles (e.g., hamburger patties) as those articles fall along a defined discharge path terminating at a stacking position, comprising a shuttle with vacuum grippers for transferring each flexible sheet from a transfer position to an application position on the article discharge path, where one of the articles engages the sheet and carries it to the end of the discharge path. The grippers engage at least three peripheral points around the edges of the sheet; the falling article pulls the sheet from the gripper, falling through a central opening in the shuttle. The carriage then returns for the next sheet. A single-sheet feeder applies the sheets to the shuttle in registry with the vacuum grippers.

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