Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A vacuum chucking tool comprising a vacuum chuck capable of being evacuated or pressurized when connected to a pneumatic system, for clamping or releasing an object to or from the vacuum chuck, the vacuum chuck having:- a head for holding the object; a cavity formed in the head; an inlet formed in the head for sucking the object towards the head, the inlet being connected to the cavity; a holder for supporting the head; a connection means provided on the holder for connecting the chuck to the pneumatic system; a manifold formed in the holder, for connecting the cavity to the connection means; and a liquid-gas separating membrane for separating gas from liquid in a mixture of liquid and gas, the liquid-gas separating membrane being spanned between the cavity and the manifold, or between the cavity and the inlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A vacuum chucking tool comprising a vacuum chuck capable of being evacuated or pressurized when connected to a pneumatic system, for clamping or releasing an object to or from the vacuum chuck, the vacuum chuck having:- a head for holding the object; a cavity formed in the head; an inlet formed in the head for sucking the object towards the head, the inlet being connected to the cavity; a holder for supporting the head; a connection means provided on the holder for connecting the chuck to the pneumatic system; a manifold formed in the holder, for connecting the cavity to the connection means; and a liquid-gas separating membrane for separating gas from liquid in a mixture of liquid and gas, the liquid-gas separating membrane being spanned between the cavity and the manifold, or between the cavity and the inlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vacuum chucking tool as claimed in claim 1, the vacuum chucking tool comprising a plurality of vacuum chucks as set forth in claim 1, the chucks being arranged in parallel to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A vacuum chucking tool as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid-gas separating membrane in the or each vacuum chuck comprises a membrane having a plurality of tiny holes through which gas molecules may pass but not liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vacuum chucking tool as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the inlet of the or each vacuum chuck is formed in a bottom surface of the head of the chuck.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vacuum chucking tool as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the inlet of the or each vacuum chuck is formed in a side wall of the head of the chuck.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A vacuum chucking system, comprising a vacuum chucking tool as claimed in any preceding claim and a pneumatic system operable to evacuate or pressurize the or each vacuum chuck, for clamping or releasing an object to or from the vacuum chuck.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
A vacuum chucking system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pneumatic system comprises:- an aspirator for evacuating the or each vacuum chuck; a compressed gas means for sending compressed gas to the or each vacuum chuck; and a switching valve connected between the vacuum chucking tool and the aspirator and the compressed gas means, for switching connection of the vacuum chucking tool to the aspirator or to the compressed gas means.