US4881770A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for transporting perforated objects
Assignee: Novartis AG
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Filing: 1987-11-10
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Granted: 1989-11-21
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Expires: 2007-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A gripper head for connection with a suction device includes an air permeable suction plate having selected portions covered by a readily replaceable cover mask so that only the uncovered portions of the suction plate are suctionally active. The uncovered portions of a perforated object to be gripped by the gripper head having relatively few perforations.
Inventors
- 👤 Francesco Marzinotto
- 👤 Jurgen Junghans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:20
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G59/00; B65G59/02; B65G59/04; B65G47/00; B65G47/74; B65G47/90; B65G47/91; H; H05; H05K; H05K13/00; H05K13/0061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A transport device for transporting perforated objects, comprising: a gripper head including a permeable suction plate; suction means connected with said gripper head for providing a pressure drop across said permeable suction plate; means for adjusting the position of said gripper head; means for controlling the operation of said suction means and said positioning means, said control means operable to place said gripper head against a perforated object and to actuate said suction means to hold said perforated object against said gripper head; and means for masking selected portions of said permeable suction plate, said selected portions being selected to align with portions of said perforated object having a relatively large number of perforations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A transport device for transporting perforated objects, comprising: a gripper head including a permeable suction plate; suction means connected with said gripper head for providing a pressure drop across said permeable suction plate; means for adjusting the position of said gripper head; means for controlling the operation of said suction means and said positioning means, said control means operable to place said gripper head against a perforated object and to actuate said suction means to hold said perforated object against said gripper head; and means for masking selected portions of said permeable suction plate, said selected portions being selected to align with portions of said perforated object having a relatively large number of perforations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said masking means is replaceably mounted in the gripper head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said masking means comprises an impermeable membrane including windows.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the membrane is clamped in a frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the masking means is mounted on the interior of said gripper head.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the positioning device places an external surface of said suction plate against the perforated object to be transferred, and wherein the permeable suction plate is a perforated suction plate, the perforations of said perforated plate being encircled by elastic sealing means on the external surface of said perforated suction plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said elastic sealing means is an O-ring, and said perforated suction plate is provided with an O-ring seat for mounting of the O-ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said gripper head includes a plurality of ribs for maintaining said membrane in place.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said membrane is formed of a relatively rigid material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said masking means comprises an impermeable membrane including windows.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said permeable suction plate is formed from a porous material which is permeable to air.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of transporting a perforated object from a first location to a second location, comprising the steps of: masking selected portions of a suction plate of a vacuum-operated gripper head, said selected portions being chosen to correspond with portions of said perforated object having a relatively large number of perforations; placing said gripper head against said perforated object at said first position; applying a pressure drop across said suction plate to hold said perforated object against said gripper head; moving said gripper head and said perforated object to said second location; and removing the pressure drop across said suction plate to release said perforated object.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of transporting a perforated object from a first location to a second location, comprising the steps of: masking selected portions of a suction plate of a vacuum-operated gripper head, said selected portions being chosen to correspond with portions of said perforated object having a relatively large number of perforations; placing said gripper head against said perforated object at said first position; applying a pressure drop across said suction plate to hold said perforated object against said gripper head; moving said gripper head and said perforated object to said second location; and removing the pressure drop across said suction plate to release said perforated object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
92 words
A gripper head used in a vacuum operated transport device for transporting perforated objects, comprising: a base plate; a plurality of side walls attached to said base plate to define a housing having a generally U-shaped cross-section; a permeable suction plate mounted to said side walls opposite said base plate; and a cover mask, replaceably mounted in said gripper head, for covering selected portions of said suction plate, said cover mask being an impermeable membrane including windows, said gripper head further including a plurality of ribs for maintaining said membrane in place.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
92 words
A gripper head used in a vacuum operated transport device for transporting perforated objects, comprising: a base plate; a plurality of side walls attached to said base plate to define a housing having a generally U-shaped cross-section; a permeable suction plate mounted to said side walls opposite said base plate; and a cover mask, replaceably mounted in said gripper head, for covering selected portions of said suction plate, said cover mask being an impermeable membrane including windows, said gripper head further including a plurality of ribs for maintaining said membrane in place.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
87 words
A gripper head used in a vacuum operated transport device for transporting perforated objects, comprising: a base plate; a plurality of side walls attached to said base plate to define a housing having a generally U-shaped cross-section; a permeable suction plate mounted to said side walls opposite said base plate; and, a cover mask, replaceably mounted in said gripper head, for covering selected portions of said suction plate, said cover mask being an impermeable membrane including windows, wherein said membrane is formed of a relatively rigid material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
87 words
A gripper head used in a vacuum operated transport device for transporting perforated objects, comprising: a base plate; a plurality of side walls attached to said base plate to define a housing having a generally U-shaped cross-section; a permeable suction plate mounted to said side walls opposite said base plate; and, a cover mask, replaceably mounted in said gripper head, for covering selected portions of said suction plate, said cover mask being an impermeable membrane including windows, wherein said membrane is formed of a relatively rigid material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
85 words
A gripper head used in a vacuum operated transport device for transporting perforated objects, comprising: a base plate; a plurality of side walls attached to said base plate to define a housing having a generally U-shaped cross-section; a permeable suction plate mounted to said side walls opposite said base plate; and, a cover mask, replaceably mounted in said gripper head, for covering selected portions of said suction plate, said cover mask being an impermeable membrane including windows, wherein the membrane is clamped in a frame.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
85 words
A gripper head used in a vacuum operated transport device for transporting perforated objects, comprising: a base plate; a plurality of side walls attached to said base plate to define a housing having a generally U-shaped cross-section; a permeable suction plate mounted to said side walls opposite said base plate; and, a cover mask, replaceably mounted in said gripper head, for covering selected portions of said suction plate, said cover mask being an impermeable membrane including windows, wherein the membrane is clamped in a frame.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
90 words
A gripper head used in a vacuum operated transport device for transporting perforated objects, comprising: a base plate; a plurality of side walls attached to said base plate to define a housing having a generally U-shaped cross-section; a permeable suction plate mounted to said side walls opposite said base plate; and, a cover mask, replaceably mounted in said gripper head, for covering selected portions of said suction plate, said cover mask being an impermeable membrane including windows; wherein the masking means is mounted on the interior of said gripper head.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
90 words
A gripper head used in a vacuum operated transport device for transporting perforated objects, comprising: a base plate; a plurality of side walls attached to said base plate to define a housing having a generally U-shaped cross-section; a permeable suction plate mounted to said side walls opposite said base plate; and, a cover mask, replaceably mounted in said gripper head, for covering selected portions of said suction plate, said cover mask being an impermeable membrane including windows; wherein the masking means is mounted on the interior of said gripper head.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
57 words
The gripper head of claim 16, wherein the positioning device plates an external surface of said suction plate against the perforated object to be transferred, and wherein the permeable suction plate is a perforated suction plate, the perforations of said perforated plate being encircled by elastic sealing means on the external surface of said perforated suction plate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The gripper head of claim 17, wherein said elastic sealing means is an O-ring, and said perforated suction plate is provided with an O-ring seat for mounting of the O-ring.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The gripper head of claim 16, wherein said gripper head includes a plurality of ribs for maintaining said membrane in place.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gripper head of claim 16, wherein said membrane is formed of a relatively rigid material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
83 words
A gripper head used in a vacuum operated transport device for transporting perforated objects, comprising: a base plate; a plurality of side walls attached to said base plate to define a housing having a generally U-shaped cross-section; a permeable suction plated mounted to said side walls opposite said base plate, said permeable suction plate being formed from a porous material which is permeable to air; and, a cover mask, replaceably mounted on said gripper head, for covering selected portions of said suction plate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
83 words
A gripper head used in a vacuum operated transport device for transporting perforated objects, comprising: a base plate; a plurality of side walls attached to said base plate to define a housing having a generally U-shaped cross-section; a permeable suction plated mounted to said side walls opposite said base plate, said permeable suction plate being formed from a porous material which is permeable to air; and, a cover mask, replaceably mounted on said gripper head, for covering selected portions of said suction plate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-20 | 1993-05-22 | 1993-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-20 | 1997-05-22 | 1997-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-20 | 2001-05-22 | 2001-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |