Ventilated vacuum commutation structures

• US 9,283,683 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2014
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
• Inventors: Andrews, Robert E., Hohm, Gottfried Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): HESS, DOUGLAS A
• Application Number:
  US14/261,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20150028612A1
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 198/377.04, 198/377.08, 198/471.1, 198/482.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15764 Transferring, feeding or handling devices; Drives
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/0616 with vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2406/3454 performing oscillating movement during rotation

Abstract

Ventilated vacuum structures such as pucks and rings are disclosed for carrying portions of disposable products during manufacturing. Air flow enters vacuum commutation ports on an article carrying structure from vents nearby, the vents receiving air from a side, a top or an underside of the article carrying structure.

Claims

1. A structure for carrying portions of a disposable article, said structure comprising:

an article carrying structure comprising an underside and an article carrying face;

a plurality of vacuum commutation pipes coupled to a source of vacuum;

a plurality of vacuum void spaces on said article carrying face of said article carrying structure, said vacuum void spaces coupled to said vacuum commutation pipes;

air supply void spaces on said article carrying face of said article carrying structure,

an open sidewall structure positioned between said underside and said article carrying face, said open sidewall structure allowing passage of air to said air supply void spaces.

2. A structure according to claim 1, said structure further comprising a vacuum port plate coupled to said vacuum commutation pipes.

3. A structure according to claim 2, said vacuum port plate comprising port plate vacuum void spaces coupled to said source of vacuum.

4. A structure according to claim 1, said structure carried by a rotating body for rotating said structure in an orbital fashion about a first axis.

5. A structure according to claim 4, said structure further carried by a secondary rotating body for rotating said structure rotationally about a second axis.

6. A structure according to claim 1, said vacuum void spaces positioned adjacent said air supply void spaces.

7. A structure according to claim 1, said vacuum void spaces receiving air from said air supply void spaces.