Material moving apparatus, systems and methods
AssigneeSoftWear Automation, Inc.
InventorsD. Keith Appel, Michael J. Baker, Jeremy Nagorka
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Material moving apparatus, systems and methods are presented which can include an air material mover. Airflow through orifices can create a localized vacuum such that the uppermost or top layer of material can be separated from the stack of material. The airflow can interact with the material to produce flutter, which assists in separating lower layers from the uppermost layer. A material gripper can grip the uppermost or top layer of material for removal from the stack and repositioning in a work area.
Claims20
A material moving apparatus, comprising:
- an air material mover comprising:
- an array of orifices extending across the air material mover, the array of orifices configured to direct a flow of gas along an outer surface of the air material mover;
- at least one chamber configured to distribute the gas to the array of orifices, wherein the at least one chamber comprises baffles that assist in even distribution of the gas across the array of orifices;
- and
- a material gripper comprising at least one clamping element configured to clamp material attracted by the flow of gas against the outer surface of the air material mover.
A material moving apparatus, comprising:
- an air material mover comprising an array of orifices extending across the air material mover, the array of orifices configured to direct a flow of gas along an outer surface of the air material mover;
- and
- a material gripper comprising at least one clamping element configured to clamp material attracted by the flow of gas against the outer surface of the air material mover, wherein the at least one clamping element extends from a mounting bar pivotally mounted to an actuator bar coupled to the air material mover and the material gripper comprises an actuation device coupled to the mounting bar, the actuation device configured to rotate the at least one clamping element toward the outer surface of the air material mover.
A material moving apparatus, comprising:
- an air material mover comprising an array of orifices extending across the air material mover, the array of orifices configured to direct a flow of gas along an outer surface of the air material mover;
- and
- a material gripper comprising at least one clamping element configured to clamp material attracted by the flow of gas against the outer surface of the air material mover, wherein the air material mover and the material gripper are coupled to an actuator bar and movement of the actuator bar is provided through an industrial robot configured for positioning the air material mover adjacent to an edge of the material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.