Traction device for picking or packing objects
OwnerGary Shuttleworthinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A traction device for use in picking or gripping or packaging objects. The traction device draws an object (4) into its interior. It comprises (16) a surface of deformable material, shaped substantially as a tube with an end portion turned inside-out, forming an opening to an interior and an actuator (6) for moving the surface to draw the object into the interior. The surface of deformable material may be a part of a fluid-filled (20) toroid body. The traction device can be used in combination with a bag (42) to bag an object.
Claims33
A traction device, for drawing an object into its interior, comprising:
- a surface of deformable material, shaped substantially as a tube with an end portion turned inside-out, forming an opening to an interior and an actuator for moving the surface to draw the object into the interior.
A deformable bag for use with a traction device as claimed in any preceding claim formed from a water impermeable material and sized to fit, inside out, over the opening such that as the surface at the opening moves into the interior it draws the object into the bag and moves the bagged object into the interior.
A traction device, for drawing an object at least partially into its interior, comprising:
- a body having a length and comprising an opening at one end of its length, an interior accessible through the opening, a first flexible movable surface portion extending lengthwise at least from the interior to the opening and at least a second flexible movable surface portion extending lengthwise at least from the interior to the opening, wherein the first and second surface portions, as they extend from the interior diverge and form the opening;
- and an actuator for moving the first and second flexible movable surface portions at the opening together into the interior.
A deformable bag for use with a traction device as claimed in any preceding claim formed from a water impermeable material and sized to fit, inside out, onto the body and cover the opening such that as the first and second flexible movable surface portions at the opening move together into the interior they draw the object into the bag and move the bagged object into the interior.
A frictional traction device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
A deformable bag, for use with a friction traction device, sized to fit, inside out, over the opening of the traction device and comprising material on the exterior and or interior surface of the bag having an irregular surface which, in use, provides friction between the exterior surface of the bag and the traction device and or the object being collected.
A system for packaging an object comprising:
- a fluid filled body comprising deformable material and having a substantially toroidal shape with an opening to the interior of the body;
- and
- an attachable/detachable actuator for pulling the deformable material to draw an object through the opening into the interior of the body.
A packaged object comprising an object housed in the interior of a fluid filled body of substantially toroidal shape.
A method of packaging an object comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a fluid filled body comprising deformable material and having a substantially toroidal shape with an opening to the interior of the body
- b) placing the opening of the body over the object;
- and
- c) moving the deformable material to draw the object into the interior.
A method of picking, gripping or packaging an object or substance comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a body with a surface, shaped as a tube with an end portion turned inside-out, forming an opening to the interior of the body;
- b) placing the opening of the body over the object or substance so that the object or substance touches the surface;
- and
- c) moving the surface to draw the object into the interior.
A method of manufacturing a traction device comprising the steps of:
- forming a body by turning both the end portions of a tube of deformable material inside-out and joining the ends;
- filling the body with fluid;
- and
- attaching an actuator to the body.
A traction device, for drawing an object into its interior, comprising:
- a toroid body of deformable material having an opening to the interior and an actuator for rolling the surface of the toroid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.