# US 5,704,673 A · Large area support label carrier > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,673 A - Document ID: US5704673A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/249,147 - Filed: 1994-05-25 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1994-05-25 - Assignees: Avery Dennison Corporation - Inventors: Mitchell R. Reckart - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704673A ## CPC - B65H 3/0883: {Construction of suction grippers or their holding devices} - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract The invention relates to a device for transferring thin sheet material which comprises: a face, a spine which is positioned adjacent to the face, a plurality of ribs which radiate away from the spine and are used to support the face, an apparatus for connecting the device to a machine arm, and a mechanism for providing vacuum over a substantial portion of a thin sheet material, wherein the face is configured in the same shape as the thin sheet material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A thin sheet material carrier comprising: a vacuum plate having a surface; a plurality of ribs connected to said vacuum plate for supporting said vacuum plate; a spine at least partly supporting said vacuum plate, and wherein said ribs taper from said spine to an edge of said carrier; means for connecting said vacuum plate to a machine arm; and means for providing vacuum over a substantial portion of a thin sheet material, wherein said surface is configured in the same shape as said thin sheet material and has a generally flat surface area nearly equal to said thin sheet material's surface area. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A thin sheet material carrier according to claim 1, wherein said ribs are perpendicular to said spine. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A thin sheet material carrier according to claim 1, wherein said means for providing vacuum includes a plurality of holes distributed over said surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A thin sheet material carrier according to claim 1, wherein said means for providing vacuum includes a passageway, a plurality of portholes connecting said passageway to said surface and a plurality of channels in said surface and radiating from said portholes. ### Claim 5 A thin sheet material carrier comprising: a vacuum plate having a generally flat surface; a plurality of ribs for supporting said vacuum plate; a spine at least partly supporting said vacuum plate and wherein said ribs taper from said spine to an edge of said carrier; means for connecting said vacuum plate to a machine arm; and means for providing a vacuum over a substantial portion of a thin sheet material wherein said means for providing vacuum includes a passageway, a plurality of portholes connecting said passageway to said surface and a plurality of channels radiating from said portholes. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A thin sheet material carrier according to claim 5, wherein said ribs are perpendicular to said spine. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A thin sheet material transfer carrier according to claim 5, wherein at least some of said channels run parallel to an edge of said surface to form a seal at said edge. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) A thin sheet material transfer carrier according to claim 5, wherein said passageway is disposed within said spine. ### Claim 9 A thin sheet material carrier comprising: a vacuum plate having a generally flat surface; a plurality of ribs for supporting said vacuum plate; a spine at least partly supporting said vacuum plate and wherein said ribs taper from said spine to an edge of said carrier; means for connecting said vacuum plate to a machine arm; and means for providing vacuum over a substantial portion of a thin sheet material, wherein said vacuum plate and ribs are made from a flexible material such that said thin sheet material carrier conforms to a wall of a mold. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A thin sheet material carrier according to claim 9, wherein said flexible material is silicone. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A thin sheet material carrier according to claim 9, wherein said ribs are perpendicular to said spine. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) A thin sheet material carrier according to claim 9, wherein said means for providing vacuum includes a plurality of holes distributed over said surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) A thin sheet material carrier according to claim 9, wherein said means for providing vacuum includes a passageway, a plurality of portholes connecting said passageway to said surface, and a plurality of channels in said surface and radiating from said portholes. ### Claim 14 A thin sheet material sheet material carrier comprising: a vacuum plate having a surface; a plurality of ribs connected to said vacuum plate for supporting said vacuum plate; means for connecting said vacuum plate to a machine arm; and means for providing vacuum over a substantial portion of a thin sheet material, wherein said surface is configured in the same shape as said thin sheet material and has a generally flat surface area nearly equal to said thin sheet material's surface area, wherein said means for providing vacuum includes a passageway, a plurality of portholes connecting said passageway to said surface and a plurality of channels in said surface and radiating from said portholes, and wherein at least one of said channels is substantially parallel to and overlying at least one of said ribs. ### Claim 15 A thin sheet material carrier comprising: a vacuum plate having a generally flat surface; a plurality of ribs for supporting said vacuum plate; means for connecting said vacuum plate to a machine arm; and means for providing vacuum over a substantial portion of a thin sheet material, wherein said vacuum plate and ribs are made from a flexible material such that said thin sheet material carrier conforms to a wall of a mold, wherein said means for providing vacuum includes a passageway, a plurality of portholes connecting said passageway to said surface, and a plurality of channels in said surface and radiating from said portholes, and wherein at least one of said channels is substantially parallel to and overlying at least one of said ribs.