Vacuum enabled article transfer
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsChia-Hung Hsieh, Chun-Ta Huang, Chiung-Lung Lin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Moving an article after a material, such as a hot-melt adhesive, has been applied to a surface of the article is accomplished with an article transfer apparatus. The apparatus is comprised of a belt having a plurality of apertures extending there through that are effective to communicate a vacuum pressure from an inner surface of the belt to a contacting surface of the belt. The vacuum pressure secures and adheres the article to the contacting surface of the belt as the belt conveys the article. The vacuum pressure is distributed along the inner surface of the belt by a vacuum chamber, which is between a compression roller and a second roller.
Claims11
A vacuum enabled article transfer apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a conveyance belt having a plurality of apertures extending through a contacting surface to an opposite inner surface of the conveyance belt;
- a compression roller;
- a second roller, wherein the conveyance belt forms a continuous loop around the compression roller and the second roller such that the belt inner surface is in contact with the compression roller and the second roller;
- a vacuum distribution chamber, the chamber positioned between the compression roller and the second roller within the loop of the conveyance belt, wherein the chamber is comprised of an engagement surface proximate the belt inner surface and effective for directing a vacuum pressure through the belt at the plurality of apertures;
- and
- an adhesive applicator, the applicator comprising an applicator roller and an adhesive containing vessel, the applicator roller rotatably positioned at least partially within the adhesive containing vessel, wherein the adhesive applicator further comprises a plurality of transfer filaments, the transfer filaments extending between the applicator roller and the belt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.