Patent ID: 9469490
Filing Date: 2016-10-18
CPC Classification: B65G

Claim Text:
1. A movable vacuum head for moving loose-piece articles positioned on a slipsheet, the movable vacuum head comprising: a frame; a blower provided proximate the frame, the blower having an air intake member; a manifold having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface having an opening which receives the air intake member therein, the bottom surface having a plurality of openings which extend through the bottom surface and which are spaced over the entire surface area of the bottom surface; and movable walls extending from the frame and laterally surrounding the manifold, the walls positioned proximate the bottom surface of the manifold; wherein in response to loose-piece articles being arranged proximate to and beneath the bottom surface of the manifold and laterally surrounded by the movable walls and the blower activated, at least a portion of the plurality of openings are sized and arranged to uniformly draw air through throughways formed between adjacent loose-piece articles and through throughways formed between a perimeter of the arranged loose-piece articles and the movable walls; wherein when the vacuum head is moved into proximity with the loose-piece articles and the planar slipsheet and the movable walls engage the slipsheet, and the blower is activated, a vacuum chamber is created between the bottom surface of the manifold, the movable walls and the slipsheet which causes the slipsheet, and the loose-piece articles positioned thereon, to be drawn toward the bottom surface and maintained in such position as the movable vacuum head transports the slipsheet and the loose-piece articles positioned thereon.