Patent ID: 8690489
Filing Date: 2014-04-08
Classification: B65G,B65H

Abstract:
1. A method for conveying a substantially flat object, the method comprising: providing a first platform with a first plurality of pressure ports in the form of nozzles with flow restricting fins interspersed with a first plurality of vacuum ports for inducing a bi-directionally stiff fluid cushion to support the object at a substantially fixed distance from the first platform, the first platform including a second plurality of pressure ports located at an edge zone of the first platform; providing a second platform that includes pressure ports in the form of nozzles with flow restricting fins interspersed with vacuum ports for inducing a bidirectionally stiff fluid cushion to support the object at a substantially fixed distance from the second platform, the second platform being separated from the first platform by a gap; and increasing the distance of a section of the object from the platform at the edge zone by applying pressure forces by the second plurality of the pressure ports to enable the section to be conveyed first platform across the gap to the second platform.