Patent ID: 8590953

Claim:
A method of manipulating an article comprising the steps of: providing a non-contact manipulating device including a first fluid port and a second fluid port; creating a Bernoulli effect by supplying a first flow of fluid through the first fluid port to attract an article to be manipulated by the manipulating device while maintaining a gap between the article and the fluid distribution member; helping to maintain the gap by supplying a second flow of fluid through a second fluid port; selectively increasing and decreasing at least one of the first flow of fluid and the second flow of fluid to help maintain the gap; accelerating the non-contact manipulating device to move the article; sensing the acceleration of the non-contact manipulating device; and selectively increasing and decreasing the second flow of fluid in response to the sensed acceleration; wherein a total flow of fluid comprises the first flow of fluid and the second flow of fluid; and the step of selectively increasing and decreasing the total flow of fluid comprises selectively increasing and decreasing the second flow of fluid while accelerating to help maintain the gap.