Patent ID: 8714609

Claim:
A material handling system, comprising: a body comprising a first member and a second member, the first member and second member defining a hollow cavity within the body, and a gap disposed between the first member and the second member; the body in flow communication with a first gas source to provide a first pressurized gas flow through the gap to generate a lifting force on an object placed adjacent the body; at least one channel disposed in a central region of the body, the at least one channel in flow communication with a second gas source, the channel arranged to controllably disengage the object with a second pressurized gas flow from the second gas source; wherein the second pressurized gas flow from the second gas source applies a downward force against the object in at least the central region, the downward force, in combination with gravity, being greater than an adhering force of the object with the body; wherein the lifting force lifts the object towards the central region of the body wherein contact between the object and the body occurs on a periphery of the central region, the central region defined by at least one protrusion defining the periphery of the central region; and wherein the at least one protrusion extends outwardly from the central region of the body to form a most distal portion of the body.