Valve means for vacuum holding device

Claim 2

In a device for holding items comprising support means upon which items are held, the improvement comprising vacuum means for holding items to the support means, said vacuum means including a vacuum source, at least one vacuum cell plate mounted on said support means, said cell plate providing a front surface against which such items are held, said cell plate providing a plurality of cell areas in said front surface, sealing means extending about each cell area, and conduit means for connecting said cell areas to said vacuum source, said conduit means including, for each cell area, valve means, each said valve means including means providing a valve passageway having a first valve seat therein, and a valve member movable against said first valve seat to close said passageway, thereby closing its associated cell area to said vacuum source, and actuating means for determining when its associated cell area is completely covered by an item and opening said cell area to said vacuum source only when it is completely covered by an item, said actuating means including means for holding said valve member away from said fiRst valve seat and then disengaging said valve member for movement against said first valve seat solely by the movement of air from said cell area when said cell area is not completely covered such that a vacuum can form therein.

Claim 3

In a device for holding items comprising support means upon which items are held, the improvement comprising vacuum means for holding items to the support means, said vacuum means including a vacuum source, at least one vacuum cell plate mounted on said support means, said cell plate providing a front surface against which such items are held, said cell plate providing a plurality of cell areas in said front surface, sealing means extending about each cell area, and conduit means for connecting said cell areas to said vacuum source, said conduit means including, for each cell area, valve means, each said valve means including means providing a valve passageway having a first valve seat therein, and a valve member movable against said first valve seat to close said passageway, thereby closing its associated cell area to said vacuum source, and actuating means for determining when its associated cell area is completely covered by an item and opening said cell area to said vacuum source only when it is completely covered by an item, said actuating means including means for holding said valve member away from said first valve seat and releasing said valve member for movement against said first valve seat when said cell area is not completely covered such that a vacuum can form therein, said passageway providing a second valve seat spaced apart from said first valve seat, said valve member being movable between said seats and movable against said second seat to close said passageway, said actuating means being effective to move said valve member against said second seat and hold it there while an item to be held is being placed against said front surface and to release said valve member for movement toward said first valve seat when the item is against said front surface.

Claim 4

In a device for holding items comprising support means upon which items are held, the improvement comprising vacuum means for holding items to the support means, said vacuum means including a vacuum source, at least one vacuum cell plate mounted on said support means, said cell plate providing a front surface against which such items are held, said cell plate providing a plurality of cell areas in said front surface, sealing means extending about each cell area, and conduit means for connecting said cell areas to said vacuum source, said conduit means including, for each cell area, valve means, each said valve means including means providing a valve passageway having a first valve seat therein, and a valve member movable against said first valve seat to close said passageway, thereby closing its associated cell area to said vacuum source, and actuating means for determining when its associated cell area is completely covered by an item and opening said cell area to said vacuum source only when it is completely covered by an item, said actuating means including means for holding said valve member away from said first valve seat and releasing said valve member for movement against said first valve seat when said cell area is not completely covered such that a vacuum can form therein, said passageway providing a second valve seat spaced apart from said first valve seat, said valve member being movable between said seats and movable against said second seat to close said passageway, said actuating means being effective to move said valve member against said second seat and hold it there while an item to be held is being placed against said front surface and to release said valve member for movement toward said first valve seat when the item is against said front surface.

Claim 5

The improvement of claim 2 in which said valve member is a spherical ball having a first diameter, said passageway being cylindrical and having a second and greater diameter, said valve seats being conical and facing each other, whereby when the associated cell area is completely covered such that a vacuum is formed therein, said ball stays out of engagement with said seats to open said cell area to said vacuum source.

Claim 6

The improvement of claim 3 in which each actuating means includes an air actuated plunger for moving its associated ball against said second valve seat, holding it there, and releasing it for movement toward said first valve seat, a source of compressed air, and conduit means connecting said plungers to said source of compressed air.

Claim 7

The improvement of claim 4 in which each actuating means includes spring means for yieldably urging its associated plunger to its retracted, ball releasing position, the compressed air conduit means including valve means for supplying air under pressure to said plungers and exhausting the air from said plungers, and selectively variable orifice means through which the air under pressure is controlled and by which the speed of movement of the plungers in releasing the balls is controlled.

Claim 8

In a device for holding items comprising support means upon which items are held, the improvement comprising vacuum means for holding items to the support means, said vacuum means including a vacuum source, at least one vacuum cell plate mounted on said support means, said cell plate providing a front surface against which such items are held, said cell plate providing a plurality of cell areas in said front surface, sealing means extending about each cell area, and conduit means for connecting said cell areas to said vacuum source, said conduit means including, for each cell area, valve means, each said valve means including means providing a valve passageway having a first valve seat therein, and a valve member movable aGainst said first valve seat to close said passageway, thereby closing its associated cell area to said vacuum source, and actuating means for determining when its associated cell area is completely covered by an item and opening said cell area to said vacuum source only when it is completely covered by an item, said actuating means including means for holding said valve member away from said first valve seat and releasing said valve member for movement against said first valve seat when said cell area is not completely covered such that a vacuum can form therein, each actuating means including an air actuated plunger for moving said valve member, a source of compressed air, and conduit means connecting said plungers to said source of compressed air.

Claim 9

In a device for holding items comprising support means upon which items are held, the improvement comprising vacuum means for holding items to the support means, said vacuum means including a vacuum source, at least one vacuum cell plate mounted on said support means, said cell plate providing a front surface against which such items are held, said cell plate providing a plurality of cell areas in said front surface, sealing means extending about each cell area, and conduit means for connecting said cell areas to said vacuum source, said conduit means including, for each cell area, valve means, each said valve means including means providing a valve passageway having a first valve seat therein, and a valve member movable aGainst said first valve seat to close said passageway, thereby closing its associated cell area to said vacuum source, and actuating means for determining when its associated cell area is completely covered by an item and opening said cell area to said vacuum source only when it is completely covered by an item, said actuating means including means for holding said valve member away from said first valve seat and releasing said valve member for movement against said first valve seat when said cell area is not completely covered such that a vacuum can form therein, each actuating means including an air actuated plunger for moving said valve member, a source of compressed air, and conduit means connecting said plungers to said source of compressed air.

Claim 10

The improvement of claim 6 in which said conduit means includes valve means for supplying air under pressure to said plungers and exhausting the air from said plungers, said conduit means including selectively variable orifice means through which the air under pressure is exhausted, whereby the speed of movement of said plungers in releasing said valve members is controlled.

Claim 11

The improvement of claim 6 in which said cell plate provides a back surface having a plurality of cavities therein in registry respectively with said cell areas, a rubber diaphragm covering said back surface and said cavities, said conduit means for the compressed air including a base plate having air passageways formed therein, portions of which overlie said cavities, whereby positive air pressure in said passageways deflects the portions of said diaphragm overlying said cavities, said plungers being movable by said deflecting diaphragm portions, and spring means for yieldably resisting movement of said plungers by said diaphragm portions.

Claim 12

In a device for holding items comprising support means upon which items are held, the improvement comprising a vacuum system for holding items to said support means, said system comprising a vacuum pump, means providing at least one cell area against which items are held, sealing means bounding said cell area sealably to engage the item, valve means for connecting said cell area to said vacuum pump, said valve means including means providing a valve passageway communicating between said cell area and said vacuum pump, a valve member for closing said passageway, and plunger means for shifting said valve member away from its position closing said passageway and then disengaging said valve member for movement controlled solely by the air flow from the cell area through said passageway, the air flow being insufficient to move the valve member to its closing position when the cell area is completely covered.

Claim 13

In a device for holding items comprising support means upon which items are held, the improvement comprising a vacuum system for holding items to said support means, said system comprising a vacuum pump, means providing at least one cell area against which items are held, sealing means bounding said cell area sealably to engage the item, valve means for connecting said cell area to said vacuum pump, said valve means including means providing a valve passageway communicating between said cell area and said vacuum pump, a valve member for closing said passageway, and plunger means for shifting said valve member away from its position closing said passageway and then disengaging said valve member for movement controlled solely by the air flow from the cell area through said passageway, the air flow being insufficient to move the valve member to its closing position when the cell area is completely covered.

Claim 14

In a device for holding items comprising support means upon which items are held, the improvement comprising a vacuum system for holding items to said support means, said system comprising a vacuum pump, means providing at least one cell area against which items are held, sealing means bounding said cell area sealably to engage the item, valve means for connecting said cell area to said vacuum pump, said valve means including means providing a valve passageway communicating between said cell area and said vacuum pump, a valve member for closing said passageway, and plunger means for actuating said valve member to keep said passageway open when said cell area is completely covered by an item and a vacuum is formed in the covered cell area and closed when the cell area is not completely covered by an item such that a vacuum can form, said plunger means including an air actuated plunger for moving said valve member, a source of compressed air, and conduit means connecting said plunger to said source of compressed air.

Claim 15

In a device for holding items comprising support means upon which items are held, the improvement comprising a vacuum system for holding items to said support means, said system comprising a vacuum pump, means providing at least one cell area against which items are held, sealing means bounding said cell area sealably to engage the item, valve means for connecting said cell area to said vacuum pump, said valve means including means providing a valve passageway communicating between said cell area and said vacuum pump, a valve member for closing said passageway, and plunger means for actuating said valve member to keep said passageway open when said cell area is completely covered by an item and a vacuum is formed in the covered cell area and closed when the cell area is not completely covered by an item such that a vacuum can form, said plunger means including an air actuated plunger for moving said valve member, a source of compressed air, and conduit means connecting said plunger to said source of compressed air.

Claim 16

The improvement of claim 10 in which said valve means is proportioned such that its said valve member has a closing position in said passageway, said plunger being effective to move said valve member away from its closing position, to hold it away from its closing poSition while an item is being placed against the cell area, and to release said valve member for movement toward its closing position when the item is against the cell area.

Claim 17

The improvement of claim 11 in which said valve member and said passageway are proportioned and designed such that, when the cell area is completely covered and evacuated, the pressure on opposite sides of said valve member is equalized such that said valve member, when released, will not move to its closing position.

Claim 18

The improvement of claim 11 including selectively variable orifice means for exhausting the compressed air from said conduit means to control the speed of movement of said plunger in releasing said valve member for movement toward its closing position.

Claim 19

The improvement of claim 11 including spring means for yieldably urging said plunger toward its releasing position.

Claim 20

In a device for holding items comprising support means upon which items are held, the improvement comprising a vacuum system for holding items to said support means, said system comprising a vacuum pump, means providing at least one cell area against which items are held, sealing means bounding said cell area sealably to engage the item, valve means for connecting said cell area to said vacuum pump, said valve means including means providing a valve passageway communicating between said cell area and said vacuum pump, a valve member for closing said passageway, and plunger means for actuating said valve member to keep said passageway open when said cell area is completely covered by an item and a vacuum is formed in the covered cell area and closed when the cell area is not completely covered by an item such that a vacuum can form, said means providing at least one cell area providing a plurality of said cell areas and associated valve means and including at least one cell plate providing a front surface including said cell areas and a back surface, said back surface having a plurality of cavities therein in registry, respectively, with said cell areas, said valve passageways of said valve means communicating respectively between said cell areas and said cavities, said actuating means including a diaphragm covering said back surface and said cavities, a base plate covering said diaphragm, said base plate having air passageways therein, portions of which overlie said cavities, a source of compressed air and means for connecting said source of compressed air to the passageways in said base plate, whereby compressed air in said passageways will deflect the portions of said diaphragm overlying said cavities, and plungers in said cavities movable by said deflecting diaphragm portions to move said valve members.

Claim 21

In a device for holding items comprising support means upon which items are held, the improvement comprising a vacuum system for holding items to said support means, said system comprising a vacuum pump, means providing at least one cell area against which items are held, sealing means bounding said cell area sealably to engage the item, valve means for connecting said cell area to said vacuum pump, said valve means including means providing a valve passageway communicating between said cell area and said vacuum pump, a valve member for closing said passageway, and plunger means for actuating said valve member to keep said passageway open when said cell area is completely covered by an item and a vacuum is formed in the covered cell area and closed when the cell area is not completely covered by an item such that a vacuum can form, said means providing at least one cell area providing a plurality of said cell areas and associated valve means and including at least one cell plate providing a front surface including said cell areas and a back surface, said back surface having a plurality of cavities therein in registry, respectively, with said cell areas, said valve passageways of said valve means communicating respectively between said cell areas and said cavities, said actuating means including a diaphragm covering said back surface and said cavities, a base plate covering said diaphragm, said base plate having air passageways therein, portions of which overlie said cavities, a source of compressed air and means for connecting said source of compressed air to the passageways in said base plate, whereby compressed air in said passageways will deflect the portions of said diaphragm overlying said cavities, and plungers in said cavities movable by said deflecting diaphragm portions to move said valve members.

Claim 22

The improvement of claim 15 in which each valve passageway has a first conical valve seat facing the associated cell area and an axially spaced apart second conical valve seat facing said first valve seat, said valve member being a spherical ball movable between and engageable with said seats, said passageway having a diameter greater than said ball such that said passageway is closed by said ball only when said ball is engaging one of said seats, the plunger associated with said valve passageway being effective to move said ball against said second seat and to hold it there when an item is being placed against said associated cell area and then to release said ball for movement toward said first seat, said ball and valve passageway being proportioned and designed such that, if said cell area is not completely covered, the movement of air from said cell area through said valve passageway will move said ball into sealing engagement with said first seat and, if said cell is completely covered such that a vacuum is formed therein, said ball will stay between said seats to keep said cell area open to said vacuum pump.

Claim 23

The improvement of claim 16 including selectively variable orifice means for exhausting the compressed air from said passageways in said base plate to control tHe speed of movement of the plungers in releasing said balls for movement toward said first valve seats.

Claim 24

The improvement of claim 17 including spring means yieldably resisting the movement of said plungers by said diaphragm.

Claim 25

In a vacuum means for holding items comprising a vacuum source, at least one vacuum cell plate providing a front surface against which items are held, said cell plate providing a plurality of cell areas in said front surface, and conduit means for connecting said cell areas to said vacuum source, the improvement comprising, for each cell area, valve means effective to open said cell area to said vacuum source only when said cell area is completely covered by an item, each said valve means including means providing a valve passageway connecting the associated cell area to the vacuum source, said valve passageway providing a first valve seat therein facing the said cell area, a valve member movable against said first seat to close said valve passageway, thereby closing the associated cell area to said vacuum source, and actuating means for moving said valve member away from said first seat toward said cell area, holding it away from said first seat while an item is being placed against said front surface, and then releasing it for movement toward said first seat when the item is against said front surface, said valve member and said passageway being proportioned and designed such that, if said cell area is not completely covered, the movement of air from said cell area through said passageway will move said valve member into sealing engagement with said first seat and, if said cell area is completely covered such that a vacuum is formed therein, said valve member will not move against said first seat.

Claim 26

In a vacuum means for holding items comprising a vacuum source, at least one vacuum cell plate providing a front surface against which items are held, said cell plate providing a plurality of cell areas in said front surface, and conduit means for connecting said cell areas to said vacuum source, the improvement comprising, for each cell area, valve means effective to open said cell area to said vacuum source only when said cell area is completely covered by an item, each said valve means including means providing a valve passageway connecting the associated cell area to the vacuum source, said valve passageway providing a first valve seat therein facing the said cell area, a valve member movable against said first seat to close said valve passageway, thereby closing the associated cell area to said vacuum source, and actuating means for moving said valve member away from said first seat toward said cell area, holding it away from said first seat while an item is being placed against said front surface, and then releasing it for movement toward said first seat when the item is against said front surface, said valve member and said passageway being proportioned and designed such that, if said cell area is not completely covered, the movement of air from said cell area through said passageway will move said valve member into sealing engagement with said first seat and, if said cell area is completely covered such that a vacuum is formed therein, said valve member will not move against said first seat.

Claim 27

The improvement of claim 19 in which said passageway provides a second valve seat spaced apart from and facing said first valve seat, said member being movable between and sealably engageable with both of said valve seats, said actuating means being effective to move said valve member against said second seat and hold it there while an item is being places against said front surface and to release said valve member for movement toward said first valve seat when the item is against said front surface.

Claim 28

The improvement of claim 20 in which each actuating means includes an air actuated plunger for moving said valve member, a source of compressed air, and conduit means connecting said plungers to said source of compressed air.

Claim 29

The improvement of claim 21 in which said conduit means includes valve means for supplying air under pressure to said plungers and exhausting the air from said plungers, said conduit means including selectively variable orifice means through which the air under pressure is exhausted, whereby the speed of movement of said plungers in releasing said valve members is controlled.

Claim 30

The improvement of claim 21 in which said cell plate provides a back surface having a plurality of cavities therein in registry respectively with said cell areas, a rubber diaphragm covering said back surface and said cavities, said conduit means for the compressed air including a base plate having air passageways formed therein, portions of which overlie said cavities, whereby positive air pressure in said passageways deflects the portions of said diaphragm overlying said cavities, said plungers being movable by said deflecting diaphragm portions, and spring means for yieldably resisting movement of said plungers by said diaphragm portions.

Claim 31

The improvement of claim 20 in which said means providing a valve passageway includes a cylindrical cell body threadedly engaged into said cell plate, said cell body having a coaxial threaded cylindrical bore therein providing said second valve seat, an orifice member threadedly engaging said bore and providing said first valve seat, said seats being frusto-conically shaped, said valve member being a ball, the diameter of which is less than the diameter of said bore.

Claim 32

The improvement of claim 24 in which each actuating means includes an air actuated plunger for moving said ball, a source of compressed air, and conduit means for connecting said plunger to said source of compressed air, said plunger extending through said orifice member to engage said ball.

Claim 33

The improvement of claim 25 in which said conduit means includes valve means for supplying air under pressure to said plungers and exhausting the air from said plungers, said conduit means including selectively variable orifice means through which the air under pressure is exhausted, whereby the speed of movement of said plungers in releasing said valve members is controlled.

Claim 34

The improvement of claim 25 in which said cell plate includes a rubber-like mat forming said front surface, said mat having openings therein defining said cell areas.