The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 27, 2026
Filed:
Dec. 08, 2022
Curt G. Joa, Inc., Sheboygan Falls, WI (US);
Christopher A. Schwartz, Howards Grove, WI (US);
Darren R. Horness, Sheboygan, WI (US);
Jeffrey W. Fritz, Plymouth, WI (US);
Zachary J. Giffey, Plymouth, WI (US);
Megan A. Rammer, Sheboygan, WI (US);
Curt G. Joa, Inc., Sheboygan Falls, WI (US);
Abstract
An apparatus includes a transfer mechanism that transfers discrete articles to a receiving member. The transfer mechanism includes a plurality of transfer pucks that carry discrete articles thereon. Each of the transfer pucks includes a puck body with an article carrying surface having vacuum holes formed therein to retain the discrete article thereon via a vacuum. The article carrying surface includes a central region and at least one side region adjacent the central region, the side region aligned lengthwise along the puck body. Each of the transfer pucks also includes one or more resilient puck inserts positioned about a portion of a perimeter of the transfer puck, with each puck insert engaged with the puck body in a respective side region. The puck inserts are sized to protrude above the article carrying surface and are depressible inward toward the article carrying surface upon an application of force thereto.