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:
Oct. 26, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 30, 1997
Mark Alan Harris, Dexter, MI (US);
Zinoviy Chernyak, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for transferring a pre-molded film into a cavity by the following steps. A robotically controlled arm having a loader receives flexible film. The loader by two moveable end portion and a main portion there between. The pre-molded film is transferred onto the loader. The end portions are retracted so that the loader is in a retracted position. The loader is moved to a position within a cavity. The cavity has an opening that is larger then the loader when the loader is in the retracted position. The film is transferred to the cavity by aligning the film with corresponding three-dimensional contours on the cavity. The edge portions are extended so that essentially the entire surface of the film contacts the cavity. The loader is withdrawn from the cavity by first retracting the end portions and removing the loader.