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:
Mar. 28, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 15, 1998
Richard Kuchta, Shickshinny, PA (US);
Peter Hasiuk, Enfield, CT (US);
Joseph Vivirito, South Windsor, CT (US);
Gerber Technology, Inc., Tolland, CT (US);
Abstract
In an apparatus for retaining one or more layers of sheet type work material on a permeable support surface, at least two vacuum manifolds are positioned under the support surface, each defining at least one vacuum inlet for drawing vacuum therethrough. Proportional control valves are coupled to the manifolds for selectively controlling the location and intensity of the vacuum being drawn, such that work material positioned on the support surface is held thereto by the vacuum drawn through the inlets and the support surface. The intensity of the vacuum is selectively controlled by the valves to concentrate vacuum in the area along the work material where a work operation is being performed.