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. 01, 2002
Filed:
Jul. 06, 1998
Michael John Hodges, Buckinghamshire, GB;
Detexomat Machinery Limited, , GB;
Abstract
An apparatus for manipulating flexible articles comprising an openable dispenser ( ) for retaining one article ( ) disposed along the dispenser ( ) and arranged so that the ( ) dispenser continues to support the article ( ) when it is opened and in that the apparatus includes movable gripping means ( ) arranged to grip the hose ( ) at two predetermined positions and thereafter lift the article ( ) from the dispenser ( ). The gripping means ( ) may comprise a pair of spaced-apart grippers ( ) or a gripper and suction tube arrangement mounted on a common support ( ) and moveable towards and away from the dispenser by a pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder ( ) arrangement. A method of manipulating a flexible article is also disclosed.