NIKE, Inc.
Vacuum enabled article transfer

Abstract:

Moving an article after a material, such as a hot-melt adhesive, has been applied to a surface of the article is accomplished with an article transfer apparatus. The apparatus is comprised of a belt having a plurality of apertures extending there through that are effective to communicate a vacuum pressure from an inner surface of the belt to a contacting surface of the belt. The vacuum pressure secures and adheres the article to the contacting surface of the belt as the belt conveys the article. The vacuum pressure is distributed along the inner surface of the belt by a vacuum chamber, which is between a compression roller and a second roller.