Patents Assigned to Schmalz Gmbh
  • Patent number: 8267386
    Abstract: A pneumatically actuated area vacuum gripper for gripping and, if necessary, separating workpieces is provided by the present disclosure. In particular, the vacuum gripper is used with thin, flexible workpieces, and has a suction chamber, which has a suction wall with perforations, to be placed on the workpiece. An ejector nozzle has a connection and an outlet, the ejection nozzle being connected to the suction chamber via its connection, and the outlet of the ejector nozzle opening to the outside or into an exhaust air duct, and the suction inlet of the ejector nozzle empties into the suction chamber, whereby the direction of the air stream in the connection coming from the suction chamber corresponds to the direction of the main air conveyance in the ejector nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Schaaf, Thomas Eisele, Rolf Guenther, Tobias Stahl
  • Patent number: 8157182
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum handling device (46) for fixing or transporting work pieces (44) comprising a plurality of components, wherein at least one of the components is provided with an RFID tag (10) and the RFID tag is provided with an RFID chip (14) and an antenna (12), wherein a switching element (16) is provided for the galvanic isolation of the RFID chip and antenna between the RFID chip and the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Schaaf, Ralf Stockburger
  • Publication number: 20110198403
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum handling device (46) for fixing or transporting work pieces (44) comprising a plurality of components, wherein at least one of the components is provided with an RFID tag (10) and the RFID tag is provided with an RFID chip (14) and an antenna (12), wherein a switching element (16) is provided for the galvanic isolation of the RFID chip and antenna between the RFID chip and the antenna
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: J. SCHMALZ GMBH
    Inventors: Walter Schaaf, Ralf Stockburger
  • Publication number: 20110121590
    Abstract: A vacuum gripper includes a suction plate for gripping an object. The suction plate has a lid and a suction bottom which define a suction chamber there between and engage formfittingly at least on one side within one another via a tongue and groove joint extending in parallel relation to a gripping plane. The tongue and groove joint includes a groove on one of the suction bottom and lid, and a tongue which is formed on the other one of the suction bottom and lid and fits into the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventor: WALTER SCHAAF
  • Publication number: 20110123359
    Abstract: A pneumatic vacuum generator includes at least one venturi nozzle having a flow cross section which deviates for a circularity. The venturi nozzle may thus have a substantial rectangular or non-circular flow cross section like for example an oval flow cross section or an elliptical flow cross section. At least two plates are disposed in parallel relationship and joined in sandwich construction, with one of the plates constructed to accommodate the venturi nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventor: WALTER SCHAAF
  • Publication number: 20100277331
    Abstract: A device for generating an negative pressure comprises a plurality of ejectors and a receiving device therefor. The receiving device comprises at least one connection for a compressed air line, the connection protruding into a compressed air distribution system to which a compressed air channel of each ejector can be connected, and each ejector being provided with an negative pressure channel that can be connected to the negative pressure system of the ejector. The receiving device forms a holding frame and a quick-change system for the ejectors, and can be connected to the ejectors by means of control lines, and to a machine control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: J. SCHMALZ GMBH
    Inventor: Kurt Schmalz
  • Patent number: 7677622
    Abstract: A method is proposed for operating a vacuum handling device controlled by a programmable controller (39) which can be connected to a machine controller (10), with at least one vacuum generator (28) and with a number of gripper modules (20), which are connected to the vacuum generator and are each equipped with a first pressure sensor (46) and with a control valve (44) for the vacuum in the gripper module, and which are connected to the programmable controller. The control valve in the gripper module is closed in a first switching state (vacuum on) of the programmable controller and is detected up to the control valve (44) by means of a second pressure sensor (78) in the vacuum generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Dunkmann, Gernot Schmierer
  • Patent number: 7661736
    Abstract: The invention concerns an underpressure surface gripping device with an extruded profile having a hollow chamber, a vacuum plate which is mounted parallel to the extruded profile, at least one flow through opening which connects the extruded profile to the vacuum plate, and with an ejector as a vacuum generator, wherein the ejector is inserted into the hollow chamber of the extruded profile and the suction opening of the ejector communicates with the flow through opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Thomas Eisele, Leonhard Harter
  • Publication number: 20100025905
    Abstract: A pneumatically actuated area vacuum gripper for gripping and, if necessary, separating workpieces is provided by the present disclosure. In particular, the vacuum gripper is used with thin, flexible workpieces, and has a suction chamber, which has a suction wall with perforations, to be placed on the workpiece. An ejector nozzle has a connection and an outlet, the ejection nozzle being connected to the suction chamber via its connection, and the outlet of the ejector nozzle opening to the outside or into an exhaust air duct, and the suction inlet of the ejector nozzle empties into the suction chamber, whereby the direction of the air stream in the connection coming from the suction chamber corresponds to the direction of the main air conveyance in the ejector nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Eisele, Walter Schaaf, Rolf Guenther, Tobias Stahl
  • Publication number: 20080291235
    Abstract: A device for generating an underpressure comprises a plurality of ejectors and a receiving device therefor. The receiving device comprises at least one connection for a compressed air line, the connection protruding into a compressed air distribution system to which a compressed air channel of each ejector can be connected, and each ejector being provided with an underpressure channel that can be connected to the underpressure system of the ejector. The receiving device forms a holding frame and a quick-change system for the ejectors, and can be connected to the ejectors by means of control lines, and to a machine control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: J. SCHMALZ GMBH
    Inventor: Kurt Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20080174076
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum system, in particular a vacuum gripping system having at least one vacuum gripping apparatus for gripping workpieces and/or a vacuum component, in particular having a sensor for sensing states in the vacuum gripping system and/or one of the components and for generating state data, wherein the vacuum gripping apparatus and/or at least one of the components is equipped with an energy generation device for generating new electrical energy, which is not stored in the vacuum system, for operating a module consuming electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Eisele, Walter Schaaf
  • Publication number: 20080129062
    Abstract: The invention concerns an underpressure surface gripping device with an extruded profile having a hollow chamber, a vacuum plate which is mounted parallel to the extruded profile, at least one flow through opening which connects the extruded profile to the vacuum plate, and with an ejector as a vacuum generator, wherein the ejector is inserted into the hollow chamber of the extruded profile and the suction opening of the ejector communicates with the flow through opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Thomas Eisele, Leonhard Harter
  • Publication number: 20070262598
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vacuum gripper for suctioning workpieces with an vacuum port, an elastic vacuum element and a vacuum element holder, wherein the vacuum element has a sealing lip on its side facing the workpiece, which delimits the vacuum chamber, and the vacuum chamber is flow-connected to the vacuum port, wherein the vacuum gripper has means that display the suction state, whose color changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Schaaf, Volker Moll, Tobias Stahl
  • Publication number: 20070187965
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vacuum gripper for suctioning workpieces with an vacuum port, an elastic vacuum element and a vacuum element holder, wherein the vacuum element has a sealing lip on its side facing the workpiece, which delimits the vacuum chamber, and the vacuum chamber is flow-connected to the vacuum port, wherein the vacuum gripper has means that display the suction state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Schaaf, Volker Moll, Tobias Stahl
  • Patent number: 7240935
    Abstract: A vacuum gripper for suctioning work pieces, having a vacuum connection, a flexible suction body and a suction body holder, where the side of the suction body facing the work piece has a sealing lip bounding a vacuum chamber, and the vacuum chamber is connected to the vacuum connection. The suction body has a contact surface abutting the work pieces with prevailing vacuum in the vacuum chamber. The contact surface is provided with elements, where the elements are have a rod or pin-shaped configuration and form a microstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot Schmierer, Kurt Schmalz, Stanislav Gorb, Eduard Arzt
  • Patent number: 6945277
    Abstract: The invention concerns an underpressure valve with a multi-part housing and a disc-like closing body which has at least one opening, and with an opening-free section disposed in alignment with the flow channel of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Gernot Schmierer, Thomas Eisele, Daniel Heine, Dieter Geissler, Leonhard Harter, Daniel Grözinger
  • Patent number: 6817639
    Abstract: Under pressure handling device comprising an under pressure generator, a device for controlling the under pressure and several grippers which engage on a work piece to be handled, wherein each gripper is provided with a device for controlling the under pressure, a sensor for detecting state variables on the gripper and an evaluation electronics to which the device for controlling the under pressure and the sensor are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Thomas Eisele, Gernot Schmierer
  • Patent number: 6817601
    Abstract: A block suction apparatus for fixing plate-shaped work pieces on a fixing beam or fixing table using under-pressure has at least one support surface provided with a sealing plate having a sealing lip about its periphery. The sealing lip delimits a suction chamber and least one supporting element is provided within the suction chamber. At least one additional supporting element is also provided and is located in the direct vicinity of the sealing lip. Sagging of sections of a plate being lifted by the apparatus which project past the block suction apparatus is thereby reduced and the edge of the plate can therefore be processed with greater accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Ralf Stockburger
  • Publication number: 20040105760
    Abstract: Ejector with driver gas comprising at least one primary nozzle branch (12) with a driver nozzle (36) having a cross-sectional narrowing and an adjacent receiving nozzle (32), wherein a suction line (24) terminates in the narrowing, characterized by at least one connectable secondary nozzle branch (14) having a driver nozzle (38) with a cross-sectional narrowing and an adjacent receiving nozzle (34), wherein the narrowing of the secondary nozzle branch (14) is connected to a suction line (24) when the secondary nozzle branch (14) is opened, and with a closing instrument (20) connected upstream, with respect to the flow direction of the gas propellant, of the at least one secondary nozzle branch (14) to connect and disconnect the secondary nozzle branch (14) in dependence on the inlet pressure of the driver gas entering the ejector (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Eisele, Kurt Schmalz
  • Patent number: 6719536
    Abstract: Vacuum generator comprising an ejector nozzle which is connected to a compressed-air supply via a compressed-air line, and with a first valve for opening and closing the compressed-air line, wherein a second electrical valve is connected to the suction line of the ejector which is open in the currentless state to connect a pneumatic vacuum switch, circuited in parallel with the first valve, to the suction line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Thomas Eisele