| 摘要 |
<p>An apparatus for picking up items (P) from a containment volume (V) and for selectively feeding them to a loading station (C1, C2), which includes: a rotatable body (2) interposed, in use, between the containment volume (V) and the loading station (C1, C2), with a peripheral portion of the rotatable body (2) extending into the containment volume (V), at least one aperture (12) round the periphery of the rotatable body (2) whereby rotation of the rotatable body (2) causes the at least one aperture (12) to travel a path which passes, at least in part, through the containment volume (V), pump means (6 to 10) terminating at the at least one aperture (12) and provided to establish an air-pressure gradient through at least one aperture (12) to draw the items (P) onto the surface of the rotatable body (2), whereby rotation of the rotatable body (2) causes the items (P) to be entrained from the containment volume (V), transfer means (14) acting between the surface of the rotatable body (2) and the loading station (C1, C2) selectively to transfer towards this loading station (C1, C2) the items (P) picked up from the containment volume (V) and held on the surface of the rotatable body (2) by the pressure gradient. <IMAGE></p> |
