Apparatus and method for effecting movement of selected tiers of stacked articles using pressure differentials

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Abstract of the Disclosure Apparatus and method are disclosed for relative movement between stacked articles and a reference surface upon which the articles are stacked. Some or all, independently movable layers, or tiers of, the stack of articles are received by a suspending device that includes a partial enclosure connected with a high pressure air pump capable of reducing the fluid pressure to establish a pressure differential within the partial enclosure. The partial enclosure has flexible sealing strips extending from and, coextensive with, the bottom edge of movable sections of the partial enclosure, and the sealing strips are positioned adjacent to the lowest tier to be acted upon by …