Abstract:
The suction device includes a pneumatic cylinder and a hollow piston in the cylinder movable between a retracted and a nonretracted position and comprised of axially adjacent first and second portions, at least a part of the circumferential periphery of each of the two portions being spaced from and out of contact with the inner periphery of the cylinder to define therewith respective first and second spaces. The piston unit includes a sheet-engaging portion having a suction opening which communicates with the ambient atmosphere and constitutes the end of the hollow interior of the piston unit, the hollow interior communicating with the second space via the first space. The cylinder is provided with a suction port opening into the second space to form a path for the flow of ambient air into the suction opening and out through the suction port, the flow cross section of the first space being smaller than that of the second space so that the first space constitutes a flow restriction in such path.