Patent ID: 6213528
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A vacuum cup (1) for picking-up and holding an object, said vacuum cup (1) comprising a vacuum chamber (3) having a top (10) and side walls (12), said top (10) having a surface area Al, and a gas inlet unit (8) for bringing the vacuum chamber (3) to atmospheric pressure, said gas inlet unit (8) comprising a valve (15), said valve (15) being closed when the vacuum cup (1) is in a condition of holding an object,characterized in thatthe gas inlet unit (8) is provided with a conductance channel (7) for bringing the vacuum chamber (3) to atmospheric pressure by allowing ambient air into the vacuum chamber (3),the channel (7) has a plurality of inlet openings (9, 9', . . . ), said inlet openings (9, 9'. . . ) having a total surface area A3, the ratio A3/A1 being equal to or larger than 0.02, which communicate with the ambient air, and an opening (13) communicating with the vacuum chamber (3), said opening (13) having an area A2, where the ratio of A2/A1 is equal to or larger than 0.015 andin the closed condition said valve (15) closes said opening 13.