Patent ID: 6655678
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A suction gripping unit comprising at least a gripping head mounted for rotation about an axis and having at least one cavity defined in said suction head; suction means for creating a vacuum inside said cavity, said suction means comprising a conduit communicating with said cavity, a suction pump connected to said conduit and a control valve located between said pump and said cavity and movable between an open position in which said cavity is in communication with the pump and in a closed position in which said valve interrupts the communication between the cavity and the pump; wherein the suction gripping unit further comprises at least a venting hole in close proximity to the valve for automatically venting said cavity when said valve is in the closed position, and a rod connected to said valve to move the valve between the open position and the closed position for respectively opening and closing said conduit, said valve being located along said conduit, said venting hole being located along said conduit in correspondence with the valve, said venting hole being closed by a leaf spring urged against the venting hole; said rod being structured to open said venting hole when the rod closes the valve by pushing the leaf spring away from the venting hole.