Patent ID: 8096598
Filing Date: 2012-01-17
Classification: B25B,B25J,B65G

Abstract:
1. A material handling system having a vacuum cup assembly that is engagable with an object and movable to move the object, said material handling system comprising: a pressurized air source operable to generate pressurized air flow through a supply line; a vacuum cup having a perimeter seal for engaging and substantially sealing at an object surface, said vacuum cup having a cavity defined by said perimeter seal and the object surface when said vacuum cup is engaged with the object surface; a venturi device in fluid communication with said cavity of said vacuum cup, said venturi device being connected to said supply line so that pressurized air can be supplied to and through said venturi device to generate a partial vacuum in said cavity when said perimeter seal of said vacuum cup is engaged with the object surface; a vacuum valve operable to open and close said supply line at a location that is upstream of said venturi device in response to a pressure level at said vacuum cup cavity; and an auto-release valve operable to vent said vacuum cup cavity to atmosphere in response to a pressure in said supply line at a location that is upstream from said vacuum valve.