Patent ID: 7540309

Claim:
An automatic release vacuum device for a material handling system, said automatic release vacuum device comprising: a unitary vacuum device body adapted to connect to a pressurized air supply, said unitary vacuum device body having a vacuum passageway and a venturi nozzle, said pressurized air supply being activatable to supply pressurized air at said venturi nozzle to generate at least a partial vacuum in said vacuum passageway via pressurized air flow through said venturi nozzle; a movable sealing element in said unitary vacuum device body vacuum passageway and movable between a sealing position, where said movable sealing element substantially seals said vacuum passageway, and a venting position, where said movable sealing element substantially vents said vacuum passageway, said movable sealing element comprises a piston element that moves independently along a venting passageway of said vacuum device body between said sealing and venting positions; said unitary vacuum device body including a diverter passageway to divert a portion of said pressurized air to said movable sealing element to urge said movable sealing element toward said sealing position when said pressurized air supply is activated; and said movable sealing element being urged toward said venting position when said pressurized air supply is deactivated to substantially vent said vacuum passageway to atmosphere when said pressurized air supply is deactivated.