Patent ID: 7712807

Claim:
A method for engaging and picking up objects and transporting the objects to a targeted located and disengaging the objects at the targeted location, said method comprising: providing a vacuum cup having a body portion and a flexible perimeter seal extending from said body portion, said vacuum cap having a relief port and a sealing member that is adapted to open and close said relief port; moving said vacuum cup into engagement with an object to substantially seal said perimeter seal against the object, said perimeter seal and said body portion defining a cavity at the object; substantially closing said relief port via said sealing member as said vacuum cup is substantially engaged with the object; transporting the object to the targeted location while said perimeter seal is substantially sealed against the object; moving said vacuum cup in a direction generally away from the object at the targeted location to at least partially open said relief port to at least partially vent said cavity of said vacuum cup; and removing said vacuum cup from the object.