Abstract: A compressible lip for a suction cup has in its engagement area one or more sectional areas, each of which comprises a flow passage capable of forming a flow restriction together with a surface of an object to be engaged by the lip. The flow restriction formed restricts airflow from the sectional area, thus allowing a suction cup provided with such lip to maintain an overall high vacuum level despite of pressure loss in one, or some, of its sectional areas. A suction cup having such compressible lip is also disclosed.

Abstract: A suction cup for engaging and lifting an object is disclosed, comprising a lip, a bellows, and an upper portion sealingly connected to the bellows for connecting an inner volume of the suction cup to a source of vacuum, which cup, in an operative state, is capable of being locked in an at least partly compressed state of the lip and/or bellows. Locking is accomplished by air entrapped in a sealed exterior volume formed between the lip and bellows and/or between one or more segments of the bellows in an operative state being evacuated through one or more through open holes provided in the lip and/or bellows when vacuum is connected to the suction cup. A corresponding lip and a corresponding bellows for use in the suction cup are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum system (10) and method (100) used for creating a dynamically controlled vacuum system (10) for lifting processes (Wc) are disclosed. The compressed air used for an ejector (3) is varied by calculating the required vacuum levels (V?) during the lifting process (Wc). This reduces the air consumption.

Abstract: Vacuum powered tool that is connectable to a vacuum source and arranged in an object engagement position to engage and hold an object as a result of a negative pressure in the tool as well as to resiliently return to an initial position when the negative pressure ceases. The tool comprises an object handling engagement part, wherein the tool, in a first end, has a fitting to be fixedly received in a vacuum connection implement for fixation of the tool, and in a second end of the tool, wherein the second end is formed for air-proof contact and provided with an at least partly flexible and collapsible spherical hollow inner geometry onto which at least partly spherical and collapsible hollow inner geometry having a collapsible part.

Abstract: A multi-stage ejector for generating a vacuum from a source of compressed air or fluid by passing the compressed air or fluid through a series of nozzles, accelerating and entraining the compressed air or fluid so as to form a jet flow in one or more stages and generate a vacuum across each stage. The multi-stage ejector may include a first drive stage; a second stage; and a converging-diverging nozzle provided in the series of nozzles between the first drive stage and the second stage. The multi-stage ejector, in use, may receive jet flow from the first drive stage, accelerate the jet flow to form a second stage air jet and direct the second stage air jet into an inlet of an outlet nozzle of the second stage. The converging-diverging nozzle may be formed in a molded nozzle piece mounted in the multi-stage ejector.

Abstract: A multistage ejector is provided for generating a vacuum from a source of compressed air. The compressed air is passed through a series of nozzles, which entrains air so as to form a jet flow in two or more stages and generating a vacuum across each stage. The ejector outlet is formed as a nozzle extending to the outlet end of the ejector and arranged to receive the jet flow from the final stage of the ejector. The ejector outlet nozzle includes a diverging section extending at an angle of divergence to the direction of airflow, the diverging section terminating in a stepwise expansion in the cross-sectional flow area, as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of airflow through the ejector outlet nozzle.

Abstract: The invention provides an ejector for generating a vacuum, a drive nozzle for generating a drive jet of air from a compressed air source and directing the drive jet of air into an outlet flow passage at the outlet of a drive stage of the ejector to entrain air in a volume surrounding the jet of air into the jet flow to generate a vacuum across the drive stage. The drive nozzle substantially consists of an inlet flow section and an outlet flow section aligned in a direction of air flow through the nozzle. The outlet flow section diverging in the direction of airflow, from an outlet end of the inlet flow section to an exit of the nozzle, the outlet flow section having a shape which is more divergent near the outlet of the inlet flow section and less divergent near the exit of the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to handling devices for handling foodstuffs, which may include a suction cup and a docking piece supporting the suction cup. The suction cup may be removably attached to the docking piece. The docking piece may include a drive nozzle inserted into the suction cup, and attached to the docking piece, for ejecting a fluid from the drive nozzle inside of the suction cup. The suction cup may include a drive opening for receiving the drive nozzle of the docking piece, and an outlet nozzle having at least one constriction. The outlet nozzle is aligned with the drive nozzle so that the drive nozzle and the outlet nozzle cooperate to form an ejector. The ejector then applies a suction force to the surface of the foodstuff which is to be handled.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vacuum generator (3) in a vacuum system (10) for transportation of objects, which vacuum system (10) comprises a vacuum generator (3) driven by a compressed air flow via a first on/off valve (1), wherein the vacuum generator (3) is arranged to be brought in flow connection with the vacuum gripper means (6) comprised in the vacuum system (10), in order to supply vacuum to the vacuum gripper means (6) in result of the compressed air flow, wherein the vacuum system (10) comprises a second valve (2), which is arranged to supply compressed air into the vacuum system (10); one centralized pressure sensor (4) used for monitoring a system pressure (P) inside the vacuum system (10) and for adaptive blow-off; and a vacuum system controller (5), wherein if the on/off valve (1) is not flowing air to the vacuum generator (3), the vacuum system controller (5) indicates a state of no vacuum generation, and the second valve (2) is activated, allowing an amount of compressed air to flow into the vac

Abstract: The invention relates to energy saving in vacuum systems by means of a method and a controller enabling to consider the fluctuation in system-pressure of a system by determining a maximum system-pressure S2H and a minimum system-pressure S2h for each working cycle WC based on a determined target system-pressure pn? and a pre-set system-pressure p0? for the current working cycle WCn (n=1, 2, 3, . . . ). The method is especially adapted to fluctuations in system-pressure level of a vacuum system comprising a vacuum gripper tool.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a vacuum generator in a vacuum system for transportation of objects, which vacuum system comprises a vacuum generator driven by a compressed air flow via a first on/off valve, to supply vacuum to a vacuum gripper, the vacuum system comprises a second valve arranged to supply compressed air into the vacuum system; a pressure sensor for monitoring a system-pressure inside a vacuum chamber; and the controller that is arranged to communicate with the first on/off valve, the second valve and the pressure sensor; and when the on/off valve is not flowing air to the vacuum generator, and the controller indicates a state of no vacuum generation, and if a fluctuation from a pressure-equilibrium to a negative time-derivative of the system-pressure is detected, the controller is arranged to activate the second valve, allowing compressed air to flow into the vacuum-chamber for compensation to re-establish the pressure-equilibrium.