Systems and methods for vacuum extraction for material sorting applications are provided. In one embodiments, a vacuum object sorting system comprises: a vacuum extraction assembly that includes at least one vacuum extractor device having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to convert a controlled compressed air stream into a channeled vacuum airflow entering the inlet and exiting the outlet; and an object recognition device coupled to sorting control logic and electronics, wherein the controlled compressed air stream is controlled in response to a signal generated by the object recognition device; wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to capture a target object identified by the sorting control logic and electronics utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, and further utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, to pass the target object through the inlet and outlet to a deposit location.

Battery gripper (12), for attracting by suction and handling starter batteries (26) of, in particular, motor vehicles, having a housing (56), in which a vacuum chamber which can be loaded with vacuum is provided and which has suction openings (84, 84) on the suction side thereof (54) which faces the starter battery to be attracted by suction, wherein the suction side is assigned a flexible lining (82) for contact with the starter battery, wherein the housing has a T-shaped cross section which runs parallel to the suction side, wherein the cross section has a bar section (64) and a web section (66) which extends transversely from the bar section, in such a way that the web section extends between the battery poles (68, 70) of the starter battery when the starter battery is attracted by suction to the battery gripper.

Systems and methods for vacuum extraction for material sorting applications are provided. In one embodiments, a vacuum object sorting system comprises: a vacuum extraction assembly that includes at least one vacuum extractor device having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to convert a controlled compressed air stream into a channeled vacuum airflow entering the inlet and exiting the outlet; and an object recognition device coupled to sorting control logic and electronics, wherein the controlled compressed air stream is controlled in response to a signal generated by the object recognition device; wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to capture a target object identified by the sorting control logic and electronics utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, and further utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, to pass the target object through the inlet and outlet to a deposit location.

Systems and methods for vacuum extraction for material sorting applications are provided. In one embodiments, a vacuum object sorting system comprises: a vacuum extraction assembly that includes at least one vacuum extractor device having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to convert a controlled compressed air stream into a channeled vacuum airflow entering the inlet and exiting the outlet; and an object recognition device coupled to sorting control logic and electronics, wherein the controlled compressed air stream is controlled in response to a signal generated by the object recognition device; wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to capture a target object identified by the sorting control logic and electronics utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, and further utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, to pass the target object through the inlet and outlet to a deposit location.

A suction gripper head comprising at least one carrier and a soleplate (14) for resting against an item to be lifted, the soleplate being arranged in the bottom portion of the carrier. According to the invention, the head comprises a foam body (1) having a suction path arranged therein between the soleplate and an outlet orifice of the gripper head for connection to a suction block, the foam body thus acting on its own, over at least a portion of the path, to form the separation between air sucked through said path and the outside of the gripper head, such that the air that is being sucked comes directly into contact with the foam of the foam body.

Systems and methods for vacuum extraction for material sorting applications are provided. In one embodiments, a vacuum object sorting system comprises: a vacuum extraction assembly that includes at least one vacuum extractor device having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to convert a controlled compressed air stream into a channeled vacuum airflow entering the inlet and exiting the outlet; and an object recognition device coupled to sorting control logic and electronics, wherein the controlled compressed air stream is controlled in response to a signal generated by the object recognition device; wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to capture a target object identified by the sorting control logic and electronics utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, and further utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, to pass the target object through the inlet and outlet to a deposit location.

A mechanically intelligent end-of-arm tool includes a valve that is actuated by the action of the arm, such that a force applied to the object to be grasped opens the valve to expose a suction cup to the vacuum pressure. A spool valve, poppet valve, and butterfly valve, et al., can perform the valve function. The tool may include a button that has a rigid contact surface or may be deformable to provide a smoothing force to the object.

Systems and methods for vacuum extraction for material sorting applications are provided. In one embodiments, a vacuum object sorting system comprises: a vacuum extraction assembly that includes at least one vacuum extractor device having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to convert a controlled compressed air stream into a channeled vacuum airflow entering the inlet and exiting the outlet; and an object recognition device coupled to sorting control logic and electronics, wherein the controlled compressed air stream is controlled in response to a signal generated by the object recognition device; wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to capture a target object identified by the sorting control logic and electronics utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, and further utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, to pass the target object through the inlet and outlet to a deposit location.

A suction gripper head includes at least one carrier and a soleplate for resting against an item to be lifted. The soleplate is arranged in the bottom portion of the carrier. The head comprises a foam body having a suction path arranged therein between the soleplate and an outlet orifice of the gripper head for connection to a suction block, the foam body thus acting on its own, over at least a portion of the path, to form the separation between air sucked through said path and the outside of the gripper head, such that the air that is being sucked comes directly into contact with the foam of the foam body.

Battery gripper (12), for attracting by suction and handling starter batteries (26) of, in particular, motor vehicles, having a housing (56), in which a vacuum chamber which can be loaded with vacuum is provided and which has suction openings (84, 84) on the suction side thereof (54) which faces the starter battery to be attracted by suction, wherein the suction side is assigned a flexible lining (82) for contact with the starter battery, wherein the housing has a T-shaped cross section which runs parallel to the suction side, wherein the cross section has a bar section (64) and a web section (66) which extends transversely from the bar section, in such a way that the web section extends between the battery poles (68, 70) of the starter battery when the starter battery is attracted by suction to the battery gripper.