The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 13, 2022
Filed:
Feb. 18, 2020
Material Handling Systems, Inc., Mt. Washington, KY (US);
Josiah Douglas, Louisville, KY (US);
Kurt Michael Wittmer, Louisville, KY (US);
Michael Alan McCue, Louisville, KY (US);
David W. Caldwell, II, Louisville, KY (US);
Gregory Robert Sturm, Simpsonville, KY (US);
Derek Robert Sturm, Louisville, KY (US);
Thomas Anthony Hillerich, Jr., Louisville, KY (US);
Material Handling Systems, Inc., Mt. Washington, KY (US);
Abstract
A vacuum-based end effector for engaging parcels includes a base plate, one or more vacuum cups of a first type, and one or more vacuum cups of a second type. Each vacuum cup of the vacuum-based end effector is configured to be placed in fluid communication with a vacuum source to provide the vacuum cup with a suction force which can be used to engage and grasp parcels. Each vacuum cup includes a bellows defining a pathway for a flow of air and a lip connected to the bellows. Each lip of the one or more vacuum cups of the first type comprises a foam lip, and each lip of the one or more vacuum cups of the second type comprises an elastomeric lip. The vacuum-based end effector can be combined with a robot to provide an improved system for engaging parcels.