Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for toroidal suction grippers. In one embodiment, an example device may include a first annular elastic membrane configured to form an orifice having a toroid geometry, and a first vacuum suction device disposed in the first annular elastic membrane. The first annular elastic membrane may be configured to be actuated to grasp an object.

A unit for transferring horticultural products between at least one tank, in which the horticultural products float on a fluid mass, and at least one collection container, including a head provided with a plurality of walls normally arranged vertically. The head is movable between at least one collection position, in which the walls are interposed between respective horticultural products, which float on the fluid mass at a respective predefined section of the tank, and at least one unloading position, in which the walls face and are proximate to the collection container. In an active configuration, the transverse elements protrude transversely from the space occupation of the walls to ensure mechanical interference with the fall of the horticultural products as a consequence of the subsequent lifting of the head and of its transfer toward said unloading position.

An apparatus and a method for the transfer of components for inhalers or vaporizers from a loading station in which the components arrive randomly oriented, toward one or more work stations, to which said components are delivered oriented according to a predetermined orientation.

An apparatus for grouped take-up and feeding of a container-group of containers to a cyclical processing machine having a cyclical take-up device for taking up the group of containers includes an intake, a feed, and a transfer apparatus arranged in a transfer region between the intake and the take-up device. The intake forms a closed conveyor section that comprises a linear section, a conveyor, and carrying-and-holding elements that convey containers in a continuous container stream along the conveyor section. The feed uses mechanical propulsion to convey suspended containers to individually transfer the suspended containers to the carrying-and-holding elements. The transfer apparatus has rotatable grippers for taking up a container group from the container stream and after having taken up the group of containers, feeding the group of containers to the cyclical take-up device.

According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper and a suction pad. The gripper is flexible. A granular material is provided in an interior of the gripper. The suction pad includes a pad portion and a pipe-shaped member and is surrounded with the gripper. The pad portion suctions a workpiece. The pipe-shaped member is connected to the pad portion. The suction pad is movable with respect to the gripper in a first direction. The first direction is from the pad portion toward the pipe-shaped member.

A wrap removal assembly includes an elongated support member extending along a central longitudinal axis and having an exterior surface. A snagging wire is disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the elongated support member and includes an active material changeable between a first shape and a second shape in response to a control signal. The snagging wire presents a catch spaced outward and away from the exterior surface when disposed in the first shape to snag the wrap material and gather the wrap material around the elongated support member. The snagging wire is positioned substantially flat against the exterior surface of the elongated support member when disposed in the second shape to release the wrap material and allow removal of the wrap material from the elongated support member.

An apparatus for grouped take-up and feeding of a container-group of containers to a cyclical processing machine having a cyclical take-up device for taking up the group of containers includes an intake, a feed, and a transfer apparatus arranged in a transfer region between the intake and the take-up device. The intake forms a closed conveyor section that comprises a linear section, a conveyor, and carrying-and-holding elements that convey containers in a continuous container stream along the conveyor section. The feed uses mechanical propulsion to convey suspended containers to individually transfer the suspended containers to the carrying-and-holding elements. The transfer apparatus has rotatable grippers for taking up a container group from the container stream and after having taken up the group of containers, feeding the group of containers to the cyclical take-up device.

A method for picking polybagged articles includes targeting the polybagged article, placing a multistage gripper adjacent the polybagged article, tenting, pressing on, or suspending the polybagged article from the tenting tool, and gathering the polybagged article with a perimeter gripper.

Introduced is a micro-chip gripper comprising: a pin plate of which one surface is coupled to another apparatus; a hole plate of which one surface faces the other surface of the pin plate while being disposed to be spaced apart therefrom by a fixed distance, and which is driven together with the drive of the pin plate, and in which a plurality of holes making a fixed pattern are formed; pins which are inserted into the holes of the hole plate and of which one end part is supported by the pin plate; and an adhesion layer which covers the other surface of the hole plate. Other embodiments are possible.

A tube picking mechanism is suitable for use in an automated, ultra-low temperature (e.g., 80 C.) storage and retrieval systems which stores biological or chemical samples. The samples are contained in storage tubes held in SBS footprint storage racks that are loaded into trays located within an ultra-low temperature freezer compartment (80 C.). The tube picking mechanism includes a picking head and a cache that can accommodate sample tubes and vials of different sizes and diameters