A robotically-operated gripping device is provided and includes a frame assembly, a vacuum device, a clamping device, and a robotic arm. The vacuum device is connected to the frame assembly and configured to selectively attach to and position at least a portion of an object. The clamping device is connected to the frame assembly and provided for selectively clamping the object attached to the vacuum device. The robotic arm is connected to the frame assembly and provided for selectively positioning the vacuum device and the gripping device.

A system for automatic packaging of shoes can include a first subsystem that can determine shoe type information from a shoe or pair of shoes to be packaged, a second subsystem that can automatically package the shoe, or pair of shoes, in a packaging container, and a third subsystem that can dynamically control the automatic packaging based at least in part on the determined shoe type information.

A vacuum-assisted product-handling system is described that includes a carrier to move an unpackaged product into a contact position. The system also includes an actuation unit to move the unpackaged product from the contact position of the carrier to a receiving container. The actuation unit may include a mechanical arm to lift the unpackaged product from the carrier and deposit the unpackaged product in the receiving container, and a vacuum tool connected to an end of the mechanical arm. The vacuum tool may be operable to hold the unpackaged product as the unpackaged product is moved by the actuation unit from the carrier to the receiving container. The vacuum tool may include one or more arrays of suction devices, where each array of suction devices is connected to a single vacuum source.

A product stacking system may include an open bag detection subsystem and a product stacking subsystem. The open bag detection subsystem may agitate bags to cause product to be displaced out of open bags and determine if a bag is open by comparing a weight of the bag after the agitation to a target threshold. The product stacking subsystem may include a robotic arm and a controller that moves the robotic arm between posts of a bin based on an orientation of the bin. A turntable rotates the bin and can operate as an additional axis of movement of the robot.

A product stacking system may include an open bag detection subsystem and a product stacking subsystem. The open bag detection subsystem may agitate bags to cause product to be displaced out of open bags and determine if a bag is open by comparing a weight of the bag after the agitation to a target threshold. The product stacking subsystem may include a robotic arm and a controller that moves the robotic arm between posts of a bin based on an orientation of the bin. A turntable rotates the bin and can operate as an additional axis of movement of the robot.

A transfer system in the form of a robot line used in one embodiment to transfer products, such as slices of meat or other fresh food, while complying with the hygienic requirements. The robot line may transfer the products, simply and with little constructive and financial effort. The robots used for this purpose may be very simply constructed with only one swivel arm and the robot base may be guided below the working plane, and only the swivel arm and the gripper may be disposed above the working plane.

A suction apparatus includes a suction unit, a negative pressure detection unit, a suction abnormality determination unit, and a notification unit. The suction unit suctions and holds merchandise with a negative pressure. The negative pressure detection unit detects a negative pressure value in the suction unit whenever the suction unit suctions the merchandise. The suction abnormality determination unit determines that the suction unit is abnormal in a case where the detected negative pressure value is lower in negative pressure degree than a predetermined suction determination negative pressure value continuously by a predetermined number of times of determination or more. The notification unit provides a notification in a case where the suction unit is determined to be abnormal.

A suction apparatus includes a suction unit, a negative pressure detection unit, a suction abnormality determination unit, and a notification unit. The suction unit suctions and holds merchandise with a negative pressure. The negative pressure detection unit detects a negative pressure value in the suction unit whenever the suction unit suctions the merchandise. The suction abnormality determination unit determines that the suction unit is abnormal in a case where the detected negative pressure value is lower in negative pressure degree than a predetermined suction determination negative pressure value continuously by a predetermined number of times of determination or more. The notification unit provides a notification in a case where the suction unit is determined to be abnormal.

An operating device for a handling device, with a gripping section and a coupling for a gripping device, with at least a part of the coupling being at or in the gripping section, so that it is rotatable about an axis of rotation, with a reading device for reading out an information carrier with coded data being placed on the side of the griping section facing the coupling, where the reading device is designed to read out an information carrier of a gripping device coupled to the coupling regardless of the rotational position of the coupling.

An operating device for a handling device, with a gripping section and a coupling for a gripping device, with at least a part of the coupling being at or in the gripping section, so that it is rotatable about an axis of rotation, with a reading device for reading out an information carrier with coded data being placed on the side of the griping section facing the coupling, where the reading device is designed to read out an information carrier of a gripping device coupled to the coupling regardless of the rotational position of the coupling.