A vacuum operated object lifting system is disclosed that can use air pressure differentials to anchor the lifting system to the floor or other structure. The vacuum lifting system includes a main structure having a space defined in the bottom thereof and a lifting arm system extending from the main structure for grasping and moving a load. The vacuum lifting system includes a vacuum pumping system including an air pump and a conduit system extending from the air pump to the space in the bottom of the main structure. Use of the air pump to draw air out of the conduit system creates pressure differential between ambient air pressure and air pressure in the space of the main structure to anchor the vacuum lifting system to the ground. The vacuum pumping system may also grasp the load by suction.

A method of controlling operation of a linear actuator, including maintaining the linear actuator in equilibrium when supporting a first load, determining application of a second load on the linear actuator, and selectively actuating the linear actuator in response to application of the second load on the linear actuator.

A vacuum operated object lifting system is disclosed that can use air pressure differentials to anchor the lifting system to the floor or other structure. The vacuum lifting system includes a main structure having a space defined in the bottom thereof and a lifting arm system extending from the main structure for grasping and moving a load. The vacuum lifting system includes a vacuum pumping system including an air pump and a conduit system extending from the air pump to the space in the bottom of the main structure. Use of the air pump to draw air out of the conduit system creates pressure differential between ambient air pressure and air pressure in the space of the main structure to anchor the vacuum lifting system to the ground. The vacuum pumping system may also grasp the load by suction.

A method of controlling operation of a linear actuator, including maintaining the linear actuator in equilibrium when supporting a first load, determining application of a second load on the linear actuator, and selectively actuating the linear actuator in response to application of the second load on the linear actuator.

A pick-up device for picking up packages that may include a frame to which a first and a second retaining element are mounted. Each retaining element may comprise a retaining side that is adapted to hold a package or a package section. The first and the second retaining elements may be adapted to be arranged in a starting position, such that the first and the second retaining sides are oriented one next to the other in an aligned manner. Both the first and the second retaining elements are pivotable about a common pivot axis, so that in at least one pivoted position, both the first and the second retaining elements are arranged pivoted by a first and a second angle respectively, wherein the retaining element are pivoted relative to the starting position. In one embodiment, both the first and the second angles are greater than zero.

A pick-up device for picking up packages that may include a frame to which a first and a second retaining element are mounted. Each retaining element may comprise a retaining side that is adapted to hold a package or a package section. The first and the second retaining elements may be adapted to be arranged in a starting position, such that the first and the second retaining sides are oriented one next to the other in an aligned manner. Both the first and the second retaining elements are pivotable about a common pivot axis, so that in at least one pivoted position, both the first and the second retaining elements are arranged pivoted by a first and a second angle respectively, wherein the retaining element are pivoted relative to the starting position. In one embodiment, both the first and the second angles are greater than zero.