Abstract: An end-effector of a programmable motion device is disclosed. The end-effector includes a body that provides an open interior, the open interior being coupled to a vacuum source, and the body including a contact surface for contacting an object to be grasped by the end effector. The contact surface includes at least one aperture through which a vacuum is provided, and the body includes an outer surface that faces away from the open interior. The body provides that when the flow of air drawn by the vacuum source through the at least one aperture is reduced due to the at least one aperture being at least partially blocked, the outer surface of the body engages the object being grasped at least partially within the open interior of the body.

Abstract: A gripper for a picking device for small piece goods is provided. The gripper includes a delivery table extending in a first horizontal direction and a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction, a gripping jaw guide assembly having two gripping jaws extending in the first horizontal direction over the delivery table, wherein at least one of the gripping jaws is movable in the second horizontal direction, and a drive unit which is coupled to the gripping jaw guide assembly and configured to move the gripping jaw guide assembly in the first horizontal direction. At least one of the gripping jaws is configured as a suction jaw and has a suction device having a suction surface for suctioning a small piece good, wherein a vacuum can be applied on the suction device using a suction line.

Abstract: A spin chuck jig includes a handle having first holes, a base having second holes, wherein a number of the second holes and a number of first holes are the same, and bolts each penetrating one of the first holes and one of the second holes so that the handle and the base are attached to a spin chuck to be lifted from a spin process equipment.

Abstract: A prosthetic or robot part (500) is described, including at least one phalange member (532) pivotally coupled to a base (509) at a pivot axis; and a drive assembly to selectively move the phalange member about the pivot axis along a flexion/extension plane between an open position and a closed position. The drive assembly includes a drive element (512) coupled to an actuator (506) and a driven element (514) coupled to the phalange member; wherein the driven element (514) is decouplable from the drive element (512) when the phalange member is caused to move in a first rotational direction about the pivot axis by an external force.

Abstract: A system and method for using a spreader device that is connected to the inside of a foodstuff jar. Once the lid is removed, the user can easily access the spreader without requiring additional cleaning or storage efforts and apply the foodstuff by grasping the lid. The ensures a cleaner, more hygienic, and convenient spreading experience for users.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents an apparatus which assists with disposal of animal excrement. The apparatus includes a conduit having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are fluidly coupled to a handle and a nozzle, respectively. The handle is fluidly coupled to a water source and provides a lever that is operably coupled to an internal valve allowing the user to control the flow rate of water through the conduit and nozzle. The apparatus further includes a splash guard that is coupled to the nozzle and extends a predetermined distance beyond the exit orifice of the nozzle. The nozzle and splash guard are engineered to produce a turbulent churning of the discharged water when the splash guard is in sufficient contact with the ground that allows for the rapid breakdown and dissolution of the animal excrement.

Abstract: An eating utensil for gripping food such as chicken drumsticks is disclosed. The utensil has a tube which is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate the end of the chicken drumstick. The utensil is made of a springy material such as silicone so that finger pressure may bend the material to grip the chicken. The opening is sized to accommodate the shape of the food and provide more secure gripping thereof. A material such as a soft non-slip grip silicone may be used. A plastic ridge surrounds the top to act as a plastic “grease dam” and keep drips from the hand. A small hole at the bottom allows for easy cleaning and drying.

Abstract: A cleaning tool particularly adapted to cleaning gutters from a position below the gutter, such as on the ground. The invention removes most of the manual work associated with operating the device and integrates with a motor providing an adjustable motor driver switch to control the tension of the rope to close the far end gripper, pick debris and release the debris using the motor control buttons. The far end of the pole has a video capturing device paired with a video display device near the near end.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing high flow vacuum control to an end effector of an articulated arm. The system includes a high flow vacuum source that provides an opening with an area of high flow vacuum at the end effector such that objects may be engaged while permitting substantial flow of air through the opening, and a load detection system for characterizing the load presented by the object.

Abstract: An end effector device and system for suction-based grasping of bagged objects that can include a body structure with a vacuum line opening and an object engagement region, the vacuum line opening being configured to couple at least one pressure line of a vacuum pressure system to a defined internal channel of the body structure; the body structure comprising an internal structure that defines a concave inner chamber with a chamber opening at the object engagement region; and the internal structure comprising an array of inlets positioned along at least one wall of the concave inner chamber, wherein each inlet defines an opening in the body to the defined internal channel.

Abstract: An end-effector for a programmable motion device is disclosed. The end effector includes a body that includes a contact portion, the body providing an open interior through which a vacuum may be provided to the contact portion, and the body includes at least one feature that is adapted to facilitate the contact portion to become substantially non-planar while grasping.

Abstract: A raising/lowering conveyance device for a container for conveying an article has container supports that can move toward or away from a container in the horizontal direction and up and down with respect to the container. The container supports have a plurality of container support pins that can advance/retreat in the horizontal direction from the container and that are forcibly held at a position protruding from a front surface of the container support. The container supports are configured to lift the container by the container support pins which protrude under a downward step surface formed on the outside of the container. A pin main body of the container support pins protrudes from the front surface and has a flat tip perpendicular to the center axis of the pin main body, and has a tapered shape that increases in diameter toward the flat tip and is thicker toward the end.

Abstract: An end effector device and system for suction-based grasping of bagged objects that can include a body structure with a vacuum line opening and an object engagement region, the vacuum line opening being configured to couple at least one pressure line of a vacuum pressure system to a defined internal channel of the body structure; the body structure comprising an internal structure that defines a concave inner chamber with a chamber opening at the object engagement region; and the internal structure comprising an array of inlets positioned along at least one wall of the concave inner chamber, wherein each inlet defines an opening in the body to the defined internal channel. The body structure may additionally include a suction cup system that comprises a flexible sealing lip at the object engagement region; wherein the chamber opening being positioned within a grasping region of the sealing lip.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus is disclosed. The clamp apparatus includes a first half having a first end and a second end; a second half having a first end and a second end, the first and second halves being connected together at the first ends; and wherein the second end of the first half and the second end of the second half are flared outwardly away from a centerline of the clamp apparatus to receive a conductor therebetween.

Abstract: An end-effector for a programmable motion device is disclosed. The end effector includes a body that includes a contact portion, the body providing an open interior through which a vacuum may be provided to the contact portion, and the body including at least one feature that is adapted to facilitate the contact portion to become substantially non-planar while grasping.

Abstract: A vacuum plate which may be used in a system in which sheet material articles are handled by a vacuum plate. The vacuum plate comprises a first wall, a plurality of bores in the first wall, and at least one air outlet for connection to a source of vacuum pressure for applying a vacuum pressure to the bores. The first wall provides, in use, a vacuum lifting surface for pulling and holding the sheet material article to the vacuum surface when vacuum pressure is applied to the bores. Each bore comprises a flared opening terminating at the vacuum surface for admitting air pulled through the bore by the applied vacuum pressure, and opposite this opening, an exit for the air pulled through the bore, this exit being surrounded by a rim that extends above a surrounding surface of the second side of the first wall.

Abstract: A retaining mechanism for a clevis hook assembly with an axial device that provides a retaining mechanism for a load pin. The axial device is disposed inside a first opening behind the load pin. The axial device may provide a retention mechanism to obstruct the load pin when the load pin is inserted into the first opening of one of the pair of opposed members and extends across a space into the first opening in the other opposed member.

Abstract: An object gripping mechanism is provided for use with a robotic arm. A robotic arm and method of manufacturing an object gripping mechanism are also provided. The object gripping mechanism includes an attachment modular configured to connect the object gripping mechanism to the robotic arm. The object gripping mechanism also includes a plurality of retractable arms each pivotably connected with the attachment modular. The object gripping mechanism also includes one or more movement mechanisms collectively configured to pivot the plurality of retractable arms to a desired position. The object gripping mechanism further includes a drive mechanism positioned within each of the plurality of retractable arms and configured to pivot the object engagement feature using a gear and timing belt configuration.

Abstract: A scoop including a tray and a gripping portion. The tray including a bottom portion having a flat bottom surface and an inclined top surface that distally terminate in a straight beveled edge that has a width that is smaller than a smoking outer wrap. The inclined top surface proximally transitions to a transverse channel having a backstop portion and top panel portion. The transverse channel at least partially open on one lateral end. The gripping portion is attached to, and extending proximally from, the tray enabling a user to: (i) position the straight beveled edge against a surface for scraping smoking material onto the tray; (ii) upwardly tip the trap to collect the scraped smoking material into the transverse channel; and (iii) to selectively dispense the collected smoking material either through the at least partially open lateral end of the transverse channel or back over the straight beveled edge.

Abstract: A bottle carrier is configured to carry plural crown-cap bottles having a collared neck by their neck. The bottle carrier comprises a plurality of bottle holders connected to each other for each holding a crown-cap bottle along an axis of extension, wherein the connection of the bottle holders may be formed as a frame or a backbone. Each bottle holder comprises at least three resilient arms defining a holding space and configured to engage and hold the neck of the bottle and to support the bottle by the collar. The arms are further arranged to provide the bottle neck access into the holding space in radial direction, and to provide an effectively radially inward holding force onto the bottle neck.