Abstract: Suction gripper 14 includes fixing member 1 including hole part 7, grasping part 2 including a plurality of flexible and airtight bag parts 2a and 2b whose interiors are coupled together in the central axis direction of hole part 7 with fixing member 1 therebetween, the plurality of bag parts 2a and 2b being filled with powder 8 or particles and fluid, and hardening unit 3 configured to harden the plurality of bag parts 2a and 2b. Grasping part 2 has a configuration in which when a workpiece is pushed against any of the plurality of bag parts 2a and 2b, the contact portion with the workpiece conform to the shape of the workpiece while the other bag part expands in accordance with the deformation.

Abstract: An item with fibers may be picked up and placed using a tool head with hooks that engage the fibers. The tool head may comprise at least one hook portion and at least one contact surface adjacent to the hook portion. The hooks that engage the fibers may extend from the hook portion. The tool head may be actuatable between at least a first configuration that permits the hooks to engage the fibers and a second configuration that does not permit the hooks to engage the fibers. An item may be picked up at a starting location with a tool head in the first configuration and placed at a placement location by moving the tool head and then actuating the tool head to the second configuration.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a fastener which is embedded into a sturdy fabric. Once embedded into a sturdy fabric the fastener may be joined making a bag which can be used to contain items such as yard debris, sporting equipment, and many other items. In another embodiment, the fastener may be embedded into a strap and used to secure items to trailers, boats, and cars or to securely bundle items such as sticks, firewood, baseball bats, hockey sticks, tools and the like. The invention disclosed herein is composed of a fastener spring and a fastener spring receiver embedded into the opposite corners of a sturdy fabric. The fastener spring consist of a spring from which two lateral struts extend. At the end of the lateral struts, circular stops are attached. The fastener spring receiver is rectangular. The lateral struts of the fastener spring are compressed and the circular stops are inserted into the spring receiver.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and a method for picking up glass plates from at least one production line in order to convey said glass plates on to a storage housing or a coating plant. An embodiment of the device includes: a) a linearly movable, vertically installed main lifting column with a lifting rake that can be vertically moved therealong; b) a horizontal drive unit for the lifting rake; c) at least one sensor which is mounted on a fork of the lifting rake and is used for detecting the availability of the targeted storage place of a glass plate; d) at least one sensor which is mounted on a fork of the lifting rake and is used for detecting if a glass plate is located on the lifting rake; e) at least one sensor that is mounted on a fork of the lifting rake and is used for detecting cracks in a glass plate.

Abstract: A system for handling plastic wrap. The system includes a cling surface, where the cling surface is configured to be attracted toward or stick to the plastic wrap. The system also includes a handle. The handle is configured to allow a user to manipulate the position of the cling surface and has no attraction or adhesion to plastic wrap.

Abstract: A seed handling tool includes a handle connected to a working body. The working body includes a working surface, which further includes a plurality of seed retention points. A seed retention source is provided to allow the seed handling tool to pick up and retain seeds at the seed retention points. In some embodiments, the seeds may also be released from the seed retention points. A method for retaining a plurality of seeds by the seed handling tool includes moving the seed handling tool to a position where the working surface is adjacent to a plurality of seeds, and picking up and retaining seeds at a plurality of seed retention points fixed at the working surface. In some embodiments, the method may also include releasing the plurality of seeds from the seed retention points.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing earrings from a display card includes a pronged mechanism for slipping between the ornamental portion of the earring and the card. A user applies leverage to the pronged mechanism to separate the earring from the card. The pronged mechanism can be enhanced with a cover for preventing the earring from flipping away as it is removed from the card. The cover can be attached to the pronged portion using any suitable resources, such as a band, adhesive or hinge. When the pronged mechanism removes the earring from the card, the earring retainer on the back of the earring necessarily also separates from the card, so the device can be further enhanced with a cup for catching and containing the earring retainer. The apparatus can be a single, integrated device, and is of a sufficiently diminutive size to avoid unwieldiness of use and to prevent damage to the earring itself.

Abstract: A compact disc retrieving device which allows for the quick, easy, and efficient removal of a CD or DVD from a CD or DVD player without damaging the CD or DVD player and without marring, scratching, deforming or otherwise causing damage to the CD or DVD. The device includes a first arm pivotally coupled to a second arm. The device further includes a third arm coupled to the first arm. The third arm includes a suction cup attached thereto.

Abstract: A winch assembly includes a winch and a hitch assembly coupled to the winch. The hitch assembly includes an attachment bar, a spear receiving portion and a spear configured to be seated in the spear receiving portion. A cable is coupled to the winch and the spear for extending and/or retracting the spear relative to the spear receiving portion.