Abstract: A clamping device is applied to a cover of a container and comprises a first gear plate having a first rail hole, a second gear plate having a second rail hole, a guiding plate configured between the first gear plate and the second gear plate and having a guiding slot, a first motor, a second motor and a clamp assembly. The first motor is configured to drive the first gear plate to rotate. The second motor is configured to drive the second gear plate to rotate. The clamp component of the clamp assembly is disposed in the first rail hole, the second rail hole and the guiding slot and configured to contact the cover. The first motor and the second motor drive the first gear plate and the second gear plate to rotate in opposite directions and drive the clamp component to move inwardly for clamping the cover.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated electromechanical gripper for handling a container. In one embodiment, the gripper is used in an automated liquid dispenser. The gripper can grab a single container, remove the container from a nested stack of containers, and move the container in three directions (horizontally, laterally, and vertically).