Patent ID: 8240730

Claim:
A pneumatic gripper comprising: an active gripping element comprising: a plurality of interconnected layers of film cuts of a flexible but expandable gastight film, the plurality of interconnected layers of film cuts being interconnected to form a plurality of hollow film elements; a counteracting element disposed in opposition to the active gripping element; a connection for a compressed gas disposed in at least one hollow film element of the plurality of hollow film elements; wherein the plurality of hollow film elements are connected to one another so that when said plurality of hollow film elements are filled with the compressed gas, the plurality of hollow film elements execute a gripping movement causing motion of the active gripping element relative to the counteracting element; and wherein the active gripping element is configured in such a manner that the gripping movement is hindered when one of the hollow film elements engages with the counteracting element in a direction of movement other than that desired.