Patent ID: 6974168

Claim:
An apparatus adapted for gripping a plurality of objects, the apparatus comprising: a mounting head; a plurality of suction-operated gripping mechanisms for selectively and independently gripping a plurality of objects positioned adjacent to said gripping mechanisms; a suction-operated attachment mechanism for attaching said plurality of gripping mechanisms to said mounting head; a viewing mechanism, including a camera, for viewing the plurality of objects gripped by said plurality of gripping mechanisms, said plurality of gripping mechanisms having a light-transmitting portion positioned in such a manner that objects gripped by said plurality of gripping mechanisms can be viewed by said camera through said plurality of gripping mechanisms; and a light transmitting vacuum transfer plate mounted to said mounting head, said light transmitting vacuum transfer plate including a plurality of suction channels having a side open towards said plurality of gripping mechanisms such that suction can be selectively and independently applied from a plurality of suction supplies to said plurality of gripping mechanisms via said plurality of suction channels, and an attachment channel in communication with a first suction supply for supplying suction to attach the plurality of gripping mechanisms to the mounting head via the vacuum transfer plate.