A device for gripping, holding, releasing, and conveying objects of varying sizes
and shapes, comprising an elongated torus (120) enclosing a fluid material
(121), an outer roller assembly (136), and an inner roller assembly
(134). Torus (120) may be made of a flexible membrane and able to
seal in fluid material (121). Fluid material (121) can be a gas,
liquid, solid particles, semisolid particles, or mixtures of these. Central channel
(128) of torus (120) is collapsed due to pressure of fluid material
(121) within torus (120). Gripping and conveying action is achieved
by rolling motion of roller assemblies (134) and (136) which move
collapsed channel (128) along the longitudinal (elongated) axis of torus
(120). This causes front portion of the torus to slide radially inward to
grip objects. Further movement of the roller assemblies can cause the object to
be pulled completely inside the collapsed channel (121) and conveyed to
the rear portion of the collapsed channel and out of torus (120). The soft
flexible nature of torus (30) allows grasping even the most delicate objects
without damaging them. Even over-ripe strawberries can be rapidly grasped without bruising.