A handling device includes a gripping member and a support structure that supports
the gripping member. The gripping member includes a flexible, substantially toroidal
wall member having an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion that defines
an axial passageway through the gripping member. A fluid fills the volume enclosed
by the wall member. The support structure includes a drive mechanism that engages
the wall member and is constructed and arranged to provide relative axial movement
between the inner and outer wall portions.