WO2006032603A1 - Gripping device - Google Patents

Gripping device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006032603A1
WO2006032603A1 PCT/EP2005/054324 EP2005054324W WO2006032603A1 WO 2006032603 A1 WO2006032603 A1 WO 2006032603A1 EP 2005054324 W EP2005054324 W EP 2005054324W WO 2006032603 A1 WO2006032603 A1 WO 2006032603A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
gripping device
antimicrobial agent
silver
metal
ions
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2005/054324
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Leif Pettersson
Fredrik Isaksson
Klas Bengtsson
Staffan Ellqvist
Torbjörn HEDLUND
Original Assignee
Abb Research Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Abb Research Ltd filed Critical Abb Research Ltd
Publication of WO2006032603A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006032603A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/26—Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
    • A61L2/23—Solid substances, e.g. granules, powders, blocks, tablets
    • A61L2/238—Metals or alloys, e.g. oligodynamic metals
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J15/00—Gripping heads and other end effectors
    • B25J15/06—Gripping heads and other end effectors with vacuum or magnetic holding means
    • B25J15/0616—Gripping heads and other end effectors with vacuum or magnetic holding means with vacuum
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J15/00—Gripping heads and other end effectors
    • B25J15/08—Gripping heads and other end effectors having finger members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J19/00—Accessories fitted to manipulators, e.g. for monitoring, for viewing; Safety devices combined with or specially adapted for use in connection with manipulators
    • B25J19/0075—Means for protecting the manipulator from its environment or vice versa
    • B25J19/0087—Means for protecting the manipulator from its environment or vice versa using an antibacterial coating
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
    • A61L2202/20—Targets to be treated
    • A61L2202/21—Pharmaceuticals, e.g. medicaments, artificial body parts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2207/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional details, configuration and additional features of a handling device, e.g. Conveyors
    • B65G2207/26—Hygienic features, e.g. easy to sanitize

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a gripping device for handling at least one object. More particularly it relates to a gripping device for lifting or moving at least one object.
  • a gripping device according to the invention is for example useful in areas, which require good sanitary conditions, such as in the food, the pharmaceutical, the biotechnology or the cosmetic industry.
  • a gripping device is used, for example in the food and the pharmaceutical industry, for lifting and moving objects.
  • grippers used in the food and the pharmaceutical industry, both with contact and without contact to the object to be lifted.
  • Examples of theses are vacuum grippers with suction cups, magnetic grippers, grippers with finger members and vacuum grippers without contact to the object to be lifted.
  • the grippers are usually attached to an industrial robot, such as a pick and place robot, or above a conveyor belt in a production line.
  • a vacuum gripper usually comprises a housing with an attached suction cup for lifting and moving the object.
  • the suction cup is connected to a vacuum source for creating a low pressure between the object to be lifted and the suction cup.
  • the suction cup is usually made of a resilient material such as a polymer, for example polyurethane, silicone, chloroprene and nitrile-PVC.
  • Cleaning of parts that are in contact with the handled objects is carried out by washing the parts with detergents at predetermined intervals. Usually a complete stop in production is necessary for cleaning and disinfections operations.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a gripping device where the safety margins for keeping the gripper clean are improved.
  • the gripping device comprises an antimicrobial agent.
  • the surface adapted to be in contact with the object to be handled comprises the antimicrobial agent.
  • An antimicrobial agent is a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of unwanted organisms, such as bacteria, yeast, fungi, algae, viruses and mould.
  • the antimicrobial agent gives the gripping device an antimicrobial effect, which prevents the growth of unwanted organisms at the surface of the gripping device. This ensures that, for example, the food being handled by the gripper is not contaminated by microorganisms or biofilms .
  • the antimicrobial agent gives resistance to degradation and prevents bacterial growth it can lead to simplified washing and disinfecting measures and less detergent may be used, which saves the environment. Also the interval between cleaning may be extended or the cleaning may even be dispensed with.
  • a more environmentally friendly detergent than for grippers without an antimicrobial agent, may be used. Also, the safety margins when cleaning a gripper are improved.
  • Another advantage is that by extending the intervals for cleaning, the productivity is increased as usually a complete stop for production is necessary for cleaning and disinfection operations .
  • the antimicrobial agent is either distributed in the gripping device or a part thereof, arranged as a coating on the gripping device, or arranged as a modified surface on the gripping device.
  • the antimicrobial agent comprises a metal in elemental form or in the form of a metal salt.
  • the antimicrobial agent is derived from an elemental metal or a metal compound selected from the group of silver metal, silver nitrate, silver sulfadiazine, silver oxide, and silver acetate.
  • the antimicrobial agent comprises metal ions.
  • the metal ions are selected from the group of silver ions, copper ions and mercury ions . Such metal ions have been proven to have an antimicrobial effect. Silver ions are to prefer when the gripping device is to be used in the food industry.
  • At least a part of the gripping device is made of a material including a portion of the antimicrobial agent.
  • said portion of antimicrobial agent is between 0.1-10 wt%.
  • Some antimicrobial agents are rather expensive.
  • a portion of 0.1-10 wt% of antimicrobial agent provides the desired microbial effect of the gripping device and keeps the cost low for the microbial agent.
  • the antimicrobial agent is distributed in the material of the gripping device. This makes the manufacturing of the gripping device easy. However, only the antimicrobial agents that are in contact with the surface, or have the possibility to diffuse to the surface, have an antimicrobial effect on the surface.
  • the gripping device is a vacuum gripper comprising a suction cup including a portion of the antimicrobial agent.
  • the suction cup is made of a polymer comprising the antimicrobial agent.
  • the antimicrobial agent is distributed in the polymer for a simple production of the suction cup.
  • the gripping device is a magnetic gripper, wherein the gripper comprises a magnetic material comprising the antimicrobial agent.
  • the antimicrobial agent is distributed in the magnetic material for a simple production of the gripper.
  • the part of the gripping device which is made of a material including a portion of the antimicrobial agent, is a coating on the gripping device.
  • the thickness of said coating is in the interval of 0.1-150 ⁇ m.
  • the coating is for example deposited on the gripper by one of the following methods; dipping, painting, spraying, printing, spin coating, electrolytic coating, electroless coating, Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) .
  • the antimicrobial agent is arranged such that the metal ions are released at an essentially steady rate.
  • This is advantageous since it provides an essentially steady concentration of antimicrobial agent at the surface of the gripper.
  • the release of metal ions at an essentially steady rate is achieved by using an antimicrobial agent of a porous ceramic material comprising metal ions.
  • the antimicrobial agent comprises an oxide derived from the group consisting of: titanium, zinc and tungsten.
  • the oxide is, for example, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or tungsten trioxide.
  • the surface of a gripper comprising an oxide may easily be cleaned by exposing it to UV irradiation. Thereby highly reactive radicals, which are used in a photocatalytic reaction, are produced.
  • the antimicrobial agent comprises at least one halogen from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.
  • halogen from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.
  • triclosane is used.
  • a gripper device comprises at least two finger members, where at least one of the finger members comprises the antimicrobial agent.
  • the at least one finger member is either coated with the antimicrobial agent, or the antimicrobial agent is distributed in the material of the at least one finger member.
  • the gripping device is adapted to be attached to an industrial robot.
  • the robot is, for example, a pick-and-place or packaging robot.
  • the gripper tool In pick and place operations with a robot the gripper tool is the only contact point of the robot with the objects to be handled. Consequently for robots in environments such as food and pharmaceuticals industry, where hygiene and cleanliness are of vital importance, it is essential to avoid microbial contamination by the gripper.
  • the surface of the gripping device is modified with an antimicrobial agent.
  • a modified surface means that the outer layer of the gripper comprises the antimicrobial agent, while the inner part contains bulk material.
  • the surface is modified with ion implantation.
  • a modified surface has the advantages that there in no risk for it to flake of and lose material to the surrounding.
  • a gripping device according to the invention is particularly suitable for handling any of the following objects: food, pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.
  • a gripping device according to the invention is useful in the biotechnology industry.
  • figure 1 schematically shows a vacuum gripper comprising a suction cup comprising an antimicrobial agent
  • figure 2 schematically shows a gripper comprising two finger members having a coating comprising an antimicrobial agent
  • figure 3 shows a cross section through one of the fingers shown in figure 2 along a line A-A.
  • FIG. 1 shows a gripping device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the gripping device 1 comprises a suction cup 2 and is attached to a housing 3 connected to a vacuum source (not shown) .
  • the housing 3 is attached to a mounting plate 4 for attachment to a handling member, such as an industrial robot.
  • the suction cup 2 is made of an elastic polymer and comprises an antimicrobial agent, for example a silver compound, evenly distributed in the polymer material.
  • the antimicrobial agent is one of the following silver compounds: silver nitrate, silver metal, silver sulfadiazine, silver oxide and silver acetate.
  • the silver compounds are present in an amount of 0.1-10 wt%.
  • the silver compound is released in a controlled way to the surface of the gripper and the surroundings of the gripper.
  • the vacuum gripper comprises a suction cup made of an elastic polymer coated with an antimicrobial agent, such as a silver compound.
  • the thickness of the coating is typically in the interval of 0.1-150 ⁇ m.
  • the antimicrobial agent may be added to a matrix material in order to achieve the antimicrobial effect.
  • the agent is bound or buried in a ceramic or a polymer (resin) material.
  • the agent is then subsequently released in a controlled fashion to its surroundings. If the agent cannot migrate/diffuse in the matrix is can instead be concentrated at the surface.
  • a coating can be made of such a material.
  • the gripper comprises an antimicrobial compound of an inert ceramic material comprising silver ions.
  • Silver ions are released from the body at a slow and steady rate. Ambient moisture in the air causes low-level release that effectively maintains an antimicrobial surface on the gripper. When humidity increases and the environment become ideal for bacterial growth, more silver is released.
  • the antimicrobial compound may be, for example, a commercial available antimicrobial compound such as AgION (trade mark) .
  • Figure 2 show a gripping device 5 comprising two finger members 6, 7.
  • the outer ends 8, 9 of the finger members are coated with a material including an antimicrobial agent.
  • the gripping device is adapted to be attached to an industrial robot.
  • the coating is for example made of elastic polymer or durable paint comprising a portion of an antimicrobial agent in the interval of 0.1-10wt%.
  • the antimicrobial agent is for example a metal in the form of elemental or in the form of a salt, a halogen or an oxide derived from the group consisting of: titanium, zinc and tungsten.
  • Figure 3 shows an intersection through the finger member 6.
  • the body 10 of the finger member 6 is provided with a coating 11 including an antimicrobial agent.
  • the thickness of the coating is typically in the interval of 0.1-150 ⁇ m.
  • antimicrobial coating may also be applied on other parts of the gripper not described above, i.e. parts in the vicinity of the object being handled, for example the housing holding the suction cups.
  • the antimicrobial agent can also be based on semiconductors (photocatalytic activity) .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Robotics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Abstract

A gripping device for handling at least one object, wherein the gripping device comprises an antimicrobial agent giving the surface of the gripping device an antimicrobial effect. The antimicrobial effect prevents bacterial growth on the surface of the gripping device. This ensures that the at least one object being handled by the gripping device is not contaminated by bacteria. The antimicrobial agent is either evenly distributed in the gripping device, arranged as a coating on the gripping device, or arranged as a modified surface on the gripping device.

Description

Gripping device
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a gripping device for handling at least one object. More particularly it relates to a gripping device for lifting or moving at least one object. A gripping device according to the invention is for example useful in areas, which require good sanitary conditions, such as in the food, the pharmaceutical, the biotechnology or the cosmetic industry.
BACKGROUND ART
In certain industries there are great demands on hygiene. Those demands are usually regulated in legislation. Hygienic risks to the consumer of the product being processed have to be considered when designing machines and equipment for industries associated with hygienic risks. International standards are very general and applicable to all machines and associated equipment in applications where hygiene risks to the consumer of the product can occur, for example food, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and cosmetics.
A gripping device is used, for example in the food and the pharmaceutical industry, for lifting and moving objects. There are several different kinds of grippers used in the food and the pharmaceutical industry, both with contact and without contact to the object to be lifted. Examples of theses are vacuum grippers with suction cups, magnetic grippers, grippers with finger members and vacuum grippers without contact to the object to be lifted. The grippers are usually attached to an industrial robot, such as a pick and place robot, or above a conveyor belt in a production line. A vacuum gripper usually comprises a housing with an attached suction cup for lifting and moving the object. The suction cup is connected to a vacuum source for creating a low pressure between the object to be lifted and the suction cup. The suction cup is usually made of a resilient material such as a polymer, for example polyurethane, silicone, chloroprene and nitrile-PVC.
Cleaning of parts that are in contact with the handled objects is carried out by washing the parts with detergents at predetermined intervals. Usually a complete stop in production is necessary for cleaning and disinfections operations.
In industries, such as the food and the pharmaceutical industry, there is a constant desire to improve the safety margins for the cleanliness of the parts that are in contact with, or in the vicinity of, the objects to be handled. There is also a demand to improve productivity and minimize the stops that are necessary for taking cleaning measures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a gripping device where the safety margins for keeping the gripper clean are improved.
This object of the invention is obtained by a gripping device according to the features in the characterizing part of the independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention will be clear from the description below and in the dependent claims .
The object of the invention is achieved in that the gripping device comprises an antimicrobial agent. Preferably, at least the surface adapted to be in contact with the object to be handled comprises the antimicrobial agent. An antimicrobial agent is a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of unwanted organisms, such as bacteria, yeast, fungi, algae, viruses and mould. The antimicrobial agent gives the gripping device an antimicrobial effect, which prevents the growth of unwanted organisms at the surface of the gripping device. This ensures that, for example, the food being handled by the gripper is not contaminated by microorganisms or biofilms .
Because the antimicrobial agent gives resistance to degradation and prevents bacterial growth it can lead to simplified washing and disinfecting measures and less detergent may be used, which saves the environment. Also the interval between cleaning may be extended or the cleaning may even be dispensed with.
By making the surface easier to clean, a more environmentally friendly detergent, than for grippers without an antimicrobial agent, may be used. Also, the safety margins when cleaning a gripper are improved.
Another advantage is that by extending the intervals for cleaning, the productivity is increased as usually a complete stop for production is necessary for cleaning and disinfection operations .
The antimicrobial agent is either distributed in the gripping device or a part thereof, arranged as a coating on the gripping device, or arranged as a modified surface on the gripping device.
According to an embodiment of the invention the antimicrobial agent comprises a metal in elemental form or in the form of a metal salt. For example, the antimicrobial agent is derived from an elemental metal or a metal compound selected from the group of silver metal, silver nitrate, silver sulfadiazine, silver oxide, and silver acetate. Preferably, the antimicrobial agent comprises metal ions. For example, the metal ions are selected from the group of silver ions, copper ions and mercury ions . Such metal ions have been proven to have an antimicrobial effect. Silver ions are to prefer when the gripping device is to be used in the food industry.
According to an embodiment of the invention at least a part of the gripping device is made of a material including a portion of the antimicrobial agent. Preferably said portion of antimicrobial agent is between 0.1-10 wt%. Some antimicrobial agents are rather expensive. A portion of 0.1-10 wt% of antimicrobial agent provides the desired microbial effect of the gripping device and keeps the cost low for the microbial agent.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the antimicrobial agent is distributed in the material of the gripping device. This makes the manufacturing of the gripping device easy. However, only the antimicrobial agents that are in contact with the surface, or have the possibility to diffuse to the surface, have an antimicrobial effect on the surface.
According to an embodiment of the invention the gripping device is a vacuum gripper comprising a suction cup including a portion of the antimicrobial agent. For example the suction cup is made of a polymer comprising the antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent is distributed in the polymer for a simple production of the suction cup.
According to an embodiment of the invention the gripping device is a magnetic gripper, wherein the gripper comprises a magnetic material comprising the antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent is distributed in the magnetic material for a simple production of the gripper.
According to an embodiment of the invention the part of the gripping device, which is made of a material including a portion of the antimicrobial agent, is a coating on the gripping device. Preferably, the thickness of said coating is in the interval of 0.1-150 μm. This embodiment is for example advantageous when an expensive antimicrobial agent is used, since less amount of antimicrobial agent is needed. The antimicrobial effect will be the same as for a gripping device having the antimicrobial agent distributed in the material of the gripping device, due to the fact that only the antimicrobial agents that are in contact with the surface, or have the possibility to diffuse to the surface, have an antimicrobial effect on the surface.
The coating is for example deposited on the gripper by one of the following methods; dipping, painting, spraying, printing, spin coating, electrolytic coating, electroless coating, Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) .
According to an embodiment of the invention the antimicrobial agent is arranged such that the metal ions are released at an essentially steady rate. This is advantageous since it provides an essentially steady concentration of antimicrobial agent at the surface of the gripper. For example the release of metal ions at an essentially steady rate is achieved by using an antimicrobial agent of a porous ceramic material comprising metal ions.
According to an embodiment of the invention the antimicrobial agent comprises an oxide derived from the group consisting of: titanium, zinc and tungsten. The oxide is, for example, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or tungsten trioxide. The surface of a gripper comprising an oxide may easily be cleaned by exposing it to UV irradiation. Thereby highly reactive radicals, which are used in a photocatalytic reaction, are produced.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention the antimicrobial agent comprises at least one halogen from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. According to a preferred embodiment, triclosane is used.
A gripper device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention comprises at least two finger members, where at least one of the finger members comprises the antimicrobial agent. The at least one finger member is either coated with the antimicrobial agent, or the antimicrobial agent is distributed in the material of the at least one finger member.
According to another embodiment of the invention the gripping device is adapted to be attached to an industrial robot. The robot is, for example, a pick-and-place or packaging robot. In pick and place operations with a robot the gripper tool is the only contact point of the robot with the objects to be handled. Consequently for robots in environments such as food and pharmaceuticals industry, where hygiene and cleanliness are of vital importance, it is essential to avoid microbial contamination by the gripper.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the surface of the gripping device is modified with an antimicrobial agent. A modified surface means that the outer layer of the gripper comprises the antimicrobial agent, while the inner part contains bulk material. For example the surface is modified with ion implantation. A modified surface has the advantages that there in no risk for it to flake of and lose material to the surrounding.
A gripping device according to the invention is particularly suitable for handling any of the following objects: food, pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.
A gripping device according to the invention is useful in the biotechnology industry.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be described in greater detail by description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein
figure 1 schematically shows a vacuum gripper comprising a suction cup comprising an antimicrobial agent,
figure 2 schematically shows a gripper comprising two finger members having a coating comprising an antimicrobial agent, and
figure 3 shows a cross section through one of the fingers shown in figure 2 along a line A-A.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows a gripping device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The gripping device 1 comprises a suction cup 2 and is attached to a housing 3 connected to a vacuum source (not shown) . The housing 3 is attached to a mounting plate 4 for attachment to a handling member, such as an industrial robot. The suction cup 2 is made of an elastic polymer and comprises an antimicrobial agent, for example a silver compound, evenly distributed in the polymer material. For example, the antimicrobial agent is one of the following silver compounds: silver nitrate, silver metal, silver sulfadiazine, silver oxide and silver acetate. The silver compounds are present in an amount of 0.1-10 wt%. During the use of the gripper the silver compound is released in a controlled way to the surface of the gripper and the surroundings of the gripper.
In another embodiment, the vacuum gripper comprises a suction cup made of an elastic polymer coated with an antimicrobial agent, such as a silver compound. The thickness of the coating is typically in the interval of 0.1-150 μm. The antimicrobial agent may be added to a matrix material in order to achieve the antimicrobial effect. For example the agent is bound or buried in a ceramic or a polymer (resin) material. The agent is then subsequently released in a controlled fashion to its surroundings. If the agent cannot migrate/diffuse in the matrix is can instead be concentrated at the surface. For example a coating can be made of such a material.
In another embodiment, the gripper comprises an antimicrobial compound of an inert ceramic material comprising silver ions. Silver ions are released from the body at a slow and steady rate. Ambient moisture in the air causes low-level release that effectively maintains an antimicrobial surface on the gripper. When humidity increases and the environment become ideal for bacterial growth, more silver is released. The antimicrobial compound may be, for example, a commercial available antimicrobial compound such as AgION (trade mark) .
Figure 2 show a gripping device 5 comprising two finger members 6, 7. The outer ends 8, 9 of the finger members are coated with a material including an antimicrobial agent. The gripping device is adapted to be attached to an industrial robot.
The coating is for example made of elastic polymer or durable paint comprising a portion of an antimicrobial agent in the interval of 0.1-10wt%. The antimicrobial agent is for example a metal in the form of elemental or in the form of a salt, a halogen or an oxide derived from the group consisting of: titanium, zinc and tungsten. Figure 3 shows an intersection through the finger member 6. The body 10 of the finger member 6 is provided with a coating 11 including an antimicrobial agent. The thickness of the coating is typically in the interval of 0.1-150 μm.
Since only certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, many modifications and changes will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, such as this is defined in the appended claims with support from the description and the drawing.
For example the antimicrobial coating may also be applied on other parts of the gripper not described above, i.e. parts in the vicinity of the object being handled, for example the housing holding the suction cups.
The antimicrobial agent can also be based on semiconductors (photocatalytic activity) .

Claims

1. A gripping device for handling at least one object, characterized in that the gripping device comprises an antimicrobial agent.
2. A gripping device according to claim 1, wherein the gripping device includes a surface adapted to be in contact with the object and said surface comprises said antimicrobial agent.
3. A gripping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a metal in elemental form or in the form of a metal salt.
4. A gripping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises metal ions.
5. A gripping device according to claim 4, wherein said metal ions are selected from the group of silver ions, copper ions and mercury ions .
6. A gripping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the antimicrobial agent is derived from an elemental metal or a metal compound selected from the group of silver metal, silver nitrate, silver sulfadiazine, silver oxide, and silver acetate.
7. A gripping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the gripping device is made of a material including a portion of said antimicrobial agent.
8. A gripping device according to claim 7, wherein said portion of antimicrobial agent is between 0.1-10wt%.
9. A gripping device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the gripping device is a vacuum gripper and said part of the gripping device is a suction cup including said portion of the antimicrobial agent.
10. A gripping device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said part is made of a magnetic material.
11. A gripping device according to claim 8, wherein said part is a coating on the gripping device.
12. A gripping device according to claim 11, wherein the thickness of said coating is in the interval of 0.1-150 μm.
13. A gripping device according to claim 4, wherein the antimicrobial agent is arranged such that the metal ions are released at an essentially steady rate.
14. A gripping device according to claim 13, wherein the antimicrobial agent is of ceramic material comprising said metal ions .
15. A gripping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises an oxide derived from the group consisting of: titanium, zinc and tungsten.
16. A gripping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises at least one halogen from the group consisting of: fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.
17. A gripping device according to claim 1, wherein the gripping device is a gripper comprising at least two finger members, where at least one of the finger members comprises the antimicrobial agent.
18. A gripping device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping device is adapted to be attached to an industrial robot.
19. A gripping device according to claim 18, wherein the robot is a pick-and-place or packaging robot.
20. Use of a gripping device according to any of claims 1-19 for handling any of the following objects: food, pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.
21. Use of a gripping device according to any of claims 1-19 in the biotechnology industry.
PCT/EP2005/054324 2004-09-24 2005-09-02 Gripping device WO2006032603A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US61261104P 2004-09-24 2004-09-24
US60/612,611 2004-09-24

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WO2006032603A1 true WO2006032603A1 (en) 2006-03-30

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Cited By (5)

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EP2146163A3 (en) * 2008-07-10 2011-12-28 DOMETIC S.a.r.l. Blood storage device, blood bank storage system and method for operating a blood bank storage system
EP3530422A1 (en) * 2018-02-27 2019-08-28 Piab Ab Suction cup device for automation industry
WO2020042124A1 (en) * 2018-08-30 2020-03-05 Abb Schweiz Ag Structural member of robot, robot, and associated manufacturing method
WO2020094225A1 (en) * 2018-11-07 2020-05-14 Abb Schweiz Ag A self-disinfecting robot and method for disinfecting a robot
DE102021103285A1 (en) 2021-02-11 2022-08-11 Paul-M. Oheim Gripping device for hygienic handling

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EP0636375A1 (en) * 1993-07-26 1995-02-01 Degussa Aktiengesellschaft Equipment and sanitary devices for hospitals
DE19921900A1 (en) * 1999-05-12 2000-11-16 Creavis Tech & Innovation Gmbh Preparation of antimicrobial polymer for medical and hygiene articles, varnishes, paints and coatings comprises polymerizing monomers that have been functionalized by a sec. amino group
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DE10231459A1 (en) * 2002-07-08 2004-01-22 Neudeck, Andreas, Dr.rer.nat.habil. Fingerprinting arrangement comprises an element which serves as a finger or hand contact surface and is provided with titanium oxide and/or silver particles subjected to ultraviolet radiation
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DE10305142A1 (en) * 2003-02-08 2004-08-19 Rahe, Martin Surface treatment for door handles or telephones and the like, to kill or neutralize germs, uses silver or a silver alloy in nano particle dimensions together with a plastics or paint as the carrier

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2146163A3 (en) * 2008-07-10 2011-12-28 DOMETIC S.a.r.l. Blood storage device, blood bank storage system and method for operating a blood bank storage system
EP3530422A1 (en) * 2018-02-27 2019-08-28 Piab Ab Suction cup device for automation industry
WO2020042124A1 (en) * 2018-08-30 2020-03-05 Abb Schweiz Ag Structural member of robot, robot, and associated manufacturing method
US11958186B2 (en) 2018-08-30 2024-04-16 Abb Schweiz Ag Structural member of robot, robot, and associated manufacturing method
WO2020094225A1 (en) * 2018-11-07 2020-05-14 Abb Schweiz Ag A self-disinfecting robot and method for disinfecting a robot
DE102021103285A1 (en) 2021-02-11 2022-08-11 Paul-M. Oheim Gripping device for hygienic handling
EP4043156A1 (en) 2021-02-11 2022-08-17 Paul-M. Oheim Gripping device for the hygienic gripping of objects

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