Article handling device

A device for engaging an article in a controlled environment including:

• an element selectively movable relative to the article to be engaged;
• means to support said element, said support means isolating said element within the controlled environment;
• means to move said support means to move said element from a first position to a second position, said element engaging the article when said element is in at least one of the first and second positions;
• said support means is a diaphragm;
• said element is a pin movable with said diaphragm;
• and said pin is eccentrically disposed relative to the center of said diaphragm.

A device for engaging an article movable in a controlled environment including:

• an element selectively movable relative to the article to be engaged to cause said element to selectively engage the article movable in the controlled environment without blocking the controlled environment, the article being movable in a plane transverse to the location of said element and adapted to be positioned during its movement in the plane to a position in which said element can engage the article and then be removed from the position in which said element can engage the article;
• means to support said element, said support means isolating said element within the controlled environment, said element being free standing within the controlled environment;
• means to move said support means to move said element from a position in which said element cannot engage the article to interfere with movement of the article in the controlled environment in the plane transverse to the location of said element to a position in which said element engages the article to control its position within the controlled environment;
• said support means is a diaphragm having one side always communicating with the controlled environment;
• a plurality of said elements for selectively engaging the article movable in the controlled environment, said elements being disposed relative to each other so that all of said elements can engage the article at the same time;
• each of said elements having a separate one of said support means, each of said support means having a separate one of said moving means;
• and each of said moving means being selectively effective separately to control the direction of motion of the article within the controlled environment.