Static dissipative coupling of an article-pickup tip to a wand

A vacuum-actuated tool for selectively attaching an article pickup tip comprising:

• a wand having a flow path from a first opening at a tip region of said wand and having a valve positioned to selectively seal said flow path;
• mechanical connect means attached to said wand for supporting said pickup tip to said wand at said tip region, said mechanical connect means being electrically insulative and being positioned to permit fluid communication between said wand and said pickup tip;
• and
• resistive connect means attached to said wand for electrically connecting said wand and said pickup tip, said resistive connect means having a high resistivity selected to establish a controlled static-dissipative path between said wand and said pickup tip.

A vacuum-actuated tool comprising:

• a pickup tip having an article-contact region and having a stem, said stem having a flow passageway in fluid communication with said article-contact region;
• and
• a wand having an annular resistive member and an insulative cap attached to said wand, said stem being fit into said insulative cap, said wand and said pickup tip being electrically conductive, electrical communication between said wand and said pickup tip being limited to an electrical path through said annular resistive member, said wand having an air evacuation path in fluid communication with said flow passageway of said pickup tip;
• said annular resistive member further being removably attached to said wand to allow for periodic replacement of said annular resistive member.