Gripper for a contact lens and process for transporting a contact lens

A process for transporting a contact lens from a start location to a destination location, comprising the steps of:

• providing a gripper comprising a gripper head having a bearing surface, the bearing surface having at least one opening through which underpressure can be applied in order to suck the contact lens against the bearing surface and through which overpressure can be applied in order to release the contact lens from the bearing surface, the gripper further comprising a detection opening in the bearing surface through which a separate underpressure can be applied,
• positioning the gripper head with its bearing surface closely adjacent to the contact lens to be transported from the start location to the destination location,
• applying underpressure through the at least one opening in the bearing surface so as to suck the contact lens to adhere to the bearing surface,
• moving the gripper with the contact lens to the destination location,
• applying overpressure through the at least one opening in the bearing surface so as to release the contact lens from the bearing surface at the destination location, and
• applying a separate underpressure through the detection opening in the bearing surface so as to detect whether or not a contact lens is adhered to the bearing surface.