The drip shield 2830, as shown in FIG . 28C ,includes leaves 2832, a first of which is angled upward , asecond of which is angled downward . As a result, liquidmoisture that arrives on the surface of the drip shield 2830( e .g ., from the shaft 2840 or moisture seal 2835 ) is directeddownward toward the lower leaf, where it may drip awayfrom the shield , and away from the components beneath thedrip shield 2830 , before it can form frost on the modulesurfaces. The shield 2830 also prevents moisture fromdripping onto the top of a rack beneath the gripping module2812, thereby preventing frost buildup on the top of the rackwhere it may interfere with the gripping operation . Theupper leaf 2832 also includes an aperture for accommodating a sensing rod 2816 , which may operate in a mannercomparable to the sensing rod 1116 described above withreference to FIGS. 19A - B .