DE102022116583A1 - Active gripper for a star wheel and method for transferring a container with an active gripper - Google Patents

Abstract

A first aspect of the invention relates to an active gripper (1) for a star wheel (100) of a container processing machine, wherein the active gripper (1) has two gripper elements (2) which move from a first position (3) to a second position (4). and vice versa can be transferred, wherein in the second position (4) the gripper elements (2) are in a closed position (5) and form a holding receptacle (7), wherein in the first position (3) the gripper elements (2) are relative to the second Position (4) are retracted, the active gripper (1) having a gripper element actuation unit (8) which is designed to close the gripper elements (2) at least in sections when transferring between the first position (3) and second position (4). , and wherein preferably the gripper element actuation unit (8) is designed to open the gripper elements (2) at least in sections when transferring between the second position (4) and the first position (3). Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for transferring a container with an active gripper.

Description

The invention relates to an active gripper for a star wheel of a container processing machine, as well as a method for transferring a container with an active gripper.

Grippers attached to star wheels are used, for example, to transport containers, such as bottles, for example when feeding bottles to be treated to a container treatment machine, or removing treated bottles. A container often has to be transferred from one gripper of one star wheel to a gripper of a second star wheel, e.g. when transferring to or from one gripper of one star wheel to the gripper of another star wheel. The problem is that the two grippers can collide with each other during transfer, for example at the tangency point of the star wheels.

Known solutions to this problem therefore have guide arches into which the containers can be inserted or released by one gripper at a first point and can be removed or gripped by the second gripper at a second point. The containers are not held and guided in the guide arc by the grippers, but are pushed by subsequent containers, which results in a “freewheel” between the two star wheels. In addition, the containers must be guided and/or supported laterally, usually by means of a ring guide. This ring guide must be set and manufactured precisely and precisely, and is therefore expensive and complex to produce. In addition, the ring production must be placed precisely during assembly. The ring guide also causes abrasion of the containers, e.g. PET bottles. Such a supply is from the US 10,407,289 B2 known. A star wheel with guide rails is from the EP 1 448 465 B1 known.

In other known solutions, active grippers are alternatively or additionally provided to avoid collisions, which are actively height-adjustable. The first gripper providing the container can hold the container above the neck, for example over a retaining ring of a bottle, and the second gripper can grip the container below the neck, for example under the retaining ring of the bottle. Alternatively, the first gripper can provide the container above the neck and the second gripper can grip the container below the neck. This increases the synchronization effort of the two star wheels or grippers, since they have to be coordinated not only in the direction of rotation of the star wheels, but also in terms of the height of the respective grippers. WO 2020/126237 A1 discloses a first transport system that can hold a container at its neck area, a second transport system that can hold the container in its neck area below the neck area, and a transfer area for transferring the container between the first and second transport systems.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages and to provide an active gripper and a method for transferring a container with an active gripper, with which a collision-free and easier to synchronize container transfer is or is made possible. This object is achieved by an active gripper according to claim 1 and a method for transferring a container with an active gripper according to claim 11. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the respective subclaims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to an active gripper for a star wheel, wherein the active gripper has two gripper elements which can be moved from a first position to a second position and vice versa, wherein in the second position the gripper elements are in a closed position and form a holding receptacle , wherein in the first position the gripper elements are retracted relative to the second position, the active gripper having a gripper element actuation unit which is designed to close the gripper elements at least in sections when transferring between the first and second positions. The gripper elements can be retracted in the first position relative to the second position in the radial direction of the star wheel. The radial direction of the star wheel can run perpendicular to its circumference in the circumferential plane. The active gripper can be attached to the star wheel. The star wheel can be, for example, a star wheel of a container treatment machine.

Because the active gripper has gripper elements which can be moved between the first and second positions, it can be avoided that the active gripper and the gripper providing the container come into contact with one another. When the container is prepared by the gripper providing the container, the active gripper can be retracted into the first position, for example moved, displaced or telescoped out of a potential collision area. The gripper providing the container can, for example, transfer the container into a guide arc and release it, or the container can be released. The gripper elements of the active gripper can be moved forward or transferred to the second position as soon as the two grippers have moved away from each other, for example behind the tangency point of the star wheels or the grippers. Since the grippers have moved away from each other, the active one can Gripper grabs the container without risk of collision with the other gripper. If a guide arch is provided, it can be significantly shorter compared to known solutions, which also avoids or at least reduces the disadvantages of long guide arches. By closing the gripper elements during telescoping, displacement or transfer of the active gripper, the container is not loaded in the transverse direction when gripping. This can reduce friction, which can lead to wear, especially with PET bottles. In addition, movement stimuli when gripping are reduced, which can result in better handling of the container, such as a bottle.

The star wheel can be or have a sliding star. The container may be or include a bottle.

The gripper element actuation unit can be set up to open the gripper elements at least in sections when transferring between the second and the first position.

The gripper element actuation unit can be set up to at least partially close the gripper elements when transferring from the second position to the first position. In some embodiments, the gripper elements in the first position may be in a second closed position. It can be provided that the gripper element actuation unit can be set up to at least partially close the gripper elements when transferring between the second and first positions. The gripper elements can be closed in the second closed position. This means that the space required by the gripper elements can be reduced when they are retracted and/or in the first position. This means, for example, that more gripper elements can be arranged on a star wheel, since the circumference of the star wheel varies in its radial direction. The circumference of the star wheel can be larger at the second position than at the first position, so that the distance between adjacent gripper elements is smaller when they are in the first position.

The active gripper can have a displacement unit so that the gripper elements can be telescopic or displaceable when transferred between the first and second positions. The displacement unit can be set up to linearly displace the gripper elements, for example in or against the radial direction. If the gripper elements are displaced linearly, the linear displacement can, for example, be superimposed on an opening movement or closing movement of the gripper elements.

The displacement unit can have a linear guide and a gripper element carrier, preferably a slide, which can be moved relative to the linear guide, wherein the gripper elements can be attached to the gripper element carrier and the slide can be moved between the first position and the second position. The linear guide can have or be a rail. The slide and rail enable safe guidance of the gripper element carrier. The carriage and/or the rail can ensure and/or be designed in such a way that the carriage can slide on the guide with little friction. This makes it possible to transfer between the first and second positions as smoothly and smoothly as possible.

The gripper element actuation unit can have a spring element, wherein the gripper elements can be biased into the closed position by the spring element in the second position. In the first position, the gripper elements can be biased into the second closed position by the spring element. The spring element can exert a restoring force on the gripper elements, which can counteract the opening of the gripper elements. The spring element can enable the container to be held securely in the holding receptacle, and unintentional opening of the gripper elements and thus unintentional release of the container from the holding receptacle can be prevented or at least reduced.

The spring element can be or have a tension spring and/or a compression spring. The tension spring can be set up to exert a tensile force on the gripper elements and/or to pull on the gripper elements, for example when the gripper elements are in the first position and/or the second position and/or in a closed position. The compression spring can be set up to exert a compressive force on the gripper elements and/or to press on the gripper elements, for example when the gripper elements are in the first position and/or the second position and/or in a closed position. In some embodiments, the active gripper may include more than one spring element. In some embodiments, the active gripper may include a tension spring and a compression spring. In some embodiments, the active gripper may have at least one or more than one tension spring and/or at least one or more than one compression spring.

The spring element can be arranged at an end of the gripper elements facing away from the holding receptacle. In some embodiments, the spring element can be or have a compression spring. The end facing away can be a rear end of the gripper elements and/or the active gripper. Is the grabber with a star wheel connected, the end facing away from it can face the star wheel. Alternatively or additionally, the spring element can be arranged essentially in the middle of the gripper elements. The spring element can be or have a tension spring. By “substantially central” it can be meant that the spring element can be arranged essentially in the middle between the holding receptacle and one or the end of the gripper elements facing away from the holding receptacle. By “essentially centrally” it can be meant that the spring element can be arranged between the holding receptacle and the opposite end of the gripper elements.

The gripper element actuation unit can have a guide element, wherein at least one of the gripper elements, preferably both gripper elements, can have a guide contour which can be guided along the guide element in contact with the guide element when it is transferred from the first position to the second position and/or vice versa and/or on the Guide element can roll. This means that the gripper elements can be easily opened and/or closed. In addition, the opening and/or closing of the gripper elements can be predetermined or defined depending on the shape of the guide contour on the position of the gripper elements and/or the gripper element carrier along the transfer direction.

The spring element can be arranged in front of the guide element in the transfer direction from the first position to the second position when the gripper elements are in the first position and/or the second position. It can be provided that the spring element can be arranged in front of the guide element in the transfer direction from the first position to the second position, both when the gripper elements are in the first position and when they are in the second position. Alternatively, the spring element can be arranged in front of the guide element in the transfer direction from the first position to the second position when the gripper elements are in the first position, and can be arranged behind the guide element when the gripper elements are in the second position.

The active gripper can have a blocking element. The blocking element can be designed to prevent the gripper elements from opening in the second position. Alternatively or additionally, the blocking element can be set up to at least counteract opening. The blocking element can reduce the unintentional release of a container from the holding receptacle. In the second position, the blocking element can further reinforce or be superimposed on a holding force exerted by the spring element for holding a container in the holding receptacle.

If the gripper elements are transferred from the second position to the first position, and/or the gripper elements are in the first position, it can be provided that the blocking element does not prevent the gripper elements from opening or counteracts opening, or the gripper elements can be opened .

It can be provided that the active gripper can have more than one blocking element. In some embodiments, one blocking element can be provided per gripper element. The blocking element can be designed to prevent, reduce and/or at least make it more difficult for a corresponding gripper element to rotate about an axis of rotation when the gripper elements are in the second position.

The blocking element can form at least part of the guide contour. The blocking element can be shaped at least in sections such that a restoring force to the first position can at least be reduced when the gripper elements are in the second position. For this purpose, for example, the slope of the blocking element or the guide contour can be designed to be suitable, or the blocking element or the guide contour can have a suitable slope.

The blocking element can have a blocking receptacle in which the guide element can be received when the gripper elements are in the second position. The blocking receptacle can be set up to block an opening movement of the gripper elements in the second position. For example, in the second position, the guide element can be accommodated in the blocking receptacle, so that rotation of the gripper elements, e.g. B. is locked around one of its axes of rotation. In the second position, the guide element can be accommodated in a form-fitting manner in the blocking receptacle.

The guide contour may include a first valley, a second valley, and a ridge. It can be provided that the ridge can be arranged between the first valley and the second valley. The guide contour can be wave-shaped at least in sections or have a wave shape. The guide contour can enable a defined opening and closing of the gripper elements when transferring between the first and second positions.

The blocking element and/or the blocking receptacle can be arranged behind the second valley in the transfer direction from the first position to the second position. Alternatively or additionally, the second valley can merge into the blocking element and/or the blocking receptacle. In some versions In some embodiments, the blocking receptacle can correspond to the second valley and/or the second valley can be or have the blocking receptacle.

If the active gripper has a comb and a tension spring, it can be provided that the tension spring is arranged essentially at the comb.

In some embodiments, in the second position, the guide element can contact the second valley of the guide contour and/or be arranged in a receptacle formed by the second valley, wherein the second valley can be arranged in front of the comb in the transfer direction from the first position to the second position . In the first position, the guide element can contact the first valley of the guide contour and/or be arranged in a receptacle formed by the first valley, wherein the first valley can be arranged behind the crest of the guide contour relative to the second valley. The spring element can have a tension spring. The spring element can have a compression spring.

In some embodiments, in the first position, the guide element can contact the second valley of the guide contour and/or be arranged in a receptacle formed by the second valley, wherein the second valley can be arranged in front of the comb in the transfer direction from the first position to the second position . In the second position, the guide element can contact the first valley of the guide contour and/or be arranged in a receptacle formed by the first valley, wherein the first valley can be arranged behind the crest of the guide contour relative to the second valley. The spring element can have a compression spring.

By snapping the guide element into the guide contour, or into the first valley and/or the second valley, in some embodiments only a single spring element can be required, for example to ensure that a container is held securely. By engaging the guide element in the guide contour, or in the first valley and/or the second valley, unintentional opening or closing of the gripper elements can also be prevented or at least reduced, so that, for example, a container held in the holding receptacle can be held securely.

The active gripper can have a contacting section, wherein in the second position the gripper elements and the contacting section can form the holding receptacle. The contacting section can, for example, ensure that when the container is gripped, it is or is pre-positioned so that the container can be gripped and/or held with little friction. In addition, relative movements of the container when gripping can be prevented or at least reduced, and the container can be or will be gripped better and more securely.

The active gripper can have a drive with which the active gripper can be moved from the first position to the second position and/or vice versa. The drive can have a roller, for example. In some embodiments, the drive may include a push rod. The gripper can be synchronized by the drive, e.g. when or when a container is being transferred. The gripper can be or will be actuated via the drive depending on a rotation angle of the star wheel, e.g. the gripper elements can move, be closed and/or opened.

• - Bereitstellen des Behälters in einer Übergabeposition;
• - Bereitstellen des aktiven Greifers in der ersten Position, wobei die Greiferelemente des aktiven Greifers in der ersten Position in der Schließstellung sind;
• - Überführen der Greiferelemente aus der ersten Position in die zweite Position, wobei die Greiferelemente teleskopiert oder verschoben werden, wobei mindestens eines, bevorzugt beide, der Greiferelemente des aktiven Greifers beim Überführen zumindest abschnittsweise geschlossen wird;
• - Greifen des Behälters mit dem aktiven Greifer in der zweiten Position, wobei die Greiferelemente des aktiven Greifers in der zweiten Position in der Schließstellung sind, so dass der Behälter von den Greiferelementen gehalten wird.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for transferring a container with an active gripper described above, with the following steps:

• - Providing the container in a transfer position;
• - Providing the active gripper in the first position, the gripper elements of the active gripper being in the closed position in the first position;
• - Transferring the gripper elements from the first position to the second position, the gripper elements being telescoped or displaced, at least one, preferably both, of the gripper elements of the active gripper being closed at least in sections during the transfer;
• - Gripping the container with the active gripper in the second position, the gripper elements of the active gripper being in the closed position in the second position, so that the container is held by the gripper elements.

The container can be provided by a passive gripper or an active gripper.

At least one of the gripper elements can have a curved contour with a first valley, a second valley and a ridge, wherein the curved contour can be guided along a guide element of the active gripper in contact with it when the active gripper is transferred from the first position to the second position, so that the Gripper elements can be opened at least in sections during transfer. The curve contour can be or have the guide contour.

The gripper elements can be biased into the closed position in the first position and/or the second position.

A blocking element of the active gripper can prevent the gripper elements from opening in the closed position in the second position or at least counteract opening. This makes it possible to grip the container securely or hold the container securely in the holding receptacle.

When providing, the container can be provided via the neck by a second gripper and the active gripper can grip the container in the second position via the neck when gripping. When providing, the container can be provided under the neck by a second gripper and the active gripper can grip the container in the second position under the neck when gripping.

When moving from the first to the second position, the gripper elements of the active gripper can be opened in such a way that they can at least partially enclose the second gripper.

• 1: eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen aktiven Greifers in zwei perspektivischen Ansichten;
• 2: eine weitere beispielhafte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen aktiven Greifers in der ersten Position in zwei perspektivischen Ansichten und einer Draufsicht, einer Seitenansicht und einer von unten;
• 3: die in 2 gezeigte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemä-ßen aktiven Greifers in einer Position zwischen der ersten Position und der zweiten Position in zwei perspektivischen Ansichten und einer Draufsicht, einer Seitenansicht und einer von unten;
• 4: die in 2 und 3 gezeigte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen aktiven Greifers in der zweiten Position in zwei perspektivischen Ansichten und einer Draufsicht, einer Seitenansicht und einer von unten;
• 5: noch eine weitere beispielhafte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen aktiven Greifers in der ersten Position in zwei perspektivischen Ansichten und einer Draufsicht, einer Seitenansicht und einer von unten;
• 6: die in 5 gezeigte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemä-ßen aktiven Greifers in einer Position zwischen der ersten Position und der zweiten Position in zwei perspektivischen Ansichten und einer Draufsicht, einer Seitenansicht und einer von unten;
• 7: die in 5 und 6 gezeigte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen aktiven Greifers in der zweiten Position in zwei perspektivischen Ansichten und einer Draufsicht, einer Seitenansicht und einer von unten;
• 8: noch eine andere beispielhafte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen aktiven Greifers in der ersten Position in einer Schnittansicht und einer perspektivischen Ansicht;
• 9: die in 8 gezeigte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemä-ßen aktiven Greifers in der zweiten Position in einer Schnittansicht und einer perspektivischen Ansicht; und
• 10 ein an einem Sternrad befestigter aktiver Greifer in der ersten Position (10 oben) und der zweiten Position (10 unten)
• 11 eine weitere beispielhafte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen aktiven Greifers mit einem Blockierelement;
• 12 beispielhafte Führungsabschnitte für Ausführungsformen erfindungsgemäßer aktiven Greifer; und
• 13 noch eine weitere beispielhafte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen aktiven Greifers.

The invention is further explained using the following figures. Show it:

• 1 : an exemplary embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention in two perspective views;
• 2 : a further exemplary embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention in the first position in two perspective views and a top view, a side view and one from below;
• 3 : in the 2 shown embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention in a position between the first position and the second position in two perspective views and a top view, a side view and one from below;
• 4 : in the 2 and 3 shown embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention in the second position in two perspective views and a top view, a side view and one from below;
• 5 : yet another exemplary embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention in the first position in two perspective views and a top view, a side view and one from below;
• 6 : in the 5 shown embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention in a position between the first position and the second position in two perspective views and a top view, a side view and one from below;
• 7 : in the 5 and 6 shown embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention in the second position in two perspective views and a top view, a side view and one from below;
• 8th : yet another exemplary embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention in the first position in a sectional view and a perspective view;
• 9 : in the 8th Shown embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention in the second position in a sectional view and a perspective view; and
• 10 an active gripper attached to a star wheel in the first position ( 10 above) and the second position ( 10 below)
• 11 a further exemplary embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention with a blocking element;
• 12 exemplary guide sections for embodiments of active grippers according to the invention; and
• 13 yet another exemplary embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention.

1 until 9 show exemplary embodiments of an active gripper 1 according to the invention. The active gripper 1 has two gripper elements 2. The gripper elements 2 of the active gripper 1 can be moved from a first position 3 to a second position 4 and/or vice versa. In the second position 4, the gripper elements 2 are in a closed position 5. In the second position 4, the gripper elements 2 form a holding receptacle 7. A container 21, for example a bottle, can be accommodated in the holding receptacle 7. The gripper elements 2 can hold or grip the container 21, for example a bottle, in the second position 5. The container 21 and/or the bottle can be held or gripped by the gripper elements 2 in the second position 4 above the neck or below the neck. For example, the gripper elements 2 can grip or hold a bottle over a securing ring of the bottle, so that the bottle can be held or gripped via the neck by the gripper elements 2 or the active gripper 1. It can also be provided that the gripper elements 2 can grip or hold the bottle under the securing ring, so that the bottle can be held or gripped under the neck by the gripper elements 2 or the active gripper 1.

The active gripper 1 cannot go into the 1 until 9 shown star wheel 100 connected be or become. For example, the active gripper 1 can be arranged and/or fastened on or near an outer circumference of the star wheel 100. The active gripper 1 can be connected to the star wheel 100 in a form-fitting and/or material-locking manner. The active gripper 1 can be detachably connected to the star wheel 100. The active gripper 1 can have one or more suitable fastening means 22. The fastening means 22 can be or have, for example, a blind hole or a through hole, in some embodiments with a thread. The active gripper 1 can, for example, be screwed, pinned and/or riveted to the star wheel 100 via fastening means 22. Alternatively or additionally, the active gripper 1 can be glued and/or welded to the star wheel 100, for example.

In the first position 3, the gripper elements 2 are retracted relative to the second position 4. If the active gripper 1 is attached to a star wheel 100, for example, the gripper elements 2 can be retracted radially in the first position 3 in the direction of an axis of rotation of the star wheel 100, or radially to the axis of rotation of the star wheel 100. In the second position 4, the gripper elements 2 can be positioned in front of the star wheel 100 in the radial direction R. In the first position, the gripper elements 2 can be in a second closed position 6, or the gripper elements 2 and/or the active gripper 1 can be closed. In some embodiments, however, it can also be provided that the gripper elements 2 and/or the active gripper 1 are opened in the first position 3.

The gripper elements 2 can be moved between the first position 3 and the second position 4. The gripper elements 2 can be moved and/or moved between the first position 3 and second position 4, for example linearly. The active gripper 1 can have a displacement unit 9 for transferring the gripper elements 2 from the first position 3 to the second position 4 and/or vice versa. The gripper elements 2 can be telescopic or displaceable and/or telescoped or displaced. In some embodiments, the displacement unit 9 can have a linear guide 10. The linear guide 10 can be or have a rail or the like. The displacement unit 9 can have a gripper element carrier. The gripper element carrier can be or have a carriage 11. The carriage 11 can be guided along the linear guide 10 and/or slide on or along the linear guide 10. The gripper elements 2 can be attached to or with the gripper element carrier, for example the carriage 11. By moving the gripper element carrier along the linear guide 10, the gripper elements 2 can be or will be moved between the first position 3 and the second position 4, or can be or will be transferred from the first position 3 to the second position 4 and/or vice versa.

The active gripper 1 can have a drive 19. When the drive 19 is actuated, the gripping elements 2 can be or will be transferred between the first position 3 and the second position 4. The drive 19 can, for example, have a roller 20, so that when the roller 20 rotates, for. B. by or when rolling the roller 20, the gripping elements 2 are or will be moved between the first position 3 and second position 4. Alternatively or additionally, the drive 19 can have a push rod, so that when the push rod is displaced, the gripping elements 2 are or will be moved between the first position 3 and the second position 4. The drive 19 can be connected to the displacement unit 9 z. B. be mechanically coupled. For coupling, the drive can, for example, have a suitable gear mechanism, a gear or the like, and/or the drive 19 can be coupled to the displacement unit 9 via a suitable gear mechanism, gear or the like.

At least one of the gripper elements 2 can be rotatably mounted. Both gripper elements 2 or at least two of the gripper elements 2 of the active gripper 1 can preferably be rotatably mounted. The gripper elements 2 can be or will be opened from a closed position 5 and/or second closed position 6, in which the active gripper 1 can be closed. Open gripping elements 2 can be or will be closed, i.e. H. be brought into the closed position 5 and/or the second closed position 6, for example by pivoting the rotatably mounted gripping element 2.

When transferring the gripping elements 2 from the first position 3 to the second position 4, the gripping elements 2 are closed at least in sections. The active gripper 1 can have a gripper element actuation unit 8 designed for this purpose. “Closed at least in sections” can mean in particular that the gripper elements 2 are or will be closed at certain points or sections along the transfer from the first position 3 to the second position 4. In particular, the gripper elements 2 can be or become closed during transfer in such a way that they are in the closed position 5 in the second position 4 and form the holding receptacle 7. This means that the active gripper 1 can, for example, grab a container 21, for example a bottle, and/or hold it in the holding receptacle 7.

The active gripper 1 can have a contacting section 18. The contacting section 18 can be arranged such that it has a can guide and/or contact the container 21 to be gripped, for example a bottle. In the second position 4, the holding receptacle 7 can be formed at least partially by the contacting section 18 and the gripping elements 2. It can be provided that the contacting section 18 can form at least part of the holding receptacle 7.

The gripper element actuation unit 8 can be set up so that the gripper elements 2 are or are opened at least in sections when moving from the second position 4 to the first position 3, or when the gripper elements 2 are retracted. By opening the gripper elements 2, a container 21, e.g. a bottle, gripped and/or held by the active gripper 1 can be or will be released from the active gripper 1. “Opened at least in sections” can mean in particular that the gripper elements 2 are or will be opened at certain points or sections along the transfer from the second position 4 to the first position 3. The gripper elements 2 can be opened, for example, by pivoting the rotatably mounted gripper element 2.

The gripper element actuation unit 8 can have a spring element 12. The spring element 12 can bias the gripper elements 2 in the second position 4 into the closed position 5. The spring element 12 can bias the gripper elements 2 in the first position 3 into the second closed position 6. The spring element 8 can be or have a tension spring or a compression spring. In some embodiments, the gripper element actuation unit 8 may have more than one spring element 12.

In some embodiments, the active gripper 1 and/or the gripper elements 2 may be open in the first position 3. However, it can also be provided that the active gripper 1 and/or the gripper elements 2 are closed in the first position 3, see for example 1 until 9 . It can be provided that when the gripper elements 2 are transferred from the first position 3 to the second position 4, they are first opened in sections and then closed in sections. It can be provided that when the gripper elements 2 are transferred from the second position 4 to the first position 5, the gripper elements 2 are opened in sections and then closed in sections.

In some embodiments, the gripper element actuation unit 8 may have one or more guide elements 13. The guide element 13 can, for example, cooperate with a guide contour 14 of a gripper element 2 in order to open and/or close the gripper element 2 at least in sections when the gripper elements 2 are transferred between the first position 3 and the second position 4.

1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an active gripper 1 according to the invention. The active gripper 1 can have a base body 23. A contacting section 17 can be arranged at a lateral end of the base body 23. In some embodiments, the contacting section 17 can be formed in one piece with the base body 23. In other embodiments, the contacting section 17 can be detachably connected to the base body 23. The contacting section 17 can have a first contacting area 24 and a second contacting area 25. The first contact area 24 can be arranged in the same plane as the gripper elements 2. The second contacting region 25 can be arranged above or below the plane of the first contacting region 24, and/or can be arranged essentially vertically above or below the first contacting region 24. The base body 23 can have a fastening means 22, via which the active gripper 1 can be connected to a star wheel 100.

Relative to the base body 23, the gripper elements 2 can be or will be moved between a first position 3 and a second position 4. The active gripper 1 can have a displacement unit 9 with a linear guide 10 and a carriage 11. The linear guide 10 can be formed by the base body 23, so that the carriage 11 can be or can be guided along the linear guide 10 or the base body 23. With the displacement unit 9 and / or the carriage 11, a drive 19, as in 1 shown may have a roller 20, be mechanically coupled. The carriage 11 can thus be moved along the linear guide 10 by the drive 19. One or more gripper elements 2 can be connected to the carriage 11. At the in 1 In the embodiment shown, the active gripper 1 can have two gripper elements that can be connected to the carriage 11. The gripper elements 2 can thus be moved between the first position 3 and the second position 4 and/or be displaceable or telescopic. The gripper element 2 can be or will be pivoted about a rotation axis X relative to the carriage 11. If several gripper elements 2 are pivotable, they can be pivotable about respective axes of rotation X.

The active gripper 1 has a gripper element actuation unit 8. At the in 1 The embodiment shown can use the gripper elements te actuation unit 8 have two guide elements 13 and a spring element 12. The guide elements 13 can be connected to the base body 23. The guide elements 13 can be arranged in such a way that they can each contact one of the gripper elements 2.

At the in 1 In the embodiment shown, at least one of the gripper elements 13 can have a guide contour 14. It can also be provided that both and/or each of the gripper elements 2 have a guide contour 14. The guide contour 14 can be arranged on the gripper element 2 in such a way that when the gripper element 2 and/or the carriage 11 is moved, it can at least partially contact the guide element 13 and/or can be guided along the guide element 13 in a contacting manner. The guide contour 13 can be wave-shaped, for example. The guide contour 13 can, for example, as in 1 shown have a first valley 15, a second part 16 and a ridge 17. The ridge 17 can be arranged between the first valley 15 and the second part 16. When moving the gripper element 2 and/or the carriage 11, the gripper element 2 can be or will be pivoted due to the contact of the guide element 13 with the guide contour 14. For example, the active gripper 1 and/or the gripper elements can be closed and/or in the second closed position 6 when the guide element 14 is arranged in the first valley 15 and/or the guide element 14 can have the guide contour 13 in the first valley 15 or the first valley 15 contacted, see e.g 1 . The gripper elements 2 can be in the first position 3 and/or retracted. If, for example, starting from the first position 3, the carriage 11 is moved in such a way that the gripper elements 2 are transferred in the direction of the second position 4, then by guiding the comb 16 along the guide element 13, the gripper element 2 can be pivoted in such a way that the gripper elements 2 and / or the active gripper 1 can be opened, at least in the area of the comb 16. In some embodiments, such as in 1 shown, when the carriage 11 is further displaced in the direction of the second position 4, the gripper element 2 can pivot back again and closed at least in an area in the sliding direction behind the comb 16 by contacting the guide element 13 with the guide contour 14 become. If the carriage 11 or the gripper elements 2 are transferred or shifted into the second position 4, the guide element 14 can be arranged in the second valley 16 and/or the guide element 14 can have the guide contour 13 in the first valley 15 or the first valley 15 contact so that gripper elements 2 can be in the closed position 5. The spring element 12 can be or have a tension spring which can exert a restoring force on the gripper elements 2. The restoring force can counteract the pivoting by contacting the guide contour, in particular the comb 16, and the guide element 13. The spring element 12 can bias the gripper element 2 into the first closed position 5 and/or the second closed position 6.

The spring element 12 can be arranged essentially on or near the comb 17. In some embodiments, the spring element 12 can be arranged essentially in the middle of the gripper elements 2.

2 until 4 show a further exemplary embodiment of an active gripper 1 according to the invention, wherein the gripper elements 2 in 2 in the first position 3, in 3 between the first position 3 and the second position 4, and in 4 in the second position are 4. In the 2 until 4 Embodiment shown may have some or more features of those in 1 shown and / or described above, so that detailed repetition is omitted.

It can be provided that, unlike in 1 embodiment shown, the linear guide 10 in 2 until 4 Embodiment shown cannot be formed by the base body 23. The linear guide 10 of the in 2 until 4 The embodiment shown may have a rail that can be connected to the base body 23. The carriage 11 can slide and/or be guided along the rail.

In 2 the gripping elements 2 are in the first position 3. The gripper elements 2 can be in the second closed position 6. However, in some embodiments not shown, the gripper elements 2 can also be open in the first position 3. In the first position 3, the guide element 14 can be arranged in the first valley 15 and/or the guide element 14 can contact the guide contour 13 in the first valley 15 or the first valley 15. The spring element 12 can be or have a tension spring, so that in the first position 3 the spring element 12 can exert a restoring force on the gripper elements 2 and bias them into the second closed position 6.

In some embodiments, the spring element 12 can be arranged in front of the guide element 13 in the transfer direction from the first position 3 to the second position 4 when the gripper elements 2 are in the first position 3, cf. e.g. b. 1 or 2 .

In 3 the gripping elements 2 are located between the first position 3 and the second position 4. The carriage 11 and/or the gripper elements 2 are moved relative to the first position 3 in the direction of the second position 4. As in 3 shown, the guide element 13 can contact the comb 17 of the guide contour 13, so that the gripper element 2 can be pivoted, so that the active gripper 1 and/or gripper elements 2 can be opened.

In 4 the gripping elements 2 are in the second position 4 in the closed position 5. The gripper elements 2 form a holding receptacle 7, in some embodiments together with the contacting section 18. The carriage 11 and/or the gripper elements 2 are in the second position relative to the first position 3 Position 4 transferred. In the second position 4, the guide element 14 can be arranged in the second valley 16 and/or the guide element 14 can contact the guide contour 13 in the second valley 16 or the second valley 16. The spring element 12 can have a restoring force by which the gripper element 2 can be biased into the closed position 5.

In some embodiments, the spring element 12 can be arranged behind the guide element 13 in the transfer direction from the first position 3 to the second position 4 when the gripper elements 2 are in the second position 4, cf. e.g. b. 4 .

If the carriage 11 or gripper elements 2 are moved from the second position 4 back to the third position 3, the gripper elements 2 and/or the active gripper 1 can be opened at least in sections, for example in the area of the comb 17.

In some embodiments, such as in 1 and 2 until 4 shown, the spring element 12 can be arranged in such a way that it is guided over the guide element 13 when the gripper elements 2 are transferred between the first position 3 and the second position 4. In some embodiments, such as in 1 and the 2 until 4 shown, the drive 19 and / or the roller 20 can be arranged at an end of the active gripper 1 opposite the holding receptacle 7.

5 until 7 show yet another exemplary embodiment of an active gripper 1 according to the invention, wherein the gripper elements 2 in 5 in the first position 3, in 6 between the first position 3 and the second position 4, and in 7 in the second position are 4. In the 5 until 7 Embodiment shown may have some or more features of those in 1 and or 2 until 4 shown and / or described above, so that detailed repetition is omitted.

The linear guide 10 of the in 5 until 7 The embodiment shown can be as in 2 until 4 Embodiment shown have a rail which can be connected to the base body 23. The carriage 11 can slide and/or be guided along the rail.

In 5 the gripping elements 2 are in the first position 3. The gripper elements 2 can be in the second closed position 6. However, in some embodiments not shown, the gripper elements 2 can also be open in the first position 3. In the first position 3, the guide element 14 can be arranged in the first valley 15 and/or the guide element 14 can contact the guide contour 13 in the first valley 15 or the first valley 15, see for example 5 . The spring element 12 can be or have a compression spring, so that in the first position 3 the spring element 12 can exert a force on the gripper elements 2 and bias them into the second closed position 6. The compression spring can press the gripper element 2 against the guide element 13.

In some embodiments, the spring element 12 can be arranged on an end of the gripper elements 2 facing away from the holding receptacle 7. If the active gripper 1 is connected to a star wheel 100, the spring element 12 can be arranged at an end of the gripper elements 2 facing the star wheel 100. In some embodiments, the spring element 12 may be located on or near the second valley 16. In some embodiments, the spring element 12 can be arranged in front of the guide element 13 in the transfer direction from the first position 3 to the second position 4 when the gripper elements 2 are in the first position 3, see for example 5 .

In 6 the gripping elements 2 are located between the first position 3 and the second position 4. The carriage 11 and/or the gripper elements 2 are moved relative to the first position 3 in the direction of the second position 4. As in 3 shown, the guide element 13 can contact the comb 17 of the guide contour 13, so that the gripper element 2 can be pivoted, so that the active gripper 1 and/or gripper elements 2 can be opened.

In 7 the gripping elements 2 are in the second position 4 in the closed position 5. The gripper elements 2 form a holding receptacle 7, in some embodiments together with the contacting section 18. The carriage 11 and/or the gripper elements 2 are in the second position relative to the first position 3 Position 4 transferred. In the two In th position 4, the guide element 14 can be arranged in the second valley 16 and/or the guide element 14 can contact the guide contour 13 in the second valley 16 or the second valley 16, cf. 7 . The spring element 13 can be a compression spring, which can exert a force on the gripper element 2, so that the gripper element 2 can be biased into the closed position 5. The compression spring can press the gripper element 2 against the guide element 13.

In some embodiments, the spring element 12 can be arranged in front of the guide element 13 in the transfer direction from the first position 3 to the second position 4 when the gripper elements 2 are in the second position 4, cf. e.g. b. 5 .

If the carriage 11 or gripper elements 2 are moved from the second position 4 back to the third position 3, the gripper elements 2 and/or the active gripper 1 can be opened at least in sections, for example in the area of the comb 17.

In some embodiments, such as in 3 until 7 shown, the spring element 12 can be arranged in such a way that it can be arranged behind the guide element 13 against the transfer direction from the first position 3 to the second position 4. In some embodiments, such as in 3 until 7 shown, the drive 19 and / or the roller 20 can be arranged between one end of the active gripper 1, at which end the holding receptacle 7 is arranged, and an end of the active gripper 1 opposite the holding receptacle 7.

Even if they are in the 1 until 7 shown embodiments can have guide contour 13 with a first valley 15, a second valley 16 and a ridge 17, the guide contour 13 can also be chosen or run differently. The guide contour 13 does not have to be wave-shaped. The shape of the guide contour 13 can be chosen appropriately, for example to define areas of the guide contour 13 in which gripper elements 2 and/or the active gripper 1 is or will be opened and/or closed.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of an active gripper 1 is shown in FIG 8th and 9 shown, with the active gripper 1 in 8th in the first position 3 and in 9 in the second position is 4. The ones in the 8th and 9 Embodiment shown can be easy to clean. The gripper elements 2 can be and/or can be transferred from a first position 3 to the second position 4 and/or vice versa. When transferring, gripping elements 2 can be closed at least in sections, so that in the second position 4 they form a holding receptacle 7 for holding and/or gripping a container 21, in some embodiments together with the contacting section 17. The displacement unit 8 can have a gripper element carrier and a linear guide 10 have. The active gripper 1 can have a base body 23 with the linear guide 10, wherein the linear guide 10 can be slot-shaped. The gripper element carrier can have a carrier plate 26, which can be guided in the linear guide 10 via an engagement section 27. The engagement section 27 can extend away from the carrier plate 26 and/or protrude from it. The carrier plate 26 can be displaceable relative to the base body. The gripper elements 2 can be connected to the carrier plate so that they can rotate about an axis of rotation X.

The active gripper 1 can have a guide section 28, which can be connected to the base body 23. The guide section 28 can be rod-shaped, for example. The guide section 28 can have a guide contour 14. At least one of the gripper elements 2 can have a guide element 13, which can be guided along the guide contour 14 in contact when the gripper elements 2 are transferred from the first position 3 to the second position 4 and/or vice versa. Guide element 13 and/or guide contour 14 can form a gripper element actuation unit 8 of the active gripper 1 or be part of it. The gripper element actuation unit 8 can be a (not in 8th as well as not in the right illustration 9 shown) spring element 12, which can press the guide element 13 of the gripper element 2 onto the guide contour 14. The 12 spring element can be arranged on or near the guide element 13.

The guide contour 14 can be widened at an end in front in the transfer direction between the first position 3 and the second position 4, in particular in areas in which the gripper elements 2 are in the second position 4, cf. e.g 9 . The guide contour 14 can be widened at an end opposite in the transfer direction between the first position 3 and the second position 4, in particular when the gripper elements 2 are in the first position, cf. e.g 8th . The guide contour 14 can be slimmed down or tapered between the ends. When guiding the guide element 13 along the guide contour 14 into the second position 4, and possibly into the first position 3, the gripper element can be closed, since the guide contour 14 can deflect the guide element 13 essentially perpendicular to the transfer direction. If the gripper element 2 is between the first position 3 and the second position 4, the guide can tion element 13 can be or will be guided or displaced by the slimmed and/or tapered guide contour at least in sections perpendicular to the transfer direction in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the guide section 28 and/or the active gripper 1, so that the gripper elements 2 can be or can be opened at least in sections.

In the second position 4, the gripper elements 2 can be in a closed position 5 and form a holding receptacle 7. In the first position 3, the gripper elements 2 can be in a second closed position 6.

By superimposing a linear guide and/or telecopying of the gripper elements 2 with a closing movement and/or opening movement of the gripper elements 2, active grippers 1 according to the invention can attach containers provided by a second gripper 101 behind a tangency point of the grippers and/or a tangency point of the star wheels 100 to which the grippers can be attached. This means that the active gripper 1 and the second gripper 101 providing the container cannot contact each other during the transfer, or the container can be transferred without contact. The tangency point can lie or be arranged between the star wheels 100 on an (imaginary) connecting line of the axes of rotation of the star wheels 100 or their centers.

The two grippers can grip the container at the same height, e.g. at the same bottle neck position. In particular, the second gripper 101 can provide the container via the neck, and the active gripper 1 can grip the container via the neck. Alternatively, the second gripper 101 can provide the container under-neck, and the active gripper 1 can grip the container under-neck.

10 shows an active gripper 1 according to the invention attached to a star wheel 100. The active gripper 1 can be one of the ones with reference to 1 until 9 correspond to the embodiments described. As in the picture above 10 shown, the active gripper 1 and/or the gripper elements 5 can be in the first position 3 in the radial direction R of the star wheel relative to the second position 4 (bottom figure of 10 ) be withdrawn. In the first position 3, the gripper elements 2 can be in the second closed position 6. In the second position 4, the active gripper 1 and/or the gripper elements 5 can be advanced relative to the first position 3 in the radial direction R of the star wheel 100. As in 10 shown, a second gripper 101 can be provided, which can be attached to a second star wheel 100 in such a way that the active gripper 1 transfers a container to or from the second gripper 101 with a suitable angle of rotation of the star wheels or with rotation of one or both star wheels 100 can take over. The second gripper 101 can be a further active gripper 1, for example corresponding to one of the embodiments described above. Alternatively, the second gripper 101 can be a passive gripper.

11 shows a further embodiment of an active gripper 1 according to the invention. The active gripper 1 can have one, several or all of the features or advantages of the embodiments described above. The active gripper 1 can have a blocking element 29. The blocking element 29 can prevent or at least counteract an opening of the gripper elements 2 when the gripper elements 2 are in the second position 4. In addition to the force imposed by the spring element 12, the blocking element 29 can impose a blocking force, which can counteract the opening of the gripper elements 2, or can superimpose it on the spring force when the gripper elements 2 are in the second position 4. This can result in a particularly secure hold of a container in the holding receptacle 7.

The active gripper 1 can have one or more blocking elements 29. In some embodiments, the active gripper 1 can have a blocking element 29 for each gripper element 2. For example, the active gripper 1 can have two blocking elements 29. A respective blocking element 29 can be assigned to one, several or each gripper element 2. The respective blocking element 29 can be set up to prevent or at least make it more difficult for the gripper element 2 assigned to it to rotate about its axis of rotation X when the gripper elements 2 are in the second position 4.

The guide contour 14 and/or the second valley 16 can merge into the blocking element 29. The blocking element 29 can be or have part or section of the guide contour 14. In some embodiments, the blocking element 29 can have, at least in sections, a higher coefficient of friction µ _H and/or µ _G and/or a higher roughness depth R _z and/or R _a compared to the rest of the guide contour 14.

The blocking element 29 can be arranged on, near or behind the second valley 16. The blocking element 29 can have a blocking receptacle 30. The blocking receptacle 30 can be set up to accommodate the guide element 13, for example in a form-fitting manner, when the gripper elements 2 are in the second position 4 and/or are transferred from the first position 3 to the second position 4. If the guide element 13 is accommodated in the blocking receptacle 30, rotation can occur one or both gripper elements 2 about the axis of rotation X can be prevented or at least made more difficult. In some embodiments, the blocking element 29 and/or the blocking receptacle 30 may correspond to and/or have the second valley 16.

Blocking element 29 and/or blocking receptacle 30 can be arranged at an end of the active gripper 1 and/or the gripper elements 2 facing away from the holding receptacle 7, see for example 11 . If the active gripper 1 is connected to a star wheel, the end facing away from it can face the star wheel. Blocking element 29 and/or blocking receptacle 30 can be arranged essentially on or near the spring element 12.

If the gripper elements 2 are transferred from the second position 4 to the first position 3, it can be provided that the guide element 13 is or will be released from the blocking receptacle 29. It can be provided that when transferring gripper elements 2 from the second position 4 to the first position 3, the blocking element 29 or the blocking receptacle 30 does not block or counteract the opening of the gripper elements 2 at least in sections, so that the gripper elements 2 are opened at least in sections or can be. In other words, it can be provided that one or the gripper elements 2 can rotate or pivot at least in sections about the axis of rotation X when transferring from the second position 4 to the first position 3 and/or from the first position 3 to the second position 4. This means that a container held in the holding receptacle 7 can be released from the active gripper 1, or if necessary, be handed over, or a container can be gripped.

If the gripper elements 2 are in the first position 3, it can be provided that the guide element 13 is not accommodated in the blocking receptacle 29.

12 shows exemplary embodiments of guide sections 28. The guide sections 28 can have a guide contour 14. In some embodiments, a blocking element 29 can be realized in that the slope of the guide contour 14 is reduced at one end. The end with a reduced pitch can be the end that can contact the guide element 13 when the gripper elements 2 are in the second position 4, cf. e.g 12 middle figure with 12 left illustration. Due to the reduced gradient, a restoring force acting on the guide contour 13, which acts counter to the closing force pronounced by the spring element 12, is reduced when the gripper elements 2 are in the second position 4. This means that the holding force for holding or gripping a container held in the holding receptacle 7 is increased compared to the non-reduced gradient, so that the container is or is held more securely in the holding receptacle 7. In some embodiments, the slope can be selected such that self-locking can occur or be present when guide element 13 contacts blocking element 29. In some embodiments, alternatively or additionally, the blocking element 29 can have, at least in sections, a higher coefficient of friction µ _H and/or µ _G and/or a higher roughness depth R _z and/or R _a compared to the rest of the guide contour 14.

In a further embodiment, the guide section 28 may have a first valley 15, a second valley 16 and a ridge 17. If the gripper elements 2 are in the first position 3, the guide element 13 can be accommodated in the first valley 15 and/or contact it. If the gripper elements 2 are in the second position 4, the guide element 13 can be accommodated in the second valley 16 and/or contact it. The active gripper 1 can have a blocking element 29 with a blocking receptacle 30, which can correspond to the second valley 16 and/or can be at least partially formed by the second valley 16 and ridge 17. It can be provided that when guide element 13 is accommodated in the blocking receptacle 30, guide element 13 is contacted by a flank of the comb 17. The edge of the comb 17 contacting the guide element 13 can counteract an opening of the gripper elements 2 in the second position 4. In some embodiments, a locking can be achieved so that unintentional loosening of a container held in the holding receptacle 7 can be prevented or at least reduced. In some embodiments, blocking device 29 and/or blocking receptacle 30 may be one described above and, for example, in the middle figure 12 have the reduced slope shown. The ones in the figures, especially 12 Embodiments shown can be shown schematically. In particular, dimensions do not have to be to scale and/or various parts, features or elements do not have to have the proportions shown in the figures. In some embodiments, for example, it can be provided that the thickness of the guide section 28 and/or the guide contour 14 can be variable, for example along one of their longitudinal axes. In some embodiments, the thickness of the guide section 28 and/or the guide contour 14 can increase at least in sections towards the end that faces the gripper elements 2 in the second position 4. In some embodiments, alternatively or additionally, the second valley 16 may have a greater thickness compared to the first valley 15, such that the Guide element 13 in the second valley 16 can be spaced further apart than when they are in the first valley 15. Due to the different thickness, the gripper elements 2, and/or their sections forming the holding surface, can be or will be guided closer to one another in the second position 4, so that the holding receptacle 7 can be reduced in the closed position compared to an active gripper 1 without changing the thickness can. This means, for example, that the holding force can be or will be increased. This can result in an improved and safer holder for a container, for example.

13 shows a further embodiment of an active gripper 1 according to the invention. The further embodiment according to the invention can have one, several or all features or advantages of the embodiments of active grippers 1 described above. Gripper element 2 can have a first area 31 and/or a second area 32. The first area 31 can face the holding receptacle 7 and/or be arranged between the holding receptacle 7 and the axis of rotation X. Alternatively or additionally, the first area can be arranged between the holding receptacle 7 and the spring element 12. The second area 32 can face away from the holding receptacle 7 and/or be arranged between the axis of rotation X and the guide element 13. In some embodiments, the second region can be arranged between the spring element 12 and the axis of rotation X.

First area 31 and/or second area 32 can consist of a material or have a material that can be flexible and/or elastically deformable and/or can be designed to be reversibly returned to a shape before deformation after deformation. The first area 31 can thus ensure a predetermined holding force depending on the design and/or flexibility. Because the material or the first region 31 can be flexible and/or elastically deformable, tolerance compensation can be made possible. The material can be or have a shape memory material. The material can be or have, for example, a suitable plastic, metal and/or metal alloy.

Alternatively or additionally, the first region 31 and/or the second region 32 may consist of or have a material that may be stiff. For example, the material or first region 31 and/or the second region 32 can be stiff compared to the flexible material and/or other regions of the active gripper 1. Because the material or first region 31 and/or the second region 32 is stiff, the blocking effect of the blocking element 29 can be enabled or promoted. The material can, for example, be or have a suitable plastic, e.g. a fiber-reinforced plastic, or a suitable metal or metal alloy.

It can be provided that the first area 31 and second area 32 each have and/or consist of different materials. In some embodiments, the first region 31 may comprise or consist of a flexible and/or elastically deformable material, and the second region 32 may comprise or consist of a rigid material.

The features disclosed in the claims, the description and the figures can be essential for the realization of the invention, individually or in any combination.

Reference symbol list

1

active gripper

2

Gripper element

3

first position

4

second position

5

Closed position

6

second closed position

7

holding recording

8th

Gripper element actuation unit

9

Displacement unit

10

Linear guide

11

Sleds

12

Spring element

13

Leadership element

14

Guide contour

15

first valley

16

second valley

17

Comb

18

Contacting section

19

drive

20

role

21

container

22

Fasteners

23

Basic body

24

first contact area

25

second contact area

26

carrier plate

27

engagement section

28

Leadership section

29

Blocking element

30

Blocking shot

31

first area

32

second area

100

star wheel

101

another gripper

X

Axis of rotation

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 10407289 B2 [0003]
• EP 1448465 B1 [0003]
• WO 2020/126237 A1 [0004]

Claims (24)

Active gripper (1) for a star wheel (100) of a container processing machine, wherein the active gripper (1) has two gripper elements (2) which can be moved from a first position (3) to a second position (4) and vice versa, wherein in in the second position (4), the gripper elements (2) are in a closed position (5) and form a holding receptacle (7), wherein in the first position (3) the gripper elements (2) are retracted relative to the second position (4), wherein the active gripper (1) has a gripper element actuation unit (8) which is designed to close the gripper elements (2) at least in sections when transferring between the first position (3) and the second position (4), and wherein preferably the gripper element actuation unit (8) is designed to open the gripper elements (2) at least in sections when transferring between the second position (4) and the first position (3). Active gripper (1) after Claim 1 , in which the gripper element actuation unit (8) is set up to close the gripper elements (2) at least in sections when transferring from the second position (4) to the first position (3), the gripper elements (2) preferably being in the first position ( 3) are in a second closed position (6). Active gripper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the active gripper (1) has a displacement unit (9), so that the gripper elements (2) can be displaced between the first and second positions (3, 4) during transfer. Active gripper (1) after Claim 3 , in which the displacement unit (9) has a linear guide (10), preferably a rail, and a gripper element carrier (11), preferably a slide, which can be moved relative to the linear guide, the gripper elements (2) being attached to the gripper element carrier (11) and the gripper element carrier (11) can be moved between the first position (3) and the second position (4). Active gripper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the gripper element actuation unit (8) has a spring element (12), the gripper elements (2) being moved by the spring element (12) in the first position (3) and/or the second position (4) are biased into the closed position (5, 6). Active gripper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the gripper element actuation unit (8) has a guide element (13), and at least one of the gripper elements, (2) preferably both gripper elements (2), has a guide contour (14), which when transferring from the first position (3) to the second position (4) and/or vice versa, the guide element (13) is guided along it in contact with it and/or rolls on the guide element (13). Active gripper (1) after Claim 6 , in which the spring element (12) is arranged in front of the guide element (13) in the transfer direction from the first position (3) to the second position (4), both when the gripper elements (2) are in the first position (3), and, when the gripper elements (2) are in the second position (4), or in which the spring element (12) is arranged in front of the guide element (13) in the transfer direction from the first position (3) to the second position (4), when the gripper elements ( 2) are in the first position (3), and is arranged behind the guide element (13) when the gripper elements (2) are in the second position (4). Active gripper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which has a blocking element (29), wherein the blocking element (29) is designed to prevent the gripper elements (2) from opening in the second position (4), and / or a At least to counteract opening. Active gripper (1) after Claim 8 with reference back to Claim 7 , in which the blocking element (29) forms at least part of the guide contour (14). Active gripper after Claim 8 or 9 , in which the blocking element (29) is shaped at least in sections such that a restoring force to the first position (3) is at least reduced when the gripper elements (2) are in the second position (4). Active gripper (1) according to one of the previous ones Claims 8 until 10 , in which the blocking element (29) has a blocking receptacle (30) in which the guide element (13) is received when the gripper elements (2) are in the second position (4). Active gripper (1) according to one of the previous ones Claims 8 until 11 , in which the guide contour (14) has a first valley (15), a second valley (16) and a ridge (17), the ridge (17) preferably being between the first valley (15) and the second valley (16). is arranged. Active gripper (1) after Claim 12 , in which the blocking element (29) and/or the blocking receptacle (30) is arranged behind the second valley (16) in the transfer direction from the first position (3) to the second position (4) and/or the second valley (16) into the blocking element (29) and/or the blocking receptacle (30). Active gripper (1) after Claim 12 or 13 , in which in the second position (4) the guide element (13) contacts the second valley (16) of the guide contour (14) and / or is arranged in a receptacle formed by the second valley (16), the second valley (16 ) is arranged in front of the comb (17) in the transfer direction from the first position (3) to the second position (4), and wherein in the first position (3) the guide element (13) covers the first valley (15) of the guide contour (14 ) is contacted and/or arranged in a receptacle formed by the first valley (15), the first valley (15) being arranged relative to the second valley (16) behind the crest (17) of the guide contour (14), preferably the spring element (12) has a tension spring and/or a compression spring. Active gripper (1) after Claim 12 or 13 , in which in the first position (3) the guide element (13) contacts the second valley (16) of the guide contour (14) and / or is arranged in a receptacle formed by the second valley (16), the second valley (16 ) is arranged in front of the comb (17) in the transfer direction from the first position (3) to the second position (4), and wherein in the second position (4) the guide element (13) covers the first valley (15) of the guide contour (13 ) is contacted and/or arranged in a receptacle formed by the first valley (15), the first valley (15) being arranged relative to the second valley (16) behind the crest (17) of the guide contour (13), preferably the spring element (12) has a compression spring. Active gripper (1) according to one of the previous ones Claims 5 until 15 , in which the spring element (12) is arranged at an end of the gripper elements (2) facing away from the holding receptacle (7) and preferably has a compression spring, and / or in which the spring element (12) is essentially in the middle of the gripper elements (2) and / or at the comb (17) of the guide contour (14) is arranged, the spring element (12) preferably having a tension spring. Active gripper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the active gripper (1) has a contacting section (18), wherein in the second position (4) the gripper elements (2) and the contacting section (18) the holding receptacle (7) form. Active gripper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which has a drive (19) with which the active gripper (1) can be moved from the first position (3) to the second position (4) and/or vice versa, preferably the drive (19) has a roller (20) and/or a push rod. Method for transferring a container with an active gripper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, with the following steps: - Providing the container in a transfer position; - Providing the active gripper (1) in the first position (3), the gripper elements (2) of the active gripper (1) being in the first position (3) in the closed position (6); - Transferring the gripper elements (2) from the first position (3) to the second position (4), the gripper elements (2) being displaced, the gripper elements (2) of the active gripper being closed at least in sections during the transfer; - Gripping the container with the active gripper (1) in the second position (4), the gripper elements (2) of the active gripper (1) being in the closed position (5) in the second position, so that the container is released from the gripper elements (2) is held. Procedure according to Claim 19 , in which at least one of the gripper elements (2) has a guide contour (14) with a first valley (15), a second valley (16) and a comb (17), the guide contour (14) being transferred when the active gripper (1 ) is guided from the first position (3) into the second position (4) in contact with a guide element (13) of the active gripper (1), so that the gripper elements (2) are opened at least in sections during transfer. Method according to one of the preceding Claims 19 until 20 , in which the gripper elements (2) are biased into the closed position (5, 6) in the first position (3) and/or the second position (4). Method according to one of the preceding Claims 20 until 21 , in which an opening of the closed position (5) of the gripper elements (2) in the second position (4) is prevented or at least counteracted by a blocking element (29) of the active gripper (1). Method according to one of the preceding Claims 20 until 22 , in which when the container is provided by a second gripper (101) over the neck and the active gripper (1) grips the container in the second position (4) over the neck when gripping, or in which when the Container is provided under-neck by a second gripper (101) and the active gripper (1) grips the container in the second position (4) under-neck when gripping. Method according to one of the preceding Claims 20 until 23 , in which the gripper elements (2) of the active gripper (1) are opened when transferring from the first to the second position in such a way that they enclose the second gripper (101) at least in sections.

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