WO2023180415A1

WO2023180415A1 - Method for transferring a container behind a tangential point of two star wheels, and arrangement of two star wheels having grippers

Info

Publication number: WO2023180415A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/057404
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Fabian Klein; Dieter Klatt
Original assignee: Khs Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-03-24
Filing date: 2023-03-23
Publication date: 2023-09-28
Also published as: WO2023180424A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly and to a method for transferring a container from a first star wheel (2) to a second star wheel (3) behind a common tangential point (1) of the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (3), the first star wheel (2) having a first gripper (4) and the second star wheel (3) having a second gripper (5), at least the second gripper (5) being designed as an active gripper comprising movable gripper elements (9), said method having the following steps: - providing a container with the first gripper (4) in a first position in front of the tangential point (1) and rotating the first gripper (4); - intermediately supporting and guiding the container with a contacting portion (8) of the second gripper (5) and a transition curve (7); - rotating the second gripper (5) into a gripping position (6) behind the tangential point (1) while rotating the second star wheel (3) out of a second position in front of the tangential point (1); - gripping the container with the gripper elements (9) of the second gripper (5) in the gripping position (6).

Description

Method for transferring a container behind a tangency point of two star wheels, and arrangement of two star wheels with grippers

The invention relates to a method for transferring a container behind a tangency point of a first star wheel and a second star wheel, as well as an arrangement of a first star wheel with a first gripper and a second star wheel with a second gripper. The first and/or second star wheel can, for example, be part of a container treatment machine.

When transporting containers, e.g. when transporting bottles, a handle change usually takes place at a tangency point of two star wheels, in which a container held by a first gripper at a first location is gripped by a second gripper at a different location. For example, the first gripper can hold the container above the neck, e.g. over a retaining ring of a bottle, and the second gripper can grip the container below the neck, e.g. under the retaining ring of the bottle, or the first gripper can provide the container below the neck and the second gripper grabs the container over-neck. Such a change of handle is necessary in known methods and arrangements for container transport in order to avoid collisions of the grippers or container or bottle guides as far as possible. However, this results in increased expenditure on equipment and complicated container or bottle handling or neck handling. For example, DE 10 2005 051 735 A1 discloses a container gripped under the neck by a first gripper and over the neck by a second gripper.

Alternatively, using a so-called sliding star, the container, for example a bottle, can be transferred into container guides, which do not grip the containers, but convey them into guides, whereby the handle change described above can be avoided. Such sliding stars have ring-shaped container or bottle guides, which, however, are complex to manufacture, hold and adjust and also cause undesirable abrasion when guiding the bottles, e.g. PET bottles, or containers. Such methods for handing over a bottle are known, for example, from EP 2 673 222 B1 or US 10,407,289 B2.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a method for transferring a container that overcomes these disadvantages and enables safe handling of the container.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and an arrangement according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the respective subclaims.

The invention can also reduce abrasion of the container. The adjustment effort is also reduced, especially when changing the bottles to be transported.

As with a handle change known from the prior art, the first star wheel and second star wheel directly adjoin one another at the tangency point for a transfer of the container. According to the invention, however, an intermediate support is provided so that the container to be transferred can initially detach itself from the first gripper during the transfer, in order then subsequently to be able to be gripped by the second gripper, in particular at the same or approximately the same height. Through the intermediate support, the grippers or the respective gripper elements can be guided at the same height or with an overlap with respect to a vertical direction without a collision.

The intermediate support is only provided over a comparatively short angular range, which enables, on the one hand, a sufficient distance of the first gripper from the second gripper and, on the other hand, a gripping movement of the second gripper to pick up the container at the gripping position. The second gripper is designed as an active gripper with the movable gripper elements. The gripper elements are movable in such a way that the container can be fed by the first gripper without collision, and after the intermediate support, the container is then picked up by the second gripper through the active gripping movement of the gripper elements.

Accordingly, the gripper elements of the second gripper must be arranged, for example, at the tangential point in such a way that the first gripper, which is preferably designed as a passive gripper, can be guided along its predetermined path without contact.

For this purpose, it can be provided that the gripper elements of the second gripper are initially opened so wide that, in a plan view, a front end of the first gripper is at least partially enclosed by the movable gripper elements at the tangential point. If the first gripper then moves away from the container during the intermediate support, it can then be grasped and picked up by a simple gripping or closing movement of the gripper elements.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the gripper elements of the second gripper are movable in the radial direction of the second star wheel. The gripper elements of the second gripper can then be arranged at the tangential point in a first, radially displaced radial position, the gripper elements being moved radially outwards when rotating from the tangential point to the gripping position and preferably additionally when rotating from the tangential point to the gripping position perform at least one closing movement during the radial movement towards each other.

In particular, when the first and second grippers are gripping at the same height, it must be ensured that a collision is avoided by the active movement of the second gripper. The previously described embodiments of the active second gripper with a closing movement of the gripper elements and/or a radial displacement represent suitable variants, to which the invention is, however, not limited.

To illustrate the invention, the transfer of a container is explained in the method according to the invention. It goes without saying that during the operation of a container treatment machine, containers are continuously transferred in the manner described.

Furthermore, it is clear to the person skilled in the art that the first star wheel and the second star wheel, each with a usually constant pitch, have a large number of first grippers and second grippers. In a usual procedure, the first star wheel and the second star wheel are rotated synchronously with one another in such a way that continuously successive first grippers and second grippers are brought together at the tangency point in order to continuously transport the containers.

The invention therefore particularly allows the container to be gripped when the grippers are already separated from one another. This means that collisions between the grippers can be avoided. In addition, under-to-under-neck or over-to-over-neck handling of the container is possible. In other words, the container can be provided by the first gripper below the neck and gripped by the second gripper below the neck, e.g. below a securing ring of a bottle, or provided by the first gripper above the neck and gripped by the second gripper above the neck e.g. above a locking ring on a bottle.

The first star wheel and/or the second star wheel are used, for example, for transferring containers to be treated to a container treatment machine, and/or for dispensing treated containers from a container treatment machine. The first and/or the second star wheel can, for example, be a part of the container treatment machine, or the container treatment machine can have the first and/or the second star wheel. The gripping position is the position in which the second gripper grips the container.

The rotation of the first star wheel and the second star wheel is usually synchronized.

The first gripper can be a passive gripper or an active gripper.

When gripping the container, the gripper elements of the second gripper are closed to form a holding receptacle for holding the container.

The container can be a bottle or bottle-shaped, for example a PET bottle.

When providing, the container can be held over the neck by the first gripper and the container can be gripped over the neck by the second gripper when gripping. When providing, the container can be held under the neck by the first gripper and the container can be gripped under the neck by the second gripper when gripping. This can result in advantageous handling of the container and low-friction gripping of the container. However, the present invention can also include, for example, an under-neck/over-neck or over-neck/under-neck transfer, in which the first gripper and the second gripper hold or grip the container at different points.

The first star wheel can be rotated from the first position and the second star wheel from the second position such that the first gripper and the second gripper can be aligned with one another at the tangency point in the radial direction of the first star wheel and the second star wheel. The radial alignment can make it easier to transfer the container to the second gripper and to release the container from the first gripper. The first gripper can be suitably arranged or attached to the first star wheel and the second gripper to the second star wheel. It can be provided that the The first gripper and the second gripper can be aligned diametrically opposite one another at the tangential point in the radial direction of the first star wheel and the second star wheel.

The gripper elements of the second gripper can, as partly explained above, be opened at least in sections if there is radial mobility when moving in the radial direction of the second star wheel. The gripper elements can be or will be opened at the tangency point.

The gripper elements of the second gripper can be opened at least in sections when rotating from the second position into the tangential point and closed at least in sections when rotating from the tangential point into the gripping position. The second gripper can have a holding receptacle in the gripping position. The gripper elements can form a holding receptacle in the gripping position.

The first gripper can be or will be at least partially enclosed by the second gripper at the tangency point in a top view. This can prevent the first and second grippers from touching each other. It can be ensured that the first gripper and second gripper do not contact each other at the tangency point. The first gripper can be or will be at least partially enclosed by the second gripper at least in a plane in which the tangency point and the gripping position lie. In such a configuration, the gripper elements of the second gripper do not have to be movable along the radial direction of the second star wheel. Rather, it may be sufficient if the gripper elements of the second gripper are opened so wide, starting from a simple gripping movement, that the first gripper or a front end of the first gripper is inserted between the gripper elements of the second gripper in the manner described by the rotation of the star wheels can be.

In some embodiments, the gripper elements of the second gripper can move in this way when the second star wheel rotates behind the tangency point ensure that when the first star wheel rotates over the tangency point into the transfer position and the second star wheel rotates over the tangency point into the gripping position, the first gripper and the second gripper do not contact each other. The gripper elements of the second gripper can be moved behind the tangential point in such a way that when the first gripper rotates over the tangential point into the transfer position and the second gripper rotates over the tangential point into the gripping position, the first gripper and the second gripper do not contact each other. By moving the gripper elements in the radial direction and/or a closing movement of the gripper elements behind the tangential point, gripping of the container behind the tangential point can be made possible without the first gripper and the second gripper touching each other. In the direction of rotation of the first star wheel behind the tangency point, the first gripper moves away from the second star wheel, so that contact between the first gripper and the second gripper can be avoided despite moving the gripper elements of the second gripper in the radial direction of the second star wheel.

The gripper elements of the second gripper can be or can be retracted radially inwards in the second position against the radial direction of the second star wheel, and can be telescoped radially outwards in the radial direction when rotating from the second position into the tangential point and/or from the tangential point into the gripping position or will. This can ensure that the first gripper and second gripper do not contact each other in the direction of rotation of the first star wheel and/or the second star wheel before the tangency point.

In particular, a transfer curve can be arranged between the first star wheel and the second star wheel for the intermediate support provided according to the invention, on which the container is guided starting from the tangential point in the direction of rotation of the second star wheel. Starting from the tangency point, the container can be guided in the direction of rotation of the second star wheel on the transfer curve between the tangency point and the gripping position. The transfer curve can release the container from the first gripper when guiding the container. When guiding the container, the transfer curve can release the container from the first gripper between the tangency point and the gripping position. When moving the gripper elements of the second gripper, the gripper elements can be moved without interruption in the radial direction of the second star wheel. When moving the gripper elements, the gripper elements can be moved continuously in the radial direction of the second star wheel. This can result in smooth running of the gripper elements of the second gripper and/or the second star wheel. In addition, a secure gripping of the container can be made possible by the second gripper.

A further aspect of the invention relates to an arrangement of a first star wheel with a first gripper and a second star wheel with a second gripper, in particular for carrying out the method described above, the first star wheel and the second star wheel having a common tangency point, the second gripper being an active one Gripper with movable gripper elements, a transfer curve being arranged between the first star wheel and the second star wheel, the transfer curve comprising an arcuate contour with an angle of less than 45°, preferably less than 30°, and for intermediate support when a container is transferred from the first gripper to the second gripper. With the transfer curve, the containers are guided in an arc around the second star wheel after the tangency point, whereby the containers are released and removed from the assigned first gripper in the manner described and can then be picked up by the assigned second gripper. The specified angle over which the transition curve extends is to be determined accordingly from the axis of rotation of the second star wheel.

One end of the arcuate contour may be located at or near the tangency point. Due to the short transfer curve, abrasion of the container can be avoided or at least reduced when guided through the transfer curve.

The second gripper can have a contacting section, which can be arranged such that the contacting section can contact the container provided by the first gripper at the tangential point. Through the In the contacting section, the container can be gripped and/or held securely and with little friction by the second gripper. The intermediate support is then provided by the transfer curve and the contacting section. The container is then guided in the area of the transfer curve by the contour of the transfer curve and the contacting section. This enables good guidance of the container and secure gripping in the gripping position.

In the second position, the gripper elements of the second gripper can be retracted behind the contacting section counter to the radial direction of the second star wheel. This means that contact between the first gripper and the second gripper can be avoided when rotating to the tangential point.

The first gripper and the second gripper can be aligned with one another at the tangency point in the radial direction of the first star wheel and the second star wheel.

Further preferred structural features of the arrangement also emerge from the explanations of the method according to the invention.

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

Fig. 1: an arrangement of two star wheels and two grippers at the tangential point, as known from the prior art;

Fig.2: an arrangement according to the invention of a first star wheel with a first gripper and a second star wheel with a second gripper at the tangential point;

Fig. 3: the inventive arrangement of Figure 2, with the grippers behind the tangency point; Fig. 4: a schematic representation of an arrangement according to the invention in a top view;

Fig. 5: a schematic representation corresponding to Fig. 4 for an alternative embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows an arrangement known from the prior art of a first star wheel 2 with a first gripper 4 and a second star wheel 3 with a support element 5 '. The second star wheel 3 is a sliding star. The first gripper 4 is a passive gripper. The passive gripper and the support element 5 'cannot be moved in the radial direction R and do not carry out an actively controlled opening and closing movement. In particular, gripper elements 10 of the first gripper 4 cannot be actively opened. A spring element 12 exerts a restoring force on the gripper elements 10 in order to form a holding receptacle 15. During the transfer, a container B held by the first gripper 4, e.g. a bottle, shown only in FIG of the spring element 12 deflects and the container B is pushed out or released from the holding receptacle 15 by the transfer curve 7. At the tangential point 1, the support element 5'5' already grips the container still held by the first gripper 4. As shown in Figure 1 in the lower figure, the first gripper 4 and the support element 5 'overlap at the tangential point 1. The container B is held by the first gripper 4 under the neck, i.e. H. e.g. held under a locking ring of a bottle, and by the support element 5 'over the neck, i.e. H. e.g. above the locking ring.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment according to the invention of an arrangement of a first star wheel 2 with a first gripper 4 and a second star wheel 3 with a second gripper 5. The first gripper 4 can place a container B, not shown in Figure 2, for example a bottle, in a holding receptacle 15 hold. The first grabber 4 can be or have a passive gripper. The second gripper 5 can be or have an active gripper. An active gripper 5 and/or its gripper elements 9 can be telescopic and/or movable in the radial direction R, and/or telecopied and/or moved. Gripper elements 9 of an active gripper 5 and/or the second gripper 5 can be opened and/or closed at least in sections when telescoping in the radial direction R. The gripper elements 9 and/or second gripper 5 can be telescopic and/or telescoped by a drive 13. A spring element 11 can have a restoring force on the gripper elements 9 and bias them into a closed position. Spring element 12 can bias the first gripper 4 or its gripper elements 10 into a closed position.

The first gripper 4 can be or will be pivoted into the tangential point 1 from a first position, which is in front of the tangential point 1 in the direction of rotation D of the first star wheel 2. The second gripper 5 can be or will be pivoted into the tangential point from a second position, which is in front of the tangential point 1 in the direction of rotation D of the second star wheel 3. At the tangential point 1, the first gripper 4 and second gripper 5 can be closest to each other. The first gripper 4 and the second gripper 5 can be or will be pivoted in such a way, and/or the first star wheel 2 and the second star wheel 3 can be or will be rotated in the direction of rotation D in such a way that the first gripper 4 and the second gripper 5 are at the tangential point 1 are or can be aligned with each other in the radial direction R, see Fig. 2.

At the tangential point 1, the second gripper 5 can be and/or become open in such a way that it can at least partially enclose the first gripper 4. The gripper elements 9 of the second gripper 5 can be or will be opened in such a way that they can at least partially enclose the gripper elements 10 of the first gripper 4, see Fig. 2. In the position shown in Figure 2, the gripper elements 9 of the second gripper 5 and /or second gripper 5 can be advanced and/or telescoped from a retracted position. As explained below, the gripper elements 9 of the second gripper 5 can also simply lent be opened so far by a simple opening movement that the gripping elements 10 of the first gripper 4 can pivot into a free space formed during rotation. Gripper elements 9 of the second gripper 5 and gripper elements 10 of the first gripper 4 can be at the same height, or at least substantially at the same height. By surrounding the first gripper 4 by the second gripper 5, a collision of the first gripper can occur

4 with the second gripper 5 can be or will be avoided, especially at the tangential point 1.

In the second position, the gripper elements and/or the second gripper

5 can be or will be retracted against the radial direction R of the second star wheel 3. In the position of the second gripper 5 shown in Figure 2, the second gripper 5 and/or its gripper elements 9 can be advanced and/or telescoped compared to the second position in the radial direction R of the second star wheel 3. When the first gripper 4 is pivoted from the first position into the tangential point 1, the first gripper 4 approaches the second star wheel 3. When pivoting from the second position into the tangential point 1, the second gripper 5 and/or its gripper elements 9 can be moved in the radial direction R of the second star wheel 3 in such a way that the first gripper 4 and the second gripper 5 do not touch each other. It can be provided that the second gripper 5 and/or gripper elements 9 are or are opened in this way when pivoting from the second position into the tangential point 1 and when moving the second gripper 5 and/or its gripper elements 9 in the radial direction R of the second star wheel 3 can that in the tangential point 1 the first gripper 4 and / or gripper elements 10 of the first gripper 4 are or are at least partially enclosed by the second gripper 5 and / or gripper elements 9 of the second gripper 10.

The second gripper 5 can have a contacting section 8. The contacting section 8 can be arranged in such a way that it can contact a container B held in the holding receptacle 15 by the first gripper 4 at the tangential point 1. The contacting section 8 can essentially be arranged between the gripper elements 9 of the second gripper 5. In the In the second position, the gripper elements 9 of the second gripper 5 can be retracted behind the contacting section 8.

3 shows the arrangement according to the invention shown in FIG. 2, wherein the first star wheel 2 and the second star wheel 3 have been rotated further in the direction of rotation D compared to FIG. The second gripper 5 is in a gripping position 6. The first gripper 4 can be in a transfer position 16 in the position shown in FIG. When pivoting the second gripper 5 from the tangential point 1 into the gripping position 6, the first gripper 5 and/or its gripper elements 9 can be or will be moved further in the radial direction R or telecopied. When rotating the first star wheel 2 and/or pivoting the first gripper 4 between the tangential point 1 and the transfer position 16 of the first gripper 4 and/or the second gripper 5, a container not shown in Figure 3 can be held by the first gripper 4 in the holding receptacle 15 B, for example a bottle, can be or will be released from the holding receptacle 15. For example, the container can be or will be guided by a transfer curve 7 in such a way that the container is or will be released from the first gripper 4 between the tangency point 1 and the gripping position 6. The transfer curve 7 can have a contour for contacting and/or guiding the container B. The contour can be arcuate, for example in the shape of a circular arc. One end of the transfer curve 7 can be arranged at or near the tangency point 1.

When moving and/or telescoping the second gripper 5 between the tangential point 1 and the gripping position 6, the gripper elements 9 of the second gripper 5 can be or become closed, so that a holding receptacle 14 can be formed. When closing the gripping elements 9 of the second gripper 5, the container B can be gripped and/or be or will be accommodated in the holding receptacle 14. Gripper elements 9 and/or second gripper 5 can be moved or telescoped in such a way that the second gripper 5 does not touch the first gripper 4, which is rotated away from the second star wheel 3 and/or the transfer curve when the first star wheel 2 rotates contacted. It can be provided that the container is or is guided between the contour of the transfer curve 7 and the contacting section 8 of the second gripper 5, and/or touches both the transfer curve 7 and the contacting section 8 of the second gripper 5 at least in sections along the transfer curve 7. By guiding the container between the transfer curve 7 and the contacting section 8, a secure, symmetrical, uniform and low-friction gripping of the container can be achieved by the gripping elements 9 or the second gripper 5. Since the container can be or can be held securely in the holding receptacle 14 of the second gripper 5, the transfer curve 7 can be made short. For example, the transfer curve 7 and/or the contour of the transfer curve 5 may comprise an angle smaller than 45°. In some embodiments, the angle may be less than 30°. Due to the shortened transfer curve 7, closure and abrasion of the container due to contact with the transfer curve 7 can be or will be reduced.

As is particularly obvious from the synopsis of Figures 2 and 3, the invention enables a container to be transferred between star wheels 2, 3, in which the container is picked up by the respective grips 4, 5 in the same grip position, e.g. above-neck or below-neck, can be held and grasped.

Concrete explanations of the generally described movement options of the active second gripper 5 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

First of all, it is shown that the star wheels 2, 3, each shown in a detail, each have a plurality of first grippers 4 and second grippers 5, which are distributed at a uniform pitch around the circumference. The division shown is only shown as an example. The successive grippers 4, 5 can, if necessary, also be at a smaller distance from one another. 4, the gripper elements 9 of the active second gripper 5 only perform one pivoting movement, the gripper elements 9 of the active second gripper 5 being opened so far when approaching the tangential point 1 that the gripper elements 10 of the first gripper 4 without a contact between the gripper elements 9 of the active second gripper 5 can pivot through the synchronous rotation of the two star wheels 2, 3.

In the area of the tangential point 1, the containers B are then still held by the assigned first gripper 4, but the containers B are then also placed on the one hand against the transfer curve 7 and are guided opposite the transfer curve 7 by the contact section 8 of the second gripper 5.

During the further rotation of the star wheels 2, 3, the containers B are then supported intermediately between the transfer curve 7 and the contact section 8, the container B being released from the gripper elements 10 of the first gripper 4 during the intermediate support, the gripper elements 10 of the first Remove gripper 4 from container B. The containers B are then picked up during the intermediate support by the gripper elements 9 of the active second grippers 5 and are then carried at the end of the overcam 7 by the respectively assigned second gripper 5. The closing movement of the gripper elements 9 of the active second grippers 5 shown in FIG. 4 can be effected, for example, by a curve control.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, a transfer of the containers B from the first grippers 4 to the second grippers 5 is also provided with an intermediate support. However, the gripper elements 9 of the active second grippers 5 also carry out a movement in the radial direction R of the second star wheel 3. In order not to collide with the gripper elements 10 of the first grippers 4, which are preferably guided at the same height or with an overlap in the vertical direction, the gripper elements 9 the active second gripper 5 on the tangent tial point 1 shifted back in the radial direction R. Due to the intermediate support also described in connection with FIG. 4 and the associated pivoting of the first grippers 4 away from the containers B, these can then be grasped by the gripper elements 9 of the active second grippers 5, as shown as an example. The gripper elements 9 of the active second gripper

5 are moved outwards along the radial direction R and also carry out a closing movement. Such a movement can also be brought about, for example, by suitable curve control.

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 tangent point

2 first star wheel

3 second star wheel

4 first grab

5 second gripper

5' support element

6 gripping position

7 transition curve

8 contacting section

9 gripper element

10 gripper element

11 spring element

12 spring element

13 drive

14 holding mount

15 holding shot

16 transfer position

R radial direction

D Direction of rotation

B container

Claims

Claims Method for transferring a container from a first star wheel (2) to a second star wheel (3) behind a common tangency point (1) of the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (3), the first star wheel (2) having a first Gripper (4) and the second star wheel (3) has a second gripper (5), at least the second gripper (5) being designed as an active gripper with movable gripper elements (9), with the following steps:

- Providing a container with the first gripper (4) in a first position in front of the tangency point (1) and rotating the first gripper (4)

- Intermediate support and guidance of the container with a contacting section (8) of the second gripper (5) and a transfer curve (7);

- Rotating the second gripper (5) into a gripping position (6) behind the tangential point (1) while rotating the second star wheel (3) from a second position in front of the tangential point (1);

- Gripping the container with the gripping elements (9) of the second gripper (5) in the gripping position (6)). Method according to claim 1, wherein the container, starting from the tangential point (1) in the direction of rotation of the second star wheel (3), is arranged between the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (3) and is located in the direction of rotation of the second star wheel (3). extending transfer curve (7) is guided between the tangency point (1) and gripping position (6), the transfer curve (7) releasing the container from the first gripper (4) when guiding the container. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the container is held over the neck by the first gripper (4) when it is made available and the container is gripped over the neck by the second gripper (5) when gripping, or in which the container is held when ready from the first gripper (4) Neck is held and the container is gripped under the neck when gripped by the second gripper (5). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first star wheel (2) is rotated from the first position and the second star wheel (3) from the second position in such a way that the first gripper (4) and the second gripper (5) are at the tangential point (1) are aligned with one another in the radial direction (R) of the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (4), the first gripper (4) and the second gripper (5) preferably being at the tangential point (1) in the radial direction (R). the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (3) are aligned diametrically opposite one another. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a front end of the first gripper (4) at the tangential point (1) is at least partially enclosed in a plan view by the movable gripper elements (9) of the second gripper (5). Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the gripper elements (9, 10) of the second gripper (5) are movable in the radial direction (R) of the second star wheel (3). Method according to claim 6, in which the gripper elements (9) of the second gripper (5) are arranged at the tangential point (1) in a first, radially recessed radial position, the gripper elements (9) rotating from the tangential point (1) can be moved radially outwards to the gripping position (6). Method according to claim 7, in which the gripper elements (9) of the second gripper (5) perform at least one shooting movement in addition to the radial movement towards one another when rotating from the tangential point (1) to the gripping position (6).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first gripper (4) and the second gripper (5) do not contact each other.

10. Arrangement of a first star wheel (2) with a first gripper (4) and a second star wheel (3) with a second gripper (5), in particular for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (3) has a common tangency point (1), the second gripper (5) being an active gripper with movable gripper elements (9), with a transfer curve (2) between the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (3). 7), wherein the transfer curve (7) comprises an arcuate contour with an angle of less than 45°, preferably less than 30°, and for intermediate support when a container is transferred from the first gripper (4) to the second gripper ( 5) is set up.

11. Arrangement according to claim 10, in which one end of the arcuate contour is arranged at or at the tangency point (1).

12. Arrangement according to claim 10 or 11, in which the second gripper (5) has a contacting section (8) which is arranged such that the contacting section (8) at the tangential point (1) the container provided by the first gripper (4). contacted.

13. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first gripper (4) and the second (5) gripper are aligned with one another at the tangential point (1) in the radial direction (R) of the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (3). are.