Method for transferring a container behind a tangential point of two star wheels, and arrangement of two star wheels having grippers
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023715061
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-07-04
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for transferring containers between star wheels often result in increased equipment complexity, collision risks, and abrasion issues due to the need for handle changes at tangency points, which complicates container handling and increases maintenance costs.
A method that employs an intermediate support and active gripper elements on the second star wheel, allowing the container to be transferred without direct contact between grippers, enabling smooth height alignment and collision-free gripping, with the second gripper's elements opening to enclose the first gripper at the tangency point and then closing to securely grasp the container.
This solution reduces equipment complexity, minimizes abrasion, and allows for safe and efficient container handling by avoiding collisions between grippers, enabling continuous operation with synchronized star wheel rotation and reduced adjustment efforts.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Method for transferring a container behind a tangential point of two star wheels, and arrangement of two star wheels with grippers
[0002] The invention relates to a method for transferring a container behind a tangential point of a first star wheel and a second star wheel, as well as to 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 handling machine.
[0003] When transporting containers, e.g. when transporting bottles, a grip change usually takes place at a point of tangency between two star wheels, whereby a container held by a first gripper at a first point is gripped by a second gripper at a different point. For example, the first gripper can hold the container over the neck, e.g. over a retaining ring on a bottle, and the second gripper can grip the container under the neck, e.g. under the retaining ring of the bottle, or the first gripper can hold the container under the neck and the second gripper can grip the container over the neck. Such a grip change is necessary in known methods and arrangements for container transport in order to avoid collisions between the grippers or container or bottle guides as far as possible. However, this results in increased equipment expenditure and complicated container or bottle handling or neck handling.For example, DE 10 2005 051 735 A1 discloses a container gripped by a first gripper under the neck and by a second gripper over the neck.
[0004] Alternatively, the container, e.g., a bottle, can be transferred into container guides using a so-called sliding star. These guides do not grip the containers but rather convey them along guides, thus avoiding the handle change described above. Such sliding star conveyors have ring-shaped container or bottle guides for this purpose. However, these are complex to manufacture, mount, and adjust, and also generate undesirable wear when guiding the bottles, e.g., PET bottles, or containers. Such methods for transferring a bottle are known, for example, from EP 2 673 222 B1 or US 10,407,289 B2.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method for transferring a container which overcomes these disadvantages and enables safe handling of the container.
[0006] 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.
[0007] The invention can also reduce the abrasion of the container. Likewise, the adjustment effort is reduced, especially when changing the bottles to be transported.
[0008] As with a grip change known from the prior art, the first star wheel and second star wheel are directly adjacent to each other at the tangential point for transferring the container. However, according to the invention, an intermediate support is provided so that the container to be transferred can initially detach from the first gripper during transfer and then subsequently be gripped by the second gripper, in particular at the same or approximately the same height. The intermediate support allows the grippers or the respective gripper elements to be guided at the same height or with an overlap in a vertical direction without collision.
[0009] The intermediate support is provided only over a comparatively short angular range, which, on the one hand, allows sufficient distance between the first gripper and the second gripper, and, on the other hand, allows the second gripper to move to pick up the container at the gripping position. The second gripper is designed as an active gripper with movable gripper elements. The gripper elements are movable in such a way that the container can be fed by the first gripper without collision. After the intermediate support, the container is then picked up by the second gripper through the active gripping movement of the gripper elements.
[0010] 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.
[0011] For this purpose, the gripper elements of the second gripper can initially be opened so wide that, in a top 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 subsequently moves away from the container during the intermediate support, the container can then be grasped and picked up by a simple gripping or closing movement of the gripper elements.
[0012] 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. In this case, the gripper elements of the second gripper can be arranged at the tangential point in a first, radially retracted radial position, wherein the gripper elements are moved radially outward during rotation from the tangential point to the gripping position and preferably perform at least one closing movement in addition to the radial movement relative to one another during rotation from the tangential point to the gripping position.
[0013] Particularly when the first and second grippers grip 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 not limited, however.
[0014] To clarify the invention, the transfer of a container is explained in the method according to the invention. It is understood that during operation of a container handling machine, containers are continuously transferred in the manner described.
[0015] Furthermore, it will be clear to the person skilled in the art that the first star wheel and the second star wheel each have a plurality of first grippers and second grippers, respectively, at a typically constant pitch. In a typical process, the first star wheel and the second star wheel rotate synchronously with each other such that continuously successive first grippers and second grippers are brought together at the tangential point to continuously transport the containers.
[0016] The invention thus particularly allows gripping of the container when the grippers are already separated from each other. This prevents collisions between the grippers. Furthermore, under-to-under-neck or over-to-over-neck handling of the container is possible. In other words, the container can be positioned under-neck by the first gripper and gripped under-neck by the second gripper, e.g., below a bottle retaining ring, or positioned over-neck by the first gripper and gripped over-neck by the second gripper, e.g., above a bottle retaining ring.
[0017] The first starwheel and / or the second starwheel are used, for example, for transferring containers to be treated to a container handling machine and / or for dispensing treated containers from a container handling machine. The first and / or the second starwheel can, for example, be part of the container handling machine, or the container handling machine can have the first and / or the second starwheel. The gripping position is the position in which the second gripper grips the container.
[0018] The rotation of the first star wheel and the second star wheel is usually synchronized.
[0019] The first gripper can be a passive gripper or an active gripper.
[0020] When gripping the container, the gripper elements of the second gripper are closed to form a holding receptacle for holding the container.
[0021] The container can be a bottle or bottle-shaped, for example a PET bottle.
[0022] During provision, 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 during gripping. During provision, 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 during gripping. This can result in advantageous handling of the container and low-friction gripping of the container. However, the present invention can also comprise, 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.
[0023] 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 tangential point in the radial direction of the first star wheel and the second star wheel. The radial alignment can facilitate the transfer of the container to the second gripper and the release of the container from the first gripper. The first gripper can be suitably arranged or fastened to the first star wheel and the second gripper to the second star wheel. It can be provided that 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.
[0024] As partially explained above, the gripper elements of the second gripper can be opened at least partially when moving radially in the radial direction of the second star wheel. The gripper elements can be opened at the tangential point.
[0025] The gripper elements of the second gripper can be opened at least partially when rotating from the second position to the tangential point, and closed at least partially when rotating from the tangential point to 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.
[0026] The first gripper can be or become at least partially enclosed by the second gripper at the tangential point in a plan 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 come into contact at the tangential point. The first gripper can be or become at least partially enclosed by the second gripper at least in a plane in which the tangential point and the gripping position lie. With 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 can be sufficient if the gripper elements of the second gripper are opened wide enough, starting from a simple gripping movement, for the first gripper or second gripper toa front end of the first gripper can be inserted between the gripper elements of the second gripper in the manner described by the rotation of the star wheels.
[0027] In some embodiments, the gripper elements of the second gripper can be moved behind the tangential point when the second star wheel rotates such that the first gripper and the second gripper do not contact each other when the first star wheel rotates beyond the tangential point into the transfer position and the second star wheel rotates beyond the tangential point into the gripping position. The gripper elements of the second gripper can be moved behind the tangential point such that the first gripper and the second gripper do not contact each other when the first gripper rotates beyond the tangential point into the transfer position and the second gripper rotates beyond the tangential point into the gripping position.By moving the gripper elements in the radial direction and / or closing the gripper elements behind the tangential point, gripping of the container behind the tangential point can be enabled without the first gripper and second gripper touching each other. In the direction of rotation of the first star wheel behind the tangential 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 the gripper elements of the second gripper moving in the radial direction of the second star wheel.
[0028] The gripper elements of the second gripper can be retracted radially inward in the second position, counter to the radial direction of the second star wheel, and can be telescoped radially outward in the radial direction upon rotation from the second position to the tangential point and / or from the tangential point to the gripping position. This ensures that the first gripper and second gripper do not contact each other before the tangential point in the direction of rotation of the first star wheel and / or the second star wheel.
[0029] Between the first star wheel and the second star wheel, in particular a transfer curve can be arranged 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 tangential point, the container can be guided in the direction of rotation of the second star wheel on the transfer curve between the tangential point and the gripping position. When guiding the container, the transfer curve can release the container from the first gripper. When guiding the container, the transfer curve can release the container from the first gripper between the tangential point and the gripping position. When moving the gripper elements of the second gripper, the gripper elements can be moved continuously 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. Furthermore, the second gripper can grip the container securely.
[0030] 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, wherein the first star wheel and the second star wheel have a common tangential point, wherein the second gripper is an active gripper with movable gripper elements, wherein a transfer curve is arranged between the first star wheel and the second star wheel, wherein the transfer curve comprises an arcuate contour with an angle of less than 45°, preferably less than 30°, and is designed for intermediate support during a transfer of a container from the first gripper to the second gripper.The transfer curve guides the containers in an arc around the second star wheel after the tangent point, allowing the containers to be released and removed from the respective first gripper in the manner described above and then picked up by the respective second gripper. The specified angle over which the transfer curve extends is to be determined accordingly from the rotational axis of the second star wheel.
[0031] One end of the curved contour can be located at or near the tangent point. The short transition curve can prevent or at least reduce abrasion of the container when passing through the transition curve.
[0032] 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. The contacting section allows the container to be gripped and / or held securely and with low friction by the second gripper. 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.
[0033] In the second position, the gripper elements of the second gripper can be retracted behind the contact section, counter to the radial direction of the second star wheel. This can prevent contact between the first gripper and the second gripper during rotation to the tangential point.
[0034] The first gripper and the second gripper can be aligned with each other at the tangential point in the radial direction of the first star wheel and the second star wheel.
[0035] Further preferred design features of the arrangement also emerge from the explanations of the method according to the invention.
[0036] The invention is further explained with reference to the following figures. They show:
[0037] Fig. 1 : an arrangement of two star wheels and two grippers at the tangential point, as known from the prior art;
[0038] 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;
[0039] Fig. 3: the arrangement according to the invention of Fig. 2, with the grippers behind the tangential point; Fig. 4: a schematic representation of an arrangement according to the invention in a top view;
[0040] Fig. 5: a schematic representation corresponding to Fig. 4 for an alternative embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention.
[0041] 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' are not movable in the radial direction R and do not perform any 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, e.g., shown only in Figure 1, held by the first gripper 4 isa bottle, is pressed against the transfer curve 7 while rotating in the direction of rotation D of the first star wheel 2, so that the container B deflects the gripper elements 10 against the spring force of the spring element 12 and the container B is pressed out of 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 the lower illustration in Figure 1, 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, e.g. under a retaining ring of a bottle, and is gripped by the support element 5' above the neck, e.g. above the retaining ring.
[0042] 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 hold a container B (not shown in Figure 2), e.g. a bottle, in a holding receptacle 15. The first gripper 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 can be telescopically moved and / or moved. Gripper elements 9 of an active gripper 5 and / or of the second gripper 5 can be or become opened and / or closed at least in sections during telescoping in the radial direction R. The gripper elements 9 and / or the second gripper 5 can be telescopically moved and / or moved by a drive 13.A spring element 11 can exert a restoring force on the gripper elements 9 and preload them into a closed position. Spring element 12 can preload the first gripper 4 or its gripper elements 10 into a closed position.
[0043] The first gripper 4 can be or become pivoted from a first position, which lies in front of the tangential point 1 in the direction of rotation D of the first star wheel 2, into the tangential point 1. The second gripper 5 can be or become pivoted from a second position, which lies in front of the tangential point 1 in the direction of rotation D of the second star wheel 3, into the tangential point. The first gripper 4 and the second gripper 5 can be closest to each other at the tangential point 1. The first gripper 4 and the second gripper 5 can be or become pivoted, and / or the first star wheel 2 and the second star wheel 3 can be or become rotated in the direction of rotation D, such that at the tangential point 1, the first gripper 4 and the second gripper 5 are or can be aligned with each other in the radial direction R, see Fig. 2.
[0044] At the tangential point 1, the second gripper 5 can be and / or become open such that it can at least partially enclose the first gripper 4. The gripper elements 9 of the second gripper 5 can be or become open such 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 be opened simply enough by a simple opening movement that the gripping elements 10 of the first gripper 4 can pivot into a formed free space during rotation. The gripper elements 9 of the second gripper 5 and the gripper elements 10 of the first gripper 4 can be at the same height, or at least substantially at the same height.By enclosing the first gripper 4 by the second gripper 5, a collision of the first gripper can occur.
[0045] 4 with the second gripper 5 can be or will be avoided, in particular at the tangential point 1 .
[0046] In the second position, the gripper elements and / or the second gripper
[0047] 5 be or will be retracted counter to 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 in the radial direction R of the second star wheel 3 compared to the second position. When the first gripper 4 is pivoted from the first position to the tangential point 1, the first gripper 4 approaches the second star wheel 3. When pivoting from the second position to the tangential point 1, the second gripper 5 and / or its gripper elements 9 can be or will 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.It can be provided that the second gripper 5 and / or gripper elements 9 can be or become opened when pivoting from the second position into the tangential point 1 and when the second gripper 5 and / or its gripper elements 9 are moved in the radial direction R of the second star wheel 3 in such a way that at the tangential point 1 the first gripper 4 and / or gripper elements 10 of the first gripper 4 are or become at least partially enclosed by the second gripper 5 and / or gripper elements 9 of the second gripper 10.
[0048] The second gripper 5 can have a contacting section 8. The contacting section 8 can be arranged such that, at the tangential point 1, it can contact a container B held by the first gripper 4 in the holding receptacle 15. The contacting section 8 can be arranged substantially between the gripper elements 9 of the second gripper 5. In the second position, the gripper elements 9 of the second gripper 5 can be retracted behind the contacting section 8.
[0049] Figure 3 shows the arrangement according to the invention shown in Figure 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 Figure 2. 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 Figure 3. When the second gripper 5 is pivoted from the tangential point 1 into the gripping position 6, the first gripper 5 and / or its gripper elements 9 can be or become moved or telescopic further in the radial direction R. When the first star wheel 2 rotates and / or the first gripper 4 is pivoted between the tangential point 1 and the transfer position 16 of the first gripper 4 and / or the second gripper 5, a container B, e.g. a bottle (not shown in Figure 3), held by the first gripper 4 in the holding receptacle 15 can be or become released from the holding receptacle 15.For example, the container can be guided by a transfer curve 7 such that the container is released from the first gripper 4 between tangential point 1 and gripping position 6. The transfer curve 7 can have a contour for contacting and / or guiding the container B. The contour can be arcuate, e.g., circular. One end of the transfer curve 7 can be arranged at or near the tangential point 1.
[0050] When the second gripper 5 is moved and / or telescoped 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 the gripping elements 9 of the second gripper 5 are closed, the container B can be gripped and / or received in the holding receptacle 14. Gripper elements 9 and / or the second gripper 5 can be moved or telescoped in such a way that the second gripper 5 does not contact the first gripper 4, which is rotated away from the second star wheel 3 and / or the transfer curve upon rotation of the first star wheel 2. It can be provided that the container is or will be 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 by the gripping elements 9 or the second gripper 5 can result. Since the container is or can be held securely in the holding receptacle 14 of the second gripper 5, the transfer curve 7 can be short. For example, the transfer curve 7 and / or the contour of the transfer curve 5 can comprise an angle of less than 45°. In some embodiments, the angle can be less than 30°. The shortened transfer curve 7 can reduce wear and tear on the container due to contact with the transfer curve 7.
[0051] As is particularly evident from the combination of Figures 2 and 3, the invention enables a transfer of a container between star wheels 2, 3, in which the container can be held and gripped by the respective grippers 4, 5 at the same gripping position, e.g. over-neck or under-neck.
[0052] Figures 4 and 5 show concrete examples of the generally described movement possibilities of the active second gripper 5.
[0053] Firstly, it is shown that the star wheels 2, 3, each shown in a section, each have a plurality of first grippers 4 and second grippers 5, which are distributed at a uniform pitch around the circumference. The pitch shown is only an example. The successive grippers 4, 5 can, if necessary, also be spaced closer together. In the embodiment of Figure 4, the gripper elements 9 of the active second gripper 5 each perform only one pivoting movement, wherein the gripper elements 9 of the active second gripper 5 are opened so wide when approaching the tangential point 1 that the gripper elements 10 of the first gripper 4 can pivot in between the gripper elements 9 of the active second gripper 5 due to the synchronous rotation of the two star wheels 2, 3 without coming into contact.
[0054] In the area of the tangential point 1, the containers B are then still held by the respectively assigned first gripper 4, whereby the containers B are then also placed on the one hand on the transfer curve 7 and are guided opposite the transfer curve 7 by the contact section 8 of the second gripper 5.
[0055] During further rotation of the star wheels 2, 3, the containers B are then temporarily supported between the transfer curve 7 and the contact section 8, wherein the container B is released from the gripper elements 10 of the first gripper 4 during the temporary support, wherein the gripper elements 10 of the first gripper 4 move away from the container B. The containers B are then picked up by the gripper elements 9 of the active second grippers 5 during the temporary support and are then carried at the end of the transfer curve 7 by the respectively assigned second gripper 5. The closing movement of the gripper elements 9 of the active second grippers 5 shown in Figure 4 can be effected, for example, by a cam control.
[0056] In the embodiment of Figure 5, a transfer of the containers B from the first grippers 4 to the second grippers 5 with an intermediate support is also provided. However, the gripper elements 9 of the active second grippers 5 also perform a movement in the radial direction R of the second star wheel 3. In order to avoid colliding 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 of the active second grippers 5 are displaced back in the radial direction R at the tangential point 1. Due to the intermediate support also described in connection with Figure 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 by way of example. The gripper elements 9 of the active second grippers
[0057] 5 are moved outward along the radial direction R and also perform a closing movement. Such a movement can also be achieved, for example, by a suitable cam control.
[0058] The features disclosed in the claims, the description and the figures may be essential for the realization of the invention, individually or in any combination.
[0059] List of reference symbols
[0060] 1 tangent point
[0061] 2 first star wheel
[0062] 3 second star wheel
[0063] 4 first gripper
[0064] 5 second gripper
[0065] 5' support element
[0066] 6 Gripping position
[0067] 7 Transition curve
[0068] 8 Contact section
[0069] 9 Gripper element
[0070] 10 gripper element
[0071] 11 Spring element
[0072] 12 spring element
[0073] 13 Drive
[0074] 14 Holding bracket
[0075] 15 Holding fixture
[0076] 16 Transfer position
[0077] R Radial direction
[0078] D Direction of rotation
[0079] B container
Claims
Claims Method for transferring a container from a first star wheel (2) to a second star wheel (3) behind a common tangent point (1) of the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (3), wherein the first star wheel (2) has a first gripper (4) and the second star wheel (3) has a second gripper (5), wherein at least the second gripper (5) is designed as an active gripper with movable gripper elements (9), comprising the following steps: - Positioning a container with the first gripper (4) in a first position in front of the tangent 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 transition curve (7); - Rotating the second gripper (5) into a gripping position (6) behind the tangent point (1) while rotating the second star wheel (3) from a second position in front of the tangent 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 is guided from the tangent point (1) in the direction of rotation of the second star wheel (3) along the transition curve (7) arranged between the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (3) and extending in the direction of rotation of the second star wheel (3), wherein the transition curve (7) releases the container from the first gripper (4) when guiding the container. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container is held over-neck by the first gripper (4) when being provided and the container is gripped over-neck by the second gripper (5) when being gripped, or wherein the container is held under-neck by the first gripper (4) when being provided The container is held at the neck and is gripped under the neck by the second gripper (5). A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first star wheel (2) is rotated from the first position and the second star wheel (3) is rotated from the second position such that the first gripper (4) and the second gripper (5) are aligned with each other at the point of tangency (1) in the radial direction (R) of the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (4), preferably wherein the first gripper (4) and the second gripper (5) are diametrically opposed to each other at the point of tangency (1) in the radial direction (R) of the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (3). A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a front end of the first gripper (4) at the point of tangency (1) is at least partially enclosed by the movable gripper elements (9) of the second gripper (5) in a top view.A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gripper elements (9, 10) of the second gripper (5) are movable in the radial direction (R) of the second star wheel (3). A method according to claim 6, wherein the gripper elements (9) of the second gripper (5) are arranged at the tangential point (1) in a first, radially retracted radial position, wherein the gripper elements (9) are moved radially outward when rotating from the tangential point (1) to the gripping position (6). A method according to claim 7, wherein the gripper elements (9) of the second gripper (5) perform at least one shooting movement in addition to the radial movement relative to each other when rotating from the tangential point (1) to the gripping position (6).
9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein 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) have a common tangent point (1), wherein the second gripper (5) is an active gripper with movable gripper elements (9), wherein a transition curve (7) is arranged between the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (3), wherein the transition curve (7) comprises an arc-shaped contour with an angle of less than 45°, preferably less than 30°, and is designed for intermediate support during the transfer of a container from the first gripper (4) to the second gripper (5).
11. Arrangement according to claim 10, wherein one end of the arc-shaped contour is arranged at or near the point of tangency (1 ).
12. Arrangement according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second gripper (5) has a contacting section (8) arranged such that the contacting section (8) contacts the container provided by the first gripper (4) at the tangential point (1).
13. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first gripper (4) and the second gripper (5) are aligned to each other at the tangential point (1) in the radial direction (R) of the first star wheel (2) and the second star wheel (3).