Active gripper for a star wheel, and method for transferring a container using an active gripper

Abstract

The invention relates to an active gripper (1) for a star wheel of a container handling machine, wherein: the active gripper (1) has two gripper elements (2) which can be transferred from a first position into a second position and vice versa; in the second position, the gripper elements (2) are in a closed position and form a holding receptacle; in the first position, the gripper elements (2) are retracted relative to the second position; the active gripper (1) has a gripper element actuating unit (8) which is designed to at least partially close the gripper elements (2) during the transfer between the first position and the second position; and preferably the gripper element actuating unit (8) is designed to at least partially open the gripper elements (2) during transfer between the second position and the first position. The invention also relates to a method for transferring a container using an active gripper.

Description

[0001] Active gripper for a star wheel and method for transferring a container with an active gripper

[0002] The invention relates to an active gripper for a star wheel of a container handling machine, as well as a method for transferring a container with an active gripper.

[0003] Grippers attached to star wheels are used, for example, to transport containers such as bottles, for example, when feeding bottles for treatment to a container treatment machine, or when removing treated bottles. A container often has to be transferred from a gripper on one star wheel to a gripper on a second star wheel, for example, when transferring to or from a gripper on one star wheel to the gripper on another star wheel. A problem with this is that the two grippers can collide with each other during the transfer, for example, at the tangential point of the star wheels.

[0004] 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 removed or gripped by the second gripper at a second point. The containers are not held and guided in the guide arch by the grippers, but are pushed by subsequent containers, resulting 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 adjusted and manufactured precisely and accurately, and is therefore expensive and complex to manufacture. In addition, the ring production must be precisely positioned during assembly. The ring guide also causes abrasion of the containers, e.g. in the case of PET bottles. A feed system of this type is known from US 10,407,289 B2. A star wheel with guide rails is known from EP 1 448 465 B1.Other known solutions alternatively or additionally provide active grippers for collision avoidance, which are actively height-adjustable. The first gripper, which provides the container, can hold the container above the neck, e.g., over a bottle's retaining ring, while the second gripper grips the container below the neck, e.g., under the bottle's retaining ring. 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 must be coordinated not only in terms of the direction of rotation of the star wheels, but also with regard to 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.

[0005] It is therefore an 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, which enables or will enable a collision-free and easier-to-synchronize container transfer. 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.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention relates to an active gripper for a star wheel, wherein the active gripper has two gripper elements that can be transferred 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, wherein the active gripper has a gripper element actuating unit that is configured to at least partially close the gripper elements during transfer between the first and second positions. In the first position, the gripper elements can be retracted 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, for example, be a star wheel of a container treatment machine.

[0007] Because the active gripper has gripper elements that can be transferred between the first and the second position, it can be avoided that the active gripper and the gripper providing the container come into contact with each other. When the container is being provided by the gripper providing the container, the active gripper can be retracted into the first position, e.g. moved, shifted or telescoped out of a potential collision area. The gripper providing the container can, for example, transfer the container into a guide curve 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, e.g. behind the tangent point of the star wheels or the gripper.Because the grippers are spaced apart, the active gripper can grasp the container without the risk of collision with the other gripper. If a guide arch is provided, it can be significantly shorter than with conventional solutions, thus avoiding or at least reducing the disadvantages of long guide arches.

[0008] By closing the gripper elements during telescoping, shifting, or transferring the active gripper, the container is not subjected to transverse stress during gripping. This reduces friction, which can lead to wear, especially with PET bottles. Furthermore, movement during gripping is reduced, which can result in better handling of the container, e.g., a bottle.

[0009] The star wheel can be or comprise a sliding star wheel. The container can be or comprise a bottle. The gripper element actuation unit can be configured to open the gripper elements at least partially during transfer between the second and first positions.

[0010] The gripper element actuating unit can be configured to at least partially close the gripper elements during transfer from the second position to the first position. In some embodiments, the gripper elements can be in a second closed position in the first position. It can be provided that the gripper element actuating unit can be configured to at least partially close the gripper elements during transfer between the second and first position. The gripper elements can be closed in the second closed position. This can reduce the space required by the gripper elements 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 may be larger at the second position than at the first position, so that the distance between adjacent gripper elements is smaller when they are each in the first position.

[0011] 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 configured to displace the gripper elements linearly, e.g., in or against the radial direction. If the gripper elements are displaced linearly, an opening or closing movement of the gripper elements can be superimposed on the linear displacement, for example.

[0012] The displacement unit can have a linear guide and a gripper element carrier, preferably a carriage, that can be moved relative to the linear guide. The gripper elements can be attached to the gripper element carrier, and the carriage can be moved between the first position and the second position. The linear guide can have or be a rail. The carriage and rail can enable secure guidance of the gripper element carrier. The carriage and / or the rail can ensure and / or be designed such that the carriage can slide on the guide with low friction. This can enable the smoothest and most jerk-free transfer between the first and second positions.

[0013] The gripper element actuation unit can have a spring element, wherein the gripper elements can be preloaded into the closed position by the spring element in the second position. In the first position, the gripper elements can be preloaded 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 secure holding of the container in the holding receptacle, and can prevent or at least reduce unintentional opening of the gripper elements and thus unintentional release of the container from the holding receptacle.

[0014] The spring element can be or comprise a tension spring and / or a compression spring and / or a leg spring. The tension spring can be configured 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 configured 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 can comprise more than one spring element. In some embodiments, the active gripper can comprise a tension spring and a compression spring. In some embodiments, the active gripper can comprise at least one or more than one tension spring and / or at least one or more than one compression spring.The leg spring can be configured to exert a compressive or tensile force on the gripper elements, whereby, in particular, a suitable preload can also be provided. Depending on the design, the leg spring enables space savings. In principle, multiple leg springs or a combination of at least one leg spring with at least one tension spring and / or at least one compression spring can be provided.

[0015] 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 comprise a compression spring. The remote end can be a rear end of the gripper elements and / or of the active gripper. If the gripper is connected to a star wheel, the remote end can face the star wheel. Alternatively or additionally, the spring element can be arranged substantially centrally of the gripper elements. In this case, the spring element can be or comprise a tension spring. “Substantially centrally” can mean that the spring element can be arranged substantially centrally between the holding receptacle and one or the end of the gripper elements facing away from the holding receptacle. “Substantially centrally” can mean that the spring element can be arranged between the holding receptacle and the remote end of the gripper elements.

[0016] 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 that can be guided along the guide element in contact with it during transfer from the first position to the second position and / or vice versa and / or can roll along the guide element. This allows the gripper elements to be opened and / or closed easily. Furthermore, the opening and / or closing of the gripper elements can be predetermined or defined based on the shape of the guide contour and the position of the gripper elements and / or the gripper element carrier along the transfer direction.

[0017] 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 behind the guide element when the gripper elements are in the second position.

[0018] The active gripper can have a blocking element. The blocking element can be configured to prevent the gripper elements from opening in the second position. Alternatively or additionally, the blocking element can be configured to at least counteract opening. The blocking element can reduce the risk of a container being accidentally released from the holding receptacle. In the second position, the blocking element can further reinforce a holding force exerted by the spring element for holding a container in the holding receptacle or be superimposed on such a holding force.

[0019] If the gripper elements are transferred from the second position to the first position and / or if 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.

[0020] It may be provided that the active gripper may have more than one blocking element. In some embodiments, one blocking element may be provided for each gripper element. The blocking element may be configured to prevent, reduce, and / or at least impede rotation of a corresponding gripper element about a rotation axis when the gripper elements are in the second position.

[0021] 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 return force to the first position can be at least reduced when the gripper elements are in the second position. For this purpose, for example, the pitch of the blocking element or the guide contour can be suitably designed, or the blocking element or the guide contour can have a suitable pitch.

[0022] 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 configured to block an opening movement of the gripper elements in the second position. For example, in the second position, the guide element can be received in the blocking receptacle so that rotation of the gripper elements, e.g., about one of their rotation axes, is blocked. In the second position, the guide element can be positively received in the blocking receptacle.

[0023] The guide contour can have a first valley, a second valley, and a crest. The crest 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 during transfer between the first and second positions.

[0024] 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 embodiments, the blocking receptacle can correspond to the second valley and / or the second valley can be or include the blocking receptacle.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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 crest 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 comprise a tension spring. The spring element can comprise a compression spring.

[0027] 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 ridge 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 ridge of the guide contour relative to the second valley. The spring element can comprise a compression spring.

[0028] By engaging the guide element in the guide contour, or in the first valley and / or the second valley, in some designs only a single spring element may be required, for example, to ensure secure holding of a container. 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 be prevented or at least reduced, so that, for example, a container held in the holding receptacle can be securely held.

[0029] 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 ensure, for example, that the container is pre-positioned when gripping, so that the container can be gripped and / or held with low friction. Furthermore, relative movements of the container during gripping can be prevented or at least reduced, and the container can be gripped more effectively and securely.

[0030] 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, for example, have a roller. In some embodiments, the drive can have a push rod. The drive can synchronize the gripper, e.g., during or at the time of transfer of a container. The drive can actuate the gripper depending on the angle of rotation of the star wheel, e.g., the gripper elements can be moved, closed, and / or opened.

[0031] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for transferring a container with an active gripper as described above, comprising the following steps:

[0032] - Providing the container in a transfer position;

[0033] - Providing the active gripper in the first position, wherein the gripper elements of the active gripper are in the closed position in the first position;

[0034] - transferring the gripper elements from the first position to the second position, wherein the gripper elements are telescoped or displaced, wherein at least one, preferably both, of the gripper elements of the active gripper are closed at least in sections during the transfer;

[0035] - Gripping the container with the active gripper in the second position, wherein the gripper elements of the active gripper are in the closed position in the second position, so that the container is held by the gripper elements.

[0036] The container can be provided by a passive gripper or an active gripper.

[0037] At least one of the gripper elements can have a curved contour with a first valley, a second valley, and a crest. The curved contour can be guided along a guide element of the active gripper in contact with the active gripper during transfer from the first position to the second position, so that the gripper elements can be opened at least partially during transfer. The curved contour can be or have the guide contour.

[0038] The gripper elements can be pre-tensioned into the closed position in the first position and / or the second position.

[0039] 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 such opening. This can enable or enable a secure gripping of the container or a secure hold of the container in the holding receptacle.

[0040] During provision, the container can be provided by a second gripper over the neck, and the active gripper can grip the container in the second position over the neck during gripping. During provision, the container can be provided by a second gripper under the neck, and the active gripper can grip the container in the second position under the neck during gripping.

[0041] The gripper elements of the active gripper can be opened during transfer from the first to the second position such that they can at least partially enclose the second gripper. The invention is further explained with reference to the following figures. They show:

[0042] Figure 1: an exemplary embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention in two perspective views;

[0043] Figure 2: 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;

[0044] Figure 3: the embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention shown in Figure 2 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;

[0045] Figure 4: the embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention shown in Figures 2 and 3 in the second position in two perspective views and a top view, a side view and one from below;

[0046] Figure 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;

[0047] Figure 6: the embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention shown in Figure 5 in a position between the first position and the second position in two perspective views and a top view, a side view, and a bottom view; Figure 7: the embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6 in the second position in two perspective views and a top view, a side view, and a bottom view;

[0048] Figure 8: yet another exemplary embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention in the first position in a sectional view and a perspective view;

[0049] Figure 9: the embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention shown in Figure 8 in the second position in a sectional view and a perspective view; and

[0050] Fig. 10 an active gripper attached to a star wheel in the first position (Fig. 10 above) and the second position (Fig. 10 below)

[0051] Fig. 11 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention with a blocking element;

[0052] Fig. 12 exemplary guide sections for embodiments of active grippers according to the invention; and

[0053] Fig. 13 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of an active gripper according to the invention.

[0054] Figures 1 to 9 show exemplary embodiments of an active gripper 1 according to the invention. The active gripper 1 has two gripper elements 2.

[0055] The gripper elements 2 of the active gripper 1 can be transferred 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, e.g. a bottle, can be received in the holding receptacle 7. The gripper elements 2 can hold or grip the container 21, e.g. 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 above a retaining ring of the bottle, so that the bottle is held by the gripper elements 2 or the active gripper

[0056] 1 can be held or gripped via the neck. It can also be provided that the gripper elements 2 can grip or hold the bottle under the retaining ring, so that the bottle can be gripped by the gripper elements

[0057] 2 or the active gripper 1 can be held or gripped under neck.

[0058] The active gripper 1 can be or become connected to a star wheel 100 not shown in Figures 1 to 9. 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-fitting 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, for example, be or have a blind hole or a through-bore, 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.

[0059] In the first position 3, the gripper elements 2 are retracted relative to the second position 4. If the active gripper 1 is fastened to a star wheel 100, for example, the gripper elements 2 can be retracted in the first position 3 radially in the direction of a rotational axis of the star wheel 100, or radially to the rotational axis 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 open in the first position 3.

[0060] The gripper elements 2 can be transferred between the first position 3 and the second position 4. The gripper elements 2 can be movable and / or moved, e.g., linearly, between the first position 3 and the second position 4. 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 can be 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 or 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, e.g., 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.

[0061] 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, e.g. by or when the roller 20 rolls unwind, the gripping elements 2 are or will be moved between the first position 3 and the second position 4. Alternatively or additionally, the drive 19 can have a push rod, so that when the push rod is moved, the gripping elements 2 are or will be moved between the first position 3 and the second position 4. The drive 19 can be coupled to the displacement unit 9, for example, mechanically. For the coupling, the drive can, for example, have a suitable gear mechanism, a transmission or the like, and / or the drive 19 can be coupled to the displacement unit 9 via a suitable gear mechanism, transmission or the like.

[0062] At least one of the gripper elements 2 can be rotatably mounted. Preferably, both gripper elements 2 or at least two of the gripper elements 2 of the active gripper 1 can be rotatably mounted. The gripper elements 2 can be or become opened from a closed position 5 and / or a second closed position 6, in which the active gripper 1 can be closed. Opened gripper elements 2 can be or become closed, i.e., brought into the closed position 5 and / or the second closed position 6, e.g., by pivoting the rotatably mounted gripper element 2.

[0063] When the gripping elements 2 are transferred 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 configured for this purpose. “Closed at least in sections” can mean in particular that the gripper elements 2 are or become 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 the transfer such that in the second position 4 they are in the closed position 5 and form the holding receptacle 7. The active gripper 1 can therefore, for example, grip a container 21, e.g. a bottle, and / or hold it in the holding receptacle 7.

[0064] The active gripper 1 can have a contacting section 18. The contacting section 18 can be arranged such that it can guide and / or contact a container 21 to be gripped, e.g., 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.

[0065] The gripper element actuating unit 8 can be configured so that the gripper elements 2 are or become at least partially open during transfer from the second position 4 to the first position 3, or during retraction of the gripper elements 2. By opening the gripper elements 2, a container 21 gripped and / or held by the active gripper 1, e.g. a bottle, can be or become released from the active gripper 1. “At least partially open” can mean in particular that the gripper elements 2 are or become open at certain points or sections along the transfer from the second position 4 to the first position 3. The gripper elements 2 can be or become opened, for example, by pivoting the rotatably mounted gripper element 2.

[0066] The gripper element actuation unit 8 can have a spring element 12. The spring element 12 can preload the gripper elements 2 in the second position 4 into the closed position 5. The spring element 12 can preload 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, a compression spring, or a leg spring. In some embodiments, the gripper element actuation unit 8 can have more than one spring element 12.

[0067] In some embodiments, the active gripper 1 and / or the gripper elements 2 can 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, compare, for example, Figures 1 to 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.

[0068] In some embodiments, the gripper element actuation unit 8 can comprise one or more guide elements 13. The guide element 13 can, for example, interact 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 transferring the gripper elements 2 between the first position 3 and the second position 4.

[0069] Figure 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 integrally 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 region 24 and a second contacting region 25. The first contacting region 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 arranged substantially perpendicularly 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.

[0070] The gripper elements 2 can be or can be moved between a first position 3 and a second position 4 relative to the base body 23. 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. A drive 19, which can have a roller 20 as shown in Figure 1, can be mechanically coupled to the displacement unit 9 and / or the carriage 11. The carriage 11 can thus be or can be moved along the linear guide 10 by the drive 19. One or more gripper elements 2 can be connected to the carriage 11. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, 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 pivoted about a rotation axis X relative to the carriage 11. If several gripper elements 2 are pivotable, they can be pivoted about respective rotation axes X.

[0071] The active gripper 1 has a gripper element actuation unit 8. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the gripper element actuation unit 8 can 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 such that they can each contact one of the gripper elements 2.

[0072] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, 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 has 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 contact. The guide contour 13 can, for example, be wave-shaped. The guide contour 13 can, for example, as shown in Figure 1, 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 become 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 contact the guide contour 13 in the first valley 15 or the first valley 15, see, for example, Fig. 1. The gripper elements 2 can be in the first position 3 and / or retracted. For example, if, 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, the gripper element 2 can be pivoted by guiding the comb 16 along the guide element 13 in such a way that the gripper elements 2 and / or the active gripper 1 can be opened, at least in the region of the comb 16. In some embodiments, such asAs shown in Figure 1, upon further displacement of the carriage 11 in the direction of the second position 4, the gripper element 2, due to the contact of the guide element 13 with the guide contour 14, can pivot the gripper element 2 or active gripper 1 back again at least in an area in the sliding direction behind the comb 16 and be closed. If the carriage 11 or the gripper elements 2 are transferred or moved into 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 first valley 15 or the first valley 15, so that the gripper elements 2 can be in the closed position 5. The spring element 12 can be or have a tension spring that 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 preload the gripper element 2 into the first closed position 5 and / or the second closed position 6.

[0073] The spring element 12 can be arranged substantially on or near the comb 17. In some embodiments, the spring element 12 can be arranged substantially centrally of the gripper elements 2. Figures 2 to 4 show a further exemplary embodiment of an active gripper 1 according to the invention, wherein the gripper elements 2 are in the first position 3 in Figure 2, between the first position 3 and the second position 4 in Figure 3, and in the second position 4 in Figure 4. The embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4 can have some or more features of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and / or described above, so that detailed repetition is omitted.

[0074] It can be provided that, unlike the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the linear guide 10 of the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4 cannot be formed by the base body 23. The linear guide 10 of the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4 can have a rail that can be connected to the base body 23. The carriage 11 can slide along the rail and / or be guided.

[0075] In Figure 2, the gripping elements 2 are in the first position 3. The gripper elements 2 can be in the second closed position 6. In some embodiments not shown, however, 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 comprise 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 preload them into the second closed position 6.

[0076] 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, Fig. 1 or 2.

[0077] In Figure 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 shown in Figure 3, the guide element 13 can contact the comb 17 of the guide contour 13, so that the gripper element 2 can be wasted, so that the active gripper 1 and / or gripper elements 2 can be opened.

[0078] In Figure 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 transferred into the second position 4 relative to the first position 3. 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 pretensioned into the closed position 5.

[0079] 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, see, for example, Fig. 4.

[0080] 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.

[0081] In some embodiments, as shown, for example, in Figure 1 and Figures 2 to 4, the spring element 12 can be arranged such 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, as shown, for example, in Figure 1 and Figures 2 to 4, the drive 19 and / or the roller 20 can be arranged at an end of the active gripper 1 opposite the holding receptacle 7. Figures 5 to 7 show yet another exemplary embodiment of an active gripper 1 according to the invention, the gripper elements 2 being in the first position 3 in Figure 5, between the first position 3 and the second position 4 in Figure 6, and in the second position 4 in Figure 7.The embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 7 may have some or more features of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and / or 2 to 4 and / or described above, so that detailed repetition is omitted.

[0082] The linear guide 10 of the embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 7 can, as in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4, have a rail that can be connected to the base body 23. The carriage 11 can slide and / or be guided along the rail.

[0083] In Figure 5, the gripping elements 2 are in the first position 3. The gripper elements 2 can be in the second closed position 6. In some embodiments not shown, however, 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, Fig. 5. The spring element 12 can be or comprise a compression spring, so that in the first position 3, the spring element 12 can exert a force on the gripper elements 2 and preload them into the second closed position 6. The compression spring can press the gripper element 2 against the guide element 13.

[0084] In some embodiments, the spring element 12 can be arranged at 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 can be arranged 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, Fig. 5.

[0085] In Figure 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 shown in Figure 3, the guide element 13 can contact the comb 17 of the guide contour 13, so that the gripper element 2 can be wasted, so that the active gripper 1 and / or gripper elements 2 can be opened.

[0086] In Figure 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 transferred into the second position 4 relative to the first position 3. 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, see Fig. 7. The spring element 13 can be a compression spring that can exert a force on the gripper element 2, so that the gripper element 2 can be pretensioned into the closed position 5. The compression spring can press the gripper element 2 against the guide element 13.

[0087] 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, see, for example, Fig. 5.

[0088] If the carriage 11 or gripper elements 2 are moved from the second position 4 back into 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 region of the comb 17. In some embodiments, as shown, for example, in Figures 3 to 7, the spring element 12 can be arranged such that it can be arranged behind the guide element 13 opposite the transfer direction from the first position 3 to the second position 4. In some embodiments, as shown, for example, in Figures 3 to 7, 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.

[0089] Although the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 7 may have a guide contour 13 with a first valley 15, a second valley 16, and a crest 17, the guide contour 13 may also be selected or run differently. The guide contour 13 does not have to be wave-shaped. The shape of the guide contour 13 may be selected or become suitable, e.g., to define regions of the guide contour 13 in which the gripper elements 2 and / or the active gripper 1 are or will be opened and / or closed.

[0090] Yet another exemplary embodiment of an active gripper 1 is shown in Figures 8 and 9, wherein the active gripper 1 is in the first position 3 in Figure 8 and in the second position 4 in Figure 9. The embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9 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. During transfer, 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. 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 via an engagement section 27 in the linear guide 10. 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 in a manner that allows rotation about a rotation axis X.

[0091] 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. The guide element 13 and / or the 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 have a spring element 12 (not shown in Figure 8 or in the right-hand illustration of Figure 9), which can press the guide element 13 of the gripper element 2 onto the guide contour 14. The spring element 12 can be arranged on or near the guide element 13.

[0092] The guide contour 14 can be widened at an upstream end in the transfer direction between the first position 3 and the second position 4, in particular in regions in which the gripper elements 2 are in the second position 4, see, for example, Figure 9. The guide contour 14 can be widened at an opposite end 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, see, for example, Figure 8. The guide contour 14 can be slimmed or tapered between the ends. When the guide element 13 is guided along the guide contour 14 into the second position 4, and optionally into the first position 3, the gripper element can thus 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 located between the first position 3 and the second position 4, the guide element 13 can 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 become opened at least in sections.

[0093] 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.

[0094] By superimposing a linear guide and / or telescoping 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 grip containers provided by a second gripper 101 behind a tangential point of the grippers and / or a tangential 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 tangential point can lie or be arranged between the star wheels 100 on an (imaginary) connecting line of the rotational axes of the star wheels 100 or their centers.

[0095] 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 position the container above the neck, and the active gripper 1 can grip the container above the neck. Alternatively, the second gripper 101 can position the container below the neck, and the active gripper 1 can grip the container below the neck.

[0096] Figure 10 shows an active gripper 1 according to the invention fastened to a star wheel 100. The active gripper 1 can correspond to one of the embodiments described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. As shown in the upper illustration of Figure 10, the active gripper 1 and / or the gripper elements 5 can be retracted in the first position 3 in the radial direction R of the star wheel relative to the second position 4 (lower illustration of Figure 10). 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 shown in Figure 10, a second gripper 101 can be provided, which can be fastened to a second star wheel 100 in such a way that the active gripper 1 can be retracted in the radial direction R of the star wheel relative to the second position 4 (lower illustration of Figure 10).By rotating one or both star wheels 100, a container can be transferred to or taken from the second gripper 101. The second gripper 101 can be another active gripper 1, for example, corresponding to one of the embodiments described above. Alternatively, the second gripper 101 can be a passive gripper.

[0097] Figure 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 the gripper elements 2 from opening or at least counteract such an opening when the gripper elements 2 are in the second position 4. In addition to the force applied 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.

[0098] The active gripper 1 can have one or more blocking elements 29. In some embodiments, the active gripper 1 can have one blocking element 29 for each gripper element 2. For example, the active gripper 1 can have two blocking elements 29. One, several, or each gripper element 2 can be assigned a respective blocking element 29. The respective blocking element 29 can be configured to prevent or at least impede rotation of the gripper element 2 assigned to it about its rotation axis 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 comprise 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 |JH and / or |JG and / or a higher roughness depth R compared to the remaining guide contour 14.z and / or R a have.

[0099] 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.

[0100] The blocking receptacle 30 can be configured to receive the guide element 13, e.g., 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 received in the blocking receptacle 30, rotation of one or both gripper elements 2 about the rotation axis X can be prevented or at least made more difficult. In some embodiments, the blocking element 29 and / or the blocking receptacle 30 can correspond to and / or have the second valley 16.

[0101] The blocking element 29 and / or the 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, Figure 11). If the active gripper 1 is connected to a star wheel, the opposite end can face the star wheel. The blocking element 29 and / or the blocking receptacle 30 can be arranged essentially on or near the spring element 12.

[0102] 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 becomes released from the blocking receptacle 29. It can be provided that when the gripper elements 2 are transferred 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 can be or become opened at least in sections. In other words, it can be provided that one or more of the gripper elements 2 can rotate or pivot about the rotation axis X, at least in sections, when transferred from the second position 4 to the first position 3 and / or from the first position 3 to the second position 4. In this way, a container received in the holding receptacle 7 can be or become released from the active gripper 1, or if necessary, transferred, or a container can be gripped.

[0103] If the gripper elements 2 are in the first position 3, it can be provided that the guide element 13 is not received in the blocking receptacle 29.

[0104] Figure 12 shows 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 gradient of the guide contour 14 is reduced at one end. The end with the reduced gradient 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. Figure 12 middle illustration with Figure 12 left illustration. Due to the reduced gradient, a restoring force acting on the guide contour 13, which counteracts the closing force exerted by the spring element 12, is reduced when the gripper elements 2 are in the second position 4. In this way, the holding force for holding orGripping a container received in the holding receptacle 7 is increased, so that the container is or will be held more securely in the holding receptacle 7. In some embodiments, the pitch 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, at least in sections, have a higher coefficient of friction pH and / or pc and / or a higher roughness depth R compared to the remaining guide contour 14. z and / or R aIn a further embodiment, the guide section 28 can 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 received 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 received 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 corresponds to the second valley 16 and / or can be formed at least partially by the second valley 16 and ridge 17. It can be provided that when the guide element 13 is received in the blocking receptacle 30, the guide element 13 is contacted by a flank of the ridge 17. The flank of the ridge 17 contacting the guide element 13 can counteract an opening of the gripper elements 2 in the second position 4.In some embodiments, this can achieve or become a locking mechanism, so that an unintentional release of a container received in the holding receptacle 7 can be prevented or at least reduced. In some embodiments, the blocking unit 29 and / or the blocking receptacle 30 can have a reduced pitch as described above and shown, for example, in the middle illustration of Figure 12. The embodiments shown in the figures, in particular Figure 12, can be illustrated schematically. In particular, dimensions do not have to be to scale, and / or different parts, features or elements do not have to have the proportions shown in the figures. In some embodiments, it can be provided, for example, 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 facing the gripper elements 2 in the second position 4. In some embodiments, alternatively or additionally, the second valley 16 can have a greater thickness than the first valley 15, so that the guide elements 13 can be spaced further apart in the second valley 16 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 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. This can, for example, increase the holding force. This can result in improved and more secure holding of, for example, a container.

[0105] Figure 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 above-described embodiments of active grippers 1. Gripper element 2 can have a first region 31 and / or a second region 32. The first region 31 can face the holding receptacle 7 and / or be arranged between the holding receptacle 7 and the rotation axis X. Alternatively or additionally, the first region can be arranged between the holding receptacle 7 and the spring element 12. The second region 32 can face away from the holding receptacle 7 and / or be arranged between the rotation axis X and the guide element 13. In some embodiments, the second region can be arranged between the spring element 12 and the rotation axis X.

[0106] The first region 31 and / or the second region 32 can consist of a material or have a material that is flexible and / or elastically deformable and / or can be designed to be reversibly returned to a shape it had before the deformation after a deformation. The first region 31 can therefore 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 a suitable plastic, metal and / or metal alloy, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the first region 31 and / or the second region 32 can consist of a material or have a material that can be rigid. For example, the material orfirst 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 comprise a suitable plastic, e.g. a fiber-reinforced plastic, or a suitable metal or metal alloy. It can be provided that the first region 31 and second region 32 each comprise and / or consist of different materials. In some embodiments, the first region 31 can comprise or consist of a flexible and / or elastically deformable material, and the second region 32 can comprise or consist of a rigid material.

[0107] 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.

[0108] List of reference symbols

[0109] 1 active gripper

[0110] 2 gripper element

[0111] 3 first position

[0112] 4 second position

[0113] 5 Closed position

[0114] 6 second closing position

[0115] 7 Holding fixture

[0116] 8 gripper element actuation unit

[0117] 9 Shifting unit

[0118] 10 Linear guide

[0119] 11 sleds

[0120] 12 spring element

[0121] 13 Guide element

[0122] 14 Guide contour

[0123] 15 first valley

[0124] 16 second valley

[0125] 17 comb

[0126] 18 Contact section

[0127] 19 Drive

[0128] 20 rolls

[0129] 21 containers

[0130] 22 fasteners

[0131] 23 basic bodies

[0132] 24 first contact area

[0133] 25 second contact area

[0134] 26 Carrier plate

[0135] 27 intervention section

[0136] 28 Guide Section

[0137] 29 Blocking element

[0138] 30 Blocking recording

[0139] 31 first area 32 second area

[0140] 100 star wheel

[0141] 101 additional grippers

[0142] X axis of rotation

Claims

Claims Active gripper (1 ) for a star wheel (100) of a container handling 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 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 configured to close the gripper elements (2) at least partially when moving between the first position (3) and the second position (4), and wherein preferably the gripper element actuation unit (8) is configured to open the gripper elements (2) at least partially when moving between the second position (4) and the first position (3).An active gripper (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gripper element actuation unit (8) is configured to close the gripper elements (2) at least partially when moving from the second position (4) to the first position (3), preferably wherein the gripper elements (2) are in a second closed position (6) in the first position (3). An active gripper (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the active gripper (1) has a displacement unit (9) such that the gripper elements (2) are displaceable when moving between the first and second positions (3, 4). An active gripper (1) according to claim 3, wherein the displacement unit (9) comprises a linear guide (10), preferably a rail, and a gripper element carrier (11), preferably a slide, which is movable relative to the linear guide, wherein the gripper elements (2) are attached to the gripper element carrier (11) and the gripper element carrier (11) is movable between the first position (3) and the second position (4). An active gripper (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper element actuation unit (8) comprises a spring element (12), wherein the gripper elements (2) are biased into the closed position (5, 6) by the spring element (12) in the first position (3) and / or the second position (4).Active gripper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper element actuation unit (8) has a guide element (13), and wherein at least one of the gripper elements, (2) preferably both gripper elements (2), has a guide contour (14) which, when moving from the first position (3) to the second position (4) and / or vice versa, is guided along the guide element (13) in contact with it and / or rolls along the guide element (13).Active gripper (1 ) according to claim 6, wherein the spring element (12) is arranged in the transition direction from first position (3) to second position (4) in front of the guide element (13), 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 wherein the spring element (12) is arranged in the transition direction from first position (3) to second position (4) in front of the guide element (13) when the gripper elements (2) are in the first position (3), and behind the guide element (13) when the gripper elements (2) are in the second position (4).

8. Active gripper (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a blocking element (29), wherein the blocking element (29) is configured to prevent the gripper elements (2) from opening in the second position (4), and / or to at least counteract opening.

9. Active gripper (1 ) according to claim 8 with reference to claim 7, wherein the blocking element (29) forms at least a part of the guide contour (14).

10. Active gripper according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the blocking element (29) is shaped at least sectionally 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).

11. Active gripper (1) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 10 10, wherein 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).

12. Active gripper (1) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 11 , wherein the guide contour (14) has a first valley (15), a second valley (16) and a ridge (17), preferably the ridge (17) being arranged between the first valley (15) and the second valley (16).

13. Active gripper (1 ) according to claim 12, wherein the blocking element (29) and / or the blocking receptacle (30) is arranged in the transfer direction from the first position (3) to the second position (4) behind the second valley (16) and / or the second valley (16) transitions into the blocking element (29) and / or the blocking receptacle (30). Active gripper (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein 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), wherein the second valley (16) is arranged in front of the ridge (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) contacts the first valley (15) of the guide contour (14) and / or is arranged in a receptacle formed by the first valley (15), wherein the first valley (15) is arranged behind the ridge (17) of the guide contour (14) relative to the second valley (16), wherein preferably the spring element (12) comprises a tension spring and / or a compression spring and / or a torsion spring.Active gripper (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein 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), wherein the second valley (16) is arranged in front of the ridge (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) contacts the first valley (15) of the guide contour (13) and / or is arranged in a receptacle formed by the first valley (15), wherein the first valley (15) is arranged behind the ridge (17) of the guide contour (13) relative to the second valley (16), wherein preferably the spring element (12) comprises a compression spring or a torsion spring.Active gripper (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims 5 to 15, wherein the spring element (12) is arranged at one end of the gripper elements (2) facing away from the holding receptacle (7) and preferably has a compression spring, and / or wherein the spring element (12) is located substantially in the middle of the gripper elements (2) and / or at the comb. (17) of the guide contour (14), wherein the spring element (12) preferably comprises a tension spring or a torsion spring. Active gripper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the active gripper (1) comprises a contacting section (18), wherein in the second position (4) the gripper elements (2) and the contacting section (18) form the holding receptacle (7). Active gripper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising 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, wherein the drive (19) preferably comprises a roller (20) and / or a push rod. Method for transferring a container with an active gripper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - Placing the container in a transfer position; - Providing the active gripper (1 ) in the first position (3), wherein the gripper elements (2) of the active gripper (1 ) are in the closed position (6) in the first position (3); - Transferring the gripper elements (2) from the first position (3) to the second position (4), whereby the gripper elements (2) are moved, wherein the gripper elements (2) of the active gripper are closed at least section by section during the transfer; - Gripping the container with the active gripper (1 ) in the second position (4), wherein the gripper elements (2) of the active gripper (1 ) are in the closed position (5) in the second position, so that the container is held by the gripper elements (2). A method according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the gripper elements (2) has a guide contour (14) with a first valley (15), a second valley (16), and a ridge (17), the guide contour (14) being guided along a guide element (13) of the active gripper (1) in contact during the transfer of the active gripper (1) from the first position (3) to the second position (4), such that the gripper elements (2) are opened at least partially during the transfer. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 19 to 20, wherein 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 to 21, in which a blocking element (29) of the active gripper (1) prevents or at least counteracts the opening of the closed position (5) of the gripper elements (2) in the second position (4).A method according to any one of the preceding claims 20 to 22, wherein the containers are provided by a second gripper (101) in an over-neck position and the active gripper (1) grips the container in the second position (4) in an over-neck position, or wherein the containers are provided by a second gripper (101) in an under-neck position and the active gripper (1) grips the container in the second position (4) in an under-neck position. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 20 to 23, wherein the gripper elements (2) of the active gripper (1) are opened during the transfer from the first to the second position such that they at least partially enclose the second gripper (101).

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