Device for holding containers and container processing device

Abstract

To provide a device for holding a container with a container processing device, for example for holding a neck or a trunk of a beverage container with a container encapsulation device.SOLUTION: The invention relates to a device 1 including two grip arms 2 rotatable on a rotational face 21 to each other and having a holding part 20 for holding a container to be held respectively, further including a lifting rod connected to the grip arm so that the holding parts are rotatable to each other by a displacement of the lifting rod vertical to the rotational face of the grip arm and for holding the container with a container processing device, preferably for holding a neck or a trunk of a beverage container, and a container processing device having such device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for holding containers in a container processing device, for example for holding the neck or body of a beverage container in a container sealing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In beverage filling systems, it is known to hold each container to be filled and / or already filled containers by a device for holding the containers and to transport the containers in this way to the individual processing stations of the container processing device, whereby a variety of devices for holding each container are known and each container to be processed is held by this device in a variety of ways.

[0003] Thus, for example, passive devices and / or passive clamps for holding containers are known, in which the passive device and / or passive clamp is elastically pretensioned by simply inserting each container into the device for holding the container and then holding each container. Such a clamp for gripping a container is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this case, the clamp has a fixed position. To grip the container, the container must be pushed into the clamp. In this case, the rigid gripping arms are spread outward, so the container must be moved against the closing force of the gripping arms, which is generated by the clamp being spread. As a result, the container is subjected to a high degree of force during insertion, and such a holding device is not suitable for gripping and / or holding thin-walled containers, which are relatively fragile and / or easily deformed. Furthermore, scratches may occur on the surface of each container, thereby reducing the quality of the container.

[0004] Also known are active devices and / or active clamps for holding containers, in which the opening and closing of the respective holding portions of the device for holding the containers is actively performed by an actuator. Such active devices for holding containers function, in particular, to allow the respective containers to be securely and gently transferred from an upstream device for holding the containers or to a downstream device for holding the containers in a similarly secure manner, ensuring a gentle action on the containers. In particular, the active opening and closing of the respective devices for holding the containers avoids, for example, high friction on the respective containers, which could lead to scratches on the containers, while also allowing for the adjustment of a predetermined holding and / or clamping force that can be maintained within a predetermined tolerance range for the container dimensions. Such active devices for holding containers consist of several individual components, such as clamping arms, bushings, spring elements, pretensioning elements, and corresponding connecting elements for securely connecting the aforementioned components, as well as actuating elements for controlling the position of the clamping arms and / or holding portions, such as actuators, rollers, or sawtooth. Therefore, devices with such a structure for holding containers are complex to clean and require a correspondingly high manufacturing effort. Such devices for holding containers are disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,629,997 or US Pat. No. 5,629,997.

[0005] In beverage filling systems, for example, the filling of the container or the closing of the container with a container lid takes place in a special atmosphere, for example provided by a clean room or an isolation device, since the filled product is often susceptible to contamination.

[0006] In order to reduce the cleaning effort, it is known to arrange a control unit outside the clean room, by means of which the position of the clamping arm is controlled and / or predetermined, as can be derived for example from US Pat. No. 5,629,297 or US Pat. No. 5,629,297. Arranging the control unit radially inside the device for holding the containers, with respect to the rotation axis of the transport device, therefore necessarily requires a relatively large amount of transport device structural space in the radial direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102015218204 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 085068 [Patent Document 3] German Patent Application Publication No. 102009043984 [Patent Document 4] German Patent Application Publication No. 102010049026 [Patent Document 5] German Patent Application Publication No. 102012112946 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Derived from the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for holding a container in a container processing device, preferably for holding a beverage container by its neck or body in a container sealing device, as well as a corresponding method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This object is achieved by an apparatus for holding a container in a container processing device, preferably for holding a beverage container by its neck or body in a container sealing device, having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0010] Therefore, a device for holding containers in a container processing device, preferably for holding beverage containers by the neck or body, is proposed, the device comprising two gripping arms that are pivotable relative to one another in a pivot plane and each having a holding portion for holding the container to be held, and a lifting rod that is connected to the gripping arms such that the holding portions can be pivoted relative to one another by displacement of the lifting rod perpendicular to the pivot plane of the gripping arms.

[0011] Because the device includes a lifting rod connected to the gripping arm such that the holding parts can be pivoted relative to one another by displacement of the lifting rod perpendicular to the pivot plane of the gripping arm, the minimum radial construction space of the container transport device can be reduced compared to conventional devices. Instead of the actuation means from a radially inward direction, the actuation means of the clamping arm of the device for holding the container can be arranged above or below the pivot plane. In principle, unlimited construction space exists here. As a result, it is possible in this case to mount the device for holding the container close to the rotation axis of the transport device.

[0012] Therefore, a seal is provided between the displaceable lifting rod and the housing of the container processing device that has a simpler structure than the case of the swiveling and / or rotation actuation element, in particular a fixed seal can be embodied between the lifting rod and the housing.

[0013] Also, the activation means and / or control unit can be easily installed in an area where contamination by the filled product is less likely to occur, in other words, the activation means or control unit can be located outside the clean room.

[0014] The lifting rod is preferably configured to be displaceable in the direction of its longitudinal axis.

[0015] It has proven particularly advantageous if the lifting rods are oriented with their longitudinal axes perpendicular to the plane of rotation.

[0016] Therefore, in order to convert the displacement of the lifting rod into a pivoting movement of the holding areas relative to each other, a coupling mechanism is preferably arranged between the gripping arm and the lifting rod, which coupling mechanism converts the displacement of the lifting rod into a pivoting movement of the holding areas relative to each other.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the gripping arms are arranged to be pivotable about a common pivot axis, alternatively, the gripping arms may each have a separate pivot axis about which they are pivotably arranged.

[0018] Also, the displacement of the gripping arms in the pivot plane allows the gripping arms to pivot relative to one another, preferably the displacement and pivoting of the gripping arms relative to one another is performed without the gripping arms having a fixed pivot axis.

[0019] It is also possible to arrange for only one of the gripping arms to move, while the other gripping arm remains stationary, for the movement of the holding parts relative to each other.

[0020] Particularly precise control of the position of the gripping arms and at the same time the provision of a structure for the device for holding containers that is easy to clean can be achieved if at least one of the gripping arms includes a pivoting lever that is fixedly connected to the gripping arm and coupled to the lifting rod via a coupling member.

[0021] Preferably, the two gripping arms each have a pivoting lever that is connected to the lifting rod via the connecting member, or preferably the gripping arms are rotatably connected to each other via two intermeshing gears.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, the coupling member is rotatably arranged on the lifting rod, the axis of rotation of the coupling member preferably having an orientation at the coupling member perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lifting rod.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the pivot lever may be longitudinally displaceably received in the connecting member.

[0024] It has also proven advantageous if the pivot lever is received in the coupling member so as to be rotatable relative to the coupling member and / or with play.

[0025] To make the position of the gripping arm adjustable, the coupling member may comprise an adjustment element, preferably an eccentric element, for adjusting the pivot position of the gripping arm.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment, the lifting rod comprises a sliding element, and the at least one coupling member is coupled to the lifting rod via the sliding element.

[0027] According to a preferred development, the coupling member can be connected to the sliding element on one side of the longitudinal axis and to the pivot lever on the other side.

[0028] It has been found that a simple and stable construction of the device for holding the container is achieved when the sliding element is of S-shaped configuration and is connected in the central part to the lifting rod.

[0029] According to a further preferred embodiment, with respect to the orientation of the container held by the gripping arms of the device for holding containers, the connection of the coupling member to the lifting rod is arranged above the connection of the coupling member to the swivel lever in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Displacement of the lifting rod in the direction of the gripping arms, in other words downward with respect to the orientation of the device for holding containers, can allow the opening of the gripping arms and therefore the pivoting of the holding parts of the gripping arms from each other if the pivot lever extends on the side of the holding parts with respect to the pivot axis. Thus, raising of the lifting rod and therefore upward displacement of the lifting rod can achieve closing of the holding parts, with the holding parts being pivoted towards each other in opposite directions.

[0030] If the pivot lever extends on the opposite side of the pivot axis from the holding parts, i.e., on the rear side of the device, a displacement of the lifting rod in the direction of the gripping arms, in other words a downward displacement of the lifting rod with respect to the orientation of the device for holding containers, can allow the gripping arms to close and therefore the holding parts of the gripping arms to pivot towards each other. Thus, a lifting of the lifting rod and therefore an upward displacement of the lifting rod can achieve an opening of the holding parts, in which the holding parts are pivoted away from each other.

[0031] Alternatively, the connection of the connecting member to the lifting rod can be arranged below the connection of the connecting member to the pivoting lever in the direction of the longitudinal axis. As a result, when the pivoting lever is arranged on the side of the holding part, a displacement of the lifting rod in the direction of the gripping arms, i.e., a downward displacement of the lifting rod relative to the orientation of the device for holding containers, can achieve an opening of the gripping arms, with the holding parts pivoted away from each other. Closure occurs when the pivoting lever extends on the side opposite the holding parts. Thus, a lifting of the lifting rod, and thus an upward displacement of the lifting rod, can achieve a closing of the holding parts, and thus a pivoting of the holding parts of the gripping arms towards each other, when the pivoting lever is arranged on the side opposite the holding parts, and a closure can be achieved when the pivoting lever extends on the side opposite the holding parts.

[0032] Consequently, according to a further preferred embodiment, the coupling portion can be arranged between the at least one pivot lever and the at least one coupling member on the side opposite the holding part with respect to the pivot axis, or the coupling portion can be arranged between the at least one pivot lever and the at least one coupling member on the side of the holding part with respect to the pivot axis.

[0033] According to a further preferred embodiment, the lifting rod has, on its side opposite the gripping arms, a control unit for controlling the position of the lifting rod relative to the longitudinal axis. The control unit can be provided in an area where there is a low risk of contamination by the filling of the product. In particular, it is then possible to arrange the control unit outside a housing surrounding the gripping arms of the device for holding containers.

[0034] In order to hold the holding portion of the gripping arm in a predetermined position, for example in the closed position of the holding portion or in the open position of the holding portion, the control unit may include a pretensioning element, preferably a spring, for applying a pretensioning force to the lifting rod to a predetermined position.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, the lifting rod comprises an interaction part for interacting with a predetermining device for predetermining the position of the lifting rod, the interaction element preferably being configured in the form of a sliding element, pin and / or wheel, preferably configured to slide and / or roll in the predetermining device configured as a guiding curve or guiding groove.

[0036] According to a further preferred embodiment, the lifting rod comprises two rod elements displaceable relative to one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the rod elements being connected via a spring element in the direction of the longitudinal axis, so that a holding force for the container to be held in the holding part can be provided, the holding force being generated according to the spring path of the spring elements, the holding force in this case resulting from the overtravel of the rod elements relative to one another, the overtravel representing the spring path of the spring elements.

[0037] According to a further preferred embodiment, the lifting rod includes a seal for sealing the lifting rod against a housing opening of the housing of the container processing device, and the lifting rod extends into the housing opening. Thus, it is possible to arrange the gripping arms inside the housing, and preferably a special atmosphere, in particular an atmosphere with a low bacterial count, corresponding for example to a clean room, is provided inside the housing, in which the containers held by the gripping arms can be processed, and the control unit can be arranged outside the housing.

[0038] Preferably, the seal is fastened to the lift rod. Alternatively or additionally, the seal may be configured to be fastened to the housing opening.

[0039] The seal is preferably configured to compensate for the travel of the lift rod required to pivot the gripper arm during operation, and the seal preferably comprises a silicone material and / or is configured as a folded bellows.

[0040] "Fastened" in this sense is understood to mean a static fastening, whereby relative movement between the lift rod and the seal and / or between the housing and the seal does not exist and / or is not possible.

[0041] According to a further preferred embodiment, a coupling housing encloses the at least one coupling member and the at least one pivot lever, preferably through an opening, preferably sealed, of the coupling housing, through which the lifting rod extends, and through which the gripper arms are respectively fastened to shafts, which are pivotable about the pivot axis of the gripper arms and which extend through a bore, preferably sealed, of the coupling housing, so that the region of the connection between the lifting rod and the gripper arm, in particular the region where the coupling member is connected to the lifting rod, the region where the coupling member is connected to the pivot lever, and the bearing of the shaft at the base, can be protected by the coupling housing from contamination, for example by the filling of product.

[0042] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a container treatment device having the features of claim 10. Developments of the container treatment device are disclosed in the dependent claims and in the description and figures.

[0043] Therefore, a container treatment device, preferably for sealing a container with a container lid, is proposed, which includes a transport device for transporting the container, characterized in that the transport device comprises a device for holding the container according to one of the preceding embodiments.

[0044] Since the transport device comprises a device for holding containers according to one of the preceding embodiments, the advantages and effects described for the device are equally relevant to the container handling device.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the container processing device includes a housing for providing an enclosed space, the gripping arm is positioned inside the housing and the lifting rod extends into the housing opening, and the control unit is positioned outside the housing, preferably above the housing opening.

[0046] Preferably, the housing opening is sealed by the above-mentioned seal provided between the housing opening and the lift rod. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0047] Further preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail by the following description of the figures. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a container processing apparatus; [Figure 2] 1 shows a schematic side perspective view of a device for holding a container; [Figure 3] 3 shows a schematic rear perspective view of the device of FIG. 2; [Figure 4] 3 shows a schematic rear view of the device of FIG. 2; [Figure 5] 3 shows a schematic view of a pair of gripping arms of the device of FIG. 2 in an open state. [Figure 6] 6 shows a schematic diagram of the pair of gripping arms of FIG. 5 in a closed state. [Figure 7] 2 shows a schematic functional diagram of the device of FIG. 1; [Figure 8] 10 shows a schematic functional diagram of a further device for holding a container; [Figure 9] 1 shows a schematic side view of a further device for holding a container; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures, in which case elements that are the same or similar or have the same function are presented in the various figures with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these elements are omitted in some cases to avoid redundancy.

[0049] 1 is a side view of a container processing apparatus 100 including a transport device 110 for transporting containers 7, a processing device 130, in this case in the form of a sealing device for sealing the containers 7 with a container lid (not shown), and a housing 120 at least partially enclosing the processing device 130. The housing 120 can be, for example, an isolation device that functions to create an atmosphere therein that is shielded from the surroundings.

[0050] The transport device 110 has a device 1 for holding a container 7, which includes two gripping arms 2 that are rotatable relative to each other on a pivot plane 21 and each have a holding portion 20 for holding the container 7, in this case, at the neck portion of the container 7 to be held.

[0051] The device 1 further comprises a lifting rod 3 which is coupled to the gripping arms 2 in such a way that displacement of the lifting rod 3 perpendicular to the pivot plane 21 allows the holding parts 20 to pivot relative to each other. In Figure 1, the displacement of the lifting rod 3 is indicated by the reference number 37 and the pivoting of the gripping arms 2 is indicated by the reference number 20.

[0052] The lifting rod 3 extends along a longitudinal axis 30. In the present case, the lifting rod 3 has an orientation about its longitudinal axis 30 that is perpendicular to the pivot plane 21.

[0053] Arranged between the lifting rod 3 and the gripping arm 2 is a coupling mechanism 10 designed to convert a displacement of the lifting rod 3 perpendicular to the pivot plane 21 into a pivoting of the gripping arms 2 relative to each other.

[0054] The lifting rod 3 comprises a control unit 5 for controlling the position of the lifting rod 3 relative to the longitudinal axis 30. The control unit 5 comprises a pretensioning element 50, in the present case in the form of a spiral spring, supported on one side on the projection 38 of the lifting rod 3 and on the other side on the carrying part 111 of the transport device 110.

[0055] A rolling bearing 53 for rotationally separating the pretension element 50 and the projection 38 is arranged between the projection 38 and the spiral spring supported thereon.

[0056] The pretensioning element 50 pretensions the lifting rod 3 to an upper end position seen in the direction of the longitudinal axis 30, which in this case corresponds to the direction of gravity g.

[0057] The control unit 5 further comprises an interaction part 51, in this case in the form of a wheel 52 which can roll on a guide curve (not shown). In the upper end position of the lifting rod 3, the gripping arm 2 and therefore the holding part 20 are in the open position.

[0058] To move the gripping arm 2, and thus the holding part 20, into the closed position for holding the container 7 to be held, the lifting rod 3 moves perpendicular to the pivot plane 21 in the direction of the gripping arm 2, against the pretensioning force of the pretensioning element 50. The displacement 37 of the lifting rod in the direction of gravity g is converted by the coupling mechanism 10 into a pivoting movement 22 of the gripping arm 2.

[0059] The lifting rod 3 comprises two rod elements 33, 34 which are displaceable relative to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis 30 and which are coupled in the direction of the longitudinal axis via a spring element 35. Thus, via the spring element 35 and the overstroke of the upper rod element 33, a closing force can be provided to the holding part 20.

[0060] The overtravel of the rod element 33, and therefore the additional path that the rod element 33 covers via the wheel 52 after the gripping arm 2 has been placed in the closed position due to the displacement of the lifting element 3 in the direction of the gripping arm 2, corresponds in this case to the spring path of the spring element 35, and a compression force corresponding to the spring stiffness of the spring element 35 is thereby transmitted to the lower rod element 34. This compression force is transmitted via the coupling mechanism 10 to the gripping arm 2, so that the gripping arm 2 is pressed against its holding part 20 in the direction of the container 7 to be held with a corresponding closing force.

[0061] Alternatively, the lifting rod can also be coupled to the gripping arm in such a way that the lifting rod 3 rises against the direction of gravity g, and therefore the pretensioning element 35 can be designed as a tension spring.

[0062] The gripping arm 2 of the device 1 is located inside the enclosed space provided by the housing 120. The lifting rod 3 extends into the housing opening 121, and the control unit 5 is located outside the housing 120, in this case above the housing 120.

[0063] The lifting rod 3 includes a seal 36, which seals the lifting rod 3 against the housing opening 121. In this case, the seal 36 is fixedly fastened to the lifting rod 3 and also to the housing opening 121 and / or the housing 120. The seal 36 is configured in such a way that the travel of the lifting rod 3 required during operation is compensated by the seal 36. In this case, the seal 36 includes a silicone material and is configured in the form of a folded bellows.

[0064] Alternatively, the seal 36 may be configured in the form of a hollow cylinder.

[0065] 2 and 3 show diagrammatically a side perspective view and a rear perspective view of a device 1 for holding containers, such as is included in the container processing device 100 according to FIG.

[0066] As already described with reference to FIG. 1, the device 1 comprises two gripping arms 2 which are pivotable relative to one another in a pivot plane 21 and a lifting rod 3 .

[0067] The gripping arms 2 are arranged to be pivotable on the base 11, in this case about a pivot axis 22 which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis 30 and which is constituted via a mechanical shaft 24. Each gripping arm 2 further comprises a pivot lever 23 which is arranged on the shaft 24 and which extends perpendicular to the pivot axis 22 on the side of the pivot axis 22 opposite the holding part 20. The pivot lever 23 is in this case connected to the gripping arm 2 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0068] The lifting rod 3 comprises an S-shaped sliding element 31 which is rigidly fastened to the lifting rod 3 at a central portion 32 of the sliding element 31 .

[0069] Each pivot lever 23 is connected to the lifting rod 3 via a respective connecting member 4, with a connection 42 being located between the connecting member 4 and the pivot lever 23 on the opposite side of the associated pivot axis 22 from the holding part 20. Each connecting member 4 is rotatably arranged on the side of the sliding element 31 of the lifting rod 3, with the rotation axis 40 (see FIG. 3) of the connecting member 4 being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 30. On the other side of the connecting member 4, the pivot lever 23 is guided in the connecting member 4 with play to prevent sticking.

[0070] Each connecting member 4 also includes an adjustment element, configured in this case as an eccentric element 43, for adjusting the pivot position of the gripping arm. The distance between connecting parts 41 and 42 can be adjusted via eccentric element 43.

[0071] As can be seen in Figure 4, which shows a schematic rear view of the device 1 of Figures 2 and 3, the connection 41 between the connecting member 4 and the sliding element 31 is arranged above the connection 42 between the connecting member 4 and the swivel lever 23, the connections 41, 42 being arranged on the opposite side of the swivel axis 22 from the holding part 20. As a result, a displacement of the lifting rod 3 in the direction of gravity g leads to the closing of the gripping arm 2.

[0072] The pair of gripping arms 2 of the device 1 in the open position is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5, and the pair of gripping arms of FIG. 5 in the closed position is shown diagrammatically in FIG.

[0073] 2 to 4, in which the S-shaped sliding element 31 and the connecting member 4 with the connecting portions 41, 42, together with the lifting rod 3, are shown in solid lines in an upward position as viewed in the direction of gravity g. The position they take when the lifting rod 3 is displaced by a predetermined displacement 37 is indicated by dashed lines. A corresponding offset 44 of the connecting portion 42 outward, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 30, is realized by the displacement 37. The pivoting lever 23, which is connected to the connecting portion 42 by the connecting member 4, undergoes a pivoting movement that corresponds to the offset 44 and is transmitted to the respective gripping arm 2.

[0074] By arranging the connecting portion 41 above the connecting portion 42, the lifting rod 3 moves downward, and the gripping arms 2 are closed.

[0075] Figure 8 shows a schematic functional diagram of a further device 1 for holding containers. The device 1 substantially corresponds to that of Figure 7, in which coupling 41 is arranged below coupling 42. Thus, as couplings 41, 42 are arranged on the opposite side of pivot axis 22 from holding part 20, a lifting of lifting rod 3, and therefore a displacement 37 against the direction of gravity g, closes gripping arm 2.

[0076] A side view of a further device 1 for holding a container 7 is shown diagrammatically in Figure 9. The device 1 substantially corresponds to that of Figures 2 to 4, with a coupling housing 6 enclosing the sliding element 31, the coupling member 4 and the pivot lever 23.

[0077] The lift rod 3 extends into an opening 60 in the coupling housing 6 sealed by a seal 62 , and the shaft 24 of the gripper arm 2 extends into a bore 61 in the coupling housing 6 sealed by a seal 63 .

[0078] Seal 62 is in this case configured to compensate for the necessary stroke of lift rod 3 that occurs during operation, and seal 63 is configured to compensate for the necessary pivoting movement of shaft 24 that occurs during operation.

[0079] Where applicable, all of the individual features shown in the exemplary embodiments may be combined together and / or substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 device 10 Coupling mechanism 11 base 2 Grasping Arm 20 Holding part 21 Turning surface 22 Swivel axis 23 Swivel lever 24 shaft 25 Turn 3 Lifting rod 30 Longitudinal axis 31 Sliding elements 32 Central part 33 Rod element 34 Rod elements 35 spring 36 stickers 37 Displacement 38 Protrusion 4 Connecting members 40 Rotation axis 41 Connection with lifting rod 42 Connection with turning lever 43 Eccentric element 44 offset 5. Control Unit 50 Pretension element 51 Interaction part 52 wheels 53 Rolling bearings 6 Connection housing 60 Opening 61 Bore 62 stickers 63 Seal 7 containers 100 Container processing device 110 Transportation equipment 111 Conveyor 120 Housing 121 Housing opening 130 Processing equipment g direction of gravity

Claims

1. A device (1) for holding a container (7) by a neck or body portion of the container (7) in a container processing device (100), comprising two gripping arms (2) that are pivotable relative to each other on a pivoting surface (21) and each having a holding portion (20) for holding the container (7) to be held, a lifting rod (3) connected to the gripping arm (3) such that the holding parts (20) are pivotable relative to each other by displacement of the lifting rod (3) perpendicular to the pivot plane (21) of the gripping arm (2); The device (1) comprises two rod elements (33, 34) which are displaceable relative to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis (30) of the lifting rod (3), and the rod elements (33, 34) are coupled in the direction of the longitudinal axis (30) via a spring element (35).

2. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping arms (2) each have a separate pivot axis (22) about which they are pivotally arranged, and the gripping arms (2) comprise a pivot lever (23) fixedly connected to the gripping arms (2) and coupled to the lifting rod (3) via a coupling element (4), and the two gripping arms (2) each have their own pivot lever (23) coupled to the lifting rod (3) via the coupling element (4), or the gripping arms (2) are rotatably coupled to each other via two meshing gears.

3. 3. The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting member (4) is rotatably arranged on the lifting rod (3), the rotation axis (40) of the connecting member (4) being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (30) of the lifting rod (3), and / or the swivel lever (23) is received in the connecting member (4) so ​​as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction, and / or the swivel lever (23) is received in the connecting member (4) so ​​as to be rotatable relative to the connecting member (4) and / or with play, and / or the connecting member (4) has an adjustment element for adjusting the swivel position of the gripping arm.

4. 4. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the lifting rod (3) comprises a sliding element (31), the connecting member (4) is connected to the sliding element (31), the connecting member (4) is connected to the sliding element (31) on one side relative to the longitudinal axis (30) and the connecting member (4) is connected to the swivel lever (23) on the other side, and the sliding element (31) has an S-shaped configuration and is connected to the lifting rod (3) at a central part (32).

5. With regard to the orientation of the container (7) held by the gripping arm (2), the connection (41) of the connecting member (4) to the lifting rod (3) is arranged above the connection (42) of the connecting member (4) to the swivel lever (23) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (30) or the connection (41) of the connecting member (4) to the lifting rod (3) is arranged below the connection (42) of the connecting member (4) to the swivel lever (23) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (30), and / or Alternatively, the device (1) according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that the connection portion (42) of the connecting member (4) to the swivel lever (23) is arranged between the swivel lever (23) and the connecting member (4) on the side opposite the holding part (20) with respect to the swivel axis (22), or the connection portion (42) of the connecting member (4) to the swivel lever (23) is arranged between the swivel lever (23) and the connecting member (4) on the side of the holding part (20) with respect to the swivel axis (22).

6. 6. The device according to claim 3, wherein the lifting rod (3) has a control unit (5) for controlling the position of the lifting rod (3) relative to the longitudinal axis (30) on the side opposite the gripping arm (3), the control unit (5) comprising a pretensioning element (50) for pretensioning the lifting rod (3) to a predetermined position, and the interaction element is configured in the form of a wheel (52) for sliding and / or rolling on a predetermined device configured as a guide curve or guide groove.

7. 7. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lifting rod (3) comprises a seal (36) for sealing the lifting rod (3) relative to a housing opening (121) of a housing (120) of the container processing device (100), the lifting rod (3) extending into the housing opening, the seal (36) being fastened to the lifting rod (3) and / or the seal (36) being configured to be fastened to the housing opening (121), the seal (36) being configured to compensate for the stroke of the lifting rod (3) required to pivot the gripping arm (2) during operation, the seal (36) comprising a silicone material and / or being configured as a folded bellows.

8. 7. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein a coupling housing (6) surrounds the coupling member (4) and the pivot lever (23), the lifting rod (3) extends through a sealed opening (60) of the coupling housing (6), and the gripping arms (2) are fastened to shafts (24) that are rotatable about the pivot axis (22) of the gripping arms (2), the shafts (24) extending through a sealed bore (61) of the coupling housing (6).

9. a transport device (110) for transporting the container (7), the transport device (110) comprises a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for holding the neck or body of the container (7); A container processing device (100) comprising:

10. 10. The container processing device (100) of claim 9, further comprising a housing (120) for providing an enclosed space, wherein the gripping arm (2) is arranged inside the housing (120), the lifting rod (3) extends into a housing opening (121), and the control unit (5) is arranged outside the housing (120) above the housing opening (121).

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