DEVICE FOR EXTRACTING GLASS CONTAINERS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL AND / OR COSMETIC USE AND EXTRACTION FORCEPS.

Abstract

A device is provided for extracting glass containers for pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic use from trays, wherein the trays (11) are provided with a series of recesses or impressions (13) which house a series of glass containers (12) or similar containers arranged consecutively, the device comprises at least one wheel sector or star segment (16, 17 and 18) which is caused to rotate about a common horizontal axis (X) according to a circular path and which is carried above a tray which moves forward at the same peripheral speed as the sector, wherein the at least one wheel sector or star segment (16, 17 and 18) is carried on an outer peripheral surface formed as an arc of a circle,a series of extraction clamps (23) for the single glass container (12) distributed between each other at a first reciprocal distance (k) equal to that between the recesses or impressions (13) of the tray, wherein each of the extraction clamps (23) provides a pair of flexible arms (53, 54) which house a single glass container (12).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for extracting glass containers for pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic use from trays and an extraction clamp. In the field of handling glass containers for pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic use, such as syringes, cartridges and the like, specific layouts of parts and / or machines are used to determine the required handling. It should also be taken into consideration, for example, that the term syringes actually refers to syringe bodies, which comprise the flanged end portion and the cylindrical body containing the treatment fluid with its tip onto which a needle is usually inserted. The transport and storage of the glass containers defined above, such as glass syringes, is carried out with the help of trays made of thermoplastic material (plastic tray) equipped with negative impressions of the body (diameter) of the syringes according to their diameters. These trays are widely used both for transporting syringes from the glass tube transformer to the customer (the pharmaceutical industry which subsequently provides washing, sterilization, assembly and filling) and also within the manufacturer's production site for transferring syringes from one stage to the next. The trays are therefore used in machines where the transfer of syringes or similar objects may be necessary to a machine area that transports them according to a certain frequency or a certain stage of distribution, for example on trays, to a machine area that transports them in a separate and continuous manner consecutively, such as a conveyor. For example, solutions are known in which syringes are drawn from a tray in which they are contained and arranged in different ways. It has been ίη / ζζηζ / E / γίΛΐ Ln / zznz / E / YiAi - 2 noted that the limitation of these solutions is that damage or scraping of the syringe on the container itself or the extraction method ruins the thermoplastic tray. In fact, some solutions use a plastic hook to separate the syringes from the container or tray, scraping them against the plastic, which is consequently damaged. Specifically, the syringes are soiled by the plastic itself. Other solutions use a robot or gripping device to remove the syringes from the container or tray. In this case, to prevent the syringes from rubbing against the plastic of the container (tray), the slots or fasteners are opened with special scissors. This method damages the syringe containers. Furthermore, the device for opening and closing the slots requires frequent maintenance, which is extremely costly given its high precision. As part of the various handling processes, syringes are loaded into trays and subsequently removed for transport to an automated unit located downstream. There are machines or groups, for example, in which syringes are removed from the aforementioned trays and transported to a subsequent washing machine, etc. A technical problem that causes difficulties with these machines or groups arises when syringes, which are distributed on trays at a predetermined distance based on negative impressions on the syringes, must be transferred to a conveyor or similar equipment where the distance between the syringes is different. Another problem that arises is having to feed the trays according to one spatial direction and then provide for the subsequent movement of removed syringes according to a different spatial direction. The problems described above are not easily overcome with currently available machines. Document EP 2441711 relates to a method for extracting glass containers according to the preamble of claim 1. Document WO 2007 / 121930 relates to a device for packaging articles which uses clamping elements on a rotating head. Ln / zznz / E / YiAi - 3 The general objective of the present invention is to provide a sector for extracting glass containers for pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic use from trays and an extraction clamp capable of solving the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in an extremely simple, economical and particularly functional manner. An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a device for extracting glass containers for pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic use from trays and an extraction clamp which generally prevents any possible grooving or scraping of the syringe being handled. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device for extracting glass containers for pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic use from trays and an extraction clamp which ensures continuity in the extraction of the containers from the trays. The above objectives are achieved by a device for extracting glass containers for pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic use from trays and an extraction clamp produced according to independent claim 1 and the following dependent claims. The structural and functional features of the present invention and its advantages over the prior art will become even more apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying schematic figures, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In the figures: Figure 1 shows a general perspective view of a part of a syringe handling machine in which a handling system is provided for extracting syringes from a tray and transferring them to a continuous conveyor according to the present invention, positioned and operating in a first operating position of the system with the extraction robot head; Figure 2 is a perspective view, similar to that in Figure 1, in a second operating position with the robot head releasing the syringes onto a linear conveyor; Figures 3 and 4 show a partial perspective view and a view in - 4 section of the system which allows rotation according to a circumference of wheel or star sectors of a device to extract syringes from underlying trays; Figures 5 and 6 show perspective views of one of the wheel or star sectors equipped with extraction clamps; Figures 7 and 8 show a section taken along line VII-VII of Figure 6 and an enlarged detail according to circle B indicated in Figure 6 of parts of the wheel or star sector; Figures 9 and 10 show perspective views of a robot head, as illustrated, with fastening elements as positioned in Figures 1 and 2, respectively; Figures 11 and 11b show split section perspective views and through an enlarged detail according to the robot head circle C as shown in Figures 1 and 9 in the extraction position; Figures 12 and 12b show split section perspective views and through an enlarged detail according to the robot head circle D as shown in Figures 2 and 10 in the release position; Figures 13 and 13b show perspective views similar to those in Figures 11 and 11b according to different sections and details according to circle E in the extraction position; Figures 14 and 14b show perspective views similar to those in Figures 12 and 12b according to different sections and details according to circle G in the release position; Figures 15, 16 and 17 show, in three different positions, the movement sequence of the three wheel sectors or star segments during the extraction of the syringes; Schematic figures 18 to 23 show a series of positions suitable for understanding how a single sector moves in its secular trajectory around the X-axis. frfrno Ln / zznz / E / YiAi With reference to exemplary and non-limiting figures, these show a - 5 modality of a device for extracting glass containers for pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic use, such as syringes, from trays and a respective extraction clamp from a tray. Indications such as vertical and horizontal, upper and lower (in the absence of other indications) should be read with reference to the assembly (or operation) conditions and with reference to the normal terminology used in the current language, where vertical indicates a direction substantially parallel to that of the gravity force vector and horizontal indicates a direction perpendicular to it. With reference first to figures 1 and 2, the syringe handling system provides a feed of trays 11, for example of the type generally used in these machines, each containing a row of syringes 12 or similar, housed in suitable recesses or impressions 13 of the same trays 11. The trays 11 are forced to move and advance a predetermined distance from each other on a horizontal feed plane 14 according to a loop path indicated by track 15, in stages and / or continuously, depending on the specific phase of operation. The trays 11 are thus carried and passed under a syringe extraction device 12 from the trays 11. The extraction device comprises three wheel sectors 16, 17 and 18, or star segments, which are caused to rotate about a common horizontal axis X along a secular path by means of respective motors 19, 20 and 21. The wheel sectors 16, 17 and 18, on an outer peripheral surface formed as an arc of a circle, are inserted into a suitable arced groove 22, and carry a series of extraction clamps 23 from the single syringe 12 distributed at a first reciprocal distance k corresponding to the pitch between consecutive recesses or impressions 13 of the trays 11. As clearly shown in the figures, the single wheel sector 16, 17, and 18, rotating about the X-axis, moves on a vertical plane perpendicular to the tray feed plane and follows a path, indicated by arrow F, which is tangent to the feed plane 14 and the tray plane 11, in a circular pattern. The three wheel sectors 16, 17, and 18 therefore occupy less than three-quarters of the circumference along which they move and thus can Ln / zznz / E / YiAi ίη / ζζηζ / Ε / γίΛΐ - 6 follow each other on the path mentioned above, as will be observed below. Its movements are such that they allow the extraction of the single syringe 12 from the syringe tray 11, which moves on the lower horizontal feed plane 14 (Figure 1). Furthermore, they are designed to ensure its movement to a higher position, specifically a position for gripping a robot manipulator head 24 or for extraction 25. All of this is achieved through synchronization between the wheel sectors 16, 17, and 18 for the extraction of syringe 12 and the movement of the tray 11, which is part of the tray flow on the horizontal plane. The extraction robot head 24 provides a series of movable and variable clamping elements 26 that are positioned relative to each other, according to the choice of step or distance between consecutive clamping syringes 12. The robot 25, in the movement of its head 24 in space towards a lower continuous linear conveyor 27 (figure 2), is able to vary the step or distance between consecutive held syringes 12 to prepare them to be distributed in the housings 48 provided on the linear conveyor 27. It should be noted that these housings 48 of the linear conveyor 27, for example a belt, are distributed at a second distance h different from the first distance k so that the syringes are released at a reciprocal distance different from the distance they had when they were transported by the wheel sectors or star segments 16, 17 and 18, i.e., from the trays 11. Furthermore, this second distance h stands out to be specifically the correct distance for deposition on the linear conveyor 27. In this way, the robot head 24 of the robot 25 carries out a linear deposit on the conveyor 27 with a different deposition step as required and according to the type of conveyor 27 in use. An important detail of the present invention, which solves the problems of the prior art, is that a variation in the step between the ίη / ζζηζ / E / γίΛΐ is obtained - Seven individual syringes are moved from trays to a linear conveyor via this system. The robot head allows the syringes to be picked up at one step and deposited onto a subsequent conveyor or machine station at a different step. Specifically, the syringes 12 are extracted from a single tray 11 distributed at a first distance k between each syringe (Figure 1). This extraction is carried out via the wheel or star sectors 16, 17, and 18 with a series of extraction grippers 23, which extract the single syringe 12 with an identical step. The wheel or star sectors 16, 17, and 18 then cause the syringes 12 to be extracted from the robot head 24. Through this transfer, therefore, the required separation between the individual syringes 12 is achieved, as well as a variation in their placement on the desired surfaces or parts of the machine, useful for their correct processing. By means of the present invention, in fact, the syringes fed onto the trays in a first spatial direction are moved in such a way that they acquire a different spatial direction. Figures 3 to 8 show some aspects of the extraction device, the composition of the single wheel or star sector 16, 17 and 18 and the rotational movement of these sectors according to a circumference. The extraction device, as already mentioned, comprises three wheel sectors 16, 17 and 18, or star segments, which are caused to rotate about a common horizontal axis X by means of respective motors 19, 20 and 21. The wheel sectors 16, 17 and 18 on an outer peripheral surface, inserted in a suitable arched groove 22, carry a series of clamps 23 for extraction of the single syringe 12. As clearly shown in the figures, the single wheel sectors 16, 17, and 18, which rotate about the X-axis, move on a vertical plane and follow a circular path, indicated by arrow F (Figure 3). This demonstrates that they are in a direction tangent to the feed plane 14 and, therefore, to the trays 11. The three wheel sectors 16, 17, and 18 occupy less than three-quarters of the circumference along which they move and can therefore follow each other in the path mentioned above. - 8 Each single wheel sector 16, 17 and 8 star segment comprises a two-halved body 50, 51 on which the peripheral surface having a larger diameter is oriented outwards, oriented recesses are formed on each of the two halves 50, 51, which define the previously mentioned arched groove 22. The series of extraction forceps 23 of the single syringe 12 (figures 5 to 8), as already mentioned, distributed at a first distance k from each other, are inserted into this groove 22. These clamps or jaws 23 are made of plastic material and have a body 52 limited to one of the sections, from which two lateral arms 53, 54 extend, forming an elongated U. The first arm 53, slightly curved in a recess or curved portion 49 towards the free end of the syringe housing 12, has a substantially constant thickness. The second arm 54 is provided with an intermediate tooth 55 that projects inwards and is oriented towards the other arm 53. This tooth 55 forms a support surface for the syringe 12, which is housed in a curved portion 49 mirroring that provided in the first arm 53. The single extraction clamp 23 is in fact carried from sector 16 (as shown in figures 1 and 15) or 17 or 18 to couple tangentially over the syringes 12 according to arrow F and allows the syringe 12 to be accommodated within the two arms 53, 54. More specifically, syringe 12 is distributed within the curved portions 49 of arms 53 and 54, with arm 54 advancing first relative to arm 53. This causes syringe 12, when engaged between arms 53 and 54, to make contact against the notch 55 of arm 54. This placement allows syringe 12 to be extracted from impression 13 of tray 11 effortlessly, smoothly, without any scraping or friction. The sector in the extraction action places one clamp after another to extract a respective syringe 12 without any effort. Holes 56' are provided in the body 52, which receive fastening bolts 56 to the respective sector within one of the two halves 50, 51 of the wheel sector body 16, 17 and 18 or the star segment. Ln / zznz / E / YiAi - 9 Each wheel sector 16, 17 and 8 or star segment is caused to rotate about the X axis as it is carried by a respective arm 57, 57', 57 connected to a respective shaft section 58, 58', 58. These shaft sections 58, 58', 58 are distributed coaxially with respect to each other and are driven by motors 19, 20 and 21 through transmission belts 59, 59', 59. The motors 19, 20 and 21 are determined in particular movements on the electronic cam so that the wheel sectors 16, 17 and 18 or the star segment follow each other with independent speed variations and stops, thus ensuring a continuous and constant supply of complete syringe sectors below the head 24 of the extraction robot 25. With regard to figures 9 to 14b, these show the robot head and its functionality in an exemplary and non-limiting mode, in greater detail. The extraction robot head 24 provides a series of clamping elements 26 which are movable and variable in position with respect to each other according to the choice of the step or distance between consecutive syringes 12, both in the clamping position and in the deposition or release. The head 24 comprises an outer housing in two coupled parts 30, 31, which is vertically arranged with an elongated lower opening 32 formed halfway over each of the two parts 30, 31. The clamping elements 26 protrude from the opening 32 and are in the form of a series of rods 33 provided at their free ends with clamping elements (Figures 11 to 14). In the example shown, each clamping element consists of a suction cup 34, but a clamp or other similar clamping element can be provided identically. The head contains a mechanism for movement and variation of position of the fastening elements 26, with respect to each other, which are described later in their exemplary but not limiting form. The rods 33 are distributed at their other ends, and each rod extends from the first free ends of the tubular bodies 35. At the second ends, the tubular bodies are integral with the joints 36, distributed in the form of a chain articulated consecutively by means of intermediate pieces 37 - 10 articulated to the same (figures 13 to 14b). The unique joints 36 have shaped lateral surfaces 38 that cooperate with each other so that subsequent joints 36 can move on a plane while remaining in contact with each other. It should also be noted that there are twelve joints 36 in the example that transports twelve tubular bodies 35, twelve rods 33 with respective suction cups 34, but that they may be in another preselected number. A joint 36', intermediate between the other joints 36, is free to rotate around the pins 38 (figure 13) which are articulated on plates 39. These plates 39 are integrally distributed within the two coupled parts 30, 31 of the box. The end joints 36 of the joint series 36 also carry pins 40 (Figures 11 and 13) that are engaged in arched grooves 41 formed at opposite ends of the plates 39. These pins 40 are in turn connected and distributed freely to rotate in end openings 42, the latter formed at the first end of square rods 43. The square rods 43 are in turn centrally hinged to an integral pin 44 with the plates 39, around which they pivot. The opposite ends of these square rods 43 are connected by pins 45 to the ends of rods 46 of the drive cylinders 47, which are hinged at their free ends to the plates 39. Actuation of the cylinders 47 causes the square rods 43 to oscillate, with a change in the position of the joint series 36 and thus of the clamping elements 26.Thanks to the presence of the arched grooves 41, the joints 36 can assume two different extreme operating positions. In one position, close to the other (Figures 13 and 13b), the joints 36 are arranged in an arc, with clamping elements 26 distributed so that they almost converge toward a central point. The support surfaces 60 obtained at consecutive joints 36 on the upper part of the joint are separated in this position. Furthermore, oriented support surfaces 61 are provided on the tubular bodies 35, which are arranged in contact with each other to facilitate the convergent position of the clamping elements 26. In a second position, aligned along a straight line (figures 14 and frfrno ίη / ζζηζ / E / γίΛΐ Ln / zznz / E / YiAi - 11 14b), the joints 36 are displaced so that the fastening elements 26 are all parallel to each other and separated. The support surfaces 60 mentioned above in this position are distributed in support and favor the aligned and parallel position of the fastening elements 26. The first position, with closely spaced rods converging at a point, corresponds to the extraction position of the syringes 12 from the wheel sectors 16, 17, and 18, or star segments, when placed in the extraction position with syringes distributed according to the first distance k mentioned above. The second position, on the other hand, with parallel rods, corresponds to the release position of the syringes 12 onto the linear conveyor carried by the head 24 of the robot 25. In this second position, a second distance h is obtained between successive syringes, different from the first distance k they have when transported by the wheel sectors or star segments or by the trays 11, the second distance h is exactly the correct distance for deposition on the linear conveyor 27. In this way, it can be observed how the robot 25, by moving its head 24 in space towards an underlying linear conveyor 27, is able to vary the pitch or distance between successive held syringes 12 by appropriately activating the cylinders 47 between the two positions mentioned above. Thus, the robot 25's head 24, on the one hand, performs a correct removal from sectors 16, 17, or 18 thanks to the correct positioning also determined by the support surfaces 61 of the tubular bodies 35 and, on the other hand, a linear deposition onto the conveyor 27 with the deposition pitch always being correct, determined by the support surfaces 60 of the joints 36. If the syringes 12 have different diameters, taken from sectors with different clamps 23 in trays with impressions that have a different pitch, they must be treated and deposited correctly on the linear conveyor, the rods 33 of the clamping elements 26 must be replaced with rods that have a variable length. Thanks to the particular head 24 of the robot 25 described above, the Ln / zznz / E / YiAi - 12 The user can even intervene by defining a preselected and defined number of syringes. This can be particularly useful and advantageous if the syringe format varies, and the tray type and its number of internal impressions also vary accordingly. This effect uses a specific algorithm that allows the speed and placement of the star sectors to be varied, enabling the syringes to be distributed stage by stage and continuously (without gaps). This entire process is carried out even if the number of syringes in the tray changes according to the syringe size and tray composition. This is also thanks to the fact that the robot head is able to pick up the syringes at a certain step (distance between one syringe and the other) from the star sector and release these syringes to a subsequent processing station at a different step (distance between one syringe and the other). The three figures 15, 16 and 17 show the movement sequence of a wheel sector 16, 17 and 18 or the start segment when it acts on a tray which is moved and advanced a predetermined distance from a previous tray and from a subsequent tray on the horizontal feed plane 14. The first figure 15 shows how the sector, for example 16, transports the series of extraction forceps 23 in correspondence with the initial part of the tray 11 that transports a predetermined number of syringes 12. The first of these extraction forceps 23 attaches to the first syringe 12, located in the first recess or impression 13 of tray 11, and removes it, carrying it with the forceps. The same operation is performed by the subsequent forceps 23, which act on the subsequent syringes 12, distributed in the subsequent impressions 13 provided in tray 11. The second figure 16 shows how sector 16, which continues in its rotation, has the respective syringes 12 in a certain number of extraction clamps 23 and how tray 11 simultaneously moves forward in sync on the horizontal feed plane 14. - 13 Finally, the third figure 17 shows how sector 16 has removed several syringes 12 and tray 11, which moves forward in perfect synchrony, has most of the impressions 13 empty. Sector 16 has therefore almost completed the removal of the syringes 12 from tray 11. The wheel sector or star segment 16 in this example, thanks to the particular design and the conception of the extraction clamps 23 present in it, gently extracts a single syringe 12 from the tray 11, avoiding any possible friction or soiling between the parts in question. The present invention, in fact, allows the wheel sector or star segment 16 to be coupled with the syringes 12 tangentially and one by one, in succession, by means of a smooth and effortless extraction of the single syringe 12. This is due to the arrangement of the parts and the fact that the single clamp or jaw 23 is produced with the two flexible lateral arms 53, 54. More specifically, one arm 53, in its curved portion 49, accommodates the syringe 12, which also fits into the curved portion 49 of the other arm 54. This second arm 54 is provided with an inwardly projecting intermediate notch 55, which facilitates the easy and effortless reception of the syringe 12. This distribution of parts ensures perfect and constant synchronization of the wheel sector 16, 17 or 18 for the extraction of the syringes 12 with the continuous movement of the tray 11 in perfect synchronization at the same forward speed. Each wheel sector or starting segment 16, 17, or 18 is in fact caused to rotate around the common horizontal axis X according to a circular path, and when this is carried out over a tray from which the containers or syringes are to be extracted, each tray moves forward at the same peripheral speed as the sector acting on the extraction. The three figures mentioned above also show the way in which the movement is carried out in this rotary motion around the X axis when syringes or similar containers are removed 12. Wheel sectors 16, 17 and 18 or the star segment are in fact determined by particular movements in the electronic cam so that they can επωο ίη / ζζηζ / Ε / γίΛΐ ίη / ζζηζ / Ε / γίΛΐ - 14 follow each other in such a way as to ensure a continuous and constant supply of sectors filled with syringes 12 towards the top of the head 24 of the extraction robot 25, which in this way has a constant and continuous supply of syringes 12. In practice, sectors 16, 17, and 18 have accelerations and decelerations such that the single sector, for example, sector 16 in Figure 15, when placed above the single tray 11, is controlled at the same peripheral speed and is followed until the tray 11 is completely emptied due to the various positions acquired between the parts, some of which are shown in Figures 15 to 17. At the end of the extraction of syringes 12 (Figure 17), the sector then accelerates and moves towards the end of the previous sector which has already been filled with syringes (see, for example, sector 17 which advances to the end of sector 18 in Figure 15). The single sector, for example sector 18 in figure 1, which, on the other hand, must face the head 24 of the robot 25 to allow the removal of the syringes, moves to the extraction position and stops them to specifically allow the removal of syringes 12. The section, for example section 18 in Figure 17, once emptied, is then quickly prepared to receive a new tray 11 filled with syringes, which is rapidly synchronized with section 18 upon its arrival. The entire assembly then moves forward at the same speed as the extraction of the syringes 12 from the tray begins in the section equipped with the single-syringe extraction forceps 23. This alteration between accelerations, advance at a constant speed, accelerations, stops, etc. is indicated as an electronic cam controlled exclusively by a program and by the speed variations of motors 19, 20 and 21 which synthesize a certain law of movement. Schematic figures 18 to 23 show how a sector moves in its circular path around the X-axis. Figures 18, 19, and 20 repeat the single sector movement in its phase of Ln / zznz / E / YiAi - 15 extraction, that is, when the peripheral speed is equal to that of the advance of tray 11, it extracts the syringes from the tray itself. The sector shown as an example is sector 16. At the end of this extraction phase, sector 16 rapidly accelerates to the position shown in Figure 21, immediately behind the preceding sector 17. In this position, both sector 17 and sector 16 come to a stop. At this detection position, a predetermined number of syringes are extracted from sectors 16 and 17, partially from sector 17 along with some initial syringes carried by sector 16, which has moved in this manner. This extraction is indicated by 90° in Figure 19 from sectors 16 and 17, also by 90° in Figure 20 from sector 17, and by 90° in Figure 21 from sectors 16 and 17. Figure 22 shows a subsequent position in which the emptied sector 17 has moved rapidly until it is on a new tray for extracting new syringes. Sector 16, on the other hand, which has advanced in the rotation for a certain length, stops and, together with sector 18, presents itself for extraction. All of this occurs naturally in sectors 16 and 18, which are stationary in the position of this action, where extraction is indicated by 90° as in the previous cases. Finally, Figure 23 shows how sector 16, also emptied, begins its rapid rotation to move onto a subsequent tray while sector 17 continues its extraction from the tray and sector 18 is stationary to allow the extraction of the predetermined number 90 of 12 syringes mentioned above. It should also be noted that the invention proposes a new method. This is, in fact, a method for extracting syringes contained in a tray 11 and transferring them to a continuous conveyor 27. As can be seen, the trays 11 are provided with a series of recesses or indentations 13 which house a series of syringes 12 or similar items and cause them to move forward and advance a predetermined distance from each other on a feed surface 14 in stages and / or continuously. In this way, the trays are placed under a device for extracting the syringes from the trays, where the device of ίη / ζζηζ / E / γίΛΐ - 16 extraction comprises the wheel sectors or star segments 16, 17 and 18, which are caused to rotate around a common horizontal axis X according to a circular path. The wheel sectors or star segments 16, 17 and 18 have on an outer peripheral surface formed as an arc of a circle a series of extraction clamps 23 of the single syringe 12 distributed among each other at a first reciprocal distance k. This distance k is equal to the distance between recesses or impressions 13 of the trays 11. In addition, a robot head is involved in the method, which is provided with movement in a space and which provides a series of clamping elements 26 for the extraction of the syringes 12 transported by the sectors and released onto the linear conveyor. The method of the invention provides a series of innovative steps. One stage, in fact, is provided for extracting the syringes, one at a time, from the trays by means of clamps carried by the sectors, where the sectors are caused to rotate tangent to the trays which move forward in sync with the rotation of the sectors. This extraction has been found to be frictionless and therefore does not damage the syringes. This stage is followed by a stage for the extraction of all the syringes together carried by the grippers of a single sector by means of the extraction elements of the robot head, once the rotation of the single sector has stopped. Once the syringes have been extracted, this is followed by a transfer stage of all the syringes extracted by the robot head from the sectors to a position above the linear conveyor for distribution into the 48 housings of conveyor 27. To accomplish this, a completely innovative intermediate stage must be implemented. This stage, which takes place during the transfer of the robot head, causes the syringes carried by the extraction elements, positioned at a first distance k, to move to a second distance h, different from the first. Ln / zznz / E / YiAi - 17 distance k, to deposit all syringes together on the linear conveyor 27 in the relative housings 48. For this purpose, the fastening elements 26 can be moved and are variable in position relative to each other. Finally, there is naturally a stage for the release of all the syringes that have been attached at a second distance k on the continuous linear conveyor. As observed and as written, the examples refer to syringes, but the method and system in its parts are identically suitable for glass containers as specified above. Additional variations are possible from the modalities described above, without departing from the teaching of the present invention. Finally, it is evident that the groups and methods conceived in this way can undergo numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the invention; moreover, all the details can be substituted with technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can vary according to technical requirements. The objective mentioned in the preamble of the description has thus been achieved. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A device suitable for extracting glass containers for pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic use from trays, wherein the trays are provided with a series of recesses or impressions which house a series of glass containers or the like arranged consecutively, the device comprising: at least one wheel sector or star segment which is caused to rotate about a common horizontal axis in accordance with a circular path which is carried out above a tray which moves forward at the same peripheral speed as the sector, wherein the at least one wheel sector or star segment is carried on an outer peripheral surface formed as an arc of a circle, a series of single glass container extraction grippers distributed from one another at a first reciprocal distance equal to that between the recesses or impressions of the tray,wherein each of the extraction clamps provides a pair of flexible arms which house a single glass container, characterized in that at least one wheel sector or star segment comprises a two-halved body whose peripheral surface has a larger diameter oriented outwards, oriented recesses are formed in each of the two halves defining an arched groove, which receives the series of extraction clamps.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the extraction forceps are made of plastic material.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the extraction forceps have a body, integral with at least one sector, from which two flexible lateral arms extend forming an elongated U.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that both arms have a portion curved towards the free end oriented towards the opposite arm.

5. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that one of the two arms is provided with an intermediate tooth, projecting inwards, oriented towards the other arm, and which forms a support surface for the glass container.

6. A method for extracting glass containers for pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic use from trays with a device according to claim 5, wherein the trays are provided with a series of recesses or impressions which house a series of glass containers or the like, arranged consecutively, and wherein at least one wheel sector or star segment is caused to rotate about a common horizontal axis along a circular path and which is carried above one of the trays which moves forward at the same peripheral speed as at least one sector, the method providing that: each of the grippers is carried by at least one sector to engage on a single glass container arranged in a tray according to a path tangential to the tray, wherein in the step,At least one sector is carried above the single tray which moves forward at the same peripheral speed as the sector; a second arm advances first with respect to a first arm so that a single container when coupled between the arms comes up against the notch of the second arm and is extracted from the tray by the single grippers, the method is defined in that a device is used to extract the glass containers from the trays,which comprises three wheel sectors or star segments which are individually driven by a respective motor which causes them to rotate around a common horizontal axis according to a circular path and in such a way that they follow each other with variations in speed and with independent stops of one sector with respect to the others so as to ensure a continuous and constant supply of sectors full of glass containers below a robot head for the extraction of a predetermined number of containers, all at once.

7. A dispensing clamp for a single glass container from a tray, for use in a device according to claims 1 to 5, and a method according to claim 6, characterized in that the clamp is made of plastic material and comprises a body from which two flexible arms extend to form an elongated U, wherein the first arm provides a curved portion towards the free end of the second arm which also provides a curved portion 5 mirroring that of the first arm, which is also provided with an inwardly projecting intermediate notch oriented towards the other arm and which generates a support surface for a single glass container.

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