Multiformat gripper for bottles with double rod mechanism

Abstract

It is described a gripper (1) for gripping a container (B 1; B2), comprising: a first jaw (2) and a second jaw (3), the jaws being configured to adopt at least a first gripping condition for gripping a first format container (B1), a second gripping condition for gripping a second format container (B2), and an opened condition for releasing the gripped container (B1; B2); an actuation group (6) for controlling the condition of the jaws (2, 3); a mechanism (5); a common fulcrum (4), each of said jaws (2, 3) being rotatable around said common fulcrum (4);wherein the gripper (1) is configured so that the jaws (2, 3) can move between said conditions by rotating around said common fulcrum (4); wherein the gripper (1) is configured so that, by means of said mechanism (5), a translation of the actuation group (6) in alignment with said common fulcrum (4) generates the rotation of said jaws (2, 3) around said common fulcrum (4), so that a first position of the actuation group (6) corresponds to said opened condition, a second position of the actuation group (6) corresponds to said first gripping condition, and a third position of the actuation group (6) corresponds to said second gripping condition.

Description

MULTIFORMAT GRIPPER FOR BOTTLES WITH DOUBLE ROD MECHANISM

[0001] The present invention relates to a gripper for gripping a container to be used in a machine for packaging pourable products by means of containers.

[0002] The present invention also relates to the machine comprising the gripper.

[0003] In the field of packaging pourable product by means of containers, it is known the use of different machines for performing respective operations on the containers, and the use of grippers for handling and transferring containers from, to, and between the different machines.

[0004] Current solutions present the problem of a high wear due to the cyclical mechanical forces operatively acting on the various components of the gripper.DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A gripper according to present description or according to any of the appended gripper claims, is configured for reducing the wear of the gripper to increase the lifetime.

[0006] A machine according to present description or according to any of the appended machine claims, comprises a gripper according to present description or according to any of the appended gripper claims.

[0007] The following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are referred to an example embodiment of a gripper according to present description and to an example embodiment of a machine according to present description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The following detailed description will be referred to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] is a perspective view of the gripper in an opened condition;

[0010] is a perspective view of the gripper in a first gripping condition for gripping a first format container;

[0011] is a perspective view of the gripper in a second gripping condition for gripping a second format container which corresponds to a smaller width of the neck of the container, with respect to the first format;

[0012] is a top view of the gripper in the first gripping condition;

[0013] is a top view of the gripper in the second gripping condition;

[0014] is a lateral view of the gripper in the first gripping condition;

[0015] is a lateral view of the gripper in the second gripping condition;

[0016] is a lateral view of the gripper in the opened condition;

[0017] is a top view of the gripper in the opened condition;

[0018] is a top view of the gripper in a first instant during an operation for receiving a container;

[0019] is a top view of the gripper in a second instant during an operation for receiving a container;

[0020] is a top view of the gripper in a third instant during an operation for receiving a container.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The gripper 1 is configured for gripping a container B1 or B2.

[0022] The gripper 1 comprises a first jaw 2 and a second jaw 3. The jaws 2 and 3 are configured to adopt a first gripping condition for gripping a first format container B1. The jaws 2 and 3 adopt the first gripping condition in Figures 2, 4 and 6. The first gripping condition of the jaws corresponds to a first gripping condition of the gripper 1. The jaws 2 and 3 are configured to adopt a second gripping condition for gripping a second format container B2. The jaws 2 and 3 adopt the second gripping condition in Figures 3, 5 and 7. The second gripping condition of the jaws corresponds to a second gripping condition of the gripper 1. The jaws 2 and 3 are configured to adopt an opened condition for releasing the gripped container B1 or B2. The jaws 2 and 3 adopt the opened condition in Figures 1, 8, 9 and 11.

[0023] The container B1 or B2 is a bottle. The container of the second format B2 differs from the container of the first format B1 at least for a smaller neck of the container B1 or B2. If the container B1 or B2 is a bottle, the neck is the neck of the bottle. The container B1 or B2 can be for example a PET bottle.

[0024] In each gripping condition, the jaws 2 and 3 grip the neck of the bottle.

[0025] The gripper 1 comprises an actuation group 6 for moving the jaws 2 and 3 between said conditions.

[0026] The gripper 1 comprises a mechanism 5.

[0027] The gripper 1 comprises a common fulcrum 4. Each of the jaws 2 and 3 is rotatable around the common fulcrum 4.

[0028] The gripper 1 is configured so that the jaws 2 and 3 can move between said conditions by rotating around said common fulcrum 4.

[0029] The gripper 1 is configured so that, by means of said mechanism 5, a translation of the actuation group 6 in alignment with said fulcrum 4 generates the rotation of said jaws 2 and 3 around said common fulcrum 4, so that a first position of the actuation group 6 corresponds to said opened condition, a second position of the actuation group 6 corresponds to said first gripping condition, and a third position of the actuation group 6 corresponds to said second gripping condition.

[0030] The actuation group 6 adopts the first position in Figures 1, 8, 9 and 11. The actuation group 6 adopts the second position in Figures 2, 4 and 6. The actuation group 6 adopts the third position in Figures 3, 5 and 7.

[0031] The movement of the group 6 is in alignment with the common fulcrum 4 in the sense that it occurs along an axis X which is aligned with fulcrum 4, as shown in.

[0032] This produces operatively a very balanced distribution of forces through the gripper 1, to reduce the wear of the gripper 1. In particular, the forces generated by the actuation group 6 when it interacts with an external actuation system, to control the condition of the jaws 2 and 3, are at least mainly or completely oriented in alignment with the fulcrum 4. Therefore, the lifetime of the multiformat gripper 1 is improved.

[0033] The mechanism 5 comprises a first element 51 hinged to the group 6 and to the first jaw 2. The mechanism 5 comprises a second element 52 hinged to the group 6 and to said second jaw 3. In this way the width of the gripper at the height of the mechanism can be reduced, to reduce the footprint of the gripper 1 on the conveyor conveying the gripper 1.

[0034] The group 6 comprises a first body 61 to interact with an external actuation system 8 to vary the position of the group 6, for controlling the condition of the jaws 2 and 3. The group 6 comprises a second body 62. Each of the first element 51 and the second element 52 is hinged to the second body 62. In this way the bending torque acting one each jaw during interaction of the first body 61 with the external actuation system 8 is reduced and preferably eliminated, because the points through which forces can be generated to cause a bending effect on each jaw are reduced or eliminated.

[0035] The mechanism 5 defines a double rod mechanism. Each of the element 51 and 52 defines a respective rod of the double rod mechanism. In this way the forces are transmitted in a very balanced manner from the group 6 to the jaws 2 and 3.

[0036] The second body 62 defines a central hinge of said double rod mechanism. In this way the movement of the group 6 to control the condition of the jaws 2 and 3 can be aligned with the common fulcrum 4 by means of a mechanical configuration with a reduced complexity.

[0037] Each jaw 2 and 3 comprises, with respect to the fulcrum 4, a respective front part 21 or 31 for contacting the container B1 or B2 in a gripping condition of the gripper 1. Each of the jaws 2 and 3 comprises a respective rear part 22 or 32, which is located on the opposite side of the front part 21 or 31, with respect to the common fulcrum 4.

[0038] The front part of the first jaw 2 is indicated with 21 in Figures 4, 5 and 9. The front part of the second jaw 3 is indicated with 31 in Figures 4, 5, 9, and in Figures 6, 7 and 8. The rear part of the first jaw 2 is indicated with 22 in Figures 4, 5 and 9. The rear part of the second jaw 3 is indicated with 32 in Figures 4, 5, 9, and in Figures 6, 7 and 8.

[0039] The profile of the first jaw 2 and of the second jaw 3 is specifically designed to optimize the gripping effect for each of at least two formats of container, like the container of the first format B1 and the container of the second format B2. The profile is specifically preferably designed for gripping any format of container between the first format of container B1 and the second format of container B2.

[0040] The first element 51 of the mechanism 5 is hinged to the rear part 22 of the first jaw 2 by means of a first hinge 511. The second element 52 of the mechanism 5 is hinged to the rear part 32 of the second jaw 3 by means of a second hinge 521.

[0041] As the neck of the bottle is smaller in the second format B2 than in the first format B1, the gripper 1 is configured so that the jaws are more closed in the second gripping condition than in the first gripping condition, and therefore the gripper is more closed in the second gripping condition than in the first gripping condition. The gripper 1 comprises a biasing device for biasing the group 6 from the first position of the group 6 towards the third position of the group 6, and therefore the jaws 2 and 3 from the opened condition towards the second gripping condition.

[0042] The biasing device comprises a magnetic element 71. The group 6 comprises a third body 63 which is magnetic. The magnetic element 71 and the third body 63 are configured for magnetically repel each other, to bias the group 6 from the first position of the group 6 towards the third position of the group 6, and therefore the jaws 2, 3 from the opened condition towards the second gripping condition.

[0043] When the gripper 1 adopts the first gripping condition or the second gripping condition, the gripped container B1 or B2 tends to open the gripper 1, while the magnetic biasing device tends to keep the gripper 1 closed. In the second gripping condition the magnetic element 71 and the third body 63 are less close to each other than in the first gripping condition. Thanks also to the mechanism comprising the two elements 51 and 52 of the mechanism, which are hinged to respective jaws 2 and 3, the closed position of the jaws 2 and 3 is more stable in the second gripping condition than in the first gripping condition, in the sense that, in the second gripping condition, it is more difficult that the gripper 1 opens due to the counter effect of the gripped container B2. On the other hand, when the gripper 1 adopts the second gripping condition, the magnetic repulsion effect between the magnetic element 71 and the third body 63 is less pronounced than in the first gripping condition, because the third body 63 and the magnetic element 71 are less close to each other in the second gripping condition than in the first gripping condition.

[0044] Therefore, an optimization of stability and gripping effect of the multiformat gripper 1 is obtained.

[0045] The gripper comprises a frame 7 to which said fulcrum 4 is fixed and with respect to which the group 6 is movable to vary its position for controlling the condition of the jaws 2 and 3. The magnetic element 71 is part of said frame 7.

[0046] The first hinge 511 and the second hinge 521 are not fixed to the frame 7. The first hinge 511 and the second hinge 521 are free from the frame 7. In this way the operative bending torque on each jaw is reduced or eliminated.

[0047] In Figures 10, 11 and 12, the external system 8 for controlling the condition of the jaws 2 and 3 by interaction with the first body 61 is a cam.

[0048] Inthe jaws of the gripper 1 are moving towards the opened condition to be able to receive the container B1, thanks to interaction of the first body 61 with a first stretch 81 of the cam. The first stretch 81 is configured for interacting with the first body 61 to move the jaws into the opened condition, against the action of the magnetic biasing device. In, the gripper 1 is located almost at the end of a second stretch 82 of the cam, and the jaws adopts the opened condition. The second stretch 82 is configured for interacting with the first body 61 to keep the jaws of the gripper 1 in the opened condition, against the action of the magnetic biasing device. In, the gripper 1 is moving towards the first gripping condition to grip the container B1, thanks to the interaction of the first body 61 with a third stretch 83 of the cam 8.

[0049] The machine is be used in an apparatus for packaging pourable products by means of containers, and comprises the gripper 1. The gripper 1 can be mounted on the carousel of the machine or on a transfer starwheel. The machine can be for example a filling machine. The filling machine can be an aseptic filling machine.

[0050] The gripper 1 is adapted for an aseptic environment, thanks to a significant reduction of components which could generate contaminations.

Claims

Gripper (1) for gripping a container (B1; B2), comprising:- a first jaw (2) and a second jaw (3), the jaws being configured to adopt at least a first gripping condition for gripping a first format container (B1), a second gripping condition for gripping a second format container (B2), and an opened condition for releasing the gripped container (B1; B2);- an actuation group (6) for controlling the condition of the jaws (2, 3);- a mechanism (5);- a common fulcrum (4), each of said jaws (2, 3) being rotatable around said common fulcrum (4);wherein:- the gripper (1) is configured so that the jaws (2, 3) can move between said conditions by rotating around said common fulcrum (4);- the gripper (1) is configured so that, by means of said mechanism (5), a translation of the actuation group (6) in alignment with said common fulcrum (4) generates the rotation of said jaws (2, 3) around said common fulcrum (4), so that a first position of the actuation group (6) with respect to the common fulcrum (4) corresponds to said opened condition, a second position of the actuation group (6) with respect to the common fulcrum (4) corresponds to said first gripping condition, and a third position of the actuation group (6) with respect to the common fulcrum (4) corresponds to said second gripping condition.Gripper (1) according to Claim 1, wherein said mechanism (5) comprises:- a first element (51) hinged to said group (6) and to said first jaw (2);- a second element (52) hinged to said group (6) and to said second jaw (3).Gripper (1) according to Claim 2, wherein said group (6) comprises a first body (61) for interacting with an external actuation system (8), to vary the position of the group (6) for controlling the condition of the jaws (2, 3), and a second body (62), each of the first element (51) and the second element (52) being hinged to the second body (62).Gripper (1) according to Claim 3, wherein said mechanism (5) defines a double rod mechanism, each of said elements (51, 52) defining a respective rod.Gripper (1) according to Claims 3 and 4, wherein said second body (62) defines a central hinge of said double rod mechanism.Gripper (1) according to any one of Claims from 3 to 5, wherein:each of the jaws (2, 3) comprises, with respect to said fulcrum (4), a respective front part (21; 31) for contacting the container (B1; B2) in any of said gripping conditions, and a respective rear part (22; 32) which is located on the opposite side of the front part (21; 31), with respect to said fulcrum (4);said first element (51) is hinged to the rear part (22) of the first jaw (2) by means of a first hinge (511), and said second element (52) is hinged to the rear part (32) of the second jaw (3) by means of a second hinge (521).Gripper (1) according to any one of the previous Claims, wherein the gripper (1) is configured so that the jaws are more closed in the second gripping condition than in the first gripping condition, and the gripper (1) comprises a biasing device for biasing the group (6) from the first position of the group (6) towards the third position of the group (6), and therefore the jaws (2, 3) from the opened condition towards the second gripping condition.Gripper (1) according to Claim 7, wherein the biasing device comprises a magnetic element (71) and the group (6) comprises a third body (63) which is magnetic, the magnetic element (71) and the third body (63) being configured for magnetically repel each other, to bias the group (6) from the first position towards the third position, and therefore the jaws (2, 3) from the opened condition towards the second gripping condition.Gripper (1) according to Claim 7 or 8, comprising a frame (7) to which said fulcrum (4) is fixed and with respect to which said group (6) is movable to vary its position for controlling the condition of the jaws (2, 3).Gripper (1) according to Claims 8 and 9, wherein said magnetic element (71) is part of said frame (7).Gripper (1) according to Claims 6 and 9 or according to Claims 6 and 10, wherein said first hinge (511) and second hinge (512) are not fixed to said frame (7) and are free from said frame (7).Gripper (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the container is a bottle and the gripper (1) is configured so that, in each gripping condition, the jaws (2, 3) grip the neck of the bottle, the first format (B1) differing from the second format (B2) at least for a different width of the neck of the bottle.Machine to be used in an apparatus for packaging pourable products by means of containers, comprising a gripper according to any one of the previous Claims.

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