# US 10,766,716 B2 · Container-handling device with centering elements for clamping containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,716 B2 - Document ID: US10766716B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/489,975 - Filed: 2018-02-06 - Published: 2020-01-09 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-15 - Assignees: KHS GmbH - Applicants: KHS GmbH - Inventors: Andreas Ullrich; Klaus-Friedrich Stock - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766716B2 ## CPC - B65G 47/847: {the article-engaging elements being grippers} - B65C 9/02: Devices for moving articles, e.g. containers, past labelling station - B65C 9/06: Devices for presenting articles in predetermined attitude or position at labelling station - B65G 47/846: {Star-shaped wheels or wheels equipped with article-engaging elements} - B67C 3/242: {engaging with bottle necks (B67C3/26 takes precedence)} - B65C 3/26: Affixing labels to non-rigid containers, e.g. bottles made of polyethylene or boxes to be inflated by internal air pressure prior to labelling - B65G 2201/0244: Bottles - B65G 2811/0626: Orientation of articles - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B65C: LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES (nailing or stapling in general B25C, B27F; applying labels for packaging purposes B65B; labels, name-plates G09F ){(series-printing machines B41L; containers for the storage or transport of packages B65D)} - B67C: CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS ## Abstract A container-handling device includes two rotors, holders that are arranged around a periphery of the first rotor and receptacles around the first rotor such that as it rotates, the receptacles pass through distinct angular ranges. When a receptacle has a container, relative movement therebetween causes its centering element and its counter-bearing to clamp a container between them with the holder engaging the container above the counter-bearing A first partial-stroke occurs while the receptacle is in a first angular region and a second partial-stroke occurs after the receptacle has left the first angular region. During the first partial-stroke, the centering element bears against a container's mouth with a pressure, and, during the second partial-stroke, this pressure increases. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising a container-handling device, said container-handling device comprising a first rotor, a second rotor, holders that are arranged around a periphery of said second rotor, each of said holders being a container holder that holds a container while said container is being transported by said second rotor, and a receptacle, said receptacle being one of a plurality of container receptacles that are arranged around a periphery of said first rotor such that, as said first rotor rotates, each of said receptacles passes through first, second, third, and fourth angular ranges, wherein said holders and said receptacles interact with each other by meshing while both are within said first angular range, wherein, as a result of said interaction, said container is transferred between said first and second rotors, wherein said receptacle comprises a movement mechanism, a centering element and a counter-bearing that interacts with said centering element, wherein, when a receptacle has a container, relative movement therebetween causes said centering element and said counter-bearing to cooperate in clamping said container between them at a mouth region of said container with said holder engaging said container above a region at which said counter-bearing engages said container, wherein said movement mechanism is configured to cause said relative movement between said centering element and said counter-bearing element, as a result of which said receptacle executes a first partial-stroke and a second partial-stroke, wherein said first partial-stroke occurs while said receptacle is in a first angular region and said second partial-stroke occurs after said receptacle has left said first angular region, wherein, during said first partial-stroke, said centering element is made to bear against a container's mouth with a first pressure, and wherein, during said second partial-stroke, said centering element is made to bear against said mouth a second pressure, said second pressure being in excess of said first pressure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when no container is in said receptacle, said centering element is above said holder and separated from said holder by a distance. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control curve, wherein said control curve controls said movement mechanism. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said control curve comprises steps between levels, wherein, in a first level, said centering element is spaced at a distance from a mouth of said container, wherein, in a second level, said centering element is pressed against said mouth, and wherein a third level is an intermediate level that is between said first and second levels. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said intermediate level is disposed at a location that causes said centering element to complete said first partial-stroke. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said intermediate level controls said movement mechanism only while said container receptacle is in said first angular region. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said control curve is height adjustable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said control curve comprises segments and said segments of said control curve are exchangeable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said control curve has different angular ranges and said intermediate level is present at different angular ranges of said control curve. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said centering element is exchangeable without having to use tools and wherein said centering element is exchangeable at a plunger or at a spring. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said container comprises a neck ring and wherein said apparatus further comprises a support bearing for supporting said neck ring. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said centering element comprises a cone. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said centering element comprises a tulip. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said centering element comprises a truncated cone. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said movement mechanism comprises a plunger and wherein said plunger moves said centering element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said movement mechanism comprises a spring that is configured to be compressed when said centering element is pressed onto a mouth of said container. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said holder comprises tongs. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said holder is configured to fix said container in a region between a container mouth and an outer contour of said container and wherein said counter-bearing supports said outer contour. ### Claim 19 A method comprising using a container-handling device comprising first and second rotors, holders that are arranged around a periphery of said second rotor, each of said holders being a container holder that holds a container while said container is being transported by said second rotor, and a receptacle, said receptacle being one of a plurality of container receptacles that are arranged around a periphery of said first rotor such that, as said first rotor rotates, each of said receptacles passes through first, second, third, and fourth angular ranges, wherein said receptacle comprises a movement mechanism, a centering element and a counter-bearing that interacts with said centering element, said method comprising causing said holders and said receptacles to interact with each other by meshing while both are within said first angular range thereby transferring said container between said first and second rotors such that said receptacle receives said container, while said receptacle is in said first angular region, executing a first partial stroke that causes said centering element to bear against said container's mouth with a first pressure, and after said receptacle has left said first angular region, executing a second partial stroke that causes said centering element to bear against said container's mouth with a second pressure in excess of said first pressure.