Transfer device, particularly for a packing machine
AssigneeG.D S.p.A.
InventorsAntonio Vitali, Salvatore Carboni
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A transfer device for removing articles from a removal zone and depositing them in a discharge zone is described. The transfer device includes a gripping head with retention elements, each configured to retain a respective article. The transfer device further includes a movement mechanism to move at least one retention element on the gripping head between a first configuration, where the retention elements are spaced apart from one another, and a second configuration, different from the first configuration, where the retention elements are brought close to one another. The movement mechanism is configured to move at least one of the retention elements between the first and the second configuration by rotation about a respective rotation axis.
Claims19
A transfer device for removing a plurality of articles from a removal zone and depositing said plurality of articles in a discharge zone, comprising:
- a gripping head movable between said removal zone and said discharge zone, the gripping head comprising a plurality of retention elements, the plurality of retention elements comprising a first group of at least two retention elements and a second group of at least one retention element, each retention element of the plurality of retention elements configured to retain a respective article of said plurality of articles,
- wherein the first group of said retention elements on said gripping head is moveable between
- a first configuration, where each of said plurality of retention elements are spaced apart from one another, and
- a second configuration, different from the first configuration, where each of said plurality of retention elements are brought closer to one another,
- wherein each of said retention elements of said first group is moveable between said first configuration and said second configuration by rotation of said each of said retention elements of said first group about a respective rotation axis of each respective retention element,
- wherein the respective rotation axis of each retention element is a longitudinal axis of a respective shaft corresponding to each retention element,
- wherein all retention elements of said first group of retention elements are moved towards a fixed central grouping axis during rotation towards said second configuration,
- wherein said fixed central grouping axis passes through a retention element of said second group of retention elements, and
- wherein said retention elements of said second group are fixed with respect to said gripping head.
A method for transferring a plurality of articles from a removal zone to a discharge zone, comprising:
- providing a transfer device comprising a movable gripping head including a plurality of retention elements, the plurality of retention elements comprising a first group of at least two retention elements and a second group of at least one retention element,
- removing a plurality of articles from the removal zone by said retention elements,
- rotating said retention elements about respective rotation axes to move said retention elements between a first configuration, where said retention elements are spaced apart from one another, and a second configuration, different from the first configuration, where said retention elements are brought closer to one another, and
- depositing said articles on said discharge zone,
- wherein the respective rotation axis of each retention element is a longitudinal axis of a respective shaft corresponding to each retention element
- wherein all retention elements of said first group of retention elements are moved towards a fixed central grouping axis during rotation towards said second configuration,
- wherein said fixed central grouping axis passes through a retention element of said second group of retention elements, and
- wherein said retention elements of said second group are fixed with respect to said gripping head.
A method for modifying a configuration of a transfer device for articles comprising a movable gripping head and a plurality of retention elements mounted on said gripping head, the plurality of retention elements comprising a first group of at least two retention elements and a second group of at least one retention element, the method comprising:
- rotating said retention elements about respective rotation axes to move said retention elements on said gripping head between a first configuration, where said retention elements are spaced apart from one another, and a second configuration, different from the first configuration, where said retention elements are brought closer to one another,
- wherein the respective rotation axis of each retention element is a longitudinal axis of a respective shaft corresponding to each retention element,
- wherein all retention elements of said first group of retention elements are moved towards a fixed central grouping axis during rotation towards said second configuration,
- wherein said fixed central grouping axis passes through a retention element of said second group of retention elements, and
- wherein said retention elements of said second group are fixed with respect to said gripping head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.