Device and method for grouped feeding of containers to a cyclical processing machine

An apparatus for grouped take-up and feeding of a group of containers to a cyclical processing machine having a cyclical take-up device for taking up said group of containers, said apparatus comprising an intake, a feed, and a transfer apparatus that is arranged in a transfer region between said intake and said take-up device, wherein said intake forms a closed conveyor section that comprises a linear section and comprises a conveyor and carrying-and-holding elements, wherein said carrying-and-holding elements cooperate to convey containers in a continuous container stream along said conveyor section, wherein said feed uses mechanical propulsion to convey suspended containers to individually transfer said suspended containers to said carrying-and-holding elements, wherein said transfer apparatus comprises grippers for taking up a group of containers from said continuous container stream at said linear section and after having taken up said group of containers, feeding said group of containers to said cyclical take-up device, and wherein each of said grippers rotates about a vertical axis-or-rotation thereof.

A method for using an apparatus for grouped take-up and feeding of a group of containers to a cyclical processing machine having a cyclical take-up device for taking up said group of containers, said apparatus comprising an intake, a feed, and a transfer apparatus that is arranged in a transfer region between said intake and said take-up device, wherein said intake forms a closed conveyor section that comprises a linear section and comprises a conveyor and carrying-and-holding elements, causing said carrying-and-holding elements to convey containers in a continuous container stream along said conveyor section, causing said feed to mechanically propel suspended containers to individually transfer said suspended containers to said carrying-and-holding elements, causing grippers of said transfer apparatus to rotate about vertical axes-of-rotation thereof as said grippers take up a group of containers from said continuous container stream at said linear section, and after said grippers have taken up said group of containers, causing said grippers to rotate about said axes to feed said group of containers to said cyclical take-up device.