Container gripper, in particular for bottles

A container gripper which has a longitudinal axis and is positionable on a movable part of a manipulating machine for one of a bottle and a container, which comprises:

• a support structure having a pair of arms operable symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the gripper in order to rotate between a closed, rest position, and an open position to release the bottle or container, said support structure including a U-shaped bracket;
• a block rotatable about said bracket, said block having a seat mounted thereon, said arms having a gripping portion at one end and being pivotably mounted at one end thereof on a pivot pin located substantially centrally of said bracket and located at an end of said arms opposite said one end for closing the arms;
• a fixed cam;
• a pair of connecting rods mounted on the ends of said arms for rotating said arms;
• a right-angled lever which is oriented at substantially a right angle with respect to one of said connecting rods, is engageable with said cam and which is engageable with one of said rods;
• a pin slidable with said seat mounted on said block, said connecting rods being pivoted at one end thereof to said pin slidable within said seat;
• an elastic element positioned in proximity with said mounting block when said arms are in the closed position;
• and
• a mechanism for rotating said arms into a substantially inverted position so as to invert the bottles or containers and empty the contents thereof.