Device for introducing containers into a treatment space and/or removing them therefrom

A device for introducing containers into a treatment space and removing containers from the treatment space, comprising in combination, at least one rotatable sluice wheel provided with sluice chambers which are open toward the outside for the containers arranged around the periphery, said sluice wheel (4) being provided with grippers (6) which can be operated and which temporarily secure the containers in the sluice chambers (3),

• wherein a single said sluice wheel (4) is provided, causing the containers (1) to be introduced into said treatment space (2) and to be removed from said treatment space (2), and at least four star wheels (7 through 20) that can be driven in synchronization with said sluice wheel but in the opposite direction of rotation and are arranged in the area of rotation of said single sluice wheel (4), with two said star wheels inside said treatment space (2) and two said star wheels outside said treatment space (2), for transferring the containers (1) at the proper pitch to said grippers (6) of said sluice wheel (4) and for receiving the containers (10) from said grippers (6) from said sluice wheel (4) at the proper pitch.

Device according to claim 17, wherein each said clamp (24) has at least two swing arms (25,26) which are arranged in the manner of scissors and run essentially parallel to the plane of revolution of said sluice wheel (4) and enter temporarily and at least partially into said sluice chambers (3) of said sluice wheel.