Patent ID: 11912510
Assignee: FT SYSTEM S.R.L.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 5:
6. A method of gripping a container (20) having a cap (23) located on a conveyor for removal therefrom by means of a gripping device (1) comprising clamps (8) and a centring cone (5) having a longitudinal axis (A), said centring cone (5) comprising an inlet mouth (10) and an inner lateral surface (11); wherein the inner lateral surface (11) comprises a first, substantially cylindrical portion (12) and a second portion (13) comprised between the first portion (12) and the inlet mouth (10) and diverging outwards in the direction from the first portion (12) to the inlet mouth (10), said method comprising the steps of:
bringing the gripping device (1) to a position above a container (20) to be gripped,
lowering the gripping device (1) with its clamps (8) open, onto the container (20),
inserting the cap (23) of the container (20) into the centring cone (5) through the inlet mouth (10) of the centring cone (5), and guiding the cap (23) towards the center of the centring cone (5) by means of the second portion (13) of the inner lateral surface (11) of the centring cone (5) if the cap (23) of the container (20) is offset relative to the centring cone (5),
fitting the cap (23) into the first portion (12) of the centring cone (5), and aligning the cap (23), and therefore the container (20), by rotating the axis (B) of the container (20) until said axis (B) is brought to coincide with the longitudinal axis (A) of the centring cone (5) if the axis (B) of the container (20) is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (A) of the centring cone (5),
bringing the clamps (8) into engagement with the container (20).