Patent ID: 7490883

Claim:
An apparatus for picking up, transporting, and placing packaging units including trays with eggs, the apparatus comprising: a gripper frame; two gripper blades rotatably connected with the gripper frame, the gripper blades for use in engaging the packaging units on two opposite sides, two supporting strips, each being connected at an upper edge thereof with a lower edge of a respective gripper blade, by means of a hinge joint extending substantially in horizontal direction, each supporting strip having a supporting end opposite the upper edge thereof, wherein the supporting ends define nest receiving recesses in the supporting strips; a driver which upon substantially horizontal pick-up and placement of packaging units performs a vertical movement for bringing the gripper blades and the supporting strips in an engagement position and in a release position for operatively engaging and releasing the packaging units, respectively; and control means connected with the gripper frame, with the supporting strips, and with the driver, the control means comprising a single lift plate arranged under the gripper frame and between the gripper blades and which, adjacent the ends of said hinges, is connected with the supporting strips, wherein upon vertical upward movement of the lift plate, relative to the gripper frame, the supporting strips move to the engagement position, where, in the engagement position, the packaging units are engaged, clamped between the gripper blades and supported on supporting ends of the supporting strips, and wherein, upon a downward movement of the lift plate, relative to the gripper frame, the supporting strips move to the release position, whereby the supporting strips substantially move away from each other as well as rotate outwardly, thereby releasing the packaging units.