Patent ID: 8002107

Claim:
Apparatus ( 1 ) for transferring containers comprising: a support structure ( 4 , 61 ); at least one first drive shaft ( 5 ) rotatably supported by said support structure ( 4 , 61 ), extending along a vertical axis (Z) and able to rotate about said vertical axis (Z); a first turntable ( 6 ) centrally fixed onto said first shaft ( 5 ) so as to rotate about said vertical axis (Z); a plurality of first grippers ( 7 ) mounted peripherally on said first turntable ( 6 ), each provided with at least two first arms ( 9 ) which can be actuated by first actuator means ( 12 ) so as to rotate about different first pins ( 10 ) with first parallel axes (Y, Y′) between at least one first open position, where respective first retaining portions ( 13 ) of said first arms ( 9 ) are spaced from each other so as to receive or release a container ( 2 ), and at least one first closed position, where said first retaining portions ( 13 ) are close together so as to hold said container between them ( 2 ); characterized in that: each first arm ( 9 ) of each of said first grippers ( 7 ) is provided with a slot ( 15 ) aligned with the slot of at least one other first arm ( 9 ) of the same first gripper ( 7 ); each first arm ( 9 ) of each first gripper ( 7 ) having a projection, in a horizontal plane of lie (π), intersecting with the projection of at least said one other first arm ( 9 ) of the same first gripper ( 7 ) in the region of said aligned slots ( 15 ); said first arms ( 9 ) being connected to each other by means of a first actuating element ( 14 ) which is engaged in said aligned slots ( 15 ) and is moveable by said first actuator means ( 12 ) inside said aligned slots ( 15 ) so as to rotate said first arms ( 9 ) about said first pins ( 10 ) between said first open position and said first closed position.