Patent ID: 8375682

Claim:
A gripping apparatus for capping assemblies in container packaging machines, comprising at least one gripper movable on a relative capping assembly between a position of engagement, in which a cap is gripped and held by the gripper, and an at-rest position, in which no cap is engaged by the gripper, the gripper having at least two retaining arms, each having at least one structural member attached pivotably to a respective capping assembly, and at least one contact element associated removably with the at least one structural member, positioned to interact directly with a cap when the gripper is in the position of engagement, wherein each retaining arm of the gripper includes an automatic locking mechanism by which the at least one structural member and the corresponding contact element are held securely and stably together when joined one to another; wherein the automatic locking mechanism can be separated forcibly by applying external pressure to disconnect and distance the structural member and the contact element one from another; wherein the automatic locking mechanism is operated from externally of the gripper to make the contact element disengage from the structural member by distancing one from the other.