Patent ID: 8006825

Claim:
A transfer device ( 10 ) for gripping articles ( 15 ) from a first feed conveyor, which points in a first direction, and for subsequently placing the articles ( 15 ) on a second, removing conveyor that points in a second direction and is composed of a central wheel body ( 11 ), which rotates in a plane of rotation, on the periphery ( 12 ) of which a large number of arms ( 20 ) is hingedly connected such that the arms ( 20 ) are capable of being swiveled ( 21 ) around a first axis ( 23 ), which is perpendicular to the plane of rotation, each of the arms ( 20 ) including at least one gripping device ( 60 , 70 ), with which at least one article ( 15 ) may be received; each arm ( 20 ) also has a second axis ( 33 ), which is parallel to the first axis, with a sleeve ( 31 ) on which the gripping device ( 60 , 70 ) is mounted being located on the second axis ( 33 ), the sleeve ( 31 ) being rotatable for a specified orientation of the articles ( 15 ), wherein each movable arm ( 20 ) is designed as a connecting body ( 30 ), which is rotatable about the first axis ( 23 ); the rotational motion of the gripper device ( 60 , 70 ) is transferrable from a shaft ( 28 ) located in the first ( 23 ) with the aid of a transfer element ( 25 , 26 , 27 ) to a sleeve ( 31 ), which rotates around a second axis ( 33 ) between the first and second axes ( 23 , 33 ); and a controlled rotational motion of the connecting body ( 30 ) is transferrable via a shaft ( 49 , 77 ) located in the third axis ( 43 ) with the aid of a second transfer element ( 45 , 46 , 47 ; 76 , 77 , 80 ) to an element ( 21 ; 47 , 80 ) that is attachable to the central wheel body ( 11 ) and is positioned such that it may rotate coaxially around the first axis ( 23 ).