Abstract: A vacuum roll has an inner cylinder defining an interior chamber. The interior chamber is fluidly connected to a vacuum source for applying a vacuum thereto. An outer cylinder is rotatable about the inner cylinder and has a plurality of apertures therein. An actuator is configured to move the inner cylinder between a first position and a second position. The vacuum roll has a first vacuum profile with the inner cylinder in the first position and a second vacuum profile with the inner cylinder in the second position.

Abstract: A multi-operating-mode reciprocating slat conveyor having a plurality of operating modes (each operating mode having a predetermined number of steps) and means for switching between operating modes responsive to at least one operating mode changing event. A method implemented using the multi-operating-mode reciprocating slat conveyor.

Abstract: A transport roller for transporting articles comprises a spindle (3) and a coil (5) on the spindle (3). The coil (5) comprises a flexible central section (17), and a first end section (13) and a second end section (15) that are affixed at two opposite sides of the flexible central section (17) to the spindle (3).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to provide a particulate solid carbonaceous material to a pressurized gasification reactor comprising following steps, (a) transporting the solid material from a first lower pressure zone to a higher pressure zone using a bulk materials pump comprising a housing having a flow path for the solid material between an inlet fluidly connected to the first lower pressure zone and an outlet fluidly connected to the higher pressure zone, wherein said flow path in said housing is further defined by a space between two rotatable drive disks spaced from each other and wherein a materials scraper is present between said drive disks at the outlet to route a cake of solid material that is being transported between said drive disks to a transport conduit, which transport conduit fluidly connects the outlet of said housing and a burner as present in the gasification reactor, and (b) injecting a gaseous stream into the cake of solid material where the cake of solid material is discharge

Abstract: A device and a method are described for feeding a material layer onto a construction platform, or onto at least one material layer located on the construction platform, for producing an object, which is mounted so it is linearly movable relative to a material reservoir and the construction platform along a motion plane, to which the material reservoir and the construction platform can be orthogonally deflected. A circulating band IS stretched around at least two molded bodies, which contacts at least in segments the molded bodies. a drive circulates the band around the at least two bodies. The band has a band segment which can be fixedly assigned relative to at least one body in the longitudinal section around the at least two molded bodies.

Abstract: A transport drive system for a carton transport conveyor includes a shaft, a first pair of drive members, a second pair of drive members, and a phase adjustment hub connected to the shaft. A first set of drive members includes a drive member of the first pair and a drive member of the second pair, and the first set of drive members is rotationally fixed with respect to the shaft. A second set of drive members includes another drive member of the first pair and another drive member of the second pair, and the second set of drive members is rotationally fixed with respect to the phase adjustment hub. The phase adjustment hub is angularly adjustable with respect to the shaft to adjust the angular phase of the sets, while the pairs are adjustably spaced one from the other.

Abstract: A method of reducing drag on the web of a positive displacement sorter is used with a web made up of a plurality of parallel slats interconnected at their opposite ends with chain assemblies in an endless loop. A plurality of pusher shoes each travel along at least one of said slats. The sorter further includes a driven sprocket assembly and a non-driven sprocket assembly. Each of the sprocket assemblies includes at least two sprockets on a shaft, each for engaging one of the chain assemblies. The sprocket assemblies support the chain assemblies at opposite ends of the web. The method includes auditing the sorter including determining if the slats are skewed with respect to the direction of travel of the web. If it is determined that the slats are skewed, then the chain assemblies and the non-driven sprocket assembly are modified. The chain assemblies are modified by adding side thrust wheels on opposite sides of the web.

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises immobilizing the queue on its entire length using flaps (10, 11) for creating a gap between two consecutive objects and for isolating downstream from said gap a group of objects defining the batch; inserting into the gap thus created a first cleat (39) having a longitudinal advance speed Vt lower than the running speed Va of the conveyor belt (3); releasing said immobilized queue and making the cleat in charge of it; starting a new temporary immobilization of said queue; and so on. The device for implementing the method comprises: on the one hand, means in the form of flaps (10, 11) for immobilizing the queue on the length thereof by clamping in order to define a gap between two consecutive objects in said queue, and on the other hand, a means in the form of cleats (39) that can be inserted in and take in charge the immobilized queue. Each cleat (39) is associated with a roller-shaped member (38) for maneuvering the flap (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transferring hollow cylindrical objects from a supply unit to a removal unit by providing a transport unit for transferring hollow cylindrical objects between a supply unit and a removal unit, providing at least holding element in the transport unit, positioning the hollow cylindrical object in contact with the at least one holding element at the supply unit wherein the hollow cylindrical object is held by the holding element, moving the transport unit with the hollow cylindrical object from the supply unit to the removal unit, and removing the hollow cylindrical element from the at least one holding element at the removal unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a transport device (10) which has a number of identical transport means arranged one after another in a transport direction, which are able to transport product along an intrinsically closed transport path (33) between stations (28) arranged on the transport path (33). To identify the individual transport means, use is made of selected transport means (RK) which can be detected by means of first sensors (24) arranged or on the transport path (33) as the said transport means pass the first sensors (24), which are distributed over the transport path (33) and subdivide the transport path (33) into individual segments. The transport means may be assigned individually consecutive fixed serial numbers, which are counted from a single starting point (34), and in that the starting point (34) is defined by a specific arrangement of a plurality of detectable transport means (DRK).

Abstract: The method relates to products such as bottles whose horizontal cross section of contact is oval and which are conveyed in the longitudinal direction, in single file and spaced apart, on a conveyor. The method includes introducing the bottles one by one into a neck, at the downstream end of which motorized rollers are disposed, applying the rollers to the opposite faces of each bottle to be orientated, providing the passive roller with a peripheral speed equal to the speed of conveyance of the bottles and providing the active roller with a higher peripheral speed to position the bottle diagonally on the conveyor.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medium convey apparatus is provided with an oscillation unit, a cooling unit, a convey unit, a temperature detector and a controller. The oscillation unit applies oscillation to a thin medium as a to-be-conveyed target. The cooling unit cools the air around the thin medium. The convey unit conveys the thin medium. The temperature detector detects the temperature around the medium. The controller controls the cooling unit based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector.

Abstract: In a vacuum conveyor belt for receiving, conveying and depositing planar objects, wherein the vacuum conveyor belt has a circulating drive (16), and a U-profile (3), wherein the U-profile (3) has a conveying passage and a return passage, and a conveyor belt (8), wherein the U-profile (3) on the return passage side includes a holder element (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying system for moving containers (14), the conveying system (4) comprising an inclined track (8) and a conveying device (24), where the track (8) has an container inlet (11) at the bottom (12) and an container outlet (15) at the top (16) and where the conveying device (24) is arranged to travel down (R) the track (8) and comprises a container moving unit (54) which after passage below a container (14) moves the container (14) one step up (L) the track (8), the conveying device (24) thus moving one container (14) at a time one step up (L) the track (8) during the downward (R) travel of the conveying device (24). The invention also relates to a tower structure (2) comprising a container conveying system (4), and a method for conveying containers (14) with a conveying system (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a buffer store (1) for the dynamic buffer storing of products (135) between a production device (P) and a processing device (V), with an input station (2) and an output station (3) of the buffer store (1) and a conveying line arranged between the input station and the output station, wherein the products (135) can be transported between the input station and the output station by means of product carriers (13), wherein the product carriers (13) are connected by means of conveying means (12) arranged along the conveying line, wherein the buffer store (1) comprises a cleaning unit (5) for automatically cleaning product carriers (13) and wherein the cleaning unit (5) is arranged in a section of the conveying line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. The mail is serially fed from a stack of mail into a system transport. The system transport conveys the mail to a reader, which scans the mail to obtain image data corresponding to at least a portion of each piece. From the imaging station, the mail is conveyed to a scale, which weighs each piece. After the address for a piece of mail is determined, the piece is conveyed to a labeler, which applies a postage label onto the piece.

Abstract: A transport system for substrates, the transport system having at least one belt for receiving the substrates thereon, retainers disposed at spaced distances on the belt, the spaced distances being at least as wide as a width of the substrates, the retainers rising to an elevation above the belt that is sufficient to stop the substrates from sliding when the substrates bump against the retainers, a motor for moving the belt, and a motion controller for providing asymmetric acceleration and deceleration of the belt, such that the belt decelerates faster than the belt accelerates, thereby aligning the substrates against the retainers through successive acceleration and deceleration cycles.

Abstract: In a transport device for transporting containers, the transport device includes at least one transport unit movable along a curved track for transporting at least one container in response to a drive unit, the transport unit having a transport component mobile on the track and a receiver device for holding at least one container wherein the receiver device is constructed and arranged to be aligned in response and in relation to at least one movement force imparted upon the receiver device or the container as a result of movement of the transport unit.

Abstract: A fault diagnosis method for a roller conveyor including rollers, brushless motors, and zone controllers for controlling the brushless motors, the brushless motors and/or the rollers each having a rotation detector, the zone controllers each having a driver containing a logic circuit, a memory, which contains a program, and a micro computer is proposed. The program includes a fault diagnosis program and a criterial parameter. The zone controllers each obtain an operating parameter of the brushless motors and/or the rollers so as to perform comparison of the operating parameter with the criterial parameter and determine a failure of the roller conveyor in a case where a result of the comparison is above a predetermined level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for transferring goods (6) from a first (2) to a second conveyor (4), comprising a substantially upright extending frame (8), —an endless drive arranged on the frame (8) and • drivable by a motor; at least one support member which is connected to the endless drive (24) and which is drivable in a circuit by means of the endless drive (24), —at least one product carrier (28) connected to the support member, wherein the product carrier (28) is connected to the support member for rotation about a lying shaft extending transversely of the frame, wherein the product carrier (28) is connected drivably to no more than one endless drive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a support material (137) used to support a substrate (150) during processing. The support material (137) comprises a non-woven material comprising a top region and a bottom region, wherein the top region (420) is less resilient than the bottom region (410). The non-woven material also has a first surface (141A) adjacent to the top region, and a first end and a second end. In some embodiments, the bottom region comprises a synthetic fabric and the top region comprises a polymeric material. Other embodiments of the invention include an apparatus and methods for processing substrates in a screen printing chamber that can deliver a repeatable and accurate screen printed pattern on one or more processed substrates using a non- woven support material. In one embodiment, the screen printing chamber is adapted to perform a screen printing process within a portion of a crystalline silicon solar cell production line in which a substrate is patterned with a desired material.

Abstract: A motorized drive roller conveyor includes an upstream zone and a downstream zone, with each zone having a drive roller, an idler roller that is driven by the drive roller, and a sensor. The upstream zone and the downstream zone are controlled by a card, which measures a gap between a first item on the conveyor and a second item on the conveyor by beginning a counter when a trailing edge of the first item passes the sensor of the upstream zone and stopping the counter when a leading edge of the second item passes the sensor of the upstream zone to generate a counter value. If the first item is stopped in the downstream zone, the card of the upstream zone causes the drive roller of the upstream zone to advance the second item into the downstream zone for a distance derived from the counter value before stopping the transportation of the second item.

Abstract: The method and the apparatus are used to transfer work-pieces, in particular preforms or bottles (2). The workpiece is subjected to pressure by a gripper-like holding device (41), which has at least one gripper arm (45, 46) arranged pivotably relative to a gripper carrier (42). The gripper arm is pivoted in order to perform gripping and releasing movements. The pivoting motion of the gripper arm is controlled by at least one magnet (68, 69), particularly a permanent magnet.

Abstract: An item handling system includes a vacuum source, a transport element defining a plurality of vacuum openings in fluid communication with the vacuum source to create a securing force on an item proximate to the transport element for holding the item in contact with the transport element, and a drive element for driving the transport element to transport the item. The transport element further defines a plurality of sensor openings arranged in two substantially parallel arrays along a longitudinal direction of the transport element. The system further includes a sensor associated with each array of sensor openings for sensing energy passing through the sensor openings to thereby sense the item on the transport element. Each sensor is disposed at a common longitudinal position relative to the transport element. Sensing the item corresponds to a condition where the sensor associated with each array is blocked.

Abstract: A method for controlling the retention time of a casting retained in a mold comprises providing a vibratory shakeout conveyor having a conveying surface, placing the mold on the conveyor; and imparting a vibratory force to the conveyor at a predetermined angle to the conveying surface whereby the predetermined angle determines the retention time of said casting in said mold. A plurality of sensors for detecting mold position and media breakdown may also be employed to detect appropriate mold retention time.

Abstract: Wing pulleys that engage a conveyor belt during conveying operations are described. The wing pulley includes a central reinforcing disk that strengthens and stabilizes the pulley.

Abstract: An extendable boom conveyor system and method. The extendable boom system includes first and second boom elements, an operator control, and a controller. The first boom element includes a brake mechanism, which includes a pin configured to be positioned in an engaged position and a disengaged position. The second boom element includes a feature configured to engage the pin in the engaged position and prevent motion of the first boom element relative to the second boom element in at least a first direction. The controller is configured to receive an operator signal from the operator control and activate the brake mechanism responsive to the operator signal.

Abstract: A conveying means for hot material, including at least one conveyor belt and at least one housing at least partially surrounding the at least one conveyor belt, wherein at least one deflecting means for deflecting a gas flow flowing longitudinally with respect to the at least one conveyor belt towards the at least one conveyor belt is arranged in or on the housing, and wherein the gas flow can be deflected by the at least one deflecting means over at least 25% of a length of the at least one conveyor belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the installation and removal of a conveyor belt (5) on drive rollers (1) by means of an endless supporting belt (2) stretched over said drive rollers, specifically a conveyor belt for a checkstand counter, so as to ensure the transit of said conveyor belt, which has an outer surface, an inner surface, and two transverse ends (15; 16). The invention is characterized in that the installation process involves joining the conveyor belt and the supporting belt via their outer surfaces and via the use of junction means (14) constituting a hinge between these two belts, after which the two transverse ends of the conveyor belt are joined together via junction means (17) that are applied to the outer surface of said belt and that overlap said juxtaposed ends.

Abstract: A method for preventing packing of tobacco in a tobacco hopper is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a feed screw with a plurality of pins extending from an outer diameter of the feed screw and providing an agitator with a plurality of pins extending from an outer diameter of said outer diameter. The feed screw and said agitator screws are rotated in opposite directions to move tobacco through the hopper.

Abstract: A testing table that allows testing lights along its length. The testing table can be used to convey lights along the direction, and to test the lights at different locations along the direction along the conveying. The lights can be cleaned and tested. Empty tubs can be returned.

Abstract: The invention is related to a device for opening and further transporting of printed products (6) with respectively at least two sheets (18) held together over a fixed edge (10), comprising a conveying device (1) with transport grippers (7) driven in conveying direction (F) arranged with a distance between one another, which are designed to hold the printed products (6) suspended on their fixed edge (10), as well as with an opening device (2) arranged below the transport grippers (2), which is destined to open the printed products (6). The invention is characterised in that the opening device (2) comprises an opening wedge (15) capable of being inserted into a free edge zone (24) between the sheets of the printed product (6), and the opening device (2) furthermore comprises means (5) for supplying blast air (21), by means of which the sheets (18) of the printed product (6) are capable of being fanned open in the edge zone (24), into which the opening wedge (15) is inserted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system of using at least one moving means (22) for the pushing and moving solid waste (20) from at least one holding area (10) within buildings or outdoors through a waste transport conduit (14) to at least one collection station (28) or at least one collection conduit (26). The movement of the at least one moving means (22) is driven by generating differential pressure across the at least one moving means (22) to push and move the solid waste (20) towards the at least one collection station (28) or at least one collection conduit (26). The differential pressure creates systematic directional air movement inside the waste transport conduit (14) to move the at least one moving means (22) to move and push the solid waste (20) to the at least one collection station (28) or at least one collection conduit (26).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bulk materials pump and its use. The pump comprises a housing having a flow path for bulk materials located between an inlet and an outlet of said housing, wherein said flow path in said housing is further defined by a space between two rotatable drive disks spaced from each other and wherein a materials scraper is present between said drive disks at the outlet to avoid materials being transported between said drive disks back to the inlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to conveyor system (1) for conveying packaging trays (2), for food products for example, from one or more import stations (3) to one or more export stations (4). The conveyor system is provided with an endless conveyor track comprising a rail (5), a multiplicity of trolleys which are movably connected to the rail (5), and a multiplicity of tray carriers (7) which are each coupled to the rail (5) via at least one trolley. Each tray carrier (7) is provided with a support member, preferably a support platform, configured for supporting at least one packaging tray. The use of a conveyor system (1) of this type for conveying packaging trays has the advantage over the use of a roll track, for example, that the system takes up relatively little floor space.

Abstract: A method for controlling the transfer of a product stack in a packaging machine is provided, wherein the product stack is built up from a products during a work cycle and is subsequently transferred by means of a transfer apparatus (12) into a cell (18) of a continuously moved conveyor (16) during a transfer cycle. The product stack which is situated in the transfer apparatus and the cell of the conveyor assume a predefined relative position at least at the end of the transfer cycle. There is provision here for the movement speed of the conveyor to be changed in the event of an operationally caused lengthening of the work cycle and a resulting delayed start of the transfer cycle, in such a way that the cell or a following cell of the conveyor assumes the predefined relative position with respect to the product stack at the end of the transfer cycle.

Abstract: A conveyor belt tracking apparatus is provided for correcting the travel path of a laterally mistracking conveyor belt. In one form, an elongate tracking roller is rotatably mounted at end portions thereof to a pivotal support frame and extends across and below the belt. The pivotal support frame is mounted to a downstream pivot member so that belt mistracking toward one end portion of the tracking roller causes the one end portion to shift downstream and laterally outwardly to urge the belt toward the correct travel path. In one approach a downstream pivot connection between the pivot member and pivotal support frame is inclined upstream so that the end portion also shifts upwardly as it shifts downstream to urge the mistracking belt edge toward the correct travel path.

Abstract: Non-contact, liquid-ejecting bearings (3) are provided for conveying flexible glass sheets (13), such as LCD substrates, at high conveyance speeds, e.g., speeds of 15 meters/minute and above. The operating parameters and physical properties of the bearings satisfy at least one of the following conditions: (a) the average flow rate from the bearing's orifices (22) is in the range of 100-800 milliliters/minute/orifice; (b) the orifices' average horizontal pitch (P) is in the range of 20-55 millimeters; and/or (c) the orifices' average size (e.g., D0) is in the range of 1.0-4.5 millimeters. The bearings (3) can reduce the time-averaged, peak-to-peak variation in the spacing between a LCD substrate (13) traveling at 15 meters/minute and the face (20) of the bearing (3) to less than 100 microns, thus reducing the chances that the bearing (3) will lose control of the substrate (13) or that the substrate (13) will hit the bearing (3).

Abstract: An apparatus and an associated method comprise a receiving zone, for receiving solid material, a transferring zone, for transferring said solid material and optionally a releasing zone for releasing said solid material, e.g. to another moving surface and with a moving endless surface moving in and through said zones, said a moving endless surface has thereto a multitude of primary cavities and secondary cavities receiving said solid material, wherein said primary cavities are connectable and/or connected to said vacuum system of said transferring zone, and said secondary cavities are not connectable/connected to said vacuum system of said transferring zone, and wherein thus only said primary cavities transfer said solid material e.g. to said further moving surface; and wherein typically both primary and secondary cavities are connectable/connected to a vacuum system in said receiving zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for catching shingles includes a shingle receiving apparatus configured to receive a shingle moving at a machine speed and a deceleration assembly configured to decelerate the moving shingle upon the moving shingle's engaging the deceleration assembly.

Abstract: An agricultural conveyor is supported on a pair of steerable wheels such that the steerable wheels are pivotal relative to the conveyor frame about respective upright axes. A hydraulically actuated steering mechanism is arranged to commonly pivot the steerable wheels together relative to the conveyor frame. A hydraulic connector is arranged to connect the hydraulically actuated steering mechanism to a controllable hydraulic output of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus measure a quantity parameter during the transport of objects. The objects are in particular flat mail items and are tipped onto a conveyor component of a transport device and are transported by the latter. At least one recording time, in each case at least one photograph of a measurement sector of the conveyor component is taken. For each recording time, the value which a quantity parameter which describes the quantity of objects in the measurement sector has at the recording time is calculated. For this purpose, the proportion of the area of the measurement sector which is covered by objects is measured. A prescribed functional relationship between the quantity parameter and the measured proportion is evaluated. The speed at which the conveyor component transports the objects is changed depending on the quantity parameter value measured.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying and discharging flat, preferably flexible articles, in particular printed products, the apparatus including a plurality of grippers which can be moved in a conveying direction (F) along a continuous conveying path (U) defined by a conveying mechanism. The grippers include a first gripper jaw and a second gripper jaw, which can assume a clamping position and an open position relative to one another. The first gripper jaw is longer than the second gripper jaw and includes a first gripper part, which in the clamping position interacts with the second gripper jaw, and a second gripper part, which in the clamping position projects beyond the second gripper jaw. The orientation of the first and second gripper parts of the first gripper jaw relative to one another is variable and can be adjusted by a control means.

Abstract: A deflectable lifting device can be mounted to a support form, work surface or other member of a material conveyance system. According to embodiments, the deflectable lifting device can have a base that mounts into the support, and a bendable arm arranged in the pathway of a material conveyance system, such as a paper stripping or paper blanking work station. When a sheet or web of material travels over the deflectable lifting device, the bendable arm can bend and deflect downwards, but still contact the sheet or web with a gently humped or arcuate portion, providing a small margin of elevation or lift to the sheet or web. The sheet or web can therefore be elevated above edges, holes, or other obstructions in the pathway that could jam or snag the delivery of the material. The deflectable lifting device can comprise an arcuate portion or head over which the sheet or web can slide in a bearing fashion.

Abstract: A contour trimmer apparatus for potted plants includes a crank and connecting rod mechanism for moving a pair of transversely opposed pot engagement heads between open and closed positions. A gap between the pot engagement heads in their closed position may be adjusted via a lead screw arrangement which adjusts an operating position of the crank of the crank and connecting rod assembly.

Abstract: A pipe conveyor may include a conveyor belt formed into a pipe-like shape to define a space that contains material to be transported by the conveyor. Along at least a portion of the pipe conveyor, friction drive conveyors or friction tires may be positioned. The friction drive conveyors may include friction drive belts that engage the pipe conveyor belt. Via this engagement, the friction drive conveyors apply a force to the conveyor belt that moves the conveyor belt in a desired direction. Further, when the friction drive conveyors or friction tires are positioned within an inclined vertical section of the conveyor belt, the friction drive conveyors or friction tires vertically lift the pipe conveyor belt via pushing the conveyor belt in a vertical direction, thus assisting a drive pulley that vertically pulls the conveyor belt and material transported on the conveyor belt from a lower elevation to a higher elevation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for gripping containers and bottles (3), particularly PET bottles, in container handling systems, such as in filling systems, particularly for transitioning and transferring from star to star, or to a filler, a rinser, or the like, having a drive and actuator bringing about the opening and closing of the gripper arms (4a, 4b), particularly designed as a pusher body (7), wherein the device for gripping is made substantially of two component assemblies. The first component assembly comprises those components that are subject to severe wear, and the second, machine-side component assembly comprises components that are subject to no or nearly no wear. The first component assembly is pivotally supported on the second component assembly and easily removably connected thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method include a pipe comprising a first end, a second end and an interior wall. The pipe is configured for rotation about an axis with a rotational rate sufficient for a cohesive material to remain stationary in a layer on the interior wall. A plurality of blades is configured for deflecting the cohesive material. Each of the blades includes a blade edge having a curvature corresponding to a portion of the interior wall. A support structure supports the blade edges with each of the blade edges proximate the interior wall and having an angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis. An inlet apparatus feeds the cohesive material into the first end where a difference in rotational rate between the interior wall and the plurality of blades, and the angle determines a rate of conveyance of the cohesive material along the interior wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for gripping PET bottles (2) in bottle-filling systems, particularly for transferring from star to star/filler/rinser or the like, wherein a slight horizontal turnout motion of the gripper is made possible, while simultaneously exerting a return force into the original aligned position of the gripper arms. The aim is achieved in that a mounting element (4) comprising a gripper arm (3a, 3b) is rotatably supported about an axis (5) parallel to the central bottle axis, and has a centering device forcing the mounting element (4) to the centered position after a sideways deflection motion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clip (1) for capturing bottle necks, particularly of PET bottles, in bottle-filling systems, wherein the clip arms can pivot in the horizontal plane, wherein a simple design allows retaining forces that are as equal as possible for bottle necks of different diameter. The aim is achieved in that both clip arms (1a, 1b) are made of plastic and comprise receptacles (6) for permanent magnets (7) between the gripping area (8) and the pivot axis (3), said magnets exerting on each other a force closing the clip (1) into the usable position.