Apparatus and method for removing a covering film from a container

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are proposed for removing a covering film from a container. The apparatus has at least one gripping apparatus and a mechanism for producing a predetermined breaking point on a container. After production of the predetermined breaking point, the gripping apparatus grips a gripping face which is delimited by the predetermined breaking point, for removing the covering film from the container, and separates the gripping face during the removal of the covering film from the container.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for removing a covering film from a container, comprising:
 at least one gripping device; and   means for producing a predetermined breaking point on the container, wherein the gripping device, after producing the predetermined breaking point, grasps a grip tab defined by the predetermined breaking point and separates the grip tab from the container in the course of removing the covering film.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the means for creating the predetermined breaking point disposes the predetermined breaking point essentially perpendicular to the direction in which the covering film is removed by the gripping device. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising heating means for facilitating easier detachment of the covering film from the container and/or for facilitating easier production of the predetermined breaking point. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising heating means for facilitating easier detachment of the covering film from the container and/or for facilitating easier production of the predetermined breaking point. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the gripping device severs the grip tab from the container by a tilting motion. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the gripping device severs the grip tab from the container by a tilting motion. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the gripping device severs the grip tab from the container by a tilting motion. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising at least one conveyor means which feeds the container from a work area of the means for creating the predetermined breaking point into a work area of the gripping device. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising at least one conveyor means which feeds the container from a work area of the means for creating the predetermined breaking point into a work area of the gripping device. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising at least one conveyor means which feeds the container from a work area of the means for creating the predetermined breaking point into a work area of the gripping device. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising at least one conveyor means which feeds the container from a work area of the means for creating the predetermined breaking point into a work area of the gripping device. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the means for creating the predetermined breaking point include at least one knife. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the means for creating the predetermined breaking point include at least one knife. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the means for creating the predetermined breaking point include at least one knife. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the means for creating the predetermined breaking point are a component of the gripping device, and in particular, the knife is integrated with the gripper. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the means for creating the predetermined breaking point include at least one moving means for moving the knife and/or the container relative to one another. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the heating means and the means for creating the predetermined breaking point are integrated in a single device. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the heating means serve to heat the knife and/or the container edge. 
   
   
       31 . A method for removing a covering film from a container, comprising the steps of:
 producing a predetermined breaking point on the container;   gripping a grip surface defined by the predetermined breaking point by a gripping device:   separating the grip surface from the container; and   removing the covering film joined to the grip surface, from the container.   
   
   
       32 . The method as defined by  claim 31 , wherein the grip surface is separated from the container by tilting the gripping device relative to the surface of the container.