Package pick-up device having pivoting retaining elements

1. A pick-up device for packages, comprising:

a frame;

a first retaining element having a first retaining side and a second retaining element having a second retaining side, the first retaining element and said second retaining element being operably connected to said frame, and each of said first retaining element and said second retaining element configured for holding a package or portion thereof;

wherein the first retaining element and the second retaining element are disposed for movement between a starting position and a pivoted position;

wherein in said starting position, the first retaining side and the second retaining side are disposed adjacent to each other in an aligned position;

wherein the first retaining element and the second retaining element are pivotable about a common pivot axis, so that in said pivoted position, the first retaining element is disposed at a first angle relative to its orientation in said aligned position, and said second retaining element is disposed at a second angle relative to its orientation in said aligned position, wherein both the first and the second angles are greater than zero; and

wherein one of the first retaining element or the second retaining element comprises a gripper, wherein the gripper has one or more gripper arms, and wherein each gripper arm has one or more tines.

2. The pick-up device according to claim 1 , wherein in the starting position, both the first retaining side and the second retaining side are orientated in a substantially horizontal plane, and in the pivoted position, the first retaining side and the second retaining side are arranged in a substantially vertical orientation, and the first retaining side and the second retaining side are disposed in a substantially opposing relationship.

3. The pick-up device according to claim 1 , wherein the first retaining element and the second retaining element are configured for holding a package or a package section as the first retaining element and the second retaining element are moved from said starting position to said pivoted position.

4. The pick-up device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second retaining elements are adapted to pivot at the same angular velocity.

5. The pick-up device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second retaining elements are adapted to pivot synchronously.

6. The pick-up device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second retaining elements are adapted to pivot in opposite directions.

7. The pick-up device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second retaining elements are pivotable such that the pivot axis shifts relative to the frame during a pivoting motion of the first and second retaining elements.

8. The pick-up device according to claim 7 , wherein the pivot axis shifts linearly in a direction.

9. The pick-up device according to claim 8 , wherein the direction extends in parallel to the direction of gravity.

10. The pick-up device according to claim 1 wherein the first and second retaining elements are arranged asymmetrically to each other with respect to the pivot axis.

11. The pick-up device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the retaining elements comprises a suction device.

12. The pick-up device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second retaining elements are each pivoted around thirty degrees (30°) at the pivoted position.

13. The pick-up device according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more gripper arms pivot relative to the retaining elements.

14. The pick-up device according to claim 13 , wherein the one or more gripper arms pivot about an axis extending at an angle substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis.

15. The pick-up device according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more gripper arms are configured to pivot into a space present between the retaining elements when the retaining side of the first retaining element is arranged essentially vertically and opposite to the retaining side of the second retaining element.

16. The pick-up device according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more gripper arms are connected to opposite sides of the retaining elements.

17. The pick-up device according to claim 1 , wherein the gripper extends at substantially the same length as the retaining element.

18. The pick-up device according to claim 1 , wherein only the second retaining element has a gripper.

19. A method for operating a pick-up device according to claim 1 , the method comprising pivoting a first package section and a second package section relative to each other by pivoting the first retaining element and the second retaining element.

20. A method for operating a pick-up device, the method comprising:

holding a package using a first retaining element;

picking up the package using the first retaining element;

pivoting the first retaining element and a second retaining element from a starting position to a pivoted position, wherein in the pivoted position, a retaining side of the first retaining element is arranged substantially vertical and opposite to a retaining side of the second retaining element;

releasing the package from the first retaining element;

holding the package at the second retaining element using a gripper, wherein the gripper includes one or more gripper arms having at least one tine that holds the package; and

pivoting the first and second retaining elements into the starting position.