Process and device for tilting a continuous strip of containers made from heat-formable material

Abstract

In the process of the invention a strip of containers ( 5 ) made of a heat-formable material is guided through a deviated course in a transversal direction with the respect to a main horizontal line of advancement (F), in which the strip of containers undergoes, in sequence, a fist rotation of a quarter of a full turn about a vertical-axis first guide ( 6 ), a first twist by half a full turn, a second rotation, by half a full turn, about a second guide ( 7 ) having a winding axis which is parallel to the line of advancement (F).

1 ). A process for tilting a continuous strip of containers made of a heat-formable material, in which at least a first continuous strip of containers ( 5 ) arranged one behind another is fed along a line of advancement (F) towards at least one filling station, before which filling station an orientation of the first strip of containers is changed, wherein the first strip of containers is guided to follow a deviated path which comprises first a deviation in a transversal direction with respect to the line of advancement (F) and then a return towards the line; an orientation of the first strip of containers being changed while undergoing the deviation.  
     
     
         2 ). The process of  claim 1 , wherein: the first strip of containers ( 5 ) is formed with the flat part vertically oriented; the line of advancement (F) of the strip is horizontal; and the containers of first strip of containers ( 5 ) each exhibit a downwardly-turned apertures and are tilted by 180° in order to present the aperture facing upwards.  
     
     
         3 ). The process of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein during the deviated path the first strip of containers ( 5 ) is guided to make a half turn, about an axis which is parallel and side-by-side to the line of advancement (F), in which the flat part of the first strip is oriented parallel to the axis.  
     
     
         4 ). The process of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first strip of containers ( 5 ), when following the deviated path, performs the following: a complete rotation about a first axis which is perpendicular to the line of advancement (F) and parallel to the flat part of the first strip; a first twist about itself, a second rotation about a second axis which is parallel and side-by-side to the line of advancement (F), a second twist about itself, and a third rotation about a third axis parallel and close to the first axis.  
     
     
         5 ). The process of any one of the preceding claims, wherein before tilting the first strip of containers ( 5 ) is solidly fixed, coplanar and facing oppositely to a second strip of containers ( 4 ) formed together with the first strip in a same continuous strip of plastic material; the containers of the second strip of containers ( 4 ) having apertures facing in an opposite direction to the apertures of the containers of the first strip of containers ( 5 ); before tilting the first strip, the two strips are separated by cutting at a midway line parallel to the first and second strips of containers; after tilting, the first strip of containers ( 5 ) being brought into a side-by-side position parallel to the second strip of containers ( 4 ), both strips advancing together towards the filling station.  
     
     
         6 ). A device for tilting a continuous strip of containers made of heat-formable material, in which the containers ( 5 ) are arranged in a line, one behind another, and the strip of containers ( 5 ) is advanced along a predetermined line of advancement (F), comprising three winding guides ( 6 ,  7  and  8 ) about which the transiting strip winds in sequence; the strip winds about each guide with a flat part of the strip oriented parallel to an axis of the guide; a first guide ( 6 ) of the three guides being located in proximity of the line of advancement (F) of the strip with a winding axis which is perpendicular to the line of advancement (F); a second guide ( 7 ) of the three guides being located by a side of and distant from the line of advancement (F), with a winding axis which is parallel to the line of advancement (F); a third guide ( 8 ) of the three guides being located in proximity of the line of advancement (F), slightly forward of the first guide ( 6 ), with a winding axis which is perpendicular to the line of advancement (F).  
     
     
         7 ). The device of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the winding guides comprises a drum which is freely rotatable about an axis thereof.  
     
     
         8 ). The device of  claim 6  or  7 , wherein a position of the second guide of the three guides is adjustable at least in a transversal direction (G) to the line of advancement (F).  
     
     
         9 ). The device of any one of the claims from  6  to  8 , wherein each winding guide comprises two opposite, borders ( 9 ) for laterally containing the first strip of containers ( 5 ).  
     
     
         10 ). A machine for forming and filling containers made of a heat-formable material comprising: 
 a line for feeding at least one strip of film made of a heat-formable plastic material;    a heat-forming station in which at least one strip of containers ( 5 ) is formed;    a tilting device for tilting the at least one strip of containers ( 5 ) made according to any one of the preceding claims;    a filling station for the containers ( 5 ).