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

Abstract

In the process, a strip of containers made of a heat-formable material is guided through a deviated course in a transversal direction with respect to a main horizontal line of advance, in which the strip of containers undergoes, in sequence, a first rotation of a quarter of a full turn about a vertical-axis first guide, a first twist by half a full turn, a second rotation, by half a full turn, about a second guide having a winding axis which is parallel to the line of advance, returning towards the line of advance, a second twist by another half a full turn, and finally a third rotation about a vertical axis third guide. With this process, the longitudinal extension of the line of advance is reduced.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A device for tilting a continuous strip of containers made of heat-formable material, in which the containers are arranged in a line, one behind another, and the strip of containers is advanced along a predetermined line of advance, comprising three winding guides 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 of the three guides being located in proximity of the line of advance of the strip with a winding axis which is perpendicular to the line of advance; a second guide of the three guides being located laterally and distant from the line of advance, with a winding axis which is parallel to the line of advance; a third guide of the three guides being located in proximity of the line of advance, slightly forward of the first guide, with a winding axis which is perpendicular to the line of advance.  
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the winding guides comprises a drum which is freely rotatable about an axis thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein a position of the second guide of the three guides is adjustable at least in a transverse direction to the line of advance.  
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein each winding guide comprises two opposite rims for lterally containing the first strip of containers.  
   
   
       15 . 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 is formed;    a tilting device for tilting the at least one strip of containers;    and a filling station for the containers.