POSITIONING APPARATUS FOR CONTAINER FORMING MACHINE

摘要

The present invention provides an apparatus for use in a container forming machine that alters the path of a partially-formed container in a particular direction while independently rotating the partially-formed container itself to a selected angle or position. The apparatus may be incorporated into any container forming machine as an alternative to the traditional unidirectional conveying means. In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention allows the path of container formation inside the machine to double back against itself in a U-turn (180 degrees), thereby reducing the overall footprint of the machine, while at the same time positioning the partially-formed container for further formation activity by rotating the container itself only 90 degrees. In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that raises or opens the partially-formed container as it travels along the altered path.