Patent ID: 7472783

Claim:
An orientation device for orienting tubular preforms delivered in bulk by feed means, wherein it comprises: two continuous endless conveyors positioned side by side and each respectively having two strands which run substantially parallel to one another and which are separated from one another horizontally by a distance greater than the longest transverse dimension of the preforms, the preform feed means being situated above these two endless conveyors and near one of their ends, these two conveyors being driven by drive means in opposite directions to one another so as to cause those of the preforms which arrive crosswise on the endless conveyors to pivot and drop, oriented longitudinally, into the space between the two endless conveyors, and an endless collecting belt for collecting the preforms running under the aforementioned two endless conveyors and parallel thereto to collect the preforms and move them along, lying down longitudinally aligned one after the other.