Patent ID: 6945260

Claim:
A machine for processing objects ( 11 ; 110 ), in particular hollow bodies including containers or preforms of containers, the machine comprising: a series of stations ( 12 ; 120 ) that are movable along a path in a loop circuit, each station having a gripping system ( 16 ; 160 ) intended to pick up an object ( 11 ; 110 ) at a point of loading and to return the object at a point of discharge of the path, wherein, between the points of loading and discharge, the object ( 11 ; 110 ) is moved relative to the station ( 12 ; 120 ) by the gripping system ( 16 ; 160 ), from an initial loading position to at least one processing position, then to a final discharge position, the machine having devices ( 22 ; 220 ; 221 ) for processing objects held by each station, each station is furnished with a gripping unit ( 14 ; 140 ) composed of at least two gripping systems ( 16 ; 160 ), wherein the gripping unit ( 14 ; 140 ) is movable, with respect to the station, between at least a first position, for which a first object carried by a first system ( 16 ; 160 ) of the unit ( 14 ; 140 ) is in an initial position while a second object carried by a second system ( 16 ; 160 ) of the unit ( 14 ; 140 ) is in a processing position, and a last position for which the first object is in a processing position while the second object is in a final position, wherein, between the loading and discharge of an object, the path followed by the object comprises a number of turns of the circuit that is between the number of gripping systems ( 16 ; 160 ) of each processing unit ( 14 ; 140 ) and the next lower whole number.