Dual configuration packaging apparatus for pourable products with two in parallel fillers and two in parallel labellers

Abstract

It is described an apparatus (1; 1'; 1'') for packaging a pourable product by means of containers (B1, B2), comprising: a conveying system (2) for conveying the containers (B1, B2) along a conveying path (P) which comprises a first upstream stretch (US) along which an upstream flow (UF) of containers (B1, B2) can be conveyed, said conveying system (2) being configured for dividing said flow (UF) in a first sub flow (SF1) of containers (B1) which flows along a first downstream stretch (DS1) and in a second sub flow (SF2) of containers (B2) which flows along a second downstream stretch (DS2); a forming machine (3) for forming the containers (B1, B2) which operates on the upstream stretch (US); a first decorating machine (4) for decorating the containers (B1) of the first subflow (SF1), which operates along said first downstream stretch (DS1); a second decorating machine (5) for decorating the containers (B2) of the second subflow (SF2), which operates along said second downstream stretch (DS2).

Description

[0001] DUAL CONFIGURATION PACKAGING APPARATUS FOR POURABLE PRODUCTS WITH TWO IN PARALLEL FILLERS AND TWO IN PARALLEL LABELLERS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a packaging apparatus for packaging a pourable product by means of containers, provided with a configuration which allows to increase the production speed while optimizing the product stability, to keep a high quality of production, and while reducing the mechanical stress on the conveying system for conveying the containers within the line.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] Packaging apparatus for packaging pourable product by means of containers are known, for example for packaging a pourable food product by means of PET bottles. The apparatus comprises a conveying system for conveying the containers along a path. The apparatus comprises a forming machine for forming the containers. The apparatus comprises a decorating machine for decorating the containers. The apparatus comprises a filling machine for filling the containers with the pourable product.

[0006] At high production speed, the mechanical speed at which the containers are conveyed within the apparatus can make the product highly unstable, in such a way toincrease the risk of splashing of the product, in particular due to an increase of centrifugal forces.

[0007] Moreover, at high production speed, at constant pitch of the containers along the conveying path, the mechanical speed of each machine must reach the correct value as a function of the production speed, which can lead to an increase of the stress of the components, and therefore to a reduction of lifetime of the apparatus and / or to an increase in total costs of operation of the apparatus.

[0008] DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0009] A packaging apparatus according to present description is configured for reaching high levels of production speed while optimizing the production quality and possibly also reducing and preferably minimizing the total costs of operation of the apparatus.

[0010] The following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention will be referred to a possible example embodiment of a packaging apparatus according to present description. In particular, the following detailed description is referred to a first variant of the apparatus, to a second variant of the apparatus, to a third variant of the apparatus, and to a fourth variant of the apparatus.

[0011] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe following detailed description will be referred to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic layout of the first variant; Figure 2 is a schematic layout of the second variant; Figure 3 is a schematic layout of the third variant; Figure 4 is a schematic layout of the fourth variant.

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The containers B1 and B2 may be bottles, for example glass bottles or PET bottles. The containers B1 and B2 may for example, in the alternative, kegs or cans or jars. The containers B1 and B2 are configured for containing a pourable product, for example a pourable food product.

[0015] The pourable product may be pourable a food product such as a carbonated liquid (e. g. sparkling water, soft drinks and beer), a non-carbonated liquid (including still water, juices, teas, sport drinks, wine, milk, etc. ), an emulsion, a sauce, or a beverage containing pulps.

[0016] The pourable product may be for example a carbonated beverage or a not carbonated beverage. The pourable product may be for example a high acid food product or a low acid food product.

[0017] The product may be, alternatively, a product for home or personal care.

[0018] The first variant of the apparatus is indicated with1. The second variant of the apparatus is indicated with 1'. The third variant of the apparatus is indicated with 1' '. The fourth variant of the apparatus is indicated with 1' ’ ’.

[0019] In all the variants, the apparatus is for packaging a pourable product by means of containers. The containers are indicated with B1 and / or B2.

[0020] In all the variants, the apparatus comprises a conveying system 2 for conveying the containers along a conveying path P. The conveying path P comprises a first upstream stretch US, along which an upstream flow UF of containers B1 and B2 is conveyed. The upstream flow UF comprises first containers B1 and second containers B2. The first containers B1 are intercalated with respect to the second containers B2 along the upstream flow UF.

[0021] The conveying system 2 is configured for dividing the upstream flow UF in a first sub flow SF1 of first containers B1 and in a second sub flow SF2 of second containers B2. The first sub flow SF1 flows along a first downstream stretch DS1, and the second sub flow SF2 flows along a second downstream stretch DS2. The conveying path P comprises the first downstream stretch DS1 and the second downstream stretch DS2.

[0022] In all the variants, the apparatus comprises a forming machine 3 for forming the first containers B1 andthe second containers B2. The forming machine 3 operates on the upstream stretch US, to generate the upstream flow UF.

[0023] In all the variants, the apparatus comprises a first decorating machine 4 for decorating the first containers B1, which operates along the first downstream stretch DS1.

[0024] In all the variants, the apparatus comprises a second decorating machine 5, for decorating the second containers B2.

[0025] In the first variant 1, in the second variant 1', and in the third variant 1' ', the second decorating machine 5 operates along the second downstream stretch DS2. In the fourth variant 1' ' ', the second decorating machine 5 operates along the upstream stretch US.

[0026] In this way each decorating machine 4 or 5 is allowed to operate at a lower linear mechanical speed. Consequently, while each decorating machine operates at a reduced linear mechanical speed, the overall production speed of the system remains high, as the production capacity is effectively managed by the two labeling machines 4 and 5 that work in parallel.

[0027] Therefore, an apparatus for packaging pourable product by means of containers is provided, which isdesigned to optimize production speed while minimizing stress on its components, thereby reducing overall operational costs.

[0028] In all the variants, the first decorating machine 4 comprises a first rotating carousel 21 which defines a respective sector S1 of the first downstream stretch DS1. The conveying system 2 comprises the first carousel 21, so that the first rotating carousel 21 belongs to both the first decorating machine 4 and the conveying system 2.

[0029] In all the variants, the second decorating machine 5 comprises a second rotating carousel.

[0030] For the first variant 1, for the second variant 1', and for the third variant 1' ', the second rotating carousel is indicated with 22. For the fourth variant 1' ' ', the second rotating carousel is indicated with 14.

[0031] In the first variant 1, in the second variant 1', and in the third variant 1' ', the second rotating carousel 22 defines a respective sector S2 of the second downstream stretch DS2, so that the second rotating carousel 22 belongs to both the second decorating machine 5 and the conveying system 2.

[0032] In the fourth variant 1' ' ', the second rotating carousel 14 defines a respective sector S2 of the upstream stretch US, so that the second rotating carousel 14belongs to both the second decorating machine 5 and the conveying system 2.

[0033] In all the variants, the second carousel belongs to both the second decorating machine 5 and the conveying system 2.

[0034] In all the variants, the first decorating machine 4 comprises a first decorating module 41 for decorating the first containers B1 being conveyed by the first carousel 21.

[0035] In all the variants, the second decorating machine 5 comprises a second decorating module 51 for decorating the second containers B2 being conveyed by the second carousel 22 or 14.

[0036] The first decorating module 41 is a labelling module so that the first decorating machine 4 is a labelling machine for labelling the first containers B1 being conveyed by the first carousel 21. The second decorating module 51 is a labelling module so that the second decorating machine 5 is a labelling machine for labelling the second containers B2 being conveyed by the second carousel 14 or 22.

[0037] In the second variant 1', the conveying system 2 is configured so that the direction of rotation R1 of the first carousel 21 is opposite with respect to the direction of rotation R2' of the second carousel 22. Thesecond decorating module 51 can in this way be positioned to enhance accessibility for the operator, as it can be situated in a location that is more easily reachable. This arrangement contributes to a packaging apparatus designed with optimized ergonomics, facilitating improved operational efficiency and user comfort.

[0038] In the first variant 1, and in the third variant 1' ', the conveying system 2 is configured so that the rotation R1 of the first carousel 21 is in the same direction with respect to the rotation R2 of the second carousel 22.

[0039] In all the variants, the apparatus comprises a first rotative filling machine 6 for filling the first containers B1 with the pourable product, which operates along the first downstream stretch DS1.

[0040] In all the variants, the apparatus comprises a second rotative filling machine 7 for filling the second containers B2 with the pourable product, which operates along the second downstream stretch DS2.

[0041] The packaging apparatus allows to reduce also the linear mechanical speed at which each filling machine operates, to increase the stability of the product in the containers being filled, thereby reducing the risk of splashing of the product. Consequently, the quality of production can be optimized also at very high productionspeeds. Moreover, the packaging apparatus is configured for keeping low the total costs of operation also with high level of production of the apparatus.

[0042] In the first variant 1, in the second variant 1', and in the fourth variant 1' ' ', the first filling machine 6 operates downstream of the first decorating machine.

[0043] In the first variant 1, in the second variant 1', and in the fourth variant 1' ' ', the second filling machine 7 operates downstream of the second decorating machine 5.

[0044] In the third variant 1' ', the first carousel 21 is a first filling carousel defining said first filling machine 6.

[0045] In the third variant 1' ', the second carousel 22 is a second filling carousel defining the second filling machine 7.

[0046] In this way, the labelling operation and the filling operation are performed on the same carousel, to simplify the mechanical configuration of the apparatus.

[0047] In all the variants, the apparatus comprises a first rotative capping machine 11 which operates downstream of the first filling machine 6 along the first downstream stretch DS1, to cap the first containers B1 once they have been filled.

[0048] In all the variants, the apparatus comprises a second rotative capping machine 12 which operates downstream ofthe second filling machine 7 along the second downstream stretch DS2, to cap the second containers B2 once they have been filled.

[0049] The increase in the product stability which is allowed by the apparatus is in particular advantageous between each filling machine and the respective capping machine, because each container in this phase is filled and opened. Having a reduction in the mechanical speed has the beneficial effect of reducing the centrifugal force to reduce the risk of splashing, in particular in case the conveying system 2 comprises rotative conveyors, for example starwheels.

[0050] The packaging apparatus allows to reduce also the linear mechanical speed at which each capping machine operates, to keep low the total costs of operation also with high level of production of the apparatus.

[0051] The forming machine 3 define a forming section. The decorating machines define a decorating section. The filling machines define a filling section. The capping machines define a capping section.

[0052] The apparatus is configured so that all the machines of the apparatus are blocked to each other, in the sense that the apparatus is configured so that the production speed is constrained to be the same between different sections.The fourth variant 1' ' ' allows a significantly improved ergonomics of the apparatus, due to an improved relative position of the two labelling machines 4 and 5, and in particular of the two labelling modules 41 and 51.

[0053] In all the variants, the apparatus comprises a distributor 8 which operates on said upstream stretch US, downstream of the forming machine 3, for distributing the containers Bl and B2 of said upstream flow UF between said first downstream stretch DS1 and said second downstream stretch DS2, to generate the first sub flow SF1 of first containers Bl along the first downstream stretch DS1 and the second sub flow SF2 of second containers B2 along said second downstream stretch DS2.

[0054] In the fourth variant 1' ' ', the second carousel 14 operates upstream of the distributor 8.

[0055] This configuration enhances the flexibility of the orientation of the second labeling module 51 by minimizing the risk of interference between its components and those of the distributor 8, which are responsible for executing the distribution operation.

[0056] In another not shown fourth variant 1' ' ', the second carousel 14 is defined by the distributor 8.

[0057] In this way, the labelling operation and the distribution operation would be performed on the same conveying component, to simplify the mechanicalconfiguration of the apparatus.

[0058] In all the variants, the apparatus comprises a first receiving conveyor 9 which operates on the first downstream stretch DS1, between the distributor 8 and the first decorating machine 4, for picking up from the distributor 8 the first containers Bl, which are to define the first sub flow SF1.

[0059] In all the variants, the apparatus comprises a second receiving conveyor 10 which operates on the second downstream stretch DS2.

[0060] In the first variant 1, in the second variant 1', and in the third variant 1' ', the second receiving conveyor 10 operates between the distributor 8 and the second decorating machine 5, for picking up from the distributor 8 the second containers B2, which are to define the second sub flow SF2.

[0061] In the fourth variant 1' ' ', the second receiving conveyor 10 operates between the distributor 8 and the second filling machine 7, for picking up from the distributor 8 the second containers B2, which are already labelled and are to define the second sub flow SF2.

[0062] The first receiving conveyor 9 comprises a respective starwheel which is configured for changing the pitch between containers to pick up from the distributor 8 only the first containers Bl, in normal operation.The second receiving conveyor 10 comprises a respective starwheel which is configured for changing the pitch between containers to pick up from the distributor 8 only the second containers B2, in normal operation.

[0063] In this way the first sub flow SF1 and the second sub flow SF2 can be defined when the spacing o pitch between containers along the upstream flow UF has been already set to the pitch or spacing of the containers at which each of the labelling modules positioned along one of the downstream stretches must operate.

[0064] In each variant, a further wheel can be present to vary the pitch or spacing of the containers of the upstream flow UF and along the upstream stretch US, the further wheel operating between the forming machine 3 and the distributor 8. In the fourth variant 1' ' ', this further wheel operates between the forming machine 3 and the second carousel 14.

[0065] In the second variant 1', along the first downstream stretch DS1, a first group made by an even number of starwheels is present between the distributor 8 and the first decorating machine 4. In the second variant 1', along the second downstream stretch DS2, a second group made by an odd number of starwheels is present between the distributor 8 and the second decorating machine 5, so that the direction of rotation R1 of the first carousel21 is opposite with respect to the direction of rotation R2' of the second carousel 22. The conveying system 2 comprises the first group and the second group. The first receiving conveyor 9 is part of the first group and the second receiving conveyor 10 is part of the second group.

[0066] Alternatively, the first group is made by an odd number of starwheels and the second group is made by an even number of starwheels.

[0067] In all the variants, the apparatus comprises an automatic control system 13.

[0068] In the first variant 1, in the second variant 1', and in the third variant 1' ', the control system 13 is configured for automatically controlling the distributor 8 so that only one of said first receiving conveyor 9 and second receiving conveyor 10 picks up the first containers Bl and the second containers B2 from the distributor 8, in case of fault of one of the decorating machines 4 and 5, to direct the first containers Bl and the second containers B2 to the not fault decorating machine 5 or.

[0069] In this case, the apparatus can switch automatically from a normal operative mode to a fault operative mode in which one of the labelling machines is in a fault state, to increase the flexibility of the apparatus.

[0070] In the fourth variant 1' ' ', the control system 13 is configured for automatically controlling the distributor8 so that only said second receiving conveyor 10 picks up the first containers Bl and the second containers B2 from the distributor 8, in case of fault of the first decorating machine 4, to direct the first containers Bl and the second containers B2 to the second downstream stretch DS2.

[0071] In this case, the apparatus can switch automatically from a normal operative mode to a fault operative mode in which the first labelling machine 4 is in a fault state, to increase the flexibility of the apparatus.

[0072] In the first variant 1, in the second variant 1', and in the third variant 1' ', the automatic control system 13 is configured for automatically reducing the production speed of the forming machine in case of fault of one of the decorating machines 4 and 5, and in particular for automatically halving the production speed of the forming machine 3 in case of fault of one of the decorating machine 4 and 5. In this case, the decorating machine 4 or 5 which is not in a fault state, can operate at the same mechanical speed at which it operates in the normal operative mode.

[0073] In the fourth variant 1' ' ', the automatic control system 13 is configured for automatically reducing the production speed of the forming machine in case of fault of the first decorating machine 4, and in particular forautomatically halving the production speed of the forming machine 3 in case of fault of the first decorating machine 4. In this case, the second decorating machine 5, which is not in a fault state, can operate at the same mechanical speed at which it operates in the normal operative mode.

[0074] The reduction of the production speed of the forming machine is for example obtained by automatically reducing the linear mechanical speed at which the forming machine 3 operates, and also for example by an automatic reduction of the mechanical speed of the preforms in the preform heating device, which operates upstream of the forming machine 3. The reduction of the mechanical speed of the preforms in the preform heating device can be combined with an automatic variation of the heating effect in the heating device. The preform heating device can be an oven working by means of lamps, or a laser oven. A laser oven is preferable if the reduction of the speed of the forming machine 3 is needed.

[0075] In all the variants, the distributor 8 comprises a respective linear motor conveyor having independent shuttles, each for conveying a respective container. In this way, the automatic function of the control system 13, for switching between the operative modes of the apparatus, can be enabled to avoid the need of changingthe mechanical configurations of the first receiving conveyor 9 and the second receiving conveyor 10. In this way, the flexibility of the apparatus is increased while keeping low the total costs of operation.

[0076] In the first variant 1, in the second variant 1', and in the third variant 1' ', the apparatus defines a dual configuration packaging apparatus for pourable products with two in parallel fillers and two in parallel labellers.

[0077] In the fourth variant 1' ' ', the apparatus defines a dual configuration packaging apparatus for pourable products with two in parallel fillers and two in series labellers.

[0078] In another not shown second variant 1' or in another not shown first variant 1, the first filling machine 6 operates upstream the first decorating machine 4, and the second filling machine 7 operates upstream of the second decorating machine 5.

[0079] For each variant, there can be cooling device for each decorating machine, for cooling the containers before each decorating machine. For each variant, there can be a respective cooling device for each filling machine, for cooling the containers before they are filled, in particular for example in case of carbonated products.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus (1; 1'; 1' ' ) for packaging a pourable product by means of containers (Bl, B2), comprising: a conveying system (2) for conveying the containers (Bl, B2) along a conveying path (P) which comprises an upstream stretch (US) along which an upstream flow (UF) of containers (Bl, B2) can be conveyed, said upstream flow (UF) comprising first containers (Bl) and second containers (B2), the first containers (Bl) being intercalated with respect to said second containers (B2) along said upstream flow (UF);said conveying system (2) being configured for dividing said upstream flow (UF) in a first sub flow (SF1) of first containers (Bl) which flows along a first downstream stretch (DS1) and in a second sub flow (SF2) of second containers (B2) which flows along a second downstream stretch (DS2), the conveying path (P) comprising said first downstream stretch (DS1) and said second downstream stretch (DS2);a forming machine (3) for forming the first containers (Bl, B2) and the second containers (B2), which operates on the upstream stretch (US), to generate said upstream flow (UF);a first decorating machine (4) for decorating the first containers (Bl), which operates along said firstdownstream stretch (DS1);a second decorating machine (5) for decorating the second containers (B2), which operates along said second downstream stretch (DS2).

2. Apparatus (1; 1'; 1' ' ) according to Claim 1, wherein:the first decorating machine (4) comprises a first rotating carousel (21) which defines a respective sector (51) of said first downstream stretch (DS1), the conveying system (2) comprising the first carousel (21) so that the first carousel (21) belongs to both the first decorating machine (4) and the conveying system (2);the second decorating machine (5) comprises a second rotating carousel (22) which defines a respective sector (52) of said second downstream stretch (DS2), so that the second carousel (22) belongs to both the second decorating machine (5) and the conveying system (2).

3. Apparatus (1' ) according to Claim 2, wherein: the conveying system (2) is configured so that the direction of rotation (Rl) of said first carousel (21) is opposite with respect to the direction of rotation (R2' ) of said second carousel (22).

4. Apparatus (1; 1'; 1' ' ) according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein:the first decorating machine (4) comprises a firstdecorating module (41) for decorating the first containers (Bl) being conveyed by said first carousel (21);the second decorating machine (5) comprises a second decorating module (51) for decorating the second containers (B2) being conveyed by said second carousel (22);the first decorating module (41) being preferably a labelling module so that the first decorating machine (4) is a labelling machine for labelling the first containers (Bl) being conveyed by the first carousel (21), and the second decorating module (51) being preferably a labelling module so that the second decorating machine (5) is a labelling machine for labelling the second containers (B2) being conveyed by the second carousel (22).

5. Apparatus (1; 1'; 1' ' ) according to any of Claims from 2 to 4, comprising:a first rotative filling machine ( 6) for filling the first containers (Bl) with the pourable product, which operates along the first downstream stretch (DS1);a second rotative filling machine (7) for filling the second containers (B2) with the pourable product, which operates along the second downstream stretch (DS2).

6. Apparatus (1' ' ) according to Claims 4 and 5,whereinthe first carousel (21) is a first filling carousel defining said first filling machine ( 6);the second carousel (22) is a second filling carousel defining said second filling machine (7).

7. Apparatus (1; 1' ) according to Claim 5, wherein: the first filling machine ( 6) operates downstream of the first decorating machine (4);the second filling machine (7) operates downstream of the second decorating machine (5).

8. Apparatus (1; 1' ) according to Claim 6 or 7, comprising:a first rotative capping machine (11) which operates downstream of the first filling machine ( 6), along the first downstream stretch (DS1), to cap the first containers (Bl) having being filled;a second rotative capping machine (12) which operates downstream of the second filling machine (7), along the second downstream stretch (DS2), to cap the second containers (B2) having been filled.

9. Apparatus (1; 1'; 1' ' ) according to any of the previous Claims, comprising a distributor (8) which operates along said upstream stretch (US), downstream of the forming machine (3), for distributing the containers (Bl; B2) of said upstream flow (F) between said firstdownstream stretch (DS1) and said second downstream stretch (DS2), to generate said first sub flow (SF1) of first containers (Bl) along said first downstream stretch (DS1) and said second sub flow (SF2) of second containers (B2) along said second downstream stretch (DS2), said distributor (8) comprising preferably a respective starwheel for conveying the containers or a respective linear motor conveyor having independent shuttles, each for conveying a respective container.

10. Apparatus (1; 1'; 1' ' ) according to Claim 9, comprising:a first receiving conveyor ( 9) which operates along the first downstream stretch (DS1), preferably between the distributor (8) and the first decorating machine (4), for picking up from the distributor (8) the first containers (Bl), which are to define the first sub flow (SF1);a second receiving conveyor (10) which operates along the second downstream stretch (DS2), preferably between the distributor (8) and the second decorating machine (5), for picking up from the distributor (8) the second containers (B2), which are to define the second sub flow (SF2 );each receiving conveyor ( 9; 10) preferably comprising a respective starwheel which is configured forchanging the pitch between containers to pick up from the distributor (8) only the containers (Bl; B2) of the respective sub flow (SF1; SF2), in normal operation.

11. Apparatus (1' ) according to Claims 3 and 10, wherein:the first receiving conveyor ( 9) comprises a respective starwheel which is configured for changing the pitch between containers to pick up from the distributor (8) only the first containers (Bl), in normal operation;the second receiving conveyor (10) comprises a respective starwheel which is configured for changing the pitch between containers to pick up from the distributor (8) only the second containers (B2 ), in normal operation;along the first downstream stretch (DS1), a first group made by an even number of starwheels is present between the distributor (8) and the first decorating machine (4), and, along the second downstream stretch (DS2), a second group made by an odd number of starwheels is present between the distributor (8) and the second decorating machine (5), so that said direction of rotations are opposite to each other, the conveying system (2) comprising said first group and said second group, the first receiving conveyor ( 9) being part of said first group and said second receiving conveyor (10) being part of said second group;wherein the first receiving conveyor ( 9) operates between the distributor (8) and the first decorating machine (4), and the second receiving conveyor (10) operates between the distributor (8) and the second decorating machine (5).

12. Apparatus according to Claims 3 and 10, wherein: the first receiving conveyor ( 9) comprises a respective starwheel which is configured for changing the pitch between containers to pick up from the distributor (8) only the first containers (Bl; B2), in normal operation;the second receiving conveyor (10) comprises a respective starwheel which is configured for changing the pitch between containers to pick up from the distributor (8) only the second containers (B2 ), in normal operation;along the first downstream stretch (DS1), a first group made by an odd number of starwheels is present between the distributor (8) and the first decorating machine (4), and, along the second downstream stretch (DS2), a second group made by an even number of starwheels is present between the distributor (8) and the second decorating machine (5), so that said direction of rotations are opposite to each other, the conveying system (2) comprising said first group and said second group, the first receiving conveyor ( 9) being part of said firstgroup and said second receiving conveyor (10) being part of said second group;wherein the first receiving conveyor ( 9) operates between the distributor (8) and the first decorating machine (4), and the second receiving conveyor (10) operates between the distributor (8) and the second decorating machine (5).

13. Apparatus (1; 1'; 1' ' ) according to any of Claims from 10 to 12, wherein:the first receiving conveyor ( 9) comprises a respective starwheel which is configured for changing the pitch between containers to pick up from the distributor (8) only the first containers (Bl; B2), in normal operation;the second receiving conveyor (10) comprises a respective starwheel which is configured for changing the pitch between containers to pick up from the distributor (8) only the second containers (Bl; B2), in normal operation;the distributor (8) comprises a respective linear motor conveyor having independent shuttles, each for conveying a respective container;the apparatus (1; 1'; 1' ' ) comprises an automatic control system (13) which is configured for automatically controlling the distributor (8) so that only one of saidfirst receiving conveyor ( 9) and second receiving conveyor (10) picks up the first containers (Bl) and the second containers (B2) from the distributor (8), in case of fault of one of the decorating machine (4; 5), to direct all the containers (Bl, B2) to the not fault decorating machine (5; 4).

14. Apparatus (1; 1'; 1' ' ) according to Claim 13, wherein the automatic control system is configured for automatically reducing the production speed of the forming machine in case of fault of one of the decorating machine (4; 5), and in particular for automatically halving the production speed of the forming machine (3) in case of fault of one of the decorating machine (4; 5).

15. Apparatus according to any of the previous Claims, wherein the forming machine (3) is a rotative blowing machine.

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