EP1525084A2

EP1525084A2 - Method of indexing a preform comprising lugs during the production of a container and station and device used for same

Info

Publication number: EP1525084A2
Application number: EP03753636A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-François MEYER; Jean-Paul Cerveny; Bernard Mailfert
Original assignee: Nestle Waters Management and Technology SAS
Current assignee: Nestle Waters Management and Technology SAS
Priority date: 2002-07-16
Filing date: 2003-07-10
Publication date: 2005-04-27
Also published as: WO2004009330A3; FR2842454B1; AU2003271801A1; US20060046919A1; FR2842454A1; WO2004009330A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of indexing a preform (1) comprising anchoring lugs (2) which project out from the body of the preform, said method being used when a container, such as bottle, is being produced from said preform by means of blowing or blowing/drawing. The inventive method comprises a heating step which is performed prior to the blowing or blowing/drawing step, whereby the preform is disposed on a transport support such that it can be rotated around the longitudinal axis thereof. Following said heating step, the preform is transferred to a corresponding mould (300) by means of a transfer clamp (210). According to the invention, the indexing step consists in mechanically blocking the rotation of the preform on the transport support thereof at a precise angular position which is determined according to the desired position of the preform in the mould (300).

Description

Method for indexing a lug preform during a method of manufacturing a container, station and device for its implementation

The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing a certain type of polyester container, preferably poryethylene terephthalate (PET), from a specific preform for said container.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and a device for indexing preforms provided with one or more external projecting elements before they are blown or blown-stretched for the purpose of manufacturing a corresponding container in an installation. suitable supply air.

Indeed, French patent application No. 99,06040 in the name of the applicant proposes a new type of preform which is particularly useful for the manufacture of containers intended to be provided with a carrying handle or the like.

These preforms are distinguished from conventional preforms usually having the shape of a cylindrical tube closed at one of its ends insofar as they are provided at their open end (that is to say at the neck of the container) one or more, preferably two projecting lugs directed towards the outside of said preforms.

As explained in French patent application No. 99,06040, this technical solution makes it possible to attach an extruded handle to said lugs conformed with the preform during injection-molding.

These pins can have various geometric shapes and are in principle made of the same material as the rest of the body of the preform, preferably made of PET. The main function of these pins is to serve as a means of attaching a handle, strap or the like intended to facilitate the transport and / or handling of the container obtained by blowing said preform. Such a carrying handle is all the more advantageous when the container is bulky and therefore heavy when it is filled. For example, handles in the form of a ribbon are used to transport water bottles whose capacity exceeds 2-3 liters, in particular 5-liter mineral water bottles. During the conventional process of manufacturing the container from a conventional preform (without pins), the preforms are threaded in a row on the cylindrical pads of a continuous conveying chain which thus transports the preforms to the installation blow molding or stretch blow molding.

On their way to this blower, the preforms pass through, upside down, an oven essentially constituted by a rectilinear section bordered on each side by radiation heating means, in order to condition the plastic material for the blowing or subsequent blow-stretch. In order to ensure the most homogeneous heat distribution possible, the cylindrical studs on which the preforms are mounted are driven, in addition to their movement towards the blowing machine (mainly in translation in the horizontal plane), with a movement of rotation about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body of the preform.

The speed of rectilinear movement and rotation of the preforms, the length and the power of the oven are calculated in such a way that the temperature of the preform at the outlet of the oven is slightly higher than that required inside the mold of the blower, this in order to take account of the cooling which takes place over the distance existing between said oven and said blower.

The hot preform is then removed from the neck by a clamp mounted at the end of a mechanical arm called a “transfer arm”, the cylindrical stud being erased at the same time from the bottom of said preform. The movement of the transfer arm towards the mold is coordinated with that of the blowing machine which is generally carried out in the form of a rotary carousel rotating continuously around its vertical axis and which carries, at its periphery, a series of identical molds. Thus, the preform is placed in the mold immediately after it has opened and the previously formed container is removed by another similar arm system.

Thanks to the rotary movement and the simultaneous presence of several molds, such a blowing machine makes it possible to produce containers at very high rates, of the order of several tens of thousands of units per hour.

However, when it is desired to apply this method of manufacturing containers to preforms of the type mentioned above (preforms lug (s)) appears the problem of the orientation of the lugs of the preform when it is placed in the mold.

Indeed, due to the rotation of the preform during its passage through the oven, the lug or lugs present laterally on the body of said preform can be found in any angular position, for example relative to the axis of movement of the preforms, and therefore also in the mold then on the final blown container.

However, it may be necessary or at least desirable to be able to control (index) the orientation of said one or more lugs of the preform so that this or these latter are found at the desired location or locations on the final container, in particularly when the latter does not exhibit symmetry of revolution.

This is particularly the case for square or rectangular cylinders whose bulged body essentially has four more or less flat faces.

The problem posed by the present invention therefore consists in overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks and in proposing a method and a device for indexing or orienting preforms with lug (s) which is both simple and effective. To solve this problem, the invention proposes a method of indexing a preform provided with at least one hooking lug projecting towards the outside of the body of said preform during a method of manufacturing a container, for example in polyester resin, from said preform essentially comprising a step of heating said preform before the main blowing or blow-stretching step of said preform during which said preform is moved on a transport support allowing its rotation around its longitudinal axis, characterized in that it consists, between said step of heating said preform and the step of blowing or blowing-stretching said preform, mechanically blocking the rotation of said preform on its transport support in a precise angular position for at least one latching pin, said angular position of the latching pin after locking being determined in fon ction of a predetermined desired position of said latching lug of said preform after its transfer via a transfer clamp in the blow molding or blow molding / stretching mold. In this way, each preform is in a predetermined angular position at the outlet of the heating step. The displacement of the clamp being always the same, the angular position of the preform at the outlet of the heating step therefore corresponds to an angular position of the preform in the mold. It suffices, knowing the displacement of the clamp, to fix the angular position of the preform at the outlet of the heating stage as a function of the desired angular position of the preform inside the mold. The mechanical blocking step of the rotation of the preform therefore forms the indexing step ensuring the control of the orientation of the lug or lugs of this preform.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the orientation of at least one latching lug of said preform relative to said transfer clamp during said transfer to the blow-molding or blow-stretch mold remains unchanged. Once the transfer clamp closes on the preform, the latter is clamped between the arms of the clamp and can no longer rotate relative to these arms. According to the invention, the angular position of the preform after blocking is determined as a function of the desired angular position in the mold, taking account of the movement of the clamp. Alternatively, the orientation of at least one latching lug of said preform relative to said transfer clamp during said transfer to the blow-molding or blow-drawing mold can be modified by rotation of the preform around its longitudinal axis. .

This step allows a reorientation of the preform before its introduction into the mold. Such a step can be used to modify the orientation of the preform in the mold, for example when it is desired to obtain blown containers with different lug orientations. It can also serve as a second indexing step in the case where the step of mechanically blocking the preform after the heating step leaves some uncertainty as to the angular positioning of the preform in the clamp. For example, the mechanical blocking step of the preform after heating, forming a pre-indexing step, can make it possible to fix the orientation of the lug or lugs of the preform with an uncertainty of plus or minus 15 °. The reorientation step, then forming the final indexing step, makes it possible to fix the orientation of the preform much more precisely in the clamp and, consequently, the orientation of the lug (s) in relation to the final blown container. . According to another aspect of the present invention, the attachment lug (s) are produced in the form of parts, the part of which connected to said preform has a reduced section relative to the retaining means forming the free end of said lug. Advantageously, two hooking lugs are present at the level of the neck of said preform.

Advantageously, said preform comprises two diametrically opposite latching lugs forming a single piece with said preform, that is to say formed integrally with the latter. Advantageously, the lug or latching lugs have a substantially elongated flat shape in the shape of a bean (oblong structure) with two rounded ends in an involute.

Advantageously, at the end of the manufacturing process, the container formed is provided with a gripping and / or transport means adapting or coming into engagement on the latching lug (s).

According to another aspect of the present invention, an indexing station is proposed for implementing the method defined above, characterized in that it comprises a mechanical locking means adapted to mechanically block the rotation of said preform after said heating stage.

Advantageously, said mechanical blocking means comprises a means for immobilizing a lug for hooking a preform subjected to the combined actions of a drive means in translation and a drive means in rotation, said means immobilization being adapted to maintain said lug in a substantially fixed position while said preform continues to move in the direction of drive in translation by rotating about its axis so as to substantially pivot relative to said lug, independently of the rotation drive means, said immobilization means being adapted to release said lug when the latter is in said precise angular position.

Advantageously, said rotary drive means is deactivated, for a given preform, at a position of said preform in which a lug of said preform is necessarily immobilized in said immobilizing means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, said mechanical locking means is produced in the form of a rigid cam against the surface of which can come to bear a latching pin, during its movement by the corresponding transport support.

Advantageously, said rigid cam comprises a first planar surface against which comes a lug for hooking a preform subjected to the combined actions of a drive means in translation and a drive means in rotation, said surface cam extending parallel to the direction of translation drive so that said preform is immobilized in rotation while remaining free to translate. Advantageously, said rigid cam comprises a recessed surface forming a recess adapted to receive a lug for hooking a preform so as to form an immobilizing means adapted to maintain said lug in a substantially fixed position while said preform continues to move in a drive direction by turning about its axis so as to substantially pivot about said lug.

Advantageously, said recessed surface comprises a shoulder against which a lug of a preform can come to bear so as to immobilize said lug until said preform is no longer subjected to the action of a drive means in rotation. .

Advantageously, said recessed surface comprises a slope inclined with respect to the direction of translation drive, said lug being in said recess or recess formed by said recessed surface coming to bear against said inclined slope until said lug found in said precise angular position.

Advantageously, said rigid cam comprises a second planar surface against which comes a lug for hooking a preform located in said precise angular position, said second planar surface extending parallel to a direction of translation drive so that said preform is immobilized in rotation while remaining free to translate.

Advantageously, said recessed surface is located between said first and second planar surfaces, said recessed surface being placed opposite an area in which the means for driving the preforms in rotation is deactivated. Advantageously, said second flat surface is offset laterally outward with respect to said first flat surface, that is to say in the direction of the recessed surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the means for driving the preforms in rotation is an endless chain, a driving part of which circulates parallel to a direction of translational driving of said preforms at a speed greater than the speed of translational drive of said preforms, said endless chain being engaged with toothed wheels for driving in rotation means for supporting the preforms so as to cause rotation of said preforms about their axes.

Advantageously, the zone in which the means for rotating the preforms is deactivated corresponds to a toothed wheel for changing the direction of said endless chain. The present invention also provides an indexing device for implementing the method defined above in cooperation with the indexing station defined above, characterized in that it essentially comprises a means for driving in limited rotation a preform when the latter is caught in said transfer clamp.

Advantageously, said rotary drive means is produced in the form of a movable stop associated with said clamp and adapted to come to bear on at least one of said lugs in order to cause rotation of said preform. Advantageously, said movable stop has a U-shaped structure and comprises two arms of different lengths adapted to come to bear on two diametrically opposite lugs when said preform is in a determined angular position, one or the other arm coming to bear on the lug corresponding to rotate said preform into said precise predetermined angular position in cases where said preform has deviated from this position in either direction, respectively.

Finally, the subject of the invention is also an installation for manufacturing containers by blow molding or stretch blow molding of preforms, characterized in that it comprises an indexing station according to the invention and, where appropriate, a device for indexing according to the present invention.

The invention will be better understood from the description below, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of example limiting, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagram of a device for manufacturing bottles provided with indexing devices according to the present invention; Figures 2 to 6 are partial schematic views showing the different stages of progression of a preform at the outlet of a heating furnace of the manufacturing device of Figure 1 provided with an indexing station according to the present invention; and FIG. 7 is a diagram representing a transfer clamp of the manufacturing device of FIG. 1 provided with an indexing device according to the present invention, in addition to the indexing station shown in FIGS. 2 to 6.

The present embodiment is used in the context of a known device for manufacturing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles from a preform, the bottles being intended to be provided with a carrying handle or the like as it is described in French patent application No. 99,06040 in the name of the applicant.

With reference to FIG. 1, a preform 1 has the shape of a cylindrical tube closed at one of its ends and provided at its open end with two protruding pins 2 directed radially towards the outside of the preform. Each lug 2 is made in the form of a flat piece, the part connected to the preform 1 has a reduced section relative to the retaining means forming the free end of this lug, having substantially an elongated flat shape in the shape of a bean. with two rounded ends in an involute. The two pins 2 are diametrically opposite. They form a single piece with the preform 1.

In known manner, the preforms 1 are threaded in a row on the cylindrical studs, forming transport supports, of a continuous conveying chain which transports the preforms 1 upside down through an oven 10 essentially constituted by a rectilinear section bordered on each side of radiant heating means. The cylindrical pads on which the preforms 1 are threaded are rotatably mounted in order to cause the rotation of the preforms about their axes. Each of these studs is provided with a toothed wheel (not shown) for driving in rotation.

As seen in Figures 2 to 6 in connection with Figure 1, the device 120 for rotating the preforms 1 is constituted by an endless chain 121, part of which circulates in the furnace 10 parallel to the direction of drive in translation of the preforms. This chain 121 moves at a speed greater than the drive speed in translation of the preforms. For example, if the latter speed is V, the chain moves at a speed, for example, of 2V or another multiple of V. This chain comes into engagement with the toothed wheels of the cylindrical studs on which the threads are threaded. preforms, it causes the latter to rotate around their X (vertical) axes. At the outlet of the oven 10, the chain 121 departs from the conveyor chain of the preforms 1, a wheel 122 causing the chain to tilt outwards and therefore forming an area from which the drive device 120 in rotation of the preforms is deactivated.

The hot preform 1 is gripped at the neck and taken out by a clamp 200 mounted at the end of a mechanical arm called the “transfer arm”, the cylindrical stud being erased at the same time from the bottom of the preform. The movement of the clamp 200 towards a mold 300 is coordinated with the movement of the blowing machine containing this mold. As is well known, the blowing machine is produced in the form of a rotary carousel rotating continuously around its vertical axis and carrying, at its periphery, a series of identical molds 300. The preform is placed in the mold immediately after it has opened and the previously formed container is removed by another similar arm system.

According to the invention an indexing station 100 is provided at the outlet from the oven 10. It is essentially a mechanical locking means adapted to mechanically block the rotation of a preform 1 at the outlet of the oven 10 so that the pins 2 of this preform 1 are in a precise angular position when the clamp 200 closes on this preform.

The indexing station is described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 to 6.

Overall, the mechanical locking means 100 is produced in the form of a rigid cam 110 against the surface of which a lug 2 of a preform 1 can come to bear. The cam 110 is mounted at the end of an arm 101 bolted to a panel of the oven 10. The cam 110 is itself bolted to the arm 101 at the level of an oblong hole made in this arm, which makes it possible to adjust the position of the cam 110 relative to the oven 10. The cam surface 110 comprises, seen in the direction of translation T, a first planar surface 111, a recessed surface 112 then a second planar surface 115. The planar surfaces 111 and 115 extend vertically parallel to the direction of translation T preforms 1, the planar surface 115 being slightly offset laterally outward with respect to the planar surface 111. The recessed surface 112 forms a recess whose difference in level with respect to the first surface 111 forms a shoulder 113 and whose the difference in level with respect to the second surface 115 forms an inclined slope 114. The recessed surface 112 is located substantially opposite a direction change zone of the chain 121 causing deactivation of the rotary drive device 120 for a preform passing through this area.

When a preform 1 leaves the oven 10, it is driven both in translation by the conveyor device (not shown in the appended figures) and in rotation by the action of the rotational drive device 120. The distance between the first cam surface 111 and the axis of rotation X of the preform 1 being less than the distance between this axis X and the end of a lug 2, one of the two lugs 2 of the preform 1 will necessarily come into contact with the cam surface 111, as can be seen in FIG. 2. Therefore, in spite of the action of the device for driving the preform in rotation, the preform 1 will be immobilized in rotation, disengaging, in rotation from the less, from the movement of its support stud.

The preform 1 driven by the conveying device will then continue to move, the lug 2 sliding against the cam surface 111 until it reaches the level of the recess 112. There, as can be seen in FIG. 3, l pin 2 will come into the recess 112. Still stressed by the rotary drive means 120, the pin 2 will come to bear against the shoulder 113. The recess 112 forms a means of immobilizing the pin 2 adapted to maintain this lug in a substantially fixed position. The preform 1, driven by the conveying device, continues to move longitudinally, that is to say in the direction of drive in translation T. However, due to the fact that the lug 2 is substantially immobilized by the hollow part 112 , the preform 1 will rotate about its axis so as to substantially pivot about said lug. This rotation of the preform 1 about its axis is independent of the rotation drive means 120, even if the latter continues to stress the preform. The pivoting around the lug 2 is done until this the latter is able to pass the inclined slope 114. For this, this lug must have a certain inclination, shown in FIG. 4. The chain 121 being deflected by the wheel 122, the rotary drive device 120 n ' acts more on the preform 1 when the latter is in the position shown in FIG. 4. The device 100 is adjusted so that the angular position of release of the lug is the precise angular position that it is desired to have at the end of the indexing process. Then, the preform 1 will continue its translation, the lug 2 sliding against the cam surface 115 to the final position shown in Figure 5. The jaws 211 of the clamp 210 will then close on the preform 1 as well this is shown in Figure 6.

In order to modify the angular position of release of the lug 2 from the recess 112, the cam 110 may be slightly inclined. This inclination is possible as long as it does not cause loss of contact between the lug 2 and the cam surface 111.

The indexing station which has just been described allows relatively precise indexing of the preforms 1 at the outlet of the furnace 10. This indexing device can, in itself, be entirely sufficient.

However, in some cases, indexing can be done with a slight margin of uncertainty on the orientation of the lugs 2, for example by several degrees.

In order to index the orientation of the lugs 2 even more precisely, the invention can implement a complementary indexing device which is shown in FIG. 7 and which generally comprises a means 200 for driving in rotation a preform 1 when the latter is caught in the transfer clamp 210.

The rotation drive means 200 is produced in the form of a movable stop associated with said clamp, controlled by cam and adapted to come to bear on one of said lugs in order to cause the rotation of the preform 1. This movable stop can be move by a translational movement in the axis of the clamp, in the direction of the preform 1. This movable stop comprises two arms 201 and 202, of spacing slightly greater than the diameter of the preform 1 and of different lengths. The difference in length between the arms 201 and 202 is chosen as a function of the orientation which one wishes to give to the pins 2 A and 2B. When the pins 2 A and 2B are in the desired orientation, the arms 201 and 202 come to bear against one and the other pins 2A and 2B, respectively. In the example shown in the FIG. 7, when the preform 1 deviates from the desired orientation by a positive angle, the arm 202, the longest, comes to bear on the lug 2B which is on its side until the other lug 2 A comes into contact with the arm 201, the shortest. Conversely, when the preform 1 deviates from the desired orientation by a negative angle, the arm 201, the shortest, comes to bear on the lug 2A which is on its side until the other lug 2B comes into contact with the longest arm 202.

Finally, the invention also relates to an installation for manufacturing containers by blow molding or stretch blow molding of preforms, characterized in that it comprises an indexing station as described above and, if necessary, a device for indexing as mentioned above.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1) Method for indexing a preform (1) provided with at least one lug (2) for protruding outwards from the body of said preform during a process for manufacturing a container, for example in polyester resin, from said preform, essentially comprising a step of heating said preform before the main step of blowing or blowing-stretching said preform during which said preform is moved on a transport support allowing its rotation around its longitudinal axis, characterized in that it consists, between said step of heating said preform (1) and the blowing or blow-stretching step of said preform (1), mechanically blocking the rotation of the latter on its transport support in a precise angular position for at least one latching lug (2), said angular position of the latching lug (2) after locking being determined as a function of a souh position predetermined opening of said latching lug of said preform (1) after its transfer by means of a transfer clamp (210) into the mold (300) for blowing or blowing-stretching.

2) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the orientation of at least one latching lug (2) of said preform (1) relative to said transfer clamp (210) during said transfer to the mold ( 300) of blowing or blowing-stretching remains unchanged. 3) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the orientation of at least one latching lug (2) of said preform (1) relative to said transfer clamp (210) during said transfer to the mold ( 300) of blow molding or stretch blow molding is modified by rotation of the preform around its longitudinal axis. 4) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lug (s) (2) are hooked in the form of parts, the part connected to said preform (1) has a reduced section relative to the retaining means forming the free end of said lug (2).

5) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two lugs (2) for attachment are present at the neck of said preform (1).

6) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said preform (1) comprises two lugs (2) diametrically opposite hooking forming a single piece with said preform. 7) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lug or latching lugs (2) have a substantially elongated flat shape in the shape of a bean with two rounded ends in involute form of a circle. 8) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists, at the end of the manufacturing process, in providing the container formed with a gripping and / or transport means adapting or coming in taken on the latch (s) (2).

9) Indexing station for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it mainly comprises a mechanical locking means (100) adapted to mechanically block the rotation of said preform ( 1) after said heating step.

10) Station according to claim 9, characterized in that said mechanical locking means (100) comprises means (112) for immobilizing a lug (2) for hooking a preform (1) subjected to the combined actions a translational drive means and a rotary drive means (120), said immobilization means (112) being adapted to maintain said lug (2) in a substantially fixed position while said preform ( 1) continues to move in the direction of translational drive by turning about its axis (X) so as to substantially pivot about said lug, independently of the means (120) for driving in rotation, said means d immobilization (112) being adapted to release said lug (2) when it is in said precise angular position.

11) Station according to claim 10, characterized in that said means (120) for rotational drive is deactivated, for a given preform (1), at a position of said preform in which a lug (2) of said preform is necessarily immobilized in said immobilizing means (112).

12) Station according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that said mechanical locking means (100) is formed in the form of a rigid cam (110) against the surface of which can come to bear a lug d 'hanging (2).

13) Station according to claim 12, characterized in that said rigid cam (110) comprises a first flat surface (111) against which comes to bear a latching lug (2) of a preform (1) subjected to the combined actions of a translational drive means and a rotational drive means (120), said planar surface extending parallel to the translational drive direction (T) so that said preform (1) is immobilized in rotation while remaining free to translate.

14) Station according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said rigid cam (110) comprises a recessed surface (112) forming a recess adapted to receive a latching lug (2) of a preform (1) of so as to form an immobilization means adapted to maintain said lug in a substantially fixed position while said preform continues to move in a direction of translation drive (T) by turning about its axis (X) so as to substantially rotate relative to said lug. 15) Station according to claim 14, characterized in that said recessed surface (112) comprises a shoulder (113) against which a lug (2) of a preform (1) can come to bear so as to immobilize said lug until that said preform is no longer subjected to the action of a rotary drive means. 16) Station according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that said recessed surface (112) comprises a slope (114) inclined relative to the direction of translation drive (T), said lug (2) being in said recess or recess formed by said recessed surface (112) bearing against said inclined slope (114) until said lug (2) is in said precise angular position.

17) Station according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that said rigid cam (110) comprises a second flat surface (115) against which comes to bear a lug (2) for hooking a preform (1 ) being in said precise angular position, said second planar surface (115) extending parallel to the direction of translation drive (T) so that said preform is immobilized in rotation while remaining free in translation.

18) Station according to claim 17, characterized in that said recessed surface (112) is located between said first (111) and second (115) flat surfaces, said recessed surface being placed opposite an area (122) wherein the means (120) for rotating the preforms (1) is deactivated.

19) Station according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that said second planar surface (115) is offset laterally outwardly relative to said first planar surface (111). 20) Station according to any one of claims 10 to 19, characterized in that the means (120) for rotating the preforms (1) is an endless chain (121) of which a drive part circulates parallel to a direction of translational drive (T) of said preforms (1) at a speed higher than the drive speed in translation of said preforms, said endless chain being engaged with toothed wheels for driving in rotation means for supporting the preforms so as to cause rotation around their axes (X) of said preforms ( 1). 21) Station according to claim 20, characterized in that the zone in which the means (120) for driving the preforms in rotation (1) is deactivated corresponds to a toothed wheel (122) for changing the direction of said endless chain (121).

22) Indexing device for implementing a method according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 in cooperation with an indexing station according to any one of Claims 9 to 21, characterized in that it essentially comprises means (200) for driving in limited rotation a preform (1) when the latter is caught in said transfer clamp (210). 23) Device according to claim 22, characterized in that said means

(200) for rotational drive is produced in the form of a movable stop associated with said clamp (210) and adapted to come to bear on at least one of said lugs (2) in order to cause rotation of said preform (1) .

24) Device according to claim 23, characterized in that said movable stop (200) has a U-shaped structure and comprises two arms (201, 202) of different lengths adapted to come to bear on two lugs (2A, 2B) diametrically opposite when said preform (1) is in a determined angular position, one or the other arm coming to bear on the corresponding lug to rotate said preform (1) in said predetermined angular position precise in cases where said preform s' is moved away from this position in either direction, respectively.

25) Installation for manufacturing containers by blow molding or stretch blow molding of preforms, characterized in that it comprises an indexing station according to any one of claims 9 to 21 and, if necessary, an indexing device according to any one of claims 22 to 24.