System for handling plates in a machine processing containers

A handling system in a machine for processing containers intended to hold a food product, the handling system comprising:

• a plurality of support plates circulating in a closed circuit, each support plate comprising one or more housings, each housing being able to hold a container,
• a first portion, known as the working portion, in which the support plates circulate in a horizontal position in a first axial direction, with a first member for moving the support plates along the first axial direction, the first member preferably being of the stepping type, the support plate being driven at only one of its two longitudinal sides corresponding to a first long side forming a guiding and maneuvering edge, the other longitudinal side corresponding to another long side forming a free edge,
• a second portion, known as the rapid return portion, with a second moving member configured to move the support plates along a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction, wherein the support plates circulate in the second portion in a return orientation, said return orientation being vertical or angularly less than 30° away from the vertical,
• and in that the handling system comprises:
• a first rotation station arranged at a first end of the handling system and configured to pivot the support plates into the horizontal position in order to engage them in the first portion, and
• a second rotation station arranged at a second end of the handling system and configured to pivot the support plates into the return orientation in order to engage them in the second portion.