A container rotating unit and a machine for handling containers including such unit

A container rotating unit comprising:

• a base,
• a rotating body rotatable with respect to the base about a rotation axis and including a plate having a support surface for supporting containers, and
• a gripping device configured for gripping a container resting on said support surface wherein the gripping device comprises a plurality of gripping elements movable between an open position and a gripping position,
• wherein said plurality of gripping elements are axially movable with respect to the rotating body in a direction parallel to said rotation axis between a retracted position in which said plurality of gripping elements extend below said support surface and an extracted position in which said plurality of gripping elements protrude above said support surface.