Machine for processing hollow glass objects

A processing unit for a machine wherein workpieces of a deformable material including hollow glass objects are processed, the machine including a conveyor unit for supplying the processing unit with the workpieces to be processed and for taking processed workpieces away from the processing unit, the processing unit being provided for processing the workpieces and comprising:

• at least one workstation for carrying out a processing step on a workpiece;
• first and second handling units separate from each other and having respective workpiece holders for taking up first and second ones of said workpieces, respectively, from said conveyor unit, moving said first and second workpieces to and into said one workstation and returning said first and second workpiece, after processing, to said conveyor unit;
• and,
• said handling units being configured to perform like functions in a time-displaced work sequence to process at least two of said workpieces simultaneously;
• said machine defining a vertical center plane and including a frame having guides on respective sides of said plane for guiding corresponding ones of said first and second handling units;
• said first and second handling units including first and second primary carriages, respectively, for moving said handling unit horizontally and linearly along said guides, respectively, on opposite sides of said vertical center plane;
• said handling units having respective workpiece holders;
• said vertical center plane passing through said workstation and said workpiece holders;
• and,
• means for moving each of said workpiece holders in elevation in said vertical central plane relative to the primary carriage corresponding thereto to avoid mutual collision when said first and second primary carriages move in mutually opposing directions.