Device for transporting bottles or similar containers

An apparatus comprising a device for transporting containers between a transfer position and a discharge position, said device for transporting containers comprising a transport element, container receptacles, a first control curve, a second control curve, and guide pieces, wherein said transport element is configured to be driven to rotate about a vertical machine axis, wherein said container receptacles are provided on said transport element, wherein each of said container receptacles is configured as a gripper, wherein each of said grippers is configured for picking up and holding a container during transport thereof from said transfer position to said discharge position, wherein said first control curve lifts each gripper along an axis parallel to said machine axis, wherein said second control curve and said guide pieces cooperate to cause controlled pivoting of each container receptacle out of an initial position thereof, wherein said controlled pivoting comprises pivoting about a pivoting axis that is oriented square to said machine axis between said transfer position and said discharge position, wherein said second control curve and said guide pieces cooperate in causing controlled return pivoting of each container receptacle into said initial position about said pivoting axis between said discharge position and said transfer position, wherein said second control curve defines a path selected from the group consisting of a coil and a spiral, wherein said path surrounds a trajectory of said pivoting axes, and wherein said first and second control curves and said guide pieces are configured synchronously with movement of said grippers for controlling said lifting and pivoting, whereby said containers are lifted and pivoted concurrently.