Abstract: A quickly-releasable clutch, comprises a linearly-movable member formed with a spiral thread on its outer surface; an angularly-movable member; an inner sleeve secured to the angularly-movable member to overlie the linearly movable member; a ball received in an opening in the inner sleeve for coupling the inner sleeve and the angularly movable member to the linearly-movable member; and an outer sleeve overlying the inner sleeve and axially movable with respect thereto. The outer sleeve is formed with a first inner annular surface dimensioned to engage the ball and to force it into the spiral thread of the linearly-movable member to couple the latter member to the angularly-movable member, and with a second inner annular surface dimensioned to permit said ball to disengage from the spiral thread of the linearly-movable member and thereby to decouple same from the angularly-movable member.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing predetermined doses of a liquid into individual tubes, particularly for the artificial insemination of poultry, comprises a tube feeder for feeding the tubes individually to a dispensing station; a dispensing device at the dispensing station including a discharge nozzle dispensing a predetermined dose of the liquid with each actuation of the dispensing device; and a manipulator at the dispensing station and movable from a home position for receiving a tube fed thereto with one end of the tube spaced from the discharge nozzle, to an actuated position bringing the one end of the tube into dispensing position with respect to the discharge nozzle. The apparatus further includes a control system comprising a first sensor sensing the tube feeder in its actuated position, a second sensor sensing the tube feeder in its normal position, and a third sensor sensing the presence of a tube in the manipulator, for controlling the operation of the apparatus.