Abstract: A machine for making thermoplastic containers by stretching and blowing a preform including at least a stretch rod which is slidably controlled along its axis by an actuator from a retracted position to a stretching position to stretch the preform during the blowing process. When the stretch rod returns toward its retracted position, the actuator is idle, such that the stretch rod is returned by a blowing pressure prevailing inside the container being produced so as to act on a working end of the stretch rod.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system of conveyance for a blowing installation for thermoplastic containers, comprising a series of conveyor elements (24) which are fitted with a gripper device (26, 28), whereby each gripper device can move in an axial direction in relation to the conveyor element (24) on which it is borne in order to become axially engaged on the neck (12) of the blank (10). An external radial collar (14) enables said blank (10) to rest upon a bearing surface (23). The invention is characterized in that each conveyor element (24) comprises a stabilizer (34) which can move in an axial direction from a high retracted position to a low position in order to bear upon the blank (10) so that it can be pressed against the bearing surface (23) before the gripper device (26, 28) engages with the collar (12).

Abstract: A machine for making thermoplastic containers by drawing and blowing a preform including at least a drawing rod which is slidably controlled along its axis (An) by an actuator from a retracted position to a maximum drawing position to draw the preform during the blowing process. When the drawing rod returns toward its retracted position, the actuator is idle, the rod return being ensured by the blowing pressure prevailing inside the container being produced and acting on the working end of the rod.

Abstract: A conveyor system for discrete entities, including a gathering member supplied by at least two upstream units (26, 27) each of which brings to the gathering member a series of entities (11, 13), and wherein the entities leave the gathering member in a single line. The gathering member includes a gathering wheel (36) driven in rotation and provided with several slots (38, 39) emerging radially at the periphery of the wheel for receiving each entity, and the slots of a common series have the same radial depth, the series of slots being differentiated by the depth of their slots, and each series of slots is associated exclusively with an upstream unit.