Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating at least one hollow body made of thermoplastic material, such as a preform or a cap, the treatment process successively including at least the following steps: a first step, consisting in treating at least the inside of the hollow body using hydrogen peroxide; a second step, consisting in heating the hollow body; a third step, consisting in treating the hollow body with plasma in order to reduce the concentration of hydrogen peroxide residues. Also disclosed is a plant for manufacturing containers in which the process is carried out in particular by way of a unit for the plasma treatment of the preforms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating at least one hollow body made of thermoplastic material, such as a preform or a cap, the treatment process successively including at least the following steps: a first step, consisting in treating at least the inside of the hollow body using hydrogen peroxide; a second step, consisting in heating the hollow body; a third step, consisting in treating the hollow body with plasma in order to reduce the concentration of hydrogen peroxide residues. Also disclosed is a plant for manufacturing containers in which the process is carried out in particular by way of a unit for the plasma treatment of the preforms.

Abstract: The invention proposes a treatment method for the sterilization by irradiation of containers made of thermoplastic material. The method comprises at least an initial step of modification of the pitch consisting in selectively varying the initial pitch between two consecutive containers to increase the irradiation time of each container. The method also comprises an irradiation step consisting in irradiating each container from the outside with an electron beam emitted by at least one emitter of a sterilization device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating at least one hollow body made of thermoplastic material, such as a preform or a cap, the treatment process successively including at least the following steps: a first step, consisting in treating at least the inside of the hollow body using hydrogen peroxide; a second step, consisting in heating the hollow body; a third step, consisting in treating the hollow body with plasma in order to reduce the concentration of hydrogen peroxide residues. Also disclosed is a plant for manufacturing containers in which the process is carried out in particular by way of a unit for the plasma treatment of the preforms.

Abstract: A capping device includes an external outer cap adapted to be removably fixed to the exterior face of a container neck, and an internal insert adapted to plug the opening of the neck. The insert is adapted to be fitted to the neck independently of the outer cap and before fitting the outer cap to the neck. When it is fitted to the neck, the outer cap is adapted to be permanently fastened to the insert. When filling the container, the insert may include means for retaining it on the neck adapted to connect the insert mechanically to the neck before the outer cap is fitted to the neck, thereby sealing at least the exterior peripheral surface of the free end of the neck against a cleaning liquid applied externally to the neck.

Abstract: The stopper (1) has a tubular skirt (12) for fastening it around the container neck, an end wall (10) perpendicular to the central axis (X-X) of the skirt, and an annular sealing lip (16) extending into the skirt from the inner face (10A) of the end wall. A protrusion (22) connects the inner face of the end wall to the inner face (16B) of a peripheral portion of the lip in order to transmit a movement of the end wall to the lip in the event of excess pressure in the container. In order to release this excess pressure reliably and in a manner which is easy to carry out, the protrusion occupies all the space delimited jointly by the inner face of the end wall, by the inner face of said lip portion and by a geometric plane (P) which passes through said lip portion and intersects the inner face of the end wall along a straight line (L) orthoradial to the axis of the skirt.

Abstract: A capping device includes an external outer cap adapted to be removably fixed to the exterior face of a container neck, and an internal insert adapted to plug the opening of the neck. The insert is adapted to be fitted to the neck independently of the outer cap and before fitting the outer cap to the neck. When it is fitted to the neck, the outer cap is adapted to be permanently fastened to the insert. When filling the container, the insert may include means for retaining it on the neck adapted to connect the insert mechanically to the neck before the outer cap is fitted to the neck, thereby sealing at least the exterior peripheral surface of the free end of the neck against a cleaning liquid applied externally to the neck.

Abstract: A stopper device is disclosed. The stopper device includes a substantially tubular support defining a first axis, and a tab extending along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A cap is hinged to the support to pivot between a closed position and an open position. A tamper-proofing band is connected to the cap in its closed position via at least one breakable bridge situated along a third axis in a portion of the tamper-proofing band. The third axis is substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes when the cap is closed. The cap is pivoted from the closed position to the open position by squeezing along the third axis. During a first stage of the squeezing, the at least one breakable bridge is broken, and during a second stage of the squeezing after the first stage, the fastener tab disengages from the cap opening.

Abstract: The stopper (1) has a tubular skirt (12) for fastening it around the container neck, an end wall (10) perpendicular to the central axis (X-X) of the skirt, and an annular sealing lip (16) extending into the skirt from the inner face (10A) of the end wall. A protrusion (22) connects the inner face of the end wall to the inner face (16B) of a peripheral portion of the lip in order to transmit a movement of the end wall to the lip in the event of excess pressure in the container. In order to release this excess pressure reliably and in a manner which is easy to carry out, the protrusion occupies all the space delimited jointly by the inner face of the end wall, by the inner face of said lip portion and by a geometric plane (P) which passes through said lip portion and intersects the inner face of the end wall along a straight line (L) orthoradial to the axis of the skirt.

Abstract: A sealing device (1) for use on the neck (3) of a container (2), comprising a substantially tubular body (4) defining a first axis (X-X) and rigidly connectable to the neck, a seal (14) having a substantially ring-shaped cross-section and pivotably connected to the body for movement between a closed position and an open position, a tamper-evident strip (20) having a substantially ring-shaped cross-section, movably supported by the body and connected to the seal in the closed position via at least one frangible bridge that is broken the first time the seal is moved from the closed to the open position. To ensure that the device is both easy to use and strong, the body comprises an engagement tab (8) extending away from the body along a second axis (Y-Y) substantially perpendicular to the first axis (X-X), and insertable into an aperture in the seal.

Abstract: This stopper (1) comprises a capping lid (20) which, in the back portion of a tubular base (10) for surrounding a container neck, forms part of the upper end (10A) of this base, forming a joint (30) with hinges (31) which defines a geometric axis (A-A) for pivoting the lid between the open and closed service positions. To limit the risk that a child, playing with the stopper, could remove the lid, while at the same time enabling the lid to be opened reliably and satisfactorily by the joint in relation to the base, the joint has two lines of least mechanical resistance (14), which extend from the upper end to the lower end (10B) of the base, being positioned, at the level of said upper end, on both sides of the joint, and which are designed to break before the joint can tear completely when the lid, in open position thereof, is rotated on itself around a geometric axis transverse to the pivoting axis (A-A).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for sterilising hollow bodies, such as containers, container preforms, tubes and various conduits. The invention is characterised in that it consists in guiding (15) a vaporisable sterilising agent over the walls of the hollow body (9), using guide means (7; 13) enabling the agent to be entirely deposited over the surfaces to be sterilised.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for drying a hollow body (2), such as containers, container preforms, tubes or various conduits. The invention is characterized in that it consists in guiding (9) a drying agent (heat, dessicant, dry air . . . ) towards the assembly of surfaces to be dried, using means enabling said agent to pass entirely over all said surfaces.