Abstract: A control device for controlling a pneumatic component includes a compressed air supply circuit for connecting to an inlet of the pneumatic component. The circuit includes a normally closed monostable valve having an inlet for connecting to a compressed air source and an outlet for connecting to the pneumatic component, and a bistable directional valve having both a first port for connecting to the compressed air source and also a second port connected to a first port of a normally passing monostable directional valve, the monostable directional valve having a second port connected to a pneumatic control port of the monostable valve.

Abstract: A Venturi type ejector having a feed duct for feeding fluid under pressure with the duct extending along a central axis. A first expansion chamber is connected to the feed duct; a first mixing chamber is connected to the expansion chamber; a first suction chamber is connected to the mixing chamber; and an exhaust chamber is connected to the first mixing chamber. The ejector where the fluid under pressure penetrates into the first expansion chamber along a plurality of directions extends in a plane that is substantially orthogonal to the central axis. A vacuum generator includes such an ejector.

Abstract: A vacuum gripper device including at least one suction cup including a fastener body from which there extends an elastically deformable skirt having a free annular edge for coming into contact with an object to be grasped. The suction cup includes at least one electrically conductive track secured at least to the skirt. The conductive track is made of a material that is electrically conductive and elastically deformable so as to deform together with the skirt. The device includes an electronic processor circuit that is connected electrically to two connection pads belonging to the conductive track and that is arranged to monitor an electrical property of the conductive track, which electrical property varies with the deformation of the conductive track, and to compare that property with reference data so as to anticipate a failure of the suction cup.

Abstract: A vacuum chamber for a gripper including at least one fastener plate and at least one pneumatic accessory fastened in a perforation in the fastener plate. The pneumatic accessory is held in the perforation by an elastically deformable tubular interface including an external groove in which the periphery of the perforation is received so as to provide sealing between the plate and the interface, the interface defining a channel extending between a first end of the interface extending inside the chamber and a second end extending outside the chamber, at least a portion of the pneumatic accessory being inserted in the channel of the interface.

Abstract: A fluid circulation device having at least one fluid circulation tube, a first coupling sealingly coupled to a first end of the tube and a second coupling sealingly coupled to a second end of the tube in such a way as to allow the circulation of fluid between said two couplings via the tube. The device further has separate electronic elements. The tube has at least one conductor track extending along an outer surface of the tube. The track is suitable for transmitting at least one signal and arranged to engage with the abovementioned electronic elements.

Abstract: A fluid circulation device having at least one fluid circulation tube, a first coupling sealingly coupled to a first end of the tube and a second coupling sealingly coupled to a second end of the tube in such a way as to allow the circulation of fluid between said two couplings via the tube. The device further has separate electronic elements. The tube has at least one conductor track extending along an outer surface of the tube. The track is suitable for transmitting at least one signal and arranged to engage with the abovementioned electronic elements.

Abstract: A modular vacuum gripper having a first plate, a second plate provided with at least one downstream orifice, framework members, assembly device for assembling the first plate, the second plate and the framework members, at least one upstream orifice situated on one of the walls of the vacuum gripper, sealing device, vacuum generation device adapted to suck out the air contained inside the vacuum gripper via the upstream orifice, and at least one deformable element extending over the second plate so as to form a sealed contact surface with the part when the air contained inside the vacuum gripper is sucked out.

Abstract: A modular vacuum gripper having a first plate, a second plate provided with at least one downstream orifice, framework members, assembly device for assembling the first plate, the second plate and the framework members, at least one upstream orifice situated on one of the walls of the vacuum gripper, sealing device, vacuum generation device adapted to suck out the air contained inside the vacuum gripper via the upstream orifice, and at least one deformable element extending over the second plate so as to form a sealed contact surface with the part when the air contained inside the vacuum gripper is sucked out.

Abstract: A vacuum generator module having a substantially rectangular box housing electronic controls for controlling and monitoring the operation of pneumatic vacuum generators and their electrical connections with an electrical power supply and external control members, including an input connector and an output connector installed in one of the faces of the box. The first module is a master module that includes a microcontroller adapted to the communications protocol first of a fieldbus present in a vacuum handling machine incorporating the first module, and secondly of a bus that is dedicated to the other modules. Each of the other modules is a slave module including a microcontroller adapted to the communications protocol of the dedicated bus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum generator module comprising a substantially rectangular box housing: the pneumatic vacuum generator means and their channels for connection to an admission orifice for admitting a gas under pressure, to a gas exhaust orifice, and to a suction orifice, each orifice opening to the outside via one of the faces of the box; and electronic means for controlling and monitoring the operation of the pneumatic means and their electrical connections with an electrical power supply and external control members using a defined program, including two connectors, one being an input connector, and the other being an output connector likewise installed in one of the faces of the box; the set being characterized in that: the electronic means comprise a multi-network I/O microcontroller suitable for imparting a master or slave function to the module depending on whether the module is or is not directly connected to a fieldbus present in a vacuum handling machine incorporating the module.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage (2) comprising a brew chamber (10) defining a volume for containing at least one container (11) with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage, wherein said apparatus comprises adjustment means (12, 14) for varying the volume (V) of said brew chamber. Preferably the adjustment means include a cover member (12) with a piston portion (25). The invention also relates to a method for preparing a beverage.

Abstract: A suction gripper device comprising a pipe for connecting a suction source to a suction gripper member, the pipe comprising a first channel formed by a downstream chamber (5) and by an upstream duct (7), a seat (9) being provided between the chamber (5) and the duct (7), a valve member (6) being mounted to move with clearance inside the chamber (5) between a bottom abutment (2a, 22) and the seat (9), and a second channel (10) forming a calibrated bypass in parallel with the first channel and bypassing the seat (9), being of section that is smaller than the section (S) of the clearance that exists in the chamber (5) between its inside surface and the outside surface of the valve member (6) that can move therein, wherein the second channel (10) is formed through the center of the valve member (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage (2) comprising a brew chamber (10) defining a volume for containing at least one container (11) with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage, wherein said apparatus comprises adjustment means (12, 14) for varying the volume (V) of said brew chamber. Preferably the adjustment means include a cover member (12) with a piston portion (25). The invention also relates to a method for preparing a beverage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the opening and closing of a compressed gas consuming circuit (U), the device comprising a normally-closed two-position cutoff valve (2), said cutoff valve (2) having a pilot chamber (2a) and a counter-pilot chamber (2b) permanently in communication with a source (P) of compressed gas, directly for the pilot chamber (2a) and via a constriction (6) for the counter-pilot chamber (2b), the counter-pilot chamber including a purge branch connection (8) that is opened or closed by a two-position, two-port valve (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage comprising a holder (14) with an inner space (S) for accommodating at least one container (11) with a soluble or ex-tractable product to obtain said beverage, wherein said inner space has a non-planar surface (20) defining at least a first holding structure (21) and a second holding structure (22), respectively arranged to hold containers (11A; 11B) of at least a first dimension (D1) and a second dimension (D2), as defined by an edge (23) of said containers, substantially along said edge of said containers. Accordingly, an apparatus is provided that allows to hold a plurality of containers 11 of different dimensions while maintaining appropriate extraction characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage (2) comprising a brew chamber (10) defining a volume for containing at least one container (11) with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage, wherein said apparatus comprises adjustment means (12, 14) for varying the volume (V) of said brew chamber. Preferably the adjustment means include a cover member (12) with a piston portion (25). The invention also relates to a method for preparing a beverage.