Abstract: This invention relates to an arrangement for continuous automatic filling and closing of successive encased groups of containers wherein use is made of a dispensing unit connected to a closing unit which is pivotally rotated so as to be substituted for the dispensing unit after the filling of the group of containers.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a pincers-type gripper for bottles, comprising a set of hinged jaws the opening and closing of which are ensured by an operating rod and a pin associated transversely with the rod and loosely inserted or capable of free play in an aperture provided in each jaw and having two internal surfaces contacting the pin, the rod being internally provided with a spring constantly urging the pin to a position in which it bears on one of the internal surfaces of the aperture of the jaws to ensure their positive closing whatever be the extent of the wear or of the plays of the members constituting the gripper.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for continuously distributing parallelepipedic loads which comprises a conveyor constituted by power-driven rollers whose axis is perpendicular to that of the push-bars of an endless chain conveyor arranged above the rollers, whereas an element for guiding the objects driven simultaneously by the rollers and the push-bars is arranged obliquely between the roller conveyor and the push-bar conveyor, the push-bars being provided with stops for transverse positioning of the objects on the roller conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variable-configuration head for seizing and handling objects, which head comprises a frame from which are suspended supports for seizing members through the medium of three links swivelled both to the supports and to the frame, the supports being geometrically equivalent to two identical articulated parallelograms having opposite angles at one common vertex, so as to allow the supports to be joined together transversely or longitudinally to modify the configuration of the group of objects held by the seizing members.

Abstract: An extensible head for seizing and reorienting a group of objects includes a frame to which is swivelled a member which drives swivelled first links to cause the translation of carriages on which are rotatably mounted supports for gripping members, these supports being connected to a plate by second links swivelled to the plate and to lugs provided on the supports.

Abstract: A pincers-type gripper for seizing bottles includes an operating rod provided with a pin extending transversely to the rod and each end of which is loosely fitted in an aperture provided in each jaw, each aperture including two internal cam surfaces contacting the ends of the pin to allow the jaws to be moved towards or from one another when the operating rod is actuated.

Abstract: A device for distributing containers into several rows includes a conveyor arranged above a single row of containers and carrying gripper heads adapted to positively and temporarily grip the containers, the gripper heads being individually movably mounted on respective transverse bars spaced along the length of the conveyor. The device further includes actuating cams for opening and closing the gripper heads driven by the conveyor and actuating means for transversely displacing the gripper heads into a plurality of parallel paths while they are driven by the conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for automatic packaging of food products in cup-shaped containers grouped in a row in a cardboard support. This machine comprises essentially a device for marking the support and its associated containers, as well as a device for bending down the sides of the support to a position substantially parallel with the axis of the containers. This latter device comprises essentially a vertically movable unit including two horizontal bars vertically movable with respect to the unit and capable of passing in the intervals between two successive plates supporting the containers so as to turn down the edges of the support.

Abstract: This invention essentially relates to a grid for guiding bottles advancing towards compartments of a packing case. The grid has vertically fastened thereto supports each including a sleeve containing axial-push means together with a rod cooperating therewith to resiliently maintain a group of short fingers while imparting to their free ends a spaced apart position under the action of the axial push.

Abstract: The process of the invention essentially consists in supplying sterile gas to an extruded parison confined between the two shells of a mould, this sterile gas being sequentially applied at a first pressure slightly higher than atmospheric pressure, at a second pressure much higher than the first pressure in order to inflate the parison, and at a third pressure which is much lower than the second pressure and corresponds to the desired inflating pressure of the hollow body to be formed.

Abstract: The method of the invention consists in conveying a concentrated aqueous solution of a substance less volatile than water and miscible with the latter into the upper portion of a liquid-vapor exchange column operating at atmospheric pressure and supplied with saturated water vapor at its lower portion, in collecting a dilute aqueous solution of said substance in the lower portion of said column and vapor rich in said substance and sparingly rich in water, at a temperature comprised between about 110.degree. and 150.degree. C, in the upper portion of the said column, said column also alternately functioning to dehydrate, and thereby regenerate said dilute aqueous solution to thereby produce said concentrated aqueous solution.