Abstract: The receptacle transfer installation comprises an upstream transport starwheel adapted to support the receptacles via their collars, a first downstream transport starwheel, a second downstream transport starwheel. An upstream guide extends as far as the first downstream transport starwheel, and a fixed downstream guide having a first branch extending around a portion of the first downstream transport starwheel and a second branch extending around a portion of the upstream transport starwheel between the two downstream transport starwheels. A deflector member is mounted to move between a first position in which the deflector member extends the first branch of the downstream guide and a second position in which the deflector member connects the upstream guide to the second branch of the downstream guide.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for presenting lids to moving sealing stations, the device comprising at least one lid production module mounted stationary relative to a path of the sealing stations and comprising a lid cutting member fitted with a cutting tool for cutting lids from a strip, together with gripping members secured to the sealing stations, the gripping members being disposed relative to the lid production module so as to take hold of a lid on the fly.

Abstract: A filling spout having an adjustable flow rate and comprising a valve body receiving a valve member extending facing a valve seat, and a flow-rate adjustment member disposed upstream from the valve member and extending in register with a constriction in the valve body, the valve member and the flow-rate adjustment member being connected to a single actuator device via means allowing limited axial movement by enabling the adjustment member and the valve member to move axially relative to each other to a limited extent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fixing device for quickly fastening and releasing a mechanical part that bears on a support base, the device comprising a latching mechanism of the bayonet type and an associated clamping mechanism of the screw-and-nut type that is organized coaxially therewith, the mechanisms being actuated one after the other by actuating a common rotary drive member in the same direction, and the device having a temporary coupling means interposed between that member and the mechanisms so that over a first angle of rotation of the drive member said drive member actuates the latching mechanism, and then over a second angle of rotation, said drive member is uncoupled from the latching mechanism and actuates the clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A method of filling a receptacle with a net weight substance by means of a filler member disposed to introduce the substance into the receptacle while the receptacle is being carried by a force sensor, the method comprising at least one cycle comprising the steps of: placing the receptacle on the force sensor; commanding the filler member to start a flow of the substance; repeatedly measuring the time for which the substance has been flowing since the start-of-flow command was issued; measuring a value of a signal supplied by the force sensor at least at first and second separate measurement instants; calculating a mean flow rate of the substance over the time interval between the measurement instants; making at least one computed evaluation of a filling time on the basis of the calculated mean flow rate and a reference weight; and commanding the flow of substance to stop when the flow time of the substance is equal to the evaluated filling time.

Abstract: A filling installation comprising a fixed frame, a tank mounted on the fixed frame so as to rotate about an axis, and a lid associated with the tank and provided with a feed pipe, positioning means being fixed to the lid, and being mounted on the fixed frame to slide parallel to the axis of rotation between a position in which the lid is applied against an edge of the tank so as to close off said tank and a position in which the lid is spaced apart from the edge of the tank.

Abstract: A support device for supporting, in a cantilevered-out position, a receptacle having a neck that includes a collar, the device comprising a resiliently-closable clamp having first and second hinged-together jaws, and a rigid support element presenting a lateral opening forming a housing for a portion of the neck and a support for the collar of the receptacle, the support element extending beneath the clamp and being spaced apart therefrom.

Abstract: A method of controlling a screwing spindle comprising a fluid-fed motor and having a drive member connected to a spindle shaft to rotate it, the method comprising the step of feeding the screwing spindle under nominal conditions of pressure and flow rate that generate a required tightening torque, and a prior step during which the screwing spindle is fed under conditions that are weaker than the nominal conditions by a ratio that is sufficient to ensure that the spindle shaft has a speed of rotation that generates kinetic energy producing a torque that is less than the required tightening torque.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metering pump comprising a pump chamber (2) having a longitudinal axis (3) and presenting an admission orifice (4) and a delivery orifice (5), a piston (6; 30) pierced by a pump orifice (7), a drive rod (8) for driving the piston (6; 30), a non-return valve (17) mounted to move relative to the piston (6; 30), and a sleeve (9) of non-magnetic material mounted stationary inside the pump body (1) parallel to the longitudinal axis (3) of the pump chamber (2) and possessing a closed end (10) situated inside the pump body (1), and an open end (11) opening out to the outside of the pump body (1), the drive rod (8) being fitted with a magnetic element (12) co-operating, through the sleeve, with a magnetic cage (13) surrounding the sleeve (9) and coupled to the piston (6; 30).

Abstract: A method of weight-filling a receptacle having a cylindrical neck and a collar extending around the neck, comprising the steps of suspending the receptacle by the collar and filling and weighing the receptacle while it is suspended, and a weight-filler device for filling, by means of a filler spout, a receptacle having a cylindrical neck and a collar extending around the neck. The device has a weighing device including a holding element having a top surface forming a support for the collar of the receptacle so that the receptacle extends vertically beneath the filler spout and is cantilevered out from a support member mounted on a structure to extend laterally therefrom and associated with a weighing sensor comprising an elastically flexible bar having one end rigidly secured to the structure and an opposite end connected to the support member so that the support member extends substantially horizontally irrespective of a presence of an absence of a container on the support member.

Abstract: A screwdriving spindle assembly comprising a spindle shaft provided with a holding device and secured to a gear wheel rotated by a drive assembly which comprises a pressurized fluid actuating cylinder having a piston rod secured to a transmission system, and a member for adjusting pressure disposed on a line for feeding fluid to the cylinder in the screw-tightening direction.

Abstract: A tubular body has a conical wall portion adjacent to a flow orifice. A conical valve member disposed facing the conical wall portion is connected to a position control member. A flow rate regulation member disposed upstream from the valve member relative to the fluid flow direction is connected to a position control member independent from the position control member of a valve member.

Abstract: A drive member of magnetic material is coupled to a shutter member and co-operates with a magnetic field generator connected to a control member. The magnetic field generator is mounted inside a sleeve of non-magnetic material secured to the tubular body. The sleeve extends substantially along the axis of the tubular body having one end closed and having its opposite end opening out to the outside of the tubular body. The drive member extends outside the sleeve facing the magnetic field generator.

Abstract: Filling apparatus for filling receptacles, the apparatus comprising a feed member connected to at least one filling spout via a flow control member connected to an output of a weight processing unit having an input connected to a weighing member in order to deliver opening or closing signals to the flow control member as a function of a weight measured by the weighing member, the apparatus further including a time measuring member associated with the weight processing unit for enabling the processing unit to calculate the flow rate of substance through the flow control member and to compare the calculated flow rate with a flow rate reference value, and to adjust the flow rate of the substance as a function of the result of the comparison.