Abstract: A plastic container manufacturing machine, comprising a chassis having a camway with a cam and a countercam and an element which is movable relative to the chassis, bearing a roller interacting with the camway so as to ensure the displacement of the movable element, wherein the machine also comprises a device for controlling the displacement of the movable element, wherein the countercam has at least one portion which is movable relative to the chassis, and wherein the control device incorporates a distance sensor that continuously measures the distance of a movable portion of the countercam relative to a fixed reference point on the chassis.

Abstract: A container made of plastics material, provided with a body and with a bottom in the continuation of the body at a lower end of the body. The bottom has an oblong curved contour and includes a seating surface forming a standing plane of the container. In example embodiments, the standing plane has an oblong closed curved shape extending along a longitudinal median axis and a transverse median axis. In example embodiments, the standing plane has an arch extending from the seating surface as far as a central zone of the bottom, the arch delimiting a concavity oriented toward the outside of the container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for cooling heated molds from a machine for molding containers from thermoplastic material by stretch-blow molding hot preforms using at least one pressurized fluid. The cooling method includes, in order to cool the molds, at least one cooling step that involves selectively feeding at least one cooling fluid into the molding cavity of at least some of the molding units that, after the carousel has been stopped in order to immobilize the molding units at least during the cooling step, are located in a predetermined cooling region in which the molding units are in a closed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic container comprising a body that extends along a central axis between an opening and a base, the body having an overstroked holding recess extending parallel to the central axis over a predetermined height, the overstroked holding recess being the only overstroked recess on the body over the predetermined height, and having a median line of maximum indentation, the median line of maximum indentation being able to be inscribed in a diametrical plane.

Abstract: A heating unit for heating preforms made of plastics material and having a flange separating a body and neck. The heating unit comprising a plurality of supports, each bearing a gripping member for gripping the preforms. The supports are movable in the heating unit such that each gripping member moves along a conveying path of the preforms. The heating unit also comprises a plurality of shells secured to the supports, where each shell is connected to one or more supports by an actuating member. The actuating member is mounted on said support to pivot about an axis situated at a distance from the conveying path of the preforms. The heating unit further comprising means for pivoting the actuating member to drive the shell from an open position to a protection position when the support to which said shell is connected is passing from an admission/releasing zone to a holding zone.

Abstract: A method for forming, in an inversion device, a base of a filled and sealed plastic container, comprising a step of inverting a diaphragm situated at the center of the base of the container and surrounded by a standing ring forming a standing surface. During the step, two opposing pushing members are set in relative motion with respect to one another so as to come into contact with and press on two longitudinally opposed regions of the container. During a phase of pushing the diaphragm during the inversion thereof, there is sought, on a curve representative of the force applied to the diaphragm to move same during the inversion, a variation on this curve that indicates whether the forces applied by the pushing members to the regions with which they are in contact are becoming smaller.

Abstract: Provided is a stretching rod for a molding unit for manufacturing a container from a preform and a method for manufacturing a container by stretch blow-molding. The stretching rod extends longitudinally, parallel to a main axis Y, and comprises a body of cylindrical or tubular form, a distal end in the extension of said body, at least one internal channel to allow the circulation of a cooling gas to said distal end, a flat situated at the distal end of the stretching rod, an end-fitting protruding from said flat and a plurality of orifices, said orifices being fluidically connected with said internal channel and being distributed around said end-fitting on said flat. The rod can include an annular skirt in the extension of said body, at said distal end, said skirt having a height less than the height of said end-fitting.

Abstract: A method for orienting a preform of axis in a forming mold of a blowing machine, a neck of the preform being provided with at least one marker, the method including (i) installing the preform in the mold; (ii) detecting the current angular position of the preform by determining the angle of rotation through which the preform has to be rotated to reach the reference angular position thereof; and (iii) orienting the preform about the axis thereof in relation to the mold until a reference angular position is reached.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and a device for sterilizing gas filtration unit, characterized in that the sterilization process includes at least: —an application step consisting in circulating, through the gas filtration unit, a gas mixture including hot air and a determined amount of hydrogen peroxide vapor, in which the determined amount of hydrogen peroxide vapor is obtained by sequentially injecting, with a given time interval (t) between two successive injections, a given dose of hydrogen peroxide in the liquid state into the hot air; and —a sterilization step consisting, during the time interval (t), in circulating hot air through the filtration unit in order to eliminate, by evaporation, all or some of the hydrogen peroxide deposited on the filtration unit during the application step.

Abstract: A device for conveying products within an industrial line, comprising a conveyor transporting a stream of products along at least one line. The device comprises at least one main zone delimited by primary beacons and covering a segment of the stream; and above the conveyor, at least one member for detecting the primary beacons and for counting the number of products at least inside the main zone. Also a method for conveying products, in which a stream of products is transported along at least one line and, by means of primary beacons at least one main zone is delimited, covering a segment of the stream; the primary beacons are detected and the number of products in the main zone is counted.

Abstract: A process for angular indexing of a pre-form having a body and a neck. The process includes a step of marking the neck of the pre-form which consists of production of at least one reference point on the neck of the pre-form. The process also includes a step of a heating station taking charge of the pre-form, during which the pre-form is transported along a heating course by a support unit, known as a spinner, which makes it possible to turn the pre-form around its axis, and during which the body of the pre-form is heated. The marking step is carried out during the step of taking charge, when the pre-form, supported by a spinner, travels along the heating course.

Abstract: A robotic arm comprising a first arm portion, a second arm portion, the second arm portion moveable between a first axial position, in which the first arm portion and the second arm portion are mutually spaced from each other along said axis, and a second axial position, in which a first end of first arm portion and a second end of the second arm portion are in contact to define a housing, a head rotatable with respect to the first arm portion and around said axis; and a robotic joint. The joint is configured for adopting an operative condition, to make the second arm portion integral with the head. The robotic arm is configured so that said operative condition corresponds to said second axial position and said second angular position and the robotic arm is configured so that, in said operative condition, the joint is located within said housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer device for transferring products in an industrial processing line for the in-line processing of products, between a collecting surface and a transit zone running alongside the collecting surface, said transit zone comprising at least two longitudinal conveyors spaced away from a slider bed and each intended to transport a file of products, said device comprising said collecting surface, said transit zone, and a transfer tool transferring between the collecting surface and the transit zone, equipped with at least three longitudinal vertical walls, and intended to push, transversely, longitudinal rows of products which rows are each positioned between two walls. This device is wherein at least one wall of the transfer tool is mounted with the ability to move translationally on said tool in a transverse direction, for a movement of pushing said products. Other subjects of the invention are corresponding methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capping machine comprising a protected area from impurities, an unprotected area divided from the protected area by a parting wall, and an operating unit. The operating unit includes a container support element arranged in the protected area, an operating head arranged in the protected area and configured to apply one capsule on the relative container, a motor assembly arranged in the unprotected area and configured to drive motion of the operating head, a torque control head between the motor assembly and the operating head, and an annular bellows element coaxial with the vertical axis and within the protected area and one opposite axial end crossed in a sealed manner by an output shaft of the torque control head. The torque control head is arranged above the parting wall in the unprotected area and the output shaft crosses said opening and the entire bellows element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a production facility of a series of containers from a series of preforms made of plastic materials. The method includes a first step of producing a preliminary series of individual containers from a preliminary series of preforms made of plastic materials. For each individual container produced during a tracking period, the method records (i) a marking that distinguishes said container other containers produced during said tracking period, and (ii) data relative to the production facility, its operation, and/or the preform or container. The method also includes a second step during which one or more physical values of each of the individually identified containers are measured during the first step, and a third step of compiling a database that matches, for each individually identified container, the measurement(s) of the second step, and the series of data acquired during the first step.