Abstract: Device ensuring maximum coverage of an area in which identical cylindrical objects such as bottles or cans transported by a conveyor line accumulate. The device including, a vibrating table over which the bottles advance in short skips after being deposited on the table by the conveyor, and, an oscillating hoe formed by two integral, longitudinally extending bars. The friction between the bottles and the surface of the vibrating table being fairly small. The oscillating hoe performing a transverse alternate motion, during which each longitudinally extending bar alternately pushes the mass of bottles, causing them to slide over the vibrating table. One application of the device is for loading freeze drying vessels.

Abstract: The lower extremity of each ballscrew (4) is engaged in a nut (6) with a nil pitch equipped with horizontal and parallel throats (7) for receiving balls (8) which cooperate with grooves (9) provided in an extremity sleeve (10) borne by the screw. An imperviousness system is constituted by sintered stainless steel rings mounted onto the upper portion and lower portion of the sleeve and are kept in place by a profiled joint made of a flexible synthetic material.

Abstract: A device for loading and/or unloading the racks of a lyophilization tank operates such that vials 5 are collected and stored on a vibrating table 2 equipped with a mobile arm 8 blocking the vials on at least a part of the tray 3 of the vibrating table. A mobile transfer frame 11 carrying retractable flaps 15, 16 is adapted for moving between the flat surface 10 of a mobile carriage 1 and the tray 1 of the vibrating table for collecting and transferring the accumulated vials.

Abstract: Apparatus for freeze-drying products comprises an enclosure within which mounted shelves provided with cooling and heating means and in which vessels for containing the products are located.These shelves are arranged in two series, viz a first series maintained at a temperature lower than 0.degree. C. and a second series maintained at a temperature higher than 0.degree. C. in operation and a transfer mechanism is incorporated to cause the vessels to travel from the shelves of the first series to those of the second series, the enclosure being under vacuum.The invention is applicable for the freeze-drying of food products, biological substances, among others.

Abstract: A prosthesis for use in valvuloplasty. The prosthesis is formed as a linear educer made of a material which is compatible with implantation and which in its direction of length is incompressible and inextensible but in the direction of its width is sufficiently flexible to assume a radius of curvature identical with that of the valvules; which can have needles introduced into it without tearing; which cannot be torn by the traction effect of the suture threads and of which the reduction ratio is governed by the distension of the deficient valvule. The prosthesis is intended for the surgical correction of certain mitral or tricuspid valvular disorders.