Abstract: A straw for the conservation of small quantities of substances, notably biological substances, comprising a segment of tube fitted internally at one end with closure means comprising a two-part plug comprising a microporous and hydrophobic membrane and an insert through which there is a substantially coaxial orifice.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of making a component consisting of a substantially cylindrical support through which there is a substantially coaxial orifice and a membrane welded to one end of the cylinder substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the support. A substantially plane membrane is welded to one end of a support substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the support and, after cooling, the support is torn off the membrane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the membrane so that a portion of the membrane substantially corresponding to the end of the cylinder remains welded to the support. The method can be applied to making two-part stoppers for straws, in which case the membrane is microporous, hydrophobic, impervious to liquids and permeable to gases and the support is an insert made from a material chosen from an elastomer material, a thermoplastics material and a thermoplastics elastomer material.

Abstract: A filler nozzle for packaging, in particular for use in artificial insemination, has a plastics material body with a male or female conical part that partly surrounds a capillary tube made from stainless steel or a plastics material. The filler nozzle is particularly suitable for filling straws with seminal liquid. It prevents pollution of the closing area of the straw. It is also compatible with automatic placement and with manual handling.

Abstract: A straw for the conservation of small quantities of substances, notably biological substances, comprising a segment of tube fitted internally at one end with an insert through which there is a substantially coaxial orifice. A plug can be accommodated in the insert.

Abstract: A machine for conveying and moving into position tubes (124), the machine including a chute (42) with a vertical feed station for said tubes, conveyor belts (12) and a motor (31) for moving said conveyor belts, characterized in that said conveyor belts have two areas, namely an area (121) for loading said tubes and an area (122) for positioning said tubes, and a longitudinal recess co-operating with pressing means (44) for inserting said tubes into said positioning area during longitudinal movement of said belts under said chute (42).

Abstract: A straw for the conservation of small quantities of substances, notably biological substances, comprising a segment of tube fitted internally at one end with closure means comprising a two-part plug comprising a microporous and hydrophobic membrane and an insert through which there is a substantially coaxial orifice.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for filling a straw which is fitted with a stopper that is permeable to gases and impermeable to liquids and which has a diameter greater than or equal to approximately three millimeters with a liquid while it is vertical. A primary vacuum is established in the straw. The straw is then filled and a quantity of air remaining above the resulting column of liquid is evacuated, enabling homogeneous filling of the straw.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an automatic machine for metering and filling, for example volumes of animal semen, in any packaging member, regardless of its diameter and the material from which it is made (straws, glass or plastics material catheters, all types of flask, etc). Essentially intended for artificial insemination of poultry, for example turkeys, this device nevertheless has an extremely wide range of application. For example, using a peristaltic cassette (12) (described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,679 filed by MALBEC), under the control of a digital controller, the machine enables small volumes of liquid to be dispensed with the greatest possible accuracy and very high rates of artificial insemination to be maintained. The objectives of the invention include a device for precise and fast metering of any fluid, primarily for use in animal husbandry and research laboratories.

Abstract: A pouch or sachet for packaging biologic liquid substances is made of two thermoplastics material films welded together. The weld delimits a pocket. A filler passage is connected to the top of the pocket. One of the thermoplastics material films has a peelable area at the top. The peelable area contains wax. After filling, the pouch is sealed in a sealing area inside the peelable area, near the top of the passage and transversely to its axis. The pouch can be opened easily, in the required area, without using any cutting tools, by manually separating the two thermoplastics material films. Positive guidance is then assured on insertion of a probe into the passage of the pouch.