Abstract: Device for studying physical properties of a solid sample (S) in the presence of fluids, at relatively high temperature and pressure. The device comprises an elongate rigid body (1) closed at the opposite ends thereof by two covers (2, 3), a flexible sheath (9) around the sample, cooperating with two end pieces (7, 8) so as to delimit, inside the rigid body, a containment vessel, injection means for displacing fluids under pressure through the sample in its sheath, measuring means for measuring various parameters of the sample and means (P) for injecting a fluid under pressure around flexible sheath (9) so as to exert a radial pressure and possibly an axial pressure around the sample, means for heating the fluid under pressure associated with at least one of the two covers (3, 4) and means including a turbine (12) for example, for homogenizing the temperature around the sheath by circulation of the fluid heated on contact with the heating means. The body is preferably made of a composite material.

Abstract: A rotating connection device forming a seal between an inner element (1) and an outer element (14) of larger diameter than the inner element, these two elements being co-axial, cylindrically symmetric and rotating in relation to one another. It comprises a shell (16) placed in the annular space between the two elements, at least a first ring-type seal (19) secured to the shell, placed between the latter and inner element (1), at least a second ring-type seal (23) placed between two opposite walls (22, 18) of shell (16) and of outer element (14), both perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and means (24-26) for pressing the two walls against one another by means of the ring-type seal with an adjustable application force. This connection device allows substantial motions between the two elements, radial as well as longitudinal. The device can be used: for example for connecting a pipe linking an outer device and the central part of the rotating ring gear of a heat exchange and/or incineration system.

Abstract: A display device for articles such as cosmetic products or perfumes, which includes a plurality of display elements for articles to be tested, whereby the elements are relatively movable to uncover storage elements located immediately behind the display elements to thus provide a direct correspondence between the articles to be tested and the stored articles such as lipsticks, mascara bottles, pots for cosmetic products and various making-up goods.

Abstract: A display device for articles, such as cosmetic products or perfumes, includes a plurality of display elements for articles to be tested, which elements are relatively movable to uncover storage elements located immediatly behind the display elements to thus provide a direct correspondence between the articles to be tested and the stored articles and to impart to the display device a compactness adapted to reduce the bulk of the whole of articles to be tested and stored for sale such as lipsticks, mascara bottles, pots for cosmetic products and various making-up goods.

Abstract: The pore-size distribution of a porous sample of variable porosity is modeled achievement of, allowing laboratory studies on the behavior of the medium modeled in relation to fluids. The porosity of the porous medium is modeled on one or more parting surfaces by means of a network (R) of intersecting channels (C) whose nodes form pores (P), the size of these channels showing physical properties of the medium and being selected from one or more discrete channel size distributions. In order to model the porosity of a heterogeneous sample exhibiting very different porosity zones, several discrete channel distributions are preferably used, these distributions being disjoint or not, and modeling with different zones, zones of low permeability and zones of higher permeability.

Abstract: An electronic system for presenting information relating to products on offer at a place of sale comprises: a central unit; a mass memory containing image sequences respectively associated with products belonging to a given group from amongst the products on offer at the place of sale; a display device; and a bar code or other reader to which a particular item on sale can be presented. The central unit includes a comparator for comparing a product code delivered by a reader with a series of product codes corresponding respectively to the products in the group. The central unit causes the sequence of images associated with the presented item to be run when the product code is contained in the series of product codes, and otherwise it displays a non-correspondence message. The system is particularly applicable to promoting perfumery.

Abstract: A pumping system in accordance with the invention comprises n (n.gtoreq.1) piston or diaphragm primary pumping modules (P1 to Pn) including each at least one pumping unit, connected by means of unidirectional valves (V11-V1n) respectively to n tanks (R1-Rn) containing fluids, a collecting head (CH) receiving the fluids delivered by the various primary modules, and a secondary piston pumping unit (S) for discharging the mixture of fluids collected in this head with a substantially constant flow rate. The pistons are shifted alternately for example by the translation motion of endless screws (9) driven by motors (12). A control set (17-20) associated with position detectors (AC1-ACn) and pressure detectors (C1 to Cn, Cs) proportion the fluids injected and adjust the phases, the piston strokes and their velocities in order to obtain a substantially constant discharge rate. Each primary module can also comprise a second pumping module also allowing a constant rate to be obtained during the suction phase.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and method for determining pore volume parameters of a solid sample. The apparatus comprises a high pressure cell (50), a sample holder (1) provided with an orifice (21), means (2) for creating a vacuum connected to a chamber (10a) containing the sample holder by at least one orifice (30), and a mercury supply. The apparatus also comprises a syringe pump (9) connected to the chamber and to mercury supply means for delivery of mercury under pressure, means for programming a steady supply of mercury for a fixed period of time connected to the pump, at least one pressure sensor (15) downstream of the pump which continuously reads the pressure, and means (41) for signal collection and processing connected to the pressure sensor and the means for programming a steady supply of mercury and adapted to calculate the porosimetry parameters.

Abstract: For measuring the adsorption and desorption of a gas adsorbed by a solid sample, a gas pressure drop during the adsorption phase or a gas pressure increase during the desorption phase is programmed in the reservoir circuit 1 from 0.1 to 0.7 Pa per minute by at least one regulating valve V.sub.P1 having a proportional opening, in order to transfer a substantially constant flow of gas to the sample and from the sample to the reservoir, the gas pressure being measured periodically in the measuring circuit by pressure sensors. By a microprocessor, the isotherm of adsorption and desorption is determined based on the volume of the reservoir circuit, the quantity of gas transferred, the gas pressure in the measuring circuit, and the volume of the measuring circuit. The system measures the adsorption-desorption isotherms of a gas from a solid.

Abstract: A device for mixing particulate matter and liquids comprises a rotatable central shaft passing through a stationary particle feed hopper and supporting a perforated rotatable plate and incorporating a liquid feed conduit terminating at an atomizer, a spray chamber, a rotating assembly linked to the rotating plate and made up by an agitator located below said spray chamber and by a conically-shaped particle catching and spreading tray which discharges the coated particles into a mixing chamber fitted with blades and rotating in the opposite direction to the said rotating assembly, whereby excellent bulk impregnation of said particulate matter is obtained.