Abstract: A machine for treating objects having a series of stations (12) whereof each includes a system for gripping (16) a container (11) in a loading point of the path, wherein, between the loading and unloading points, the container (11) is displaced from an initial loading position to at least a treating position then to a final unloading position following the circular path. Each station is provided with a gripping unit (14) comprising at least two grip systems (16), and the gripping unit (14) is mobile relative to the station between at least two positions and, between the loading and unloading of an object, the path followed by the latter has a number of cycles of the circuit ranging between the number of grip systems (16) of each grip unit (14) and the next lower integer.

Abstract: A conveyor system for discrete entities, including a gathering member supplied by at least two upstream units (26, 27) each of which brings to the gathering member a series of entities (11, 13), and wherein the entities leave the gathering member in a single line. The gathering member includes a gathering wheel (36) driven in rotation and provided with several slots (38, 39) emerging radially at the periphery of the wheel for receiving each entity, and the slots of a common series have the same radial depth, the series of slots being differentiated by the depth of their slots, and each series of slots is associated exclusively with an upstream unit.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing a portfolio blowing or stretching-blowing mold used to manufacture plastic containers. A stationary pin (4) supports two rotating half-molds (3), and two curved control arms (9) are joined at their one ends to the two half-molds on either side of the pin (4). A cam device includes a loose follower roller (16) on a support shaft (16a) parallel to the pin (4), and a guide cam (17) moves the roller perpendicular to (toward and away from) the pin (4). The connection between the roller and the other end of the two arms (9) includes a pair of normally parallel connection rods (13, 14) whose one ends individually support the shaft (16a) and a shaft (10) connecting the other ends of the arms (9), and whose other ends are mounted on a shaft (15) parallel to the shaft (4), the connection rods being oriented transverse to a mold joint plane (M) containing the pin (4) and the shaft (10).

Abstract: Preforms 1 for the manufacture of synthetic bottles are transported along a conveyor track 10 formed by two parallel slide-rails 11 arranged such that a perpendicular common to the two slide-rails is substantially horizontal. The preforms have heads 2 larger than their bodies 5, and are vertically supported between the two slide-rails by their heads. The conveyor track embodies unbalancing mechanism 14 in the form of a raised and arcuate rail section 15 for tilting interlocked preforms 6.sub.1, 6.sub.2 such that their center of gravity G is shifted outside of one of the slide-rails 11, whereby they become unbalanced and fall off the slide-rails. An extractor 17 formed by a pair of counter-rotating, bladed wheels 18 may also be provided, for grasping and lifting off vertically oriented interlocked preforms.

Abstract: Equipment for the manufacture of hollow plastic bottles from preforms (16) having a closed end and an open end forming a neck, includes a conveyor equipped with supports (11) for the preforms which are driven in a predetermined path (T). The supports are arranged one after the other and are capable of pivoting over a given angular range when acted upon by a cam guide and follower arrangement (17, 18) such that the preforms may be inverted from their initial position. The cam guide may be an elongated, stationary rod (17) in the shape of a spiral section coiled around the path (T) followed by the swivel pins (13) of the supports, having a length determined according to the pitch of the spiral and to the angular swing amplitude required for the preforms. Follower rollers (18) are mounted on each support and flank the rod (17) such that, during the displacement of the supports along their path, the supports and preforms carried thereby are swung through 180.degree..