Abstract: In order to automatically carry out the emptying and rinsing of non-recoverable bottles or flasks (78) made from a perforatable material such as polyethylene and e.g. containing a low activity solution (88), an apparatus is proposed making it possible to pass the inverted bottles under a double-walled needle (44). The needle (44), operated by a jack, perforates the bottom (82) of the flask (78). Compressed air is then injected into the bottle above the solution (88) through the annular passage formed between the walls of the needle (44), so as to discharge the solution through the central passage of the needle. The flask is then rinsed by injecting pressurized water in place of the compressed air. Finally, the rinsing water is discharged by a further compressed air injection. The emptied and rinsed flasks are then passed to a station, where they are directly discharged into a storage drum.

Abstract: For passing stepwise bottles (F, F') in front of different stations, in order to more particularly take liquid samples, the bottles are placed in receptacles formed on a plate (24). The rotation of the plate is ensured by a lifting support action using compressed air delivered by injectors (18). Immediate rotation stoppage is obtained when a hole (38) formed in plate (24) faces the end of an optical fiber, whereof the opposite end issues onto an optical detector. Associated with an automatic sampling and dilution system, the assembly can be advantageously installed in a glove box or shielded enclosure in the nuclear industry.