Abstract: A straw (1) for the conservation of small quantities of substances, in particular biological substances, having a segment of tube provided inside one end with a stopper including gel powder, characterized in that a proportion of the gel powder is replaced with dispersed nonabsorbent material, the stopper thus having a mixture of gel powder and dispersed nonabsorbent material.

Abstract: A straw (1) for the conservation of small quantities of substances, in particular biological substances, the straw having a segment of tube (2) provided, inside one end, with a stopper (3) including gel powder, characterized in that the straw stopper includes a thermoplastics material core (4) sheathed with filaments constituting a sheath (5). The straw of the invention absorbs only a very small amount of the liquid contained therein.

Abstract: A sachet (11) for packaging animal semen, comprising two thermoplastics material films delimiting a pocket (12) along a closed path of generally rectangular shape defining two shorter sides and two longer sides when the sachet is empty, wherein one of said shorter sides has an interruption extended by a filler conduit (14) and defining a filler area (15) in said thermoplastics material films and the other of said shorter sides has an interruption extended by a drainer conduit and defining a drainer area (17) in said thermoplastics material films, characterized in that said drainer conduit (16) has two different diameters (D1 and D2), of which the smaller diameter (D1) is at the end communicating with the interior of said sachet.

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 (1) for the conservation of small quantities of substances, in particular biological substances, comprising a segment of tube provided inside one end with a stopper including gel powder, characterized in that a proportion of the gel powder is replaced with dispersed nonabsorbent material, said stopper thus comprising a mixture of gel powder and dispersed nonabsorbent material.

Abstract: A straw (1) for the conservation of small quantities of substances, in particular biological substances, said straw comprising a segment of tube (2) provided, inside one end, with a stopper (3) including gel powder, characterized in that said straw stopper includes a thermoplastics material core (4) sheathed with filaments constituting a sheath (5).

Abstract: A concentrated liquid extender for preserving porcine sperm cells containing a preservative, a liquid antibiotic formulation, a carbohydrate, a buffer, a salt and an antioxidant.

Abstract: A sachet (11) for packaging animal semen, comprising two thermoplastics material films delimiting a pocket (12) along a closed path of generally rectangular shape defining two shorter sides and two longer sides when the sachet is empty, wherein one of said shorter sides has an interruption extended by a filler conduit (14) and defining a filler area (15) in said thermoplastics material films and the other of said shorter sides has an interruption extended by a drainer conduit and defining a drainer area (17) in said thermoplastics material films, characterized in that said drainer conduit (16) has two different diameters (D1 and D2), of which the smaller diameter (D1) is at the end communicating with the interior of said sachet.

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 diluent for the cryogenic storage of bovine spermatozoa includes a phospholipid, a liposoluble vitamin accompanied by an emulsifier, an antioxidant and a polyol.

Abstract: A support for a casing containing a detector for detecting estrus in cows. The support comprises a natural fiber patch having a surface area in the range from approximately 0.04 m2 to approximately 0.06 m2 which supports a substantially rectangular case which receives the detector and is placed substantially at the center of the patch. The detector for detecting estrus in cows is housed in a casing supported by the support. The support comprises a baseplate capped by a cover.

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 catheter for artificial insemination of birds includes a plastic tube obtained by extrusion, each of the tube ends is shaped such that the tube's internal diameter at its ends is reduced to a value ranging between two-thirds and three-quarters of the tube's internal diameter, the reduction being obtainable by cold forming at the extruder outlet.

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: 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.