Abstract: Provided is a thermal conditioning method of preforms. The method includes heating each preform by transport along a heating path exposed to heating radiation with a determined production rate; transporting the preforms (in line along a diffusion path; transforming the preforms in forming units at the determined production rate. The diffusion path includes a final buffer section along which the preforms travel for an adjustable duration.

Abstract: A process for angular indexing of a pre-form having a body and a neck. The process includes a step of marking the neck of the pre-form which consists of production of at least one reference point on the neck of the pre-form. The process also includes a step of a heating station taking charge of the pre-form, during which the pre-form is transported along a heating course by a support unit, known as a spinner, which makes it possible to turn the pre-form around its axis, and during which the body of the pre-form is heated. The marking step is carried out during the step of taking charge, when the pre-form, supported by a spinner, travels along the heating course.

Abstract: A process for angular indexing of a pre-form having a body and a neck. The process includes a step of marking the neck of the pre-form which consists of production of at least one reference point on the neck of the pre-form. The process also includes a step of a heating station taking charge of the pre-form, during which the pre-form is transported along a heating course by a support unit, known as a spinner, which makes it possible to turn the pre-form around its axis, and during which the body of the pre-form is heated. The marking step is carried out during the step of taking charge, when the pre-form, supported by a spinner, travels along the heating course.

Abstract: A method for orienting a preform of axis in a forming mold of a blowing machine, a neck of the preform being provided with at least one marker, the method including (i) installing the preform in the mold; (ii) detecting the current angular position of the preform by determining the angle of rotation through which the preform has to be rotated to reach the reference angular position thereof; and (iii) orienting the preform about the axis thereof in relation to the mold until a reference angular position is reached.

Abstract: Rotating pressure distributor (I) for a carousel-type machine for treating hollow bodies in a plurality of identical treatment stations, comprising two rings, (2) fixed and (3) rotating, in sealing contact, the ring (3) having orifices (6) each adapted for being connected to a station and opening onto the contact face (5) thereof, the ring (2) having at least one aperture (7) which may be connected to a pressure source and opening onto the contact face (4) thereof by being on the trajectory of the orifices (6); grease is spread between the contact faces (4, 5) of the two rings (2, 3) to provide the seal; at least one annular channel (13) covers the annular opening (19) of the joint plane (P) and is connected to the atmosphere; in the channel respective flanges (14) are mutually interlaced without contact with one another, forming chicanes; the channel is filled with grease.

Abstract: A molding device having two half-mods that have at least one inner circuit for the circulation of a suitable fluid, such as a coolant or otherwise. The half-molds are hinged on a same shaft by the bearings thereof and the shaft, which is fixed, is provided with bores provided for receiving and returning a fluid and for interacting with rotary fluid seals connected to the half-mold to which the bores are associated. The rotary fluid seals are formed directly at the bearings of the half-mold(s).

Abstract: Rotary pressure distributor for a carousel-type hollow-body treatment machine, comprising several treatment stations, this distributor comprising two coaxial rings (2, 3) in sealed contact, one of them (3) a rotary ring comprising communication orifices (6) connected to at least one treatment station and the other (2) stationary and comprising several slots (7) connected to a pressure source of the machine, these orifices and slots being distributed over several concentric circumferences (9) of different diameters; the orifices and/or the slots positioned on the different diameters have anterior and posterior ends (11, 12) shaped in such a way that as the orifices slide past the respective slots, the rates at which the surface area of the passage (13) defined by each orifice and the associated slot increase upon opening and decrease upon closing are substantially the same over all the circumferences.

Abstract: A machine for the treatment of containers (12) provided with a neck (14), includes at least one, treatment station provided with a nipple (22) having gripping elements (26) in order to seize a container (12), the gripping elements (26) including a tubular supporting cuff (50) which is provided with a series of radial drillholes (52), each intended for receiving a ball (54) movable radially between an inner gripping position and an outer release position, characterized in that the gripping elements (26) include a tubular control cuff (56) which is mounted slideably between a locked position, in which a frustoconical bearing surface (58) cooperates with the balls (54) in order to stress them toward their gripping position, and an unlocked axial position, and in that the nipple (22) includes controlled drive elements (62) capable of causing the sliding of the control cuff (56).

Abstract: Rotating pressure distributor (1) for a carousel-type machine for treating hollow bodies in a plurality of identical treatment stations, comprising two rings, (2) fixed and (3) rotating, in sealing contact, the ring (3) having orifices (6) each adapted for being connected to a station and opening onto the contact face (5) thereof, the ring (2) having at least one aperture (7) which may be connected to a pressure source and opening onto the contact face (4) thereof by being on the trajectory of the orifices (6); grease is spread between the contact faces (4, 5) of the two rings (2, 3) to provide the seal; at least one annular channel (13) covers the annular opening (19) of the joint plane (P) and is connected to the atmosphere; in the channel respective flanges (14) are mutually interlaced without contact with one another, forming chicanes; the channel is filled with grease.

Abstract: Rotary pressure distributor for a carousel-type hollow-body treatment machine, comprising several treatment stations, this distributor comprising two coaxial rings (2, 3) in sealed contact, one of them (3) a rotary ring comprising communication orifices (6) connected to at least one treatment station and the other (2) stationary and comprising several slots (7) connected to a pressure source of the machine, these orifices and slots being distributed over several concentric circumferences (9) of different diameters; the orifices and/or the slots positioned on the different diameters have anterior and posterior ends (11, 12) shaped in such a way that as the orifices slide past the respective slots, the rates at which the surface area of the passage (13) defined by each orifice and the associated slot increase upon opening and decrease upon closing are substantially the same over all the circumferences.

Abstract: A machine for the treatment of containers (12) provided with a neck (14), includes at least one treatment station provided with a nipple (22) having gripping elements (26) in order to seize a container (12), the gripping elements (26) including a tubular supporting cuff (50) which is provided with a series of radial drillholes (52), each intended for receiving a ball (54) movable radially between an inner gripping position and an outer release position, characterized in that the gripping elements (26) include a tubular control cuff (56) which is mounted slideably between a locked position, in which a frustoconical bearing surface (58) cooperates with the balls (54) in order to stress them toward their gripping position, and an unlocked axial position, and in that the nipple (22) includes controlled drive elements (62) capable of causing the sliding of the control cuff (56).

Abstract: An oven in a production facility for thermoplastic receptacles, including a conveyor chain which is provided with gripping devices (16), whereby each gripping device engages axially with the neck of a receptacle blank in order to transport it into the oven. The gripping devices are displaced axially by a mechanism which is provided with an arm (44) which can move along a path that is substantially parallel to the axial direction (An) in which gripping takes place and which bears an interface element (40) which is designed to come into contact with the gripping device (30). The interface element (40) is movably mounted on the arm (44) to enable slip-free contact with the gripping device while it is immobilized in relation to the arm according to the axial direction in which gripping occurs.