Abstract: A member (22) for gripping vessels (16) includes: a support (32) that moves along a transport trajectory of the vessel (16); a nose (38) including a mandrel (40) capable of holding a neck (26) of the vessel (16), the nose (38) being fixed removably to a bottom axial end of the support (32); characterized in that the nose (38) includes an ejection plate (46) which is mounted to slide axially around the mandrel (40) between a cladding position towards which it is elastically returned and in which the mandrel (40) protrudes axially downwards and an uncladding position in which the mandrel (40) is axially retracted above a bottom face of the plate (46). A device for replacing such a gripping member is also described.

Abstract: Conveyor for transporting articles such as a chain conveyor that can be changed between a stretched configuration and a compact configuration, the chain being formed from a plurality of articulated links. Each link includes a trolley provided with lateral guide mechanism cooperating with a track defining a predetermined trajectory, a support carrying a nozzle for the releasable attachment of an article, the support mounted rotatably with respect to the trolley between a straight position corresponding to the deployed configuration of the chain, and an oblique position, corresponding to the compact position of the chain and in which the support is inclined with respect to the straight position; and an actuator coupled to the support, capable of driving the support in rotation from its straight position to its oblique position, and reciprocally.

Abstract: Palletizer for depositing a preformed layer (13) of objects (14) on a pallet (15), comprising: a conveyor, equipped with an advancement means (16, M1) which advances the preformed layer of objects, and designed to impart kinetic energy to said preformed layer (13) of objects, a layer depositing tool (12), designed to deposit the preformed layer (13) of objects onto the pallet (15), and a transfer means for transferring the preformed layer (13) of objects, designed so that the entirety of said preformed layer (13) of objects leaves the conveyor and arrives on the layer depositing tool (12). The transfer means comprise said advancement means (16, M1). The conveyor is a conveyor-launcher (11) designed for launching the preformed layers (13) of objects, and the transfer means consists solely of the advancement means of the conveyor-launcher and the kinetic energy imparted by the conveyor-launcher (11).