Patent ID: 6058985
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: B67C

Abstract:
A container filling machine comprising:a filling unit to fill containers;a closing apparatus to close containers filled by said filling unit;a packing apparatus to pack containers filled by said filling unit;a conveyor system to convey containers to at least one of: said filling unit, said closing apparatus and said packing apparatus;said conveyor system being disposed to operatively transfer containers to at least one of: said filling unit, said closing apparatus and said packing apparatus;said conveyor system comprising:at least one star wheel; anda rail to guide bottles along said conveyor system;said rail being disposed to guide bottles along said conveyor system;a drive system to drive said at least one star wheel;said drive system comprising a drive mechanism and at least one drive shaft;said drive mechanism being connected to said at least one star wheel by said at least one drive shaft to drive said at least one star wheel;said drive system comprising a cover;said cover being disposed about said drive system to cover said drive mechanism and said at least one drive shaft and to minimize contamination of said drive system by spilled contents from containers being conveyed;a floor contacting structure;said at least one star wheel being disposed at a first vertical distance from said floor contacting structure;said drive mechanism being disposed at a second vertical distance from said at least one star wheel, the second vertical distance being a substantial portion of the first vertical distance;said cover being disposed and configured to extend toward said conveyor system;said cover comprising at least one first portion, a second portion and at least one third portion;each of said at least one third portion being disposed between a corresponding one of said at least one first portion and said second portion to support its corresponding first portion;said at least one third portion having a first diameter adjacent its corresponding first portion;said at least one third portion having a second diameter adjacent the second portion; andthe second diameter of said at least one third portion being substantially greater than the first diameter of said at least one third portion to form a conical shape of said third portion.