Patent ID: 6343628
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: B67C

Abstract:
A bottling apparatus comprising:a frame; an endless conveyor element on the frame and having a horizontal working stretch extending in a transport direction through a filling station; a plurality of holder plates each formed with a row of seats adapted to fit snugly around necks of bottles; couplings releasably securing the holder plates to the conveyor element with the holder plates spaced in the transport direction along the working stretch and the rows extending transverse to the transport direction; means for loading bottles into the holder plates upstream of the filling station with mouths of the bottles open upward and the bottles hanging by their necks from the holder plates and for removing bottles from the holder plates downstream of the filling station; drive means for advancing the conveyor element stepwise in the transport direction in the working stretch and for arresting each of the holder plates in the filling station with the bottles in its seats aligned with the fill tubes; a plurality of stationary upright fill tubes in the filling station above the working stretch and aligned with the seats of the holder plate in the filling station; lifting means in the filling station for raising the holder plate therein from a lower position resting on the conveyor element and with the coupling engaged to an upper position raised off the conveyor, with the coupling disengaged, and with the fill tubes engaged down into the respective bottles; and filling means connected to the tubes for emitting liquid from lower ends of the tubes when bottles in the station are raised by the lifting means.