Patent ID: 7121062
Filing Date: 2006-10-17
Classification: B67C

Abstract:
1. A container handling machine for handling containers, said container handling machine comprising: a rotatable carousel being configured and disposed to rotate about a vertical axis; a stationary structure being disposed adjacent to and about a substantial portion of said carousel; said rotatable carousel and said stationary structure being configured and disposed to together form a ring-shaped chamber; a pressurizing device being configured and disposed to pressurize said chamber with a pressurizing gas; a plurality of container handling structures being disposed on and about the periphery of said carousel; said container handling structures comprising interchangeable receptacles being configured to receive and hold containers; said container handling structures comprising recess structures to receive and hold said interchangeable receptacles; said interchangeable receptacles comprising at least a first type of interchangeable receptacles and a second type of interchangeable receptacles, wherein said first type of interchangeable receptacles are configured to receive a first type of containers and said second type of interchangeable receptacles are configured to receive a second type of containers; said interchangeable receptacles being interchangeable to permit handling of different types of containers by said container handling machine; said interchangeable receptacles being disposed to hold the top portion of containers in said chamber to minimize contamination of the contents of the containers during handling by said container handling machine; and said recess structures being pivotable to permit pivoting movement of said interchangeable receptacles.