Patent ID: 7421833

Claim:
A device for the controlled filling of a plurality of containers, wherein the containers are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows in a holder ( 1 ), wherein the device comprises: a drive for advancing the rows of containers ( 13 ) in a direction of travel that is transverse to the rows of containers, wherein the rows are spaced apart in the direction of travel; a filling station ( 6 ) for simultaneously filling containers in one of the parallel rows of containers ( 13 ) in the holder ( 1 ), and wherein the rows of containers ( 13 ) are advanced incrementally one row at a time, the rows being transverse to the direction of travel to be filled by the filling station; a sealing station ( 10 ) for sealing the containers ( 13 ) after the containers ( 13 ) have been filled at the filling station; a weighing station ( 11 ) for weighing the containers ( 13 ), at least one container ( 13 ) at a time, the weighing station being disposed to one side of a path of travel for advancing rows of containers; a gripping device for picking up a row of containers ( 13 ) to be filled and transferring the row of containers ( 13 ) to the weighing station ( 11 ) for weighing before filling; the gripping device then transferring the row of weighed containers ( 13 ) from the weighing station ( 11 ) to the filling station ( 6 ), and after filling, the gripping device then transferring the row of filled containers ( 13 ) to the weighing station ( 11 ) for weighing after filling; and after weighing, the gripping device then transferring the weighed and filled row of containers ( 13 ) to a row in the holder following a row from which the containers ( 13 ) were removed, with such transferring occurring, ahead of the sealing station ( 10 ).