Patent ID: 7207359

Claim:
A method of transporting containers from a first station to a second station within a container filling system, each container defining opposed first and second end sections, the second end section forming a longitudinal recess defined by an inner surface of a sidewall, the method comprising: providing a carrier plate having at least one mounting piece, the mounting piece including: a base extending from an upper surface of the carrier plate and defining a maximum outer, transverse dimension of the mounting piece, the base adapted to receive a second end section of a container, and a shoulder extending from the base opposite the carrier plate, the shoulder having a maximum outer, transverse dimension less than the maximum outer transverse dimension of the base, wherein the base and the shoulder are rings having co-axial central passages; loading a container onto the mounting piece such that the second end section is positioned over the mounting piece and the mounting piece frictionally engages the inner surface of the longitudinal recess; and moving the carrier plate from the first station to the second station, wherein the mounting piece secures the container relative to movement of the carrier plate.