Rotary filling apparatus and methods

An apparatus for filling containers comprising:

• a filler frame;
• a rotary turret assembly rotatably coupled to the filler frame, the rotary turret assembly comprising a rotary base and a plurality of hollow columns mounted on the rotary base and arranged in a circle;
• a filler plenum assembly underlying a portion of the rotary turret assembly, the filler plenum assembly comprising a plenum, wherein the plenum is in fluid communication with the hollow columns for a portion of each rotation of the rotary turret assembly;
• a plurality of piston assemblies disposed in the hollow columns, the piston assemblies configured to move up and down within the hollow columns, wherein each piston assembly comprises
• a piston body having a top and
• a top hat assembly configured to releasably engage the top of the piston body, each top hat assembly comprising a cam contact member;
• a release lever, wherein the piston body and the top hat assembly can release from one another when the release lever is engaged;
• a lever actuator configured to contact the release lever when a container to be filled is absent;
• a cam track operably connected to the filler frame;
• wherein rotation of the rotary column group causes the cam contact members of the piston assemblies to move over a surface of the cam track causing vertical movement of the top hat assemblies of the piston assemblies relative to the hollow columns they are disposed in;
• and
• a fluid supply group in fluid communication with the plenum, the fluid supply group comprising a liquid supply tank, and a supply conduit providing fluid communication between the liquid supply tank and the plenum.