Machine for filling bottles, cans and like containers

Abstract

A container filling machine is provided having one or more filling units. The filling units have a valve actuator assembly having a first end moveably connected to the filling machine to effect both lateral movement and reciprocating longitudinal movement; and a valve connected to a second end of the valve actuator assembly, such that longitudinal movement of the valve actuator assembly actuates the valve to open and fill a container. The filling machine has alternating filling units each comprising a different valve dedicated for a particular variety of container. A method is also taught for filling one or more types of containers with a liquid. The method includes the steps of feeding a stream of alternating types of containers to a filling machine, said filling machine comprising one or more travelling filling units, each filling unit comprising a valve actuator, and a valve; associating each of said alternating types of containers with a filling unit wherein said valve is dedicated for a particular variety of container; actuating said valve actuator as it travels along the filling machine to actuate said valve; actuating said valve to fill said associated container; and disengaging each of said alternating types of containers from said filling unit. A container filling unit adapted for filling one or more types of containers is further taught.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.