Intermittent feed mechanism for stacked containers

Abstract

A container handling and filling system for sequentially selecting, filling, and capping individual containers stored in a nested stack. The system includes first, second, and third sequentially arranged container handling sub-systems for moving individual containers through the handling and filling system, with the first sub-system including a container transfer drive in the form of an endless web having a container gripping member secured thereto, and arranged for reciprocal to-and-fro linear motion to initially transport individual containers from a nested stack to the second container handling sub-system. The second container handling sub-system includes a vertically reciprocable pad for intermittently raising individual containers to a filling station, and rotating the containers while in the elevated disposition. The reciprocating pad preferably includes a flanged rim which is arranged to move vertically reciprocably with the pad, and is further adapted to drop beneath the plane of the pad to permit individual containers to be loaded and unloaded therefrom. The third container handling sub-system which receives a filled container from the filling station, includes a container lidder drive in the form of an endless web for receiving the filled container from the reciprocating pad and for moving the filled container through a lidder station for applying and sealing a lid or cap onto the filled container. Means are provided for detecting the presence of a container in the filling station to avoid inappropriate activity of the filling means.