Multiple head bottle filling apparatus and method

Abstract

A multiple head bottle filling apparatus and method for filling bottles used in animal feeding. Manifold assemblies designed for filling bottles disposed in at least two differently sized trays is easily removably affixed to the rear back splash of the filling apparatus. Each manifold assembly includes a respective set of liquid discharging members, including openings arranged in a respective grid pattern. Each grid pattern corresponds to the bottle opening, alignment pattern for each differently sized tray. The respective grid patterns of the liquid discharging members are in fixed relationship to each other. Liquid feed lines, manually or automatically activated, supply liquid for bottle filling to a respective one of the manifold assemblies and, in turn, the respective set of liquid discharging members. As differently sized trays containing bottles are presented at the bottle filling apparatus, the bottles are filled by a respective set of liquid discharging members, by registering the tray position in relation to the respective grid pattern. If circumstances require, the bottle filling apparatus and methodology can accommodate additional bottle-containing, tray configurations with appropriately arranged discharge opening, grid patterns as part of one assembly or additional, detachably connected assemblies.