Abstract: A capping chuck assembly having a chuck housing, a retaining assembly and a cap gripping assembly. The chuck housing receives a cap and has longitudinal axis of rotation. The retaining assembly includes a plurality of retaining jaws and a biasing member. The retaining jaws are movable radially, with biasing member inwardly biasing the jaws. The cap gripping assembly includes a plurality of gripper assemblies spaced apart from each other about the axis. Each gripper assembly has a cam arm rotatably mounted to the chuck housing with a lever arm portion extending toward the axis of rotation configured to rotate relative to the cap receiving opening. An engaging jaw is coupled to the gripper assembly. Rotation of the cam arm away from the cap receiving opening directs the engaging jaw radially toward the axis of rotation. An ejection assembly is disclosed as well as a method of retaining a cap.

Abstract: A capping chuck assembly having a chuck housing, a retaining assembly and a cap gripping assembly. The chuck housing receives a cap and has longitudinal axis of rotation. The retaining assembly includes a plurality of retaining jaws and a biasing member. The retaining jaws are movable radially, with biasing member inwardly biasing the jaws. The cap gripping assembly includes a plurality of gripper assemblies spaced apart from each other about the axis. Each gripper assembly has a cam arm rotatably mounted to the chuck housing with a lever arm portion extending toward the axis of rotation configured to rotate relative to the cap receiving opening. An engaging jaw is coupled to the gripper assembly. Rotation of the cam arm away from the cap receiving opening directs the engaging jaw radially toward the axis of rotation. An ejection assembly is disclosed as well as a method of retaining a cap.

Abstract: A bottle retaining assembly for a filler including a lifter coupling and a retaining structure. The lifter coupling has an upper support structure attachable to a base of a bottle lifter assembly. The retaining structure has an upstand structure that is positionable in engagement with the upper support structure. The upper support structure includes a releasable locking member structurally configured to releasably lock the upper support structure of the lifter coupling to the upstand structure. The releasable locking member is actuatable without the use of a tool.

Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use with a filler valve including a central bellows, an upper mating structure and a lower mating structure. The central bellows has a first portion and a second portion. The upper mating structure matingly engageable in substantially sealed engagement with an outer surface of a valve body. The lower mating structure is positioned at the first end of the second portion and has an inner ring member, a first encasing structure and an outer encasing structure. The inner ring member comprises a rigid material. The first encasing structure encases the inner ring member and includes an inner annular sealing surface structurally configured to slidably engage the outer surface of the valve body. The outer encasing structure encasing at least a portion of the first encasing structure. The combination of the first encasing structure and the outer encasing structure completely encapsulate the inner ring member.

Abstract: A bottle retaining assembly for a filler including a lifter coupling and a retaining structure. The lifter coupling has an upper support structure attachable to a base of a bottle lifter assembly. The retaining structure has an upstand structure that is positionable in engagement with the upper support structure. The upper support structure includes a releasable locking member structurally configured to releasably lock the upper support structure of the lifter coupling to the upstand structure. The releasable locking member is actuatable without the use of a tool.

Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use with a filler valve including a central bellows, an upper mating structure and a lower mating structure. The central bellows has a first portion and a second portion. The upper mating structure matingly engageable in substantially sealed engagement with an outer surface of a valve body. The lower mating structure is positioned at the first end of the second portion and has an inner ring member, a first encasing structure and an outer encasing structure. The inner ring member comprises a rigid material. The first encasing structure encases the inner ring member and includes an inner annular sealing surface structurally configured to slidably engage the outer surface of the valve body. The outer encasing structure encasing at least a portion of the first encasing structure. The combination of the first encasing structure and the outer encasing structure completely encapsulate the inner ring member.

Abstract: A filler cam apparatus having an upward directing portion and an insert member. The upward directing portion having a generally circular configuration, and includes a main body with an upper cam surface extending therealong. The upwardly directing portion includes at least one insert slot. The insert member is releasably attachable to the main body, positionable in the insert slot. The insert member has a body defining a base, an outer surface and an inner surface. The base of the insert member interfaces with the base of the main body. The insert member further includes an upper cam surface including an entry and an exit and a central valley. The entry and exit correspond to opposing portions of the upper cam surface of the main body on either side of the at least one insert slot, with the central valley defining a downward depth.

Abstract: A container retaining system for a filler having an upstand portion, a container retaining assembly and a suspension assembly. The retaining assembly including a plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least one opening extends through the plate member which is spaced apart from an outer portion extending outwardly sufficient so as to be capable of interfacing with a filler valve of a filler. The suspension assembly includes at least one strut tower. The strut tower extends through the at least one opening of the plate member. A biasing member biasing the plate member relative to the strut tower and the upstand portion in a first resting orientation. Overcoming the biasing member rotates the plate member relative to the upstand portion and the at least one strut tower. The plate member is configured to pivot relative to the strut tower into a deflected orientation.

Abstract: A container retaining system for a filler having an upstand portion, a container retaining assembly and a suspension assembly. The retaining assembly including a plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least one opening extends through the plate member which is spaced apart from an outer portion extending outwardly sufficient so as to be capable of interfacing with a filler valve of a filler. The suspension assembly includes at least one strut tower. The strut tower extends through the at least one opening of the plate member. A biasing member biasing the plate member relative to the strut tower and the upstand portion in a first resting orientation. Overcoming the biasing member rotates the plate member relative to the upstand portion and the at least one strut tower. The plate member is configured to pivot relative to the strut tower into a deflected orientation.

Abstract: A filler cam apparatus having an upward directing portion and an insert member. The upward directing portion having a generally circular configuration coinciding with an axis of rotation of a filler, and including a main body with an upper cam surface extending therealong. The upwardly directing portion includes at least one insert slot. The insert member is releasably attachable to the main body, positionable in the at least one insert slot. The insert member has a body defining a base, an outer surface and an inner surface. The base of the insert member interfaces with the base of the main body. The insert member further includes an upper cam surface including an entry and an exit and a central valley. The entry and exit correspond to adjacent portions of the upper cam surface of the main body on either side of the at least one insert slot, with the central valley defining a depth.

Abstract: A container retaining system comprising an upstand portion, a container retaining assembly, a suspension assembly. The container retaining assembly is coupled to the upstand portion and has an upper plate with a rear edge and a lower plate with an outer portion. The lower plate is positioned below the upper plate and rotatably coupled therewith. The outer portion extends outwardly to be capable of interfacing with a filler valve and/or container. The suspension assembly extends between the upstand portion and the upper plate, and includes a biasing member configured to bias the lower plate toward the upper plate. A downward force on the lower plate sufficient to overcome the biasing member directs the lower plate to rotate about the upper plate proximate a rear edge of the upper plate. A stopper associated with the lower plate defines the end of rotation of the lower plate.