Abstract: A loading mechanism is disclosed for loading bottles (14) onto a turret (12) and includes a screw (22), a linear conveyor (24), a pair of star wheels (26 and 28), and a drive. The assembly is characterized by a groove in the screw (22) having a cross section with a narrow throat (30) for engaging a neck (16) of the bottle (14) and a larger portion (32) above the throat (30) for establishing a space about the neck (16) of the bottle (14) spaced therein by the narrow throat (30). A pair of opposing lips (34) are spaced apart to define the throat (30) and a pair of spaced side walls (36) extend into the screw (22) from the lips (34) to a bottom wall (38), which remain out of contact with the neck (16) of the bottles (14).

Abstract: A filling valve assembly for filling a container (11) with a fluid material and comprising a valve body (16) having an outer wall (18) defining an inner chamber (20). A vent tube (30) extends upwardly through the chamber (20) for ventilating the container (11) when the container (11) is filled with the fluid material and defining at least one fluid passageway (38) disposed between the outer wall (18) and the vent tube (30) for allowing the fluid material to discharge from the chamber (20) and into the container (11). A first screen (62) is disposed across said fluid passageway (38) and the assembly is characterized by a second screen (64) disposed across the passageway (38) in spaced relationship to and below the first screen (62) whereby the capillary action of both screens (62) and (64) accumulate to more precisely fill successive containers (11) to equal volumes.

Abstract: A filling valve assembly for filling a beverage container with a liquid beverage. The valve assembly includes a valve body having an outer wall and a vent tube for ventilating the container when the container is filled with the liquid. Fluid passageways are defined between the outer wall and the vent tube for allowing the liquid to discharge into the container. A notch is formed within the outer wall and a screen is disposed across the fluid passageway with an outer diameter extending into the notch. The valve assembly is characterized by the notch being a truncated cone extending axially in the direction of the fluid passageway to define an angled surface for facilitating disposition of the screen into the notch and within the fluid passageway. The assembly is also characterized by the screen having a chemically etched surface creating a plurality of square holes within the screen for preventing unnecessary dripping of fluid material into the container.