Abstract: A valve assembly for a container filling machine. The filling machine includes a rotating turret or carrier having a series of platforms that support individual containers, such as cans, to be filled. Mounted above each platform is a valve assembly which controls the fluid flow to the can. Each valve assembly includes a valve body and a rotatable disc, and the body and the disc have mating surfaces, each containing ports that can be moved into registry as the disc is rotated with respect to the body to effect fluid flow. To rotate the disc during the cycle of operation, a single arm is attached to the disc and carries a follower which is adapted to engage a series of fixed cam tracks as the carrier rotates to move the arm and rotate the disc to obtain the desired registry of the ports.

Abstract: A conveying system incorporating an apparatus for detecting and rejecting downed and damaged containers, such as open ended cans. The conveying system includes a pair of endless belt conveyors which are spaced apart longitudinally and are adapted to convey cans in an upright condition. The upright cans are adapted to be transferred between the conveyors by a vacuum transfer mechanism which is located above the adjacent ends of the conveyors, the transfer mechanism includes an endless perforated belt that travels across the open bottom of a housing which is divided into a series of chambers. The chambers are subjected to a vacuum which acts to hold the upright cans against the perforated belt so that the cans can be transferred by movement of the belt from one conveyor to the other, while downed cans are ejected from the conveyor system.