초록 ▼

An improved method and apparatus for a liquid filling system is herein disclosed incorporating means for generating greater overall production rate efficiencies (i.e. number of filled containers per minute per filling station) for automatic systems utilizing diverter valve and/or walking beam (i.e.

An improved method and apparatus for a liquid filling system is herein disclosed incorporating means for generating greater overall production rate efficiencies (i.e. number of filled containers per minute per filling station) for automatic systems utilizing diverter valve and/or walking beam (i.e. continuous-motion) filling technologies with, for example, non-traditional ratios between the number of filling stations and the number of filling nozzles. The methods/apparatus disclosed herein also incorporate means to more efficiently changeover and clean up, in either a clean-in-place (CIP) or clean-out-of-place (COP) configuration, the product contact parts that become “dirty” when used in a production environment. Finally, an improved method and apparatus designed to provide a means for priming and air purging the product contact path of liquid filling machinery, a fill volume calibration procedure, and a fill weight verification cycle is also herein described.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts during said production cycle, comprising:a container handling subsystem for carrying containers to and from a filling area,a container

1. A filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts during said production cycle, comprising:a container handling subsystem for carrying containers to and from a filling area,a container indexing assembly for indexing containers through said filling area;a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into containers in said filling area, said product contact subsystem further including;at least one filling nozzle and corresponding metering device for metering liquid through said filling nozzle into containers;a cleaning subsystem including pressurized cleaning fluid feed system for circulating cleaning fluid through said at least one filling nozzle and corresponding metering device; anda controls/utilities subsystem for coordinating operation of the container indexing assembly with the product contact subsystem, said controls/utilities subsystem periodically initiating a cleaning cycle in which supply and metered dispensing of said liquid product is stopped and pressurized cleaning fluid is circulated through said at least one filling nozzle and corresponding metering device by said cleaning subsystem. 2. The filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning subsystem further comprises a fluid reservoir for containing cleaning fluid, a pump to circulate cleaning fluid out of said fluid reservoir, a cleaning fluid supply manifold connected on one side to said fluid reservoir via said pump and selectively connectable on the other side through said at least one filling nozzle and corresponding metering device, and a cleaning fluid collection manifold selectively connectable to said at least one filling nozzle for collecting cleaning fluid circulating there through. 3. The filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of product contact parts according to claim 2, wherein said at least one filling nozzle and corresponding metering device are subjected to a “Clean-in-Place” process by manually connecting them to said cleaning fluid supply manifold. 4. The filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts according to claim 2, wherein the used cleaning fluid is recirculated from said fluid collection manifold back to said fluid reservoir for recycling. 5. The filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts according to claim 1, wherein said product contact subsystem articulates said filling nozzle under control of said controls/utilities subsystem by lowering said nozzle into the necks of containers and holding said nozzle stationery during filling. 6. The filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts according to claim 5, wherein said product contact subsystem articulates said filling nozzle under control of said controls/utilities subsystem by lowering said nozzle into the necks of containers and raising said filling nozzle in accordance with the level of the liquid during the filling cycle. 7. A filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts during said production cycle, comprising:a container handling subsystem for carrying containers to and from a filling area,a container indexing assembly for indexing containers through said filling area;a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into con tainers in said filling area, said product contact subsystem further including;a first set of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices for metering liquid through said filling nozzles into the containers, anda second set of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices for metering liquid through said filling nozzles into the containers;a cleaning subsystem for circulating cleaning fluid through a selectable one of said first or second sets of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices; anda controls/utilities subsystem for coordinating operation of the container indexing assembly with the product contact subsystem, said controls/utilities subsystem periodically initiating a cleaning cycle in which supply and metering of liquid through one set of filling nozzles and metering devices is stopped for cleaning by said cleaning subsystem and pressurized cleaning fluid is circulated there through, while in-process metering of liquid is continued through the other set of filling nozzles and metering devices. 8. The filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts according to claim 7, wherein said cleaning subsystem includes a fluid reservoir for containing cleaning fluid, a pump for circulating cleaning fluid out of said fluid reservoir, a cleaning fluid supply manifold connected on one side to said fluid reservoir via said pump and connectable on the other side through one of said first and second sets of filling nozzles and metering devices, and a cleaning fluid collection manifold connected to said one of the first and second sets of filling nozzles and metering devices for collecting cleaning fluid circulating there through. 9. The filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts according to claim 8, wherein said one of the first and second sets of filling nozzles and metering devices are subjected to a “Clean-in-Place” process by manually connecting said cleaning fluid supply manifold. 10. The filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts according to claim 8, wherein used cleaning fluid is recirculated from said fluid collection manifold back to said fluid reservoir for recycling. 11. A method for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts during said production cycle, comprising the steps of:providing a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into containers via at least one set of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices;providing a cleaning subsystem for periodically circulating cleaning fluid through said at least one set of filling nozzles and metering devices;alternately initiating either one of a production cycle during which containers are conveyed to and from a filling area and are filled by said at least one set of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices, or a cleaning cycle by which said at least one set of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices are cleaned by said cleaning subsystem. 12. The method for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts according to claim 11, wherein the step of alternately initiating said cleaning cycle further comprises manually connecting said cleaning subsystem to said at least one set of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices. 13. The method for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts according to claim 12, wherein the step of alternately initiating said clea ning cycle further comprises recycling used cleaning fluid. 14. The method for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts according to claim 11, wherein said step of providing a product contact subsystem further comprises providing two sets of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices; andsaid step of alternately initiating either one of a production cycle or a cleaning cycle further comprises initiating a changeover cycle for reconfiguring the filling system in which one set of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices are removed from production and are replaced by the other cleaned set. 15. The method for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning of the product contact parts according to claim 14, wherein said step of alternately initiating either one of a production cycle or a cleaning cycle further comprises initiating a cleaning cycle concurrent with said production cycle by which said removed set of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices are cleaned by said cleaning subsystem. 16. A filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning of product contact parts, comprising:a container handling subsystem for carrying containers to and from a filling area, and a container indexing assembly for indexing containers into position in said filling area, said container handling subsystem and said container indexing assembly being mounted stationary on a frame;a product contact subsystem for metering liquid product into containers in said filling area, said product contact subsystem further including at least one filling nozzle and corresponding metering device for metering liquid through said filling nozzle into the containers;a COP trolley subsystem for movably supporting said at least one filling nozzle and corresponding metering device relative to said container handling and indexing assembly frame and for shuttling said at least one filling nozzle and metering device to a cleaning site for remote cleaning; anda controls/utilities subsystem for coordinating operation of the container handling subsystem and the container indexing assembly with the product contact subsystem. 17. The filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning of product contact parts according to claim 16, wherein all product contact parts of said product contact subsystem are supported on said COP trolley subsystem. 18. The filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning of product contact parts according to claim 17, wherein at least one metering device drive assembly is supported on said COP trolley subsystem. 19. The filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning of product contact parts according to claim 16, wherein said COP trolley subsystem is self-propelled. 20. The filling system according to claim 16, wherein said COP trolley subsystem is removably connected to the container handling and indexing assembly frame via a docking and alignment mechanism. 21. The filling system according to claim 20, wherein said docking and alignment mechanism further comprises an alignment rod mounted vertically on the COP trolley subsystem, and an alignment channel mounted vertically on the container handling and indexing assembly frame for receiving said alignment rod and for urging it toward bottom center of the alignment channel. 22. The filling system according to claim 20, wherein said docking and alignment mechanism further comprises a clamping device for rapid coupling of the COP trolley subsystem to the container handling and indexing assembly frame. 23. The filling system according to claim 16, further comprising a remote cleaning subsystem at said remote cleaning site for circulating cleaning fluid through said product contact subsystem when said COP trolley subsystem is stationed at the remote cleaning site. 24. The filling system according to claim 23, wherein said remote cleaning subsystem further comprises a fluid reservoir, a pressure feed system to circulate cleaning fluid through the said product contact subsystem, a cleaning fluid supply manifold, and a cleaning fluid collection manifold. 25. The filling system according to claim 24, wherein said remote cleaning subsystem further comprises means to cycle said metering devices. 26. The filling system according to claim 25, wherein said means to cycle said metering devices further comprises a metering device drive assembly mounted on a frame supporting said remote cleaning subsystem's fluid reservoir, pressure feed system, cleaning fluid supply manifold, and cleaning fluid collection manifold. 27. The filling system according to claim 26, wherein said remote cleaning subsystem further comprises a controls/utilities system mounted on said frame for controlling operation of said remote cleaning subsystem. 28. The filling system according to claim 27, wherein said remote cleaning subsystem's controls/utilities system is separate and distinct from said controls/utilities subsystem for coordinating operation of the container indexing assembly with the product contact subsystem. 29. The filling system according to claim 16, where in said COP trolley subsystem is removably connected to the stationary frame via a docking and alignment mechanism capable of accommodating drive connections between a multi-station metering device drive assembly and said metering devices. 30. A filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning of the product contact parts, comprising:a container handling subsystem for carrying containers to and from a filling area, and a container indexing assembly for indexing containers into position in said filling area, said container handling subsystem and said container indexing assembly being mounted stationary on a frame;a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into containers in said filling area, said product contact subsystem further including at least two sets of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices for metering liquid through said filling nozzles into the containers;a COP trolley subsystem for shuttling a selectable one of said sets of filling nozzles and metering devices to the remote cleaning site for cleaning, and for shuttling another set of filling nozzles and metering devices back to the filling area for use in said production cycle; anda controls/utilities subsystem for coordinating operation of the container handling subsystem and the container indexing assembly with the product contact subsystem. 31. The filling system according to claim 30, wherein said COP trolley subsystem further comprises at least two trolleys, said trolleys being used for shuttling a selectable one of said sets of filling nozzles and metering devices to the remote cleaning site for cleaning and for shuttling another selectable one of said sets of filling nozzles and metering devices back to the filling area for use in said production cycle. 32. The filling system according to claim 31, wherein said at least two COP trolleys are removably connected to the container handling and indexing assembly frame via docking and alignment mechanisms. 33. The filling system according to claim 32, wherein each of said docking and alignment mechanisms further comprises an alignment rod mounted vertically on the corresponding COP trolley subsystem, and an alignment channel mounted vertically on the container handling and indexing assembly frame for receiving said alignment rod and for u rging it toward bottom center of the alignment channel. 34. The filling system according to claim 32, wherein each of said docking and alignment mechanisms further comprise a clamping device for rapid coupling of the corresponding COP trolley to the container handling and indexing assembly frame. 35. The filling system according to claim 31, wherein each of said at least two trolleys further comprises identification means, said identification means allowing said controls/utilities subsystem to differentiate among the at least two trolleys. 36. The filling system according to claim 31, further comprising a remote cleaning subsystem for circulating cleaning fluid through said product contact subsystem when a COP trolley is stationed at the remote cleaning site. 37. The filling system according to claim 36, wherein said remote cleaning subsystem further comprises a fluid reservoir, a pressure feed system to circulate cleaning fluid through the said product contact subsystem, a cleaning fluid supply manifold, and a cleaning fluid collection manifold. 38. The filling system according to claim 37, wherein said remote cleaning subsystem further comprises means to cycle said metering devices. 39. The filling system according to claim 38, wherein said means to cycle said metering devices further comprises a metering device drive assembly mounted on a frame supporting said remote cleaning subsystem's fluid reservoir, pressure feed system, cleaning fluid supply manifold, and cleaning fluid collection manifold. 40. The filling system according to claim 39, wherein said remote cleaning subsystem further comprises a controls/utilities system mounted on said frame for controlling operation of said remote cleaning subsystem. 41. The filling system according to claim 40, wherein said remote cleaning subsystem's controls/utilities system is separate and distinct from said controls/utilities subsystem for coordinating operation of the container indexing assembly with the product contact subsystem. 42. A method for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning of product contact parts during said production cycle, comprising the steps of:providing a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into containers via at least one filling nozzle and corresponding metering device;providing a remote cleaning subsystem including pressurized cleaning fluid feed system for circulating cleaning fluid through a reservoir;providing a COP trolley subsystem for shuttling said at least one filling nozzle and corresponding metering device to the remote cleaning subsystem for cleaning;alternately initiating either one of a production cycle during which containers are conveyed to and from a filling area and are filled by said at least one set of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices, or a cleaning cycle by which said at least one set of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices are shuttled by said COP trolley subsystem to said remote cleaning subsystem for cleaning out of place. 43. The method for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning of the product contact parts according to claim 42, wherein the step of alternately initiating said cleaning cycle further comprises manually connecting said remote cleaning subsystem to said at least one set of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices. 44. The method for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning of the product contact parts according to claim 43, wherein the step of alternately initiating said cleaning cycle further comprises recycling used cleaning fluid. 45. A method for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning of product contact parts during said production cycle, comprisi ng the steps of:providing a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into containers via one of at least two sets of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices;providing a remote cleaning subsystem including pressurized cleaning fluid feed system for circulating cleaning fluid through a reservoir;providing a COP trolley subsystem for shuffling a selectable one of said sets of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices to the remote cleaning subsystem for cleaning, and for shuttling another set of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices back to the filling area for use in said production cycle;initiating a production cycle during which containers are conveyed to and from a filling area and are filled by one of said sets of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices; andinitiating a cleaning cycle during which another of said sets of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices are shuttled by said COP trolley subsystem to said remote cleaning subsystem for cleaning out of place. 46. The method for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning according to claim 45, further comprising the step of recycling used cleaning fluid. 47. The method for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning according to claim 46, wherein the step of providing said COP trolley subsystem further comprises providing at least two trolleys, and said step of initiating a cleaning cycle further comprises initiating a changeover cycle for reconfiguring the filling system in which one of said COP trolleys shuttles a selectable one of said sets of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices to the remote cleaning subsystem for cleaning while another COP trolley shuttles another set of filling nozzles and corresponding metering devices back to the filling area for use in said production cycle. 48. A filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning of product contact parts, comprising:a container handling subsystem for carrying containers to and from a filling area, and a container indexing assembly for indexing containers into position in said filling area, said container handling subsystem and said container indexing assembly being mounted stationary on a frame;a product contact subsystem for metering liquid product into containers in said filling area, said product contact subsystem further including at least one filling nozzle, at least one flexible product delivery tube, and at least one corresponding metering device for metering liquid through said filling nozzle and said delivery tube into the containers;a COP trolley subsystem for movably supporting said at least one filling nozzle and at least one flexible product delivery tube and for shuttling said at least one filling nozzle and product delivery tube between said container handling and indexing assembly frame and a cleaning site for remote cleaning; anda controls/utilities subsystem for coordinating operation of the container handling subsystem and the container indexing assembly with the product contact subsystem. 49. The filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning of product contact parts according to claim 48, wherein said at least one filling nozzle and said at least one flexible product delivery tube of said product contact subsystem are supported on said COP trolley subsystem. 50. The filling system according to claim 49, further comprising a remote cleaning subsystem at said remote cleaning site for circulating cleaning fluid through said at least one filling nozzle and said at least one flexible product delivery tube when said COP trolley subsystem is stationed at the remote cleaning site. 51. The filling sy stem according to claim 50, wherein said remote cleaning subsystem further comprises a fluid reservoir, a pressure feed system to circulate cleaning fluid through said at least one filling nozzle and said at least one flexible product delivery tube, a cleaning fluid supply manifold, and a cleaning fluid collection manifold. 52. A filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product in a production cycle and for clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning of the product contact parts, comprising:a container handling subsystem for carrying containers to and from a filling area, and a container indexing assembly for indexing containers into position in said filling area, said container handling subsystem and said container indexing assembly being mounted stationary on a frame;a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into containers in said filling area, said product contact subsystem further including,at least two sets of filling nozzles, at least two sets of flexible product delivery tubing and corresponding metering devices for metering liquid through said sets of filling nozzles and said sets of product delivery tubing into the containers,a COP trolley subsystem for shuttling a selectable one of said sets of filling nozzles and one of said sets of product delivery tubing to the remote cleaning site for cleaning, and for shuttling another set of filling nozzles and another set of product delivery tubing back to the filling area for use in said production cycle; anda controls/utilities subsystem for coordinating operation of the container handling subsystem and the container indexing assembly with the product contact subsystem. 53. The filling system according to claim 52, wherein said COP trolley subsystem further comprises at least two trolleys, said trolleys being used for shuttling a selectable one of said sets of filling nozzles and one of said sets of product delivery tubing to the remote cleaning site for cleaning and for shuttling another selectable one of said sets of filling nozzles and one of said sets of product delivery tubing back to the filling area for use in said production cycle. 54. The filling system according to claim 53, further comprising a remote cleaning subsystem for circulating cleaning fluid through said one of said sets of filling nozzles and said one of said sets of product delivery tubing when a COP trolley is stationed at the remote cleaning site. 55. The filling system according to claim 54, wherein said remote cleaning subsystem further comprises a fluid reservoir, a pressure feed system to circulate cleaning fluid through said one of said sets of filling nozzles and said one of said sets of product delivery tubing, a cleaning fluid supply manifold, and a cleaning fluid collection manifold. 56. A filling system for semi-automatically filling containers with liquid product, comprising:a container handling subsystem in which an operator places said containers for filling, said container handling subsystem being mounted on a stationary frame and further comprising a container body/nozzle alignment assembly;a nozzle support subsystem for supporting at least one nozzle during a filling process;a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into said containers in said alignment assembly, said product contact subsystem further comprising one or more articulated filling nozzles, one or more flexible product delivery tubes, and one or more metering devices for metering liquid to said one or more filling nozzles;a COP trolley subsystem for movably supporting one or more articulated filling nozzles and one or more flexible product delivery tubes relative to said container handling subsystem frame and for shuttling said one or more filling nozzles and said one or more delivery tubes to a cleaning site for remote cleaning; anda controls/utilities subsystem for coordinating operation of said container handling subsystem and said nozzle support subsystem with said pr oduct contact subsystem. 57. The filling system for semi-automatically filling containers according to claim 56, wherein said COP trolley subsystem further comprises one or more trolleys, each trolley being used to shuttle one or more articulated filling nozzles and one or more flexible product delivery tubes to said remote cleaning site for cleaning, and to shuttle one or more articulated filling nozzles and one or more flexible product delivery tubes from said remote cleaning site back to a filling area for use in a production cycle. 58. The filling system for semi-automatically filling containers according to claim 57, further comprising a remote cleaning subsystem at said remote cleaning site for circulating cleaning fluid through said one or more filling nozzles and said one or more flexible product delivery tubes when one of said one or more trolleys is stationed at said remote cleaning site. 59. The filling system for semi-automatically filling containers according to claim 58, wherein said remote cleaning system further comprises a fluid reservoir, a pressure feed system to circulate cleaning fluid through said one or more filling nozzles and said one or more flexible product delivery tubes, a cleaning fluid supply manifold, and a cleaning fluid collection manifold. 60. A filling system for semi-automatically filling containers with liquid product, comprising:a container handling subsystem in which an operator places said containers for filling, said container handling subsystem being mounted on a stationary frame and further comprising a container body/nozzle alignment assembly;a nozzle support subsystem for supporting at least one nozzle during a filling process;a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into said containers in said alignment assembly, said product contact subsystem further comprising one or more articulated filling nozzles and one or more metering devices for metering liquid to said one or more filling nozzles;a COP trolley subsystem for movably supporting one or more articulated filling nozzles and one or more metering devices relative to said container handling subsystem frame and for shuttling said one or more filling nozzles and said one or more metering devices to a cleaning site for remote cleaning; anda controls/utilities subsystem for coordinating operation of said container handling subsystem and said nozzle support subsystem with said product contact subsystem. 61. The filling system for semi-automatically filling containers according to claim 60, wherein said COP trolley subsystem further comprises one or more trolleys, each trolley being used to shuttle one or more articulated filling nozzles and one or more metering devices to said remote cleaning site for cleaning, and to shuttle one or more articulated filling nozzles and one or more metering devices from said remote cleaning site back to a filling area for use in a production cycle. 62. The filling system for semi-automatically filling containers according to claim 61, further comprising a remote cleaning subsystem at said remote cleaning site for circulating cleaning fluid through said one or more filling nozzles and said one or more metering devices when one of said one or more trolleys is stationed at said remote cleaning site. 63. The filling system for semi-automatically filling containers according to claim 62, wherein said remote cleaning system further comprises a fluid reservoir, a pressure feed system to circulate cleaning fluid through said one or more filling nozzles and said one or more metering devices, a cleaning fluid supply manifold, and a cleaning fluid collection manifold. 64. A method for automatically filling containers, comprising the steps of:feeding two lanes of containers through a filling system;indexing said containers beneath at least two filling nozzles each positioned over a respective lane;metering a single supply of liquid to product diversion means for dividing and directing said liq uid to said at least two filling nozzles; andfilling both lanes of containers with a predetermined amount of liquid in an alternating fashion, the step of filling said containers in said two lanes in an alternating fashion further comprising filling at least one container in one lane while removing at least one filled corresponding container in the other lane, repetitively, until a production run has been completed;whereby the number of containers filled per minute is increased. 65. The method for automatically filling containers according to claim 64 wherein said step of filling said containers in said two lanes in an alternating fashion further comprises the steps of filling at least one container located in one lane with a predetermined amount of liquid while simultaneously indexing at least one container in a second lane into position beneath at least one filling nozzle positioned in said second lane. 66. A method for automatically filling containers, comprising the steps of:feeding a single lane of empty containers into a filling system;dividing said single incoming lane of containers into two filling areas;indexing said containers beneath at least two filling nozzles each positioned over a respective filling area;metering a single supply of liquid to product diversion means for directing said liquid to one of said at least two filling nozzles;filling both areas of containers with a predetermined amount of liquid in an alternating fashion, said alternating fashion further comprising the steps of filling at least one container located in one area with said predetermined amount of liquid while simultaneously at least one container in a second area is indexed into position beneath at least one filling nozzle positioned in said second area, and said at least one filling nozzle in said second area is positioned to begin filling said at least one container in said second area; andcombining the two areas of containers and discharging them from the filling system in a single lane;whereby the number of containers filled per minute is increased. 67. A method for semi-automatically filling containers, comprising the steps of:placing empty containers into two filling areas of a filling system;centering said containers beneath at least two filling nozzles each positioned over a respective filling area;metering a single supply of liquid to product diversion means for directing said liquid to one of said at least two filling nozzles; andfilling both areas of containers with a predetermined amount of liquid in an alternating fashion, said alternating fashion further comprising the steps of filling at least one container located in one area with said predetermined amount of liquid while simultaneously at least one container is placed in position in a second area beneath at least one filling nozzle positioned in said second area, and said at least one filling nozzle in said second area is positioned to begin filling said at least one container in said second area;whereby the number of containers filled per minute is increased. 68. A filling system for semi-automatically filling containers with liquid product, comprising:a container handling subsystem in which an operator places said containers for filling, said container handling subsystem further comprising a dual-area container body/nozzle alignment assembly;at least two nozzle support subsystems for supporting at least two nozzles during the filling process;a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into said containers in said dual-area alignment assembly, said product contact subsystem further comprising at least two articulated filling nozzles, at least one metering device for metering liquid, and a diverter valve assembly for directing the metered liquid output from said at least one metering device to said at least two filling nozzles; anda controls/utilities subsystem for coordinating operation of said container handling subsystem and said at least two nozzle sup port subsystems with said product contact subsystem. 69. The filling system for semi-automatically filling containers according to claim 68, wherein said diverter valve assembly alternately directs liquids to one of two filling nozzles. 70. A filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product, comprising:a container handling subsystem for carrying a plurality of containers to and from a filling area, said container handling subsystem further comprising:a lane dividing mechanism for directing a single lane of incoming containers into one of two lanes for passage through the filling area;a dual-lane conveyor assembly for transporting the containers through the filling area; anda lane combining assembly at the termination of the dual-lane conveyor assembly for combining two lanes of filled containers into a single lane;a container indexing assembly for indexing containers through said filling area;a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into containers in said filling area, said product contact subsystem further including;a plurality of filling nozzles;a nozzle support subsystem for supporting said nozzles during the filling process;at least one metering device capable of continuously metering liquid; and product diversion means for directing the metered liquid output from the metering device into one of said filling nozzles; anda controls/utilities subsystem connected to the container handling subsystem and the container indexing assembly for coordinating operation with the product contact subsystem. 71. The filling system for automatically filling containers according to claim 70, wherein said lane dividing mechanism is a pivoting gate assembly. 72. The filling system for automatically filling containers according to claim 70, wherein said lane combining assembly further comprises a set of angled guide rails. 73. A filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product, comprising:a container handling subsystem for carrying a plurality of containers to and from a filling area;a container indexing assembly for indexing containers through said filling area;a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into containers in said filling area, said product contact subsystem further including;a plurality of filling nozzles;a nozzle support subsystem for supporting said nozzles during the filling process;at least one metering device capable of continuously metering liquid, said metering device is any one from among the group comprising a rotary gear pump, a rotary lobe pump, a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm pump, a double-ended piston pump, a flow meter, and a time/pressure filling head; andproduct diversion means for directing the metered liquid output from the metering device into one of said filling nozzles; anda controls/utilities subsystem connected to the container handling subsystem and the container indexing assembly for coordinating operation with the product contact subsystem. 74. A filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product, comprising:a container handling subsystem for carrying a plurality of containers to and from a filling area;a container indexing assembly for indexing containers through said filling area;a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into containers in said filling area, said product contact subsystem further including;a plurality of filling nozzles;a nozzle support subsystem for supporting said nozzles during the filling process;at least one metering device capable of continuously metering liquid; and product diversion means for alternately directing the metered liquid output from the metering device into one of said filling nozzles, said product diversion means is a diverter valve assembly; anda controls/utilities subsystem connected to the container handling subsystem and the container indexing assembly for coordinating operation with the product contact subsystem. 75. The filling system for automatically filling containers according to claim 74, wherein said diverter valve assembly further comprises a general purpose, three-way solenoid valve. 76. The filling system for automatically filling containers according to claim 74, wherein said diverter valve assembly further comprises one of a Y- or T-shaped connector and general purpose, two-way solenoid valve integral to said filling nozzles. 77. The filling system for automatically filling containers according to claim 74, wherein said diverter valve assembly further comprises one of a Y- or T-shaped connector and a pinch clamp integral to said filling nozzles. 78. A filling system for automatically filling containers with liquid product, comprising:a container handling subsystem for carrying a plurality of containers to and from a filling area, said container handling subsystem further comprising two conveyor lanes;a container indexing assembly for indexing containers through said filling area;a product contact subsystem for metering said liquid product into containers in said filling area, said product contact subsystem further including;a plurality of filling nozzles;a nozzle support subsystem for supporting said nozzles during the filling process, said nozzle support subsystem including a walking beam assembly for maintaining a proper relative position between said plurality of filling nozzles and said plurality of containers in said two conveyor lanes during a filling cycle, said walking beam assembly further comprises a walking beam, a horizontal motion drive mechanism for articulating said filling nozzles along a horizontal axis of motion, and a vertical motion drive mechanism for articulating said filling nozzles along a vertical axis of motion;at least two metering devices for metering liquid; anda controls/utilities subsystem connected to the container handling subsystem and the container indexing assembly for coordinating operation with the product contact subsystem. 79. The system for automatically filling containers according to claim 78, wherein each of said horizontal motion drive mechanism and vertical motion drive mechanism further comprises a servo motor. 80. The system for automatically filling containers according to claim 79, wherein the horizontal motion servo motor provides encoder feedback data to the control subsystem for tracking the horizontal velocity and position of the nozzles along the walking beam to the containers carried beneath on the indexing mechanism. 81. The system for automatically filling containers according to claim 78, wherein horizontal motion generated by the horizontal motion servo motor is translated to the nozzles by linear bearings.