초록 ▼

A carrier puck is provided which can be adjusted quickly with minimal efforts, such as by using a slider, screw or other mechanical means, to allow a wide range of article shapes and sizes to be accommodated on the processing line. The carrier puck comprises a base piece, at least two substantially

A carrier puck is provided which can be adjusted quickly with minimal efforts, such as by using a slider, screw or other mechanical means, to allow a wide range of article shapes and sizes to be accommodated on the processing line. The carrier puck comprises a base piece, at least two substantially identical holding pieces piled in two or more stacks, a means for securing each of the stacks of holding pieces, and a means for adjusting the distance between the stacks. The two or more stacks of holding pieces enclose a void therebetween for accommodating a container. The distance between the stacks can be adjusted quickly with minimal efforts to accommodate containers of different sizes, shapes and contours.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A carrier puck for receiving and supporting an article of a wide range of heights, shapes and sizes and allowing the quick switching from an article of a first shape and/or size to an article of a second shape and/or size, said carrier puck comprising, a base piece, at least

What is claimed is: 1. A carrier puck for receiving and supporting an article of a wide range of heights, shapes and sizes and allowing the quick switching from an article of a first shape and/or size to an article of a second shape and/or size, said carrier puck comprising, a base piece, at least two holding pieces, each having an opening on a first side, wherein said opening has a generally V-shape for accommodating articles of different sizes and shapes, wherein at least one of said holding pieces is placed on top of said base piece in a first stack by overlaying said holding pieces on top of one another and at least one of said holding pieces is placed on top of said base piece in a second stack by overlaying said holding pieces on top of one another, and wherein said opening of each of said holding pieces in said first stack is aligned forming a first void in said first stack, said opening of each of said holding pieces in said second stack is aligned forming a second void in said second stack, and said first void and said second void face each other combining to form a third void for accommodating said article when said article is present, a first stack-securing means for securing said first stack of said holding pieces on top of said base piece, a second stack-securing means for securing said second stack of said holding pieces on top of said base piece, wherein both first and second stack-securing means ensure that all said holding pieces in a stack move in a synchronized manner on top of said base piece, and a means for adjusting the distance between said first stack of said holding pieces and said second stack of said holding pieces, wherein said means for adjusting distance and a corresponding end of said stack-securing means are interlocked so that rotary movement of said adjusting means about an axis parallel to a longitudinal direction of adjustment is permitted without significant impediment from said stack-securing means and whereby longitudinal movement of said adjusting means along said longitudinal direction of adjustment is coupled to said longitudinal movement of said stack-securing means. 2. A container filling device for filling containers of different dimensions, shapes, heights and/or contours, along a predetermined path, comprising at least one carrier puck according to claim 1, at least one conveying mechanism, and a filling mechanism, wherein at least one said container is held in one of said carrier pucks, said carrier pucks are transported by said conveying mechanism to a filling station, and said containers are filled to a predetermined level when said containers are positioned under said filling mechanism. 3. A container filling device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one conveying mechanism comprises a first conveying section for continuously moving said carrier pucks containing containers to be filled into said filling station, and a second conveying section for continuously moving said carrier pucks containing filled containers away from said filling station, wherein said first conveying section and said second conveying section run parallel, wherein said container filling device further comprises a filling countertop enclosed between said first conveying section and said second conveying section, wherein said container filling device further comprising a pushing means for, when activated, moving at least one of said containers to be filled from said first conveying section to said filling countertop and simultaneously moving said filled containers from said filling countertop to said second conveying section, wherein said filling mechanism fills said containers to be filled to said predetermined level when said containers to be filled are located on top of said filling countertop.