WO2000071460A1

WO2000071460A1 - Apparatus for filling and closing bottles

Info

Publication number: WO2000071460A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2000/000100
Authority: WO
Inventors: André KRUGER
Original assignee: Kruger Andre
Priority date: 1999-05-25
Filing date: 2000-05-25
Publication date: 2000-11-30
Also published as: AU5050300A

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for filling bottles with liquid includes a filler assembly (12); a cap holder (14); bottle supports (16.1 to 16.3); and a drive means (18). The apparatus (10) is particularly suitable for filling a bottle (20) with liquid such as mineral water, carbonated beverages, or the like, but is of course not limited to any particular type of beverage or liquid. The bottle (20) is of the type having an open mouth (22) provided with screw thread, and which mouth (22) is closable by a screw cap (24). In use, the bottle (20) is rotated relative to the cap (24), to screw the bottle (20) to the cap (24). Filling and capping takes place at the same station. The apparatus (10) is portable and unitary and is optionally provided with a movable housing.

Description

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND CLOSING BOTTLES

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to apparatus for filling bottles with liquid.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

USA patent number 4,253,502 discloses an apparatus for filling of bottles with carbonated beverages at room temperature. This apparatus includes a reservoir which is pre-filled with the beverage; and a buoyant float disposed in the reservoir. The filling of the reservoir raises the float, which opens an air inlet valve to allow a surge of pressurised gas into the reservoir. This closes off a beverage inlet valve, thus terminating the flow of beverage into the reservoir. The beverage in the reservoir is replenished only after the float descends to the point where the air inlet valve is closed. The volume of liquid, which is introduced into a bottle, is thus determined indirectly by the level of liquid in the reservoir, which triggers sudden pressurisation of the reservoir.

USA patent 4,103,721 discloses bottling apparatus wherein the volume of beverage, which is introduced to a bottle, is related to a predetermined time period during which filling takes place. That is, a bottle is filled for a predetermined time period at a predetermined rate.

USA patent 4,807,673 discloses an apparatus for filling a container with beverage from a pressurised reservoir through a filling valve. The apparatus includes an auxiliary tank releasable to atmosphere and disposed between the reservoir and the filling valve. A passage connects the auxiliary tank with the reservoir. The auxiliary tank is filled with beverage from the reservoir. After the auxiliary tank is vented to atmospheric pressure by opening an air releasing valve, the beverage is supplied from the auxiliary tank to the container, via the filling valve.

A first disadvantage of the known apparatus described above is that their filler and capping assemblies are usually located separately from each other. Another disadvantage is that their capping assemblies are provided with cap feeders, which are adapted to rotate or move otherwise relative to the filled bottles. Such assemblies are therefore relatively complicated, bulky and expensive. The known apparatus are accordingly not suitable and available for use in relatively small scale bottling operations, i.e. less than 1000 per day, by a single operator.

Other disadvantages of the known apparatus are that they are either fully automated and very expensive, or require the input of at least two skilled operators to operate, thus increasing the labour cost involved in the bottling of liquid. Another disadvantage of the known apparatus is that their beverage measuring and dosing units are unnecessary complicated and sometimes even involve two separate reservoirs, pressure sensors, and the like.

USA patent 5,505,233 discloses a mobile apparatus which is adapted for being transported between a container filling station and a cleaning station, which is remote from the filling station. A disadvantage of this apparatus is that although it is movable along a track between two locations, it is not portable as such.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Objects of the present invention are to provide apparatus for filling bottles with liquids, with which the aforesaid disadvantages may be overcome or at least minimised, and to provide bottling apparatus that is suitable and available for relatively small-scale bottling operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for filling bottles of the type having an open mouth which is closable with a screw cap, the apparatus including a filler assembly including a reservoir having an inlet for liquid and an outlet to the mouth of the bottle; a cap holder, for presenting a cap to the mouth of the bottle and for retaining such cap against rotation; a support for supporting the bottle relative to the outlet of the filler assembly and cap holder; and drive means for rotating the bottle relative to the cap holder and thus relative to a cap presented by the holder, to screw the bottle to the cap.

Further according to the invention the reservoir is removable and replaceable with a reservoir of a different volume for the purpose of filling bottles of different sizes.

The filler assembly may be mounted on a support bar and may be movable relative to the bottle between a recharge position wherein the outlet is spaced from the mouth of the bottle and a filling position wherein the outlet opens into the mouth.

The cap holder may be movable between a displaced position wherein said cap is disposed out of register with the mouth of the bottle and an in-line position wherein said cap is disposed in register with the mouth.

The cap holder may include an arm which is pivotally movable between the displaced and in-line positions. The free end of the arm may define a receptacle for frictionally receiving said cap.

The cap holder may be pivotally connected to the filler assembly and, when in the displaced position, may move with the filler assembly between the recharge and filling positions; and, when in the in-line position, the holder may be movable with the filler assembly from the recharge position to a capping position, which is intermediate the recharge and filling positions, the arrangement being such that when in the capping position, the cap may engage the mouth of the bottle.

The apparatus may further include a cap sensor for sensing whether the cap engages the mouth of the bottle; and a rotation controller responsive to the cap sensor, for activating the drive means, to rotate the bottle, and thus to screw the bottle to the cap.

The drive means may include a torque-limiting device for limiting the rotational torque applied to the bottle.

An inlet valve may be located in the liquid inlet and an outlet valve may be located in the liquid outlet.

The apparatus may include an orientation sensor for sensing whether the filler assembly is in the recharge or filling positions.

The apparatus may further include a valve controller responsive to the orientation sensor, for opening the inlet valve and closing the outlet valve when the filler assembly is in the recharge position and for closing the inlet valve and opening the outlet valve when the filler assembly is in the filling position. Further according to the invention the apparatus includes actuating means for moving the filler assembly between the recharge and filling positions.

The actuating means may include a piston and cylinder assembly, which connects the filler assembly to the support bar.

The apparatus may include a control switch for controlling a control circuit operative on the piston and cylinder assembly, and for controlling movement of the piston relative to the cylinder, thus to control movement of the filler assembly between the recharge and filling positions.

The apparatus may include adjusting means for adjusting the location of the recharge and filling positions relative to the bottle according to the size of the bottle.

The filler assembly may include a filler head defining the outlet and having a seal means for sealing against the mouth of the bottle.

The filler head may be provided with an inlet through which an additive such as a flavouring agent or gas can be introduced to the liquid. Further according to the invention, the reservoir is provided with a gas release outlet for expelling gas present in the reservoir when it is being recharged.

The gas release outlet may include a float device for preventing liquid and gas from exiting via the gas release valve once the reservoir is filled.

The apparatus may include a pressure vessel communicating with the gas release outlet for capturing the expelled gas, such that pressure builds up in such pressure vessel during the filling of the reservoir to assist in the expulsion of the liquid from the reservoir, thus enhancing the rate at which the bottle is filled.

Further according to the invention the arrangement is such that the filler assembly and bottle extend at an acute angle with the vertical.

The liquid inlet and/or liquid outlet of the reservoir may be offset from the centre of the reservoir.

The apparatus may be portable and may be provided with a protective mobile housing forming a unit with the apparatus, the housing being provided with interfaces for water and electricity, so that, save for the provision of water and electricity, the apparatus and housing form a self - contained unit. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for filling containers with liquid, including a filler assembly having a reservoir of predetermined volume which is equal to the volume of the liquid to be introduced to the container, the reservoir having an inlet for beverage and an outlet to the mouth of the container, the apparatus being characterised in that the reservoir is removable and replaceable with a reservoir of a different volume for the purpose of filling containers of different sizes.

The apparatus may include a capping assembly for closing the container after filling, the capping assembly having a holder for a cap, the holder being movable between a displaced position wherein said cap is disposed out of register with the container and the filling assembly, and an in-line position wherein said cap is disposed in register with the container and filling assembly.

The filling and capping assemblies may be mounted on a portable support.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for filling bottles of the type having an open mouth which is closable with a closure, the apparatus including a filler assembly including a reservoir having an inlet for liquid and an outlet for communicating with the mouth of the bottle; a holder, for presenting the closure to the mouth; a support for supporting the bottle relative to the outlet of the filler assembly; and drive means for moving the bottle relative to the holder, thus to close the bottle with the closure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of a non-limiting example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, for filling bottles with liquid, with a filler assembly in a recharging position and with a cap holder in a displaced position; figure 2 is the same view as that of figure 1 , with the filler assembly in a filling position; figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus of figure 1 , with a cap holder in an in-line position; figure 4 is the same view as that of figure 3, with the filler assembly in a capping position; figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of figure 2; and figure 6 is a detail drawing of a filler head of the apparatus of figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to figures 1 to 5, an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is generally designated by reference numeral 10. The apparatus 10 includes a filler assembly generally designated by reference numeral 12; a cap holder generally designated by reference numeral 14; bottle supports generally designated by reference numerals 16.1 to 16.3; and a drive means 18.

The apparatus 10 is particularly suitable for filling a bottle 20 with liquid such as mineral water, carbonated beverages, or the like, but is of course not limited to any particular type of beverage or liquid. The bottle 20 is of the type having an open mouth 22 (figure 3) provided with screw thread, and which mouth 22 is closable by a screw cap 24.

The filler assembly 12 and cap holder 14 are mounted on a slide base 27, which is slidably connected to a support bar 26, extending at an acute angle relative to the vertical. The support bar 26 is mounted on a flat base 28 and is supported by an upright post 30. The apparatus 10 is manufactured mainly from stainless steel and plastics material, and is unitary and portable.

The slide base 27 and thus the filler assembly 12 are movable relative to the support bar 26, (as indicated by arrows A and B in the drawings) between a recharge position (figures 1 and 3) and a filling position (figures 2 and 5). In the recharge position, the filler assembly 12 is displaced from the mouth 22 of the bottle 20, and in the filling position, the filler assembly 12 engages the mouth 22. 0/71460 -j ι PCT/ZAOO/00100

The apparatus 10 includes an actuating means comprising a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly 32, for moving the filler assembly 12 between the recharge and filling positions. The assembly 32 is connected between the support bar 26 and the slide base 27. It will be appreciated that the piston and cylinder assembly 32 can alternatively be adapted to move the bottle 20 relative to the filler assembly 12 instead.

The filler assembly 12 includes a removable reservoir 34 for measuring off a pre-determined volume of liquid to be introduced into the bottle 20. The reservoir 34 is interchangeable with other reservoirs of different volumes (not shown) for filling bottles of different sizes and volumes. Referring to figures 5 and 6, the reservoir 34 is provided with a liquid inlet 36 from a supply of liquid, and an outlet 37. The inlet 36 and the outlet 37 are both off-set from the centre of the reservoir 34, to speed up the filling and draining of the reservoir 34. The filler assembly 12 further includes a filler head 38 defining the outlet 37. The filler head is adapted to engage the mouth 22 of the bottle 20 and is provided with a rubber seal ring 39 for sealing against the mouth 22.

The apparatus 10 is provided with adjusting means 35 for adjusting the location of the recharge and filling positions relative to the bottle 20, according to the size of the bottle, by adjusting the position of the slide support 27 relative to the support bar 26. An upper end of the reservoir 34 is provided with a gas release valve or vent 40 through which air or other gas such as CO₂, which may be present in the reservoir 34, is expelled when the reservoir 34 is being filled with liquid. The vent 40 is provided with a float device 42 for closing the vent 40, thus preventing liquid and gas from exiting via the vent 40, once the reservoir 34 is filled with liquid. A pressure vessel (not shown) may be optionally connected to the vent 40. When the reservoir 34 is filled, gas is expelled via the vent 40 and the expelled gas builds up pressure in the pressure vessel. This pressure assists in the expulsion of liquid from the reservoir 34, to enhance the rate at which the bottle 20 is filled.

The holder 14 comprises an arm 14.1 of which one end is pivotally mounted on the slide base 27. The free end of the arm 14.1 is provided with a receptacle 14.2 for frictionally engaging and retaining the cap 24. The arm 14.1 is movable between a displaced position (figures 1, 2, 3 and 5) and an in-line position (figure 4). When the arm 14.1 is in the displaced position, it is movable with the filler assembly 12 between the recharge position and the filler position. When in the in-line position, the arm 14.1 moves with the filler assembly 12 from the recharge position to a capping position (shown in figure 4), and which capping position is intermediate the recharging and filling positions. The apparatus 10 is provided with a cap dispenser 46, on which a cap 24 is placed while the arm 14.1 is in the in-line position. The purpose of the cap dispenser 46 is to present a cap 24 to the receptacle 14.2 when the arm 14.1 moves between the recharge and filling positions while in the displaced position, so that the receptacle 14.2 picks the cap 24 up in the process. The cap dispenser 46 shown in the drawing is fed manually with caps 24, but it will be appreciated that a automatic cap feeder (not shown) can be designed for the stand 46 in the alternative.

The supports include a rotatable base 16.1 , on which the base of the bottle 20 rests; a first receptacle 16.2 for supporting a lower side wall of the bottle 20; and a second receptacle 16.3 for engaging and supporting a neck portion of the bottle 20.

The drive means 18 includes a pneumatically driven motor, for example, for rotating the base 16.1. The drive means 18 is provided with a torque-limiting device for limiting the rotational torque applied to the bottle 20.

The apparatus 10 further includes a controller for controlling the various actions of the apparatus 10. The controller is responsive to a plurality of sensors and controls a plurality of valve actuators disposed on the apparatus 10. The controllers, sensors and valve actuators are not shown in the drawings for the sake of clarity. The filler assembly 12 is freely pivotally movable to a small degree about a pivot 54 between a recharge orientation and a bottle engaging orientation. When the filier assembly 12 is moved from the recharge position to the filling position by the piston and cylinder assembly 32, the filler head 38 engages the mouth 22 to tilt the filler assembly 21 to the bottle engaging orientation.

Referring to figures 5 and 6, an inlet valve 48 is located in the liquid inlet 36 and an outlet valve 50 is disposed in the outlet 37. An orientation sensor is provided for sensing whether the filler assembly 12 is in the recharge orientation or the bottle engaging orientation. The controller is responsive to the orientation sensor and opens the outlet valve 50 and simultaneously closes the inlet valve 48 when the filler assembly 12 pivots from the recharge orientation to the bottle engaging orientation. The controller further closes the outlet valve 50 and simultaneously opens the inlet valve 48 the moment the filler assembly 12 pivots back from the bottle engaging orientation to the recharge orientation, in response to signals received from the orientation sensor.

A cap sensor, for sensing whether the cap 24 engages the mouth 22, is disposed on the arm 14.1. The controller is responsive to the cap sensor, for activating the motor 18 to rotate the bottle 20 and thus to screw the bottle 20 to the cap 24. A foot-operated switch (not shown) is provided for activating the controller, to move the filler assembly 12 between the recharge and filling positions. It will be appreciated that this switch can alternatively be abandoned and the controller can be adapted to operate the apparatus 10 in a continuous cycle. Such switch can further alternatively be adapted to be activated by various other parts of a person's body, so that the apparatus 10 can be operated by a partially disabled person.

In use, the filler assembly 12 is moved to the recharge position and orientation, the inlet valve 48 opened and the outlet valve 50 closed by the controller, to fill the reservoir 34 with liquid. In the process, gas present in the reservoir 34 is expelled via the vent 40 and optionally accumulates in the pressure vessel, if one is provided. While the reservoir 34 is being filled, an operator cleans a bottle 20 and places the bottle 20 on the base 16.1. When the reservoir 34 is filled, the float device 42 closes the vent 40. The operator further locates a cap 24 on the cap dispenser 46.

The piston and cylinder assembly 32 is activated through the foot switch to move the filler assembly 12 to the filling position and in the process, the receptacle 14.2 picks up the cap 24 from the cap dispenser 46.

When the filler head 38 engages the mouth 22, the filler assembly 12 pivots to the bottle engaging orientation to activate the position sensor. In response, the controller closes the inlet valve 48 and immediately opens the outlet valve 50 so that the liquid in the reservoir 34 is dispensed into the bottle 20. The filler head 38 is provided with an air vent (not shown) for venting air present in the bottle 20, while it is being filled.

Once the bottle 20 is filled, the foot switch is released to move the filler assembly 12 back to the recharge position and orientation, and the reservoir 34 is again recharged with liquid as hereinbefore described. The operator moves the cap holder 14 and thus the cap 24 to the in-line position and the operator again operates the foot switch to move the filler assembly 12 and the arm 14.1 down to the capping position, wherein the cap engages the mouth 22 of the bottle 20.

The moment the cap sensor senses that the cap 24 engages the mouth 22, the controller activates the motor 18 to rotate the base 16.1 and thus the bottle 20, to screw the bottle to the cap. In the mean time, the operator places another cap 24 on the cap dispenser 46 and applies a label (not shown) to the bottle 20.

When the bottle is rotated, the operator gently holds his or her hand against the bottle 20 to secure the label against the bottle. It will be appreciated that the orientation sensor is deactivated when the cap sensor is activated to prevent the outlet valve 50 from opening while the cap 24 is being screwed to the bottle

20. Once the bottle 20 is screwed to the cap 24, the filler assembly 12 is moved back to the recharge position and the filled, labelled and capped bottle 20 removed from the base 16.1 and placed in a suitable packaging. The above procedure is then repeated with the next bottle.

The apparatus 10 is optionally provided with a carbonation device in the form of an inlet 52 for pressurised gas, the inlet 52 being provided in the filler head 38 for carbonating water passing through the filler head 38. Alternatively the inlet can be used to carbonate liquid located in the reservoir 34. Further alternatively the inlet 52 can be used to carbonate liquid disposed in the bottle 20, after filling of the bottle. Yet further alternatively, the inlet 52 can be used to introduce additives such as flavouring agents or the like to the liquid.

It will be appreciated that due to the fact that the bottle 20 is rotated instead of the cap 24, the construction of the filler assembly 12, and in particular the filler head 38 is relatively much simpler, cheaper and less complicated.

It will be appreciated further that an apparatus 10 according to the invention can be operated by a single unskilled and even partially disabled worker and that bottles can be filled with the apparatus 10 at a relatively high rate, at a single station. The apparatus 10 is fully portable and unitary and can be provided with a mobile protective housing (not shown), such as a PX™- type container. The housing is provided with interfaces for water and electricity, so that the apparatus and container forms a self contained unit or bottling facility which can be transported by a load carrying vehicle.

It will be appreciated that variations in detail are possible with apparatus according to the invention for filling bottles with liquids, without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, the apparatus can be adapted to bottle wine. Instead of rotating the bottle, the bottle is moved along its longitudinal axis to engage a cork, which is presented by the holder. The apparatus can further be adapted to operate with other types of closures such as the type which is heat fused to plastic bottles or crimped to glass bottles.

Claims

1. Apparatus for filling bottles of the type having an open mouth which is closable with a screw cap, the apparatus including a filler assembly including a reservoir having an inlet for liquid and an outlet to the mouth of the bottle; a cap holder, for presenting a cap to the mouth of the bottle and for retaining such cap against rotation; a support for supporting the bottle relative to the outlet of the filler assembly and cap holder; and drive means for rotating the bottle relative to the cap holder and thus relative to a cap presented by the holder, to screw the bottle to the cap.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the reservoir is removable and replaceable with a reservoir of a different volume for the purpose of filling bottles of different sizes.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the filler assembly is mounted on a support bar and is movable relative to the bottle between a recharge position wherein the outlet is spaced from the mouth of the bottle and a filling position wherein the outlet opens into the mouth.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the cap holder is movable between a displaced position wherein said cap is disposed out of register with the mouth of the bottle and an in-line position wherein said cap is disposed in register with the mouth.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the cap holder includes an arm which is pivotally movable between the displaced and in-line positions and wherein the free end of the arm defines a receptacle for frictionally receiving said cap.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the cap holder is pivotally connected to the filler assembly and, when in the displaced position, moves with the filler assembly between the recharge and filling positions and when in the in-line position, the holder is movable with the filler assembly from the recharge position to a capping position, which is intermediate the recharge and filling positions, and when in the capping position, the cap engages the mouth of the bottle.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 which includes a cap sensor for sensing whether the cap engages the mouth of the bottle, the apparatus being provided with a rotation controller responsive to the cap sensor, for activating the drive means, to rotate the bottle, and thus to screw the bottle to the cap.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the drive means includes a torque-limiting device for limiting the rotational torque applied to the bottle.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 8 wherein an inlet valve is located in the liquid inlet and wherein an outlet valve is located in the liquid outlet.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 which includes an orientation sensor for sensing whether the filler assembly is in the recharge or filling positions.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 which includes a valve controller responsive to the orientation sensor, for opening the inlet valve and closing the outlet valve when the filler assembly is in the recharge position and for closing the inlet valve and opening the outlet valve when the filler assembly is in the filling position.

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 11 which includes actuating means for moving the filler assembly between the recharge and filling positions.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the actuating means includes a piston and cylinder assembly, which connects the filler assembly to the support bar.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 which includes a control switch for controlling a control circuit operative on the piston and cylinder assembly, and for controlling movement of the piston relative to the cylinder, thus to control movement of the filler assembly between the recharge and filling positions.

15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 14 which includes adjusting means for adjusting the location of the recharge and filling positions relative to the bottle according to the size of the bottle.

16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the filler assembly includes a filler head defining the outlet and having a seal means for sealing against the mouth of the bottle.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the filler head is provided with an inlet through which an additive such as a flavouring agent or gas can be introduced to the liquid.

18. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the reservoir is provided with a gas release outlet for expelling gas present in the reservoir when it is being recharged.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the gas release outlet includes a float device for preventing liquid and gas from exiting via the gas release valve once the reservoir is filled.

20. Apparatus according to claim 18 or claim 19 which includes a pressure vessel communicating with the gas release outlet for capturing the expelled gas, such that pressure builds up in such pressure vessel during the filling of the reservoir to assist in the expulsion of the liquid from the reservoir, thus enhancing the rate at which the bottle is filled.

21. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the arrangement is such that the filler assembly and bottle extend at an acute angle with the vertical.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the liquid inlet and/or liquid outlet of the reservoir are/is offset from the centre of the reservoir.

23. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims which is portable and which is provided with a protective mobile housing forming a unit with the apparatus, the housing being provided with interfaces for water and electricity, so that, save for the provision for water and electricity, the apparatus and housing form a self - contained unit.

24. Apparatus for filling containers with liquid, including a filler assembly having a reservoir of predetermined volume which is equal to the volume of the liquid to be introduced to the container, the reservoir having an inlet for beverage and an outlet to the mouth of the container, the apparatus being characterised in that the reservoir is removable and replaceable with a reservoir of a different volume for the purpose of filling containers of different sizes.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24 which further includes a capping assembly for closing the container after filling, the capping assembly having a holder for a cap, the holder being movable between a displaced position wherein said cap is disposed out of register with the container and the filling assembly, and an in-line position wherein said cap is disposed in register with the container and filling assembly.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the filling and capping assemblies are mounted on a portable support.

27. Apparatus for filling bottles of the type having an open mouth which is closable with a closure, the apparatus including a filler assembly including a reservoir having an inlet for liquid and an outlet for communicating with the mouth of the bottle; a holder, for presenting the closure to the mouth; a support for supporting the bottle relative to the outlet of the filler assembly; and drive means for moving the bottle relative to the holder, thus to close the bottle with the closure.

28. Apparatus substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.