Airlock system for supplying bottles to vacuum chamber and then removing them comprises cups, on to which lids can be fitted, to which bottles are attached, cups being connected to tubular arms to form rotating wheel

摘要

Airlock system for supplying bottles (3) to a vacuum chamber and then removing them comprises cups (25), on to which lids (23) can be fitted, to which the bottles are attached. The cups are connected to tubular arms (35) to form a rotating wheel and can be opened by lifting the lid or lowering the cup. An independent claim is included for a method for supplying bottles to a vacuum chamber and then removing them by placing them in a cup as described, fitting the lid and evacuating it though the tubular arm before lowering it to allow it to be fed to the vacuum chamber.