Geo. J. Meyer built rotary bottle and can fillers in Milwaukee for decades, and changed its designs many times along the way. Two fillers with the same valve count can use different drives, lift cylinders, starwheel shafts or crowner parts depending on when and how they were built. Identifying your machine correctly is the fastest way to get the right part the first time.
Reading the model number
Meyer model numbers give the number of filling valves followed by the number of crowning or closing heads:
- 40-8: 40 filling valves, 8 crowning heads.
- 52-12: 52 valves, 12 heads.
- 65-15: 65 valves, 15 heads.
- 90-18: 90 valves, 18 heads.
If you do not know the model, count the filling valves around the bowl and the crowning or capping heads on the closer. Most Meyer fillers also have the valve stations numbered.
Pint or quart
Meyer built many of its valve counts in both pint and quart versions, sized for different bottle ranges. A 72-12 pint and a 72-12 quart share a design but differ in many parts, from timing screws and starwheels to drive and closure components. Manuals and parts lists often abbreviate these as Pt. and Qt.
Generation and series
Meyer's bottle fillers fall into broad families, and the family decides which parts fit:
| Family | Typical models | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Old generation | 24-8, 34-8, 40-8, 50-10, 60-10, 60-12, 72-12, 84-14 | Adjustable filler bowl; pint and quart versions |
| 32, 40 and 48 valve | 32-8, 40-10, 48-12 | Newer-generation design |
| 52, 65 and 78 valve | 52-12, 65-15, 78 valve | Built as A-Model, Tri-Star and Concept series |
| 90 valve | 90-18 | Concept series, high speed |
| Can fillers | 40, 60, 72, 78 and 88 valve | Can valves with cylinder and shoe lift |
Within the 52, 65 and 78 valve family, the A-Model, Tri-Star and Concept series changed assemblies such as the drive gearing, starwheel shafts, lift cylinders, stirrup hanger and level control. Knowing the series saves a lot of back and forth.
Which filling valve?
Meyer bottle fillers used several valve families, including the B-2 and the R-11A, R-19A, R-20 and R-21A post valves. The valve family decides which seals, snift parts and vent tubes you need. See our Meyer filling valves page.
Find the serial number
The serial number is the single most useful piece of information. It is stamped on the machine nameplate and often appears in the original manual and order paperwork. If your filler was remanufactured or upgraded, there may be a second nameplate from the rebuilder. Send both if you have them.
Know what has been changed
Many Meyer fillers have had upgrades over the years: drive conversions, new valve openers, stainless lift cylinders, base-to-neck handling or new level controls. A part for the original design may not fit an upgraded assembly. Tell us about any conversions you know of, and send photos if you are not sure.
What to send with a parts request
- Model, for example 52-12, and pint or quart if it applies.
- Full serial number from the nameplate.
- Series if known: A-Model, Tri-Star or Concept.
- The assembly the part comes from, such as the lift cylinder or crowning head.
- The part number if it is visible on the part or in your manual.
- Photos of the part in place and removed, with a tape measure in frame.
- The package you run: container size, neck finish and closure.
Send it all through our parts inquiry form or call 843-851-3217. World Packaging was founded in 1991 by former Meyer technicians and engineers, keeps more than 300,000 Meyer replacement parts in inventory, and can usually identify a part even when the original number has worn off. Browse support by model on our Meyer filler models page.