Abstract: A filling and closing machine for the packaging of comestibles in plastic cups having different wall thicknesses has, in addition to the sterilizing chamber in which the cups are subjected to contact with H.sub.2 O.sub.2 vapor followed by hot sterile air for the final sterilization, a presterilization chamber in which the cups are contacted with H.sub.2 O.sub.2 -containing air from the sterilizing chamber.

Abstract: A packaging machine having a sterile tunnel is provided with an outlet gate at the downstream end into which a ram lifts the filled cups. Since the gate opening is always partly obstructed by a cup and as each cup is lifted into the opening by the limited stroke of the ram a cup previously obstructing the opening is removed, the losses of air through the opening are limited and pressure fluctuations in the tunnel are reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple packaging system for a plurality of containers having edge flanges and being closable with covers, which containers are held together with a connecting element made of a flat cut-out. The cut-out is raised from underneath the containers to the underside of the edge flanges and is firmly attached to a cover sheet which makes up the covers. In addition, there are punched-out flaps in the cutout which can be inserted into one another to form a support structure between individual containers so that the stability of the multiple packaging system is improved.