Abstract: An apparatus for gripping and retaining PET bottles in a filling system includes a passive clamping system having pivotable gripping arms that pivot around corresponding pivot axles and that are acted upon by either a spring or permanent magnets. The first pivotable gripping arm has a first extension on an other side of the first pivot axle and the second pivotable gripping arm has a second extension on an other side of the second pivot axle. The extensions have receptacles for guiding a compression spring and for applying a bending force to the compression spring or to sub-segments thereof These receptacles can be rod-shaped or rail-shaped.

Abstract: A filling element for free jet filling of containers with a liquid charge includes a housing having a liquid channel formed therein, a liquid valve provided upstream of a dispensing opening, and an actuator device for actuating the liquid valve for controlled discharge of the liquid charge via the dispensing opening into a container arranged with a container opening thereof spaced below the dispensing opening. In an open state thereof, the liquid valve forms an opening gap through which the liquid charge flows. This opening gap has a gap width of at least four millimeters. The actuating device for the liquid valve is configured to cause the liquid valve to be in the open state for at least one hundred milliseconds.

Abstract: Filling element for filling containers with a liquid charge, having at least one liquid channel, which is formed in a filling element housing and in which, in the direction of flow of the charge, at least one liquid valve actuated by an actuating mechanism is provided upstream of a dispensing opening, specifically for dispensing the liquid charge in a controlled manner through the dispensing opening into the respective container. The liquid channel is designed with a venting system.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing bottle necks in bottle filling installations includes a clip having clip arms. The clip arms are pivotable in a horizontal plane and mounted so as to be jointly pivotable in a horizontal plane about a pivot axis. The apparatus also includes an attachment for a magnet, and another magnet provided with the attachment and disposed on a side of the attachment such that the pivot axis is between the magnet and the clip arms, and a clip holding block configured to be secured onto a star and facing the clip and having a magnet. The magnet on the attachment and the magnet on the clip holding block are essentially opposite and spaced apart from each other by a distance that ensures horizontal pivoting movements of the clip.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a bottle clamp having first and second clamp arms extending beyond respective first and second pivot axes. The clamp arms are held in a closed position. A rotatable locking element part is provided on an extension region of the first clamp arm, and a fixed locking element part is provided on an extension region of the second clamp arm.

Abstract: In a bottle filling installation, an apparatus for gripping PET bottles when transferring bottles from a spider element to a spider element/ filling element/rinsing element includes a thrust body that opens and closes grippers; a guide, which is vertical in the operational position, that engages the thrust body; a first spring for exerting a force on the body in a lifting and lowering direction; and a roller for moving the thrust body around a control curve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retaining brace (7), comprising a clamp (2) for grasping bottle necks (4a), in particular of PET bottles, in bottling plants, wherein in particular the application range should be expanded in that the retaining brace should be suitable not only for empty containers but also for filled bottles or other receiving containers having a corresponding neck shape so that said clamps can also be used in fillers and transfer stars between fillers and cappers. Said aim is achieved in that on the star or the like, a second pin (5) parallel to the pivot pin having a permanent magnet (Z1) that exerts an attractive force or a magnetizably influenced area on the free end thereof is provided to center and restore the clamp, wherein said pin (5) is surrounded by a pivotable sleeve (6), which is provided with a brace-like projection (7, 7a) that reaches under the clamp in the usage position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a handling and transporting machine for containers (1), which has at least one gripping element (2) for holding or gripping a container (1), wherein the container (1) has a body region (4), at the top a closable mouth opening (5) and a neck region (6). The gripping element (2) is designed as a suction gripper.

Abstract: By using a container clamp (2) or clip on conveying elements in container filling systems to receive the neck of a container, in particular a bottle, each clamp (2) or clip having a bearing block (3), the intention is to protect such systems by means of special clamping designs such that, in the event of wrong loadings, only the failure of a single clamp is to be lamented but otherwise there is no damage to the systems. This is achieved by means of the bearing block (3) having holding elements (8) which, in the event of exceeding a lateral pivoting range or a lateral action of force, are at least partially detached from the bearing and holding device (10, 11), the bearing block (3) or the container clamp (2) or clip being released so as to pivot sideways.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for transferring bottles (4), containers, or the like held by means of grippers (3), clips, clamps, or the like, from one transport star wheel (2a) to another (2b), or to a rinser, filler, or the like, wherein such bottles are held only in one plane, particularly below the neck ring. This is achieved in that the grippers (3) are positioned on a plane in the transfer area, having a delivery opening and transfer opening positioned one in front of the other in the transfer area, and having at least one diverting element (6) for sliding or transferring the bottle (4) from a gripper (3a) of a turning circle to a gripper (3b) of the other turning circle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a star wheel having a drive, for installation in bottle filling system or the like, in particularin the wet area for empty PET bottles, having as hygienic a design as possible and having the corresponding machine components being used here. The aim is achieved in that the star (1) comprises a centric, cone-shaped, plate (4) attached by means of a screw (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for gripping PET bottles (2) in bottle-filling systems, particularly for transferring from star to star/filler/rinser or the like, wherein a slight horizontal turnout motion of the gripper is made possible, while simultaneously exerting a return force into the original aligned position of the gripper arms. The aim is achieved in that a mounting element (4) comprising a gripper arm (3a, 3b) is rotatably supported about an axis (5) parallel to the central bottle axis, and has a centering device forcing the mounting element (4) to the centered position after a sideways deflection motion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for swiveling a bottle (2) from a suspended position to an overhead position and back, said bottle being conveyed in a gripper. The aim of the invention is to devise a device of the above type which is compact for the bottles conveyed in the grippers so that it can be used in a different station where it is necessary to swivel the bottle but not necessarily to supply it to a rinser. The device according to the invention has a gripper (4) which is mounted on a rotational element (6) having a shaft (7), a gear or the like actively connected supporting arm (5), the rotational element (6) being driven by a drive element (8) and being arranged on a spider (12) or the like which is located in immediate proximity outside the rinser (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a clip (1) for capturing bottle necks, particularly of PET bottles, in bottle-filling systems, wherein the clip arms can pivot in the horizontal plane, wherein a simple design allows retaining forces that are as equal as possible for bottle necks of different diameter. The aim is achieved in that both clip arms (1a, 1b) are made of plastic and comprise receptacles (6) for permanent magnets (7) between the gripping area (8) and the pivot axis (3), said magnets exerting on each other a force closing the clip (1) into the usable position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clip (1) for capturing bottle necks, particularly of PET bottles in bottle-filling systems, wherein the clip arms (1a, 1b) can pivot in the horizontal plane, wherein a solution is provided by means of which a sideways deflection of the clip or gripper is made possible, while ensuring immediate return to the target position, such as a transfer star or the like. The aim is achieved in that the clip arms (1a, 1b) are jointly horizontally pivotally supported about a pivot axis (3), wherein an attachment (10) having at least one magnet (11) is provided on the side of the pivot axis opposite the clip arms (1a, 1b), and wherein a clip holding block (2) fixed to a star or the like has at least one magnet (12) on the side thereof facing the clip (1), wherein the magnets (11, 12), substantially opposite each other, have a distance from each other ensuring the horizontal pivot motions of the clip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for gripping PET bottles in bottle filling installations, in particular for transferring bottles from the spider element to the spider element/filling element/rinsing element or similar. The aim of the invention is to provide a gripper device that allows different gripping strengths to be achieved without complex equipment, as is specifically required in the case of PET bottles when said bottles are e.g. filled with hot liquids and are therefore easily deformable. To achieve this, a thrust body (3) that opens and closes grippers (12) is provided on a guide (4), which is vertical in the operational position, a force being exerted on said body in the lifting and lowering direction by at least one spring (6) and the body being moved around a control curve by means of a roller (9).

Abstract: A method of cleaning beverage bottles in a beverage bottling plant, a method of cleaning containers in a container filling plant, and an apparatus therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.