Abstract: In a method of filling and closing containers, such as bottles and similar containers, for containing liquid products, such as beverages and similar products, the filling and closing can be performed in a filling and closing machine or arrangement.

Abstract: A filling element has a gas valve that controls flow of gas through a gas channel that extends into or faces the container during filling thereof. The gas valve transitions between discrete states, which includes a fully-open state, a closed state, and one or more partially-open states.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers with a product includes a filling element, a supply line that supplies the product, a switching valve, a control valve, a vessel that is disposed between the switching valve and the control valve, and a volumeter that is disposed between the switching valve and the control valve. The vessel supplies a pre-metered quantity of the product for discharge via the switching valve to the filling element, the quantity having been pre-metered by the volumeter. The supply line provides the product to the vessel at a first flow rate. Discharge of the product through the switching valve and into the filling element occurs at a second flow rate that exceeds the first flow rate, the first and second flow rates being volumetric flow rates.

Abstract: In a method of filling and closing containers, such as bottles and similar containers, for containing liquid products, such as beverages and similar products, the filling and closing can be performed in a filling and closing machine or arrangement.

Abstract: A gaiter seal for shielding a functional element of a container-processing machine extends between parts of a working head of the container-processing machine includes axially-adjacent gaiter modules that extend along an axis and support-and-sliding elements at interfaces between adjacent gaiter modules. The support-and-sliding elements radially support and guide the first and second gaiter-modules along the functional element.

Abstract: A multi-purpose container-handler includes a carrier for receiving and carrying the container, a handling station extending along a vertical axis, and a filling-and-closing member arranged on the handling station, connected to a filling product supply and a closure supply, and configured to both fill and close the container at the handling station. The filling-and-closing member comprises a filling valve and a mating holder, both of which are above the carrier. The carrier and the mating holder carry out controlled vertical movement relative to one another to cause the carrier and the mating holder to transition between a starting position, a filling position, and a closing position. The mating holder and the carrier are configured such that either mating holder or carrier generates a controlled force, which is either being a closing force directed vertically downward or a holding force directed vertically upwards.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers with a product includes a filling element, a supply line that supplies the product, a switching valve, a control valve, a vessel that is disposed between the switching valve and the control valve, and a volumeter that is disposed between the switching valve and the control valve. The vessel supplies a pre-metered quantity of the product for discharge via the switching valve to the filling element, the quantity having been pre-metered by the volumeter. The supply line provides the product to the vessel at a first flow rate. Discharge of the product through the switching valve and into the filling element occurs at a second flow rate that exceeds the first flow rate, the first and second flow rates being volumetric flow rates.

Abstract: A filling element has a gas valve that controls flow of gas through a gas channel that extends into or faces the container during filling thereof. The gas valve transitions between discrete states, which includes a fully-open state, a closed state, and one or more partially-open states.

Abstract: A treatment head for treating a keg's interior includes a treatment-head housing against which the keg is sealed by having the keg fitting pressed thereon and a lifter that is immovable relative to the treatment-head housing. In response to axial relative movement with the keg fitting, the lifter opens the keg fitting when the keg is sealed against the pressure element, thereby establishing a return gas-path through the treatment head, through a deformable seal and into the keg's interior. This relative movement is carried out against a resetting force. The deformable sleeve is a sleeve-shaped seal that surrounds a space that surrounds at least a portion of an axial extent of the treatment-head housing. A top end of the sleeve connects to the treatment-head housing and a bottom end of the sleeve connects to the pressure element.

Abstract: A filling machine for pressure-filling containers includes a container receptacle arranged beneath the filling element, a first lift that vertically adjusts the filling element to accommodate different container sizes, a shield that adjusts relative to the filling element and comprises a single-piece partition and that, in a protection position, at least partially surrounds the container during filling thereof. An adjuster adjusts the shield and the receptacle relative to one another between a protection position and a release position by changing the receptacle's position relative to the shield in a region of a feeding-and-discharge device. The adjuster comprises at least one of a second lift and a rotation mechanism that rotates a container about a container axis thereof.

Abstract: In a container-filling machine, a filling element includes a housing, a sealing tulip, and a bellows. The housing has a housing section and an orifice. The sealing tulip moves relative to the housing section along an axis between a raised and a lowered position. The bellows surrounds the axis. The bellows' two ends connect tightly to the housing and the tulip respectively. As a result, the bellows seals a transition between the tulip and the housing.

Abstract: A filling machine for pressure-filling containers includes a container receptacle arranged beneath the filling element, a first lift that vertically adjusts the filling element to accommodate different container sizes, a shield that adjusts relative to the filling element and comprises a single-piece partition and that, in a protection position, at least partially surrounds the container during filling thereof. An adjuster adjusts the shield and the receptacle relative to one another between a protection position and a release position by changing the receptacle's position relative to the shield in a region of a feeding-and-discharge device. The adjuster comprises at least one of a second lift and a rotation mechanism that rotates a container about a container axis thereof.

Abstract: A filling element includes a filling-level sensor having an oscillating body disposed to interact with fluid that is in a container being filled. A change in the oscillation of the body, triggered either electromechanically or by fluid flow, provides information indicative of filling level.

Abstract: A treatment head for treating a keg's interior includes a treatment-head housing against which the keg is sealed by having the keg fitting pressed thereon and a lifter that is immovable relative to the treatment-head housing. In response to axial relative movement with the keg fitting, the lifter opens the keg fitting when the keg is sealed against the pressure element, thereby establishing a return gas-path through the treatment head, through a deformable seal and into the keg's interior. This relative movement is carried out against a resetting force. The deformable sleeve is a sleeve-shaped seal that surrounds a space that surrounds at least a portion of an axial extent of the treatment-head housing. A top end of the sleeve connects to the treatment-head housing and a bottom end of the sleeve connects to the pressure element.

Abstract: A filling valve includes a valve seat, an axially-movable valve tappet extending through the valve seat and having an axial portion that defines a product-delivery space through which filling product flows, and axially-displaced first and second seal-seats disposed so that liquid product flows from the first seal-set, through the product-delivery space, to the second seal-seat and out through an outlet. The first seal-seat and the second seal-seat are arranged on the valve tappet in such a way that, in response to a closing movement of the valve tappet, the first seal-seat closes before the second seal-seat, and wherein the first seal-seat, after having been closed as a result of the closing movement, permits further axial movement of the valve tappet to permit closing of the second seal-seat.

Abstract: A filling element for container filling includes a liquid-valve arrangement disposed in a liquid channel with its flow valve. A positioning drive regulates opening and closing of the flow valve so as to regulate flow of liquid through the liquid channel. A stop valve lies in the liquid channel between the flow valve and a dispensing opening.

Abstract: A filling element includes a liquid valve having a valve element that forms part of the liquid channel. An electromagnetic drive couples to the valve element and moves it along a stroke axis such that the valve element moves while a valve body remains stationary. A gap across which the magnetic field extends lies outside the liquid channel.

Abstract: A filling element includes a filling-level sensor having an oscillating body disposed to interact with fluid that is in a container being filled. A change in the oscillation of the body, triggered either electromechanically or by fluid flow, provides information indicative of filling level.

Abstract: A filling-element assembly for both pressurized and open-jet filling of containers includes a filling element having a filling-element housing, a liquid valve, a return-gas channel, and a seal. The housing has a fixed first segment, a vertically movable second segment, and an extendable segment between them to surrounds the valve housing in a fluid-tight manner. A return-gas channel extends along the filling-element axis between the valve housing and the filling-element housing. In a raised position of the second segment, the seal contacts the valve housing along a circumferential contact area and seals the filling-element discharge opening thereby forming a fluid-tight closure for the return-gas channel.

Abstract: A filling device for filling containers with liquid product includes a valve that is arranged in a product channel thereof. The valve comprises a valve element that is arranged in the product channel and a valve seat that surrounds the valve element to form the valve. The valve element and valve seat can be adjusted relative to each other. Length-adjustable connectors connect the valve seat to the product channel on both sides of the valve seat.