Abstract: In a counterpressure filling machine for filling a liquid in bottles or the like, the filling member is provided without a feed pipe. The filling member includes a valve housing with a centering bell mounted on its lower end. A gas pipe laterally enclosed by a filling sleeve is positioned within and extends downwardly through the housing and the centering bell. The gas pipe is a fixed member and the filling sleeve is axially displaceable relative to it between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position the lower end of the filling sleeve bears against a sealing seat on a repelling shield located at the lower end of the gas pipe.

Abstract: In a machine for the manufacture, filling and closure of plastic containers, undesired residue of the filling material is removed from a filling mandrel which extends into the container to be manufactured by provision of a constriction in the blow molding equipment within which the container is formed. The filling mandrel comprises an enlarged end upon which undesired residue tends to accumulate. The blow mold is formed with a constriction through which the mandrel is withdrawn and by forming a gap between the mandrel and the constriction, which gap is approximately equivalent to the thickness of the container, unwanted residue is automatically stripped from the mandrel as it is withdrawn.