Abstract: The present application relates to a tracking arrangement for the tracking of a material defect in a sheet material, such as a container material or a product-packaging material. The tracking arrangement may comprise a defect sensor, which is configured to detect a material defect in a sheet material moving thereby or therethrough. The tracking arrangement may also comprise a first structure sensor, which is configured to detect at least one inherent structural feature of the sheet material itself in the region of the material defect, as well as a control arrangement, which is configured to receive data from said first structure sensor.

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.

Abstract: A method for container packaging includes producing a container package that has at least two rows of containers, each row having more than one container. The method forming sub-groups by dispersing a container flow, applying adhesive to the containers, and re-compacting the container flow to adhesively connect the containers together to make the sub-group. This is followed by joining two sub-groups together to make the container group. Within a treatment segment, the containers pass between belt arrangements that move at different speeds for dispersing and re-compacting container flows.

Abstract: Crown caps comprising jag-like or tooth-like shaped ends, wherein one or a plurality of cavities is formed between an outer container surface and the shaped ends, and wherein in the region of the shaped ends a deformable sealing material is provided which closes the cavities at least to the extent of the edge of the crown cap that points to the base of the container, with the sealing material forming a ring-like or hoop-like element separate from the crown cap and which interacts with the crown cap in such a way that when the shaped ends are deformed for the container closure they press or sink into the sealing material.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a measurement device to detect measurement information relating to a position-modifiable component of a printing station during movement thereof. A calculation unit receives the measurement information from the measurement device. The calculation unit determines actual-position data of the position-modifiable component from the measurement data received and compares it with predetermined reference-position data to determine calibration information based on the actual-position data and the reference-position data. An interface permits then permits transfer of this calibration information.

Abstract: A thermal treatment apparatus includes a pair of heat exchangers and an intake that receives a main flow of filling material and a branch that diverts filling material to form a branch flow. The branch flow takes a part of the heat energy used in a primary process for use in a secondary process. It then rejoins the main flow.

Abstract: A telescopic cap-supply that supplies caps for closing containers includes a cap passage having a length-adjustable section. Adjustment of a length of the length-adjustable section causes the length-adjustable section to transition between an extended state and a collapsed state. First, second, and third segments form the cap passage. Each of these segments is secured to an adjoining segment in such a manner that two adjoining segments are movable relative to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and to methods for transporting preforms in the region of a blow-molding machine, in particular a sorting device (10) for transporting preforms (20) composed of a thermoplastic material in the region of a blow-molding machine for the blow-molding of containers, comprising a transportation wheel (12), which has a plurality of accommodating recesses (18) for accommodating and conveying the preforms (20), which accommodating recesses are arranged on the circumference of the transportation wheel in such a way that the accommodating recesses are distributed in the circumferential direction, a guide collar (16), which extends circumferentially around the transportation wheel (12) in some regions in such a way that the guide collar is radially spaced apart from the transportation wheel, wherein the preforms (20) are transported in suspension between the transportation wheel (12) and the guide collar (16) in the region of the sorting device (10), and a selection unit for selectively r

Abstract: A cleaning head includes an end face that faces an inkjet print head to be cleaned. A supply opening and a discharge opening are spaced apart on the end face. A supply channel carries cleaning fluid to the supply opening. The discharge opening receives cleaning fluid that is to be conveyed away after having been emitted through the supply opening. The cleaning head emits a cleaning fluid jet through the supply opening with the cleaning fluid jet being emitted in a direction having a component that is directed towards the discharge opening so that the cleaning fluid can be conveyed away by suction through the discharge opening.

Abstract: A pressure filling method for pressure filling a container that has been sealed against a filling element includes connecting a container's interior to a vacuum, evacuating its contents, and flushing it with gas, at least some of which has been recovered during container processing and that has already been used during container processing.

Abstract: A container clamping and holding arrangement for moving containers, such as bottles, cans, and similar containers, for holding products, such as beverages. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for labeling a container includes a label-strip feed that provides a label strip having individual labels to be separated by cutting. A first portion of the strip abuts a first transfer-device that causes slippage between the first portion and itself. A cutting device cuts a length of the strip to create a cut label. A portion of the length abuts a second transfer-portion prior to cutting. A holding force generated by this second transfer-device causes slippage between the portion of the length and the second transfer-device. After the cutting device creates the cut label, it transports the cut label. Either one of the two transfer-devices is a linearly-conveying transfer device.

Abstract: A method for handling at least sectionally sterile workpieces having a filiable inner volume, wherein the workpieces are each connected to a closure device, and by which the workpieces are guided through a plurality of treatment stations. One of the stations is a sterilization unit, wherein in at least one of the treatment stations, a treatment member is moved through a passage opening of the closure device all the way into the inner volume of the workpiece. The passage opening of the closure device is closed off by a closure element, which opens when the treatment member moves through and closes again upon removal of the member, wherein the closure device sealingly closes the inner volume of the workpiece with respect to an external region.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on containers includes a transport arm and a lift that cooperate to form a first container-transport device that moves a container at a container-loading position into a printing position. The transport arm is arranged on the lift and pivotable about a pivot axis thereof. The lift is axially displaceable and displaces the transport arm axially in relation to the pivot axis. At the printing position, a print head prints on the container.

Abstract: A treatment head for filling a container that has a valve arrangement having an external valve-part and a fastening region includes a housing, a plunger, first and second fluid-ducts, a seal, and a shielding section. The plunger is held so as to be displaced for opening said valve arrangement. The first fluid-duct feeds liquid into said container, and the second fluid-duct provides a path for discharging fluid from said container. The seal bears against the external valve-part. The shielding section shields at least the fastening region from fluid carried in the first fluid-duct.

Abstract: A valve assembly in a product channel comprises a regulating valve, a filling valve, and an elongated actuation element that is common to both. A filling-valve element that interacts with a filling-valve seat to open and close the filling valve. The regulating valve comprises an actuation element-side regulating valve element that interacts with a regulating-valve seat to control a product quantity to be filled. Both the regulating and filling valve elements are arranged on the actuation element. A driven actuator changes a position of the actuation element relative to the regulating valve seat and the filling valve seat as part of a filling operation.

Abstract: A filling device includes a product space that ends in a filling valve with first and second valve elements disposed in a region thereof and moved by an actuator, a sealing face, a valve stem, a valve housing having a reduced-diameter edge, and a profiled plastic sleeve that runs over the reduced-diameter edge. One of the valve elements has a plastic lining. A valve stem forms one of the valve elements and the valve housing forms the other.

Abstract: A container gripper has pivotable gripper arms and a blocking element that comprises a spring element with first and second regions that preloads the gripper arms into a closing position. The blocking element moves between a releasing position and a blocking position such that a closing force exerted in the blocking position exceeds that exerted in the releasing position. The spring elements interact with control surfaces of the gripper arms such that, when the blocking element is in the releasing position, the control surface takes effect against the first region, thereby causing the spring element to exert the first closing force and wherein, when the blocking element is in the blocking position, the control surface takes effect against the second region, thereby causing the spring element to exert the second closing force.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a reusable cask includes a treatment head that is connectable to a keg fitting of a reusable cask. The treatment head delivers fluid into the interior and also removes fluid from the interior. The treatment head connects at least temporarily to a pump that sucks fluid from the cask's interior. A bypass line connects the pump to a valve mechanism that provides selected fluids.

Abstract: A printing machine includes printing stations that each print a different color. The images printed by each printing station are superimposed on each other. Each printing station has a wireless interface for passing data to a successive printing station indicating where on the bottle the printing is to occur.