Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for recovering a product from a filing line being used to fill containers with the product. The filling line comprises at least a filler, a pump, a check valve, compressed air/gas, a water source, and a holding tank containing the product, all interconnected by a product line. In the method, the filling line is rinsed, and the rinse water is then evacuated from the filling line using compressed air/gas. Next, using a pump, the product is transferred from the holding tank through the filler line to the filler, and then into containers. The transfer continues until the pump is no longer primed with the product. The remaining product is then pushed with the compressed air/gas through the filler line into the filler and then into containers, thereby recovering substantially all the product remaining in the filler line. The product recovery method minimizes the amount of waste product that must be discarded from a bottling line.

Abstract: An improved filling valve specially configured for attachment onto a conventional, high speed liquid filling machine that is typically utilized in food product container packaging lines to quickly fill large numbers of containers, such as bottle or cans. A filler valve has several improvements that result in greater reliability in operation, increased operational speed, and easier adjustment in operational parameters. The filler valve including a manifold that receives a manifold insert and a spring nut that abuts to a slider. The slider is the only moving part of the filler valve. A filler stem is received through the slider and attaches to the manifold. For filling, the top opening of a bottle is placed against a spanner nut and the manifold lowered, thereby compressing the slider into the manifold to insert the stem into the container. A liquid is then injected into the container, while displaced air is exhausted into the co-axial annular space between the stem and the slider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for recovering a product from a filling line being used to fill containers with the product. The filling line comprises at least a filler, a pump, a check valve, compressed air/gas, a water source, and a holding tank containing the product, all interconnected by a product line. In the method, the filling line is rinsed, and the rinse water is then evacuated from the filling line using compressed air/gas. Next, using a pump, the product is transferred from the holding tank through the filler line to the filler, and then into containers. The transfer continues until the pump is no longer primed with the product. The remaining product is then pushed with the compressed air/gas through the filler line into the filler and then into containers, thereby recovering substantially all the product remaining in the filler line. The product recovery method minimizes the amount of waste product that must be discarded from a bottling line.