Abstract: A method of pumping a product by means of a dosing pump unit entails that two individually driven pump chambers, which are connected with a common outlet, are controlled in such a way that the suction phases of the pump chambers overlap each other so that the total inflow to the pump unit is maintained constant. A pump unit includes two pump chambers which have a common inlet and outlet. Communication between the pump chambers and the inlet and outlet is controlled by a valve body, having an inlet passage that is formed such that it can be oriented to connect both pump chambers with the inlet.

Abstract: A sterilization method for a sterile liquid-content packing machine using liquid disinfectant for sterilizing parts of a filler pipe and connecting piping in free communication with the filler pipe requiring sterilization. A preheating heat-storage piping is provided having a capacity for holding a predetermined quantity of heat transferred to the heat piping by passing super heated air therethrough. Spray charging of a predetermined quantity of liquid disinfectant occurs for a predetermined period of time into the super heated air passing through the heat storage piping which results in vaporizing the liquid disinfectant while dropping the temperature of the mixture of vaporized disinfectant steam and super heated air due to the vaporization. The drop in the temperature of the mixture is inhibited by heat stored within the heat storage piping. The mixture is communicated within the connecting piping to be sterilized which extends from the heat storage piping.

Abstract: Pump units comprising a metering reciprocating pump with adjustable length of stroke are used in packing machines for filling of packing containers with a metered quantity of flowable contents, e.g. yogurt. Adjustments in the length of stroke in order to adapt the amount of filling goods to the volume of the packing container interferes with the breaking sequence at the extreme position of the piston and alters the time for each pumping stroke. These drawbacks are avoided by means of an arrangement which includes a movable braking device for the piston as well as a valve arrangement which is linked to the braking device and serves to adapt the speed of the piston to the length of stroke.

Abstract: A piston unit is disclosed which includes a pressure-compensating device wherein pressure variations in a product line are dampened by subjecting a side of the piston (6) remote from the product line (5) to a variable air pressure. Rolling membranes (7,8) are positioned on both sides of the piston and enclose between them a chamber (13) which is connected to a source of vacuum (14) so as to secure contact of the membranes with the piston. The vacuum is distributed in the chamber (13) with the help of a vacuum line (15) with enlarged outlet area, and is distributed over the end faces of the piston (6) by way of a network of ducts (19,20) in the piston.

Abstract: A pump unit comprising co-operating, push-pull connected reciprocating pumps for the pumping in portions of contents to packing containers on a packing machine. The reciprocating pumps (1) each comprise a control piston (4) connected to the pump piston (6) in control cylinders (18), which are joined together in pairs by means of a connecting pipe (20). The pipe is provided with a flow regulating valve (21) for regulating the flow rate of the hydraulic oil and hence the piston speed. The quantity of hydraulic oil in the connecting pipe can be regulated with the help of a supply tank (23) so that the length of stroke of the pistons can be adjusted.

Abstract: In packing machines which have a filling pipe with two or more ducts, a rinsing of the filling pipe with cleaning fluid may lead to only one duct being properly cleaned. In order to prevent this, an arrangement is provided on packing machines which have a coupling part provided with valves with passages which are coupled in series with respective ducts in the filling pipe. The valve is adapted so that it is acted on towards the closed position by the cleaning fluid flowing past and thus limits the flow through the one duct so that the other duct too is assured of an adequate flow for effective cleaning.

Abstract: A valve device for use in a transfer line for sterile fluid production material that communicates fluid from a supply pipe for the sterile fluid production material by opening and closing the flow path for the operating line including a first valve operatively connected to the supply pipe and a second valve operatively connected to a delivery pipe for at least communicating fluid to processing stages for the above-mentioned sterile fluid production material. A first valve plug is operatively mounted within the first valve. A second valve plug is operatively mounted within the second valve. A steam inlet pipe and a steam outlet pipe is positioned substantially perpendicular to a common axis of the first and second valves and on a line dividing substantially in half the gap between facing first and second valve plugs of the first and second valves and opening on opposite sides of the gap so as to form a chamber between the first and second valve plugs.

Abstract: For the manufacture of packing containers, and the packing inside such containers of long-lasting fluid products, such as liquids, semi-liquids or products containing solid particles, the product delivering and metering devices are an integral part of the packing machine. They condition and influence the structure and the operation thereof. An aseptic-filling unit according to the present invention is a modular element interposed between the packing machine and the product feeding line, and can be isolated from both of them.

Abstract: Filters for the supply of inert gas to packing machines are sterilized by passing steam and sterile air through the filters via a number of ducts, valves and governors. A simple method for achieving the sterilization is obtained by sterilizing the filter jointly with the antiseptic packing machine which may be done by connecting one side of the filter in series to the circulation system of the machine for sterilization by a chemical sterilizing agent. In this way the abovementioned arrangement is simplified considerably in that a large number of valves and ducts becomes superfluous.

Abstract: In an arrangement for a filling valve on a packing machine after-dripping is prevented by providing that the outside surfaces of the valve which can come into contact with the contents are cleaned with the help of a pressure fluid during operation of the machine. An arrangement in accordance comprises a filling valve whose valve body is provided with a channel for the supply of pressure fluid and an outlet opening situated at the lower end of the valve body which conducts the pressure fluid and causes it to flow along the underside of the valve body so that any residue of the contents is effectively flushed away.

Abstract: In packing machines which produce aseptic packing containers for e.g. foodstuffs, it is of greatest importance that the machines can be cleaned and sterilized in a satisfactory manner prior to the production of packing containers. In accordance with the invention a method and an arrangement are provided on a packing machine for the sterilization of the lower end of a filling pipe 10 as well as of surrounding parts of a packing material tube 8. Use is made for this prupose of a connecting element 20 which connects two feed ducts 11,12 present in the filling pipe 10 to each other so that cleaning and sterilizing agent can circulate in the filling pipe. In a subsequent stage the connecting element 20 is removed so that sterilizing agent can be made to circulate also along the outside of the filling pipe 10 and in the packing material tube surrounding the filling pipe, whereupon the production of the packing containers commences.

Abstract: A pumping unit for the filling of containers in packaging machines, in particular of foodstuffs with fluid behavior with the presence of suspended particles, which allows reliable operation under aseptic conditions, and which is easily cleanable. The conical shutter of the pumping unit, selectively connecting the pumping piston to the product intake duct and to the product delivery duct, is movable backwards from its seat, so as to allow an easy and reliable cleaning of unit's body, with no danger of product deposit with consequent loss of aseptic conditions.

Abstract: Procedure to measure the level (14) of a liquid (13) by means of elastic waves, such liquid (13) being contained within an axially moving tube (11) and cooperating with a filler tube (12), the filler tube (12) being used as an element in the transmission of elastic waves to the liquid (13), such elastic waves being picked up (16) outside the axially moving tube (11).Device (10) to carry out the above procedure, which device (10) cooperates with a filler tube (12) and comprises:at least one transducer (15) to transmit energization of the vibration of the filler tube (12), andat least one receiver transducer (16) located outside the axially moving tube (11).

Abstract: In a machine for manufacturing packing containers by sealing and cutting a tubular packing material, a sealing unit positioned in the tube comprising a sealing guide, a sealing holder movably supported by the sealing guide, a sealing member of flexible material on the periphery of the sealing holder which contacts the inside of the material tube and passages in the sealing guide and sealing holder for conveying pressurized air therethrough.

Abstract: In packing machines of the type which manufacture packing containers with liquid contents a filling pipe with a valve arrangement situated at the outlet end is frequently used. The valve arrangement that is described comprises a movable valve element which is manoeuvred with the help of pressure variations in the filling pipe. The movable valve element is cup-shaped and is adapted so that it is lifted through excess pressure in the filling pipe from a fixed seat so that an annular discharge opening results.