Abstract: An apportioning unit for the filling of food cans with a viscous, pasty or lumpy material, having at least one cylinder unit which is moved past a sealing plate, a lower part which is developed with a first passage hole for the filling material and is provided with an annular key arranged concentrically to the first passage hole, and an upper part which bears the sealing plate and is developed with a second passage hole for the filling material. The upper part has an annular groove which receives the annular key and is arranged concentrically to the second passage hole. The depth of the annular groove is greater than the height of the annular key and the annular groove receives an elastic annular tube.