Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a filling machine having a stationary part, and movable part provided with filling elements, whereby each filling element has associated therewith at least one electrically actuatable valve and a signal emitter which is actuated by the filling material rising in a filling vessel or container briefly pressed into engagement on the filling element for filling thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling electrically controlled filling elements in bottle filling machines for filling liquids into containers by opening a liquid flow valve, and including at least one signal emitter responding at a predetermined liquid level to the liquid in the container to be filled. After response to the signal emitter, the liquid flow valve is closed with a time delay under the influence of a correction factor. A system for carrying out the foregoing method has associated with each filling element a correction element connected to the signal emitter of the filling element, with the output signal thereof acting on a control unit which in turn acts on the liquid flow valve.

Abstract: A method of cleaning bottle filling devices after bottle breakage in filling stations circulating in bottle filling machines, especially counterpressure filling machines. That filling station in which the bottle breakage has occurred is freed of glass fragments by spraying liquid thereagainst, while continuing with the machine rotation and still during the same circulation. At least during the first machine circulation subsequent to the bottle breakage and the liquid spraying, the filling device is rinsed with the liquid supplied to the bottle to be filled. After discharge from the machine circulation, the filled bottle is separated from the filled bottles of the remaining filling stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering, especially for filtering beer, in which a filter having an inlet and an outlet has the outlet connected with the conduit system leading to first and second tanks and to drain. The filter is flushed with water periodically and a control system is provided which senses the density of the fluid at the filter outlet and controls valves in the conduit system. The control of the valves provides for diverting fluid from the filter outlet from a first beer storage tank to an intermediate tank when the density of the fluid at the filter outlet is modified by water and then from the second tank to drain when the density of the fluid at the filter outlet stabilizes.