Abstract: An arrangement for disinfecting can lids (32) and for closing cans includes a feed device (12) which feeds a can closing unit (24). Receiving portions (30) for individual can lids (32) are arranged in the feed device (12). The feed device (12) is situated in the feed region of the can closing unit (24). At least one sterilization device (18, 20), for can lids (32) received individually in the feed device (12), is arranged in a conveying region of the feed device.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers with a product includes a filling element, a supply line that supplies the product, a switching valve, a control valve, a vessel that is disposed between the switching valve and the control valve, and a volumeter that is disposed between the switching valve and the control valve. The vessel supplies a pre-metered quantity of the product for discharge via the switching valve to the filling element, the quantity having been pre-metered by the volumeter. The supply line provides the product to the vessel at a first flow rate. Discharge of the product through the switching valve and into the filling element occurs at a second flow rate that exceeds the first flow rate, the first and second flow rates being volumetric flow rates.

Abstract: A filling method includes executing a pre-stressing phase, during which, at plural time intervals, gas is drawn from a gas space that lies above the filling material in a tank. The gas pre-stresses a container up to a second pressure that is below the pressure in the gas space. During a filling phase, a liquid valve opens to allow the filling material in the tank to enter into the container. This valve is above the level of the filling material, thus preventing gravity from driving the flow.

Abstract: A filling element includes a radar for measuring fill level in a container during filling thereof and an antenna connected to the radar. The antenna is disposed along a flow path formed in a gas pipe that forms a flow path for fluid while the container is being filled. The antenna provides the radar with a signal indicative of a measurement of a level of the filing material in the container.

Abstract: A filling element has a gas valve that controls flow of gas through a gas channel that extends into or faces the container during filling thereof. The gas valve transitions between discrete states, which includes a fully-open state, a closed state, and one or more partially-open states.

Abstract: Using a filling point to fill a container with liquid filling-material fed by a supply line through which filling material at a supply-line pressure is made available for filling the containers includes using a control circuit to regulate flow velocity at which filling material flows into the container by opening a liquid valve, opening a regulating valve upstream of the liquid valve, sensing flow velocity of the filling material, comparing the flow velocity with a target flow velocity, and using the regulating valve to regulate the flow velocity such that the flow velocity is independent of a pressure difference between the supply-line pressure and a filling pressure set in the container.

Abstract: A container-treatment machine includes a foaming unit that introduces foaming medium into a container that is filled with a foamable liquid. This causes a foam to form in the container. A sensor downstream obtains an image of the foam and provides it to a controller. The controller decides whether or not to eject the container based on the extent of a foam nose that forms on the container's outer surface.

Abstract: A filling machine for pressure-filling containers includes a container receptacle arranged beneath the filling element, a first lift that vertically adjusts the filling element to accommodate different container sizes, a shield that adjusts relative to the filling element and comprises a single-piece partition and that, in a protection position, at least partially surrounds the container during filling thereof. An adjuster adjusts the shield and the receptacle relative to one another between a protection position and a release position by changing the receptacle's position relative to the shield in a region of a feeding-and-discharge device. The adjuster comprises at least one of a second lift and a rotation mechanism that rotates a container about a container axis thereof.

Abstract: An actuator that controls flow through a fluid path during filling of beverages includes an actuator element that exerts an actuating force. In response to control signals, the actuator element transitions between an elongated state and a resting state.

Abstract: A filling method includes adjusting a start of a filling phase on a filling machine so that the container completes filling within a detection region at which an optical sensor is able to inspect the container to determine the actual fill-level and to send a signal to a controller to cause the container to be topped off if need be.

Abstract: A filling machine for pressure-filling containers includes a container receptacle arranged beneath the filling element, a first lift that vertically adjusts the filling element to accommodate different container sizes, a shield that adjusts relative to the filling element and comprises a single-piece partition and that, in a protection position, at least partially surrounds the container during filling thereof. An adjuster adjusts the shield and the receptacle relative to one another between a protection position and a release position by changing the receptacle's position relative to the shield in a region of a feeding-and-discharge device. The adjuster comprises at least one of a second lift and a rotation mechanism that rotates a container about a container axis thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston assembly for pumping a liquid, in particular in a bottle filling system. The object of the invention is to propose a piston assembly for pumping a liquid, which can be cleaned and/or disinfected without dismantling of the piston or performing any other external interventions into the assembly. The object is achieved by a piston assembly for pumping a liquid, which comprises a piston 1 that travels within a cylinder 2 and has a working path A between a first inversion point U1 and a second inversion point U2, with the piston 1 forming a tight seal with respect to the cylinder 2 in the region of the working path. The assembly is characterized in that beyond one of the two inversion points U1, U2, outside of the working path A, the diameter of the cylinder 2 is enlarged in one section 8 such that the sealing closure is eliminated there, and the piston 1 can be moved into this area for a cleaning and/or disinfection process.

Abstract: A filling element includes a filling-level sensor having an oscillating body disposed to interact with fluid that is in a container being filled. A change in the oscillation of the body, triggered either electromechanically or by fluid flow, provides information indicative of filling level.

Abstract: A method for packaging liquid products under pressure in thermoplastic containers includes blow-molding a container from a sterilized preform, exposing an exterior of the container to a mixture that includes liquid coolant and either a sterilizing agent or a disinfectant, pressure-filling the container with liquid product, and sealing the filled container.

Abstract: A method comprising controlling a beverage-filling system that comprises a filling machine with a ring bowl that feeds beverage to filling elements, each having a valve and a flow meter includes deriving a flow signal and using it to derive a regulating signal for regulating an inflow of beverage into the ring bowl, thereby maintaining a target level of beverage in the ring bowl. The flow signal comes from either summing signals from all flow meters to obtain aggregate quantity of beverage being filled into all containers or a calculation that relies on a measured speed of the filling machine, the number of filling elements in the filling machine, and the volumes of the bottles to be filled.

Abstract: An apparatus for transforming a pre-form into a container filled with liquid filling-material includes a feed line, a high-pressure source, a removal line, and a molding station having a mold, a mold space, and a mold head that permits liquid filling-material to be introduced into the pre-form under a filling pressure sufficient to transform the pre-form into a container and to seal against an opening of the pre-form as liquid filling-material flows through the feed line. The high-pressure source is in fluid communication with the liquid filling-material in the container such that exposure of the liquid filling-material to gas pressure in excess of the filling pressure pushes a pre-determined volume of the liquid filling-material out of the container, thereby forming a headspace in the container.

Abstract: An actuator for controlling a fluid path includes an actuator having a seat part, either a fluid-valve membrane or a movable part, and a magnetorheological elastomer that changes form when a magnetic field changes. This causes the path to open or close.

Abstract: A filling valve includes a valve seat, an axially-movable valve tappet extending through the valve seat and having an axial portion that defines a product-delivery space through which filling product flows, and axially-displaced first and second seal-seats disposed so that liquid product flows from the first seal-set, through the product-delivery space, to the second seal-seat and out through an outlet. The first seal-seat and the second seal-seat are arranged on the valve tappet in such a way that, in response to a closing movement of the valve tappet, the first seal-seat closes before the second seal-seat, and wherein the first seal-seat, after having been closed as a result of the closing movement, permits further axial movement of the valve tappet to permit closing of the second seal-seat.

Abstract: Cleaning a sealing element includes pausing a rotor that bears the sealing elements at an angle from a set of discrete angles such that a sealing element is brought to a cleaning station. The station's coupling piece connects to the sealing element and allows cleaning medium to flow into it.

Abstract: A container-filling method includes executing a learning phase by starting a filling operation with a filling parameter that was used to start filling of a another product. The learning phase includes the filling element and saving relationships between a filling parameter, such as expected filling time or foam formation, and a value indicative of that filling parameter. The method includes comparing a saved target with this value to see a termination criterion has been achieved. If not, the filling parameter is varied in response to instructions provided by a simulator and the process repeated.