Abstract: The present invention provides a filling valve which affords an excellent sterilization capability and a high maintenance capability. The valve includes a tubular nozzle 4, an operating rod 6 which is fitted in the nozzle 4 so as to be elevatable, and an opening/closing valve 22 formed by a valve seat 10a on the internal surface of the nozzle 4 at its bottom end and a valve element 6a formed at the bottom end of the operating rod 6. A portion 10c of a reducing diameter which gradually reduces the cross-sectional area of the filled liquid passage 10 in a downward direction and a portion 10e of an increasing diameter which gradually increases the cross-sectional area of the filled liquid passage 10 in the downward direction are formed on the internal surface of the nozzle 4 at an upper portion thereof. A plurality of straightening vanes 36 are formed on the internal surface of the nozzle 4 at a location below the portion 10e of an increasing diameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filling valve which affords an excellent sterilization capability and a high maintenance capability. The valve includes a tubular nozzle 4, an operating rod 6 which is fitted in the nozzle 4 so as to be elevatable, and an opening/closing valve 22 formed by a valve seat 10a on the internal surface of the nozzle 4 at its bottom end and a valve element 6a formed at the bottom end of the operating rod 6. A portion 10c of a reducing diameter which gradually reduces the cross-sectional area of the filled liquid passage 10 in a downward direction and a portion 10e of an increasing diameter which gradually increases the cross-sectional area of the filled liquid passage 10 in the downward direction are formed on the internal surface of the nozzle 4 at an upper portion thereof. A plurality of straightening vanes 34 are formed on the internal surface of the nozzle 4 at a location below the portion 10e of an increasing diameter.

Abstract: A vessel conveying system includes a dryer disposed within a first sterile chamber. If a vessel stays within the dryer for a prolonged length of time, it will be deformed under heat. Accordingly, the vessel is removed by a reject wheel and dropped onto a discharge chute disposed below. A downstream portion of the discharge chute is surrounded by a second sterile chamber, which is separate from the first mentioned sterile chamber, A glove mounted on the wall of the second chamber enables access to the discharge chute while maintaining the chute in a sterile condition. A door is mounted on the wall of the second chamber, and the rejected vessel is discharged through the door. The sterile chambers are disposed within a processing chamber. The pressure within the first chamber is controlled to be higher than the pressure (atmospheric pressure) within the processing chamber and the pressure within the second chamber is controlled to be lower than the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A drier 8 is disposed within a sterile chamber 14. If a vessel 10 stays within the drier for a prolonged length of time, it will be deformed under heat, and accordingly, it is taken out by a reject wheel 28 and dropped onto a discharge chute 30 which is disposed below it. A downstream portion of the discharge chute is surrounded by a second sterile chamber 36 which is separate from the first mentioned sterile chamber, and a glove 38 mounted on the wall of the chamber 36 allows an access to the discharge chute while maintaining the chute in a sterile condition. A door 40 which can be opened and closed is mounted on the wall 36a of the second chamber, and the rejected vessel is discharged through the door which is then opened. Chambers 14 and 36 are disposed within a processing chamber 4.