Abstract: In an apparatus for treating containers with a medium, the containers are transported cyclically in groups. A linear holding device has a plurality of container holders for holding the containers in a suspended state. A treatment device has a plurality of outlet heads that are connected to a supply line for the medium via respective branch lines. The outlet heads are moved together as a group in the vertical direction. Each outlet head has an outlet line for discharging the medium into the containers. For the purpose of treating the container, the outlet line is introduced into the container, which is held in a suspended state in the container mount. Each outlet head is assigned a controllable restraining mechanism. A controller communicates with the restraining mechanism to control a restraining element to hold back the outlet line of a respective outlet head in a restraining position as required.

Abstract: A linear filling machine for filling containers that are transported in groups along a linear conveying path has a plurality of machine sections following one another along the conveying path. The respective machine sections form an input station for receiving the containers, a handling station for treating the containers, a filling station for filling the containers, and a discharge station for delivering the containers. The machine sections are exchangeable machine modules, wherein each machine module forms an independent functional unit with a power supply unit and a media supply unit, in particular a pneumatic medium supply unit. The supply units are arranged spatially separate from one another, with the power supply unit arranged on a first side and the pneumatic medium supply unit arranged on an opposite, second side of the machine module.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a linear feeding-unit having a first linear section and a transfer device that transfers containers, as a group, from the linear feeding-unit to a clocked processing-machine and an entry device having a main feeding-unit distribution-stars. The first distribution-star receives containers from the main feeding-unit at a first transfer-region and transfers and the second distribution-star receives containers from the main feeding-unit at a second transfer-region. A periphery of the first distribution-star comprises a receiving section that receives containers from the main feeding-unit and an empty section interrupts receiving of the containers. The empty section is devoid of supporting-and-retaining elements. However, the receiving section comprises as many supporting-and-retaining elements as there are containers in the container group.

Abstract: An apparatus for grouped take-up and feeding of a container-group of containers to a cyclical processing machine having a cyclical take-up device for taking up the group of containers includes an intake, a feed, and a transfer apparatus arranged in a transfer region between the intake and the take-up device. The intake forms a closed conveyor section that comprises a linear section, a conveyor, and carrying-and-holding elements that convey containers in a continuous container stream along the conveyor section. The feed uses mechanical propulsion to convey suspended containers to individually transfer the suspended containers to the carrying-and-holding elements. The transfer apparatus has rotatable grippers for taking up a container group from the container stream and after having taken up the group of containers, feeding the group of containers to the cyclical take-up device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a linear feeding-unit having a first linear section and a transfer device that transfers containers, as a group, from the linear feeding-unit to a clocked processing-machine and an entry device having a main feeding-unit distribution-stars. The first distribution-star receives containers from the main feeding-unit at a first transfer-region and transfers and the second distribution-star receives containers from the main feeding-unit at a second transfer-region. A periphery of the first distribution-star comprises a receiving section that receives containers from the main feeding-unit and an empty section interrupts receiving of the containers. The empty section is devoid of supporting-and-retaining elements. However, the receiving section comprises as many supporting-and-retaining elements as there are containers in the container group.

Abstract: An apparatus for grouped take-up and feeding of a container-group of containers to a cyclical processing machine having a cyclical take-up device for taking up the group of containers includes an intake, a feed, and a transfer apparatus arranged in a transfer region between the intake and the take-up device. The intake forms a closed conveyor section that comprises a linear section, a conveyor, and carrying-and-holding elements that convey containers in a continuous container stream along the conveyor section. The feed uses mechanical propulsion to convey suspended containers to individually transfer the suspended containers to the carrying-and-holding elements. The transfer apparatus has rotatable grippers for taking up a container group from the container stream and after having taken up the group of containers, feeding the group of containers to the cyclical take-up device.

Abstract: A sterilizing device for sterilizing closures for closing containers has vertically-oriented closure receivers arranged around a circumference of said rotor that moves said closures through a treatment zone between a closure inlet and outlet. One of the closure receivers is provided with said actuating device that at least partially engages the housing for applying, using the actuator, an actuation movement to a closure in said closure receiver. The actuator is movably connected to the opening via a bellows.

Abstract: A flexible seal that couples to a rod that translates and also rotates around an axis and that rotates around said axis, wherein said flexible seal has first and second folding-sections. The first folding-section has folds that are oriented to wind around the axis when said rod rotates. The second folding-section has folds that are oriented to cause a change the second folding-section's length in response to translation of said rod.

Abstract: A method for handling at least sectionally sterile workpieces having a filiable inner volume, wherein the workpieces are each connected to a closure device, and by which the workpieces are guided through a plurality of treatment stations. One of the stations is a sterilization unit, wherein in at least one of the treatment stations, a treatment member is moved through a passage opening of the closure device all the way into the inner volume of the workpiece. The passage opening of the closure device is closed off by a closure element, which opens when the treatment member moves through and closes again upon removal of the member, wherein the closure device sealingly closes the inner volume of the workpiece with respect to an external region.

Abstract: A filling system includes filling elements, each of which has a channel formed in its housing. During filling, filling material, under a liquid valve's control, passes through the channel and exits through an opening and into a container held on a vertically displaceable container carrier. During pressure filling, the container carrier seals the container against the filling element. During cleaning and sterilization, rinsing caps seal each opening. Each filling element is associated with an extension that seals the outlet. Each extension has a filling-material through-passage that, when the extension is sealed against said outlet, extends the filling-material channel.

Abstract: A filling machine includes a rotor, a rotor bearing that rotatably mounts the rotor on the machine-frame for rotation about a machine axis, and filling elements disposed on the rotor. Each filling element, together with a container carrier, defines a filling point. The machine includes a filling-material boiler arranged on the rotor and configured to rotate with the rotor, as well as a boiler-cover connected to the machine-frame and configured to not rotate with the rotor, and a seal. The seal seals a transition between the boiler cover and the filling-material boiler.

Abstract: A rotary feed includes a static part that remains stationary relative to a stationary reference frame and a rotating part that rotates with a rotor. The static part and rotating part run adjacent to each other and define a sealed flow channel for a first medium. A buffer chamber surrounds the static and rotating parts, and the transition between these parts. During operation, a barrier medium charges it at a transition between the static and rotating parts. An outlet connects the buffer chamber to a treatment head to permit a medium in the buffer to be fed to the nozzle for container treatment.

Abstract: A sterilizing device for sterilizing closures for closing containers has vertically-oriented closure receivers arranged around a circumference of said rotor that moves said closures through a treatment zone between a closure inlet and outlet. One of the closure receivers is provided with said actuating device that at least partially engages the housing for applying, using the actuator, an actuation movement to a closure in said closure receiver. The actuator is movably connected to the opening via a bellows.

Abstract: A filling machine comprises a rotor driven by a drive around a machine axis surrounded by a pitch circle on the rotor, filling elements provided at even pitch intervals around the pitch circle, a closure-element supporting-ring surrounding and concentric with the machine axis, closure elements, a filling-material discharge opening, and a locking device. Each closure element closes a corresponding filling element on an underside thereof during cleaning or disinfection of said filling machine. Relative movement between the ring and the rotor, which is generated by the drive, moves the closure elements between a non-engaged state, in which the closure elements are between filling elements on the pitch circle, and an engaged state, in which the closure elements are on an underside of a corresponding filling element. The locking device causes this state transition by blocking co-rotation of the ring and the rotor.

Abstract: A filling system includes filling elements, each of which has a channel formed in its housing. During filling, filling material, under a liquid valve's control, passes through the channel and exits through an opening and into a container held on a vertically displaceable container carrier. During pressure filling, the container carrier seals the container against the filling element. During cleaning and sterilization, rinsing caps seal each opening. Each filling element is associated with an extension that seals the outlet. Each extension has a filling-material through-passage that, when the extension is sealed against said outlet, extends the filling-material channel.

Abstract: A sterilizing machine for sterilizing bottle seals includes a rotor with vertically-oriented seal holders disposed on its periphery. Each seal holder accommodates a seal stack. As the rotor rotates, the seal holder carries the stack from a seal input, past first and second stations, to a seal output. The first station has a sterilizing-agent sprayer with successive outlets spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction by one seal diameter. The sprayer is directed toward a seal holder for applying sterilizing agent onto individual seals held therein. The second station is an activating and/or drying station downstream of the first station in the rotation direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for permitting inspection of container processing includes a one-piece elastic peripheral lip seal that seals a transition between a window and a mounting frame. In its un-deformed state, the lip-seal, which has first and second strip-shaped lip-sections, has an at least partially sickle-shaped cross-section in its un-deformed state. Both lip sections extend outward toward respective first and second edges, the second edge being a sealing edge. A thickness of the second lip-section decreases towards the sealing edge. The lip sections curve around an axis oriented along a longitudinal direction of the lip seal. The first lip-section defines a concave curve along a first surface of the lip seal, and the second lip-section defines a convex curve along the first surface.

Abstract: A method for handling at least sectionally sterile workpieces having a filiable inner volume, wherein the workpieces are each connected to a closure device, and by which the workpieces are guided through a plurality of treatment stations. One of the stations is a sterilization unit, wherein in at least one of the treatment stations, a treatment member is moved through a passage opening of the closure device all the way into the inner volume of the workpiece. The passage opening of the closure device is closed off by a closure element, which opens when the treatment member moves through and closes again upon removal of the member, wherein the closure device sealingly closes the inner volume of the workpiece with respect to an external region.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a packaging element having a sub-area that includes a packaging-element opening includes an enclosure having an outer load-bearing structure having load-bearing elements and a wall structure held in the load-bearing structure and isolated by the load-bearing structure from loads. It also has two subsections, one on and moving with a conveyor and the other on a device frame and not moving with the conveyor. The enclosure defines a sterile interior that contains the packaging-element opening. The conveyor moves the packaging element along a transport route in a transport direction. Supports of the load-bearing structure extend transversely to the transport direction and connect to a longitudinal chord oriented along the transport direction. Either the load-bearing structure is disposed outside the enclosure and spaced apart from the enclosure or the transport route includes a circular conformation and a ring forming the longitudinal chord.

Abstract: A rotary feed includes a static part that remains stationary relative to a stationary reference frame and a rotating part that rotates with a rotor. The static part and rotating part run adjacent to each other and define a sealed flow channel for a first medium. A buffer chamber surrounds the static and rotating parts, and the transition between these parts. During operation, a barrier medium charges it at a transition between the static and rotating parts. An outlet connects the buffer chamber to a treatment head to permit a medium in the buffer to be fed to the nozzle for container treatment.