Abstract: During the process of filling containers with an oxygen-sensitive liquid under pressure, a buffer layer of gas is maintained over the surface of the liquid throughout the filling process in order to maintain the liquid separated from any oxygen which may be present within the container.

Abstract: A filling machine for filling of liquids into a container has a vessel and filling elements operatively connected with the liquid vessel and including a liquid input conduit, an advance and return gas conduit, and a pressure relief conduit. Elements for establishing a pressure difference between the interior of the container and the interior of the liquid vessel are provided, including a channel adapted to be maintained at a pressure which is lower than that in the liquid vessel and higher than that of the outer atmosphere, and a branch conduit communicating the interior of the container with the interior of this channel. A one-way valve is arranged in the branch conduit and is operative for closing the same when the pressure in the channel increases and opening the same when the pressure in the channel decreases relative to the pressure in the interior of the container.

Abstract: The filling machine has a rotary tank containing the liquid, an annular channel surrounding the tank and containing gas having a lower pressure than the gas in the tank but higher than the atmospheric pressure, a filling unit adapted for sealing the container to be filled and including a filling pipe communicating with the interior of the tank and projecting into the container to be filled, a pressure control space communicating with the interior of the container around the filling pipe and connectable via a first control valve to the outer atmosphere, and further connectable via a second control valve to the annular channel, the second control valve being opened mechanically in response to the angular position of the rotary liquid tank and in addition being controlled during its open position by a separate timing device that closes the second valve if the mechanical control exceeds a predetermined time.

Abstract: A method of charging into containers a liquid contained in a rotary tank of a bottling machine whereby different pressures are built up in each container during the filling process so that at the beginning the liquid is discharged by the force of gravity and thereafter the pressure in the container is reduced with respect to the tank pressure to introduce a quick filling phase; after attaining a predetermined amount of charge in the container or after a certain time interval the pressure in the container is automatically increased irrespective of the rotational is automatically increased irrespective of the rotational speed of the bottling machine or of the rate of flow of the discharged liquid. The bottling machine includes an annular channel the gas pressure of which is reduced with respect to the gas pressure in the tank but is higher than the atmospheric pressure.