Method and filling machine for filling cans or the like containers with liquid contents
First Claim
1. A method for operating a filling machine for filling containers with liquid contents, said method comprising sealing said container against a filling element, conducting purgative gas via a first controlled gas path from a first ring channel common to all filling elements of said filling machine to said container'"'"'s interior via a controllable choke arrangement that can switch between a first choke-state in which said controllable choke arrangement chokes gas flow and a second choke-state in which said controllable choke arrangement allows free gas flow, said controllable choke arrangement being in said first choke-state, thereby reducing pressure of said purgative gas to a purge pressure, draining said purgative gas from said container, which is flowing at a purge pressure of between 0 bar and 2 bar above ambient pressure, out of said container'"'"'s interior through first and second return-gas openings of said filling element and into first and second return-gas channels of a second controlled gas path of said filling element, said first and second return-gas channels being controlled by corresponding first and second control valves that are operable independently of each other, and pressure-filling said container with said liquid contents.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for operating a filling machine includes conducting purgative gas via a first controlled gas path from a first ring channel common to all filling elements to the interior of a container sealed against a filling element via a controllable choke arrangement that switches between choking state and non-choking states, draining the purgative gas out of the container'"'"'s interior through return-gas openings and into return-gas channels of a second controlled gas path, the first and second return-gas channels being controlled by corresponding first and second control valves that are operable independently of each other, and pressure-filling the container with the liquid contents.
4 Citations
22 Claims
- 1. A method for operating a filling machine for filling containers with liquid contents, said method comprising sealing said container against a filling element, conducting purgative gas via a first controlled gas path from a first ring channel common to all filling elements of said filling machine to said container'"'"'s interior via a controllable choke arrangement that can switch between a first choke-state in which said controllable choke arrangement chokes gas flow and a second choke-state in which said controllable choke arrangement allows free gas flow, said controllable choke arrangement being in said first choke-state, thereby reducing pressure of said purgative gas to a purge pressure, draining said purgative gas from said container, which is flowing at a purge pressure of between 0 bar and 2 bar above ambient pressure, out of said container'"'"'s interior through first and second return-gas openings of said filling element and into first and second return-gas channels of a second controlled gas path of said filling element, said first and second return-gas channels being controlled by corresponding first and second control valves that are operable independently of each other, and pressure-filling said container with said liquid contents.
- 12. An apparatus for pressure-filling of containers, said apparatus comprising a rotor, a first ring channel, a tank, and a plurality of filling elements, wherein said tank contains liquid contents to be delivered to each of said filling elements for filling into containers, wherein said first ring channel conducts inert gas under pressure to all of said filling elements, wherein said filling elements are disposed around said rotor, wherein said filling elements comprise a first filling element, wherein said first filling element comprises a housing, a liquid-dispensing valve, a ring seal, a first controlled gas path, a second controlled gas path, a first returning-gas channel, a second returning-gas channel, a first return-gas opening, a second return-gas opening, a first control valve, and a second control valve, wherein said liquid-dispensing valve is disposed in said housing, wherein said liquid-dispensing valve is connected to said tank, wherein an outlet opening opens at an underside of said filling element, wherein said ring seal is disposed around said outlet opening to form a container-contact surface against which a container'"'"'s opening is sealed during pressure-filling thereof, wherein said first controlled gas path connects to said first ring channel, wherein said second controlled gas path comprises said first return-gas channel and said second return-gas channel, wherein said first return-gas channel opens at said underside through said first return-gas opening, wherein said second return-gas channel opens at said underside through said second return-gas opening, wherein said first control valve is disposed along said first return-gas channel, wherein said second control valve is disposed along said second return-gas channel, and wherein said first control valve is controlled independently of said second control valve.
Specification