Patent ID: 9302895
Filing Date: 2016-04-05
CPC Classification: B65B,B67C

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus comprising a filling machine for filling containers with a liquid filling material, said filling machine comprising a transport element, filling elements, and function-and-process units, wherein each of said function-and-process units is formed by a pair of said filling elements, wherein said function-and-process units comprise a first function-and-process unit, wherein said first function-and-process unit comprises first and second filling elements selected from said filling elements, a first gas path, and a first control valve, wherein said first and second filling elements form first and second filling points for filling containers with said liquid filling material, wherein said first filling element comprises a first filling element housing that comprises a discharge opening for said liquid filling material, a first liquid channel formed in said first filling element housing and connecting to a product line that supplies said liquid filling material, a first liquid valve, and a first measurement system for measuring a quantity, wherein said second filling element comprises a second filling element housing that comprises a discharge opening for said liquid filling material, a second liquid channel formed in said second filling element housing and connecting to a product line that supplies said liquid filling material, a second liquid valve, and a second measurement system for measuring said quantity, wherein said first gas path is common to said first and second filling elements, wherein said first control valve controls flow in said first gas path, wherein said first control valve is common to said first and second filling points, and wherein said quantity is selected from the group consisting of a filling level of said liquid filling material in a container, a quantity of said liquid filling material in a container, and a volume of said liquid filling material in a container.