Patent ID: 9010381
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: B67C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for filling containers with a liquid filling material, said apparatus comprising a filling system, wherein said filling system comprises a filling element, wherein said filling element comprises a housing, a first fluid channel, a second fluid channel, an outlet, a liquid valve, a first control valve, a second control valve, a return gas pipe, a tank, and a gas chamber, wherein said first fluid channel is formed in said housing, wherein said first fluid channel is connected to said tank for providing said liquid filling material, wherein said outlet discharges said liquid filling material into a container that is provided at said filling element, wherein said liquid valve is in said first fluid channel, wherein said second fluid channel is internal to said filling element, wherein said second fluid channel is open in an area of said outlet, wherein said first control valve is configured to selectively connect a ring channel to said second fluid channel, wherein said ring channel carries a pressurized gas, wherein said return gas pipe controls an extent to which said liquid filling material fills said container, wherein said return gas pipe comprises a first end that protrudes over said outlet, wherein said return gas pipe connects to said gas chamber via a fluid connection, wherein said second control valve provides controlled opening and closing of said fluid connection between said return gas pipe and said gas chamber, wherein said second control valve is configured to be opened prior to initiation of a filling phase to flush and pre-stress an interior of said container using a pressurized inert gas that is delivered from said gas chamber via said return gas pipe, wherein said liquid valve is configured to be opened to allow liquid into a flushed and pre-stressed interior of said container, wherein said first control valve is configured to be opened for adjustment of an extent to which a container lying sealed with the filling element is to be filled, and wherein the second control valve is configured to be opened to expel liquid filling material from at least out of a head space formed in the container above an end of the return gas pipe that extends into the container, thereby determining the fill height of the container, whereby said filling system achieves positive pressure filling of said container, and whereby only said first control valve, said liquid valve, and said second control valve are needed to control said filling system.