Patent ID: 8181675

Claim:
A method for filling flexible packages ( 4 ), in particular for filling bags ( 4 ), with loose materials ( 18 ), wherein by means of a filling element ( 3 ) a package to be filled ( 4 ) is filled by way of a filling process, which filling process comprises at least a filling stage ( 40 ), a settling stage ( 41 ) and a discharge stage ( 42 ), wherein during the filling stage ( 40 ) at least one loose material ( 18 ) is filled into the package ( 4 ) and wherein during the settling stage ( 41 ) at least one settling phase ( 37 ) is provided for pressure decrease, and wherein during the discharge stage ( 42 ) the package is discharged from the filling element ( 3 ), characterized in that the filling process is shortened in that the available volume ( 2 ) of the package ( 4 ) is reduced during a considerable portion of the filling process, so as to keep the pressure inside the package ( 4 ) high, while at the end of the filling process, the available volume ( 2 ) of the package is expanded ( 4 ) to rapidly reduce the pressure prevailing in the package ( 4 ).