Patent ID: 8375783

Claim:
Device for detecting the filling level of a container such as a bottle, comprising a measuring probe which is introduced into the container and which has a resistance segment that is contacted electrically by a first contact and a second contact, and a longitudinal distance between the first contact and the second contact defines the resistance segment, the resistance segment being adapted to come in contact with the filling material of the container in different filling levels, and the measuring probe has a reference potential electrode that is contacted electrically, wherein the resistance segment comprises a section of pipe, and wherein the lower end of the section of pipe is sealed with one of an insulation piece, the reference potential electrode, and a combination thereof, and wherein the reference potential electrode and the resistance segment are arranged so that, with an increase in the filling level, the reference potential electrode and then the lower end of the resistance segment is contacted by the filling material, and wherein a voltage is applied to a first conductor connected to the first contact and a second conductor connected to the second contact to create a potential gradient between the first contact and the second contact such that as the filling level increases along the resistance segment, a potential of the filling material is changed, and the potential of the filling material is detected by the reference potential electrode.