EP0515960B1 - Method and apparatus for filling bottles, cans or similar containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for filling bottles, cans or the like. Container according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a filling machine for carrying out this method according to the preamble claim 18.

A method is known for filling bottles, cans or the like. Containers or for controlling a corresponding filling machine (DE-A-33 35 260), in which (method) the filling of a predetermined quantity of product in bottles is controlled in that each filling point a flow meter is assigned. This flow meter provides a measured value which is proportional to the quantity of filling material which has flowed into the respective bottle during the filling phase. In a control device, this measured value is compared with a target value. The filling phase is ended by closing the existing liquid valve when the measured value supplied by the flow meter is equal to the actual value.

In this known method or in this known filling machine, a flow meter is assigned to each filling element or each filling section. If a central control device is used, this means that a large number of data must be generated and processed in short time intervals, in particular when the filling machine in question is high. Such a central control device must therefore be designed to be extremely powerful. In addition to the already high costs that result from the use of a separate flow meter for each filling point, an expensive central control device is therefore also required. Instead of a central control device, a decentralized control of the individual filling elements could also take place in the known case by assigning a separate control device to each filling element for the target / actual value control. This also means high costs due to a high expenditure on control electronics. Furthermore Such a decentralized control complicates the input and / or consideration of common parameters to improve or optimize the filling process.

The object of the invention is to further develop a method or a filling machine of the type mentioned at the outset such that a substantial reduction in the control outlay is possible while maintaining the basic advantages of the prior art.

To achieve this object, a method according to the characterizing part of claim 1 and a device according to the characterizing part of claim 18 are formed.

In the invention, each filling point with a flow meter in the product path is assigned at least one filling point which does not have such a flow meter, a control value being derived from the filling time determined for the filling point (master filling point) with the flow meter until the predetermined quantity of filling material has been reached , which determines the opening time of the assigned filling point (slave filling point) without a flow meter, so that the number of information per time unit can be halved even with only one slave filling point assigned to a master filling point. This results in a significant simplification not only in terms of circuitry (hardware), but above all also with regard to data processing and / or data management. The invention is based, inter alia, on the knowledge that, with the same design of the filling elements, even at the slave filling points, despite the flow measurement not carried out there, an exact filling is possible as at the master filling point with the flow measurement, since all filling elements can be designed identically and within the period in which the control value or the opening time are determined and the opening and closing the slave filling point is so short that changes in the filling parameters which impair the filling result cannot occur or become effective.

Developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter, schematischer Darstellung und in Draufsicht eine Füllmaschine gemäß der Erfindung, und zwar in Form einer Dosen-Füllmaschine mit mehreren am Umfang eines umlaufenden Maschinenteils vorgesehenen Füllelementen, von denen ein Teil Leit-oder Master-Füllstellen und ein Teil Folge- bzw. Slave-Füllstellen bildet;

Fig. 2

in vereinfachter Darstellung einen Schnitt durch die Maschine nach Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

in vereinfachter Darstellung und im Längsschnitt eines der Füllelemente, zusammen mit einer unter diesem Füllelement angeordneten Dose.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures using an exemplary embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a simplified, schematic representation and in plan view a filling machine according to the invention, specifically in the form of a can filling machine with a plurality of filling elements provided on the circumference of a rotating machine part, some of which are master or master filling points and some are followers or slaves -Fills forms;

Fig. 2

in a simplified representation, a section through the machine according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 3

in a simplified representation and in longitudinal section of one of the filling elements, together with a can arranged under this filling element.

The embodiment shown in the figures is a counter-pressure filling machine for filling the cans 1 with a carbonated liquid filling material (e.g. beer). The empty cans 1 are fed to the filling machine or an inlet of this machine formed by a transport star 2 via a conveyor 3. The filled cans leave the filling machine at an outlet or via a transport star 4 provided there and are discharged into a subsequent sealing machine via a conveyor 5 in accordance with the division.

In the usual way, each can 1 arrives at the inlet (via the transport star 2) on one of the standing surfaces 7 provided on a ring 6, in such a way that each can stand on a standing surface 7 with the bottom of the can 1 located below a filling element 8. The ring 6 forms a lower part of the rotor of the filling machine rotating around a vertical machine axis MA in the direction of the arrow C. The filling elements 8 are provided at uniform spacing intervals on a machine part 9 which is arranged above the ring 6 and also revolves around the vertical machine axis and which essentially consists of an annular bowl 10 and an annular flange 11 which projects radially outward from this ring bowl 10 with respect to the machine axis MA is formed, on which, in addition to the filling elements 8, there is also a ring 14 forming a clamping gas channel 12 and a relief or ventilation channel 13, the latter concentrically enclosing the ring bowl 10 and directly with a control block 15 of the filling elements 8 or provided there Connections for the span gas or for the discharge is connected. Each filling element 8, which is fastened to the control block 15 on the underside of the flange 11, has a housing 16 consisting of several parts with a liquid channel 17, which in the lower part of the housing 16 is essentially concentric with a vertical filling element axis running parallel to the machine axis MA VA is formed and forms part of the product or filling path. In the area of its upper, closed end, the liquid channel 17 has an inlet opening 18 for supplying the liquid filling material. At the lower end of the housing 16, the liquid channel 17 forms an outlet opening 19 through which the liquid filling material flows in when the respective can 1 is filled. Provided in the liquid channel 17 is a valve body 21 which forms the liquid valve 20 and has an annular sealing surface 22 which, when the liquid valve 20 is closed, bears with this sealing surface 22 in a sealed manner against a valve surface 23 formed by the outer surface of the liquid channel 17. 3 shows the liquid valve 20 in the open position in which the liquid filling material of the can 1 to be filled can flow in via the liquid channel 17 and the annular outlet opening 19 surrounding the lower end of the valve body 21. By Lowering the valve body 21 in the direction of the filling element axis VA, the liquid valve 20 is closed. The valve body 21 is formed at the lower end of a tappet 24 which is arranged coaxially with the filler element axis VA and is guided so as to be displaceable in the housing 16 in the direction of the filler element axis VA above the liquid channel 17 and sealed against this liquid channel. The upper end of the plunger 24 interacts with an actuator with which, in the embodiment shown, the liquid valve 20 can be moved from the open position shown in FIG. 3 against the action of a spring 25 into a closed position. In the embodiment shown, this actuator is a pneumatic piston-cylinder arrangement with a piston 26 and a control chamber 27 formed in the interior of the housing 16, which is delimited on one side by the piston 26 which can be displaced in the direction of the filling element axis VA. Via the control block 15, the control chamber 27 of each filling element 8 can be acted upon by compressed air or a pneumatic pressure for closing the liquid valve 20, specifically controlled by a pneumatic unit or by an electrically actuated control valve 28. Such a control valve 28 is provided for each filling element 8 , namely above the respective filling element 8 on the top of the flange 11. The respective control valve 28 is supplied with compressed air via a control or compressed air line 29.

On a cylindrical, circular-cylindrical section 16 'at the lower end of the housing 16, a ring 30 surrounding this section 16' is sealingly slidably displaceable in the direction of the filling element axis VA. The ring 30, which is connected to secure against rotation with the lower end of a parallel to the filling element axis VA and slidably guided in the housing 16 guide rod 31, has on its lower end face a sealing ring 32 surrounding the ring opening there, which is used for pre-tensioning and filling a can 1 against the edge 1 ' fits tightly. The usual roller 33, which interacts with a stationary guide curve, is provided on the guide rod 31 for lifting the ring 30.

In the interior of the tappet 24, a channel 34 is formed, which is open at the lower end of the valve body 21 projecting through the outlet opening 19, specifically through the opening of an interchangeable throttle or nozzle 35 provided there. The other end of the channel 34 is connected to the control valve device or slide control formed in the control block 15, which is provided in a manner known per se in the case of filling elements with a control cam 36 which interacts with stationary switching or actuating members when the machine part 9 rotates, in such a way that during the The actual filling phase of the pre-tensioning of the respective can 1, which rests with its edge 1 ′ and is sealed against the sealing ring 32, via the duct 34, while the duct 34 serves as a return gas duct during filling and at the end of filling to relieve the respective can 1.

For purging the cans 1 or the interior of these cans with an inert gas, e.g. CO₂ gas, each filling element 8 also has a channel 37, which has an outlet opening for this inert gas at the lower end of the housing 16. This pre-purging by means of inert gas is also controlled by the slide control formed in the control block 15 via the control cam 36 and the associated stationary actuating elements.

Most of the identically designed filling elements 8 are connected with their inlet opening 18 directly to an outlet 38, which is provided in the area of the bottom of the ring bowl 10 filled with the liquid filling material up to a predetermined level N. Some of the filling elements 8 are connected with their inlet 18 via a flow meter 39 to the corresponding outlet 38 of the ring bowl 10. The flow meters 39, which are inductive flow meters in the embodiment shown, deliver via Measuring or data lines 40 are electrical signals S1, the value of which corresponds to the flow rate, ie the volume of liquid filling material flowing through the relevant flow meter 39 per unit of time. These electrical signals or measurement data are, for example, counting pulses, each of which corresponds to a specific volume unit, or else digital values supplied by a counter of the respective flow meter 39. With the data lines 40, the flow meters 39 are connected to a central control and regulating device 41 which, for example, has a program-controlled microprocessor device or is part of a computer system and is arranged on the rotating machine part 9.

As shown in FIG. 1, the filling elements 8 provided with the flow meter 39 and forming control or master filling points 8 _{M are} provided distributed at uniform angular intervals a around the machine axis MA, in such a way that between two rotating or direction of rotation C of the machine successive filling elements 8 with a flow meter 39 a plurality of filling elements 8 are provided, to which no flow meter 39 is assigned. These filling elements 8 without a flow meter 39 form subsequent or slave filling points 8 _S. In the embodiment shown, eight such slave filling stations 8 _{S are assigned to} a master filling station 8 _M , the latter each forming a group of eight filling stations 8 _S. For reasons explained in more detail below, the assignment is made such that each master filling point 8 _{M is assigned to} that group of slave filling points 8 _S which, in relation to the direction of rotation C, by at least one angular distance a, preferably by several angular distances a Master filling point 8 _M follows or lags. In this sense, the master filling station 8 _{M1 is assigned} the slave filling station 8 _S1 .

The control device 41 has a large number of control outputs, each of which is connected to a control valve 28 via a control line 42 and controls this control valve. The figures also show a pipe 43 for supplying the clamping gas into the annular clamping gas channel 12, a pipe 44 connected to the annular relief channel 13 and a pipe 45 which opens into the space of the ring bowl 10 formed above the mirror or level N. and through which the displaced return gas is fed into this space of the ring bowl during filling.

The operation of the filling machine can be described as follows:
After the transfer of a can 1 by means of the transport star 2 to a filling point 8 or 8 _S formed by a filling element 8, when the machine or the rotor rotates, it initially takes place in an angular range of the rotary movement designated I in FIG. 1 after a possible Pre-rinsing and lowering the respective ring 30 onto the can 1 to be filled, prestressing this can 1 with the clamping gas. After this pretensioning is complete, at the end of the angular range I, after the slide control provided in the control block 15 has been appropriately switched over, the control cam 36, which starts against a stationary control element, releases or prepares the filling phase by means of the control device 41. The filling phase is shown in FIG provided with II designated angular range of the rotary movement of the machine part 9. The liquid valve 20 of the respective filling element 8 is closed until the angular range II is reached, ie the control chamber 27 of this filling element 8 is acted upon by the control pressure. Whenever a filling element 8 filled with a can 1 reaches the beginning of the angular range II, the control device 41, via the associated control line 42, actuates the control valve 28 assigned to this filling element 8 in the sense of opening the liquid valve 20, that is to say actuated in such a way that the connection of the control chamber 27 to the control compressed air is interrupted and this control chamber is vented to the atmosphere. After an opening time T 'specified by the control device 41 has elapsed, this takes place via the control line 42 again actuation of the control valve 28 in the sense of closing the liquid valve of the filling element 8 under consideration. The opening time T 'is set such that the liquid valve 20 of the filling element 8 under consideration is already closed before this filling element reaches the end of the angular range II. In the subsequent angular range III, after corresponding actuation of the slide control provided in the control block 15, the respective filled can 1 is relaxed and the filling element 8 or the ring 30 is pulled off the filled can.

In the embodiment shown, the opening time T ', which is necessary for filling the respective can 1 with the desired quantity of filling material, is determined by the control device 41 on the basis of the measurement data S1 supplied by the flow meters 39 via the measurement lines 40, that is to say one considered Filling point around a master filling point 8 _M , after opening the liquid valve or after the corresponding activation of the control valve 28, the amount of liquid filling material flowing through the associated flow meter 39 is monitored by the control device 41 and with a predetermined or preselected setpoint for the quantity of product to be filled into cans 1 is compared. As soon as the quantity of filling material measured by the flow meter 39 corresponds to the desired value, the control device 41 closes the liquid valve 20 of the filling element 8 of the master filling point 8 _M under consideration by corresponding actuation of the control valve 28. The total opening time of the liquid valve 20 of the master filling filling stations 8 _M-8 slave _S stored as a control value or fill time T for the filling elements 8 of the considered master filling 8 _M associated. Whenever such a slave filling point 8 _{S has reached} the beginning of the angular range II, the liquid valve 20 of this slave filling point 8 _{S is opened} over a period of time that is equal to this filling time T. The filling time T stored in the control device 41 applies in each case to that assigned to a master filling point 8 _M with respect to the direction of rotation C of the filling machine subsequent slave filling points 8 _S , so that a filling time T is stored for each master filling point 8 _M and the associated slave filling points 8 _S.

In principle, however, it is also possible that only a single filling time T is stored in the storage device 41, which applies to all slave filling points 8 _S following a master filling point 8 _M , and each taking into account that of the flow meter 39 of a master -Filling point 8 _M delivered measurement data is updated, namely from the measurement data S1, which are delivered after the closing of the liquid valve 20 from that master filling point 8 _M , which at a certain point in time in the angular range II, the last master in relation to the direction of rotation C. -Filling point 8 _M with the liquid valve 20 closed again.

Regardless of whether several filling times T for the individual master filling stations 8 _M and the associated slave filling stations 8 _{S are} each stored separately or only a single filling time T updated in the manner described above, it is advantageous that before commissioning the Filling machine, the filling times T or control values are preselected or preset in accordance with the desired quantity of filling material and these filling times or control values are then only corrected or updated on the basis of the signals S1 supplied by the flow meters 39.

For entering the initial values of the filling time or filling times T or for entering the desired quantity of filling material, from which the control device 41 then automatically determines an initial value for the filling time T, and for entering further parameters or data S3 necessary for controlling the filling machine Control device 41 is connected to an input device or keyboard 46.

The control device 41 is also connected via a data line 47 to a signal transmitter 48 which, as data S4, the respective rotational position of the machine or of the ring 6 and the machine part 9 formed rotor and the rotational speed as electrical data S4 to the control device 41.

In particular, also taking into account the data S4 supplied by the signal generator 48, control is also possible such that the control device 41 delivers a signal S5 at an output if, within a predetermined angular range of the rotary movement of the machine, e.g. within the angular range II, or within a predetermined maximum limit for the filling time, an actual value corresponding to the desired quantity of filling material for the signal S1 cannot be achieved. With the signal S5, for example, the speed of rotation of the machine is then reduced and / or the level N of the liquid filling material in the ring bowl 10 is increased and / or the filling pressure is increased and / or other parameters are changed so that the individual filling elements 8 are emitted per unit of time Amount of liquid filling increased.

In order to be able to carry out the described control of the filling machine with the required accuracy with regard to the quantity of product filled into the cans 1, it is particularly necessary that all the filling elements 8 ensure the same inflow speed for the liquid product into the cans 1 to be filled. Since the respective filling speed is also dependent in particular on the resistance in the return gas path, an adjustable throttle point, which is formed in each case by the exchangeable nozzle 35, is provided in the illustrated embodiment in the return gas path of these filling elements 8 for comparing the filling speeds of the individual filling elements 8.

In addition to an adjustable throttle point in the return gas path or instead of this, in principle an adjustable throttle point can also be provided in the product path.

The invention has been described above using an exemplary embodiment. It is understood that changes and modifications are possible.

For example, instead of having a large number of master filling points 8 _{M, it is} possible to provide only one such filling point, with which the filling time is then also determined or corrected or updated in each case for all other filling points. Furthermore, it is also possible, on the basis of the signal S1 supplied by a flow meter 39, to determine additional times in addition to the filling time T, namely, for example, times during which a change in the inflow speed of the liquid by means of corresponding control signals to the filling elements 8 Filling is done.

In principle, it is possible to use a correction value when opening and closing the liquid valves 20 of the filling elements 8, which takes into account changes in the influencing variables on the flow rate and which, together with the determined control value or the determined filling time T, provides the opening time T '. A signal can also be used as a correction value, for example, which a test device 50 supplies at the outlet of the filling machine. This test device is, for example, a weighing device or a device for measuring the level in the filled cans 1.

In principle, the filling machine can also be controlled in such a way that the control values or filling times T of a previous circulation are used for each revolution of the machine or of the machine part 9. In this case in particular, it is possible for the respective master filling point 8 _{M to be assigned} the slave filling points 8 _S which lag immediately with respect to the direction of rotation C.

List of the reference symbols used

1

Can

1'

edge

2nd

Transport star

3rd

carrier

4th

Transport star

5

carrier

6

ring

7

Footprint

8th

Filling element

8 _sts

Master filling station

8 _p

Slave filling point

9

Machine part

10th

Ring bowl

11

flange

12th

Tension gas duct

13

Relief channel

14

ring

15

Control block

16

casing

16 '

Housing section

17th

Liquid channel

18th

Inlet opening

19th

Outlet opening

20th

Liquid valve

21

Valve body

22

poetry

23

Valve surface

24th

Pestle

25th

feather

26

piston

27

Tax chamber

28

Control valve

29

Compressed air line

30th

ring

31

Guide rod

32

Sealing ring

33

role

34

channel

35

jet

36

Control cam

37

channel

38

Outlet

39

Flow meter

40

Data line

41

Control device

42

Control line

43

Pipeline

44

Pipeline

45

Pipeline

46

Input device

47

Data line

48

Signal generator

49

exit

50

Test facility

I, II, III

Angular range

Claims (38)

1. Method for the filling of bottles, cans or containers similar thereto with a preset quantity of a liquid filling stock with the use of a filling machine with several filling places (8_M, 8_S) each with a respective filling element (8), which displays a liquid valve (20), which is controlled by an actuating equipment (28) in a liquid channel (17), which forms at least a part of a filling stock or product path, with a delivery or outlet opening (19), by way of which the liquid filling stock flows to the container (1) positioned below the filling element (8) while the liquid valve (20) is open during the filling phase, as well as with an electrical control equipment (41), which co-operates with the actuating equipment (28) of the filling elements (8) and which for the termination of the filling phase delivers a signal, which initiates the closing of the liquid valve (20), in dependence on a measurement value (S1), which is supplied by a throughflow meter (39) in the product path and corresponds to the quantity of filling stock that has actually flowed to the container (1) by way of the filling element (8) concerned, as well as subject to consideration of the preset quantity to be filled into the containers, to the respective actuating element (28), characterised thereby, that the at least one filling element (8), which is associated with the throughflow meter (39) and forms a master filling place (8_M), is associated with at least one further filling element (8), which forms a slave filling place (8_S) without throughflow meter (9, 39), and that the control equipment (41) - on the basis of the measurement value (S1) supplied by the throughlow meter (39) of the master filling place (8_M) - ascertains a control value which corresponds to the filling time (T), which is needed to reach the preset filling quantity at this master filling place (8_M), and that the control equipment (41) by appropriate control signals (S2) causes an opening of the liquid valve of the filling element (8) of the at least one associated slave filling place (8_S) during a time span or opening time (T') derived from this control value.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that the control value is the filling time (T).
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised thereby, that the control value ascertained by the control equipment (41) is equal to the opening time (T') of the liquid valve (20) of the at least one slave filling place (8_S).
4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised thereby, that the opening time (T') of the liquid valve (20) of the at least one slave filling place (8_S) is formed by the control equipment (41) from the control value subject to consideration of a correction value which takes into consideration, for example, changes in influencing magnitudes of the speed of flow of the liquid filling stock and/or deviations from the preset quantity of the liquid filling stock to be filled into the containers (1), that have been ascertained in a test equipment (50).
5. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised thereby, that the opening of the liquid valve (20) of the slave filling place (8_S) takes place only after the liquid valve (20) of the associated master filling place (8_M) is already closed.
6. Method according to claim 5, characterised thereby, that the opening of the liquid valve (20) of the slave filling place (8_S) takes place only with a time delay after closing of the liquid valve (20) of the master filling place (8_M).
7. Method according to claim 6, characterised by the use of a filling machine of rotary mode of construction with a plurality of filling places (8_M, 8_S), which are provided at the periphery of a machine part (9) revolving in one rotational direction (C) about a vertical machine axis (MA), and that at least one filling place forms a master filling place (8_M) and the further filling places (8_S), wherein the slave filling places (8_S), which are associated with the at least one master filling filling place (8_M), trail this master filling place (8_M) with reference to the rotational direction (c).
8. Method according to claim 7, characterised thereby, that at least two master filling places (8_M) are provided at the periphery of the machine part (9) and distributed at preset angular spacings (a), preferably equally great angular spacings (a), and that at least one respective slave filling place (8_S) is used between the master filling places (8_M).
9. Method according to claim 8, characterised thereby, that each master filling place (8_M) is followed directly by the at least one associated slave filling place (8_S).
10. Method according to claim 8, characterised thereby, that the at least one slave filling place (8_S), which is associated with a master filling place (8_M), is displaced by at least one angular spacing (a).
11. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised thereby, that the control equipment (41) ascertains the control value (T) subject to consideration of further filling parameters, such as for example filling pressure, kind and temperature of the liquid filling stock and size and shape of the containers.
12. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised thereby, that the control equipment (41), in addition to the at least one control value (T) for the control of the filling elements (8), produces still further control signals for a setting and/or alteration of the inflow speed, at which the liquid filling stock flows to the respective container during the filling phase.
13. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterised thereby, that the control equipment (41) delivers an additional control or output signal (S5) when a measurement value, which corresponds to the preset filling quantity, is not reached by the throughflow meter (39) of the at least one master filling place (8_M) within a preset maximum time interval or within a preset maximum angular region of the rotational movement of the rotor (9).
14. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 13, characterised by a manual setting or a manual adjustment of the inflow speed, at which the liquid filling stock flows to the respective container during the filling phase, by adjustment of a throttle place in the product path or in the return gas path of the filling elements (8).
15. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 14, characterised thereby, that in the case of several master filling places (8_M) each with at least one respectively associated slave filling place (8_S), the control equipment ascertains a separate control value (T) for each master filling place with associated slave filling place.
16. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 14, characterised thereby, that in the case of several master filling places (8_M) each with at least one respectively associated slave filling place (8_S), a control value, which is common for all slave filling places, is ascertained by the control equipment and updated each time by the measurement value (S1) of the throughflow meters (39) of the master filling places.
17. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 16, characterised thereby, that the filling phase for the respective filling place (8_M and 8_S) is initiated constrainedly in the presence of a container (1) when this filling place has reached a certain angular setting during the rotational movement of the revolving machine part (9).
18. Filling machine, for the filling of bottles, cans or containers similar thereto with a preset quantity of a liquid filling stock, with several filling places (8_M, 8_S) each with a respective filling element (8), which displays a liquid valve (20), which is controlled by an actuating equipment (28) in a liquid channel (17), which forms at least a part of a filling stock or product path, with a delivery or outlet opening (19), by way of which the liquid filling stock flows to the container (1) positioned below the filling element (8) while the liquid valve (20) is open during the filling phase, as well as with an electrical control equipment (41), which co-operates with the actuating equipment (28) of the filling elements (8) and which for the termination of the filling phase delivers a signal, which initiates the closing of the liquid valve (20), in dependence on a measurement value (S1), which is supplied by a throughflow meter (39) in the product path and corresponds to the quantity of filling stock that has actually flowed to the container (1) by way of the filling element (8) concerned, as well as subject to consideration of the preset quantity to be filled into the containers, to the respective actuating element (28), characterised thereby, that the at least one filling element (8), which is associated with the throughflow meter (39) and forms a master filling place (8_M), is associated with at least one further filling element (8), which forms a slave filling place (8_S) without throughflow meter (9, 39), and that the control equipment (41) - on the basis of the measurement value (S1) supplied by the throughlow meter (39) of the master filling place (8_M) - ascertains a control value which corresponds to the filling time (T), which is needed to reach the preset filling quantity at this master filling place (8_M), and that the control equipment (41) by appropriate control signals (S2) causes an opening of the liquid valve of the filling element (8) of the at least one associated slave filling place (8_S) during a time span or opening time (T') derived from this control value.
19. Filling machine according to claim 18, characterised thereby, that the control value is the filling time (T).
20. Filling machine according to claim 18 or 19, characterised thereby, that the control value ascertained by the control equipment (41) is equal to the opening time (T') of the liquid valve (20) of the at least one filling place (8_S).
21. Filling machine according to claim 18 or 19, characterised thereby, that the opening time (T') of the liquid valve (20) of the at least one slave filling place (8_S) is formed by the control equipment (41) from the control value subject to consideration of a correction value which takes into consideration, for example, changes in influencing magnitudes of the speed of flow of the liquid filling stock and/or deviations from the preset quantity of the liquid filling stock to be filled into the containers (1), that have been ascertained in a test equipment (50), at an output of the filling machine.
22. Filling machine according to one of the claims 18 to 21, characterised thereby, that the control equipment (41) initiates the opening of the liquid valve (20) of the slave filling place (8_S) only after the liquid valve (20) of the associated master filling place (8_M) is already closed.
23. Filling machine according to claim 22, characterised thereby, that the opening of the liquid valve (20) of the slave filling place (8_S) takes place only with a time delay after closing of the liquid valve (20) of the master filling place (8_M).
24. Filling machine according to claim 23, characterised thereby, that the filling machine is such of rotary mode of construction with a plurality of filling places (8_M, 8_S), which are provided at the periphery of a machine part (9) revolving in one rotational direction (C) about a vertical machine axis (MA), and that at least one filling place forms a master filling place (8_M) and the further filling places (8_S), wherein the slave filling places (8_S), which are associated with the at least one master filling place (8_M), trail this master filling place (8_M) with reference to the rotational direction (C).
25. Filling machine according to claim 24, characterised thereby, that at least two master filling places (8_M) are provided at the periphery of the machine part (9) and distributed at preset angular spacings (a), preferably equally great angular spacings (a) and that at least one respective slave filling place (8_S) is provided between the master filling places (8_M).
26. Filling machine according to claim 25, characterised thereby, that each master filling place (8_M) is followed directly by the at least one associated slave filling place (8_S).
27. Filling machine according to claim 25, characterised thereby, that the at least one slave filling place (8_S), which is associated with a master filling place (8_M), is displaced by at least one angular spacing (a).
28. Filling machine according to one of the claims 18 to 27, characterised thereby, that the control equipment (41) ascertains the control value (T) subject to consideration of further filling parameters, such as for example filling pressure, kind and temperature of the liquid filling stock and size and shape of the containers.
29. Filling machine according to one of the claims 18 to 28, characterised thereby, that the control equipment (41), in addition to the at least one control value (T) for the control of the filling elements (8), produces still further control signals for a setting and/or alteration of the inflow speed, at which the liquid filling stock flows to the respective container during the filling phase.
30. Filling machine according to one of the claims 18 to 29, characterised thereby, that the control equipment (41) delivers an additional control or output signal (S5) when a measurement value, which corresponds to the preset filling quantity, is not reached by the throughflow meter (39) of the at least one master filling place (8_M) within a preset maximum time interval or within a preset maximum angular region of the rotational movement of the rotor (9).
31. Filling machine according to one of the claims 18 to 30, characterised by means (35) for a manual setting or a manual adjustment of the inflow speed, at which the liquid filling stock flows to the respective container during the filling phase.
32. Filling machine according to claim 31, characterised thereby, that an adjustable and/or exchangeable throttle element (35) is provided in the product path and/or in a gas path of each filling element (8).
33. Filling machine according to one of the claims 18 to 32, characterised thereby, that in the case of several master filling places (8_M) each with at least one respectively associated slave filling place (8_S), the control equipment ascertains a separate control value (T) for each master filling place with associated slave filling place.
34. Filling machine according to one of the claims 18 to 33, characterised thereby, that in the case of several master filling places (8_M) each with at least one respectively associated slave filling place (8_S), a control value, which is common for all slave filling places, is ascertained by the control equipment and updated each time by the measurement value (S1) of the throughflow meters (39) of the master filling places.
35. Filling machine according to one of the claims 18 to 34, characterised thereby, that the at least one throughflow meter (39) is an inductive throughflow meter.
36. Filling machine according to one of the claims 18 to 35, characterised by a pneumatic setting member (26, 27), which is controlled by the actuating equipment (28), for the liquid valve (20) of the respective filling element.
37. Filling machine according to claim 36, characterised thereby, that the actuating equipment is formed by at least one electrically controllable pneumatic valve (28).
38. Filling machine according to one of the claims 18 to 36, characterised thereby, that the filling phase for the respective filling place (8_M and 8_S) is initiated constrainedly in the presence of a container (1) when this filling place has reached a certain angular setting during the rotational movement of the revolving machine part.

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