EP0614849B1 - Filling head for filling machines for filling bottles or similar containers with a liquid - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a filling element according to the preamble of claim 1.

Filling elements are known in a wide variety of designs, in particular also in a design according to the preamble of claim 1 (DE-OS 38 09 852), which can be used, inter alia, in a method or in a filling machine for aseptic or sterile filling of a liquid filling material Containers, especially in bottles. The known filling element is designed as such with a filling tube which protrudes over the underside of the filling element. The actual filling phase, which is initiated when the liquid valve is opened, is preceded, inter alia, by the treatment or sterilization of the respective container with a hot sterilization medium, preferably with steam. For this purpose, the filling tube is connected via a controllable sterilization medium connection formed in the filling element to a source for the hot sterilization medium, so that this emerges at the lower end of the filling tube protruding into the container. For the quality of the sterilization, it is crucial that the end of the filling tube, ie the exit point for the sterilization medium determined by this end during the sterilization, is arranged so deep in the container with a small distance from the container base that the container base is adequately loaded with the sterilization medium and For example, along the bottom of the container radially to the axis of the container or to the axis of the filling element or the filling tube to the outside and then from the bottom of the container, in particular along the inner surface of the circumference of the container, there is an intensive flow of the sterilization medium and thus an optimal sterilization of the interior of the container also in the lower area , ie in particular on the inner surface of the bottom, the container circumference and at the angle formed between them.

A disadvantage of this known filling element is, among other things, that a relatively large stroke for the container arranged on a container carrier is required for the insertion of the filling tube, which is longest for optimal sterilization, into the container - until the container lies tight against the filling element (sealing position) is. A relatively long cycle time is thus also required until the container has reached the sealing position and the pressure of the hot sterilization medium can be applied to the interior of the container, as is necessary in many cases in order to achieve an optimal result for the sterilization.

The object of the invention is to show a filling element with which optimal sterilization can be achieved despite shortened strokes and despite the possibility of shortening the cycle times.

To solve this problem, a filling element is designed in accordance with the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

The filler element according to the invention is one without a filler tube or one with a short filler tube, so that a short stroke and thus a short cycle time are sufficient for attaching and removing the respective container to or from the filler element.

When attaching or after attaching, if a treatment of the respective container with the sterilization medium is provided, the tube designed as a sterilization tube is moved from its upper stroke position into its lower stroke position, in which the lower end of this tube provided with at least one outlet opening is deep in protrudes into the container, with the smallest possible distance from the bottom of the container, so that an optimal sterilization of the entire container interior is possible with a small amount of sterilization medium and in a short treatment time. The sterilization tube and the parts connected to it in particular also for the movement of the Tube provided actuator can be formed with low mass. There is therefore no need for large mass accelerations, which is particularly important in the case of a filling machine running at high power.

The control elements controlling the respective filling element also control the sterilization tube and the associated actuating device in such a way that at least during the filling phase, but preferably also during a pre-stressing phase possibly preceding this filling phase, in which the interior of the container in the sealing position with the filling element is pretensioned to a predetermined pressure, the sterilization tube is in the upper stroke position in such a way that this tube is not damaged in the event of a burst or breakage, possibly defective containers, and above all is protected so that liquid contents cannot accumulate on the tube , which also contributes to increasing the quality of the sterilization.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuating device is designed such that the sterilization tube is moved into the lower stroke position by the pressure of the sterilization medium and is held there. This not only simplifies the actuating device and the associated control, but also ensures that the sterilization tube is in the lower stroke position when hot sterilization medium emerges from this tube.

During the sterilization, the sterilization medium emerges at the lower end of the sterilization tube. However, versions are also conceivable in which the sterilization medium supplied into the container, for example via a gas channel, is discharged from the container via the lower end of the sterilization tube, it also being possible here, for example, for any condensate or condensate residues to be contained in the sterilization medium drain the sterilization tube.

Furthermore, in the invention it is also possible to connect the sterilization tube to a source for a vacuum in order to evacuate the container via the sterilization tube, preferably also to remove liquid or condensate. Finally, with the invention, control is also possible in such a way that hot sterilization medium emerges from the sterilization tube already in the upper stroke position, which makes it possible to treat those parts with the sterilization medium that are in the area with the container even before a container is attached come into contact with the container mouth. In the invention, too, the sterilization tube is inserted into the respective container to such an extent that the sterilization medium is sufficiently applied to the container base.

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

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter Schnittdarstellung ein füllrohrloses Füllelement einer Gegendruck-Flaschenfüllmaschine rotierender Bauart, zusammen mit dem Ringkessel der Füllmaschine sowie mit einer an das Füllelement angesetzten Flasche;

Fig. 2 - 4

in ähnlicher Darstellung wie Fig. 1 weitere, mögliche Ausführungen der Erfindung;

Fig. 5

in Einzeldarstellung das untere Ende eines Sterilisationsrohres, zusammen mit einem Ventilkörper.

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

Fig. 1

in a simplified sectional view, a filler-less filler element of a counterpressure bottle filling machine of rotating design, together with the ring bowl of the filling machine and with a bottle attached to the filler element;

Figs. 2-4

in a representation similar to FIG. 1, further possible embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 5

in individual representation the lower end of a sterilization tube, together with a valve body.

In the figures, 1 is a ring bowl which is provided on an otherwise not shown rotor of the filling machine which rotates around a vertical machine axis and which serves to fill the bottles 2 with a carbonated beverage, for example beer, under counterpressure.

A multiplicity of filling points are formed on the circumference of the rotor or ring bowl 1, each of which has a filling element 3 and beneath it a bottle holder which can be moved up and down in the vertical direction. The filling elements 3 are attached to the circumference of the ring bowl 1. This forms an inner space 4 which surrounds the vertical machine axis and which is filled up to a predetermined level N with the beverage or with the liquid filling material, so that below the level N a liquid space 4 'occupied by the liquid filling material and above the level Gas space 4 '' is formed for a gas under pressure, for example inert gas (for example CO2 gas).

Each filling element has a housing 5, in the lower part of which a liquid channel 6 is formed, which is connected at one end to the filling space 4 'and on the underside of the filling element 3 or the housing 5 a ring-shaped ring concentrically enclosing the vertical filling element axis FA Dispensing opening 7 forms. In the liquid channel 6, the liquid valve 8 is provided, which is shown in its open position in FIG. 1. This liquid valve consists of a valve body 9, which can be moved by a predetermined movement stroke in the direction of the axis FA by actuating means (not shown in more detail) and, in the closed state of the liquid valve 8, rests with a valve body surface against a valve seat formed in the liquid channel 6. 10 denotes a centering bell and 11 denotes an annular seal enclosing the discharge opening 7, against which the bottle 2 located in the sealing position with the filling element 3 bears with its mouth 2 '.

Below the inner space 4, an annular residual gas channel 12, which is common to all filling elements 3, is provided in the ring bowl 1. Furthermore, a supply channel 13 for the sterilization medium, namely for water vapor, which is also common to all filling elements 3, is provided on the ring bowl 1 or on the rotor having this ring bowl.

Each filling element 3 has a sterilization tube 14 which is arranged coaxially with the axis FA, which is open at its lower tube end 14 'and is guided through the valve body 9 through a bore of the valve body 9 which is coaxially with the axis FA. The outer diameter of the sterilization tube 14 and the inner diameter of the bore mentioned are adjusted to one another in such a way that a gas or annular channel 15 results within the valve body 9 or within a plunger-like extension 9 'which is produced in one piece with this valve body and extends upwards the underside of the filling element 3 is open and is surrounded concentrically by the annular discharge channel 7. By means of an actuating device 16 provided on the upper side of the filling element 3, the sterilization tube 14 can be displaced in the axis FA by a predetermined stroke such that the tube end 14 'in the upper stroke position is at the same level or approximately as the same level with the lower end of the valve body 9, that is is inserted into the filling element 3 or into the valve body 9 and in the lower stroke position shown in FIG. 1 is inserted so far into the bottle 2 lying in the filling element 3 that the pipe end 14 'is in the immediate vicinity of the inner surface of the bottom 2 '' of the bottle 2 is located, or at least only so far from the floor that the floor is also sufficiently exposed to the water vapor.

The actuating device 16 is formed by a cylinder 17, in which a piston 18 is provided so as to be displaceable in the axis FA. The upper, open end of the sterilization tube 14 is attached to the piston 18. Provided in the piston 18 is a channel 19 which is coaxial with the axis FA and via which the upper, open end of the sterilization tube 14 is connected to the side of the piston 18 facing away from this tube.

The space of the cylinder 17 facing away from the sterilization tube 14 above the piston 18 opens into a channel 21 which is connected to the supply channel 13 via an individually controllable and individually controllable electrical control valve 22 for each filling element 3.

The part or space of the cylinder 17 provided below the piston 18 can be acted upon by a pneumatic pressure of a control pressure line 45 or vented to the atmosphere via an electrically actuated control valve 23, which is again provided separately for each filling element 3.

Furthermore, each filling element 3 has three individually controllable control valves 24-26, which form a control block and control various channels, some of which are formed in the housing 5 of the filling element and some of which are in the ring bowl 1. In particular, the control valves 24 - 26 are connected to the following channels:

Control valve 24:

On the input side to a connecting channel 27, which opens into a channel 28 leading to the residual gas channel 12, and
on the output side to a channel 29 which opens onto the inner surface of the cylinder 17 and which is connected to the channel 19 when the piston 18 is in the lower stroke position or when the sterilization tube 14 is in the lower stroke position.

Control valve 25:

On the input side with a channel 30 leading to the gas space 4 ″ and on the output side with a channel 31 which is connected to the gas channel 15.

Control valve 26:

On the input side with channel 31 and on the output side with channel 28.

The peculiarity of the filling element 3 is that when the sterilization tube 14 is in the upper stroke position, in which the control pressure is applied to the piston 18 on its underside with the control pressure, by opening the control valve 22 a steam outlet at the tube end 14 'and thus on the underside of the filling element 3 is possible in order to sterilize the parts or surfaces there and also the bottle 2 when it is placed in the region of its mouth 2 '.

After the bottle 2 has been placed in place, the sterilization tube 14 is completely inserted into the bottle 2, so that the tube end 14 'is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the inner surface of the base 2' '. For the insertion of the sterilization tube 14 into the bottle 2, the pressure of the sterilization medium or steam acting on the upper surface of the piston 18 when the control valve 22 is open is used, with the control valve 23 providing targeted or controlled relief of the space formed below the piston 18 of the cylinder 17 takes place. The cross section of the piston 18 in comparison to the cross section of the sterilization tube 14 ensures that the sterilization medium exerts a sufficiently large pressure on the top of the piston 18, although this sterilization medium constantly emerges at the lower tube end 14 '.

Since the tube end 14 'is located directly above the inner surface of the base 2'', a vapor flow results in the bottle 2 which runs radially outward from the tube end 14' along the base 2 '' and then axially upwards thereafter that all areas of the inner surface of the bottle are treated intensively with the sterilization medium or steam, which is discharged to the atmosphere via the ring channel 15 into the residual gas channel at least during part of a sterilization phase.

A basic advantage is also that the retractable sterilization tube 14 only requires a small stroke despite the optimal sterilization for the bottle carrier 20, and that the retracted sterilization tube 14 is particularly useful when the bottle is in and out, but also in critical phases of the filling process , for example during the preloading of the bottle 2 to the filling pressure, in the retracted state. In detail, the filling element 3 enables the following mode of operation:

1. Steam valve outer parts

When the filling elements 3 pass through the loss angle formed between the bottle outlet and the bottle inlet of the filling machine, steam outlet at the lower tube end 14 ′ is brought about by opening the respective control valve 22 when the sterilization tube 14 is in the upper stroke position. In this case, the control pressure is applied to the lower cylinder space of the cylinder 17.

2. Displacing the air from bottle 2 using steam

Immediately after the bottle 2 is pressed onto the filling element 3, a full steam flow is introduced into the upper part of the cylinder 17 by opening the control valve 22 again. At the same time, the lower part of the cylinder 17 is vented via the control valve 23, so that the sterilization tube 14 moves downward from the upper stroke position and is inserted increasingly deeper into the bottle 2. Due to the steam emerging at the pipe end 14 ′, the air in the bottle 2 in the sealing position with the filling element 3 is increasingly displaced from this bottle and discharged via the ring channel 15 and the opened control valve 26 to the residual gas channel 12, which is under atmospheric pressure, for example. The steam flow ensures optimal sterilization bottle 2 on its inner surfaces. The sterilization tube 14 is also included in this sterilization, namely through the steam flow inside and outside.

3. Sterilize bottle 2 and filling element 3 under positive pressure

After the air has been completely displaced from the bottle 2, the control valve 26 is closed, so that steam is introduced into the bottle 2 via the still open control valve 22 and the sterilization tube 14 until pressure equalization with the pressure in the supply channel 13 is reached.

4. Suppress steam with inert gas or CO2

After a predetermined sterilization time, the control valve 22 is closed. At the same time, the vapor overpressure is discharged into the residual gas channel 12 via the control valve 26 which is opened again. Immediately afterwards, the control valves 24 and 25 are opened, so that inert gas passes from the gas space 4 '' into the bottle 2 via the channels 30 and 31 as well as via the ring channel 15, and in this case the residual steam via the sterilization tube 14, the channel 29, the connecting channel 27 and the channel 28 to the residual gas channel 12 is displaced. Because the tube end 14 'is provided directly on the inner surface of the base 2' ', condensate residues can also be removed from the bottle 2 during this displacement.

5. Bottle 2 prestressing

For this prestressing, the valve 24 is closed, so that the prestressing can take place via the opened valve 25 and the channels 30 and 31. For prestressing the bottle 2, the sterilization tube 14 is moved into its upper stroke position by corresponding actuation of the control valve 23, so that this tube is completely retracted into the filling element 3 and is therefore also protected against broken glass bottles.

This is then followed, for example, by filling the bottle 2 in the usual method steps (by opening the liquid valve 8 and relieving and removing the filled bottle). The filling preferably comprises several phases, namely a slow filling phase, a quick filling phase and a subsequent slow filling phase.

During filling, the sterilization tube 14 is also in the upper stroke position. Since the filling element 3 thus has no elements that protrude into the interior of the bottle 2 during filling and could be used as a level-determining member or probe, a magnetic inductive flow meter 32 (MID) is provided for each filling element 3, which is one of the Flow rate, ie the respective bottle 2 with the amount flowing to the opened liquid valve 8 delivers a corresponding signal to a control device which, when the measured amount or volume size corresponds to a predetermined value, delivers a signal causing the closing of the liquid valve 8.

In the described configuration of the actuating device 16, it is possible to design the sterilization tube 14 in such a way that in its lower stroke position it stands with the lower tube end 14 'on the floor at 2', in such a way that steam can escape at the same time. For this purpose, the sterilization tube 14 is provided at the tube end 14 'or at the edge there, for example with notches or recesses, in such a way that projections are formed on the lower tube end and open recesses are formed between them toward the tube inside, tube outside and tube bottom. If the sterilization tube 14 stands with the tube end 14 'in the lower stroke position on the bottom 2''of the bottle 2, then essentially the same conditions can be achieved in the treatment of these bottles regardless of the tolerances of the bottles 2.

Changes and modifications to the procedure described above are possible. For example, it is possible, with the steam supplied via the sterilization tube 14, only to displace the air from the respective bottle 2 without the bottle 2 subsequently being subjected to the steam pressure of the supply channel 13.

The CIP cleaning of the filling elements 3 is preferably carried out in such a way that the upper part of the cylinder 17 above the piston 18 is pressurized with the pressurized CIP media, specifically with the lower cylinder chamber vented via the control valve 23. The sterilization tube 14 is thereby moved into the lower stroke position and extends over its entire length into the rinsing sleeve attached to the filling element during CIP cleaning, so that the entire length of the sterilization tube 14 is included inside and outside in the CIP cleaning can.

FIG. 2 shows a filling element 3a, which differs from the filling element 3 essentially only in the features mentioned below, but otherwise corresponds to the filling element 3, so that the same reference numbers are used for all elements corresponding to the filling element 3 in FIG. 2 as used in FIG. 1, which also applies to the filling elements 3b and 3c of FIGS. 3 and 4 described below.

The filling element 3a differs from the filling element 3 in that the actuating device 16a instead of the piston 18 has a piston 18a with a channel 19a which is connected to the upper end of the sterilization tube 14 and is only open on the peripheral surface of the piston 18a , in such a way that in the lower stroke position of the sterilization tube 14, the channel 19a communicates with a channel 34 which is formed in the cylinder 17 and leads to a further control valve 33.

Furthermore, a channel 35 is provided in the filling element 3a instead of the channel 29, which connects the valve 24 on the output side to the channel 21.

Instead of the connecting channel 27, a connecting channel 36 is finally provided, which connects the valve 24 on the input side to the channel 31.

An essential difference in the operation of the filling element 3a compared to the filling element 3 is that for the steam treatment with open control valves 22, 24 and 33, a steam flow from the supply channel 13 via the ring channel 15 into the bottle 2 and from this bottle back over in his Sterilization tube 14 located at the lowest stroke position, channels 19a and 34 and control valve 33 are possible, for example, in the residual gas channel 12 or in an additional collecting channel.

3 shows the filling element 3b and differs from the filling element 3 essentially by the measures specified below:

The piston 18b of the actuating device 16b has a channel 19b, which in turn opens into the sterilization tube 14, is open at the top of the piston 18b and is offset radially with respect to the axis FA. Instead of the channel 29, a channel 37 is provided which is connected on the output side to the control valve 24 and opens into the upper cylinder chamber at the upper end of the cylinder 17. In the case of the filling element 3b, the connection channel 27 has also been omitted and the control valve 24 is also connected to the channel 30 on the input side. Furthermore, the control valve 3b on the piston has an upwardly projecting rod 38 which is guided on the top of the cylinder 17, that is to say forms an additional guide also for the sterilization tube 14. The rod 38 has an axial channel 39, which is open at the top of the rod and communicates with an annular channel 40, which is located on the circumference of the piston 18b between a upper and a lower seal 41 is provided. Compressed air or steam residues can be removed via channels 40 and 39.

Finally, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a vacuum channel 42 common to all filling elements 3b is also provided, to which each filling element 3b is connected via a control valve 43, specifically via channel 21.

The additional connection to the vacuum channel 42 enables vacuum treatment of the bottle 2. Furthermore, in the case of the filling element 3b, it is possible to rinse the bottle 2 via the sterilization tube 14, this tube being affected by the pressure of the inert gas or CO₂ gas used for rinsing, which flows out of the gas space 4 'via the open control valve 24 and the channel 37 is supplied in the upper cylinder space of the cylinder 17, moved into the lower stroke position and held there.

Fig. 4 shows as a further possible embodiment, the filling element 3c, which differs from the filling element 3 essentially only in that in addition to the supply channel 13 for steam, the vacuum channel 42 is also provided, so that by correspondingly controlling the control valves 22 and 43 the channel 21 can optionally be connected to the supply channel 13 or to the vacuum channel 42.

The channel 21 in the filling element 3c does not open into the upper cylinder space of the cylinder 17, but rather into a channel 44 formed in this cylinder, which, when the piston 18c of the actuating device 16c or sterilization tube 14 is in the lower stroke position, leads into the channel 19c provided in the piston 18c opens, which is constantly connected to the sterilization tube 14 and in the lower stroke position also to the channel 29. In addition to the control valve 23, a control valve 23 'is provided, both of which are connected to the control pressure or compressed air line 45 and from compressed air line 45 are connected and from which the control valve 23 'controls the upper and the control valve 23 continues to control the lower cylinder space of the cylinder 17. In the case of the filling element 3c, the stroke of the sterilization tube 14 is thus effected in both directions by the control pressure medium (compressed air). As a result, the cylinder spaces of the actuating device 16c are kept completely free of such media, which also get into the respective bottle 2 or are used to treat this bottle, but with the additional control valve 23 'being accepted.

With the filling element 3c, the procedures described above in connection with the filling element 3 are possible, but in addition, in particular, also using the vacuum in the vacuum channel 42, suction of condensate via the sterilization tube 14. For this purpose, the sterilization tube 14 is located in the lower one Stroke position, ie The upper cylinder chamber of the cylinder 17 is acted upon by the control pressure via the control valve 23 ′ and the lower cylinder chamber is vented via the control valve 23. When the control valves 22, 24, 25 and 26 are closed and the control valves 43 are open, the condensate is extracted.

The invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments. It goes without saying that numerous changes and modifications are possible without departing from the idea of the invention. So it is basically also possible to move the sterilization tube 14 through another actuating device, for example through a control curve in the axis FA, the control device then preferably being designed such that only one movement is generated in one direction by means of the control curve while the Movement in the other direction is effected by spring means or by an air cylinder acting as a spring or the like. Air spring, and preferably the downward movement.

As a further possible embodiment, FIG. 5 shows a sterilization tube 14a, which is provided with a head or valve body 46 at its lower end 14a '. This interacts with a valve seat, for example formed by an O-ring 47, which is provided on the valve body 9 in the region of the lower, open end of the ring channel 15. In the upper stroke position of the sterilization tube 14a, the valve body 46 bears against the O-ring and thereby closes the ring channel 15. The sterilization tube 14a thus simultaneously functions as a control valve. As a result, the control valve 26 in the filling elements 3, 3a, 3b and 3c can be dispensed with, the channel 28 then being connected directly to the channel 31, however.

In the filling element 3b of FIG. 3, the rod 38 is preferably formed in one piece with the sterilization tube 14 of a length of a tube profile, the interior of this tube profile being closed in the region of the piston 18b, so that the sterilization tube 14 and the tube separated from this tube Channel 39 result.

Deviating from the above-described embodiments, other elements determining the filling quantity or the filling height can also be used instead of the flow meters 32, e.g. Light or ultrasound sensors that scan the level of the liquid contents in the container via a return gas path or the sterilization tube. Furthermore, the sterilization tube can be designed as an element that determines the filling height, preferably with a light or ultrasound sensor. Finally, there are also weighing devices for the bottles 2, e.g. Glass or plastic bottles are possible.

With appropriate training, the filling element according to the invention can also be used for filling cans.

Reference list

1

Ring bowl

2nd

bottle

2, 2 '

muzzle

2 ''

ground

3, 3a, 3b, 3c

Filling element

4th

Boiler interior

4 '

Product space

4 ''

Gas space

5

casing

6

Liquid channel

7

Delivery opening

8th

Liquid valve

9

Valve body

9 '

renewal

10th

Centering tulip

11

poetry

12th

Residual gas channel

13

Supply channel

14, 14a

Sterilization tube

14 ', 14a'

Pipe end

15

Ring channel

16, 16a, 16b, 16c

Actuator

17th

cylinder

18, 18a, 18b, 18c

piston

19, 19a, 19b, 19c

channel

21

channel

22

Control valve

23, 23 '

Control valve

24-26

Control valve

27

Connecting channel

28-31

channel

32

Flow meter

33

Control valve

34, 35

channel

36

Connecting channel

37,

channel

38

pole

39

channel

40

Ring channel

41

Piston seal

42

Vacuum channel

43

Control valve

44

channel

45

Control pressure line

46

Valve body

47

O-ring

Claims (23)

1. Filling element, for filling machines for dispensing a liquid filling stock into bottles (2) or the like containers, with a liquid channel (6), which displays a liquid valve (8) and forms a delivery opening (7) and by way of which the liquid filling stock flows to the respective container (2) set against the filling element (3, 3a to 3c) in a filling phase with the liquid valve (8) open, with a tube (14, 14a), which projects into the respective container (2) set against the filling element by a tube length as well as with a sterilising medium connection which is controllable by means of first control means (22) and connectable to a source (13) for a sterilising medium, preferably steam, and namely for a treatment of the interior space of the container with the sterilising medium flowing through the tube (14, 14a) in a sterilisation phase, wherein the tube (14, 14a) is arranged to be so deep in the container (2) by at least one opening, which is formed in the region of the lower end (14, 14a) of the tube length, that also the region of a container base (2''), which lies opposite the container opening (2'), is acted on by the sterilising medium, characterised thereby, that the filling element is a filling-tube-less filling element or such with a short filling tube and the tube is a sterilising tube (14, 14a), which is movable by an actuating equipment (16, 16a to 16c) in the direction of the filling element axis (FA) between a lower stroke setting, in which the sterilising tube (14, 14a) protrudes by the tube length beyond the underside of the filling element (3, 3a to 3c), and an upper stroke setting, in which the sterilising tube (14, 14a) is retracted by at least a part of the tube length into the filling element (3, 3a to 3c).
2. Filling element according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that the lower end (14, 14a) of the tube length or of the sterilising tube (14, 14a) in the upper stroke setting is disposed in the region of the delivery opening (7) and/or in the region of a contact or sealing element (11), which surrounds the delivery opening (7), for the mouth (2') of the container (2) and/or in the region of a centring element for the container (2).
3. Filling element according to claim 1 or 2, characterised thereby, that the delivery opening (7) is displaced radially relative to the axis of the sterilising tube (14, 14a) and preferably surrounds the sterilising tube (14, 14a) or its axis concentrically.
4. Filling element according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised by at least one gas channel (15), which is open at the underside of the filling element and - with a container (2) set against the filling element - opens into the interior space of this container, for the feeding and/or discharging of the sterilising medium into or from the container (2) set against the filling element.
5. Filling element according to claim 4, characterised thereby, that the gas channel is an annular channel (15), which annularly surrounds the sterilising tube (14, 14a) or the axis of the sterilising tube (14, 14a) and is in its turn annularly surrounded by the delivery opening (7) and/or the liquid channel (6).
6. Filling element according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised thereby, that the liquid valve (8) displays a valve body (9), which is movable through a preset stroke in a filling element axis (FA), and that the sterilising tube (14, 14a) is led through an opening of this valve body (9) and movable relative to the valve body (9).
7. Filling element according to claim 6, characterised thereby, that the valve body (9) is provided at the lower end of a valve tappet or a tappet-like prolongation (9') and that the sterilising tube (14, 14a) is led through an opening of the valve body (9) or the tappet-like element (9') and namely preferably in such a manner that the gas channel (15) is formed between the outward surface of the sterilising tube (14, 14a) and the inward surface of the bore in the valve body (9) and in the tappet (9').
8. Filling element according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterised by a vacuum connection which displays second control means (43) and by way of which the sterilising tube (14, 14a) is connectable to an underpressure source (42).
9. Filling element according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterised thereby, that the actuating equipment (16, 16a to 16c) is a piston-cylinder arrangement with at least one cylinder (17) and a piston (18, 18a to 18c), which is displaceable therein and in the interior of the cylinder (17) bounds at least one cylinder chamber which is loadable by a pressure medium for the stroke movement of the sterilising tube (14, 14a), and that the sterilising tube (14, 14a) protrudes downwardly from the piston (18, 18a to 18c).
10. Filling element according to claim 9, characterised thereby, that the at least one cylinder chamber is loadable by the pressure of the sterilising medium by way of control means, preferably by way of the first control means (22), for a movement of the sterilising tube (14, 14a) into the lower stroke setting.
11. Filling element according to claim 10, characterised thereby, that the at least one cylinder chamber is part of the sterilising medium connection.
12. Filling element according to claim 11, characterised thereby, that a channel (19, 19b), which connects the interior of the sterilising tube (14, 14a) with the at least one cylinder chamber, is formed in the piston (18, 18b).
13. Filling element according to one of the claims 9 to 12, characterised thereby, that a respective cylinder chamber, which is loadable by a pressure medium, is formed at each of both sides of the piston (18, 18a to 18c) and that at least one of these cylinder chambers is controllable by way of at least one pressure medium control valve, preferably by way of a compressed air control valve (23, 23') for the stroke movement of the sterilising tube (14, 14a).
14. Filling element according to claim 13, characterised thereby, that at least the lower cylinder chamber, which faces the underside of the filling element and causes the movement of the sterilising tube (14, 14a) into the upper stroke setting, is controllable by way of the pressure medium control valve (23).
15. Filling element according to one of the claims 9 to 14, characterised thereby, that the piston-cylinder arrangement is constructed as air or gas spring.
16. Filling element according to one of the claims 7 to 15, characterised thereby, that a channel (19a, 19c), which at one end stands in communication with the sterilising tube (14, 14a) and in at least one stroke setting of the piston (18a, 18c) or of the sterilising tube (14, 14a) also stands in communication with a channel (29, 34, 44) formed at least partially in the cylinder (17), is formed in that piston.
17. Filling element according to claim 16, characterised thereby, that the channel (19a, 19c) in the piston (18, 18a) at the circumferential surface of the piston displays an opening which in one stroke setting lies congruently with an opening of the channel (29, 34, 44) formed at least partially in the cylinder (17).
18. Filling element according to one of the claims 1 to 17, characterised thereby, that the sterilising tube (14a) forms an element (46) of a valve which in the upper stroke setting closes the gas channel (15).
19. Filling element according to claim 18, characterised thereby, that the sterilising tube (14a) at its lower end (14a') forms a valve body (46), which in the upper stroke setting of the sterilising tube (14a) comes to bear against a valve seat (47) and thereby closes the gas channel (15).
20. Filling element according to one of the claims 1 to 19, characterised thereby, that the actuating element (16, 16a to 16c) as well as the sterilising medium connection or the first control means (22) there are controllable in such a manner that the sterilising medium issues out of the sterilising tube (14, 14a) already on the movement of the sterilising tube (14, 14a) out of the upper stroke setting into the lower stroke setting.
21. Filling element according to one of the claims 1 to 20, characterised thereby, that the actuating element (16, 16a to 16c) is controlled in such a manner that the sterilising tube (14, 14a) is situated in the upper stroke setting during the filling phase or when the liquid valve (8), preferably also during a pressurising phase preceding the filling phase.
22. Filling element according to one of the claims 1 to 21, characterised thereby, that at least one throughflow meter (32) is provided in the liquid channel (6) or in a filling stock connection leading to this liquid channel for ascertaining the volume of filling stock flowing to the respective container (2) during the filling phase.
23. Filling element according to one of the claims 1 to 22, characterised thereby, that the lower end (14', 14a') in the lower stroke setting of the sterilising tube (14, 14a) is directly adjacent to the container base (2'').

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