EP2132130B1 - Filling system for hot-filling - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a filling system according to the preamble of claim 1. Filling systems, especially those for filling bottles or similar containers with a hot liquid product, i. for hot filling e.g. from still drinks or other products are known.

The object of the invention is to show a filling system which is optionally suitable at least for a cold filling or hot filling and with which in a hot filling in a particularly simple manner, a heating of the filling elements is possible. To solve this problem, a filling system according to the patent claim 1 is formed.

For example, in filling pauses or interruptions in the filling process, the heating of the filling elements is carried out by the hot medium, which flows through the filling elements with closed liquid valves, in a formed in each filling element first flow path, preferably part of the boiler or another reservoir for the Filling product cycle with your heating or heating system is. This Füllgutstrom or hot circulation of the contents is initiated by activating at least a first control valve, which is provided for example in the first flow path of each filling element or in a line or connection, which is also part of the Füllgutkreislaufs for all filling elements of a filling machine or for a group of several Filling elements is common.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments.

From the DE 201 05 716 U1 is a container filling machine with a product container and at least one connected thereto, having a product valve Filling member has become known, wherein the product container is switched on in business interruptions in a product cycle. The container filling machine provides that each filling element can be switched on in case of interruptions in a product cycle.

From the EP 1 215 166 A2 a method and a filling machine for filling bottles, cans or the like container with a hot, liquid filling material using heated to a Füllelement temperature filling elements has become known, wherein at least in a flow-related interruption of the filling process, the liquid path of the filling elements for maintaining the Filling element temperature is applied to a hot flow medium.

Furthermore, from the EP 1 559 674 A1 a method for hot filling of a filling material in bottles or the like container using a filling machine with several filling elements has become known, in which the hot medium at an interruption of the filling process to avoid cooling of the filling in the filling elements and / or the filling elements themselves in one of these filling elements enclosing machine-internal flow path is conveyed from a filling material source to a filling material receiving the filling material.

• Fig. 1 in vereinfachter Darstellung ein Füllsystem gemäß der Erfindung, zusammen mit einer an das Füllelement dieses Systems angehobenen Flasche;
• Fig. 2 das Füllsystem der Figur 1 in einem Betriebszustand bei unerbrochener Heißabfüllung;
• Fig. 3 in einer Darstellung ähnlich Figur 1 ein weiteres Füllsystem gemäß der Erfindung.
• Fig. 4 Das Füllsystem der Figur 3 in einem Betriebszustand bei unterbrochener Heißabfüllung.

Show it:

• Fig. 1 in a simplified representation of a filling system according to the invention, together with a raised to the filling element of this system bottle;
• Fig. 2 the filling system of FIG. 1 in an operating condition with uninterrupted hot filling;
• Fig. 3 similar in a presentation FIG. 1 another filling system according to the invention.
• Fig. 4 The filling system of FIG. 3 in an operating state with interrupted hot filling.

That in the FIGS. 1 and 2 generally designated 1 filling system is part of a filling machine of rotating design for filling a liquid filling in bottles 2 or the like container. For this purpose, the filling system 1 consists essentially of a filling element 3 and of a bottle or container carrier 4 associated with this filling element, which in the illustrated embodiment serves to hold the bottles 2 on a mouth flange 2.2 formed below the mouth of the bottle 2.1 and, for example, is fork-shaped therefor. The filling element 3 and the associated container carrier 4 are provided with a plurality of similar filling elements 3 and container carrier 4 on the circumference of a rotatable about a vertical axis of the machine rotor 5 of the filling machine. Above the filling elements 3 is located on the rotor 5 a common for all filling elements boiler 6, which is formed for example as a ring boiler and is filled level controlled during the filling operation up to a predetermined level N. In the boiler 6 thus a gas chamber 6.1 and a liquid chamber 6.2 are formed. The liquid product is fed to the boiler 6 controlled by a supply line, not shown.

In a housing 7 of the filling element 3, a liquid channel 8 is formed, which communicates via a line 9 with the liquid chamber 6.2 of the example designed as a ring boiler boiler 6 in conjunction. In the liquid channel 8, the liquid valve 10 is provided, specifically for the controlled delivery of the liquid filling material via a discharge opening 11 which is formed on the underside of the filling element of the local open end of the liquid channel 8.

The liquid valve 10 essentially consists of a valve body 10.1 arranged in the liquid channel 8, which cooperates with a valve seat 10.2. The valve body 10.1 is arranged on a coaxially arranged with the vertical Füllelementachse arranged at both ends open gas pipe 13, which also serves as a valve lifter for actuating the liquid valve 10 and cooperates with an actuator 12 for this purpose. The lower open end of the gas pipe 13 is enclosed by the annular discharge opening 11. The upper open end of the gas pipe 13 opens into a gas space formed in the housing 14. The pressing of the respective bottle 2 with its mouth 2.1 against the filling element 3 takes place in this embodiment, at least supportive by the prevailing in the gas space 14 and the pressing rod 4.1 of the respective Container carrier acting pressure.

The gas space 14 is u.a. connected to the housing 7 formed channels 15, 16, 17. These channels are each part of a controlled flow path with control valves 18, 19 and 20. In detail, the channel 15 is part of the control valve 18 and a channel 21 having flow path between the gas chamber 14 and a common for all filling elements 3 of the filling machine, on the rotor 5 trained annular channel 22 which is connected via a line 23 to the gas chamber 6.1. The throttled, i. Channel 16 provided with a throttle is part of a flow path between the gas space 14 and the annular channel 22 having the control valve 19 and the branched channel 21. The channel 17 is part of a controlled and throttled flow path between the gas space having the control valve 20 and the branched channel 24 14 and one common to all filling elements of the filling machine, formed on the rotor 5 annular channel 26th

In addition to the three aforementioned control valves, the filling element 3 has a fourth control valve 25 which, together with the branched channel 24 and a further channel 27 forms a controlled connection between the annular channel 26 and the liquid channel 8, in the flow direction in front of the valve seat 10.2. Via a control device 28, the control valves 18, 19, 20 and 25, but also the liquid valves 10 of the filling machine or the actuators 12 are operated according to the respective filling method according to program, namely, the liquid valves 10 for a volumetric filling also in dependence on the measurement signal of a flow meter 29th

• ein Einkammer- oder aber auch Mehrkammerdruckfüllen von CO2-haltigen Produkten bzw. Getränken, wie z.B. Softdrinks, Bier, karbonisierte Wässer,
• ein druckloses Kaltabfüllen beispielsweise stiller Getränke sowie
• ein druckloses Heißabfüllen stiller Getränke.

With the filling system 1, the various filling methods are possible, such as

• One-chamber or multi-chamber pressure filling of products containing CO2 or beverages, such as soft drinks, beer, carbonated water,
• a pressureless cold filling, for example, still drinks as well
• a pressureless hot filling of still drinks.

The procedural process or control steps necessary for the different processes are completely or almost completely shifted into the respective filling element 3.

The actuating device 12 as well as the control valves 18, 19, 20 and 25 and their actuators are each pneumatically operated and are controlled by not shown, electrically controllable valves (solenoid valves). In a filling machine with a plurality of filling elements 3, the actuating element 12 as well as the control valve 18 are each controlled individually by the central control unit 28 for each filling element.

The control valves 19, 20 and 25 are controlled jointly depending on the selected filling in each case centrally for all filling elements 3 of the filling machine, for example via three solenoid valves, of which a solenoid valve all control valves 19, a solenoid valve all control valves 20 and a solenoid valve all the control valves 25 is associated with the filling machine.

In the initial state, i. in the non-actuated state, the liquid valve 10 and the control valves 18, 19, 20 and 25 are closed. In the following description of the various filling methods and their process steps, the aforementioned valves are also each in their closed state, unless the open state is explicitly stated.

Basically, for the control of the aforementioned valves in the various filling method, that in the pressure filling, ie when filling the bottles 2 under counterpressure, the control valves 19 and 25 are constantly closed while the control valve 20 is constantly open. In the pressureless cold or hot filling the control valve 20 is always closed and the control valve 19 is constantly open.

With the control valve 25 is controlled in the manner described in more detail below during an interruption of the filling process, a circulation of hot liquid filling material through the filling elements 3 to heat them or to keep it at a necessary for hot filling temperature.

During the individual filling process, therefore, only two valves, namely the respective liquid valve 10 and the control valve 18 of the individual filling elements of the filling machine are individually controlled. With the other control valves 19, 20 and 25 is carried out by a central for all filling elements 3 of the filling machine common control only the selection of the respective desired mode.

In detail, with the filling system 1 u.a. the following procedures are possible:

Single-chamber pressure filling

1. 1. Vorspannen: Nach dem Einschieben und Anheben der jeweiligen Flasche 2 in Dichtlage gegen das betreffende Füllelement 3 erfolgt ein Vorspannen der Flasche 2 mit CO2-Gas aus dem Ringkanal 22 durch Öffnen des Steuerventils 18.
2. 2. Schnellfüllen: Bei weiterhin geöffnetem Steuerventil 18 wird das Flüssigkeitsventil 12 geöffnet.
3. 3. Bremsfüllen: Aufgrund des von dem Durchflussmesser 29 gelieferten Signals wird bei weiterhin noch offenen Flüssigkeitsventil 10 das Steuerventil 18 geschlossen, sodass der Füllprozess mit reduzierter Füllgeschwindigkeit weitergeführt wird.
4. 4. Füllende: Nach Erreichen der vorgegebenen Füllgutmenge wird das Flüssigkeitsventil 10 geschlossen.
5. 5. Vorentlasten und Beruhigten: Nach dem Schließen des Flüssigkeitsventils erfolgt über das geöffnete Steuerventil 20 bzw. über die gedrosselte Gasverbindung zwischen dem Gasrohr 13, dem Gasrohr 14 und dem als Rückgaskanal dienenden Ringkanal 26 das Vorentlasten, sodass die betreffende, gefüllte Flasche 2 dann abgesenkt und ausgeschoben werden kann.

In this filling process, the boiler is filled up to level N with the contents. The gas chamber 6.1 of the boiler 6 as well as the connected via the line 23 to the gas chamber 6.1 annular channel 22 are filled with the pressurized CO2 gas. The annular channel 26 serves here as a common for all filling elements return gas channel. The control valve 20 is in this filling process in a constantly open state.

1. 1. Preloading : After inserting and lifting the respective bottle 2 in sealing position against the relevant filling element 3, the bottle 2 is pressurized with CO2 gas from the annular channel 22 by opening the control valve 18.
2. 2. Fast filling: When the control valve 18 is still open, the liquid valve 12 is opened.
3. 3. Brake filling: Due to the signal supplied by the flow meter 29, the control valve 18 is closed when the liquid valve 10 is still open, so that the filling process continues with reduced filling speed.
4. 4. Filling: After reaching the predetermined amount of filling liquid valve 10 is closed.
5. 5. Pre-Relief and Reassured: After closing the liquid valve via the open control valve 20 and via the throttled gas connection between the gas pipe 13, the gas pipe 14 and serving as a return gas duct annular channel 26, the pre-relieving, so that the relevant filled bottle 2 is then lowered and can be ejected.

Pressure-free cold or hot filling

In this filling process, the boiler 6 is again filled up to the level N with the liquid product. The gas chamber 6.1 and thus also the annular channel 22 are at atmospheric pressure.

1. 1. Schnellfüllen: Nach dem Einschieben und Anheben der jeweiligen Flasche 2 in Dichtlage gegen das Füllelement 3 wird bei geöffnetem Steuerventil 18 das Flüssigkeitsventil 10 geöffnet. Die der Flasche 2 über die Abgabeöffnung 11 zufließende Füllgutmenge wird ständig mit dem Durchflussmesser 29 erfasst.
2. 2. Die von dem flüssigen Füllgut aus der Flasche 2 verdrängte Luft- oder Gasmenge strömt über das Gasrohr 13, den Gasraum 14 und die von den geöffneten Steuerventilen 18 und 19 gebildeten Strömungswege in den über die Leitung 23 mit dem Gasraum 6.1 des Kessels 6 verbundenen Ringkanal 21.
3. 3. Bremsfüllen: Bei weiterhin geöffnetem Flüssigkeitsventil 10 wird das Steuerventil 18 geschlossen, sodass die aus der Flasche 2 durch das zufließende Füllgut verdrängte Luft oder Gasmenge nur noch über die gedrosselte Verbindung bzw. den gedrosselten Strömungsweg des geöffneten Steuerventils 19 in den Ringkanal 22 strömen kann.
4. 4. Füllende: Nach Erreichen der gewünschten Füllgutmenge folgt das Schließen des Flüssigkeitsventils 10 sowie im Anschluss daran das Absenken und Ausschieben der jeweils gefüllten Flasche.

The control valve 19 is in this filling process in a constantly open state.

1. 1. Fast filling : After inserting and lifting the respective bottle 2 in sealing position against the filling element 3, the liquid valve 10 is opened when the control valve 18 is open. The volume of liquid flowing into the bottle 2 via the discharge opening 11 is constantly detected by the flowmeter 29.
2. 2. The amount of air or gas displaced by the liquid filling material from the bottle 2 flows via the gas pipe 13, the gas space 14 and the flow paths formed by the opened control valves 18 and 19 into the via the line 23 to the gas space 6.1 of the boiler 6 Ring channel 21.
3. 3. Brake filling: When the liquid valve 10 is still open, the control valve 18 is closed so that the air or gas quantity displaced from the bottle 2 through the inflowing product can only flow into the annular channel 22 via the throttled connection or the throttled flow path of the open control valve 19 ,
4. 4. Filling: After reaching the desired amount of product follows the closing of the liquid valve 10 and then the lowering and pushing out of each filled bottle.

Specifically, the pressureless filling described above may be carried out as hot-filling, in particular for the hot-sterile filling of products, such as e.g. Juices. In this case, the liquid product is provided in the boiler 6 in the hot state, using a corresponding heater and / or in that the boiler 6 is part of a heater enclosing circuit in which the contents for heating and maintaining the required temperature circulates.

During the normal filling operation, the filling elements 3 are then heated by the hot filling material flowing through these filling elements or their liquid channels 8 and kept at a required temperature so that the liquid filling material is introduced into the respective bottle 2 with a sufficiently high temperature which prevents germs ,

In order to avoid cooling of the filling elements 3 in an interruption of the filling process, it is necessary in the hot filling, but at least expedient to keep the filling elements 3 by supplying heat at the required temperature. This is possible with the filling system 1, characterized in that at an interruption of the filling process and closed liquid valves 10 all filling elements, the control valves 25 of the filling elements are opened, so that the hot liquid product from the boiler 6 through which the open control valve 25 contained and of the Channels 27 and 24 formed compound flows into the annular channel 26 and from there via a return line 30, in which, for example, a product pump is arranged, is returned to the ring tank 6 and in the local liquid space 6.2, as shown in the FIG. 2 is indicated by the arrows A.

The FIG. 3 shows as a further embodiment, a filling system 1c, which is designed for a non-pressurized filling, in particular for a pressureless hot filling. The filling system 1a differs from the filling system 1 first in that instead of four control valves 18, 19, 20 and 25 and the associated controllable connections only a control valve 31 is provided, which is part of a channel 15 and 21 having controllable connection between the gas space 13 and the annular channel 22. Parallel to the control valve 31 is a throttled connection 32. With the control valve 31, the fast filling (when the control valve 31 is open) and the slow filling (when the control valve 31 is closed) are controlled. In the housing 7a of the filling element 3a, a channel 33 is formed, which connects the liquid channel 8 of each filling element 3a with the common annular channel 26 and opens into the liquid channel 8 in the flow direction in front of the valve seat 10.2 of the liquid valve 10. In the channel 33, a check valve 34 is provided, which opens for a flow direction from the liquid channel 8 in the annular channel 26, but blocks for a flow in the opposite direction. To the annular channel 26 leads a line 34 with an electrically controllable valve or solenoid valve 35th

The pressureless filling of a hot filling material into the bottles 2 takes place with the filling system 1a or filling element 3a in an analogous manner, as described above for the filling system 1, wherein the throttled channel 32 with respect to its function formed by the open control valve 19 throttled Connection corresponds. The individual process steps are therefore:

1. 1. Schnellfüllen: Für das Füllen wird gesteuert durch die Steuereinrichtung 28 das Flüssigkeitsventil 10 über das Betätigungselement 12 geöffnet. Gleichzeitig wird auch das Steuerventil 31 geöffnet. Die der Flasche zufließende Füllgutmenge wird mit dem Durchflussmesser 29 erfasst. Die durch das flüssige Füllgut aus der Flasche 2 verdrängte Luft- oder Gasmenge strömt über den Kanal 15, das geöffnete Steuerventil 31, teilweise auch über den gedrosselten Kanal 32 und den Kanal 21 in den Ringkanal 22.
2. 2. Bremsfüllen: Gesteuert durch das von dem Durchflussmesser 29 gelieferte Messsignal wird von der Steuereinrichtung 28 das Steuerventil 31 geschlossen, sodass die durch das flüssige Füllgut aus der Flasche 2 verdrängte Luft- oder Gasmenge nur noch über den gedrosselten Kanal 32 und den Kanal 21 in den Ringkanal 22 strömen kann und somit ein Bremsfüllen mit reduzierter Füllgeschwindigkeit (der Flasche zufließende Füllgutmenge je Zeiteinheit) erfolgt.
3. 3. Füllende: Veranlasst durch das von dem Durchflussmesser 29 gelieferte Signal wird über die Steuereinrichtung 28 das Flüssigkeitsventil 10 geschlossen, sobald die erforderliche Füllgutmenge in die Flasche 2 eingebracht ist. Im Anschluss daran erfolgt dann das Absenken der gefüllten Flasche 2 mit dem Behälterträger 4 sowie das Ausschieben dieser Flasche am Behälterauslauf der Füllmaschine.

When initially closed control valve 31 and closed liquid valve 10, the insertion and lifting of the bottle to be filled 2 takes place against the filling element 3a, so that the bottle mouth 2.1 is tight against the discharge opening 11 and against the local seal.

1. 1. Fast filling : For filling, the liquid valve 10 is opened by the control device 28 via the actuating element 12. At the same time, the control valve 31 is opened. The amount of product flowing into the bottle is detected by the flowmeter 29. The displaced by the liquid product from the bottle 2 amount of air or gas flows through the channel 15, the open control valve 31, partially via the throttled channel 32 and the channel 21 in the annular channel 22nd
2. 2. Brake Filling: Controlled by the measurement signal delivered by the flow meter 29, the control valve 31 is closed by the control device 28, so that the displaced by the liquid product from the bottle 2 air or gas quantity can flow only through the throttled channel 32 and the channel 21 in the annular channel 22 and thus a brake filling with reduced filling rate (the bottle inflowing product quantity per unit time).
3. 3. Filling: Induced by the signal supplied by the flow meter 29, the liquid valve 10 is closed via the control device 28 as soon as the required amount of filling material is introduced into the bottle 2. This is followed by the lowering of the filled bottle 2 with the container carrier 4 and the pushing out of this bottle at the container outlet of the filling machine.

The above-described filling method is fundamentally identical during non-pressurized cold filling (filling of the filling material in the cold state or at ambient temperature) as well as during pressureless hot filling (hot filling), in particular also at a temperature preventing a germination.

In order to maintain the temperature of these filling elements during an interruption of the filling process with closed liquid valves 10 all filling elements 3a a filling machine and valve 35 open the individual filling elements in turn via the line 9 hot medium from the boiler 6 is supplied, which the liquid channel 8 and the channel 33 flows through the opening of the check valve 34 and is returned via the annular channel 26 and the line 34 to the boiler 6. This circulation of the hot liquid product through the filling elements 3a is e.g. when the filling process is interrupted and after the closing of all the filling elements 3a or their liquid valves are started automatically, but in any case interrupted before closing the filling process by closing the valve 36. The annular channel 26 remains filled with the contents.

With the check valve 34 prevents filling material from the annular channel 26 and via this from other connected to the annular channel 26 filling elements via the open liquid valve 10 in the respective Bottle 2 flows in and thereby falsified controlled by the flow meter 29 volumetric filling of the bottles 2.

For a pressureless cold filling is held by suitable measures, for example by acting on the annular channel 26 with the pressure of a sterile pressure medium, for example with sterile compressed air or with the pressure of an inert gas or a sterile air or a sterile liquid in the closed position and thus blocks the Connection between the liquid channel 8 and the annular channel 26th

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1a

filling system

2

bottle

2.1

bottle mouth

2.2

Mündungsflansch

3, 3a

filler

4

container carrier

5

rotor

6

boiler

7, 7a

casing

8th

liquid channel

9

management

10

liquid valve

10.1

valve body

10.2

valve seat

11

discharge opening

12

actuator

13

gas pipe

14

headspace

15

branched channel

16

Channel with throttle

17

channel

18, 19, 20

control valve

21

channel

22

annular channel

23

management

24

channel

25

control valve

26

annular channel

27

channel

28

control device

29

Flowmeter

30

management

31

control valve

32

throttled channel

33

channel

34

check valve

35

management

36

control valve

A

flow direction

Claims (21)

1. Filling system for filling a liquid product into bottles or similar containers (2), with at least one filling element (3,3a) with a product space or liquid channel (8) configured in a filling element housing (7,7a), which is in communication with a bowl (6) for the product and forms a product dispenser (11) on a lower side of the filling element (3,3a), via which dispenser the liquid product flows towards the respective container (2) to be filled, which is being held on a container support (4), and with a liquid valve (10) arranged in the liquid channel (8), wherein, for heating or keeping warm the filling element (3, 3a) during a hot filling, a first flow path (24, 27; 33) is formed in the filling element housing (7,7a), which connects a part section (8.1) of the liquid channel (8), located in relation to the flow direction of the liquid product in the liquid channel (8) upstream of the liquid valve (10), to a collection channel (26) which is common to a plurality of filling elements (3,3a), and wherein at least one control valve (25,36) is provided, specifically for the controlling of the flow of a hot filling product out of the bowl (6) through the part section (8.1) and the first flow path into the first collection channel (26), characterised by a return gas channel (13,14), which during the filling is in connection with the interior of the container, which is arranged in a sealing position against the filling element (3,3a), via at least one second and a third flow path (15, 16, 21; 15, 21, 32), formed in the housing (7,7a) of the filling element (3,3a), which connects the return gas channel (13,14) to a second collection chamber (22) which is common to a plurality of filling elements (3,3a), as well as via at least one control valve (18,19;31) for the controlled connecting of the return gas channel (13,14) to the second collection channel (22) via the second flow path (15,21) and/or via the third, choked, flow path (16,21;32,21).
2. Filling system according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one first control valve (25) is provided in the first flow path (24,27).
3. Filling system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one first control valve (36) is provided in a line (35), connected to the first collection chamber (26), for conveying the filling product away, for example for conveying back, the filling product to the bowl (6).
4. Filling system according to claim 3, characterised in that, with a filling machine with a plurality of filling elements (3a), the first control valve (36) is provided for all the filling elements of the filling machine, or for a group of a plurality of filling elements (3a).
5. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a non-return valve (34) is provided in the first flow path (33), which opens for a flow out of the liquid channel (8) of the filling element (3a) into the first collection chamber (26) and closes for a flow in the opposite direction.
6. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first flow path (24,27; 33) opens in the immediate vicinity of the liquid valve (10), or of a valve seat (10.2) of the liquid valve (10), into the liquid channel (8).
7. Filling system according to claim 1, characterised in that a second control valve (18,31) is provided in the second flow path (15,21).
8. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a third control valve (19) is provided in the third flow path (16,21).
9. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, by means of the third, choked flow path (21,32), a constant connection exists with the return gas channel (13,14).
10. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the return gas channel is formed from the channel of a gas tube (13) open at both ends, the lower end of which, during filling, is in contact with the interior of the container (2), and the upper end of which is in contact with the second and third flow path, for example via a gas chamber (14) formed in the housing (7,7a) of the filling element (3,3a).
11. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by a fourth flow path (16,24), formed in the housing (7) of the filling element (3), between the return gas channel (13,14) and the first collection channel (26), as well as by a fourth control valve (20) arranged in this flow path, by means of which, in the open state, a connection exists between the return gas channel (13,14) and the first collection channel (26).
12. Filling system according to claim 11, characterised in that the fourth flow path is a choked flow path.
13. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, for a pressureless filling, the second collection channel (22) is in connection with the atmosphere and/or with a gas chamber (6.1) formed in the bowl (6)
14. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pressureless cold filling or hot filling takes place with the third control valve (19) constantly open.
15. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, for a pressure filling, the fourth control valve (20) is constantly open.
16. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, for a pressure filling, the first and third control valves (25,19) are constantly open.
17. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, for a pressure filling, with the bowl (6) partially filled with the filling product, and with an inert gas, such as CO₂ gas, which is under filling pressure in a gas chamber (6.1) of the bowl (6), and in the second collection channel (22) connected with this gas chamber (6.1), a pretensioning of the containers (2), located in a sealing position against the filling element (3), takes place via the return gas channel (13,14) by opening of the second control valve (18), and specifically with the first collection channel (26) serving as the return collection channel.
18. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, during the pressure filling, for a rapid filling the second control valve (18) is opened, and for a slow filling it is closed.
19. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, with a filling machine with a plurality of filling elements (3), the first and the fourth control valve (25,20) of all the filling elements or of a group of a plurality of filling elements can be controlled jointly.
20. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, with a filling machine with a plurality of filling elements, all the filling elements can be configured jointly for a pressureless filling by opening the third control valve (19) or, respectively, for a pressure filling by opening the fourth control valve (20).
21. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and second collection channel (26,22) are provided at a rotor (5) of a filling machine.

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