EP2279149B1 - Method and filling system for filling bottles or similar containers with a liquid product - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a filling system according to the preamble of claim 8. Such a method and such a system are made WO 2007/039074 known as discussed below. Bottled, canned or similar container bottled beverages are mostly mixed drinks, in which a major component, which accounts for the volume by far greater part of each bottled product, a further liquid additive component, for example in the form of a flavor-giving highly concentrated flavoring is added. This mixture is produced in practice within a mixing plant, which is also referred to as a "mixer" and precedes the filling machine in the process flow, in which then the product mixed from the two components is filled into the container.

Examples of such mixed drinks are i.a. Water + liquid flavoring or flavoring additive, water + liquid flavoring or flavoring additive + sugar, water + liquid flavoring or flavoring additive + base syrup, etc. Mixed drinks produced in this way are, for example, fruit juices or cola drinks, also with the addition of carbon dioxide.

A disadvantage of these known methods, inter alia, that the mixer in which the components forming the mixed drink (water and / or sugar and / or base syrup and / or flavoring and / or carbonic acid) is mixed is also a spatially separate unit of the filling machine, and that, therefore, connecting lines between the mixer and the filling machine are necessary, which as well as fluid connections within the filling machine contain a considerable volume of liquid.

For each product change, for example, when changing the additional component (s), but also when changing the basic component ea is required, the entire contained within the overall system liquid volume, in particular from the piping between mixer and filling machine and from the individual supply lines of each filling valve. As a rule, at least a major part of this volume of fl ucts must be discarded.

In addition to the resulting loss of high-quality product is also disadvantageous that in practice, the product change or the component change alone by the necessary emptying of the connecting lines is very time consuming.

It has already been suggested to announce these nightmares ( EP 0 775 668 81 ) to mix an additional component within the respective Follelementes and during filling or during the filling phase, and in that this additional component monitored and controlled by a flow meter in the directly connected to a ring boiler or via an opening with the ring tank in connection section of the liquid channel of the filling element, that is introduced in the flow direction of the filling material in front of the arranged in the liquid channel Flassigkai1sventil. This has the disadvantage, inter alia, that an undesired mixing of the additional component with the first component or main component contained in the ring boiler can not be reliably avoided, so that the main component contained in the ring vessel increasingly accumulates during the filling operation with the additional component and thereby a filling of Mixed drinks with a consistent and reproducible quality is not possible.

A method is known for the free-jet filling of bottles or similar containers with a liquid contents consisting of at least two components as well as a filling system for carrying out this method ( WO 2007/039074 A1 ). The introduction of the first component into the respective container takes place via a dispensing opening of a filling element which has a dispensing opening forming liquid passage containing a controlled Flüselgkeitsventil and communicates via a fluid connection with a boiler for the first component. The delivery of the further component via an additional discharge opening, which is provided on the outside of the foil element directly at the discharge opening for the first component and is connected via a connecting line with metering valve to a boiler or container for the further component.

Also known is a method for filling bottles or similar containers with a consisting of at least two components liquid product ( WO 2008/037338 A1 ). Both of these components are metered into the fluid communication in this known method or filling system, which connects the respective filling element to the reservoirs or caissons providing the components, controlled by a single flow meter which in the fluid communication between the filling element and the ports of the components containing boiler is arranged. In order to achieve a dosage of the components corresponding to the respective formulation of the filling material to be filled, it is necessary to introduce these components separately and at different times at least into the liquid connection, namely upper control valves, which are controlled as a function of the signal of the common flow meter.

The object of the invention is to provide a method which, with a consistent and reproducible quality of the product bottled product change or Kompanentenwechsel and thereby specifically allows changing at least one additional component with a reduced loss of high quality product and tent expenditure.

To solve this problem, a method according to claim 1 is formed. A filling system for carrying out the method is the subject of patent claim 8.

In a general embodiment of the invention, the addition of the at least one additional component to the first component or Basic component outside of the respective filling element or, outside the formed in the filling element, the liquid valve containing liquid channel via at least one additional discharge opening for the at least one additional component directly into the container to be filled and / or into a container during the filling or during the filling phase inflowing stream of the at least one first component.

Especially in this embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is not necessary to mix the components before and / or during introduction into a container. It has been shown that a sufficient mixing of the components to the mixed contents, for example, to the mixed beverage also takes place when the components are introduced separately and sequentially in the respective container. The mixing is then carried out almost automatically by, for example, during transport or during the action of the container occurring vibrations and movements. Furthermore, there is also the possibility that the mixing of the components in the sealed container only by the end user, for example, by shaking the container, while the components are previously present in the closed container deliberately separated, for example, in such a way that in a container transparent material (eg glass or clear plastic) is the "colorless" base component above the slightly heavier colored and / or flavor-forming further component or vice versa, which can also be used as an additional marketing effect.

Advantages of the method and the device according to the invention include u.a. The fact that a consistent and reproducible quality of the bottled product is achieved, and that the product volume to be discarded during a product or component change is low, since there is no mixed product consisting of the components within the compounds of the filling system or of the respective filler only a very small volume of such a mixed product The amount of product to be discarded in a product change and also the time required for a product change are therefore significantly reduced, namely with reproducible filling results.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter Darstellung ein Füllsystem gemäß der Erfindung, zusammen mit einem als Flasche ausgebildeten Behälter;

Fig. 2 und 3

das Follsystem der Figur 1 in verschiedenen Betriebszuständen;

Fig. 4

in Darstellung wie Figur 1 abgewandelte Ausführungsform des Füllsystems der Figur 1:

Fig. 5

in einer Darstellung ähnlich Figur 1 ein Vergleichsbeispiel eines Füllsystems nicht Teil der Erfindung.

Fig. 6

in einer Darstellung annlich Figur 1 ein weiteres Vergleichsbeispiel eines Füllsystems nicht Teil der Erfindung.

Fig. 7

das Füllsystem der Figur 6 im Betriebszustand "Spülen";

Fig. 8

eine Abwandlung des Füllsystems der Figur 6.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. It says:

Fig. 1

in a simplified representation of a filling system according to the invention, together with a bottle formed as a container;

FIGS. 2 and 3

the Follsystem the FIG. 1 in different operating states;

Fig. 4

in representation like FIG. 1 modified embodiment of the filling system of FIG. 1 :

Fig. 5

similar in a presentation FIG. 1 a comparative example of a filling system does not form part of the invention.

Fig. 6

in a presentation annlich FIG. 1 another comparative example of a filling system does not form part of the invention.

Fig. 7

the filling system of FIG. 6 in the operating state "rinsing";

Fig. 8

a modification of the filling system of FIG. 6 ,

In the Figures 1 - 3 1 is generally a filling system for filling bottles 2 with a liquid product or filling material, which consists of at least two components, one of which is a basic or main component and an additional component or additional component ZK / ZK ', for example a taste-forming and / or coloring additive is.

The filling system 1, which in the illustrated embodiment is part of a filling machine of continuous design, consists in a manner known per se of a filling element 3, which with a plurality of similar filling elements on the periphery a rotatable about a vertical axis of the machine rotor 4 of the filling machine is provided.

In a housing 5 of the filling element 3, a liquid channel 6 is formed, which at an upper end via an at least partially formed by a conduit 7 Fluid connection with the common for all filling elements 3 of the filling system 1 and the filling machine and provided on the rotor 4 boiler 8 for receiving the main component or first component HK is used. When the filling system 1 is ready for operation, the boiler 8, which is designed, for example, as a ring boiler, is filled level-controlled up to the level N with the component HK.

In the fluid communication between the boiler 8 and each filling element 3 or its fluid channel 6, a flow meter 9 is provided which, e.g. is a magnetic / inductive flow meter and an electrical signal which corresponds to the volume flow or the respective filling element 3 flowing amount of the component HK, for example, provided by a computer control unit 10, which provided for all filling elements 3 of the filling system 1 together and for example, the filling machine controlling computer.

In the region of the underside of the filling element 3, the liquid channel 6 forms a dispensing opening 11 for dispensing the liquid filling material to the respective bottle 2 to be filled. In the dispensing opening 11, a gas barrier 12 is provided, which in the illustrated embodiment is formed by an insert, the sieve-like is provided with a plurality of passages or channels.

In the liquid channel 6, a liquid valve 13 for controlled release of the component HK is arranged in the respective bottle 2 between the upper connection to the liquid connection 7 and the lower discharge opening 11. The liquid valve 13 is known in the art to consist of a valve body 14 which is movable between a closed pitch and an open pitch in the vertical direction, i. in the Füllelementachse FA is movable up and down and rests in the closed position with a seal against a valve seat in the liquid channel 6. The controlled opening and closing of the liquid valve 13 via a controlled by the control unit 10 actuator 15, u.a. also as a function of the measurement signal supplied by the flow meter 9.

At 16 is in the FIG. 1 designates a fluid connection formed by a fluid channel, which serves for introducing the additional component ZK into the respective bottle 2 and for this purpose forms an additional discharge opening 17 for the additional component ZK on the underside of the filling element 3. In the embodiment of the Figures 1 - 3 the discharge opening 17 is provided coaxially with the Füllelementachse FA on the underside of the gas barrier 12. The fluid connection 16, which consists for example of a sealed from the side into the liquid channel 6 below the liquid valve 13 pipe section is outside the liquid passage 6 and the filling element 3 via a controllable (eg electrically or pneumatically controllable) check valve 18 to the output a metering pump 19 which is also controlled by the control unit 10 and whose input is connected to a line 20 which leads to a reservoir or boiler, not shown, for the component ZK. The metering pump 19 is designed so that it promotes a precisely defined volume in a continuous operation at each pump revolution or clocked or pulse-shaped operation in each stroke

Each filling element 3 is associated with a container carrier 21 to which in the illustrated embodiment, the respective bottle 2 is held suspended from a 2.1 formed below the bottle mouth 2.1 flange, in such a way that the bottle mouth 2.1 from the bottom of the filling element 3 and thus of the local discharge openings 11 and 17 as well as from the lower, open end of a ring-like insert 22 is spaced, so that both components HK and ZK of the respective bottle to be filled 2 are supplied as a free jet, as shown in the FIG. 2 is shown.

The insert 22 surrounds the lower tubular housing section 5.1 of the housing 5 forming the discharge opening 11 at a distance, so that an annular channel 23 is formed between the inner surface of the annular insert 22 and the outer surface of the housing section 5.1. Furthermore, the insert 22 projecting slightly beyond the bottom of the gas barrier 12 and also via the discharge openings 11 and 17, so that after closing the lower, open end of the insert 22 with a rinsing cap 22.1 indicated by broken lines and when the liquid valve 13 is open a CIP cleaning with an example the liquid channel 6 from top to bottom and then flowing through the annular gap 23 and a connected thereto line 24 discharged cleaning medium is possible. In this CIP cleaning can then also the discharge port 17 and the associated fluid paths (fluid connection 16, check valve 18, metering pump 19, line 20, etc.) are included.

A possible mode of operation of the filling system 1 for introducing the components HK and ZK results from the FIG. 2 , After positioning the bottle 2 to be filled on the container carrier 21, the filling phase is initiated by opening the liquid valve 13, in which the component HK is introduced in the free jet through the bottle opening 2.1 in the bottle 2. At the same time takes place with open check valve 18 by controlling the metering pump 19 is a precisely metered addition of the component ZK in the bottle 2 incoming stream of the component HK with a predetermined amount. Once the required amount of the component ZK is discharged through the discharge opening 17 and thus introduced into the bottle 2, the introduction of the component ZK is terminated in the respective bottle 2 by blocking the check valve 18 or by switching off the metering pump 19, so that then until complete filling of the bottle 2 of these only the component HK is supplied. The filling phase is controlled by the signal of the flow meter 9 by closing the liquid valve 13 then terminated when the desired filling volume is reached.

The operation in which the supply of the component HK ends before the liquid valve 13 is closed, has the advantage that in the region of the discharge opening 17 or in the region of the underside of the gas barrier 12 possibly present remnants of the component ZK entrained by the component HK and be introduced into the provided on the filling element 3 bottle 2, so that there are clear conditions at the beginning of each new filling phase. It is understood that in the case of several filling elements 3 on the rotor 4, an independent metering pump 19 and an independent shut-off valve 18 are provided for each filling element 3 and these are individually controllable for each filling element 3.

The filling system 1 also allows a change of the components HK and / or ZK. The change of the component HK is carried out in the usual way by emptying the filling system 1 with respect to the component HK and ggs. by subsequent rinsing and / or cleaning of the filling system 1 as well as all fluid connections and routes also within the filling elements 3, preferably in a CIP cleaning process.

By using the gas barrier 12 it is achieved that after closing the liquid valve 13, i. At the end of each filling phase, the part of the liquid channel 6 located below the liquid valve 13 continues to be completely filled with the component HK, without any dripping of the filling element 3 taking place. Furthermore, the cross-section of the fluid connection 16 or of the fluid channel forming this fluid connection, in particular at the discharge opening 17, is also selected so that after the completion of the delivery of the component ZK, i. after the valve 18 has been blocked and the dosing pump 19 has been switched off, the part of the fluid connection 16 extending between the check valve 18 and the discharge opening 17 continues to be filled with the component ZK without dripping from the discharge opening 17. Thus, at the beginning of each new fill phase, both components HK and ZK see immediately, i. available without delay.

For a change of the component ZK against another component ZK ', for example, against a different flavor and / or color component are according to the FIG. 3 First with closed liquid valve 13 in a flushing all flow connections containing the previously used component ZK flushed with a flushing medium, for example, with water or sterile water, in particular the fluid connection 16, the open check valve 18, the metering pump 19 and the metering pump 19 leading line 20, as far as it contains the component ZK. In this rinsing the metering pump is preferably driven. This rinsing takes place, of course, without bottles 2 on the filling elements 3. The liquid obtained during the rinsing (rinsing medium + remainder of the component ZK) are collected by a collecting trough 25 arranged below the filling element 3 with a suitable outlet. In a filling machine of rotating design, this drip tray 25 is then provided, for example, fixed to a machine element below the trajectory of the filling elements 3, in that angular range of rotation of the rotor 4, between a container outlet at which the filled bottles 2 are removed during the filling operation , and a container inlet is formed, to which the empty bottles are supplied during the filling operation, and at the (angle range), even in normal filling operation, no bottle 2 is located on the filling elements 3.

After flushing the fluid connection 16, the check valve 18, the metering pump 19 and connected to the input of the metering pump line 20 each filling element 3 is further supplied metering pump 19 and open check valve 18, the component ZK 'supplied or preferred, as long as until this component has reached the discharge opening 17 or exits there. Since the previously rinsed and taken after rinsing of the rinsing liquid volume is known, this preference of the component ZK 'can be done in principle by appropriate control of the metering pump 19 and funded by this pump volume flow.

If the drip pan 25 is fixed in the above-described manner to the filling machine of the rotary type, the changeover or change from the component ZK to the component ZK 'takes place in sections at the filling elements 3 situated above the drip pan 25 while the rotor 4 is rotated. and for example at continuously, but very slowly rotating rotor 4 or clocked rotating rotor 4th

It has been assumed above that each filling element 3 has a common metering pump 19 with a shut-off valve 18 for both components ZK and ZK ', and both components are accordingly also conducted via the line 20 to the metering pump 19. The FIG. 4 shows a filling system 1a, which differs from the filling system 1 in that each filling element 3 for the components ZK and ZK 'is provided in each case a separate metering pump 19 whose input is connected via a line 20 to a reservoir or boiler for the relevant component is. Each metering pump 19 is connected via an independent, electrically controllable check valve 18 with the fluid connection 16, which is then common for both components.

The filling system 1a allows a change of the components ZK and ZK ', of course, in turn flushing the flow paths of the previously used component ZK or ZK' and under preference to be used after the change component ZK 'or ZK, wherein the rinsing and drawing on the common fluid connection 16 can be.

The filling system 1a further also allows the volume-controlled introduction of both components ZK and ZK 'into the respective bottles 2 within one and the same filling phase. The components ZK and ZK 'are for this purpose, for example, by appropriate control of the associated metering pump 19 and the valve 18 offset in time in the respective bottle 2 are introduced, in such a way that the introduction of the components ZK and ZK' each with one of these components, for example started with the component ZK and also terminated with the same component, so that after filling each bottle 2, ie at the end of each filling phase, the same conditions with respect to the present at the discharge port 17 component ZK or ZK 'are present.

The FIG. 5 1 shows a filling system 1b, which is not part of the invention and differs from the filling system 1 only in that the dispensing opening 17 for the component ZK or ZK 'is provided radially offset with respect to the filling element axis FA or with respect to the axis of the dispensing opening 11, in such a way that the discharge opening 17 is located outside the discharge opening 11 and outside the gas barrier 12, but in the form that the jet of the component ZK or ZK 'emerging from the discharge opening 17 reliably flows through the bottle opening 2.1 into the filling element 3 provided bottle 2 is introduced.

In the filling systems 1-1b, the boilers for the components ZK and ZK 'are provided jointly for all filling elements 3 or else a group of several filling elements of the filling machine. The metering pumps 19 and the associated shut-off valves 18, however, are provided separately for the individual filling elements 3 and individually controllable.

The FIGS. 6 and 7 show as a further embodiment not part of the invention, a filling system 1c, which differs from the filling system 1 - 1 b characterized in that the introduction of the additional component ZK or ZK 'again outside of the filling element 3, but already in the fluid connection between the boiler 8 and the respective filling element 3, ie in the line 7 takes place. For this purpose, a separate controllable (eg electrically or pneumatically controllable) check valve 26 is provided in the line 7 for each filling element 3, the input of which is connected via a line section 7.1 with the boiler 8 and its output via a line section 7.2 with the flow meter 9. With the line section 7.2 which in turn for each filling element 3 individually provided metering pump 27 via a controllable (eg electrically or pneumatically controllable) shut-off valve 28 is connected. The input of the metering pump 27 is connected to a boiler 29 for the component ZK or ZK ', which is supplied via a line 30 with this component. The metering pump 27 is in turn designed so that it promotes a well-defined volume in each stroke with continuous operation at each pump revolution or clocked or pulsed operation

After the positioning of a bottle 2 under the filling element 3 or below the local provided with the gas barrier 12 discharge opening 11 and after the introduction of the filling phase by opening the liquid valve 13 is carried out during a partial phase of this filling phase after opening the check valve 28 via the metering pump 27, the volume controlled Introducing the component ZK or ZK 'in the line section 7.2, and preferably at previously locked check valve 26 to reliably prevent penetration of the component ZK or ZK' in the boiler 8. The introduction of the component ZK or ZK 'is terminated by closing the check valve 28 and by switching off the metering pump 27, so that then the filling of the respective bottle 2 with the component HK can be done or continued by opening the check valve 26.

Taking into account the liquid volume which is in fluid communication between the outlet of the check valve 28 and the discharge opening 11, the partial filling phase in which the component ZK or ZK 'is introduced into the line section 7.2 is selected and so provided within the total filling phase in that with the components HK flowing into the respective bottle 2 after closing the shut-off valve 28 and opening the shut-off valve 26, the entire, previously introduced component of the component ZK or ZK 'is carried into the bottle 2 before the filling phase has ended. As soon as the total volume measured with the flow meter 9 (volume of the component HK and the component ZK or ZK ') corresponds to the desired filling quantity, the filling phase is ended by closing the liquid valve 13.

Of course, the filling system 1 c also allows a change between the component ZK and ZK '. For this change is according to the FIG. 7 with closed check valve 26, open check valve 28 and opened liquid valve 13 of the boiler 29, the metering pump 27, the check valve 28, the line section 7.2, the flow meter 9, the liquid channel 6 and the discharge port 11 with the gas barrier 12 with a suitable liquid rinsing medium, for example rinsed with water, so that all the remains of the previously used component ZK or ZK 'are removed. The resulting in this rinse liquid is in turn collected in the drip pan 25. After rinsing, the newly used component ZK 'or ZK is initially advanced in the form that this component is supplied via the line 30 so that it is not only with the shut-off valve 26 still open and the shut-off valve 28 open and the liquid valve 13 open the boiler 29, but also the line section 7.2 and the liquid channel 6 fills and finally exits at the discharge opening 12. Following this, when the shut-off valve 28 is closed and the shut-off valve 26 is open, the rinsing of the line section 7.2 and the liquid channel 6 with the component HK takes place, so that at the end of the component change when the liquid valve 13 is closed again, a state is reached in which the entire line 7 and also the liquid channel 6 are filled with the component HK.

The FIG. 8 Finally, a filling system 1d not part of the invention, which differs from the filling system 1c only in that for each component ZK and ZK 'a separate boiler 29 is provided, via the metering pump 27 and the check valve 28 with the line section 7.2 in Connection is, among other things, with the advantage that in a component change flushing of the respective boiler 29, the associated metering pump 27 and the associated shut-off valve 28 is not required and also the possibility exists, both components ZK and ZK 'during the filling phase in the Bring in bottles 2.

In the filling systems 1c and 1d, the boilers 29 for the components ZK and ZK 'are again provided in common for all filling elements 3 or else a group of several filling elements of the filling machine. The metering pumps 27 and the associated shut-off valves 28, however, are provided separately for the individual filling elements 3 and individually controllable.

All the above-described embodiments are i.a. together that the component ZK or ZK 'are volume-controlled respectively via the metering pump 19 and 27, respectively, and that each metering pump 19 or 27 is associated with a check valve 18 and 28, which u.a. a delay-free beginning and a delay-free termination of the addition of the respective component ZK or ZK 'allows.

In the filling systems and in particular also in the filling systems 1 - 1 b, it is also possible to control or regulate the proportion of the component ZK or ZK 'introduced into the respective bottle 2 using flow meters, which then replace the metering pump 19 or 27 or in addition to this is provided in the liquid channel before or after the check valve 18 and 28, which is then controlled by the control unit 10 in response to the signal from these flow meters.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention. Thus, it goes without saying that the number of components which, in addition to the main component HK, may be introduced into the bottles or containers selectively or jointly in each case, may be arbitrary.

Also, the present invention can also be used to fill several different products in parallel on a filling machine during operation at a time. For example, it is possible to fill all the bottles 2 to be filled with the main component HK, wherein a first additional component ZK and a second number of bottles 2 a second additional component ZK 'is supplied by the filling elements 3 of a first number of bottles 2.
In this case, the ratio of the first number of bottles 2 to the second number of bottles 2 may be arbitrary. Also, the spatial arrangement of the first bottle 2 to the spatial arrangement of the second bottle 2 may be arbitrary. These can, for example, alternate or else be provided in blocks on the rotor 4.
This procedure makes it possible to create any product mix without conversion work.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1a-1d filling system 2 bottle 2.1 bottle mouth 2.2 flange 3 filler 4 rotor 5 filling element 6 liquid channel 7 Line or fluid connection 7.1, 7.2 line section 8th boiler 9 Flowmeter 10 control electronics 11 discharge opening 12 gas barrier 13 liquid valve 14 valve body 15 actuator 16 Fluid connection or fluid channel 17 discharge opening 18 check valve 19 metering 20 management 21 container carrier 22 commitment 22.1 shutter 23 annular gap 24 management 25 drip tray 26 check valve 27 metering 28 check valve 29 boiler 30 channel N Level of the liquid level of the component HK in the boiler 8 HK, ZK, ZK ' component FA filling element

Claims (11)

1. Method for free-jet filling bottles or similar containers (2) with a liquid filling material comprising at least two components (HK; ZK/ZK'), using a filling system (1, 1 a) comprising at least one filling element (3) having a fluid channel (6) for the controlled dispensing of the first component (HK) by way of at least one dispensing opening (11), said channel forming said dispensing opening (11), a liquid valve (13) being disposed in said channel and said channel being connected to a first component (HK) supply container or vessel (8) by way of a liquid connection (7), wherein at least one additional component (ZK, ZK') is meter-dispensed, by way of at least one additional dispensing opening (17) provided on the at least one dispensing opening (11) for the first component (HK), into the respective container (2) or into a free jet of the first component (HK), said jet exiting the filling element (3) and being supplied to the respective container (2), characterised in that the at least one additional component (ZK, ZK') is discharged from the at least one additional dispensing opening (17) provided within the dispensing opening (11) in the area of a gas lock (12) that forms at least one dispensing opening (11) for the first component (HK).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one additional component (ZK, ZK') is meter-dispensed using a flow meter and/or a metering pump (19).
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one further component (ZK, ZK') is dispensed such that this component is blended with the first component (HK) only within the container (2).
4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the at least one dispensing opening (17) for the additional component (ZK, ZK') is connected with at least one metering pump (19) and/or flow meter disposed in series with a controllable check valve (18).
5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by the use of at least two metering pumps (19) and/or flow meters connected with the at least one dispensing opening (17) for the additional component (ZK, ZK') or with the fluid channel (7), preferably by way of one stop valve (18) each.
6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one dispensing opening (11, 17) of the filling element (3) leads into a space that can be closed by a closing element (22.1) during CIP cleaning.
7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, during operation, all containers (2) to be filled are filled with the main component (HK), wherein, simultaneously, a first number of containers (2) are filled with a first additional component (ZK) and at least a second number of containers (2) are filled with at least one second additional component (ZK').
8. Filling system for free-jet filling bottles or similar containers (2) with a liquid filling material comprising at least two components (HK; ZK/ZK'), comprising at least one filling element (3) having a fluid channel (6) for the controlled dispensing of the first component (HK) by way of at least one dispensing opening (11), said channel forming said dispensing opening (11), a liquid valve (13) being disposed in said channel and said channel being connected to a first component (HK) supply container or vessel (8) by way of a liquid connection (7), comprising at least one additional dispensing opening (17) provided on the at least one dispensing opening (11) for the first component (HK) and meter-dispensed by way of the at least one additional component (ZK, ZK') into the respective container (2) or into a free jet of the first component (HK), said jet exiting the filling element (3) and being supplied to the respective container (2), controlled by at least one flow meter and/or one dosing pump (19),
   characterised in
   that the at least one additional dispensing opening (17) is provided within the dispensing opening (11) in the area of a gas lock (12) that forms at least one dispensing opening (11) for first component (HK).
9. Filling system according to claim 8, characterised in that the at least one dispensing opening (17) for the additional component (ZK, ZK') is connected with at least one metering pump (19) and/or flow meter disposed in series with a controllable check valve (18).
10. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims 8 or 9, characterised by at least two metering pumps (19) and/or flow meters connected with the at least one dispensing opening (17) for the additional component (ZK, ZK').
11. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims 8-10, characterised in that the at least one dispensing opening (11, 17) of the filling element (3) leads into a space that can be closed by a closing element (22.1) during CIP cleaning.

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