EP3390268B1 - Filling device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a filling device for filling liquids, in particular drinks, including drinks containing CO ₂ . The filling device comprises a product feed, for example a collecting container and a valve arrangement downstream of the product feed, which contains a control valve and a filling valve downstream in the direction of flow of the product and an elongate actuating element common to both valves. Such an actuating element is, for example, a valve rod or a valve tappet.

The filling device furthermore has a product channel running in the longitudinal direction of the actuating element, which extends from the product feed to a discharge opening of the filling device, the valve arrangement being arranged in the product channel. The container to be filled, e.g. a bottle, arranged. The control valve has an actuator-side control valve element, e.g. a control valve cone or cone that interacts with a control valve seat to control the amount of product to be filled. The fill valve has an actuator-side fill valve element, e.g. a fill valve cone or cone that interacts with a fill valve seat to open and close the fill valve to define the length of a fill.

Both the control valve element and the filling valve element are arranged on the actuating element. The filling device also has at least one adjusting element driven by the filling device or by an overriding filling machine, in order to change the position of the actuating element, in particular in the axial direction, relative to the control valve seat and filling valve seat in the course of a filling process. Such an actuating element can be formed in the simplest manner by the upper end of the actuating element, which is then deflected by a control ramp of the filling machine. However, a separate motor drive can also act on an actuating element, for example on the actuating element.

Such a generic filling device is for example in the DE 33 25 338 and / or the EP 2 915 774 A1 disclosed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a filling device in which the regulation of the filling speed and the opening and closing of the filling valve and optionally a volumetric measurement are implemented simply and in an integrated manner.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a filling device according to claim 1 and by a filling machine with several filling devices according to claim 17. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the associated dependent claims.

According to the invention in the above. Filling device of the control valve seat via at least a first and second length-adjustable element, which are located on opposite sides of the control valve seat, arranged in the liquid channel. Such a length-adjustable element can e.g. be a telescopic sleeve, but is preferably formed by a bellows because this has a smooth, easy-to-clean surface compared to the product, so that no gap, e.g. occurs with a telescopic sleeve towards the product space, in which germs can accumulate. The two length-adjustable elements, hereinafter "bellows", thus allow the control valve seat to be axially adjustable, and at the same time being arranged hygienically and tightly in the product channel. The distance between the control valve seat and the filling valve seat can be adjusted by means of an actuator. In this way, the filling speed and the filling quantity can be set in a simple manner. The design of the filling device according to the invention thus allows the filling speed to be regulated and the valve outlet (filling valve) to be opened and closed in the simplest manner in an integrated arrangement.

The filling device preferably has a flow meter, which is preferably arranged in connection with the product channel, and a control for the actuator, which is designed to actuate the actuator depending on the signal of the flow meter. This preferred embodiment of the invention therefore also enables a volumetric measurement in the regulation of the Filling quantity and filling speed possible. In this case, the flow meter is preferably formed by a magnetic inductive flow meter, which preferably surrounds the product channel. In this way, a very efficient and compact integrated arrangement is created, which enables a volumetric measurement to regulate the filling speed and filling quantity, as well as optionally to open and close the filling valve.

The product channel is preferably formed by an annular space surrounding the actuating element. Such a design of the product channel is easy to manufacture, e.g. to realize by turning and leads to little turbulence with high product sales, e.g. in comparison with a channel running on one side on the actuating element.

If the two length-adjustable elements are designed as bellows on both sides of the control valve seat, this preferably forms a wall of the product channel. In this way, an absolutely tight, length-adjustable wall of the product channel is created, which does not create any space for germ formation and contamination of the product. The first and second bellows are preferably made of Teflon, which is also easy to clean and effectively prevents buildup and nucleation. When using telescopic sleeves, a film would have to be arranged on the inside for hygienic reasons, which would then ultimately also form a bellows. Alternatively, the bellows or the two bellows can also be made from another suitable, easy-to-clean material, in particular also from a stainless steel.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the actuating element is formed by a valve rod or a valve tappet. Such a design of the actuating element is easy to manufacture and, in conjunction with an annular space as the product channel, leads to a homogeneous flow of the product through the product channel with little turbulence. Furthermore, a valve rod is easy to actuate in the axial direction, for example at its end, by means of the guide link of a filling machine.

Preferably, the control valve element and / or filling valve element are each formed by a valve cone or cone section or cone formed on the actuating element, which cooperates with a wall or edge of the corresponding valve seat in order to ensure a defined opening and closing as well as an unimpeded product flow ensure that the valve is open. Furthermore, by an interaction of the control valve seat with the control valve element, i. with its conical section, are actuated in the axial direction, which allows the control valve and its actuator to be used as an actuating element for axially actuating the actuating element.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the product feed contains a collecting container, which is preferably arranged at the upper end of the product channel, and a sealing sleeve for connecting the delivery opening to a container opening of a container to be filled, for example a bottle, is arranged at the discharge opening at the lower end of the product channel. This sealing sleeve encloses a sealed filling area, from which at least one return gas duct extends to the collecting container and possibly a vacuum duct to a vacuum source. In this way, in particular in the case of beverages containing CO _2, the exhaust air which arises when the container is being filled can be removed in an advantageous and simple manner, so that a quick, undisturbed filling process is possible.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the control valve seat is prestressed by means of a spring onto a stop in a rest position in which the filling valve is open. The control valve seat can then be moved in the direction of the filling valve by actuating the actuating element by means of the control valve element. In this embodiment of the invention, the actuating element for axially actuating the actuating element also forms the actuator for axially adjusting the control valve seat relative to the filler valve seat against the force of the spring. This embodiment of the filling device thus realizes the adjustment of the filling quantity and filling speed as well as the opening and closing of the filling valve in a simple manner, namely without a separate actuator for the control valve seat.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the control valve, in cooperation with its actuator, forms the actuating element in order to move the actuating element axially by the interaction of the control valve element and the control valve seat. In this preferred embodiment, no separate actuating element is required for the axial movement of the actuating element, since it is actuated via the actuating drive of the control valve seat when it engages with the control valve element. It is therefore only necessary to actuate the control valve seat in order to set both the filling speed and the filling quantity, and to realize the opening and closing of the filling valve.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating element is pretensioned by means of a spring in a rest position in which the filling valve is open and the regulating valve element is arranged axially on the actuating element between the regulating valve seat and the filling valve seat. The actuating element can then be moved in the closed position of the filling valve by means of the engagement of the control valve seat on the control valve element. The filling speed and filling quantity can thus be adjusted by the axial adjustment of the control valve seat in the direction of the product supply, and the opening and closing of the filling valve can be realized by axial adjustment in the direction of the filling valve seat. This embodiment of the invention thus forms a highly integrated arrangement that only requires a single actuator to implement all functions.

In an alternative embodiment, the control valve element is arranged axially on the actuating element between the product feed and the control valve seat. Furthermore, the control valve seat is biased against the control valve element by means of a spring when the actuating element is in a rest position in which the filling valve is open. The actuating element can then be moved by means of the actuating element to the product feed into a control position in which the product flow is controlled via the degree of opening of the control valve and to the discharge opening in a closed position in which the filling valve closes. By adjusting the actuating element away from the dispensing opening, the filling quantity and the filling speed can thus be set, whereas, on the other hand, opening and closing by actuating the Actuator is controlled in the direction of the discharge opening. This embodiment of the invention thus also allows, in a highly simple and integrated manner, the volumetric measurement and the regulation of the filling quantity and filling speed in accordance with the volumetric measurement, as well as the opening and closing of the filling valve for controlling the filling process.

An essential aspect of the invention is that the two valve elements, in particular the valve cone of the filling valve and the control valve, are located on one actuating element. The position of the control valve seat can follow the movement of the filling valve element via its actuator without losing its control function. The invention thus enables a filling valve with a high pouring capacity and a very simple construction to be implemented. The principle also works with the pressure filling system. In this case, the bottle is pressed against a filling element and sealed. In this case, of course, controlled connection bores from the adapter to the bottle opening to the required gas channels must be provided.

During filling, the filling valve is open and the control valve is working, i.e. the position of the control valve seat relative to the control valve element controls the filling speed. When the preselected filling quantity is reached, which is preferably determined via MID, the filling valve must close quickly. For this purpose, the closing force must be so great that the control valve element is also moved downwards against the control valve seat.

Different fluid connections are preferably connectable, preferably at the lower end of the product channel, through which cleaning liquids or hot water can be fed to the product channel, through which the filling device can be cleaned or kept at a hot filling temperature in the event of filling interruptions.

In addition, it is preferably provided that a lower housing part is held vertically movable on guides of the housing of the filling device. This lower housing part can be supported by compression springs on the housing or the guides of the housing of the filling device, so that the in the lower Filling valve seat arranged in the housing part cushions slightly downwards when the filling valve is closed, which enables the filling valve to be closed more quickly and at the same time more gently. The lower housing part carries the fill valve seat and preferably also the discharge opening and / or a (MID) flow meter.

In principle, the invention can also be used without MID in the beverage flow, for example on a weighing filler.

• Betätigungselement <> Ventilstange,
• Regel- oder Füllventilelement <> Regel- oder Füllventilkegel,

The following terms are used interchangeably:

• Actuator <> valve rod,
• Control or fill valve element <> Control or fill valve cone,

Fig. 1

eine teilgeschnittene vertikale Seitenansicht einer ersten Ausbildungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Fülleinrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine teilgeschnittene vertikale Seitenansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Fülleinrichtung;

Fig. 3

eine teilgeschnittene vertikale Seitenansicht einer dritten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Fülleinrichtung;

Fig. 4

eine teilgeschnittene vertikale Seitenansicht einer vierten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Fülleinrichtung;

Fig. 5

eine teilgeschnittene vertikale Seitenansicht einer fünften Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Fülleinrichtung,

Fig. 6

eine teilgeschnittene vertikale Seitenansicht einer sechsten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Fülleinrichtung weitgehend in Übereinstimmung mit der dritten Ausführungsform aus Fig. 3, und

Fig. 7

eine teilgeschnittene vertikale Seitenansicht einer siebten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Fülleinrichtung weitgehend in Übereinstimmung mit der vierten Ausführungsform aus Fig. 4.

The invention is described below using a schematic drawing, for example. In this show:

Fig. 1

a partially sectioned vertical side view of a first embodiment of a filling device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a partially sectioned vertical side view of a second embodiment of a filling device according to the invention;

Fig. 3

a partially sectioned vertical side view of a third embodiment of the filling device according to the invention;

Fig. 4

a partially sectioned vertical side view of a fourth embodiment of the filling device according to the invention;

Fig. 5

2 shows a partially sectioned vertical side view of a fifth embodiment of the filling device according to the invention,

Fig. 6

a partially sectioned vertical side view of a sixth embodiment of the filling device according to the invention largely in accordance with the third embodiment Fig. 3 , and

Fig. 7

a partially sectioned vertical side view of a seventh embodiment of the filling device according to the invention largely in accordance with the fourth embodiment Fig. 4 ,

Fig. 1 shows a filling device 10 with a vertical mounting frame 11, on which a product feed 12 is held at the top, which comprises a collecting container 15, into which a product feed line 17 opens. A product channel 14 extends downward from the product feed 12 and opens into a delivery opening 16 at its lower end. An actuating element 20 in the form of a valve rod is axially adjustable in the product channel 14 by means of an adjusting element 18. At the top, the valve rod 20 is sealed off from the collecting container 15 by an upper bellows 22.

A control valve 24 is arranged in the product channel 14 below the product feed 12, which is followed by a filling valve 26 at the lower end of the product channel 14 in the direction of flow of the product to be filled. The control valve 24 consists of a control valve seat 28 which is actuated by an actuator 30 in the direction of the arrow, i.e. is adjustable in the axial direction of the actuating element 20. The control valve seat 28 is essentially ring-shaped and surrounds the actuating element 20, where it interacts with a control valve element 32 which is designed as a valve cone. The control valve seat 28 is arranged in the product channel 14 so that it can be adjusted upwards by a first bellows 34 and downwards by a second bellows 36. These two bellows 34, 36 form part of the product channel 14, the inside of which faces the product in the adjustment region of the control valve seat 28 forming a surface which is smooth and easy to handle in terms of hygiene for the product.

The filling valve 26 at the lower end of the product channel 14 is formed by a filling valve seat 38 in the manner of an annular plate, which interacts with a filling valve element 40 designed as a filling valve cone. A magnetically inductive flow meter (MID) 42 is also arranged between the control valve 24 and the filling valve 26, with which the volume flow in the product channel 14 can be measured. The output signal of the MID is used to control the actuator 30 of the Control valve seat 28 and thus to control the product flow with the filling valve 26 open by means of a control, not shown.

A container to be filled, e.g. a beverage bottle 44 may be arranged.

The filling device works as follows: The axial movement of the valve rod 20 is controlled by the adjusting element 18, preferably by means of a guide link of the filling machine (not shown). The amount of product dispensed during each filling process is recorded via the MID 42. This detected product quantity is compared in a control with a setpoint value, a control signal being generated which controls the actuator 30, with which the position of the control valve seat and thus the size of the passage between the control valve cone 32 and the control valve seat 28 is controlled. As a result, the product flow can be set with the filling valve 26 open. In this way, the filling quantity can always be optimally adjusted to a target value. The opening and closing of the filling valve, i.e. The timing of the filling process is specified here by the filling machine solely via the actuating element 18, whereas the quantity of product dispensed during each filling process is precisely regulated by means of the MID, the associated control and the actuator 30 controlled by the control. In this way, a simple valve structure with a high pouring rate and very precise filling quantity control is realized.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention. In all figures, identical or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals. In the Fig. 2 shown embodiment differs from that in the Fig. 1 Embodiment shown in that the actuating element, ie the valve rod 52 of this embodiment is not controlled by a separate control element 18. Instead, the valve rod 52 is biased by a spring 54 against an upper stop 56. The spring 54 is supported on the bottom of the collecting container 15 of the product feed 12 and acts on a driver 58 arranged on the valve rod 52 Fig. 2 shown rest position of the filling device 50, the filling valve cone 40 is spaced from the filling valve seat 38, so that the filling valve 26 is open for a filling process. The control valve element, that is, the control valve cone 60 is arranged below the control valve seat 28, so that it can be pressed down by the actuator 30 by means of the control valve seat 28, whereby the filling valve 26 is closed. In this embodiment of the invention, actuation, ie axial adjustment of the control valve seat 28 by means of the actuator 30 by moving the control valve seat upward, not only adjusts the amount of product, but also causes the filling valve 26 to close by moving the control valve seat downward. Here, both the product quantity and the duration of the filling process are controlled via the setting of the control valve seat 28, and in fact without a separate actuating element for the valve rod 52. The volumetric measurement by means of the MID 42 can thus be used in this exemplary embodiment, not just the flow rate in a filling process, but also to regulate the duration of the filling process. This embodiment does not require a guide link for the filling machine.

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment 70, the control valve seat 28 is prestressed in the direction of an upper annular stop 74 by means of a compression spring element 72. The compression spring element 72 is clamped between the control valve seat 28 and the MID 28. In this embodiment, the filling quantity can be adjusted upwards by the deflection of the valve rod 20 by means of the adjusting element 18, while the filling valve 26 is closed by actuating the valve rod 14 downwards, the filling valve cone 40 pressing on the filling valve seat 38 and closing it , This embodiment is characterized in that no separate actuator is required for adjusting the distance between control valve seat 28 and fill valve seat 38, but rather the axial adjustment of the control valve seat takes place by means of the actuating element 18 against the force of the compression spring element 72.

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of a filling device 76, which largely corresponds to Fig. 2 is. In contrast to the filling device in Fig. 2 valve rod 78 is slightly modified in this embodiment. So the spring 54 and the driver 58 are not arranged in the collecting container 15, but above. Otherwise, this embodiment of the filling device is functionally identical to that of Fig. 2 ,

Fig. 5 shows a filling device 80, which is specially designed for pressure filling of CO ₂ -containing beverages. This embodiment is largely identical to that of Fig. 4 educated. In contrast to the filling device Fig. 4 a sealing sleeve 82 is arranged below the discharge opening 16, the lower sealing flange 84 of which can be moved axially to the valve rod 78, ie vertically, by means of an actuating lever 86, a push rod 88 and a guide roller 90 by means of a guide link 92 of the filling machine. By means of this adjusting mechanism, the lower sealing flange 84 of the sealing sleeve 82 can be placed tightly on the bottle mouth 94 of a bottle 44 to be filled. The mounting frame 11 of the filling device 80 has a lower reinforced ring plate 96, in which a return gas channel 98 is formed, which is connected to the upper part 102 of the collecting container 15 via a return gas line 100. The filling space surrounded by the sealing sleeve 82 can be connected to a vacuum source 106 via a vacuum channel 104, so that gas escaping from the bottle 44 during filling, as well as CO ₂ escaping during filling, can be intercepted by the vacuum source 106. The filling device is controlled in the same way as in Fig. 4 shown filling device.

The sixth embodiment 110 of FIG Fig. 6 is largely identical to the third embodiment according to Fig. 3 , In contrast to this, the sixth embodiment has a fluid connection 112, comprising a - possibly pressurized - fluid source 114, a fluid line 116 between the fluid source 114 and the product channel 14 as well as a control valve 118 arranged in the fluid line 116. Via the, preferably microprocessor-controlled Control valve 118 can be used, for example in the event of filling interruptions, to supply a cleaning liquid from the fluid source 114, or even only hot water, in order to keep the apparatus in the area of the filling valve at temperature during hot filling. Of course, several such fluid connections 112 for different fluids, for example: cleaning fluid and hot water, can be arranged in the filling device.

Finally shows Fig. 7 a seventh embodiment 120, which is largely identical to the fourth embodiment of FIG Fig. 4 is. In contrast to the fourth embodiment of the Fig. 4 is a lower receiving the product channel 14 Housing part 122, which carries the MID flow meter 42 and the filling valve seat 38 as well as the discharge opening 16, is held on guides 124 of the filling device 120 so as to be vertically movable via guides 124. At the bottom, the lower housing part is supported by compression springs 128 on receiving plates 130, which are fastened to the lower end of the guide rods 126. In this way, when the filling valve 28 closes, when the filling valve element 40 presses on the filling valve seat 38, the filling valve seat 38 can deviate somewhat downward, which leads to a gentler closing process.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown, but can be varied within the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Filling device (first embodiment)

11

mounting frame

12

product supply

14

product channel

15

Clippings

16

discharge opening

17

Product supply pipe

18

actuator

20

Actuator (valve stem)

22

upper bellows

24

control valve

26

filling valve

28

Control valve seat

30

actuator

32

Control valve member

34

first bellows

36

second bellows

38

Füllventilsitz

40

Füllventilelement

42

magnetic inductive flow meter (MID)

44

Container (bottle)

50

Filling device (second embodiment)

52

Actuator (second embodiment)

54

feather

56

upper stop

58

takeaway

60

Control valve element (second embodiment)

70

Filling device (third embodiment)

72

Compression spring element

74

annular stop

76

Filling device (fourth embodiment)

78

Actuator (third embodiment)

80

Filling device (fifth embodiment)

82

sealing sleeve

84

sealing flange

86

lever

88

pushrod

90

leadership

92

guide link

94

container mouth

96

ring plate

98

Return gas channel

100

Return gas line

102

Gas space in the collection container

104

vacuum channel

106

vacuum source

110

Filling device (sixth embodiment)

112

fluid connection

114

fluid source

116

fluid line

118

control valve

120

Filling device (seventh embodiment)

122

lower housing part

124

guides

126

guide rods

128

compression springs

130

Shot plate

Claims (18)

1. Filling device (10; 50; 70; 76; 80) for filling liquids, comprising a product supply (12) and a valve assembly (24, 26) which is arranged downstream of the product supply, which valve arrangement contains a regulating valve (24) and a filling valve (26) arranged downstream in the flow direction of the product, and an elongated actuation element (20; 52; 78) which is common to the two valves. The filling device has a product channel (14) which runs in the longitudinal direction of the actuation element, and which extends from the product supply (12) to a dispensing opening (16) of the filling device, wherein the valve arrangement (24, 26) is arranged in the product channel (14),
   the regulating valve (24) has an actuation element-side regulating valve element (32), which interacts with a regulating valve seat (28) in order to open and close the filling valve in order to control the product quantity to be filled, the filling valve (26) has an actuation element-side filling valve element (40), which interacts with a filling valve seat (38) in order to open and close the filling valve, and both the regulating valve element (32) and the filling valve element (40) are arranged on the actuation element (20; 52; 78), and the filling device has at least one driven actuator element (18; 28; 32, 60) in order to change the position of the actuation element relative to the regulating valve seat and the filling valve seat as part of a filling process,
   characterised in that the regulating valve seat (28) is arranged in the product channel (14) via at least one first and second longitudinally adjustable elements (34, 36), which are located on regulating valve seat faces facing away from each other, and that the distance interval from the regulating valve seat (28) relative to the filling valve seat (38) can be varied.
2. Filling device (10; 50; 70; 76; 80) according to claim 1, characterised in that the position of the regulating valve seat (28) can be adjusted by means of an actuator drive (30).
3. Filling device (10; 50; 70; 76; 80) according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises a flow meter (42) and a control device for the actuator drive (30), which is designed such as to actuate the actuator drive as a dependency of the signal from the flow meter.
4. Filling device (10; 50; 70; 76; 80) according to claim 3, characterised in that the flow meter (42) is formed by a magnetically inductive flow meter (MID).
5. Filling device (10; 50; 70; 76; 80) according to claim 4, characterised in that the MID (42) surrounds the product channel (14).
6. Filling device (10; 50; 70; 76; 80) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the product channel (14) is formed by a ring space surrounding the actuation element (20; 52; 78).
7. Filling device (10; 50; 70; 76; 80) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and second longitudinally adjustable elements (34, 36) are in each case formed by a folding bellows element.
8. Filling device (10; 50; 70; 76; 80) according to claim 7, characterised in that the first and second folding bellows elements (34, 36) form a part of the wall of the product channel (14).
9. Filling device (10; 50; 70; 76; 80) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the first and second folding bellows elements (34, 36) consist of Teflon, are coated with this, or consist of a special steel.
10. Filling device (10; 50; 70; 76; 80) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the actuation element (20; 52; 78) is formed by a valve rod.
11. Filling device (10; 50; 70; 76; 80) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the regulating valve element (32; 60) and/or the filling valve element (40) is/are formed in each case by a valve ball, formed at the actuation element (20; 52; 78).
12. Filling device (80) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the product supply (12) comprises a collection container (15), and that, arranged at the dispensing opening (16), is a sealing sleeve (82) for the tight sealed connection of the dispensing opening to a container opening (94) of a container which is to be filled, which sealing sleeve surrounds a sealed filling region, from which at least one return gas channel (96) extends to the collection container and, as appropriate, a vacuum channel (104) extends to a vacuum source (106).
13. Filling device (70) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the regulating valve seat (28) is pre-tensioned by means of a pressure spring element (72) onto a stop (74) into a position of rest, in which the filling valve (26) is opened, and that the regulating valve seat (28) can be moved by means of the regulating valve element (32) in the direction onto the filling valve (26).
14. Filling device (50; 76; 80) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the regulating valve seat (28) in engagement with the regulating valve element (60) forms the driven actuator in order to move the actuation element (20; 52; 78).
15. Filling device (50; 76; 80) according to claim 14, characterised in that the actuation element (20; 52; 78) is pre-tensioned by means of a spring (54) into a position of rest, in which the filling valve (26) is opened, that the regulating valve element (60) is arranged at the actuation element (20; 52; 78) between the regulating valve seat (28) and the filling valve seat (38), and that the actuation element (20; 52; 78) can be moved, by means of the engagement of the regulating valve seat (28) at the regulating valve element (60), into the closed position of the filling valve (26).
16. Filling device (50; 76; 80) according to claim 14, characterised in that the regulating valve element (60) is arranged at the actuation element (20; 52; 78) between the product supply (12) and the regulating valve seat (28), that the regulating valve seat (28) in the position of rest of the actuation element is pre-tensioned by means of a spring (54) against the regulating valve element (60).
17. Filling machine, comprising a plurality of filling devices (10; 50; 70; 76; 80) according to any one of the preceding claims.
18. Filling machine according to claim 17, comprising a link control arrangement for actuating the driven actuators (18) of the filling devices (10; 70).

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