A cleaning method for cleaning a filling machine for filling at least to one side open packs with products is described and illustrated, wherein the filling machine has a transport device for transporting the at least to one side open packs through the filling machine. To ensure satisfactory cleaning results repeatably in a defined and/or shorter time, it is provided that a preceding plurality of at least to one side open packs is transported at least partially through the filling machine by a transport device and is filled with products, at least one nozzle for dispensing cleaning medium is transported at least partially through the filling machine by the transport device and cleaning medium is thereby dispensed for cleaning the filling machine, and after the filling machine has been cleaned, a subsequent plurality of at least to one side open packs is transported at least partially through the filling machine by the transport device and is thereby filled with products.

An improved induction sealing device is presented. The device comprises a main body (302, 402a, 402b), a magnetic field concentrator (306, 406a, 406b) held in the main body and a conductive element (304, 404a, 404b) also held in the main body (302, 402a, 402b). The magnetic field concentrator (306, 406a, 406b) is injection molded in said main body (302, 402a, 402b). For this purpose the main body (302, 402a, 402b) is provided with at least one hole (312a, 312b) to gate material for forming said magnetic field concentrator (306, 406a, 406b) into an interior of said main body (302, 402a, 402b).

A filling machine configured to form, fill, and seal individual packages is provided. The filling machine comprises a sterilization station configured to provide a flow of gaseous sterilizing agent towards open ends of ready-to-fill packaging containers passing through said sterilization station. The filling machine comprises at least one clean air supply and at least one baffle plate arranged above the at least one clean air supply, wherein the air supply is configured to direct a stream of clean air towards the ready-to-fill packaging containers. The clean air supply in turn comprises at least one distribution pipe and wherein the distribution pipe extends in a horizontal direction, the horizontal direction being in the direction of the flow of packages through the filling machine.

A method for filling packages with changing products in a filling machine is disclosed. Packages are successively transported through a filling machine, and the packages are each successively filled with a first product in a sterile environment via a filling outlet connected to a product tank. To empty the product tank, at least one outlet means is brought into an emptying position, and a residue of the first product is discharged at least partially from the sterile environment, via the outlet means located in the emptying position. The outlet means is removed from the emptying position following the emptying of the product tank. Packages are subsequently each successively filled with a second product in a sterile environment, via a filling outlet connected to a product tank.

A folding unit for producing packages from sealed packs having at least one flap to be folded, the folding unit including a conveying device carrying at least one pushing element arranged for interacting with the at least one flap, and a supporting element onto which the conveying device abuts when the at least one pushing element interacts with the at least one flap. The conveying device also includes at least one rolling element rolling onto the supporting element.

There is described a sonotrode for sealing an opening device onto a hole of a packaging material destined to from a sealed package, comprising: a sealing surface adapted to cooperate with packaging material in order to seal the opening device to the packaging material; a cavity bounded by an opening of sealing surface and adapted to receive the opening device and a ring made in an elastomeric material, partially protruding inside the cavity, and adapted to center a first axis of the opening device on a second axis of the sonotrode.

A packaging and filling device, a paper container, and a blank is disclosed, in which the container is substantially protected from permeation leakage from an end surface. The blank for the paper container comprises an upper part, a bottom part, and a cylindrical main body having four side walls and a square cross-section, and is formed by a packaging and filling device. The packaging and filling device comprises a loading unit for retrieving the blank and loading a cylindrical blank, a bottom-part-molding unit for molding the bottom part of the cylindrical blank and obtaining a container, a filling unit for filling the container with a liquid food item from an upper opening, and an upper-part-sealing unit for heat-sealing the upper opening.

A particle removal device for a filling machine configured to form, fill, and seal individual packages is provided. The particle removal device comprises an air supply pipe, and a controller being programmed to activate the particle removal device such that a jet of air is directed into a ready-to-fill package passing the particle removal device.

An improved container blank of foldable material and resulting structure to hold a fluid filled carton is provided.

A packaging and filling device, a paper container, and a blank is disclosed. The blank comprises a sixth panel in a readily foldable state prior to a step for forming a bottom part, and provides sufficient length in a folded portion to protect the end surface of a packaging material. The blank for the paper container is formed by the packaging and filling device and comprises a top part, a bottom part, and a cylindrical body having four side walls and a square cross-section. The packaging and filling device comprises a loading unit for retrieving the blank and loading a cylindrical blank, a bottom-part-molding unit for molding the bottom part of the cylindrical blank to obtain a container, a filling unit for filling the container with liquid food from an upper opening, and an upper-part-sealing unit for heat-sealing the upper opening.