A dispensing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes multiple dosing stations each having an output opening, multiple fall ducts mounted to a mounting beam of a fall duct conveyor and multiple collectors connected to a collector conveyor. Each fall duct includes a first part and an opposing second part detachably connected to the first part, the second part having multiple inlet openings that align with the output openings of the dosing stations, wherein the first and second parts define a space for solids falling from the dosing stations. The collector conveyor moves the collectors together with the fall ducts moved by the fall duct conveyor, wherein the collectors collect the solids falling from the dosing stations.

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.

A volumetric metering valve, particularly for liquid, viscous and/or piece-containing products, which comprises: a valve body, which defines inside it an intake duct and a filling duct connected, respectively, to a storage tank and to a container to be filled at respective inlet and filling openings; a flow control element, which moves between an intake position, in which the inlet opening is fully open and the filling opening is closed, and a filling position, in which the inlet opening is closed and the filling opening is fully open; a filling chamber which communicates with the inside of the valve body; and a pusher piston, accommodated in the filling chamber so that it can slide between a loading position, in which the pusher piston is fully extracted from the filling chamber and a discharge position, in which the pusher piston is fully accommodated in the filling chamber.