Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced in the containers. For each container, temporary deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container. Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings. Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto. The annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container. The containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers. After the conveying, a moveable element in a bottom end of each container is activated substantially permanently to remove the vacuum in the container.

An aseptic closure assembly for a fluid container that includes a cap connectable to an opening of the fluid container and a fluid dispenser connectable to an outer surface of the housing of the cap. The fluid dispenser includes a main body and fluid lines provided within the main body, a shell housing provided around the main body, and an insert connectable to a second end of the main body. The main body includes apertures nearer the second end that are connected to the fluid lines and configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid container when the fluid dispenser is connected to the cap. The fluid dispenser is configured such that a downward directed force towards the fluid container fits the insert into the support of the cavity and disconnects the insert from the main body of the fluid dispenser to seal the fluid container.

An aseptic closure assembly for a fluid container that includes a cap connectable to an opening of the fluid container and a fluid dispenser connectable to an outer surface of the housing of the cap. The fluid dispenser includes a main body and fluid lines provided within the main body, a shell housing provided around the main body, and an insert connectable to a second end of the main body. The main body includes apertures nearer the second end that are connected to the fluid lines and configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid container when the fluid dispenser is connected to the cap. The fluid dispenser is configured such that a downward directed force towards the fluid container fits the insert into the support of the cavity and disconnects the insert from the main body of the fluid dispenser to seal the fluid container.

The present invention relates to a swivel arrangement for a carousel filler arrangement having a rotating tank (2) and a product pipe (4) for transporting product into the rotating tank. The swivel arrangement comprises a tank connecting part (6), a pipe connecting part (5), a first opening for receiving a gaseous media, a second opening for ejecting the gaseous media. A first channel is partly defined by a protruding portion of the pipe connecting part and an outer wall of the product pipe, and a second channel is partly defined by the protruding portion and a protruding portion of the tank connecting part. A gap is formed between the pipe connecting part and the protruding portion of the tank connecting part, the gap is located between the second channel and the second opening thereby forming a particle barrier whereby, in use, particles are hindered from entering the second channel by a flow of gaseous media from the first opening to the second opening via the first and second channels.

The present invention relates to a swivel arrangement for a carousel filler arrangement having a rotating tank (2) and a product pipe (4) for transporting product into the rotating tank. The swivel arrangement comprises a tank connecting part (6), a pipe connecting part (5), a first opening for receiving a gaseous media, a second opening for ejecting the gaseous media. A first channel is partly defined by a protruding portion of the pipe connecting part and an outer wall of the product pipe, and a second channel is partly defined by the protruding portion and a protruding portion of the tank connecting part. A gap is formed between the pipe connecting part and the protruding portion of the tank connecting part, the gap is located between the second channel and the second opening thereby forming a particle barrier whereby, in use, particles are hindered from entering the second channel by a flow of gaseous media from the first opening to the second opening via the first and second channels.

A device for filling a receptacle (1) with a liquid, especially a drinking liquid, comprises a balloon-type body (4) which can be introduced into an opening (3) in the receptacle (1) and can be filled and inflated in such a way that the balloon-type body (4) rests against the inner surface of the inflated, the balloon-type body (4) is folded about the circumference in order to increase the size of the circumferential line of the balloon-type body (4) compared to a simple circle.

A device for filling a receptacle (1) with a liquid, especially a drinking liquid, comprises a balloon-type body (4) which can be introduced into an opening (3) in the receptacle (1) and can be filled and inflated in such a way that the balloon-type body (4) rests against the inner surface of the inflated, the balloon-type body (4) is folded about the circumference in order to increase the size of the circumferential line of the balloon-type body (4) compared to a simple circle.

A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.

A filling-element assembly for both pressurized and open-jet filling of containers includes a filling element having a filling-element housing, a liquid valve, a return-gas channel, and a seal. The housing has a fixed first segment, a vertically movable second segment, and an extendable segment between them to surrounds the valve housing in a fluid-tight manner. A return-gas channel extends along the filling-element axis between the valve housing and the filling-element housing. In a raised position of the second segment, the seal contacts the valve housing along a circumferential contact area and seals the filling-element discharge opening thereby forming a fluid-tight closure for the return-gas channel.

A filling-element assembly for both pressurized and open-jet filling of containers includes a filling element having a filling-element housing, a liquid valve, a return-gas channel, and a seal. The housing has a fixed first segment, a vertically movable second segment, and an extendable segment between them to surrounds the valve housing in a fluid-tight manner. A return-gas channel extends along the filling-element axis between the valve housing and the filling-element housing. In a raised position of the second segment, the seal contacts the valve housing along a circumferential contact area and seals the filling-element discharge opening thereby forming a fluid-tight closure for the return-gas channel.