Method for processing hot-filled plastic containers are provided. In some embodiments, the method may include hot-filling a plastic container, sealing the container, and conveying the sealed container, each with an inner annular wall and a push-up portion in a first position. In some embodiments, the method may further include creating a vacuum pressure in the hot-filled and sealed container and repositioning the push-up portion from the first position to a second position under a mechanical force.

A filling machine for the hot filling of containers includes a line for feeding the containers to at least one supporting plate and a line for unloading the filled container from the supporting plate. Above the supporting plate there is a filling head associated with a respective valve assembly to convey the liquid from a containment tank into the container to be filled. The valve assembly is associated with an internally hollow feeder conduit which accommodates a suction conduit with at least one suction inlet configured to determine the liquid level inside the container. The filling head includes a sealing element having a first sealing body configured to engage hermetically against the upper edge of the container and is associated with a vent adapted to pass between a position for sealing the chamber for passing liquid from the supply feeder conduit toward the container and a position for venting.

A filling system includes a liquid tank for storing liquid; a compressor for pressurizing the inside of the liquid tank; a filling head having a seal member adapted to be pressed against a mouth of a vessel and filling the liquid to the vessel through a liquid passageway while the mouth of the vessel is sealed by the seal member; a liquid valve provided in the liquid passageway; a gas passageway connecting a headspace of the liquid tank to the vessel; a gas valve provided in the gas passageway; a snifting passage connecting the vessel to the outside; and a flowmeter for detecting the amount of liquid supplied to the vessel. When the liquid is a non-fizzy liquid, the liquid valve is opened while the liquid tank is pressurized, the gas valve is closed and the snifting valve is opened.

Filling line for heat-treating and filling a liquid into containers (e.g., bottles), comprising a pre-heater for pre-heating the liquid, a heater for heating the liquid after pre-heating, a cooler for cooling down the liquid after heating, and a filling unit for filling the liquid into the containers, where the filling line is suitable for hot filling and cold filling, where the liquid path from the pre-heater to the filling unit for hot filling differs from the liquid path from the pre-heater to the filling unit for cold filling, and the filling line comprises a switching option for switching between the two liquid paths; and a method for heat-treating and filling containers with a liquid in which such a filling line is used.

Method for processing hot-filled plastic containers are provided. In some embodiments, the method may include hot-filling a plastic container, sealing the container, and conveying the sealed container, each with an inner annular wall and a push-up portion in a first position. In some embodiments, the method may further include creating a vacuum pressure in the hot-filled and sealed container and repositioning the push-up portion from the first position to a second position under a mechanical force.

The present invention relates to a gas-liquid mixture filling device and a gas-liquid mixture filling method. The gas-liquid mixture filling device includes a tank and a filling body. The tank defines a first gas chamber and a first liquid mixing space. The filling body comprises an accommodating chamber and a plurality of pouring ports, the accommodating chamber defines a second gas chamber and a second liquid mixing space, and the plurality of pouring ports are communicated with the second liquid mixing space. A first pipeline is communicated with the first gas chamber and the second gas chamber. A second pipeline is communicated with the first liquid mixing space and the second liquid mixing space.

A container filling valve may include a shuttle and a drive sleeve that are magnetically coupled. Movement of the drive sleeve may move the shuttle from a position in which the filling valve is closed to a position in which the filling valve is open. A container handling arm may include a distal end configured to hold a container and a proximal end that includes a load cell. A low flow setpoint system may be configured to arrest closing of a filling valve when that filling valve is partially closed. A pressure control system may be configured to maintain a desired pressure in a reservoir or in a flow path from that reservoir. A product recirculation system may be configured to adjust flow rate in the product recirculation system.

A container filling valve may include a shuttle and a drive sleeve that are magnetically coupled. Movement of the drive sleeve may move the shuttle from a position in which the filling valve is closed to a position in which the filling valve is open. A container handling arm may include a distal end configured to hold a container and a proximal end that includes a load cell. A low flow setpoint system may be configured to arrest closing of a filling valve when that filling valve is partially closed. A pressure control system may be configured to maintain a desired pressure in a reservoir or in a flow path from that reservoir. A product recirculation system may be configured to adjust flow rate in the product recirculation system.

Method for processing hot-filled plastic containers are provided. In some embodiments, the method may include hot-filling a plastic container, sealing the container, and conveying the sealed container, each with an inner annular wall and a push-up portion in a first position. In some embodiments, the method may further include creating a vacuum pressure in the hot-filled and sealed container and repositioning the push-up portion from the first position to a second position under a mechanical force.

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.