The present invention relates to a filling apparatus for filling containers with fluid products, and to the respective method, wherein the apparatus comprises a rest area arranged outside of a filling path and of a filling area, the rest area is accessible to the operator without interrupting the filling of the containers and actuating means to reciprocally move a first and a second filling unit from an operating condition to a rest condition; wherein in an operating condition one between a first and second filling unit is arranged in the filling area and able to be in fluid communication with the containers to be filled; and wherein in the rest condition the other between the first and second filling unit is arranged in the rest area accessible to the operator without interrupting the filling of the containers in the filling area.

Filler devices having an enclosure sub-assembly are provided herein. Filler devices may include at least one of a reservoir and at least one working valve for dispensing the product into a container. Enclosure sub-assemblies may include an enclosure frame, an enclosure member, at least one hinge, and at least one magnetic latch assembly, wherein the at least one magnetic latch assembly comprises a body having a magnet associated therewith, and wherein the at least one magnetic latch assembly is fixedly secured to one of the enclosure frame or the enclosure member upon displacement of the enclosure member from a closed position to an open position, and releasably, magnetically secured to the other of the enclosure frame or the enclosure member upon displacement of the enclosure member from a closed position to an open position.

Filler devices having an enclosure sub-assembly are provided herein. Filler devices may include at least one of a reservoir and at least one working valve for dispensing the product into a container. Enclosure sub-assemblies may include an enclosure frame, an enclosure member, at least one hinge, and at least one magnetic latch assembly, wherein the at least one magnetic latch assembly comprises a body having a magnet associated therewith, and wherein the at least one magnetic latch assembly is fixedly secured to one of the enclosure frame or the enclosure member upon displacement of the enclosure member from a closed position to an open position, and releasably, magnetically secured to the other of the enclosure frame or the enclosure member upon displacement of the enclosure member from a closed position to an open position.

A device for filling containers with a liquid includes a filling unit; an elevating mechanism; and optionally a conveyor suitable to support and have the containers advance in succession to the filling unit. The filling unit includes connections connected to a source of the liquid, a source of an inert gas and a suction device; a pipe comprising a first tube and a second tube, and a retainer to hold the containers in the filling unit. The elevating mechanism varies the depth with which the pipe and/or at least one of the tubes is inserted in the container. A method for filling containers with a liquid is also provided, wherein the liquid and an inert gas are injected simultaneously through two separate tubes. The tubes are each connectable/connected to one of the connections connectable/connected to a source of liquid, a source of an inert gas and to a suction device.

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.

In order to perform a cleaning-in-place or CIP cleaning of a filling element of a filling machine for the filling of containers with a liquid filling content, at least one closure element can be used, together with the filling element, to form a flushing chamber, in which a filling valve and a filling-level probe are at least partially disposed for the cleaning-in-place cleaning of the filling element. A control unit controls the flow of cleaning medium into the flushing chamber and the performance of at least one electrical measurement with the filling-level probe during the cleaning-in-place cleaning of the filling element.

A filling unit (1) for filling containers (90) of a first type, such as bottles, and for filling containers (95) of a second type, such as cans, with a liquid substance (99). The filling unit (1) comprises a dispenser (3), which in use faces towards a mouth of the container to be filled so as to dispense the liquid substance (99) through a dispensing opening (30) towards an internal volume of the container, and a valve (4) which is controllable for allowing and preventing the liquid substance (99) to be dispensed from the dispenser (3). The filling unit (1) further comprises a level sensor (51) for detecting a filled level of the liquid substance (99) in the container, a volume meter (52) for measuring a volume of the liquid substance (99) fed to the dispenser (3), and a control system for controlling the valve (4). The control system is configured to control the valve (4) based on the filled level detected by the level sensor (51), when the filling unit (1) is used for filling a container (90) of the first type, and is configured to control the valve (4) based on the fed volume that is measured by the volume meter, when the filling unit (1) is used for filling a container (95) of the second type.

A method of degasification of a carbonated beverage-filled container in an apparatus for blowing and filling containers, the apparatus including a mold enclosing a blown and carbonated beverage-filled container. The container includes a dispensing opening, an injection head that is movable along a longitudinal axis, passing by the dispensing opening of the container, between a sealing position in which the injection head is in a sealing engagement with the dispensing opening and a non-sealing position in which the injection head spaced from the dispensing opening. The method includes the steps of moving the injection head away from the sealing position to a first non-sealing position, moving the injection head from the first non-sealing position back to the sealing position, and after moving the injection head back, moving the injection head away from the sealing position to a second non-sealing position that is different from the first non-sealing position.

A system to automate the filling of electronic vape cartridges with viscous liquid. The system includes an enclosure sealed with removable panels for maintenance access, compartments to interface cartridges and liquids with the internal mechanisms, and an external human machine interface. The internal mechanisms utilize thermally insulative annular nozzles and a thermal control system to diminish the internal friction of the liquid to facilitate consistent transfer of liquid between a reservoir, heated by a heated bed, syringe assembly, comprising a heating element along a raceway, and empty cartridges inserted into the system. This system is capable of filling approximately 100 cartridges per minute, and may interface with cartridges of various configurations and formulations of varying composition and characteristics.

A method is described for shaping the bottom of hot-filled containers, in which the bottoms of the containers are forced inwardly from a state bulged outwardly, in particular as they cool down. Complex mechanisms for forcing the bottom inwardly are dispensable for the reason that the bottoms are forced inwardly by at least one fluid jet and/or fluid pressure wave. In addition, shaping the bottom can advantageously be carried out in a production region immediately downstream of a closer.