A filling line for filling a number of containers. The filing line may include a continuous conveyor, one or more micro-ingredient dosers positioned about the continuous conveyor, and one or more macro-ingredient stations positioned along the continuous conveyor.

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a small quantity of a liquid product, comprising a dispensing head (9) comprising an injection nozzle (7) to dispense a desired quantity of liquid product. The dispensing head (9) comprises an inlet (2) connected to a source of the liquid product (12) and an outlet (3) provided with the injection nozzle (7). It comprises a first valve (10) and a second valve (11) installed in series. The device comprises a control system (17) to command an opening sequence of the first valve (10) and of the second valve (11), resulting in a time of concomitant opening of the valves. The invention also relates to a method for introducing a liquid product into a container using this device. The invention makes it possible to obtain a dispensing head, which allows the dispensing of a liquid product for a period less than the minimum opening period of the valves that it comprises.

One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing sealed plastic containers having a first headspace pressure. The apparatus may include: an open entry port or tunnel for continuously receiving containers; a sanitizer configured to sanitize outside surfaces of the received containers; a perforator configured to perforate or open a cap or seal of the containers within the apparatus; a sealer configured to seal the perforation or opening formed in the cap or seal of the containers; an open exit port of tunnel for continuously exiting the processed containers; and a conveyor system configured to transporting or convey the containers from the open entry port or tunnel, through and within the apparatus, to the open exit port or tunnel and away from the sanitized environment of the apparatus. The apparatus may be further configured to maintain a sanitized environment within the apparatus, perforator, and/or sealer.

The present invention relates to an improved nozzle assembly for the high-frequency dispensing of (small) volumes of a dosing fluid in a container, as well as a dosing system according to the nozzle assembly of the invention. The invention also relates to an improved volumetric device for a dosing system.

A method for distributing product using a consumer refillable packaging in a retail environment comprises manufacturing a liquid product at a point of manufacture. The liquid product is then transferred to a retail location in a refillable canister, which is mounted in a storage room as part of a delivery subsystem for communicating the liquid product from the storage room to a refill station in a retail floor space. Consumers operate the refill station to refill a refillable container with the liquid product from the canister in the storage room via the refill station.

The invention relates to a device for introducing an additive fluid into a container such as a bottle. The device comprises a support disk, a plurality of fluid lines, each comprising a fluid outlet situated on the perimeter of the support disk, a fluid manifold fixed on the support disk configured to feed the fluid lines with additive fluid, and dosing valves, a dosing valve equipping each fluid line. The device further comprises a pairing assembly for pairing the device with a transfer wheel of a bottling machine, configured to synchronise a rotation of the support disk with a rotation of the transfer wheel with which it is paired. The invention also relates to a system comprising such a device and to a bottling machine comprising such a system. The invention also relates to a method for transforming a bottling machine comprising adding a device for introducing an additive fluid into a container.

An apparatus for filling containers comprises a nozzle for establishing fluid communication with a container, a filling line extending between the nozzle and a source of a product fluid, a filling valve in the filling line, an auxiliary line extending from the nozzle to a drain, and a drain isolation valve in the auxiliary line; further comprising at least one additive line which extends from a junction with the auxiliary line between the nozzle and the drain valve to an additive fluid source; and a dosing valve in the auxiliary line between the nozzle and the at least one additive line, which permits a predetermined volume of additive fluid to flow through the auxiliary line to the nozzle.

A method for distributing product using a consumer refillable packaging in a retail environment comprises manufacturing a liquid product at a point of manufacture. The liquid product is then transferred to a retail location in a refillable canister, which is mounted in a storage room as part of a delivery subsystem for communicating the liquid product from the storage room to a refill station in a retail floor space. Consumers operate the refill station to refill a refillable container with the liquid product from the canister in the storage room via the refill station.

A system and method of micro dosing containers on a conveying system is disclosed. The system includes a mixing tank to maintain suspended solids in a mixture; a dosing assembly to inject micro-doses of the mixture into bottles; a recirculation assembly to circulate the mixture from the supply tank to the dosing assembly and back to the supply tank; a power and controls operation assembly to supply the system with power, to provide the system with electromechanical control and/or to provide a user interface; and a stand to hold at least the supply tank, the portable dosing assembly, the recirculation assembly and/or the power and/or controls operation assembly.

The invention relates to a system for introducing an additive into a container (2). The system comprises an automated device for transporting the container (2) in a horizontal plane (P), such as a rotary wheel. The system further comprises a static microdoser (5) having a nozzle from which a jet (7) of an additive issues upon passage of an opening of the container (2). Additive is so injected into said container (2). According to the invention, the nozzle of the static microdoser (5) is inclined relative to a direction orthogonal to said horizontal plane (P). This limits splashing, in particular when the jet (7) of additive hits an inner wall of the container (2) that is free of liquid. This can be facilitated by an acceleration applied on the container (2) which inclines the free surface (8) of the liquid material present in the container (2). A preferred application is the introduction of a flavored concentrate into a bottle of water.