A method for producing containers, filled with liquid filling material, from thermally conditioned preforms, in which method the filling material is introduced under pressure through a filling valve into the preform at a forming and filling station, wherein the filling material is provided by a filling material source and is pumped into the preform by means of a displacement pump, which is provided between the filling material source and the forming and filling stations, when the filling valve is open, wherein at least two forming and filling stations (12, 14, 11, 13, 32, 33) are associated with each displacement pump (23, 24, 36), which forming and filling stations are supplied, in particular successively, with filling material by the displacement pump (23, 24, 36).

The present specification discloses a method of protecting an inner wall surface of a vessel from damaging interaction with an additive added to the vessel, where the method includes providing the vessel at least part way filled with a liquid product; applying a force on the vessel the force being configured to create a change in shape of a surface of the liquid product; and providing sufficient containment of the additive by the change in shape of the surface of the liquid product to substantially prevent damaging interaction between the inner wall surface of the vessel and the additive for at least an additive reaction time period at the end of which the additive is rendered substantially incapable of producing damaging interaction to the inner wall surface of the vessel.

The present specification discloses a method of protecting an inner wall surface of a vessel from damaging interaction with an additive added to the vessel, where the method includes providing the vessel at least part way filled with a liquid product; applying a force on the vessel the force being configured to create a change in shape of a surface of the liquid product; and providing sufficient containment of the additive by the change in shape of the surface of the liquid product to substantially prevent damaging interaction between the inner wall surface of the vessel and the additive for at least an additive reaction time period at the end of which the additive is rendered substantially incapable of producing damaging interaction to the inner wall surface of the vessel.

A method for making a container made of a plastic material, provided with a base including a standing ring forming a support flange and a diaphragm extending from the standing ring to a central portion, the diaphragm being capable of standing in an outwardly-inclined position, wherein the diaphragm connects to the standing ring at an outer junction forming an outer articulation of the diaphragm; wherein the diaphragm connects to the central portion at an inner junction forming an inner articulation of the diaphragm; whereby the diaphragm is invertible with respect to the standing ring from the outwardly-inclined position to an inwardly-inclined position; and wherein, in the outwardly-inclined position, the diaphragm has an outer curved portion and an inner curved portion of opposite curvatures.

A method for making a container made of a plastic material, provided with a base including a standing ring forming a support flange and a diaphragm extending from the standing ring to a central portion, the diaphragm being capable of standing in an outwardly-inclined position, wherein the diaphragm connects to the standing ring at an outer junction forming an outer articulation of the diaphragm; wherein the diaphragm connects to the central portion at an inner junction forming an inner articulation of the diaphragm; whereby the diaphragm is invertible with respect to the standing ring from the outwardly-inclined position to an inwardly-inclined position; and wherein, in the outwardly-inclined position, the diaphragm has an outer curved portion and an inner curved portion of opposite curvatures.

The refillable drinking vessel comprises a bottle, a bottle fitting structure, a base plate, and a fluid control structure. The base plate forms a fluidic connection between the bottle fitting structure and a pressurized fluid source. The bottle fitting structure forms a fluidic connection between the bottle and the base plate. The fluid control structure automatically controls the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid source through the base plate and the bottle fitting structure into the bottle. The fluid control structure senses when the bottle is near the base plate. The fluid control structure measures and controls the amount of fluid contained in the bottle.

The refillable drinking vessel comprises a bottle, a bottle fitting structure, a base plate, and a fluid control structure. The base plate forms a fluidic connection between the bottle fitting structure and a pressurized fluid source. The bottle fitting structure forms a fluidic connection between the bottle and the base plate. The fluid control structure automatically controls the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid source through the base plate and the bottle fitting structure into the bottle. The fluid control structure senses when the bottle is near the base plate. The fluid control structure measures and controls the amount of fluid contained in the bottle.

The bottle filling system incorporates a bottle, a fill base structure, and a control structure. The bottle, the fill base structure, and the control structure are fluidically interconnected. The fill base structure and the control structure are electrically interconnected. The control structure controls the flow of a fluid from a pressurized fluid source into the fill base structure. The fill base structure transports the fluid received from the control structure to the bottle. The control structure detects the presence of the bottle relative to the fill base structure. The control structure measures the amount of fluid in the bottle. The control structure automatically replenishes the amount of fluid contained in the bottle.

The bottle filling system incorporates a bottle, a fill base structure, and a control structure. The bottle, the fill base structure, and the control structure are fluidically interconnected. The fill base structure and the control structure are electrically interconnected. The control structure controls the flow of a fluid from a pressurized fluid source into the fill base structure. The fill base structure transports the fluid received from the control structure to the bottle. The control structure detects the presence of the bottle relative to the fill base structure. The control structure measures the amount of fluid in the bottle. The control structure automatically replenishes the amount of fluid contained in the bottle.

Facility for the production of bottles of liquid products, the bottles being formed from thermoformable plastic, the facility including a blowing device for blowing bottles from preforms, with a heating tunnel, a filling and finishing line including bottle filling, sealing, and/or capping stations, with a buffer conveyor interposed between the blowing device and the filling and finishing line, formed mainly as an endless conveyor suitable for receiving bottles, the buffer conveyor including a first section used under normal flow conditions, and a second section complementary to the first section and serving as buffer storage space under conditions of unplanned stoppage of the filling line, the bottle storage capacity of the second section being at least equal to the number of bottles and preforms which can be received in the blowing machine including in the heating tunnel.