A pump dispenser for providing and withdrawing liquids including a bottle (1), having a bottle opening (3) for storing and providing the liquid, and a pump lid (2) on and/or in the bottle opening for metered withdrawal of the liquid. The pump lid has a metering pump (4) with a manually operated actuation element, and further includes a lid (6) for closing the bottle and an output device (7). The bottle has a replenishment opening (9) provided in addition to the bottle opening. A replenishment system includes a pump dispenser (33) per usage location (30) and a transportable storage tank (19) for liquids for replenishing the pump dispensers. A filling apparatus (13) withdraws the liquid from the storage tank (19) and introduces the liquid into the pump dispensers (33), the filling apparatus (13) being provided with a filling nozzle (14) or spike for the replenishment openings (9) of the bottles.

A method for filling and closing containers at a filling and closing unit of a handling station. After the completion of a filling phase, a handling phase is carried out at the filling and closing unit of the handling station, in which the process chamber is pre-loaded, in particular above the container opening of the corresponding container, by way of nitrogen to a pressure which is at or above the saturation pressure of the CO.sub.2 contained in the filling material.

Techniques regarding multi-hole nozzle architectures and/or manufacturing methods are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a multi-hole nozzle component for a filling machine, the multi-hole nozzle component having a periphery, an inlet side having a surface, and an outlet side having a surface. The nozzle component can further comprise a plurality of separate passageways extending through the nozzle component from adjacent its inlet side to its outlet side. Also, the passageways can form a plurality of openings in the surface of the outlet side of the nozzle component. Further, each of the separate passageways can have a diameter of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm and a length of from about 5 mm to about 1.5 m.

Techniques regarding multi-hole nozzle architectures and/or manufacturing methods are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a multi-hole nozzle component for a filling machine, the multi-hole nozzle component having a periphery, an inlet side having a surface, and an outlet side having a surface. The nozzle component can further comprise a plurality of separate passageways extending through the nozzle component from adjacent its inlet side to its outlet side. Also, the passageways can form a plurality of openings in the surface of the outlet side of the nozzle component. Further, each of the separate passageways can have a diameter of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm and a length of from about 5 mm to about 1.5 m.

A gas stem assembly is disclosed including a vent tube having at least one protrusion extending radially from the vent tube and a receiver having a non-circular opening and an attachment surface at an end of the non-circular opening. The vent tube is at least partially insertable through the non-circular opening of the receiver when the vent tube and the at least one protrusion are aligned with the non-circular opening. The attachment surface of the receiver contacts the at least one protrusion to inhibit the at least one protrusion from passing back through the non-circular opening when the at least one protrusion is misaligned with the non-circular opening.

A gas stem assembly is disclosed including a vent tube having at least one protrusion extending radially from the vent tube and a receiver having a non-circular opening and an attachment surface at an end of the non-circular opening. The vent tube is at least partially insertable through the non-circular opening of the receiver when the vent tube and the at least one protrusion are aligned with the non-circular opening. The attachment surface of the receiver contacts the at least one protrusion to inhibit the at least one protrusion from passing back through the non-circular opening when the at least one protrusion is misaligned with the non-circular opening.

A plant (1) for filling and closing cans (2) under hygienic conditions which comprises a hygienic compartment (3), a lid applying device (7) and an inlet (30) for a filling material. The lid applying device (7) is arranged in the hygienic compartment (3) and the inlet (30) is formed on the hygienic compartment (3). When used as intended, one or more cans (2) can be assigned to the hygienic compartment (3) and the hygienic compartment (3) can be moved together with the can(s) (2) in the system (1).

A plant (1) for filling and closing cans (2) under hygienic conditions which comprises a hygienic compartment (3), a lid applying device (7) and an inlet (30) for a filling material. The lid applying device (7) is arranged in the hygienic compartment (3) and the inlet (30) is formed on the hygienic compartment (3). When used as intended, one or more cans (2) can be assigned to the hygienic compartment (3) and the hygienic compartment (3) can be moved together with the can(s) (2) in the system (1).

A pressure regulator valve adapted to be secured within a container housing a beverage to be dispensed through the aid of pressure within the headspace (11) above the beverage, the regulator valve includes a housing (16) containing a piston (26) having one surface exposed continuously to the pressure in the headspace and the other surface being engaged by a spring (44), a source of pressurized gas (14) such as carbon dioxide is secured to the housing and includes a valve (60) which is activated by the piston which moves responsive to a differential between the spring force and the headspace pressure to open the valve (60) when the headspace pressure falls below a predetermined level to insert the carbon dioxide into the headspace to maintain the headspace pressure sufficient to dispense the beverage.

A method of connecting a vent tube to a bottling machine comprising providing a vent tube having a vent tube alignment mechanism, a receiver defining a through-opening and a receiver alignment mechanism, and a biasing mechanism for biasing against at least a portion of the vent tube. Aligning the vent tube with the through-opening and the vent tube alignment mechanism with the receiver alignment mechanism, inserting the vent tube into the receiver against the biasing mechanism, rotating the vent tube such that the vent tube alignment mechanism is not aligned with the receiver alignment mechanism, and locking the vent tube to the receiver using the biasing mechanism to bias the vent tube alignment mechanism out of alignment with the receiver alignment mechanism to form a positive locking feature that keeps the vent tube connected to the receiver throughout bottling machine operations.