A filling element includes a radar for measuring fill level in a container during filling thereof and an antenna connected to the radar. The antenna is disposed along a flow path formed in a gas pipe that forms a flow path for fluid while the container is being filled. The antenna provides the radar with a signal indicative of a measurement of a level of the filing material in the container.

A filling element includes a filling-level sensor having an oscillating body disposed to interact with fluid that is in a container being filled. A change in the oscillation of the body, triggered either electromechanically or by fluid flow, provides information indicative of filling level.

A method for filling a container with a filling product in a filling-product filling system having a control valve, having the steps: a differential pressure p.sub.v decreasing across the control valve; and regulating and/or controlling the control valve as a function of the differential pressure p.sub.v which has been determined.

An apparatus for treating containers includes treatment positions arranged on a transport element with a rotor, a transport element, treatment blocks, and functional elements. The treatment positions are formed on the treatment blocks, with at least two per block. Each treatment position ha all functional elements required for treating a container. The functional elements can be for controlled relative movement between treatment blocks and containers, for control of controlled fluid paths for a fluid treatment medium, for monitoring the treatment process, a functional element for controlling the treatment process, or for actuating elements or drives. At least one common functional element needed for treatment of the containers is provided jointly for all treatment positions assigned to one treatment block.

A filling element includes a filling-level sensor having an oscillating body disposed to interact with fluid that is in a container being filled. A change in the oscillation of the body, triggered either electromechanically or by fluid flow, provides information indicative of filling level.

The invention relates to a bottling machine comprising a carousel (1) for filling containers with a main liquid material, wherein said bottling machine comprises a first micro-carousel (61) for introducing a first additive fluid into transferred containers; and a second micro-carousel (62) for introducing a second additive fluid into transferred containers. The invention also relates to a method for producing packs of a given number of containers filled with at least two different products within the same pack.

A gaiter seal for shielding a functional element of a container-processing machine extends between parts of a working head of the container-processing machine includes axially-adjacent gaiter modules that extend along an axis and support-and-sliding elements at interfaces between adjacent gaiter modules. The support-and-sliding elements radially support and guide the first and second gaiter-modules along the functional element.

A valve assembly for a filling machine has an adduction conduit along a valve axis connectable to a tank to allow inflow of liquid from the tank to containers. A shutter inside the adduction conduit moves between a closing position and one or more opening positions. A tubular control stem internally defines a conduit. A probe for detecting filling level with a single detection point near the probe tip is inserted inside the conduit defined by the tubular control stem and moves between at least one extracted position and a retracted position. A first electric motor connected to the tubular control stem moves the shutter between the closing position and the one or more opening positions. A second electric motor connected to the probe moves the probe between the at least one extracted position and the retracted position. The first and second electric motors are controllable independently from each other.

An apparatus for filling a container with a free-flowing material includes a probe, a probe end, a return gas pipe, a gas channel, an opening, and a first electrical probe contact. During filling, the probe extends into the container along an axial direction with the probe's end determining the filling height. The probe includes a return gas pipe with an opening disposed at its end. The first electrical probe contact is formed at the probe end so that it is offset along the axial direction from the opening.

A filling machine includes a multiple filling-element arranged for installation on a circulating rotor. The multiple-filling element includes individual filling-elements, each of which comprises a filling channel. Each filling channel has a dispensing opening, and an independently controllable liquid valve. The filling-element is formed for installation on an underside of a ring bowl provided on a rotor for holding liquid filling-charge. Other function elements are common to all the individual filling-elements. These function elements include controlled fluid paths.