A particle removal device for a filling machine configured to form, fill, and seal individual packages is provided. The particle removal device comprises an air supply pipe, and a controller being programmed to activate the particle removal device such that a jet of air is directed into a ready-to-fill package passing the particle removal device.

A filling machine configured to form, fill, and seal individual packages is provided. The filling machine comprises a sterilization station configured to provide a flow of gaseous sterilizing agent towards open ends of ready-to-fill packaging containers passing through said sterilization station. The filling machine comprises at least one clean air supply and at least one baffle plate arranged above the at least one clean air supply, wherein the air supply is configured to direct a stream of clean air towards the ready-to-fill packaging containers. The clean air supply in turn comprises at least one distribution pipe and wherein the distribution pipe extends in a horizontal direction, the horizontal direction being in the direction of the flow of packages through the filling machine.

Described and illustrated is a method to sterilise containers or receiving flowable foods; in a filling device. The method includes evaporating a hydrogen peroxide solution in an evaporator impinging at least one container with the vaporous hydrogen peroxide in a sterilisation zone and at least partially removing the unconsumed part of the vaporous hydrogen peroxide from the sterilisation zone. The removed vaporous hydrogen peroxide is at least partially condensed in a condenser and the condensed hydrogen peroxide is supplied to the evaporator.

The invention relates to a method for the clocked conveying of packaging containers in a filling machine for flowable products along a conveying line with a first and a second section, a first conveying means and a second conveying means being operated at different clock cycles in the first section of the conveying line and in the second section of the conveying line respectively, and a handling device arranged between the first and the second sections of the conveying line compensating for the different clock times between the first and second conveying means. The clock time for filling flowable products into the packaging containers can thus be sufficiently measured in the second section of the conveying line, without having to accept unnecessary dead time for performing a processing step in the first section of the conveying line. Further disclosed is a device for performing the method.

The invention relates to a method for forming package bodies open at one end from package sleeves open at both ends for the manufacture of filled packages. In order to allow packages with a cross section which is neither square nor rectangular to be formed more simply and reliably, the package sleeves are kept ready for further processing in a stack, folded flat along at least two folded edges running in the longitudinal direction of the package sleeve, the flat-folded package sleeves are transferred in succession from the stack to a forming station, the package sleeves are unfolded in a forming station and the unfolded package sleeves are, in the forming station, pushed onto a mandrel in order to close, in particular seal, a longitudinal end of the package sleeve.

A method and apparatus are represented and described for gripping and holding dispensing elements, having a flange and a screw cap, for subsequent application onto packages, wherein the dispensing elements are linearly supplied to the apparatus in an aligned position and wherein each dispensing element is gripped individually by gripper jaws of a gripping device and is applied by means of its flange onto a package. In order that an applicator with smaller structural height can, even in the case of higher speeds, also reliably provide packages comprising an oblique gable with a dispensing elements, the following steps are provided: raising each gripping device into a start position above the supplied dispensing elements, lowering each gripping device with opened gripper jaws from their highest position to a dispensing element provided therebelow, wherein the transport speed of the gripping device and the transport belt are synchronised, pulling a dispensing element with opened gripper jaws to a flat delivery region, gripping a dispensing element by closing the gripper jaws, lowering each gripping device with gripped dispensing element to a package transported therebelow in an application position, pressing the dispensing element onto the package for a predefined time, and releasing the applied dispensing element and raising each gripping device to receive a newly-supplied dispensing element.

The invention relates to a jam detecting device (10) for detecting defective packages in a filling machine. The jam detecting device (10) comprises a movable element 5 (12), and a sensor (13) connected to the movable element (12). The jam detecting device (10) is adapted to be positioned in the filling machine such that any defective package will mechanically raise the movable element (12) when passing the same and thereby trigger the sensor (13). The invention also relates to a method for detecting defective packages in a filling machine, and a folding unit (1) and a filling machine for producing packages (2) of pourable food products from sealed packs (3).

Described and depicted is a method for filling packages that are open on one side, in particular cardboard composite packages, with free-flowing products, in particular foodstuffs, in a filling machine. In order to allow the heating, sterilisation and/or drying to be carried out at high throughputs more reliably and with less complexity in terms of the equipment and/or method, it is provided that preheating air and/or drying air and/or sterilising agent is introduced into the packages that are open on one side and that a volume of preheating air and/or drying air and/or sterilising agent, said volume corresponding to at least three times the volume of the package that is open on one side, is introduced into at least one, preferably at least substantially each, package that is open on one side.

A device for shaping the gable surfaces of packages with a slanted gable is shown and described, including: a conveyor system with cells fixed to it to receive the packages, at least one gable folder to fold a fin seam in the gable region of the packages and at least two ear folders to fold ears in the gable region of the packages. In order to enable rapid and reliable shaping of the gable even in packages with slanted gables, it is proposed that both the gable folder and the ear folders be mounted movably relative to the conveyor system and the packages to be transported therewith. A method for shaping the gable surfaces of packages with a slanted gable is also shown and described.

A laminated packaging material for liquid food products may include a paper board having a non-white color or a film arranged on the paper board, and a pre-laminated hole arranged in an opening section of the paper board. A first contrast area may be arranged adjacent to the pre-laminated hole and printed in a first color that is selected such that a high contrast between the first color and the pre-laminated hole is achieved.