Disclosed herein are systems and methods for inducing a substantially non-hazardous atmosphere encompassing a beverage container during filling, such as filling a small volume container with an alcohol product. A multi-tiered approach can be used to reduce the combustibility of the atmosphere encompassing the beverage container. For example, a ventilation module can be provided and configured to dilute vapors of the beverage liquid. Further, a chilling module can be provided and configured to reduce or maintain a reduced temperature of the beverage liquid. Further, a capture module can be provided and configured to dilute stray beverage liquid. The ventilation module, the chilling module, and the capture module can cooperate to define a non-hazardous zone encompassing the beverage container. This can allow non-hazardous rated electrical components to operate proximate and within the atmosphere associating the alcohol product during filling.

A method for treating kegs in a container-treatment machine includes passing a first keg through a first set of treatment stations on the container-treatment machine and passing a second keg through a second set of treatment stations on the container-treatment machine. The first and second sets depend on a condition of the first and second kegs.

A container-treatment machine includes a frame, transport devices for conveying containers, and intermediate conveyors. Treatment stations, some of which are treatment modules, are arranged between the first and second transport-devices. The intermediate conveyors convey containers to corresponding ones of the treatment stations. The intermediate conveyors extend transversely between the transport devices. Some of the treatment modules are held on the frame so as to be removable from operating positions thereof.

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.

A packing machine for filling product into bags including a bag supply, a filling module with a filling nozzle and a bag removal, wherein between the bag supply and the bag removal a transfer device is provided, which is suitable and configured to feed an empty bag from the bag supply to the filling nozzle and to feed the filled bag from the filling nozzle to the bag removal. In a method for operation, an empty bag is fed from the bag supply to the filling module by means of the transfer device and a filled bag is fed by means of the transfer device from the filling module to the bag removal. In a method for maintaining such a packing machine transfer device is moved to release at least the filling module.

A packing machine for filling product into bags including a bag supply, a filling module with a filling nozzle and a bag removal, wherein between the bag supply and the bag removal a transfer device is provided, which is suitable and configured to feed an empty bag from the bag supply to the filling nozzle and to feed the filled bag from the filling nozzle to the bag removal. In a method for operation, an empty bag is fed from the bag supply to the filling module by means of the transfer device and a filled bag is fed by means of the transfer device from the filling module to the bag removal. In a method for maintaining such a packing machine transfer device is moved to release at least the filling module.

Provided is a production line for treatments of container products having an upstream conveyor loaded with products into a multi-lane flow, moving the products along a stream direction through successive treatment workstations with one comprising a multi-lane treatment module along the upstream conveyor, a distribution surface located at an end of the upstream conveyor feeding the distribution surface with a multi-lane flow of products, a downstream conveyor located at an output of the distribution surface, transversally moving the products along a single-lane flow, a transfer means longitudinally transferring relative a row of the products from the distribution surface to the transversal downstream conveyor, wherein the distribution surface is orientated longitudinally along the stream direction and is aligned with the upstream conveyor. Also provided is a conveying device, a production method, and use of a distribution surface for converting a multi-lane flow of products into at a single-lane flow of products.

Provided is a production line for treatments of container products having an upstream conveyor loaded with products into a multi-lane flow, moving the products along a stream direction through successive treatment workstations with one comprising a multi-lane treatment module along the upstream conveyor, a distribution surface located at an end of the upstream conveyor feeding the distribution surface with a multi-lane flow of products, a downstream conveyor located at an output of the distribution surface, transversally moving the products along a single-lane flow, a transfer means longitudinally transferring relative a row of the products from the distribution surface to the transversal downstream conveyor, wherein the distribution surface is orientated longitudinally along the stream direction and is aligned with the upstream conveyor. Also provided is a conveying device, a production method, and use of a distribution surface for converting a multi-lane flow of products into at a single-lane flow of products.

A packing machine having a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning apparatus for cleaning a working section when filling bulk materials into containers, including a blowing strip having a first nozzle device and a second nozzle device through which an air stream can be guided temporarily in each case. In this case, the first and the second nozzle devices each have a fixed blowing-out direction, wherein the blowing-out directions of the first nozzle device and of the second nozzle device differ from one another. Furthermore, a control device is provided which is suitable and configured to control the first nozzle device and the second nozzle device at least temporarily in a temporally staggered manner. In a method for cleaning a working section using such a cleaning apparatus, the control device controls the first nozzle device and the second nozzle device in a temporally staggered manner.

A packing machine having a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning apparatus for cleaning a working section when filling bulk materials into containers, including a blowing strip having a first nozzle device and a second nozzle device through which an air stream can be guided temporarily in each case. In this case, the first and the second nozzle devices each have a fixed blowing-out direction, wherein the blowing-out directions of the first nozzle device and of the second nozzle device differ from one another. Furthermore, a control device is provided which is suitable and configured to control the first nozzle device and the second nozzle device at least temporarily in a temporally staggered manner. In a method for cleaning a working section using such a cleaning apparatus, the control device controls the first nozzle device and the second nozzle device in a temporally staggered manner.