CONTAINER FILLING ARRANGEMENT FOR FILLING BOTTLES AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS WITH A BEVERAGE AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THE CONTAINER FILLING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A container filling arrangement for filling bottles and similar containers with a beverage and a method of operating the container filling arrangement.

Claims

1. A method for the cleaning-in-place cleaning of at least one filling element of a filling machine for the filling of containers with a liquid filling content, wherein: said filling machine comprises a plurality of filling positions disposed on a rotary transport element; each filling position comprises a filling element; said filling element comprises a filling valve and a filling-level probe; and said method comprising the steps of: connecting a closure element comprising a flushing cap or a flushing sleeve to each said filling element, and thereby forming, together with said filling element, a flushing chamber in which said filling valve and said filling-level probe are at least partially disposed; introducing at least one cleaning medium into said flushing chamber; and performing at least one electrical measurement with said filling-level probe during the cleaning-in-place cleaning of said filling element.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of connecting said closure element comprises connecting each said closure element at each said filling element manually and/or automatically.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said method further comprises controlling the flow of said at least one cleaning medium through said filling element by opening and/or closing at least one of: said filling valve in a liquid channel of said filling element and a gas channel valve in a gas channel of said filling element, such that said at least one cleaning medium is conveyed in a circuit through said filling element and said flushing chamber.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of performing said at least one electrical measurement comprises performing said at least one electrical measurement between a measurement region of said filling-level probe and at least one electrical ground region disposed on at least one of said filling-level probe and said closure element.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said step of performing said at least one electrical measurement comprises imposing an electric current flow on said measurement region of said filling-level probe having one of a periodic voltage or a square-wave voltage.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said step of performing said at least one electrical measurement comprises at least one of: checking for the presence of a cleaning medium; measuring the value of the electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium; measuring the value of an electrical current flow between said measurement region and said at least one electrical ground region; measuring the value of a voltage drop in a measurement circuit; and measuring the value of an electrical resistance between said measurement region and said at least one electrical ground region.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said step of measuring is carried out with a series resistor configured to be adjusted.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said method further comprises: establishing a reference measurement by measuring the electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium using a conductivity measuring device disposed in at least one of said gas channel and said liquid channel; and measuring the temperature of the cleaning medium in at least one of said gas channel and said liquid channel.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said method further comprises determining the temperature of the cleaning medium using the electrical conductivity measured by said filling-level probe.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said method further comprises at least one of passing on or recording at least some of the measurement results.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, at a predetermined time after the identification of the cleaning medium by said filling-level probe, either concluding the cleaning or initiating a subsequent cleaning step.

12. A filling machine for the filling of containers with a liquid filling content, said filling machine comprising: a plurality of filling positions disposed on a rotary transport element; each filling position comprising a filling element; said filling element comprising a filling valve and a filling-level probe; at least one closure element being configured and disposed to form, together with said filling element, a flushing chamber in which said filling valve and said filling-level probe are at least partially disposed for the cleaning-in-place cleaning of said filling element; and a control unit being configured to control: the flow of cleaning medium into said flushing chamber; and the performance of at least one electrical measurement with said filling-level probe during the cleaning-in-place cleaning of said filling element.

13. The filling machine according to claim 12, wherein said filling-level probe comprises a measuring electronics unit, which comprises an adjustable series resistor.

14. The filling machine according to claim 13, wherein said filling machine comprises at least one conductivity measuring device installed in a gas channel and/or a liquid channel of said filling element, and configured to measure a reference conductivity of a cleaning medium.

15. The filling machine according to claim 12, wherein: said closure element is configured to be connected manually and/or automatically at said filling position; and said control unit is configured to control the flow of at least one cleaning medium through said filling element by opening and/or closing at least one of: said filling valve in a liquid channel of said filling element and a gas channel valve in a gas channel of said filling element, such that said at least one cleaning medium is conveyed in a circuit through said filling element and said flushing chamber.

16. The filling machine according to claim 15, wherein: said filling-level probe comprises a measurement region; at least one of said filling-level probe and said closure element comprises at least one electrical ground region; and said control unit is configured to control the performance of at least one electrical measurement using said measurement region and said at least one electrical ground region.

17. The filling machine according to claim 16, wherein said control unit is configured to control the performance of said at least one electrical measurement by imposing an electric current flow on said measurement region of said filling-level probe having one of a periodic voltage or a square-wave voltage

18. The filling machine according to claim 17, wherein said control unit is configured to control the performance of at least one of: a check for the presence of a cleaning medium; a measurement of the value of the electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium; a measurement of the value of an electrical current flow between said measurement region and said at least one electrical ground region; a measurement of the value of a voltage drop in a measurement circuit; and a measurement of the value of an electrical resistance between said measurement region and said at least one electrical ground region.

19. The filling machine according to claim 18, wherein said control unit is configured to determine the temperature of the cleaning medium using the electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium measured by said filling-level probe.

20. The filling machine according to claim 19, wherein said control unit is configured, upon a predetermined time after the identification of the cleaning medium by said filling-level probe, to either conclude the cleaning or initiate a subsequent cleaning step.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1A shows a schematic top view of a container handling or beverage bottling machine in accordance with at least one possible exemplary embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a filling element according to at least one possible exemplary embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows the filling element of FIG. 1, with an attached flushing sleeve; and

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a measurement schematic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Identical reference numbers are used in the figures for elements of at least one possible exemplary embodiment that are the same or have the same effect. In addition, for the sake of easier overview, only reference numbers are represented in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure.

[0039] FIG. 1A shows a schematic top view of a container handling or beverage bottling machine 100 for handling containers 102, such as bottles, cans, kegs, or similar containers, in accordance with at least one possible exemplary embodiment. The container handling machine 100 comprises a rotor or carousel 101 designed to rotate about a vertical axis of rotation. A plurality of container handling arrangements 103 are disposed about the periphery of the rotor 101. The container handling arrangements 103 can be designed to perform different functions depending on the container handling machine 100, such as container filling, closing, labeling, and other such container handling functions. A first rotary container transport device 104, such as a star wheel or similar device, moves containers 102 into the container handling arrangements 103. A second rotary container output device 105, such as a star wheel or similar device, moves containers 102 out of the container handling arrangements 103. A control arrangement 106, such as a computer control arrangement, is operatively connected to the container handling machine 100 to control and/or monitor the operation of the container handling machine 100 and the components thereof.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a schematic section through a filling element 1 of a filling machine for the filling of containers with liquid filling contents. The filling element 1 comprises a filling valve 2, which is represented here by a cone 3, which interacts with a cone-shaped cut-out opening 4 in the filling element 1. This representation of the filling valve 2 is to be understood as only exemplary and schematic. Many other forms of a filling valve 2 are conceivable and possible, and these have no effect on the present invention.

[0041] During the filling of a container, not represented here, which is preferably located beneath the filling valve 2, the filling valve 2 is opened, such that the liquid filling contents can flow into the container via the filling valve 2 and a liquid channel 5, which is in fluid connection with the filling valve. Air which emerges from the container during the filling is conveyed away in this situation via a gas channel 6.

[0042] Furthermore, a filling-level probe 7 is arranged centrally, which is configured in the form of a bar or rod, and connects to the filling valve 2 in the direction of the container. The filling-level probe 7 comprises on its lower end, i.e., the end opposite the filling valve 2, an electrically-conductive measurement region 8. This measurement region 8 is separated by an isolating region 9 from an electrical ground region 10 of the filling-level probe 7, which is likewise electrically conductive. During the filling of containers, the mode of function of such a filling-level probe 7 is such that, first, an electric voltage U, such as a periodic electric voltage U, is imposed between the measurement region 8 and the electrical ground region 10. Since the measurement region 8 and the electrical ground region 10 are separated by the isolating region 9, initially no current flows in the associated circuit, since no electrically-conductive connection pertains between the measurement region 8 and the electrical ground region 10 of the filling-level probe 7.

[0043] In accordance with at least one possible exemplary embodiment, the filling-level probe 7 extends into the container which is to be filled, and, specifically, the transition between the isolating region 9 and the electrical ground region 10 comes to lie in the region of the desired filling level of the filling contents in the container. Next, the filling valve 2 is opened, and the filling contents is filled into the container via the filling valve 2 and the liquid channel 5 connected to it.

[0044] If the liquid level or the filling level of the filling contents in the container now rises sufficiently far that it exceeds the transition between the isolating region 9 and the electrical ground region 10, then, via the conductive liquid, the circuit is closed between the measurement region 8 and the electrical ground region 10. Due to the voltage U imposed, current can now flow in the circuit. The desired filling level of the filling contents in the container is therefore attained, and the filling valve 2 can be closed again.

[0045] The filling element 1 further comprises a connection device 11 for connecting a closure element 12 to the filling element 1.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a schematic section through the filling element 1 in accordance with FIG. 1, with a closure element 12 connected to it, which is configured as a flushing sleeve, in accordance with at least one possible exemplary embodiment. In this situation, the closure element 12 closes tight with the filling element 1, and therefore forms a flushing chamber 13, in which the filling valve 2 and the filling-level probe 7 are accommodated, i.e., the closure element 12 forms with the filling element 1 a fluid-tight flushing chamber 13, which connects to the liquid channel 5 on the underside of the closure element 12, and in which at least the end of the filling-level probe 7 on the free-end side is accommodated. The gas channel 6 is also in fluid connection with the flushing chamber 13.

[0047] The closure element 12 shown in FIG. 2 is, for example, manually suspended or installed into the connection device 11, or detachably connected to it. It is also possible, however, for the closure element 12 to be automatically activated. For example, the closure element 12 can be configured as a flushing cap. The particular configuration of the closure element 12 as manually installed or automatically installed, however, does not substantially affect the cleaning apparatus and method.

[0048] For the CIP cleaning, a cleaning medium is now introduced into the flushing chamber 13 via the filling valve 2 and the liquid channel 5. Accordingly, the cleaning medium reaches both the filling valve 2 as well as the filling-level probe 7. In at least one possible exemplary embodiment, the cleaning medium is conveyed away out of the flushing chamber 13 again via the gas channel 6, such that a circuit-like conveying of the cleaning medium is formed. The cleaning medium can also be conveyed in the reverse direction, such that it enters the flushing chamber 13 via the gas channel 6 and leaves the flushing chamber 13 again via the liquid channel 5 and the filling valve 2.

[0049] As the cleaning medium, very widely differing cleaning liquids come into consideration, among them also very powerful cleaning liquids such as acids and alkalis, or water, which can be used for the flushing. Usually, different cleaning liquids are used one after another. For example, first an acid and then an alkali can be used for cleaning, and then water used for flushing.

[0050] The objective or goal of at least one possible exemplary embodiment disclosed herein is that all the filling elements 1 of a filling machine are cleaned and/or flushed. For this purpose the method according to at least one possible exemplary embodiment disclosed herein is used. When the cleaning medium fills the flushing chamber 13, the cleaning medium establishes an electrical connection between the measurement region 8 of the filling-level probe 7 and the electrical ground region 14 of the electrically-conductive closure element 12. Via this conductive connection established by the cleaning medium, a current circuit is closed, as a result of which current flows in the circuit. This current flow is measured and a current flow which is present indicates that the cleaning medium has reached the filling element 1.

[0051] As an alternative or in addition to this, the circuit can also be closed by the electrical ground region 10 of the filling-level probe 7. Whether the circuit is closed by the electrical ground region 14 of the closure element 12, the electrical ground region 10 of the filling-level probe 7, or by both electrical ground regions 14 and 10, depends on the details of the circuit used. With an electrically-isolated closure element 12, the closing of the circuit by the electrical ground region 14 of the closure element 12, for example, is not possible.

[0052] A control unit, not represented here but such as the control unit 106, registers that the filling-level probe 7 has detected a current flow. This information, together with date and time, is recorded on a recording medium, such that the cleaning of the filling element 1 which has been carried out can also still be proved subsequently. The recording can in this situation be carried out directly by the control unit, or by a central data processing system of the filling machine, to which the measurement result has been forwarded.

[0053] In addition to the detection that a current flow is present in the circuit, in at least one possible exemplary embodiment the resistance between the measurement region 8 and the electrical ground region 14 and/or 10 is also determined. It is possible to calculate the electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium by using a factor that is derived from the known geometry of the filling-level probe 7 and of the closure element 12 or is determined experimentally.

[0054] The electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium, determined by the filling-level probe 7, is compared with the known value of the electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium. If the values concur within a certain tolerance range, then there is a high degree of probability that the correct cleaning medium has arrived in the flushing chamber 13. These values can also be recorded in order to allow for later proof.

[0055] In addition to or as an alternative to the known value of the electrical conductivity, the electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium can also be measured with a conductivity measuring device 15 arranged in the gas channel 6. The conductivity measuring device 15 can of course also be arranged in the liquid channel 5 or in a central gas channel or liquid channel.

[0056] If, in addition, the temperature of the cleaning medium is measured in the vicinity of the conductivity measuring device 15, it is possible, by way of the known temperature dependency on the conductivity and the conductivity measured at the filling-level probe 7, for the temperature of the cleaning medium at the filling-level probe 7 also to be calculated.

[0057] The control unit detects at least the point of time at which the cleaning medium has arrived at all the filling elements 1 which are to be cleaned. From this time, if appropriate after a predetermined period for the cleaning medium to take effect, the next cleaning step is initiated.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary measurement circuit 16. In this situation, a voltage U is imposed between the measurement region 8 and the electrical ground region 10 or 14 by way of a series resistor Rv. The voltage U can be a periodic voltage, such that electrolysis can be avoided at the measuring region 8 and/or electrical ground region 10 or 14. In order to make the measurement easier, the voltage U can be a square-wave-type voltage or a square-wave voltage. As an alternative, a sinusoidal AC voltage can also be used.

[0059] Between the measurement region 8 and the electrical ground region 10 or 14, the cleaning medium forms a load resistance Rm. Via the voltage imposed between the measurement region 8 and electrical ground region 10 or 14, the known voltage U, and the known size of the series resistor Rv, the value of the load resistance Rm can be calculated, and from this the conductivity of the cleaning medium can be calculated.

[0060] The determination of the load resistance Rm, and therefore the conductivity of the cleaning medium, is at its most precise in this situation if the series resistor Rv and the load resistance Rm are of the same order of size. In order to obtain precise measurements for widely differing cleaning media, the series resistor Rv is configured so as to be adjustable. In this situation, this adjustment of the series resistor Rv can take place automatically.

[0061] The invention has been described heretofore on the basis of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that many modifications or derivations are possible, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0062] The following is at least a partial list of components shown in the figures and their related reference numerals: filling element 1; filling valve 2; cone 3; cone-shaped cut-out opening 4; liquid channel 5; gas channel 6; filling-level probe 7; measurement region 8; isolating region 9; electrical ground region of the filling-level probe 10; connection device 11; closure element 12; flushing chamber 13; electrical ground region of the closure element 14; conductivity measuring device 15; measurement circuit 16; load resistance Rm; series resistor Rv; and voltage U.

[0063] At least one possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to a method for the CIP cleaning of at least one filling element 1 of a filling machine for the filling of containers with a liquid filling contents, wherein the filling machine comprises a multiplicity of filling positions on a circulating transport element, wherein each filling position comprises a filling element 1 with a filling valve 2 and an electrical filling-level probe 7, for the CIP cleaning filling valve 2 and the electrical filling-level probe 7 are accommodated in a flushing chamber 13, in particular a flushing cap or flushing sleeve, provided by a closure element 12, and at least one cleaning medium is introduced into the flushing chamber 13, wherein, during the CIP cleaning, at least one measurement is carried out with the electrical filling-level probe 7.

[0064] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein the closure element 12 is suspended manually at the filling position and/or is activated automatically.

[0065] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein valves 2, arranged in gas channels and/or liquid channels 6;5 of the filling machine and capable of being activated and controlled, are opened and/or closed in such a way that the cleaning medium is conveyed in a circuit through the filling valve 2.

[0066] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein the measurement is carried out between a measurement region 8 of the filling-level probe 7 and an electrical ground region 10; 14, in particular of the filling-level probe 7 and/or of the closure element 12.

[0067] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein for the measurement in the measurement region 8 of the filling-level probe 7 a periodic voltage U is imposed, in particular a square-wave voltage.

[0068] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein the presence of a cleaning medium is checked, and/or the value of the electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium is measured, as well as the value of an electrical current flow between the measurement region 8 of the filling-level probe 7 and an electrical ground region 10; 14, the value of a voltage drop in a measurement circuit 16, and/or the value of an electrical resistance Rm between the measurement region 8 of the filling-level probe 7 and an electrical ground region 10; 14, in particular of the filling-level probe 7 or of the closure element 12 respectively.

[0069] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein the measurement is carried out with a series resistor Rv, which is preferably adjusted.

[0070] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein a reference measurement is carried out of the electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium, in particular by means of a conductivity measuring device 15 installed in a gas channel and/or liquid channel 6; 5, and preferably the temperature of the cleaning medium at this point is measured.

[0071] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein, from the electrical conductivity measured by the filling-level probe 7, the temperature of the cleaning medium is determined.

[0072] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein at least some measurement results are passed on and/or are recorded.

[0073] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein at a predetermined time after the identification of the cleaning medium by at least one filling-level probe 7 a following cleaning step is initiated or the cleaning is concluded.

[0074] At least one possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to a filling machine for the filling of containers with a liquid filling contents, wherein the filling machine comprises a multiplicity of filling positions on a circulating transport element, wherein each filling position comprises a filling element 1 with a filling valve 2 and an electrical filling-level probe 7, and the filling valve 2 and the electrical filling-level probe 7 can be accommodated in a flushing chamber 13 provided by a closure element 12, wherein the filling machine comprises a control unit, which is configured such as to carry out the method described herein.

[0075] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the filling machine, wherein a measuring electronics unit of the filling-level probe 7 comprises an adjustable series resistor Rv.

[0076] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the filling machine, wherein the filling machine comprises at least one conductivity measuring device 15 installed in a gas channel and/or liquid channel 6, 5, for measuring a reference conductivity.

[0077] At least one possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to a method for the cleaning-in-place cleaning of at least one filling element of a filling machine for the filling of containers with a liquid filling content, wherein: said filling machine comprises a plurality of filling positions disposed on a rotary transport element; each filling position comprises a filling element; said filling element comprises a filling valve and a filling-level probe; and said method comprising the steps of: connecting a closure element comprising a flushing cap or a flushing sleeve to each said filling element, and thereby forming, together with said filling element, a flushing chamber in which said filling valve and said filling-level probe are at least partially disposed; introducing at least one cleaning medium into said flushing chamber; and performing at least one electrical measurement with said filling-level probe during the cleaning-in-place cleaning of said filling element.

[0078] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein said step of connecting said closure element comprises connecting each said closure element at each said filling element manually and/or automatically.

[0079] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein said method further comprises controlling the flow of said at least one cleaning medium through said filling element by opening and/or closing at least one of: said filling valve in a liquid channel of said filling element and a gas channel valve in a gas channel of said filling element, such that said at least one cleaning medium is conveyed in a circuit through said filling element and said flushing chamber.

[0080] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein said step of performing said at least one electrical measurement comprises performing said at least one electrical measurement between a measurement region of said filling-level probe and at least one electrical ground region disposed on at least one of said filling-level probe and said closure element.

[0081] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein said step of performing said at least one electrical measurement comprises imposing an electric current flow on said measurement region of said filling-level probe having one of a periodic voltage or a square-wave voltage.

[0082] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein said step of performing said at least one electrical measurement comprises at least one of: checking for the presence of a cleaning medium; measuring the value of the electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium; measuring the value of an electrical current flow between said measurement region and said at least one electrical ground region; measuring the value of a voltage drop in a measurement circuit; and measuring the value of an electrical resistance between said measurement region and said at least one electrical ground region.

[0083] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein said step of measuring is carried out with a series resistor configured to be adjusted.

[0084] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein said method further comprises: establishing a reference measurement by measuring the electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium using a conductivity measuring device disposed in at least one of said gas channel and said liquid channel; and measuring the temperature of the cleaning medium in at least one of said gas channel and said liquid channel.

[0085] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein said method further comprises determining the temperature of the cleaning medium using the electrical conductivity measured by said filling-level probe.

[0086] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein said method further comprises at least one of passing on or recording at least some of the measurement results.

[0087] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the method, wherein, at a predetermined time after the identification of the cleaning medium by said filling-level probe, either concluding the cleaning or initiating a subsequent cleaning step.

[0088] At least one possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to a filling machine for the filling of containers with a liquid filling content, said filling machine comprising: a plurality of filling positions disposed on a rotary transport element; each filling position comprising a filling element; said filling element comprising a filling valve and a filling-level probe; at least one closure element being configured and disposed to form, together with said filling element, a flushing chamber in which said filling valve and said filling-level probe are at least partially disposed for the cleaning-in-place cleaning of said filling element; and a control unit being configured to control: the flow of cleaning medium into said flushing chamber; and the performance of at least one electrical measurement with said filling-level probe during the cleaning-in-place cleaning of said filling element.

[0089] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the filling machine, wherein said filling-level probe comprises a measuring electronics unit, which comprises an adjustable series resistor.

[0090] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the filling machine, wherein said filling machine comprises at least one conductivity measuring device installed in a gas channel and/or a liquid channel of said filling element, and configured to measure a reference conductivity of a cleaning medium.

[0091] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the filling machine, wherein: said closure element is configured to be connected manually and/or automatically at said filling position; and said control unit is configured to control the flow of at least one cleaning medium through said filling element by opening and/or closing at least one of: said filling valve in a liquid channel of said filling element and a gas channel valve in a gas channel of said filling element, such that said at least one cleaning medium is conveyed in a circuit through said filling element and said flushing chamber.

[0092] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the filling machine, wherein: said filling-level probe comprises a measurement region; at least one of said filling-level probe and said closure element comprises at least one electrical ground region; and said control unit is configured to control the performance of at least one electrical measurement using said measurement region and said at least one electrical ground region.

[0093] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the filling machine, wherein said control unit is configured to control the performance of said at least one electrical measurement by imposing an electric current flow on said measurement region of said filling-level probe having one of a periodic voltage or a square-wave voltage

[0094] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the filling machine, wherein said control unit is configured to control the performance of at least one of: a check for the presence of a cleaning medium; a measurement of the value of the electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium; a measurement of the value of an electrical current flow between said measurement region and said at least one electrical ground region; a measurement of the value of a voltage drop in a measurement circuit; and a measurement of the value of an electrical resistance between said measurement region and said at least one electrical ground region.

[0095] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the filling machine, wherein said control unit is configured to determine the temperature of the cleaning medium using the electrical conductivity of the cleaning medium measured by said filling-level probe.

[0096] At least one other possible exemplary embodiment of the present application relates to the filling machine, wherein said control unit is configured, upon a predetermined time after the identification of the cleaning medium by said filling-level probe, to either conclude the cleaning or initiate a subsequent cleaning step.

[0097] Any numerical values disclosed herein, if any, should be understood as disclosing all approximate values within plus or minus ten percent of the numerical value. Any ranges of numerical values disclosed herein, if any, should be understood as disclosing all individual values within the range of values, including whole numbers, tenths of numbers, or hundredths of numbers.

[0098] The entirety of the appended drawings, including all dimensions, proportions, and/or shapes disclosed thereby or reasonably understood therefrom, are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0099] All of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0100] The corresponding foreign or international patent applications, as originally filed and as published, from which the present application claims the benefit of priority, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein, as follows: International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2020/058918, filed Mar. 30, 2020; International Patent Publication No. WO 2020/216579, published Oct. 29, 2020; and Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. DE102019110665.6, filed Apr. 25, 2019.

[0101] The following patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited in the corresponding foreign or international patent applications listed in the preceding paragraph are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein, as follows: DE10061401 A1; DE102008030291 A1; EP1215166 A1; and EP0672613 A1.

[0102] Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration of any embodiments disclosed herein, including the most practical or preferred embodiments at the time of filing of this application, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to such embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the present application, including the specification and the claims as originally filed, as amended, or as issued. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features or components of any disclosed embodiment can be combined with one or more features or components of any other disclosed embodiment.