Filling element for counterpressure filling machines

Abstract

A filling element, for single- and multi-chamber counterpressure-filling machines, with a filling tube held in a filling element body for introducing liquid into a container pressed into engagement against a container sealing region on the lower part of the filling element body; the filling tube extends through the container sealing region and is surrounded by an annular gap-like hollow chamber. A pressurized gas system is provided and has a pressurized gas valve arrangement controlled by devices installed on the filling machine, and conduits opening into the annular gap-like hollow chamber for introduction and discharge of pressurized gas. Also provided is a liquid flow valve, controlled at least for closing, and a control element arranged on the filling tube and responding at a predetermined filling height or level of the liquid in the container for terminating the inflow of liquid thereto. The hollow chamber surrounding the filling tube is embodied as an annular pressurized gas chamber with a cross section which is substantially enlarged toward the interior thereof compared with the annular gap-like outlet arranged in the region of the container sealing region. This annular pressurized gas chamber is delimited laterally by essentially cylindrical surfaces, and at least one pressurized gas outlet conduit opens into the lower end region of the pressurized gas chamber. At least one pressurized gas inlet conduit, located in the same plane or in a plane thereabove, opens essentially tangentially of the cylindrical delimiting surfaces into the pressurized gas chamber.