Method and apparatus for filling beverage bottles, in a beverage bottling plant, with a beverage material comprising a carbonated water component and a liquid flavoring component, and method and apparatus for filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient

Abstract

A method and apparatus for filling beverage bottles, in a beverage bottling plant, with a beverage material comprising a carbonated water component and a liquid flavoring component, and method and apparatus for filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

1 - 63 . (canceled) 
   
   
       64 . A method of filling beverage bottles, in a beverage bottling plant, with a beverage material comprising a carbonated water component and a liquid flavoring component while compensating for variations in the volumes of beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles because of volume tolerances in the beverage bottles and adjusting the fill level in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the beverage bottles appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer; said method comprising the steps of:
 disposing a beverage bottle under a filling element of a rotary beverage bottle filling machine;   discharging a predetermined volume of said carbonated water component into said beverage bottle and measuring said discharging of said carbonated water component with a flow meter;   stopping the flow of said carbonated water component upon said predetermined volume of said carbonated water component being discharged into said beverage bottle;   discharging a predetermined volume of said liquid flavoring component into said beverage bottle and measuring said discharging of said liquid flavoring component with said flow meter;   stopping the flow of said liquid flavoring component upon said predetermined volume of said liquid flavoring component being discharged into said beverage bottle; and   filling all beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to a substantially identical fill level, to provide essentially identically appearing filled beverage bottles to a consumer by stopping the flow of said carbonated water component or said liquid flavoring component being upon a level sensor, which level sensor is disposed in said beverage bottle, detecting a predetermined level of said beverage material in said beverage bottle, while compensating for variations in the volumes of beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles because of volume tolerances in the beverage bottles and adjusting the fill level in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the beverage bottles appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer.   
   
   
       65 . Means for performing the method of filling beverage bottles, in a beverage bottling plant, with a beverage material comprising a carbonated water component and a liquid flavoring component while compensating for variations in the volumes of beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles because of volume tolerances in the beverage bottles and adjusting the fill level in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the beverage bottles appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer according to  claim 64 ; said means comprising:
 means for disposing a beverage bottle under a filling element of a rotary beverage bottle filling machine;   means for discharging a predetermined volume of a carbonated water component into a beverage bottle and measuring the discharging of the carbonated water component with a flow meter;   means for stopping the flow of a carbonated water component upon a predetermined volume of the carbonated water component being discharged into a beverage bottle;   means for discharging a predetermined volume of a liquid flavoring component into a beverage bottle and measuring the discharging of the liquid flavoring component with said flow meter;   means for stopping the flow of a liquid flavoring component upon a predetermined volume of the liquid flavoring component being discharged into a beverage bottle; and   means for filling all beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to a substantially identical fill level, to provide essentially identically appearing filled beverage bottles to a consumer by stopping the flow of a carbonated water component or a liquid flavoring component being upon a level sensor, which level sensor is disposed in a beverage bottle, detecting a predetermined level of a beverage material in the beverage bottle, while compensating for variations in the volumes of beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles because of volume tolerances in the beverage bottles and adjusting the fill level in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the beverage bottles appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer.   
   
   
       66 . A beverage bottle filling arrangement for performing the method of filling beverage bottles, in a beverage bottling plant, with a beverage material comprising a carbonated water component and a liquid flavoring component while compensating for variations in the volumes of beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles because of volume tolerances in the beverage bottles and adjusting the fill level in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the beverage bottles appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer according to  claim 64 ; said beverage bottle filling arrangement comprising:
 a disposing arrangement being configured to dispose a beverage bottle under a filling element of a rotary beverage bottle filling machine;   a first discharging arrangement being configured to discharge a predetermined volume of a carbonated water component into a beverage bottle and to measure the discharging of the carbonated water component with a flow meter;   a first stopping arrangement being configured to stop the flow of a carbonated water component upon a predetermined volume of the carbonated water component being discharged into a beverage bottle;   a second discharging arrangement being configured to discharge a predetermined volume of a liquid flavoring component into a beverage bottle and to measure the discharging of the liquid flavoring component with said flow meter;   a second stopping arrangement being configured to stop the flow of a liquid flavoring component upon a predetermined volume of the liquid flavoring component being discharged into a beverage bottle; and   a filling arrangement being configured to fill all beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to a substantially identical fill level, to provide essentially identically appearing filled beverage bottles to a consumer by stopping the flow of a carbonated water component or a liquid flavoring component being upon a level sensor, which level sensor is disposed in a beverage bottle, detecting a predetermined level of a beverage material in the beverage bottle, while compensating for variations in the volumes of beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles because of volume tolerances in the beverage bottles and adjusting the fill level in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the beverage bottles appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer.   
   
   
       67 . The method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a carbonated water component and a liquid flavoring component according to  claim 64 , wherein:
 said method further comprises one of (A) and (B):
 (A) discharging said predetermined volume of said carbonated water component into said container; and 
 discharging said predetermined volume of said liquid flavoring component into said container; and 
 (B) discharging said predetermined quantity or volume of said carbonated water component into a mixing chamber; 
 discharging said predetermined volume of said liquid flavoring component into said mixing chamber; and 
 discharging said predetermined quantity or volume of said carbonated water component and said predetermined volume of said liquid flavoring component from said mixing chamber to said container disposed under said filling element; 
   said step of discharging a predetermined quantity or volume of said carbonated water component further comprises discharging said predetermined quantity or volume of said carbonated water component and measuring said discharging of said carbonated water component with a flow meter;   said step of discharging a predetermined volume of said liquid flavoring component further comprises discharging said predetermined volume of said liquid flavoring component and measuring said discharging of said liquid flavoring component with said flow meter to maintain a substantially predetermined mixing ratio of said liquid flavoring component to said carbonated water component;   said method further comprises:
 discharging at least a portion of a predetermined volume of said carbonated water component and measuring said discharging of said at least a portion of said carbonated water component with a flow meter; 
 stopping the flow of said at least a portion of said carbonated water component upon said at least a portion of said predetermined volume of said carbonated water component being discharged; 
 discharging a portion of at least a predetermined volume of said liquid flavoring component and measuring said discharging of said at least a portion of said liquid flavoring component with said flow meter to maintain a predetermined mixing ratio of said liquid flavoring component to said carbonated water component; 
 stopping the flow of said at least a portion of said liquid flavoring component upon said at least a portion of said predetermined volume of said liquid flavoring component being discharged; 
 discharging at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume of said carbonated water component, if any, and measuring said discharging of said at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume of said carbonated water component, if any, with said flow meter, upon discharging a portion of said predetermined volume of said carbonated water component; 
 discharging at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume of said liquid flavoring component, if any, and measuring said discharging of said at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume, if any, with said flow meter, upon discharging a portion of said predetermined volume of said liquid flavoring component; 
 discharging said carbonated water component from a first reservoir, through a conduit, and out of a discharge opening; and 
 discharging said liquid flavoring component from a second reservoir, through said conduit, and out of said discharge opening; and 
   said step of discharging said predetermined volume of said liquid flavoring component and measuring said discharging of said liquid flavoring component with said flow meter to maintain a substantially predetermined mixing ratio of said liquid flavoring component to said carbonated water component further comprises discharging said predetermined volume or a predetermined quantity of said liquid flavoring component and measuring said discharging of said liquid flavoring component with said flow meter to maintain a substantially predetermined mixing ratio of said liquid flavoring component to said carbonated water component.   
   
   
       68 . The method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a carbonated water component and a liquid flavoring component according to  claim 67 , wherein:
 the beginning and/or the end of the filling of the individual container are controlled by a liquid valve which is located in a part of the liquid path of the filling element or filling system which is common to all of the ingredients;   the use of a flow meter which is realized in the form of a magnetic induction flow meter;   the filling of the individual container with the liquid from the mixing chamber takes place with the use of means to determine the fill level that extends into the interior of the container;   the means that determine the fill level are formed by at least one probe that has at least one probe contact or by a return gas tube or a notch in said tube;   one of (C) and (D):
 (C) the volume of the mixing chamber is equal to at least the empty volume of a container; and 
 (D) the volume of the mixing chamber is equal to or only slightly greater than the empty volume of a container; one of (E) and (F): 
 (E) the containers are filled using the open jet filling method; and 
 (F) the containers are filled using a filling system or filling element with a filling tube; and 
   the containers are filled using a single-chamber or multiple-chamber filling system under counterpressure.   
   
   
       69 . A method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient, while compensating for variations in the volumes of containers in a run of containers because of volume tolerances in the containers and adjusting the fill level in a run of containers, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the containers appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer; said method comprising the steps of:
 (A) disposing a container under a filling element of a container filling machine;   (B) discharging at least a portion of a predetermined volume of said first ingredient and measuring said discharging of said at least a portion of said first ingredient with a flow meter;   (C) stopping the flow of said at least a portion of said first ingredient upon said at least a portion of said predetermined volume of said first ingredient being discharged;   (D) discharging a portion of at least a predetermined volume of said second ingredient and measuring said discharging of said at least a said portion of said second ingredient with said flow meter to maintain a predetermined mixing ratio of said second ingredient to said first ingredient;   (E) stopping the flow of said at least a portion of said second ingredient upon said at least a portion of said predetermined volume of said second ingredient being discharged;   (F) discharging at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume of said first ingredient, if any, and measuring said discharging of said at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume of said first ingredient, if any, with said flow meter, upon discharging a portion of said predetermined volume of said first ingredient; and   (G) discharging at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume of said second ingredient, if any, and measuring said discharging of said at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume of said second ingredient, if any, with said flow meter, upon discharging a portion of said predetermined volume of said second ingredient, while compensating for variations in the volumes of containers in a run of containers because of volume tolerances in the containers and adjusting the fill level in a run of containers, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the containers appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer.   
   
   
       70 . Means for performing the method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient according to  claim 69 ; said means comprising:
 means for disposing a container under a filling element of a container filling machine;   means for discharging at least a portion of a predetermined volume of a first ingredient and measuring the discharging of the at least a portion of the first ingredient with a flow meter;   means for stopping the flow of at least a portion of a first ingredient upon the at least a portion of the predetermined volume of the first ingredient being discharged;   means for discharging a portion of at least a predetermined volume of a second ingredient and measuring the discharging of the at least a portion of the second ingredient with said flow meter to maintain a predetermined mixing ratio of the second ingredient to the first ingredient;   means for stopping the flow of at least a portion of a second ingredient upon the at least a portion of the predetermined volume of the second ingredient being discharged;   means for discharging at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of a predetermined volume of a first ingredient, if any, and measuring the discharging of the at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of the predetermined volume of the first ingredient, if any, with said flow meter, upon discharging a portion of a predetermined volume of the first ingredient; and   means for discharging at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of a predetermined volume of a second ingredient, if any, and measuring the discharging of the at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of the predetermined volume of the second ingredient, if any, with said flow meter, upon discharging a portion of a predetermined volume of the second ingredient.   
   
   
       71 . A container filling arrangement for performing the method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient according to  claim 69 ; said container filling arrangement comprising:
 a disposing arrangement being configured to dispose a container under a filling element of a container filling machine;   a first discharging arrangement being configured to discharge at least a portion of a predetermined volume of a first ingredient and to measure the discharging of the at least a portion of the first ingredient with a flow meter;   a first stopping arrangement being configured to stop the flow of at least a portion of a first ingredient upon the at least a portion of the predetermined volume of the first ingredient being discharged;   a second discharging arrangement being configured to discharge a portion of at least a predetermined volume of a second ingredient and to measure the discharging of the at least a portion of the second ingredient with said flow meter to maintain a predetermined mixing ratio of the second ingredient to the first ingredient;   a second stopping arrangement being configured to stop the flow of at least a portion of a second ingredient upon the at least a portion of the predetermined volume of the second ingredient being discharged;   said first discharging arrangement is configured to discharge at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of a predetermined volume of a first ingredient, if any, and to measure the discharging of the at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of the predetermined volume of the first ingredient, if any, with said flow meter, upon discharging a portion of a predetermined volume of the first ingredient; and   said second discharging arrangement is configured to discharge at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of a predetermined volume of a second ingredient, if any, and to measure the discharging of the at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of the predetermined volume of the second ingredient, if any, with said flow meter, upon discharging a portion of a predetermined volume of the second ingredient.   
   
   
       72 . The method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient according to  claim 69 , wherein said method further comprises repeating steps F and G a plurality of times. 
   
   
       73 . The method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient according to  claim 72 , wherein said method further comprises filling all containers in a run of containers, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to a constant fill level, to provide essentially identically appearing filled containers to a final consumer by stopping the flow of at least said second ingredient upon a level sensor detecting a predetermined level of said material in a container. 
   
   
       74 . The method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient according to  claim 73 , wherein:
 said method further comprises one of (H) and (I):
 (H) discharging said predetermined volume of said first ingredient into said container; and 
 discharging said predetermined volume of said second ingredient into said container; and 
 (I) discharging said predetermined quantity or volume of said first ingredient into a mixing chamber; 
 discharging said predetermined volume of said second ingredient into said mixing chamber; and 
 discharging said predetermined quantity or volume of said first ingredient and said predetermined volume of said second ingredient from said mixing chamber to said container disposed under said filling element; 
   said step of discharging a predetermined quantity or volume of said first ingredient further comprises discharging said predetermined quantity or volume of said first ingredient and measuring said discharging of said first ingredient with a flow meter;   said step of discharging a predetermined volume of said second ingredient further comprises discharging said predetermined volume of said second ingredient and measuring said discharging of said second ingredient with said flow meter to maintain a substantially predetermined mixing ratio of said second ingredient to said first ingredient;   said method further comprises:
 discharging at least a portion of a predetermined volume of said first ingredient and measuring said discharging of said at least a portion of said first ingredient with a flow meter; 
 stopping the flow of said at least a portion of said first ingredient upon said at least a portion of said predetermined volume of said first ingredient being discharged; 
 discharging a portion of at least a predetermined volume of said second ingredient and measuring said discharging of said at least a portion of said second ingredient with said flow meter to maintain a predetermined mixing ration of said second ingredient to said first ingredient; 
 stopping the flow of said at least a portion of said second ingredient upon said at least a portion of said predetermined volume of said second ingredient being discharged; 
 discharging at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume of said first ingredient, if any, and measuring said discharging of said at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume of said first ingredient, if any, with said flow meter, upon discharging a portion of said predetermined volume of said first ingredient; 
 discharging at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume of said second ingredient, if any, and measuring said discharging of said at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume, if any, with said flow meter, upon discharging a portion of said predetermined volume of said second ingredient; 
 discharging said first ingredient from a first reservoir, through a conduit, and out of a discharge opening; and 
 discharging said second ingredient from a second reservoir, through said conduit, and out of said discharge opening; 
   said step of discharging said predetermined volume of said second ingredient and measuring said discharging of said second ingredient with said flow meter to maintain a substantially predetermined mixing ratio of said second ingredient to said first ingredient further comprises discharging said predetermined volume or a predetermined quantity of said second ingredient and measuring said discharging of said second ingredient with said flow meter to maintain a substantially predetermined mixing ratio of said second ingredient to said first ingredient;   the beginning and/or the end of the filling of the individual container are controlled by a liquid valve which is located in a part of the liquid path of the filling element or filling system which is common to all of the ingredients;   the use of a flow meter which is realized in the form of a magnetic induction flow meter;   the filling of the individual container with the liquid from the mixing chamber takes place with the use of means to determine the fill level that extends into the interior of the container;   the means that determine the fill level are formed by at least one probe that has at least one probe contact or by a return gas tube or a notch in said tube;   one of (J) and (K):
 (J) the volume of the mixing chamber is equal to at least the empty volume of a container; and 
 (K) the volume of the mixing chamber is equal to or only slightly greater than the empty volume of a container; 
   one of (L) and (M):
 (L) the containers are filled using the open jet filling method; and 
 (M) the containers are filled using a filling system or filling element with a filling tube; 
   the containers are filled using a single-chamber or multiple-chamber filling system under counterpressure;   said first ingredient comprises a carbonated water component; and   said second ingredient comprises a liquid flavoring component.   
   
   
       75 . A method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient, while compensating for variations in the volumes of beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles because of volume tolerances in the beverage bottles and adjusting the fill level in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the beverage bottles appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer; said method comprising the steps of:
 disposing a container under a filling element of a container filling machine;   discharging a predetermined quantity or volume of said first ingredient and measuring said discharging of said first ingredient;   stopping the flow of said first ingredient upon said predetermined quantity or volume of said first ingredient being discharged;   discharging a predetermined volume of said second ingredient and measuring said discharging of said second ingredient to maintain a substantially predetermined mixing ratio of said second ingredient to said first ingredient; and   filling all containers in a run of containers, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to a substantially visually identical fill level, to provide essentially identically appearing filled containers to a final consumer by stopping the flow of at least said second ingredient upon a level sensor detecting a predetermined level of said material in a container, while compensating for variations in the volumes of beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles because of volume tolerances in the beverage bottles and adjusting the fill level in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the beverage bottles appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer.   
   
   
       76 . Means for performing the method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient, while compensating for variations in the volumes of beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles because of volume tolerances in the beverage bottles and adjusting the fill level in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the beverage bottles appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer according to  claim 75 ; said means comprising:
 means for disposing a container under a filling element of a container filling machine;   means for discharging a predetermined quantity or volume of a first ingredient and measuring the discharging of the first ingredient;   means for stopping the flow of a first ingredient upon a predetermined quantity or volume of the first ingredient being discharged;   means for discharging a predetermined volume of a second ingredient and measuring the discharging of the second ingredient to maintain a substantially predetermined mixing ratio of the second ingredient to the first ingredient; and   means for filling all containers in a run of containers, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to a substantially visually identical fill level, to provide essentially identically appearing filled containers to a final consumer by stopping the flow of at least a second ingredient upon a level sensor detecting a predetermined level of a material in a container, while compensating for variations in the volumes of beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles because of volume tolerances in the beverage bottles and adjusting the fill level in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the beverage bottles appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer.   
   
   
       77 . A container filling arrangement for performing the method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient, while compensating for variations in the volumes of beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles because of volume tolerances in the beverage bottles and adjusting the fill level in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the beverage bottles appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer according to claim  4 ; said container filling arrangement comprising:
 a disposing arrangement being configured to dispose a container under a filling element of a container filling machine;   a first discharging arrangement being configured to discharge a predetermined quantity or volume of a first ingredient and to measure the discharging of the first ingredient;   a first stopping arrangement being configured to stop the flow of a first ingredient upon a predetermined quantity or volume of the first ingredient being discharged;   a second discharging arrangement being configured to discharge a predetermined volume of a second ingredient and to measure the discharging of the second ingredient to maintain a substantially predetermined mixing ratio of the second ingredient to the first ingredient; and   a filling arrangement being configured to fill all containers in a run of containers, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to a substantially visually identical fill level, to provide essentially identically appearing filled containers to a final consumer by stopping the flow of at least a second ingredient upon a level sensor detecting a predetermined level of a material in a container, while compensating for variations in the volumes of beverage bottles in a run of beverage bottles because of volume tolerances in the beverage bottles and adjusting the fill level in a run of beverage bottles, with a similar or essentially identical geometry, to make the beverage bottles appear to have a substantially visually identical fill level appearing to a consumer.   
   
   
       78 . The method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient according to  claim 75 , wherein said method further comprises one of (A) and (B):
 (A) discharging said predetermined volume of said first ingredient into said container; and   discharging said predetermined volume of said second ingredient into said container; and   (B) discharging said predetermined quantity or volume of said first ingredient into a mixing chamber;   discharging said predetermined volume of said second ingredient into said mixing chamber; and   discharging said predetermined quantity or volume of said first ingredient and said predetermined volume of said second ingredient from said mixing chamber to said container disposed under said filling element.   
   
   
       79 . The method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient according to  claim 78 , wherein:
 said step of discharging a predetermined quantity or volume of said first ingredient further comprises discharging said predetermined quantity or volume of said first ingredient and measuring said discharging of said first ingredient with a flow meter; and   said step of discharging a predetermined volume of said second ingredient further comprises discharging said predetermined volume of said second ingredient and measuring said discharging of said second ingredient with said flow meter to maintain a substantially predetermined mixing ratio of said second ingredient to said first ingredient.   
   
   
       80 . The method of filling containers, in a container filling plant, with a material comprising a first ingredient and a second ingredient according to  claim 79 , wherein said method further comprises:
 discharging at least a portion of a predetermined volume of said first ingredient and measuring said discharging of said at least a portion of said first ingredient with a flow meter;   stopping the flow of said at least a portion of said first ingredient upon said at least a portion of said predetermined volume of said first ingredient being discharged;   discharging a portion of at least a predetermined volume of said second ingredient and measuring said discharging of said at least a portion of said second ingredient with said flow meter to maintain a predetermined mixing ration of said second ingredient to said first ingredient;   stopping the flow of said at least a portion of said second ingredient upon said at least a portion of said predetermined volume of said second ingredient being discharged;   discharging at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume of said first ingredient, if any, and measuring said discharging of said at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume of said first ingredient, if any, with said flow meter, upon discharging a portion of said predetermined volume of said first ingredient; and   discharging at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume of said second ingredient, if any, and measuring said discharging of said at least a non-zero portion of the remainder of said predetermined volume, if any, with said flow meter, upon discharging a portion of said predetermined volume of said second ingredient;   said method further comprises:
 discharging said first ingredient from a first reservoir, through a conduit, and out of a discharge opening; and 
 discharging said second ingredient from a second reservoir, through said conduit, and out of said discharge opening; 
   said step of discharging said predetermined volume of said second ingredient and measuring said discharging of said second ingredient with said flow meter to maintain a substantially predetermined mixing ratio of said second ingredient to said first ingredient further comprises discharging said predetermined volume or a predetermined quantity of said second ingredient and measuring said discharging of said second ingredient with said flow meter to maintain a substantially predetermined mixing ratio of said second ingredient to said first ingredient;   the beginning and/or the end of the filling of the individual container are controlled by a liquid valve which is located in a part of the liquid path of the filling element or filling system which is common to all of the ingredients;   the use of a flow meter which is realized in the form of a magnetic induction flow meter;   the filling of the individual container with the liquid from the mixing chamber takes place with the use of means to determine the fill level that extends into the interior of the container;   the means that determine the fill level are formed by at least one probe that has at least one probe contact or by a return gas tube or a notch in said tube;   one of (C) and (D):
 (C) the volume of the mixing chamber is equal to at least the empty volume of a container; and 
 (D) the volume of the mixing chamber is equal to or only slightly greater than the empty volume of a container; 
   one of (E) and (F):
 (E) the containers are filled using the open jet filling method; and 
 (F) the containers are filled using a filling system or filling element with a filling tube; 
   the containers are filled using a single-chamber or multiple-chamber filling system under counterpressure;   said first ingredient comprises a carbonated water component; and   said second ingredient comprises a liquid flavoring ingredient.