Filling method and device

Abstract

The method and device serve for filling containers ( 11 ) with a liquid product. The product is fed to the container by means of a filling valve and a filling nozzle. The product emerging from the filling nozzle is fed to a directing element ( 9 ). The directing element has a geometrical configuration such that an edge ( 10 ) of the directing element runs along at a small distance from the inside walls of the container.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method for filling containers with liquid, which is supplied to the container through a filling valve and a filling nozzle, the method comprising the steps of: providing a guide element having a geometric shape so that an edge of the guide element positioned inside the container extends along and a certain distance away from walls of the container; and sending liquid emerging from the filling nozzle to the guide element. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , including using the guide element as a diffuser. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , including guiding the liquid by the guide element at an angle to horizontal against the wall of the container. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 19 , including selecting the distance so that liquid flowing over the edge of the guide element reaches an area of an inside surface of the side wall of the container. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , including selecting the distance to be no more than 15 mm. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 19 , including filling the container with liquid under aseptic conditions. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the container is made of paperboard material. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 19 , including carrying away air which has been displaced from an interior of the container by the filling operation along air discharge elements. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , including positioning the air discharge elements in the area of corners of the guide element. 
     
     
         28 . A device for filling containers with liquid, the device comprising: at least one filling valve: at least one filling nozzle; and a guide element arranged downstream, with respect to a flow direction, of the filling nozzle, the guide element being configured so that an edge of the element is positioned inside the container and is arrangeable along and a certain distance away from an inside surface of a side wall of the container to be filled. 
     
     
         29 . The device according to  claim 28 , wherein the guide element is a diffuser. 
     
     
         30 . The device according to  claim 28 , wherein at least certain portions of the guide element proceeding from a central area toward the edge extend at an angle to horizontal. 
     
     
         31 . The device according to  claim 28 , wherein the distance of the edge of the element from the inside surface of the side wall of the container is sufficient to transfer the liquid from the guide element to the inside surface of the container. 
     
     
         32 . The device according to  claim 31 , wherein the distance is no more than 15 mm. 
     
     
         33 . The device according to  claim 28 , wherein the device is constructed so as to fill containers under aseptic conditions. 
     
     
         34 . The device according to  claim 28 , wherein the device is constructed so as to fill containers made of paperboard material. 
     
     
         35 . The device according to  claim 28 , wherein the guide element comprises at least one air discharge element. 
     
     
         36 . The device according to  claim 35 , wherein the air discharge element is arranged in an area of a corner of the guide element.