EP2956401B1 - Filler element and filling system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a filling element for filling bottles or the like. Containers with a liquid product according to the preamble of patent claim 1, and as known from the DE 10 2009 009 339 A1 , as well as to a filling system according to the preamble of claim 16.

Filling elements for filling containers, in particular also for filling bottles with a liquid filling material, for example with drinks, are known in different designs. It is also known to provide at the respective filling element a reaching into the container during filling and determining the filling level of the filling material in the container element (hereinafter "filling height determining element"), for example in the form of a rod-shaped probe with at least one electrical probe contact or in the form of a Trinox - or return gas pipe. It is also known to adjust the filling level reached in the containers by axial adjustment of the filling height-determining element, in an axial Einstellhubbereich. The filling height-determining element is guided through the filling element housing of the filling element and protrudes upwards with a length remote from the lower end at a housing passage region from the filling element housing.

In order to prevent ingress of dirt and / or germs on the housing passage area in the process side of the filling element, ie in the filling material and / or process gas and / or vacuum leading areas of the filling element in particular when adjusting the Füllhöhebestimmenden element, it is known in the filling element to the Passage area then provide a shelter, which accommodates a partial length of the Füllhöhebestimmenden element ( DE 10 2009 009 339 A1 ). This protective space is acted upon during the filling operation, for example with the pressure of an inert gas and separated by a seal of process gas and / or vacuum and / or filling material leading areas. The seal is located at a lower, over the discharge opening of the filling element projecting end of the protective space forming pipe section. During the filling operation, the level determining element is sealed passed through the seal. For a CIP cleaning the filling height-determining element is moved upwards out of the seal in an opening stroke, so that a fluid connection for a liquid CIP medium into or out of the protective space results through the seal. The disadvantage here is, inter alia, the arrangement of the seal at the bottom, when filling in the respective container reaching into the end of the protective space forming pipe section.

It was proposed in the 06/06/2013 published DE 10 2011 120 164 A1 , An extension adjoining a chamber in Füllelementgehäuse whose axial length relative to the Füllelementachse corresponds at least the Verstellhubbereich form as a shelter for Füllhöhebestimmende element and to provide a seal on this element, the piston at axial Einstellhüben the Füllhöhebestimmenden within a Einstellhubbereiches in the expansion is moved and separates the trained inside the extension and above the seal shelter from the chamber, which is executed with respect to the enlargement enlarged cross-section and during filling (filling mode) part of a process gases leading gas path.

For a CIP cleaning or for a CIP mode of the filling element, i. to make a CIP flow path including the chamber and its extension, the seal for opening the fluid communication between the chamber and the extension in an opening stroke is moved into the chamber. A disadvantage of these filling elements but that the respective CIP flow path through the filling element is made only by opening a further, for example, electrically or pneumatically actuated and provided on the filling element control valve, which means an increased constructive and control engineering effort.

The object of the invention is to show a filling element in which a switching between the filling mode and the CIP mode is possible with a simplified design and with reduced control effort. To solve this problem, a filling element according to claim 1 is formed. A filling system is the subject of patent claim 16.

The peculiarity of the filling element according to the invention consists, inter alia, in that the valve body provided on the filling height-determining element, for example in the form of a seal or ring seal, forms the sole valve or switching element, with which the filling element merely protrudes axially by moving the filling height-determining element in the opening stroke is switched from the CIP mode to the fill mode in the CIP mode or with an opening opposite stroke from the CIP mode in the fill mode. Additional pneumatic and / or electrical or otherwise actuated valves, which would have to be switched in the transition between the two modes, are not required. This also makes it possible to form the filling element completely without such, channels or flow paths within the Füllelementgehäuses switching valves.

The expression "essentially" or "approximately" in the sense of the invention means deviations from the exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function.

Figur 1

in vereinfachter Darstellung und im Schnitt ein Füllelement gemäß der Erfindung im Füll-Modus zusammen mit einer zu füllenden Flasche;

Figuren 2 und 3

in vergrößerten Darstellung Details der Figur 1;

Figur 4

in vereinfachter Darstellung und im Schnitt das Füllelement der Figur 1 im CIP-Modus;

Figur 5

in vergrößerten Darstellung ein Detail der Figur 4;

Figur 6

in vereinfachter Darstellung und teilweise im Schnitt ein Mehrfach-Füllelement gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Figur 7

in einer Teildarstellung und im Schnitt eines der Einzelfüllelemente der Figur 6;

Figur 8

in vereinfachter Darstellung und teilweise im Schnitt ein Mehrfach-Füllelement gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

FIG. 1

in a simplified representation and in section a filling element according to the invention in the filling mode together with a bottle to be filled;

FIGS. 2 and 3

in an enlarged view Details of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4

in a simplified representation and in section the filling element of FIG. 1 in CIP mode;

FIG. 5

in an enlarged view a detail of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6

in a simplified representation and partly in section, a multiple filling element according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7

in a partial view and in section one of the individual filling elements of FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8

in a simplified representation and partly in section, a multiple filling element according to a further embodiment of the invention.

That in the FIG. 1 generally designated 1 filling element forms together with a plurality of similar filling elements 1 on the circumference of a vertical machine axis rotating rotor 2 and together with a rotor provided for all filling elements 1 common Füllgutkessel 3, the filling system of a filling machine rotating design for filling bottles 4 with a liquid product. The filling element 1 has for this purpose in a housing 5, inter alia, a liquid channel 6, which is connected in its upper region via a product line 7 with the interior of the Füllgutkessels 3 in the region of the vessel bottom and at the bottom of the housing 5 forms an annular discharge opening 8, via when filling the liquid product of the respective, located in sealing position on the filling element 1 bottle 4 flows. In the liquid channel 6, a valve body 9 is provided in the flow direction of the filling material in front of the discharge opening 8, which forms a liquid valve 10. The valve body 9 is formed on a coaxial with a vertical Füllelementachse FA arranged valve tube 11 which serves as actuating tappet for opening and closing the liquid valve 10 and is open at both ends, at a lower, on the discharge opening 8 downwardly projecting and filling in the bottle 2 reaching into the end and at an upper, opening into a gas space or in a chamber 12 end. At the chamber 12 formed in the housing 5, an extension 13 adjoins the top side facing away from the valve tube 11, which is formed circular cylindrical and coaxially with the Füllelementachse FA and forms a shelter 13.1 in the filling mode.

During filling the Füllgutkessel 3 is partially filled with the liquid contents, so that there is a lower liquid space 3.1 and 3.2 an upper gas space.

As the filling height determining probe-like element, the filling element 1 serving as a return gas or Trinox tube 14, which is also coaxially arranged with the Füllelementachse FA and surrounded by the valve tube 11 at a distance, so between the outer surface of the tube 14 and the inner surface of the Valve tube 11, an annular channel 15 is formed, which opens with its upper end into the chamber 12 and at the lower end of the valve tube 11 is open. At least during the filling operation or in the filling mode, the tube 14 projects with its lower end over the lower end of the valve tube 11 and thus also extends through the bottle mouth into the interior of the bottle to be filled. The tube 14, which extends through the shelter 13.1, is sealed out at the top of the filling element 1 led out of the housing 5 and outside the housing 5 via a control valve 16 and a flexible conduit 17 connected to the gas space 3.2. On the tube 14, a valve member in the form of a seal 18 is fixedly provided, the piston-like and sealed abuts against the circular cylindrical inner surface of the extension 13 during the filling operation or in the filling mode and thereby the chamber 12 of the above the seal 18 in the extension 13 formed shelter 13.1 separates.

19 with an annular channel is designated, which is provided for all filling elements 1 of the filling machine together on the rotor 2 and connected via a formed in the housing 5 channel 20 is constantly connected to the upper end of the extension 13. The annular channel 19 leads in the CIP cleaning and / or CIP disinfection of the filling elements 1 or the filling machine or the filling system, i. in CIP mode, the CIP medium and is therefore also referred to as CIP channel. The annular channel 19 is located in the illustrated embodiment at a horizontal level well below the level of the Füllgutkessels 3 and the bottom of this boiler. The upper end of the extension 13 and the shelter 13.1 is located approximately at the level of the bottom of the Füllgutkessels 3, but in any case at a horizontal level below the level of Füllgutspiegels in Füllgutkessel 3 and below the level of the boiler top.

During filling, the respective bottle 4 arranged with its bottle axis in the filling element axis FA is in its sealing position with its bottle opening pressed against the filling element 1 or against a dispensing opening 8 enclosing seal a centering tulip 21. To set the respective desired filling level, the tube 14 is axially adjustable in a Verstellhub (double arrow H1). The axial length of the cylindrical extension 13 is chosen so that over the entire adjustment range of Verstellhubes the seal 18 moves within the extension 13, the separation between the chamber 12 and the shelter 13.1 is thus preserved. The height adjustment of the tube 14 takes place, for example, for all filling elements via a common adjusting device 23.

With the filling element 1 different filling methods are possible, for example, a negative pressure filling, in which the gas chamber 3.2 is subjected to a negative pressure, for example, less than or equal to 1000 millibar and in which the liquid valve 10 is opened by an example pneumatic actuator 22. Since the bottle 4 is in sealing position on the filling element 1, a negative pressure is established in the bottle 4 and in the filling element. The filling then flows along the inner surface of the wall in the bottle 4, wherein the displaced from the contents of the interior of the bottle 4 return gas is returned via the pipe 14 into the gas space 3.2. The filling of the bottle 4 is automatically terminated when the rising in the bottle 4 Füllgutspiegel exceeds the lower open end of the tube 14. Before lowering the filled bottle 4, the liquid valve 10 closes and excess contents are sucked out of the bottle 4 via the pipe 14 into the product vessel 3. The respective level can be adjusted by axial adjustment of the tube 14.

In a similar manner, a negative pressure filling with the filling element 1, if the liquid valve 10 is formed so that it is mechanically opened by pressing the bottle 1 against the filling element.

With the filling element, different filling methods are possibly possible with minor structural adjustments, wherein in all processes during the filling mode of the shelter 13.1 via the channel 20 is constantly connected to the example unpressurized annular channel 19.

For the CIP cleaning of the filling elements 1 having filling system, a flushing bell 24 is placed on each filling element, which forms an outwardly closed space into which the discharge opening 8, the annular channel 15 and the pipe 14 open. Furthermore, for the CIP cleaning the respective tube 14 in an opening stroke H2 moves down so far that then the seal 18 is in the chamber 12, which has a larger compared to the outer diameter of the seal 18 diameter, so that a connection between the chamber 12 and the extension 13 is made. The product vessel 3 is filled with the respective liquid medium for the CIP cleaning.

After opening the liquid valve 10 either mechanically through the rinsing bell 24 or by the actuator 22 results due to the difference in level between the Füllgutkessel 3 and the annular channel 19 and between the Füllgutkessel 3 and the upper end of the channel 20 (CIP connection) a Flow of the liquid CIP medium from the Füllgutkessel 3 via the product line 7 in the liquid channel 6, from the liquid channel 6 via the discharge opening 8 in the interior of the flushing bell 24, from the flushing bowl 24 via the annular channel 15 into the chamber 12 and the extension thirteenth and from the upper end of the extension 13 via the channel 20 in the annular channel 19 through which the liquid CIP medium is derived.

The FIG. 6 shows in a representation similar FIG. 1 a Mehrfachfüllelement 1 a together with the rotor 2, provided on the rotor 2 Füllgutkessel 3 and two containers in the form of bottles 4. The Mehrfachfüllelement 1 a consists of a Zweifachfüllelement of two Einzelfüllelementen 1 a.1 and 1 a.2, which at least functionally too the multiple filling 1 a are summarized and each form a filling point for filling a container in the form of a bottle 4. As in particular the FIG. 7 shows, the Einzelfüllelemente 1a.1 and 1a.2 in terms of their design and function the filling element 1, in particular also with regard to the formation of the liquid channels 6, discharge openings 8, liquid valves 10, the design and control of the tubes 14, for each Einzelfüllelement 1a. 1 and 1a.2 are provided separately, the height adjustability of each serving as a return gas and / or Trinox tube 14 and the control of the connection between the annular channel 19, in the CIP cleaning and / or CIP disinfection again serves as a CIP channel, and the respective chamber 12 by axial displacement of the tubes 14 to the filling element. 1

As the FIG. 7 Also shows, the Einzelfüllelemente 1 a.1 and 1 a.2 differ from the filling element 1 but in that each Einzelfüllelement 1a.1 or 1 a.2 additionally control valves, preferably pneumatically actuated control valves 25.1 - 25.4, which is part of controlled, formed in the Füllelementgehäuse 5 gas or flow paths are, among other things, the chamber 12 controlled with the annular channel 19 and additional, on the rotor 2 for all Mehrfachfüllelemente 1 a jointly provided annular channels 26 and 27 are connectable. With regard to their function, in particular the control for opening the connection between the chamber 12 and the annular channel 19, which performs the CIP cleaning and / or disinfecting medium as a CIP-CIP in the CIP cleaning and / or disinfection, according to the individual filling 1 a .1 and 1 a.2 the filling element. 1

The annular channel 26 is connected, for example, to the gas space 3.2 of the product container 3, so that in particular when filling the contents displaced from the respective bottle 4 from the contents with closed control valves 25.1, 25.3 and 25.4 and open control valve 25.2 in the annular channel 26 or via the pipe 14th with open control valve 16a flows into the gas space 3.2. The Sollfüllhöhe in the respective, overfilled at the end of the filling or the filling phase bottle 4 is set, for example, that with closed control valves 25.2 - 25.4, the control valve 25.1 is opened to open the connection between the chamber 12 and the annular channel 19, during filling a Trinox or inert gas under pressure, for example, a CO2 gas or nitrogen under pressure, so that when open control valve 16a by the chamber 12 and the annular channel 15 in the head space of the sealing layer on the respective Einzelfüllelement 1a.1 and 1a.2 initiated Trinox gas excess filling material is pushed back as long as the tube 14 serving as Trinox tube in the Füllgutkessel 3 until the lower end of this tube 14 emerged from the Füllgutspiegel and thus the Sollfüllhöhe is reached. Before the removal of the bottle 4 from the respective Einzelfüllelement 1 a.1 or 1 a.2, the closing of the control valves 25.1 and 16a.

The individual filling elements 1a.1 and 1a can each have independent filling element housings or else they are realized in a common filling element housing.

A special feature of Mehrfachfüllelementes 1 a is that a common lifting or adjusting device 23 is provided for the tubes 14 of each Mehrfachfüllelementes 1a. Another special feature of Mehrfachfüllelementes 1a is that for both Einzelfüllelemente 1a.1 and 1 a.2 a common control valve 16 and a common flexible conduit 17 are provided, which controls the two tubes 14 controlled by the control valve 16 with the gas space 3.2 of the product combines.

Like the filling element 1, the multiple filling element 1 a or the respective filling system can also be operated as a normal-pressure filling system (filling under atmospheric pressure). During filling, the gas displaced from the interior of the bottle arranged in the sealing position on the filling element is returned to the gas space 3.2 of the product container 3 via the pipe when the control valve 16 or 16a is open. The inflow of the filling material into the bottle is automatically terminated by the immersion of the tube 14 in the level of the contents and after the rise of the contents in the tube 14. After closing the liquid valve and the control valve 16 or 16 a, the filled bottle can be withdrawn. The filling material in the respective tube 14 is held there by pipette action and then subsequently introduced into the next bottle to be filled by opening the control valve 16 or 16 a.

The FIG. 8 shows as a further embodiment, a Mehrfachfüllelement 1 b, which in turn forms two Einzelfüllelemente 1b.1 and 1 b.2 as Zweifachfüllelement, with respect to their structural design, the Einzelfüllelementen 1 a.1 and 1 a. 2 correspond. The Mehrtachfüllelement 1 b differs from the Mehrfachfüllelement 1a only in that instead of the common control valve 16a, a check valve assembly 28 is provided with two check valves 28.1 and 28.2, via which the tubes 14 are each connected to the common flexible line 17. The check valves 28.1 and 28.2 are basically designed so that they open for a fluid flow from the relevant pipe 14 in the flexible conduit 17 and lock for a fluid flow in the opposite direction. Specifically, check valves 28.1 and 28.2 in the illustrated embodiment are designed so that their valve bodies are slightly weighted and / or spring loaded so that check valves 28.1 and 28.2 prevent a return gas flow from the respective bottle 2 via pipe 14 during filling, rather than the return gas exclusively via the annular channel 15 and the example open control valve 25.2 flows into the annular channel 26. The filling of the arranged in sealing position on the individual filling 1b.1 and 1b b.2 bottle 4 is automatically terminated by when the lower, open end of the tube 14 is immersed in the level of contents in the bottle 4. The setting of the Sollfüllhöhe in the respectively overfilled bottle 4 is carried out with the pressurized Trinox or inert gas from the annular channel 19, which by opening the control valve 25.1 via the annular channel 15 in the headspace in the sealing position on the individual filling 1b.1 and 1b .2 arranged bottle 4 is initiated and thereby displaced excess contents of this head space in the acting as Trinox tube 14 and this in the Füllgutkessel 3. The use of two check valves 28.1 and 28.2 ensures independent operation of both individual filling elements 1 b.1 and 1b, and in particular also prevents the filling of the desired filling height in a bottle 4 via the tubes 14 from being pressed into the other bottle 4 becomes.

The Mehrfachfüllelemente 1 a and 1 b or the Füllfüllelemente having this filling system have over the filling element 1 or with respect to this filling element having filling system the additional advantage that at least the number of required control valves 16 and these valves controlling electro-pneumatic valves, the Number of check valve assemblies 28 and the number of flexible lines 17 required for a given number of filling points can be reduced by 50%, which means, inter alia, a significant structural and control simplification and a reduction in manufacturing and maintenance costs. The Mehrfachfüllelement 1 b has compared to the Mehrfachfüllelement 1 a the further advantage that the control valve 16a is replaced by the check valve assembly 28 and thereby the control effort is further reduced.

The Mehrfachfüllelementen 1 a and 1 b have in common that the 13 formed by the extension 13 above the seal 18 during the filling mode shelter 13.1 is separated from the chamber 12, but via the channel 20 communicates with the annular channel 19, i. is acted upon with the pressurized inert gas of the annular channel 19, for example, with the pressurized Trinox gas, and that in the CIP cleaning alone by the common lowering of both tubes 14 beyond the maximum adjustment stroke H1, the connection between the chamber 14th and the extension 13 is fully opened.

The peculiarity of the filling elements 1, 1 a and 1 b is thus independent of the different filling methods and embodiments in particular that in the CIP mode, the shelter 13.1 via the channel 20, although constantly connected to the annular channel 19, but through the seal 18 of the Chamber 12 is separated, and that for the CIP mode, the chamber 12 and thus to be treated by the CIP medium spaces, namely the liquid channel 6 and the annular channel 15 alone by moving the seal 18 with the tube 14 into the chamber 12 for open the flow of the CIP medium, the seal 18 thereby forms the only, arranged in the flow path of the CIP medium control or switching valve and switching other, such as pneumatically or electrically operated valves for the changeover between the CIP mode and the filling Mode is basically not required.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1a, 1b

filler

2

rotor

3

Füllgutkessel

3.1

liquid space

3.2

headspace

4

bottle

5

filling element

6

liquid channel

7

product line

8th

discharge opening

9

valve body

10

liquid valve

11

valve tube

12

chamber

13

Extension of the chamber 12

13.1

shelter

14

pipe

15

annular channel

16

control valve

17

flexible line

18

poetry

19

annular channel

20

channel

21

centering bell

22

actuator

23

adjustment

24

flushing cap

25.1 - 25.4

control valve

26, 27

annular channel

28

Check valve assembly

28.1, 28.2

check valve

FA

filling element

Claims (16)

1. Filler element for filling bottles or similar containers (4) with a liquid contents in a filling mode of the filler element (1), with a liquid channel (6) which is formed in a filler element housing (5) and can be connected to a vessel (3) for liquid contents, the channel forming a dispensing opening (8) for dispensing the liquid contents into the respective container (4), with at least one liquid valve (10) in the liquid channel, with an element (14) which determines the filling height of the filling contents in the container in a controlling manner and which extends with an end projecting over the dispensing opening (8) during filling, and which, in order to adjust the filling height, can be axially adjusted in an adjustment lift movement (H1) within an adjustment lift range, with a CIP stream path formed in a CIP mode in the filling element housing (5) for a liquid CIP medium which is conveyed out of the filling contents vessel (3), flows through the filling element (1), and is conducted out of the filling element into a channel (19) serving as a CIP channel,
   characterised in that
   the CIP flow path, with a filling element (1) closed with a rinsing closure (24) at its dispensing opening (8), comprises at least the liquid channel (6), a chamber (12) formed in the filling element housing (5) and an extended section(13), which connects to the chamber (12) on an upper side of the filling element housing (5) facing away from the dispensing opening (8), and passes through the element (14) for determining the fill level, and is connected to the CIP channel (19) via a CIP connection (20), with a valve arrangement for switching the filling element (1) between the filling mode and the CIP mode by blocking a fluidic connection between the chamber (12) and the channel (1) serving as the CIP channel in the CIP mode, with a valve body (18) provided in the element (14) for determining the fill level, said valve body, during the filling mode, blocking a fluidic connection between the chamber (12) and the CIP connection (20) of the extended section (13), and, for the switching into CIP mode, by axial movement of the element (14) for determining the fill level in a opening lift movement (H2), opens the fluidic connection between the chamber (12) and the CIP connection (20) of the extended section(13), wherein, in the filling mode and in the CIP mode, a constant fluidic connection exists between the CIP connection (20) of the extended section(13) and the channel (19) serving as CIP channel, and that the valve arrangement for switching the filling element (1) between the filling mode and the CIP mode is formed from the valve body (18) located at the element (14) for determining the fill level.
2. Filling element according to claim 1, characterised in that the valve arrangement for switching the filling element (1) between the filling mode and the CIP mode is formed exclusively from the valve body (18) located at the element (14) for determining the fill level.
3. Filling element according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the element (14) for determining the fill level, in order to adjust the fill level, can be moved axially in an adjustment lift range (H1), and that, in this situation, the valve body (18) moves in piston fashion in the cylindrically configured extended section (13), blocking the fluidic connection between the chamber (12) and the CIP connection (20) of the extended section (13).
4. Filling element according to claim 3, characterised in that, for the opening of the fluidic connection between the chamber (12) and the CIP connection (20) of the extended section (13), the valve body (18) moves out of the extended section (13) into the chamber (12), which exhibits a cross-section which is enlarged in relation to the valve body (18), or moves into a part region of the extended section(13).
5. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the element (14) for determining the fill level is conveyed through a pipe piece, arranged co-axially with a filling element axis (FA) and forming a valve tappet of the at least one liquid valve (10), or a valve pipe (11) with the forming of a ring channel (15) between the element (14) determining the fill level and the pipe piece (11), and that the ring channel (15), which is open on the underside of the filling element (1) and opens into the chamber (12), is a part of the CIP flow path.
6. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the CIP connection of the extended section (13) is formed from a channel (20) in the filling element housing (5), which is connected to the channel (19) of a filling system comprising a plurality of filling elements (1), said channel serving as a CIP channel in common for all the filling elements (1) or for a group of a plurality of filling elements (1).
7. Filling element according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that, with the rinsing closure in place or a rinsing bell (24) in place, the CIP flow path runs out of the filling contents vessel (3) via the liquid channel (6), via the opened liquid valve (10), via the inner space of the rinsing closure (24), via the ring channel (15), via the chamber (12), via the valve formed by the valve body (18), and via the extended section(13), which is connected to the channel (19) serving as the CIP channel.
8. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the element determining the fill level is a trinox or return gas pipe (14).
9. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is configured for a filling of the containers (4) with underpressure or normal pressure or ambient pressure respectively.
10. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is a single filling element (1 a. 1, 1a.2; 1 b. 1, 1b.2) of a multiple filling element (1 a, 1 b) comprising at least two such individual filling element.
11. Filling element according to claim 10, characterised by a common adjustment device (23) for the elements (14) determining the fill level of the individual filling elements (1a.1, 1a.2; 1b.1, 1b.2) of the multiple filling element (1a, 1b).
12. Filling element according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that, with the configuration of the elements (14) determining the fill level as trinox or return gas pipes (14), a common control valve (16a) is provided for the controlled connection of all the trinox or return gas pipes (14) of the multiple filling element (1 a, 1 b) to a gas chamber, preferably with a gas chamber (3.2) of the filling contents vessel (3), or that, with the configuration of the elements (14) determining the fill level as a trinox or return gas pipe (14), a common non-return gas valve arrangement (28) is provided, via which all the trinox or return gas pipes (14) of the multiple filling element (1a, 1b) are connected to the gas chamber, preferable to the gas chamber (3.2) of the filling contents vessel (3).
13. Filling element according to claim 12, characterised in that the non-return valve arrangement (28) comprises in each case at least one non-return valve (28.1, 28.2) for each trinox or return gas pipe (14).
14. Filling element according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the non-return valve arrangement opens for a fluidic flow out of the respective trinox or return gas pipe (14) into the gas chamber (3.2), and for a flow in the opposite direction blocks or at least chokes.
15. Filling element according to any one of claims 12 - 14, characterised in that the non-return valve arrangement (28) or the at least one non-return valve (28.1, 28.2) first opens at a pressure which exceeds a filling pressure.
16. Filling system with a plurality of filling elements (1) on a transport element which can be driven such as to rotate, for example on a rotor which can be driven such as to rotate around a vertical machine axis, characterised in that the filling elements (1) are configured in accordance with one of the preceding claims.

Images