EP3013733B1 - Method and filling system for filling containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a filling system according to the preamble of claim 10. A generic method and filling system are known from EP 0 406 092 A1 known.

Another method for filling containers is known ( EP 0 979 207 B1 ). In the known method, which is intended for filling relatively large kegartigen containers or kegs takes place during a filling phase of the filling process control of the respective container inflowing Füllgutvolumenstroms by a volume flow controller or Füllgutvolumenregler, in dependence on a stored in a control computer filling curve.

The object of the invention is to provide a method by which at least two containers, but preferably more than two containers, for example, four containers with the required filling accuracy can be filled simultaneously with only a single Füllgutstromregler with a liquid product, namely taking into account a target -Füllkurve. To solve this problem, a method according to claim 1 is formed. A filling system is the subject of patent claim 10.

A special feature of the method according to the invention is that with only a single Füllgutvolumenstromregler the simultaneous or temporally parallel filling of at least two containers, preferably more than two containers via filling heads, each of which is associated with each container. Since absolutely the same conditions can not be achieved in practice with regard to the product volume flow which flows to the individual containers or the filling heads during the filling phase, the invention provides that the control of a total product volume flow and thus of the product volume flows to the filling heads is generally general is performed by the single Füllgutstromregler, each of a container inflowing Füllgutvolumenstrom but monitored with a stand-alone flow meter and the measurement result of these flow meters, the control of Füllgutvolumenstromreglers is corrected (correction control).

The general control of the Füllgutvolumenstromreglers takes place according to a desired filling curve, which is either a standardized filling curve or a filling material and / or container-specific filling curve.

The inventive method results in a considerable structural and control engineering simplification of the filling system, by reducing the number of required functional elements. In particular, only a single Füllgutvolumenstromregler and, for example, only a single product pump for the provision of the contents are required, despite the ability to fill at least two containers, but preferably more than two containers with the required filling accuracy at the same time.

In the method according to the invention, the containers are preferably those with a container or filling volume in the range between three and ten liters.

If the desired filling curve has partial phases with different volume flow, then the correction control takes place, for example, by shifting the time of the transition between individual partial phases. In any case, however, due to the measured values of the flow meter, a final termination of the filling or the filling phase for each container takes place when the required total filling quantity has reached it.

In a further development of the invention, the method is designed, for example, such that a temporal displacement of the transition between at least two partial phases of the desired filling curve takes place by the control computer on the basis of the measured values fed to it by the flow meters, for example between the filling phase and the reduced product volume flow (Q1). and the fast filling phase with the increased product volume flow (Q2) and / or between the rapid filling phase and the final filling phase,
and or
a time-related shift of the completion of the filling phase takes place by the control computer on the basis of the measured values fed to it by the flow meters,
and or
the control computer monitors the individual actual filling curves in parallel and, on the basis of the results of the comparison with the desired filling curve, controls the filling process or the product volume flow regulator,
and or
that the correction of the control of Füllgutvolumenstromreglers takes place in that detected with the flow meters and the actual Füllgutvolumenstrom to the container corresponding actual filling curves are compared with the stored in the control computer target filling curve, and that in case of a deviation, the correction of the control of Füllgutvolumenstromreglers, for example, by the time of the transition between at least two partial phases of the desired filling curve,
and or
the switching over from the rapid filling phase to a subsequent phase with reduced or reducing filling material volume flow (Q3), for example to a final filling phase, then takes place when the filling material quantity required at the end of the rapid filling phase is filled in those containers to which the filling material flows at the greatest filling speed is
and or
in the case of a counter-pressure filling of the container prestressed with a prestressing gas, the return gas displaced from the containers by the liquid contents is removed via a return gas line common to all filling points, in which a return gas regulator is provided to maintain a constant return gas pressure,
and or
that during pressure filling of a CO2-containing filling material the clamping gas pressure and / or the return gas pressure is slightly above the CO2 equilibrium pressure of the filling material, for example 1.5 bar,
and or
in that a product-specific and / or container-specific desired filling curve is used to control the product volume flow regulator
wherein the aforementioned features can be used individually or in any combination.

For the purposes of the invention, "pressure filling" is to be understood as meaning a filling process in which the container to be filled in each case rests in a sealing position against the filling element and, as a rule, before the actual filling phase, i. before opening the liquid valve, is biased by at least one controlled gas path formed in the filler element in a tempering phase with a pressurized gas (e.g. inert gas or CO2 gas, for example). This is then displaced during filling of the, the container inflowing contents increasingly as return gas from the container interior, and also via at least one controlled, formed in the filling element gas path in a return gas channel. The preadjustment phase may be preceded by further treatment phases, for example evacuation and / or purging of the container interior with an inert gas, e.g. CO2 gas, etc., also via the gas paths formed in the filling element. The term "essentially" or "approximately" or "approx." means for the purposes of the invention deviations from the respective exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of insignificant for the function changes.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Funktionsdarstellung ein Füllsystem zum zeitgleichen oder parallelen Füllen von vier Behältern in Form von Dosen mit einem flüssigen Füllgut, beispielsweise Bier;

Fig. 2

in schematischer Funktionsdarstellung eine der Füllpositionen des Füllsystems der Fig. 1, zusammen mit einem in Dichtlage an einem Füllkopf oder Füllelement dieser Füllposition angeordneten Behälter;

Fig. 3

den zeitlichem Verlauf einer Füllkurve beim Füllen der Behälter;

Fig. 4

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine Baueinheit, welche die Füllköpfe des Füllsystems der Fig. 1 zusammen mit den an diese Füllköpfe führenden Rohrleitungen und den, in diesen Rohrleitungen angeordneten Funktionselementen aufweist;

Fig. 5

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine Baueinheit.

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

Fig. 1

in a schematic functional representation of a filling system for simultaneous or parallel filling of four containers in the form of cans with a liquid product, such as beer;

Fig. 2

in a schematic functional representation of one of the filling positions of the filling system of Fig. 1 , together with a container arranged in sealing position on a filling head or filling element of this filling position;

Fig. 3

the time course of a filling curve when filling the container;

Fig. 4

in a perspective view of a structural unit, which the filling heads of the filling system of Fig. 1 together with the pipes leading to these filling heads and the functional elements arranged in these pipes;

Fig. 5

in perspective a unit.

That in the Fig. 1 generally designated 1 filling system is part of a filling machine and is used for simultaneous or parallel pressure filling of four containers 2 with a medium, for example with a CO2-containing filling material, eg beer. The containers 2 are preferably cans, for example, party cans, having a volume of three to ten liters (eg, 3.1 liters, 5 liters or 10 liters). For the simultaneous filling of the container 2, the filling system forms four filling points 3.1 - 3.4, where the container 2 for filling each with their container opening lying above and oriented with its container axis in the vertical direction and are arranged with its container bottom upright on a container carrier 4. With their container openings, the containers 2 are provided via seals 5.1 in a sealing position on a respective filling element or filling head 5.

Each filling head 5 comprises, inter alia, a controllable liquid valve 6 which can be controlled between an open state in which the filling material can flow into the relevant container 2 and a closed state in which the inflow of the filling material into the container 2 is interrupted by the liquid valve 6 is a Clamping gas valve 7 and a return gas valve 8. Furthermore, each filling head 5 has a long filling tube 9, which reaches far into the container interior during filling through the container opening and via which the filling of the respective container 2 with the liquid product takes place. The upper end of the filling tube 9 is connected to a liquid channel formed in the product 5, in which the liquid valve 6 is arranged and in the further the tensioning gas valve 7 opens on the output side.

When the respective container 2 is filled, the return gas valve 8 is connected on the input side to the headspace of the container interior not occupied by the contents, for example via an opening (not shown) provided laterally by the filling tube 9 within the seal 5.1.

For supplying the filling material to the filling positions 3.1 - 3.4 or to the local filling heads 5 is in their flow rate (volume flow) and in their output pressure regulated or controllable, preferably continuously variable or controllable Füllgutpumpe 10, preferably a Füllgutpumpe 10, the drive motor with a frequency converter in speed and / or torque can be regulated or controlled (FU-controlled pump).

On the input side, the product pump 10 is connected to a source, not shown, the product (eg Füllgutkessel) and the output side to a product line 11, which continues at one of a Zweifachderteiler formed first branch 12 in two product lines 13, which in turn to each a second continue branch formed by a dual manifold 14 in product lines 15, each of which leads to a filling head 5 and to the local liquid valve 6. Through this multiple branching as well as by a corresponding graduation or graduated reduction of the effective cross sections of the product lines 13 with respect to the product line 11 and the product lines 15 with respect to the product lines 13, a volume of the same as possible Füllgutvolumenstrom when filling the container 2 in all product lines 15 and achieved by all Füllgutköpfe 5 with open liquid valves 6 in the filling phase. The stepped effective flow cross section of the product lines 13 and 15 is realized, for example, in that the Inner cross-sections of these product lines forming pipes are graded accordingly, and / or but in that in the product lines 13 and 15 corresponding, the Füllgutvolumenstrom throttling throttles are provided.

In particular, when the gradation of the effective cross section of the product lines 13 and 15 is generated by the corresponding gradation of the inner cross section of the tubes forming these product lines, results in a back pressure within these tubes, which ultimately leads to that at all filling heads 5 and at their Füllgutabgabeöffnungen or estuaries prevail almost identical flow and pressure conditions.

The branches 12 and 14 or these branches forming two-way distributor are preferably designed particularly streamlined as Y-shaped pipes, as shown in the Fig. 4 is shown very schematically.

In the product line 11, a pressure sensor 16 is provided in the flow direction of the filling material on the Füllgutpumpe 10, which constantly monitors the pressure of the filling material within the product line 11 and the sensor signal via a control computer 17 u.a. the product pump 10 controls so that a constant or substantially constant Füllgutdruck in the product line 11 at the output of Füllgutpumpe 10, regardless of fluctuations in Füllgutvolumenstromes when filling the container 2. By the combination of the FU-regulated pump 10 and the pressure sensor 16 a proper Füllgutzufuhr can be ensured even without a Füllgutkessel, especially without a Füllgutkessel in which the filling material is provided at a level above the filling heads 5.

In the product line 11, a pneumatically controlled Füllgutvolumenstromregler 18 (DFC controller) is provided in front of the branch 12, during the filling of the container 2, ie during the filling phase the Füllgutdurchlass or the total Füllgutvolumenstrom and thus the Füllgutvolumenströme to the filling heads 5 in Dependence on a stored in a memory of the control computer 17, for example, product and / or container-specific program, that is, depending on an example, product and / or container-specific time-dependent desired filling curve FK controls. The Füllgutvolumenstromregler 18 is for example designed so that a local Füllgutkanal or passage limiting membrane, which is acted upon by a pneumatic control pressure, in response to this control pressure changes an opening cross section for the flow of the filling. The Füllgutvolumenstromregler 18 is controlled by the control computer 17 via an I / P converter 19 which converts the electrical control signal of the control computer 17 in the, the Füllgutvolumenstromregler 18 controlling control pressure.

In each product line 15, an independent flow meter 20 is provided, which supplies an electrical measurement signal as a function of the product volume flow and, for example, as a magneto-inductive flow meter, i. is designed as an IDM. The measurement signals of the flow meters 20 are also supplied to the control computer 17 for control and correction (correction control) of the filling process in the manner described in more detail below.

The clamping gas valves 7 of all filling heads 5 are connected on the input side to a common span gas line 21 which contains the span gas, which is for example an inert gas, e.g. CO2 gas or nitrogen, or sterile air, is supplied under clamping gas pressure, via a tension gas pressure regulating this arrangement 22 of a source, not shown, the clamping gas under clamping gas pressure available source.

It goes without saying that the filling heads 5 can also be acted upon with a purge gas in the manner described above. Both purge gas from the clamping gas, and the pressure of the purge gas can differ from the pressure of the clamping gas.

The return gas valves 8 are connected on the output side to a common return gas line 23 in which a pressure sensor 24 is provided which continuously measures the return gas pressure in the return gas line during the filling process and whose output signal is fed to the control computer 17. Following the pressure sensor 24 in the flow direction of the return gas, in the return gas line 23, furthermore, preferably a pneumatic, ie by a pneumatic control pressure controlled return gas regulator 25 is provided, which is controlled by the control computer 17 in response to the measurement signals of the pressure sensor 24 via an I / P converter 26 such that during the filling operation of the return gas pressure in the return gas line 23 is constant. After passing the return gas regulator 25, the return gas is fed to a sink, not shown, for collecting the return gas, via an open valve 31 a gas or vapor separator 29, for example formed as a cyclone. Any moisture components separated from the return gas can be removed via a discharge line 29.

For a CIP cleaning and / or disinfection of at least all, the contents and the return gas leading areas of the filling system 1 is provided that the flow of a CIP cleaning and / or disinfection medium on the product pump 10 and the product lines 11, 13 and 15 led to the filling heads 5 and is passed for the return of this medium via the return gas line 23 to a not shown tank or collection system via valve 27.

Furthermore, the return gas regulator 25 is connected on the output side with a switching valve 31 to the gas separator 28. In the CIP cleaning and / or disinfection, the switching valves 30 and 27 are opened and the switching valve 31 is closed.

Basically, the filling of the container 2 is, for example, such that initially in a bias phase with closed liquid valves 6 and closed return gas valves 8, the interior of the arranged in sealing position on the filling head 5 container 2 acted upon by biasing the clamping gas valves 27 at the same time with the pressurized clamping gas or biased be, which is also introduced via the filling tube 9 in the respective container 2.

Preferably, however, this initial phase is preceded by a phase in which the interior of the container 2, which is already arranged in sealing position on the respective product head 5, is rinsed with an inert gas at the same time. For this purpose, when the liquid valve 6 is closed, for example, the clamping gas valves 7 and the return gas valves 8 are opened, so that with the in the respective container interior via the filling tube. 9 introduced span gas in the container interior existing air on the return gas valves 8 and the return gas line 23 is displaced.

After biasing the containers 2 in the filling phase, the pressure filling of the container 2 takes place with closed clamping gas valves 7 by opening the return gas valves 8 and the liquid valves 7. The filling phase, i. the feeding of the contents to the respective container 2 is completed by closing the liquid valve 6 in any case, when the respective container 2 measured by the flow meter 20, the required quantity of contents was supplied. When filling the displaced from the inflowing medium from the interior of the container inert gas is discharged as a return gas via the return gas line 23. By keeping constant the return gas pressure in this line by means of the pressure sensor 24 and the return gas regulator 25, the same conditions are achieved during filling for all containers 2 with respect to the internal pressure of the container. After completion of the filling takes place a relieving of the container 2, for example via a not shown relief valve and / or a discharge line.

Specifically, the filling of the container 2 in the filling phase in dependence on the stored in the memory of the control computer 17, preferably product and / or container specific time-dependent desired filling curve FK, after the Füllgutvolumenstromregler 18 is primarily controlled.

The Fig. 3 shows a typical example of this target filling material curve FK or the curve corresponding to this curve of the Füllgutvolumenstroms Q, which is generated at the output of Füllgutvolumenstromreglers 18 when no correction control, and ideally corresponds to the Füllgutvolumenstrom that each container 2 during the Filling phase flows. Corresponding to the desired filling material curve FK, at the beginning of the filling phase, ie with the opening of the liquid valve 6 and the return gas valve 8 at the time t1 in a filling phase, a product volume flow initially increases and then remains at a constant value Q1 until the end of the filling phase. The filling phase is completed at time t2, ie at a time at which theoretically each container 2 is partially filled with a volume V2. Following this, in a fast filling phase, starting at time t2, an increase in the volume of product charge initially occurs a value Q2, which is then kept constant until the end of the rapid filling phase at time t3, wherein each container 2 is then ideally partially filled with a volume V3. Following on from the rapid filling phase, ie at the time t3, in a final filling phase, a reduction of the product volume flow to a value Q3 which in the illustrated embodiment is only slightly above or below the value Q1 and until the end of the final filling phase or until the end of the Filling phase is kept constant at time t4, so that then at time t4 each container 2 is filled with the required amount V4 of contents.

For containers with a filling volume of 5 liters, the product volume flow Q1 is for example 0.2 l / sec., So that at the end of the filling phase, i. At time t2 each container 2 about 0.15 - 0.5 liters of product was supplied. For example, the value Q2 in these containers is about 1.2 l / sec, so that at the end of the fast fill phase, i. At the time t3 each container about 4.5 - 4.75 liters of product was supplied.

Although the product lines 11, 13 and 15 are multiple-branched in the manner described above, as well as graduated in effective cross-section, equal flow conditions of the contents or the Füllgutvolumenstroms can not reach the Füllgutköpfe 5 in practice. Rather, it is necessary that for each filling head 5 during the filling phase with the associated flow meter 20, the actual filling curve (actual filling curve) determined and intervened by comparison with the stored in the control computer 17 target filling curve FK corrective in the control. This takes place in each case at the times t2 and t3, which are also referred to as the synchronization point.

For this correction control of Füllgutvolumenstromregler 18 is controlled according to the invention so that the end of the Anfüllphase, ie the time t2 is delayed until the last container 2, ie the slowest filled container 2 at the end of the Anfüllphase the Füllgutvolumen V2 is supplied. Analogously, this also applies to the end of the rapid filling phase, ie the time t3 is affected by the force acting on the Füllgutvolumenstromregler 18 corrected control of Control computer 17 delayed until the last container 2, the required volume V3 is supplied.

Preferably, however, the correction is made at the end of the rapid fill phase such that when the first container 2, i. the Füllfüllmenge V3 is supplied to the fastest filled container 2, the final filling phase for all containers 2 is initiated by controlling the Füllgutvolumenstromreglers 18, wherein in this phase then an individual closing of the liquid valve 6 of each filling head 5 then takes place when in the relevant container 2 actually the required contents V4 is introduced.

For example, the correction control is performed such that at the first sync point, i. At the time t2, the liquid valves of those filling heads 5 are closed for a short time, the container 2 was supplied before the last container 2, the Füllgutmenge V2, and then reopened when in the last container, the Füllgutmenge V2 was introduced, so that at the same time for all containers the fast filling phase is initiated. Similarly, the correction control at the second sync point, i. take place at time t3.

In principle, there is also the possibility that at the first synchronization point, i. At time t2, the liquid valves 6 of all filling heads 5 remain open and also those containers which are already filled with the Füllgutvolumen V2 before the last container 2, continue the reduced Füllgutvolumenstrom Q1 is supplied. Only when the volume V2 was introduced into the last container, the switchover to the rapid filling phase takes place. At the end of this phase is then controlled by the control computer 17 by premature closing of the respective liquid valve 6, an increased volume of charge taken into account when initiating the Schnellfüllphase.

The filling system 1 described forms, for example, without the container carrier 4, a complete assembly 32 (FIG. FIG. 5 ), which is prefabricated as such mounted on the machine frame of a filling machine.

The invention has been described above by means of an embodiment. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

filling system

2

container

3.1 - 3.4

filling position

4

container carrier

5

filling head

5.1

poetry

6

liquid valve

7

Span gas valve

8th

Return gas valve

9

filling pipe

10

Füllgutpumpe

11

product line

12

Branch or dual distributor

13

product line

14

Branch or dual distributor

15

product line

16

pressure sensor

17

tax calculator

18

Füllgutvolumenstromregler

19

I / P transducer

20

Flowmeter

21

Pressurized gas pipe

22

pressure regulator

23

Return gas line

24

pressure sensor

25

Return gas regulator

26

I / P transducer

27

check valve

28

Gas or vapor separator

29

derivation

30, 31

check valve

32

unit

V1 - V4

filling material

Claims (12)

1. Method for filling containers (2) with a liquid filling material, with a filling system, by means of which the filling material is fed to the containers (2) via a filling-material volumetric flow rate controller (18), which controls or regulates the filling-material volumetric flow on the basis of a target filling curve (FK), which is stored in a control computer (17) that controls the filling-material volumetric flow rate controller (18), namely with a filling-material flow rate course that changes in a plurality of chronologically consecutive sub-phases, which filling-material volumetric flow rate course comprises at least one reduced filling-material volumetric flow rate (Q1, Q3) at the start and at the end of a filling phase and an increased filling-material volumetric flow rate (Q2) in a quick filling phase lying therebetween,
   which, in order to simultaneously fill a container group of at least two containers (2), the filling system (1) forms a filling position (3.1 - 3.4) for each container, wherein, during the filling phase, the filling material is fed to the filling positions (3.1 - 3.4) via the filling-material volumetric flow rate controller (18) which is common to all the filling positions (3.1 - 3.4), and wherein the filling-material volumetric flow rate fed to each container is continuously detected as an actual value by means of a respective separate product flow meter (20) and is used to correct the control of the filling-material volumetric flow rate controller (18) in the control computer (17),
   characterised in that
   each volume flow fed to each container is detected as an actual value by a respective product flow meter (20) configured as a throughflow meter,
   and that, on the basis of the measured values provided by the throughflow meters (20), a switchover only takes place chronologically, by way of the control computer (17), from the filling phase to the quick filling phase, when the minimum filling product quantity (V2) delivered at the beginning of the quick filling phase has also been introduced into that container (2) of which the filling is the slowest.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that, by way of the control computer (17), on the basis of the measured values provided to it by the throughflow meters (20), a chronological displacement takes place of the transition between at least two sub-phases of the target filling curve, for example between the filling phase with the reduced filling-material volumetric flow (Q1) and the quick filling phase with the increased filling-material volumetric flow (Q2) and/or between the quick filling phase and the end filling phase.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, by way of the control computer (17), on the basis of the measured values provided to it by the throughflow meters (20), a chronological displacement takes place of the ending of the filling phase.
4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control computer monitors the individual actual filling curves in parallel, and, on the basis of the results of the comparison with the target filling curve, controls the filling process or the filling-material volumetric flow rate controller (18) respectively.
5. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that the correction of the actuation of the filling-material volumetric flow rate controller (18) takes place in that, with the actual filling curves, detected by the throughflow meters (20) and corresponding to the actual filling-material volumetric flow to the containers (2), are compared with the target filling curve (FK) stored in the control computer (17), and that, in the event of a deviation, the correction of the actuation of the filling-material volumetric flow rate controller (18) takes place, for example by the chronological displacement of the transition between at least two sub-phases of the target filling curve.
6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the switchover from the quick filling phase to a following phase then takes place with a reduced or reducing filling-material volumetric flow (Q3), for example to an end filling phase, when the filling material quantity (V3) required at the end of the quick filling phase has been filled into that container into which the filling material flows at the greatest filling speed.
7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, with a counter-pressure filling arrangement of the containers (2), pre-tensioned with a tensioning gas, the return gas forced by the liquid filling material out of the container (2) is conducted away via a return gas line (23), common to all the filling positions, in which a return gas regulator (25) is provided in order to maintain a constant return gas pressure.
8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, with the pressure filling of a filling material containing CO₂, the tensioning gas pressure and/or the return gas pressure is slightly above the CO₂ equilibrium pressure of the filling material, for example 1.5 bar.
9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, for the actuation of the filling-material volumetric flow controller (18), a product-specific and/or container-specific target filling curve is used.
10. Filling system for filling containers (2) with a liquid filling material, with a filling system, by means of which the filling material is fed to the containers (2) via a filling-material volumetric flow rate controller (18), which controls or regulates the filling-material volumetric flow on the basis of a target filling curve (FK), which is stored in a control computer (17) that controls the filling-material volumetric flow rate controller (18), namely with a filling-material flow rate course that changes in a plurality of chronologically consecutive sub-phases, which filling-material volumetric flow rate course comprises at least one reduced filling-material volumetric flow rate (Q1, Q3) at the start and at the end of a filling phase and an increased filling-material volumetric flow rate (Q2) in a quick filling phase lying therebetween,
    with which, in order to simultaneous fill a container group of at least two containers (2), at least two filling positions (3.1 - 3.4) are provided for, in each case with a filling head (5) with an individual liquid material valve (6), tensioning gas valve (7), and return gas valve (8), and with which the filling heads (5) are connected via branched product lines (15) to the filling-material volumetric flow controller (18), and with which an individual throughflow meter (20) is allocated to each filling head (5), in the product line (15) leading to this filling head (5),
    characterised in that
    the respective product flow meter (20) is configured in each case as a throughflow meter, which is arranged in such a way that, on the basis of the measured values provided by the throughflow meters (20), a switchover only takes place chronologically, by way of the control computer (17), from the filling phase to the quick filling phase when the minimum filling material quantity (V2) required at the beginning of the quick filling phase is also introduced into that container (2) of which the filling is the slowest.
11. Filling system according to claim 10, characterised in that the filling heads (5) are in each case configured with a filling tube (9).
12. Filling system according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the filling heads (5) are connected by their tensioning gas valves (7) to a common tensioning gas line (21) and by their return gas valves (8) to a common return gas line (23), and that in the return gas line a return gas regulator (25) and at least one pressure sensor (24) are provided, of which the sensor signal controls the return gas regulator (25) so as to maintain a constant return gas pressure in the return gas line (23).

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