EP3013733A1

EP3013733A1 - Method and filling system for filling containers

Info

Publication number: EP3013733A1
Application number: EP14733113.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hilmar FICKERT
Original assignee: KHS GmbH
Current assignee: KHS GmbH
Priority date: 2013-06-27
Filing date: 2014-06-13
Publication date: 2016-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2034-06-13
Also published as: WO2014206774A1; CN105307972B; US10131527B2; PL3013733T3; DE102013106756A1; EP3013733B1; US20160368751A1; CN105307972A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for filling containers (2) with a liquid filling material by means of 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 the filling-material volumetric flow rate in an open-loop or closed-loop manner 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 volumetric 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. In order to simultaneously fill a container group, the filling system (1) forms a filling position (3.1 - 3.4) for each container (2), 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 filling positions (3.1 - 3.4), and wherein the volumetric flow rate fed to each container is continuously detected as an actual value by means of a respective separate flow meter (20) and is used to correct the control of the filling-material volumetric flow rate controller (18) in the control computer (17).

Description

Method and filling system for filling containers

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a filling system according to the preamble of claim 11.

A method having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 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 response to 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 claim 1 1.

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 in practice with regard to the Füllgutvolumenstroms, the individual

Containers or the filling heads during the filling phase flows, absolutely the same

Can not reach conditions, the invention provides that the control of a total Füllgutvolumenstroms and thus the Füllgutvolumenströme to the filling heads, although generally done by the single Füllgutstromregler, each of a container inflowing Füllgutvolumenstrom but with an independent

Monitoring the flow meter and with the measurement result of these flow meters the control of the product volume flow controller is corrected (correction control). The general control of the Füllgutvolumenstromreglers takes place after 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

that the control computer monitors the individual actual filling curves in parallel and, based on the results of the comparison with the desired filling curve, the

Filling process or the product volume controller controls,

and or

that the correction of the control of the 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 done, for example by the temporal of the transition between at least two partial phases of the target filling curve,

and or

that due to the measured values supplied by the flow meters by the control computer switching from the filling phase on the Schnellfüllphase only takes place temporally, although in those containers whose filling is slowest, which is required at the beginning of Schnellfüllphase

Minimum quantity of filling material is introduced,

and or

that the switching over from the rapid filling phase to a subsequent phase with a reduced or reduced filling material volume flow (Q3), for example to a final filling phase, takes place when the container in which the product with the greatest filling rate flows reaches the end of the

Fast filling phase required filling quantity is filled,

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 bears in a sealing position against the filling element and, as a rule, before the actual filling phase, that is to say prior to the opening of the filling phase

Liquid valve, is biased via at least one controlled, formed in the filling element gas path in a biasing phase with a pressurized gas clamping gas (for example, inert gas or CO2 gas). This is then displaced during the 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 "substantially" or "approximately" or "approx." Means in the sense of

Deviations from the respective exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by + 1-5% 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. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination, in principle, the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their

Dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

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 is a schematic functional representation of one of the filling positions of the

Filling system of Figure 1, together with a arranged in sealing position on a filling head or filling element of this filling position container.

, FIG. 3 shows the time course of a filling curve when filling the containers; FIG.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a structural unit, which arranged the filling heads of the filling system of FIG. 1 together with the pipes leading to these Füllköpfe and, in these pipes

Has functional elements;

Fig. 5 in perspective a unit.

The filling system generally designated 1 in FIG. 1 is part of a filling machine and serves for simultaneous or parallel pressure filling of respectively four containers 2 with a filling material, for example with a contents containing CO2, e.g. Beer. The containers 2 are preferably cans, for example, party cans, having a volume of three to ten liters (e.g., 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 its container opening lying above and oriented with its container axis in the vertical direction and with her

Container bottom are arranged on a container carrier 4 standing up. 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 includes i.a. a controllable liquid valve 6, which is controllable between an open state, in which the contents can flow into the respective container 2, and a closed state, in which by the

Liquid valve 6, the inflow of the filling material is interrupted in the container 2, a Spanngasventil 7 and a return gas valve 8. Furthermore, each filling head 5 has a long filling tube 9, which in filling through the container opening far into the

Inside the container extends and via which the bottom of the filling of the respective container 2 takes place with the liquid product. The upper end of the

Filling tube 9 is connected to a formed in Füllgutkopf 5 liquid channel in which the liquid valve 6 is arranged and in the further the clamping 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 feeding the filling material to the filling positions 3.1 - 3.4 or to the local filling heads 5 is used 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, whose

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 1 1, which continues at one of a Zweifachverteiler formed first branch 12 in two product lines 13, which in turn to each one second branch 14 formed by a dual distributor

Continue product lines 15, each of which leads to a filling head 5 and to the local liquid valve 6. Due to this multiple branching as well as a corresponding gradation or gradual reduction of the effective

Cross sections of the product lines 13 with respect to the product line 1 1 and the product lines 15 with respect to the product lines 13 a possible same Füllgutvolumenstrom when filling the container 2 in all product lines 15 and by all Füllgutköpfe 5 is achieved with open liquid valves 6 in the filling phase. The graduated effective flow cross section of

Product lines 13 and 15 is realized, for example, that the Internal cross-sections of the product lines forming these lines are graded accordingly, and / or but in that in the product lines 13 and 15 corresponding, the Füllgutvolumenstronn throttling throttles are provided. In particular, when the gradation of the effective cross section of

Product lines 13 and 15 by the corresponding gradation of the

Internal cross-section of the tubes forming these product lines is produced results in a back pressure within these tubes, which ultimately causes almost identical flow and pressure conditions prevail at all Füllköpfen 5 and at their Füllgutabgabeöffnungen or -mündungen.

The branches 12 and 14 or forming these branches

Double manifolds are preferably particularly streamlined than Y-shaped

Executed pipelines, as shown in Fig. 4 is very schematically.

In the product line 1 1, 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 1 1 and its sensor signal via a control computer 17 u.a. the Füllgutpumpe 10 controls so that a constant or substantially constant Füllgutdruck in the product line 1 1 at the output of Füllgutpumpe 10, regardless of fluctuations in the

Füllgutvolumenstromes when filling the container 2. The combination of the FU- regulated pump 10 and the pressure sensor 16 can be a proper Füllgutzufuhr even without a Füllgutkessel, especially without a

Füllgutkessel be ensured in which the contents are provided at a level above the filling heads 5.

In the product line 1 1, a pneumatically controlled Füllgutvolumenstromregler 18 (DFC controller) is provided in front of the branch 12, which during filling of the container 2, i. during the filling phase the Füllgutdurchlass or the total Füllgutvolumenstrom and thus also the Füllgutvolumenströme to the filling heads 5 in response to a stored in a memory of the control computer 17, for example, product and / or container-specific program, i. in

Dependence on, for example, product and / or container specific time-dependent desired filling curve FK controls. The Fullgutvolunnenstronnregler 18 is for example designed so that a there a 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 controls the electrical

Control signal of the control computer 17 in the, controls the Füllgutvolumenstromregler 18 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 else sterile air, is supplied under clamping gas pressure, via a tensioning gas pressure regulating arrangement 22 of a not shown, the clamping gas below

Tension 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. It can be both

Purge gas from the clamping gas, as well as the pressure of the purge gas 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 during the

Filling process constantly measures the return gas pressure in the return gas line and the 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 by the control computer 17 in

Depending on the measurement signals of the pressure sensor 24 via an I / P converter 26 is controlled such that during the filling operation, 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. Maybe from the return gas

separated moisture components 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 -Desinfektionsmediums on the

Füllgutpumpe 10 and the product lines 1 1, 13 and 15 led to the filling heads 5 and 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 carried out, for example, such that initially in a bias phase with closed fluid valves 6 and

closed interior gas valves 8 of the interior of the arranged in sealing position on the filling head 5 container 2 are acted upon or biased simultaneously by opening the clamping gas valves 27 at the same time with the pressurized clamping gas, which is also introduced via the filling tube 9 into 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 are closed at

Liquid valve 6, 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 pipe. 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 terminated by closing the liquid valve 6 in any case, when the respective container 2 measured by the

Flow meter 20 the required amount of product 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 are achieved during filling for all containers 2, also in terms of the internal pressure of the container same conditions. 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 takes place 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, according to the

Füllgutvolumenstromregler 18 is primarily controlled.

FIG. 3 shows a typical example of this desired filling material curve FK or the time course of the product volume flow Q corresponding to this curve, which is generated at the outlet of the product volume flow regulator 18, if none

Correction control takes place, and in the ideal case also corresponds to the product volume flow, which flows to each container 2 during the filling phase. In accordance with 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 first 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 volume flow rate 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. The value Q2 in these containers, for example, about 1, 2 I / sec, so that at the end of

Fast filling phase, i. At the time t3 each container about 4.5 - 4.75 liters of product was supplied.

Although the product lines 1 1, 13 and 15 are multi-branched in the manner described above, as well as graded formed in effective cross-section, in practice the same flow conditions of the contents or the Füllgutvolumenstroms can not reach the Füllgutköpfe 5. 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 for example 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 even the last container 2 the

required product 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 fastest filled container 2 the

Füllmengemenge V3 is fed, by controlling the Füllgutvolumenstromreglers 18 the final filling is initiated for all containers 2, 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 in fact the required

Contents V4 is introduced.

The correction control is carried out, for example, continue such that the first

Synchronous 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. Basically, there is also the possibility that on the first

Synchronous 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 elevated

Filling volume taken into account when initiating the rapid filling phase. The filling system 1 described forms, for example, without the container carrier 4 a complete assembly 32 (Figure 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 inventive concept underlying the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 filling system

2 containers

3.1 - 3.4 filling position

4 container carriers

5 filling head

5.1 seal

6 liquid valve

7 clamping gas valve

8 return gas valve

9 filling tube

10 product pump

1 1 product line

12 branch or two-way distributor

13 product line

14 branch or two-way distributor

15 product line

16 pressure sensor

17 control computer

18 product volume flow controller

19 I / P converter

20 flow meters

21 tension gas line

22 pressure regulator

23 return gas line

24 pressure sensor

25 return gas regulator

26 I / P converter

27 check valve

28 gas or vapor separator

29 derivation

30, 31 check valve Unit of filling quantity

Claims

claims

1 . A process for filling containers (2) with a liquid product, with a filling system, with which the contents of the containers (2) via a

Füllgutvolumenstromregler (18) is supplied, which controls the Füllgutvolumenstrom in response to a desired filling curve (FK), which is stored in the Füllgutvolumenstromregler (18) controlling the control computer (17), with one in several time on each other following partial phases changing Füllgutvolumenstroms course, the at least one reduced Füllgutvolumenstrom (Q1, Q3) at the beginning and at the end of a filling phase and an increased Füllgutvolumenstrom (Q2) in an intermediate

Has fast filling phase,

characterized,

that for simultaneously filling a container group of at least two

(2) the filling system (1) for each container a filling position (3.1 - 3.4) forms that the filling positions (3.1 - 3.4) during the filling phase, the contents over the common for all filling positions (3.1, 3.4)

Füllgutvolumenstromregler (18) is supplied, and that each volume supplied to each container as actual value with its own flow meter (20) is constantly detected and in the control computer hereby a correction of the control of Füllgutvolumenstromreglers (18).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that by the

Control computer (17) based on the flow meters (20)

supplied measured values a temporal shift of the transition between at least two partial phases of the desired filling curve, for example between the Anfüllphase with the reduced Füllgutvolumenstrom (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.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that by the control computer (17) on the basis of him from the flow meters (20)

supplied measured values, a temporal shift of the completion of the filling phase takes place. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control computer monitors the individual actual filling curves in parallel and starting from the results of the comparison with the desired filling curve

Filling process or the Füllgutvolumenstromregler (18) controls.

A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the correction of the control of the Füllgutvolumenstromreglers (18) characterized in that with the flow meters (20) detected and the actual Füllgutvolumenstrom to the container (2) corresponding actual filling curves with the in the control computer (17) stored desired filling curve (FK) are compared, and that at a

Deviation, the correction of the control of the Füllgutvolumenstromreglers (18) takes place, for example, by the temporal of the transition between at least two partial phases of the desired filling curve.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the basis of the measured values supplied by the flow meters (20) by the control computer (17), a switching from the filling phase to the

Schnellfüllphase temporally takes place only when in those containers (2), the filling of which takes place slowest, which is required at the beginning of Schnellfüllphase Mindestfüllgutmenge (V2) is introduced.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching over from the rapid filling phase to a subsequent phase with reduced or reducing Füllgutvolumenstrom (Q3), for example, a final filling then takes place when in those containers to which the filling material flows at the greatest filling speed , with the end of the

Fast filling phase required filling quantity (V3) is filled.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a counter-pressure filling of the prestressed with a clamping gas container (2) of the liquid product from the containers (2) displaced return gas is discharged via a common for all filling points return gas line (23) which is provided to maintain a constant return gas pressure, a return gas regulator (25).

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during pressure filling of a CO2-containing filling material of the clamping gas pressure and / or the return gas pressure is slightly above the CO2 equilibrium pressure of the filling, for example, 1, 5 bar.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for controlling the Füllgutvolumenstromreglers (18) a product and / or container-specific desired filling curve is used.

1 1. Filling system for filling containers (2) with a liquid product, with a filling system, with which the contents of the containers (2) via a

Füllgutvolumenstromregler (18) is supplied, which controls the Füllgutvolumenstrom in response to a desired filling curve (FK), which is stored in the Füllgutvolumenstromregler (18) controlling the control computer (17), with one in several temporally following sub-phases changing Füllgutvolumenstrom course, the at least one reduced

Product volume flow (Q1, Q3) at the beginning and at the end of a filling phase and an increased volume flow (Q2) in an intermediate one

Has fast filling phase,

characterized,

that for simultaneously filling a container group of at least two

Containers (2) at least two filling positions (3.1 - 3.4), each with a

Filling head (5) with its own liquid valve (6), clamping gas valve (7) and

Return gas valve (8) are provided, that the filling heads (5) over branched

Product lines (15) to the Füllgutvolumenstromregler (18) are connected, and that each filling head (5) is assigned a separate flow meter (20) in the product line (15) leading to this filling head (5). 12. Filling system according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the filling heads (5) are each formed with a filling tube (9).

13. Filling system according to claim 1 1 or 12, characterized in that the

Filling heads (5) with their clamping gas valves (7) to a common Span gas line (21) and with their return gas valves (8) to a common return gas line (23) are connected, and that in the return gas line, a return gas regulator (25) and at least one pressure sensor (24) are provided, the sensor signal to the return gas regulator (25) to maintain a constant return gas pressure in the return gas line (23) controls.

14. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that it forms a preassembled structural unit (32).