Filling element for counterpressure filling machines

Claim 1

An electromagnetically controllable filling unit for counterpressure liquid- dependent container-filling machines, which includes: housing means comprising a member having vertical liquid conveying first passage means adapted to be connected at its upper end to a source of liquid and to convey liquid from said source to a container to be filled, said member including engaging means surrounding the lower end of said first passage means for engaging the mouth of the container to be filled, fIrst valve means arranged within said first passage means and operable to move into open position to permit filling liquid to flow into said container to be filled, electromagnetic means in said first passage means directly associated with said first valve means and operable when energized to close said first valve means to thereby close off the flow of filling liquid into the container to be filled, tube means arranged within said first passage means between said first valve means and said engaging means and having a portion protruding from said housing means into said container and having an opening into and in communication with the interior of the container to be filled, said protruding portion being provided with contact means electrically connected to said electromagnetic means and operable when engaged directly internally by liquid to close the energizing circuit for said electromagnetic means, second passage means adapted to be connected with a source of gas under pressure and communicating with the interior of said tube means, second valve means interposed in said second passage means and adapted to be closed when a desired fluid pressure has been established in said tube means, and means for relieving fluid pressure from the container being filled in conformity with the filling of said container with liquid. CM,1Ectromagnetically controllable filling unit according to claim 1, in which said first valve means is operable automatically to move into open position in response to the establishment of substantial pressure equilibrium between the fluid pressure on opposite sides of said first valve means.