Filling element and filling machine for filling bottles or similar containers

An apparatus comprising a filling element for filling a container with a filling material, said filling element comprising a liquid channel configured in a filling element housing, one of a connector and an inlet for feeding said liquid filling material into said liquid channel, a discharge opening for discharging said liquid filling material into said container, a liquid valve that controls discharge of said liquid filling material into said container, said liquid valve being arranged in said liquid channel and comprising a valve seat and a valve body movable to open and close said liquid valve and engaging said valve seat, an insert configured as one of a swirl body and a gas barrier, said insert being arranged, relative to a direction of flow of said liquid filling material, upstream of said valve seat of said liquid valve, wherein said insert is fixed in position in said liquid channel and remains stationary relative to said valve body during opening and closing of said liquid valve.

An apparatus comprising an insert for use with a filling element for containers with a liquid product, wherein said insert is formed as a shaped part comprising an annular ring section concentrically encircling an axis of said insert and a bladed structure held on said annular ring section and comprising one of interspaced blades and wall sections, and wherein said bladed structure and at least one of said interspaced blades and wall sections is provided both on an underside and on a periphery of said annular ring section.

A method for operating a filling element for filling a container with a filling material, filling element comprising a liquid channel configured in a filling element housing, one of a connector and an inlet for feeding said liquid filling material into said liquid channel, a discharge opening for discharging said liquid filling material into said container, a liquid valve that controls discharge of said liquid filling material into said container, said liquid valve being arranged in said liquid channel and comprising a valve seat and a valve body movable to open and close said liquid valve and engaging said valve seat, an insert configured as one of a swirl body and a gas barrier, said insert being arranged, relative to a direction of flow of said liquid filling material, upstream of said valve seat of said liquid valve, wherein said insert is fixed in position in said liquid channel and remains stationary relative to said valve body during opening and closing of said liquid valve, said method comprising restricting return gas flow by way of at least one gas restrictor in a gas path of said return gas.