Method and apparatus for filling an open container

An apparatus for filling a container which is open at the top with a pourable product, in particular with coffee powder or with milk powder, comprising

• a filling head with a filling channel which has a free end and a gas channel which has a container opening and a connection opening, wherein in a filling position gas can be removed from the container and gas can be supplied to the container via the gas channel,
• a gas-tight sleeve which is configured to receive the container in the filling position, wherein the sleeve at least in the filling position adjoins the filling head and/or the container in a sealing manner in order to provide a gap between the sleeve and a container outer wall, which gap is closed in a gas-tight manner, and wherein a gap connection opening is provided, wherein gas can be removed from the gap and gas can be supplied to the gap via the gap connection opening, and
• a control device, which is configured to fluidically connect the container and the gap to a reduced pressure source for a product discharge in such a manner that a reduced pressure up to a first pressure level can be produced in the container and the gap, and to fluidically connect the container and the gap after a product discharge to a gas source in such a manner that a gas can be supplied to the container and the gap,
• wherein
• for a degassing which follows the product discharge, the control device is further configured to fluidically connect, after the product discharge and prior to a gas supply, the container and the gap to the reduced pressure source in such a manner that a reduced pressure up to a second pressure level, which second pressure level is below the first pressure level, can be produced in the container and the gap.