Rinsing apparatus for cleaning filling elements of a filling machine

Rinsing apparatus for microbiological cleaning of liquid-conducting zones of filling elements of a filling machine rinsed with both steam and fluid medium, wherein said filling elements are provided with sealing means in the region of outlets thereof, said apparatus in combination comprising a plurality of rinsing elements each defining an interior rinsing element chamber for receiving a fluid medium and each movable into an operative position for sealing co-operation with said sealing means of a respective one of said filling elements to permit transfer of said fluid medium from said filling element outlet into said rinsing element chamber without any pressure medium;

• retaining means for retaining each said rinsing element in said operative position relative to said respective filling element;
• means in each said rinsing element to define at least one outlet duct communicable with the lowermost region of said rinsing element chamber for discharge of said fluid medium from said rinsing element;
• and controllable valve means arranged in each said rinsing element respectively and operable to control effecting and shutting-off communication of each said outlet duct respectively with said rinsing element chamber.