Filling machine and method for monitoring the state of fouling in a vacuum system of a filling machine

A filling machine for a pasty mass for the production of sausages, comprising:

• a vane cell pump for conveying said pasty mass,
• a vacuum pump for generating negative pressure in vane cells of said vane cell pump,
• where said vane cell pump is in communication with said vacuum pump via a collection container for pasty mass that is dragged along, and
• an inspection opening which is via a channel in communication with said collection container for inspecting said channel and/or said collection container, wherein said channel is in communication with an evacuation opening in said vane cell pump.

A filling machine for a pasty mass for the production of sausages, comprising:

• a vane cell pump for conveying said pasty mass,
• a vacuum pump for generating negative pressure in vane cells of said vane cell pump,
• where said vane cell pump is in communication with said vacuum pump via a collection container for pasty mass that is dragged along, and
• an inspection opening which is via a channel in communication with said collection container for inspecting said channel and/or said collection container, wherein said inspection opening is closable with a closure element, and where said closure element is an axially movable piston and/or said closure element comprises an inspection glass.

A filling machine for a pasty mass for the production of sausages, comprising:

• a vane cell pump for conveying said pasty mass,
• a vacuum pump for generating negative pressure in vane cells of said vane cell pump,
• where said vane cell pump is in communication with said vacuum pump via a collection container for pasty mass that is dragged along, and
• an inspection opening which is via a channel in communication with said collection container for inspecting said channel and/or said collection container, wherein said channel is formed at least in sections from transparent material.

A filling machine for a pasty mass for the production of sausages, comprising:

• a vane cell pump for conveying said pasty mass,
• a vacuum pump for generating negative pressure in vane cells of said vane cell pump,
• where said vane cell pump is in communication with said vacuum pump via a collection container for pasty mass that is dragged along, and
• an inspection opening which is via a channel in communication with said collection container for inspecting said channel and/or said collection container, wherein said collection container is formed at least in sections from transparent material, and wherein at least one illumination for illuminating said channel and/or said collection container is provided from the outside.

A filling machine for a pasty mass for the production of sausages, comprising:

• a vane cell pump for conveying said pasty mass,
• a vacuum pump for generating negative pressure in vane cells of said vane cell pump,
• where said vane cell pump is in communication with said vacuum pump via a collection container for pasty mass that is dragged along, and
• an inspection opening which is via a channel in communication with said collection container for inspecting said channel and/or said collection container, wherein said inspection opening is disposed in a side wall of said vane cell pump.

A filling machine for a pasty mass for the production of sausages, comprising:

• a vane cell pump for conveying said pasty mass,
• a vacuum pump for generating negative pressure in vane cells of said vane cell pump,
• where said vane cell pump is in communication with said vacuum pump via a collection container for pasty mass that is dragged along, and
• an inspection opening which is via a channel in communication with said collection container for inspecting said channel and/or said collection container, wherein a driven closure cylinder is provided which separates a vacuum connection between said vacuum pump and said vane cell pump.