Machine blocks and methods for filling liquid products into bottles

Abstract

A machine block (1) and method for filling liquid products, particularly beverages, into bottles (12) are described. Thus, at least first and second filling machines (2, 5) with a circular design having star-shaped inlets (3, 6) and star-shaped outlets (4, 7) are present. Filling can be performed with minimal space requirements and relative machine power by the fact that empty bottles are alternately removed from at least a segmented linear transport route and fed into the first and second filling machines (2, 5) through the star-shaped inlets (3, 6), and that filled bottles are returned to the transport route in the transport gaps created between the bottles upon removal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a machine block and method for filling liquid products into bottles. Background Technology

[0002] Machine blocks, such as those incorporating blow molding, labeling, filling, and sealing machines, are known for their suitability for filling liquid products (e.g., beverages) into bottles in a space-saving manner at relatively high machine capacities (containers per unit time). Typically, the filling machine integrated into such machine blocks has proven to be a limiting factor in maximizing machine performance. Since the filling process cannot be arbitrarily shortened, filling machines with a relatively large number of circulating filling stations are required to maximize performance. Alternatively, the stream of bottles to be filled can be split into parallel sub-streams, which are then fed into separate filling machines and recombined. However, this requires considerably complex technical measures.

[0003] Furthermore, it has been shown that frequent changes in bottle orientation during transfer and / or transport in star dispensers can be harmful, especially before the bottle is sealed, as the liquid filled in the bottle will subsequently slosh around, thus hindering the addition of inert gas to the headspace above the liquid.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a machine block and method for filling liquid products into bottles, which can eliminate or at least mitigate one of the aforementioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem is solved by the machine block described in the following technical solution and the method described in the following technical solution.

[0006] Therefore, the machine block is used to fill liquid products, especially beverages, into bottles, and for this purpose, it includes at least a first and a second filling machine with a circulation design, each having a star-shaped inlet and a star-shaped outlet.

[0007] According to the invention, the machine block includes a transport route for bottles, extending linearly along a star-shaped inlet and a star-shaped outlet, wherein the inlet star shape is used to alternately receive bottles from the transport route in the conveying direction and to convey the bottles to their respective assigned filling machines. The star-shaped outlet is designed to return bottles filled at the assigned filling machine to the transport route in the transport gap created during the receiving process at the assigned star-shaped inlet.

[0008] In the case of bottles being received alternately from the transport route in the transport direction, it can be understood that with two existing filling machines, every two incoming bottles are received; with three existing filling machines, every three incoming bottles are received, and so on. In each case, a transport gap is created in the bottle flow, which is then occupied again at the star-shaped flow outlet of the same filling machine by a bottle being filled there.

[0009] This makes the bottle flow within the transport route area entirely monorail, and allows for the sequential arrangement of filling machines relative to the transport routes assigned to them.

[0010] Therefore, it is unnecessary to split the bottle stream into parallel sub-streams before filling and then recombine them after filling. Instead, the bottles temporarily leave the transport route to be filled in one of the filling machines and bypass another, or, where appropriate, all other filling machines arranged along the transport route.

[0011] This allows the filling machines in the machine block to be arranged relatively compactly in the transport direction of the transport route. Furthermore, bottles can only be distributed onto the filling machines through the star-shaped flow inlet and outlet, eliminating the need for additional star-shaped distributors, etc. Therefore, the overall cost of equipment used to guide the bottle flow can be minimized.

[0012] Furthermore, the linear transport section allows the bottle to remain unaffected by changes in orientation during the output-side transport section, so that the liquid filled in the bottle can be calmed before subsequent exposure to inert gas and / or before sealing, thereby preventing excessive shaking of the liquid in the bottle.

[0013] A linear transport route along the star-shaped inlet and star-shaped outlet means that the transport route is linear at least before and after the reception and return of the bottles at the star-shaped inlet and star-shaped outlet, i.e., within their respective transfer point areas.

[0014] That is, at the respective transfer points between the transport route and the star-shaped inlet and outlet, the basic curved motion trajectory of the bottle at the star-shaped inlet and outlet merges with the straight motion trajectory of the bottle on the transport route.

[0015] Preferably, the axes of rotation of all star-shaped inlets and outlets are arranged in a straight line parallel to the transport route. This makes the machine block particularly advantageous in terms of design, where the transport route runs continuously and linearly along all star-shaped inlets and outlets, and the star-shaped inlets and outlets have a uniform design and corresponding sub-circles that can be inserted in the straight arrangement. This allows for minimizing the cost of equipment used for the drive, as well as the control elements and retainers for the bottles present at the star-shaped inlets and outlets.

[0016] Preferably, the star-shaped inlet and outlet include controllable, retractable, and / or pivotable bottle clamps between the inner and outer sub-circles. Therefore, the transport partitions of the star-shaped inlet and outlet can be readily adapted to both the transport partitions of the filling machine and the transport partitions necessary to receive every two (or, where applicable, every three) bottles and return them to the transport route.

[0017] Preferably, the bottle clamps are movably arranged on the star-shaped inlet and star-shaped outlet in such a way that the corresponding transport zones between bottles are twice the size of the inner sub-circle on the outer sub-circle, and / or the transport zones of the bottles are twice the size of the transport routes on the outer sub-circle.

[0018] This simplifies the process of receiving empty bottles at every other transport position along the transport route at the star-shaped flow inlet, conveying bottles at the filling machine, and returning filled bottles to the resulting transport gap at the star-shaped flow outlet.

[0019] Then, for transfer, the bottles are preferably operated at the dispensing and filling machine on the inner sub-circle and at a common transfer point of the transport route on the outer sub-circle.

[0020] Then, the star-shaped inlet and outlet are synchronized with the transport route, such that every other transport position on the transport route coincides with the star-shaped inlet and outlet of the corresponding filling machine. For example, all odd-numbered transport positions on the transport route coincide with the transport positions of the star-shaped inlet and outlet of the first filling machine, and all even-numbered transport positions on the transport route coincide with all transport positions of the star-shaped inlet and outlet of the second filling machine.

[0021] This minimizes the amount of relative motion required between the transmission elements at the star-shaped inlet and outlet, as well as along the transport path, thereby also minimizing the cost of synchronizing and controlling the bottle clamps.

[0022] Preferably, the transport route includes a circulating transport device and a neck clamp for the neck region of the bottle and a body clamp for the body region of the bottle, respectively fixed thereon. The neck clamp and body clamp can then be configured as passive bottle clamps. The circulating transport device is preferably configured as a roller guide chain with links, each link carrying one body clamp and one neck clamp.

[0023] Preferably, the machine block also includes a sealing machine with a circular design, which is linked to the filling machine and connected to the last upstream star-shaped flow outlet via a linear transport section of the transport route, in such a way that the transport route is aligned with the sub-circle of the star-shaped flow outlet (7) and the sub-circle of the sealing machine.

[0024] This allows for a continuous linear connection between the last upstream star-shaped flow outlet and the sealing machine, thus reducing and / or essentially stopping the sloshing of previously filled liquid. Consequently, the headspace above the filled liquid can be handled more easily and reliably by adding inert gas.

[0025] Preferably, the machine block includes an inert gas dropper positioned between the sealing machine and the star-shaped outlet located upstream of the linear conveyor section. Inert gas handling using a dropper is particularly effective because it calms the filling liquid by reducing lateral movement of the bottle.

[0026] Preferably, the transport device of the transport route runs around the sealing machine. In other words, the transport route within the sealing machine area then runs along a sub-circle of the sealing machine used for the bottle. In particular, the transport device transports the bottle while sealing.

[0027] This makes it particularly easy and space-saving to integrate transport routes into machine blocks.

[0028] The method of the present invention is used for filling liquid products, particularly beverages, into bottles. In this method, empty bottles are alternately received from a transport route at a first linear transport section from a first star-shaped inlet and at a second linear transport section along the transport direction from a second star-shaped inlet, and are respectively conveyed to a filling machine linked to the transport section. Bottles filled at the first and second filling machines are returned to the transport section via star-shaped outlets, and are placed in the corresponding transport gaps between bottles created at the respective star-shaped inlets. Thus, the advantages described in relation to the apparatus of the present invention can be achieved.

[0029] Preferably, the bottles are transported continuously in a single line between the first and second filling machines as a mixed stream of empty and filled bottles. This avoids the complex separation and recombination of bottle streams used in parallel filling machines.

[0030] Preferably, the bottle clamps formed at the star-shaped inlet and outlet are controlled to move back and forth between an inner sub-circle for transferring bottles at the filling machine and an outer sub-circle for receiving empty bottles from the transport route or returning filled bottles to the transport route. This allows the transport zones of the star-shaped inlet and outlet to be adapted relatively easily to their respective filling machines and transport routes.

[0031] Preferably, the bottle clamps for receiving and returning bottles on the transport route are moved outward in a controlled manner such that the transport partition between the bottle clamps at the star-shaped inlet and star-shaped outlet is twice the size of the transport partition of the transport route. This makes it easy to synchronize the consecutive transport positions of the star-shaped inlet and star-shaped outlet with every other transport position of the transport route.

[0032] Preferably, the bottles are kept off the ground in the transport route area, particularly in the neck and body regions. This allows for stable and orthogonal alignment of the bottles for their respective receiving or return. The bottles can be secured to the transport route using passive clamps.

[0033] Preferably, the bottle is transported in a completely linear manner between the star-shaped outlet and the downstream sealing machine. This helps reduce sloshing of the filled liquid, for example, with respect to inert gas entering the bottle above the filled liquid. Preferably, the bottle is filled with inert gas.

[0034] Ideally, at least 80,000 bottles should be transported per hour along the shipping route. This method can then be particularly advantageous, for example, for the efficient filling of non-carbonated beverages such as non-carbonated water. The method can also be used for CSD beverages. It is also conceivable that two filling machines could be used to fill different products. Thus, the machine block could produce two grades simultaneously, but the output of each grade would be reduced.

[0035] Alternatively, the interconnected machines can be arranged not in the order of "blow molding machine, labeling machine, filling machine", but in the order of "blow molding machine, filling machine, labeling machine". Attached Figure Description

[0036] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. It is shown that:

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic top view of the machine block is shown;

[0038] Figure 2 A schematic top view of the transfer area between the transport route and the star-shaped flow inlet is shown; and

[0039] Figure 3 A transport chain with neck clamps and torso clamps running along a transport route is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown in the schematic top view, in a preferred embodiment, machine block 1 includes a first filling machine 2 having a first star-shaped inlet 3 and a first star-shaped outlet 4, and a second filling machine 5 having a second star-shaped inlet 6 and a second star-shaped outlet 7. Associated with this is a transport route 8 having a first linear transport section 8a located in the region of the first star-shaped inlet 3 and the first star-shaped outlet 4, a second linear transport section 8b located in the region of the second star-shaped inlet 6 and the second star-shaped outlet 7, and a third linear transport section 8c located in the region between the second star-shaped outlet 7 and a sealing machine 9 located downstream of the filling machines 2 and 5.

[0041] The first and second filling machines 2 and 5 are arranged sequentially along their common transport route 8 relative to the transport direction 10 of the transport route 8, and are thus transported sequentially in this respect.

[0042] Preferably, the transport route 8 from the area of ​​the first star-shaped inlet 3 to the sealing machine 9 is continuous and linear.

[0043] However, in principle, changes in the transport direction 10 within the area of ​​transport route 8 between the first and second transport sections 8a, 8b and / or between the second and third transport sections 8b, 8c are also conceivable. For example, machine block 1 is possible, wherein the transport route 8 between the first and second transport sections 8a, 8b has a 90° arc (not shown).

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the rotation axes 3a, 6a, 4a, and 7a of the star-shaped inlets 3 and 6 and the star-shaped outlets 4 and 7 are preferably arranged along a straight line parallel to the transport route 8.

[0045] In the linearly operating third transport section 8c, an inert gas dropper 11, particularly an N2 dropper, is preferably provided. The linear route of the third transport section 8c helps to suppress the filling from the filling machines 2 and 5 into the bottle 12 (see...). Figure 2 Undesirable sloshing of the liquid in the liquid (not shown).

[0046] This effect is facilitated by the transport direction 10 of bottle 12 in the third transport section 8c being tangentially connected to the movement trajectory of bottle 12 at the second star-shaped outlet 7 and the sealing machine 9. Therefore, lateral movement of bottle 12 between the second star-shaped outlet 7 and the sealing machine 9 can be avoided. Thus, the filled liquid can be calmed in bottle 12 in a desired manner before reaching the inert gas dropper 11.

[0047] Figure 1 Schematic illustration shows that bottles 12 at star-shaped inlets 3, 6 and star-shaped outlets 4, 7 run along the inner sub-circle 13 on their respective filling machines 2, 5 and along a motion trajectory 14 offset outward relative to the inner sub-circle 13 on the transport route 8.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, for simplicity, only the first star-shaped inlet 3 (and in principle represent the second star-shaped inlet 6 and the star-shaped outlets 4, 7) indicates that the bottle 12 can move outward (not shown) from the inner sub-circle 13, in particular relative to the rotation axes 3a, 4a, 6a, 7a, onto the motion trajectory 14, and then backward (shown), which is known in principle from so-called sliding learning and therefore not explained in detail.

[0049] Bottle 12 is secured to star-shaped inlets 3 and 6 and star-shaped outlets 4 and 7 by preferred active gripping bottle clamps 15. These can be positioned and manipulated in a known manner via curve control. Controlled pivoting motion of bottle clamp 15 is also conceivable, such as causing bottle 12 to move along a trajectory 14 offset relative to sub-circle 13, or a combination of sliding and pivoting of bottle clamp 15.

[0050] By shifting the bottle 12 outward, the first transport section 16 on the inner sub-circle 13 within the respective areas of the filling machines 2 and 5 gradually expands along the circulation direction (arrow) to the second transport section 17 within the area of ​​the transfer point 18 for the bottle 12 shared with the transport section 8, so as to decrease accordingly again in the subsequent circulation direction.

[0051] The second transport zone 17 can be associated with the outer sub-circle 19 of the star-shaped flow inlets 3, 6 and star-shaped flow outlets 4, 7 passing through their respective transfer points 18, which is in Figure 2 The diagram illustrates this. In other words, the trajectory 14 runs in segments on and between the inner sub-circle and the outer sub-circles 13 and 19.

[0052] This is used to receive only every other empty bottle 12 of the bottle clamp 15 with a first or second star-shaped inlet 3, 6 running along the transfer point 18, and to insert the bottle 12 filled at the relevant filling machine 2, 5 into the transport gap 20 created in this way on the transport route 8 through the relevant star-shaped outlet 4, 7.

[0053] The transport gap 20 exists only between the star-shaped inlets 3 and 6 and the star-shaped outlets 4 and 7 of the corresponding filling machines 2 and 5.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, bottles 12, as equidistant bottle flows, run directly in front of the star-shaped flow inlets 3 and 6, occupying their transport positions completely, and move in a straight line to their respective transfer points 18. For clarity, bottles 12 at odd-numbered transport positions in the bottle flow are represented by white-filled circles, while bottles 12 at even-numbered transport positions are represented by black-filled circles.

[0055] In the absence of transport gap 20, the bottle flow on transport route 8 has a third transport zone 21 that is preferably the same as the first transport zone 16.

[0056] For example, they are guided along the trajectory 14 by mechanically controlled movements (as shown) intersecting the circumferential direction (arrow) and / or by pivoting the bottle clamp 15 in the circumferential direction or opposite to the circumferential direction (not shown). This is only... Figure 2 The area containing the empty bottle 12 is shown in the diagram, and for clarity in principle, the second transport section 17 is scaled down to the first transport section 16 in a non-proportional manner.

[0057] When empty bottles 12 are conveyed 22 to the corresponding star-shaped inlets 3, 6, a transport gap 20 is created between every second bottle 12. In the example shown, the transport gap 20 is created between bottles 12 with an even number of transport positions without being affected on the transport route 8 from the first star-shaped inlet 3.

[0058] The transport route 8 and the filling machines 2 and 5, which have star-shaped flow inlets 3 and 6 and star-shaped flow outlets 4 and 7, are synchronized with each other so that the bottles 12 filled there return from their respective star-shaped flow outlets 4 and 7 to the transport route 8 and enter the transport gap 20 that was immediately generated before them.

[0059] The filled bottles 12 returning from the star-shaped flow outlets 4 and 7 to transport route 8 are, in principle, transported in the same manner as the empty bottles 12 conveyed at the first star-shaped flow inlet 3, except for the reverse transport partition change. That is, the filled bottles 12 first run along the inner sub-circle 13 with the first transport partition 16, then along the motion trajectory 14, until returning to 23 with the second transport partition 17. For simplicity, Figure 2 The return value 23 is represented only by a block arrow.

[0060] Empty bottle 12 is conveyed 22 to the second star-shaped inlet 6, and then bottles 12 filled on the second filling machine 5 are returned 23 to the transport route 8 in the transport gap 20 immediately following the previously created one, in the same manner as described for the first star-shaped inlet 3 and the first star-shaped outlet 4. The only difference is that only Figure 2 The containers 12 with even-numbered transport positions, indicated by black in the middle, are conveyed to the second filling machine 5 and filled therein, while the bottles 12 that have already been filled on the first filling machine 2 pass through undisturbed, and a temporary transport gap 20 is created between them.

[0061] The second transport zone 17 of the star-shaped flow inlets 3, 6 and star-shaped flow outlets 4, 7 is preferably twice the size of the third transport zone 21 of transport route 8, and preferably also twice the size of the first transport zone 16 of the filling machine 2, 5 area. This simplifies the synchronization of the drives involved in the transfer 22 and return 23 between every other transport position on transport route 8 and the directly consecutive transport positions of star-shaped flow inlets 3, 4 and star-shaped flow outlets 6, 7.

[0062] For example, the first and / or third transport zones 16, 21 are 80 to 120 mm, and then the second transport zone 17 corresponds to 160 to 240 mm.

[0063] In principle, it is also conceivable to arrange another filling machine with a star-shaped inlet and a star-shaped outlet along transport route 8, and then fill only three bottles 12 from transport route 8 sequentially into one of the existing filling machines (not shown). However, generally, the distribution of bottles 12 on the two filling machines 2, 5 as described allows for particularly practical mutual adjustment of the individual machine power in machine block 1.

[0064] Figure 3 The design of transport route 8 is shown, which takes the form of a continuously circulating transport device 24, to which a neck clamp 25 and a torso clamp 26 are attached for particularly passively gripping the bottle 12.

[0065] The transport device 24, neck clamp 25 and torso clamp 26 are preferably designed for off-ground transport of the bottle 12.

[0066] The continuous transport device 24 can be configured, for example, as a roller-guided transport chain. Accordingly, upper and lower guide rollers 27 and 28, which run along fixed upper and lower guide rails 29 and 30, can be arranged on the transport chain. Figure 3 Only a small segment of transport route 8 is represented.

[0067] Figure 1 It is further shown that machine block 1 may include other known processing and / or inspection units. Thus, machine block 1 includes, for example, a blow molding machine 31, a labeling machine 32 located between the blow molding machine and the filling machines 2, 5, an inspection unit 33 for inspecting filled and sealed bottles 12, a discharge belt 34 for properly filled and sealed bottles 12, and a discharge belt 35 for detecting defective bottles 12.

[0068] However, it is also conceivable that, after the blow molding machine 31 (before labeling), as described, the bottles 12 are distributed to the two filling machines 2 and 5, and the labels are applied only after sealing, i.e., the labeling machine 32 is arranged after the sealing machine 9.

[0069] exist Figure 1 The continuous transport device 24, which is also schematically shown in the diagram, preferably operates around the sealing machine 9 and can be driven, for example, by the sealing machine 9.

[0070] Then, the linear transport route 8 can be formed as the filling-side return section 24a of the transport device 24. The inspection unit 33, the discharge belt 34, and the unloading belt 35 can be arranged within the area of ​​the return-side return section 24b of the transport device 24.

[0071] For example, the unloading belt 35 can run directly below the return side return section 24b and extend back to the area of ​​the inspection unit 33; the discharge belt 34 can branch off from it at the unloading intersection 36.

[0072] This allows the drive technology in machine group 1 to have an overall compact layout and a relatively simple design and synchronization.

[0073] In the operation of machine block 1, empty bottles 12 are produced as an equidistant bottle flow in blow molding machine 31, and then supplied to labeling machine 32 through (unspecified) star transfer port, star flow inlet and star flow outlet, where they are labeled. Bottles 12 are then conveyed to transport route 8, where, as an equidistant bottle flow with a third transport zone, they are sequentially transported first to the area of ​​first filling machine 2, and then to the area of ​​second filling machine 5.

[0074] In the first filling machine 2, only bottles 12 with an odd number of transport positions are filled, while in the second filling machine 5, only bottles 12 with an even number of transport positions are filled, and vice versa.

[0075] Therefore, temporary transport gaps 20 are created at every transport position in the bottle flow, and are again occupied by bottles 12 being filled in the same area of ​​the filling machines 2 and 5. That is, the transport gap 20 formed at the first star-shaped flow inlet 3 is occupied by the bottle 12 being filled at the first star-shaped flow outlet 4, and the transport gap 20 formed at the second star-shaped flow inlet 6 is occupied by the bottle 12 being filled at the second star-shaped flow outlet 7.

[0076] Downstream of the second star-shaped outlet 7, preferably in the continuous linear transport direction 10, and preferably with the head space of the bottle 12 being treated simultaneously with inert gas on the inert gas dropper 11, the bottle flows sequentially and at equal intervals into the area of ​​the sealing machine 9.

[0077] On the sealing machine 9, the filled bottles 12 are sealed by a sealing cap (not shown) provided by the pick-up wheel 9a of the sealing machine 9, and then inspected within the return section 24b area of ​​the transport device 24 in the inspection unit 33. For this purpose, the bottles can be conveyed to the preceding unloading belt 35, or, where appropriate, to the discharge belt 34, and respectively transported thereon by the inspection unit 33. Bottles 12 correctly identified therein are guided to the discharge belt 34, while incorrectly identified bottles 12 are held on the unloading belt 35. There, defective bottles 12 can be removed in a known manner for disposal or, if necessary, correction.

[0078] By continuously conveying empty bottles 12 to the first and second filling machines 2, 5 in the transport direction 10, and immediately returning the filled bottles 12 to the resulting transport gap 20 in the area of ​​the linear transport sections 8a, 8b of the transport route 8, a relatively high machine performance of more than 80,000 bottles per hour can be achieved with a relatively compact machine block design and relatively simple drive technology.

[0079] On the one hand, the filling machines 2 and 5 and their corresponding star-shaped inlets 3 and 6 and star-shaped outlets 4 and 7 can be formed in the same manner in principle, which makes the design of the machine block 1 within the area of ​​the filling machines 2 and 5 and the transport route 8 easier. Furthermore, the drive of the transport route 8 or its continuous circulation transport device 24 can be relatively easily coupled and / or synchronized with the drive of the filling machines 9 and / or the star-shaped inlets 3 and 6 and / or the star-shaped outlets 4 and 7.

[0080] Bottle 12 is preferably a plastic bottle manufactured in blow molding machine 31, particularly a plastic bottle made of PET. Bottle 12 can be filled with liquid products in filling machines 2 and 5 before and after labeling. In principle, different filling products can be processed. Filling non-carbonated water in bottle 12 is particularly suitable for a capacity range of at least 80,000 containers per hour.

[0081] This method can also be used for CSD beverages. It's conceivable that two filling machines, 2 and 5, would fill different products. Therefore, two grades could be produced simultaneously using machine block 1, but the output of each grade would be reduced accordingly.

Claims

1. A machine block (1) for filling liquid products into bottles (12), comprising at least one first filling machine of a recirculating design and at least one second filling machine of a recirculating design, the first filling machine and the second filling machine each having a star-shaped inlet and a star-shaped outlet, characterized in that... A transport route (8) for the bottle, extending linearly along the star-shaped inlet and the star-shaped outlet, wherein the star-shaped inlets (3, 6) form for alternately receiving (22) the bottle from the transport route in the transport direction (10), and the star-shaped outlets (4, 7) form for returning (23) the bottle filled at the relevant first or second filling machine to the transport route during transport gaps (20) generated during the relevant reception at the star-shaped inlet.

2. The machine block according to claim 1, wherein, The rotation axes (3a, 4a, 6a, 7a) of all star-shaped inlets (3, 6) and star-shaped outlets (4, 7) are arranged in a straight line parallel to the transport route (8).

3. The machine block according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The star-shaped inlet and outlet (3, 4, 6, 7) include sub-circles, each sub-circle comprising an inner sub-circle (13) and an outer sub-circle (19), wherein the star-shaped inlet and outlet (3, 4, 6, 7) include a controllable, retractable, and / or pivotable bottle clamp (15) between the inner sub-circle (13) and the outer sub-circle (19), wherein the inner sub-circle (13) is used to pass the bottle (12) at the first or second filling machine accordingly, and the outer sub-circle (19) is used to receive an empty bottle (12) from the transport route or to return a filled bottle (12) to the transport route.

4. The machine block according to claim 3, wherein, The bottle clamps (15) are movably arranged such that the corresponding transport zones (16, 17) between the bottles (12) are twice the size on the outer subcircle (19) as on the inner subcircle (13).

5. The machine block according to claim 3, wherein, The bottle clamps (15) are movably arranged such that the corresponding transport zones (17) between the bottles (12) are twice the size on the outer subcircle (19) and on the transport route (8).

6. The machine block according to claim 4, wherein, The bottle clamps (15) are movably arranged such that the corresponding transport zones (17) between the bottles (12) are twice the size on the outer subcircle (19) and on the transport route (8).

7. The machine block according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The transport route (8) includes a circular transport device (24) that operates continuously along the star-shaped inlet (3, 6) and the star-shaped outlet (4, 7).

8. The machine block according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The transport route (8) includes a transport device (24) in which a neck clamp (25) for the neck region of the bottle (12) and a torso clamp (26) for the torso region of the bottle (12) operate around the transport device (24).

9. The machine block according to claim 1 or 2 further comprises a sealing machine (9) linked to the filling machine, the sealing machine (9) being connected to the last upstream star outlet (7) via a linear transport section (8c) of the transport route (8) in such a way that the transport route (8) is tangentially connected to the subcircle of the star outlet (7) and the subcircle of the sealing machine (9), and has an inert gas dropper (11) arranged in the linear transport section (8c).

10. The machine block according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The liquid product is a beverage.

11. A method for filling a liquid product into a bottle (12), wherein, Empty bottles are received alternately from the transport route (8) at the first linear transport section (8a) from the first star-shaped inlet (3) and at the second linear transport section (8b) along the transport direction (10) from the second star-shaped inlet (6), and are respectively conveyed to the first filling machine and the second filling machine linked to the transport section. Bottles filled at the first filling machine and the second filling machine are returned to the transport section by means of the star-shaped outlets (4, 7), and the bottles filled at the first filling machine and the second filling machine are placed in the relevant transport gaps (20) between the bottles generated at the relevant star-shaped inlets (3, 6).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The bottle (12) is continuously transported in a single line between the first filling machine and the second filling machine as a mixed bottle stream with empty bottles and filled bottles on the transport route (8).

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, Bottle clamps (15) formed on the star-shaped inlet and the star-shaped outlet (3, 4, 6, 7) are controlled to move the bottle (12) back and forth between the inner sub-circle (13) in the respective first and second filling machine areas and the outer sub-circle (19) for receiving (22) / returning (23) on the transport route (8).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The bottle clamp (15) for receiving (22) / returning (23) moves in a controlled manner along a motion trajectory (14) offset outward relative to the inner subcircle (13) on the transport route (8), such that the transport partition (17) between the bottle clamps there is twice the transport partition (21) of the transport route (8).

15. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The bottle (12) remains off the ground in the area of ​​the transport route (8).

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The bottle (12) is kept off the ground in the area of ​​the transport route (8), wherein the neck area and the body area of ​​the bottle are kept off the ground.

17. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The bottle (12) is continuously and linearly transported between the second star-shaped outlet (7) and the downstream sealing machine (9), and is filled with inert gas in the head space of the bottle.

18. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, At least 80,000 bottles (12) are transported per hour on the transport route (8).

19. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The liquid product is a beverage.

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