Filling machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling machine and a method for filling a product, in particular a liquid food product, into a container. The filling machine is provided with a working chamber having a clean zone for filling the container while the container is conveyed through the working chamber. The clean zone is provided by introducing HEPA filtered air through a fluid inlet into the working chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling machine and a method thereof for filling products, particularly liquid foods, into containers when the containers are conveyed through a working chamber in a clean atmosphere, wherein the containers are subjected to a fluid, particularly HEPA-filtered air, for providing the clean atmosphere. Background Technology

[0002] When filling liquid food products into containers, the use of a filling machine has proven convenient, in which containers are conveyed on a conveyor from the inlet side to the outlet side of the working chamber. During container conveying, starting from the inlet side, the containers are treated with a cleaning agent or sterilized, for example, by exposure to ultraviolet light. The containers then enter the filling area within the working chamber, where the liquid food product is filled. The containers are then conveyed to the sealing area within the working chamber. The filling and sealing areas within the working chamber are typically separated by walls extending transversely to the conveying path. The containers are sealed in the sealing area, which includes a heater and a sealer. The heater supplies hot air to the top of the container, and the sealer folds and presses down on the open container to close and seal it by forming a ridge.

[0003] It is essential to maintain a clean atmosphere above the open containers in the working chamber to ensure that the filled containers are free from contamination by particles, bacteria, or viruses, which can severely compromise the quality and shelf life of the food products within. This clean atmosphere is typically achieved by supplying a fluid (such as HEPA-filtered air) to the working chamber, directed directly at the container through a fluid inlet opening above it.

[0004] The working chamber must be cleaned regularly to maintain a clean atmosphere. In particular, water, alkaline or acidic cleaning products, and hydrogen peroxide aerosol are considered suitable cleaning media for the working chamber.

[0005] In a commercially available filling machine, HEPA air is supplied to the working chamber via an inflation chamber having multiple through-holes in the top plate located within the working chamber. This arrangement can pose challenges for turbulence and backflow, resulting in inconsistent flow of HEPA air around the conveyor and the top of the container. The inflation chamber needs to be relatively large to equalize the HEPA air pressure above the multiple through-holes in order to promote uniform flow. Large inflation chambers are used in large-volume filling machines and may present challenges in cleaning the interior of the inflation chamber.

[0006] A filling machine known from US8944079 B2 includes a working chamber for filling a product into a container, the working chamber having an external line for introducing sterile fluid into the working chamber. This external line extends through the working chamber and has an opening positioned above the container to uniformly diffuse the sterile fluid over the container positioned below the external line. The external line surrounds an internal line configured to dispense a cleaning medium from a nozzle. The internal line rotates within the external line to properly clean the interior of the external line. This configuration faces the challenge of backflow of non-sterile hot air from the heater, and the mass flow of sterile air in the working chamber is not suitable for maintaining a clean atmosphere under all operating conditions.

[0007] EP3230169 B1 provides a filling machine very similar to that described in US 8944079 B2, but with improved aseptic atmosphere in the working chamber. An annular chamber between the internal and external lines is configured such that the cross-sectional area gradually decreases to almost zero. This provides a constant static pressure along the length of the annular chamber, allowing the cleaning fluid to flow uniformly along the length of the filling zone. This configuration still presents problem areas for backflow and turbulence. This is addressed by adding a fluid to manage flow resistance in the working chamber. The cleaning process requires the internal lines to rotate within the external lines during the dispensing of the cleaning medium.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a filling machine for filling products into containers in a clean area, which at least mitigates the disadvantages of the prior art described above.

[0009] More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a filling machine having a compact supply device for HEPA air, wherein the working chamber and the supply device for HEPA air are easy to clean.

[0010] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for filling containers using a filling machine. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The invention is set forth and characterized in the main claims, while the dependent claims describe other features of the invention.

[0012] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a filling machine comprising a working chamber, the working chamber including side walls, a top plate, and a bottom plate.

[0013] The container is conveyed from the inlet side to the outlet side by a conveyor through a working chamber, wherein the working chamber includes...

[0014] At least one station, located within a working chamber, is configured to perform working steps on a container, wherein the filling machine includes a plurality of fluid inlets, each fluid inlet including a convex fluid inlet surface facing the working chamber and having a plurality of through openings configured to supply fluid to the working chamber for creating a clean area around the at least one station, and wherein each fluid inlet is fluidly connected to a supply conduit for supplying fluid to the working chamber.

[0015] In one configuration of the filling machine, the fluid inlet surface is located at the top plate.

[0016] In one configuration of the filling machine, the cross-section of the supply pipe increases toward the end adjacent to the fluid inlet.

[0017] In one configuration of the filling machine, the supply conduit includes a cleaning nozzle disposed within the supply conduit for spraying a cleaning medium onto the inner surfaces of the supply conduit and the fluid inlet.

[0018] In another exemplary configuration of the filling machine, the supply pipe has a circular cross-section. Square, rectangular, triangular, and other cross-sectional shapes can also be used.

[0019] In one configuration of the filling machine, the fluid inlet surface has the shape of a spherical or ellipsoidal cap.

[0020] In one configuration of the filling machine, the radius of curvature of the fluid inlet surface away from the top plate is greater than the radius of curvature of the fluid inlet surface adjacent to the top plate.

[0021] In one configuration of the filling machine, the fluid inlet includes a first surface region having a surface curvature of a first radius r1 and a second surface region having a surface curvature of a second radius r2, wherein the first radius r1 is greater than the second radius r2.

[0022] In one configuration of the filling machine, the fluid inlet surface has a quasi-spherical surface shape, which includes a first surface region having a surface curvature of a first radius r1 and a second surface region having a surface curvature of a second radius r2.

[0023] In one configuration of the filling machine, the fluid inlet surface has a semi-ellipsoidal surface shape, which includes a first surface region with a surface curvature of a first radius r1 and a second surface region with a surface curvature of a second radius r2.

[0024] In one configuration of the filling machine, the fluid inlet surface has a through opening in at least one of a first surface region having a surface curvature of a first radius r1 and a second surface region having a surface curvature of a second radius r2.

[0025] In one configuration of the filling machine, the fluid inlet surface includes a first surface region having a surface curvature of a first radius r1 and a second surface region having a surface curvature of a second radius r2, wherein the first radius r1 is greater than the second radius r2, and wherein the fluid inlet surface is configured to supply fluid to the working chamber in a proportion for creating a clean area around at least one station, such that a greater portion of the fluid for creating a clean area around at least one station is supplied through a through opening in the first surface region having the surface curvature of the first radius r1 than through a through opening in the second surface region having the surface curvature of the second radius r2, wherein the ratio of the fluid supplied by the first surface region having the surface curvature of the first radius r1 to the fluid supplied by the second surface region having the surface curvature of the second radius r2 for creating a clean area around at least one station is between 10:9 and 10:1, 5:4 and 5:1, 10:7 and 4:1, 3:2 and 3:1, 5:3 and 3:1, and 5:3 and 2:1.

[0026] In one configuration of the filling machine, the supply pipe and fluid inlet surface include a longitudinal axis A, wherein a through opening included in a first surface region having a surface curvature of a first radius r1 can be configured to distribute fluid at a distribution angle of a maximum Y° with respect to axis A for creating a clean area around at least one station, thereby covering a larger area away from the fluid inlet surface than at the adjacent fluid inlet surface.

[0027] In one configuration, the assigned angle Y° is between 10° and 40°, between 15° and 35°, between 17° and 32°, between 20° and 30°, between 23° and 28°, or 26.5°.

[0028] In one configuration of the filling machine, a through opening in a second surface region having a surface curvature of a second radius r2 can be configured to distribute fluid at a distribution angle of a maximum X° with respect to axis A for creating a clean area around at least one station, thereby covering a larger area away from the fluid inlet surface than at the adjacent fluid inlet surface.

[0029] In one configuration, the assigned angle X° is between 40° and 89°, between 55° and 85°, between 60° and 80°, between 65° and 78°, between 70° and 77°, or 75°.

[0030] In another configuration of the filling machine, each fluid inlet is fluidly connected to a corresponding supply pipe.

[0031] In one configuration of a filling machine, the working chamber is divided into a filling area and a closed area by a transversely extending wall within the working chamber, wherein the filling area is adjacent to the inlet side and the closed area is adjacent to the outlet side.

[0032] In one exemplary configuration of the filling machine, the filling area includes at least one of a plurality of fluid inlets, and the closed area includes at least one of a plurality of fluid inlets.

[0033] In another configuration of the filling machine, the filling area includes at least two of a plurality of fluid inlets, and the closed area includes at least two of a plurality of fluid inlets.

[0034] In one configuration of the filling machine, the filling area includes a filling station for filling containers, and the enclosed area includes a heating station for heating containers and a sealing station for sealing containers.

[0035] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for filling containers using a filling machine, the method comprising the following steps:

[0036] A. Provide a filling machine, which includes:

[0037] - The working chamber, including side walls, top plate, and bottom plate.

[0038] The container is conveyed from the inlet side to the outlet side by a conveyor through a working chamber, wherein the working chamber includes...

[0039] - At least one station, located within the working chamber, at least one station configured to perform working steps on the container, and

[0040] - A fluid inlet having a fluid inlet surface including a plurality of through openings configured to supply fluid to the working chamber for creating a clean area within the working chamber, and wherein,

[0041] - The fluid inlet is connected to the supply pipe for supplying fluid to the working chamber, where...

[0042] The fluid inlet surface includes a convex surface facing the working chamber; and

[0043] B. A clean area is created in the working chamber around at least one station by supplying fluid from multiple fluid inlets to at least one station.

[0044] Each fluid inlet includes a convex fluid inlet surface facing the working chamber and having multiple through openings configured to supply fluid to the working chamber for creating a clean area around at least one station.

[0045] Each fluid inlet is connected to a supply pipe to supply fluid to the working chamber.

[0046] The filling machine may have any of the features described above according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0047] To fill the container with product, the following steps can be performed:

[0048] C. A filling machine provided according to the features described above, the filling machine further comprising:

[0049] • Filling stations, used for filling containers, and

[0050] • Heating station, used for heating containers, and

[0051] • Sealing station, used to seal the container, and

[0052] When transferring containers from the inlet side to the outlet side

[0053] D. Filling containers with food at the filling station.

[0054] E. Heating the container at the heating station, and

[0055] Seal the container at the sealing station.

[0056] To clean the filling machine, the surfaces inside the working chamber, the supply pipes, the fluid inlet, the fluid inlet surface, and the fluid inlet through opening, the following steps can be performed:

[0057] F. A filling machine according to the features described above, the filling machine further comprising:

[0058] • Cleaning nozzles, installed inside the supply pipe, are used to spray cleaning media onto the inner surfaces of the supply pipe and fluid inlet, and

[0059] Multiple cleaning nozzles are disposed within the working chamber to spray cleaning media onto the surfaces within the working chamber.

[0060] G. Operate the cleaning nozzles to clean the inner surfaces of the supply pipes and fluid inlets, and

[0061] H. Operate the cleaning nozzles located within the working chamber to clean the surfaces within the working chamber, and

[0062] I. Optionally repeat step AI. Attached Figure Description

[0063] Figure 1 A side view of a filling machine is shown, which has a working chamber with a container on a conveyor, a filling area, a closed area, and multiple fluid inlets through the top plate of the working chamber.

[0064] Figure 2 Details of the filling area, including the filling station and cleaning nozzles, are shown.

[0065] Figure 3 A side view of an enclosed area with a heating station and a sealing station is shown.

[0066] Figure 4 A separate supply pipe with a convex fluid inlet surface and multiple openings is shown.

[0067] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of an isolated supply pipe with a convex inlet surface, multiple openings, and a cleaning nozzle disposed within the supply pipe is shown.

[0068] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the isolated supply conduit is shown, in which the convex inlet surface is shown as a quasi-spherical shape.

[0069] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the isolated supply pipe is shown, in which the convex inlet surface is shown as a semi-ellipsoidal shape.

[0070] Figure 8 The longitudinal axis of the fluid inlet and the fluid inlet surface is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0071] In the following description, specific embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments and descriptions contained herein. The invention is specifically intended to include modifications of these embodiments, portions of these embodiments, and combinations of elements from different embodiments. It should be understood that in the development of any practical implementation, as in any engineering or design project, specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific objectives, such as compliance with system and / or business-related constraints. Furthermore, it should be understood that such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, but remain routine tasks of design, production, and manufacturing for those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0072] refer to Figures 1 to 3 The filling machine 100 shown includes a working chamber 110 adapted to provide a clean atmosphere. The working chamber 110 is defined by side walls 111, a top plate 112, and a bottom plate 113. The working chamber 110 has a hollow cuboid shape. The working chamber 110 includes a conveyor 115 configured to convey a container 130 from an inlet side 114a to an outlet side 114b of the working chamber 110. The working chamber 110 has a longitudinal direction from the inlet side 114a to the outlet side 114b. The container 130 is designed to contain liquid food, such as a beverage.

[0073] From the inlet side 114a to the outlet side 114b, the working chamber 110 is divided into a filling area 117 and a sealing area 118 by a wall 119. The wall 119 extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the working chamber 110.

[0074] The filling area 117 is located adjacent to the inlet side 114a, and the closed area 118 is located adjacent to the outlet side 114b.

[0075] The filling machine 100 includes a purification channel 150 located outside the working chamber 110 and connected to the inlet side 114a. Before entering the filling area 117, containers 130 are conveyed through the purification channel 150 via a conveyor 115 and purified therein. Purification includes exposing the containers 130 to UV light.

[0076] Container 130 enters working chamber 110 via conveyor 115 which is in the open state. In filling area 117, liquid food is filled into container 130 by means of filling station 140a located in the filling area.

[0077] The filling container 130, which is still in the open state, is conveyed to the closed area 118, in which the top 131 of the container is heated by means of the heating station 140b.

[0078] Then, container 130 is conveyed to sealing station 140c located in closed area 118. Sealing station 140c closes and seals container 130 by forming a mountain shape by folding container top 131. Finally, container 130 exits working chamber 110 through sidewall 111 at outlet side 114b by means of conveyor 115.

[0079] It is necessary to maintain a clean atmosphere in the working chamber 110, especially above the open container 130, in order to ensure that the filled container 130 is free from contamination by particles, bacteria, or viruses, which would severely impair the quality and shelf life of the liquid food in the filled container 130. A clean atmosphere is achieved by supplying HEPA air to the working chamber 110.

[0080] As used herein, the term HEPA air refers to air filtered through a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter is a high-efficiency particulate air filter. HEPA filters, as defined by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) standards adopted by most U.S. industries, remove at least 99.97% of aerosols with a diameter of 0.3 micrometers (μm). HEPA filters capture pollen, dirt, dust, moisture, bacteria (0.2–2.0 μm), and viruses (0.02–0.3 μm). By definition, HEPA air is designed to create a clean area when introduced into a work chamber.

[0081] The working chamber 110 includes a plurality of fluid inlets 120. Each of these fluid inlets 120 includes a convex fluid inlet surface 121 facing the working chamber 110. Each fluid inlet surface 121 is located at the top plate 112 and has a plurality of through openings 122. Each fluid inlet 120 is fluidly connected to a supply conduit 125 that supplies HEPA air to each corresponding fluid inlet 120. HEPA air is introduced into the working chamber through the through openings 122.

[0082] The through opening 122 is configured to direct a continuous, layered, and uniform flow of HEPA air at least downwards from the fluid inlet surface 121 to below the vertical level of the container top 131 as the container 130 is conveyed through the working chamber 110, thereby preventing any contaminants from entering the containers as they are conveyed through the working chamber 110.

[0083] like Figure 4 As shown, the fluid inlet surface 121 has a convex ellipsoidal shape facing the working chamber 110, wherein the radius of curvature of the fluid inlet surface 121 away from the top plate 112 is greater than the radius of curvature of the fluid inlet surface 121 adjacent to the top plate 112. The ellipsoidal shape of the fluid inlet helps to equalize the HEPA air pressure above the through opening 122. This ellipsoidal shape also provides a surface suitable for the through opening 122 to generate a layered and uniform HEPA airflow that is directly aligned with the top of the container 131 when the container is conveyed in the working chamber.

[0084] To further aid in providing a uniform and laminar flow of HEPA air within the working chamber 110, the pressure of the HEPA air above the through-opening 122 is equalized. The supply conduit 125 has a circular tube shape with a cross-section adapted to provide a slow HEPA airflow rate. The cross-section of the supply conduit 125 increases towards the end adjacent to the fluid inlet surface 121. This further slows the HEPA airflow rate and helps equalize the HEPA air pressure above the through-opening 122, which in turn provides a uniform and laminar flow of HEPA air. When the HEPA air pressures above the multiple through-openings 122 are equalized, the risk of unwanted air backflow from the working chamber 110 that could lead to contamination is reduced.

[0085] Compared to using an air chamber to equalize the pressure above the through opening 122, the configuration of the filling machine 100 with the supply conduit 125 allows for a more compact design. This is because the air chamber needs to have a much larger volume than would be required using the supply conduit 125 as described herein to slow down the HEPA airflow.

[0086] After filling and transferring multiple containers 130, the working chamber 110 and supply pipes 125 must be cleaned. Figure 5 As shown, the supply conduit 125 includes a supply conduit cleaning nozzle 123a disposed within the supply conduit 125, the supply conduit cleaning nozzle being configured to spray cleaning media onto the inner surfaces of the supply conduit 125 and the fluid inlet 120. The cleaning media 123a sprayed from the supply conduit also reaches the through opening 122. The supply conduit cleaning nozzle 123a is fluidly connected to a pipe 124 for supplying cleaning media to the supply conduit cleaning nozzle 123a.

[0087] refer to Figures 1 to 3 The working chamber 110 includes at least one working chamber cleaning nozzle 123b for cleaning the surfaces inside the working chamber 110.

[0088] Turn now Figure 6 This illustrates one embodiment where the convex fluid inlet surface 121 has a quasi-spherical surface shape. As used herein, a quasi-spherical surface is the surface obtained by the intersection of a spherical cap and a tangential torus. The quasi-spherical fluid inlet surface 121 includes a first surface region 121' having a surface curvature of a first radius r1 and a second surface region 121' having a curvature of a second radius r2. The radius r1 is greater than the radius r2.

[0089] refer to Figures 1 to 4 It shows that when installed in the filling machine 100, a quasi-spherical surface region with a curvature of radius denoted as r1 is away from the top plate 112, and a quasi-spherical surface region with a curvature radius denoted as r2 is adjacent to the top plate.

[0090] The measurements of a quasi-spherical surface are limited by the following:

[0091] r1 = the radius of the sphere.

[0092] r2 = radius of the torus.

[0093] h1 = The height from the base of the fluid inlet surface to the base of the annulus.

[0094] h2 = The height from the base of the toroid to the top of the fluid inlet surface.

[0095] h3 = h1 + h2 = the height from the base of the fluid inlet surface to the top of the fluid inlet surface.

[0096] D a = Diameter.

[0097] s = Normal thickness of the material including the fluid inlet surface.

[0098] Figure 6A preferred example of the embodiment shown is defined by measurements according to the DIN 28011 standard.

[0099] Turn now Figure 7 This illustration shows one embodiment where the convex fluid inlet surface 121 is a semi-ellipsoidal surface. The semi-ellipsoidal fluid inlet surface 121 includes a first region having a surface curvature denoted as r1 and a second surface region 121 having a surface curvature denoted as r2. The radius r1 is greater than the radius r2.

[0100] refer to Figures 1 to 4 It shows that when installed in the filling machine 100, a semi-ellipsoidal surface region with a curvature of radius denoted as r1 is away from the top plate 112, and a semi-ellipsoidal surface region with a curvature radius denoted as r2 is adjacent to the top plate.

[0101] The measured values ​​of the semi-ellipsoidal fluid inlet surface 121 are defined by the following:

[0102] r1 = radius of curvature of the first region.

[0103] r2 = radius of curvature of the second region.

[0104] h1 = The height from the base of the fluid inlet surface to the base of the annulus.

[0105] h2 = The height from the base of the toroid to the top of the fluid inlet surface.

[0106] h3 = h1 + h2 = the height from the base of the fluid inlet surface to the top of the fluid inlet surface.

[0107] D a = Diameter.

[0108] s = Normal thickness of the material including the fluid inlet surface.

[0109] Figure 7 A preferred example of the embodiment shown is defined by measurements according to the DIN 28013 standard.

[0110] For all embodiments, the through opening 122 can be configured such that the through opening 122 in the combined region of radius r1 supplies a larger portion of the fluid used to create a clean area around at least one workstation 140a, 140b, 140c to the working chamber 110 compared to the through opening 122 in the combined region of radius r2. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this difference in the supply portion of the fluid used to create a clean area around at least one workstation 140a, 140b, 140c can be achieved by distributing the through openings 122 above the fluid inlet surface 121 such that a greater number of through openings 122 are included in the region of radius r1 compared to the region of radius r2, and / or by changing the size of the through openings 122 in the region of radius r1 and in the region of radius r2.

[0111] Turn now Figure 8 The diagram shows a supply conduit 125 and a fluid inlet surface 121 including a longitudinal axis A. A through opening 122 included in a first surface region 121' having a first radius r1 can be configured to distribute fluid at a distribution angle of maximum Y° with respect to axis A for creating a clean area around at least one workstation, thereby covering a larger area away from the fluid inlet surface 121 than adjacent to it.

[0112] The distribution angle Y° can be 10° to 40°, 15° to 35°, 17° to 32°, 20° to 30°, 23° to 28° or 26.5°.

[0113] The through opening 122 included in the second surface region 121” with a second radius r2 can be configured to distribute fluid for creating a clean area around at least one workstation at a distribution angle of a maximum X° with respect to the axis A, thereby covering a larger area away from the fluid inlet surface 121 than at the adjacent fluid inlet surface 121.

[0114] The distribution angle X° can be 40° to 89°, 55° to 85°, 60° to 80°, 65° to 78°, 70° to 77° or 75°.

[0115] It should be understood that Figure 8 The features shown can be applied to all implementations described herein.

[0116] It is undesirable to supply fluid at a distribution angle of 90° or greater with respect to axis A for creating clean areas around at least one workstation 140a, 140b, 140c, as this would result in uneven fluid flow used to create clean areas from fluid inlet 120 toward base plate 113.

[0117] It should be recognized that, for clarity, certain features of the invention described above in the context of independent configurations can also be provided in combination in a single configuration. Conversely, for brevity, various features of the invention described in the context of a single configuration can also be provided individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0118] Reference List

[0119]

[0120]

Claims

1. A filling machine (100), comprising: - Working chamber (110), including side walls (111), top plate (112) and bottom plate (113). The container (130) is conveyed by a conveyor (115) from the inlet side (114a) through the working chamber (110) to the outlet side (114b), wherein the working chamber (110) includes - At least one station (140a, 140b, 140c), located within the working chamber (110), is configured to perform working steps on the container (130). The filling machine (100) is characterized in that it includes a plurality of fluid inlets (120). Each fluid inlet (120) includes a convex fluid inlet surface (121) facing the working chamber (110) and having a plurality of through openings (122) configured to supply fluid to the working chamber (110) for creating a clean area around the at least one station (140a, 140b, 140c), and wherein, Each fluid inlet (120) is fluidly connected to a supply pipe (125) for supplying the fluid to the working chamber (110). The fluid inlet surface (121) includes a first surface region (121') with a surface curvature of a first radius r1 and a second surface region (121'') with a surface curvature of a second radius r2. Wherein, the first radius r1 is greater than the second radius r2.

2. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The cross-section of the supply pipe (125) increases toward the end adjacent to the fluid inlet (120).

3. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The supply conduit (125) includes a cleaning nozzle (123a) disposed within the supply conduit (125) for spraying a cleaning medium onto the inner surfaces of the supply conduit (125) and the fluid inlet (120).

4. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The supply pipe (125) has a circular cross-section.

5. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The fluid inlet surface (121) has the shape of a spherical or ellipsoidal cap.

6. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Each fluid inlet (120) is fluidly connected to the corresponding supply pipe (125).

7. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The working chamber (110) is divided into a filling area (117) and a closed area (118) by a wall (119) extending laterally within the working chamber (110), wherein the filling area is adjacent to the inlet side (114a) and the closed area (118) is adjacent to the outlet side (114b).

8. The filling machine (100) according to claim 7, wherein, - The filling area (117) includes at least one of the plurality of fluid inlets (120), and wherein - The enclosed area (118) includes at least one of the plurality of fluid inlets (120).

9. The filling machine (100) according to claim 8, wherein, - The filling area (117) includes at least two of the plurality of fluid inlets (120), and wherein - The enclosed area (118) includes at least two of the plurality of fluid inlets (120).

10. The filling machine (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, - The filling area (117) includes o Filling station (140a), for filling containers (130), and in which - The enclosed area (118) includes o A heating station (140b) for heating the container (130); and o Sealing station (140c) for sealing the container (130).

11. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, - The supply conduit (125) and the fluid inlet surface (121) include a longitudinal axis (A), wherein - The through opening (122) in the first surface region (121') having the first radius r1 is configured to distribute fluid for creating a clean area around the at least one station (140a, 140b, 140c) at a distribution angle of maximum Y° with respect to the axis (A), thereby covering a larger area away from the fluid inlet surface (121) than adjacent to the fluid inlet surface (121), wherein Y° is between 10° and 40°, and / or, wherein - The through opening in the second surface region (121'') having the second radius r2 is configured to distribute fluid for creating a clean area around the at least one station (140a, 140b, 140c) at a distribution angle of a maximum X° with respect to the axis (A), thereby covering a larger area away from the fluid inlet surface (121) than adjacent to the fluid inlet surface (121), wherein X° is between 40° and 89°.

12. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, - The fluid inlet surface (121) is configured to supply fluid for creating a clean area around the at least one station (140a, 140b, 140c) to the working chamber (110) in a ratio such that a larger portion of the fluid for creating a clean area around the at least one station (140a, 140b, 140c) is supplied through the through opening in the first surface region (121') having a surface curvature of a first radius r1 than through the through opening in the second surface region (121'') having a surface curvature of a second radius r2, wherein the ratio of the fluid supplied by the first surface region (121') having a surface curvature of a first radius r1 to the fluid supplied by the second surface region (121'') having a surface curvature of a second radius r2 for creating a clean area around the at least one station (140a, 140b, 140c) is between 10:9 and 10:

1.

13. A method for filling containers, comprising the following steps: A. Provide a filling machine (100), said filling machine comprising: - Working chamber (110), including side walls (111), top plate (112) and bottom plate (113). The container (130) is conveyed by a conveyor (115) from the inlet side (114a) through the working chamber to the outlet side (114b), wherein the working chamber (110) includes - At least one station (140a, 140b, 140c), located within the working chamber (110), the at least one station configured to perform working steps on the container (130); and - A fluid inlet (120) having a fluid inlet surface (121) including a plurality of through openings (122) configured to supply fluid to the working chamber (110) for creating a clean area in the working chamber (110), and wherein - The fluid inlet (120) is fluidly connected to the supply pipe (125) for supplying fluid to the working chamber (110), wherein The fluid inlet surface (121) includes a convex surface facing the working chamber (110), wherein the fluid inlet surface (121) includes a first surface region (121') having a surface curvature of a first radius r1 and a second surface region (121'') having a surface curvature of a second radius r2, wherein the first radius r1 is greater than the second radius r2; and B. A clean area is created in the working chamber (110) around the at least one station by supplying fluid from multiple fluid inlets (120); Each fluid inlet (120) includes a convex fluid inlet surface (121) facing the working chamber (110) and having a plurality of through openings (122) configured to supply fluid to the working chamber (110) for creating a clean area around the at least one station (140a, 140b, 140c). Each fluid inlet (120) is fluidly connected to a supply pipe (125) for supplying fluid to the working chamber (110).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The method further includes the following steps: C. Providing a filling machine (100) according to claim 13, the filling machine further comprising: • Filling station (140a), for filling containers (130); and • Heating station (140b), for heating the container (130); and • Sealing station (140c), for sealing the container (130), and While the container (130) is being conveyed from the inlet side (114a) toward the outlet side (114b), D. At the filling station (140a), the container (130) is filled with food. E. Heating the container (130) at the heating station (140b), and F. Seal the container (130) at the sealing station (140c).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The method further includes the following steps: G. Providing a filling machine (100) according to claim 14, the filling machine further comprising: A cleaning nozzle (123a) disposed within the supply conduit (125) is used to spray cleaning media onto the inner surfaces of the supply conduit (125) and the fluid inlet (120), and • A plurality of cleaning nozzles (123b) disposed within the working chamber (110) are used to spray cleaning media onto the surfaces within the working chamber (110). H. Operate the cleaning nozzle (123a) to clean the inner surfaces of the supply pipe (125) and the fluid inlet (120), and I. Operate the cleaning nozzle (123b) disposed in the working chamber (110) to clean the surface inside the working chamber (110).

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, Repeat steps A through I.

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