Plant for filling beverage into beverage bottles and other beverage containers having apparatus for replacing remaining air volume in filled beverage bottles or other beverage containers

[0002] The invention relates to a foaming apparatus in accordance with the introductory portion of patent claim 1.

[0003] During filling of liquid filling material that can develop a foam (particularly carbon dioxide containing beverages) and, particularly preferred, during filling of beer, it is known to displace the remaining air volume that is present after a corresponding container has been filled, with displacing being done with such a development of foam of the liquid filling material, prior to closing, so as to avoid impairment of the taste and the stability of the filled liquid filling material by the influx of air or, respectively, oxygen.

[0004] For foam development of the liquid filling material or, respectively, for displacing the remaining air volume in containers that are filled with the filling material, but not yet closed, such containers are conveyed, on a conveyor with connects the filling machine and a container closing apparatus, beneath a nozzle apparatus that has at least one nozzle. A predetermined volume of the foam developing medium, preferably in the form of a liquid is respectively introduced from this nozzle apparatus into the corresponding containers, such that the liquid filling material filled into the container is induced to develop foam and that by way of the foam—increasingly arising from the filling material—there is removed, by way of displacement, the remaining quantity of air from the container. For an optimal foam development it is desired in the art to achieve that the foam of the filling material or, respectively, the crown of foam provided thereby, is then reaching the upper mouth of the container or, respectively, reaches slightly beyond this container upper mouth, but without foam overflowing, or substantial over-foaming, when the corresponding container reaches the closing position of the container closing apparatus. The closing position is thereby that position of the container at which is secured a closure element or, respectively, the corresponding container is sealed.

[0005] A too strong or particularly strong foam development or, respectively, foam overflowing from the container, which causes losses of filling material and contamination of the container closing apparatus, is to be avoided; as is a too little foam development—which leads to an insufficient displacement of the remaining air volume from the corresponding container. The extent of foam development or, respectively, the foam development at the closing position, is a function, inter alia, of that period of time which is available for the foam development, that is, between the introduction of the medium to develop foam into a container and the closing. This also means that the extent of foam development is a function of the velocity of the conveyor and, accordingly, a function of the plant's capacity (processed bottles per unit time).

[0006] Since the extent of foam development is also a function of the type of the corresponding filling material, that is, of the foam development capability of the liquid filling material, in connection of a liquid foam development machine it has already been proposed (DE—OS 16 32 034) to adjust that pressure that is produced by a pneumatic pressure booster, that is, a piston pump arrangement actuated by compressed air, of the liquid foam developing material, in conformity with the corresponding filling material and, more particularly, by adjustment of the pressure of the compressed air which is used to power the pressure booster.

[0007] It is the object of the invention to achieve a further improvement at those foam developing apparatus with which improvement there will be avoided an additional intake of oxygen during the injection process.

[0008] The invention teaches that this object can be accomplished by a foam developing apparatus configured with the characterizing feature of patent claim 1.

[0009] In the foam developing apparatus in accordance with the invention a further reduction of the oxygen uptake is achieved by a partial or sufficient protective gas space at the level above the mouths of the bottles passing by, whereby the foam developing medium, comprised mostly of water, is injected through the protective gas space into the bottle.

[0010] In this manner there are avoided the otherwise unavoidable inclusions of surrounding air during the injection process.

[0011] Further features of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] The invention is further explained in the following with reference to the drawings of one embodiment. There is shown in:

[0013] FIG. 1: in schematic illustration and in plan view a bottle filling machine, bottle closing arrangement, a foam development apparatus provided with one nozzle at a conveyor disposed between the filling machine and the bottle closing arrangement, as well as functional elements of the foam developing apparatus;

[0014] FIG. 2: a cross-section along line I—I of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 3: an illustration of the nozzle; and

[0016] FIG. 4: a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0017] In the Figures, 1 illustrates a bottle filling machine of customary configuration which serves to fill the bottles 2, particularly with beer. At the bottle outlet of the filling machine 1, there is contemplated a transport or transfer star wheel conveyor 3 which is synchronized with the filling machine 1, and which conveyor rotates around a vertical axis; the star wheel conveyor 3 passes the filled bottles 2 in sequential manner on a conveyor portion 4 that is formed by a partial circle or reference circle to a bottle closing arrangement or apparatus 5.

[0018] In addition, the transfer star wheel conveyor 3, the bottle closing arrangement 5, and the output star wheel conveyor, not shown, are operated in customary manner synchronously with the filling machine 1.

[0019] A holding arm 6 is provided above the transfer star wheel conveyor 3; one end of this holding arm 6 is held to be manually adjustable in controlled manner at a holding:pin 7 by swinging about a vertical axis. The holding pin 7, in turn, is provided at a carrier 9, which carrier 9 is secured at a positively fixed machine part 8, for example, at a control ring of the bottle filling machine 1, in such a way that the axis of the holding pin 7 is disposed axis-parallel in reference to the central axis of the transfer star wheel conveyor 3 or, respectively, axis-parallel in reference to the axis of a drive shaft 10 which drives this transfer star wheel conveyor 3. A clamping device 11 serves to hold arm 6 in secured manner upon this having been swung or, respectively, upon adjustment thereof, at the holding pin 7. At the other end—which is remote from the holding pin 7—of the arm 6 there is secured an injection nozzle 12 which injection nozzle 12 projects, particularly with its end that is configured with a nozzle opening, beyond the lower side of the holding arm 6 and which nozzle 12 with nozzle opening is arranged above the conveyor extent provided by the transfer star wheel conveyor 3, and which injection nozzle 12 extends perpendicularly onto the path of movement of the mouths of the bottles 2. The injection nozzle 12 is connected, via a solenoid valve 13, with a fluid conduit 14 for the introduction of a pressured liquid foam developing medium. In the illustrated embodiment, this foam developing medium is water. However, other fluids can be used to serve as foam developing medium, for example, the liquid filling material.

[0020] The other end of the fluid conduit 14—which end is remote from the solenoid valve 13—which fluid conduit 14, for the purpose of swinging the holding arm 6, is flexible at least over a portion of its extent and/or for this swinging movement is provided with a rotary clutch device—is connected with the output portion of a heater device 15 which is connected, via a fluid conduit 16, to the output portion of a control valve 17, this valve 17 being configured as a proportional pressure valve. The input portion of the control valve 17 is connected, via a fluid conduit 19 having a shut-off valve 18, with the output portion of a pump 21 for the liquid foam developing medium, which pump 21 is powered by an electric motor 20. At the output portion of pump 21 there is also connected a pressure accumulator 22 such that always a sufficient amount of foam developing medium with a sufficient pressure, produced by pump 21, is being provided. The input portion of pump 21 is connected to a fluid conduit 23 which is connectable, via a pressure control valve 24, to a dirt trap or, respectively, via a filter 25 and via a shut-off valve 26, to a local source of water. Between the output portion and the input portion of pump 21 there is further provided a safety valve 27 which—when a predetermined pressure is exceeded, for example, when exceeding a pressure of 20 bar—is brought to the open condition, such that the pressure in the fluid conduit 19 and in the pressure accumulator 22 can not exceed this maximum pressure. By way of a fluid conduit 29 with a choke device 28 which conduit 29 branches with its one end from fluid conduit 16 and with its other end joins the fluid conduit 23, between the pressure control valve 24 and the input portion of pump 21, the output portion of the control valve 17 is connected with the input of pump 21, that is, with that portion of the system conveying the foam developing medium which exhibits the low pressure provided by the pressure control valve 24 and substantially maintained at a constant pressure level.

[0021] The solenoid valve 13 and the control valve 17 are respectively connected at an output portion of an electric or, respectively, electronic control apparatus 30 and, more particularly, via electric conduits 37 or, respectively, electric conduit 38. By means of an electric conduit 31, the control apparatus receives a pulse/timing signal which corresponds to the machine's timing or operational timing of the filling machine 1 which, for example, is derived from the common drive arrangement of the filling machine 1, of the transfer star wheel conveyor 3 and the bottle closing arrangement 5 or, respectively, is derived from an impulse generator or clock generator which is controlled by this drive arrangement.

[0022] By way of electric conduits 32 and 33 two further outputs of the control apparatus 30 are respectively connected with a measuring/sensing station 34 and 35 each of which is disposed at the path of travel of the mouths of the moving bottles 2 and in this is specifically determined the degree of foam development in the corresponding passing bottle 2. For example, the measuring/sensing stations 34 and 35 operate with high frequency determination/measuring, or they are configured as light gates, or light barriers, or camera systems. Other measuring methods, for example, ultrasound measuring methods, can be used at the measuring/sensing stations 34 and 35.

[0023] As is illustrated in FIG. 1, the measuring/sensing station 34 is arranged in the region of the conveyor extent or portion 4 that is provided by the transfer star wheel conveyor 3 and, more particularly, just prior to the transition portion to the bottle closing arrangement 5. The measuring station 35 is positioned at the path of movement of the bottles 2 in the bottle closing apparatus 5 immediately ahead of that portion of this bottle closing apparatus 5 at which the closures are placed onto the bottles 2, or where the bottles are closed.

[0024] The heater device 15 serves to heat the liquid foam developing medium that is passed to the injection nozzle 12 and this is done in such a manner that the medium upon exit from the injection mouth 12 has a rather constant temperature, corresponding to a predetermined value (for example, 90 degrees Celsius to 95 degrees Celsius). Furthermore, in the interior portion of the heater device 15 there is contemplated an air or gas cushion which allows a certain volume adjustment.

[0025] The embodiment is based upon the fact that the holding arm 6 and, accordingly, the injection nozzle 12 are disposed in a position (injection position) at the conveyor extent or portion which, in the main, is provided by the transfer star wheel conveyor 3.

[0026] An optimum foam development is then thereby ensured that by way of the impacting of the liquid foam development medium there is achieved an over-foam development, but only of the magnitude just required for the complete displacement of the remaining air volume from a corresponding bottle 2. The foam development of the liquid filling material in the bottles 2 is controlled, for example, such that prior to positioning of the closure on a bottle 2 or, respectively a small amount of the filling material foam exits from the bottle, in which (the amount) the portion of liquid filling material is of an order of magnitude of between about 0.3 to 1.0 milliliters. An optimal foam development is, however, in any case ensured when after the first liquid foam, which still contains relatively large, air-containing bubbles, in the region of the mouth of the corresponding bottle a liquid foam has formed, with fine, substantially only carbon dioxide-containing bubbles.

[0027] The adjusted position of the holding arm 6 or, respectively, the injection nozzle 12 with respect to the conveyor extent 4 provided by the transfer star wheel conveyor 3, is manually entered into the control apparatus 30 at an input device 36 or, respectively, this position of the holding arm 6 or, respectively, of the injection nozzle 12, is automatically transmitted to the control apparatus 30 by a measuring/sensing transmitter (for example, an angle transmitter) as measured signal.

[0028] When the machine is in the operative condition, the solenoid valve 13 is opened by the control apparatus 30. Thus, there will be injected into any bottle 2 moving beneath the injection nozzle 12, or, respectively, the nozzle opening thereof, for inducement of foam development, a jet of the liquid foam developing medium. The pressure that is utilized for this injection procedure of the foam developing medium and which determines the intensity and primarily the rapidity of the foam development process, is controlled by the control apparatus 30, via the control valve 17, embodied by a proportional pressure valve, and this is done as a function of the actual-duty-comparison, that is, comparison of the actual value with a predetermined set value. This control process is carried out, for example, under utilization of either the measuring/sensing station 34, or the measuring/sensing station 35.

[0029] In both cases, by way of the control apparatus 30 and the control valve 17, as a function of the machine's output in accordance with predetermined characterizing values, initially an adjustment of the basic or base pressure for the foam development medium is contemplated, which (basic or base pressure), for example, based on empirical data, allows expectation of an optimal foam development of the liquid filling material. This basic pressure, being a function of the machine's output as well as other parameters, such as, for example, temperature of the liquid filling material, type of the liquid filling material, shape of bottle being filled, filling level of the liquid filling material in the corresponding bottle, etc., is stored in a memory or storage of the control apparatus 30, for example, in tables or steady state characterizing lines/curves, such that on the basis of the actual machine output there can be provided, by the control apparatus 30 and the control valve 17, the corresponding basic pressure.

[0030] The actual machine output as well as other parameters can, for example, be entered manually by way of the input device 36; it is preferred, however, to input the machine operating rate, as well as other parameters which can be obtained with simple sensors (for example, the temperature of the liquid filling material), in automated manner.

[0031] Similarly, also the position of the injection nozzle 12 at the conveyor extent 4 provided by the transfer star wheel conveyor 3, that is, the angular position of the holding arm 6 is gathered here, for example, as a parameter.

[0032] In addition to this adjustment of the base pressure, the control apparatus 30 also controls/operates the comparison of the actual value with the pre-set, or duty, value and, more particularly, under utilization of the measuring/sensing station 34 with which is determined, in the event of the moving bottles 2—moving there along—the distance between the upper edge of the foam crown evolving on foam development and the upper edge of the corresponding mouth of a bottle. This actual value is compared in the control apparatus 30 with a preset value, that is, with a distance of length which, in turn, under consideration of the machine output and, as required, further parameters, such as type of liquid filling material, temperature of the filling material, type of bottles 2, and so forth, ensures an optimum foam development within that period of time which remains until the closure is placed on a corresponding bottle 2, or which a corresponding bottle 2 requires for the transport from the measuring/sensing station 34 to the closing area of the bottle closing apparatus 5. The corresponding preset values are also stored as a function of the machine output and, as applicable, as a function of further parameters in the memory or storage of the control apparatus 30.

[0033] In the event that the distance that is determined by the measuring/sensing station 34 between the upper edge of the crown of foam and the upper edge of the mouth of a bottle 2 is smaller than the preset value, then this event means there was at hand a overly intensive or, respectively, overly rapid foam development. By way of the control apparatus 30 and the control valve 17, the pressure of the foam developing medium is reduced.

[0034] Conversely, if the corresponding distance between the upper edge of the crown of foam and the upper edge of the mouth of the bottle, as determined by the measuring/sensing station 34, is greater than the preset value, there was at hand a foam development of less intensity than the required intensity. The control apparatus effects, accordingly, by corresponding control of the control valve 17, an increase of the pressure of the foam developing medium.

[0035] The measuring/sensing station 35 captures the condition that is present just prior to closing of the bottles 2. This actual condition or, respectively, actual value, is compared to a preset value which corresponds to a preset condition in which—by means of the foam development of the liquid filling material at the outer surface of the corresponding bottle 2—a spot of filling material foam of a certain size and/or position has formed, that is, an excessive foaming is at hand having a certain extent. To capture such a spot, the measuring/sensing station 35 is preferably embodied by a camera (video camera), whereby the comparison of the actual value with the preset value, or duty value, for example, is done through comparison of the image delivered by this camera with a preset image. In this image comparison there are evaluated, for example, transitions between bright and dark with the brighter spot comprising filling liquid foam and the other, darker, area comprising the outer surface of the corresponding bottle.

[0036] In the event that there is at hand a situation in which the A predetermined set point value is exceeded, there is then carried out, via the control apparatus 30 and the control valve 17, a reduction of the pressure of the foam developing medium. In the converse situation, the pressure will be raised.

[0037] For the control only one of the two measuring/sensing stations 34 or 35 is required. Basically, it is, of course, also possible to utilize both measuring/sensing stations in simultaneous manner.

[0038] Independently of this, it is also within the spirit of the invention to carry out control or adjustment in such a manner that the change of pressure that is carried out in the event of a certain difference between the actual value and the preset value (on the outset from a certain base pressure), is carried out at least as a function of the machine output and in such a way that in the event of a predetermined difference between the actual value and the preset value this pressure change is increasing with an increase of machine output.

[0039] The fluid conduit 29 with throttle/choke device 28, as well as through the gas cushion in the heater device 15 there is ensured that in the event of the control also larger pressure changes can be carried out—practically without delay.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 the protective gas mantle or shroud is formed above the bottle 2, commencing from the injection nozzle 12 and in spatial manner and preferably by jet nozzles which surround the injection nozzle 12, and the stream or cloud is guided in the direction of the mouths 12′ of the bottles. For this there may be provided pipe-like guide bodies 39 which can establish a delimited or defined protective gas space. 40 and with which the volume of the outflowing protective gas can be controlled. By way of this protective gas space 40 the foam developing medium 41 is guided—without uptake of deleterious surrounding air. Furthermore, no surrounding air is injected into the mouth of the bottle.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a variant of the introduction of the protective gas. In this embodiment, there is provided a tubular chamber 42 which is furnished with a protective gas delivery conduit 43, most suitably at the upper end of the chamber. The protective gas flows through a plurality of lateral bores 44 into the protective gas space 40 and can be rerouted in collected manner at the lower end by means of the conduit 45, whereby the protective gas delivery conduit can be adjusted or controlled in such a way that a sufficient amount is passed to the mouth 12′ of a bottle and protects this mouth during the injection process against surrounding air.

[0042] The invention teaches-that this object can be accomplished thereby that the foaming medium is guided through a protection gas space into the bottle opening, with the protection gas space being configured in part in the ambient air.

[0043] The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention will be described further hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying figures. When the word “invention” is used in this specification, the word “invention” includes “inventions”, that is, the plural of “invention”. By stating “invention”, the Applicant does not in any way admit that the present application does not include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintains that this application may include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that the disclosure of this application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other.

[0044] One feature of the invention resides broadly in the foaming apparatus for displacing the remaining air volume in a container, particularly bottles (2), filled with filling material using foaming, with the apparatus comprising a nozzle arrangement which comprises at least one injection nozzle (12) disposed above a transport conveyor (14) and which apparatus is provided for the displacement of the remaining air volume and is configured to impact the bottle with a jet of a gaseous or liquid foaming medium, characterized thereby that the foaming medium is guided through a protection gas space (40) into the bottle opening, with the protection gas space being configured in part in the ambient air.

[0045] Another feature of the invention resides broadly in the foaming apparatus characterized thereby that the protection gas space (40) is formed by a jet of inert gas directed onto the bottle.

[0046] Yet another feature of the invention resides broadly in the foaming apparatus characterized thereby that the injection nozzle (12) is surrounded by jet nozzles for the coherent introduction of an inert gas against the bottles (2).

[0047] Still another feature of the invention resides broadly in the foaming apparatus characterized thereby that the foaming medium is capable to be passed through a downwardly directed guide body (39) for the inert gas.

[0048] A further feature of the invention resides broadly in the foaming apparatus characterized thereby that the protection gas can be blown in within a predetermined space (40) and is guided so as to be at least in part being capable of being removed by suction.

[0049] Another feature of the invention resides broadly in the foaming apparatus characterized thereby that the protection gas space (40) is configured as a chamber (42) from which the introduced protection gas can be carried away, at least in part, in collected manner.

[0050] The features disclosed in the various publications, disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, as well as, equivalents thereof.

[0051] The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention, are accurate and to scale and are hereby included by reference into this specification.

[0052] All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of the embodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.

[0053] All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0054] The corresponding foreign and international patent publication applications, namely, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 100 11 653, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, having inventor Siegmar SINDERMANN, and DE-OS 100 11 653 and DEPS 100 11 653, as well as their published equivalents, and other equivalents or corresponding applications, if any, in corresponding cases in the Federal Republic of Germany and elsewhere, and the references cited in any of the documents cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0055] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/792129 filed on Feb. 22, 2001, having inventors Ludwig CLÜASSERATH and Manfred HÄTEL and Attorney Docket No. NHL-HOL-50, and claiming priority from Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 100 08 426, filed on Feb. 23, 2000, as well as their published equivalents, and other equivalents or corresponding applications, if any, in corresponding cases in the Federal Republic of Germany and elsewhere, and the references cited in any of the documents cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set tortn in their entirety herein.

[0056] The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

[0057] Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

[0058] While my invention has other applicability, my present invention has most applicability in machinery of KHS Maschinenund Anlagenbau Aktiengesellschaft of Dortmund, Federal Republic of Germany, and such machinery may be viewed on the company's website under www.khs-ag.de, particularly under www.khs-ag.de/en/05products/lmachines.

[0059] The website shows aspects of cleaning technology (INNOCLEAN), namely, single-end bottle washers of which there are three versions of the INNOCLEAN single-end bottle washer. The machines offered range from the lowest capacity (INNOCLEAN EC) with an output of 10,000 bottles per hour, the mid-capacity of 10,000 to 30,000 bottles per hour (INNOCLEAN EK), to machines with capacities for 150,000 bottles per hour (INNOCLEAN EE+INNOCLEAN EM, also available as multiple bath versions). All models have been designed for washing returnable and non-returnable glass and PET bottles. Double-end bottle washers: the INNOCLEAN DM double-end, multiple-bath bottle washer is designed for the mid to high capacity range of up to 150,000 bottles per hour. This machine fulfills the highest possible bottle requirements by consistently separating the impurities from the clean bottle discharge. Very long treatment periods can be achieved by combining a series of various types of caustic baths. The INNOCLEAN DM is available in various overall heights. The INNOCLEAN DMT product line machines are double-end bottle washers with modified automation. Crate washers: the INNOCLEAN KW is a fully automatic washing system for plastic crates. Made entirely of stainless steel, single or two-vat versions are available of these single and double-track machines. Capacities range from 500 to 10,000 crates per hour. Crates are washed by two optional types of high-pressure spraying: 1. hot water and follow-up spraying, 2. caustic spraying, hot water and follow-up spraying. Washing and filling technology for kegs—INNOKEG: comprising keg washers and fillers—whether the INNOKEG RF-SU for the lower capacity range-or the linear INNOKEG RF-MP and RF-DP (single and double-conveyor versions) for the mid and upper capacity range, the tried and tested INNOKEG RF product line is the center of attention of the KHS keg systems for the beverage industry. Keg interior cleaning, sterilization, and keg filling is performed fully automatically. Ideal for filling carbonated and noncarbonated beverages such as beer, soft drinks, mineral water, wine and fruit juices. Rotary fillers: the INNOKEG KR is continuous operation (rotary-type) keg treatment machine-filler. It is suitable for filling kegs and containers equipped with central fitting systems and ideal for filling carbonated and non-carbonated beverages such as beer, juice, mineral water, wine and fruit juices. The INNOKEG KR is available in four capacity ranges: up to 600 kegs per hour, filler with 16 filling elements; up to 800 kegs per hour, filler with 20 filling elements; up to 1,000 kegs per hour, filler with 24 filling elements. More than 1,000 kegs per hour, filler with 32 filling elements. Pretreatment and checking: the INNOKEG product line offers several machine models for pre-treatment and checking of kegs: 1. the INNOKEG AR keg exterior washer, a completely covered tunnel machine for treatment of keg exteriors (capacity 60 to 1,200 kegs per hour); 2. the multiple head INNOKEG MK used for checking the condition of kegs such as cap stripper and check re-tightener, residual pressure check as well as optical distortion checking 70-1,100 kegs per hour capacity (depending on the equipment). Keg handling machines: KHS has a number of keg handling machines in its INNOKEG program: from protective cap cappers and decappers (INNOKEG PM-BK/PM-EK) to the keg program turner (INNOKEG PM-PW) for repositioning horizontally palletized kegs so that fittings point inward or outward. This product line is rounded off by the double-cross keg turner (INNOKEG PM-DW), the keg constant turner (INNOKEG PM-SW) which turns all kegs 180 degrees after filling, and the keg control turner (INNOKEG PM-KW).

[0060] Inspection technology (INNOCHECK): empty bottle inspectors: the INNOCHECK LF product line from KHS offers a wide variety of state-of-the-art devices and machines for inspecting returnable glass or PET packaging. Capacities range from 36,000 to 72,000 bottles per hour. High-tech camera technology and tried and tested sensory testing systems, among others, are implemented for the following methods of inspection: bottle height checking, sealing surface, IR residual liquids check, inner side walls, camera base. Foreign substance inspectors: the INNOCHECK FS is a highly dependable foreign substance inspector for inspecting PET multi-use bottles against contamination with taste and health affecting materials. The inspector has a low error return rate and a strong recognition rate and is resistant to parameter changes such as temperature fluctuation, air humidity and unclean air. The INNOCHECK FS operates with a velocity of 50,000 bottles per hour. The filling level checking system: the INNOCHECK FT 50 filling level checking system is available for checking the filling level of bottles and cans. Password-protected recording 20 different types of containers is part of the standard equipment as well as production statistics, counter readings for overfilling or underfilling, and diagnostic functions. The INNOCHECK FT 50 is easy to operate and features dependable filling level detection and a standardized link to reject systems. Crate checking: the INNOCHECK program offers various solutions for checking and detecting defective cartons, containers in cartons, shrink-wrap packaging, and plastic or metal closures. The simple and clearly arranged method of operation guarantees trouble-free machine performance for a multitude of applications.

[0061] Filling technology (INNOFILL) comprising: overpressure fillers—KHS offers several overpressure fillers: (INNOFILL EM, ER, EV, DR) equipped with mechanical and computer-controlled filling valves for filling carbonated beverages, particularly soft drinks and mineral water, in glass and plastic containers. A special feature of the INNOFILL EV is the volumetric recording of the filling volume using electromagnetic inductive flowmetering (MID). Capacities range from 5,000 to 80,000 bottles per hour, depending on the type of machine and the container to be filled. Normal pressure fillers: the KHS product program includes the INNOFILL NR double-chamher normal pressure bottle fillers. Equipped with computer-controlled filling valves, this filler is ideal for filling beverages in glass and plastic containers. The INNOFILL NR is capable of filling 6,000 to 70,000 0.7-liter bottles per hour. Can fillers: the INNOFILL product line for can filling is particularly suitable for filling beer, soft drinks, mixed beverages (carbonated and non-carbonated) as well as pulp and non-pulp juices (also hot filling). The complex filler program guarantees high performance standards and offers a host of engineering highlights, for instance, pressure-less filling of non-carbonated products. Or the extremely fast central filling level correction which can also be optionally used automatically during production operation. Particularly worthy of note are the filling temperatures; the approximate temperature for beer is 16 degrees Celsius, 20 degrees Celsius for soft drinks, and 85 degrees Celsius for juices. Rinsers: the KHS INNOFILL program includes two rinsers for single or double rinsing or blowing out of glass and plastic containers of various sizes and shapes. The EMZ/ZM rinser is a universal mechanical rinser with a capacity range from 10,000 to 75,000 bottles per hour. The universal computer-controlled triple-chamber DR rinser has the same capacity range. KHS offers the fully automatic DW can rinser designed for rinsing empty cans, which, depending on the configuration, is capable of outputs from 18,000 to 160,000 cans per hour.

[0062] Pasteurizing technology (INNOPAS): KHS pasteurizers are ideal for heating glass, plastic, and metal containers. Beverages and foods such as beer, vegetable juice, fruit juices, fruit juice drinks, and other products are thus biologically preserved. These machines operate fully automatically using the continuous flow processes to gradually heat, pasteurize, and recool the product to be pasteurized during the treatment period. Depending on the equipment installed, the pasteurizers are capable of outputs ranging from 10,000 to 200,000 containers per hour. Heaters: the INNOPAS W, equipped with a continuously running conveyor belt, is a fully automatic machine for warming up cold-filled beverages or food products. The heater's conveyor belt can be made of plastic for can and plastic bottle processing or stainless steel for glass bottle processing. Capacities range from 5,000 to 120,000 container per hour. Re-coolers: the INNOPAS K, equipped with a continuously running conveyor belt, is a fully automatic machine for re-cooling hot-filled beverages or food products. Depending on their size, the re-coolers are designed as compact or segment-type machines. You may choose between plastic and stainless steel chain belts as a conveyor medium. Capacities range from 5,000 to 50,000 containers per hour.

[0063] Labelling technology (INNOKET): cold glue labeler—the INNOKET KL labeler is designed for cold glue processing of body, neck, back, neck ring, diagonal ribbon, and safety seal labels as well as aluminum foil. The product line is comprised of five different basic models which fulfill a host of customer capacity and equipment requirements through application-specific modular design (capacity range: 20,000 to 66,000 container per hour). The INNOKET KL can be optionally equipped with MIS, the Machine Information System. Hot-melt labelers: the INNOKET HL product line was developed especially for wrap-around labelling of glass and PET bottles, and cans. High-performance labelers for hot-melt processing. The gluing width is easily adapted to the various container material properties. Adhesives are gently treated by the “three-phase heat-up” (capacity range up to 45,000 per hour). Roll-fed labelers: the INNOKET RF is a highper-formance labeler designed for processing paper or foil labels even as partial or wrap-around labels. The INNOKET RF offers dependable processing at capacities ranging up to 48,000 cans, glass or plastic bottles per hour, regardless if polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene or paper labels are used.

[0064] Packing technology (INNOPACK): robots: KHS builds folding arm or one column robots for the application in the packing and palletizing area. Four axes folding arm robots are used particularly, where low performance and high flexibility are in demand by changing position pictures or applications. Three-axes column robots are ideal by their high-dynamic servo-drives, if short cycle times, high pay load and high throughput rates are required. Cyclic packer: Two models of the fully automatic INNOPACK cyclic packer product line are available: CT and GT. Both are ideal for packing or unpacking bottles, jars, cans, multi packs in plastic crates, carton, or trays. The cyclic packer's extremely efficient operation achieves high packing performance while requiring a minimum amount of space (INNOPACK CT: 500 to 1,900 packagings per hour, INNOPACK GT: 1,000 to 7,000 module crates per hour). Two INNOPACK CT models are available: the short stroke machine (packing movement) for plastic crate processing and the long stroke version (Packing movement) for folding box processing. Multipacker: the fully automatic operation of the INNOPACK GTM multipacker is used for combined packing of bulk containers in plastic crates and cartons or for placing multipacks in plastic crates, cartons, and trays. An outstanding feature of this machine is its horizontally moveable gripper traverse. Packing heads can be equipped as required with a gripping hook system, a vacuum gripping system, or a packing bell system, as well as a horizontally operating swiveling system. Rotary packer: the INNOPACK CR rotary packer is a continuously operating packing and unpacking machine designed for packing plastic crates or cartons (2,400 to 8,100 module crates per hour). It is capable of handling a multitude of tasks and its complex equipment makes it usable in all capacity ranges throughout the beverage industry. Two basic models of the rotary packer are available: size 1 for single and double-track crate conveyors, size 2 exclusively for double-track crate conveyors. Bottle aligner: KHS has developed a single and double-track, fully automatic INNOPACK FA series bottle alignment machine for integration in the packaging conveyor system for proper product presentation. The machine capacity is maximum 96,000 bottles per hour for a 6-second work cycle.

[0065] Palletizing technology (INNOPAL): palletizers: the INNOPAL palletizer concept is state-of-the-art and stands for high dependability, economy, and flexibility. Its modular design and versatility defined for customer advantadge provide the ideal solution for each type of application. The INNOPAL PM and PL product lines offer machines and systems which can be equipped with a wide variety of loading heads. Nominal capacities range from 120 to 600 layers per hour depending on the model (single or double-column). Depalletizers: INNOPAL depalletizers are designed for the mid and upper capacity range. These machines depalletize by pushing jars, cans, glass or plastic bottles (also Petaloid-base bottles), even of various heights and diameters, layer by layer from pallets of the same size. Two models are available depending on the capacity and system configuration: the single-column, high-level packaging discharge INNOPAL AM with a capacity of 240 to 400 layers per hour and the double-column, low-level packaging discharge version of the INNOPAL AL with a capacity of up to 200 layers per hour. Crate stacker: the fully automatic plastic crate stackers of the INNOPAL KM product line are used as block buffer magazines if filling lines require buffer capacities exceeding 1,000 crates. They can be designed for a capacity of up to 10,000 crates. Pallet stackers: the fully automatic pallet stackers of the INNOPAL product line, stack or unstack pallets, kegs, crates, and with boxes to or from two or three-layers of pallets. Even various size pallets can be processed. Capacities range from 80 to 150 pallets per hour, depending on the model. Vertical pallet conveyors: the vertical pallet conveyors of the INNOPAL FM and FL product lines are fully automatic conveyor lines which link conveyor segments between floors or different levels. They are available in two models: INNOPAL FM. Single-column vertical conveyor ideal for conveying heights of up to 12 meters and loads of up to 1,000 kg. INNOPAL FL. Double-column, portal, vertical conveyor equipped with two lifting chains. The conveying height of the INNOPAL FL is up to 20 meters and the maximum load is 2,500 kg (two-space version).

[0066] Attendant equipment and systems such as plant information system (INNOLINE): the INNOLINE program includes conveyors designed for glass and PET bottles, and round, oval or rectangular shaped cans. In their capacity as linking elements between the processing stations, the container conveyors have a considerable effect on the function and efficiency of the overall system. For this reason, all models have-the following distinguishing features; highly economical through the use of mechanical and ectrical system of building blocks, optimum selection of materials, stable and sturdy design, easy to service through excellent accessibility, easy to clean, product-oriented conveyor regulation and controls, and low-pressure and low-noise conveying through SOFTSTEP MODULE. Pallet conveyors: KHS offers a conveyor system comprised of standard elements capable of performing all the horizontal and vertical level movements necessary for in-feeding and discharging pallets. The building block type design permits coupling of all units in order to simply and clearly perform the most varied of conveying tasks. The INNOLINE program includes horizontal pallet conveyors (equipped with roller or chain conveyors), and vertically conveying pallet magazines, as well as pallet checking systems. Crate magazines: the INNOLINE KMZ is an empty crate row magazine. Available are single or double-track versions. The storage capacity depends on the length and the number of rows. The single-track version has a capacity for 280 to 570 module crates and the double-track version 560 to 1140 module crates. The fully automatic operation of the crate row magazines solve the problem of adequate buffer space between craters and decraters. In order to be able to optimize plant productivity, one should know exactly where the weak points are. This is the purpose and the job of the INNOLINE Plant Information System (AIS). The AIS system, installed on a PC, handles the task of evaluating all production and disruption data collected, making it thus possible for plant operators to monitor the current status of the filling line at any time. All AIS information can also be integrated in other internal company DP systems.

[0067] All of the above website information is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.

[0068] Examples of bottling systems, which may possibly be used in embodiments of the present invention may be found in the following U.S. Patents, which are hereby incorporated by reference, as if set forth in their entirety herein include: U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,138 issued to Stock, et al. on Sep. 24, 1996 and entitled “Process and apparatus for cleaning container handling machines such as beverage can filling machines”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,500 issued to Clüsserath et al. on Jun. 3, 1997 and entitled “Method for bottling a liquid in bottles or similar containers”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,403 issued to Clusserath et al. on Feb. 3, 1998 and entitle “Method and system for filling containers with a liquid filling product, and filling machine and labelling device for use with this method or system”. All of the above U.S. patent documents in this paragraph are assigned to KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau Aktiengesellschaft of Dortmund, Federal Republic of Germany.

[0069] Examples of container labelling and/or filling machines and components thereof and/or accessories therefor may be found in the following documents, which are hereby incorporated by reference, as if set forth in their entirety herein include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,285 issued to Rogall, et al. on Mar. 27, 1990 and entitled “Drive for a rotary plate in a labelling machine for bottles”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,830 issued to Zodrow et al. on Jul. 31, 1990 and entitled “Machine for labelling bottles”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,350 issued to Zodrow et al on Aug. 21, 1990 and entitled “Machine for labelling bottles or the like”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,803 issued to Tomashauser et al. on Dec. 11, 1990 and entitled “Apparatus for pressing foil on containers, such as on the tops and the necks of bottles or the like”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,547 issued to Zodrow et al. on Jan. 1, 1991 and entitled “Mounting and drive coupling for the extracting element support of a labelling station for a labelling machine for containers and similar objects”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,518 issued to Zodrow on Apr. 2, 1991 and entitled “Labelling machine for objects such as bottles or the like”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,261 issued to Zodrow et al. on May 21, 1991 and entitled “Labelling machine for objects such as bottles or the like”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,917 issued to Zodrow et al. on Nov. 5, 1991 and entitled “Support element for the followers of a cam drive of a drive mechanism and a labelling station equipped with a support element”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,918 issued to Zodrow on Nov. 5, 1991 and entitled “Glue segments which can be attachable to a drive shaft of a labelling machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,123 issued to Schwinghammer on Dec. 24, 1991 and entitled “Process and apparatus for removing alcohol from beverages”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,826 issued to Rogall on Jan. 7, 1992 and entitled “Labelling machine for the labelling of containers”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,317 issued to Rogall on Feb. 11, 1992 and entitled “Labelling machines for the labelling of containers”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,402 issued Zodrow et al. on May 5, 1992 and entitled “Labelling machine for labelling containers such as bottles having a labelling box for a stack of labels in a labelling station”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,984 issued to Tomashauser et al on Jul. 14, 1992 and entitled “Machine for wrapping foil about the tops and necks of bottles”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,755 issued Zodrow et al. on Dec. 1, 1992 and entitled “Adhesive scraper which can be adjusted in relation to an adhesive roller in a labelling machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,851 issued Zodrow et al. on Dec. 29, 1992 and entitled “Labelling machine for labelling containers, such as bottles”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,053 issued to Tomashauser et al. on Feb. 9, 1993 and entitled “Brushing Station for a labelling machine for labelling bottles and the like”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,538 issued Buchholz et al. on Jun. 8, 1993 and entitled “Apparatus and related method for the removal of labels and foil tags adhering to containers, in particular, to bottles”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,005 issued to Zodrow et al. on Jul. 13, 1993 and entitled “Labelling station for labelling objects, such as bottles”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,153 issued to Zwilling et al. on May 9, 1995 and entitled “Container filling machine for filling open-top containers, and a filler valve therefor”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,353 issued to Zodrow on Oct. 29, 1996 and entitled “Labelling machine and apparatus for the automatic loading of the main magazine of a labelling machine, and a supply magazine which can be used in such an apparatus”. All of the above U.S. patent documents in this paragraph are assigned to KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau Aktiengesellschaft of Dortmund, Federal Republic of Germany.

[0070] Some additional examples of container filling systems, valves or methods and their components which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,726 issued to Clusserath on Jan. 3, 1995 and entitled “Arrangement for filling bottles or similar containers”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,833 issued to Clusserath on Apr. 4, 1995 and entitled “Apparatus for filling bottles or similar containers”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,402 issued to Pringle on Jun. 20, 1995 and entitled “Bottling system with mass filling and capping arrays”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,194 issued to Clüsserath on Aug. 29, 1995 and entitled “Filling element for filling machines for dispensing a liquid filling material into containers”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,882 issued to Gragun on Sep. 19, 1995 and entitled “Beverage dispensing apparatus and process”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0071] Some further examples of container filling systems, valves or methods and their components which may possibly be incorporated into the present invention are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,084 issued to Diehl et al. on Mar. 2, 1993 and entitled “Filling element for filling machines for dispensing liquid”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,331 issued to Zimmern et al. on Mar. 23, 1993 and entitled “Method of using a thermal expansion valve device, evaporator and flow control means assembly and refrigerating machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,274 issued to LaWarre, Sr. on May 11, 1993 and entitled “Filling valve apparatus having shortened vent tube”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,680 issued to Koshiishi et al. an Jun. 8, 1993 and entitled “Liquid filling method for a high-temperature and high-pressure vessel and apparatus therefor”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,996 issued to Werner et al. and entitled “Apparatus for filling liquid into containers”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0072] Some yet further additional examples of container filling systems, apparatus or methods and their components which may possibly be incorporated into the present invention are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,066 issued to LaRocco et al. on Jun. 1, 1976 and entitled “Beverage preparation apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,721 issued to Noguchi on Aug. 1, 1978 and entitled “Method and apparatus for bottling beer”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,043 issued to Noguchi on Nov. 7, 1978 and entitled “Method and apparatus for bottling”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,699 issued to Petzsch et al. on Jan. 23, 1979 and entitled “Control valve for gaseous and liquid media”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,065 issued to Borstelmann on Mar. 27, 1979 and entitled “Method and machine for charging liquid into containers”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,171,714 issued to Knabe et al. on Oct. 23, 1979 and entitled “Filling machine for charging containers with a liquid”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,272 issued to Hagan et al. on Oct. 22, 1985 and entitled “Apparatus for filling containers with prescribed quantity of product by weight”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,239 issued to Wieland et al. on Jul. 8, 1986 and entitled “Method of preparing nonalcoholic beverages starting with a deaerated low sugar concentration base”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,632 issued to Lawarre, Sr. et al. on Oct. 22, 1991 and entitled “Filling valve apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,078 issued to Hantmann on Jun. 7, 1994 and entitled “Process for bottling beverages”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,771 issued to Gysi et al. and entitled “Process and apparatus for testing bottles for contamination”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,545 issued to Levey et al. on Apr. 25, 1995 and entitled “Apparatus and method for cleaning containers”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,166 issued to Kronseder on Oct. 17, 1995 and entitled “Cleansing system for a container treating machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,695 issued to Levey et al. and entitled “Modular apparatus and method for cleaning containers”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,932 issued to Peronek et al. on Nov. 25, 1997 and entitled “Quick change method and apparatus for filling and capping machines”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,528 issued to Peronek et al. and entitled “Container guide for filling and capping machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,633 issued to Sweeny on Jul. 14, 1998 and entitled “Quick change ledge support assembly for filling and capping machines”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,985 issued to Petri et al. on May 9, 2000 and entitled “Bottling machine with set-up table and a set-up table for a bottling machine and a set-up table for a bottle handling machine”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if bet forth in their entirety herein.

[0073] Some additional examples of methods and apparatuses for closing bottles and containers and their components which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,485 issued to Osifchin on Mar. 21, 1995 and entitled “Bottle support mechanism for a capping machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,623 issued to Ahlers on Apr. 4, 1995 and entitled “Method and apparatus for closing bottles”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,094 issued to Vander Bush, Jr. et al. on May 30, 1995 and entitled “Constant speed spindles for rotary capping machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,402 issued to Pringle on Jun. 20, 1995 and entitled “Bottling system with mass filling and capping arrays”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,246 issued to Finke on Sep. 5, 1995 and entitled “Methods and combinations for sealing corked bottles”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,080 issued to Finke on Sep. 12, 1995 and entitled “Methods and combinations for sealing corked bottles”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,855 issued to Hidding et al. and entitled “System for installing closures on containers”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0074] Some further examples of methods and apparatuses for filling containers and their components which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,770 issued to Trinne et al. on Mar. 30, 1976 and entitled “Bottle filling means and method”; U.S. Pat. No. 4136,719 issued to Kronseder et al. on Jan. 30, 1979 and entitled “Method and device for cleaning bottle filling machines and the like”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,673 issued to Desthieux on May 8, 1984 and entitled “Bottle-filling method and device”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,846 issued to Croser on Aug. 28, 1984 and entitled “Bottle filling device”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,249 issued to Simonazzi on Mar. 31, 1987 and entitled “Telescopic filling adapter for bottle filling machines”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,21 issued to Burton on Mar. 27, 1990 and entitled “Bottle filling device”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,813 issued to Ponvianne et al. on Nov. 6, 1990 and entitled “Bottle filling machine and filling head therefor”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,726 issued to Pethö et al. on Jan. 29, 1991 and entitled “Bottle filling and sealing apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,742 issued to Jones on Mar. 9, 1993 and entitled “Fluidized bed bottle filling system”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,421 issued to Kerger et al. on Oct. 3, 1995 and entitled “Device for filling and emptying a gas bottle”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,086 issued to McBrady et al. on Feb. 27, 1996 and entitled “Bottle filling machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,552 issued to Ahlers on Jul. 9, 1996 and entitled “Bottle filling machine and a cleansing system accessory including an operator therefor”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,223 issued to Weh et al. on Dec. 10, 1996 and entitled “Filling apparatus for gas bottle valves”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0075] Examples of rotary position sensors and rotary position indicators, components thereof, and components associated therewith, which may possibly be utilized in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, may be found in the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,360,889 issued to Liedtke on Nov. 23, 1982 and entitled “Rotary position indicating circuit”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,893 issued to Ruh on Jul. 10, 1984 and entitled “Drive for sheet feeder in printing press”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,993 issued to Schöneberger on Apr. 15, 1986 and entitled “Device for a printing press comprising a plate cylinder and/or blanket cylinder”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,246 issued to Juds et al. on Jun. 20, 1989 and entitled “Multiturn shaft position sensor having magnet movable with nonrotating linear moving unit”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,643 issued to Hvilsted et al. on Feb. 13, 1990 and entitled “Hydraulic cylinder comprising at least one electric position indicator”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,457 issued to Friedrich on Jun. 6, 1993 and entitled “Indicator for rotary positioner”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,139 issued to Surmely et al. on Mar. 7, 1995 and entitled “Polyphase electromagnetic transducer having a multipolar permanent magnet”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,195 to Quinn on May 30, 1995 and entitled “Ultrasonic booted head probe for motor bore inspection”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,632 issued to Montagu on Jun. 13, 1995 and entitled “Moving magnet optical scanner with novel rotor design”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,118 issued to Castillo on Jul. 18, 1995 and entitled “Magnetic turbine rotor for low flow fluid meter”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,329 issued to Ghosh et al. on Aug. 15, 1995 and entitled “Waveguide rotary joint and mode transducer structure therefor”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,368 issued to Horber on Aug. 22, 1995 and entitled “Differential reactance permanent magnet position transducer”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0076] Examples of filling machines that utilize electronic control devices to control various portions of a filling or bottling process and which may possibly be utilized in connection with the present invention are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,921 issued to Cartwright et al. on Apr. 18, 1989 and entitled “Liquid dispensing apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,511 issued to Ronge on Oct. 15, 1991 and entitled “Method and apparatus for compressing, atomizing, and spraying liquid substances”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,082 issued to Paasche et al. on May 27, 1992 and entitled “Method and apparatus for filling containers”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,488 issued to Ruhl et al. on Nov. 6, 1992 and entitled “Programmable filling and capping machine”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by references if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0077] Rotary mechanical devices relating to bottling are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,803 issued to Tomashauser et al. on Dec. 11, 1990 and entitled “Apparatus for pressing foil on containers, such as on the tops and the necks of bottles or the like”, also referred to above; U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,317 issued to Rogall on Feb. 11, 1992 and entitled “Labelling machine for the labelling of containers”, also referred to above; U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,851 issued to Zodrow et al. on Dec. 29, 1992 and entitled Labelling machine for labelling containers, such as bottles”, also referred to above; U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,053 issued to Tomashauser et al. on Feb. 9, 1993 and entitled “Brushing station for a labelling machine for labelling bottles and the like”, also referred to above; U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,538 issued to Buchholz et al. on Jun. 8, 1993 and entitled “Apparatus and related method for the removal of labels and foil tags adhering to containers, in particular, to bottles”, also referred to above; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,405 issued to Weiss on Jun. 15, 1993 and entitled “Continuously operating rotational bottle filling installation”, and all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0078] Examples of capping devices which may possibly be incorporated into the present invention are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,890 issued to Peronek et al. on Apr. 14, 1989 and entitled “Anti-rotation method and apparatus for bottle capping machines”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,558 issued to Bernhard on Jul. 5, 1991 and entitled “Closing mechanism for a capping machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,897 issued to McKee et al. on Oct. 27, 1992 and entitled “Rotary capping machine”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,767 issued to de Santana on Jun. 22, 1993 and entitled “Device for applying a cap and seal to the mouth of a bottle whereon an interference boss is provided for said seal”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0079] An example of an electric probe utilized in connection with a bottle filling process which may possibly be incorporated into the present invention is to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,084 issued to Diehl et al. on May 3, 1991 and entitled “Filling element for filling machines for dispensing liquid”, which U.S. patent is hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.

[0080] Other examples of liquid level probes which may possibly be incorporated into the present invention are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,530 issued to Hull on Dec. 8, 1988 and entitled “Liquid level sensing system”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,783 issued to Maier on Apr. 28, 1987 and entitled “Apparatus and method for determining liquid levels”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,129 issued on Jul. 11, 1988 to Jones et al. and entitled “Liquid dispensing module”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0081] Some example computer systems and methods and their components which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,428 issued to Belo on Jan. 3, 1995 and entitled “Hardware process scheduler and processor interrupter for parallel processing computer systems”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,301 issued to Scherf on Feb. 14, 1995 and entitled “Method and apparatus for communicating device-specific information between a device driver and an operating system in a computer system”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,333 issued to Schieve et al. on Mar. 14, 1995 and entitled “Personal computer employing reset button to enter ROM-based diagnostics”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,544 issued to Cray ford on Apr. 4, 1995 and entitled “System for periodically transmitting signal to/from sleeping node identifying its existence to a network and awakening the sleeping node responding to received instruction”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,942 issued to Krawchuk et al. on May 23, 1995 and entitled “System and method for storing and managing information”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,790 issued to Harper et al. on Jun. 27, 1995 and entitled “Computer power management system”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,355 issued to Hyduke on Dec. 26, 1995 and entitled “System and method for a closed loop operation of schematic designs with electrical hardware”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0082] Some examples of switches or levers, or components thereof, which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,895 issued to Sörensen on Feb. 28, 1995 and entitled “Transfer unit”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,992 issued to Robu et al. on Apr. 11, 1995 and entitled “Suspension conveyor system”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,911 issued to Fiedler et al. on Aug. 8, 1995 and entitled “Control cylinder for pneumatic control devices with signal switches”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,289 issued to Riordan on Aug. 8, 1995 and entitled “Combined alarm system and window covering assembly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,245 issued to Durchschlag and entitled “Apparatus for locking moveable switch parts”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0083] Some examples of sensors and switches which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the invention are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,865 issued to Reneau on Jan. 3, 1995 and entitled “Multi-directional shock sensor”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,023 issued to Dalton on Jan. 3, 1995 and entitled “Alarm system”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,132 issued to Fericeau et al. on Apr. 18, 1995 and entitled “Proximity switch operating in a noncontacting manner”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,253 issued to Ogata et al. on Jun. 27, 1995 and entitled “Proximity switch”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,421 issued to Bornand et al. on Jul. 4, 1995 and entitled “Reed contactor and process of fabricating suspended tridimensional metallic microstructure”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,150 issued to Ipcinski on Aug. 15, 1995 and entitled “Piezo electric switch”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,295 issued to Lake et al. on Aug. 22, 1995 and entitled “Linear dual switch module”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,589 issued to Mayer on Sep. 26, 1995 and entitled “Microswitch with non-enlarging, sealed electrical connections”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,590 issued to Mayer on Sep. 26, 1995 and entitled “Bistable microswitch”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0084] Some examples of pressure sensors which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,657 issued to Hirama et al. on Nov. 3, 1987 and entitled “Gas pressure sensor”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,801 issued to Halvis et al. on Mar. 14, 1989 and entitled “Solid state gas pressure sensor”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,020 issued to Miller et al. on Jan. 28, 1997 and entitled “Method and apparatus for dispensing natural gas with pressure calibration”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,762 issued to Sweeney, Jr. on Jun. 9, 1998 and entitled “Total dissolved gas pressure sensor, replaceable collector module and process”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,925,823 issued to Buehler et al. on Jul. 20 1999 and entitled “Alpha-particle gas-pressure sensor”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein herein.

[0085] Some further examples of microcomputer control systems which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,515 issued to Saegusa et al. on Jun. 25, 1996 and entitled “Control system for an apparatus using a microprocessor”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,774 issued to Maurel on Aug. 20, 1996 and entitled “Microcomputer system providing time management enabling control and acquisition of data indicative of condition changes occurring at high speed”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,771 issued to Osakabe on Dec. 3, 1996 and entitled “Microcomputer having interrupt control circuit to determine priority level”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,610,749 issued to Mizoguchi et al. on Mar. 11, 1997 and entitled “Microcomputer control optical fiber transmission system”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,669 issued to Katsuta on Apr. 8, 1997 and entitled “Memory wait cycle control system for microcomputer”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,199 issued to Kuwahara on Sep. 2, 1997 and entitled “Microcomputer free from control of central processing unit (CPU) for receiving and writing instructions into memory independent of and during execution of CPU”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,345 issued to Matsubara et al. on Nov. 11, 1997 and entitled “Microcomputer having CPU and built-in flash memory that is rewriteable under control of the CPU analyzing a command supplied from an external device”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0086] Some further examples of microprocessor control systems which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,035 issued to Lane on May 6, 1980 and entitled “Modulo addressing apparatus for use in a microprocessor”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,307,448 issued to Sattler on Dec. 22, 1981 and entitled “Method and a circuit arrangement for expanding the addressing capacity of a central unit, in particular of a microprocessor”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,727 issued to Holtey et al. on Dec. 6, 1983 and entitled “Hardware for extending microprocessor addressing capability”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,541,045 issued to Kromer, III on Sep. 10, 1985 and entitled “Microprocessor architecture employing efficient operand and instruction addressing”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,062 issued to Nakao on Mar. 8, 1994 and entitled FET “nonvolatile memory with composite gate insulating layer”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,681 issued to Lee et al. on Mar. 8, 1994 and entitled “Method of processing a semiconductor wafer to form an array of nonvolatile memory devices employing floating gate transistors and peripheral area having CMOS transistors”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,161 issued to Landgraf et al. on Apr. 5, 1994 and entitled “Circuitry for power supply voltage detection and system lockout for a nonvolatile memory”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0087] Some examples of foam and/or air removal apparatus and methods which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,953 issued to Patzwahl on May 7, 1985 and entitled “Device for removing air from filled Bottles or other containers”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,988 issued to Götz et al. on May 9, 1989 and entitled “Foaming apparatus for driving out residual air from containers filled with a foamable liquid”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,014 issued to Takehana on Jun. 20, 1989 and entitled “Process for producing bottled beverages”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,041 issued to Yamada et al. on Nov. 14, 1989 and entitled “Apparatus for flowing and filling liquefied inert gas”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,726 issued to Pethö et al. on Jan. 29, 1991 and entitled “Bottle filling and sealing apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,148 issued to Bedin et al. on Feb. 24, 1998 and entitled “Method for filling bottles, especially plastic bottles, with a liquid and an associated device”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0088] Some examples of high-frequency sensing apparatus which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,480 issued to Marets on May 19, 1981 and entitled “Device for measuring a physical operating characteristic of an ozonizer; U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,862 issued to Leehey on Nov. 13, 1984 and entitled “Current sensor”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,648 issued to Brust on Nov. 9, 1993 and entitled “Process and system for rapid analysis of the spectrum of a signal at one or several points of measuring”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,932 issued to Kitayoshi on Aug. 12, 1997 and entitled “Non-contact type wave signal observation apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,060 B1 issued to Kim et al. on Feb. 3, 2001 and entitled “Optical disk signal conversion with peaking compensation”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,759 B1 issued to Schoess on Feb. 27, 2001 and entitled “Remote self-powered structure monitor”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0089] Some examples of light gate apparatus and sensing methods therewith which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,457 issued to Teasel on Nov. 30, 1976 and entitled “Crossing gate”; U.S. Pat. No. 4285,576 issued to Garland et al. on Aug. 25, 1981 and entitled “Light gating method and apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,446 issued to Fukuyama et al. on Apr. 26, 1983 and entitled “Photoelectric Switch”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,217 issued to Samek on Aug. 6, 1985 and entitled “Light gate assemblies, elements and manufacturing methods”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,517 issued to Samek on Jun. 28, 1988 and entitled “Electrooptical light gating methods and apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,251 issued to Jacobs on Feb. 14, 1989 and entitled “Electrode structures and electrooptic light gate system”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,675 issued to Hatanaka et al. on Jul. 25, 1989 and entitled “Light gate array having gates of different areas”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0090] Some examples of camera or the like optical monitoring apparatus which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,186 issued to Ringlien on Aug. 3, 1993 and entitled “Inspection of transparent containers with opposing reflection means”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,400 issued to Ringlien on Sep. 7, 1993 and entitled “Inspection of transparent containers”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,713 issued to Schwartz et al. on Nov. 29, 1994 and entitled “Inspection method using area of interest (AOI) analysis”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,446 issued to Gerber et al. on Aug. 15, 1995 and entitled “Inspection of transparent containers”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,295 issued to Buchmann et al. on Aug. 26, 1997 and entitled “Process and apparatus for the optical inspection of a transparent region of a container in particular the mouth region”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,169 issued to Nodbryhn on Apr. 27, 1999 and entitled “Device for generating, detecting and recognizing a contour image of a liquid container”; U.S. Pat. 6,104,864 issued to Kondo et al. on Aug. 15, 2000 and entitled “Moving image judging”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,874 issued to Vance et al. on Oct. 17, 2000 and entitled Information display system”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,166,813 issued to Roberts on Dec. 26, 2000 and entitled “Retro-reflectometer and method for measuring reflectivity of materials”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0091] Some examples of ultrasound inspection or sensing apparatus and which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,782,469 issued to Granz et al. on Nov. 1, 1988 and entitled “Ultra-sound sensor”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,886 issued to Breimesser et al. on Mar. 6, 1990 and entitled “Ultrasound sensor”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,228 issued to Schaetzle on Oct. 27, 1992 and entitled Pressure wave sensor”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,289 issued to Erickson on Aug. 16, 1994 and entitled “Acoustic and ultrasound sensor with optical amplification”; and U.S. pat. No. 5,726,952 issued to Eckert et al. on Mar. 10, 1998 and entitled “Sound or ultrasound sensor”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0092] Some examples of inspection apparatus and methods which may possibly be incorporated in an embodiment of the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,949 issued to Erdman on May 3, 1977 and entitled “Bottle inspection device”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,930 issued to Gomm et al. on Jan. 30, 1979 and entitled “Method and apparatus for detecting foreign particles in full beverage containers”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,957 issued to Ford et al. on Mar. 17, 1981 and entitled “Bottle inspection apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,890 issued to Gray et al. on Feb. 11, 1997 and entitled “Container fill level and pressurization inspection using multi-dimensional images”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,340 issued to Griesbeck et al. on Mar. 17, 1998 and entitled “Bottle inspection machine”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,600 issued to Gray et al. on Jan. 26, 1999 and entitled “Container fill level and pressurization inspection using multi-dimensional images”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,945 issued to Hinata et al. on May 4, 1999 and entitled “Check detector in neck and finished portion of molded botle”, all of these U.S. patents being hereby expressly incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

[0093] This invention as described hereinabove in the context of the preferred embodiments is not to be taken as limited to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.