Apparatus for filling a container with a liquid which is intended, in particular, for consumption

Abstract

An apparatus for filling a container ( 1 ) with a liquid which is intended, in particular, for consumption has a tube ( 2 ) for feeding the liquid. This tube has a flexible separating plate ( 3 ) at the lower end. The tube ( 2 ) with its separating plate ( 3 ), prior to the filling operation, is lowered onto the base of the container ( 1 ) and then is moved upwards, with the liquid being fed at the same time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for filling a container with a liquid, the apparatus comprising:
 a vertical tube having an opening at a bottom end;   a valve arranged at the vertical tube and adapted to open and close the opening at the bottom end;   wherein the tube is insertable into a container that is open at the top during a filling process and wherein the tube supplies a liquid to the containerthrough the opening at the bottom end;   a flexible separating disk disposed at the bottom end of the tube and extending in a radial direction of the tube;   wherein the tube together with the flexible separating disk is adapted to be moved in a downward direction to a bottom of the container such that air that is located between the separating disk and the bottom of the container upon downward movement of the tube can flow out between a peripheral rim of the separating disk and an inner wall surface of the container and, in a lower end position of the tube, the flexible separating disk is resting on the bottom of the container;   wherein the tube together with the flexible separating disk is further adapted to be moved, beginning with the lower end position of the tube, in an upward direction so that, between the flexible separating disk and the bottom of the container, a space is formed during the upward movement and is enlarged as the upward movement progresses, wherein into the enlarging space the tube simultaneous with the upward movement supplies a liquid through the opening at the bottom end of the tube that is opened by the valve;   wherein upon reaching a targeted filling level of the liquid in the container, the valve is closed and the tube with the flexible separating disk is pulled out of the container.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein during the upward movement of the tube a diameter of the flexible separating disk is greater than an inner diameter of the container. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein during the downward movement of the tube a peripheral rim of the flexible separating disk contacts the inner wall surface of the container but air located between the flexible separating disk and the bottom of the container still escapes between the peripheral rim and the inner wall surface of the container. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein during the downward movement of the tube a diameter of the flexible separating disk is smaller than an inner diameter of the container. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the flexible separating disk is matched to a bottom profile of the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the flexible separating disk is embodied as a flat body. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein a diameter of the flexible separating disk is adjustable. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the flexible separating disk is embodied as a bellows having an adjustable diameter. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein, for adjusting the diameter of the flexible separating disk, a spiral spring is provided that is concentric to the tube, wherein the spiral spring has an inner end arranged in an inner area of the separating disk so as to be concentrically rotatable relative to an axis of the tube, and wherein the spiral spring has an outer end that is secured on an outer area of the separating disk. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the flexible separating disk is adapted to be pneumatically or hydraulically loaded with overpressure or underpressure for adjusting the diameter. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the valve comprises a valve rod and a horizontal valve plate connected to the valve rod, wherein the valve rod is vertically movable within the tube. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the valve has a float member provided at the lower end of the tube. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein, near the opening at the bottom end of the tube, at least one venting opening is provided that is adapted to be opened and closed.