FILLING PACKAGING CONTAINERS

摘要

A machine for filling packaging containers (14) with a flowable product (18, 20), the machine comprising a control valve in the form of a plug valve (30) having a body (28) defining a bore (29) forming a frusto-conical valve seat, a plug (32) having a complementary frusto-conical surface and a valve chamber (31) for pressurised fluid formed at the wider end of the plug. The chamber communicates with the bore. The plug is axially displaceable between a first position, in which its frusto-conical surface seals against the valve seat and in which it is rotatable to control flow through the valve, and a second position, in which it is withdrawn into the chamber to provide clearance between the mating surfaces of the plug and the seat but retaining clearance between its wider end and the opposite surface of the chamber so that all the surfaces of the plug are exposed for cleaining and sterilisation.