DE102016125721A1 - Method and device for sterilizing containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for cleaning and / or sterilizing containers, in particular of plastic preforms, with a transport device, which transports the containers along a predetermined transport path, and with a multiplicity of loading devices, which supply the containers with a flowable sterilization medium. wherein the loading means are designed to be movable with the containers, and wherein each loading means comprises a nozzle device by means of which the flowable medium is injected into the plastic preforms, wherein a rinsing pressure is injected under which the flowable medium in at least one container in response to a, in particular minimum , Nozzle cross-section of the nozzle device, adjusted so that within the container at least in places produce a laminar flow of the flowable medium t will.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cleaning and / or sterilizing containers, in particular of plastic preforms, according to the respective preambles of claims 1 and 9. The containers may be plastic containers.

In the field of beverage manufacturing industry, it is known that plastic containers, especially before they are filled, are sterilized. In this case, both an inner surface of the plastic containers can be sterilized, as well as an outer surface. The sterilization can be done by germicidal radiation, such as beta radiation, but also by exposure to a sterilant, such as hydrogen peroxide gas. In this way, for example, a certain pre-sterilization of these plastic preforms can be achieved before they are expanded to the plastic containers.

In order to improve the durability, in particular of sensitive filling products in PET containers, the number of germs in the containers must be significantly reduced before the filling process. For this purpose, various wet and dry aseptic methods are known in the prior art, but because of the partially large volumes of bottles require a high consumption of sterilizing medium used, such as peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, newer machine concepts already reduce the number of germs before blowing the bottle in the plastic preform. Such a machine concept is in the DE 10 2012 112 803 A1 shown, wherein the entire disclosure content of this document is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

In this case, the plastic preform passes through a treatment area in which the cleaning and / or sterilization by a gaseous or liquid, flowable medium, for example a sterilization medium, or by irradiation, such as irradiation with ultraviolet radiation or electron radiation, is achieved. In order to make the treatment area small and cost-effective, it is advantageous if the containers to be sterilized are completely covered as quickly as possible with the respective flowable medium. An important role in this task plays the design and arrangement of a corresponding injection nozzle, which introduces the flowable medium in the containers.

Also a decisive importance plays a pressure (also Rinsdruck) under which the flowable medium into the container is injected.

Namely, the higher the set pressure, the higher the compressed air consumption and thus the operating cost of the entire apparatus.

In addition, it has been found that recirculation regions form within the container as a function of a rinsing pressure, in particular in the vicinity of a bottom region. These are those three-dimensional areas within the container within which a flow of the sterilization medium deviates from a laminar flow.

For example, eddy currents therefore form within these recirculation regions, which at least make it difficult to discharge the flowable medium from the container. In the case of a laminar flow formed inside the container, in particular completely, the sterilization medium can advantageously be guided along an inner surface of the container, and then subsequently, in particular by itself, rise again along the container wall from the container, and then exit , A strong fanning of the mass flow before or during the introduction into the container and thus usually associated recirculation areas, prevent, but at least partially, this flow movement of the sterilization medium along the inner wall of the container. One goal is therefore to maintain the desired laminar flow in the container as long and deep as possible.

In addition, however, can very long containers, ie such containers with a large longitudinal extent, difficult to clean and / or sterilized based on a laminar flow, especially in the area of the bottom, the flow rate of the flowable medium decreases so much, as often unwanted recirculation areas in the container, in particular in a far away from the mouth of the container bottom area, form in the container.

This problem has been solved in the prior art, at least in part, by using at least partially immersing nozzles in the container, which shortened the distance of the nozzle to the bottom of the container, but to realize technically complex, error-prone and also more expensive.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to improve such a sterilization of containers, in particular by exposure to a flowable medium and therefore to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages. This object is achieved by the subjects of the independent claims.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention thus provides a method for cleaning and / or sterilizing containers, in particular plastic preforms, with a transport device, wherein the transport device transports the containers along a predetermined transport path and with a plurality of loading devices, the containers with a flowable medium, for example Sterilization or a cleaning medium, act upon, wherein each loading means each comprise at least one nozzle means by means of which the flowable medium is injected into the containers. In particular, the loading devices may be designed to be movable with the containers.

As will be shown in detail below, among other things, the placement of the impingement devices achieves a more efficient distribution of the sterilization medium inside the containers. However, the loading devices are advantageously arranged in such a way that the flowable medium emerging from them is essentially and preferably completely introduced into the containers via an opening of the containers. In this way, the device according to the invention serves for cleaning and / or sterilizing of inner surfaces of the containers. Advantageously, the plurality of loading devices is arranged on a movable carrier, and more preferably these loading devices are transported along a closed transport path.

By way of example, the movable support is a rotatable support and in particular a sterilization wheel on which a plurality of the mentioned actuation devices are arranged.

For example, a plurality of holding devices for holding the containers is arranged on this carrier, wherein each individual holding device is preferably associated with a loading device. This means that nonetheless, during the sterilization and / or cleaning process, each loading device is arranged in a precisely defined position relative to the container or holding device assigned to this loading device, which preferably also does not change during the sterilization and / or during the cleaning of the containers.

In general, stationary and co-moving loading devices or nozzles are to be distinguished. In stationary loading devices, the containers are transported past the nozzles for treatment. In this way results in a relatively small injection time available. In addition, with a continuous nozzle outflow, a large part of the sterilization medium hits the gaps, which results in high losses. In a pulsed injection, a complex mechanical solution is required. By entraining the admission devices, conversely, the time for the admission can be increased and this also at high transport speeds of the containers. The loading devices are preferably arranged above the respective holding devices or containers. During transport, that is to say during the rotation of the rotatable carrier, the loading devices are preferably always guided in a running manner above the respective container.

In other words, the admission devices or nozzles, which are at least moved in one embodiment, have longer treatment times with continuous outflow. As a result of the movement of the loading device and the container, however, a flow forms in a gap therebetween, which, as explained in more detail below, can have a disturbing influence on the optimum flow through the containers when using, in particular, gaseous sterilizing media. In this case, both the container and the loading device is moved in the transport direction. In general, the flowable medium may be a gas, a liquid, or a mixture of both. For example, the flowable medium comprises or is a sterilizing gas.

One core idea of the present invention is, inter alia, that a rinsing pressure under which the flowable medium is injected into at least one container, depending on a, in particular minimal, nozzle cross-section of the nozzle device, is adjusted such that within the container at least in places a laminar Flow of the flowable medium is generated.

Preferably, during the process, the flow within the container is completely free of any recirculation region. This means that no flow deviating from a laminar flow forms within the container.

The rinsing pressure can be that pressure value at the point of the lowest Nozzle cross section within nozzle device act. However, it is also possible that the rinsing pressure is the pressure under which the sterilization medium leaves the nozzle device.

By now dependent dependence of the Rinsdrucks of one, in particular minimal, nozzle cross-section of the rinsing pressure can be selected in each case so that the above-mentioned non-laminar flow, at least partially, is avoided.

According to at least one embodiment, the rinsing pressure is below a limit rinsing pressure, wherein the marginal rinsing pressure is that pressure above which, during the introduction of the flowable medium into the container, the flowable medium at least in places within the container forms a flow deviating from a laminar flow.

For example, each, in particular minimum, nozzle cross-section of a nozzle of a nozzle device, a Grenzrinsdruck be assigned, below which a laminar flow is ensured. If such a boundary rinsing pressure is exceeded, at least in places, a recirculation area within the vessel is formed, at least with high probability.

The dependence of the rinsing pressure on the nozzle cross-section can be based on experimental empirical values and / or measured values in which the limit rinsing pressure was first measured in at least one preceding series of measurements as a function of the nozzle cross-section.

On the basis of this measurement, this dependence can then also be described or approximated on the basis of one or more mathematical approximation curves. This mathematical approximation curve may be an interpolation and / or extrapolation curve, which has plotted on the abscissa a, in particular minimum, nozzle cross-section and on the ordinate the corresponding boundary-pressure. The data base could thus be the limit ridge pressure and, in particular, the minimum nozzle cross-section. For example, this database is free of any other purely experimentally determined factors.

It is conceivable that a substantially linear relationship between the, in particular minimum nozzle cross-section and the Grenzrinsdruck results. It is also conceivable, however, a different relationship. It is therefore also conceivable that a limit rinsing pressure curve results which results from a polynomial of the nth degree (n> 1) as a function of the, in particular minimal, nozzle cross-section. Along a limit pressure curve, the entire process can be conducted.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the rinsing pressure is adjusted such that a, in particular maximum, exit velocity of the flowable medium always remains below or above a limit exit velocity, in particular always below the speed of sound. The exit velocity may be that velocity of the flowable medium immediately at the exit from the nozzle of the nozzle device.

The rinsing pressure can therefore be used to set the exit velocity directly from the nozzle. In this case, the flowable medium is always passed below the border exit velocity in a subcritical velocity range in the container.

If the limit exit velocity is exceeded, the flowable medium is introduced into the container within a supercritical velocity range. In this case, however, at least one recirculation area is formed within the container, which at least complicates uniform cleaning and / or sterilization of the inner surface of the container. In other words, in one embodiment, the gas in the narrowest nozzle cross-section of the nozzle is accelerated at most to the speed of sound. In a further increase in pressure within the nozzle of the nozzle device is in particular only a gas density, that is, a mass flow (at then constant speed, the air is compressed) increased. When flowing out of the flowable and then highly compressed flowable medium, the flowable, in particular compressible, medium then spreads immediately, which can lead to an unfavorable and larger expansion of a discharge cone of the flowable medium.

Namely, the larger an area of the discharge cone of the flowable medium, the more undirected is the mass flow of the flowable medium, which can lead to the undesirable recirculation areas within the container. Also obstructs a wide exit cone below the opening of the nozzle then a subsequent outflow of the flowable medium from the container. This too can reinforce or only generate the undesirable recirculation areas.

In particular, in the same way as the limit rinsing pressure, the limit exit velocity can be determined as a function of the, in particular minimal, nozzle cross-section.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the rinsing pressure (pressure of the flowable medium at an inner cross section, in particular the minimum inner cross section of the nozzle) is at least 0.3 bar and at most 1.7 bar, preferably at least 0.5 bar and at most 1.5 bar.

It is also conceivable that the rinsing pressure does not exceed a pressure value of 0.9 bar with a nozzle cross-section of at least 0.5 mm and not more than 3.3 mm. The limit rinsing pressure can therefore be 0.9 bar. Preferably, however, the limit rinsing pressure does not exceed 0.7 bar in the above-mentioned minimum nozzle cross-sections. It is also conceivable that the limit rinsing pressure in particular does not exceed a value of 0.9 bar, preferably 0.7 bar, regardless of a nozzle cross-section (threshold limit value).

In fact, up to the abovementioned marginal pressures, it has been recognized that although the exit velocity can be reduced by about 80-90%, this disadvantage is overcome by avoiding the undesirable eddies (= recirculation areas / air pockets) and better outflow, that is also improved cleaning and / or sterilization effect is made possible.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, during the movement of the containers and / or the loading devices along the transport path, the loading devices are arranged immovably along the longitudinal directions relative to the container associated with the loading device. For example, the containers and / or the loading devices uniquely assigned to them can in principle not be moved along this longitudinal direction, in particular not moved relative to one another. This may mean that the containers and / or the Beaufschlaungseinrichtungen are fixedly mounted and fixed in this longitudinal direction, at least relative to one another. This can advantageously lead to a technically considerably simplified construction, as can be dispensed with longitudinal guides.

According to at least one embodiment, the rinsing pressure is adjusted before each treatment and / or at least once during the treatment of a container by means of a Rinsdruckeinstellvorrichtung. A treatment may therefore include sterilizing and / or cleaning the inner wall of the container. It is conceivable in this context that in the Rinsdruckeinstellvorrichtung, for example, on a storage medium, at least one dependence of the Grenzrinsdrucks and / or the Grenzrinsgeschwindigkeit of the nozzle cross section, in particular of the minimum nozzle cross section, is deposited.

In this respect, it is conceivable that before and / or during the treatment the nozzle used in each case is selected and / or selected by a user and / or the rinsing pressure adjustment device, so that the rinsing pressure adjustment device automatically, preferably fully automatically, from this value from the database stored in it. selects the limit ringer pressure and / or the marginal rinsing speed. The bark pressure setting device can therefore control the treatment as a function of the nozzle cross-section, in particular of the minimum nozzle cross-section, with respect to the rinsing pressure and / or the rinsing speed. Thus, it can be ensured that during the treatment, the flowable medium never exceeds the limit rinsing pressure and / or the marginal rinsing speed.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, before and / or during the treatment of the container, the rinsing pressure adjustment device regulates the rinsing pressure, in particular as a function of the nozzle cross-section, of the nozzle device. This therefore includes the provision of a controlled variable, which is a variable to be kept constant by regulation or specifically variable. Its desired value is the setpoint (or the reference variable, if time-variable), its current value is the actual value, also called process value. As a control variable, for example, the rinsing pressure, the Rinsgeschwindigkeit and / or the duration of treatment come into question.

For example, the pressure adjustment device comprises a sensor system by means of which the rinsing pressure and / or the speed of the rinsing is measured in a time-discrete or temporally continuous manner. Additionally or alternatively, this sensor may be arranged in the region of the mouth of the container to be sterilized and / or to be cleaned. By then taking place there pressure and / or speed measurements of the sensor can be closed by the Rinsdruckeinstellvorrichtung at least on the Rinsdruck and / or the Rinsgeschwindigkeit, preferably unambiguously. Thus, the rinsing pressure device and / or the rinsing speed can be monitored by the pressure setting device and kept below the respective limit values.

According to at least one embodiment, the loading devices are arranged such that they inject the flowable medium at a predetermined angle α different from 0 ° with respect to a longitudinal direction of the containers and / or the longitudinal directions of the loading devices are offset relative to the longitudinal directions of the containers.

It is therefore proposed in this optional variant that the Beaufschlagungseinrichtungen with respect to the per se obvious centric arrangement and the corresponding linear injection of the flowable medium into the containers, are arranged modified.

For example, an oblique injection causes a more favorable cross-sectional distribution between entering into the container and then emerging from the container mass flow of the flowable medium. This is due, among other things, to the fact that fanning of the mass flow is already already reduced by the relative to the container oblique hiring of the nozzle, since the mass flow after exiting the nozzle flat against the container inside, then then laminar along the entire inner surface of the container to flow.

Anchoring angles α of at least 1 ° and at most 3 °, preferably of at least 1.5 ° and at most 2.5 °, for example of exactly 2 °, have proven particularly suitable.

Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a device for cleaning and / or sterilizing containers, in particular plastic preforms. In this case, all the features disclosed in connection with the method described above are also disclosed for the device claimed hereby, and vice versa.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the device for cleaning and / or sterilizing containers, in particular of plastic preforms, comprises a transport device which transports the containers along a predetermined transport path. In addition, the device comprises a plurality of loading devices, which act on the containers with a flowable medium, wherein each loading device each comprises a nozzle device by means of which the flowable medium is injected into the containers. For example, the loading devices may be designed to be movable with the containers.

According to the invention, a rinsing pressure, under which the flowable medium is injected into at least one container, is adjustable in dependence on a, in particular minimal, nozzle cross-section of the nozzle device, such that at least in places a laminar flow of the flowable medium can be generated within the container.

In this case, the device described here has the same advantageous embodiments and associated advantages as the method described above.

Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the accompanying drawings.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Sterilisieren und/oder Reinigen von Kunststoffvorformlingen;
• 2 ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer grob schematischen Darstellung zur Veranschaulichung der Einspritzrichtung der Beaufschlagungseinrichtung;
• 3 zeigt eine Gegenüberstellung zur Veranschaulichung der durch die Erfindung erzielten Wirkung;
• Die 4 zeigt das in den 1 und 2 gezeigt schräge Einspritzen des fließfähigen Mediums nochmals rein schematisch;
• Die 5 zeigt in einer größeren Aufnahme die in der 3 gezeigt Situation;
• Die 6 zeigt in einer schematisch perspektivischen Ansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer hier beschriebenen Düseneinrichtung 44.

Show:

• 1 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for sterilizing and / or cleaning of plastic preforms;
• 2 an embodiment of a rough schematic representation for illustrating the injection direction of the biasing device;
• 3 shows a comparison to illustrate the effect achieved by the invention;
• The 4 shows that in the 1 and 2 shown oblique injection of the flowable medium again purely schematically;
• The 5 shows in a larger recording in the 3 shown situation;
• The 6 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a nozzle device 44 described here.

The 1 shows a partial representation of an embodiment of a device proposed here 1 for sterilizing and / or cleaning plastic preforms 10. The reference number refers to this L on a longitudinal direction of the plastic preforms 10 , here also an axis of symmetry of the plastic preforms 10 represents. These plastic preforms 10 have a mouth section 10a on, opposite to a main body of the plastic preforms 10 has an enlarged cross-section.

Below a thread 10b the plastic preforms 10 is a support ring 10c intended. The reference number 22 denotes a holding device, which the plastic preform 10 in a region of its mouth portion 10a For example, an area below its support ring 10c , stops.

The reference number 2 indicates a carrier on which the plastic preform 10 during its sterilization and / or cleaning is arranged. In this carrier 2 it may be preferred, as mentioned above, to act as a carrier wheel. The reference number P indicates the transport direction P the plastic preforms 10 , This will be the plastic preforms 10 along the transport direction ( P ) and moved along a transport path.

Above the estuaries 10a the plastic preforms 10 is provided in its entirety with 4 designated loading device, which the interiors of the The plastic preforms 10 treated with a sterilizing agent. By means of fastening devices 48 , For example, screws, this can be applied 4 on a carrier 38 be attached. This carrier 38 can in turn work together with the transport facility 2 move so that the applying device 4 always in the position shown above the plastic preform 10 is arranged. However, it should be noted that, accordingly, an application in other orientations of the plastic preforms 10 For example, if these are reversed, it would be possible.

The reference number LB indicates a longitudinal direction of the loading device as well as a longitudinal direction of a channel 42 via which the sterilizing agent is supplied. This channel 42 is inside a body 46 the admission device 4 educated. The reference number 44 denotes a nozzle device, via which the sterilizing agent into the interior of the plastic preforms 10 arrives. It can be seen that this nozzle device 44 at an angle α with respect to the longitudinal direction L the plastic preforms 10 is arranged. The longitudinal direction L Here is also a vertical direction.

It can also be seen that in this illustration the nozzle device 44 in the carrier 38 is built-in or even a part of the carrier 38 is. Alternatively, it is conceivable that each nozzle device 44 separately and in particular also detachable on the carrier 38 is arranged.

The reference number 8th indicates a gap between the carrier 38 and in particular between an outlet opening of the loading device or nozzle device 44 and the upper mouth edge of the plastic preforms 10 is trained. However, it would also be possible for the nozzle device 44 down over the carrier 38 addition, since the plastic preforms 10 together with the loading facilities 4 be transported The gap 8th thus extends in a horizontal plane.

It can be seen that the injection direction of the flowable medium on the one hand in the angle α with respect to the longitudinal direction L , that is in particular also diagonally opposite the transport direction P , the plastic preform 10 is arranged and that on the other hand, the longitudinal direction LB the admission device 4 opposite to the longitudinal direction L of the plastic preform 10 to the rear, that is opposite to the transport direction P is offset. The offset results here by the distance d between the (parallel to each other) longitudinal directions L and LB ,

As an alternative to the oblique injection shown here, however, the nozzle device 44 but also parallel to the longitudinal direction L be aligned. Also can be dispensed with the parallel injection offset.

The 2 shows a schematic representation for illustrating the arrangement of the applying device 4 , It can also be seen from this representation that the loading device 4 on the one hand opposite the center of the plastic preform 10 and thus also opposite to its longitudinal direction against the transport direction P is offset. Also you can see in the 2 the oblique employment of the loading device 4 or of the nozzle section 44 or the resulting oblique impingement direction 4 of the flowable medium. Also you can see that the plastic preforms 10 be transported along a circular transport path.

3 shows a comparison to illustrate the effect achieved by the invention. In the right part of the figure is shown that when exceeding a Grenzrinsdruck, in this case of 0.9 bar, at about 10 bar, especially in the region of the bottom within the plastic preform 10 Eddy currents, that is, a recirculation area, forms. This impedes or prevents an independent re-emergence of the flowable medium from the mouth 10a of the plastic preform 10 ,

In the left part of the figure, the flowable medium at a pressure of 0.7 bar, at least below the Grenzrinsdrucks, in the plastic preform 10 injected. It can be seen that even in the bottom area of the container, any eddy currents are avoided, possibly resulting. Existing dirt particles are particularly efficacious due to the laminar flow again out of the plastic preform 10 be rinsed out.

The 4 shows that in the 1 and 2 shown oblique injection of the flowable medium again purely schematically. However, now is out of the 4 particularly clearly seen that by the oblique employment of the nozzle device 44 the escaping mass flow preferably completely to the inner wall of the plastic preform 10 invests. In particular, the oblique setting favors an outflow of the flowable medium from the mouth of the container. This is because, among other things, because depending on the distance covered in the direction of the bottom of the plastic preform 10, the mass flow of the flowable medium fanning out more and therefore occupies more (surface) volume.

The 5 shows in a larger recording in the 3 shown situation. It can be seen that a shape of the mass jet and also the velocity distribution are fundamentally different due to the two pressure differences. at 10 Bar (right part of the figure) thickens the mass flow noticeably (significantly coning), which is significantly reduced at a pressure of 0.7 bar (ie below the limit rinsing pressure).

The 6 shows in a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a nozzle device described herein 44 , This nozzle device 44 is a full jet nozzle in this embodiment. Visible is a minimal nozzle cross-section 410 , which in the present case is at least 0.5 mm and at most 3.3 mm. The inventors have found that such a size dimension of the minimum nozzle cross section 410 at a pressure of up to 0.9 bar the unwanted eddy currents within the plastic preform 10 avoids.

The invention is not limited by the description and the embodiments. Rather, the invention encompasses every new feature as well as every combination of features, which also includes in particular every combination of the claims, even if this feature or this combination of features is not explicitly stated in the patent claims or the exemplary embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Device for sterilizing and / or cleaning

2

carrier

4

loading device

5

Rinsdruckeinstellungsvorrichtung

8th

gap

10

The plastic preforms

10a

mouth portion

10b

thread

10c

support ring

22

holder

38

carrier

42

channel

44

nozzle device

46

body

48

fastening device

410

minimum nozzle cross-section

L

Longitudinal direction of the plastic preforms

LB

Longitudinal direction of the loading device

P

transport direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102012112803 A1 [0003]

Claims (9)

Method for cleaning and / or sterilizing containers, in particular plastic preforms (10), with a transport device (2) which transports the containers (10) along a predetermined transport path, and with a multiplicity of loading devices (4) which hold the containers ( 10) with a flowable medium act, each Beaufschlagungseinrichtung (4) each comprise a nozzle device (44) by means of the flowable medium in the containers (10) is injected, characterized in that a Rinsdruck, under which the flowable medium in at least one Container (10) is injected, in response to a, in particular minimal, nozzle cross-section (410) of the nozzle device (44) is set such that within the container (10) at least in places a laminar flow of the flowable medium is generated. Method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the rinsing pressure is adjusted such that a, in particular maximum, exit velocity of the flowable medium always below a threshold exit velocity, in particular always below the speed of sound, remains. Method according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the rinsing pressure is below a Grenzrinsdrucks, wherein the Grenzrinsdruck is that pressure above which during the introduction of the flowable medium into the container (10), the flowable medium at least in places within the container (10) deviates from a laminar flow Flow trains. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rinsing pressure is at least 0.3 bar and at most 1.7 bar, preferably at least 0.5 bar and at most 1.5 bar. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the movement of the containers and / or the loading devices (4) along the transport path, the loading means (4) along the longitudinal directions (L) relative to the container associated with the loading device (4) (10) is arranged immovable. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a rinsing pressure adjustment device (5) by means of which the rinsing pressure is adjusted before each treatment and / or at least once during the treatment of a container (10). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that before and / or during the treatment of the containers (10) the Rinsdruckeinstellvorrichtung (5) regulates the Rinsdruck, in particular in dependence of the nozzle cross-section (410) of the nozzle means (44). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the loading means (4) are arranged such that they inject the flowable medium at a predetermined, different from 0 ° angle a, with respect to a longitudinal direction (L) of the containers (10) in this and / or the longitudinal directions (LB) of the loading devices (4) with respect to the longitudinal directions (L) of the containers (10) are arranged offset. Device for cleaning and / or sterilizing containers, in particular plastic preforms (10), with a transport device (2) which transports the containers (10) along a predetermined transport path, and with a multiplicity of loading devices (4) which hold the containers ( 10) with a flowable sterilization medium act, each Beaufschlagungseinrichtung (4) each comprise a nozzle means (44) by means of which the flowable medium in the containers (10) can be injected, characterized in that a Rinsdruck below the flowable medium in at least one container (10) is injected in dependence on a, in particular minimal, nozzle cross-section (410) of the nozzle device (44), is adjustable so that within the container (10) at least in places a laminar flow of the flowable medium can be generated.

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