DE202009010813U1 - Radiation treatment in the annular channel - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for sterilizing objects (2), in particular packaging, containers and / or machine parts, comprising
at least one processing space (4) for arranging at least one of the objects (2), the processing space (4) being bounded at least by a stationary wall area (6) and a moving wall area (8), at least one feeding device (10) for feeding one flowable disinfectant, in particular hydrogen peroxide, into the processing space (4),
at least one transport device (12) for transporting the article (2), wherein the article (2) can be transported at least temporarily within the processing space (4),
characterized in that
the device (1) has at least one radiation source (14a-14f) for irradiating the disinfectant.

Description

The The present invention is according to the preamble of the protection claim 1 to a device for sterilizing objects in particular packaging, containers and / or machine parts, directed. In particular, the invention directed to the sterilization of plastic containers.

such Sterilization devices are used, for example, in bottling plants for cold aseptic filling used by microbiologically sensitive food or products, wherein a packaging and machine sterilization by means of hydrogen peroxide vapor or gas is carried out. This aggressive disinfectant (corrosive, dangerous to health, etc.) may not, especially for the health of the plant operators to endanger, do not escape from the system. For this purpose, the plants are largely housed (insulator construction) and provided with suction.

Next so-called linear machines are also used so-called rotary. These carry the various treatment facilities and / or objects on carousels. By the rotation of the carousels opposite fixed System parts (eg machine tables and housings) are produced the problem that between carousel and z. B. housing an annular gap arises, which represents a leakage of the plant interior in relation to the plant appearance. Through this annular gap can in particular due to a prevailing overpressure in the system, Disinfectant shares especially in the form of vapors escape the plant interior. This problem is solved so far through various constructions with ring channels that act as a liquid filled "water lock" (annular Siphon). This is usually done as a liquid a sterile liquid used or used water with disinfectant additive. The level This construction must be ensured at all times so that the Ensures effectiveness of the siphon is. Furthermore, the liquid regularly exchange, for. B. for cleaning the channel, at least the disinfectant be sharpened regularly to always sterility to ensure. As a result, expensive disinfectants are consumed and a costly Installation is needed which monitors and has to be maintained.

It It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device which allows the sterilization of objects, is easily formed as well as a reduced maintenance effort and a reduced disinfectant consumption allows.

The object is achieved by a device for sterilizing objects in particular packaging, containers and / or machine parts, which has at least one processing space for arranging at least one of the objects, the processing space is limited at least by a stationary wall area and a moving wall area, at least one Feeding device for supplying a flowable disinfectant, preferably a gaseous disinfectant and particularly preferably hydrogen peroxide, in the processing space and at least one transport device for transporting the article, wherein the object is at least temporarily transportable within the processing space. According to the invention, the device has at least one radiation source for irradiating the disinfectant, wherein it is further preferred that the radiation source is provided for neutralizing the disinfectant. Neutralization here means in particular the acceleration of a decomposition process, in particular a decomposition process of hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ).

In a further preferred embodiment The present invention is between the moving wall area and the stationary wall portion, a channel for guiding the disinfectant intended. This is advantageous because preferred by this channel Air or the at least partially neutralized disinfectant or a combination of air and the at least partially neutralized Mixture of the machining processing space is derivable, creating a continuous fluid transport through the processing space is made possible.

In a further preferred embodiment According to the present invention, the channel is a gap seal and prefers a labyrinth seal. This is beneficial as the through the radiation device emitted radiation due to the gestaltlichen shaping the labyrinth direction is prevented from exiting the device is, d. H. Radiation emitted within the processing space can not escape directly from the processing room and thus absorbed by the wall parts or sealing elements becomes.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the radiation device or radiation source is arranged in the region of the channel. This is advantageous because the functionality of the disinfectant within the processing area is not affected by the radiation device and thus only when the disinfectant from the processing area a neutralization of the disinfectant or of the substance mixture consisting of disinfectant and air takes place. It is also advantageous that by the irradiation of the channel, which is preferably designed as an annular channel, in addition to the neutralization of the disinfectant, a sterilization of the channel takes place. The irradiation intensity here depends, for example, on the number and power of the radiation sources provided, the width of the channel or gap and the flow rate of disinfectant through the channel or gap.

In a further preferred embodiment According to the present invention, the radiation source is at least a light emitting diode, preferably, the radiation source is from a plurality of LEDs together or a variety of Radiation sources is formed by a large number of light-emitting diodes. This is advantageous because, by means of a plurality of light-emitting diodes an intensive irradiation or a comparable irradiation level individual or all channel sections can be reached, which in Each channel section a minimum degree of irradiation is providable.

In a further preferred embodiment In the present invention, the radiation source is a UV source, by means of which short-wave UV light, in particular UV light with a wavelength from 100 to 280 nm can be emitted. It is also conceivable that the radiation source X-rays, Gamma rays or other rays emitted. Inside a device for sterilizing objects Combinations of different radiation sources are also conceivable. Such radiation sources are advantageous because they are preferably electromagnetic Waves emit the decay process of the disinfectant accelerate.

In a further preferred embodiment The present invention is at least one ventilation unit or device provided, wherein by the ventilation unit a gas, in particular clean air in the processing area can be introduced. This is advantageous because in this way a defined overpressure can be generated in the processing chamber, whereby z. B. a defined effluent of disinfectant or air and Disinfectant existing fluid mixture from the processing area results out. Preferably, the ventilation unit is a filter ventilation unit, so only filtered air or clean air into the processing room can penetrate or is introduced. However, it is also conceivable that at least one filter device and at least one of them separately formed and only fluidically coupled therewith ventilation device is provided.

In a further preferred embodiment the present invention is at least one measuring device for Measuring the concentration of the disinfectant, in particular a hydrogen peroxide concentration provided. This is advantageous because by means of such a measuring device, the concentration of Disinfectant constantly monitored within the processing room can be. A surveillance the disinfectant concentration allows for improved quality assurance and resource savings, as a under- or oversupply of the processing room can be detected in a simple manner with disinfectant.

In a further preferred embodiment The present invention is a control device for adjusting a radiation intensity of Radiation source or radiation sources, in particular the UV source, dependent on the concentration of the disinfectant provided in the processing room. This is advantageous because by means of the control device, an automated monitoring and Control of the radiation source or the UV source is possible, thus reducing the need of a human intervention can be reduced and caused by smallest changes in no time can be reacted.

In a further preferred embodiment The present invention is the at least one transport unit prefers a carousel. This is advantageous because by means of a Carousels a continuous movement of the sterilized objects carried out can be. The already mentioned containers by means of a can be sterilized such device include at least plastic bottles, Metal bottles, glass bottles, cans, canisters, barrels, buckets, bowls, glasses and the respective blanks or preforms and parts thereof, such. B. Lid. In addition to rotating transport units are also linear acting transport units providable.

Preferably the disinfectant has a temperature between 16 ° C and 60 ° C, preferably between 20 ° C and 40 ° C on.

The present invention is also directed to a bottling plant for filling (perishable) Food directed. The system comprises at least one heating device to preheat of containers, at least one degermination device of the type described above and at least one filler to To fill of the containers. According to the invention, the sterilization device downstream the heater (with respect the transport direction of the containers) arranged and the filler is downstream arranged the sterilization device. This is advantageous because the to be filled Food can be bottled in immediately sterilized containers, which an impurity or a reduction in quality the food is avoided.

The The present invention is further directed to a method of sterilization of objects, in particular packaging, containers and / or machine parts, wherein at least one object a flowable disinfectant, In particular, hydrogen peroxide is exposed, the disinfectant is introduced into a processing space and / or in the processing room is maintained, at least by a moving wall area is limited to a stationary wall area and wherein the object with at least one transport device at least temporarily within the processing space is transported. According to the invention Disinfectant at least temporarily exposed to radiation, wherein the radiation is emitted from a radiation source. This is advantageous because by means of this method a simple and reliable Neutralization of the disinfectant is feasible and the sealing effort can be reduced.

In a further preferred embodiment In the present invention, the radiation is in a range a channel on the disinfectant. This is advantageous because the radiation forms a kind of lock, through which the flowing disinfectant inevitably the radiation is exposed and thus neutralized.

In a further preferred embodiment the present invention, the exit of the radiation from the Processing space out by means of a gap seal, in particular a labyrinth seal, prevented. This is beneficial since This way prevents people who are in the area stop the device exposed to radiation. to further limitation of the emission of electromagnetic radiation from the processing room, it is also conceivable that materials, such as As lead, used to prevent the electromagnetic Radiation penetrates the wall parts and / or seals.

At This point should be noted that all characteristics disclosed individually or in the application documents Combination with each other generic or from the state of the Advantageously develop technology known sterilization devices.

Further Advantages, objects and characteristics of the present invention explained with reference to the following description of attached drawings, in which exemplary sterilization devices are shown. Components of the sterilization device, which in the figures at least essentially match their function, can hereby be denoted by the same reference numerals, these components not quantified and explained in all figures.

In this demonstrate:

1 a two-dimensional cross-sectional view of a device for sterilizing objects;

2 a two-dimensional representation of a filling plant with a heater, a sterilization device and a filling device.

1 shows a two-dimensional cross-sectional view of a sterilization device according to the invention 1 by means of which objects 2 , in particular containers 2 , within a processing room 4 be arranged, moved and / or treated. The editing room 4 or treatment room 4 is through a stationary wall area 6 and a moving wall area 8th educated. A feeder 10 for supplying a preferably fluidic disinfectant, in particular hydrogen peroxide, can be moved on a transport device 12 or immovable at the stationary wall area 6 be arranged. The transport device 12 transports the containers 2 preferably at least in sections on a circular path within the processing space 4 , wherein the transport device 12 can be designed as a carousel, which is about an axis of rotation 13 is rotatably arranged.

The disinfectant is at the exit areas of the processing room 4 by at least one radiation source 14a - 14f can be irradiated, whereby a neutralization of the disinfectant takes place. The exit area is preferably through channel 16a . 16b educated. The illustrated embodiment has two exit areas and thus two channels 16a and 16b on. Each of these channels 16a . 16b is also a labyrinth seal 17a . 17b executable. Depending on the area of application and boundary conditions, there is a higher or lower number of channels 16a . 16b or labyrinth seals 17a . 17b be provided. The labyrinth seals 17a . 17b cause that through the radiation sources 14a - 14f radiated radiation does not escape from the device and thus does not act on an operator. Depending on the design of the device 1 It is also conceivable that a channel 16a or 16b for example, is executed as a simple gap, while another channel 16a . 16b as a labyrinth seal 17a . 17b is executed.

The radiation sources 14a . 14b . 14c and 14d are for example within or in the area of the labyrinth seal 17a arranged to pass through the labyrinth seal 17a formed channel or gap 16a is irradiated and thus a neutralization of the disinfectant takes place and / or a sterilization of the gap 16a or the labyrinth seal 17a is feasible. The labyrinth seal 17a is partially unmoved. The radiation sources 14e and 14f are in the area or in the labyrinth seal 17b provided, wherein the radiation source 14e is unmoved and the radiation source 14f is movably arranged, ie by means of the transport device 12 is rotationally movable.

It is conceivable that the radiation sources used 14e . 14f or all radiation sources 14a - 14f are arranged unmoved, ie not on a moving wall area 8th are provided, but at the stationary wall area 6 are provided. It is also conceivable that all radiation sources 14a - 14f are arranged moved. A power supply of the radiation sources takes place for example via a line element 15 , by means of the radiation sources 14a - 14f Power is supplied.

The radiation sources can, in a manner not shown, be arranged such that light-emitting diodes annularly concentric with the axis of rotation 13 of the carousel are arranged. They can also be arranged in several concentric rings.

The measuring device, not shown, known from the prior art for measuring the concentration of the disinfectant can with its measuring point within the processing room or within the channel 16a . 16b be arranged. The measuring device transfers to a control device, also not shown, a signal corresponding to the measured value. On the basis of the signal, the control device controls the radiation intensity necessary for complete neutralization by switching off or switching on individual radiation sources within a ring of radiation sources or by switching individual rings of the concentric rings off or on from radiation sources or by the radiation intensity of individual or single radiation sources multiple sources of radiation is reduced or increased by changing the power supply. It is important that the radiation sources are controlled so that the radiation intensity over the entire channel 16a . 16b is distributed so that the hydrogen peroxide is completely neutralized.

The respective radiation sources in the channels 16a . 16b the successively switched bottle treatment facilities z. B. heating device 20 , Degerminator 22 and filler 24 can be controlled independently, so that the radiation intensity in the respective channels 16a . 16b adapted to the treatment steps carried out in the respective bottle treatment facilities.

By means of a ventilation unit 18 , which is preferably designed as a filter ventilation unit, is air or clean air from the environment of the device 1 into the interior of the editing room 4 recoverable. By supplying clean air and / or the disinfectant is a pressure increase within the processing space 4 Generable relative to the ambient pressure, resulting in an outflow or outflow of the fluid mixture from the processing space 4 through at least one of the channels 16a . 16b through.

In 2 is a bottling plant 19 presented for filling perishable food containing a heating device 20 , a sterilization facility 22 and a filler 24 having. A transport of a container 2 takes place within the system downstream of the heater 20 towards the sterilization facility 22 and from there to the filler 24 , The heater 20 is in the in 2 shown representation as Vorwärmkarussell executed. Upstream upstream of the heater 20 is a bottle inlet 21 intended. Downstream of the facility 20 is a star wheel 23 arranged. The degerminator 22 has in this illustration at least one ring jacket gasket 25 on. Downstream of the bottle transport path is, as already described, the filler 24 provided by an insulator 26 is at least partially enclosed. After the filler 24 is further downstream a closure device 28 provided, which by means of a closure disinfection device 30 disinfected closures on or on the containers 2 install. After leaving the closure device 28 become the containers 2 to a bottle outlet 32 directed. The entire filling plant is preferably curved around a processing platform 34 arranged, but also linear arrangements or combined linear / arcuate arrangements are conceivable.

Other possible embodiments may include additional, not shown carousel-shaped article handling devices, such as. B. a bottle rinser downstream of the degerminator 22 , upstream of the filler, or also a means to blow the disinfectant with hot and / or cold air from the bottles and possibly also to cool the bottles. These functions may also be carried out in part by the above-mentioned treatment facilities.

All Features disclosed in the application documents are considered to be essential to the invention as long as they are individually or in combination with respect to State of the art are new.

1

contraption

2

objects

4

working space

6

unmoved wall region

8th

moving wall region

10

feeding

12

transport means

13

axis of rotation

14a-14f

radiation source

15

line element

16a, 16b

channel

17a, 17b

labyrinth seal

18

ventilation unit

19

bottling plant

20

heater

21

bottle infeed

22

sterilization device

23

star wheel

24

ink pen

25

Ring seal coat

26

insulator

28

closure device

30

Closure disinfection device

32

bottle outlet

34

stage

Claims (13)

Contraption ( 1 ) for sterilizing objects ( 2 ), in particular packaging, containers and / or machine parts, comprising at least one processing space ( 4 ) for arranging at least one of the objects ( 2 ), wherein the processing space ( 4 ) at least by a stationary wall area ( 6 ) and a moving wall area ( 8th ) is limited, at least one feeder ( 10 ) for supplying a flowable disinfectant, in particular hydrogen peroxide, into the processing space ( 4 ), at least one transport device ( 12 ) for transporting the object ( 2 ), the object ( 2 ) at least temporarily within the processing space ( 4 ), characterized in that the device ( 1 ) at least one radiation source ( 14a - 14f ) for irradiating the disinfectant. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the disinfectant is gaseous. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that between the moving wall region ( 8th ) and the stationary wall area ( 6 ) a channel ( 16a . 16b ) is provided for conducting the disinfectant. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the channel ( 16a . 16b ) a gap seal ( 16a . 16b ) and preferably a labyrinth seal ( 17 ). Device according to at least one of the preceding claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the radiation source ( 14a - 14f ) in the area of the channel ( 16a . 16b ) is arranged. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the radiation source ( 14a - 14f ) is provided for neutralizing the disinfectant. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the radiation source ( 14a - 14f ) has at least one light emitting diode. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the radiation source ( 14a - 14f ) is a UV source, by means of which short-wave UV light in particular UV light having a wavelength of 100-280 nm can be emitted Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a ventilation unit ( 18 ) is provided, whereby by the ventilation unit ( 18 ) a gas, in particular air, into the processing space ( 4 ) can be introduced. Device according to at least one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a measuring device for measuring the Concentration of the disinfectant, in particular a hydrogen peroxide concentration, is provided. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control device for adjusting a radiation intensity of the UV source as a function of the concentration of the disinfectant in the processing space ( 4 ) is provided. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device ( 12 ) is a carousel. Filling plant for filling foodstuffs comprising at least one heating device ( 20 ) for preheating to be filled containers ( 2 ), at least one degermination device ( 22 ) according to claim 1 and at least one filler ( 24 ) for filling the containers ( 2 ), characterized in that the sterilization device ( 22 ) downstream of the heater ( 20 ) and the filler ( 24 ) downstream of the sterilization device ( 22 ) is arranged.