EP1820770B1 - Apparatus for cold aseptic filling of a liquid into bottles or similar containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The outlet of each siphonic seal is implemented as an overflow adjusting the level of barrier fluid. Siphonic seals are connected via supply lines to a common reservoir from which the annular channels are continuously supplied with barrier fluid. The supply lines include means of individual adjustment and/or control of the volumetric flowrate of barrier fluid, which flows to each siphonic seal.

Description

The invention relates to a system for cold aseptic filling of a liquid filling material in bottles or the like container according to the preamble of claim 1 or 3. Such a system is known from WO 2004/065283 known.

Systems for the cold aseptic filling of a liquid filling material into bottles or similar containers, for example for the cold aseptic filling of heat-sensitive beverages (eg fruit juices) are known in various designs. The individual, such a plant forming and adjoining each other in the manufacturing or treatment line machines such. B. rinser, sterilizer, filling machine, capper, are provided with enclosures, in such a way that within the plant a conveyor line for the containers or bottles in a sterile room results, through this enclosure against adjacent non-sterile rooms or areas, for example the environment is sealed in particular against the ingress of germs.

U. a. when using machines of rotating design, as is customary for rinsers, sterilizers, filling machines and / or closing machines, such housing usually has several transitions between a rotating or rotating part of the housing and a stationary part of this housing, so that to these Areas of special seals are required.

It is known ( WO2004 / 065283 ) form such seals as labyrinth or siphon seals. Each siphon seal consists essentially of at least one of the rotational or rotational axis of the encircling part of the housing annularly enclosing channel-like channel or annular channel, in which an annular wall portion extends to a provided on the other part of the housing element of the siphon seal. At least during the filling operation of the annular channel is filled with a barrier liquid to the extent that even the at least one annular wall portion of the siphon seal immersed sufficiently deep in the barrier liquid, so that the remaining between the two elements of the respective siphon seal column is sealed by the barrier liquid , The barrier liquid preferably contains a sterilizing medium and consists for example of distilled, sterile water with a proportion of hydrogen peroxide H ₂ O ₂ . In general, the at least one annular channel-forming element of the siphon seal on the non-rotating part and provided in the ring channel extending into the annular wall portion having element of the siphon seal on the peripheral part of the housing at the relevant transition.

In order to achieve the desired sealing and blocking effect, it is necessary that the level of the barrier liquid in the respective annular channel does not fall below a predetermined level. In the known machine each siphon seal for this purpose is assigned an independent buffer container for the barrier liquid, which is connected via a line to the annular channel of the siphon seal in the manner of communicating tubes. By an electronic control circuit with a level sensor in the buffer tank and a control valve in a supply line of the local liquid level of the barrier liquid is kept at a predetermined level, so that the liquid level of Barrier liquid in the annular channel of the associated siphon seal has the predetermined level.

Due to the design of such a siphon seals at different levels are necessary in a system for cold aseptic filling, so that in the known system at least for each level an independent buffer tank with control circuit and the associated components (sensors, control valves, etc.) is necessary, which is a considerable design effort means.

Also known is a system for the aseptic filling of a liquid filling material in bottles or similar containers ( US 3,799,220 ) with a container receiving the filling and formed by a housing sterile space and with several, each having a channel for receiving a barrier fluid having siphon seals. For the barrier liquid, a single reservoir is provided, from which the barrier liquid is passed through a common line for all siphon seals on a distributor plate, via which the barrier liquid flows to the channels of the individual siphon seals. The outlet of the channels is in each case designed as an overflow which determines the level of the level of the sealing liquid. In the case of a multiplicity of siphon seals, which are in particular spatially separated from one another and / or arranged at different levels, this known construction does not represent a viable solution.

It is also known ( EP 1 369 379 A1 ) a plant for the aseptic filling of a liquid product into bottles or similar containers, which are in turn received during filling in a sterile space formed by a housing, the sterile air is supplied under pressure. At transitions between fixed and moving parts of the housing labyrinth seals are provided, which are flowed through by the sterile air from inside to outside. The flow path formed by these labyrinth seals, for example, additionally sealed by an external mechanical seal.

The object of the invention is to remedy this disadvantage and to show a system for cold aseptic filling of a liquid filling material in bottles or similar container, in spite of the simplified design ensures the presence of sealing or sealing liquid in the annular channel of each siphon seal with the required level is. To solve this problem, a system according to claim 1 or 3 is formed.

In one embodiment of the system according to the invention a plurality of siphon seals are provided, for example at different levels in each case at the transitions between a rotating or rotating part of the housing and a fixed part of the housing. All siphon seals or their annular channels are then constantly supplied with barrier liquid from a common supply or supply tank or reservoir, for example via a common pump and individually associated with the individual siphon seals means for adjusting or regulating the flow rate of the respective Siphon seal inflowing barrier fluid. Since the at least one outlet of the respective annular channel is designed as an overflow, the necessary level of the liquid level of the barrier liquid automatically arises in each annular channel without the need for an electronic control loop.

The individually provided in the supply or in the supply lines of the siphon seals means for adjusting or regulating the flow hydrostatic differences that result from the different height level of the various siphon seals balanced. Preferably, these means for adjusting and regulating the volume flow of adjusting valves are formed, which are set once, for example, when commissioning the system. By adjusting the volume flow of the barrier liquid and different pollution conditions at the individual siphon seals can be taken into account, ie the flow to such siphon seals, where the barrier liquid by the formation and / or arrangement of the seal in question and / or by external influences is subject to a higher level of contamination or microbial contamination, is set closer than to such siphon seals, where the degree of pollution is lower.

To immediately detect any errors in the supply system for supplying the siphon seals with the sealing or sealing liquid and to take appropriate action in case of failure, such as the discontinuation of an error message and / or the interruption of the filling process, is in the barrier fluid return each siphon Seal arranged a flow meter, which is actually determined either the volume flow of the backflowing barrier liquid and compared with the flow rate of the respective siphon seal inflowing barrier liquid, so that at a tolerable Tolleranzgrenze difference exceeding the error message and / or production interruption caused or the error message and / or the immediate stoppage of production are then initiated when the flowmeter concerned does not detect any backflowing barrier liquid or that from the flowmeter determined volume flow is below a predetermined threshold.

A level control of the liquid level of the barrier liquid in the siphon seals is neither provided nor required in the invention. This results in a significant simplification of the design and beyond a much improved reliability, since the level of the liquid level regulating electronic control circuits are avoided.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one transition between the circulating or rotating part of the housing and the stationary part of the housing is additionally provided with at least one mechanical seal, which then consists of a sealing element extending along the siphon seal on one of the housings. which cooperates with a sealing surface on the other part of the enclosure. In this case, this mechanical seal is preferably provided on the side of the siphon seal facing the non-sterile region, so that the siphon seal is shielded from the non-sterile region by the mechanical seal. This results in several other advantages. Thus, the direct contact of the barrier liquid with the non-sterile area or with the local air is avoided by this mechanical seal, which in particular the microbial contamination and / or contamination of the barrier liquid is reduced. Furthermore, an occurrence of barrier fluid and / or the present in this liquid sterilization medium is prevented in the non-sterile area and thus in particular impairments, such as odor nuisance for persons, such as operating personnel, who are in the non-sterile area.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one siphon seal is provided with at least one outlet opening or nozzle for a cleaning or sterilizing medium, so that this seal or its annular channel is then cleaned and / or sterilized in a CIP cleaning or SIP sterilization can be, which is particularly in a plant with a variety of provided on Einhausungsübergängen siphon seals of great advantage, in particular, the cleaning and sterilization of the siphon seals a system with a variety of such Seals significantly simplified and can be carried out in a small amount of time.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

in sehr vereinfachter Blockdarstellung mehrere zu einer Anlage zusammengestellte Einzelmaschinen für eine kaltsterile oder kaltaseptische Abfüllung eines Füllgutes in Flaschen;

Fig. 2

in Teildarstellung einen der Behandlungs- bzw. Sterilisationsköpfe einer Vorrichtung oder Einzelmaschine (Sterilisator) zum Sterilisieren der Flaschen, zusammen mit einer einen sterilen Raum von einem nicht sterilen Raum, z. B. der Umgebung trennenden Siphon- oder Labyrinth-Dichtung an einem Einhausungsübergang;

Fig. 3

ein Versorgungssystem zur Versorgung mehrerer Siphon- und LabyrinthDichtungen mit der erforderlichen Dicht- oder Sperrflüssigkeit

Fig. 4

eine Darstellung wie Figur 2, jedoch in einer Ausführung für eine CIP-Reinigung und/oder SIP-Sterilisation der Siphon- bzw. Labyrinth-Dichtung;

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of an embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a very simplified block diagram of several assembled to form a single machines for cold-sterile or cold aseptic filling of a filling in bottles;

Fig. 2

in partial representation one of the treatment or sterilization heads of a device or single machine (sterilizer) for sterilizing the bottles, together with a sterile room from a non-sterile room, z. B. the environment separating siphon or labyrinth seal on a housing transition;

Fig. 3

a supply system for supplying several siphon and labyrinth seals with the required sealing or barrier fluid

Fig. 4

a representation like FIG. 2 but in one embodiment for CIP cleaning and / or SIP sterilization of the siphon or labyrinth seal;

The in the FIG. 1 generally designated 1 overall system is used for cold aseptic filling of a liquid filling material in bottles 2, which are fed in the system 1 via a feed dog 3 (arrow A) and z. B. in the system first cleaned and treated in a sterilizer 4 with a suitable treatment medium, including a heated or vaporized aerosol consisting of air and water peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ), then filled in a filling machine 5 with the contents and finally in a Capper 6 are closed, so that the filled and sealed bottles 2 then on the conveyor 7 another station, z. B. can be supplied to a labeling machine.

Within the plant 1, the bottles move in a germ-free, sterile sealed to the outside space, which is formed by a corresponding housing. But since the sterilizer 4 as well as other single machines, eg. B. the filling machine 5 and the capping machine 6 and possibly an unillustrated rinser machines are designed as revolving design, resulting in the housing or at the separation between the sterile room and the non-sterile space and Einhausungsübergange between each rotating or revolving Element and a stationary, ie non-rotating element. Such a transition is in the FIG. 2 illustrated by way of example and denoted by the arrow 8. To seal such transitions, siphon or labyrinth seals are provided there. Such a seal is in the FIG. 2 exemplified and generally designated 9.

In detail shows the FIG. 2 a treatment head 10 of the sterilizer 4. This treatment head is at the top of a circumferential around a vertical axis of the machine driven disc-shaped rotor 11 is provided and has substantially the skilled person training, including with a nozzle tube 12 which projects beyond the bottom of the rotor 11 and which is for sterilizing the respective bottle 2 inserted into this through its mouth bottle 2.1. The bottles 2 are each held on a bottle carrier 13, which is provided in the region of each treatment head 10 on the rotor 11. The lowering and raising of the nozzle tube is pneumatically by a provided in the housing of the treatment head 10 actuator (piston 14 and return spring 15). In the treatment head 10, a helical channel 16 is further formed, which is traversed during the sterilization phase of the provided in a nozzle assembly 17 treatment or sterilization medium. The treatment head 10 is further sealed to the top of the disc-shaped rotor 11 so that only the nozzle tube 12 projects through a sealed opening 18 in the rotor 11 over the bottom of this rotor.

The rotor 11 as well as a non-rotating with the rotor, d. H. fixed wall 19 to a machine frame 20 are parts of the housing, which separates a sterile space 21, which is formed below the rotor 11 and within the wall 19 and in which the bottles 2 move, from an outer, non-sterile space 22. As already stated, at the transition 8 between the rotor 11 and the stationary wall element 19 there is a siphon or labyrinth seal 9. In the illustrated embodiment, this essentially consists of a rotor 11 which does not encircle the machine frame 20 , the vertical axis of the rotor 11 concentrically enclosing ring 23, which forms an open at the top annular channel 24. In this annular channel 24 extends from above an annular, the axis of the rotor 11 concentrically enclosing wall portion 25 into it, which is part of an attached to the circumference of the circular disk-shaped rotor 11 annular body 26.

For sterile sealing of the space 21 with respect to the environment 22, the annular channel 24 is filled to a level 27 with a barrier liquid, so that the wall portion 25 is immersed with a greater part of its axial length in this liquid and thereby the siphon or labyrinth seal 9 results.

The barrier liquid consists for example of sterile or distilled water and has, in order to meet the hygienic requirements of the filling process, sterilizing, cleaning and germicidal properties, which is achieved in particular by maintaining a minimum concentration of a germicidal and sterilizing additive, for example H ₂ O ₂ becomes. The H ₂ O ₂ concentration is for example 35%.

On the annular body 26 is relative to the axis of the rotor 11 radially outwardly a sealing ring 28 provided with sealing lip 29 made of a suitable rubber-elastic material or elastomeric plastic. The sealing lip 29 of the, the axis of the rotor 11 concentrically enclosing seal ring 28 is located on an annular, the axis of the rotor 11 also concentrically enclosing sealing surface 30, which is provided on the rotor 11 facing away, radially outer side of the ring 23. The cooperating with the sealing surface 30 seal 28 forms an additional mechanical seal 31. It is essential that this seal 31 between the siphon or labyrinth seal 9 and the non-sterile area 22, z. B. the environment is provided, ie the mechanical seal 31, the siphon or labyrinth seal 9 against the environment 22 shields.

By the mechanical seal 31 u. a. prevents barrier or barrier liquid or the sterilization medium present in this liquid from entering the environment, and persons present in this environment, in particular also operating personnel, are at least adversely affected by the smell of the barrier fluid and / or are contaminated and / or endangered by this barrier fluid ,

By the mechanical seal 31, the barrier liquid is effectively protected against contamination and / or microbial contamination from the environment 22 ago, so that the desired barrier effect is achieved with high security and in addition to reduce the cost of maintaining the desired H 2 O 2 concentration.

Essential for achieving the desired barrier effect is u. a., That the annular channel 26 with the barrier liquid sufficiently, d. H. is filled to the level 27 and thus the portion 25 extends sufficiently deep into the barrier liquid. This is ensured by the fact that during the filling operation via one or more inlets 32 sealing liquid is constantly supplied to the annular channel 24 and this liquid is constantly removed via one or more outlets 33 from the annular channel 24. The outlets 33 are designed as overflows, so that thereby automatically, d. H. without a regulation the level 27 of the liquid level of the barrier liquid in the annular channel 24 sets.

In the area of the plant 1, several transitions 8 are provided between a peripheral part and a stationary part of the enclosure, for example in the area of the filling machine 5 and in the area of the capper 6. At all these transitions 8 are the siphon or labyrinth seal 9 corresponding siphon or labyrinth seals provided, and preferably in turn, each with an additional mechanical seal 31 on the outside, d. H. the environment facing side of the respective siphon seal. 9

To supply all siphon seals 9, which are arranged, inter alia, machine-related at different levels, which serves in the FIG. 3 reproduced supply system. This includes, inter alia, a treatment and storage tank 34 for the fresh barrier liquid. H ₂ O ₂ and distilled and sterile water are supplied to this tank via control valves 36 and 37 controlled by a processor 35, depending on the required H ₂ O ₂ concentration monitored by a sensor 38 (eg 35%). ) of the barrier liquid.

The supply tank 34 is connected to various ring or supply lines 41, which are each connected via a control valve 42 for adjusting the volume flow or the flow rate with the inlets 32 of the annular channel 24 of a siphon seal 9. The respective control valve 42 is set, for example, during commissioning or during a test run such that, despite the different height levels of the individual siphon seals 9 the annular channel 24 each siphon seal 9 sufficient fluid is flowing, not only to maintain the required level 27 of Liquid level of the barrier liquid in the respective annular channel 24, but also to achieve a sufficient replacement of the barrier liquid in the respective annular channel 24, u. a. also depending on the expected degree of contamination. With the respective control valve 42 is thus preferably a constant volume flow for the respective siphon seal 9 inflowing barrier liquid set.

The outlets 33 of each annular channel 24 are connected to a common conduit 43 in which a flow meter 44 is provided and which leads to a buffer tank 45. About a provided at the outlet of the buffer tank 45 control valve 46, the buffer tank 45 is level controlled drained, in a common for all siphon seals 9 ring or manifold 47 through which the barrier liquid by means provided in this manifold, additional pump 48 to the Tank 34 is returned. In the collecting line 47, a sensor or analysis unit 49 is provided, with which the H ₂ O ₂ content of the recirculated barrier liquid is analyzed, so then depending on the measurement data supplied by this sensor unit 49 via the processor 35, the addition of H ₂ O. ₂ can be controlled, namely to maintain the required H ₂ O ₂ concentration.

By in the FIG. 3 shown supply system is, inter alia, ensures that all siphon seals 9 are sufficiently supplied with barrier fluid even at different height level and the barrier fluid in each siphon seal 9 also has the required H ₂ O ₂ concentration. A significant safety factor here is the individually provided in the return line 43 each siphon seal 9 flow meter 44. The flow meter 44 monitors that a sufficient amount of sealing liquid flows back through the outlets 33 formed as overflows. Then, when the amount of barrier fluid flowing through the flowmeter 44 falls below a predetermined lower threshold value, a malfunction of the system 1 is visually and / or acoustically indicated on the basis of the measured data of the flowmeter 44 and / or the operation of the system 1 is stopped.

For this purpose, the volumetric flow of the sealing liquid flowing back from the siphon seal is determined with the flow meter 44, for example, and then compared with the fixed value of the volumetric flow of the sealing liquid flowing into the respective siphon seal 9. If the difference exceeds a predetermined tolerance value, an error message is output which leads to the visual and / or acoustic error signal and / or causes an immediate production interruption. Basically there is z. B. also the possibility of the flowmeter 44 in such a way that an error message is then prompted when the flow the sealing fluid flowing back from the respective siphon seal 9 falls below a predetermined threshold value.

It has been assumed above that the recirculated barrier liquid returns to the tank 34 after passing through the sensor unit 49. In principle, it is also possible to provide a further treatment of the barrier liquid before it is then returned to the tank 34.

The described construction of the siphon seals 9 also makes it possible to clean all the siphon seals 9 during cleaning of the system 1 as part of a CIP cleaning (cleaning in place) and also to sterilize them in the context of a SIP sterilization (sterilization in place) , Especially in the field of cold aseptic filling, it is of particular importance, all inside, d. H. In the sterile room 21 located areas of a plant 1 to clean regularly and disinfect or sterilize.

For CIP cleaning or SIP sterilization are according to the FIG. 4 provided at the respective siphon seal 9 in addition to the inlets 32 and outlets 33 nozzles or nozzle orifices 50 and 51, which form a spray and disinfection device and on the respective siphon seal 9 and in particular its ring 23 including the annular channel 24 can be cleaned or rinsed with a cleaning liquid and then treated with a liquid disinfecting or sterilizing medium, for example with a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide solution. The nozzle openings 50 and 51 are for this purpose connected to a corresponding system for supplying the cleaning and / or sterilization medium. The reaching into the annular channel 24 treatment medium flows through the outlets 33. In addition, closed during the normal filling operation outlets 52 are used to completely empty the respective annular channel 24th

In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzles or nozzle orifices 50 and 51 are provided on the rotating part, ie on the ring body 26 rotating with the rotor, so that with a relatively small amount of cleaning and disinfecting medium, a cleaning of the entire siphon seal 9 and in particular of the ring 23 with the annular channel 24 is possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Plant for aseptic cold filling

2

bottle

3

carrier

4

sterilizer

5

filling Machine

6

capper

7

carrier

8th

Transition between an encircling and a stationary part of the enclosure

9

Siphon or labyrinth seal

10

treatment head

11

rotor

12

nozzle tube

13

Bottle or container carrier

14

piston

15

Return spring

16

channel

17

nozzle assembly

18

opening

19

wall element

20

machine frame

21

sterile room

22

non-sterile room or environment

23

ring

24

annular channel

25

ring section

26

ring body

27

Level of sealing or sealing fluid

28

sealing ring

29

sealing lip

30

sealing

31

mechanical seal

32

inlet

33

outlet

34

tank

35

processor

36, 37

control valve

38

sensor

39

pump

40

distributor

41

supply line

42

Flow control valve

43

return

44

Flowmeter

45

buffer tank

46

control valve

47

manifold

48

pump

49

sensor unit

50, 51

Outlet or nozzle for cleaning or sterilizing medium

52

outlet

A

transport direction

Claims (17)

1. An apparatus for the cold aseptic filling of a liquid product into bottles or similar containers (2), having a transport section on which the containers (2) are conveyed through at least one container treatment machine (4, 5, 6) in a sterile region (21) which is separated by an enclosure from at least one non-sterile region (22), wherein the enclosure is formed by at least one rotating part (11) and one static part (19), and wherein at the transition (8) between these parts there is provided to facilitate the relative motion of said parts a plurality of siphon seals (9) each consisting of at least one ring channel (24) which concentrically surrounds an axis of the rotary part (11) and contains a sealing or blocking liquid on one part of the enclosure, as well as of at least one annular wall element (25) on the other part (11) of the enclosure, said wall element projecting into the ring channel (24) and into the sealing liquid therein contained, each siphon seal (9) exhibiting at least one inlet (32) that is connected with a supply line (41) for feeding the sealing liquid into the at least one ring channel (24) and at least one outlet (33) for discharging the sealing liquid out of the ring channel (24),
   characterised in that the at least one outlet (33) of each siphon seal (9) is configured as an overflow that sets the level of the liquid surface (27) of the sealing liquid, in that the siphon seals (9) are connected via the supply lines (41) with a common reservoir (34) from which the ring channels (24) are constantly supplied with sealing liquid (24), and
   in that means for the individual setting and/or regulating of the volumetric flow rate of the sealing liquid flowing to each siphon seal (9) are provided in the supply lines (41).
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised in that a flow meter (44) through which the sealing liquid flows is provided for monitoring the volumetric flow rate of the sealing liquid flowing from each ring channel (24).
3. An apparatus for the cold aseptic filling of a liquid product into bottles or similar containers, having a transport section on which the containers (2) are conveyed through at least one container treatment machine (4, 5, 6) in a sterile region (21) which is separated by an enclosure from at least one non-sterile region (22), wherein the enclosure is formed by at least one rotating part (11) and one static part (19) and wherein at the transition (8) between these parts there is provided to facilitate the relative motion of the parts a siphon seal (9) which consists of at least one ring channel (24) which concentrically surrounds an axis of the rotary part (11) and contains a sealing or blocking liquid on one of the two parts of the enclosure, and further consists of at least one annular wall element (25) on the other part (11) of the enclosure, said wall element projecting into the ring channel (24) and into the sealing liquid therein contained, having at least one inlet (32) for feeding the sealing liquid into the at least one ring channel (24) and having at least one outlet (33) for discharging the sealing liquid from the ring channel (24), characterised in that the at least one outlet (33) is configured as an overflow that sets the level of the liquid surface (27) of the sealing liquid, in that the at least one inlet (32) is connected with a reservoir (34) from which the at least one ring channel is constantly supplied with sealing liquid (24), and in that a flow meter (44) through which the sealing liquid flows is provided for monitoring the volumetric flow rate of the sealing liquid flowing from the at least one ring channel (24).
4. An apparatus according to Claim 3, characterised in that at the transition (8) between these parts of the enclosure there is provided a plurality of siphon seals (9), in that the inlets of the siphon seals (9) are each connected via supply lines (41) with a common reservoir (34) from which the ring channels (24) are supplied with the sealing liquid (24), and in that means for the individual setting and/or regulating of the volumetric flow rate of the sealing liquid flowing to each siphon seal (9) are provided in the supply lines (41).
5. An apparatus according to Claim 3 or 4, characterised in that at the transition (8) between these parts of the enclosure there is provided a plurality of siphon seals (9) and in that a dedicated flow meter (44) is provided for monitoring the volumetric flow rate of the sealing liquid flowing from each ring channel (24).
6. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 2-5, characterised in that the respective flow meter (44) serves to generate a measurement signal which brings about an error message and/or an immediate production interruption if the volumetric flow rate returning from the at least one ring channel (26) is not the same as the volumetric flow rate of the sealing liquid flowing to the at least one ring channel (26) and/or if the returning volumetric flow rate is below a predetermined threshold value.
7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by at least one sensor unit (40) for the continuous analysis of the returned sealing liquid, in particular for determining the concentration of a sterilising medium in the sealing liquid, across which (sensor unit) the returned sealing liquid passes to the reservoir (4) or to a device for conditioning the sealing liquid.
8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a common pump (39) for supplying the sealing liquid is associated with all siphon seals (9) or groups of such seals.
9. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reservoir (34) for supplying the siphon seals (9) with sealing liquid is also the reservoir for collecting the returned sealing liquid.
10. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that means (35, 36, 37, 38) for setting and regulating a predetermined concentration of sterilisation medium or for making-up the sterilisation medium are provided on the reservoir (34) for the sealing liquid.
11. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one mechanical seal (31) is provided laterally on at least one siphon seal (9).
12. An apparatus according to Claim 11, characterised in that the siphon seal (9) is surrounded by the at least one mechanical seal (31) and/or encloses the latter.
13. An apparatus according to Claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the at least one mechanical seal (31) is provided between the siphon seal (9) and the non-sterile region (22).
14. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 11-13, characterised in that the mechanical seal (31) is formed by at least one sealing element or sealing ring (28) which is provided on a part (11) of the enclosure and which interacts with a sealing surface (30) formed on the other part (19, 20) of the enclosure.
15. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by at least one outlet orifice or nozzle orifice (50, 51) for a cleaning and/or sterilisation medium on the at least one siphon seal (9) for cleaning and/or sterilising said seal in a CIP cleaning system and/or in a SIP sterilisation system.
16. An apparatus according to Claim 15, characterised in that the at least one outlet orifice or outlet nozzle (50, 51) is provided on the rotary part (11) of the enclosure, for example on the element of the siphon seal (9) that is provided on said part.
17. An apparatus according to Claim 16, characterised in that the at least one outlet orifice or outlet nozzle (50, 51) is provided lying opposite the at least one ring channel (24) of the siphon seal (9) or opposite the element of the siphon seal (9) exhibiting the said ring channel (24).

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