EP2409947B1 - Device and method for treating containers with a cleaning system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for treating containers. The invention will be described with reference to a device for filling containers, but it should be noted that the invention can also be applied to other container treatment systems, such as container rinsing systems or container sterilizing systems.

Bottling plants must be cleaned regularly, especially if microbiologically susceptible products are bottled. In addition to a cleaning / disinfection of the outer surfaces by means of, for example, detergent foam, disinfectant, water and / or the like, in particular the line network for the filling product and / or secondary media such as CO2, vacuum or sterile air by rinsing with particular liquid media such as sodium hydroxide, acid, cold - / hot water, disinfectant or even (water) treated steam. In addition to a lost cleaning, in which the medium used is not driven in the circuit, but is only once passed through the pipe network and then, for example, in the sewage system, various methods have been established using a cleaning cycle.

For this purpose, the cleaning media, using the example of a rotary filling machine, usually spent over the product path of a CIP system, via an interface, a media rotary distributor, if necessary. A product reservoir and feed lines to the filling element. From there, the media by possibly. At the filling element existing channels, such as Return gas paths or product circulation lines for hot filling, via CIP return lines, returned to the CIP system via a media rotary distributor. For this cycle works when then open filling valve, the filling opening of the filling valve is closed by means of a pot-shaped or plate-shaped closing element. As a result, when the fill valve is open, there is a short circuit between the product and the return path.

From the DE 20 2006 006 149 U1 a filling device for containers is known. In this case, a flushing cap is provided, which can be pressed against the filling element, for which purpose separate lifting and pivoting drives are provided. Thus, this device has separate drives for each movement, which is disadvantageous in that additional components are used, which increases cost and maintenance.

From the EP 0 409 798 A1 a filter valve for filling devices is known, wherein a support for a dummy bottle is provided. During the filling operation, a rinsing cup is held laterally offset from the filling opening by a cam disk on the filling valve housing. For a cleaning operation, a cam is driven and releases the rinse cup, whereby it can be passed through a sleeve and a container carrier support rod can be pivoted via a controlled pivot arm in an engaged position under the filling opening. However, this device is relatively complex in structure and therefore expensive.

The EP 0 785 134 A2 describes a method and apparatus for cleaning filling machines. In this case, height-fixed washing containers are arranged on the lower part of a filling carousel, which are pivoted together by means of a pinion and by means of a pinion engaging in the pinion together and simultaneously from a disengaged position into an engaged position below the filling openings. However, the process of lowering and raising the filler shell is relatively expensive.

The EP 1 577 258 also describes a filling head and a cleaning device suitable for this purpose. In this case, filling valves are raised by a certain height and then dummy bottles are pivoted under the filling valves. However, this structure is relatively complicated and also requires both a movement of the filling valve and the said dummies.

From the EP 0 574 321 A1 is also a device for filling containers with a liquid known. In this case, the filling opening is closed by pressing a container carrier to clean them. The container carrier itself thus serves as a flushing plate.

The WO 2009/004500 A1 describes a filling valve for a filling machine according to the preamble of claim 1. In this case, a flushing plate is lowered cam-controlled, cam-controlled pivoted under the filling opening and pressed by spring force against the filling opening. In a non-engaged position, the flushing plate is locked by the same spring force. Thus, a separate mechanism is provided here to achieve the lifting movement of the flushing plate. In addition, the swivel mechanism for the flushing plate is arranged directly next to the filling opening, which is disadvantageous from a hygienic point of view.

From the DE 103 59 779 B4 a filling element of a filling machine is known. In this case, a radially displaceable flushing plate is arranged on a container carrier. During a rinsing process, this container carrier is pushed against the filling element and at the same time the rinsing plate moves in the radial direction under the filling valve. Therefore, guides and receptacles for the flushing plate are present in this device, which make the container carrier in the construction relatively complex. Furthermore, the cleanability of the container carrier is made difficult in this approach. In addition, such container carriers usually only have to absorb the force that results from the mass of the filled container and the contact pressure. Now, if a flushing plate is pressed by the container carrier to the filling element, this must withstand more than the system pressure during cleaning in order to actually close the filling opening tight. However, this load is much higher than in the normal filling operation. In addition, the flushing plate is not very suitable for filling elements in which projecting at the bottom of a probe or a return gas pipe.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to make such container treatment plants and in particular with respect to a cleaning process less expensive. This object is achieved by the subject of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A device according to the invention for treating containers has a treatment element which treats the containers. Furthermore, the device has a cover to at least temporarily cover the treatment element during a cleaning operation for the device, wherein the cover is movable in a first movement with respect to a predetermined axis such that a relative position between this axis and the cover at least temporarily changes and wherein the cover member is displaceable in a second movement in the direction of extension of this axis to move the cover member relative to the treatment element.

According to the invention, a first drive device is provided to effect the movement of the cover element in the first movement, and a second drive means for effecting the sliding movement of the cover in the second movement along the axis, wherein the second drive means mechanically at least temporarily separated from the cover is. Thus, the cover itself is not disposed on the second drive means, but this particular causes only temporarily a lifting movement of this cover, in particular by during this movement, a mechanical coupling with the cover or an arm on which the cover is arranged is prepared.

A movement type refers to a movement which is characterized in particular by constant movements such as swivels, displacements, rotations, folding processes and the like, or else a certain predetermined sequence or combination of these movements. Preferably, these movements or their sequences or combinations of a certain type of movement do not change. Advantageously, the two types of movement differ in at least one feature or a movement of each other. For example, a pivoting movement and a sliding movement are referred to as different types of movement, but also, for example, on the one hand a pure displacement movement and on the other hand, a combined pivot-displacement movement.

The invention is preferably applicable to any filling system in which a filling container is arranged on / on a container carrier, wherein the container carrier is provided with a lifting device. With these filling systems are preferred but not exclusively carbonized Beverages, so filled under back pressure. The lifting device usually serves to bring a mouth or an upper opening of the filling container in hermetic sealing contact with a region at the bottom of a filling opening.

This area can be a direct part of a bottom piece of a filling valve, wherein the filling opening is arranged in the bottom piece. Also, this area can be arranged on / in an intermediate piece, a so-called centering tulip. The centering tulip is usually guided vertically movable tulip guide rods and is in turn brought by the filling container opening in the lifting movement with its top in hermetic sealing contact with the bottom piece. The sealing areas can be provided with specially provided sealing elements.

After making the sealing contact with a contact pressure above the filling pressure, the steps of the respective filling method can be carried out, such as, for example, gas flushing, evacuation, tempering, filling and relieving. The invention is not limited to a special filling method with regard to the determination of the filled amount per filling container (inductive flow meter, mass flow meter, dosing, electrical or other level sensors that extend into the filling). The invention is also applicable to ordinary filling machines which are arranged free-standing within a machine protection, such as filling machines, which are in a clean room due to high hygiene requirements or built in insulator technology.

The design according to the invention provides a simply constructed, cost-effective and hygienic structure for automatically closing and opening the filling opening by means of a closing element in order to enable a cleaning cycle.

In an advantageous embodiment, the cover element is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the containers between the first drive device and the second drive device.

This means that preferably also the two drive means are separated from each other and, for example, the lifting and lowering movement is made from below, while the pivoting movement or other movements relative to the above-said axis be made by a drive means which lies above the filling valve or the cover.

Advantageously, the second drive means also serves to move the containers in their longitudinal direction. Thus, this can be a container carrier, which raises the containers during normal work operation. Advantageously, this second drive device also has a holding or gripping device for the individual containers.

According to the invention, the axis is a pivot axis and the first movement is a pivoting movement of the cover member about the first axis. However, it would also be possible to arrange the cover element on guide arrangements, for example two parallel guide rods, which are not connected to one another at the end, such that it can be folded by a suitable drive from a raised (or vertical) disengaged position into a horizontal engaged position , Again, the relative position is changed at least temporarily with respect to an axis.

Furthermore, an example radially insertable cover can be attached to a guide rod. In this way, then no rotary drive for the said guide rod is necessary, but a displacement drive for the cover.

According to the invention, the device has a rotatable movement rod for pivoting the cover element. In this case, the cover can be arranged via an arm on this rotatable movement rod. This rotatable movement rod is displaceable along its longitudinal direction, so that in this way the lifting and lowering movement of the cover can be achieved. The longitudinal direction substantially corresponds to the longitudinal direction of a container. Thus, here the cover, so for example a so-called CIP cap, pressed for a filling opening neither by means of its own controlled movable lifting drive, nor by direct contact with a vertically movable container carrier to the filling valve. The cover or closing element is fixed in height and advantageously not terminally attached to said moving rod. The stroke is generated by a lifting drive of the container carrier. However, the container carrier does not advantageously engage the cover member, but transmits the lifting movement directly to the above-mentioned moving rod.

According to the invention, the movement rod can be coupled to the second drive device. This means that in particular only during the cleaning operation there is a mechanical (if necessary. Also indirect) coupling between the movement rod and the second drive device.

Advantageously, the movement rod has a first engagement element, which interacts temporarily with a second engagement element of the second drive device. Thus, for example, be provided at the lower end of the movement rod, a tip or a hemisphere, which engage in a correspondingly formed trough in an element of the second drive means.

Advantageously, the cover member in the direction of said axis spaced from one end of the moving rod or the first engaging element or not arranged at the lowermost end of said moving rod.

Advantageously, the treatment element is a filling element in order to fill the containers with a liquid medium. In addition, however, it is also possible to fill in pulverulent, in particular pasty or liquid substances with solid constituents.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a latching mechanism in order to lock the cover element to the treatment element. In this way, it is possible that during the cleaning operation, the forces do not have to be applied solely by the second drive device or the container carriers in order to hold the cover element on the treatment element. In particular, this locking mechanism is also independent of the second drive means. In this case, this locking mechanism may have mechanical locking elements, but it would also be conceivable that the locking mechanism has magnetic elements to lock the cover during the cleaning process on the treatment element. Preferably, the latching mechanism is controllable independently of the second drive means. Preferably, the latching mechanism is also mechanically separated at least temporarily from the second drive means.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the second drive means comprises a first threaded member which cooperates with a second threaded member of the moving rod to effect rotation of the moving rod. Thus, for example, an outer part thread can be arranged on the movement rod, which cooperates with a corresponding inner part thread on the second drive device. In this way, it is achieved that, as part of a lifting movement, the rotational movement of the moving rod and thus the pivoting movement of the covering element are initiated.

Advantageously, the device has a flushing agent path, along which a cleaning agent runs, and this flushing agent path contacts at least one section of the covering element. For the purpose of cleaning closes, as mentioned above, the cover element, the treatment element z. B. a filling element and during this period, a flushing agent flow also extends over an area of this cover.

Advantageously, the treatment element has a valve device which controls the supply of at least one medium into the containers. For example, it can be a filling valve which can be controlled, and which controls the filling process of the liquid into the containers during a working process.

The present invention is further directed to a plant for treating containers with a plurality of devices of the type described above, as well as a transport device which transports the containers along a predetermined path.

Advantageously, the transport device on a rotatable relative to a predetermined axis carrier.

The invention is preferably applicable to rotary-type container filling machines, wherein preferably a plurality of filling elements are arranged at the same distance from each other on a circumference of a carousel. On these machines is usually bottled continuously. An application of the invention to cyclically operating machines such as linear fillers is also possible with changes, since only the filling operation is performed cyclically here. The cleaning process of the machines is done in much the same way as with rotary machines. For row fillers in linear design, the invention is also in filling machines can be used, which fill only silent, so non-carbonated products, as long as a height-adjustable container carrier is used. Containers include: glass / plastic bottles, cans, canisters, (party) barrels, KEGS, ampoules, glasses, but also cardboard packaging and so-called pouches, tubular bags.

Advantageously, the system has a coupling device which couples the movements of at least two cover elements in the first movement type with each other.

The present invention is further directed to a method of treating containers according to claim 8.

• Darin zeigen:

  Figur 1

  eine Vorrichtung nach dem Stand der Technik;

  Figur 2

  eine Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

  Figur 1 zeigt eine Vorrichtung 100 nach dem Stand der Technik. Diese weist hier ein Füllelement 102 auf, an dessen unterem Ende ein Abdeckelement 106 wie beispielsweise eine so genannte CIP-Kappe angedrückt wird. In einem Reinigungsbetrieb kann in diesem Fall das Spülmittel durch das Füllventil wieder zurück in einen Reinigungskanal gelangen.

Further advantages and embodiments will be apparent from the attached drawings:

• Show:

  FIG. 1

  a device according to the prior art;

  FIG. 2

  a representation of a device according to the invention;

  FIG. 1 shows a device 100 according to the prior art. This has here a filling element 102, at the lower end of a cover member 106 such as a so-called CIP cap is pressed. In a cleaning operation, the flushing agent can pass back into a cleaning channel through the filling valve in this case.

The reference numeral 108 refers to a drive device, which causes a pivoting movement of the cover member 106 below the filling element 102. In this case, this pivoting takes place with respect to an axis X. The reference numeral 112 refers to a lifting / lowering drive to press the cover here, for example, from below to the filling element 102.

The reference numeral 110 refers to a further stroke or lowering mechanism, the containers 10 (only shown schematically) presses in the normal working operation of the filling element. However, this mechanism 110 has no function with respect to the movement of the cover member 106 in the cleaning operation.

FIG. 2 shows a device 1 according to the invention for treating containers. In addition to a filling valve housing 3, a substantially vertical movement rod or guide rod 16 is attached to which on a side arm 32 a cover member 6 (hereinafter also referred to as closing element - short VE -) is attached to the filling opening. During the filling operation, the guide rod 16 is held by a (not shown) return mechanism (spring, pneumatics, etc) in the bottom possible position. This makes it possible that the closing element is held in the disengaged position always at a height relative to the ground level or to the filling opening 2a, in which a pivoting without touching other components is possible. Nevertheless, the lower end of the guide rod 16 has no contact with the container carrier 25 during the filling operation. Sealing elements 6a can be arranged on the closing element 6. The closing element 6 may be pot-shaped or cup-shaped or, preferably, essentially designed as a flushing plate. In pot or cup shape, a mechanism for self-emptying is preferably present on the closing element 6. The shape of the closing element essentially depends on which filling system is used.

For the cleaning process, the guide rod 16 is pivoted by a pivoting mechanism about the axis X active from the disengaged position to an engaged position, whereby the closing element is brought into coincidence with the filling opening or with an opening to be sealed. The container carrier 25 is now moved to a higher position than is the case during the filling operation. As a result, the container carrier 25 comes into contact with the guide rod 16 and lifts it against the return mechanism. As a result, the closing element is pressed against the filling opening 2a. The contact pressure, which must at least apply the lifting mechanism for the cleaning operation, calculated from the pressure with which the cleaning media in the filling element 2 are present (eg 4 bar), from the force with which the restoring element pushes the guide rod 16 down and one Security surcharge of, for example, 1 bar.

For this purpose, it should be noted that the closing element 6 and the support arm 32 of the VE is advantageous not fixed terminally at the lower end of the guide rod 16. By this distance between the lower end of the guide rod 16 and the support arm / the closing element 6 unnecessarily long stroke is avoided from the lowest altitude to the sealing position. Furthermore, it is avoided that the closing element 6 is not pressed by the container carrier 34 itself, for example by a Neckhandlingklammer to the filling valve. The brackets could bend by the contact force, whereby a secure holding the filling container or a synchronous filling container handover / acceptance, for example, on in / out stars is no longer possible. Even a so-called passive neck handling without brackets with a simple container neck receptacle 28 can be made largely of comparatively thin sheet thicknesses, whereby the manufacturing and manufacturing costs of the filling machine decline. Furthermore, effort and costs for maintenance and repair are reduced.

Reference numeral 36 denotes an operating rod which moves the container carrier 25. Reference numeral 46 denotes a valve means, such as a poppet, for controlling the outlet of liquid from the filling member. This valve cone is movable in the direction of the axis X.

Each filling element 2 is associated with a guide rod 16. The guide rod 16 is preferably, but not necessarily, laterally offset from the connecting line between the center the filling openings 2a and the axis of rotation of the filling carousel. It is preferably rotatably mounted in a valve carrier 18. The guide rod is opposite the valve carrier preferably downwards, alternatively sealed up and down or even upwards with a bellows, a seal or the like. This sealing is advantageous, in particular if the valve carrier 18 is part of an insulator wall, in order to prevent soiling from accumulating in the annular gaps or to ensure that no contamination or microbial contamination in the direction of the filling opening is carried off through the gaps.

The at least one pivoting mechanism for the closing element 6, i. the at least one rotary mechanism for the guide rod 16 is preferably arranged above the valve carrier 18. As a result, it is not in the spray area of the filling product during filling and is accordingly protected against contamination. In particular, in filling machines in isolator construction this point comes to bear, since the valve support 18 usually acts as part of an insulator wall and thus the rotation mechanism is outside the hygienic filling area.

Preferably, a common rotary drive for the respective guide rods 16 of all disposed on the carousel filling elements 2 is used. This allows a simultaneous pivoting of the closing elements or turning the guide rods are made possible and thus saved time in the preparation of the cleaning process. Alternatively, a segment / group pivoting can be performed. For this purpose, a plurality of, in each case a plurality of guide rods 16 associated rotary mechanisms are used. The applicable rotary mechanisms are known in the art (servo motors, pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic drives, sprockets with pinions, lever mechanisms, etc.). Preferably, the inserted pivot mechanism fixes the angular position in the engaged and / or disengaged position, particularly preferably both positions.

Preferably, above the valve carrier 18 or also embedded in this, a return mechanism for the guide rod is arranged, which holds the guide rod 16 outside of the cleaning operation in its preferred lowermost position (not shown). This may be a simple permanently elastic element (eg a spring) which presses down the guide rod 16 in the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the carousel. Also conceivable is an electric actuator, a pneumatic, hydraulic or magnetic mechanism or a weight mass. In particular, in the latter, since passive drive is to ensure that the guide rod as possible friction in the passage 19 (which may be designed as a sealed pivot bearing) slides through the valve carrier 18. Preferably, a common return mechanism for the respective guide rods 16 of all disposed on the carousel filling elements can be used.

Preferably, the container carrier 25 does not touch the guide rod 16 during the filling operation. Alternatively, however, it is possible that each time a filling container is pressed against the filling opening, the guide rod 16 with the closing element 6 is raised. However, since these are in rest position, they are only slightly raised and not brought into sealing contact with the filling opening. The return mechanism must be adapted to this situation, as compared to the aforementioned operation, the number of operations increased by a multiple, and thereby material fatigue phenomena may occur.

Particularly preferably, the return mechanism lifts the guide rod 16 so far that the closing element 6 is held radially within the circumference through the centers of the filling openings 2a directly below the valve carrier 18 during the filling operation. As a result, the lower end of the guide rod 16 is held so far out of the lifting range of the container carrier 25 that at no time during the filling operation, a contact between container carrier 25 and guide rod 16 may occur. A larger stroke of the container carrier in cleaning operation than in filling operation is then possibly no longer necessary. The reference numeral 12 denotes the second drive means, which causes the lifting of the movement rod 16 and thus of the cover.

The reference numeral 12 denotes the second drive means, which causes the lifting of the guide rod and thus of the closing element 6 in the longitudinal direction L. In this case, the longitudinal direction L of the container substantially corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the guide rod. Reference numeral 6a denotes a sealing element arranged on the closing element 6.

Each filling element 2 is associated with a container carrier 25, which has its own lifting mechanism 12. (For linear, ie row fillers, a common lifting mechanism can be used for a number of filling elements.) The invention works with neckhandling as well as basehandling. In neckhandling, a filling container, in particular plastic PET bottles, is usually held in the filling machine below a neck ring. For this purpose, neck handling clips are used, which grip the container, or the bottleneck rests in a recess of a container carrier (passive neck handling).

When basehandling the filling container (glass / plastic bottles, cans or the like) are on a platform and are therefore supported on the bottom of the filling. Particularly in the case of basehandling, a centering tulip can still be arranged between container mouth and dispensing opening, which centered the filling container safely underneath the filling opening 2a and also supports it against falling over during the stroke. At the bottom of the centering tulip seals the bottle mouth, at the top seals an area around the filling opening.

During neck handling, the container carrier 25 is preferably lifted by two laterally mounted lifting rods, which preferably extend from the container carrier 25 substantially vertically upward. Preferably, the lifting rods are guided on both sides of the filling valve 2 parallel to the filling valve axis by a valve carrier. At the other (upper) end of the lifting rods, a lifting mechanism may be arranged, such as a cam-mounted starting roller, compressed air cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, electric motor or magnetic drives. Also, mechanical adjusting devices such as lever mechanisms or (toothed rack) gearboxes can be used. Likewise possible with neck handling and preferably with base handling are (pneumatic / hydraulic / electric / magnetic) lifting cylinders, which preferably engage from below on the container carrier 25.

On / on the container carrier 25, preferably radially within the circumference through the centers of the filling openings 2a, aligned with the guide rod 16, a centering and / or positioning element 24 (generally a second engagement element) is arranged, which is preferably equal to the design of the lower End 22 of the guide rod 16 is formed. That is, when the positioning member 24 has a hemispherical shape, then the lowermost end of the guide rod 16 is formed as a hollow hemisphere. This centering / positioning element 24 serves on the one hand as an attachment point for the guide rod 16 when the closing element 6 is to be pressed against the filling opening 2a, on the other hand achieved in that the guide rod 16 always touches the same point on the container carrier 25 and thereby the closing element 6 is positioned correctly.

Furthermore, by the positioning element 24 after pivoting of the closing element 6, the pivot angle position can be set exactly in alignment below the filling opening 2a. This is advantageous in swing mechanisms that would consume in their final position media such as compressed air or electrical energy. After the process of pivoting, these mechanisms can then (automatically) be switched to standby, since the positioning in the end position by the interaction of positioning element 24 and guide rod end 22 is maintained.

Without angle setting, i. with pure centering function, the positioning element is preferably designed as a hemisphere, cone or truncated cone. A recess in the container carrier in these forms is also possible, in which case preferably the mold is continuous at the bottom, so that no media or dirt can accumulate in this trough (cleaning!) Alternatively, two or more engagement elements may be present, which at a small Cross members (not shown) are attached to the lower end of the lifting rod. The cross member is either non-rotatably connected to the guide rod 16 and is aligned with the rotation with it or it is rotatably arranged. In this case, it can be guided, preferably from radially inward in the vertical direction, whereby a precise engagement of the corresponding two or more positioning elements is ensured. As a result, an angle fixing of the closing element is achieved.

Alternatively, the positioning elements 24 for angle fixing can also be curved upwards in any form or milled into the container carrier. Possible is a slot shape (transverse, longitudinal), a cross, a rhombus, a triangle or a star. In order to achieve a targeted guidance when lowering the lifting rod in the moment before locking, the side walls of the positioning elements 24 in the profile are preferably oblique (except hemisphere).

A particular embodiment of the positioning element 24 is such that the positioning element 24 and the guide rod end 22 are formed opposite to each other as inner and outer threaded pieces. In this case, the guide rod 16 is not pivoted before lifting the container carrier 25, but the pivoting takes place only by the interaction of the two precisely coordinated threads through the hub the container carrier 25. The rotary drive for the guide rods 16 can be omitted. It is important to ensure that material combinations are selected for the threads that slide well over each other. This is also possible for example by suitable coatings such as PTFE. Since in this embodiment also takes place until the end of the stroke, a rotational movement and the closing element is pressed not only axially to the filling opening 2a, preferably the area around the filling opening 2a, at which the closing element 6 comes into sealing contact, bevelled according to the thread pitch. Coincidentally, the sealing surface is also adapted to the closing element 6 itself.

Optionally, in all embodiments, the possible positions of the closure elements 16 (engagement / disengagement) are monitored by, for example, proximity initiators. Preferably, the disengaged position is monitored to have the assurance that the closure member can not interfere with the ongoing filling operation.

In order to relieve the lifting drives of the container carrier during the cleaning process, it is possible to fix the closing elements or the container carrier or the guide rods by a suitable mechanism (not shown) in the pressing position. As a result, the force is absorbed by the cleaning pressure of the mechanism and the container carrier or their Hubantriebe be relieved.

Thus, it is possible that the closing elements 6 can be extended / retracted without direct intervention of a machine operator. In addition, there is also the possibility of manual manipulation. In automatic mode, the entire, controlled by a controller, not shown control cleaning process can be started either by expiration of a time interval, a predetermined production amount, reaching other operating parameters or even by pressing a button on an input terminal by the operator.

By pressing a button, the operator selects "cleaning" after the end of production, drainage of the pipes and further, partly manual preparation of the filling line. He also specifies the cleaning program (for example, lye, acid, water rinse, sterilization). There are no more filling containers in the filling machine. By the control, the rotary drives of the guide rods 16 are operated, whereby the closing elements 6 are placed below the filling openings 2a. The linear actuators 12th drive the container carrier 25 upwards. After contact of the guide rods 16 with the positioning elements 24, the closing elements 6 are pressed with defined contact pressure to the filling openings 2a.

The previously selected media are pumped in the desired order for predetermined time intervals through the pipe network. After the last time interval has elapsed, the pipeline network is drained. The lifting drives 12 of the container carrier 25 go down. By the return mechanism, the closing elements 6 are released from the filling openings 2a and moved to the lowest possible position. At the latest at this position, the lower ends of the lifting rods 16 detach from the positioning elements 24 and are pivotable again. The rotary actuators 8 pivot the locking elements 6 in the rest position. The cleaning process is finished. If necessary, a message on the operating terminal for the operator that the cleaning processes are completed.

• Kanal, über welchen während eines Spülvorgangs das Reinigungsmittel geführt wird. Wenn das Abdeckelement bzw. Verschließelement 6 die Abfüllöffnung 2a verschließt, verläuft ein Spülmittelpfad ausgehend von dem Produktkanal in den CIP - Kanal (ggfs. auch umgekehrt), wobei dieser Pfad auch eine Oberfläche 6b des Verschließelements kontaktiert.

The reference numeral 4 denotes a product channel, via which the product to be filled is filled into the containers. The reference numeral 14 refers to a CIP

• Channel over which the cleaning agent is passed during a rinsing process. When the covering element or closing element 6 closes the filling opening 2a, a flushing agent path runs from the product channel into the CIP channel (if necessary also vice versa), this path also contacting a surface 6b of the closing element.

The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that they are novel individually or in combination with respect to the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

Treatment element, filling element

2a

filling opening

3

filling valve

4

product channel

6

Closing element, cover element

6a

sealing element

6b

Surface of the closing element 6

8th

Rotary drive, first drive device

10

container

12

second drive device, lifting drive

14

CIP channel

16

Guide rod, motion rod

18

valve

19

execution

22

Guide rod end, first engagement element

24

Centering / positioning

25

container carrier

28

Container finish recording

32

Carrier arm, side arm

34

container carrier

36

actuating rod

46

valve means

100

Device (prior art)

102

Filling element (prior art)

106

Covering element (prior art)

108

Drive device (prior art)

110

Lifting or lowering mechanism (prior art)

112

Lifting / lowering drive (prior art)

L

longitudinal direction

X

axis

Claims (8)

1. Apparatus (1) for treating containers (10), comprising a treatment element (2) which treats the containers and comprising a covering element (6) for covering the treatment element (2) at least at times during a cleaning mode for the apparatus, wherein the covering element (6) in a first type of movement is movable relative to a predefined axis (X) in such a way that a relative position with respect to this axis (X) and the covering element (6) varies at least at times, and wherein the first type movement is an oscillation movement of the covering element (6) about this axis (X) and wherein the covering element (6) in a second type of movement is displaceable in the direction of extension of this axis (X) in order to move the covering element (6) relative to the treatment element (2), wherein there is a first drive device (8) for bringing about the movement of the covering element in the first type of movement, as well as a second drive device (12) for bringing about the displacement movement of the covering element (6) in the second type of movement along the axis (X), wherein the apparatus has a rotatable movement rod (16) for the oscillation of the covering element and wherein the movement rod (16) is displaceable along its longitudinal direction, so that in this manner also the lifting and lowering movement of the covering element (6) can be achieved and wherein the longitudinal direction substantially also corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the containers,
   characterized in that
   the second drive device (12) is at least at times separated mechanically from the covering element (6) and the movement rod (16) is able of being coupled to the second drive device (12).
2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the covering element is arranged in a longitudinal direction (L) of the container (10) between the first drive device (8) and the second drive device (12).
3. Apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second drive device (12) serves for moving the containers (10) in their longitudinal direction.
4. Apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the axis (X) is a pivot axis and the first type of movement is a pivoting movement of the covering element about the first axis.
5. Apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the movement rod (16) has a first engagement element (22) which at times cooperates with a second engagement element (24) of the second drive device (12).
6. Apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the apparatus (1) has a latching mechanism for arresting the covering element (6) on the treatment element (2).
7. Installation for treating containers, comprising a plurality of apparatuses (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims and a transport device which transports the containers along a predefined path.
8. Method for treating containers by means of an apparatus (1) for treating containers, wherein a cleaning mode is provided, in which elements of the apparatus (1) are cleaned by means of a cleaning medium, wherein for cleaning purposes a treatment element (2) of the apparatus (1) is covered at times by a covering element (6) and in this covered state the cleaning medium is guided along a path which contacts at least a portion of this covering element (6), and wherein the covering element (6) is moved by a first type of movement relative to a predefined axis (X) in such a way that a relative position with respect to this axis (X) and the covering element (6) varies at least at times, and wherein the first type of movement is an oscillation movement of the covering element (6) about this axis (X) and wherein the covering element (6) in a second type of movement is displaced in the direction of extension of this axis (X) in order to move the covering element (6) relative to the treatment element (2), wherein the movement of the covering element (6) in the first type of movement is brought about by means of a first drive device (8) and the movement of the covering element (6) in the second type of movement is brought about by a second drive device (12), and the second drive device (12) wherein the apparatus has a rotatable movement (16) for the oscillation of the covering element and wherein the movement rod (16) is displaced along its longitudinal direction, so that in this manner also the lifting and lowering movement of the covering element (6) is achieved and wherein the longitudinal direction substantially also corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the containers,
   characterized in that
   the second drive device is at least at times separated mechanically from the covering element (6) and the movement rod (16) is coupled at least at times to the second drive device (12).

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