EP2415533B1 - Cleaning assembly for cleaning container treatment assemblies - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning arrangement for cleaning container treatment plants. From the prior art both container treatment plants such as filling machines for filling containers, or blow molding machines for forming plastic preforms to plastic containers are known.

Systems are also known with which such container treatment plants can be cleaned at least partially automated. Usually nozzle systems are used in the prior art, which act on cleaning surfaces to be treated surfaces of the respective systems.

It is also known from the prior art that a plurality of cleaning media are applied, such as a cleaning foam, and water or other liquid, which serves to Abschwallung (exposure to a large amount of liquid, in particular for cleaning) of the system. In this case, in the prior art, it is customary to install downflow systems and foam cleaning systems in parallel, ie they have the corresponding supply lines and cleaning nozzles in each case in parallel. In the prior art was also partially tried, both cleaning variants, d. H. to perform both the decay and the foam cleaning through a system.

However, this leads to the fact that either a lower throughput at the surge has to be accepted, or an increased or too high throughput in the foam cleaning. With the nozzles for a surge, the throughput for a foam cleaning is too large and thus the chemical consumption is driven up. Conversely, with the nozzles for a foam cleaning the flow rate for a surge is too low and thus the desired washing effect can not be achieved with a large amount of water. Furthermore, nozzles are known from the prior art, which can change an outlet cross-section via an electrical control, for example using piezo technology. However, these devices are very expensive in their execution and therefore costly. Furthermore, a control of these valves by a user by means of a control device is necessary in each case.

From the DE 10 2007 054 673 B4 For example, a belt lubricator or washer-disinfector is known. In this case, a nozzle device is provided, which has two outlets, wherein depending on the position of a valve, a cleaning medium can escape via one or the other outlet. A change in an outlet cross section is not provided in this disclosure.

Further arrangements are made EP-A-2168907 and DE 19911805 known.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of simplifying cleaning systems for container treatment plants and in particular for filling machines.

This is inventively achieved by a cleaning arrangement for cleaning container treatment plants, which has a first reservoir to provide a first cleaning medium, and a second reservoir to provide a second cleaning medium, wherein the first cleaning medium in at least one property differs from the second cleaning medium and wherein an impingement device is provided which acts on the treatment plant, or parts thereof at least temporarily with the first cleaning medium and at least temporarily with the second cleaning medium.

According to the invention, the cleaning arrangement has at least one feed line which temporarily conveys both the first cleaning medium and the second cleaning medium to the loading device and the loading device has a changeable outlet cross section for the cleaning medium, wherein this outlet cross section changes automatically depending on the exiting cleaning medium.

More specifically, the exit cross-section of the cleaning medium emerging from the loading device preferably changes as a function of at least one physical parameter which is characteristic of the cleaning medium itself and / or its delivery to the loading device.

The outlet cross-section is understood to mean, in particular, a flow cross-section with which the cleaning medium emerges from the loading device. The outlet cross section is thus in relation to the cleaning medium emerging from the loading device per unit of time.

In contrast to the above-described prior art, it is therefore proposed that no controls are provided, via which a change in the outlet cross section is achieved from the outside, but that this outlet cross section directly depending on the exiting cleaning medium or in dependence of at least one physical property of this Cleaning medium is changed or changes automatically. In an advantageous embodiment, the outlet cross-section changes depending on a pressure or a density of the cleaning medium. Thus, it is possible that at a higher pressure of the cleaning medium and the outlet cross-section increases and at a correspondingly lower pressure of the cleaning medium and the outlet cross section is reduced. Advantageously, at least one cleaning medium is liquid and more preferably the other cleaning medium is present as foam.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the loading device has an elastic element or biasing element, which reduces the outlet cross section or which acts on a reduction of the outlet cross section. This means that this elastic element is directed to a reduction of the outlet cross section and, for example under pressure, the elastic element continues to be tensioned and in this way the outlet cross section is increased. This biasing element can also have a magnetic element.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the loading device has a common outlet for both cleaning media, and this means that both cleaning media are guided via the same outlet and only in one area of the loading device is an outlet or passage cross-section changed, in particular due to a pressure of the cleaning medium , In another embodiment, the outlet for a cleaning medium is located within an outlet for the other cleaning medium.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the elastic element is arranged in a region of the outlet. This means that after the said elastic element or after passing through the elastic element or a means prestressed by this elastic element, the cleaning medium emerges substantially directly from the loading device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the elastic element is an elastic membrane with an opening. The cleaning medium can escape through this opening. At a higher pressure of the cleaning medium and the said opening increases, so that the outlet cross-section is increased in this way. Advantageously, said opening is a substantially slot-shaped opening.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the elastic element is a suspension element, which causes a change of the outlet cross section by means of a piston element. Thus, this piston can be inserted into a channel through which the cleaning medium passes. At higher pressure of the cleaning medium, the piston can be pushed back and thus the suspension element can be stretched more. In this way, however, also increases the outlet cross-section. Advantageously, the device comprises a force deflection means, which uses a flow of the cleaning medium to move in this way, the piston member.

Thus, in particular a nozzle system is proposed here, which applies or sprays different media with different volume flows onto a surface to be cleaned. The loading device or nozzle responds to the different pressure or the different density of the cleaning media. So it is possible to carry out the cleaning agent order for cleaning with a lower flow.

In addition, it would also be possible to control the cleaning of the cleaner with a lower flow. However, the loading device developed for the arrangement according to the invention can change the outlet opening or opening cross-section as a function of the set admission pressure.

Particularly advantageous is the said outlet opening adjusted by an integrated mechanism, so that no additional adjustment must be present. In this way, the system adjusts automatically to the procedural requirements.

When rinsing with another medium, which has a higher pre-pressure, the nozzle outlet opening is larger and in this way, the spray can pass into a surge. In this way, it is possible that parallel required for the surge nozzle systems omitted.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one valve device is provided between each reservoir and the loading device. By means of this valve device it is possible, for example, to control which of the two cleaning media is supplied to the loading device. In a further advantageous embodiment, the cleaning arrangement has a plurality of loading devices of the type described above, with particular advantage, individual or groups of valves can be acted upon separately with the cleaning agent.

The present invention is further directed to a loading device for a cleaning arrangement of the type described above, wherein the loading device has a changeable outlet cross-section for a cleaning medium and this outlet cross-section changes depending on the exiting cleaning medium and the loading device preferably comprises an elastic element or biasing element, which reduces the outlet cross-section. Thus, it is also proposed with regard to the loading device that the outlet cross section reacts to a physical property of the cleaning medium and in particular a pressure or a density of the cleaning medium or adapts its outlet cross section.

Preferably, the outlet cross section changes abruptly or stepwise as a function of a pressure or a density of the cleaning medium. This means that the loading device has up to a certain pressure a first predetermined outlet cross-section and from this pressure a second predetermined outlet cross-section. In this way, it can be achieved that the loading device has a first predetermined, but constant outlet cross section when the first cleaning medium flows through, and a second predetermined but constant outlet cross section when the second cleaning medium flows through.

Fig. 1

ein Flussdiagramm einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine Detaildarstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Beaufschlagungseinrichtung;

Fig. 3

eine Detaildarstellung einer Beaufschlagungseinrichtung in einer weiteren Ausführungsform; und

Fig. 4a, 4b

zwei Darstellungen einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Beaufschlagungseinrichtung.

The present invention is further directed to a filling device for filling containers with at least one cleaning arrangement of the type described above. It should be noted that the cleaning arrangement according to the invention is particularly suitable for use with fillers. An application is also included other devices for treating containers used, such as in blow molding machines or closers, which close the containers with closures. Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the accompanying drawings. Show:

Fig. 1

a flow chart of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a detailed representation of a loading device according to the invention;

Fig. 3

a detailed view of a loading device in a further embodiment; and

Fig. 4a, 4b

two representations of another embodiment of a loading device according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a rough schematic diagram of a plant according to the invention.

In this case, a first reservoir 2 is provided for a first sterilization medium, for example cleaning foam. In addition, a second reservoir 4 for a second cleaning medium such as water or water-containing substances is provided. Both cleaning media are supplied via a common supply line 16, 12 of a plurality of loading devices 10.

Via the valve devices 24, 26, the supply of the cleaning medium, for example, can be controlled offset in time, so that, for example, a first cleaning with the first cleaning medium can be carried out and then a cleaning with the second cleaning medium. By means of further valves 28, individual admission devices 10 can each be charged with the cleaning medium.

One recognizes by means of Fig. 1 in that, in contrast to devices from the prior art, a larger number of supply lines can be saved since both cleaning media are guided over the same line sections 16, 12. The pressure p1, under which the first cleaning medium is provided differs from a pressure p2, under which the second cleaning medium is provided.

It is also possible that the loading means are arranged to be movable, for example, pivotable and / or rotatable. It is also possible that the loading devices move as a result of the flow of at least one cleaning medium.

Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of a loading device 10 according to the invention or an end portion of this Beaufschlagungseinrichtung 10. Here, a piston member 42 is provided, which is movable in a direction B and biased by a spring means 40 down, so that an outlet cross-section A of the through the channel 18 passing cleaning medium reduced.

If the cleaning medium passes through the impingement device 10 or the channel 18 under high pressure, the piston 42 is thereby pushed upward due to the inclined surface 44, and in this way the outlet cross-section A of the cleaning medium emerging from the outlet 8 changes. In this case, the larger outlet cross section A1 can result. If the cleaning medium is guided with low pressure, the piston 42 does not move or only slightly, so that the cleaning medium emerges via a small outlet cross-section A2. It would also be possible for one or the two outlet cross sections to be variable, which can be done, for example, via stops (not shown) which limit one or both sides of a movement of the piston.

The reference numeral 46 denotes a support on which the spring device 40 is arranged. It would also be possible that a spring force of the spring device 40 is adjustable. The spring device or pretensioning device could also be a magnet which holds a piston element or another closing element up to a certain pressure in a certain position and only after a certain pressure a larger outlet cross section is released. In Fig. 2 For example, such a magnet 38 could be located below the conduit 18.

The advantage of using a magnetic element is that after overcoming the magnetic force of the outlet cross-section is increased in steps.

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a loading device 10 according to the invention. Here, an elastic element 30 is provided in the form of a membrane. This membrane has a base body 34, in which an elongated slot 32 is arranged. If the cleaning medium exits under low pressure, the slot 32 will not expand or not significantly, so that correspondingly, the outlet cross-section remains low. If the cleaning medium exits under an increased pressure, the slot 32 and thus the outlet cross section will increase.

The FIGS. 4a and 4b show a further embodiment of a loading device according to the invention. Here, a piston 60 movably arranged in a housing 42 is provided here, which can be moved in the direction L as a result of different pressures of the cleaning medium. Again, a spring element 40 is provided which loads this piston 42 upwards. In Fig. 4a In this case, a position is shown in which the piston 42 is in its upper position, that is, abuts against a stop 58. At the in Fig. 4b shown situation, the piston is in its lower position and is resting against a lower stop 59.

The reference numeral 52 denotes openings which are arranged in the main body 62 of the piston. The cleaning medium can proceed from the channel 18 through the main body 62 and the further course then depends on the position of the piston 42. At the in Fig. 4a shown upper position of the piston, in which, for example, the cleaning foam passes through the loading device 10, the individual openings 52 (which lead out of the cleaning medium from the main body) are hidden, so that the cleaning medium can not escape through these openings 52. In this case, the cleaning medium enters the channel sections 54 and 55 and thus exits downwards. From a certain pressure, the piston member 52 moves in the in Fig. 4b shown lower position, wherein now the cleaning medium can escape via the openings 52 in the space 56 and can escape from there via the outlet 8. One recognizes that at the in Fig. 4b shown situation, the outlet cross-section is higher than in the Fig. 4a shown situation.

In the in Fig. 4b shown position, the cleaning medium can also escape via the lines 54 and 55. In the in the Fig. 4a and 4b In the embodiment shown, the two cleaning media are each still guided through the main body 62, and only one cleaning medium can additionally pass through the openings 52 to the outside.

The space 56 completely surrounds the channel sections 54 and 55. On the other hand, the piston 42 is designed so that the channel portion 55 at the in Fig. 4b shown position projects beyond the space 56 down. In this way, an additional central jet can also be generated for the second cleaning medium (eg).

Thus, the admission device can both liquid, such as water, as well as foam with very different flow rates or outlet cross-sections emerge or atomize. At low operating pressures, such as in Fig. 4a For cleaning purposes, foam is applied over the fan jet nozzle 55 for cleaning. At higher pressures, the water pressure moves the spring-loaded piston 42, which releases in this way the additional openings or holes 52 shown. In this way the volumetric flow increases abruptly. The individual holes 52 are advantageously made obliquely, so that the exiting cleaning medium or water, which emerges from the holes 52, is twisted and forms a full cone in this way. This leaking water is used to rinse off the previously applied cleaning foam. Also in the in the Fig. 4a and 4b shown embodiment, a magnetic element could be used in addition to or instead of the spring means 40, which pulls the piston 42 in the upper position, wherein at certain pressures, the magnetic force is overcome and the piston 42 passes into the lower position.

The embodiments shown here can be used both for the external cleaning of equipment, such as fillers, as well as for a corresponding surge.

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

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

first reservoir

4

second reservoir

8th

outlet

10

loading device

16, 12

Feed line, line section

18

Channel, line

24, 26

valve means

28

valves

30

elastic element

32

slot

34

body

38

magnetic element

40

spring means

42

piston element

44

sloping surface

42

piston element

46

Carrier, spring device

52

Openings, holes

54, 55

channel sections

55

fan nozzle

56

room

58, 59

attack

60

casing

62

body

A

Outlet cross section

A1

larger outlet cross-section

A2

smaller outlet cross-section

L

direction

p1, p2

print

Claims (10)

1. A cleaning arrangement for cleaning container treatment plants with a first reservoir (2) in order to make available a first cleaning agent, with a second reservoir (4) in order to make available a second cleaning agent, wherein the second cleaning agent differs in at least one property from the first cleaning agent, and with a stressing device (10) which acts upon the container treatment plant with the first cleaning agent at least for a time and with the second cleaning agent at least for a time, wherein the cleaning arrangement has at least one supply line (12) which supplies both the first cleaning agent and the second cleaning agent to the stressing device (10) for a time, characterized in that the stressing device has a variable outlet cross-section for the cleaning agent, wherein this outlet cross-section varies automatically in a manner dependent upon the issuing cleaning agent.
2. A cleaning arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet cross-section varies in a manner dependent upon a pressure of the cleaning agent.
3. A cleaning arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stressing device (10) has a pre-stressing element (30, 40, 38) which decreases the outlet cross-section.
4. A cleaning arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stressing device (10) has a common outlet (8) for the two cleaning agents.
5. A cleaning arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the resilient element (30, 40) is arranged in a region of the outlet (8).
6. A cleaning arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the resilient element (30, 40) is a resilient diaphragm with an opening.
7. A cleaning arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the resilient element is a spring element (40) which causes a change in the outlet cross-section by means of a piston element (42).
8. A cleaning arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one valve device (24, 26) is provided between each reservoir and the stressing device.
9. A stressing device (10) for a cleaning arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stressing device (10) has a variable outlet opening for a cleaning agent, wherein this outlet cross-section varies in a manner dependent upon the issuing cleaning agent and the stressing device has a resilient element (30, 40) which decreases the outlet cross-section.
10. A filling device (50) for filling containers with at least one cleaning arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims.

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