EP2421662B1 - Device and method for filling or packing contents into containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for filling or packaging of ingredients, especially drinks, foods, medicines or the like, in containers. While the containers pass through the device from an inlet to an outlet side, the containers passing through the working space with a sterile fluid, in particular sterile air, are pressurized to prevent germs. Until the containers are sealed within the working space, it is necessary to maintain the sterile atmosphere in the working space.

The work space is cleaned each time after the completion of carrying a large number of containers through the working space and the completion of bottling or packaging. As cleaning media for the working space in particular water, foam products on an alkaline or acidic basis as well as hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) - aerosols into consideration.

From the US 3,783,581 For example, there is known an apparatus for aseptically packaging food and other products within a workspace through which the packaging containers pass from an inlet to an outlet side. A sterile atmosphere is maintained in the working space by a plurality of gas distribution tubes disposed on the underside thereof, which feed high temperature steam or superheated air into the working space.

From the DE 10 2005 004 658 B3 it is known for producing a clean room atmosphere to blow in the entire working space of the filling machine sterile air. The sterile air is supplied via at least one hose attached in the region of the ceiling zone of the working space, which is supplied with a supply for the Sterilluft communicates and has a plurality of holes whose number, distribution and size corresponds to the workspace to be supplied. The hose is intended for one-way use. Due to the one-way use of the otherwise not inconsiderable cleaning effort of the gas distribution pipes to be saved after the completion of the conveyance of containers through the working space between two filling operations.

From the EP 0 427 348 A1 a arranged in an aseptic workspace supply device for a cleaning medium is known, which has for cleaning the aseptic working space two laterally along the working space extending tubes having a plurality of spray openings and can be acted upon with a cleaning medium. The cleaning medium is supplied to the two spray tubes under pressure while rotating the spray tubes. The emerging under pressure from the spray openings cleaning agent forms a jet circuit.

From the US 5 022 165 A For example, a device for sterilizing objects, such as glass bottles, in a closed chamber is known, through which the glass bottles are conveyed from an inlet to an outlet while being exposed to an elevated temperature. In a preheating zone, above the objects, there is a perforated plate for distributing preheated air over the glass bottles.

The DE 33 23 710 A1 discloses a gassing apparatus for containers transported on a conveyor. Following the conveyor and its course following a channel is arranged, in which an apertured distribution pipe is arranged for a sterile gas. Via a arranged below the manifold in the channel porous wall passes the sterile gas supplied from the manifold into the containers. The porous wall concentrates the sterile gas on the area of the container mouth, while the remaining container parts can be exposed to the influence of the ambient air.

The EP 0 356 011 A2 discloses a system for germ-free filling and packing of containers comprising several stations. Between the individual stations there are conveyor units that convey the individual containers from one station to the next. Each conveyor unit comprises a cylindrical space with an inlet opening and an outlet opening. In the cylindrical space a rotatable cylindrical part is arranged with pockets for receiving the container. By rotating the cylindrical part in a 90 degree cycle, the containers are conveyed from one station to the next. The pockets of the rotatable cylindrical part are supplied with germ-free gas in an intermediate position between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The supply takes place via a chamber and through a disc provided with a perforation.

An object of the invention is to reduce in a working space through which containers are conveyed from an inlet side to an outlet side, the cleaning effort of sterile fluid conduits, in particular after the completion of the conveyance of containers through the working space. An expansion of the reusable line for the sterile fluid should be avoided.

This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 5. The extending into the work space outer pipe for insertion of the sterile fluid, in particular the sterile air, is purified by the introduction of the cleaning medium through the inner conduit and the spraying of the cleaning medium into the annular space between the inner and outer conduit. A removal of the line for the introduction of the sterile fluid is not required.

The inner conduit extends into the outer conduit, the outer conduit preferably surrounding the inner conduit along its entire length. The outer conduit has a plurality of openings for the introduction of the sterile fluid, which are preferably distributed in the longitudinal direction and over the circumference thereof.

A further improvement in the cleaning of the outer conduit for introducing the sterile fluid can be achieved in that the outer and the inner conduit are rotatable relative to each other about their longitudinal axes. In order to prevent contact of the inner conduit with the inner wall of the outer conduit during rotation, both the inner and the outer conduit are designed as dimensionally stable tubes.

In order to distribute a sterile fluid, in particular sterile air, in the working space of the device evenly over the containers, it is proposed in one embodiment of the invention that at least one profile extending beyond the containers is arranged with openings in the working space below the outer line the distributed from the outer conduit sterile fluid distributed over the container. As profile types are in particular rectangular profiles or angle profiles into consideration. The rectangular profiles have a low height in relation to the width. They are therefore also referred to below as plates. The profile is preferably designed as a perforated plate. Will the perforated plate folded, it forms an angle profile. A flat perforated plate forms a rectangular profile.

The sterile fluid is distributed in two stages, first over the extending into the working space outer, preferably designed as a pipe line with multiple openings for the passage of the sterile fluid and then through the below the tube extending over the container profile with openings for the passage of the sterile fluid. The profile is designed in particular as a plate or as an angle profile. The angle profile channels the fluid passing through the openings of the angle profile and favors its extraction via a suction device arranged near the floor in the working space.

In order to enable a particular all-round cleaning of the profile with a cleaning medium without the need for disassembly of the profile from the working space, each profile is rotatably arranged about an axis about which the profile between a first position in which in an advantageous embodiment of the invention Container are located in the working space and a second position in which there are no containers in the working space, is rotatable. In the second position of the profile, the cleaning agent is applied.

As profile types are in particular rectangular profiles or angle profiles into consideration, which are preferably designed as a perforated plate.

With the arranged in the working space supply device for the cleaning medium, the device can be cleaned automatically. The feeder acts on the profile in a position occupied by the profile when there are no containers in the working space.

In order to distribute a sterile fluid, in particular sterile air, evenly over the containers in the working space of the device, it is proposed in one embodiment of the invention that at least one tube with several openings for the introduction of a sterile fluid through the working space above each profile Workspace extends. The distribution of the sterile fluid takes place in a position occupied by the profile when there are containers in the working space.

In particular, the invention relates to filling machines for filling liquid foods into packing containers, with a working space through which the packing containers with at least one transporting means can be moved from the inlet side to the outlet side along at least one conveying path.

The inner conduit for introducing the cleaning medium is designed in particular as a spray tube extending along the conveyor path in the interior of the working space, which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, has a multiplicity of spray openings and means for supplying the cleaning medium to the interior of the spray tube.

Each spray tube extends into the outer conduit, configured as a gas distribution tube, for uniformly distributing the gaseous sterile fluid to provide a clean room atmosphere in the working space, the gas distribution tube preferably surrounding the spray tube over its entire length, the gas distribution tube having a plurality of gas ports, which are arranged distributed in its longitudinal direction and over its circumference and the gas distribution pipe has means for supplying the gaseous fluid to the annular gap between the spray pipe and the gas distribution pipe.

The concentrically surrounding the spray tube over its entire length gas distribution pipe is automatically cleaned after completion of filling when cleaning the working space when the exiting under pressure from the spray holes of the rotating spray tube cleaning agent first meets the inner surface of the gas distribution pipe and then exits through the gas holes. Preferably, to purify the gas distribution tube, the spray medium impinged with cleaning medium is rotated at least once 360 degrees about its axis of rotation within the stationary gas supply tube, or the optional gas supply tube independently rotatable counter to the spray tube to wet the entire inner surface of the gas supply tube with cleaning medium.

The gaseous fluid, in particular the sterile air, is supplied from the end face of the two concentric tubes via the annular gap between the inner spray tube and the outer gas distribution tube during the filling of the packing containers. Characterized in that the gas openings in the gas distribution pipe are arranged uniformly not only over its entire length, but also over its circumference in particular, the sterile air passes evenly and space filling in the working space. Depending on the number of arranged over the lateral surface of the gas distribution tube gas openings diameter between 0.1 and 10 millimeters have been found to be useful. The concentric tubes preferably extend from the inlet to the outlet side of the working space.

Preferably, the working space is bounded above by a planar space cover and arranged each gas distribution pipe as close to the space cover above a defined by the edges of the open, the working space continuous packing container filling level. The sterile air emerging also upwards from the gas distribution pipes, which against the Room coverage of the working space bounces, leading to a further improvement in the distribution of sterile air in the working space.

The preheating, sterilizing, drying and filling of the packaging containers in the working space takes place by means of tubular feed elements which protrude from the space cover into the working space and are aligned with the open packaging containers which move along the conveyor path (s). In order not to affect the arrangement of the feed elements for the aforementioned processes by the gas supply pipes for the sterile air, each gas distribution pipe is preferably arranged next to a conveyor track or between two spaced apart and parallel conveyor tracks. The distance is chosen so that at least one gas distribution pipe between the conveyor tracks fits.

In order to keep the consumption of cleaning medium low and to ensure a uniform distribution of the cleaning medium in particular also on the inner surface of the gas distribution pipe, the spray openings are arranged on a running in the longitudinal direction of the spray tube straight or helical line on the jacket. A further improvement in the distribution of the cleaning medium is achieved when the spray tube comprises a plurality of spray nozzles having jet nozzles, in particular fan jet nozzles, wherein the jet edges of the beams of adjacent jet nozzles overlap and thus spray the cleaning medium gapless.

When filling in particular liquid foodstuffs in packing containers, a division of the filling machine starting from the inlet side into a preheating zone, a sterilizing zone, a drying zone, a filling zone and a closing zone has proven to be expedient, wherein the individual zones are arranged directly adjacent to each other and together form the delimited against the atmosphere, aseptic working space. The sterilization is improved in its effect when the packing containers are heated in the preheating zone. Subsequently, the packing containers pass from the preheating zone into the degermination zone, where both the outer and the inner surfaces of the packing containers are wetted with a disinfectant, preferably with hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ). In order to remove the hydrogen peroxide after sterilization, the packing containers then pass into the drying zone, where the packing containers are rinsed with hot air. Subsequently, in the filling zone, the actual filling of the liquid food in the thus pretreated packing container. Finally, the filled packing container reaches the closing zone, in which the hitherto open packing containers are mechanically closed; This happens, for example, by folding in the head flaps, which are then heated and pressed in the region of the packing gable by means of sealing tools.

The partitioning between the individual zones takes place, in particular, with bulkhead plates running transversely to the conveyor track, which have at least passages for the packing containers conveyed by the transport means along the conveyor track as well as the gas distribution pipes. Likewise, the inlet and outlet sides are sealed off from the space in which the filling machine is located.

In order in particular to prevent the hydrogen peroxide atmosphere from escaping from the working space into the production space surrounding the filling machine, the preheating zone, the sterilization zone and the drying zone are assigned at least one suction device. The suction device preferably comprises a plurality of suction tubes, which are located between two conveyor tracks or next to a conveyor track below the Fill level are arranged and have a plurality of suction openings.

The distribution of sterile air in the different zones of the working space can be improved by arranging at least one profile with a plurality of gas passage openings extending over the packaging containers between the at least one gas distribution tube and the filling plane.

The profiles, in particular perforated plates, preferably extend across the entire working space to the tubular feed elements. The perforated plates ensure that the sterile air is evenly distributed in the individual zones and reaches the inner and outer surfaces of the open packing containers.

If the profiles, in particular perforated plates about an axis from an operating position to a cleaning position and vice versa are pivotal, they need not be removed for the cleaning of the working space, but may remain in the filling machine. For cleaning the working space, the perforated plates are pivoted into the cleaning position, in which they do not affect the cleaning effect of the spray tube. Preferably, the perforated plates are pivotable by at least 360 degrees about its pivot axis by means of a manual or motor drive. The possible full rotation of the perforated plates during the cleaning process by means of the spray tube ensures that the perforated plates can be completely cleaned on all sides, largely independent of the profiling of the perforated plate.

Figur 1

einen schematisierten Längsschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Füllmaschine;

Figur 2

eine schematisierte Aufsicht auf eine Füllmaschine nach Figur 1 mit abgenommener Raumabdeckung;

Figur 3

einen Querschnitt durch die Füllmaschine längs der Linie 3-3 nach Figur 2;

Figur 4

einen Querschnitt durch die Füllmaschine längs der Linie 4-4 nach Figur 2 sowie

Figuren 5 - 7

Querschnitte durch ein konzentrisch zu einem Sprührohr angeordnetes Gasverteilungsrohr einer erfindungsgemäßen Füllmaschine in unterschiedlichen Betriebspositionen.

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

FIG. 1

a schematic longitudinal section through a filling machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2

a schematic plan view of a filling machine after FIG. 1 with removed room cover;

FIG. 3

a cross section through the filling machine along the line 3-3 after FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4

a cross section through the filling machine along the line 4-4 after FIG. 2 such as

FIGS. 5 to 7

Cross sections through a gas distribution pipe arranged concentrically to a spray pipe of a filling machine according to the invention in different operating positions.

The filling machine (1) comprises a germ-free working space (2) which has the shape of a hollow, right-angled parallelepiped on an inlet side (7) through a front wall (3), on an outlet side (8) through a rear wall (4) and the front and rear walls (3,4) interconnecting side walls (5a, 5b) and at the top by a space cover (6) is limited. On the bottom, a bottom surface, not shown in the figures, complete the working space (2). Alternatively, the side walls (5a, 5b) rest on a flat foundation that closes the working space down.

Packing containers (9) for receiving drinks are conveyed in four parallel conveyor tracks (11 ad) by means of a circulating conveyor from the inlet side (7) to the outlet side (8) of the filling machine (1). At the conveyor upwardly flared pocket-shaped receptacles (12) for the packing container (9) are attached. In the FIGS. 1 . 3 and 4 is only the upper strand of the revolving conveyor recognizable; on the representation of the two-sided deflection and the lower strand was omitted for clarity.

Starting from the inlet side (7), the filling machine (1) along the mutually parallel conveyor tracks (11 ad) in a preheating zone (13), a sterilization zone (14), a drying zone (15), a filling zone (16) and a Verschließzone (17). The different zones (13-17) are separated by partition plates (18).

Into the preheating zone (13) project eight tubular hot air supply elements (19) which are aligned with the open packing containers (9). On the opposite side, the feed elements (19) run together above the space cover (6) in a distributor (21).

Into the degermination zone (14) protrude eight tubular hydrogen peroxide feed elements (22) which are aligned with the open packing containers (9). On the opposite side, the feed elements (22) run together above the space cover (6) in a distributor (21).

Into the subsequent drying zone (15) protrude eight tubular hot air supply elements (23) which are aligned with the open packing containers (9). On the opposite side, the feed elements (23) run together above the space cover (6) in a rectangular distributor (24).

In the filling zone (16) there are finally eight feed elements (25) for filling the beverage into the packing container (9). As in the preheating zone (13), the Sterilization zone (14) and the drying zone (15) can be acted upon by the feed elements (19,22, 23,25) simultaneously with hot air and hydrogen peroxide or filled with drinks per working cycle of the transport eight open packing container (9).

Optionally, in the conveying direction (26) in front of the feed elements (25) for filling, the beverage is provided with further feed elements (27) for a process gas for preventing oxidation, for example nitrogen oxide (NO ₂ ). Such process gases are used in particular in the filling of oxidation-sensitive beverages, such as fruit juices. The outlet openings of all feed elements (19, 23, 25, 27) terminate just above the open packing containers (9), which define a filling plane (28) with their edges facing upwards.

Close to the space cover (6), five gas distribution pipes (31) are arranged concentrically with the longitudinal axes of five spray pipes (29). As seen from the supervision in FIG. 2 the five gas distribution pipes (31) and spray pipes (29) extend through the entire working space (2) from the front wall (3) to the rear wall (4), each gas distribution pipe (31) and thus also spray pipe (29) above the filling level (28) is arranged. In vertical projection, the three central gas distribution pipes (31) and the spray pipes (29) enclosed by them are each between two conveyor tracks (11 a - d), while the two outer gas distribution pipes (31) and the spray pipes (29) enclosed by them in the conveying direction (26) left or right of the conveyor tracks (11a, 11d) are located.

Each gas distribution pipe (31) has a plurality of gas openings (32) which are evenly distributed over its entire length and uniformly over its circumference. On a Line are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gas distribution pipe (31) are compared to the other gas ports (32) larger gas openings (33).

On a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of each spray tube (29) on the jacket (39) a plurality of spray openings (34) having fan jet nozzles (35) are arranged. The size and contour of the spray openings (34) is approximately the same size and contour of the larger gas openings (33) in the Gasverteilungsrohern (31).

On the inlet side (7), the five gas distribution pipes (31) open into rotary feedthroughs of a manifold (36) extending across the width of the front wall (3) through which the sterile air enters the annular gap (37) between the jacket (39) of each spray pipe (29) and the inner surface (38) is coupled. On the inlet side (7) each spray pipe (29) is designed frontally closed. On the opposite outlet side (8), however, the spray pipes (31) open into unillustrated rotary unions of connection fittings via which the cleaning medium is supplied to the interior of the spray pipes (29).

The gas distribution pipes (31) and the spray pipes (29) are independently about their longitudinal axes by means of the front side, outside of the working space (2) arranged drives (40) rotatable, of which only the drive for the gas distribution pipe in FIG. 1 is shown.

Between the five gas distribution pipes (31) and the fill level (28) are on a total of ten driven shafts (42 a, b) fixed perforated plates (43 a, b), consisting of the in FIGS. 3, 4 shown in solid lines operating positions in cleaning positions shown in dotted lines and vice versa are pivotable.

The motors (44) driving the shafts (42b) of the flat perforated plates (43b) in the closing and filling zone (16, 17) are fixed to the rear wall (4) of the working space (2). The motors (45) driving the shafts (42a) of the angled perforated plates (43a) in the preheating zone (13), the degermination zone (14) and the drying zone (15) are fixed to the front wall (3) of the working space (2).

The angled perforated plates (43a) form as shown in FIG FIG. 3 recognizable, in its operating position along each conveyor track (11 a-d) in the preheating zone (13), the sterilization zone (14) and the drying zone (15) the packing container on the top encompassing channel. The channeling effect causes the hot air, and in particular the hydrogen peroxide, supplied from the feed elements (19, 22, 23) to come into intensive contact with the inner and outer surfaces of the packing containers. At the same time, sterile air is optimally distributed via the holes of the horizontal surfaces of the perforated plates (43a) which are horizontal in the operating position in the filling plane (28) located beneath the perforated plates (43a).

When filling the drinks in the packing container (9) and the subsequent closing of the channeling effect is no longer necessary, which is why the perforated plates (43b) in the filling zone (16) and the sealing zone (17) are not angled, but made flat. The area-wide extent of the perforated plates (43b) in these areas effects optimum distribution of the sterile air discharged by the gas distribution tubes (31) into the filling plane (28) located below the perforated plates (43b).

The axes of rotation of the shafts (42a, 42b) are located in vertical planes, in which the axes of the gas distribution pipes (31) and the spray pipes (29) are located. The axes of rotation of the shafts (42a, 42b) are thus also either between two conveyor tracks (11a-d) and left or right next to the conveyor track (11a, 11d).

As in particular from the representations in the FIGS. 3 and 4 recognizable, the perforated plates (43a, 43b) extend across the entire working space (2) and extend with their edges as far as the feed elements (19,22,23,25,27), zoom; In the operating position, the perforated plates (43a, 43b) largely cover the upwardly open packing containers (9).

• Zum Abfüllen von flüssigen Lebensmitteln in die nach oben offenen Packungsbehälter (9), werden diese an der Einlassseite (7) automatisiert in die taschenförmigen Aufnahmen (12) eingesetzt. Die vier umlaufenden Förderer, an denen die taschenförmigen Aufnahmen (12) befestigt sind, fördern jeweils acht Packungsbehälter (9) gleichzeitig zunächst in die Vorwärmzone (13), in der sämtliche Packungsbehälter (9) gleichzeitig über die Zuführelemente (19) mit Heißluft beaufschlagt werden. Hiefür sowie für jeden weiteren Prozessschritt in einer der Zonen (13 - 17) steht eine Taktzeit von etwa 2,6 Sekunden zur Verfügung, von denen etwa 0,8 Sekunden auf den Weitertransport der jeweils acht Packungsbehälter (9) zur in Förderrichtung (26) nächsten Zone benötigt werden.

The operation of the filling machine according to the invention during the filling of drinks and the subsequent cleaning process with a cleaning medium will be explained below:

• For filling liquid foods into the upwardly open packing containers (9), they are automatically inserted into the pocket-shaped receptacles (12) on the inlet side (7). The four circulating conveyors, to which the pocket-shaped receptacles (12) are fastened, each convey eight packing containers (9) simultaneously into the preheating zone (13), in which all packing containers (9) are simultaneously exposed to hot air via the feed elements (19) , For this, as well as for each further process step in one of the zones (13-17), a cycle time of about 2.6 seconds is available, of which about 0.8 seconds on the further transport of the eight packing containers (9) to the conveying direction (26). needed next zone.

Subsequently, the eight heated with hot air packing container (9) move into the disinfection zone (14), in which they are charged with hydrogen peroxide via the feed elements (22). In the next process step, the eight sterilized packaging container of the drying zone (15) fed where the hydrogen peroxide is dried with hot air. Subsequently, the sterilized packing containers (9) advance into the filling zone (16), where they are filled with drinks from eight feed elements (25), before in the subsequent closing zone (17) the head bottles aligned parallel to the conveying direction (26) are guided by guide profiles (46) closed mechanically and then heated by means of sealing tools (47) and pressed together. Finally, the now closed packing containers (9) leave the working space (2) on the rear wall (4) through the passage openings (48) provided there, adapted to the contour of the packing containers.

In order that a clean-room atmosphere prevails in the closure chamber (17) in the working space (2) until the packing containers (9) are closed, sterile air is continuously supplied via the gas distribution tubes (31) into the working space (2) via the gas openings (32, 33) ) flows out. The gas distribution pipes (31) are located in the in FIG. 5 position shown. In this case, the larger gas openings (33) point downwards in the direction of the perforated plates (43a, b) which are in the working position, so that the sterile air is guided from top to bottom with largely laminar flow to the packing containers (9).

After filling the packing container (9), it is necessary to completely clean the filling machine (1) before the next filling operation. For this purpose, the spray tube (29) is acted upon with cleaning medium, which exits through the arranged in grader line fan jet nozzles (35). In order to completely clean the interior of the working space (2), each spray tube (29) rotates about its longitudinal axis in the direction of the arrow (49) which enters the Figures 6,7 is shown. The larger gas openings (33) in the gas distribution pipes (31) are aligned with the Spray openings (34) of the fan jet nozzles of the spray tube (29) aligned to ensure an unobstructed exit of the fan beams during the cleaning process. The drive of each gas distribution tube (31) rotates in synchronism with the spray tube (31) in the direction of the arrow (50), so that the spray openings (34) are constantly aligned with the larger gas openings (33) during the entire cleaning process. Finally, as in FIG. 7 shown, the drive of each gas distribution pipe (31) stopped and / or its direction of rotation reversed, to ensure a complete distribution of the spray from the openings (34) exiting cleaning medium on the entire inner surface (38) of each gas distribution pipe (31).

In order to be able to effectively clean the areas below the perforated plates (43a, b) during the cleaning of the working space (2), they are cleaned during the cleaning process (FIG. FIG. 6 ) in the in the FIGS. 3 and 4 pivoted dot-dashed position. In order to effectively clean even the perforated plates (43a, 43b) even on all sides, they are pivoted at least once, preferably several times through 360 degrees, so that all surfaces of the perforated plates are exposed at least once directly to the fan jet of the fan jet nozzles (35).

As a cleaning medium, water, various foam products on an alkaline or acidic basis and for disinfection a hydrogen peroxide aerosol is supplied via the spray tube (29). The above cleaning media can be applied in a controlled sequence in succession with the help of the spray pipes (29) for cleaning purposes in the working space (2).

The above description clarifies that the filling machine according to the invention a fully automatic cleaning not only of the gas distribution pipes (31), but also about existing, about an axis pivotable perforated plates (43a, 43b) allows. At the same time a space-saving, optimal for the cleaning process position of the spray pipes (29) and the gas distribution pipes (31) are proposed, which are necessary for the maintenance of a clean room atmosphere during the filling process. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES </ b> No. description No. description 1 filling Machine 29 lance 2 working space 30 - 3 front wall 31 Gas distribution pipe 4 rear wall 32 gas orifices 5 a, b side walls 33 larger gas openings 6 space cover 34 spray openings 7 inlet side 35 Fan-jet nozzles 8th outlet 36 manifold 9 pack containers 37 annular gap 10 - 38 palm 11 ad conveyors 39 coat 12 pocket-shaped shots 40 drive 13 preheating zone 41 inside 14 Entkeimungszone 42 a, b waves 15 drying zone 43 a, b perforated sheets 16 filling zone 44 engine 17 pack zone 45 engine 18 partition plates 46 guide profile 19 Feed element / hot air 47 sealing tool 20 - 48 Through opening 21 distributor 49 arrow 22 Feed element / hydrogen peroxide 50 arrow 23 Feed element / hot air 24 distributor 25 Feeding element / drink 26 conveying direction 27 Feed element / nitric oxide 28 fill layer

Claims (10)

1. A device with a working space (2), through which containers (9) are conveyed from an entrance side (7) to an exit side (8), wherein the working space (2) comprises at least one station (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) to execute a work step on the containers (9), wherein the working space (2) comprises an external line (31), passing through the working space, with several openings (32, 33) for the introduction of a sterile fluid to create a sterile atmosphere in the working space, and an internal line (29), passing through the external line (31), with several openings (34) for spraying a cleaning medium into a space (37), which extends longitudinally between the internal line and the external line.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the external and internal lines (29, 31) are designed as pipes and are arranged so that they can be rotated around their longitudinal axes relative to each other.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that at least one profile (43a, b), provided with openings and extending over the containers (9), is arranged in the working space (2) underneath the external line (31), this profile serving to distribute the sterile fluid introduced through the external line (31) over the containers (9).
4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that each profile (43a, b) is designed to rotate around an axis, around which the profile (43a, b) can be rotated between a first position, in which containers (9) are present in the working space (2), and a second position, in which no containers (9) are present in the working space (2).
5. A method comprising

   -- introducing a sterile fluid into a working space (2) with an external line (31) with several openings, which line passes through the working space;

   -- conveying containers (9) through the working space (2), wherein at least one work step is executed on the containers in a sterile atmosphere; and

   -- introducing a cleaning medium through an internal line (29) with several openings (34), which line passes through the external line (31), and spraying the cleaning medium into a space (37), which passes longitudinally between the internal and external lines (29, 31).
6. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the cleaning medium is introduced through the internal line (29) after the containers (9) have been conveyed through the working space (2).
7. A method according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the internal line (29), designed as a pipe, and the external line (31), designed as a pipe, are rotated around their longitudinal axes relative to each other at least for a certain length of time during the introduction of the cleaning medium through the internal line (29).
8. A method according to one of claims 5-7, characterized in that the external line (31) is used to introduce a gaseous sterile fluid into the working space (2), and the internal line (29) is used to introduce a cleaning medium different from the sterile fluid into the space (37) extending in the longitudinal direction between the internal and external lines.
9. A method according to one of claims 5-8, characterized in that the sterile fluid introduced through the external line (31) is distributed over the containers (9) in the working space (3) by means of at least one profile (43a, b) with openings.
10. A method according to claim 9 and claim 6, characterized in that the at least one profile (43a, b) is rotated from a first position, in which containers (9) are present in the working space (2), into a second position, in which the cleaning medium is applied.

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