WO2014095937A1

WO2014095937A1 - Device and method for sterilising and rinsing containers

Info

Publication number: WO2014095937A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/076997
Authority: WO
Inventors: Josef Knott; Patrick Engelhard; Jürgen Söllner; Holger Müller; Hans Scheuren; Ute Franz
Original assignee: Krones Ag
Priority date: 2012-12-17
Filing date: 2013-12-17
Publication date: 2014-06-26
Also published as: DE102012112368A1

Abstract

Device (1) for rinsing containers (2) with an electron source (4) with an electron exit window (6) at a specified region and particularly at a distal end of a sterilization device (3) which is rod-shaped at least in sections, wherein at least the region of the sterilization device (3) having the electron exit window (6) can be introduced into a container (2) to be sterilized to sterilize the container (2) by means of exiting electrons which can be directed at least onto portions of the interior wall of said container, wherein the sterilization device (3) has a gas line (7) by means of which a gas coolant can be applied to the electron exit window (6) and/or to a part of the sterilization device (3) thermally conductively connected to said window. According to the invention, the gas line (7) has a gas exit opening that is designed in such a manner that the exiting gas coolant can be bombarded with electrons exiting from the electron exit window (6) and thereby be ionized, wherein the ionized gas coolant can be fed into the interior of the container (2) to loosen contamination therein from the interior wall, where required, and to carry it out of the container (2) in the gas flow.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STERILEIZING AND RINSING CONTAINERS

description

The present invention relates to a device and a method for lens rinsing with an electron source having an electron exit window at a distal end of an at least partially rod-shaped sterilization device, wherein at least one of the electron emission window having region of the sterilization device and in particular the distal end of the sterilization device in a sterilizing container can be inserted to sterilize the container by means of exiting and at least to sections of a container inner wall conductive electrons, wherein the sterilization device comprises a gas line, by means of which the electron emission window and / or a thermally conductive compound with this existing portion of the sterilization device acted upon by a cooling gas is.

The state of the art includes methods for sterilizing

Containers known in which electron beams are introduced into the interior of the container. For many applications, a method has been found to be particularly advantageous in which the electron source is in the form of a finger or a lance, which can be introduced into the interior of the container. This makes it possible to bring the electron source closer to the surface to be sterilized and thus to reduce the required sterilization energy. This also results in advantages in the construction of systems that have such sterilization facilities, as well as the shielding of the environment with respect to the relatively low-energy radiation is already realized with less effort. An example of a sterilization device for sterilizing workpieces made of a thermoplastic material in the production of blow-molded containers with a sterilizing unit which is at least partially in the form of a rod is shown in FIG

DE 10 2007 050 582 A1.

Another such sterilization device is known from WO 2008 070 956 A1. In the sterilization device described therein is the rod-like

Electron emitter during the blowing process, in which a preform is expanded by gas pressure into the desired container shape, in inner model preforms or container is used to both sterilize and crystallize the material PET.

Due to the comparatively small outlet opening for the electron beam at the distal end of such an electron beam finger, it is necessary, despite the usually comparatively low acceleration energy, to cool at least the outlet opening or the materials directly surrounding it. For this purpose, water or gas cooling are known from the prior art.

Furthermore, it is known from the prior art that particulate impurities can be removed from a container or a preform by blowing in air or ionized air. The use of ionized air for particle removal is known, for example, from DE 10 140 906 A1. Any sterilization effect caused by the ionized air is not mentioned therein. Currently linear liners are used in the prior art, which are positioned in front of the oven and blow without injecting a finger or a lance particle-free air into the preforms.

The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method in which the removal of particles from the interior of a preform can be carried out in a process step with its internal sterilization.

This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1, a system according to claim 7 and by the method according to claim 8. In the apparatus according to the invention for rinsing containers, the apparatus has a charge carrier source and in particular an electron source, which in turn has an electron exit window at a predetermined area and in particular a distal end of an at least partially rod-shaped sterilization device, wherein at least the region having the electron exit window, in particular the distal one End of the sterilization device is inserted into a container to be sterilized in order to at least partially sterilize the container by leaking and at least on sections of Behältnisinnenwandung electronically, wherein the sterilization device comprises a gas line, by means of the electron exit window and / or with this in thermally conductive connection existing proportion of the sterilization device with a gas and in particular a cooling gas and in particular with cooling air bea It can be whipped, wherein the gas line - in particular downstream of the contact surface with the electron exit window and / or with this in thermally conductive connection existing portion of the sterilization device - has a gas outlet opening which is designed such that the exiting cooling gas or generally exiting from the opening Gas can be acted upon by emerging from the electron exit window electrons and thereby ionizable, wherein the ionized (cooling) gas can be guided into the interior of the container to solve any impurities contained therein if necessary from the inner wall and to lead with the gas flow out of the container.

As stated, it is proposed that, in particular, the gas which is used to cool the exit window is also used for the rinsing of the containers. It should be noted, however, that it is also conceivable to ionize a certain portion of the gas, which does not serve to cool the exit window, within the container by the exiting electron beam radiation and thus to use the lens. It would thus be possible for the device to have, in addition to the line for the cooling gas, also another gas line which is likewise guided into that area in which the charge carriers exit and the gas emerging from this gas line is ionized.

Also, the conduit used for the cooling gas could have a further opening through which exits a predetermined proportion of the gas, but this portion is not even or only partially used for cooling, but for the rinsing. In general, the invention is suitable for preform germination by means of electron beams. This process may include external sterilization of the containers as well as internal disinfection. Preferably, the external sterilization is carried out first and then the internal sterilization. The latter is preferably carried out with finger emitters over which the container is guided. Such a finger emitter can work in such a way that electrons generated from a filament, accelerated with a high voltage and passed over the finger. At the end of the electron exit through a thin metal foil or an exit window in the environment. For example, titanium may be used as the material for this exit window, preferably with a film thickness of between 3 and 30 μm, preferably between 5 and 20 μm, preferably between 6 and 15 μm.

After a short distance in the air these electrons hit the surface to be sterilized and sterilize there. The exit window heats up during the electron passage so that it should be cooled. For this purpose, a gas stream, preferably consisting of filtered air is used, which is passed from the outside against the window.

Such a device has the advantage that the intensity of the energy required for the sterilization of the electron beams can be reduced compared to the prior art. The introduction of the electron exit window into the interior of the container to be sterilized reduces the distance between the electron exit opening and the inner container surface to be sterilized by the application of electrons.

During e-beam sterilization, air is thus preferably passed over the exit window for cooling, thereby being ionized, then automatically deflected into the narrow preform and preferably conveyed out by the movement of the preform via the finger, in order to conclude particularly preferably via openings above the finger and to be deducted from the preform.

This method and the associated device should also be used for possible e-beam bottle solutions. It changes the dimensions of the finger and the necessary gas flows and pressures. The advantages of the described system and method are that an existing process can be supplemented by simple modifications such that an additional rinser can be dispensed with. Thus, the invention means a simplification of the overall line around the planned PreBeam plant and thus a cost optimization.

In addition, this device has the further advantage that by means of the cooling gas, the electron exit window can be cooled and thus its overheating and / or even damage can be prevented by the high-energy radiation. In particular, at high throughput rates and operation over a long period of time, this results in significant advantages in terms of wear of the device and maintenance intervals.

Another advantage of this device over the prior art is that the cooling gas is directed into the container interior, where it is at least partially exposed to the electron beam. This results in at least partial ionization of the cooling gas. The ionized gas thereby inside the container causes particles and / or surface portions which are contacted by this gas to be sterilized.

It is therefore proposed that the opening in the said cooling gas line is arranged such that the emerging from this opening cooling gas is acted upon by the emerging from the beam finger or from the radiation device charge carriers, esp. Electrons and is thus ionized by them. Thus, there need be no further ionization device for ionizing gas or air here.

It is conceivable that the cooling gas is first directed to the exit window and there is also ionized. However, it would also be possible for the cooling gas or a portion of the cooling gas, or gas in general, to pass through a separate orifice so that it can be ionized by the electrons and then strike the inner surfaces of the container.

This advantage over the prior art can already be used to reduce the acceleration voltage, by means of which the electrons are accelerated. However, the potential for saving energy is unexpected and disproportionately high. Due to the gas introduced and thereby resulting inside the container gas stream, it is possible that particles that are located inside the container and possibly even by molecular interactions on the inner container surface (possibly temporarily) are fixed, whirled up or otherwise get into the gas stream and can be discharged with this from the container. Depending on the material of the preforms used, it is possible that charged particles due to electrostatic interactions are so firmly bound on an inner surface of the preforms that they are difficult to remove by an uncharged air flow.

In particular, by the fact that impurities and in particular liquid or particulate impurities shield the underlying inner container surface with respect to the electron beams, an increased energy expenditure for the electron beam sterilization is necessary without an effective discharge of these impurities. This energy consumption can be reduced by discharging the impurities. This has a positive effect on the radiator service lives, since these are multiplied by the low electron dose emitted. Accordingly, the interval times for maintenance and / or replacement of the electron beam extend.

Thus, it has been found that the particle loading of the inner surfaces of a preform is directly related to the sterilization success by electron irradiation. The lowest possible particle loading of the preforms (preforms, preforms) can lead to a predefined degree of sterilization being able to be achieved more quickly and / or even at a lower radiation dose. The more particles are contained in the interior of a preform, or are deposited on the inner surfaces to be sterilized, the greater their common shielding effect against the sterilizing radiation.

In order to make the preforms or the preforms correspondingly particle-poor, it is provided that so-called rinsers are used. It is therefore intended that the rinsing a gassing lance is introduced into a preform. Such a gassing lance (gassing nose) is an at least partially rod-shaped device, by means of which a gas can be conducted to an outlet opening arranged at its distal end. From this outlet opening, the gas may be introduced into the interior of the preform into which the lance has been introduced and flow in the direction of the opening of the preform. In this case, particles or particulate impurities can be entrained with the gas stream and are thus removed from the preform. In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the device has a discharge device for gases, by means of which the particle-laden cooling gases emerging from the container can be withdrawn from the container. Such a take-off device makes it possible to control the gas flow in a targeted manner and, if necessary, to be able to vary it. Thus, by controlling the pressure differences between the gas outlet opening and the exhaust device, it is possible to vary between laminar and turbulent flow characteristics. A turbulent flow course can be particularly advantageous for detaching particles from the surface and converting them into the gas stream. On the other hand, a laminar gas stream may be advantageous in order to lead the particles already transferred into the gas stream out of the container.

In order not to negatively influence the flow behavior of the gas, in particular in the region of the gas outlet opening by the draw-off device, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the draw-off device is not arranged in direct proximity to the outlet opening, but spaced from the distal end of the sterilization device, preferably above the electron exit window, is arranged. It can thereby be achieved that the cooling gas can escape from the outlet opening largely independently of the suction power. The flow behavior in this area is determined largely by the shape of the outlet opening and the exit velocity.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the ionized cooling gas can be conducted through the form of outlet and / or extraction device and / or guide devices and / or by setting a desired flow velocity along a desired section of an inner surface of the container wall such that there are electrostatic interactions between Contaminant particles and the inner surface of Behältniswandung reduced, canceled and / or prevented. As already described above, the flow behavior of the gas can be varied or adjusted in certain sections and thus the rinsing can be particularly effective.

In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the device has a device for rotating the preforms. By rotating the preforms, the dissolution of larger particulate units (particles or particle composites) can be effected or supported. The rotation does not have to be uniform, but may include a sectionally changed rotational speed, rotation interruptions and / or changes in the direction of rotation.

Small charged particles are difficult to remove without ionized air depending on the preform material, since the resulting adhesive forces are greater than the release force to be generated and applied.

The gas used for the rinsing may be ionised air. By delivering ionized air into the interior of the preforms, it is possible that even charged particles can be removed with the air flow. Due to the general availability, air is available as a gaseous medium. Ionized air can destabilize the forces acting between the charged particles and the preform inner surface and thus also remove charged particles comparatively easily and effectively.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ionizable cooling gas is a carbon-containing gas.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device is characterized in that it is arranged along a transport path of the containers upstream with respect to a forming device for the containers. This makes it possible to sterilize already preforms with their compared to the container formed therefrom in the forming process significantly lower inner surface, and so save energy.

Accordingly, the containers are preferably preforms, in particular preforms for bottles or other containers for holding liquid or pasty media, in particular from the food industry.

Accordingly, an apparatus for treating containers is the subject of the present invention having a device as described above. Preferably, the device is arranged on a movable carrier and in particular on a rotatable carrier, wherein this carrier preferably also serves as a transport device for transporting the containers to be sterilized. It can on the carrier Also, a plurality of holding devices for holding the containers may be arranged, for example, gripping elements which grip the containers in a mouth region.

Preferably, a predetermined number of sterilization devices are arranged on this carrier, this number preferably being between 2 and 20, preferably between 2 and 10, preferably between 3 and 8.

A further subject matter of the present invention is a method for rinsing or rinsing (and in particular for rinsing by means of a gas) containers at least temporarily during sterilization of a container inner wall by means of an at least partially rod-shaped sterilization device comprising an electron source and an electron exit window at a predetermined area of the sterilization device and preferably at a distal end, wherein at least the electron exit window having region of the sterilization device is introduced into a container to be sterilized to sterilize the container by means of leaking electrons, the electron exit window and / or with this in thermal Conductive connection existing portion of the sterilization device is acted upon with a cooling gas, the gefü at least partially by means of a gas line The gas, in particular downstream of the contact surface with the electron exit window and / or the part of the sterilization device in thermally conductive connection, emerges from the gas line through a gas outlet opening in such a way that the exiting cooling gas is exposed to electrons emerging from the electron exit window and is ionized thereby, and wherein the ionized refrigerant gas is led into the interior of the container to solve therein contained impurities if necessary from the inner wall and to lead with the gas flow from the container out.

By this method, it is possible to sterilize containers and / or preforms very energy efficient, since particulate or liquid contaminants can be discharged by the stream of ionized gas and thus can meet the electron beam unhindered on the inner surface of the container.

In addition, in a preferred variant of the method, it is provided that the particle-laden cooling gases emerging from the container are conveyed by means of a Discharge device are at least temporarily withdrawn from the container. This can be achieved that the particle-laden gases do not distribute uncontrollably, but follow predetermined flow paths. In particular, at bottlenecks between the electron emission window located in the container or the rod-shaped element (electron beam finger) at the distal end of the electron exit window is arranged and the container opening was introduced by this in the interior, can be prevented by effective extraction of the gases deposition of particulate impurities become.

Furthermore, it is thereby possible to vary the flow course (possibly in combination with a change in the inflow velocity) also inside the container and thus to change proportions with laminar and turbulent flow patterns in their extent.

Preferably, the gases are withdrawn from a withdrawal device spaced apart from the distal end of the sterilization device, which is preferably arranged above the electron exit window. It follows that the electron beam finger is preferably introduced from above into an upwardly opened container and the electron exit window is directed downward. The extraction device preferably remains outside of the container to thereby allow a gas flow over the entire inner surface of the container. More preferably, the suction closes flush and more preferably gas-tight to the opening of the container.

Further preferred is a method in which the containers are conveyed along a transport path of the containers after the rinsing to a forming device for the containers. As indicated above, it may be advantageous to sterilize containers (e.g., preforms) prior to forming them into containers for filling. The significantly reduced inner surface area compared to the molded container simplifies and shortens the sterilization process and also reduces energy consumption.

Furthermore, a variant of the method is preferred, which is characterized in that the ionized cooling gas by the form of outlet and / or extraction device and / or guide devices and / or by setting a desired Flow rate is directed along a desired portion of an inner surface of the Behältniswandung that it reduces electrostatic interactions between contaminant particles and the inner surface of Behältniswandung, repeals and / or prevents. As already stated above, it is possible to make the recording of impurities particularly efficient via the flow behavior of the gas in certain sections. Thus, turbulent flow patterns are particularly suitable for dissolving particles and / or liquids from the container surface, whereas laminar flows are advantageous for the transport of impurities already taken up.

In order to exploit these advantages along the entire inner container surface, it is provided in a further preferred variant of the method that the flow behavior of the (ionized) gas is changed at least once during rinsing.

Further advantages, objects and characteristics of the present invention will be explained with reference to the following description of the appended drawings.

Show it:

1 shows a schematic structure of a device for rinsing containers with an electron beam finger inserted into a container and FIG

Fig. 2: a variety of devices for Rinsen of containers

along a circular path on a rotatable carrier

are arranged with an inlet and an outlet star

for supplying and removing the containers.

1 shows a schematic structure of a device 1 for rinsing containers 2 with an electron beam finger 3 introduced into a container 2. The electron source 4 also remains in the container 2 introduced electron beam finger 3 outside the container 2. The accelerated electrons are via a suitable focusing 5 (shown schematically) are guided so that they are accelerated by the interior of the electron beam finger and at its distal end through an electron exit window 6 from the electron beam finger 3 into the Container 2 can occur. The electron exit window 6 may be, for example, a titanium foil, a quartz window or another suitable material.

Even though the electron exit window 6 is highly transparent to the accelerated electrons, it nevertheless strongly heats up due to the interaction with the accelerated electrons. This can lead to damage or even destruction of the electron exit window 6 in the longer term. To prevent this, a cooling of the electron exit window 6 is necessary. In the example shown, a lateral feed 7 is provided for a cooling gas. The amount of cooling gas supplied per time interval can be controlled by means of suitable valves 8. The gas is conducted inside the electron beam finger 3 (e.g., by means of an intermediate housing or by lines extending in a longitudinal direction of the beam finger) to the electron exit window 6 where it can interact with and absorb and dissipate thermal energy therefrom. In the example shown, the channel for the cooling gas in the electron beam finger 3 is not recognizable, since it runs in the interior of the side wall 9. Only after the cooling of the electron exit window 6 does the gas escape from the electron beam finger 3 and can interact with the electron beam (still shielded from the cooling gas inside the electron beam finger 3).

After emerging from the electron beam finger 3, the gas flows as indicated by the arrows P1 and P2 into the interior of the container 2 and can there (at least partially) with accelerated electrons are acted upon. This results in at least a partial ionization of the gas. The gas (whether ionized or not) can agitate and carry away particles inside the container. The ionized portion of the gas can positively affect the cleaning of the container 2 in at least two ways. On the one hand, it is possible for the charge carriers (ie ionized gas molecules) to weaken and / or release binding electrostatic interactions between particles and the inner wall of the container due to their charge. This makes it much easier to transfer these particles into the gas phase and carry out with the gas flow. On the other hand, the ionized gas molecules themselves can have a sterilizing effect, which could, for example, have a positive effect in the areas which can not be sufficiently exposed to the accelerated electrons. The gas flows along the pressure gradient in the interior of the container 2 to its opening 10 and exits at this from the container 2. As shown in Fig. 1, above the container 2 and in the region of an upper portion of the electron beam finger 3 openings 1 1 of a suction device 12 is provided, through which the gas can be removed. The resulting flow behavior is symbolically indicated by the arrows P3 and P4. Depending on the positioning of the openings 11, the pressure difference applied thereto and their distance from the container opening 10, the course of the flow and the flow rate can be varied. As a result, it is also possible to influence the flow behavior of the gas inside the container 2 and, for example, to change the flow rate in the container interior and / or to change it between laminar and turbulent flow in certain sections of the container 2. The escaping gas is discharged through the suction device 12 (in this case laterally).

2 shows a multiplicity of devices 1 for the rinsing of containers 2, which are arranged along a circular path on a rotatable carrier 13. Furthermore, an inlet 14 and an outlet star 15 are shown, by means of which containers 2 these devices 1 can be added to the rinsing and discharged. As shown by the walls (shown in transparent) 16, the transport path for the containers is at least in the area of the supply and discharge devices 14, 15 and the devices 1 for rinsing inside a (sterile) atmosphere shielded from the environment. Thus, these walls preferably limit a clean room or sterile room, which surrounds the transport path of the containers 2 during their sterilization. In this case, it would be possible for at least two of these walls to be movable with respect to one another, and for a sealing device, such as a so-called water lock, to be particularly preferably arranged between these two relatively movable walls.

The containers supplied by means of the feed device 14 are received by the devices 1 for the rinsing of containers 2 by gripper elements 17. In the example shown, the gripping elements 17 are designed to be movable in the vertical direction. Thus, the required relative mobility between electron beam finger 3 and container 2 is ensured, even if the electron beam finger 3 is not moved in the vertical direction. It would be possible, however, any other embodiment in which the introduction of the Electron beam finger 3 in the container interior necessary relative movement can be ensured. Thus, it is also possible that the electron beam finger 3 is designed to be movable and is introduced into a container 2 (not moved in the vertical direction). Likewise, a movement of both the electron beam finger 3 and the container 2 is possible.

The variant shown in the embodiment shown is usually easier to implement, since the comparatively large and heavy electron sources 4 need not be moved in the vertical direction. This also simplifies the supply of the cooling gas and the electrical voltage needed to accelerate the electrons.

A receptacle 2 accommodated by a gripping element 17 is pushed over a electron beam finger 3 from below during a rotation of the device 1 for the rinsing of containers 2 on the carousel 13 and is supplied with ionized gas as indicated above around the receptacle 2 rinsen. Likewise, during this cycle, the sterilization of the container inside by the electron beams. A container to be rinsed (e.g., a preform) is thus moved up and down over the electron beam finger 3 to efficiently discharge particles. The electron beam generated by the electron beam finger 3 simultaneously ionizes the air and sterilizes the container. 2

After this combined rinsing and sterilization process, the sterilized containers 2 are transferred to the outlet star 15 and removed from it, for example, to a device for forming the containers 2.

Overall, it is therefore proposed to use the charge carrier emitter, which is designed in particular as a beam finger, both for sterilizing the containers and for ionizing air. The sterilization process of the containers described here is preferably a pre-sterilization. This means that a further sterilization is carried out in a further process step. In particular, a further sterilization of the inner wall of the containers is made after forming the plastic preforms to the plastic bottles. 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

1 device for rinsing

2 container

3 electron beam fingers

4 electron source

5 focusing device

6 electron exit window

7 cooling gas supply

8 valve

9 side wall

10 container opening

1 1 suction opening

12 suction device

13 rotatable carrier

14 feeder, inlet star

15 discharge device, outlet star

16 wall, sterile room

17 gripping element

18 axis

P1, P2 arrows

P3, P4 arrows

Claims

Apparatus and method for rinsing

claims

1 . Device (1) for rinsing containers (2) with an electron source (4) having an electron exit window (6) at a predetermined area and in particular a distal end of an at least partially rod-shaped one

Sterilization device (3), wherein at least the

A region of the sterilization device (3) having an electron emission window (6) can be inserted into a container (2) to be sterilized by exiting electrons which can be discharged at least to sections of a container inner wall, wherein the sterilization device (3) comprises a gas line (3). 7) by means of which the electron emission window (6) and / or a portion of the sterilization device (3) existing in thermally conductive connection with the latter can be acted upon by a gas,

characterized in that the gas line (7) has a gas outlet opening which is formed such that the escaping gas with out of the

Electron exit window (6) can be acted upon emerging electrons and thereby ionizable, wherein the ionized gas into the interior of the container (2) is feasible to dissolve the impurities contained therein if necessary from the inner wall and with the gas flow out of the container (2) out ,

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) further comprises a trigger device (12) for gases, by means of which from the container (2) exiting, particle-laden gases from the container (2) are removable ,

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the

Discharge device (12) from the distal end of the sterilization device (3) spaced, preferably above the electron exit window (6) is arranged.

Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that the device (1) has means for rotating the containers (2).

Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that the ionized cooling gas can be conducted through the form of exit and / or withdrawal device (12) and / or guide devices and / or by setting a desired flow velocity along a desired section of an inner surface of the container wall such that there are electrostatic interactions between contaminant particles and reduces, eliminates and / or prevents the inner surface of Behältniswandung.

Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the ionisable cooling gas is a carbon-containing gas.

Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the device (1) along a transport path of the containers (2) upstream of a forming device for the containers (2) is arranged.

Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the gas is a cooling gas and in particular cooling air.

Plant for treating containers (2), characterized in that it comprises a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and preferably a forming device for forming plastic preforms to plastic containers, said forming device in a

Transport direction of the plastic preforms downstream with respect to

Device (1) is arranged.

10. A method for rinsing containers (2) wherein at least temporarily during an at least partial sterilization of a container inner wall by means of an at least partially rod-shaped sterilization device (3), which comprises an electron source (4) and which has an electron exit window (6) at a distal end, wherein at least the electron exit window (6) having the distal end of the sterilization device (3) in a

sterilizing container (2) is introduced to the container (2) by means of

to sterilize exiting electrons, wherein the electron exit window (6) and / or a part of the sterilization device (3) existing in this thermally conductive connection is subjected to a gas which is guided at least in sections by means of a gas line (7),

characterized in that the gas exits through a gas outlet opening from the gas line (7) such that the escaping gas with out of the

Electron egress window (6) is exposed to exiting electrons and is thereby ionized and wherein the ionized gas in the interior of the container (2) is guided to solve it located impurities if necessary from the inner wall and with the gas flow from the container (2) out ,

1 1. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the from the container (2) exiting, particle-laden cooling gases are withdrawn by means of a trigger device (12) at least temporarily out of the container (2).

12. The method according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the gases are withdrawn from a distance from the distal end of the sterilization device withdrawal device (12), which is preferably above the electron exit window (6), is arranged.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that the containers (2) after the Rinsen along a transport path of the containers (2) to a forming device for the containers (2) to be forwarded.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10-13, characterized in that the ionized cooling gas by the form of exit and / or withdrawal device (12) and / or guide devices and / or by setting a desired Flow rate is thus conducted along a desired portion of an inner surface of the container wall, that it is electrostatic

Reduces, eliminates and / or prevents interactions between contaminant particles and the inner surface of the container wall.