WO2023031181A1

WO2023031181A1 - Cleaning module for the stationary external cleaning of kegs

Info

Publication number: WO2023031181A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/074054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Volker Damerow; Sebastian ECKES; Maximilian Weindorf; Christian Pedersen; Manfred Wahl; Andreas Weber; Olaf Muszinski
Original assignee: Khs Gmbh
Priority date: 2021-08-31
Filing date: 2022-08-30
Publication date: 2023-03-09
Also published as: DE102021122448A1; EP4395943A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning module (1) for the stationary external cleaning of kegs (3), comprising at least one partially closed cleaning chamber (10), a holding arrangement (12) for rotatably holding an individual keg (3), and at least one washing device (14) for generating a cleaning agent jet and/or water jet (RW), wherein the at least partially closed cleaning chamber (10) forms a cleaning space (11) for an individual keg (3) in which the individual keg (3) can be received for stationary external cleaning, wherein the holding arrangement (12) is designed to hold the individual keg (3) at least during the stationary external cleaning operation and to rotate it about its longitudinal axis (LA) by means of a motor, and wherein the washing device (14) is designed to externally clean the individual keg (3) by applying the cleaning agent jet and/or water jet (RW), generated by the washing device (14), to at least part of the lateral surface of said keg and/or to at least part of an upper side (3a) of the keg (3) that comprises a keg fitting (2), and/or to at least part of an underside (3b) of the keg (3).

Description

Cleaning module for stationary exterior cleaning of KEGs

The present invention relates to a cleaning module for the stationary exterior cleaning of KEG containers, and to a treatment system for cleaning and filling KEGs with at least one such cleaning module for the stationary exterior cleaning of KEGs. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for the stationary exterior cleaning of KEGs with such a cleaning module.

If beverages or other liquid products are handled or dispensed as filling goods in larger quantities, especially quantities larger than 5 liters, e.g. B. in restaurants, it has proven to be particularly advantageous not to handle these products in bottles or cans, but in barrels. In turn, the use of so-called KEGs, which are also referred to as KEG barrels or KEG containers, offers numerous advantages.

A main advantage of using KEGs is that these barrel-like containers are hermetically sealed due to a particularly advantageous design of the connections for filling goods and compressed gas and thus the filling goods and interior of the KEG are protected from all kinds of dirt, but especially from contact with germs. The specialist knows the connections of KEGs as fittings or KEG fittings. The relevant specialist has therefore long been familiar with the basic structure of such KEGs with at least one KEG fitting and usually represents a two-way valve at the inlet and outlet of the KEG of the treatment station opened in the cleaning and/or filling step.

As a rule, the KEGs are handled industrially and automatically in the bottling plants, in particular in the large plants in the beverage industry, for example cleaned and/or filled or refilled. For this purpose, the KEGs are filled with liquid contents, particularly in fully automated individual machines with one filling station or in large machines with several filling stations.

Since, as described, the KEGs are often reusable containers, they have to be cleaned inside and out before they can be reused due to the high cleanliness requirements that are customary in the food industry. For this purpose, separate treatment modules are provided in the prior art for filling and/or cleaning KEGs with external cleaning, so that the KEGs can be used several times as reusable containers. It is known to treat the KEGs with various media, such as mixed water, alkalis, acids, hot water, etc. during their transport through the treatment plant in order to remove or wash off residues adhering to the interior of the KEG and also to the outer surface of the KEG, see above that any residues or deposits present are removed as completely as possible before the KEGs are subjected to a sterilization step, for example by steaming. In particular, it should be noted that the impurities are product-dependent. For example, when cleaning the interior of KEGs, unfiltered beers, barrel-fermented beers and Quas leave significant residues in the interior of the container, which are difficult to remove.

The cleaning intensity of cleaning methods known from the prior art in such treatment plants during the transport of the KEGs through a tunnel with e.g. washing shower and brushes can be influenced in particular by the factors of time, temperature, cleaning media used (chemicals) and a mechanical effect of the cleaning medium on the residues become. It is known here that the cleaning effect can be improved by increasing the temperature or by adjusting the temperature optimally as a function of the treatment media. It is also known that the cleaning effect can be improved by extending the cleaning time.

An extension of the cleaning time for individual KEGs has the consequence that the throughput of all KEGs to be cleaned within the entire treatment system is reduced or treatment systems with a larger number of treatment heads on which the containers are arranged for cleaning must be used, so that This results in increased space requirements and investment requirements. In other words, the throughput of KEGs to be cleaned is based on the longest and thus most complex cleaning of individual KEGs. Both the reduction in the throughput of KEGs to be cleaned and the increase in the space required are undesirable for cost reasons and make the entire system inflexible. The object of the present invention is to specify a cleaning module for the stationary exterior cleaning of KEG containers, which enables flexible exterior cleaning of KEGs.

This object is achieved by a cleaning module for the stationary external cleaning of KEGs according to the features of independent patent claim 1 . Furthermore, a method for stationary external cleaning of KEGs with such a cleaning module according to the features of independent patent claim 24 is specified to solve the task. The respective dependent claims relate to particularly advantageous developments of the invention.

According to a first essential aspect, the invention provides a cleaning module for the stationary external cleaning of KEGs. The cleaning module comprises at least one partially closed cleaning chamber, a holding arrangement for holding an individual KEG and at least one washing device for generating a jet of cleaning agent and/or water. The at least partially closed cleaning chamber forms a cleaning space for a single KEG, in which the single KEG can be accommodated for stationary external cleaning. Furthermore, the holding arrangement is designed to hold the individual KEG at least during the stationary exterior cleaning. Finally, in order to clean the outside of the individual KEG, the washing device is designed to apply the cleaning agent and/or water jet generated by the washing device to at least sections of the outer surface of the individual KEG and/or an upper side of the KEG comprising the KEG fitting and/or an underside of the KEG. It is particularly advantageous to be able to flexibly adjust the cleaning of the KEGs, since only a single KEG is cleaned on the outer surface of the cleaning module designed as a “stand alone” module. It is therefore no longer necessary, as in the prior art, to clean all the KEGs during the transport of the KEGs within the treatment plant, rather they can now be cleaned outside in a stationary manner in the cleaning module designed according to the invention as an individual module. This cleaning can be adjusted individually and according to the needs of the individual KEG in terms of effort and length of the cleaning process.

All media commonly used in connection with cleaning in the food industry, in particular the beverage industry, which are familiar to a person skilled in the art can be considered as “cleaning agent” or “cleaning medium”. The Cleaning can include a number of different cleaning steps with different cleaning media, with the number of cleaning steps being carried out sequentially or one after the other, for example. When cleaning the KEGs, at least one lye is preferably used as a cleaning medium or as a component of a cleaning medium.

In the context of the present invention, “stationary external cleaning” is understood to mean cleaning that takes place within the cleaning module. The KEGs remain stationary in the cleaning chamber of one and the same cleaning module according to the invention during the entire stationary exterior cleaning. Since the exterior is cleaned in a stationary manner, the cleaning module advantageously has no transport device for transporting the KEG to be cleaned through the cleaning chamber.

According to an advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the washing device has at least one nozzle arrangement with one or more spray nozzles for generating the jet of cleaning agent and/or water.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that one or more spray nozzles of the nozzle arrangement is/are set up to generate a pulsating jet of cleaning agent and/or water.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, one or more spray nozzles of the nozzle arrangement can be set up to generate a rotating spray cone of a turbulent jet of cleaning agent and/or water and/or to generate a jet of cleaning agent and/or water. According to a further advantageous embodiment variant, one or more spray nozzles of the nozzle arrangement can be designed as foam nozzles for generating a foaming jet of cleaning agent and/or water.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that one or more spray nozzles of the nozzle arrangement are set up to spray a KEG received and held in the cleaning chamber on the lateral surface and/or the top and/or the bottom with a cleaning agent and/or to sprinkle water jet. According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that one or more spray nozzles of the nozzle arrangement for generating a cleaning agent and/or water jet as a high-pressure spray of up to 80 bar, preferably between 8 bar and 80 bar, in particular as a high-pressure spray with several pressure stages, are trained.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning module has a plurality of washing devices, with at least one washing device being designed to act on a KEG accommodated in the cleaning chamber and held by means of the holding arrangement with a jet of cleaning agent and/or water on the lateral surface of the KEG. and at least one further washing device for subjecting this KEG to a jet of cleaning agent and/or water is formed on the upper side and/or on the underside of this KEG.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning module has a sealing device that seals a sealing space from the cleaning space, preferably splash-proof, with the sealing space between the lateral surface of the KEG accommodated in the cleaning chamber and held by the holding arrangement and the cleaning chamber, in particular one Inner wall of the cleaning chamber, and wherein at least one washing device is provided in the sealing space. In more detail, the sealing device is attached to at least one inside of a side surface, i.e. an inner wall of the cleaning chamber, and rests on the free end in contact or approximately contact on the lateral surface of a KEG accommodated in the cleaning chamber and held by the holding arrangement. The sealing device can be designed as an elastically deformable sealing device that seals the sealing space on opposite sides of a washing device arranged within the sealing space by means of sealing elements, for example in the form of elastically deformable sealing lips. In particular, the sealing elements can be designed to be elastically deformable. Alternatively, the sealing elements of the sealing device can also be static, ie not elastically deformable and inflexible, and thus form a labyrinth seal.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the washing device has at least one brush arrangement with one or more in has brushes arranged in the cleaning chamber, which can be brought into contact with the lateral surface and/or the upper side and/or the lower side of a KEG accommodated in the cleaning chamber and held by means of the holding arrangement, so that the brush arrangement brushes the lateral surface and/or the upper side and/or the Clean the underside of the KEG mechanically, brushing in particular.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the at least one brush arrangement is arranged in a stationary manner within the cleaning chamber and comprises one or more rotatable brushes that are motor-driven about a brush longitudinal axis.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the at least one brush arrangement comprises one or more rotatable brushes that are motor-driven about the brush longitudinal axis and is designed to be movable within the cleaning chamber in such a way that the at least one brush makes contact along the outer lateral surface of a brush in the holding arrangement held KEGs is movable.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the washing device has a plurality of brush arrangements, with at least one brush arrangement being set up for cleaning the lateral surface of the KEG and at least one further brush arrangement being set up for cleaning the upper side of the KEG containing the KEG fitting.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the at least one brush of the further brush arrangement is arranged on a side of the turntable that faces the upper side of the cleaning chamber.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the additional brush arrangement has at least a first brush that cuts out the KEG fitting and at least a second brush that cleans the KEG fitting.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the first axis of rotation of the holding element and the second axis of rotation of the turntable have a different axis direction. According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning module has an adjusting device, by means of which an underside of the cleaning chamber can be tilted manually and/or motor-driven relative to a floor level, specifically by an angle of between 1° and 90°. particularly advantageously at an angle α of between 10° and 45°.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the angle is adjusted in such a way that the fitting of the KEG accommodated in the cleaning chamber is at least partially, preferably completely, immersed in a cleaning bath formed within the cleaning chamber. The cleaning bath is preferably formed on the underside of the cleaning chamber, in that the cleaning agent or water used during cleaning collects here.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the cleaning module has at least one sensor, in particular an optical sensor such as a camera, for optically detecting a degree of cleanliness on the lateral surface and/or the top and/or bottom of the KEG.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the turning and holding arrangement is designed to hold a single KEG in a rotatable manner and comprises a rotary drive means and a holding element for holding a single KEG on its underside, with the rotary drive means being set up to rotate the of the KEGs held by the turning and holding arrangement around its longitudinal axis.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that the holding arrangement has the holding element, which can be rotated about a first axis of rotation, for holding an individual KEG on its underside, and a turntable which can be rotated about a second axis of rotation, with the turntable and the holding element being used to hold the KEG on its Top and bottom engaging holder for the KEG can be formed.

According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a treatment system with one or more cleaning modules according to the above description and with one or more treatment modules for internal cleaning and filling of KEGs equipped with a KEG fitting.

The respective cleaning or treatment module is advantageously designed as a "stand-alone" module, ie as a module that can be operated independently of the other modules of the treatment system. With regard to the number of cleaning or treatment modules, this enables a high degree of flexibility of the system - both in terms of the total number of modules in the treatment system, which can be increased or decreased as desired, and the number of modules in operation at a specific point in time .

The treatment system is preferably equipped with at least one loading robot for feeding and removing the KEGs to and from the individual treatment modules and/or for feeding and removing the KEGs to and from the individual cleaning modules. The loading robot can, for example, have a gripping arm that can be moved with several degrees of freedom for gripping the KEGs. The loading robot is preferably an articulated-arm robot, in particular a 5- or 6-axis articulated-arm robot. The loading robot is advantageously designed to be movable and positioned in such a way that the loading robot can feed the KEGs to each of the treatment modules and/or can remove them from each of the treatment modules.

The treatment system can include one or more further treatment modules, it being possible for the further treatment modules to be designed in the same way or in a different way. The present invention includes, in particular, a treatment system with a plurality of treatment modules, as specified in the above description, with at least two of the treatment modules being set up for treating KEGs of the same type and/or with at least a first of the treatment modules being set up for treating KEGs of a first type and at least a second of the treatment modules is set up for treating KEGs of a second type.

The treatment system can also comprise a plurality of cleaning modules, with at least two of the cleaning modules being set up for treating KEGs of the same type and/or with at least a first of the cleaning modules being set up for treating KEGs of a first type is set up and at least a second cleaning module is set up for treating KEGs of a second type.

In the present case, “similar KEGs” is understood to mean that the KEGs are similar in at least one property relevant to the interior and/or exterior cleaning process and/or filling process and considered here. Such properties can include, for example, the following from the non-exhaustive list of properties: capacity, size, geometry, external shape, material, weight, strength or thickness of the KEG wall, type of KEG fitting, and so on. By considering one or more of the properties, for example, a classification or differentiation into types of KEGs can also be made, in particular into different types of KEGs. The "KEG of a first type" and the "KEG of a second type" differ from each other, e.g. with regard to the type of their KEG fitting and/or their volume. However, differences between the KEG types can also be drawn from other of the above properties.

In the present treatment system, the cleaning and filling processes in each individual treatment module and the external cleaning in each cleaning module can be tailored to the respective KEG to be treated there or adapted as required and controlled, with the need-based adjustment of the cleaning and Filling process, for example, the nature or type of KEG or a degree of contamination of the KEG or the type of filling product to be filled or the like can be taken into account. Mixed operation is also possible in the present treatment plant, since each individual treatment module can be connected to a respective filling product supply in a controlled switchable manner via the product feed and thus different filling products can be filled in individual - also adjacent - treatment modules at the same time.

A “filling product” within the meaning of the present invention can be, for example, a drink, in particular a drink containing CO2. For example, the filling product can be beer, a mixed beer drink or a carbonated soft drink.

The treatment system can also have at least one dirt detection device for detecting, in particular spatially resolved detecting, dirt on the outside of a KEG. The dirt detection device can be designed as a camera, for example or comprise at least one camera. With the help of the dirt detection device, it is possible, for example, to determine the degree of contamination of a KEG and to control the exterior cleaning process in the respective cleaning module depending on the degree of contamination determined. For example, the cleaning duration and/or the type of cleaning for the respective KEG can be individually adjusted depending on its degree of soiling. The dirt detection device is preferably connected to a control unit of the respective cleaning module and/or to a central system control.

The dirt detection device can be arranged, for example, on the loading robot mentioned above, in particular on its gripping arm. In this way, the degree of contamination of a KEG can be determined while the KEG is being transported to a treatment module by the loading robot. Alternatively, the dirt detection device can be arranged in a stationary manner.

The dirt detection device preferably includes a number of detection units, for example cameras. These are advantageously arranged at different points, for example on the loading robot and/or at one or more points of the respective cleaning module. This enables a particularly reliable detection of the degree of soiling using a number of recordings, in particular from different directions or perspectives.

Alternatively, the degree of contamination of the respective KEG can be visually determined by a system operator and transmitted via an HMI (Human Machine Interface) to a control unit of a cleaning module and/or a central system control for the purpose of adjusting the external cleaning process for the KEG.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment variant, the treatment head of at least one treatment module is designed as a multifunctional treatment head and is set up both for cleaning the inside of the KEG and for filling it. The treatment head has a treatment head housing and at least one plunger held in the treatment head housing so as to be displaceable in the axial direction of a treatment head axis for opening the KEG fitting of the KEG to be treated and arranged in a sealed position on the treatment head. At least one fluid chamber and flow paths or channels communicating with it in a controllable manner are formed in the treatment head, the flow paths or channels being controllable with the KEG fitting open can be connected to the interior of the KEG to be treated. For example, at least two flow paths or channels are formed in the treatment head, wherein the first flow path or channel can be acted upon in a controllable manner with the filling product and the second flow path or channel for the controllable removal of at least one treatment medium from the interior of the KEG and/or to the controllable Supplying at least one treatment medium into the interior of the KEG is used and can extend at least partially through the plunger.

The treatment head has at least one first controllable media valve assigned to the fluid chamber, which is connected to a filling product feed and is designed as a product valve for the controlled feeding of a filling product, in particular a beverage, into the interior of the KEG to be treated. A second controllable media valve serving as a return valve is also provided. Very particularly preferably, at least the first media valve serving as a product valve, preferably also the return valve, has a multiple sealing arrangement for multiple sealing of the filling product feed from the fluid space. A control and/or monitoring unit that communicates with the media valves is provided for the control and/or monitoring of the media valves.

By means of the multiple sealing arrangement of the media valve, at least one safety or leakage chamber is advantageously formed, which can preferably be flushed by means of a flushing device, in particular by means of a flushing valve or satellite valve and/or a controlled drain, and which is in at least a first closed valve position of the first media valve forms a separate intermediate space between the fluid space and the filling product feed, so that a reliable separation of the treatment or cleaning media from the filling product is always ensured, in particular over the entire process of cleaning and filling. The multiple sealing arrangement of the first media valve is preferably formed by a double seat or double sealing leakage valve.

According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method for the stationary external cleaning of KEGs using a cleaning module as described above. In the method according to the invention, it is provided that the at least partially closed cleaning chamber of the cleaning module forms a cleaning space for an individual KEG, in which the individual KEG can be placed for stationary external cleaning is brought in and picked up, the individual KEG is held by the holding arrangement of the cleaning module at least during the stationary exterior cleaning, for the exterior cleaning of the individual KEG its lateral surface and/or an upper side of the KEG comprising a KEG fitting and/or an underside of the KEG at least in sections the cleaning agent and/or water jet generated by the washing device of the cleaning module is applied and the cleaned KEG is removed from the cleaning chamber after the exterior has been cleaned.

The expression “substantially” or “approximately” means deviations from the exact value in each case by up to +/-10%, preferably by up to +/-5%, and/or deviations in the form of for the function insignificant changes.

Further developments, advantages and possible applications of the invention also result from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. All of the features described and/or illustrated are fundamentally the subject matter of the invention, either alone or in any combination, regardless of how they are summarized in the claims or how they relate back to them. The content of the claims is also made part of the description.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

1 greatly simplified and only sketched as an example in a side view, an embodiment variant of a cleaning module,

2a and 2b are each greatly simplified and are only sketched as examples in a corresponding side view of two further embodiment variants of a cleaning module,

3a and 3b are each greatly simplified and are only sketched as examples in a corresponding top view of two further embodiment variants of a cleaning module,

4 a schematic block diagram of a treatment system with a cleaning module according to the invention, 5 shows an exemplary cleaning and filling module for a treatment plant in a highly simplified and sketched side view, and

6 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary treatment head of an exemplary embodiment variant with a KEG also partially shown.

Where appropriate, identical reference symbols are used in the figures for elements of the invention that are the same or have the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference numbers that are required for the description of the respective figure are shown in the individual figures. The invention is also shown in the figures only as a schematic view to explain the mode of operation. In particular, the representations in the figures only serve to explain the basic principle of the invention. For reasons of clarity, all components of the device have not been shown.

The cleaning module 1 for the stationary external cleaning of the KEGs 3 comprises at least one partially closed cleaning chamber 10, a holding arrangement 12 for holding an individual KEG 3 and at least one washing device 14 for generating a cleaning agent and/or water jet RW.

The at least partially closed cleaning chamber 10 here forms a cleaning space 11 for a single KEG 3, in which the single KEG 3 can be accommodated for stationary external cleaning. In the embodiment variant shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning space 11 enclosed by the cleaning chamber 10 is designed to be open on one side.

The cleaning chamber 10 can be box-shaped. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the cleaning chamber 10 as well as the plan view is rectangular or approximately rectangular, so that the overall geometry of the cleaning chamber 10 is cuboid. In more detail, the cleaning chamber 10 has at least one top side OS, one bottom side US, several closed side surfaces SF and one opening 10.1 on one side surface. The opening 10.1 can extend over the entire side surface. Alternatively, the top OS can also have the opening 10.1.

The geometric shape of the cleaning chamber 10 can also have a cross-sectional shape that differs from that shown in the figures, for example the cross-section in a plan view of the cleaning chamber 10 can be approximately circular, oval, square, trapezoidal or polygonal.

The opening 10.1 of the cleaning chamber 10 is preferably dimensioned such that the KEG 3 can be introduced into the cleaning space 11 formed within the cleaning chamber 10 for stationary external cleaning via this (opening 10.1) and can also be removed again after the external cleaning has taken place

Furthermore, the cleaning chamber 10 can have a door (not shown in the figures) that closes the opening 10.1 at least in a splash-water-tight, preferably fluid-tight manner and/or a curtain that preferably covers the opening 10.1 in a splash-water-tight manner (also not shown in the figures). The door can be folded against the opening, for example by means of a cylinder device, preferably a pneumatic cylinder

10.1 be articulated to the cleaning chamber 10 and opened and closed. In particular, a cleaning space 11 that is sealed off from the external environment of the cleaning chamber 10 can be formed via a door that closes the opening 10.1.

The capacity of the cleaning chamber 10 is adapted to the respective dimensions or format of the KEGs 3 to be cleaned inside the cleaning chamber 10 and is dimensioned in such a way that the KEGs 3 can be completely accommodated inside the cleaning chamber 10 .

In addition, the cleaning chamber 10 can have a discharge opening in the area of the underside US

10.2 for the liquid cleaning agent used and/or water.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the cleaning module 1 has an adjusting device 16, by means of which the underside US of the cleaning chamber 10 can be tilted at an angle a relative to a floor plane BE, on which the cleaning module 1 stands, which angle is between see 1 ° degrees and 90 ° degrees, particularly advantageously between 10 ° degrees and 45 ° degrees. In this case, the angle a can be designed to be adjustable. In order to be able to arrange the cleaning chamber 10 of the cleaning module 1 at an adjustable angle a obliquely with respect to the floor plane BE, i.e. to tilt it, the cleaning module 1 has the adjusting device 16, by means of which the angle a can be adjusted or adjusted manually and/or motor-driven is. By arranging the cleaning chamber 10 at an angle relative to the floor level BE, a cleaning bath and/or a tub can be formed within the cleaning chamber 10, so that the fitting 2 of the KEG 3 can be soaked in the cleaning bath, since the cleaning medium used remains in the cleaning chamber 10. This ensures that dirt adhering to the KEG 3 or fitting 2 is washed off particularly effectively.

Furthermore, the cleaning module 1 has the holding arrangement 12 for holding the KEGs 3 . In more detail, the holding arrangement 12 is designed to hold the individual KEG 3 at least during the stationary exterior cleaning. An indexed position of the KEG 3 within the cleaning chamber 10 can be formed via the holding arrangement 12 . In other words, the holding arrangement 12 defines a clear location or position of the KEG 3 within the cleaning chamber 10. For this purpose, the holding arrangement 12 can be designed, for example, as a stop element fastened on the underside US of the cleaning chamber 10, against which the KEG 3 makes contact and thus occupies an indexed position within the cleaning chamber 10 .

The holding arrangement 12 can preferably be designed to hold an individual KEG 3 in a rotatable manner and for this purpose can comprise a rotary drive means 13 and a holding element 17 for holding an individual KEG 3 on its underside 3b, the rotary drive means 13 being set up to rotate the held KEGs 3 to generate its longitudinal axis LA. Preferably, the holding arrangement 12 can also be motor-controlled and/or regulated for the rotation of the individual KEGs 3 . For this purpose, it can be provided that the holding arrangement 12 is designed for rotatably holding an individual KEG 3 by means of the holding element 17 for holding an individual KEG on its underside and comprises a rotary drive means 13 which is designed as a servomotor.

For this purpose, the holding arrangement 12 has a longitudinal axis LA of the holding arrangement

12 held KEGs 3 radially expandable holding element 17, by means of which the KEG 3 can be held by spreading on its underside 3b. The holding element 17 can also be designed to be displaceable in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis LA of the KEG 3 held by the holding arrangement 12 . In particular, the holding element 17 is designed as a pressure cross. In other words, the holding element 17 can be moved along the longitudinal axis LA of a KEG 3 held by the holding arrangement 12 and can also generate a spreading movement radially to the longitudinal axis LA of a KEG 3 held in the holding arrangement 12 . To hold the KEG 3, the holding element 17 can preferably be braced on the underside 3b of the KEG 3 and thus both mechanically fix an individual KEG 3 and make it rotatable about its longitudinal axis LA.

In addition to the holding element 17, which can be displaced in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis LA of the KEG 3 and expanded radially thereto, the holding arrangement 12 can also have a turntable 18, with the holding element 17 and the turntable 18 corresponding, in particular on the opposite upper and lower sides 3a and 3b, Interacting and together can form a holder for the KEG 3 engaging the KEG 3 on its upper side 3a and lower side 3b.

The holding element 17 has a first axis of rotation RA1 and the turntable 18 has a second axis of rotation RA2, with the first axis of rotation RA1 and the second axis of rotation RA2 forming a common axis of rotation RG, which is preferably aligned with the longitudinal axis LA of a KEG held by means of the holding arrangement 12 3 coincides. The holding element 17 is driven to rotate about the first axis of rotation RA1 and the turntable 18 about the second axis of rotation RA2.

The rotary drive means 13 can be designed to drive both the holding element 17 and the turntable 18 together. For example, the rotary drive means 13 can have a gear arrangement for this purpose, via which a rotational movement generated by the rotary drive means 13 can be transmitted to the holding element 17 as well as to the turntable 18 .

Alternatively, the holding element 17 and the turntable 18 can also be driven separately and independently of one another by means of the rotary drive means 13 . For example, the rotary drive means 13 can be a direct drive, in particular a servomotor, for generating a rotational movement of the holding element 17 and a further direct drive, in particular a servo motor, for generating a rotational movement of the turntable 18 .

The cleaning module 1 therefore also has the at least one washing device 14 for generating a cleaning agent and/or water jet RW, with the washing device 14 being designed to clean the outside of the individual KEG 3, its lateral surface and/or the upper side surrounding the KEG fitting 2 3a of the KEG 3 and/or the underside 3b of the KEG 3 at least in sections with the cleaning agent and/or water jet RW generated by the washing device 14. For this purpose, the washing device 14 is supplied via a feed 14.1 with treatment or cleaning media and/or the water used during cleaning from a supply line that is not shown in detail. In particular, the washing device 14 is designed for cleaning the outside of the outer lateral surface of the KEG 3 accommodated in the holding arrangement 12 .

In more detail, the washing device 14 is arranged within the cleaning chamber 10 in such a way that the cleaning agent and/or water jet RW is applied to a KEG 3 accommodated in the cleaning chamber 10 and held by the holding arrangement 12 on the lateral surface of the KEG 3.

The washing device 14 can also be arranged inside the cleaning chamber 10 in such a way that the cleaning agent and/or water jet RW is applied to a KEG 3 accommodated in the cleaning chamber 10 and held by means of the holding arrangement 12 on the upper side 3a and/or on the lower side 3b of the KEG 3 takes place.

A plurality of washing devices 14 can also be provided, with at least one washing device 14 being designed to act on a KEG 3 accommodated in the cleaning chamber 10 and held by means of the holding arrangement 12 with a cleaning agent and/or water jet RW on the lateral surface of the KEG 3, and at least another washing device 14 for subjecting a KEG 3 accommodated in the cleaning chamber 10 and held by means of the holding arrangement 12 to a jet of cleaning agent and/or water RW is formed on the upper side 3a and/or on the underside 3b of this KEG 3. The at least one washing device 14 is preferably provided on the closed side surface SF, the top side OS and/or the bottom side US within the cleaning chamber 10 opposite the opening 10.1.

As can be seen in particular from Figures 3a and 3b, the cleaning module 1 can have a sealing device 20 which seals a sealing chamber 21 from the cleaning chamber 11, preferably in a splash-proof manner, with the sealing chamber 21 between the lateral surface of the cleaning chamber 10 and held by means of the holding arrangement 12 KEGs 3 and the cleaning chamber 10, in particular an inner wall of the cleaning chamber 10 is formed. In more detail, the sealing device 20 is attached to at least one inside of a side surface SF, i.e. an inner wall of the cleaning chamber 10, and rests on the free end in a contact-fitting or approximately contact-fitting manner on the lateral surface of a KEG 3 accommodated in the cleaning chamber 10 and held by means of the holding arrangement 12. The sealing device 20 can be designed as an elastically deformable sealing device that seals the sealing space 21 on opposite sides of a washing device 14 arranged within the sealing space 21 by means of sealing elements 20.1, for example in the form of elastically deformable sealing lips. In particular, the sealing elements 20.1 can thus be designed to be elastically deformable. Alternatively, the sealing elements 20.1 of the sealing device 20 can also be static, ie not elastically deformable and inflexible, and thus form a labyrinth seal.

The sealing device 20 can be designed particularly advantageously as a labyrinth seal. The washing device 14 is advantageously provided within the sealing space 21 fluidically sealed off by the sealing device 20 .

Furthermore, the washing device 14 can have at least one nozzle arrangement 22 with one or more spray nozzles 23 for generating the cleaning agent and/or water jet RW, as is shown in FIG. 2a. The at least one spray nozzle 23 of the nozzle arrangement 22 of the washing device 14 can be set up to generate a pulsating jet of cleaning agent and/or water, ie a jet of cleaning agent and/or water that varies in flow pressure. Alternatively or cumulatively, at least one spray nozzle 23 of the nozzle arrangement 22 can also be set up to generate a controllably rotating spray cone of a turbulent cleaning agent and/or water jet RW and/or to generate a full jet cleaning agent and/or water jet RW. Alternatively or cumulatively, one or more spray nozzles 23 of the nozzle arrangement 22 can be designed as foam nozzles for generating a foaming jet of cleaning agent and/or water.

Furthermore, alternatively or cumulatively, the at least one spray nozzle 23 of the nozzle arrangement 22 can be set up to spray a KEG 3 received and held in the cleaning chamber 10 on the lateral surface and/or the upper side 3a and/or on the lower side 3b with a cleaning agent and/or Sprinkle water jet RW.

Alternatively or cumulatively, the at least one spray nozzle 23 of the nozzle arrangement 22 can be set up to generate at least one cleaning agent and/or water jet RW, which is used as a high-pressure spray of up to 80 bar, preferably between 8 bar and 80 bar, in particular as a high-pressure spray with several pressure stages, is formed.

The washing device 14 can also have at least one brush arrangement 24, which is indicated schematically in FIGS of a KEG 3 accommodated in the cleaning chamber 10 and held by the holding arrangement 12, so that the brush arrangement 24 mechanically cleans, in particular brushes off, the outer surface and/or the upper side 3a and/or the underside 3b of the KEG 3.

The at least one brush arrangement 24 can be arranged on one of the side surfaces SF and/or the top side OS and/or the bottom side US within the cleaning chamber 10.

The at least one brush arrangement 24 can preferably be arranged in a stationary manner within the cleaning chamber 10 . The at least one brush arrangement 24 is advantageously arranged in the sealing space 21 within the cleaning chamber 10 . Advantageously, the brush arrangement 24 arranged in a stationary manner within the cleaning chamber 10 can comprise one or more brushes 25 which are motor-driven about a brush longitudinal axis BA and can be rotated. For this purpose, the brushes 25 of the brush arrangement 24 are preferably driven electrically by a drive, preferably one or more servomotors. In other words, the at least one brush 25 of the brush arrangement 24 can be designed as a motor-driven rotating brush 25 .

Particularly advantageously, the at least one brush arrangement 24 can also be configured to be movable within the cleaning chamber 10 in such a way that the at least one brush 25 can be moved in contact along the outer lateral surface of a KEG 3 held in the holding arrangement 12 . In other words, it can therefore be provided that the brush arrangement 24 is designed to be movable relative to a KEG 3 accommodated in the holding arrangement 12 .

In more detail, the washing device 14 can also have a plurality of brush arrangements 24, with at least one brush arrangement 24 being designed to clean the lateral surface of the KEG 3 and being arranged inside the cleaning chamber 10 in such a way that the at least one brush 25 of this brush arrangement 24 is connected to one in the cleaning chamber 10 recorded and held KEG 3 is laterally adjacent. Furthermore, the washing device 14 can also have at least one additional brush arrangement 24', which is designed to clean the upper side 3a of the KEG 3, which includes the KEG fitting 2, and is arranged within the cleaning chamber 10 in such a way that the brush 25 of the at least one additional brush arrangement 24' is arranged at a level below a KEG 3 accommodated and held in the cleaning chamber 10.

The at least one brush of the further brush arrangement 24 ′ is advantageously arranged, in particular fastened, on a side of the turntable 18 facing the upper side OS of the cleaning chamber 10 .

Particularly advantageously, the first axis of rotation RA1 of the holding element 17 and the second axis of rotation RA2 of the turntable 18 have a different axis direction, so that the contact pressure force can be changed locally or is changeable. In other words, the first axis of rotation is RA1 and the second axis of rotation RA is 2 not on the common axis of rotation RG, but run at an angle to one another in their respective longitudinal extent.

The additional brush arrangement 24' can have at least a first brush 25.1 that cuts out the KEG fitting 2 and at least a second brush 25.2 that cleans the KEG fitting 2. In other words, the remaining upper side 3a of the keg 3 is brushed by means of the first brush 25.1, but its keg fitting 2 is not. The KEG fitting 2 is only cleaned using the second brush 25.2. The direction of rotation of the first axis of rotation RA1 can also be opposite to the direction of rotation of the second axis of rotation RA2. The two axes of rotation RA1 and RA2 thus rotate in opposite directions to one another.

The stationary cleaning module 1 can also have at least one sensor 30, in particular an optical sensor such as a camera, for optically detecting a degree of cleanliness on the lateral surface and/or the top 3a and/or the bottom 3b of the KEG 3.

For this purpose, the cleaning module 1 can have a control unit SE, which interacts with at least one sensor 30 and the at least one washing device 14, wherein the control unit SE is designed to determine the duration of a cleaning cycle for an individual KEG 3 in the cleaning module 1 as a function of a signal from the Sensor 30 to control. For this purpose, the control unit SE is connected in a manner known per se to the sensor 30 and the at least one washing device 14 either wirelessly or by wire and both for controlling and/or regulating the sensor 30 and for controlling and/or regulating the at least one washing device 14 formed as a function of the signals detected by the sensor 30 .

FIG. 4 shows the treatment system 100 for cleaning and filling such KEGs 3 with a liquid filling material. The treatment system 100 has at least one cleaning module 1 according to the invention for the stationary external cleaning of an individual KEG 3 according to the above description. In this case, the at least one cleaning module 1 is designed to accommodate a single KEG 3 and set up for autonomous, independent operation. The treatment installation 100 has a feed area 101, via which the KEGs 3 to be cleaned and filled are conveyed to the treatment installation 100, and a delivery area 102, via which the KEGs 3 treated in the treatment installation 100 are removed again after treatment has taken place. A treatment of the KEGs 3 can be a filling with liquid contents, an interior cleaning or an exterior cleaning. For example, the loading area 101 and/or the delivery area 102 can have a transport device for this purpose.

In the embodiment variant shown, two treatment modules 103 for cleaning, in particular interior cleaning, and filling KEGs 3 each equipped with at least one KEG fitting 2 and also a cleaning module 1 according to the invention are provided between the loading area 101 and the delivery area 102 . In addition, the treatment system 100 has a loading robot 104 for feeding and removing the KEGs 3 to and from the individual treatment modules 103 . Furthermore, the loading robot 104 is also designed to feed and remove the KEGs to and from the cleaning module 1 . In other words, all treatment modules 103 and cleaning modules 100 are in the detection area EB of the loading robot 103. All treatment modules 103 and cleaning modules 1 are in the detection area EB of the loading robot 140, so that each of the treatment modules 103 and the cleaning module 1 can be operated by the loading robot 140 . Within the detection area EB, the treatment modules 103 and the cleaning modules 1 of the treatment system 100 can be put together or set up in a completely flexible manner, in particular also in setups that deviate from the setup form shown in FIG. In the travel path of the gripping arm of the loading robot 140 there is also a functional device 103', such as a printer for printing on a KEG 3, a capper for placing a cap on a KEG fitting, a cap puller for removing a cap from a KEG fitting, a label applicator or the like, arranged. In this way it is possible to integrate additional treatment steps, such as applying a label, printing, attaching and/or removing a cap to/from the fitting of the KEG 3 in the treatment process without major changes in the travel path of the gripper arm of the loading robot 140 . In particular, it can be provided that the loading robot 104 stops briefly at the functional device 103' so that the functional device 103' can carry out its intended treatment on the KEG 3. With reference to Figures 5 and 6, a treatment module designated 103 will now be described merely as an example - using a possible embodiment shown there only as an example - which is used for cleaning and filling KEGs 3 equipped with a KEG fitting 2, namely in particular for cleaning the inside of a Interior 3.1 of the KEG 3, and for filling the KEG 3 with a liquid filling product, in particular a beverage, is used. In this case, the treatment module 103 has a treatment head BK, which is designed for cleaning and filling the inside of KEGs 3 .

The treatment head BK, which includes a treatment head housing 104, has a plunger 105, which is at least partially accommodated in a cavity in the treatment head housing 104 and is held in the treatment head housing 104 so that it can be displaced in the axial direction of a treatment head axis BKA, and which, when displaced, causes the KEG fitting 2 of the to be treated and in Sealing layer on the treatment head BK arranged KEGs 3 can open. The cavity in the treatment head housing 104 also forms, at least in part or at least in sections, a fluid space 106 and flow paths or channels SK1, SK2 which communicate in a controllable manner with the fluid space 106 and which, when the KEG fitting 2 of a KEG arranged in a sealed position on the treatment head BK, is open 3 are controlled with the interior 3.1 of the KEG 3 connected. For example, the interior 3.1 of the KEG 3 can be filled with the filling product via the first flow path or channel SK1. The second flow path or channel SK2 is used for the controllable removal of at least one treatment medium from the interior 3.1 of the KEG 3 and/or for the controllable supply of at least one treatment medium into the interior 3.1 of the KEG 3. The second flow path or channel SK2 can at least partially pass through extend the plunger 105.

In the case of the treatment head BK designed as a filling and cleaning head, media valves 107, 112 assigned to the fluid chamber 106 are also provided, namely a first controllable media valve 107 serving as a product valve for the controlled supply of the filling product, which is connected to a filling product feed only indicated symbolically in FIG 108 can be connected and a second controllable media valve 112 serving as a return valve. Each of the media valves 107, 112 extends along a respective valve axis, namely the product valve 107 along a product valve axis PVA and the return valve 112 along a return valve axis RVA. The media valves 107, 112 close with a respective valve housing section at a transition cut or valve transition section of the treatment head housing 104 at. The valve housing section can, for example, be an integral part of the treatment head housing 104 and can be designed in one piece with it.

At least in the case of the first controllable media valve 107 serving as a product valve, a valve body 107.1 is provided which is at least partially accommodated in the valve housing section or at least partially protrudes into the valve housing section and is movable in the direction of the product valve axis PVA. An actuator is provided for the movement of the valve body 107.1 along the product valve axis PVA. Inside the valve housing section there is a valve seat 107.2 against which the valve body 107.1 bears sealingly in the region of its front valve body end at least in one of its extreme positions, namely in a closed position or a first closed valve position. In its other extreme position shown in FIG. 5, namely the open position, the valve body 107.1 is at a distance from the valve seat 107.2, as a result of which a flow path for the filling product is released in that the filling product feed 108 in this valve position is fluidly connected to the fluid chamber 106 and the first flow path connected thereto or - channel SK1 is connected. The media valves 107, 112 are controlled and/or monitored via the control and/or monitoring unit 30, which among other things also controls and monitors the valve positions and the switching of the valves.

In the multifunctional treatment head BK shown, the product valve 107 has a multiple sealing arrangement 109 for multiple sealing of the filling product feed 108 from the fluid space 106 in order to ensure that the filling product and cleaning media or cleaning agents are reliably separated. A flushable safety or leakage chamber 110 is formed via the multiple sealing arrangement 109, which in the example shown is formed by a double seat or double sealing valve and comprises a first sealing element 111.1 and a second sealing element 111.2, which in the first closed valve position of the product valve 7 forms a separate intermediate space between the fluid space 106 and the filling product feed 108 and thereby reliably and preferably completely and advantageously sealingly separates or seals the filling product feed 108 and the fluid space 106 from one another. The basic features of the cleaning and filling process are described below using an exemplary sequence, as it can be carried out in an exemplary treatment station BK, which is equipped with the treatment head BK described as an example.

An empty KEG 3 to be treated is brought into the treatment station 103 and positioned there in such a way that the KEG 3 can be brought into a sealing position with the treatment head BK with the aid of the pressing element 115 by means of an infeed stroke with its KEG fitting 2 and is pressed against it. The pressing can be checked by means of a leak test. By moving the ram 105 in the treatment head BK, the KEG fitting 2 is opened before the interior cleaning process for cleaning the interior 3.1 of the KEG 3 is started, which can take place in several cleaning steps. The individual interior cleaning steps or a number of combined interior cleaning steps can be referred to as an interior cleaning cycle. During the interior cleaning, in each of the individual successive cleaning steps, a cleaning medium is supplied via the treatment head BK and removed again via the second controllable media valve 112 of the treatment head BK, which serves as a return valve. During the entire interior cleaning, the product valve 107 connected to the filling product feed 108 is kept in its closed valve position, in which the fluid space 106 and the filling product feed 8 are safely separated from one another with double sealing via the safety or leakage space 110 formed by the multiple sealing arrangement 109.

After the interior cleaning steps for cleaning the interior 3.1, the first media valve 107 is brought into a central valve position acting as an intermediate or rinsing position in order to carry out a head or dead space rinsing with rinsing of the safety or leakage chamber 110. After this head or dead space rinsing, the first media valve 107 is brought into the filling position in a controlled manner for the actual filling of the KEG 3 with filling product and filling product is fed in until the filling step is stopped again by closing the first media valve 107 when the desired filling level is reached. The cleaning process can, for example, also be set individually or adapted as required, including in terms of time, specifically the internal cleaning steps or cycles and the external cleaning steps or cycles independently of one another.

After completion of the filling step, the KEG fitting 2 is closed by moving the plunger 105, the sealing position of the KEG fitting 2 against the treatment head BK is released, the treatment head BK is decoupled from the KEG fitting 2 and the cleaned and filled KEG 3 is drained taken from the treatment module 103. If necessary, the treatment head BK can also be rinsed and blown out beforehand and only then can the sealing layer of the KEG fitting 2 be released.

In this case, the treatment system 100 can also have a plurality of cleaning modules 1 . The multiple cleaning modules 1 can be connected via their respective feed 14.1 to a media supply tank common to all cleaning modules 1 for the supply of treatment or cleaning media and/or water. Furthermore, the several cleaning modules 1 can be connected via their respective discharge opening 10.2 to a media outlet common to all cleaning modules 1, in particular a pipeline system, for discharging the treatment or cleaning media and/or water.

A treatment system 100 as shown by way of example in Figure 4 results in very special advantages in that both the treatment modules 103 and the cleaning modules 1 are designed as independent treatment modules or independent cleaning modules 1 for accommodating a single KEG 3 and for independent, independent operation are set up.

The treatment installation 100 can comprise a plurality of treatment modules 103, with the further treatment modules 103 being able to be of the same or different design. The present invention includes in particular a treatment system 100 with at least one cleaning module 1 and a plurality of treatment modules 103, as specified in the above description, with at least two of the treatment modules 103 being set up for treating similar KEGs 3 and/or with at least one first of the treatment modules 103 is set up for the treatment of KEGs 3 of a first type and at least a second of the treatment modules is set up for the treatment of KEGs of a second type.

The treatment system 100 can also have a plurality of cleaning modules 1, with at least two of the cleaning modules 1 being set up for the treatment of KEGs 3 of the same type and/or with at least a first of the cleaning modules 1 being set up for the treatment of KEGs 3 of a first type and at least a second of the cleaning module 1 is set up to handle KEGs 3 of a second type.

The individual treatment modules 103 and the individual cleaning modules 1 can be operated independently of one another and the treatments, in particular individual steps or cycles of the treatments in each of the treatment modules 103 and each of the cleaning modules 1, can be independently adapted to the individual requirements of the precise treatment module 103 and the each cleaning module 1 treated KEGs 3 are adjusted, for example with regard to the number and duration of the individual treatment steps or cycles. In this way, an individually tailored treatment program can be determined and carried out for each individual KEG and, if necessary, adapted or “readjusted” during ongoing treatment operations without affecting the treatment of other KEGs 3 to be treated or other treatment modules 103 or cleaning modules 103.

The invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments. It goes without saying that a large number of changes or modifications are possible without departing from the protective scope of the invention, which is defined by the patent claims.

List of reference symbols cleaning module KEG fitting KEG .1 interior of the KEG a top side of the KEG b bottom side of the KEG 0 cleaning chamber 0.1 opening 0.2 discharge opening 1 cleaning space 2 holding arrangement 3 rotary drive means 4 washing device 4.1 feed 6 adjusting device 7 pressing and holding element 8 turntable 0 sealing device 0.1 sealing element 1 sealing space 2 nozzle arrangement 3 spray nozzle 4, 24' brush arrangement 5 brush 5.1 first brush 5.2 second brush 0 sensor 00 treatment system 01 task area 02 delivery area 103 treatment module

103' Functional device (e.g. printer, capper, cap puller, label applicator, etc.)

104 treatment head housing

104a valve housing section

105 Plunger

106 fluid space

107 first controllable media valve

107.1 valve body

107.2 valve seat

108 filling product feed

109 multiple sealing arrangement

110 safety or leakage space

111.1, 111.2 first and second sealing element

112 second controllable media valve

115 pressing element

140 loading robots

BA brush longitudinal axis

BE ground level

BK treatment head

EB detection area

SF side face

SE control unit

OS top

US base

LA longitudinal axis

MLA central longitudinal axis

PVA product valve axis

RVA return valve axis

SK1, SK2 flow paths or channels

RW detergent or water jet

RA1 first rotation thing

RA2 second axis of rotation

RG common axis of rotation

Claims

Cleaning module (1) for the stationary external cleaning of KEGs (3), comprising at least one partially closed cleaning chamber (10), a holding arrangement (12) for holding an individual KEG (3) and at least one washing device (14) for generating a detergent and / or water jet (RW), wherein the at least partially closed cleaning chamber (10) has a cleaning space

(11) for an individual KEG (3), in which the individual KEG (3) can be accommodated for stationary exterior cleaning, the holding arrangement (12) being designed to hold the individual KEG (3) at least during the stationary exterior cleaning, and wherein the washing device (14) is designed to clean the outside of the individual KEG (3) its lateral surface and/or an upper side (3a) of the KEG (3) comprising a KEG fitting (2) and/or an underside (3b) of the KEG (3) at least in sections with the cleaning agent and/or water jet (RW) generated by the washing device (14). Cleaning module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the washing device (14) for generating the detergent and / or water jet (RW) has at least one nozzle arrangement (22) with one or more spray nozzles (23). Cleaning module (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that one or more spray nozzles (23) of the nozzle arrangement (22) is/are set up to generate a pulsating cleaning agent and/or water jet (RW). Cleaning module (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that one or more spray nozzles (23) of the nozzle arrangement (22) for generating a rotating spray cone of a turbulent cleaning agent and / or water jet (RW) and / or for generating a full jet Gen cleaning agent and / or water jet (RW) are set up and / or that one or more spray nozzles (23) of the nozzle arrangement (22) are designed as foam nozzles for generating a foaming cleaning agent and / or water jet (RW). Cleaning module (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that one or more spray nozzles (23) of the nozzle arrangement (22) is/are set up to spray a KEG (3) received and held in the cleaning chamber (10) on the To sprinkle lateral surface and / or the top (3a) and / or on the bottom (3b) with a cleaning agent and / or water jet (RW). Cleaning module (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that one or more spray nozzles (23) of the nozzle arrangement (22) for generating a cleaning agent and/or water jet (RW) as a high-pressure spray of up to 80 bar, in particular as a a high-pressure spraying with several pressure levels. Cleaning module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning module (1) has a plurality of washing devices (14), at least one washing device (14) for acting on a cleaning chamber (10) received and by means of the holding arrangement (12) held KEGs (3) with a cleaning agent and/or water jet (RW) is formed on the lateral surface of the KEG (3), and at least one further washing device (14) for subjecting this KEG (3) to a cleaning agent and/or water jet (RW) on the top (3a) and/or on the bottom (3b) of this KEG (3). Cleaning module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning module (1) has a sealing device (20) which seals a sealing space (21) from the cleaning space (11), preferably splash-proof, the sealing space (21) between the Lateral surface of the KEG (3) accommodated in the cleaning chamber (10) and held by means of the holding arrangement (12) and of the cleaning chamber (10), in particular an inner wall of the cleaning chamber (10), and wherein in the sealing space (21) at least one washing device (14) is provided. Cleaning module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the washing device (14) arranged at least one brush arrangement (24) with one or more in the cleaning chamber (10). Has brushes (25) which can be brought into contact with the lateral surface and/or the upper side (3a) and/or the lower side (3b) of a KEG (3) accommodated in the cleaning chamber (10) and held by means of the holding arrangement (12), so that the brush arrangement (24) mechanically cleans, in particular brushes off, the lateral surface and/or the upper side (3a) and/or the lower side (3b) of the KEG (3). Cleaning module (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the at least one brush arrangement (24) is arranged stationary within the cleaning chamber (10) and includes one or more rotatable brushes (25) motor-driven about a brush longitudinal axis (BA). Cleaning module (1) according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the at least one brush arrangement (24) comprises one or more rotatable brushes (25) which are motor-driven about the brush longitudinal axis (BA) and are designed to be movable in this way within the cleaning chamber (10). that the at least one brush (25) can be moved in a contact-locking manner along the outer lateral surface of a KEG (3) held in the holding arrangement (12). Cleaning module (1) according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the washing device (14) has a plurality of brush arrangements (24), at least one brush arrangement (24) being set up for cleaning the lateral surface of the KEG (3) and at least one other The brush arrangement (24') is set up for cleaning the top side (3a) of the KEG (3) that includes the KEG fitting (2). Cleaning module (1) according to one of Claim 12, characterized in that the at least one brush (25) of the further brush arrangement (24') is arranged on a side of a turntable (18) facing the top (OS) of the cleaning chamber (10). Cleaning module (1) according to one of Claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the further brush arrangement (24') has at least a first brush (25.1) which cuts out the KEG fitting (2) and at least a second brush (25.1) since the KEG fitting (2 ) cleaning brush (25.2).

15. Cleaning module (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the first axis of rotation (RA1) of the holding element (17) and the second axis of rotation (RA2) of the turntable (18) have a different axial direction.

16. Cleaning module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning module (1) has an adjusting device (16) by means of which an underside (US) of the cleaning chamber (10) relative to a floor level (BE) manually and/or is motor-driven tiltable, namely by an angle a between 1 ° and 90 ° degrees, particularly advantageously at an angle (a) between 10 ° and 45 ° degrees.

17. Cleaning module (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the angle (a) is adjusted in such a way that the fitting (2) of the keg (3) accommodated in the cleaning chamber (10) is formed in one within the cleaning chamber (10). Cleaning bath is at least partially, preferably completely, immersed.

18. Cleaning module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning module (1) has at least one sensor (30), in particular an optical sensor, such as a camera, for optically detecting a degree of cleanliness on the lateral surface and/or the Top (3a) and / or the bottom (3b) of the KEG (3).

19. Cleaning module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding arrangement (12) is designed for rotatably holding a single KEG (3) and a rotary drive means (13) and a holding element (17) for holding a single KEG ( 3) on its underside (3b), the rotary drive means (13) being set up to generate a rotation of the keg (3) held by the holding arrangement (12) about its longitudinal axis (LA). Cleaning module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding arrangement (12) around a first axis of rotation (RA1) rotatable holding element (17) for holding a single KEG (3) on its underside (3b) and a second axis of rotation (RA2) rotatable turntable (18), wherein by means of the turntable (18) and the holding element (17) a holder for the KEG (3) engaging on the top (3a) and bottom (3b) thereof 3) is trainable. Treatment system (100) with one or more cleaning modules (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and with one or more treatment modules (103) for internal cleaning and filling of KEGs (3) equipped with a KEG fitting (2). Treatment plant (100) according to Claim 21 with a plurality of treatment modules (103), with at least two of the treatment modules (103) being set up for treating KEGs (3) of the same type and/or with at least a first of the treatment modules (103) being designed for treating KEGs (3) of a first type is set up and at least a second of the treatment modules (103) is set up for the treatment of KEGs (3) of a second type. Treatment system (100) according to claim 21 or 22 with a plurality of cleaning modules (1), wherein at least two of the cleaning modules (1) for treating similar KEGs (3) are set up and / or wherein at least a first cleaning module (1) for treating KEGs ( 3) of a first type is set up and at least a second of the cleaning modules (1) is set up for the treatment of KEGs (3) of a second type. Method for stationary external cleaning of KEGs (3) by means of a cleaning module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 20, in which

- the at least partially closed cleaning chamber (10) of the cleaning module (1) forms a cleaning space (11) for a single KEG (3), in which the single KEG (3) is introduced and received for stationary external cleaning, - the individual KEG (3) is held at least during the stationary exterior cleaning by means of the holding arrangement (12) of the cleaning module (1) and is preferably rotated about its longitudinal axis (LA) by a motor,

- For cleaning the outside of the individual KEG (3), its lateral surface and/or an upper side (3a) of the KEG (3) comprising a KEG fitting (2) and/or an underside

(3b) of the KEG (3) is subjected at least in sections to the cleaning agent and/or water jet (RW) generated by the washing device (14) of the cleaning module (1) and

- the cleaned KEG (3) is removed from the cleaning chamber (10) after the exterior has been cleaned.