A circular sterilization path (CD) is divided into a front sterilization path (Pd) having a preform sterilization section formed and a rear sterilization path (Bd) having a molded-container sterilization section formed. A single electron beam sterilization device simultaneously sterilizes a preform (P) and a molded container (B), achieving effective sterilization and a size reduction of equipment.

A system for producing filled plastic containers from sterilized plastic preforms, includes a transport device for transporting the plastic preforms and plastic containers produced from the plastic preforms by forming, along a predetermined transport path through the system, a forming apparatus for forming the sterilized plastic preforms into plastic containers, and a filling apparatus for filling the plastic containers during their at least sectional transport substantially along a circular line about a central axis of the filling apparatus. The forming apparatus and the filling apparatus have a maximum distance from one another in relation to their respective central axes of 5.5 m, preferably of 5.3 m, and the forming apparatus has a maximum number of 24 forming stations or of 6.0 m, preferably of 5.6 m, and the forming apparatus has more than 24 forming stations.

An apparatus for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers is disclosed. Said apparatus comprises a conveying device on which a plurality of blowing stations are arranged. Each of said blowing stations encompasses a blow mold, within which a plastic preform can be shaped into a plastic container. The apparatus further comprises a clean chamber, within which the plastic preforms can be conveyed. According to the invention, the zone of the conveying device in which the blowing stations are arranged is located in the clean chamber, and at least one additional zone of the conveying device is located outside the clean chamber.

A Process for decontaminating an inner face of a neck of a preform made of thermoplastic material running along a production path in an installation for manufacturing containers. In example embodiments, the decontamination process includes, in succession, at least a treatment step and a sterilizing activation step. The treatment step includes exposing at least the inner face of the neck to a sterilizing jet having a sterilizing agent in a first treatment zone of the production path, and the sterilizing agent activation step includes directly exposing the inner face of the neck thus coated with sterilizing agent to ultraviolet radiation, in a second activation zone of the production path located downstream of the treatment zone.

Apparatus for treating plastic preforms, having a transport device which transports the plastic preforms along a predetermined transport path, having a first application device which loads the plastic preforms with a first flowable medium through their mouth during their transport along a first transport path section, wherein the apparatus has a second application device which acts upon the plastic preforms with a second flowable medium during their transport along a second transport path section through their mouth.

The invention relates to a method for decontaminating a preform made of thermoplastic material by exposing at least part of the preform to reactive species obtained by mixing a precursor agent with a plasma, the plasma being generated by injection of a carrier gas into a reactor, the method including mixing of the precursor agent with the plasma is carried out exclusively outside the reactor before it is in contact with the preform. The invention also relates to a decontamination device for carrying out the method.

A method for manufacturing a bottle may including preheating a preform to an internal temperature with an airflow directed within a deduster unit. A method for manufacturing a bottle may also include sterilizing the preheated preform with a hydrogen peroxide solution. A method for manufacturing a bottle may further include forming a bottle from the preheated preform using a blow molding process.

A plant for producing and treating containers includes a clean room, a production machine for producing preforms, a blow-molding machine arranged downstream of the production machine for shaping the preforms into containers and a container treatment machine arranged downstream of the blow-molding machine for treating the containers. The production machine, the blow-molding machine and the container treatment machine are arranged in the clean room, and each component of the production machine, the blow-molding machine and the container treatment machine that comes into physical contact with a preform or a container consists of or comprises sterilization-proof material.

An apparatus for treating piece goods has a transport device for transporting the goods and at least one application device for sterilizing the goods that are transported by the transport device, to sterilize them with radiation and/or to apply a flowable sterilization agent. The transport device has a first transport unit rotatable with respect to an axis of rotation which has a plurality of first holding devices for holding the goods. The transport device has a second transport unit rotatable with respect to the axis of rotation which has a plurality of second holding devices, each arranged in a second level perpendicular with respect to the axis of rotation. The transport device has at least one first lifting device for displacing a predetermined first portion of the first holding devices with respect to a predetermined second portion of the first holding devices in the direction of the axis of rotation.

Apparatus for treating and in particular sterilizing plastic preforms and/or containers, including a transport device configured for transporting the plastic preforms during their treatment, a housing forming a treatment chamber within which the transport device is arranged, a generating device for generating a flowable treatment agent, and a supply device configured for supplying the sterilization agent generated by the generating device to the treatment chamber. The apparatus has a first discharge device configured for removing a flowable medium enriched with the sterilization agent from the treatment chamber, and a return device configured for returning at least part of the medium removed from the treatment chamber back to this treatment chamber.