TREATMENT HEAD AND CONTAINER TREATMENT MACHINE COMPRISING A TREATMENT HEAD

Abstract

A treatment head for cleaning a container that has a valve arrangement that includes a tappet that is configured to move relative to the treatment head's housing to open the valve arrangement and fluid channels leading into the container. A first channel of the fluid channels has an annular fluid channel section and surrounds the second channel. A flow twister is disposed in either the first channel or in a line connected to the first fluid-channel.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. An apparatus comprising a treatment head for cleaning a container that has a valve arrangement, wherein said treatment head comprises a tappet, a housing, a first fluid-channel, an annular fluid-channel sect ion, a second fluid-channel, and a flow twister, wherein said tappet is configured to move relative to said housing to open said valve arrangement, wherein said first fluid-channel comprises said annular fluid channel section, wherein said first fluid-channel circumferentially surrounds said second fluid-channel, wherein said first and second fluid-channels provide fluid communication into said container, and wherein said flow twister is disposed in a location selected from the group consisting of said first fluid-channel and a fluid line connected to said first fluid-channel.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said flow twister comprises a twist body, wherein said twist body is disposed at said location, wherein said twist body comprises fluid channels, and wherein said fluid channels run obliquely to a flow direction leading to said location.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said flow twister comprises a fluid line leading into said housing, said fluid line having a contoured wall.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said flow twister comprises contoured walls of said first fluid-channel.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said flow twister comprises a grooved wall of said first fluid-channel, wherein grooves of said grooved wall extend obliquely relative to a flow direction leading to said location,

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said tappet comprises an upper tapper-part that contacts said valve arrangement, wherein said flow twister comprises fluid channels running through said upper tappet-part, and wherein said fluid channels run along a direction selected from the group consisting of an oblique direction and a spiral direction.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said first fluid-channel has a central axis and wherein fluid that enters said first fluid-channel does so along an off-center direction that misses said central axis.

23. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a deflector, wherein said deflector is disposed to divert fluid flow into said first fluid-channel so that said fluid enters along an off-center direction that misses a central axis of said first fluid-channel.

24. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said valve arrangement comprises art annular passage, wherein when said container is arranged at said treatment head, said first fluid-channel connects to said annular passage

25. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a container-treatment machine, wherein said container-treatment machine comprises said treatment head.

26. A method comprising cleaning a container that comprises a valve arrangement, wherein cleaning said container comprises using a treatment head that has a first fluid-channel and. a second fluid-channel, wherein said first fluid-channel comprises an annular fluid channel section, wherein said first fluid-channel circumferentially surrounds said second fluid-channel, wherein said first and second fluid-channels enable passage of fluid into or out of said container, said method comprising causing fluid that is supplied .into said container via said first fluid-channel to he set into one of a spiral and helical fluid flow at a location selected from the group consisting of said first fluid-channel and a line connected to said first fluid-channel, and, after the entry of said spiral or helical fluid flow into said container, producing a flow swirl around said valve arrangement.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising emptying said container, engaging said container upside-down on said treatment head, and supplying fluid into said container through said treatment head, said fluid having been urged to flow in a spiral or helical path to form said flow swirl around said valve arrangement.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising engaging an empty container upside-down on said treatment head and supplying fluid into said container through said treatment head, said fluid having been urged to flow in a spiral or helical path to form said flow swirl around said valve arrangement, after having reached a defined filling level in said container, emptying said container, after having emptied said container, executing a further flushing step, wherein executing said farther flushing step comprises introducing fluid into said container via said first fluid-channel, said fluid having a flow vector having a circumferential component.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising, during a first time interval, introducing fluid via said second fluid-channel, and, in a second time interval, introducing fluid via said first fluid-channel.

30. The method of claim 26, further comprising, during a first time-interval, introducing fluid via said second fluid-channel, completely emptying said container of liquid delivered through said second fluid-channel, and, in a second time-interval, introducing fluid via said first fluid-channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] These and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying figure, in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a treatment head according to the invention in contact with a valve arrangement of a container and in an opened position;

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the treatment head if FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a first embodiment of the treatment head shown in FIG. 2 along the sectional line A-A; and

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of a second embodiment of the treatment head shown in FIG. 2 along the sectional line A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a treatment head 1 having a treatment-head housing 3 that extends along a longitudinal axis LA thereof. The treatment-head housing 3 engages a valve arrangement 2.1 of a container 2 via a housing section 3.1. In particular embodiments, the valve arrangement 2.1 is a keg fitting and the container 2 is a keg having an upper container wall section 2a that engages the valve arrangement 2.1 and a lower container wall section 2b on which the keg typically stands, for example during storage thereof.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 2, the valve arrangement 2.1 comprises two valve bodies for opening and closing corresponding first and second fluid-passages 2.2, 2.3. The first fluid-passage 2.2 is annular. The second fluid-passage 2.3 is concentric with the first fluid-passage 2.2.

[0047] The valve arrangement 2.1 also has a tubular insertion probe 2.4 that projects from the upper container wall section 2a and extends deeply into the container's interior. As a result, the insertion probe 2.4 terminates with its free end separated from the lower container wall section 2b, by only a small gap, as shown in FIG. 1. When the valve arrangement 2.1 opens, the insertion probe 2.4 creates a fluid channel into the container's interior. Referring again to FIG. 2, this fluid channel connects to the second fluid-passage 2.3. As a result, it is possible to introduce fluid into the container 2 via the second fluid-passage 2.3 and the insertion probe 2.4.

[0048] A valve cage 2.5 surrounds the valve arrangement 2.1. Inside this valve cage 2.5 is a spring element 2.6. This spring element 2.6 pre-tensions as valve body 2.7 that is allocated to the first fluid-passage 2.2. The valve cage 2.5 also has circumferentially disposed cage-openings 2.5.1. These cage-openings 2.5.1 permit fluid that has been introduced via the first fluid-passage 2.2 to be passed into the container's interior.

[0049] A tappet 4 within the treatment head housing 3 moves relative to the treatment head housing 3 along the longitudinal axis LA. The tappet 4 has a stepped upper tappet-part 4.1. An actuator 9 positions the tappet 4 into one of two positions. In a first position, the upper tappet-part 4.1 raises the two valve bodies of the valve arrangement 2.1 out of their respective valve seats. This opens the first and second fluid-passages 2.2, 2.3. In a second position, the tappet 4 raises only the valve body allocated to the second fluid-passage 2.3. This opens only the second fluid-passage 2.3 and leaves the first fluid-passage 2.2 closed.

[0050] The treatment-head housing 3 has first and second fluid-channels 5, 6 formed, therein. The first fluid-channel 5 is an annular channel that runs in a circumferential direction around the tappet 4. The second fluid-channel 6 is an inner-bore hole within the tappet 4, and therefore extends along the longitudinal, axis LA.

[0051] The first fluid-channel 5 connects to the annular first fluid-passage 2.2 of the valve arrangement 2.1. As a result, when the first fluid-passage 2.2 opens, it permits fluid communication between the container's interior, via the first fluid-passage 2.2, and a first fluid-line 7 connected to the housing 3 by a securing flange. Fluid then flows from the first fluid-line 7 into the container's interior. Alternatively, fluid within the container's interior flows oat of the container 2 via the first fluid-line 7.

[0052] The second fluid-channel 6 likewise provides a path for introducing fluid into or discharging fluid from the container's interior. When the valve arrangement 2.1 opens, the second fluid-channel 6 connects to the second fluid-passage 2.3. The second fluid-channel 6 thus permits fluid communication between the container's interior and a second fluid-line 10. A fluid-tight coupling connects this second fluid-line 10 to the treatment-head housing 3, and in particular, to the second fluid-channel 6. As a result, fluid can be passed into or discharged from the container's interior via the second fluid-channel 6.

[0053] To more effectively clean the container's interior, it is useful to have a flow twister, or spiral-flow promoter, that promotes the generation of a spiral, or equivalently helical, fluid flow within the container 2. To achieve this, a region of the valve cage 2.5 or a region of the upper wall 2a located around the valve cage 2.5 has a flow twister for deflecting the direction of fluid flow, thus promoting spiral fluid flow. A flow twister can be placed in the first fluid-line 7 or in the first fluid-channel 5 itself.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 2, the first fluid-line 7 has a contoured section 7.1 having a contoured wall that functions as a flow twister. The contoured section 7.1 can be formed in any manner. In one example, the contoured section 7.1 is formed by twisting the fluid line 7. The contours themselves can follow a spiral path or an oblique path along the inner side of the fluid line wall. As an alternative, a line piece configured as a coil can be provided in the first fluid-line 7. Fluid that passes through such a coil therefore undergoes a flow twist effect that promotes spiral flow.

[0055] As an alterative or in addition, the first fluid-line 7 can include at least one twist body 8. This twist body 8 . which acts as a flow twister, can be inserted into a variety of locations. A suitable location for inserting the twist body 8 is at the inner opening of the fluid line 7. In this configuration, the twist body 8 spans the inner cross-section entirely, thus forcing all fluid in the fluid line 7 to flow through it.

[0056] in the illustrated embodiment, the twist body 8 includes plural fluid channels 8.1 that are arranged obliquely or in spiral fashion relative to the longitudinal extension of the fluid line 7. These fluid channels 8.1 change the flow direction of any fluid passing therethrough. In particular, the fluid channels 8.1 impart a spiral fluid flow or flow twist. As such, they function as a flow twister.

[0057] In other embodiments, the fluid channels 8.1 are nozzles that cause a change in direction of fluid flow.

[0058] It is also possible to place a flow twister at a location other than the first fluid-line 7. For example, it is possible to place a flow twister in the first fluid-channel 5 or in the fluid channel surrounding the tappet 4.

[0059] A suitable flow twister for promotion of spiral flow in the first fluid-channel 6 is a contoured wall 5.1 having oblique surfaces or spiral surfaces. These surfaces run obliquely relative to the undisturbed fluid flow in the first fluid-channel 5. As a result, they deflect fluid flow and thereby produce a flow twist in the flow within the first fluid-channel 5. This means that fluid's flow vector, which already has a component along the longitudinal axis LA, develops a circumferential component that runs around the tappet 4. The sum of these components thus results in a helical flow path.

[0060] The contoured wall 5.1 can be formed by forming suitable contours within the treatment head housing section that forms this wall. An alternative way to form such a wall is to form it on a sleeve and to then insert that sleeve into the first fluid-channel 5.

[0061] An additional or alternative flow twister is a tappet 4 that has had grooves or obliquely oriented surfaces formed thereon to promote the onset of spiral or helical fluid flow. These can be formed in the upper tappet-part 4.1.

[0062] In a particular embodiment, the upper tappet-part 4.1 is a plate-shaped body that has intra-tappet channels 4.2 or nozzles passing through it. These intra-tappet channels 4.2 promote spiral flow by deflecting fluid flow in the first fluid-channel 5.

[0063] The outer cross-section of the upper tappet-part 4.1 fits the cross-section of the first fluid-passage 2.2 such that the upper tappet-part 4.1 closes the first fluid-passage 2.2. This means that fluid transported in the first fluid-channel 5 has no choice but to flow through the intra-tappet channels 4.2. In this way, the upper tappet-part 4.1 promotes a rotating flow P directly in front of the valve arrangement 2.1 around the valve cage 2.5 and/or around the region of the upper container wall section 2a or around the valve arrangement 2.1. This is particularly advantageous for improving cleaning efficiency in the region near this valve arrangement 2.1. In particular, the shear effect resulting from this rotating flow improves cleaning.

[0064] FIGS. 3 and 4 show sectional representations through the treatment head 1 along the sectional line A-A shown in FIG. 2. In FIGS. 3 and 4, it becomes possible for the first time to see an annular section 5.3 of the first fluid-channel 5 as it surrounds the tappet 4. Of particular interest in FIGS. 3 and 4 is the off-axis delivery of fluid from the first fluid-line 7 into the annular section 5.3 off-axis to promote spiral fluid flow around the tappet 4, The embodiments in FIGS. 3 and 4 achieve this result in different ways .

[0065] In the first embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the wall of the first fluid-line 7 aligns with the center of the tappet 4, thus pushing the maximum flow vector of flow in the first fluid-line 7 off to the side. As a result, fluid from the first fluid-line 7 enters off-axis and misses the center of the tappet 4. This tends to promote circumferential flow around the tappet 4.

[0066] In the second embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, a deflector 5.2 lies at a transition region between the first fluid-line 7 and the annular section 5.3. The deflector 5.2 deflects fluid flow transported in the first fluid-line 7 so that it develops a tangential, or circumferential component. Again, the main flow vector of the first fluid-line 7 will miss the center of the tappet 4 and will, instead, be directed off to one side. This will tend to promote spiral fluid flow.

[0067] The cleaning of the container interior in the region of the upper container wall section 2a around the valve arrangement 2.1 can in be an additional method step while cleaning the container's interior. For example, it can be carried out as an additional, step during interval cleaning.

[0068] The cleaning process includes a short intermediate step that includes at least one additional, flushing through the first fluid-passage 2.2 to promote spiral flow around the valve cage 2.5. In some practices, this intermediate step lasts from two to six seconds during which fluid moving at high speed enters the upside-down and emptied container 2 through the first fluid-passage 2.2. This lasts just long enough to fill, the container 2 to a depth of no more than about ten centimeters above the valve arrangement 2.1. It is particularly advantageous to drain this liquid and repeat the step. This exposes the container wall to further shear while avoiding an excessively high fluid level within the container 2.

[0069] For example, the delivery via the first fluid-passage 2.2 can take place as an intermediate step within an interval cleaning in which a cleaning fluid is introduced intermittently or cyclically via the insertion probe 2.4 into the container interior. For example, with interval cleaning, the volume flow introduced to the container interior can differ in sequential pulse cycles; specifically, in a first cycle interval, the introduction of the cleaning fluid can take place with a very high volume flow, such that a spraying effect of the lower container wall section 2b takes place with a wall-adhering fluid flow, which leads to good shear effects at this lower container wall section 2b or, respectively, parts adjacent to this lower container wall section 2b. In a following further cycle step, cleaning fluid can then be introduced with a reduced volume flow, such that the cleaning fluid runs down directly on the outside, at the wall of the insertion probe 2.4, and cleans this. By means of this inherently known interval cleaning, however, only an inadequate cleaning of the container interior can be achieved in the region of the upper container wall section 2a, in particular in the region around the valve cage 2.5. Due to the additional cleaning step, in which a cleaning fluid is delivered through the first fluid-passage 2.2 into the container interior in such a way that a flow rotation around the valve cage 2.5 is incurred, an optimized cleaning of the container wall in the region around the valve cage 2.5 takes place. Preferably, with interval cleaning, with which the introduction of the cleaning fluid takes place via the insertion probe 2.4, the first fluid-channel is used as a run-back for: the cleaning fluid, such that, during the interval cleaning, preferably a complete emptying of the container interior takes place via the first fluid-passage 2.2 or, respectively, the first fluid-channel connecting to it. In a renewed introduction of a cleaning fluid which then follows, via the first fluid-passage 2.2, and a flow rotation caused by this around the valve cage 2.5, due to the complete emptying of the container in the preceding interval cleaning cycle an optimum shear effect is achieved, and therefore an optimum cleaning effect at the upper container wall section 2a and at the valve cage 2.5 respectively.

[0070] By way of example, a cleaning cycle is described hereinafter by means of which a container 2 is cleaned, making use of a cleaning step in which cleaning fluid is delivered to the container 2 via the first fluid-passage 2.2, referred to hereinafter as annular channel rotation flushing. First, for example, an emptying of the residue from the container 2 can be carried out, then a mixed water flushing, for example by way of the interval cleaning described heretofore, and then a flushing with a first alkali, for example likewise with the interval cleaning described heretofore. Next, an annular channel rotation flushing according to the invention can take place by means of an alkali, wherein preferably no counter-pressure predominates in the container. This can be achieved, for example, in that, by way of the insertion probe 2.4 and the second fluid-channel 6, the gas displaced by the introduction of the fluid can escape from the container interior. After the ending of the annular channel rotation flushing, an interval cleaning can preferably take place. Preferably, the interval cleaning begins with a method step of insertion probe flooding, i.e. a delivery of the cleaning fluid with a low volume flow, such that the cleaning fluid runs downwards over the wall of the insertion probe 2.4. The advantage of beginning the interval cleaning with insertion probe flooding lies in the fact that, via the first fluid-passage 2.2 or the first fluid-channel 5 respectively, any cleaning fluid present in the container 2 can be appropriately discharged, such that the smallest quantity possible of standing cleaning fluid is present in the container which could impede the cleaning performance.

[0071] Next, in a further cycle, a further annular channel rotation flushing step can be carried out. This can serve in particular for the container to be partially filled with cleaning fluid. This part filling can take place in particular with a cleaning fluid which is used for a softening step following the annular channel rotation flushing.

[0072] After the carrying out of a softening step, a flushing of the container interior with an alkali can then take place in turn, which can take place by means of an interval cleaning or, depending on the cleaning intensity necessary, a further annular channel rotation flushing step can additionally also be carried out. After the alkali flushing, an interval cleaning with an acid can then take place, wherein, alternating, an annular channel rotation flushing, likewise with an acid, can be provided for. With products with a higher cementation portion, the cycle time can be lengthened accordingly.

[0073] After the acid treatment by the interval cleaning or annular channel rotation flushing, a hot water clear flushing step can then take place. Finally, the container interior can be sterilized, for example by application of steam.

[0074] The invention has been described heretofore by way of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that many alterations or deviations are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept on which the invention is based.