Cleaning device and method for cleaning containers

Abstract

A cleaning device for cleaning a reusable cask includes a treatment head that is connectable to a keg fitting of a reusable cask. The treatment head delivers fluid into the interior and also removes fluid from the interior. The treatment head connects at least temporarily to a pump that sucks fluid from the cask's interior. A bypass line connects the pump to a valve mechanism that provides selected fluids.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a cleaning device for cleaning a reusable cask, said cleaning device comprising a first treatment head, a first pump, a bypass line, and a valve mechanism for delivering fluids, wherein said first treatment head is connectable to a keg fitting of a reusable cask, said keg fitting comprising a first opening that connects to a central pipe that extends into an interior of said cask and a second opening connected directly to said interior, said first treatment head being configured to deliver fluid into said interior and to remove fluid from said interior, wherein said first treatment head comprises a first coupling section that is configured to connect to said first opening and a second coupling section that is configured to connect to said second opening, wherein said first treatment head is configured to connect at least temporarily to said first pump, wherein said first pump comprises a suction side and a pressure side that differs from said suction side, wherein said first pump is configured to suck fluid from said interior through said suction side and to discharge fluid through said pressure side, and wherein said bypass line connects said first pump to said valve mechanism.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said suction side of said first pump connects to said second coupling section, which connects to said second opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said suction side of said first pump connects to said first coupling section, which connects to said first opening.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling suction power of said first pump.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said controller comprises a control valve between said first treatment head and said first pump.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said controller comprises a frequency converter associated with said first pump.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising additional treatment heads, each of which is connected to said first pump.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a valve array, wherein a pressure side of said pump connects to said valve array, wherein said valve array comprises an array of valves connected in parallel for separating media.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising first and second valve arrays, wherein said first pump is assigned to said first valve array, wherein a second pump is assigned to said second valve array, wherein each of said first and second valve arrays comprises valves arranged in parallel for separating a individual fluids and/or cleaning and rinsing media.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a supply mechanism configured to supply a variety of media, wherein said treatment head provides a connection between said supply mechanism and said first coupling section, which connects to said first opening.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a supply mechanism that supplies pressurized gas, wherein said first coupling section, which is connected to said first opening, connects at least temporarily to said supply mechanism via said treatment head.

12. A method comprising: cleaning an interior of a first reusable cask, wherein cleaning said first reusable cask comprises connecting a first treatment head of a cleaning device to a keg fitting of said first reusable cask, said keg fitting comprising a first opening that leads into a central pipe extending into said interior and a second opening that leads directly to said interior, wherein connecting comprises connecting a first coupling section of said first treatment head to said first opening and connecting a second coupling section of said treatment head to said second opening, delivering medium through said first treatment head into said interior, and removing said medium from said first reusable cask through said first treatment head, wherein removing said medium comprises temporarily connecting a suction side of a first pump to suck said medium from said interior, and temporarily connecting a pressure side of said first pump, via a bypass line, to a valve mechanism that delivers fluids.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising using a frequency inverter to control suction power of said first pump.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising connecting a pressure side of said first pump to a plurality of valves arrayed in parallel and, using said valves, separating media collected from said interior.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising connecting a second treatment head to a second reusable cask, said second treatment head being connected to said first pump, and, using said second treatment head, cleaning an interior of said second reusable cask.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising connecting a second treatment head to a second reusable cask, said second treatment head being connected to a second pump, and, using said second treatment head, cleaning an interior of said second reusable cask.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cleaning device is configured to evacuate said cask through one opening via one coupling section and to pass pressurized gas through another opening via another coupling section and wherein said one opening and said another opening are selected from among said first and second openings and wherein said one coupling section and said another coupling section are selected from among said first and second coupling sections.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said cleaning device is configured to evacuate said cask and to pass said pressurized gas concurrently.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said cleaning device is configured to evacuate said cask and to pass said pressurized gas at different times.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising passing a pressurized gas through one of said first and second openings and into said interior and connecting another of said first and second openings to said first pump to evacuate said interior, wherein said one opening and said another opening are selected from among said first and second openings.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said suction side of said first pump connects to said first and second openings via said first and second coupling sections.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said suction side connects to said first opening and second opening simultaneously via said first and second coupling sections.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said suction side of said first pump connects to said first and second openings via said first and second coupling sections at different times.

24. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a second pump and treatment heads in addition to said additional treatment heads, said treatment heads in addition to said additional treatment heads being connected to said second pump.

25. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first pump is a pump that differs from a pump to which treatment heads in addition to said additional treatment heads connect.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in detail below through the use of embodiment examples with reference to the figures.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a simplified view of an inventive cleaning device;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a simplified view of a vertical section through a second embodiment of an inventive cleaning device having a plurality of treatment heads;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a simplified view of an inventive cleaning device having a mechanism for separating the media;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a simplified view of an inventive cleaning device having a plurality of treatment heads and having mechanisms for separating the media.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the cleaning device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a cleaning device 1 that is used to clean a reusable cask 2, also known as a keg. The reusable cask 2 has a valve mechanism, or keg fitting 4, on an end face thereof. The end face is typically on the top of the cask 2.

(8) The keg fitting 4 forms first and second openings 5, 6. The keg fitting 4 is a self-closing valve that can be opened for cleaning and/or filling the reusable cask 2. The keg fitting 4 is positioned on a treatment head 3 provided at the treatment station such that the treatment head 3 releases the keg fitting 4 and opens the first and second openings 5, 6.

(9) The first opening 5, which is co-axial with a median vertical axis MHA of the reusable cask 2, connects to a free end of a tubular central pipe 2.2 that is arranged in the interior of the reusable cask 2 co-axially with the median vertical axis MHA and that is configured to be open at an end thereof that lies opposite the base of the reusable cask 2.

(10) The second opening 6 is an annular opening that surrounds the first opening 5 or the central pipe 2.2. This second opening 6 connects directly, with no interposed sections of pipe or other equipment, to an interior 2.1 of the reusable cask 2.

(11) As shown in FIG. 1, the reusable cask 2 that is to be cleaned in an inverted position, i.e. with the keg fitting 4 facing downward, is placed on a treatment station of the cleaning device 1 where it engages a treatment bead 3.

(12) The treatment head 3 comprises first and second coupling sections 3.1, 3.2. The first coupling section 3.1 creates a fluid-tight connection with the first opening 5. The second coupling section 3.2 creates a fluid-tight connection with the second opening 6.

(13) Within the treatment head 3, the first and second coupling sections 3.1, 3.2 form separate first and second fluid channels 3.3, 3.4. The first fluid channel 3.3 includes a section that runs co-axial with the median vertical axis and hence co-axial with the central pipe 2.2. The second fluid channel 3.4 includes a section that surrounds the outside of the first fluid channel 3.3. Because of the separate first and second fluid channels 3.3, 3.4, it is possible to introduce a medium into the cask's interior 2.1 through the first opening 5 and to simultaneously remove it through the second opening 6.

(14) A supply mechanism 10 supplies media to the first fluid channel 3.3 is a first 11. The first line 11 thus provides media to be introduced into the cask's interior 2.1 during cleaning thereof. A branch 11.1 connected to the first line 11 permits a choice between different media, each of which has a corresponding valve mechanism 11.2. Through appropriately synchronized operation, the valve mechanisms 11.2 provide a chronologically controlled and quantity-controlled delivery of each individual medium.

(15) After cleaning and rinsing, the first line 11 introduces liquid product into the cleaned reusable cask 2 through the first line 11. The cleaning device 1 is thus able to both clean the cask 2 and refill it.

(16) Meanwhile, a second line 12 connects the second fluid channel 3.4 to a pump 7 having a suction side and a pressure side.

(17) The pump's suction side connects to either the second coupling section 3.2 or to the second fluid channel 3.4 that it forms. This enables the pump 7 to suck out any fluid introduced into the task's interior 2.1. This would include any media used to clean the interior 2.1 and any product residue still left in the interior 2.1.

(18) The pump's pressure side connects to a discharge 13 through which fluids extracted from the interior 2.1 through the fluid channel 3.4 and the second line 12 can flow away.

(19) The pump 7 can be any pump suitable for moving fluids. Examples include a reciprocating pump, an eccentric pump, a slide pump, a vacuum pump, a diaphragm pump, and in particular, an electrically-operated diaphragm pump.

(20) Along the second fluid channel 3.4 is a measuring device 14 for providing a measurement signal that depends on the level of fluid inside the second fluid channel 3.4. Examples of a suitable measuring device 14 include a level sensor, a fluid sensor, and a pressure sensor. Combinations of these measuring devices are also possible. From the measurement signal, it is possible to actuate the pump 7 as a function of the fluid level in the second fluid channel 3.4.

(21) Some embodiments include a controller for controlling the pump 7, and in particular, the pump's pumping power. Such a controller can be formed by a first control valve 8 positioned in the second line 12 between the treatment head 3 and the pump 7. The first control valve 8 regulates the volumetric flow through the second line 12. This, in turn, provides a way to regulate the volumetric flow of the fluid that the pump 7 sucks out of the cask's interior 2.1. Alternatively, a frequency inverter regulates the frequency of the pump 7.

(22) The cleaning device 1 executes an emptying step in which the second fluid channel 3.4 drains any residual product content that may be left in the reusable cask 2. It then passes one or more cleaning agents, such as hot or cold water, bases, and/or acids through the cask's interior 2.1. In some practices, the cleaning device 1 executes intermediate rinsing between the individual cleaning steps. These include, if required, disinfecting the cask's interior 2.1 with a disinfectant. Finally, the cleaning device 1 executes a flushing step in which it flushes the cask's interior 2.1 with water to remove any traces of cleaning agents or disinfectants left in interior 2.1. In different practices, one or more of the foregoing steps may be omitted.

(23) To further expedite the elimination of fluids through the second fluid channel 3.4, the supply mechanism 10 provides a pressurized gas. Suitable pressurized gases include compressed air, and in particular, sterile compressed air. This pressurized gas can be introduced into cask's interior 2.1 through the first line 11, the first fluid channel 3.3 and the central pipe 2.2 that connects to the first fluid channel 3.3. Introduction of this pressurized gas raises the pressure inside the reusable cask 2 above atmospheric pressure.

(24) In some practices, the supply mechanism 10 delivers the pressurized gas while the pump 7 operates. This promotes much faster evacuation of fluids present in the cask's interior 2.1. In other practices, the cleaning device 1 pressurizes the cask's interior 2.1 in sequential time steps through the first and second fluid channels 3.3, 3.4, after which it extracts media through the same first and second fluid channels 3.3, 3.4.

(25) FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the cleaning device 1. The following sections only describe the differences between this second embodiment and the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Otherwise the above descriptions also apply to this second embodiment.

(26) The cleaning device 1 according to FIG. 2 comprises a plurality of treatment stations, with each treatment station comprising a treatment head 3, 3. The treatment stations can be configured on a rotor of a rotating machine. First fluid channels 3.3 of treatment heads 3, 3 are each connected to a supply mechanism 10 that makes the media available. Preferably, different valve mechanisms 11.2, 11.2 are assigned to the individual treatment stations so that the latter can be supplied with media and/or other fluids independently of one another.

(27) Second fluid channels 3.4 connect to a single pump 7 that extracts fluids from a plurality of reusable casks 2, 2. The casks 2 are arranged at different treatment heads 3, 3 or at different treatment stations of cleaning device 1. Each treatment head 3, 3 can be assigned a first control valve 8, 8 that controls suction power acting at that treatment station.

(28) FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the cleaning device 1 in which, as a variation on the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the pressure side of pump 7 connects to a valve array 9 that separates the fluids removed from the cask's interior 2.1.

(29) The valve array 9 comprises a plurality of controllable valves. A first valve controls removal of a first base, a second valve controls removal of a second base, a third valve controls removal of residual product contents and a fourth valve controls removal of media residues. The valves of the valve array 9 are operated as a function of the position of the respective valves of the valve mechanism 11.2 in such a way that only one of the valves is open at any one time. This valve is the one that is associated with the medium whose extraction from reusable cask 2 is currently ongoing. Using the valve array 9, the extracted fluids can be removed, collected, if necessary reused, e.g. through a guide in a fluid circuit, and if necessary recycled, separately from one another.

(30) As a variation on the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 shows a cleaning device 1 having a plurality of treatment stations that are each provided with a mechanism for separating the fluids extracted from reusable casks 2, 2 in order to achieve an effective separation of the extracted fluids. The entire cleaning operation of a reusable cask 2 typically comprises a plurality of treatment steps, and the treatment steps in progress at the individual treatment stations at any given time are different, with the result that different fluids are extracted from respective reusable casks 2, 2. In order to prevent the fluids that are being pumped out of the individual treatment stations from being mixed together when evacuation is by a single pump 7, thus rendering effective separation impossible, each treatment head 3, 3 is provided with a dedicated pump 7, 7 as well as a mechanism for separating the fluids, i.e. a separate valve array 9, 9. The valves of the individual valve arrays 9, 9 can thus be actuated as a function of the fluid being pumped by the pump 7, 7 at the respective treatment station. The separated fluids can then be delivered to collecting or processing mechanisms that are provided for all treatment stations in common.

(31) FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the cleaning device 1 that is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The essential difference, between the embodiments in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 is that the embodiment of FIG. 5 features a bypass line 15 to connect the first line 11 to the suction side of the pump 7. A bypassing of the treatment head 3 can be effected under the control of second and third control valves 16, 17 and the first control valve 8, i.e. the bypass line 15 can establish a direct connection between the first line 11 and the pump 7. This makes possible a direct controlled and/or cleaning of the first and second lines 11, 12 and/or of the pump 7.

(32) The invention has been described hereinbefore by reference to embodiments. It goes without saying that numerous variations as well as modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.