APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING AND IN PARTICULAR STERILIZING PLASTIC PREFORMS OR CONTAINERS

Abstract

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.

Claims

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

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has at least one mixing device configured for mixing at least a part of the flowable medium taken from the treatment chamber with the flowable medium produced by the generating device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a control device which is configured for controlling a mixing ratio of the medium to be supplied to the treatment chamber and the medium removed from the treatment chamber.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a second discharge device which is suitable and configured for removing a flowable medium enriched with the sterilization agent from the treatment chamber, wherein this second discharge device is preferably spaced apart from the first discharge device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus has at least one application device arranged within the treatment chamber and configured for applying the sterilization agent to the plastic preforms or containers transported by the transport device.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has at least one sensor device which is configured for detecting at least one measured value which is characteristic of the flowable medium located within the treatment chamber, wherein this measured value is selected from a group of measured values consisting of pressure measured values, temperature measured values, measured values for a proportion of a sterilization agent, measured values for a concentration of the sterilization agent and air humidity measured values.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has at least one flow measuring device.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a compressor device configured for compressing the flowable medium generated by the generating device and/or the flowable medium removed from the treatment chamber.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has an application device which is configured for applying at least part of the medium to be returned to the treatment chamber to at least one area of the plastic preforms or plastic containers.

10. A method for treating plastic preforms and/or containers, with a transport device which transports the plastic preforms and/or containers at least temporarily during their treatment, with a housing forming a treatment chamber within which the transport device is arranged, with a generating device which generates a flowable sterilization agent, and with a supply device which supplies the sterilization agent generated by the generating device to the clean room, wherein a first discharge device is provided which removes a flowable medium enriched with the sterilization agent from the treatment chamber, and a return device which returns at least a part of the medium removed from the treatment chamber back into this treatment chamber.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the plastic preforms and/or containers are transported at least partially on a circular transport path within the treatment chamber and/or the plastic preforms and/or containers are transferred at least once within the treatment chamber from a first holding device to a second holding device.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein at least a part of the flowable medium taken from the treatment chamber is mixed with the flowable medium produced by the generating device, wherein this mixing preferably takes place outside the treatment chamber.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein a mixing ratio between the medium produced by the generating device and the medium taken from the treatment chamber is controlled and/or regulated.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the plastic preforms and/or containers are supplied into the treatment chamber by an airlock device and/or the plastic preforms and/or containers are removed from the treatment chamber by an airlock device and/or the plastic preforms and/or containers are heated before they are supplied into the treatment chamber.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein an application device is provided which applies at least a part of the medium to be returned to the treatment chamber to at least one area of the plastic preforms.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0091] Further advantages and embodiments can be seen in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0092] FIG. 1a shows a schematic representation of an apparatus according to the invention for internal sterilization;

[0093] FIG. 1b shows a schematic representation of an apparatus for external sterilization;

[0094] FIG. 1c shows a schematic representation of an apparatus for internal and external sterilization;

[0095] FIG. 2 shows a representation of the application of medium to plastic preforms.

[0096] FIG. 3 shows a representation of the return of the medium; and

[0097] FIG. 4 shows a representation of the application of medium to the external surface of plastic preforms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0098] FIG. 1a shows an apparatus 1 according to the invention for treating plastic preforms and/or (plastic) containers. This has a preferably substantially closed housing 4, within which a treatment chamber 4a is formed for treating and in particular sterilizing, preferably for the internal sterilization of, plastic preforms 10.

[0099] The reference numeral 2 denotes in its entirety a transport device which here has three transport starwheels which are arranged one after the other within the treatment chamber 4a, so that each plastic preform 10 is transported (one after the other) by each of these transport units.

[0100] The reference numeral 6 denotes a generating device which is suitable and intended to generate a flowable sterilization agent, in particular H.sub.2O.sub.2 gas. Particularly preferably, this generating device is an evaporator, which is known per se from the prior art.

[0101] This sterilization medium can be supplied to the treatment chamber 4a via a connecting line 82 and a valve 84 as well as a further connecting line. Preferably, the valve 84 is a controllable valve and in particular a pneumatically or electrically operated valve.

[0102] The reference numeral 12 denotes a first discharge device which can discharge the medium located therein, i.e., in particular the gas enriched with sterilization agent, from the treatment chamber 4a. The reference numeral 62 denotes a compressor device, for example a pump for compressing the sterilization agent or gas taken from the treatment chamber.

[0103] The reference numeral 22 denotes a line device which supplies the flowable medium taken from the treatment chamber to the treatment chamber 4a. The reference numeral 24 denotes a valve device for controlling the gaseous medium to be returned to the treatment chamber. Preferably, the valve device 24 is also a controllable valve.

[0104] The reference numeral 14 denotes a second discharge device which is also suitable and intended to discharge the gas from the treatment chamber 4a. This second discharge device is preferably configured substantially in the same way as the first discharge device 12. The reference numeral 25 denotes a valve which fulfils the same function as the valve device 24 described above, i.e., the control of the flowable medium to be returned to the treatment chamber 4a.

[0105] The reference numeral 15 schematically indicates a mixing device in which the removed gas is mixed with the newly generated gas in order to then be supplied to the treatment chamber 4a via a line 86. Further mixing devices can also be provided in the other node points shown in FIG. 1.

[0106] The transport device 2 preferably has a rotatable transport carrier 32, on which a plurality of holding devices 34 for holding plastic preforms 10 are particularly preferably arranged. The reference numeral 42 denotes an application device which serves to apply the sterilization agent to the plastic preforms 10. This application device 42 has a plurality of application nozzles 42a, each of which introduces the sterilization agent into the plastic preforms.

[0107] Preferably, a plurality of sensor devices 52, 58 is provided in the treatment chamber, which can detect, for example, a gas pressure, a proportion of sterilization agent, or a temperature.

[0108] Furthermore, sensor devices 54, 56, for example in the form of flow measuring devices, are preferably provided outside the treatment chamber. The reference numerals 53, 55, 57, 59 represent further sensor devices. In the example shown, the designation SC stands for Speed Control, which is intended to clarify that, for example, a speed can be monitored. The monitored speed can, for example, be the speed of the pump, which could be controlled using a frequency converter, for example.

[0109] The reference numeral 30 denotes a control device which is used for controlling and regulating a mixing ratio of the gas to be introduced into the treatment chamber. Preferably, measurement signals and/or measured values of the individual sensor devices are also supplied to this control device 30, and the apparatus control is also carried out on the basis of these measured values.

[0110] Both the areas arranged schematically to the left and to the right of the substantially closed housing 4, with the treatment chamber 4a, are intended and suitable for treating and in particular sterilizing, preferably for internal sterilization of plastic preforms 10.

[0111] It is also possible to provide only one discharge device 12, 14.

[0112] FIG. 1b shows a similar schematic representation of an apparatus 1 for treating plastic preforms and/or (plastic) containers. This has a preferably substantially closed housing 4, within which a treatment chamber 4a is formed for treating and in particular sterilizing, preferably for external sterilization of plastic preforms 10.

[0113] The reference numerals with additional features can be found in the description of FIG. 1a. Elements provided with the same reference numerals identify corresponding elements as in FIG. 1a.

[0114] The reference numeral 16 denotes a discharge device which is suitable and intended to discharge the gas from the treatment chamber 4a. This discharge device 16 is preferably configured substantially in the same way as the discharge devices 12 and 14 in FIG. 1a.

[0115] An additional valve, corresponding to the reference numeral 25 in FIG. 1a, may also be provided therein.

[0116] The gas from the treatment chamber is led through the discharge device 16 in a separate line, preferably also via a valve or a node point, into the treatment chamber 4a, mixed with fresh gas (in particular enriched with sterilization agent).

[0117] This is preferably followed by an application device 42, which serves to apply the sterilization agent to the plastic preforms 10. This application device 42 preferably has a plurality of application nozzles 42a, or a single application nozzle 42a, each of which applies the sterilization agent to the plastic preforms.

[0118] The external surfaces of plastic preforms are preferably sterilized in this way.

[0119] At least two discharge devices 16 may also be provided.

[0120] FIG. 1c shows a further similar schematic representation of an apparatus 1 for treating plastic preforms and/or (plastic) containers. This has a preferably substantially closed housing 4, within which a treatment chamber 4a is formed for treating and in particular sterilizing, preferably for internal and external sterilization of plastic preforms 10.

[0121] A discharge device 12, 14 for preferred internal sterilization is shown schematically on the left, and a discharge device 16 for preferred external sterilization of plastic preforms 10 is shown schematically on the right.

[0122] At least two discharge devices 12, 14 for preferred internal sterilization and at least two discharge devices 16 for preferred external sterilization may also be provided.

[0123] FIG. 2 is a detailed representation of the applying of a plastic preform 10more precisely here, its internal surfaces. The medium returned to the treatment chamber is introduced into the plastic preform via line 86 (arrows P1). Above the plastic preforms there is preferably a distribution device 62 which ensures that medium emerging from the plastic preforms also reaches an external region of the mouth of the plastic preforms 10.

[0124] This distribution device 62 preferably has a circular cross section.

[0125] FIG. 3 shows a representation illustrating the return of the medium taken from the treatment chamber and its use for sterilizing the external surfaces.

[0126] The medium is discharged from the treatment chamber via a removal line 22. This removal line is preferably arranged in a lower region of the treatment chamber. The medium then flows (arrows P4 and P3) to a compressor device 63 and returns to the treatment chamber via a line (arrow P5).

[0127] The arrows P3 illustrate the application of medium to the respective interiors of the plastic preforms.

[0128] FIG. 4 shows the external application of medium to the individual plastic preforms. At least one application arrangement 70, 70a is provided within the treatment chamber. This application arrangement has a plurality of nozzles 72, which are preferably arranged one behind the other in a single row.

[0129] These nozzles preferably apply medium to the plastic preforms 10 from below.

[0130] The reference numerals 74 and 76 denote carriers for carrying the two application arrangements 70, 70a. The application arrangements are preferably adjustable in the vertical direction in order to enable adaptation to different geometries of the plastic preforms.

[0131] It is to be noted that all features which have been described with reference to the method are also disclosed in a corresponding manner for the apparatus, which means in particular that the corresponding apparatus has devices which are suitable and intended for carrying out the particular methods. Furthermore, features which were described with reference to the apparatus are also correspondingly applicable to the method or methods. This means that the methods are carried out using the corresponding apparatus features.

[0132] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that they are novel over the prior art individually or in combination. It is also pointed out that features which can be advantageous in themselves are also described in the individual figures. A person skilled in the art will immediately recognize that a particular feature described in a figure can be advantageous even without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can also result from a combination of several features shown in individual or in different figures.