EP3083087B1 - Apparatus and method for cleaning containers - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for cleaning containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3083087B1 EP3083087B1 EP14805843.1A EP14805843A EP3083087B1 EP 3083087 B1 EP3083087 B1 EP 3083087B1 EP 14805843 A EP14805843 A EP 14805843A EP 3083087 B1 EP3083087 B1 EP 3083087B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- reusable
- opening
- cask
- cleaning
- pump mechanism
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims description 90
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 16
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 64
- 238000011010 flushing procedure Methods 0.000 claims 10
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 38
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 33
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000000645 desinfectant Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000012459 cleaning agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- -1 alkalis Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005457 optimization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted theretoÂ
- B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
- B08B9/0804—Cleaning containers having tubular shape, e.g. casks, barrels, drums
- B08B9/0813—Cleaning containers having tubular shape, e.g. casks, barrels, drums by the force of jets or sprays
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B5/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use of air flow or gas flow
- B08B5/04—Cleaning by suction, with or without auxiliary action
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted theretoÂ
- B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
- B08B9/0804—Cleaning containers having tubular shape, e.g. casks, barrels, drums
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/07—Cleaning beverage-dispensing apparatus
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0801—Details of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0801—Details of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
- B67D2001/0822—Pressurised rigid containers, e.g. kegs, figals
Definitions
- the invention relates to a device for cleaning reusable drums according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for cleaning reusable drums according to claim 16
- Reusable kegs also known as KEGs
- KEGs are well known in the beverage industry.
- Such reusable kegs are subjected to a cleaning process after the liquid filling material has been removed, in order to be able to refill these cleaned reusable kegs with a liquid filling material.
- product residues still contained in the keg are emptied and then the reusable keg, in particular the interior of the reusable keg, is cleaned.
- the cleaning method used can in particular be what is known as CIP cleaning (cleaning in place).
- emptying steps are necessary during cleaning, in which product residues, cleaning or rinsing liquids have to be removed from the interior of the reusable drum. It is customary that the emptying steps are supported by compressed air. Here, for emptying, the interior of the reusable keg is acted upon or pretensioned with compressed air and the liquid contained in the interior of the reusable keg is expelled.
- the pamphlet DE 199 33 376 C2 discloses a device for cleaning containers, in particular kegs.
- the device has a cleaning head which can be connected to a valve arrangement of the keg in order to clean the interior of the keg.
- a suction pump is provided for discharging cleaning media from the interior of the keg.
- the pamphlet DE 36 02 209 C2 discloses an apparatus for cleaning the inside of barrels.
- the device has a cleaning head for connecting the barrel fitting of the barrel to be cleaned, by means of which the cleaning media can be introduced into the barrel interior or discharged from it.
- a Jet pump provided, by means of which the cleaning media can be sucked out of the barrel.
- EP 0 237 188 A1 a method for cleaning kegs.
- cleaning liquid is also introduced into the interior of the keg via a treatment head.
- a pump is provided, by means of which cleaning liquid is introduced into the interior of the keg or sucked off in bursts.
- the object of the invention is therefore to provide a time-optimized emptying of the interior of the reusable drum to be cleaned with improved energetic efficiency.
- the task is based on the
- the invention relates initially to a device for cleaning reusable kegs comprising at least one treatment head which can be connected to a valve device of a reusable keg, a first opening connected to a central tube running in the interior of the reusable keg and a second opening connected directly to the interior of the reusable keg having.
- the treatment head is designed to supply fluids, in particular cleaning and rinsing media, into the interior of the reusable drum to be cleaned and to subsequently discharge the fluids from the reusable drum.
- the treatment head is connected at least temporarily to a pumping device by means of which the fluids are sucked out of the interior of the reusable barrel.
- the main advantage of the cleaning device is that by means of the pumping device a time-optimized emptying of the reusable drum is achieved with improved energetic efficiency.
- the pump device is connected to the second opening of the valve device on the suction side.
- the second opening is provided directly on the upper surface of the reusable keg, so that the opening is at the lowest point of the reusable keg in an overhead position in which the reusable keg is during the cleaning process and thus complete emptying is possible.
- the treatment it is also possible for the treatment to take place in a normal position in which the valve device comes to rest on top.
- the pumping device is connected to the first opening of the valve device on the suction side, so that the fluids can be suctioned off via the central tube.
- the cleaning fluids can be fed into the interior of the reusable drum via the second opening.
- Means for controlling the suction power of the pumping device are preferably provided. These means can be electronic means, for example electronic control units or also mechanical control means.
- the volume flow of the liquids discharged from the reusable barrel can preferably be regulated via the control means.
- flow measuring devices or pressure measuring devices can be provided, by means of which measured variables (eg pressure, volume flow, mass flow) are determined, which are used as input variables for suction power control. Alternatively or additionally, time control is possible.
- the means for controlling the suction power of the pumping device are formed by a control valve provided between the treatment head and the pumping device.
- a frequency converter can be assigned to the pump device, by means of which the electrical power of the pump device can be regulated.
- treatment heads are provided which are connected to a common pumping device. Effective removal of fluids from a plurality of reusable drums, which are arranged, for example, at different treatment stations of the cleaning device, can thus be achieved with reduced system outlay.
- several treatment head groups each with several treatment heads can be provided, each treatment head group being assigned a separate pump device, i.e. one pump device in each case is connected to all treatment heads of a treatment head group.
- the pump device is connected on the pressure side to a valve arrangement comprising a multiplicity of valves arranged in parallel for separating the individual fluids and / or cleaning and rinsing media.
- These valves can be controlled as required in such a way that only one of these valves is open at a certain point in time, namely that which is connected to a collecting line or a collecting space for a certain liquid which is conveyed by the pumping device at this point in time.
- the valve states can be switched, i.e. a previously opened valve is closed and another valve is opened. In this way, mixed phases in which different fluids, for example different cleaning and rinsing agents, are mixed with one another, can be minimized.
- each treatment head is provided, each of which is connected to a separate pump device assigned to it.
- each pumping device can have a separate one Valve arrangement consisting of several valves arranged in parallel for separating the individual fluids and / or cleaning and rinsing media. In this way, the fluids discharged from the respective reusable drums at each treatment station of the cleaning device can be separated by the valve arrangement assigned to these treatment stations, which leads to an improved separation of the individual fluids.
- the first opening is connected via the treatment head to a device for providing different fluids, in particular cleaning and rinsing media.
- Various cleaning fluids for example acids, alkalis, disinfectants or even water, in particular cold water, hot water or steam, can be introduced into the interior of the reusable drum via this device.
- the establishment are assigned several valves, via which the different fluids can be supplied in a controlled manner depending on the respective treatment step.
- the first opening is preferably connected via the treatment head at least temporarily to a device for providing a pressurized, gaseous medium.
- the pressurized, gaseous medium can, for example, be compressed air, in particular sterile compressed air, but also an inert gas, for example CO2.
- the interior of the reusable keg can thus be pretensioned with an overpressure which leads to a further improved discharge of the liquid received in the interior of the reusable keg.
- the cleaning device is particularly preferably designed in such a way that the reusable barrel is emptied by sucking the cleaning and rinsing media through the second opening while simultaneously applying a pressurized, gaseous medium to the first opening.
- the simultaneous pretensioning of the interior of the reusable drum with the pressurized gaseous medium and the suction by the pumping device means that extremely effective emptying of the reusable drum with a high degree of energy efficiency can be achieved.
- the reusable drum can also be emptied by suctioning off the cleaning and rinsing media take place via the first opening with simultaneous exposure of the reusable drum with a pressurized, gaseous medium at the second opening.
- the reusable keg is preferably in the normal position, ie the valve device having the first and second openings is arranged above the bottom section of the reusable keg.
- the reusable keg can be emptied by sucking off the cleaning and rinsing media and pressurizing the reusable keg with a pressurized, gaseous medium through the same opening, ie the first or second opening, in successive treatment steps.
- the pump device can be connected to a valve device that supplies the fluids via a short-circuit line.
- This short-circuit line which bridges the valve device by forming a bypass, allows the pipes to be emptied in a targeted manner and / or cleaned by supplying a liquid and / or gaseous fluid.
- the invention further relates to a method for cleaning reusable kegs by means of a device comprising at least one treatment head, which is connected to a valve device of a reusable keg, which has a first opening connected to a central tube running in the interior of the reusable keg and a first opening connected directly to the interior of the Reusable barrel has connected second opening, fluids, in particular cleaning and rinsing media being fed into the interior of the reusable barrel to be cleaned via the treatment head and discharged again from the reusable barrel after the cleaning and rinsing process.
- the treatment head is connected at least temporarily to a pump device by means of which the fluids are sucked out of the interior of the reusable barrel.
- the suction power of the pumping device is preferably controlled by a control valve provided between the treatment head and the pumping device.
- the pumping power of the pumping device can be controlled by a frequency control.
- the frequency regulation controls the pumping device taking into account measured values (for example fluid pressure, fluid flow rate) and / or in a time-controlled manner.
- the fluids in particular cleaning and rinsing media, are separated by a multiplicity of valves arranged in parallel and connected to the pump device on the pressure side.
- a plurality of treatment heads are particularly preferably provided on the cleaning device, two or more treatment heads being connected to a common pumping device, or a separate pumping device being assigned to each of the treatment heads. The latter can be necessary to ensure optimal system performance.
- the interior of the reusable keg is at least temporarily acted upon simultaneously via the first opening with a pressurized, gaseous medium and via the second opening with negative pressure provided by the pumping device for emptying the interior of the reusable keg.
- a cleaning device 1 is shown in a first embodiment.
- the cleaning device 1 is used to clean reusable barrels 2, also known under the name KEG, which are cleaned after the liquid content contained therein has been removed and then refilled with a liquid content.
- Reusable drums 2 of this type have, in a known manner, a valve device 4, also referred to as a KEG fitting, on one end face, in particular on its upper side.
- This valve device 4 forms two resealable openings 5, 6, of which a first opening 5 is arranged coaxially with the central vertical axis MHA of the reusable keg 2 and is connected to a free end of a tubular central tube 2.2, which is coaxially inside the reusable keg 2 with the central vertical axis MHA is arranged and is designed to be open at its end opposite the bottom of the reusable drum 2.
- the further second opening 6 is designed as an annular opening surrounding the first opening 5 or the central tube 2.2 and is directly connected to the interior 2.1 of the reusable drum 2, ie without any tube sections or other devices arranged in between.
- the valve device 4 is a self-closing valve device formed, which can be opened for cleaning and / or filling the reusable barrel 2.
- the reusable drum 2 to be cleaned is placed on a treatment station of the cleaning device 1 in an overhead position, ie with the valve device 4 pointing downwards.
- the valve device 4 of the reusable drum 2 is arranged on a treatment head 3 provided at the treatment station, so that the valve device 4 is unlocked and the first and second openings 5, 6 are opened.
- the treatment head 3 has a first coupling section 3.1, which is designed for fluid-tight connection with the first opening 5 provided in the valve device 4, and a second coupling section 3.2, which is designed for establishing a fluid-tight connection with the second opening 6 in the valve device 4.
- the two coupling sections 3.1, 3.2 form fluid channels separated from one another in the treatment head 3 2, namely a first fluid channel 3.3, which at least in sections runs coaxially with the central vertical axis MHA of the reusable drum 2 and thus coaxially with the central tube 2.2, and a second fluid channel 3.4, which is designed to surround the first fluid channel 3.3 at least in sections on the circumferential side.
- a cleaning or rinsing medium can be simultaneously introduced into the interior 2.1 of the reusable drum 2 via the first opening 5 through the fluid channels 3.3, 3.4 separated from one another and removed again via the second opening 6 after the cleaning or rinsing process and appropriately removed.
- the cleaning and rinsing media used to clean the reusable barrel 2 are preferably introduced into the interior 2.1 of the reusable barrel 2 via the first fluid channel 3.3.
- the fluid channel 3.3 is connected to a supply line 11 to which a supply device for cleaning and rinsing media 10 is connected.
- a plurality of cleaning and / or rinsing media are preferably provided at a branching point 11.1 connected to the supply line 11, preferably in each case via a valve device 11.2, so that the individual cleaning and / or rinsing media can be supplied in a time-controlled and quantity-controlled manner.
- Under Cleaning and rinsing media in the context of the invention are understood to mean in particular alkalis, water - especially hot water, cold water or steam - disinfectants, but also gaseous media, for example CO2, compressed air, sterile compressed air or atmospheric air.
- a liquid filling material can be introduced into the cleaned reusable drum 2 on the supply line 11, so that the device 1 can be used not only to clean the reusable drum 2 but also to refill it at the same time.
- the suction side of the pumping device 7 is preferably connected to the second fluid channel 3.4, so that the liquid contained in the interior 2.1 of the reusable barrel 2 by the pumping device 7, in particular the cleaning and / or rinsing media used to clean the interior 2.1, but also still present in the interior 2.1 Product residues can be suctioned off.
- the pressure side of the pump device 7 is connected to an outlet 13, via which the liquids discharged from the interior 2.1 via the liquid channel 3.4 and the line 12 can flow off.
- the pumping device 7 can be formed by any pumps suitable for conveying liquids, in particular piston pumps, eccentric pumps, slide pumps, vacuum pumps, etc.
- a diaphragm pump in particular an electrically operated diaphragm pump, is particularly preferred.
- a measuring device 14 can preferably be provided for determining a measurement signal that is dependent on the liquid level within the second fluid channel 3.4.
- the measuring device 14 can preferably be formed by a level probe, a liquid sensor or a pressure sensor. Combinations of these measuring devices are also possible.
- the measurement signal determined by the measurement device 14 it is possible to measure the To control pumping device 7 as a function of the liquid level within the second liquid channel 3.4.
- control means for controlling the pumping power of the pumping device 7 can be provided.
- These control means can in particular be formed by a control valve 8 which is arranged in the line 12 between the treatment head 3 and the pumping device 7.
- the control valve 8 can be designed in particular to regulate the volume flow through the line 12. The volume flow of the liquid sucked out of the interior 2.1 of the reusable barrel 2 by the pumping device 7 can thus be controlled with the control valve 8.
- frequency regulation of the pumping device 7 by means of a frequency converter is also possible.
- the inside cleaning of the reusable keg 2 can in particular be carried out in such a way that after the reusable keg 2 has been applied, an emptying step is carried out in which the remaining filling material still contained in the reusable keg 2 is discharged via the second fluid channel 3.4.
- the interior 2.1 of the reusable barrel 2 can be pre-cleaned with cold water or hot water.
- the interior 2.1 can then be cleaned with one or more cleaning agents, for example alkalis and / or acids.
- Intermediate rinsing steps can be carried out between the individual cleaning steps.
- the interior 2.1 can optionally be disinfected with a disinfectant.
- the interior 2.1 is rinsed with water, so that any residues of a cleaning agent or disinfectant still contained in the interior 2.1 are removed.
- a pressurized gaseous fluid in particular compressed air, particularly preferably sterile compressed air
- This fluid can be introduced into the interior 2.1 of the reusable drum 2 via the supply line 11, the first fluid channel 3.3 and the central tube 2.2 connected to this fluid channel, so that the pressure inside the reusable drum 2 rises above atmospheric pressure.
- This supply of the pressurized gaseous fluid is preferably carried out at the same time the operation of the pumping device 7, so that overall a substantially accelerated discharge of the liquids contained in the interior 2.1 is effected.
- the interior 2.1 of the reusable drum 2 is initially pressurized in successive time steps via the same fluid channel 3.3, 3.4 and then the cleaning fluid is sucked off via the same fluid channel 3.3, 3.4.
- FIG 2 a second embodiment of the cleaning device 1 is shown. Only the differences to the one in Figure 1 illustrated device explained. In addition, the above explanations also apply to this second exemplary embodiment.
- the cleaning direction 1 has several treatment stations, each treatment station comprising a treatment head 3, 3 '.
- the treatment stations can be formed, for example, on a rotating machine part or a rotor.
- the first fluid channels 3.3 of the treatment heads 3, 3 ' are each connected to a supply device 10 via which the cleaning and rinsing media or other fluids are made available.
- Different valve devices 11.2, 11.2 ' are preferably assigned to the individual treatment stations so that the individual treatment stations can be supplied with cleaning and rinsing media or other fluids independently of one another.
- the second fluid channels 3.4 are connected to a single pump device 7, ie the pump device 7 is used to suction liquids from several reusable barrels 2, 2 ', which are arranged on different treatment heads 3, 3' or on different treatment stations of the cleaning device 1 .
- a control valve 8, 8 ' can be assigned to each treatment head 3, 3' so that the suction power acting at the respective treatment station can be individually controlled.
- FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the cleaning device 1, in which, in a modification of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Figure 1 the pump device 7 on the pressure side with a device for separating the is connected from the interior 2.1 of the reusable barrel 2 sucked liquids.
- the device for separating the extracted liquids is preferably formed by a valve arrangement 9 which has a plurality of controllable valves.
- a first valve is provided, for example, for the controlled removal of a first lye, a second valve for the controlled removal of a second lye, a third valve for the controlled removal of a residual product and a fourth valve for the controlled removal of residual media.
- valves of the valve arrangement 9 are controlled as a function of the position of the respective valves of the valve device 11.2, in particular in such a way that only one of the valves is always open, namely that which is assigned to the medium whose suction from the reusable drum 2 is currently open Point in time.
- the liquids sucked off can be discharged separately from one another, collected, possibly reused, for example by being guided in a fluid circuit, and possibly processed again.
- Figure 4 shows in a modification of the embodiment according to Figure 2 a cleaning device 1 with several treatment stations, a device for separating the liquids sucked off from the reusable drums 2, 2 'being provided in order to achieve an effective separation of the sucked off liquids.
- the entire cleaning process of a reusable drum 2 typically comprises several treatment steps and the treatment steps that take place at the individual treatment stations at a certain point in time are different, so that different liquids are also sucked out of the respective reusable kegs 2, 2 '.
- each treatment head 3, 3 ' has a pump device 7, 7' assigned to it and a device for separating the Liquids, that is, a separate valve arrangement 9, 9 'is provided in each case.
- the valves of the individual valve arrangements 9, 9 ' can thus be controlled as a function of the liquid conveyed by the pumping device 7, 7' at the respective treatment station.
- the separated liquids can then Collecting devices or processing devices are supplied, which are provided jointly for all treatment stations.
- FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the cleaning device 1 according to the invention similar to the embodiment according to FIG Figure 3 .
- the main difference to the embodiment according to Figure 3 consists in that a bypass line 15 is provided, which is provided for coupling the supply line 11 to the suction side of the pump device 7.
- a bridging of the treatment head 3 can be effected in a controlled manner via control valves 16, 17 and the control valve 8, ie a direct coupling of the supply line 11 to the pumping device 7 can be effected through the bypass line 15.
- This enables the supply lines 11, 12 or the pumping device 7 to be emptied or cleaned in a direct, controlled manner.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
Description
Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Vorrichtung zum Reinigen von Mehrwegfässern gemäß Oberbegriff Patentanspruch 1 sowie auf ein Verfahren zum Reinigen von Mehrwegfässern gemäß Patentanspruch 16The invention relates to a device for cleaning reusable drums according to the preamble of
Mehrwegfässer, auch als KEG bezeichnet, sind in der Getränkeindustrie hinreichend bekannt. Derartige Mehrwegfasser werden nach der Entnahme des flüssigen Füllgutes einem Reinigungsprozess unterzogen, um diese gereinigten Mehrwegfässer erneut mit einem flüssigen Füllgut befüllen zu können. Dabei werden vor einer Neubefüllung des Mehrwegfasses zunächst noch im Fass enthaltende Produktereste entleert und anschließend das Mehrwegfass, insbesondere der Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses, gereinigt. Das verwendete Reinigungsverfahren kann insbesondere eine sogenannte CIP-Reinigung (cleaning in place) sein.Reusable kegs, also known as KEGs, are well known in the beverage industry. Such reusable kegs are subjected to a cleaning process after the liquid filling material has been removed, in order to be able to refill these cleaned reusable kegs with a liquid filling material. In this case, before the reusable keg is refilled, product residues still contained in the keg are emptied and then the reusable keg, in particular the interior of the reusable keg, is cleaned. The cleaning method used can in particular be what is known as CIP cleaning (cleaning in place).
Während der Reinigung sind mehrere Entleerungsschritte vonnöten, bei denen Produktreste, Reinigungs- oder Spülflüssigkeiten aus dem Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses abgeführt werden müssen. Dabei ist es üblich, dass die Entleerungsschritte unterstützt durch Druckluft erfolgen. Hierbei wird zur Entleerung der Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses mit Druckluft beaufschlagt oder vorgespannt und die im Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses enthaltene Flüssigkeit ausgetrieben.Several emptying steps are necessary during cleaning, in which product residues, cleaning or rinsing liquids have to be removed from the interior of the reusable drum. It is customary that the emptying steps are supported by compressed air. Here, for emptying, the interior of the reusable keg is acted upon or pretensioned with compressed air and the liquid contained in the interior of the reusable keg is expelled.
Die Druckschrift
Die Druckschrift
Zuletzt offenbart die Druckschrift
Nachteilig am aufgezeigten Stand der Technik ist, dass Druckluft häufig nur mit einem bestimmten, fest vorgegebenen Betriebsdruck an der Reinigungsvorrichtung zur Verfügung steht, die häufig nur ein unzureichendes, zeitaufwändiges Austreiben der im Mehrwegfass enthaltenen Flüssigkeit ermöglicht. Zudem ist der energetische Wirkungsgrad des aus dem Stand der Technik bekannten druckluftbasierten Förderprinzips gering.The disadvantage of the prior art shown is that compressed air is often only available at the cleaning device at a specific, fixed operating pressure, which often only enables an insufficient, time-consuming expulsion of the liquid contained in the reusable drum. In addition, the energetic efficiency of the compressed air-based conveying principle known from the prior art is low.
Die Aufgabe der Erfindung besteht demnach darin, eine zeitoptimierte Entleerung des Innenraums des zu reinigenden Mehrwegfasses mit verbessertem energetischem Wirkungsgrad bereitzustellen. Die Aufgabe wird ausgehend von denThe object of the invention is therefore to provide a time-optimized emptying of the interior of the reusable drum to be cleaned with improved energetic efficiency. The task is based on the
Oberbegriffen der Patentansprüche 1 und 16 jeweils durch deren kennzeichnende Merkmale gelöst.The preambles of
Die Erfindung bezieht sich zunächst auf eine Vorrichtung zum Reinigen von Mehrwegfässern umfassend zumindest einen Behandlungskopf, der mit einer Ventileinrichtung eines Mehrwegfasses verbindbar ist, die eine mit einem im Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses verlaufenden Zentralrohr verbundene erste Öffnung und eine unmittelbar mit dem Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses verbundene zweite Öffnung aufweist. Der Behandlungskopf ist dabei zum Zuführen von Fluiden, insbesondere Reinigungs- und Spülmedien in den Innenraum des zu reinigenden Mehrwegfasses und zum anschließenden Abführen der Fluide aus dem Mehrwegfass ausgebildet. Der Behandlungskopf ist dabei zumindest zeitweise mit einer Pumpeinrichtung verbunden ist, mittels der ein Absaugen der Fluide aus dem Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses erfolgt.The invention relates initially to a device for cleaning reusable kegs comprising at least one treatment head which can be connected to a valve device of a reusable keg, a first opening connected to a central tube running in the interior of the reusable keg and a second opening connected directly to the interior of the reusable keg having. The treatment head is designed to supply fluids, in particular cleaning and rinsing media, into the interior of the reusable drum to be cleaned and to subsequently discharge the fluids from the reusable drum. The treatment head is connected at least temporarily to a pumping device by means of which the fluids are sucked out of the interior of the reusable barrel.
Der wesentliche Vorteil der Reinigungsvorrichtung besteht darin, dass mittels der Pumpeinrichtung eine zeitoptimierte Entleerung des Mehrwegfasses bei verbessertem energetischem Wirkungsgrad erreicht wird.The main advantage of the cleaning device is that by means of the pumping device a time-optimized emptying of the reusable drum is achieved with improved energetic efficiency.
In einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel ist die Pumpeinrichtung saugseitig mit der zweiten Öffnung der Ventileinrichtung verbunden. Dadurch lassen sich Fluide, die über die erste Öffnung der Ventileinrichtung in den Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses eingebracht wurden, durch den von der Pumpe erzeugten Unterdruck aus dem Innenraum abführen. Die zweite Öffnung ist dabei unmittelbar an der oberen Deckfläche des Mehrwegfasses vorgesehen, so dass sich die Öffnung in einer Überkopfstellung, in der sich das Mehrwegfass während des Reinigungsprozesses befindet, am untersten Punkt des Mehrwegfasses befindet und damit eine völlige Restentleerung möglich ist. Alternativ ist es aber auch möglich, dass die Behandlung in einer Normalstellung erfolgt, bei der die Ventileinrichtung oben zu liegen kommt. Dabei ist die Pumpeinrichtung saugseitig mit der ersten Öffnung der Ventileinrichtung verbunden, so dass über das Zentralrohr eine Absaugung der Fluide erfolgen kann. Die Zuführung der Reinigungsfluide in den Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses kann dabei über die zweite Öffnung erfolgen. Weiterhin alternativ ist es möglich, die Pumpeinrichtung saugseitig zumindest zeitweise gleichzeitig mit der ersten Öffnung und der zweiten Öffnung der Ventileinrichtung zu verbinden oder intermittierend wechselnd mit der ersten Öffnung und der zweiten Öffnung der Ventileinrichtung zu verbinden. Dadurch kann ebenfalls eine beschleunigte Entleerung des Mehrwegfasses bewirkt werden.In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the pump device is connected to the second opening of the valve device on the suction side. In this way, fluids which have been introduced into the interior of the reusable drum via the first opening of the valve device can be discharged from the interior by the negative pressure generated by the pump. The second opening is provided directly on the upper surface of the reusable keg, so that the opening is at the lowest point of the reusable keg in an overhead position in which the reusable keg is during the cleaning process and thus complete emptying is possible. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the treatment to take place in a normal position in which the valve device comes to rest on top. The pumping device is connected to the first opening of the valve device on the suction side, so that the fluids can be suctioned off via the central tube. The cleaning fluids can be fed into the interior of the reusable drum via the second opening. Furthermore, alternatively, it is possible to connect the pump device on the suction side at least temporarily at the same time to the first opening and the second opening of the valve device or to connect it to the first opening and the second opening of the valve device in an intermittent alternating manner. As a result, the reusable drum can also be emptied more quickly.
Bevorzugt sind Mittel zur Steuerung der Saugleistung der Pumpeinrichtung vorgesehen. Diese Mittel können elektronische Mittel, beispielsweise elektronische Steuereinheiten oder auch mechanische Steuermittel sein. Vorzugsweise kann über die Steuermittel der Volumenstrom der aus dem Mehrwegfass abgeführten Flüssigkeiten geregelt werden. Zur Saugleistungssteuerung können Durchflussmesseinrichtungen oder Druckmesseinrichtungen vorgesehen sein, durch die Messgrößen (z.B. Druck, Volumendurchfluss, Massendurchfluss) ermittelt werden, die als Eingangsgrößen für die Saugleistungssteuerung verwendet werden. Alternativ oder zusätzlich ist eine Zeitsteuerung möglich.Means for controlling the suction power of the pumping device are preferably provided. These means can be electronic means, for example electronic control units or also mechanical control means. The volume flow of the liquids discharged from the reusable barrel can preferably be regulated via the control means. For suction power control, flow measuring devices or pressure measuring devices can be provided, by means of which measured variables (eg pressure, volume flow, mass flow) are determined, which are used as input variables for suction power control. Alternatively or additionally, time control is possible.
Gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel werden die Mittel zur Steuerung der Saugleistung der Pumpeinrichtung durch ein zwischen dem Behandlungskopf und der Pumpeinrichtung vorgesehenes Steuerventil gebildet. Alternativ kann ein der Pumpeinrichtung ein Frequenzumsetzer zugeordnet sein, mittels dem die elektrische Leistung der Pumpeinrichtung regelbar ist.According to one embodiment, the means for controlling the suction power of the pumping device are formed by a control valve provided between the treatment head and the pumping device. Alternatively, a frequency converter can be assigned to the pump device, by means of which the electrical power of the pump device can be regulated.
In einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel sind mehrere Behandlungsköpfe vorgesehen, die mit einer gemeinsamen Pumpeinrichtung verbunden sind. Damit kann mit reduziertem Anlagenaufwand eine effektive Entnahme von Fluiden aus mehreren Mehrwegfässern erreicht werden, die beispielsweise an unterschiedlichen Behandlungsstationen der Reinigungsvorrichtung angeordnet sind. Alternativ können auch mehrere Behandlungskopfgruppen mit jeweils mehreren Behandlungsköpfen vorgesehen sein, wobei jeder Behandlungskopfgruppe eine separate Pumpeinrichtung zugeordnet ist, d.h. jeweils eine Pumpeinrichtung ist mit sämtlichen Behandlungsköpfen einer Behandlungskopfgruppe verbunden.In a preferred embodiment, several treatment heads are provided which are connected to a common pumping device. Effective removal of fluids from a plurality of reusable drums, which are arranged, for example, at different treatment stations of the cleaning device, can thus be achieved with reduced system outlay. Alternatively, several treatment head groups each with several treatment heads can be provided, each treatment head group being assigned a separate pump device, i.e. one pump device in each case is connected to all treatment heads of a treatment head group.
Die Pumpeinrichtung ist druckseitig mit einer Ventilanordnung umfassend eine Vielzahl von parallel angeordneten Ventilen zur Separierung der einzelnen Fluide und/oder Reinigungs- und Spülmedien verbunden. Diese Ventile können derart bedarfsgerecht angesteuert werden, dass lediglich eines dieser Ventile zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt geöffnet ist, und zwar dasjenige, das mit einer Sammelleitung oder einem Sammelraum für eine bestimmte Flüssigkeit verbunden ist, die zu diesem Zeitpunkt durch die Pumpeinrichtung gefördert wird. Beim Wechsel von einer ersten Flüssigkeit, die in einem ersten Behandlungsschritt verwendet wird, zu einer zweiten Flüssigkeit, die in einem darauf folgenden Behandlungsschritt verwendet wird, kann eine Umschaltung der Ventilzustände erfolgen, d.h. ein zuvor geöffnetes Ventil wird geschlossen und ein anderes Ventil wird geöffnet. Damit können Mischphasen, bei denen unterschiedliche Fluide, beispielsweise unterschiedliche Reinigungs- und Spülmittel miteinander vermischt werden, minimiert werden.The pump device is connected on the pressure side to a valve arrangement comprising a multiplicity of valves arranged in parallel for separating the individual fluids and / or cleaning and rinsing media. These valves can be controlled as required in such a way that only one of these valves is open at a certain point in time, namely that which is connected to a collecting line or a collecting space for a certain liquid which is conveyed by the pumping device at this point in time. When changing from a first liquid, which is used in a first treatment step, to a second liquid, which is used in a subsequent treatment step, the valve states can be switched, i.e. a previously opened valve is closed and another valve is opened. In this way, mixed phases in which different fluids, for example different cleaning and rinsing agents, are mixed with one another, can be minimized.
In einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel sind mehrere Behandlungsköpfe vorgesehen, die jeweils mit einer separaten, ihr zugeordneten Pumpeinrichtung verbunden sind. Damit lässt sich eine weitere Zeitoptimierung bei der Entleerung der Mehrwegfässer erreichen. In diesem Fall kann jeder Pumpeinrichtung jeweils eine separate Ventilanordnung bestehend aus mehreren parallel angeordneten Ventilen zur Separierung der einzelnen Fluide und/oder Reinigungs- und Spülmedien zugeordnet sein. Damit können die an jeder Behandlungsstation der Reinigungsvorrichtung aus den jeweiligen Mehrwegfässern abgeführten Fluide jeweils durch die dieser Behandlungsstationen zugeordnete Ventilanordnung separiert werden, was zu einer verbesserten Trennung der einzelnen Fluide führt.In a further exemplary embodiment, several treatment heads are provided, each of which is connected to a separate pump device assigned to it. This enables further time optimization when emptying the reusable drums. In this case, each pumping device can have a separate one Valve arrangement consisting of several valves arranged in parallel for separating the individual fluids and / or cleaning and rinsing media. In this way, the fluids discharged from the respective reusable drums at each treatment station of the cleaning device can be separated by the valve arrangement assigned to these treatment stations, which leads to an improved separation of the individual fluids.
Die erste Öffnung ist über den Behandlungskopf mit einer Einrichtung zur Bereitstellung unterschiedlicher Fluide, insbesondere Reinigungs- und Spülmedien verbunden. Über diese Einrichtung können verschiedene Reinigungsfluide, beispielsweise zur Reinigung verwendete Säuren, Laugen, Desinfektionsmittel oder auch Wasser, insbesondere Kaltwasser, Heißwasser oder Wasserdampf in den Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses eingebracht werden. Der Einrichtung sind
mehrere Ventile zugeordnet, über die die unterschiedlichen Fluide in Abhängigkeit vom jeweiligen Behandlungsschritt gesteuert zuführbar sind.The first opening is connected via the treatment head to a device for providing different fluids, in particular cleaning and rinsing media. Various cleaning fluids, for example acids, alkalis, disinfectants or even water, in particular cold water, hot water or steam, can be introduced into the interior of the reusable drum via this device. The establishment are
assigned several valves, via which the different fluids can be supplied in a controlled manner depending on the respective treatment step.
Vorzugsweise ist die erste Öffnung über den Behandlungskopf zumindest zeitweise mit einer Einrichtung zur Bereitstellung eines unter Druck stehenden, gasförmigen Mediums verbunden. Das unter Druck stehende, gasförmige Medium kann beispielsweise Druckluft, insbesondere sterile Druckluft aber auch ein in Inertgas, beispielsweise CO2, sein. Damit kann der Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses mit einem Überdruck vorgespannt werden, der zu einer weiterhin verbesserten Ausbringung der im Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses aufgenommenen Flüssigkeit führt.The first opening is preferably connected via the treatment head at least temporarily to a device for providing a pressurized, gaseous medium. The pressurized, gaseous medium can, for example, be compressed air, in particular sterile compressed air, but also an inert gas, for example CO2. The interior of the reusable keg can thus be pretensioned with an overpressure which leads to a further improved discharge of the liquid received in the interior of the reusable keg.
Besonders bevorzugt ist die Reinigungsvorrichtung derart ausgebildet, dass eine Entleerung des Mehrwegfasses durch Absaugung der Reinigungs- und Spülmedien über die zweite Öffnung unter gleichzeitiger Beaufschlagung des Mehrwegfasses mit einem unter Druck stehenden, gasförmigen Medium an der ersten Öffnung erfolgt. Durch das gleichzeitige Vorspannen des Innenraums des Mehrwegfasses mit dem unter Druck stehenden gasförmigen Medium und das Absaugen durch die Pumpeinrichtung kann ein äußerst effektives Entleeren des Mehrwegfasses mit hohem energetischem Wirkungsgrad erreicht werden. Alternativ kann aber auch eine Entleerung des Mehrwegfasses durch Absaugung der Reinigungs- und Spülmedien über die erste Öffnung unter gleichzeitiger Beaufschlagung des Mehrwegfasses mit einem unter Druck stehenden, gasförmigen Medium an der zweiten Öffnung erfolgen. Dabei befindet sich das Mehrwegfass vorzugsweise in Normalstellung, d.h. die die erste und zweite Öffnung aufweisende Ventileinrichtung ist oberhalb des Bodenabschnitts des Mehrwegfasses angeordnet. Weiterhin alternativ kann die Entleerung des Mehrwegfasses durch Absaugen der Reinigungs- und Spülmedien und die Druckbeaufschlagung des Mehrwegfasses mit einem unter Druck stehenden, gasförmigen Medium über die gleiche Öffnung, d.h. die erste oder zweite Öffnung, erfolgen, und zwar in zeitlich aufeinanderfolgenden Behandlungsschritten.The cleaning device is particularly preferably designed in such a way that the reusable barrel is emptied by sucking the cleaning and rinsing media through the second opening while simultaneously applying a pressurized, gaseous medium to the first opening. The simultaneous pretensioning of the interior of the reusable drum with the pressurized gaseous medium and the suction by the pumping device means that extremely effective emptying of the reusable drum with a high degree of energy efficiency can be achieved. Alternatively, however, the reusable drum can also be emptied by suctioning off the cleaning and rinsing media take place via the first opening with simultaneous exposure of the reusable drum with a pressurized, gaseous medium at the second opening. The reusable keg is preferably in the normal position, ie the valve device having the first and second openings is arranged above the bottom section of the reusable keg. Alternatively, the reusable keg can be emptied by sucking off the cleaning and rinsing media and pressurizing the reusable keg with a pressurized, gaseous medium through the same opening, ie the first or second opening, in successive treatment steps.
Weiterhin ist die Pumpeinrichtung über eine Kurzschlussleitung mit einer die Fluide zuführenden Ventileinrichtung verbindbar. Durch diese Kurzschlussleitung, die die Ventileinrichtung durch Bildung eines Bypasses überbrückt, können die Rohre gezielt entleer und/oder durch Zuleitung eines flüssigen und/oder gasförmigen Fluids gereinigt werden.Furthermore, the pump device can be connected to a valve device that supplies the fluids via a short-circuit line. This short-circuit line, which bridges the valve device by forming a bypass, allows the pipes to be emptied in a targeted manner and / or cleaned by supplying a liquid and / or gaseous fluid.
Die Erfindung bezieht sich des Weiteren auf ein Verfahren zum Reinigen von Mehrwegfässern mittels einer Vorrichtung umfassend zumindest einen Behandlungskopf, der mit einer Ventileinrichtung eines Mehrwegfasses verbunden wird, die eine mit einem im Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses verlaufenden Zentralrohr verbundene erste Öffnung und eine unmittelbar mit dem Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses verbundene zweite Öffnung aufweist, wobei über den Behandlungskopf Fluide, insbesondere Reinigungs- und Spülmedien in den Innenraum des zu reinigenden Mehrwegfasses zugeführt und nach dem Reinigungsund Spülvorgang aus dem Mehrwegfass wieder abgeführt werden. Dabei ist der Behandlungskopf zumindest zeitweise mit einer Pumpeinrichtung verbunden, mittels der die Fluide aus dem Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses abgesaugt werden.The invention further relates to a method for cleaning reusable kegs by means of a device comprising at least one treatment head, which is connected to a valve device of a reusable keg, which has a first opening connected to a central tube running in the interior of the reusable keg and a first opening connected directly to the interior of the Reusable barrel has connected second opening, fluids, in particular cleaning and rinsing media being fed into the interior of the reusable barrel to be cleaned via the treatment head and discharged again from the reusable barrel after the cleaning and rinsing process. The treatment head is connected at least temporarily to a pump device by means of which the fluids are sucked out of the interior of the reusable barrel.
Bevorzugt wird die Saugleistung der Pumpeinrichtung durch ein zwischen dem Behandlungskopf und der Pumpeinrichtung vorgesehenes Steuerventil gesteuert. Alternativ kann eine die Pumpleistung der Pumpeinrichtung durch eine Frequenzregelung gesteuert werden. Beispielsweise steuert die Frequenzregelung die Pumpeinrichtung unter Berücksichtigung von Messwerten (z.B. Fluiddruck, Fluiddurchfluss) und/oder zeitgesteuert an.The suction power of the pumping device is preferably controlled by a control valve provided between the treatment head and the pumping device. Alternatively, the pumping power of the pumping device can be controlled by a frequency control. For example, the frequency regulation controls the pumping device taking into account measured values (for example fluid pressure, fluid flow rate) and / or in a time-controlled manner.
Weiterhin werden die Fluide, insbesondere Reinigungs- und Spülmedien durch eine Vielzahl von parallel angeordneten, druckseitig mit der Pumpeinrichtung verbundenen Ventilen separiert.Furthermore, the fluids, in particular cleaning and rinsing media, are separated by a multiplicity of valves arranged in parallel and connected to the pump device on the pressure side.
Besonders bevorzugt sind an der Reinigungsvorrichtung mehrere Behandlungsköpfe vorgesehen, wobei zwei oder mehrere Behandlungsköpfe mit einer gemeinsamen Pumpeinrichtung verbunden werden oder wobei sämtlichen Behandlungsköpfen jeweils eine separate Pumpeinrichtung zugeordnet ist. Letzteres kann zur Sicherstellung einer optimalen Anlagenleistung notwendig sein.A plurality of treatment heads are particularly preferably provided on the cleaning device, two or more treatment heads being connected to a common pumping device, or a separate pumping device being assigned to each of the treatment heads. The latter can be necessary to ensure optimal system performance.
In einem weiteren besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel wird der Innenraum des Mehrwegfasses zumindest zeitweise gleichzeitig über die erste Öffnung mit einem unter Druck stehenden, gasförmigen Medium und über die zweite Öffnung mit von der Pumpeinrichtung bereitgestelltem Unterdruck zur Entleerung des Innenraums des Mehrwegfasses beaufschlagt.In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the interior of the reusable keg is at least temporarily acted upon simultaneously via the first opening with a pressurized, gaseous medium and via the second opening with negative pressure provided by the pumping device for emptying the interior of the reusable keg.
Der Ausdruck "im Wesentlichen" bzw. "etwa" bzw. "ca." bedeutet im Sinne der Erfindung Abweichungen vom jeweils exakten Wert um +/- 10%, bevorzugt um +/-5% und/oder Abweichungen in Form von für die Funktion unbedeutenden Änderungen.The expression "essentially" or "approximately" or "approx." In the context of the invention means deviations from the exact value in each case by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function.
Weiterbildungen, Vorteile und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der Erfindung ergeben sich auch aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung von Ausführungsbeispielen und aus den Figuren. Dabei sind alle beschriebenen und/oder bildlich dargestellten Merkmale für sich oder in beliebiger Kombination grundsätzlich Gegenstand der Erfindung, unabhängig von ihrer Zusammenfassung in den Ansprüchen oder deren Rückbeziehung. Auch wird der Inhalt der Ansprüche zu einem Bestandteil der Beschreibung gemacht.Developments, advantages and possible applications of the invention also emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all of the features described and / or shown in the figures, individually or in any combination, are fundamentally the subject matter of the invention, regardless of how they are summarized in the claims or their reference. The content of the claims is also made part of the description.
Die Erfindung wird im Folgenden anhand der Figuren an Ausführungsbeispielen näher erläutert, es zeigen:
Figur 1- in vereinfachter Darstellung eine Reinigungsvorrichtung;
Figur 2- in vereinfachter Darstellung und im Vertikalschnitt ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer Reinigungsvorrichtung mit mehreren Behandlungsköpfen;
Figur 3- in vereinfachter Darstellung eine Reinigungsvorrichtung mit einer Einrichtung zum Separieren der Reinigungsmedien; und
Figur 4- in vereinfachter Darstellung eine Reinigungsvorrichtung mit mehreren Behandlungsköpfen und mit Einrichtungen zum Separieren der Reinigungsmedien.
Figur 5- in vereinfachter Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung mit mehreren Einrichtungen zum Separieren der Reinigungsmedien und einer Bypass-Leitung.
- Figure 1
- a simplified representation of a cleaning device;
- Figure 2
- in a simplified representation and in vertical section a second embodiment of a cleaning device with several treatment heads;
- Figure 3
- a simplified representation of a cleaning device with a device for separating the cleaning media; and
- Figure 4
- a simplified representation of a cleaning device with several treatment heads and with devices for separating the cleaning media.
- Figure 5
- in a simplified representation of a cleaning device according to the invention with several devices for separating the cleaning media and a bypass line.
In
Wie in
Der Behandlungskopf 3 weist einen ersten Kupplungsabschnitt 3.1 auf, der zur fluiddichten Verbindung mit der in der Ventileinrichtung 4 vorgesehenen ersten Öffnung 5 ausgebildet ist sowie einen zweiten Kupplungsabschnitt 3.2, der zur Herstellung einer fluiddichten Verbindung mit der zweiten Öffnung 6 in der Ventileinrichtung 4 ausgebildet ist. Durch die beiden Kupplungsabschnitte 3.1, 3.2 werden im Behandlungskopf 3 2 voneinander getrennte Fluidkanäle gebildet, und zwar ein erster Fluidkanal 3.3, der zumindest abschnittsweise achsgleich mit der Mittelhochachse MHA des Mehrwegfasses 2 und damit achsgleich mit dem Zentralrohr 2.2 verläuft, und einen zweiten Fluidkanal 3.4, der zumindest abschnittsweise den ersten Fluidkanal 3.3 umfangsseitig umschließend ausgebildet ist. Dadurch lassen sich durch die voneinander getrennten Fluidkanäle 3.3, 3.4 gleichzeitig über die erste Öffnung 5 ein Reinigungs- bzw. Spülmedium in den Innenraum 2.1 des Mehrwegfasses 2 einbringen und über die zweite Öffnung 6 nach dem Reinigungs- bzw. Spülvorgang wieder entnehmen und geeignet abführen.The
Über den ersten Fluidkanal 3.3 werden vorzugsweise die zum Reinigen des Mehrwegfasses 2 verwendeten Reinigungs- und Spülmedien in den Innenraum 2.1 des Mehrwegfasses 2 eingebracht. Dazu ist der Fluidkanal 3.3 mit einer Versorgungsleitung 11 verbunden, an der eine Versorgungseinrichtung für Reinigungs- und Spülmedien 10 angeschlossen ist. Vorzugsweise werden an einer an die Versorgungsleitung 11 angeschlossenen Verzweigungsstelle 11.1 mehrere Reinigungs- und/oder Spülmedien bereitgestellt, und zwar vorzugsweise jeweils über eine Ventileinrichtung 11.2, so dass ein zeitlich gesteuertes und mengengesteuertes Zuführen der einzelnen Reinigungs- und/oder Spülmedien erfolgen kann. Unter Reinigungs- und Spülmedien im Sinne der Erfindung werden insbesondere Laugen, Wasser - insbesondere Heißwasser, Kaltwasser oder Wasserdampf - Desinfektionsmittel aber auch gasförmige Medien, beispielsweise CO2, Druckluft, sterile Druckluft oder Atmosphärenluft verstanden.The cleaning and rinsing media used to clean the
Des Weiteren kann an die Versorgungsleitung 11 nach dem Reinigungs- und Spülvorgang ein flüssiges Füllgut in das gereinigten Mehrwegfass 2 eingebracht werden, so dass die Vorrichtung 1 neben der Reinigung des Mehrwegfasses 2 auch gleichzeitig zu dessen Neubefüllung verwendet werden kann.Furthermore, after the cleaning and rinsing process, a liquid filling material can be introduced into the cleaned
An den zweiten Kupplungsabschnitt 3.2 bzw. den dadurch gebildeten zweiten Fluidkanal 3.4 ist eine Leitung 12 angeschlossen, die den zweiten Fluidkanal 3.4 mit einer Pumpeinrichtung 7 verbindet. Dabei wird vorzugsweise die Saugseite der Pumpeinrichtung 7 mit dem zweiten Fluidkanal 3.4 verbunden, so dass durch die Pumpeinrichtung 7 im Innenraum 2.1 des Mehrwegfasses 2 enthaltene Flüssigkeit, insbesondere die zur Reinigung des Innenraums 2.1 verwendeten Reinigungsund/oder Spülmedien, aber auch im Innenraum 2.1 noch vorhandene Füllgutreste abgesaugt werden können. Die Druckseite der Pumpeinrichtung 7 ist im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel mit einem Ablauf 13 verbunden, über den die aus dem Innenraum 2.1 über den Flüssigkeitskanal 3.4 und die Leitung 12 abgeführten Flüssigkeiten abfließen können.A
Die Pumpeinrichtung 7 kann durch jegliche zur Förderung von Flüssigkeiten geeignete Pumpen, insbesondere Kolbenpumpen, Exzenterpumpen, Schieberpumpen, Vakuumpumpen etc. gebildet werden. Besonders bevorzugt ist die Verwendung einer Membranpumpe, insbesondere eine elektrisch betriebene Membranpumpe.The
Im zweiten Fluidkanal kann vorzugsweise eine Messeinrichtung 14 zur Ermittlung eines vom Flüssigkeitsniveau innerhalb des zweiten Fluidkanal 3.4 abhängigen Messignals vorgesehen sein. Die Messeinrichtung 14 kann dabei vorzugsweise durch eine Niveausonde, einen Flüssigkeitssensor oder einen Drucksensor gebildet werden. Auch Kombinationen dieser Messeinrichtungen sind möglich. Mittels des durch die Messeinrichtung 14 ermittelten Messignals ist es möglich, die Pumpeinrichtung 7 in Abhängigkeit vom Flüssigkeitsniveau innerhalb des zweiten Flüssigkeitskanal 3.4 anzusteuern.In the second fluid channel, a measuring
Ferner können Mittel zur Steuerung der Pumpleistung der Pumpeinrichtung 7 vorgesehen sein. Diese Steuerungsmittel können insbesondere durch ein Steuerventil 8 gebildet sein, das in der Leitung 12 zwischen dem Behandlungskopf 3 und der Pumpeinrichtung 7 angeordnet ist. Das Steuerventil 8 kann hierbei insbesondere zur Regelung des Volumenstroms durch die Leitung 12 ausgebildet sein. Somit lässt sich mit dem Steuerungsventil 8 der Volumenstrom der durch die Pumpeinrichtung 7 aus dem Innenraum 2.1 des Mehrwegfasses 2 abgesaugten Flüssigkeit steuern. Alternativ ist auch eine Frequenzregelung der Pumpeinrichtung 7 mittels eines Frequenzumrichters möglich.Furthermore, means for controlling the pumping power of the
Die Innenreinigung des Mehrwegfasses 2 kann insbesondere derart durchgeführt werden, dass nach dem Aufbringen des Mehrwegfasses 2 ein Entleerungsschritt vollzogen wird, bei dem noch im Mehrwegfass 2 enthaltenes Restfüllgut über den zweiten Fluidkanal 3.4 abgeführt wird. Anschließend kann eine Vorreinigung des Innenraums 2.1 des Mehrwegfasses 2 mit Kaltwasser oder Heißwasser erfolgen. Anschließend kann der Innenraum 2.1 mit einem oder mehreren Reinigungsmitteln beispielsweise Laugen und oder Säuren gereinigt werden. Dabei können Zwischenspülschritte zwischen den einzelnen Reinigungsschritten vollzogen werden. Daran anschließend kann optional eine Desinfektion des Innenraums 2.1 mit einem Desinfektionsmittel durchgeführt werden. Zuletzt erfolgt eine Spülung des Innenraums 2.1 mit Wasser, so dass noch im Innenraum 2.1 enthaltene Reste einen Reinigungs- bzw. Desinfektionsmitteln entfernt werden.The inside cleaning of the
Um das Abführen der Fluide über den zweiten Fluidkanal 3.4 weiterhin zu beschleunigen, kann durch die Versorgungseinrichtung 10 ein unter Druck stehendes gasförmiges Fluid insbesondere Druckluft, besonders bevorzugt sterile Druckluft bereitgestellt werden. Dieses Fluid kann über die Versorgungsleitung 11, den ersten Fluidkanal 3.3 sowie das mit diesem Fluidkanal verbundene Zentralrohr 2.2 in den Innenraum 2.1 des Mehrwegfasses 2 eingebracht werden, so dass der Druck innerhalb des Mehrwegfasses 2 über den Atmosphärendruck ansteigt. Vorzugsweise erfolgt dieses Zuführen des unter Druck stehenden gasförmigen Fluids zeitgleich mit dem Betrieb der Pumpeinrichtung 7, so dass insgesamt ein wesentlich beschleunigtes Ausbringen der im Innenraum 2.1 enthaltenen Flüssigkeiten bewirkt wird. Ebenso ist es möglich, dass in aufeinanderfolgenden Zeitschritten über denselben Fluidkanal 3.3, 3.4 zunächst eine Druckbeaufschlagung des Innenraums 2.1 des Mehrwegfasses 2 erfolgt und anschließend über denselben Fluidkanal 3.3, 3.4 die Absaugung des Reinigungsfluids erfolgt.In order to further accelerate the discharge of the fluids via the second fluid channel 3.4, a pressurized gaseous fluid, in particular compressed air, particularly preferably sterile compressed air, can be provided by the
In
Die Reinigungsrichtung 1 gemäß
Die zweiten Fluidkanäle 3.4 sind im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel mit einer einzigen Pumpeinrichtung 7 verbunden, d.h. die Pumpeinrichtung 7 dient der Absaugung von Flüssigkeiten aus mehreren Mehrwegfässern 2, 2', die an unterschiedlichen Behandlungsköpfen 3, 3' bzw. an unterschiedlichen Behandlungsstationen der Reinigungsvorrichtung 1 angeordnet sind. Jedem Behandlungskopf 3, 3' kann hierbei ein Steuerventil 8, 8' zugeordnet sein, so dass die an der jeweiligen Behandlungsstation wirkende Saugleistung individuell steuerbar ist.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second fluid channels 3.4 are connected to a
- 11
- ReinigungsvorrichtungCleaning device
- 2, 2'2, 2 '
- MehrwegfassReusable drum
- 2.12.1
- Innenrauminner space
- 2.22.2
- ZentralrohrCentral tube
- 3, 3'3, 3 '
- BehandlungskopfTreatment head
- 3.13.1
- erster Kupplungsabschnittfirst coupling section
- 3.23.2
- zweiter Kupplungsabschnittsecond coupling section
- 3.33.3
- erster Fluidkanalfirst fluid channel
- 3.43.4
- zweiter Fluidkanalsecond fluid channel
- 44th
- VentileinrichtungValve device
- 55
- erste Öffnungfirst opening
- 66th
- zweite Öffnungsecond opening
- 7, 7'7, 7 '
- PumpeinrichtungPumping device
- 8, 8'8, 8 '
- SteuerventilControl valve
- 9, 9'9, 9 '
- VentilanordnungValve arrangement
- 1010
- Versorgungseinrichtung für Reinigungs- und SpülmedienSupply device for cleaning and rinsing media
- 1111
- Versorgungsleitungsupply line
- 11.111.1
- VerzweigungsstelleBranching point
- 11.2, 11.2'11.2, 11.2 '
- VentileinrichtungValve device
- 1212th
- Leitungmanagement
- 1313th
- Ablaufsequence
- 14, 14'14, 14 '
- MesseinrichtungMeasuring device
- 1515th
- Bypass-LeitungBypass line
- 16, 1716, 17
- SteuerventilControl valve
- MHAMHA
- MittelhochachseCentral vertical axis
Claims (19)
- Device for cleaning reusable casks (2) comprising at least one treatment head (3), which is connected to a valve mechanism (4) of a reusable cask (2), which valve mechanism comprises a first opening (5) connected to a central pipe (2.2) extending in the interior (2.1) of the reusable cask (2), and a second opening (6) connected directly to the interior (2.1) of the reusable cask (2), wherein the treatment head (3) is designed for delivering fluids, in particular cleaning and flushing media into the interior (2.1) of the reusable cask (2) which is to be cleaned and for removing the fluids from the reusable cask (2), wherein the treatment head (3) is at least at times connected to a pump mechanism (7), by means of which the fluids are sucked out of the interior (2.1) of the reusable cask (2), wherein the first opening (5) is connected by way of the treatment head (3) to a device (10) for providing different fluids, in particular cleaning and flushing media, characterised in that the pump device (7) is connected via a short-circuit line (15) to a valve device (11.2, 11.2') delivering the fluids, and that the pump device (7) is connected on the pressure side to a valve arrangement (9) comprising a large number of valves arranged in parallel for separating the individual fluids and/or cleaning and flushing media.
- Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the pump mechanism (7) is connected on the suction side to the second opening (6) of the valve mechanism (4).
- Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the pump mechanism (7) is connected on the suction side to the first opening (5) of the valve mechanism (4).
- Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the pump mechanism (7) is connected on the suction side, at least at times, simultaneously to the first opening (5) and to the second opening (6) of the valve mechanism (4), or intermittently changing between the first opening (5) and the second opening (6) of the valve mechanism (4).
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that means are provided for controlling the suction capacity of the pump mechanism (7).
- Device according to claim 5, characterised in that means for controlling the suction capacity of the pump mechanism (7) are formed by a control valve (8) formed between the treatment head (3) and the pump mechanism (7).
- Device according to claim 5, characterised in that the means for controlling the suction capacity of the pump mechanism (7) is formed by a frequency converter assigned to the pump mechanism (7).
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that several treatment heads (3, 3') are provided, which are connected to a common pump mechanism (7).
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that several treatment head groups are provided, each with several treatment heads (3, 3'), wherein each treatment head group is assigned to a separate pump mechanism (7).
- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that several treatment heads (3, 3') are provided, which are each connected to a separate pump mechanism (7, 7') assigned to them.
- Device according to claim 10, characterised in that in each case a separate valve mechanism (9, 9') is assigned to each pump mechanism (7, 7'), the valve mechanism consisting of several valves arranged parallel for separating the individual fluids and/or cleaning and flushing media.
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first opening (5) is connected by way of the treatment head (3) at least at times to a mechanism for delivering a gaseous mechanism which is under pressure.
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by a configuration such that an emptying of the reusable cask (2) takes place by sucking the cleaning and flushing media via the second opening (6) under the simultaneous imposition on the reusable cask (2) of a gaseous medium under pressure at the first opening (5).
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 12, characterised by its configuration in such a way an emptying of the reusable cask (2) takes place by sucking the cleaning and flushing media via the first opening (5) under the simultaneous imposition on the reusable cask (2) of a gaseous medium under pressure at the second opening (6).
- Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 -12, characterised by its configuration in such a way that an emptying of the reusable cask (2) takes place by sucking out the cleaning and flushing media and the imposing of a gaseous medium under pressure on the reusable cask (2) via the same opening, and specifically in temporally sequenced treatment steps.
- Method for cleaning reusable casks by means of a device (1), comprising at least one treatment head (3), which is connected to a valve mechanism (4) of a reusable cask (2), this valve mechanism comprising a first opening (5) connected to a central pipe (2.2) extending in the interior (2.1) of the reusable cask (2), and a second opening (6) connected directly to the interior (2.1) of the reusable cask (2), wherein, by means of the treatment head (3), fluids, in particular cleaning and flushing media, are delivered into the interior (2.1) of the reusable cask (2) which is to be cleaned, and, after the cleaning and flushing procedure, are removed from the reusable cask (2) again, wherein the treatment head (3) is at least at times connected to a pump mechanism (7), by means of which the fluids are sucked out of the interior (2.1) of the reusable cask (2), wherein the pump mechanism (7) is connected on the suction side at least at times via a short-circuit line (15) to a valve mechanism (11.2, 11.2') delivering the fluids, wherein the valve mechanism (11.2, 11.2') consists of a plurality of valves (11.2) connected in parallel, by means of which different fluids can be delivered in a controlled manner as a dependency of the respective treatment step, and wherein the fluids, in particular cleaning and flushing media, are separated by a plurality of valves (9) arranged in parallel and connected on the pressure side to the pump mechanism (7).
- Method according to claim 16, characterised in that the suction capacity of the pump mechanism (7) is controlled by a control valve (8) provided between the treatment head (3) and the pump mechanism (7).
- Method according to any one of claims 16 to 17, characterised in that several treatment heads (3, 3') are provided, wherein two or more treatment heads (3, 3') are connected to a common pump mechanism (7), or wherein a separate pump mechanism (7, 7') is assigned in each case to all the treatment heads (3, 3').
- Method according to any one of claims 16-18, characterised in that the interior (2.1) of the reusable cask (2) is at least at times subjected simultaneously via the first opening (5) to a gaseous medium under pressure, and via the second opening (5) to a negative pressure provided by the pump mechanism (7) in order to empty the interior (2.1) of the reusable cask (2).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL14805843T PL3083087T3 (en) | 2013-12-18 | 2014-11-27 | Apparatus and method for cleaning containers |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102013114383.0A DE102013114383B4 (en) | 2013-12-18 | 2013-12-18 | Cleaning device and method for cleaning containers |
PCT/EP2014/075756 WO2015090888A1 (en) | 2013-12-18 | 2014-11-27 | Cleaning device and method for cleaning containers |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3083087A1 EP3083087A1 (en) | 2016-10-26 |
EP3083087B1 true EP3083087B1 (en) | 2021-09-15 |
Family
ID=52002924
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP14805843.1A Active EP3083087B1 (en) | 2013-12-18 | 2014-11-27 | Apparatus and method for cleaning containers |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US10252301B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3083087B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE102013114383B4 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2890674T3 (en) |
PL (1) | PL3083087T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2015090888A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102015102401B3 (en) * | 2015-02-20 | 2016-04-28 | Khs Gmbh | Method and treatment station for heating and sterilizing KEGs, in particular reusable KEGs |
DE102015106279A1 (en) * | 2015-04-23 | 2016-10-27 | Mobilplan Industrie- Und Umwelttechnik | Valve device and method for operating the valve device |
IT201700081876A1 (en) * | 2017-07-19 | 2019-01-19 | Gruppo Bisaro Sifa Srl | DEVICE AND PROCEDURE FOR WASHING CONTAINERS FOR FOOD LIQUIDS OR FILTERS FOR FERMENTED DRINKS. |
DE102021122454A1 (en) | 2021-08-31 | 2023-03-02 | Khs Gmbh | Treatment plant for KEGs |
DE102021122472A1 (en) | 2021-08-31 | 2023-03-02 | Khs Gmbh | Treatment system for treating KEGs |
DE102021122433A1 (en) | 2021-08-31 | 2023-03-02 | Khs Gmbh | Treatment plant for KEGs |
DE102021122440A1 (en) | 2021-08-31 | 2023-03-02 | Khs Gmbh | Treatment plant for KEGs |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3140828A (en) | 1963-02-26 | 1964-07-14 | Theodore E Ferris & Sons | Tank washing system |
DE3602209A1 (en) * | 1986-01-25 | 1987-07-30 | Herbert Malek | Process and apparatus for cleaning the inside of barrels, in particular of kegs for beer or the like |
GB8603420D0 (en) * | 1986-02-12 | 1986-03-19 | Burnett & Rolfe Ltd | Cleansing kegs |
DE19933376C2 (en) * | 1999-07-20 | 2002-06-13 | Till Gea Gmbh & Co | Method and device for cleaning, sterilizing and / or preparing containers for filling |
EP1748573B1 (en) * | 2005-07-29 | 2010-03-31 | Grundfos Management A/S | Method for data transmission between a pump and a controlling unit and corresponding pump. |
DE102009024336A1 (en) * | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-23 | Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum Gmbh | vacuum pump |
-
2013
- 2013-12-18 DE DE102013114383.0A patent/DE102013114383B4/en active Active
-
2014
- 2014-11-27 PL PL14805843T patent/PL3083087T3/en unknown
- 2014-11-27 ES ES14805843T patent/ES2890674T3/en active Active
- 2014-11-27 WO PCT/EP2014/075756 patent/WO2015090888A1/en active Application Filing
- 2014-11-27 EP EP14805843.1A patent/EP3083087B1/en active Active
- 2014-11-27 US US15/105,910 patent/US10252301B2/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3083087A1 (en) | 2016-10-26 |
US20160318076A1 (en) | 2016-11-03 |
ES2890674T3 (en) | 2022-01-21 |
DE102013114383A1 (en) | 2015-06-18 |
PL3083087T3 (en) | 2022-01-31 |
DE102013114383B4 (en) | 2016-04-07 |
WO2015090888A1 (en) | 2015-06-25 |
US10252301B2 (en) | 2019-04-09 |
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